This Week in Congress: Trying to Avoid Another Shutdown, Public Lands Management, and Confirming Barr as Attorney General
How do you feel about this week's congressional agenda?
Congress convenes this week looking to avoid another partial government shutdown by approving funding for border security before Friday night’s deadline ― but that’s not all that will be happening in the Capitol.
The Senate starts its week Monday with the consideration of a bipartisan natural resource and public lands management package, including debates on amendments and a procedural vote to limit further debate in advance of a passage vote later in the week. Once the public lands package is in the rear view mirror, the Senate is expected to take up the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General.
The House will convene Monday to consider several bills under the fast-track suspension of the rules process, which allows for accelerated debate but requires a two-thirds vote for passage. Among the bills on Monday’s docket are legislation to require presidential library foundations to disclose their donations and use social media history in security clearance investigations. The House will be out on Tuesday so members can attend the funeral of the late Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) ― the longest serving member in the history of the U.S. House. When the House returns on Wednesday it’ll consider a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces assisting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Both chambers of Congress will be waiting for the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to release the compromise funding package it has been negotiating since the 35-day partial government shutdown was brought to an end. It’s unclear when that agreement will be released, and although both chambers will look to quickly bring it up for a vote the House’s rule requiring a bill’s text be posted for 72 hours before it gets a vote could cause a delay.
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
- Motion to table the Lee amendment to S. 47: Natural Resource Management Act Tabled 60-33.
- Cloture motion on S. 47: Natural Resource Management Act Invoked 87-7.
Tuesday after 4:30pm
- Passage vote on S. 47: Natural Resource Management Act Passed 92-8.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General Invoked 55-44.
Wednesday
- Debate on the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General
Thursday
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General Confirmed 54-45.
- Cloture motion on H.J.Res. 31: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 Invoked 84-15.
- H.J.Res. 31: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 Passed 83-16.
House
Monday after 6:30pm (all suspensions)
- H.R. 1063: Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2019 Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 1065: Social Media Use in Clearance Investigations Act of 2019 Passed 377-3.
- H.R. 1079: CASES Act Passed 379-0.
- H.R. 1064: To amend title 5, United States Code, to allow whistleblowers to disclose information to certain recipients Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 995: Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2019 Vote postponed.
Tuesday
- No votes are expected, the House will be in a pro forma session.
Wednesday after 12pm
- H.J.Res. 37: Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Passed 248-177, 1 present.
- H.R. 995: Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2019 Passed 418-0.
Thursday after 12pm
- H.J.Res. 31: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 Passed 300-128.
Friday between 9am and 3pm
- No votes are expected.
Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!
— Eric Revell
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