Washington Weekly - July 21, 2022

A Change of Plans

Note:

If you, your families, or employees are planning to travel to Washington, DC this summer and would like to tour the U.S. Capitol, it is imperative that you contact your respective member of Congress well ahead of time.  Access to the Capitol is still largely restricted and only member offices can schedule tours for their constituents.  The White House has announced that it will be open for public tours from July 15^th, on a first come, first serve basis.  Appointments also need to be made through Congressional offices. To find your member of Congress, please click here. 

This Week:

• The House and Senate are in session. 

Congress:

A Change of Plans: On Thursday evening, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) put to rest any hopes the Biden Administration had on passing climate priorities, lowering Obamacare premiums and other priorities as part of this year’s budget reconciliation package.

• After weeks of conversations with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic colleagues, Sen. Manchin may have scuttled the plan saying, "No matter what spending aspirations some in Congress may have, it is clear to anyone who visits a grocery store or a gas station that we cannot add any more fuel to this inflation fire.”
• As a result, the Biden Administration indicated that the President would handle the climate pieces via executive order. 
• Sen. Manchin’s opposition also prevents any chances Democrats have to support the Biden Administration’s international commitment to a global minimum corporate income tax, although it could theoretically come back before the end of session.
• Senate Republicans plan to challenge the healthcare pieces of the reconciliation bill with the Senate Parliamentarian. 

Upcoming: In the House, focus will be on passing appropriations bills to send to the Senate.  In the upper chamber, the CHIPS bill (a measure to fund domestic semiconductor production) is expected to move forward. 

• The Senate is not yet at full strength – Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) had to undergo additional surgery for a hip fracture and his return date is not yet known.  Sens. Schumer and Blumenthal (D-CT) will be returning after positive COVID tests last week.  Unlike the House, the Senate does not allow for proxy voting, meaning Senators need to be physically present to vote.

Politics:

Maryland: On Tuesday, Maryland held its primary election and Democrats employed their national strategy here to help support Trump-backed candidates.  In the Gubernatorial race, it worked.  Delegate Dan Cox soundly defeated Kelly Schulz, who has had the endorsement of the outgoing, term limited Governor Larry Hogan (R).  Cox will likely take on author Wes Moore, who appears victorious in the Democratic primary. 

Fundraising:  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) announced that it had experienced record breaking fundraising with $25.6 million raised in the 2^nd Quarter of 2022 and has $28.5 million on hand, after spending $21 million.

• On the other side of the aisle, the DSCC announced it had broken records with $33.5 million raised in the second quarter and has $53.5 million on hand.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans +2.2

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 38% Approve – 57% Disapprove

Retirement Tracker:  Senate: (1 D, 5 R); House: (33 D, 22 R). 

Special Elections: Republican-held: Minnesota’s 1^st (General: 08/09/2022), Alaska At-Large (Primary: 08/16/2022), New York’s 23^rd (08/23/2022).  Democratic-held: New York’s 19^th (08/23/2022).

• The House now has composition of 220 Democrats to 211 Republicans (with 4 vacancies).  The Senate is comprised of 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans – with Democrats controlling the chamber as the Vice President also serves as the President of the Senate. 

State Legislation Tracking

• Please visit our web-based state legislative tracker here.