Below is the Federal Policy team's weekly preview, published each week when Congress is in session.
HEADLINES
- President Donald Trump on Tuesday will meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to discuss funding for a wall along the Mexican border and try to avert a partial government shutdown.
- Trump is also scrambling to find a new White House chief of staff after announcing over the weekend that Gen. John Kelly will depart by the end of the year.
- The House this week is planning noncontroversial votes, while the Senate continues considering Trump nominations.
HOUSE
- The House is scheduled to hold votes today through Thursday. The agenda includes noncontroversial legislation and a possible vote on the farm bill.
- Lawmakers are negotiating on six remaining appropriations bills ahead of the Dec. 21 deadline: Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services, Interior-Environment, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD.
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai tomorrow will testify before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the company's collection and use of consumer data.
- A list of scheduled House committee activity can be found here.
SENATE
- The Senate expects to be in session all week, continuing consideration of Trump nominees.
- The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday will hold an oversight hearing featuring SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.
- The Senate may also vote on a resolution to withdraw U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen's civil war, in the wake of senators becoming convinced that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- The current list of Senate committee activity can be found here.
WHITE HOUSE
- Trump on Saturday announced the imminent departure of Kelly, which had been rumored for weeks. He is now seeking a replacement, after apparent front-runner Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, withdrew from consideration.
- Trump meets Tuesday with Pelosi and Schumer. So far, the two sides appear far apart on a deal to fund the rest of the government. Trump continues to seek $5 billion or more for a border wall, and with the House majority soon to be theirs, Democrats have no incentive to agree to his demand.
- Later in the week, Trump will host an event on "opportunity zones," and a meeting with newly elected governors.
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