Gov’t Funding Deadline Looms as Lawmakers Look to Avoid Shutdown

What’s happening in Congress?

• Lawmakers return to the Capitol on Monday with less than two weeks remaining before the February 18th deadline to extend funding for federal agencies and avoid a partial government shutdown.
• It’s unclear whether a bipartisan agreement on full-year appropriations for the rest of fiscal year 2022 will be reached this week, and if it continues to prove elusive then a short-term continuing resolution may be brought to the floor.
• If Congress doesn’t approve either a full-year spending bill or a continuing resolution this week, the House may have to cancel the recess it scheduled for next week to ensure the government remains funded.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate starts its week Monday with confirmation votes on nominations for a pair of judges to the District of Columbia Superior Court. 
• Its schedule for the rest of the week is yet to be announced, but the chamber may take votes on legislation extending government funding beyond February 18th.
• Committees will hold hearings on youth mental health; COVID-19 lessons learned related to innovations, inclusive practices, and overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities; and the legal and human costs of “targeted killing” with drone strikes.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House starts its week Monday with the consideration of a bill restricting the use of forced arbitration in settling sexual assault and harassment claims.
• Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be focused on bills to sanction foreign individuals found to be complicit in violating the human rights of LGBTQ people and to strengthen the financial position of the U.S. Postal Service.
• Lawmakers may also take votes on several bills that were debated last week under suspension of the rules but had their votes postponed.
• The House may consider legislation providing appropriations for FY2022 in either an omnibus spending package if a bipartisan deal is reached or a short-term continuing resolution.
• Committees will hold hearings on data challenges impacting human trafficking research and anti-trafficking technological tools; “Big Oil’s Climate Pledges”; and the impact of infrastructure investments on inclusive economic growth.

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

• H.R. 4445: Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021

Tuesday or Wednesday after 9am

• H.R. 3076: Postal Service Reform Act of 2021
• H.R. 3485: Global Respect Act
• Additional legislative items are possible.

Postponed Suspension Bills

• S. 583: PRICE Act of 2021
• S. 566: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42 Main Street in Slatersville, Rhode Island, as the "Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte Post Office"
• H.R. 2324: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2800 South Adams Street in Tallahassee, Florida, as the "D. Edwina Stephens Post Office"
• H.R. 735: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 502 East Cotati Avenue in Cotati, California, as the "Arthur Luis Ibleto Post Office Building"
• H.R. 3539: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 223 West Chalan Santo Papa in Hagatna, Guam, as the "Atanasio Taitano Perez Post Office"
• H.R. 2842: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 4th Street in Petaluma, California, as the "Lynn C. Woolsey Post Office Building"

Thursday & Friday

• The House is not in session.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Confirmation of Ebony Scott to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for a 15-year term
• Confirmation of Donald Tunnage to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for a 15-year term

Rest of the Week

• Additional votes on nominations or legislation are possible.
• Possible consideration of FY2022 appropriations.

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

— Eric Revell