Situational Awareness
The House and Senate are both in session this week. The House will consider several bills reported out by the Judiciary Committee related to law enforcement. The Senate will consider nominations.
Debt Ceiling Talks Continue This Week
President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will meet on Tuesday to discuss the budget and debt ceiling. The meeting comes as the Department of Treasury stated that it has roughly $88 billion left in management moves before a default on the debt, which, absent a deal, could occur the first couple weeks of June. Adding pressure to the talks, President Biden is scheduled to depart Washington on Wednesday to attend the G7 summit in Japan. While both sides are showing confidence and optimism, they remain far apart on a deal with little time for maneuvering. On a related note, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently announced that the federal budget deficit for this fiscal year will be higher than estimated by $130 billion, bringing the yearly deficit to $1.54 trillion. The CBO also updated projections for the next 10 year period and estimates the debt to reach 119 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2033.
I will have lunch with Speaker McCarthy on Wednesday and I’m sure the budget and debt ceiling discussions will be on the agenda for discussion. McCarthy’s staff is also going through a transition in the weeks ahead as his Chief of Staff, Dan Meyer, announced his intention to retire in June. Meyer is a familiar figure to NCA, having made an appearance on webcasts during the pandemic. Meyer’s career includes chief of staff roles for two House Speakers and heading up congressional relations for then President George W. Bush.
Labor Secretary Nomination Heats Up
The nomination of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor is getting some increased attention this week as Democratic heavy-hitters are trying to move her nomination to a floor vote soon. While Su’s nomination cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, she remains short of the needed votes to assure her post. As has been a familiar refrain in the past, Senator Joe Manchin (D – W. Va.) has all eyes on him as a pivotal vote. Senate Democrats have been hampered by absences in past months with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D – Calif.) out with shingles and John Fetterman (D – Penn.) in treatment for depression. Both Senators are back to work as of last week, which provides Democrats with the opportunity to move forward if they can convince Manchin to vote with them. Manchin is in a tough situation politically in West Virginia and is up for reelection next year in a solidly Republican state. Other Senators, including Sens. Jon Tester (D – Mont.), Kyrsten Sinema (D – Ariz.) and Angus King (I – Maine), have not yet indicated how they will vote on Su’s nomination. Democrats will need all but one of their ranks to confirm Su.
Government Relations at the National Club Conference
The NCA’s National Club Conference was held in Chicago, Ill. last week and government relations issues were featured at several points. The conference kicked off with former U.S. Comptroller General, David Walker, who gave attendees his perspective on the long-term future of federal finances and spending. While the overall picture is definitely concerning, Walker pointed out that we can alter the course of our financial picture with a renewed focus on how the government spends and finances entitlements. Another session at the conference was led by former NCA Board Member, Rob Smith of Platinum Advisors, and me. We discussed the current landscape for major legislation and the expectation that the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda is likely to intensify in the remaining 1.5 years.
National Golf Day – May 10
General managers, superintendents and golf course owners were in Washington last week for National Golf Day (NGD). NCA typically participates in NGD, but due to the overlap with this year’s National Club Conference, we were not able to this year. This year marked the return of the in-person NGD and attendees were scattered around the Hill to meet with Representatives and Senators. The issues brought to the attention of lawmakers were the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, reauthorization of the Farm Bill, H-2B visa program and new legislation to remove golf and golf clubs from the “sin list.” NCA supports these initiatives and will meet with lawmakers in the coming months to push for their advancement.
WWU Delay Next Week
National Golf Day will take place May 8-10 on Capitol Hill, allowing golf leaders to share their concern and support on Next week’s installment of the Washington Weekly Update will be delayed until Tuesday. I will be in Chicago to present at CMAA’s Club Leadership Summit on Monday.