Welcome to a New Washington
President Donald Trump was sworn into office yesterday as the nation’s 47th president, solidifying Republicans’ trifecta of power in the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
The President spent his first day in office signing a slew of executive orders largely repealing or freezing Biden-era policies and reinstating policies launched under Trump’s first administration, including those dealing with immigration restrictions, energy permitting, and agency operations.
The House and Senate are also in session today to consider several bills and administration nominees. The House will consider legislation dealing with federal and tribal land management, as well as wildfire response. The Senate will take up the House-passed Laken Riley Act dealing with immigration policies.
The Senate will also hold several nomination hearings this week after unanimously confirming former Senator Marco Rubio (FL) as Secretary of State yesterday. This week’s nomination hearings include the following:
- The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will consider the nomination of Doug Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY) to be UN Ambassador
- The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will vote on the nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation
- The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry will consider the nomination of Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture
The House will conduct its own hearings this week, including the following:
- The Energy & Commerce Committee will evaluate the impact of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act
- The Ways & Means Committee will discuss tax matters within the committee’s jurisdiction