LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

FY 2015 Appropriations Action

The House Appropriations Committee resumes its efforts on FY 2015 spending bills this week, while the Senate begins it work with two subcommittee markups and possible full committee consideration of Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski’s (D-MD) proposal on how to spread $1.014 trillion in discretionary spending among the 12 appropriations bills (known as 302(b) allocations).

Additionally, today the House Rules Committee is expected to approve an open rule for floor consideration of the FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill, paving the way for floor consideration.

This Week’s Hearings

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearings

  • Tuesday, May 20: The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will mark up its FY 2015 appropriations bill.
  • Tuesday, May 20: The Agriculture Subcommittee will mark up its FY 2015 appropriations bill.
  • Wednesday, May 21: The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the FY 2015 budget requests for the Small Business Administration and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

House Appropriations Committee Hearings

  • Tuesday, May 20: The Agriculture Subcommittee will mark up its FY 2015 appropriations bill.
  • Wednesday, May 21: Full committee markup of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

OTHER ACTIVITY

New Leadership at the Office of Management and Budget

In the wake of Kathleen Sebelius’ departure as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), President Obama is expected to shuffle several cabinet positions, including nominating Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shaun Donovan to replace Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (the President already nominated Ms. Burwell to replace Ms. Sebelius as HHS Secretary; San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro is expected to be the President’s choice to replace Mr. Donovan at HUD).

Mr. Donovan has served as HUD Secretary since the beginning of the Obama Administration and has a long history in housing policy, with a particular focus on affordable housing. As such, in addition to participating in budget and tax reform discussions, he would likely play a leadership role in the Administration’s fiscal strategy regarding the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.