Look Ahead to the Week of December 11: One Week Left Until Target Adjournment Date
Both the House and Senate will be back in session this week.
Lawmakers are still working on coming to an agreement on President Joe Biden’s national security supplemental spending package, which would provide additional aid to Ukraine and Israel. It is becoming more unlikely that a deal will be reached before the end of the year. Key negotiators have said that the parties remain divided over disagreements on significant changes to the security of the U.S. southern border, which is a requirement from House Republicans for their support for any additional aid to Ukraine. White House officials have continued to warn Congress that resources being used to aid Ukraine will run out by the end of the year. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to make an in-person address to a meeting of all senators and meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to appeal for additional support from Congress.
Later this week, both chambers will likely pass the House-Senate compromise defense authorization bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which establishes funding levels for all defense programs. However, some Freedom Caucus members in the House are upset the bill includes an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and does not incorporate provisions that would restrict abortion access for service members.
It is expected that the House will pass an extension of the Federal Aviation Act authorities until March 8 under suspension of the rules. The House is also scheduled to pass the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act under suspension as well. The legislation would impose changes to pharmacy benefit managers’ pricing practices, extend several expiring health programs, and require additional price reporting from health-care providers and insurers.
House Republicans will also attempt to formalize their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. If it passes, the vote will jumpstart a series of high-profile hearings early next year that could result in a Senate trial during the presidential elections.
The Administration
On Monday, President Biden will travel to Philadelphia to announce the city will receive a $22.4 million SAFER Grant award that will fund firefighters’ salaries and benefits and enable the reopening of three fire companies. On Tuesday, Biden will meet with Zelenskyy at the White House for bilateral discussions, focusing on the critical need for continued U.S. support of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
House Side
On Monday, the House will meet to consider multiple bills under suspension.
- Bills expected under suspension of the rules.
- R. 3315 – National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2023 (Rep. Cohen – Judiciary). The measure would continue to exempt National Guard members and military reservists from certain income and expense thresholds to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
- 2747 – A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the Administrative Fine Program for certain reporting violations (Sen. Klobuchar – House Administration). The bill would extend the Federal Election Commission’s Administrative Fine Program for 10 years. The program provides accelerated enforcement for late and nonfiled campaign finance disclosure reports.
- 788 – Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 (Sen. Boozman – Natural Resources). The bill would validate electronic federal duck stamps for the entire waterfowl hunting season.
- R. 2839 – 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 (Rep. Hoyle – Natural Resources).
- R. 5119 – Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act, as amended (Rep. Nunn – Financial Services). The measure would modify the deadline for certain companies to report ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
- R. 5524 – Foreign Affiliates Sharing Pilot Program Extension Act, as amended (Rep. Sylvia Garcia – Financial Services). The measure would extend the implementation timeline of a pilot program that would allow U.S. financial institutions to share suspicious-activity reports with foreign branches.
- R. 3224 – Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. D'Esposito – Homeland Security). The bill would reauthorize for two years the Homeland Security Department’s office to safeguard the United States against weapons of mass destruction.
- R. 5473 – Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Edwards – Transportation and Infrastructure). The bill would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow home builders and localities to follow the two latest published editions of building codes, rather than relying solely on the most recent one, when developing pre-disaster hazard mitigation plans.
- R. 6503 – Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II (Rep. Sam Graves – Transportation and Infrastructure). The bill would extend the Federal Aviation Administration’s authorities for two months, through March 8, 2024.
- R. 1042 – Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, as amended (Rep. Rodgers – Energy and Commerce). The legislation would bar Russian uranium from being imported into the United States.
- R. 5378 – Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, as amended (Rep. Rodgers – Energy and Commerce). The legislation would impose changes to pharmacy benefit managers’ pricing practices, extend several expiring health programs, and require additional price reporting from health-care providers and insurers.
- R. 4531 – Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, as amended (Rep. Guthrie – Energy and Commerce). The legislation would extend for five years, through fiscal year 2028, programs aimed at countering the opioid epidemic.
- 2787 – 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act (Sen. Kennedy – Energy and Commerce). The legislation would grant temporary authority to the Federal Communications Commission to issue licenses for previously auctioned spectrum licenses.
Tuesday – Thursday, the House is scheduled to meet for legislative business.
- Bills expected under a rule.
- R. 6570 – Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act of 2023 (Rep. Biggs – Judiciary) and H.R. 6611 – FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Rep. Turner – Intelligence). The bills would reauthorize electronic surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. They would also address requirements related to Section 702, which allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign persons located outside the United States.
- R. 1147 – Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 (Rep. Glenn Thompson – Education and the Workforce). The measure would permit schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer flavored or unflavored whole, reduced-fat, and lactose-free milk in addition to existing options.
- R. 357 – Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act (Rep. Cline – Judiciary). The measure would require that rules proposed by federal agencies would have to be signed and issued by an individual appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Senate Side
On Monday, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Richard Federico to be a judge for the Tenth Circuit. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has also filed cloture for votes on Harry Coker Jr. to be national cyber director, Martin O’Malley to lead the Social Security Administration, and Elizabeth Richard to be the State Department’s counterterrorism coordinator.