Negotiations Over a FY '19 Border Security and Consolidated Appropriations Agreement and the Confirmation of a New Attorney General Highlight the Coming Week's Capitol Hill Immigration
and Refugee Action
and Refugee Action
Sunday, February 10, 2019
The highlight of the coming week's immigration- and refugee-related legislative action is the hoped-for consideration of a much anticipated conference agreement on Fiscal Year 2019 border security funding. If reached, the agreement, would likely carry with it negotiated versions of all of the seven un-enacted Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills, However, an impasse over how many detention beds should be funded for the fiscal year threatens to blow up the agreement and throw the federal government into partial shutdown mode. |
Tuesday's funeral for the late former Representative John Dingell, Jr. (D-MI), the longest serving Member of Congress in the nation's history makes for an abbreviated week this week, with several hearings that would have examined immigration-related matters being postponed to dates that had yet to be determined at the time of this writing.
In all, from the perspective of those interested in immigration, refugee, homeland security, or human trafficking policy, the week's schedule includes three hearings (all likely to be postponed), one business meeting during which a key nomination will be considered, one likely conference committee meeting, and possible floor action on two matters of possible consequence on those subjects.
The Week's Executive Branch Actions
The following executive branch actions that could either reference immigration, refugee, or human trafficking policy or that could significantly impact policy in those areas are scheduled, likely, or possible this week:
The following executive branch actions that could either reference immigration, refugee, or human trafficking policy or that could significantly impact policy in those areas are scheduled, likely, or possible this week:
- Presidential Trip to El Paso. President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to visit El Paso, Texas during the coming week. While the totality of his plans were not known at the time of this writing, he has scheduled a political rally Monday night at the El Paso County Coliseum, which holds about 7,000 people. It's just down the street from the Free Bridge of the Americas, which is connected to Juarez, Mexico.
- Will He Sign or Will He Veto? President Donald J. Trump will either sign or veto H.J. Res. 31, a measure that Congress expects to take up and send to him sometime before Midnight on Friday, February 15, 2019, in order to avoide another partial shutdown of the federal government..
The Week's House and Senate Floor Actions
The following House or Senate floor actions that could either reference immigration, refugee, or human trafficking policy or that could significantly impact policy in those areas are scheduled, likely, or possible this week:
The following House or Senate floor actions that could either reference immigration, refugee, or human trafficking policy or that could significantly impact policy in those areas are scheduled, likely, or possible this week:
- FY 19 Consolidated Appropriations Act: The full House and full Senate this week could take up a negotiated agreement on border security funding. that also is expected to be a vehicle carrying negotiated agreements on all seven of the yet-to-be-enacted Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills. The vehicle for the bill will be H.J. Res. 31, a bill making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes.
- Nomination of Attorney General-Designate Barr: The full Senate this week is is expected to vote on the nomination of William P. Barr to be Attorney General of the United States.
The Week's Conference Committee Activity
The following immigration- or refugee-related activities (or activities that could pose consequences for legislation, policy, or oversight on those subjects) are scheduled for this week in House-Senate conference committees:
The following immigration- or refugee-related activities (or activities that could pose consequences for legislation, policy, or oversight on those subjects) are scheduled for this week in House-Senate conference committees:
- Conference Committee Deliberations on Fiscal Year 2019 Border Security Funding: The conference committee established to develop a border security package for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Act and, in turn, the FY '19 Consolidated Appropriations Act, hopes to conclude its deliberations this week.
The Week's House and Senate Markups
The following immigration- or refugee-related activities (or activities that could pose consequences for legislation, policy, or oversight on those subjects) are scheduled for this week in House or Senate committees:
The following immigration- or refugee-related activities (or activities that could pose consequences for legislation, policy, or oversight on those subjects) are scheduled for this week in House or Senate committees:
- Committee Consideration of ICE Nominee: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has scheduled a markup for this week, during which it will take up the nomination of Ronald D. Vitiello to be Assistant Homeland Security Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Week's House and Senate Hearings
The following hearings featuring immigration- or refugee-related themes or subjects are scheduled in the House or Senate this week but are likely to be postponed due to the funeral for the late former Representative John Dingell, Jr.:
The following hearings featuring immigration- or refugee-related themes or subjects are scheduled in the House or Senate this week but are likely to be postponed due to the funeral for the late former Representative John Dingell, Jr.:
- House Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing on the Administration's Family Separation Policy: The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has scheduled a hearing for this week on the "Failure of DOJ, DHS, and HHS to Produce Documents on Child Separation Policy."
- House Judiciary Committee Hearing on the Administration's Family Separation Policy: The House Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "Oversight of the Trump Administration's Family Separation Policy.."
- House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on the Situation in Venezuela: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "Venezuela at a Crossroads."
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