This Week in Congress: FAA, Disaster Relief, Opioids & (Maybe) Kavanaugh’s SCOTUS Confirmation

With the House out of town until after the midterm elections, the spotlight will be on the Senate as it takes up an FAA reauthorization and disaster relief package, a bipartisan opioids crisis response bill, and ― maybe ― the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Senators will start their week on Monday with a procedural vote to limit debate on a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), provide disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Florence, and reform the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). A passage vote could occur as early as Monday. The Senate will also take up the bipartisan opioids crisis response bill at a time to be determined.

Whether the Senate takes up the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court will depend on the conclusion of the FBI’s expanded background investigation into sexual assault allegations against the nominee. The probe is expected to be completed by Friday, but could conclude sooner.

Assuming the nomination goes forward, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will file a “cloture motion”, which limits further debate on a bill or nomination to 30 hours once it is “invoked". Cloture motions can only be voted on after “ripening” for one full day (unless there’s unanimous consent from senators).

That’d start what is likely to be a four-day confirmation process, as McConnell would file cloture on day one, it’d ripen on the second day, be voted on the third day to limit debate in advance of a confirmation vote on the fourth day.

Check here throughout the week to see the vote results and updates to the schedule.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

Senate

Monday after 5:30pm

• Cloture vote on H.R. 302: FAA Reauthorization Act Invoked 90-7.

Tuesday after 10am

• The Senate will be in a period of morning business with time counting post-cloture on H.R. 302: FAA Reauthorization Act

Wednesday after 12pm

• H.R. 302: FAA Reauthorization Act Passed 93-6.
• H.R. 6: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act Passed 98-1.

Thursday

• Debate on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court

Friday after 10:30am

• Cloture vote on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Invoked 51-49.

Saturday after 3:30pm

• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Confirmed 50-48-1.

House

Out All Week

• The House will next be in session on November 13th.

Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell