The House of Representatives this week paused its August break and returned to Washington to work on the bipartisan physical infrastructure package and $3.5 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget resolution. The Senate earlier this month passed both measures before adjourning for its August recess.
The FY 2022 budget resolution lays the foundation for congressional Democrats to develop and advance partisan legislation under the budget reconciliation process; the legislation will be based on President Joe Biden’s “human” infrastructure” priorities. The resolution sets forth the top-line federal spending numbers for FY 2022 and includes general instructions for congressional committees to follow when developing policies in compliance with the budget reconciliation legislative process.
House Democrats today are expected to consider a uniquely structured rule to set up the process to vote on both the partisan budget resolution and bipartisan infrastructure package before Oct. 1 — a goal of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The rule also sets in motion the process for considering the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
The rule was scheduled for a floor vote Monday, but continued negotiations between Pelosi and a group of 10 moderate House Democrats delayed consideration. With a razor-thin majority in the House and unified Republican opposition, Pelosi can afford to lose only three Democratic votes and still pass the budget resolution. The group of Democrats has urged her to hold a vote on the physical infrastructure bill before taking up the budget resolution. The group has threatened to vote against the budget resolution if it is considered on the House floor before the infrastructure bill, imperiling passage of the resolution and delaying progress on Biden’s domestic policy priorities.
America’s Essential Hospitals Government Relations Call
During the congressional recess, the association’s government relations call is on hiatus. The next call will be Sept. 9, at 2 pm ET.
