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Congress Avoids DHS Shut-Down, Passes Short-Term Funding Measure
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will again be the top priority on the congressional agenda this week after both a “clean” full-year continuing resolution (CR) and a three-week CR failed to advance in the House, forcing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to push through a last-minute one-week CR to fund DHS through March 6.
Late Friday night, just hours before DHS would have shut down, Congress passed the one-week CR by a roll call vote of 357 to 60. On Friday afternoon the House failed to pass a three-week CR, with 52 Republicans and 172 Democrats voting down the measure. The failed vote surprised many, as House Republican leadership had backed the bill.
Earlier on Friday, the Senate passed a “clean” full-year funding bill, after removing the immigration provisions from the House passed measure. Majority Leader McConnell put the immigration provisions into a stand-alone bill, which he hoped to bring up for a vote this week, but Senate Democrats indicated they will hold up the bill until DHS funding is resolved.
Republicans Appoint Hall as CBO Director
Last week, Republican leaders picked Keith Hall to head the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), ending the search to replace Douglas Elmendorf, who will stay on until April 1 when Hall officially takes over. Hall is a former chief economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisors, has a strong technical analysis background, and has a relatively non-partisan profile, having worked under administrations from both parties. However, some lawmakers have criticized his recent statements that minimum wage increases could contribute to growing income inequality and reduce overall employment.
This Week’s Hearings:
Wednesday, March 4: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing titled “Wasteful Duplication in the Federal Government.”
Senate Appropriations Committee FY 2016 Budget Hearings
Tuesday, March 3: The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Treasury.
Wednesday, March 4: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of the Interior.
Wednesday, March 4: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
Wednesday, March 4: The Energy and Water Development Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Thursday, March 5: The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States National Aeronautics and Space Agency.
Thursday, March 5: The Legislative Branch Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Secretary of the Senate, Senate Sergeant at Arms, and United States Capitol Police.
House Appropriations Committee FY 2016 Budget Hearings
Monday, March 2: The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Tuesday, March 3: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Forest Service.
Tuesday, March 3: The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for Installations, Environment, Energy, and BRAC.
Tuesday, March 3: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a closed hearing on the Budget Request for United States Africa Command.
Tuesday, March 3: The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Commerce.
Tuesday, March 3: The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health.
Tuesday, March 3: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the U.S. Forest Service.
Tuesday, March 3: The Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
Wednesday, March 4: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Defense.
Wednesday, March 4: The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Treasury.
Wednesday, March 4: The Energy and Water Development Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and Weapons Activities.
Wednesday, March 4: The Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Food and Drug Administration.
Wednesday, March 4: The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Wednesday, March 4: The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Education.
Wednesday, March 4: The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Thursday, March 5: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a closed hearing on the Budget Request for United States Central Command.
Thursday, March 5: The Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture Research Agencies.
Thursday, March 5: The Interior, Environments, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the National Park Service.
Timothy Drake also contributed content for this article.
