Keep These 4 Things on Your Radar When Congress Returns

As Congress readies to return from recess, key issues arise: President Trump’s proposed spending rescissions totaling up to $9 billion, the reconciliation process for extending tax cuts, potential Medicaid reforms, and nomination holds by Democratic senators aiming to slow down Trump’s nominees. Legislative action is necessary, with deadlines approaching.

As Congress gears up to return from recess, there are four key issues that demand attention. First up, the topic of rescissions is on the table. It is reported that President Trump will soon present a list of proposed spending cuts, amounting to potentially $9 billion, which includes significant funding for programs like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This is not the typical annual budget cut discussion, as these rescissions could directly impact NPR, PBS, and local media stations.

Concerning the rescission process, once proposed, Congress has 45 legislative days to accept or amend Trump’s cuts. If not acted upon, those cuts will simply fall through, meaning existing funding remains intact. Congressional members will need to act decisively.

Next, there’s the reconciliation process. Last time Congress met, Republican lawmakers had just passed a crucial budget resolution. This sets the stage for pushing through significant tax cuts with just a simple majority in the Senate. However, they’ve got a strict timeline with a May 9 deadline looming for finalizing plans on tax-related cuts.

But getting there won’t be straightforward. Important decisions remain, like how much they must reduce spending and which tax measures will ultimately make it into the legislation. These unanswered questions are crucial as the political climate is already tense.

Looking ahead, the future of Medicaid is another stumbling block. Under the reconciliation framework, Republicans face hard choices regarding potential cuts or reforms to the program. House rules complicate the situation, making it nearly impossible to achieve fiscal goals without some level of Medicaid funding reduction. Senate instructions are looser, but they don’t help with the House’s strict requirements, leading to expected conflicts on priorities among the GOP.

And let’s not forget about nomination holds. A handful of Democratic senators have started utilizing a Senate procedure to delay or block certain Trump nominees. By placing holds, they make it harder for these nominees to advance, potentially delaying votes and approvals significantly. For instance, Senator Brian Schatz has placed holds on around 300 nominees, objecting to proposed cuts affecting the State Department.

Other senators, like Ruben Gallego, have also placed holds reflecting concerns over budget cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Meanwhile, Senator Ron Wyden has targeted a nominee for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, seeking accountability over telecommunications issues, and Adam Schiff is raising alarms over a nominee in Washington D.C. because of their alleged loyalty to Trump.

This pushback is a clear signal that while the White House wants swift confirmations, the Democratic opposition is ready to use the tools at their disposal to exert pressure. It’s shaping up to be a contentious session ahead.

Original Source: www.pbs.org