Senate to Hold Doomed Vote on Filibuster Reform as House Takes Up VA Enrollment Bill

What’s happening in Congress?

• The Senate is expected to hold votes this week on Democrats’ plan to eliminate or weaken the chamber’s legislative filibuster despite lacking enough support among Democratic lawmakers to succeed, while the House will consider legislation to automatically enroll eligible veterans into the VA healthcare system.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate will convene Tuesday, although no floor votes are expected and the chamber will likely remain in a period of morning business wherein senators can give speeches of up to 10 minutes.
• At a time to be announced, the Senate will take votes related to changing or eliminating the chamber’s legislative filibuster to allow more bills to pass without being subject to a 60 vote threshold. This process is expected to fail as a majority of senators, including all 50 Republicans and at least two Democrats, oppose the elimination of the filibuster.
• The Senate may also consider a confirmation vote on a circuit court nomination later in the week.
• Committees will hold hearings on judicial nominations; and a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House starts its week Tuesday with a vote on a bill to give local educational agencies additional flexibility by using pre-pandemic data to calculate their funding needs.
• Wednesday will feature votes on legislation to improve disclosures related to spending on Puerto Rico’s recovery and bills to award a pair of Congressional Gold Medals. On 
• The House is expected to vote Thursday or Friday on a bill to automatically enroll qualified veterans in the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system, and additional bills may be considered.
• Committees will hold hearings on price gouging in military contracts; healthcare for toxic-exposed veterans; and making Congress work better for the American people.

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

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

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

• S. 2959: Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act Passed 414-6.

Wednesday after 12pm (under suspension of the rules)

• Senate Amendment to H.R. 1192: Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act
• S. 1404: Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act
• S. 452: Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act

Thursday after 12pm or Friday between 9am and 3pm

• H.R. 4673: EVEST Act
• Additional legislative items are possible.

SENATE

Tuesday

• Morning business, senators may give 10-minute speeches.
• No votes are expected.

Wednesday

• Cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746: Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
• Possible votes related to changing Senate rules to eliminate or weaken the legislative filibuster.

To Be Announced

• Confirmation of Holly Thomas to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

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

— Eric Revell