Below is this week’s congressional update by BakerHostetler’s Federal Policy team. We’ll continue to post in weeks when both chambers of Congress are in session.

HEADLINES

• Congress and the White House continue to explore all possible options to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the possibility of cutting off Russian oil.
• Democrats and Republicans in each chamber will hold party retreats starting Wednesday – President Joe Biden is set to speak to both Democratic retreats.
• Current government funding is set to expire Friday – lawmakers are racing against the shortened legislative week to approve appropriations for the rest of the 2022 fiscal year, and will likely also include significant funding for Ukraine’s defense and humanitarian needs.

HOUSE

• The House will be in session today through Wednesday, aiming to pass legislation to fund the government before leaving for party retreats.
• The Judiciary Committee tomorrow will hold a hearing with local officials and stakeholders from around the country, including New York Mayor Eric Adams.
• Also tomorrow, the Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grant programs.
• The full schedule of committee activity can be found here.

SENATE

• The Senate plans to try again to pass Postal Service reform legislation, which was previously delayed by a clerical error. Senators must also join the House in approving an omnibus spending bill.
• The Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on mandatory arbitration in financial services products.
• Also tomorrow, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on bipartisan legislation to reauthorize pandemic preparedness programs.
• The current list of committee meetings can be found here.

WHITE HOUSE

• President Biden is continuing to work with Congress and other world leaders to assist Ukraine as Russian attacks intensify and civilian casualties mount.
• Tomorrow, he will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to meet with veterans and caregivers about the toxic effects of burn pits used in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Thursday, Biden will host Colombian President Ivan Duque for a bilateral meeting at the White House.

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