Happening on the Hill: May 23, 2016

Schedule

The House and Senate are both in session this week.

House

This is a busy week in the House. The appropriations process continues with the House considering the Energy and Water spending bill. The measure spends $37.4 billion, which is $168 million more than President Obama requested. The bill didn’t even get a recorded vote at the Appropriations Committee – it was passed by voice vote. That means none of the members of the committee are on the record for supporting or opposing the bill. Legislation will also be considered to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act to make it easier for the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate chemicals that are harmful. Also, the House will take up a bill to block the government of the District of Columbia from using local tax dollars absent congressional approval.

Senate

The Senate will be working on legislation to authorize defense spending programs totaling just over $600 billion. The House passed their version of the bill last week. Many amendments are expected to the bill in the Senate.