Becker & Poliakoff

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 28, 2022

Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 28, 2022

117th Congress’ Final Weeks

The House and Senate return to DC this week after the Thanksgiving Recess for its final stretch of the 2022 working period. Lawmakers still need to clear must-pass pieces of legislation during that time such as a government funding bill and a national defense authorization, but the impending transfer of power to House Republicans in January could push back that timeline.

In the meantime, the Senate and House have a packed week of votes and committee hearings. The Senate will continue its consideration of the same-sex marriage bill this week, which the House will likely need to pass again before sending it to President Biden.

The House will take up a number of bills this week, the majority of which under expedited procedures including the following:

  • A bill providing over $11 million in grants to provide various reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals through a new reentry program and hotline.
  • A bill reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program through fiscal 2027.
  • A number of VA-related bills regarding doula services, outreach grants for state and tribal governments, and foster homecare payment relief for veterans with severe service-related disabilities.
  • A bill requiring the Homeland Security Department to craft guidance and courses for firefighters and emergency response personnel to prevent exposure to and the release of PFAS.
  • Various bills providing state and local agencies with new resources to provide de-escalation tactics, alternative uses of force, suicide prevention programs for incarcerated individuals, and other mental health services.

The Senate will continue to consider the bipartisan, House-passed same-sex marriage bill, in addition to holding the following committee hearings:

  • The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing discussing private sector perspectives in implementing the bipartisan infrastructure law.
  • The Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness will hold a hearing on trade policy in the digital economy.
  • The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee will hold a hearing discussion the recent FTX collapse.
  • The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will discuss discrimination in banking.

The Administration

President Biden and the First Lady are returning to DC this week after spending Thanksgiving in Nantucket with family. Throughout the week, the President will host this year’s American Nobel Prize Winners and then French President Emanuel Macron for a bilateral meeting and a state dinner.

The President will also travel to Michigan this week to speak about economic progress, and will return to DC to host the White House Tribal Nations Summit with Vice President Kamala Harris.