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

• Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice by the end of the week, barring any unforeseen developments.
• Ahead of a two-week recess, Congress has a busy week planned, including additional COVID-related funding.
• Western nations are seeking to enhance pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin as fresh evidence emerges of Russian forces committing atrocities in Ukraine.

HOUSE

• The House will be in session this evening through Thursday. Lawmakers hope to pass legislation to provide additional COVID-relief funding for restaurants – how it might be reconciled with potential Senate funding legislation remains to be seen.
• The Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled “Gouged at the Gas Station: Big Oil and America’s Pain at the Pump” with executives from six large energy companies.
• Among several budget hearings this week with members of the president’s cabinet, the House Armed Services Committee will host Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley.
• The full schedule of committee activity can be found here.

SENATE

• The Senate’s ambitious plan for the week includes taking up Judge Jackson’s nomination as well as funding for COVID treatments and tests.
• The Judiciary Committee will vote today on Jackson’s nomination, setting up a final vote by the full Senate likely Thursday or Friday.
• Senate hearings on the president’s budget this week include the Finance Committee reviewing the Health and Human Services Department’s budget with Secretary Xavier Becerra.
• The current list of committee meetings can be found here.

WHITE HOUSE

• President Joe Biden will provide an update on his administration’s Trucking Action Plan aiming to strengthen the trucking workforce and supply chains.
• Tuesday, Biden will host an event celebrating the Affordable Care Act – featuring former President Barack Obama’s first visit to the White House since he left office.
• Wednesday, Biden will address the North America’s Building Trades Unions’ Legislative Conference.

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