Look Ahead to the Week of January 29: Can a Deal Be Reached on the Border?
Both the House and Senate are in session this week.
Key Senate negotiators are still working to reach an agreement on a national security package that contains both enhanced border security policies and additional aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has urged both parties to come to an agreement, but he acknowledged last week that former President Donald Trump’s opposition to an immigration deal could complicate its viability. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) publicly stated that any deal that does not include all Republican demands would be dead on arrival. However, in an attempt to placate some of those opposed, President Joe Biden remains eager for an agreement and has committed to using “new emergency authority to shut down the border.”
Additionally, congressional appropriators agreed over the weekend on top-line spending allocations for the 12 fiscal year funding bills, which means that Congress can now start negotiating the contents of their annual funding bills. Congress has been operating under a temporary, “laddered” government funding measure, which is set to partially expire on March 1 and then on March 8.
Separately, the House has indicated it may consider a bipartisan agreement on a nearly $80 billion tax policy proposal that focuses on business deductions and the child tax credit. The plan has received some criticism from members of both parties.
Administration
On Tuesday, Biden will travel to South Florida for campaign events. On Thursday, he will attend the 72nd annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
House Side
On Monday, the House will meet to consider multiple bills under suspension.
- Bills expected under suspension of the rules.
- H.R. 5528 – Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act, as amended (Rep. Donalds – Oversight and Accountability). The legislation would require the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress on whether regulations establishing the lowest price technically acceptable selection process have created any national security risk.
- S.3427 – Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act (Sen. Graham – Oversight and Accountability). The bill would permit Secret Service agents to receive additional overtime pay through 2028.
- Bills expected under a rule.
- H.R. 5585 – Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (Rep. Ciscomani – Judiciary). The measure would impose new criminal penalties on individuals who evade U.S. Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement officers.
- H.R. 6678 – Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act (Rep. Rep. McClintock – Judiciary). The bill would allow the deportation and barring from the United States of noncitizens who commit identity fraud.
- H.R. 6679 – No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act (Rep. McClintock – Judiciary). The bill would bar individuals involved in the attacks against Israel, including members of Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, from being admitted into the United States and from receiving any immigration benefits.
- H.R. 6976 – Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (Rep. Barry Moore – Judiciary). The measure would prohibit noncitizens who are convicted of — or admit to — driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol from entering or remaining in the United States.
Senate Side
On Monday, the Senate will begin consideration of the nominations of Joshua Kolar to be a judge for the Seventh Circuit, Karoline Mehalchick to be a judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Joseph Goffman’s bid to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s air regulations office.
Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has scheduled votes on a Republican measure to strike down the SEC’s rule requiring registrants to disclose cybersecurity breaches and whether to override Biden’s veto of a measure to stop the Administration from temporarily allowing the use of foreign-made materials for government-funded electric vehicle chargers.