Minimum Wage, Intelligence Reauthorization and Healthcare Bills

Today, the House will vote to renew the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Next week, the House plans to vote on legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 and on a three-year intelligence reauthorization, with healthcare bills on the agenda for the week of July 22. House leadership also plans to bring legislation related to Saudi arms sales and election security to the floor before the August recess, but will not hold votes on its remaining two FY20 appropriations bills – Homeland Security and Legislative Branch – before the August recess.

Pending Executive and Judicial Nominations

The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet considered any FY20 appropriations measures; Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Chairman Shelby (R-AL) are holding consideration while the White House and congressional leaders negotiate a budget deal to set spending caps. While those negotiations continue, McConnell is expected to continue to bring pending executive branch and judicial nominations to the floor. Notably, McConnell aims to confirm Mark Esper, the President’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Defense, before the August recess, though the White House has not yet sent the nomination to the Senate. Bipartisan congressional leaders have agreed in principle to hold a confirmation hearing next Tuesday, provided the Senate has formally received the nomination.

President to Meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan

President Trump will host Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan at the White House on July 22 to discuss counterterrorism, defense, energy, and trade, among other issues of mutual interest.

Read more in McGuireWoods Consulting’s Emerging Technologies Washington Update.