Lack of Consensus, Lapse in Appropriations: Anatomy of a Federal Government Shutdown

By Karen Harbaugh, David LesStrang and Dominic Braithwaite on September 20, 2023 Posted in Budget and Appropriations

The US Constitution provides that “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law” (Article I, Section 9, Clause 7). Congress maintains the power of the purse, and federal government agencies and programs reliant on discretionary budget authority experience funding gaps if appropriations expire prior to the enactment of new appropriations measures. With limited exceptions, the Antideficiency Act, court and Department of Justice opinions, and associated guidance generally prohibit continued agency and program operations when funding gaps occur. Should a funding gap last for a day or longer, federal government agencies and programs impacted by the lack of discretionary funds may shut down.

Congressional Republicans Solicit Comments from Health Stakeholders

By Squire Patton Boggs on September 15, 2023 Posted in Congressional Oversight, Healthcare

Over the past several weeks, Congressional Republicans have indicated they are gearing up to tackle various health policy issues – and have offered health stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback and their expertise in policy development.

On August 25, Republicans on the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Budget established a “Health Care Task Force.” Chaired by Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX), the Task Force is charged with “find[ing] solutions to reduce health care spending, examin[ing] opportunities to modernize and personalize the health care system, and support[ing] policies to fuel innovation and increase patient access to quality and affordable care.” The Task Force released an open letter, requesting: (1) feedback on regulatory, statutory, or implementation barriers that could be addressed to reduce health care spending; (2) information on efforts to promote and incorporate innovation into programs like Medicare to reduce health care spending and improve patient outcomes; (3) comments on the Congressional Budget Office’s modeling capabilities on health care policies, including limitations or improvements to such analyses and processes; (4) examples of evidence-based, cost-effective preventive health measures or interventions that can reduce long term health costs; and (5) recommendations to reduce improper payments in federal health care programs. Responses are due October 15, 2023.

U.S. Executive Branch Update – September 12, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on September 12, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

US executive branch text over image of White House

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

12:15 a.m. EDT – The President arrives at Joint Base Andrews

12:35 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House

Fall Forecast: What to Expect from Washington Through the End of the Year

By Capital Thinking on September 6, 2023 Posted in SPB Global Public Policy Thought Leadership

With Labor Day behind us, Congress returns to Washington with a packed agenda. One month now stands between lawmakers and the end of the government’s fiscal year. And Congress has only four months to tackle various end-of-year deadlines. From domestic policy discussions to international relations, we look back at the first eight months of 2023 and provide our assessment of what Congress will – and will not – be able to accomplish this year.

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 31, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 31, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

11:00 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the President’s Daily Brief | Oval Office

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 29, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 30, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

2:00 p.m. EDT – The President delivers remarks at an event on lowering health care costs; The Vice President participates | East Room

3:45 p.m. EDT – The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica | Oval Office

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 25, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 25, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

The President and The First Lady are in Reno, Nevada, and have no public events scheduled.

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 24, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 25, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

The President and The First Lady are in Reno, Nevada, and have no public events scheduled.

White House Finalizes Long-awaited Build America, Buy America, (BABA) Guidance

By Jennifer Tharp on August 24, 2023 Posted in SPB Global Public Policy Thought Leadership

The South Portico of the White House at Christmas. This Neoclassical, Palladian house is the principle residence of the President of the US

The White House has announced long-awaited final guidance to federal agencies to implement domestic content and manufacturing requirements in federally funded infrastructure projects.

The Biden Administration guidance applies broadly to the use of iron, steel, and other common construction materials and products and, as a result, is expected to have broad implications for awardees of federal funding, prospective applicants, contractors, and suppliers.

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 23, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 23, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

The President and The First Lady are in Reno, Nevada, and have no public events scheduled.

Statement from President Joe Biden on Cancer Moonshot Announcement
Press Release: As Part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, Biden Cancer Moonshot Announces Launch of ARPA-H’s CUREIT Project Led by Emory University to Develop New Tools to Strengthen the Immune System and Save Lives

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 22, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 22, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

The President and The First Lady are in Reno, Nevada, and have no public events scheduled.

Appointment: President Joe Biden Names Ed Siskel New White House Counsel

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 21, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 21, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

4:15 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive in Reno, Nevada

10:00 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 18, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 18, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

11:00 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT greets and welcomes President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan to the Camp David Trilateral Summit | Camp David

11:15 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT holds a trilateral meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan | Camp David

U.S. Executive Branch Update – August 17, 2023

By Squire Patton Boggs on August 17, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

10:00 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

11:25 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews

U.S. Outbound Investment Restrictions and Notification Requirements Mandated by Executive Order: Currently Limited to Certain Investments in China Tech

By Capital Thinking on August 11, 2023 Posted in Foreign Investment Reviews, US Regulation

On August 9, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order (“EO”) titled “Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concerns,” mandating the establishment of an outbound investment regulatory regime. The EO mandates that the Treasury Department, in coordination with other agencies, issue regulations to establish a “program” to prohibit or require notification concerning certain outbound investments by U.S. persons involving a country of concern and a narrow set of advanced technologies and products. In the EO, the President identified one country as a country of concern: the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau. However, the President may update the list of countries of concern in the future.