Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of July 22

Shakeup in Washington

Lawmakers return to a seismically different Washington this week with President Joe Biden announcing that he will end his reelection campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him, just one month shy of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where the party will select its nominee for president.

Meanwhile, Congress has roughly two working weeks left before breaking for its month-long August recess. House lawmakers have lined up nearly 20 bills under expedited procedures dealing with VA clinic and Post Office designations, federal agency and judicial operations, water projects, and changes to criminal law.

The House will also take up several FY25 appropriations bills funding the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Treasury along with the FDA and EPA.

Senators will also be in Washington this week to vote on several of the President’s nominees.

Members are set to participate in committee hearings this week, including the following:

• The House Financial Services Committee will examine how AI can be applied in financial services and housing
• The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will examine the impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• The House Committee on House Administration will examine how Congress will operate after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Chevron case
• The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will discuss the impact of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment