Look Ahead to the Week of May 20: Farm Bill and Fiscal Year 2025 Spending Take Center Stage
Both the House and Senate are in session this week before leaving early to begin the Memorial Day recess.
Last week, House Republicans released their draft of the Farm Bill. The $1.5 trillion package would authorize agriculture and food policy programs for another five years after Congress passed a one-year extension in 2023, which expires on September 30 of this year. Although the legislation is normally passed with widespread bipartisan support, Democrats have already come out opposing the package, expressing particular concerns with funding levels for nutrition programs and the incorporation of certain controversial policy riders, including those to address climate change. The draft bill will be marked up by the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday.
House appropriators will begin marking up the first of the fiscal year 2025 spending bills this week, including the Military Construction-VA, Legislative Branch, and annual defense package. However, Senate negotiators have yet to agree on their topline spending numbers, which complicates the drafting process. Additionally, House Democrats have criticized the GOP’s proposed cuts to domestic funding levels in the draft bills. Government funding expires on September 30, though most expect Congress to pass a short-term continuing resolution until after Election Day.
In the upper chamber, Senate Democrats will attempt to force a vote on border security legislation before the Memorial Day recess. Although the vote will likely fail, it will allow a handful of Democratic Senators in tight reelection races to vote for increased border security, which remains a top concern for voters.
Administration
On Thursday, President Biden will host a bilateral meeting, news conference, and state dinner with Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House. On Saturday, he will deliver the commencement address at West Point.
House Side
On Tuesday, the House will meet to consider multiple bills under suspension.
Senate Side
On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Seth Aframe to be a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has also teed up votes on Krissa Lanham’s and Angela Martinez’s nominations to be Arizona district judges.
Senators will also vote to block a rule from the Department of Energy that would regulate gas furnace efficiency standards.
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