House Democrats Grapple With Social Spending Plan as Senate Takes Up Defense Authorization

What’s happening in Congress?

• Congress returns from its recess for the week of Veterans Day with Democrats hoping to show more progress on their social spending plan as other priorities, including the annual defense bill and avoiding a government shutdown the week after Thanksgiving, loom just over the horizon. 

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate starts its week Monday with a procedural vote to advance the nomination of an assistant secretary of the treasury, which if successful would set up a likely confirmation vote Tuesday. Additional nominations to executive branch positions may be considered over the course of the week.
• At a time to be announced, the Senate is expected to take up its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022. During consideration of the NDAA the Senate will likely consider amendments to repeal the authorization for use of military force (AUMF) in Iraq and to attach the Senate-passed U.S. Competition and Innovation Act to the NDAA.
• Committees will hold hearings on oversight of the Dept. of Homeland Security; the government’s role in cryptocurrency markets; and policy lessons learned from 20 years in Afghanistan.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House starts its week Monday with votes on five bills under the fast-track “suspension of the rules” process, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. Another 13 suspension bills may be considered later the week, and further additions to the schedule are possible. Several of the suspension bills are related to veterans programs.
• Prior to the Veterans Day recess, the moderate and progressive wings of the House Democratic caucus reached an agreement on an outline for their social spending plan. However, the legislative text hasn’t been finalized yet as moderates have insisted on receiving a full fiscal analysis of the proposal by the Congressional Budget Office before the House holds a vote. A vote may occur this week if the CBO completes its analysis. 
• Committees will hold hearings on cracking down on ransomware; preventing suicide in the military and veteran communities; and tribal strategies for the climate crisis.

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

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

Monday after 6:30pm (under suspension of the rules)

• S. 1031: To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 5671: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 3665: To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego, California, as the Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and to support the designation of a component of such medical center in honor of Kathleen Bruyere Passed by voice vote.
• S. 894: Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021 Passed by voice vote.
• S. 1095: Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021 Passed 424-0.

Tuesday after 12pm

• H.R. 4591: VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 5516: VITAL Assessment Act, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 2433: Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 4626: VA AIM Act, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 5603: Protections for Student Veterans, as amended Passed by voice vote.
• S. 796: Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021 Passed 414-9.
• H.R. 4233: Student Veterans Counseling Centers Eligibility Act Passed 420-4.
• H.R. 147: BRAVE Act, as amended Passed 427-0.
• H.R. 5652: DHS Acquisition Review Board Act of 2021 Passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 2915: HOPR Act, as amended Passed by voice vote.

Wednesday after 12pm

• H.Res. 789: Censuring Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) Adopted 223-207.

Thursday after 9am

• H.R. 3730: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States, and for other purposes Passed 420-4.
• H.R. 5574: TRANSLATE Act, as amended Passed 369-49.

Friday after 8am

• H.R. 5376: Build Back Better Act Passed 220-213.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Cloture motion on the nomination of Graham Steele to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Invoked 55-38.

Tuesday after 11:30am

• Confirmation of Graham Steele to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Confirmed 53-42.
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Robert Bonnie to be an Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation Invoked 75-20.
• Confirmation of Robert Bonnie to be an Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation Confirmed 76-19.
• Confirmation vote on the nomination of Jonathan Kanter to be an Assistant Attorney General Confirmed 68-29.

Wednesday after 10am

• Cloture motion on the nomination of Brian Nelson to be an Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Invoked 51-50.

Thursday

• Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for FY2022 Invoked 84-15.

Friday

• Motion to proceed to H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for FY2022 Passed by voice vote.

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

— Eric Revell