Washington Weekly - June 8

This Week:

The House and Senate are in session.

Federal:

Crisis Averted:  After a compromise was reached by Speaker McCarthy and President Biden, Congress made quick work of passing the deal.  The House passed the measure 314-117 and, in the Senate, 63-36.  This will suspend the debt limit until January 1, 2025, and set off a substantial sale of federal debt in the interim.  The deal, while receiving both criticism and praise in both parties, allows the principles to take their respective victory laps.  The Speaker proved that he was able to keep enough of his caucus together to get the legislation passed and President Biden can avert a financial crisis to show that he can facilitate bipartisan deals going into his re-election. 

The Road Ahead:  Even though members of both parties were able to come to an agreement and get a fiscal deal done, it does not mean that this spirit will continue in the rest of the legislative challenges facing Congress.  The deal will allow the House to get back to work on the FY2024 federal budget, with appropriations bills being ready for release this summer.  On Tuesday, eleven members of the House Freedom Caucus joined Democrats in blocking a rule that allowed bills to come to the floor (including the prohibition of a gas stove ban) to express their displeasure over the debt limit deal.  House Majority Leader Steve Scalise voted with the opposition, to allow him to bring the rule to the floor again. 

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said, “We’re frustrated at the way this place is operating.”

It’s going to be a hot summer. 

ASA Advocacy:

AB 9: A California greenhouse gas ‘cap and trade’ bill that ASA had been tracking through the legislative process, was removed from consideration, and will not be taken up this year.

Politics:

Welcome to the Show:  Former Vice President Mike Pence filed to run for President on Monday, setting up an interesting faceoff with his former boss, Donald Trump.  Also, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie submitted his paperwork on Tuesday and Ivy League professor Cornel West announced he would run as a third-party candidate.  Vice President Pence has been traveling the country extensively and was expected join the race.  He has been polling in the low single digits.  Gov. Christie, a one-time Trump supporter, feels he may be the only one willing to stand up and criticize the former President for shortfalls on his previous campaign promises.  New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced that he would not join the GOP nomination race, citing the number of candidates already announced. 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 42% Approve – 56% Disapprove. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 212 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. Special Elections: Democratic: (RI-1 Primary: 9/5/2023; General 11/7/2023).  Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) announced that he will resign due to his wife’s health issues in September 2023.