Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of March 2

Conflict Ignites in the Middle East

Congress returns to Washington facing an expanding conflict in the Middle East after a joint US-Israeli operation eliminated the Supreme Leader and dozens of other senior government officials in Iran.

This week, the House of Representatives will vote on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been partially shut down since February 13th. The House may also consider a resolution to end military operations in Iran.

The Senate is also expected to consider a war powers resolution that would prevent further military action in Iran, and will take up a vote to advance housing affordability legislation.

Lawmakers in both chambers will convene committee hearings this week, including the following:

• The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will discuss opportunities to strengthen employer-led AI training
• The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s subcommittee on Energy will examine America’s energy infrastructure with a focus on pipeline safety
• The House Committee on Armed Services will assess the U.S. defense strategy and posture
• The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will discuss Ai’s role in improving safety, productivity, and care
• The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will examine the use of data to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes