Washington Weekly - April 20

This Week:

The House and Senate are in session. 

Federal:

New York, NY: House Republicans kicked off the week back from Spring recess in New York City.  On Monday, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) addressed the debt-limit in a speech to the NYSE.  He said that defaulting on the debt “is not an option.”  He further elaborated, “I have full confidence that if we limit our federal spending, if we save taxpayers money, if we grow the economy, we will end our dependence on China, we will curb inflation, and we will protect Medicare and Social Security so America will be stronger.” Speaker McCarthy added that Republicans would bring forth a plan to take the debt limit issue into next year with annual 1% increases, reallocate unspent COVID-19 funding, amongst other measures.  This is expected to be brought to the floor for a vote in the next few session days.  

At the same time, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) held a field hearing of the House Judiciary Committee in Manhattan to address issues of violent urban crime and bringing Congressional oversight of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who is currently prosecuting former President Donald Trump.

Welcome Back:  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returned to Washington on Monday, after a six-week recovery from injuries suffered in a fall.  At the same time, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is expected to return this week after his treatment for depression and hold his first subcommittee hearing.

Sen. Feinstein: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is still recovering from shingles, and it has caused some debates within the Democratic Party about her political future.  While the Senate icon has already announced she will not seek re-election after 30 years in the Senate and an intensive Democratic primary is developing to succeed her, some in her own party are calling for Sen. Feinstein to resign.  With her absence on the Senate Judiciary Committee, judicial nominations have largely come to a standstill.  Sen. Feinstein has proposed that Democrats appoint a temporary member until she returns, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was expected to hold a vote on Tuesday to appoint Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) as her temporary successor.  Senate Republicans would have to approve this change and are unlikely to go along, therefore, Democrats see resignation and appointment of a successor by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a legitimate strategy.  Stay tuned.

State:

Berkeley Gas Ban Ruling:  On Monday, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the City of Berkeley, CA, in a suit brought by the California Restaurant Association (a frequent ASA coalition partner).   The court said that Berkeley’s 2019 ban on gas hookups in new construction would essentially extend to gas heaters, furnaces, and other appliances.  The court ruled that federal law, through the Energy Policy Conservation Act, preempts state and local law on the matter.  Over the last few years, several municipalities and states have imposed similar bans.  Currently, over 20 states have laws protecting fuel choice and preventing municipalities from instituting similar gas bans. 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 44% Approve – 52% Disapprove. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 213 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans.