Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of May 11

Reconciliation Negotiations Continue

Congress returns to Washington with the House set to take up its first fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill as Senate Republicans continue to navigate a second budget reconciliation bill.

This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to fund military construction and the Veterans Affairs Department for FY’27 and will take up legislation to allow for the year-round sale of E15 gasoline. They’re also set to consider a trio of bills requiring a list of states and localities allowing cashless bail, prohibiting fraud in connection with posting bail, and placing guidelines on court-appointed federal monitors.

Senate Republicans continue to prepare a second budget reconciliation bill, focused on immigration enforcement and White House security, ahead of an expected floor vote next week. The Senate is also closely monitoring the House’s vote on E15 sales. If passed, Majority Leader John Thune has indicated he will attempt to marry the bill to the House-passed Farm Bill.

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

• The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s subcommittee on Workforce Protections will examine private-sector strategies for emerging safety issues.
• The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s subcommittee on Energy will discuss permitting transmission for reliable and affordable power.
• The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing highlighting the rise of small American manufacturers.
• The Senate Judiciary Committees’ subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law will discuss federal action to keep children safe online.