Deadlines Loom: Congress faces a series of deadlines in the coming weeks with an ambitious agenda to wrap things up by early next week. Perhaps the most important is the expiration of the continuing resolution for government spending, which concludes on December 11. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has expressed a desire to pass spending bills, coronavirus relief and the annual defense authorization. While appropriators have agreed to the topline numbers on the spending bills, details still need to be worked out and there are multiple sticking points such as funding for the border wall and the overall spending numbers, which are opposed by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). President Trump has also threatened to veto spending measures if they include language to rename military bases currently named after confederates from the Civil War.
Coronavirus Relief
The prospect of another coronavirus relief package appears to be getting dimmer, though there could arise an agreement to extend unemployment, increase funding for expected vaccine distribution and some small business relief. Direct payments to individuals is also being discussed, but it will take a dramatic step back from the brinksmanship that has surrounded these issues leading up to the election in order for it to become a reality. Senate Republicans continue to argue for a slimmed down package with the understanding that it would be revisited in the new year. Democrats, for the time being, continue to make the case for a larger package now rather than waiting for the next session of Congress.
Republicans Lose Seat in Senate
On Monday, Arizona certified its special election results, giving Democrat Mark Kelly a seat in the U.S. Senate and reducing the Republican majority to 52-48 prior to the end of the current session. Kelly will be sworn in on Wednesday, December 2, in abidance with Senate special election rules and will serve the last two years of Former Republican Senator John McCain’s term.
House Runoff Elections This Week
Runoff elections will be held this week for two House seats, though neither are in doubt of party control. On December 1, two Democrats will face off in Georgia’s 5th Congressional District to serve out the remainder of Congressman John Lewis’ term. Lewis passed away this summer. Oddly, the two candidates vying for the remainder of the term will not be back in 2021 as Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) has been elected to serve in the next Congress.
On Saturday, two Republicans go head to head in Louisiana to fill the seat of Congressman Ralph Abraham who did not seek reelection. Luke Letlow, former staffer to Abraham, and state legislator Lance Harris both failed to reach 50% in the election in November, which was effectively a jungle primary with several candidates vying to reach the top two spots for the runoff this week.
Marijuana on the Agenda
This week, the House will consider legislation to remove marijuana from the federal drug schedule and legalize its use. The bill would apply retroactively to previous marijuana convictions and pending cases would be affected as well. The bill would impose a tax on sales and use of marijuana convictions and pending cases would be affected as well.