Becker & Poliakoff

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of October 16, 2023

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of October 16, 2023

Congress Trudges On:

Congress is effectively paralyzed with the House of Representatives still lacking a Speaker. Last week, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) won his party’s nomination to be Speaker before withdrawing his name from consideration amid his narrow victory over House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH).

House Republicans then nominated Rep. Jordan to be their Speaker, and the Chamber may return this week to hold final votes.

Meanwhile, the Senate will return this week to hold nominee votes and take up annual appropriations bills. Both Chambers will also hold several committee hearings this week, including the following:

  • The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to discuss safeguards for the use of AI
  • The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing reviewing the effectiveness of the Federal Economic Development Program
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss NIL issues and the future of college sports
  • The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review the Department of Energy’s review process for competitive grants and loans

The Administration: 

President Joe Biden will travel to Pueblo, Colorado this week to tour CS Wind, the world’s leading wind tower manufacturer. He will also give remarks on the economy, jobs, and the clean energy sector.