Washington Weekly - July 27

This Week:

The House and Senate are in session.  

Federal:

Congress is in its last few days of session before breaking for the annual August recess.  Ongoing floor votes for several bills that will continue through Friday in the House and Senate.  There have been rumors that both chambers could stay in longer but take it with a pinch of salt for now. 

Appropriations/Budget: With the September 30^th deadline looming, appropriations bills are starting to move with Military Construction and Veterans Affairs likely going to the floor this week.  There are rumblings of a shutdown, but September will be key and the spending battle intense.  The House Republican tax bill has stalled (as of this writing) due to disagreements within the caucus over the SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction caps that were instituted in the 2017 TCJA.  Blue state Republicans, particularly those in the New York delegation are seeking the $10,000 cap to be lifted before offering their support for the bill.

NDAA: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) would like to get the must pass National Defense Authorization Act passed this week, so that spending bills can be focused on when Congress returns on September 5^th. 

Farm Bill:  The five-year renewal of the farm bill is running behind at this point, with the September 30^th deadline approaching.  Drafts are expected to be released after Congress returns from recess and the differences between Republicans and Democrats will focus on SNAP and climate issues.  It should be put into high gear in September but will likely get an extension should it not pass.

Regulations: Late Friday, the Department of Energy issued a Notice of Proposed Rule (NOPR) on Consumer Water Heaters – news release can be found here. ASA is working with its industry partners to decipher the almost 1,700 pages of the proposed rule that would take effect on January 1, 2029.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact ASA VP of Advocacy at srossi@asa.net.    

Politics:

The Money: (Presidential): Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) raised $20 million in the second quarter but burned $8 million in expenses, with $12 million left in the bank.  As a result, he laid off roughly a third of his staff after a review.  While continuing to trail in the polls behind former President Donald Trump (who raised $35 million), the Florida Governor continues to receive the greatest share of support to challenge the former President for the nomination. President Biden raised $72 million during the same period.

(Senate): Endangered Democratic Sens. Sharrod Brown (OH) and Jon Tester (MT) each raised $5 million, Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) outraised his Republican opponents with $1.3 million brought in during the quarter, while Republicans Gov. Jim Justice raised $935,000 and Rep. Alex Mooney raised brought in $535,000.  Sen. Bob Casey (PA) raised $4 million and in Arizona, Rep. Reuben Gallego (D) showed a $3.1 million haul, whereas his upcoming opponent, independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema raised $1.6 million.

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 42% Approve – 54% Disapprove.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): D +0.8%. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 212 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. Special Elections: Democratic: (RI-1 Primary: 9/5/2023; General: 11/7/2023).  Republican: (UT-2 Primary: 9/5/2023; General: 11/21/2023). Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) will resign on September 15, 2023.