With Republicans insistent any aid package for Israel and Ukraine contain major border policy changes, perhaps the biggest thing to watch in the chamber this week will be the fate of talks with the “Gang of Six” border negotiations.
One of the main players involved, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), said Monday there had been “good progress” on a major pain point — asylum claims — but an impasse on how to treat parole system used by some coming into the U.S.
It’ll be just one item for Democrats to discuss at their weekly lunch. Also look for lawmakers to discuss the idea of conditioning aid to Israel as part of the supplemental. (Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin (D-Md.) came out forcefully against the idea.) And we’d expect Republicans to discuss potential options for ending Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) ongoing blockade of pending military promotions.
As for the floor itself, lawmakers will vote on two pending judicial nominees throughout the day, beginning at 11:30 a.m. And they’ll consider Jose Javier Rodriguez’s nomination for a Department of Labor role.
The House: Lawmakers get back into town Tuesday night and will consider a number of suspensions. Among them are two resolutions — one affirming Israel’s right to exist and another calling for Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October attack in Israel.
And back to full strength: The House will be back to full strength for the first time in months Tuesday night upon the swearing in of Rep.-elect Celeste Maloy (R-Utah). But it won’t last long: Already two members — Reps. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) — are expected to resign next year for new gigs.
