Sen. Udall, Rep. Serrano Not Seeking Reelection

This week, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) announced they will not seek reelection in 2020. Udall is a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Serrano chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Science, and Justice.

Veto Override Fails, Paycheck Fairness Act and SAFE Banking Act Advance

On Tuesday, the House voted 248-181, short of the two-thirds required, to override the President’s veto of a resolution ending his emergency declaration to redirect federal funds to build a border wall. Yesterday, the House voted largely along party lines to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, aimed at closing the gender pay gap. Elsewhere, the House Financial Services Committee voted 45-15 this morning to advance the SAFE Banking Act, legislation that would shield banks, credit unions, and, as amended, insurers, from federal penalties for providing services to marijuana businesses that are operating legally under state laws.

Green New Deal

The Senate started its week with a procedural vote on the Green New Deal Resolution. No senators voted in favor of taking up the non-binding resolution, with most Democrats voting ‘present’ on what amounted to a political messaging vote. Later, senators voted 90-10 to begin debate on a $13.5 billion FY19 supplemental disaster aid bill package, but it remains unclear how or if the package will move forward as Democrats call for increased funds directed to Puerto Rico. Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) also intends to try to force a vote on an amendment that would block funds to the Department of Justice from being used to support a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act.

Nominations

This morning, David Bernhardt testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in support of his nomination to be the Secretary of the Interior. This afternoon, the Senate voted 95-1 to confirm Nicole Nason to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.

Earlier this week, the President hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for bilateral meetings. On Tuesday, the White House formally sent Jeff Rosen’s nomination to be Deputy Attorney General to the Senate. Rosen is currently the Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

U.S. Housing Finance System Reform

Yesterday, the President signed a memorandum directing a number of federal agencies to develop plans to reform the U.S. housing finance system, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Read more in our Emerging Technologies Washington Update.