Memorial Day Push:
Congress returns to Washington this week to tackle its legislative agenda before breaking for its week-long Memorial Day recess.
In the Senate, Members are slated to vote on judicial nominees. It’s also been reported that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is set to revive the stalled bipartisan immigration bill authored by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and James Lankford (R-OK) earlier this year. However, the odds of it passing remain unclear amid initial Republican pushback in both Chambers that first tanked the measure.
In the House, lawmakers are set to take up two cryptocurrency-related bills under regular order that set a national framework for regulating these currencies while prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. Another bill would bar non-citizens from voting in the District of Columbia.
House bills moving under expedited procedures this week include various memorials and building designations, disaster tax relief, and inspection and reporting requirements for certain federal programs and facilities.
Members from both Chambers will also participate in several committee hearings this week, including the following:
- The Senate Finance Committee will discuss how to confront the fentanyl crisis
- The House Homeland Security Committee will examine policies to harness artificial intelligence
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will consider the Coast Guard’s FY25 budget request
- The Senate and House Appropriations Committees will consider the State Department’s FY25 budget request
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee will examine legislative changes to Section 230
The Administration:
This week, President Joe Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will give remarks commemorating Jewish American Heritage Month at the White House.
Later in the week, President Biden will host Kenyan President William Ruto for a bilateral meeting and a state visit at the White House. He will also deliver the 2024 commencement address at West Point.