The Senate will vote on President Trump's nominees for Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the SBA. Hearings are scheduled for nominees to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Labor. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch continues making the rounds to speak with senators ahead of confirmation hearings, which have not yet been scheduled.
For a third week, the House will vote to invalidate Obama Administration rules using the Congressional Review Act, this week focused on labor-related rules. It will also consider several Veterans bills.
THIS WEEK'S HEARINGS
In the Senate: Presidential Nominations
Nominations continue in the Senate, with Floor votes expected for Steve Mnuchin (Treasury), David Shulkin, (Veterans Affairs) and Linda McMahon (SBA).
Steven Mnuchin
Secretary of Treasury
On POPVOX: 41% SUPPORT | 59% OPPOSE
David Shulkin
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
On POPVOX: 78% SUPPORT | 22% OPPOSE
Linda McMahon
SBA Administrator
On POPVOX: 51% SUPPORT | 49% OPPOSE
Senate committees will hold hearings on the nominations of Seema Verma (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and Andrew Puzder (Labor).
Seema Verma
CMS Administrator
On POPVOX: 51% SUPPORT | 49% OPPOSE
Secretary of Labor
On POPVOX: 40% SUPPORT | 60% OPPOSE
Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch
Preliminary discussions continue with Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch. Last week, Judge Gorsuch submitted his answers to the Senate Judiciary Committee's questionnaire. Read his responses.
In the House: Invalidating Obama Regulations
The House will again use the Congressional Review Act to vote to invalidate several Obama administration rules. The CRA gives Congress sixty “session days” to overturn a rule issued by the Executive branch. A resolution of disapproval must pass each chamber and is not subject to the 60-vote threshold filibuster in the Senate.
H.J.Res. 52:
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants
Sponsor: Rep. Kevin Brady Read sponsor statement
H.J.Res. 66:
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Walberg Read sponsor statement
H.J.Res. 67:
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees
Sponsor: Rep. Francis Rooney Read sponsor statement
H.J.Res. 69:
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska
Sponsor: Rep. Don Young Read sponsor statement
H.J.Res. 43:
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule submitted by Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to compliance with title X requirements by project recipients in selecting subrecipients
Sponsor: Rep. Diane Black
According to the bill sponsor, the HHS rule in question "could prevent states from blocking Title X funding (federal dollars for family planning services) to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood."
Also in the House: Veteran's Bills
H.R. 512 – WINGMAN Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ted Yoho
Allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an accredited, permanent congressional employee with read-only remote access to the electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims records system of a represented veteran.
H.R. 244 – HIRE Vets Act
Sponsor: Rep. Paul Cook
This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit voluntary information from employers for purposes of recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion, verified efforts by these employers to: (1) recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and (2) provide community and charitable services supporting the veteran community.
H.R. 974 – BRAVE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kathleen Rice
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in awarding a contract for the procurement of goods or services, to give preference to offerors based on the percentage of the offeror's full-time employees who are veterans.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
