Washington Weekly - March 2

2023 ASA Washington Legislative Fly-In:

LAST CALL: Help our industry have a voice and register here for the ASA Legislative Fly-In, taking place March 28-29, 2023, in Washington, DC. Limited space remaining, an event you will not want to miss!

This Week:

The House and Senate are in session.

Federal:

House Activity: A multitude of hearings are taking place this week, including a prime-time inquiry that took place Tuesday night regarding China and its influence on the United States.  This comports with recent initiatives to ban TikTok and revoking export permits to sell technology to Huawei.  On Wednesday morning, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bill (on strictly partisan lines) that would ban TikTok. Appropriations discussions are in full swing in both chambers.  There is ongoing debate about eliminating earmarks in the House, especially on specific bills, where many House Republicans oppose them. 

In the Senate:  The big news this week is focused on a Republican-introduced resolution that would repeal a Department of Labor rule dealing with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance).  The measure has the support of moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), increasing its chance of passage.  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee, indicated that he will hold a vote on a subpoena of Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz, to question him about labor organizing at the chain’s stores. 

White House: It is anticipated that tax increases will be included in the President’s Budget (anticipated to be released on March 9^th), while the Administration is reiterating that no one making over $400,000 will see any changes.  President Biden has nominated Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su to succeed Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. 

ASA Advocacy Action:

State Water Standards in Schools: As part of the ongoing campaign to ensure proper standards at the state level, ASA joined its coalition partners in encouraging state legislators to include third party certification, as well as industry and EPA standards, in the following bills addressing lead levels in schools and daycares: Kansas HB 2142, Massachusetts HB 3249.

Politics                                                                              

Candidate Watch:  Last week, former biotech company founder and CEO Vivek Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination, joining former Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump.  Michigan: On Monday, Rep. Elisa Slotkin (D-MI) announced her campaign for the seat being vacated by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D).  ASA-supported Rep. John James (R), who challenged Sen. Stabenow in 2018, declined to run for the seat again. 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 45% Approve – 51% Disapprove. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 213 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans.