Becker & Poliakoff

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 29, 2021

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 29, 2021

Congress Returns Today to Finish a Busy 2021

The Federal Government faces the threat of another government shutdown this Friday, December 3, when funding will run out. To avert a shutdown, lawmakers will need to pass another temporary stopgap spending measure or a full funding bill. House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) wants to pass another temporary measure to buy time to negotiate a long-term funding bill. Some lawmakers have suggested a short-term deadline of December 17, while other reports indicate the stopgap could run through the end of January.

Lawmakers are also working on a plan to extend the debt limit once again after passing a temporary extension last October. Democrats had difficulty gaining Republican support despite the bipartisan history of debt-extensions and will likely experience the same pushback as Treasury Secretary Yellen forecasts a government default in mid-December.

Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) will advance the National Defense Authorization Act this week as the Chamber continues to negotiate the Build Back Better Act, which has already passed the House.

 

THE SENATE

The Senate will hold nomination hearings, markups, and committee hearings, including:

  • The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will consider the nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, and Alvaro M. Bedoya to be a Federal Trade Commissioner.

 

THE HOUSE

The House will also host committee hearings this week, including:

  • The House Education and Labor Committee’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee will discuss Strengthening the Safety Net for Injured Workers,
  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee will consider ways to hold big tech accountable and ways to address tech’s legal immunity,
  • The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the Federal Perspectives on Securing the Nation’s Infrastructure.

Additionally, the House will consider 24 bills under suspension of the rules, including:

  • Forming the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, under the Department of Commerce, to focus on cybersecurity policy,
  • Establishing a 6G taskforce within the FCC,
  • A cybersecurity campaign administered by NTIA.

Becker’s Federal Lobbying Team will continue to monitor these developments as they evolve and will share with you as soon as information becomes available.