House Cloakroom: July 29 – August 2
Analysis: This week, the House will be in session for four days before members leave for August recess. The theme for the legislative week will be “Stop Government Abuse.” The House will consider a bill by Representative Todd Young (R-IN) designed to rein in growing red tape and burdens that are placed on Americans without the approval of their elected representatives. The House will likely consider a bill sponsored by Representative Tom Price (R-GA) that prevents the IRS from enforcing or implementing any component of Obamacare. Finally, a $44.1 billion appropriations bill could be on the floor. Previously, Heritage identified $30 billion in additional cuts to the bill.
Major Floor Action:
- H.R. 2610 – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2014
- H.R. 367 – Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 (bill that would require Congress to approve all new major regulations)
- H.R. 2009 – Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 (prevents IRS implementation of Obamacare)
- H.R. 1582 – the Energy Consumers Relief Act
- H.R. 1911 – Smarter Solutions for Students Act, agreeing with the Senate amendment.
Major Committee Action:
- The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Education will mark up proposed FY2014 appropriations for departments, agencies and programs under its jurisdiction.
- The House Ways and Means Committee will hold the third in a series of hearings on welfare overhaul issues.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the implementation of the Health Care Act.
- The House Select Intelligence Committee will mark up pending legislation on FY2014 Intelligence Authorization.
Senate Cloakroom: July 29 – August 2
Analysis: This week, the Senate will vote on the $54 billion Transportation-HUD bill, which blows through sequestration spending caps. Heritage identified $30 billion worth of cuts to various programs in the House THUD bill and suggested even larger spending cuts to the Senate THUD bill, which were not made. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed cloture on three nominations to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Senate could vote on Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, Nancy Jean Schiffer, and Mark Gaston Pearce sometime this week.
Major Floor Action:
- S.1243 – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations
- S.761 – Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
- Nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Major Committee Action:
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will mark up the Workforce Investment Act of 2013.
- The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on “Containing Health Care Costs: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges.”
- The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on “Strengthening Privacy Rights and National Security: Oversight of FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Surveillance Programs.”
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on public lands bills.