Situational Awareness
This week Congress will take part in the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. The House is out of session and the Senate will begin reviewing cabinet nominations for the Biden administration.
H-2B Workforce Coalition Supports Mayorkas in Senate Letter
The H-2B Workforce Coalition, of which NCA is a member, has sent a letter to the Senate urging the swift confirmation of Alejandro N. Mayorkas to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. In the letter, the coalition points to Mayorkas’ requisite background, agency mission and issue knowledge to provide serious and stable leadership as the head of the Department of Homeland Security. The coalition supports Mayorkas’ confirmation on day-one of the Biden administration.
Democrats to Assume Senate Majority on Wednesday
Senate-elect Democrats Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.) and Alex Padilla (Calif., who is filling Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ vacant seat), are expecting be sworn into office on Wednesday following President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Their additions to the Senate will give Democrats and Republicans a 50-50 split in the Upper Chamber, effectively giving Democrats a majority as Harris will hold the tiebreaking vote.
Biden Reveals His Economic and COVID-19 Plan
President-elect Joe Biden has released his economic plan to stimulate the economy and combat COVID-19. “American Rescue Plan” totals $1.9 trillion in spending and includes $1,400 direct payments to individuals and more than $400 billion to directly address the pandemic.
The plan also includes labor and employment changes, such as implementing more than 14 weeks of paid sick and family leave, authorizing OSHA to issue a national COVID-19 emergency temporary standard, expanding unemployment benefits from $300 to $400 per week through the end of September, increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 and eliminating the separate tipped minimum wage.
It is unclear if the entire package will be passed; however, there are scenarios where individual provisions of the plan can be passed.