House Preps Messaging Bills for Police Week, Senate Begins the Week With Another Nomination, Debt Limit Update
Jason Pye - Director, Rule of Law Initiatives
Point of Order is a (mostly) weekly preview of key congressional activity for those with more than a passing interest in federal policy.
Schedule and suspensions in the House: The House returns on Monday at 2:00 pm for legislative business. First votes are expected at 6:30 pm. Legislative business will begin at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, 12:00 pm on Wednesday, and 9:00 am on Thursday. Last votes for the week are expected no later than 3:00 pm Thursday. Two bills (listed below) will be considered under the suspension of the rules. The cost estimates for these bills can be found here.
H.Res. 363, A resolution memorializing law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty (Judiciary Committee)
H.R. 3089, NDO Fairness Act (Judiciary Committee)
Bills that come to the floor under suspension of the rules require two-thirds of members present and voting for passage. This is the most common way that bills considered by the House come to the floor. Some of these bills may be passed by a voice vote, rather than a roll call vote. Most bills that come to the floor under suspension aren’t widely considered controversial, although leadership may occasionally test a bill under suspension to gauge opposition or sneak a bill through the chamber.
Rule bills: It’s Police Week in Washington, DC, so the pandering will be off the charts. The House Rules Committee will meet today at 5:00 pm to markup the rule for the POLICE Act, H.R. 2494; the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, H.R. 3091; and a resolution expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies, H.Con.Res. 40. The POLICE Act would make assaulting a police officer a deportable offense in immigration law. (Too bad this can’t be applied to the January 6 insurrectionists.) The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act would create a program that would allow a federal law enforcement officer to purchase the retired handgun issued to him or her. H.Con.Res. 40 is self-explanatory. Although it’s nonbinding, House Republican leadership has made it a concurrent resolution, meaning it will be transmitted to the Senate upon passage. In other words, it’s a game of political gotcha to slam Senate Democrats if they don’t bring it to the floor.
On George Santos: As I’m sure you’ve heard, Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was indicted on 13 counts. The allegations include wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to the House. What happens next? The House Republican Conference rules stipulate that a member who is indicted will step down from his or her committee assignments. Well, Santos recused himself from his committee assignments a while back because of the distraction he created with all of the allegedly false statements he made. There was some criticism of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) last week when he didn’t commit to expelling Santos. That hasn’t been the protocol in the past. The two most recent expulsions from the House—Rep. Michael Myers in October 1980 and Rep. James Traficant (D-OH) in July 2002—happened after a conviction. For his part, Santos says he won’t resign and plans to run for reelection.
Debt limit negotiation update: A scheduled meeting on the debt limit was scheduled to take place at the White House on Friday, but the meeting was postponed so staff-level talks could continue. However, Speaker McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will meet with President Biden on Tuesday. Meanwhile, we’re getting close to June 1, which could be the date that the Treasury runs out of cash to pay debt obligations. It does seem like President Biden is now open to some reductions in spending, but the White House isn’t willing to touch the Inflation Reduction Act and social welfare programs. Still, time isn’t on anyone’s side here. For those playing along at home, the House and Senate are scheduled to be in this week and next week, but the week-long recess that coincides with Memorial Day is looming. Of course, if a deal is reached, some of those days during that recess week could
House committee schedule: Below are some House committee hearings that may be of interest. The full House committee schedule for the week is here.
Protecting the Homeland: An Examination of Federal Efforts to Support State and Local Law Enforcement (Homeland Security Subcommittees on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and Emergency Management and Technology; Tuesday at 9:00 am)
Markup of Various Legislative Measures (Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security; Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Health Care Price Transparency: A Patient's Right to Know (Ways and Means, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Overdue Oversight of the Capital City: Part II (Oversight and Accountability, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Revisiting the Implications of the FACE Act (Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Markup of Various Legislative Measures (Foreign Affairs, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Member Day (Armed Services, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Oversight of Prudential Regulators (Financial Services, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education (Education and the Workforce, Tuesday at 10:15 am)
Looking Ahead Series: Oversight of the United States Capitol Police (House Administration, Tuesday at 10:15 am)
Reviewing VA’s Implementation of the PACT Act (Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Hearing on Compliance with Committee Oversight (Judiciary Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
“Mostly Peaceful': Countering Left-Wing Organized Violence (Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability; Tuesday at 2:00 pm)
Markup of Various Legislative Measures (Homeland Security, Wednesday at 9:30 am)
Business Meeting (Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Continued Oversight Over Regional Bank Failures (Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy and Oversight and Investigations, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Taking on More Risk: Examining the SBA'S Changes to the 7(a) Lending Program Part II (Small Business, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part I - Interoperability of AI and Copyright Law (Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet; Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Markup of Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill (Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Tracking the Postal Service: An Update on the Delivering for America Plan (Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Like Fire Through Dry Grass: Nursing Home Mortality and COVID-19 Policies (Coronavirus Pandemic, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Markup of Fiscal Year 2024 Legislative Branch Bill (Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Wednesday at 11:00 am)
Why Health Care is Unaffordable: Anticompetitive and Consolidated Markets (Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
The State Of American Influence In 2023: Great Power Competition And Persistent Crises In An Era Of Budget Constraints (Foreign Affairs, Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
Business Meeting to Consider the Public Release of a Committee Event Unclassified Transcript (Intelligence, Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
Driving Bad Policy: Examining EPA’s Tailpipe Emissions Rules and the Realities of a Rapid Electric Vehicle Transition (Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs; Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
The Current Mortgage Market: Undermining Housing Affordability with Politics (Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
The Transition Assistance Program: Steps to Ensure Success for Servicemembers as they Enter Civilian Life (Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Wednesday at 3:00 pm)
Leveling the Playing Field: How to Counter the CCP's Economic Aggression (Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Wednesday at 7:00 pm)
Putting the ‘Stable’ in ‘Stablecoins:’ How Legislation Will Help Stablecoins Achieve Their Promise (Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion; Thursday at 9:00 am)
Standing United Against the People’s Republic of China’s Economic Aggression and Predatory Practices (Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, Thursday at 9:00 am)
Hearing (Weaponization of the Federal Government, Thursday at 9:00 am)
If you’re interested in watching any of these hearings online, you can find committee websites here.
Over in the Senate: The Senate will reconvene at 3:00 pm today to resume consideration of the nomination of Bradley N. Garcia to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Cloture was invoked on the Garcia nomination last week. A roll call vote on Garcia’s confirmation is expected to begin around 5:30 pm. I’ve got to note here that it has been harder to track the Senate lately. Nominees are obviously the biggest focus, but Republicans are forcing votes where they can, and we don’t always know when those are coming. For example, the Senate passed two disapproval resolutions, S.J.Res. 23 and S.J.Res. 24, under the Congressional Review Act last week. We do expect another nominee-heavy week, but that could change.
Feinstein returns: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) returned to the Senate last week after a roughly two-month absence as she battled shingles. So, for the first time in months, the Senate is back at full strength.
Senate committee schedule: Below are some Senate committee hearings that may be of interest. The full Senate committee schedule for the week is here.
House Republican Supplemental IRS Funding Cuts: Analyzing the Impact on Federal Law Enforcement and the Federal Deficit (Finance, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Oversight of A.I.: Rules for Artificial Intelligence (Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law; Tuesday at 10:00 am)
What Comes Next for U.S. Policy Towards Russia? (Foreign Relations, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Artificial Intelligence in Government (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Examining the Failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank (Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Examining NASA’s FY 2024 Budget and Priorities (Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Nominations Hearing (Foreign Relations, Tuesday at 2:00 pm)
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request: Investing in US Security, Competitiveness, and the Path Ahead for the U.S.-China Relationship (Appropriations, Tuesday at 2:00 pm)
Economic Cooperation for a Stronger and More Resilient Western Hemisphere (Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness; Tuesday at 3:00 pm)
The Impacts of Debt Ceiling Brinksmanship and Default on America’s Small Businesses (Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Tuesday at 3:30 pm)
Testimony on the Role of Special Operations Forces in Supporting the National Defense Strategy, Including Activities That Contribute to Long-Term Strategic Competition with China and Russia (Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Wednesday at 9:30 am)
Nominations Hearing (Judiciary, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
The Rich Get Richer, Deficits Get Bigger: How Tax Cuts for the Wealthy and Corporations Drive the National Debt (Budget, Wednesday at 10:00 am)
Business Meeting (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Wednesday at 10:30 am)
Review of Federal Judicial Ethics Processes at the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights; Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
Examining Health Care Denials and Delays in Medicare Advantage (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Wednesday at 2:00 pm)
Improving Health Care Access in Rural Communities: Obstacles and Opportunities (Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, Wednesday at 2:30 pm)
Strengthening Accountability at the Federal Reserve: Lessons and Opportunities for Reform (Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy; Wednesday at 2:30 pm)
Counting the Costs: How a U.S. Default Crisis Harms American Families and Businesses (Joint Economic Committee, Wednesday at 2:30 pm)
Nominations Hearing (Foreign Relations, Wednesday at 2:45 pm)
Executive Business Meeting (Judiciary, Thursday at 10:00 am)
Tax Incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act: Jobs and Investment in Energy Communities (Finance, Thursday at 10:15 am)
Assessing U.S. Policy Towards the Western Balkans (Foreign Relations, Thursday at 10:30 am)
If you’re interested in watching any of these hearings online, you can find committee websites here.
Deficit watch: The Budget deficit through April of FY 2023 is $928 billion. That’s down from the posted deficit of $1.1 trillion last month. However, year-over-year, receipts are down 10 percent and outlays are up by 8 percent. The decline in receipts is largely driven by lower individual income tax and other receipts.
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