House and Senate Return to Washington

Both the House and the Senate return to Washington next week. Throughout the week, the appropriations and authorizing committees will continue to hear from department and agency heads on the President’s FY20 budget proposal. On Monday, the Senate will take up William Cooper’s nomination to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy. On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee will hold a hearing on Medicare for All legislation offered by Rep. Jayapal (D-WA), while the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold another in a series of hearings to date on drug pricing, this one focused on Medicare Parts B and D. The President, Speaker Pelosi (D-CA), and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) are also scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss infrastructure, while the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a members’ day hearing on Wednesday during which all representatives are invited to discuss their infrastructure and surface transportation reauthorization priorities.

Attorney General Barr to Testify May 1

On May 1, Attorney General Bill Barr will testify about the Department of Justice investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Majority Leader Hoyer (D-MD) expects the House to take up legislation this month related to climate change, disaster relief, and retirement savings, as well as the Equality Act and potentially bills to address prescription drug pricing and Dreamers. Looking further ahead, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to hold a FCC oversight hearing next monthly, tentatively on May 15.