January 5

This week in MORE POWER:
Hanging Tough at the Southern Border
Biden Supplemental Won’t Die
Government Shutdown Watch- January
Government Shutdown Watch- February
2024 Legislative Predictions

New year, same Congress

While members of Congress returned to work this week, the House and Senate will not start voting again until Monday, January 8. That gives them 12 days to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Hanging Tough at the Southern Border

In December, the federal government processed record numbers of migrants at the southern border - 302,000 - who are coming to the U.S. for reasons ranging from personal safety to economic insecurity. This comes on the heels of Border Patrol encountering 2.2M migrants in 2022 who crossed the border without being processed, which is illegal under current law.

In response, 60 House Republican members joined House Speaker Mike Johnson at the southern border this week. House Republicans are using the current negotiations on the budget and Biden Security Supplemental bills to try to force through changes on immigration policy similar to what is in their Secure The Border bill. Far-right House Freedom Caucus members have even gone so far as to say they will shut down the government if they don’t get what they want.

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Biden Supplemental Won’t Die

Last month, Senate Republicans and Democrats delayed the bill on President Biden’s $106B security funding request for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the U.S-Mexico border to continue negotiations among the parties and the White House this year.

Now Senators are working through issues related to asylum policies due to House Republican demands to restrict who qualifies and speed up removals of asylum seekers inside the U.S. Immigration rights advocates appear to have a victory in removing restricting “parole” from negotiations. Parole is the presidential power to admit classes of migrants on an emergency basis.

While all parties are still talking, with the new House Republican threats that surfaced this week, pundits and staffers on the Hill are doubting that Congress can put together a consensus bill. Democratic leadership noted that Republicans are likely using immigration demands as a way to kill any Ukraine funding efforts. Many House Republicans have already come out against additional aid to Ukraine, so they would vote against aid no matter what happens on asylum law. Have a view on this that you would like to share?

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Government Shutdown Watch- January

There are now less than two weeks until a possible partial shutdown on January 19. If Congress does not pass four budget bills by this deadline, a shutdown would put Women Infant Children Program (WIC) benefits, air and train service, and military family housing in jeopardy. Here is where the bills stand as of now:

Bills that require negotiation in conference committee as each chamber passed different versions
Agriculture
Military Construction-VA

Bills the Senate passed that are awaiting a vote in the House
Transportation-HUD

Bills the House passed that are awaiting a vote in the Senate
Energy and Water

You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action.

Government Shutdown Watch- February

All other budget bills must pass by February 2, exactly one month from today. A partial shutdown due to Congressional inaction could cause issues with national security, student loan repayment services, and operational capacity at National Parks. Here is where these bills stand as of today:

Bills neither chamber has passed
Commerce, Justice, Science
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Financial Services and General Government

Bills the House passed that are awaiting a vote in the Senate
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State, Foreign Operations
Department of the Interior, Environment
Legislative Branch

You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action.

2024 Legislative Predictions

Last year, Congress only passed 27 bills into law. While it is typical that a Congress split between parties is slower to pass legislation than a Congress run by one party, due to the rounds of negotiations required to build consensus, 27 is an abnormally low number and staffers see it as a sign of what is to come in 2024.

We often hear, “we only hear from elected officials when it’s time to vote.” Well, now is the time! In an election year, representatives facing re-election are hyper aware of public opinion because they know that you will remember the last votes they cast when you step in the voting booth. In November, 33 states will vote on Senators and all 50 states will vote on House members.

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