Congress Honors Rep. John Lewis as Coronavirus Relief Negotiations Kickoff

What’s happening in Congress?

• Congress returns to the Capitol this week in search of a deal on the next phase of coronavirus relief legislation, with negotiations coming against the backdrop of lawmakers paying their respects to a departed colleague in the Capitol.
• Bipartisan talks over the next phase of coronavirus relief legislation are expected to pick up steam after Republicans introduce their version of the relief package on Monday or Tuesday, which will serve as a framework for negotiations with Democrats. 
• Depending on how quickly a deal is reached, Congress may start its consideration of the relief bill before the end of the week, or it may continue into August, which would require the House to cancel a planned recess set to begin next week.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House starts its week Monday with votes on bills that would establish a commission to study the social status of black men and boys, and create a museum within the Smithsonian Institution about the American Latino.
• No votes in the House are expected Tuesday, when lawmakers pay their respects to the late Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), who will lie in state in the Capitol.
• The rest of the week will feature votes on a $1.367 trillion “minibus” spending package, a pair of childcare bills, and a water resources development bill. If a deal is reached on the next phase of coronavirus relief, that package could receive a vote before the end of the week.
• Committees will hold hearings on safeguarding the 2020 Census against the Trump administration’s “unconstitutional attacks”, oversight of the Dept. of Justice, and national efforts to contain the coronavirus with testimony from Dr. Anthony Fauci.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate convenes Monday for a confirmation vote on the nomination of William Scott Hardy to be a U.S. district judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
• The rest of the week’s schedule is yet to be finalized and may include coronavirus relief legislation. 
• However, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took procedural steps to set up potential consideration nominations involving another district court judge, a HUD official, and two members of the National Labor Relations Board.
• Committees will hold hearings on the oversight of COVID-19 financial relief packages, protecting the U.S. medical supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic, and restoring confidence & reducing uncertainty during the coronavirus recession.

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

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

Monday after 10:00am (under suspension of the rules)

• S. 2163: Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act Passed 368-1.
• H.R. 2420: National Museum of the American Latino Act, as amended Passed by voice vote.

Tuesday

• No votes will occur while the late Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) lies in state.

Wednesday after 12pm

• H.R. 7027: Child Care Is Essential Act Passed 249-163.
• H.R. 7327: Child Care for Economic Recovery Act Passed 250-161.
• H.R. 4686: Sami’s Law, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 7575: Water Resources Development Act of 2020, as amended Passed by voice vote.

Thursday after 10am

• Amendments to H.R. 7617: Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021

Friday after 9am

• H.R. 7617: Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 Passed 217-197.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Confirmation vote on the nomination of William Scott Hardy to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania Confirmed 65-30.

Tuesday after 11:30am

• Cloture motion on the nomination of David Cleveland Joseph to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana Invoked 55-42.
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Dana T. Wade to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Invoked 57-40.
• Confirmation vote on the nomination of David Cleveland Joseph to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana Confirmed 55-42.
• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Dana T. Wade to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Confirmed 57-40.

Wednesday after 11:30am

• Cloture motion on the nomination of Derek Kan to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Invoked 76-22.
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Marvin Kaplan to be reappointed a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the five year term expiring August 27, 2025 Invoked 52-46.
• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Marvin Kaplan to be reappointed a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the five year term expiring August 27, 2025 Confirmed 52-46.
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran to be reappointed a member of the National Labor Relations Board for the five year term expiring December 16, 2025 Invoked 56-41.
• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran to be reappointed a member of the National Labor Relations Board for the five year term expiring December 16, 2025 Confirmed 53-42.

Thursday after 11:30am

• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Derek Kan to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Confirmed 71-21.
• Motion to proceed to S. 178: Legislative Vehicle for Extending Coronavirus Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Agreed to 47-42.

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

— Eric Revell