Legislative Activity

DHS Funding Deadline Nears

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding expires on Friday, February 27, leaving only days for Congress to act to fund DHS. The Senate has not been able to overcome a Democratic filibuster of the House DHS funding legislation (H.R. 240), which includes policy riders blocking the President’s executive actions on immigration. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) could propose a short-term Continuing Resolution to avoid a shutdown and buy Republicans more time. However, DHS officials have cautioned that a short-term fix would overly restrict DHS, and prevent the implementation of any new programs.

Budget and Appropriations Committees at Work

Republicans on the Senate and House Budget Committees hope to adopt a joint budget resolution by the end of March, the statutory deadline. Both committees are on schedule to mark up their resolutions in mid-March, but they will face pressure from some House Republicans that want to reduce spending and Senate Republicans that want to increase defense spending. The pressure for increased defense spending is due in part to mandated sequestration levels for FY 2016. However, Democrats and the White House will oppose any increases in defense spending that are offset by reductions in domestic spending.

House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will hold several FY 2016 Budget hearings when they return from recess this week.

Republicans Narrow Search for New CBO Director

Republicans on the Budget Committees have interviewed possible candidates to head the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as they work to replace Douglas Elmendorf, the current director. While there is no timeline for a final selection, the field of candidates has been narrowed to three:

• Katherine Baicker, an economist and health care policy expert;

• Keith Hall, Chief Economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission; and

• Harold Furchtgott-Roth, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission.

This Week’s Hearings:

• Wednesday, February 25: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the federal debt.

• Wednesday, February 25: The House Budget Committee will hold a Members’ Day hearing.

• Wednesday, February 25: The House Appropriations Committee Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold an Oversight hearing of the Internal Revenue Service.

• Wednesday, February 25: The House Appropriations Committee Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold an Oversight hearing of the Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• Thursday, February 26: The House Appropriations Committee Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold an Oversight hearing titled “The Vital Responsibility of Serving the Nation’s Aging and Disabled Communities.”

Senate Appropriations Committee FY 2016 Budget Hearings

• Tuesday, February 24: The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of State.

• Wednesday, February 25: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Air Force.

• Thursday, February 26: The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Commerce.

House Appropriations Committee FY 2016 Budget Hearings

• Wednesday, February 25: The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request titled “Quality of Life in the Military.”

• Wednesday, February 25: The Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Wednesday, February 25: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary.

• Wednesday, February 25: The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

• Wednesday, February 25: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of the Interior.

• Wednesday, February 25: The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of State.

• Wednesday, February 25: The Legislative Branch Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the House of Representatives, Government Accountability Office, and United States Capitol Police.

• Thursday, February 26: The Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Energy.

• Thursday, February 26: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.

• Thursday, February 26: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Navy.

• Thursday, February 26: The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Transportation.

• Thursday, February 26: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Thursday, February 26: The Legislative Branch Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Architect of the Capitol and Library of Congress.

• Friday, February 27: The Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the United States Air Force.

• Friday, February 27: The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

• Friday, February 27: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

This post was written with contributions from Timothy Drake.