Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of March 23

DHS Shutdown Enters Sixth Week

The DHS shutdown continues as the White House and Congressional leaders negotiate to fully reopen the Department.

This week, the House of Representatives will once again vote on legislation to fund DHS and will take up a resolution expressing gratitude for DHS employees. The House will also consider legislation to allow the president to deny foreign vessels entry into US ports if they accessed a previously US-owned port that had been seized or nationalized by a Western Hemisphere foreign trade partner.

The Senate will take up a vote to confirm Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Senate leaders will also continue to work towards a deal to bring the DHS shutdown to an end.

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

• The House Committee on Small Business will discuss combatting Chinese threats to American small businesses
• The House Committee on Natural Resources’ subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will examine the critical mineral commodity supply chain
• The House Committee on Financial Services’ subcommittee on Housing and Insurance will discuss the high cost of flooding
• The House Committee on Homeland Security will examine the harmful impacts of the DHS shutdown
• The Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing highlighting the important role of seniors in the workforce