The House
The House is officially back in session this evening. However, all recorded votes will be delayed until Wednesday at the earliest as many members are in South Carolina this evening for the Democratic debate. Once the majority of House members are back in Washington, there are a number of critical committee hearings this week, which include:
- On Wednesday, the Ways and Means Committee is expected to hold a hearing on U.S.-China trade and competition
- On Wednesday, the Small Business Committee is expected to hold a hearing titled, “A Discussion with SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza: Current Issues and the FY2021 Budget”
- On Thursday, the Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Small Business Committee is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Moving America’s Infrastructure Forward”
- On Thursday, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Oversight of the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Implementation”
The Senate
The Senate officially returned to session on Monday. After spending much of this Congress concentrating mainly on confirming judicial appointments, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will direct the Senate back towards the legislative arena as the Senate is expected to consider two polarizing anti-abortion measures this week. One bill that is expected to be considered bans all abortions after 20 weeks while the other is the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
The Senate also has a number of relevant hearings on the docket for this week, including:
- On Monday, the Security Subcommittee of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing on oversight of air cargo security.
- On Tuesday, the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing titled, “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Public Transportation Stakeholders’ Perspectives”
- On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is expected to host their counterparts from the House for two hearings comprised of legislative presentations by multiple veterans’ service organizations.
The Administration
Late Monday evening, the Trump Administration submitted its request to Congress for $2.5 billion as part of a supplemental budget request to combat the spread of the Coronavirus.
President Trump began his week in India. On Monday, following a visit to the Taj Mahal with First Lady Melania Trump, the president delivered remarks at a rally alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. On Tuesday, the president took in the sights of New Delhi with Prime Minister Modi, participated in a business roundtable at the residence of the American Ambassador, and made a courtesy call to Indian President Nath Kovind before departing India.
On Friday, the president is expected to attend a fundraiser for Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in South Carolina before delivering remarks at a campaign rally in North Charleston.
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