ASA Washington Weekly – April 9, 2024

Congress:
 

Greene Motion to Vacate: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) continues to hold her Motion to Vacate over the head of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). There are two key differences between a similar motion used to end the term of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) last fall. First, the motion Rep. Greene has introduced is not privileged, meaning that a clock to bring the motion to the floor within two legislative days has not been triggered. Second, her motion does not have the support of many of her colleagues, like the motion that was introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) last fall. At the same time, Democrats have indicated they may come to the aid of Speaker Johnson to avoid the stoppage Congress experienced in October. Rep. Greene could call her motion up at any time, especially if a Ukrainian aid bill and/or FISA reauthorization comes to the floor this week. 
 

Workforce Training: ASA sent a letter to House leadership, along with its coalition partners, to encourage passage of H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act. This bill would re-authorize the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Over the last few months, ASA had discussions with staff on the bill that includes a 50% training requirement, innovation grants that allow states and localities to invest in ways that help spur training in their respective communities, a critical industries skills fund, expanded existing worker training, and for other purposes. The bill passed the House on Tuesday night, 378-26.
 

OSHA Walkaround Rule: OSHA has released its final rule for the Worker Walkaround Designation Process which can be found here. ASA and its coalition allies filed joint comments with OSHA (here) taking exception with several of the rule’s provisions. 
 

National Building Decarbonization Plan: This week the Biden Administration released its National Building Decarbonization Plan. The document outlines the Administration’s blueprint aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. buildings 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050 vs. 2005 rates. 
 

Politics:
 

Retirements: The Congressional retirements continue.  The following legislators are retiring from public service:
 

House - Republicans:  Reps. Debbie Lesko (AZ-8), Ken Buck (CO-4), Doug Lamborn (CO-5), Drew Ferguson (GA-3), Greg Pence (IN-6), Larry Bucshon (IN-8), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), Patrick McHenry (NC-10), George Santos (NY-3), Bill Johnson (OH-6), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Jeff Duncan (SC-3), Brad Wenstrup (OH-2), Kay Granger (TX-12), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) and Mike Gallagher (WI-8). Democrats: Reps. Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2), John Sarbanes (MD-3), Dan Kildee (MI-8), Kathy Manning (NC-6), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), and Derek Kilmer (WA-6). 
 

Senate – Democrats: Sens. Debbie Stabenow (MI), Ben Cardin (MD), Tom Carper (DE), Joe Manchin (WV).  Republicans: Mitt Romney (UT). Independents: Kyrsten Sinema (AZ).
 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 41% Approve – 56% Disapprove.
 

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans +1.3%. The House currently has a composition of 217 Republicans to 213 Democrats, 4 Vacant.  Special Elections: (NY-26, Special: 04/30/2024; CA-20, Special: 05/21/2024; OH-6, Special: 06/11/2024; CO-4, Special: 06/25/2024) The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans.