Look Ahead to the Week of May 11, 2026 | Trump to China as Congress Returns to an Economic-Focused Agenda

Alston & Bird’s Legislative & Public Policy Group previews the week ahead highlighting anticipated federal legislative, regulatory, and political activity, and key upcoming actions in Congress, the Administration, and relevant policy arenas.

Administration

• President Trump heads to China Tuesday seeking progress on trade, economic, and broader international issues. Talks are expected to cover a potential new board of trade framework, AI, and U.S. agriculture and aerospace purchases, as well as China’s positions on Iran and Taiwan.
• The Administration is considering next steps following Thursday’s Court of International Trade ruling that found that the 10% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 are illegal.
• Health officials continue to monitor a hantavirus outbreak.
• Dr. Marty Makary’s role as Food and Drug Administration commissioner remains uncertain.

House

• The House may vote Wednesday on legislation to allow the sale of E15 gasoline year-round, continuing a dispute between agriculture producers and the oil industry.
• Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) may force a vote on a war powers resolution related to the Iran conflict as debate continues over whether the 60-day hostilities period has ended.
• The fiscal year 2027 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill is expected on the floor as appropriations work continues in committee, with the Commerce-Justice-Science and Energy-Water subcommittees voting this week.

Senate

• The Senate will debate the confirmation of Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve Board. A separate vote will be needed to allow Warsh to serve as chair. Current Chair Jerome Powell’s term expires Friday.
• Republicans are advancing a reconciliation bill that includes $1 billion in Secret Service funding for White House security upgrades.
• The Senate Banking Committee is planning a long-awaited markup of the CLARITY Act, which would establish a regulatory framework for digital assets and define oversight responsibilities for federal financial regulators.

Key Hearings

May 12, 2026

• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the United States Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense: Budget Hearing - The Department of Defense

My 13, 2026

• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies: A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the United States Food and Drug Administration
• House Energy and Commerce Committee: Wires, Rates, and States: Permitting Transmission for Reliable and Affordable Power

May 14, 2026

• House Education and Workforce Committee: Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education

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