Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of March 24
Washington’s March Madness
Congress returns to Washington this week following its week-long recess after lawmakers voted to avert a government shutdown. However, the House will briefly depart town this Wednesday so Members can attend the funeral of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who passed away earlier this month.
With recess and a shutdown battle behind them, House and Senate Republicans are expected to resume negotiations this week over the size and scope of a potential budget reconciliation package to advance President Trump’s immigration, defense, and tax priorities.
While the House is pushing to pass a comprehensive bill by mid-year seeking $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in overall spending cuts, the Senate hopes to take up the tax component sometime after that.
Meanwhile, House lawmakers will consider legislation repealing various Biden-era appliance efficiency regulations and setting disclosure requirements for American universities accepting foreign contributions. Other bills moving through expedited procedures largely deal with Energy Department operations, education grants, and foreign influence in federal research.
In the Senate this week, members will consider several nominations, including those of Marty Makary as FDA Commissioner, Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director, and John Phelan as Naval Secretary.
Lawmakers will also gavel in several committee hearings this week, including the following:
- The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will examine ways to improve VA collaborations with community providers
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee will discuss strategies to improve regional grid reliability
- The House Ways & Means Committee will consider American trade negotiation priorities
- The House Oversight & Governmental Reform Committee will hold an oversight hearing of FEMA
- The House Small Business Committee will examine regulatory burdens on small businesses
