Becker & Poliakoff

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 28, 2020

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 28, 2020

The House

The House returned to session Monday evening. House Democrats are expected to release their infrastructure plans, which will likely include stated priorities of the Transportation and Infrastructure, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce Committees, this week. There are also a number of important hearings in the House this week, including:

  • Ways and Means Committee hearing, entitled “Legislative Proposals for Paid Family and Medical Leave” on Tuesday.
  • Education and Labor Committee, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions hearing, entitled “Expecting More: Addressing America’s Maternal and Infant Health Crisis” on Tuesday.
  • Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, entitled “Caring for Veterans in Crisis: Ensuring a Comprehensive Health System Approach” on Wednesday.
  • Ways and Means Committee hearing, entitled “Paving the Way for Funding and Financing Infrastructure Investments” on Wednesday.
  • Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing, entitled “Empowering and Connecting Communities through Digital Equity and Internet Adoption” on Wednesday.

The Senate

The Senate also returned to session on Monday. The impeachment trial continues this week as President Trump’s team delivers its defense. The presentation is expected to conclude Tuesday evening. If that is the case, tomorrow will likely be the start of a question and answer session wherein Senators can submit questions to the House Managers and the President’s defense team through Chief Justice John Roberts for up to sixteen hours. Once the question and answer portion has concluded, there will be up to four hours of debate followed by a vote on whether to allow for subpoenas of additional witnesses and documents. If no subpoenas are issued, the impeachment trial could end with a final vote on acquittal as early as next week.

The Administration

On Monday, President Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his challenger, Benny Gantz as the Trump Administration releases its Middle East peace plan. On Tuesday, the President is expected to travel to Wildwood, New Jersey for a campaign rally. On Wednesday, the President will be back in the White House for a signing ceremony for the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. On Thursday, President Trump is expected to tour Dana Manufacturing in Warren, Michigan before attending a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa later that evening. Finally, President Trump will deliver remarks at a summit on human trafficking at the White House on Friday.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departs on Wednesday for a multi-country tour with expected stops in the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

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