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Policy News - February 12, 2019
February 12, 2019
Yesterday, the House reconvened to debate the five bills listed for consideration under the suspension of the Rules. Today, votes are no longer expected in the House. Later this week, the House is scheduled to be in session and voting Wednesday through Friday.
In other news, the House Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing today to discuss the cost of rising prescription drugs prices. Additionally, the House Committee on Education and Labor will hold a hearing titled, “Underpaid Teachers and Crumbling Schools: How Underfunding Public Education Shortchanges America’s Students.” On Wednesday, February 13th, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing addressing the oversight of the U.S. Small Business Administration. On the 13th, the House Committee on Ways and Means will also hold a hearing to discuss how middle class families are faring in today’s economy.
On Capitol Hill
Floor proceedings
House: in session
· Today the House will reconvene and debate the five bills listed for consideration under the suspension of the Rules.
Senate: in session
Today the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.47, the Natural Resources Management Act.
Committee proceedings
SBC
2/13 the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Oversight of the U.S. Small Business Administration.”
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
· 2/14 the Committee will hold a nomination hearing.
· 2/20 the Committee will hold an Executive Session to vote on Committee Budget Resolution, Rules of Procedure, Subcommittee Membership and Jurisdiction for the 116th Congress.
· 2/26 the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress.”
House Committee on Ways and Means:
· Today the Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the cost of rising prescription drugs prices.
· February 13th the Committee will hold a hearing to discuss how middle class families are faring in today’s economy.
House Committee on Education and Labor:
Today, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Underpaid Teachers and Crumbling Schools: How Underfunding Public Education Shortchanges America’s Students.”
House Committee on Appropriations
· Today, the Committee will hold a hearing addressing administrative and management challenges in GSA’s public buildings service.
· On February 13th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, Library of Congress Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020.”
Senate Committee on HELP
Today, the Committee will hold a hearing on managing pain during the opioid crisis.
Bills of Interest
· A bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce supporting the designation of March 2019 as Endometriosis Awareness Month. (H.Res.118)
· A bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor disapproving the final rule of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration titled "Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses". (H.J.Res.44)
· A bill was referred the House Committee on Financial Services to posthumously award a Congressional gold medal to Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of his contributions to the Nation by the promotion of nonviolence.(H.R.1127)
At the Agencies
Department of Labor:
No relevant activities today.
Treasury:
The US. Department of the Treasury released a press release announcing the successful 2019 tax-filing season kick off last week with the Treasury and IRS.
SBA:
The U.S. Small Business Administration is conducting workshops this week, February 11th - 13th, to train organizations in Idaho on best practices regarding the Women’s Business Center grant application process.
USTR:
No relevant activities today.
Commerce:
No relevant activities today.
Links You Can Use
For reviewing legislation and tracking appropriations: www.congress.gov
For reviewing proposed and pending regulation: www.federalregister.gov
