ASA Washington Weekly – February 14, 2024

Congress:
 

Late Night Session: At 5:00 AM on Tuesday morning, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine after an all-night debate session. The legislation has caused deep rifts amongst Republicans on Capitol Hill and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that the legislation would not be brought to the House floor as it did not include any domestic border security provisions. In addition, some Republicans are suggesting, based on previous statements by former President Donald Trump, that the aid should be converted into loans, but the legislation will remain in limbo for the time being. Democrats could try to file a discharge petition to force the bill to the floor for a vote, but they would need the help of some Republicans and would be a take quite a while to achieve.
 

The House Agenda: As the House will be going into recess at the end of the week, it is dealing with a packed agenda. First, the Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that failed in a vote last week, passed on Tuesday, 214-213. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has now returned to the Hill after his cancer treatment was successful and he announced he is in full remission. Since the impeachment failed on a 215-215 vote, Leader Scalise provided the deciding factor in passage. Second, a revision to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) could also make an appearance. Third, several foreign affairs related bills are coming to the floor, including legislation related to China, Syria, and the Middle East. Fourth, a bill to prevent the Energy Department from freezing Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) export permits could come to the floor as well.   
 

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA): On Wednesday, the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will testify in front of the House Financial Services Committee on the CTA. Passed as part of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the CTA requires companies with $5 million or less in annual revenues and 20 or fewer employees to report the personal information of any ‘beneficial owners’ of the company including any senior management, board members, or anyone having any control over the business. Those who not only fail to register, but keep the information updated, face thousands in fines and potential jail time. The CTA was intended to root out money laundering and financing for criminal and terrorist organizations, but the burden will be on many small businesses to comply with the new law. ASA continues to oppose this measure and has supported legislation to bring Congressional Review and/or encouraging a pause on implementation until clearer rules are adopted.
 

ASA State Action:
 

Water Quality: ASA joined its water quality coalition partners in encouraging the use of industry and third-party standards (NSF/ANSI) for the following legislation in several states – Arizona SB 1132, Nebraska LB 1184, and Pennsylvania HB 2011. 
 

Politics: 
 

NY-3: On Tuesday night (with 97% in), former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi won his old district back against Republican nominee Mazi Pilip, 54%-46%. The seat was previously held by expelled GOP Rep. George Santos, who had won the seat by 8 points in 2022, when Suozzi retired to run for NY Governor in a failed attempt. This has major implications locally, as this is the only Congressional district on Long Island to be represented by a Democrat and is a setback for the highly vaunted Nassau County GOP. At the national level, this victory narrows the Republican Majority in the House to 219-213, meaning Speaker Johnson can only lose two votes (on most measures) to get them passed.
 

Major Announcements: Last week, two key Congressional leaders announced that they will not seek re-election in 2024. House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced that she will not be running again after 20 years in the House and as key GOP leader that previously served as Chair of the House Republican Conference. She is the third chair of a major committee, along with former Speaker Pro Tempore and Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Appropriations Chair Kay Granger (R-TX), to announce their retirements. In addition, House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chair Mike Gallagher (R-WI) also will not seek re-election to his Green Bay-area seat. A former Marine officer with a PhD in History, Rep. Gallagher was first elected to his seat in 2016 at the age of 31. He is retiring to spend more time with his family. 
 

Retirements:  The Congressional retirements continue.  The following House members 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), 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). 
 

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

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans +2.0%. The House currently has a composition of 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats, 3 Vacant.  Special Elections: (NY-26, Special: 04/30/2024; CA-20, Special: 05/21/2024; OH-6, Special: 06/11/2024) The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans.