Below is this week’s congressional update by BakerHostetler’s Federal Policy team. We’ll continue to post in weeks when both chambers of Congress are in session.
HEADLINES
- Congress is in its annual holiday rush, negotiating an omnibus funding bill as well as annual Defense policy legislation – lawmakers will likely need at least a one-week continuing resolution as government funding expires Friday.
- Washington’s scrutiny of FTX and its founder Sam Bankman-Fried is in focus with hearings in both chambers.
- President Joe Biden will host the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the White House.
HOUSE
- The House will begin its legislative week tonight. The week’s agenda is fluid but includes legislation to ensure collective bargaining rights for VA healthcare providers.
- Tomorrow, Bankman-Fried will testify at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the collapse of his company, FTX.
- Also tomorrow, the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism will hold an oversight hearing on the Homeland Security Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
- The full committee hearing schedule can be found here.
SENATE
- The Senate will begin its week with votes on Biden’s judicial nominees.
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee tomorrow will hold a hearing on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Wednesday, the Banking Committee will hold a hearing on the FTX collapse; it is unclear whether Bankman-Fried will appear.
- The current list of committee meetings can be found here.
WHITE HOUSE
- Today, the president and first lady are participating in a Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots event in Arlington, Virginia.
- Wednesday, Biden will observe the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
- Also Wednesday and into Thursday, the president will host the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the White House.