This Week in Congress: Disaster Relief, Middle East Policy, and (Maybe) Trying to End the Shutdown

Congress will return to the Capitol this week with the partial government shutdown well into its third week and still no resolution in sight.

The House starts its week on Monday with votes on several small business bills under the fast-track “suspension of the rules” process used for non-controversial bills. Tuesday will feature votes on more suspensions, including bills aimed at enhancing workplace protections for federal employees and interns, and to require all American flags purchased by the federal government to be made in the U.S. The rest of the House’s week will include a vote on a $12 billion disaster relief appropriations bill, and potentially other bills related to reopening agencies affected by the partial shutdown.

The Senate will also start its week on Monday with a procedural vote on a bill to increase sanctions on the Assad regime in Syria, strengthen security partnerships with Israel & Jordan, and counter the anti-Israel boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) bill. Last week the bipartisan bill was blocked twice by the Senate’s Democrats, who said they intend to block the chamber from considering items unrelated to ending the partial shutdown.

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 motion on the motion to proceed to S. 1: Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act Not agreed to 50-43.

Tuesday after 4:10pm

• Motion to proceed to S.J.Res. 2: Disapproving of the Treasury Dept.'s sanctions relief for 3 Russian companies Agreed to 57-42.

Wednesday after 12:30pm

• Cloture vote on S.J.Res. 2: Disapproving of the Treasury Dept.'s sanctions relief for 3 Russian companies Not agreed to 57-42.

Thursday after 4:30pm

• Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S. 109: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019 Not agreed to 48-47.

House

Monday after 6:30pm (all suspensions)

• H.R. 190: Expanding Contract Opportunities for Small Businesses Act Vote postponed.
• H.R. 116: Investing in Main Street Act Passed 403-2.
• H.R. 430: TANF Extension Act of 2019 Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 246: Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 206: Encouraging Small Business Innovators Act Passed by voice vote.

Tuesday after 12pm

• H.J.Res. 27: Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (CR thru 2/1) Failed 237-187 (2/3 vote required).
• H.Res. 41: Rejecting White Nationalism and White Supremacy Passed 424-1.
• H.R. 135: Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination Act Passed 424-0.
• H.R. 136: Federal Intern Protection Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 113: All-American Flag Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 150: GREAT Act Vote postponed.
• H.R. 202: Inspector General Access Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 247: Federal CIO Authorization Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 190: Expanding Contract Opportunities for Small Businesses Act Vote postponed.

Wednesday after 12pm

• H.R. 268: Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 Passed 237-187.
• H.R. 190: Expanding Contract Opportunities for Small Businesses Act Passed 415-6.

Thursday between 9am and 3pm

• H.J.Res. 28: Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (CR thru 2/28) Vote postponed.
• H.R. 150: GREAT Act Passed 422-0.
• H.J.Res. 30: Disapproving of the Treasury Dept.'s sanctions relief for 3 Russian companies Passed 362-53.
• Senate Amendment to H.R. 251: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Extension Act Passed by voice vote.

From Original Schedule But Not Debated

• H.R. 370: Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act Vote postponed.
• H.R. 360: Cyber Sense Act of 2019 Vote postponed.
• H.R. 362: Energy Emergency Leadership Act Vote postponed.
• H.R. 359: Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act Vote postponed.

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

— Eric Revell