With the FY21 appropriations process officially underway, Cabinet secretaries and other senior administration officials will continue to make the rounds before congressional committees of jurisdiction over the coming weeks to testify in support of the President’s budget request. The House Appropriations Committee is planning to begin subcommittee markups on April 21, followed by
Republican and Democratic RetreatsCongress was in session this week, though the Senate recessed for Republican and Democratic retreats on Wednesday and Thursday.
House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI) is planning to introduce legislation to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to make platforms liable for running “demonstrably false”
Twelve Republican Senators Support Grassley-Wyden Drug Pricing Bill
As of Feb. 18, Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden’s (D-OR) bipartisan drug pricing legislation now has 12 Republican senators in support of the plan. Sen. Grassley said he needs support from at least 25 Republican senators to convince Senate Majority
The State of Education in WashingtonPresident Trump released his $4.8 trillion budget proposal for FY 2021 spending last week. The president’s budget aims to cut non-defense spending, including funding for the U.S. Department of Education. President Trump requested $66.6 billion for the Department of Education for FY 2021, which represents a $5.6 billion, or
Hearings/MarkupsHouse Education and Labor Committee: “Markup: H.R. 5800, Ban Surprise Billing Act”
Tuesday, February 11, 2020: The House Education and Labor Committee held a markup for:
Find more details on the hearing here.
Why this is important: The committee approved H.R. 5800, 32-13, to end surprise medical
The House and Senate will be in recess next week coinciding with Presidents’ Day.
On February 19, the Department of Justice will hold a workshop on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act titled “Section 230 – Nurturing Innovation or Fostering Unaccountability?.”
Drone Origin Security Enhancement ActOn Monday, the House passed H.R. 4753, the Drone Origin Security Enhancement Act. The bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from acquiring or operating foreign manufactured unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or UAS with certain parts manufactured overseas. Also on Monday, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) proposed to make the
Hearings/MarkupsHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation: “Vaping in America: E-Cigarette Manufacturers’ Impact on Public Health”
Wednesday, February 5: The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing with executives from five e-cigarette manufacturers serving as witnesses. The executives of Juul, Fontem, Japan
Pending NominationsThe House and Senate are both in session next week, but will recess the following week coinciding with Presidents Day. With the impeachment trial over, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has teed up a number of pending nominations for consideration.
President Trump will release his fiscal year 2021 budget on
Impeachment Trial EndsThe Senate impeachment trial came to an end this week with the Senate voting on Wednesday to acquit President Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote largely came down along party lines, with the exception of Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), who joined Democrats in voting to