What’s Happening in Washington: Week of June 17th, 2023

Headlines to Know

First GOP Presidential Debate to be Held on Aug. 23rd

Twelve candidates have entered the race to date, but some are unlikely to make the stage for the first debate. To participate, candidates must meet a mix of fundraising and polling criteria set by the Republican National Committee. They must also pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee. So far, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, and Donald Trump are qualified. 

The fundraising criteria set by the RNC require candidates to have:

• At least 40,000 unique donors to their principal campaign committee
• At least 200 unique donors in each of 20 or more states or territories 

Biden Invites Netanyahu to U.S., Easing Tensions: 

President Biden invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting in the United States for the first time since Mr. Netanyahu re-entered office in December. The invite reversed President Biden’s decision in March to avoid meeting the Israeli PM “in the near term.”

House Committee Targets U.C. Berkeley Program for China Ties: 

A House select committee is requesting more information about a university collaboration that it said could help China gain access to cutting-edge research.

Hearings

Monday July 17th 

• H.R. 3935 – Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act; H.R. 3941 – Schools Not Shelters Act

Tuesday July 18th 

• House Armed Services Hearing: Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee. Man, and Machine: Artificial Intelligence on the Battlefield
• House Small Business
• House Foreign Affairs: Achieving Peace through Strength in the Indo-Pacific: Examining the FY24 Budget Priorities
• House Veterans’ Affairs Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 705, Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act; and, Discussion Draft: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
• House Judiciary Hearing: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
• House Judiciary: Hearing on Compliance with Committee Oversight: Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight
• House Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy
• House Financial Services Hearing: Capital Markets Subcommittee: Oversight of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance
• House Homeland Security Hearing: Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee: “Strategic Competition in the Arctic”
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee: “Cancelling Consumer Choice: Examining the Biden Administration’s Regulatory Assault on Americans’ Home Appliances”
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing: Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee: “American Nuclear Energy Expansion: Updating Policies for Efficient, Predictable Licensing and Deployment”
• House Education and the Workforce Hearing: Indo-Pacific Task Force Oversight Hearing on “The Biden’s Administration’s Proposed Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023.”
• House Education and the Workforce Hearing “Cutting Corners at WHD: Examining the Cost to Workers, Small Businesses, and the Economy”
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing: Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee: The Dire State of Religious Freedom Around the World
• House Appropriations Markup: Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill
• House Energy and Commerce Meeting: Innovation Saves Lives: Evaluating Medicare Coverage Pathways for Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: “Getting Nowhere: DoD’s Failure to Replace the Defense Travel System”
• Joint Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission Meeting) :Hearings to examine Russia’s alpine assets, focusing on money laundering and sanctions evasion in Switzerland.
• House Natural Resources Hearing: Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee: Oversight Hearing on “ESA at 50: The Destructive Cost of the ESA”
• House Veterans’ Affairs Markup: H.R. 3520, Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023; H.R. 3581, COPE Act; H.R. 1278, DRIVE Act; H.R. 1639, VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Act of 2023; H.R. 1774, VA Emergency Transportation Act; H.R. 1815, Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act; H.R. 2683, VA Flood Preparedness Act; H.R. 2768. PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act; and H.R. 2818, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act.
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing: Europe Subcommittee: Stability and Security in the Western Balkans: Assessing U.S. Policy
• House Financial Services Hearing: National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee: Potential Consequences of FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Rulemaking
• House Homeland Security Hearing: Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee: “Opening the Flood Gates: Biden’s Broken Border Barrier”
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing: Africa Subcommittee: Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Russian Federation and its proxies.
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: Health Care and Financial Services Subcommittee: “Why Expanding Medicaid to DACA Recipients Will Exacerbate the Border Crisis”
• House Energy and Commerce Meeting: Examining Emerging Threats to Electric Energy Infrastructure

Wednesday July 19th 

• House Veterans Affairs: H.R. 3848, HOME Act of 2023; H.R. 3874, Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act; H.R. 3898, Transcript Assurance for Heroes Act; H.R. 3900, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish certain rights for spouses of members of the uniformed services; H.R. 3933, TAP Promotion Act; H.R. 3943, Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2023; and H.R. 3981, Veterans Education Oversight Expansion Act
• House Judiciary Markup: H.R. 1631, the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act; H.R. 4250, the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act; and H.R 4639, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
• House Natural Resources: FC MU of: • H.R. 1607 (Rep. Schweikert), To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes; • H.R. 2839 (Rep. Hoyle), To amend the Siletz Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and for other purposes; and • H.R. 4374 (Rep. Crane), “Energy Opportunities for All Act.”
• House Small Business Hearing: “Burdensome Red Tape: Overregulation in Health Care and the Impact on Small Businesses”
• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Meeting: Business meeting to consider S.1253, to increase the number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Customs and Border Protection officers and support staff and to require reports that identify staffing, infrastructure, and equipment needed to enhance security at ports of entry, S.1444, to increase the pay and enhance the training of United States Border Patrol agents, S.2251, to improve the cybersecurity of the Federal Government, S.2248, to require a pilot program on the use of big data analytics to identify vessels evading sanctions and export controls and to require a report on the availability in the United States of emerging and foundational technologies subject to export controls, S.1332, to require the Office of Management and Budget to revise the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for direct support professionals, S.1524, to ensure that whistleblowers, including contractors, are protected from retaliation when a Federal employee orders a reprisal, S.2032, to require the reduction of the reliance and expenditures of the Federal Government on legacy information technology systems, S.1973, to require the purchase of domestically made flags of the United States of America for use by the Federal Government, an original bill entitled, “Northern Border Coordination Act”, an original bill entitled, “Mitigating Foreign Influence in Classified Government Contracts Act”, an original bill entitled, “Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade Facilitation Act”, an original bill entitled, “Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act”, an original bill entitled, “PUMP Technical Corrections Act”, an original bill entitled, “Purchased Data Inventory Act”, an original bill entitled, “Streamlining Federal Grants Act”, an original bill entitled, “PFAS-Free Procurement Act”, an original bill entitled, “Government Ethics Transparency Act”, an original bill entitled, “AI Leadership To Enable Accountable Deployment Act”, an original bill entitled, “Eliminate Useless Reports Act”, an original bill entitled, “Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act”, an original bill entitled, “Grant Transparency Act”, and the nomination of Fara Damelin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Federal Communications Commission.
• House Appropriations Markup: Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: “Hearing with IRS Whistleblowers About the Biden Criminal Investigation”
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Meeting: To receive a closed briefing on the Department of Energy’s capabilities, research, and infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence, and to discuss how the Department can respond to emerging risks and capabilities from the development of AI.
• House Homeland Security Hearing: “Biden and Mayorkas’ Open Border: Advancing Cartel Crime in America”
• House Veterans’ Affairs Markup: H.R. 592, Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act; H.R. 608, To terminate the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 1659, Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization Improvement Act; H.R. 2499, VA Supply Chain Management System Authorization Act; H.R. 4278, Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act; H.R. 196, Expediting Temporary Ratings for Veterans Act; H.R. 4461, Modernizing Department of Veteran Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act; H.R. 3504, VA Medical Center Security Report Act; H.R. 2733, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act; and H.R. 4225, VA Acquisition Review Board Act
• Committee on House Administration Hearing: Oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police Office of Inspector General
• House Ways and Means Hearing: Biden’s Global Tax Surrender Harms American Workers and Our Economy
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Meeting: An oversight hearing to examine of the Bureau of Reclamation, including S.461, to make certain irrigation districts eligible for Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program pumping power, S.482, to amend the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to provide the Secretary of the Interior with certain authorities with respect to projects affecting the Klamath Basin watershed, S.739, to clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, S.1118, to establish the Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program, S.1215, to require assessments of opportunities to install and maintain floating photovoltaic solar panels at Bureau of Reclamation and Corps of Engineers projects, S.1521, to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize and improve the licensing of non-Federal hydropower projects, S.1662, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Midvale Irrigation District the Pilot Butte Power Plant in the State of Wyoming, S.1955, to amend the Central Utah Project Completion Act to authorize expenditures for the conduct of certain water conservation measures in the Great Salt Lake basin, S.2102, to provide for drought preparedness and improved water supply reliability, S.2160, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern, S.2161, to provide financial assistance for projects to address certain subsidence impacts in the State of California, S.2162, to support water infrastructure in Reclamation States, S.2166, to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to provide grants to States and Indian Tribes for programs to voluntarily repurpose agricultural land to reduce consumptive water use, S.2169, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out watershed pilots, S.2202, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize the modification of transferred works to increase public benefits and other project benefits as part of extraordinary operation and maintenance work, and S.2247, to reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide cost-shared funding to implement the endangered and threatened fish recovery programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins.
• Senate Indian Affairs Meeting: Business meeting to consider pending calendar business; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine S.2088, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
• Senate Intelligence Meeting: To receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters.
• Senate Appropriations Meeting: Hearings to examine the FY 2024 budget for the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting: Hearings to examine trends in vertical merger enforcement.
• Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Meeting: Business meeting to consider S.38, to amend the Small Business Act to codify the Boots to Business Program, S.77, to reauthorize the State Trade Expansion Program of the Small Business Administration, S.609, to establish a pilot program awarding competitive grants to organizations administering entrepreneurial development programming to formerly incarcerated individuals, and other purposes, S.673, to allow nonprofit child care providers to participate in certain loan programs of the Small Business Administration, S.936, to amend the Small Business Act to include requirements relating to graduates of career and technical education programs or programs of study for small business development centers and women’s business centers, S.943, to increase the minimum disaster loan amount for which the Small Business Administration may require collateral, S.1156, to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, S.1345, to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, S.1352, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, S.1370, to reauthorize and limit the pre-disaster mitigation program of the Small Business Administration, S.1396, to improve commercialization activities in the SBIR and STTR programs, S.1402, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, to establish a grant program to create or expand programs at minority-serving institutions and historically Black colleges and universities that promote minority business ownership and entrepreneurship, S.1458, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program to assist small business concerns with purchasing cybersecurity products and services, S.1739, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish an Innovation Voucher Grant Program, S.1763, to include smoke in the definition of disaster in the Small Business Act, S.2094, to reauthorize the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise, S.2099, to establish an Office of Community Financial Institutions within the Small Business Administration that will strengthen the ability of Community Financial Institutions to support the development of small business concerns in underserved communities, S.2100, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to modify fees and funding for certain small business refinancing loans and loans to qualified State or local development companies, S.2146, to amend the Small Business Act to increase the Governmentwide goal for participation in Federal contracts by small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, S.2184, to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Women’s Business Center Program, S.2185, to amend the Small Business Act to require an annual report on entrepreneurial development programs, S.2206, to increase the guarantee amount under the Surety Bond Program of the Small Business Administration, S.2209, to establish a veteran Federal procurement entrepreneurship training program, S.2212, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish an SBIC Advisory Committee, and an original bill entitled, “Community Advantage Loan Program Act”.
• Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Meeting: Hearings to examine rural water, focusing on modernizing our community water systems.

Thursday July 20th 

• House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Hearing: “The Biden Administration’s PRC Strategy”
• House Natural Resources Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: • Discussion draft of H.R. ____ (Rep. Kiggans), “Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act”; • H.R. 1786 (Rep. Levin), “GROW Act”; • H.R. 1829 (Rep. Crane), To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona; and • H.R. 2468 (Rep. Owens), “Mountain View Corridor Completion Act”.
• House Judiciary Hearing: Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government
• Senate Armed Services Meeting: Hearings to examine the nomination of Lieutenant General Timothy D. Haugh, USAF, to be general and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service Commander, United States Cyber Command.
• House Veterans Affairs Hearing: VA Contracting: Challenges in Competition and Conflicts of Interest
• Senate Environment and Public Works Meeting: Hearings to examine the Water Resources Development Act, focusing on non-Federal stakeholder views.
• Senate Aging: Hearings to examine housing accessibility and affordability for older adults and people with disabilities.
• Senate Judiciary Meeting: Business meeting to consider 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, and the nomination of Julia Kathleen Munley, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
• Senate Commerce Science, and Transportation Meeting: An oversight hearing to examine the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration budget.
• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Meeting: Hearings to examine America’s supply chain security, focusing on understanding and mitigating threats.
• Senate Finance Meeting: Hearings to examine the urgent need to reform the U.S. transplant system, focusing on the cost of inaction.
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Meeting: Hearings to examine perspectives on deposit insurance reform after recent bank failures.
• Senate Appropriations Meeting: Business meeting to markup an original bill entitled, ¿Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act¿, an original bill entitled, ¿State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act¿, and an original bill entitled, ¿Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act”.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Meeting: Business meeting to consider an original bill entitled, “Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act”, and other pending calendar business.

Friday July 21st

House Natural Resources Hearing: Oversight field hearing titled “Securing Supply Chains: Access to Critical Minerals in the American Southwest.” The hearing will examine the vast mineral potential of the American Southwest, including the local and national benefits of tapping into mining in the region, ranging from national security to economic advantages.

Headlines to Know

Congress Enters Busy Appropriations, Legislative Session Ahead of August Recess

Top of mind on Capitol Hill as lawmakers return from recess this week are the annual spending bills to keep the government open, which must be enacted by the time the new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. Other priorities include legislation authorizing military programs, updating agriculture and food-aid policy and keeping the country’s airports running, all of which must also be enacted by the new fiscal year, although Congress can also agree to temporarily extend current programs.

House GOP introduces election reform bill

House Republicans have introduced the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act, a comprehensive election reform legislation that encourages states to make changes to their local election processes and adjusts federal campaign finance rules. The bill includes requirements for states receiving federal grants, such as preserving election materials, allowing audits, and implementing restrictions on “ballot harvesting.” The legislation prohibits nonprofit organizations from directly funding election boards and repeals President Biden’s executive order promoting voter registration. 

Biden to meet with Erdoğan one-on-one at NATO summit

President Biden and Turkish President Erdoğan are scheduled to meet Tuesday at the NATO summit in Europe. The Biden administration has been urging Turkey and Hungary to support Sweden’s accession to NATO, but President Erdoğan has linked Sweden’s entry to Turkey’s admission to the European Union, citing concerns about Sweden’s stance on the Kurdish Workers’ Party, which is designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., Turkey, and the EU. 

Senate panel to consider Supreme Court ethics package

The Senate Judiciary Committee has announced its intention to markup a Supreme Court ethics bill in the following week, as the justices concluded their term without implementing any changes to their reporting of gifts. The proposal would force the Court to adopt a code of conduct for itself and impose the same gift, travel and income disclosure standards for justices as the ones members of Congress follow. The bill would also require the Supreme Court to publish its ethics rules and procedures on its website and would create a new board of circuit court judges to examine complaints against sitting justices. 

Hearings

July 10th

• House Committee on Ways and Means Field Hearing: Trade in America: Agriculture and Critical Supply Chains – Kimball, Minnesota
• House Committee on House Administration Field Hearing: “American Confidence in Elections: The Path to Election Integrity Across America

July 11th

• House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Hearing: “Investigating the Proximal Origin of a Cover Up”
• House Committee on Rules Meeting: H.R. 2670 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
• Senate Armed Services Committee Hearings to examine the nomination of General Charles Q. Brown, USAF for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Senate Appropriations Committee Hearings to examine how the Special Diabetes Program is creating hope for those living with type 1 diabetes.
• Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee) Hearings to examine superbugs, focusing on the impact of antimicrobial resistance on modern medicine.
• Senate Subcommittee on Investigations (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee) Hearings to examine the PGA-LIV deal, focusing on implications for the future of golf and Saudi Arabia’s influence in the United States.
• Senate Intelligence Committee Hearings to examine certain intelligence matters. (CLOSED)
• Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development (Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs) Hearings to examine exploiting the American Dream, focusing on land contractors and homebuyers.

July 12th

• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Hearing: Enhancing Fire Weather Prediction and Coordination
• House Committee on Oversight and accountability Markup of The Full Committee to Consider the Following: 1) H.R. 4435, the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act; 2) H.R. 1209, the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA); 3) H.R. 3358, the Mission Not Emissions Act; 4) H.R. 3230, the Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act; 5) H.R. 890, the Guidance Out Of Darkness (GOOD) Act; 6) H.R. 4428, the Guidance Clarity Act; 7) H.R. 192, To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia; 8) H.R. ____, Modernizing the Acquisition of Cybersecurity Experts Act; 9) H.R. ____, AI Training Expansion Act; 10) H.R. 1695, Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act; 11) Several postal naming measures.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Hearing: Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
• House Committee on Financial Services Hearing: Protecting Investor Interests: Examining Environmental and Social Policy in Financial Regulation
• House Committee on Homeland Security Markup of H.R. 2577, H.R. 4467, and H.R. 4470
• House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources (Committee on Natural Resources) Meeting: Oversight Hearing titled “Examining the Biden Administration’s Record on Federal Coal Leasing.”
• House Committee on Education and the Workforce  Markup of H.R. XXXX, the Transparency in Billing Act H.R. XXXX, the Transparency in Coverage Act H.R. XXXX, the Health DATA Act H.R. XXXX, the Hidden Fee Disclosure Act
• House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Committee on Veterans’ Affairs) Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 4278, Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act; H.R. 196, Expediting Temporary Ratings for Veterans Act; H.R. XXX, Modernizing Department of Veteran Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act; H.R. 3504, VA Medical Center Security Report Act; H.R. 2733, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act; and H.R. 4225, VA Acquisition Review Board Act
• House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (Committee on Natural Resources) Meeting: Legislative hearing on the following bills: • H.R. 929 (Rep. Kilmer), “Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023”; • H.R. 2882 (Rep. Ciscomani), “Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023”; and • H.R. 3579 (Rep. Johnson of SD), “Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023.”
• House Subcommittee on Work and Welfare (Committee on Ways and Means) Hearing: Where is all the Welfare Money Going? Reclaiming TANF Non-Assistance Dollars to Lift Americans Out of Poverty
• House Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement (Committee on Homeland Security) Hearing: “Protecting the U.S. Homeland: Fighting the Flow of Fentanyl from the Southwest Border”
• Senate Committee on Armed Services Hearings to examine the nomination of General Randy A. George, USA for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chief of Staff of the Army.
• Senate Committee on Budget, Hearings to examine protecting Social Security for all, focusing on making the wealthy pay their fair share.
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Business meeting to consider pending calendar business.
• Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining (Committee on Energy and Natural Resources)  Hearings to examine S.636, to establish the Dolores River National Conservation Area and the Dolores River Special Management Area in the State of Colorado, to protect private water rights in the State, S.912, to require the Secretary of Energy to provide technology grants to strengthen domestic mining education, S.1015, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona, S.1088, to authorize the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in the State of North Dakota, to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within the State of North Dakota, S.1254, to designate and expand wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers, S.1405, to provide for the exchange of certain Federal land and State land in the State of Utah, S.1622, to discourage speculative oil and gas leasing and to promote enhanced multiple use management of public land and National Forest System land, S.1634, to provide for the designation of certain wilderness areas, recreation management areas, and conservation areas in the State of Colorado, S.1657, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to La Paz County, Arizona, S.1760, to amend the Apex Project, Nevada Land Transfer and Authorization Act of 1989 to include the city of North Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association, S.1776, to provide for the protection of and investment in certain Federal land in the State of California, S.1890, to provide for the establishment of a grazing management program on Federal land in Malheur County, Oregon, S.2020, to amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group, S.2042, to amend the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act to adjust the boundary of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, S.2136, to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the State of Utah for inclusion in certain State parks, S.2149, to sustain economic development and recreational use of National Forest System land in the State of Montana, to add certain land to the National Wilderness Preservation System, to designate new areas for recreation, and an original bill to release from wilderness study area designation certain land in the State of Montana, to improve the management of that land.
• Senate Subcommittee on Economic Policy (Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs) Hearings to examine bank mergers and the economic impacts of consolidation.
• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Hearings to examine S.616, to amend the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act to provide for the transfer of additional Federal land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, S.1898, to amend the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act to make improvements to that Act, and S.1987, to provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community.
• Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearings to examine certain pending nominations.
• Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Business meeting to consider pending calendar business.
• Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property (Judiciary Committee) Hearings to examine Artificial Intelligence and intellectual property, focusing on copyright.
• Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs Hearings to examine pending legislation.
• Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Business meeting to consider pending calendar business.
• Senate

July 13th

• House Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology (Committee on Homeland Security) Hearing: “Future of FEMA: Agency Perspectives with Administrator Criswell”
• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Hearing: Continuing U.S. Leadership in Commercial Space at Home and Abroad
• House Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability (Committee on Foreign Affairs) Hearing: The State Department’s Climate Agenda: A Budget Overview by the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
• House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management (Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) Hearing: When the Lights Are On But No One’s Home: An Examination of Federal Office Space Utilization.
• House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Joint Hearing: “Beyond the Budget: Addressing Financial Accountability in the Department of Defense”
• House Subcommittee on Capital Markets (Committee on Financial Services) Hearing: Reforming the Proxy Process to Safeguard Investor Interests
• House Subcommittee on Federal Lands (Committee on Natural Resources) Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 386 (Rep. Johnson of SD), “Mount Rushmore Protection Act”; • H.R. 1318 (Rep. Neguse),”Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act”; • H.R. 2717 (Rep. Moore of UT), “Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act”; • H.R. 3448 (Rep. Stefanik), “American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act”; • H.R. 4377 (Rep. Grijalva), To amend the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 with respect to extensions, additions, and revisions to the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Hearing: Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Markup of FY 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act (CLOSED)
• House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development (Committee on Education and the Workforce) Hearing: “Exposing the Dangers of the Influence of Foreign Adversaries on College Campuses”
• House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and Subcommittee on Technology Modernization (House Committee on Veterans Affairs) Joint Hearing: Reviewing the Digital G.I. Bill Program
• House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Committee on Financial Services) Hearing: Oversight of the Proxy Advisory Industry
• House Committee on Small Business Hearing: “Stolen Taxpayer Funds: Reviewing the SBA and OIG Reports of Fraud in Pandemic Lending Programs”
• House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources (Committee on Natural Resources) Meeting: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4374 (Rep. Crane), “Energy Opportunities for All Act.”
• House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) Hearing: Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request: Agency Perspectives (Part II).
• House Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia (Committee on Foreign Affairs) Hearing: Examining Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for South and Central Asian Affairs
• House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement (Committee on the Judiciary) Hearing: The Consequences of Criminal Aliens on U.S. Communities
• House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Hearing: Risky Business: Growing Peril for American Companies in China
• Senate Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight (Finance Committee) Hearings to examine assessing 25 years of the Child Tax Credit (1997-2022).
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearings to examine the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023, a joint resolution proposed by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior, to approve agreements concluded with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau (and an agreement with the Republic of the Marshall Islands upon its conclusion) to amend the Compacts of Free Association with the Freely Associated States.
• Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing (Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation) An oversight hearing to examine the budget of the United States Coast Guard.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Business meeting to consider S.2043, to provide for certain authorities of the Department of State, 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 the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), S.1203, to amend the Peace Corps Act by reauthorizing the Peace Corps, providing better support for current, returning, and former volunteers, S.847, to establish the International Children with Disabilities Protection Program within the Department of State, S.2006, to foster Tunisia’s democratic institutions, to limit funds until Tunisia restores checks and balances, and to authorize the creation of a fund to support democratic reforms, S.416, to designate the Russian-based mercenary Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization, S.490, to require the President to remove the extension of certain privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices if Hong Kong no longer enjoys a high degree of autonomy from the People’s Republic of China, S.Con.Res.2, commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 133 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses, S.Res.20, condemning the coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in Burma and the Burmese military’s detention of civilian leaders, calling for an immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, promoting accountability and justice for those killed by the Burmese military, and calling for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without impediment, S.Res.75, reaffirming the state of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and condemning the People’s Republic of China’s provocations in South Asia, and the nominations of Richard Mills, Jr., of Georgia, to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Department of State, Nisha Desai Biswal, of Virginia, to be Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and Gerald H. Acker, of Michigan, to be a Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada.
• Senate Appropriations Committee Business meeting to markup an original bill entitled, “Legislative Appropriations Act”, an original bill entitled, “Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act”, and an original bill entitled, “Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act”.

July 14th

• House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance (Committee on Financial Services) Hearing: How Mandates Like ESG Distort Markets and Drive Up Costs for Insurance and Housing
• House Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance (Committee on the Judiciary) Hearing: Fixing FISA, Part II

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

Headlines to Know:

Biden Signs into Law Debt Ceiling Bill

Joe Biden signed into law The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspends the debt limit until January 1^st, 2025 and increases the limit on January 2^nd, 2025. Further, it provides funding for the VA Cost of War Toxic Exposure Fund, the Department of Commerce Nonrecurring Expenses Fund and establishes pay-as-you-go rules for administrative actions that either increase or decrease spending. Lastly, this bill establishes the continuation of federal student loan payments and adds work requirements for SNAP and TANF benefits.

Biden Invites Allies to Washington as Fighting Intensifies in Ukraine

President Biden hosted the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Fredriksen to discuss providing military support to Ukraine. Ukraine previously demanded for the U.S. to provide them with F-16 warplanes, and in late May Biden agreed to allow pilots to be trained to operate the aircraft and for allied countries to supply them. On Thursday President Biden will host the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to further discuss plans to support Ukraine, and in July Biden will travel to Lithuania for the NATO summit, where aiding Ukraine will be a prominent focus.

Biden Administration Pushes for Patient Voice in Drug Price Negotiations

As the ink on the Inflation Reduction Act continues to dry, negotiations between Medicare and patients are beginning to take shape. As a part of the bill, the Biden Administration is pushing for cooperation between Medicare patients and caregivers in negotiating the price of drugs in Medicare Part D. Plans are taking shape to highlight the impacts of high drug costs on patients and frame key populations in need of certain medications.

 Hearings

June 5^th

• House Committee on Rules: R. 277 – REINS Act of 2023; H.R. 288 – Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023; H.R. 1615 – Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act; H.R. 1640 – Save Our Gas Stoves Act

June 6^th

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
• House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• House Judiciary Hearing: IP and Strategic Competition with China: Part II – Prioritizing U.S. Innovation Over Assisting Foreign Adversaries
• House Agriculture Hearing
• House Science, Space, and Technology Hearing
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing
• House Small Business Hearing
• House Natural Resources Hearing
• House Education and the Workforce Markup: 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. H.R.1147, Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 H.R.2813, Self-Insurance Protection Act H.R.2868, Association Health Plans Act H.R.824, Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 202
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing
• House Homeland Security Hearing
• House Judiciary Hearing
• House Oversight and Accountability Hearing

June 7^th

• House Committee on Ways and Means: Markup of H.R. 3667, H.R. 3784, H.R. 3796, H.R. 1843, H.R. 3800, H.R. 3797, H.R. 3801, H.R. 3798, H.R. 379
• House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs: Legislative Hearing On: H.R. 630 (Rep. Grijalva), “Urban Indian Health Confer Act”; H.R. 1240 (Rep. Feenstra), “Winnebago Land Transfer Act of 2023”; H.R. 1722 (Rep. Salinas), “Grand Ronde Reservation Act Amendment of 2023”; H.R. 2461 (Rep. Crane), “San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Homelands Act of 2023”; H.R. 2839 (Rep. Hoyle), To amend the Siletz Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and for other purposes; and H.R. 3371 (Rep. Johnson of SD), “Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act”.
• House Oversight and Accountability Committee and Committee on House Administration “American Confidence in Elections: The Path to Election Integrity in The District of Columbia”
• House Agriculture Hearing “Innovation, Employment, Integrity, and Health: Opportunities for Modernization in Title IV”
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing “Building Blockchains: Exploring Web3 and Other Applications for Distributed Ledger Technologies”
• House Financial Services Hearing “Dollar Dominance: Preserving the U.S. Dollar’s Status and the Global Reserve Currency”
• Senate Environment and Public Works Meeting “Hearings to examine perspectives on ecosystem restoration projects of the US Army Corps of Engineers.”
• Senate Judiciary Meeting
• Senate Budget Meeting “Hearings to examine the changing agricultural landscape, focusing on cultivating stewardship.”
• Senate Foreign Relations Hearing
• Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Hearing
• House Education and the Workforce Meeting “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor.”
• Senate Appropriations Meeting “To receive a closed briefing on proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2024 for capacity of the defense industrial base and wartime stockpiles.”
• House Natural Resources Hearing: Oversight hearing on “Examining Ongoing Cybersecurity Threats within the Department of the Interior and the Nexus to State-Sponsored Cyber Actors.”
• House Foreign Affairs Hearing “Ignoring our Allies in the Western Hemisphere: Reviewing President Biden’s FY24 Budget Request”
• House Small Business Hearing “Prices on the Rise: Examining the Effects of Inflation on Small Businesses.”
• House Judiciary Hearing “The Border Crisis: Is the Law Being Faithfully Executed?”
• House Homeland Security Hearing “Transnational Criminal Organizations: The Menacing Threat to the U.S. Homeland”
• Senate Intelligence (Select Meeting)
• Senate Foreign Relations Meeting
• Senate Indian Affairs Meeting: Business meeting to consider S.1723, to establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States.
• Senate Veterans’ Affairs Meeting
• Senate Judiciary Meeting
• Senate Rules and Administration Meeting

June 8^th

• House Committee and Oversight and Accountability: The Full Committee to Consider the Following: 1) H.Res. _____, Recommending that the House of Representatives find Christopher Wray, Director, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Senate Committee on Finance: Hearings to examine consolidation and corporate ownership in health care, focusing on trends and impacts on access, quality, and costs.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Meeting
• 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 certain controlled substances violations, S.1094, to provide a temporary safe harbor for publishers of online content to collectively negotiate with dominant online platforms regarding the terms on which content may be distributed, and the nominations of Ana de Alba, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Irma Carrillo S. Ramirez, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Meeting
• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Meeting
• Senate Foreign Relations Meeting