The House
Congress is back open for business again after House lawmakers elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as the next Speaker of the House following three unsuccessful nominations of prior candidates. With a Speaker now in office, the House can now conduct normal floor business including advancing appropriations bills.
Upon his election, Speaker Johnson set a week-to-week schedule for the Chamber to consider pending appropriations, with the Energy & Water bill passing last week and the Interior, Transportation-HUD, and Legislative Branch bills set for this week. Lawmakers are also expected to take up six measures related to the Israel-Hamas war.
In addition to legislation, Members will also participate in the following committee hearings:
- The House Financial Services Committee will hold an oversight hearing of the SEC and discuss high insurance costs
- The House Veterans Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing of the Department of Veterans Affairs
- The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a Member Day hearing
The Senate
The Senate returns to Washington this week to continue voting on FY24 appropriations bills in addition to confirming the Biden Administration’s nominee to be an ambassador to Israel.
Senators will also hold the following committee hearings:
- The Senate Appropriations Committee will discuss the Biden Administration’s national security supplemental request
- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will discuss climate change and extreme weather events
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will discuss AI and the future of work
The Administration
President Joe Biden returns to D.C. this week from Delaware today to participate in an event with Vice President Kamala Harris regarding a new AI executive order the President is set to sign today.
The President and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will also host local public school students, children of servicemembers, and neighborhood families for trick-or-treating at the White House.