Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 9
Congress’ Lame Duck Session Begins
Lawmakers are back in Washington for the first time since last week’s midterm elections, which saw Democrats retake the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The lame duck session has several must-pass items on the docket, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and extending government funding past its current December 11th expiration date.
Other legislative priorities that Congress may consider during the lame duck include permitting reform legislation, the Farm Bill, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reauthorization, and the Ratepayer Protection Act.
In the House, outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is expected to force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. House Republican leaders previously blocked an impeachment vote in September by canceling votes and sending members home early, but Rep. Massie vowed to bring the measure back upon Congress’ return if Secretary Hegseth remained in his position.
The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on Monday to advance the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a sweeping permitting reform package that would ease environmental review requirements and facilitate power line construction. President Trump endorsed the legislation over the weekend and urged Congress to pass the package.
Lawmakers in both chambers will convene committee hearings this week, including the following:
- The House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will examine the rise of sports gambling on college campuses
- The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will discuss pathways to restore choice and accountability in the workplace
