On June 8, 2021 the administration released a report detailing its findings from a 100-day review of vulnerabilities within the supply chains of four critical products:

  • semiconductors;
  • large capacity batteries;
  • critical minerals and materials; and
  • pharmaceuticals

The report is in response to President Biden’s Feb. 24, 2021 executive order calling for an assessment of the

This week in Washington: Discussions on infrastructure and prescription drug changes continue.

House Energy and Commerce Committee to Discuss Vaccine Legislation
On June 15, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled “Booster Shot: Enhancing Public Health Through Vaccine Legislation.” Bills to be discussed at the hearing are listed and

Earmarks are continuing to make a return to Congress after a moratorium lasting a decade. Following the House’s announcement that the committee will accept Member requests for Community Project Funding in appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2022), the Senate followed suit. On April 26, 2021, the chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations

In This Issue: Biden administration releases FY22 budget proposal, Senate follows House with return of earmarks, Department of Education higher education regulatory agenda, Title IX rule hearing, state legislatures update and McGuireWoods welcomes Farnaz Thompson.

Biden Administration Releases FY22 Budget Proposal

On Friday, May 28, 2021, President Biden released his FY2022 budget. The President’s budget

Clayton Cox, former national finance director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), will join McGuireWoods Consulting’s federal public affairs team as a vice president in May. Well known in the Democratic party for his pivotal roles in the last three presidential campaigns, Cox brings unparalleled insight into the priorities of President Biden’s Administration, as well

In This Issue: Department of Education hosts National Safe School Reopening Summit, Senate HELP Committee holds confirmation hearing for Cindy Marten, and earmarks make their return to Congress.

National Safe School Reopening Summit

On March 24, 2021, the Department of Education hosted the National Safe School Reopening Summit. According to the Department of Education, the

American Jobs Plan

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, the Biden Administration released their American Jobs Plan, which constitutes the first of two sections of a larger infrastructure package. This section contains roughly $2.5 trillion in federal spending over eight years, with the majority of that coming in one-time investments.

Takeaways

  • $621 billion for surface transportation

Earmarks are making a return to Congress. House Democrats have announced their intention to bring back earmarks after a moratorium lasting a decade. Removing the moratorium will give more power to individual lawmakers, especially Congressional members on the appropriations committees and the committees drafting the new infrastructure bill. It also provides stakeholders an opportunity to

American Rescue Plan

On Wednesday, March 10, Congress passed President Biden’s stimulus and COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan. The $1.9 trillion package provides additional funding for vaccination efforts, COVID-19 testing, state and local governments, stimulus checks, unemployment assistance, rental assistance, education, child care, and small businesses.

Notably, the final bill is not the

Later this week, the U.S. House of Representatives will introduce and likely vote on the COVID-19 relief bill supported by President Biden. As the vote nears, however, the Byrd rule will be key in determining which provisions, such as raising the minimum wage to $15, will survive the congressional process.

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