Becker & Poliakoff

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 8

Perspectives Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 8

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 8

Perry S. Adair, Anthony Bedell, Chris Berardini, Shannon Duncanson, Omar Franco, Bert Gómez, Sadie Haire, Alfonso Lopez, Daniela Mulet, Clarence Williams, Amanda L. Wood | 01.08.2024
Client Advisory | Washington Weekly

The House:

The House returns this week to continue discussions on the looming January 19th deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)  have negotiated an agreement on the top-line spending levels for the current fiscal, reducing the likelihood of a partial government shutdown on Jan. 20. With the cap set at $1.59 trillion for the 12 annual spending bills, the deal allows appropriations committees in both chambers to proceed with detailed negotiations.

House Members will also hold several committee hearings this week, including the following:

  • House Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability (Committee on Homeland Security) will discuss Improving Enforcement in Countering Uyghur Forced Labor
  • House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) will discuss Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024

The Senate:

Senators are also back in town this week. Senators are currently engaged in ongoing efforts to formulate an agreement that would swap stringent new immigration regulations for a foreign aid package benefiting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Party leaders express optimism about the possibility of revealing the deal sometime this week. Despite the spending agreement reached on Sunday, there remains uncertainty regarding the potential linkage of the border and aid package to the spending bills. While such a connection could address multiple significant issues simultaneously, it also poses the risk of introducing additional complications.

Members will also participate in committee hearings this week, including the following:

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss the Oversight of A.I.
  • Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will discuss Federal Electric Vehicle Incentives Including the Federal Government’s Role in Fostering Reliable and Resilient Electric Vehicle Supply Chains

The Administration:

The President is in support of the agreement met between Majority Leader Schumer and Speaker Johnson. He is scheduled travel to Dallas today to pay his respects to the late Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).