Today is Monday, September 16th and the House and Senate are both in session this week. Government funding for the current fiscal year expires September 30th, leaving lawmakers fewer than 10 legislative days to carve a path forward on funding the government for the upcoming fiscal year.
3 BIG THINGS: AROUND THE BELTWAY
1. DEMOCRATS SEEK MORE POINTS ON THE BOARD PRE-ELECTION
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday the Senate would take a vote on the Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-IL) Right to IVF Act this week. This will be the second time this year the Senate has voted on the bill as Democratic leadership seeks to substantiate Democrats’ position on reproductive rights before the election.
Schumer mentioned in his press release that the bill “should have passed in June and it is more than good enough to pass now,” owing its failure to Senate Republicans.
The vote comes on the heels of the debate, during which former President Donald Trump claimed he was a “leader on fertilization.” Trump also called for IVF treatment to be covered by insurance companies last week, as the Right to IVF Act would require.
Now, Schumer is hoping to get more points on the board for Senate Democrats in tight races while putting Republicans in a bind on mandating coverage for IVF.
For most Senate Republicans, protecting access to IVF treatment comes with considerable merit. In her response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, Alabama Senator Katie Britt said, “we strongly support continued nationwide access to in-vitro fertilization.”
However, fewer Republicans may be open to mandating private insurance cover the procedure. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said the mandate presents issues, “not the least of which, what it does to insurance costs. We put a lot of mandates on insurance companies as it is already.”
Others, like South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, have suggested a means-based tax credit to ease the economic burden of IVF treatment for working families.
While it is unlikely the bill will pass this time around, it allows Democrats the opportunity to amplify their message on reproductive rights before the election.
2. FUNDING PATH NO CLEARER ONE WEEK LATER
The September 30th funding deadline still looms as Republicans fail to coalesce around a strategy that would address the deadline.
Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) attempted to go forward with a strategy favored by the House Freedom Caucus and former President Donald Trump that would attach the SAVE Act to a six-month Continuing Resolution (CR). The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
This strategy led to Speaker Johnson pulling the scheduled vote last Wednesday based on insufficient support within the House Republican conference.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) stated “it’s disappointing that we cannot get the majority of our own members to vote for a bill that they all support, which is attached, and support appropriations bills that are lower than their Democratic counterparts and are at the level that the law dictates.” Chairman Cole continued by saying he has “no problem [with] what the Speaker is trying to do, I have a problem that members aren’t supporting what the Speaker is trying to do.”
Hard-line conservatives, such as those in the House Freedom Caucus, saw the CR attached to the voting bill as a way to avoid an end-of-year omnibus package that would combine all 12 annual funding bills. Additionally, they say passing a six-month CR would allow the next president more influence in shaping funding for 2025.
Defense hawks in Congress are generally opponents of passing a six-month CR as they believe freezing funding at current levels could harm the military’s operational readiness.
Additionally, CRs generally contain language which prohibits “new starts”, or activities which were not previously funded by Congress and did not take place in preceding years. In addition, rates of obligation are usually limited and may impede planned ramp-up or increases in program efforts across the federal government.
Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and noted defense hawk, stated “if it goes past December 31, I’m not voting for it.”
With just nine legislative days remaining until the funding deadline, the most plausible option ahead for Congress is passing a C.R. with a December expiration date. This has been supported by both the White House and congressional Democrats and would allow the newly elected president to come in with a clean slate.
3. HOUSE TO VOTE ON ANTI-WOKE MEASURERS
This week the House will take a series of votes on messaging bills pushing back against “woke” practices for private businesses and the federal government. The bills come to the floor for at a crucial time in the campaign season as more House races have become competitive.
Since the shakeup at the top of the Democratic ticket in July, down-ballot campaigns have grown considerably more competitive, with more House districts entering toss-up territory for pollsters. The Cook Political Report rates 24 House races as tossups in their September report.
With races becoming tighter, Republican leadership seeks to lend help to members in competitive races by getting additional points on the board for these members to solidify their positions on issues like immigration, higher education, and ESG factors in business.
Some of the bills listed for consideration directly push back against Biden administration initiatives, including one Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that would repeal an EPA rule on vehicle emissions standards.
The House Rules Committee will consider these bills starting Tuesday, with floor votes expected later in the week. There is also potential for a vote on government funding, but no plan is in place as of today.
3 BIG THINGS: POLITICS AND POLLING
1. U.S. PRESIDENT – ERVIN GRAVES INDEX
Electoral Votes
Harris 270
Trump 268
*Determined by averaging apportioned and winner-take-all all votes in swing states to assumed results in non-swing states. Polling is only for likely voters surveyed on/after September 3, 2024.
2. U.S. PRESIDENT BETTING ODDS – HARRIS TAKES THE LEAD
Harris 50.8%
Trump 47.7%
3. U.S. PRESIDENT BATTLE GROUND STATES – SIX OF SEVEN STATES AT 2% OR LESS
Nevada – Trump +0.13
North Carolina – Trump +0.6
Arizona – Trump +1.23
Pennsylvania – Harris +0.63
Georgia – Trump +1.21
Michigan – Harris +0.75
Wisconsin – Harris +2.61
4. FIGHT FOR THE U.S. SENATE – BATTLEGROUND SHRINKS TO SIX STATES
Republicans 50 – Democrats 44
Arizona – Gallego +4.5
Michigan – Slotkin +5
Ohio – Brown +3.6
Pennsylvania – Casey +3
Florida – Scott +4.3
Maryland – Alsobrooks +4.4
3 BIG THINGS: YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK THIS WEEK
EXPECTED HOUSE FLOOR ACTION
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
H.R. 7438 – FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act (Sponsored by Rep. LaHood / Financial Services Committee)
S. 2825 – Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act (Sponsored by Sen. Cornyn / Financial Services Committee)
S. 2861 – Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act (Sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand / Financial Services Committee)
H.R. 1432 – VETT Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Wenstrup / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 5861 – BRIDGE for Workers Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. LaHood / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 8292 – Taxpayer Data Protection Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Smith (MO) / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 3784 – Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ferguson / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 3800 – Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Wenstrup / Ways and Means Committee)
S. 1146 – Find and Protect Foster Youth Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Cornyn / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 9076 – Supporting America’s Children and Families Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. LaHood / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 8314 – No Foreign Election Interference Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Malliotakis / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 6324 – Fiscal Year 2024 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Bost / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 7777 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024 (Sponsored by Rep. Luttrell / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 7100 – Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (Sponsored by Rep. Ciscomani / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 7323 – Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Van Orden / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 4424 – Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. LaLota / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 7816 – Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Duarte / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 7342 – Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Valadao / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 5464 – To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, as the “Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic” (Sponsored by Rep. Aderholt / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 4190 – Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Trone / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 2911 – Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Strickland / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
H.R. 9468 – Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Garcia / Appropriations Committee)
H.R. 8111 – Medicaid Program Improvement Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Miller-Meeks / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 8112 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to further require certain additional provider screening under the Medicaid program, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. D’Esposito / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 8089 – Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Garcia / Energy and Commerce Committee)
S. 1648 – Launch Communications Act (Sponsored by Sen. Schmitt / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 8084 – LIVE Beneficiaries Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Bilirakis / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 6160 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Molinaro / Energy and Commerce Committee)
S. 4351 – Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Sponsored by Sen. Murray / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 7406 – DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. McMorris Rodgers / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 7218 – BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Sponsored by Rep. Guthrie / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 6033 – SPEAK Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Steel / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 7858 –TELEMH Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. James / Energy and Commerce Committee)
S. 265 – SIREN Reauthorization Act (Sponsored by Sen. Durbin / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 7208 – Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Pascrell / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 4758 – Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Trahan / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 1513 – FUTURE Networks Act (Sponsored by Rep. Matsui / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 7213 – Autism CARES Act of 2024, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Smith (NJ) / Energy and Commerce Committee)
Legislation Pursuant to a Rule:
H.R. 5339 – Protecting Americans’ Investments from Woke Policies Act (Sponsored by Rep. Allen / Education and the Workforce Committee)
H.R. 5179 – Anti-BDS Labeling Act (Sponsored by Rep. Tenney / Ways and Means Committee)
H.R. 7909 – Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (Sponsored by Rep. Mace / Judiciary Committee)
H.R. 3724 – End Woke Higher Education Act (Sponsored by Rep. Owens / Education and the Workforce Committee)
H.R. 4790 – Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act (Sponsored by Rep. Huizenga / Financial Services Committee)
H.J. Res. 136 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles”. (Sponsored by Rep. James / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. 5717 – No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act (Sponsored by Rep. LaLota / Judiciary Committee)
SCHEDULED HOUSE HEARINGS
This week’s hearings of note in the House include:
The Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled “Holding the SBA Accountable: Testimony from Small Business Administrator Guzman” on Wednesday.
The Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Dazed and Confused: Breaking Down the SEC’s Politicized Approach to Digital Assets” on Wednesday.
The Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Biden-Harris Attacks on Tipped Workers” on Wednesday.
The Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “VA’s Open Cash Register: Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Revenue Operations” on Thursday.
The Rules Committee will hold a Member Day hearing on Proposed Rules Changes for the 119thCongress on Thursday.
The Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Oversight of Extremism Policies in the Army” on Thursday.
EXPECTED SENATE FLOOR ACTION
The Senate will take a vote on the Right to IVF Act and executive and judicial nominations this week.
SCHEDULED SENATE HEARINGS
This week’s hearings of note in the Senate include:
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold hearings “to examine the national security risks of replacing nonpartisan civil servants with political appointees, focusing on ensuring a trustworthy government” on Tuesday.
The Finance Committee will hold hearings “to examine lowering health care costs for Americans, focusing on the Inflation Reduction Act” on Tuesday.
The Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold hearings “to examine aviation cybersecurity threats” on Wednesday.
The Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will hold hearings “to examine keeping kids learning in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program” on Wednesday.
The Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will hold hearings “to examine the macroeconomic impacts of potential tax reform in 2025” on Wednesday.