The Senate
Senators return to DC tomorrow to take the lead on passing a stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown this Friday. Lawmakers will hold a procedural vote Tuesday to launch the vehicle containing the continuing resolution (CR) which will last through mid-December and is expected to include $12 billion in aid for Ukraine, funding for disaster relief in Jackson, Mississippi, and funding to resettle Afghan refugees.
One item that could throw a wrench in the process is Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) energy permitting reform bill, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has promised will be linked to the CR over the objection of some lawmakers.
The permitting bill has gained the support of both the White House and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), who had authored a rival permitting bill, but objections from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and some Republicans could impact the CR’s ability to clear a Senate filibuster.
- The Senate will also hold a number of hearings this week:
- The Senate Rules and Administration Committee will mark up a bill to amend the Electoral Count Act.
- The Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing discussing stakeholder views on the Brownfields Program’s reauthorization.
- The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on the FAA’s reauthorization.
The House
The House is out until Wednesday for Rosh Hashanah when it will return to take up over 30 bills, including legislation that would reauthorize two small business R&D programs, provide grants to schools to hire mental health service providers, and create an assistant secretary position within the Commerce Department to develop strategies to boost U.S. tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House will also hold a number of hearings this week:
- The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on the 2022 farm bill.
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing examining recent federal infrastructure investments.
- The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis will hold a hearing discussing the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act.
The Administration
The President will welcome the Atlanta Braves to the White House today to celebrate the team’s World Series win last year. He will also speak at the third meeting of the White House Competition Council which will unveil new strategies to lower costs for American families.