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Civic Register
| 4.10.22

Congress Begins Two-Week Recess as COVID Relief & Border Debate Await Lawmakers’ Return

How do you feel about this week’s congressional schedule (or lack thereof)?

What’s happening in Congress?

  • This week marks the first of the annual two-week spring recess for lawmakers to observe the Easter and Passover holidays.
  • When Congress returns, lawmakers in both chambers are expected to try to reach a bicameral and bipartisan agreement on a new COVID relief package after a deal proved elusive prior to recess. 
  • Among the unresolved issues at the time are the consideration of amendments in the Senate, such as a bipartisan push to prevent the Biden administration from ending the use of Title 42 authorities at the Southern border to expel unauthorized immigrants and asylum-seekers on public health grounds. Customs and Border Protection has expressed concern that the number of illegal border crossings per day may surge to new records if the policy is allowed to end.
  • Russia’s war on Ukraine is also likely to play a big role in the congressional schedule for the rest of the spring, as each chamber of Congress will be able to take action on bipartisan bills on the subject that were approved just before the recess. The House passed a bill to have federal agencies aid investigations into war crimes committed amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; while the Senate unanimously approved a bill to provide lend-lease military aid to Ukraine.

SENATE SCHEDULE

  • The Senate is scheduled to return for its next votes on Monday, April 25th. 
  • Among the items the Senate is expected to consider after recess are two nominations to the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors and one nomination to the Federal Trade Commission.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

  • The House will return for its next votes on Tuesday, April 26th. 
  • An agenda for the week of lawmakers’ return will likely be announced at least in part during the final week of the recess.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

  • No votes are expected in the House until Tuesday, April 26th.

SENATE

  • No votes are expected in the Senate until Monday, April 25th.

Tell your reps how to vote on bills when they return and share your thoughts below!


— Eric Revell