March 1st
This week in MORE POWER:
A Shift in Republican Leadership
Oops, They Did it Again
Update on Mayorkas Impeachment
Legislating IVF
State of the Union
A Shift in Republican Leadership
Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader, announced his decision to step down from the position in November. At 82, McConnell plans to serve the remainder of his Senate term until January 2027, just not as the GOP leader. He says that his resignation from the position is unrelated to his health. McConnell suffered from a concussion last year and has since had two public incidents in which he froze and appeared unable to speak. McConnell's relationship with Trump deteriorated after the 2020 election, and his departure furthers a continued shift in the party toward Trump. Three senators named John are vying to replace him: Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), former whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) and GOP Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
Oops, They Did it Again
The Senate and House once again failed to agree on a long-term budget for this fiscal year, but averted a government shutdown by passing another continuing resolution- a temporary extension of government funding. The bipartisan effort extends funding for some agencies until March 8 and others until March 22, allowing time for Congress to review and pass annual spending bills before the end of next week. The amount of continuing resolutions this congress has had to pass illustrates how dysfunctional it is. Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on an annual budget, which is foundational to governing.
Update on Mayorkas Impeachment
Senate Democrats have publicly dismissed the impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as no more than a political maneuver to cast doubt on the Biden Administration ahead of the election. Even Republicans have expressed doubts about the accusations. With the budget being the main focus this week, the House did not officially send over the impeachment articles, which would typically trigger the start of a full Senate hearing. In this case, however, there are talks of dismissing the case, which would require a simple majority vote.
Legislating IVF
In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that three couples could sue for wrongful death after their frozen embryos were destroyed in a storage accident, treating the embryos like children under the law. This decision prompted fertility clinics in Alabama, worried about potential lawsuits, to stop offering in vitro fertilization (IVF) services. Following public outrage, Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), swiftly attempted to pass a law protecting IVF services. Duckworth first introduced the Access to Family Building Act with Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) in 2022. The bill aims to establish federal protections for IVF access nationwide, overriding state limits. On Wednesday, Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi blocked the bill. Many Republicans argue that this issue should be determined by states, while Democrats want to ensure that states cannot infringe on individuals' rights to reproductive healthcare services. The Alabama legislature advanced legislation that would extend lawsuit protections to IVF clinics.
State of the Union
On Thursday, the President will deliver the State of the Union (SOTU). It is mandated by the constitution. In the annual speech, presidents typically give their assessment of where we are as a country, detail their priorities, and offer their legislative agenda.
You can watch it on Thursday, March 7 at 9 p.m. ET at WH.gov/sotu.
What Congress Passed This Week
Reuben E. Lawson Federal Building Act of 2023
A bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 500 West Pike Street in Clarksburg, West Virginia, as the "Irene M. Keeley United States Courthouse", and for other purposes.
A bill to designate the Federal building located at 300 E. 3rd Street in North Platte, Nebraska, as the "Virginia Smith Federal Building", and for other purposes.
Nothing.
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Nothing.
