Congress to Consider Democrats’ Budget Resolution, Biden Cabinet Picks

What’s happening in Congress?

• Congress is expected to spend this week focused on Democrats’ budget resolution for FY2021, which will direct committees to draft a coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package using the budget reconciliation process.
• The Senate is also expected to vote on the confirmation of at least two of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees, as it prepares to start the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump on February 8th.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate is expected to vote Monday on the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden’s nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security, followed by a Tuesday vote on the nomination of Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation.
• Senate Democrats are expected to advance a budget resolution containing reconciliation instructions. As part of the process, the Senate will hold a “vote-a-rama” on amendments to the budget resolution, although the timing depends on when the chamber begins debate on the underlying bill.
• Committees will hold hearings on global climate trends and progress in addressing climate change, in addition to Biden’s nominees to be secretary of agriculture, secretary of commerce, secretary of education, secretary of labor, secretary of veterans affairs, and EPA administrator.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House is expected to convene on Tuesday and work through Friday, although it’s possible the chamber may be in session over the weekend to vote on a budget resolution if the Senate passes a different version of the legislation.
• At a time to be announced, the House is expected to consider a budget resolution for FY2021 with reconciliation directives. The House may vote on its own version of the budget resolution, it may take the Senate’s version up directly, or it may end up voting a second time on the budget resolution if different versions pass the House and Senate.
• Aside from the budget resolution, the House is expected to vote on a bill to expand the registered apprenticeship program at the Dept. of Labor. Additional items may be added to the legislative schedule throughout the week.
• Committees will hold hearings to organize themselves for the 117th Congress, in addition to the need for additional coronavirus stimulus, and the state of small businesses in the COVID-19 era.

Check below throughout the week to see the vote results and updates to the schedule.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

Monday

• Pro forma session, no votes are expected.

Tuesday after 2pm

• Debating and adopting the rule for the budget resolution and apprenticeship bill.

Wednesday after 1pm

• H.Con.Res. 11: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief Adopted 218-212.

Thursday after 12pm

• H.Res. 72: Removing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) From House Committees Adopted 230-199.

Friday after 9am

• S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief Passed 219-209 (deeming resolution with H.Res. 101).
• H.R. 447: National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 Passed 247-173.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security Vote postponed due to snow.

Tuesday after 12pm

• Confirmation of Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation Confirmed 86-13.
• Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security Confirmed 56-43.
• Motion to proceed to S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief Agreed to 50-49.

Wednesday

• Debate on S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief

Thursday

• Votes on amendments to S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief Vote-a-rama results here.

Friday

• Votes on amendments to S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief Vote-a-rama results here.
• Adoption of S.Con.Res. 5: Budget Resolution to Use Reconciliation for $1.9 Trillion in COVID Relief (or House budget resolution) Adopted 51-50.

Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell