Look Ahead to the Week of January 22: Senate Focuses on National Security Supplemental
The Senate is in session this week, but the House is out.
Last week, President Biden signed an additional temporary spending bill to extend government funding for certain agencies to March 1 and others to March 8, giving Congress more time to agree on the 12 spending bills for the fiscal year. Earlier in the month, congressional leaders agreed on top-line spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 government funding. However, there has yet to be a consensus on the details of the spending bills, which must be resolved in the coming weeks.
This week, the Senate will continue working on a national security funding package that contains both enhanced border security policies and additional aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has publicly stated he expects the upper chamber to vote this week on advancing the bill. Further, Biden has indicated he is open to “massive changes” in border security policy, including asylum laws, to reach an agreement. However, it remains to be seen if the proposal could pass both chambers.
Separately, the House Ways and Means Committee passed out of committee a bipartisan agreement on a nearly $80 billion tax policy proposal that focuses on business deductions and the child tax credit. Multiple steps must still be taken to build support in both the House and Senate for passage in the coming weeks.
Congress will continue its efforts in the coming months to pass reauthorizations for the Federal Aviation Administration authorities, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s electronic surveillance authorities, and the Farm Bill. Congress also continues to negotiate a comprehensive package of health care policies on price transparency, pharmacy benefit manager reform, and several health care extenders and reauthorizations.
Administration
On Monday, Biden will convene a meeting of his Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access to mark the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Senate Side
On Monday, the Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Christopher Koos to the Amtrak board of directors. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has also filed cloture on the other three nominees to join Koos on the board.
[View source.]
