Legislative Activity

Budget Season Approaches

The White House is expected to release the President’s FY 2016 budget on Monday, February 2, a plan that would meet the mandated deadline for the first time in five years. Following the President’s January 20 State of the Union remarks, White House officials reportedly said that his FY 2016 budget plan will propose ending “sequestration,” budget caps established under law. His plan will also reportedly raise caps on discretionary spending for both defense and domestic programming.

During recent remarks, House Budget Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) announced an accelerated plan to balance the federal budget, stating that he will use the FY 2016 budget resolution to eliminate the deficit within ten years. His Senate counterpart, Chairman Michael Enzi (R-WY), echoed that commitment, adding that his committee will mark-up a budget resolution in the third week of March and leave the full chamber to consider the measure by the end of that month. However, Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, recently sent a letter to his Democratic colleagues criticizing Republican fiscal policy and calling for opposition to any budget resolution.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Cochran Previews Appropriations Process

In a recent press interview, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) described his plans for consideration of the FY 2016 spending bills. His strategy will be to move each of the twelve appropriations bills individually and allow for virtually unlimited amendments both in committee and on the Senate floor. He would resort to a combined omnibus bill, like that passed for FY 2015 appropriations, only as a last resort.

Appropriations Cardinals Selected

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have confirmed which members will hold subcommittee gavels.

House Appropriations Committee:

  • Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies: Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)
  • Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: Rep. John Culberson (R-TX)
  • Defense: Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)
  • Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies: Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
  • Financial Services and General Government: Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL)
  • Homeland Security: Rep. John Carter (R-TX)
  • Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
  • Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies: Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
  • Legislative Branch: Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA)
  • Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and Related Agencies: Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)
  • State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies: Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX)
  • Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

Senate Appropriations Committee:

  • Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies: Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
  • Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)
  • Defense: Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS)
  • Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
  • Financial Services and General Government: Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
  • Homeland Security: Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)
  • Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
  • Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies: Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
  • Legislative Branch: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
  • Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and Related Agencies: Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
  • State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
  • Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

This Week’s Hearings

  • Tuesday, January 27: The House Committee on the Budget will host a hearing titled “The Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook.” The hearing’s only witness will be Douglas Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office.