A Sigh of Relief Can Be Heard in the Halls of the U.S. Capitol Complex as the House and Senate Face the First Calm Week of the 116th Congress
Monday, January 28, 2019
Revised on Tuesday, January 28, 2019, at 9:45 pm EST
 | What initially looked like a light week of immigration- and refugee-related congressional activity suddenly turned heavy as the week dawned, with Democrats basking in the glow of the deal they cut late last week to reopen the shuttered departments, agencies, and functions of the federal government without having to appropriate a penny for the wall along the U.S. border with Mexico..that President Trump has demanded that they fund. |
In all, from the perspective of those interested in immigration, refugee, homeland security, or human trafficking policy, the week's schedule includes one hearing, five business meetings, one conference committee meeting, and possible floor action on one matter 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:
- No Items Noticed at the Time of This Writing
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:
- Full House to Take Up Bill to Study Contribution of Cryptocurrencies to Human and Drug Trafficking: The full U.S. House of Representatives this week is expected to take up a measure that would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the contributions that cryptocurrencies make to human trafficking.
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:
- Conference Committee on the Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Act: The conference committee established to develop a border security package for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Act has scheduled a meeting for this week to begin its deliberations.
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:
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary Vote on the Nomination of Attorney General-Designate: The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled an executive business meeting for this week, during which a vote on the nomination of William P. Barr to be Attorney General of the United States is on the agenda.
- House Committee on Appropriations 116th Congress Organizational Meeting: The House Committee on Appropriations has scheduled an Organizational Meeting for this week, during which it will organize itself for the 116th Congress, a process that entails adopting its rules, establishing its subcommittee structure, and agreeing to the leadership and roster of its subcommittees.
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs 116th Congress Organizational Meeting: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has scheduled its Organizational Meeting for this week, during which it will organize itself for the 116th Congress, a process that entails adopting its rules, establishing its subcommittee structure, and agreeing to the leadership and roster of its subcommittees.
- House Committee on Homeland Security 116th Congress Organizational Meeting: The House Committee on Homeland Security has scheduled an Organizational Meeting for this week, during which it will organize itself for the 116th Congress, a process that entails adopting its rules, establishing its subcommittee structure, and agreeing to the leadership and roster of its subcommittees.
- House Committee on Oversight and Reform 116th Congress Organizational Meeting: The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has scheduled its 116th Congress Organizational Meeting for this week, during which it will organize itself for the 116th Congress, a process that entails adopting its rules, establishing its subcommittee structure, and agreeing to the leadership and roster of its subcommittees.
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:
- House Armed Services Committee Oversight Hearing on Department of Defense Border Operations: The House Committee on Armed Services has scheduled a hearing for this week titled, “Department of Defense’s Support to the Southern Border."
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