The End of Year Push Continues
Last week, Congress passed and President Biden signed into law a stopgap measure to fund the Federal Government and avoid a government shutdown through mid-February. The measure funds the government at current levels while new funding legislation is negotiated and finalized, buying Congress more time to finalize that legislation.
Congress still has a number of hurdles as the New Year approaches: Democrats must (1) extend the debt limit before it’s reached in the coming weeks, trying to garner Republican support so the Government does not default on its debts, and (2) continue negotiating the tax and spend reconciliation package, which is currently priced at nearly $1.75 trillion.
The Senate has reached gridlock in its National Defense Authorization Act negotiations, and thus the House this week may consider a compromise defense resolution to overpass Senate stalemate.
The House
The House will have multiple hearings this week:
- The House Oversight and Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Hearing will consider the urgent need for civil asset forfeiture reform.
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will markup the Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act. The Committee will also address PFAS research and concerns.
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce will hold a hearing entitled “Holding Big Tech Accountable: Legislation to Build a Safer Internet.”
The Senate
The Senate will host numerous hearings this week, including:
- The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hear testimony from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri to discuss the social media application’s potential toxicity. The Committee will also discuss challenges posed by ocean shipping supply chains.
- The Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth will discuss promoting competition, growth and privacy protection in the technology sector.
The Administration
This week, Congress will continue the process to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel, President Biden’s nominee to head the FCC.
Becker’s Federal Lobbying Team will continue to monitor these developments as they evolve and will share with you as soon as information becomes available.