Key Issues to Watch as Congress Returns from Recess

Congress returns from recess with four issues at the forefront: proposed spending cuts (rescissions), tax cut reconciliation steps, potential Medicaid reforms, and Democratic holds on Trump administration nominees, igniting discussions amid tight deadlines.

As Congress returns from recess next week, there are four critical issues to keep an eye on. First off, we have to talk about rescissions. Sources indicate that Congress will receive a list from President Trump detailing proposed cuts to current spending, which could total around $9 billion. This is notable because these proposed cuts differ from the usual yearly spending votes Congress handles. If the proposed rescissions go through, they could notably impact entities like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, potentially disrupting services at about 1,500 local public media stations, including NPR and PBS.

Next is the process of reconciliation. The last move made by Republican lawmakers involved passing a budget resolution that enables them to pursue tax cuts by a simple majority in the Senate. However, they are on a tight timeline, with a May 9 deadline for writing up the tax cut sections of the broader bill. But it’s not a straightforward task; many tough questions remain unanswered. For instance, what exact spending cuts will be made, and what will happen with the debt ceiling?

Then there’s Medicaid, which will certainly stir things up during the reconciliation talks. The current metrics suggest that for House Republicans to meet their goals, cuts to Medicaid funding will likely have to be on the table. However, the Senate’s instructions are more vague, making negotiations challenging. So expect some serious debates within the Republican party as priorities clash.

Lastly, keep an eye on nomination holds. A few Democratic senators have started utilizing Senate procedural holds to delay or block various nominees from the Trump administration. Senator Brian Schatz has put holds on roughly 300 nominees, including those for the Department of State. He’s voiced concerns over cuts to USAID and other agencies. Meanwhile, Senator Ruben Gallego has done the same for veterans’ affairs nominees, objecting to proposed funding cuts. Other senators, like Ron Wyden and Adam Schiff, are also placing holds on nominees for positions they believe are pivotal for cybersecurity and justice, respectively. Trump has been vocal about his frustration with these delays, threatening to disrupt the nomination process through recess appointments if necessary.

In summary, as Congress reconvenes, key topics including proposed spending cuts, tax cut reconciliation, the future of Medicaid, and nomination holds will likely dominate discussions. Lawmakers are confronted with tight deadlines and complex negotiations, especially concerning the budget and possible cuts to Medicaid. It’s also worth noting the growing use of procedural holds by Democrats, signaling a potential standoff between the parties over Trump’s nominees.

Original Source: www.pbs.org