House Returns From Recess for GI Bill Vote, Senate to Consider Nominations & Possible Filibuster Change

What’s happening in Congress?

• Congress will be operating at full capacity this week as House lawmakers will return to the Capitol this week from recess for their first floor business of 2022.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate convenes Monday when it’s expected to resume consideration of nominees after last week’s session was cut short due to inclement weather. 
• At a time to be announced, the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Judge Gabriel Sanchez, who currently sits on a California state appellate court, and Judge Holly Thomas, who currently sits on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, to be federal judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• The Senate is also expected to consider legislation to impose sanctions on companies involved in Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany. Additionally, a vote on changing Senate rules to eliminate the legislative filibuster may occur, although it's unlikely to succeed. It’s unclear when either of these votes will be held.
• Committees will hold hearings on the federal COVID-19 response with a focus on new variants; the domestic terrorism threat one year after January 6th; and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s renomination.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House starts its week Monday with a roll call vote to establish a quorum for the Second Session of the 117th Congress, which will begin with the chamber’s first official day in session of the year.
• The rest of the week will feature votes on a bill to expand eligibility for post-9/11 G.I. bill educational benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserves, in addition to a bill to extend NASA’s authority to lease its unused properties for up to 10 years.
• Committees will hold hearings on Capitol security since January 6th; the implications of electric vehicle investments for agriculture and rural America; and the impact of continuing resolutions on the Dept. of Defense.

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

• Establishing a quorum for the Second Session of the 117th Congress

Tuesday or Wednesday after 12pm, or Thursday after 9am

• House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746: NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021
• H.R. 1836: Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021
• Additional legislative items are possible.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Confirmation of Alan Davidson to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

Rest of the Week (TBA)

• Confirmation of Gabriel Sanchez to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Confirmation of Holly Thomas to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Cloture motion on the nomination of Amitabha Bose to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
• (If cloture is invoked) Confirmation of Amitabha Bose to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
• Possible consideration of Nord Stream 2 sanctions legislation.
• Possible consideration of changes to the Senate’s legislative filibuster.
• Additional nominations or legislation may be considered.

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

— Eric Revell