Congress Returns as Senate Dems Take Up Abortion Rights, Bipartisan Postal Reform & House Considers Veterans’ Healthcare

What’s happening in Congress?

• Congress is set to return from its Presidents’ Day recess on Monday, with Senate Democrats prepared to hold votes on their party's abortion rights bill and a bipartisan Postal Service reform bill and the House taking up legislation expanding healthcare for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances.
• The floor schedule in both chambers may change due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate convenes Monday when it’s scheduled to hold a pair of procedural votes that could open the door to extended debate or amendment votes on the underlying bills. 
• First, Democrats will bring up a House-passed bill to preempt state abortion laws and codify a right to abortion into law. It’s expected to fall short of the legislative filibuster’s 60 vote threshold needed for debate to continue.
• Monday’s second procedural vote is on a bipartisan bill to reform the U.S. Postal Service’s operations and improve its financial position.
• It’s possible that the Senate may move to consider legislation related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or that other legislative items or nominations may be considered over the course of the week.
• Committees will hold hearings on global security challenges and strategy; federal support for preventing and responding to carjackings; and implementation of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House meets Monday when it’s scheduled to consider up to eight bills under the fast-track “suspension of the rules” process, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. 
• Monday’s docket includes bills to make lynching a federal crime that’s distinct from other applicable crimes (like murder or hate crime statutes) and a bill to ban discrimination based on hair texture or hairstyle in federal programs or public accommodations.
• Later in the week, the House will consider a bill to expand healthcare coverage for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during the course of their service. Additional legislation may be brought to the floor.
• Committees will hold hearings on state and local recovery funds under the American Rescue Plan; substance use, suicide risk, and the healthcare system; and collective bargaining by congressional staff.

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. 321: ‘Six Triple Eight’ Congressional Gold Medal Act
• S. 3706: To provide for the application of certain provisions of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 for fiscal year 2021
• S. 854: Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021
• S. 1543: STANDUP Act of 2021
• S. 1662: Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act
• H.R. 2116: CROWN Act of 2022, as amended
• H.R. 55: Emmett Till Antilynching Act
• H.R. 2142: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Manhattan Avenue in Buffalo, New York, as the "Indiana Hunt-Martin Post Office Building"

Tuesday or Wednesday after 12pm, Thursday between 9am and 3pm

• H.R. 3967: Honoring our PACT Act of 2021
• Additional legislative items are possible.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3755: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021
• Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3076: Postal Service Reform Act of 2021

Rest of the Week

• (If cloture is invoked) H.R. 3755: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021
• (If cloture is invoked) H.R. 3076: Postal Service Reform Act of 2021

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

— Eric Revell