The House
The House returned to session on Monday. This week, the House is expected to vote on repealing President Trump’s travel ban in a way that limits Republican attempts to use a procedural tactic to significantly alter or delay legislation on the House floor. This could signal the beginning of the end for the “motion to recommit” that minority parties have used for nearly a century to block unpalatable legislation. On Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi will host the traditional St. Patrick’s Day lunch in the Capitol. There are also a number of important hearings this week including:
- On Tuesday, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a markup on a number of bills related to public safety, media diversity, and c-band.
- On Tuesday, the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on pending legislation.
- On Tuesday, the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Community Perspectives on Coronavirus Preparedness and Response.”
- On Wednesday, the Oversight and Reform Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Coronavirus Preparedness and Response.”
- On Wednesday, the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing entitled “FEMA’s Priorities for 2020 and Beyond: Coordinating Mission and Vision.”
The Senate
The Senate is also back in Session today. Among the first items of business in the Senate is the continued consideration of the S. 2657, a legislative vehicle for the American Energy Innovation Act.
Congressional Leadership will spend time this week preparing contingency plans for a Coronavirus outbreak in the Capitol. Two members of Congress – Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) – are self-quarantined following interaction at the Conservative Political Action Conference with an individual who contracted Coronavirus. While both Members of Congress are asymptomatic, their decisions to quarantine could be the first of many among lawmakers. For now, the Senate will continue its business as usual by holding a number of relevant hearings, including:
- On Tuesday, the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the FCC’s FY2021 budget request.
- On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing entitled “Competition in Digital Technology Markets: Examining Self-Preferencing by Digital Platforms.”
- On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property will hold a hearing entitled “Copyright Law in Foreign Jurisdictions: How are Other Countries Handling Digital Piracy?”
- On Thursday, the Small Business Committee will hold a hearing entitled “The Coronavirus and America’s Small Business Supply Chain.”
The Administration
President Donald Trump begins his week in Florida where he expected to participate in a roundtable discussion and fundraising luncheon with supporters in Longwood before returning to Washington, DC. On Tuesday, the President will present General Jack Keane with the Medal of Freedom. The President is expected to meet with the Prime Minister of Ireland at the White House on Thursday. Later this week, the President is scheduled to deliver remarks at the Republic Jewish Coalition Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, though the exact date and time has not been publicly announced.
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