House Action Disapproving of Border Wall Emergency Declaration and Multiple Hearings, including Hearings on Unaccompanied and Separated Children, Highlight the Week Ahead
Sunday, February 24, 2019
 Representatives Castro, Nadler, and DeLauro | The highlight of the coming week's immigration- and refugee-related legislative action is House floor consideration of a joint resolution disapproving of the President's border wall emergency declaration which, if passed, would force Senate action within two weeks. |
Also happening this week are a number of hearings touching on important aspects of U.S. migration policy and the Trump Administration's conduct of that policy, including hearings on the separation of families at the U.S. border with Mexico; the Administration's treatment of unaccompanied alien children; the impact of the President's emergency declaration on military readiness; the worldwide crisis facing refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants; and the humanitarian situation in Venezuela.
In all, from the perspective of those interested in immigration, refugee, homeland security, or human trafficking policy, the week's schedule includes seven hearings (all in the House), one business meeting, and likely floor action on one matter of consequence.
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:
- Resolution of Disapproval: The U.S. House of Representatives this week is expected to take up a joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019. The resolution disapproves of the President's February 15th Declaration of Emergency, a declaration that the President contends will enable him to use funds previously appropriated for other purposes to fund construction of a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. The resolution that the Committee will consider is H.J. Res. 46, introduced by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (D-TX). House floor action is expected to occur on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
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:
- Resolution of Disapproval: The House Committee on Rules is scheduled to meet on Monday, February 25, 2019, to consider a "rule" providing procedures for the consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives of a joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019. The resolution disapproves of the February 15th Declaration of Emergency, a declaration that the President contends will enable him to use funds previously appropriated for other purposes to fund construction of a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. The resolution that the Committee will consider is H.J. Res. 46, introduced by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (D-TX). The Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:00 pm EST on Monday, February 25, 2019.
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.:
The following hearings featuring immigration- or refugee-related themes or subjects are scheduled in the House or Senate this week.:
- 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 Subcommittee Hearing on the Global Refugee/Asylum/Migrant Crisis: The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "A Global Crisis: Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers."
- House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on the Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela: The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "Made by Maduro: The Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela and U.S. Policy Responses."
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on the Treatment of Unaccompanied Children: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "Reviewing the Administration's Unaccompanied Children Program: State-Sanctioned Child Abuse."
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on USAID: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs has scheduled a hearing for this week on the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on the Border Wall and Military Readiness: The House Appropriations Subcommittee Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, "The 2019 National Emergency Declaration to Build a Border Wall & its Effect on Military Construction and Readiness."
- House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on the National Emergencies Act of 1976: The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties has scheduled a hearing for this week on the National Emergenies Act of 1976.