What’s Happening in Washington: Week of June 19th, 2023

Headlines to Know:

China Continues to Push Geopolitical Boundaries

China and Cuba are negotiating to establish a new joint military training facility on the island. Discussions for the facility on Cuba’s northern coast are at an advanced stage but not concluded, U.S. intelligence reports suggest. The Biden administration has contacted Cuban officials to try to forestall the deal, seeking to tap into what it thinks might be Cuban concerns about ceding sovereignty. Beijing’s effort to establish a military training facility in Cuba hasn’t been previously reported.

 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit Washington

President Biden will host the Indian Prime Minister on Thursday. Modi will address a joint session of Congress and will be feted at a White House state dinner. That Democrats and Republicans alike are honoring Modi this week demonstrates the White House and Congress are willing to overlook his right-wing populist agenda in the pursuit of a strategically important relationship that will allow the U.S. to counter China’s influence. The visit coincides as neighboring countries face increasing security and economic threats from countries such as China, Pakistan, and Russia. This is President Biden’s first meeting with the head of state. 

 

President Biden Officially Kicks-off 2024 Re-Election Bid

In his first rally since announcing his reelection campaign nearly two months ago, President Joe Biden went to a union event in Philadelphia. “Folks, it feels good to be home,” Joe Biden told about 2,000 union members Saturday at an endorsement rally in his 13th trip to Philadelphia as president. “I look out in this crowd and I see a lot of old friends, a lot of folks, as they say in Claymont, Delaware, who brung me to the dance.” Biden has essentially built his political identity around his connection to the labor movement as proof of his focus on middle-class families. He’s also leaned on unions for their organization and mobilization skills in the past. Those in Biden world say this reelection campaign will be no different.

 

Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Federal Environmental Permits

The court’s May 25 decision shrinking federal wetlands protections took a wrecking ball to an expansive permitting regime that has been in place for nearly 50 years ― and it’s already having a ripple effect in how agencies enforce a wide range of other environmental safeguards. The 5-4 ruling put at least half the country’s marshes, swamps and other wetlands outside the reach of federal water protections, an outcome that could speed the way for pipelines, power lines, highways and housing projects across the U.S.

 

 

Hearings

June 20th 

• House Rules Meeting: H.R. 3799 – CHOICE Arrangement Act; H. Res. 461 – Condemning the use of elementary and secondary school facilities to provide shelter for aliens who are not admitted to the United States
• House Veterans’ Affairs: The Status of VA Financial Management Business Transformation
• House Intelligence Committee: Special Counsel John Durham (CLOSED)
• Senate Appropriations: Closed hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2024 for the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.
• Senate Armed Services (Airland & Strategic Forces): Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which fall under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.

 

June 21st 

• House Judiciary: Hearing on the Report of Special Counsel John Durham
• Senate Armed Services (Cybersecurity & SeaPower): Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which fall under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Business meeting to consider S.1271, to impose sanctions with respect to trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursors by transnational criminal organizations
• House Armed Services Markup: H.R. 2670 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024; and H.R. 1282 – Major Richard Star Act
• House Transportation and Infrastructure: Review of the National Academy of Sciences Report ‘The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs’
• House Foreign Affairs: Markup
• House Homeland Security: “Countering Threats Posed by Nation-State Actors in Latin America to U.S. Homeland Security”
• House Oversight and Accountability: “Churches vs. Casinos: The Constitution is not Suspended in Times of Crisis”
• House Financial Services: The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report
• House Oversight and Accountability: “Clearing the Air: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Emissions Standards”
• Senate Armed Services (Readiness and Management Support): Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which fall under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
• Senate Environment and Public Works: Hearings to examine reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration, focusing on state and local perspectives.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Business meeting to consider S.728, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex
• Senate Budget Meeting: Hearings to examine fossil fuel threats to climate and the Federal budget.
• Senate Commerce: Hearings to examine the nominations of Joel Matthew Szabat, of Maryland, Anthony Rosario Coscia, of New Jersey, and Christopher Koos, of Illinois, each to be a Director of the Amtrak Board
• Senate Foreign Relations: Business meeting to consider S.1457, to authorize negotiation and conclusion and to provide for congressional consideration of a tax agreement between the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and other parties
• Senate Judiciary: Hearings to examine defending the civil rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.
• House Education and the Workforce: “Competition and Transparency: The Pathway Forward for a Stronger Health Care Market”
• House Veterans Affairs: Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 3520, Veterans Care Improvement Act of 2023; H.R. 1182, Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2023; H.R. 1774, VA Emergency Transportation Act; H.R. 2683
• House Energy & Commerce: Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission
• House Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security and Legislative Branch Bills
• Senate Armed Services (Personnel & Emerging Threats): Business meeting to markup those provisions which fall under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
• House Financial Services: HUD Oversight: Testimony of the HUD Inspector General
• Senate Intelligence Meeting: Closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters.
• Senate Armed Services: Closed business meeting to markup S.822, to terminate the Department of Defense memorandum relating to access to abortions
• Senate Veterans’ Affairs: Hearings to examine the effectiveness of the Office of Integrated Veteran Care.

 

June 22nd

• House Financial Services: Oversight of the SEC
• Senate Armed Services: Closed business meeting to continue to markup the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
• House Homeland Security: “Growing the National Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline”
• House Natural Resources: Oversight Hearing titled “Examining the Council on Environmental Quality Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request and Related Policy Matters.”
• House Small Business: “Reviewing the SBA’s Office of Advocacy Report on the Regulatory Flexibility Act”
• House Science, Space, and Technology: Artificial Intelligence: Advancing Innovation Towards the National Interest
• House Transportation and Infrastructure: Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request: Agency Perspectives (Part I)
• House Veterans’ Affairs: Member Day: Testimony and Proposals on the Department of Veterans Affairs
• House Foreign Affairs: Examining the Fiscal Year 2024 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request for Africa
• House Energy and Commerce: Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom to Buy Affordable Vehicles and Fuel
• House Appropriations Markup: Fiscal Year 2024 Defense and Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bills
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Hearings to examine the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress.
• Senate Finance Meeting: Hearings to examine cattle supply chains and deforestation of the Amazon.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting: Business meeting to consider S.1080, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require electronic communication service providers and remote computing services to report to the Attorney General…
• House Financial Services: Oversight of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets
• Senate Appropriations: Business meeting to consider 302(b) Subcommittee allocations, an original bill entitled, ¿Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
• Senate Foreign Relations: Hearings to examine United States and global commitments to combatting human trafficking.
• House Foreign Affairs: Responding to Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Bias in the UN, Palestinian Authority, and NGO Community
• House Foreign Affairs: The Vilnius Summit and War in Ukraine: Assessing U.S. Policy towards Europe and NATO
• House Oversight and Accountability: “Using Cutting-Edge Technologies to Keep America Safe”
• House Judiciary Hearing: Hearing on Compliance with Committee Oversight
• House Homeland Security Hearing: “An Examination of TSA’s FY 2024 Budget and Priorities”

 

June 23rd 

• Senate Armed Services: Closed business meeting to continue to markup the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.

What’s Happening in Washington: Week of June 12th, 2023

Headlines To Know:

Former President Trump’s Court Hearing

On Friday, Trump was formally indicted by the Department of Justice for mishandling classified records
at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructing governmental efforts to reclaim the material. He will be
arraigned on Tuesday the 13 th in Miami at and still faces other open criminal investigations.

Biden Administration announces $2.1 billion package for Ukraine

On Friday, a security aid package was announced to provide Ukraine with defense systems and
munitions Kyiv to defend against Russian missile attacks under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
They will also receive Puma surveillance and reconnaissance drones, artillery rounds and additional
support for training and maintenance. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S has
provided Kyiv with more than $39.7 billion in security assistance.

GOP conservatives end House floor blockade

After almost a weeklong stalemate led by house conservatives, they are ready to reconsider the rule
vote this week on Tuesday after initially show their disapproval against the Fiscal Responsibility Act and
McCarthy’s handling of the debt-limit negotiations with President Biden. If the floor dispute is resolved,
the House will vote on two gas stove bills, the anti-regulation REINS Act and the Separation of Powers
Restoration Act.

Hearings

June 12th 

• House Committee on Rules: H.J. Res. 44 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives relating to “Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘Stabilizing Braces'”; REINS Act of 2023 [Rule Markup Only]; H.R. 288 – Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023 [Rule Markup Only]; H.R. 1615 – Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act [Rule Markup Only]; H.R. 1640 – Save Our Gas Stoves Act [Rule Markup Only]

June 13th 

• Senate Committee on Armed Services – Hearings to examine the nomination of General Eric M. Smith, USMC, for reappointment to the grade of general
• House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces – H.R. 2670 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 
• House Committee on Appropriations – Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill
• House Homeland Security Hearing – “Future of FEMA: Agency Perspectives with Administrator Criswell”
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing – Examining the Fiscal Year 24 State Department Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility Budget
• House Transportation and Infrastructure Markup – H.R. 3935, the “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act”; and other matters cleared for consideration.
• House Financial Services Hearing – The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System
• House Judiciary Hearing – Where’s the Beef? Regulatory Barriers to Entry and Competition in Meat Processing
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing – “Oversight of FERC: Adhering to a Mission of Affordable and Reliable Energy for America”
• House Agriculture Hearing – “Stakeholder Perspectives on USDA’s Rural Development Programs”
• House Ways and Means Markup – Markup of H.R.___, H.R. 3936, H.R. 3937, H.R. 3938
• Senate Appropriations Meeting – To receive a closed briefing on proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal 2024 for space capabilities of the Department of Defense and intelligence community.
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Meeting – Hearings to examine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Semi-Annual Report to Congress.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting – An oversight hearing to examine Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and related surveillance authorities.
• House Natural Resources Markup – H.R. 188 (Rep. McClintock), “Proven Forest Management Act”; • H.R. 630 (Rep. Grijalva), “Urban Indian Health Confer Act”; • H.R. 1240 (Rep. Feenstra), “Winnebago Land Transfer Act of 2023”; • H.R. 1314 (Rep. Moore of Utah), “LODGE Act”; • H.R. 1450 (Rep. Fulcher), “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act”; • H.R. 3371 (Rep. Johnson of SD), “Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act”; • H.R. 3389 (Rep. Valadao), “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”; • H.R. 3562 (Rep. Neguse), “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” and • Committee Resolution authorizing the Indo-Pacific Task Force in the Committee on Natural Resources.
• House Education and the Workforce Hearing – “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services”
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing – “Oversight of CDC Policies and Decisions During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
• House Armed Services Markup – H.R. 2670 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 – Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee; Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee; Military Personnel Subcommittee; Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee; Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.
• House Veterans’ Affairs Hearing – Care Coordination: Assessing Veteran Needs and Improving Outcomes
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for Near Eastern Affairs
• House Science, Space, and Technology Hearing – From Theory to Reality: The Limitless Potential of Fusion Energy
• House Small Business Hearing – “Assisting Entrepreneurs: Examining Private and Public Resources Helping Small Businesses”
• House Financial Services Hearing – The Future of Digital Assets: Providing Clarity for the Digital Asset Ecosystem
• House Judiciary Hearing – The Rise in Organized Retail Crime and the Threat to Public Safety
• House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Markup – FY 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act (CLOSED)
• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Meeting – An oversight hearing to examine implementation of travel and tourism legislation.
• Senate Foreign Relations Meeting – Hearings to examine the nominations of Nisha Desai Biswal, of Virginia, to be Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, Edgard D. Kagan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Malaysia, Mark W. Libby, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Joel Ehrendreich, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, and Cynthia Kierscht, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti, all of the Department of State, and other pending nominations.
• Committee on House Administration Hearing – “Oversight of the Office of Congressional Ethics”
• House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Hearing – HPSCI Member Day
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Meeting – Hearings to examine the state of Native American housing.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting – Hearings to examine artificial intelligence and human rights.
• House Education and the Workforce Markup – H.R.824, Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 202 H.R. 3941, Schools not Shelters Act

June 14th 

• House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Markup – FY 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act (CLOSED) – Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee, National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing – Achieving Peace through Strength in the Indo-Pacific: Examining the FY24 Budget Priorities
• House Armed Services Markup – H.R. 2670 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
• House Science, Space, and Technology Markup – Full Committee Markup
• House Homeland Security Hearing – “Open Borders, Closed Case: Secretary Mayorkas’ Dereliction of Duty on the Border Crisis”
• House Agriculture Hearing – “A Review of Title VII: University Perspectives on Research and Extension Programs”
• House Natural Resources Hearing – Indo-Pacific Task Force Oversight Hearing on “How the Compacts of Free Association Support U.S. Interests and Counter the PRC’s Influence.”
• House Financial Services Hearing – The Semi-Annual Report of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing – “Oversight of NRC: Ensuring Efficient and Predictable Nuclear Safety Regulation for a Prosperous America”
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing – “Death by a Thousand Regulations: The Biden Administration’s Campaign to Bury America in Red Tape”
• Senate Environment and Public Works Meeting – Business meeting to consider the nomination of Jeffery Martin Baran, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act by the Federal Highway Administration.
• Senate Appropriations Meeting – Hearings to examine enhancing American competitiveness through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting – Hearings to examine ensuring the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children.
• Senate Finance Meeting – Hearings to examine anti-poverty and family support provisions in the tax code.
• Committee on House Administration Hearing – “American Confidence in Elections: The Role of the Election Assistance Commission in Free, Fair, and Secure Elections”
• House Education and the Workforce Hearing – “Postsecondary Innovation: Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Opportunities”
• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Meeting – S.1868, S.1560, S.820, S. 1886, S.1871, S.1858, S.1798, S.1822, S.1253, S.1444, S.1865, S.1862, S.61, S.1835
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing – Assessing U.S. Efforts to Counter China’s Coercive Belt and Road Diplomacy
• House Natural Resources Hearing – Legislative Hearing on H.R.3675, H.R.1607, H.R.3027 
• Senate Judiciary Meeting – Hearings to examine S.359, to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for a code of conduct for justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
• House Natural resources Hearing – Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee legislative hearing on three bills: H.R. 2685, H.R. 3883, H.R. ___ (Rep. LaHood)
• Senate Intelligence (Select) Meeting – Closed business meeting to consider pending intelligence matters.
• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Meeting – Hearings to examine the findings and recommendations of the GAO’s 2023 report on opportunities to reduce fragmentation, overlap, and duplication and achieve financial benefits.
• House Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing – H.R. 491, H.R. 3874, H.R. 3848, H.R. XXXX, TAP Promotion Act, H.R. XXXX, Transcript Assurance for Heroes Act, H.R. XXXX, Isakson-Roe Education Oversight Expansion Act, H.R. XXXX, Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2023, H.R. XXXX, To amend title 38, to establish certain employment and reemployment rights for spouses of members of the uniformed services
• Senate Veterans’ Affairs Meeting – Hearings to examine improving substance use disorder care for veterans in rural America and beyond.
• Senate Foreign relations Meeting – To receive a closed briefing on the current dynamics in U.S.-China relations.

June 15th 

• House Natural resources Hearing – H.R.3397
• House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Markup – FY 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act (CLOSED)
• Senate Aging (Special) Meeting – Hearings to examine planning for older Americans and people with disabilities in all phases of emergencies.
• Senate Environment and Public Works Meeting – Hearings to examine the impacts of plastic production and disposal on environmental justice communities.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Meeting – S.133, S.134, S.1844, S.1852, S.1855, S.265
• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Meeting – Business meeting to consider an original bill entitled, “FAA Reauthorization Act”, and routine lists in the Coast Guard.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting – PN453, S.1080, S.1094