Each week while Congress is in session, our Policy team delivers a key update to highlight a topical benefits, health, or retirement news item from the Hill, such as a newly introduced bill, a summary of a committee hearing,...more
Final Week Before Easter Recess - Focus this week on Capitol Hill will remain on reconciliation, as Republicans aim to pass the unified budget resolution in the House before leaving on Thursday for the two-week Easter...more
The Senate approved H.Con.Res.14 in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 5, concluding a vote-a-rama that began the night before and lasted over 5 hours. The final vote was 51-48, with Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Susan...more
On Thursday, April 3, the Senate voted 52-48 on the motion to proceed with debate on H.Con.Res.14, the Senate’s new fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget resolution, triggering a statutorily required 20 hours of debate. Both the House...more
As the end of the 2025 Legislative Session draws near, those who still harbor hope for the legislative process look ahead to next year — with study committees. Everyone’s favorite way to see lawmakers and lobbyists in...more
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....more
Unusually heavy traffic that stalled commutes to the Georgia State Capitol for many on Thursday morning may prove to be symbolic of the waning days of the 2025 Legislative Session. With many bills and resolutions still...more
In November 2023, we pondered whether 2024 might be “the year” for medical marijuana legalization in North Carolina. Well, it wasn’t. Why, you ask? How can a state whose population has expressed overwhelming bipartisan...more
Blood rolled in the streets at the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday — the LifeSouth Bloodmobile, to be exact. While some lawmakers and lobbyists chose to voluntarily give the gift of life, for others, it was a painful...more
The Senate approved S.Con.Res.7 in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 21, concluding a vote-a-rama that began the night before and lasted over 10 hours. The final vote was 52-48, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining...more
On Wednesday Feb. 12, the Senate Budget Committee advanced a fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget resolution by a vote of 11-10. The Senate voted to move forward with debate on the resolution on Tuesday, Feb. 18, triggering a...more
After the Presidents Day long weekend, the House is out of session this week. The Senate is in session, with a continued focus on nominations and potential floor action on the budget resolution that the Senate Budget...more
The Senate is in session this week, but the House is in recess. It is anticipated that the Senate may begin floor work on its budget resolution this week, culminating in a “vote-a-rama,” which is a series of votes on...more
Impact of Minnesota Supreme Court Quorum Decision - Last Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court weighed in on the question of whether 67 or 68 members of the House of Representatives are needed to constitute a quorum,...more
Republicans hold a trifecta of control after winning the White House, US Senate, and US House of Representatives for the 119th Congress. They will aim to pass an agenda backed by President Trump that is focused on tax cuts,...more
Visitors to the Georgia State Capitol were delighted by the rhythm and artistry of a lion dance in the South Wing on Wednesday as the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus hosted its second annual Lunar New Year...more
On Tuesday, January 14, Tennessee’s 99 Representatives and 33 Senators gaveled into session for the first official day of business as the state’s 114th General Assembly. Among the first tasks were electing the top leadership...more
Both the House and Senate are in session this week. Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump met with several groups of House Republicans to discuss strategy to enact Republican priorities this Congress, including...more
Both the House and Senate are in session this week as the 119th Congress kicks into gear, after formally being sworn in on Friday, January 3. Over the weekend, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced his intent for the House...more
A lot has happened in the last three weeks, so here’s a high-level recap: Congress successfully, albeit rockily, passed a continuing resolution that will fund the government through March 14, 2025. That legislation...more
118th Congress Wraps Up - Congress has five days to complete remaining business before the December 20 government funding deadline. It is still expected that the government will be funded via a short-term continuing...more
Senate Special Committee on Aging Holds Hearing on People with Disabilities. Senators and witnesses acknowledged the significant barriers that exist for Americans with disabilities and discussed current and proposed federal...more
Congress is back in session with a loaded agenda for the lame duck period. One of the top issues the life sciences industry is tracking is the potential passage of the BIOSECURE Act. Speaker Johnson has signaled the House...more