July 16, 2019
Late June and early July thunderstorms have turned into hot and muggy days and humid nights – the kind of weather that has forced Congress out of Washington during the summer since the beginning of our nation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin their August recess on July 26, and the Senate is scheduled to recess a week later on August 2. There are many issues that could be addressed before Congress leaves, and there a two absolutely critical problems that must be resolved. Steve Gordon talks about the need to lift the debt ceiling and to come up with a two-year budget agreement, as well as good economic news, trade and USMCA, and a new interim final rule on immigration. All this and a little politics in Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston shares this week’s calendar of hearings and markups, then takes a look at air quality across the U.S. and an outstanding ACA lawsuit that may end up before the Supreme Court in 2020.
Read MoreJune 28, 2019
On Wednesday, June 19, the American Truck Dealers (ATD), with support from other members of the Modernize the Truck Fleet (MTF) coalition, held an educational event/press conference on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The event featured a vintage truck and new truck to embody the urgent need for modernizing the 102 year-old federal excise tax (FET) on the purchase of new heavy-duty trucks and trailers. The FET is the highest excise tax at 12%. Total Spectrum’s Mike Joyce and Traci Peters were instrumental in designing and executing this event for our clients.
Read MoreJune 27, 2019
John McKechnie writes about the retirement savings reform bills being discussed and worked on in both the Senate and the House. Steve Gordon reports on progress toward passage of USMCA, on the President’s Healthcare Executive Order, on infrastructure and the Highway Trust Fund, and politics in Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston dives into the USMCA from a couple angles, looking at public support for the trade agreement and how the House Ways and Means Committee is examining its labor provisions. She also looks at China’s tariff treatment on goods it imports from countries other than the U.S., as well as possible water/ground contamination on military bases due to the use of chemical fire retardants. Congress will be leaving town for the July 4th holiday, as will we. Congress will return on July 8th, and we’ll be back that week with This Week. Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.
Read MoreJune 17, 2019
Steve Gordon participated last week in meetings with acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and a senior member of the Republican Senate Caucus. Both provided a clear picture of what’s possible this year, and notes from both meetings and other odds and ends are in Steve’s Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston takes a look at Members named to the House Democrats’ Trade Working Group, charged with negotiating key elements of the proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement with the U.S. Trade Representative. She also looks at Congress’s tackling of a backlog of maintenance needed within the National Park Service.
Read MoreJune 10, 2019
Last week was a short week so that a number of Members of Congress could fly to France to participate in the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Steve Gordon reports on the U.S.-Mexican negotiations that thankfully ended Friday night without the imposition of tariffs. He also covers last week’s jobs report, the status of the appropriations process, and concludes with the key messages from the D-Day ceremony. Dana Marston provides highlights of this week’s legislative calendar, as well deeper looks at consumer confidence and a recent report from the GAO on the impact renewable fuel standards have on fuel prices and emissions. We always appreciate your notes and comments. We’ll continue to bring you a discussion of current activity in Washington every week in This Week.
Read MoreMay 15, 2019
Steve Gordon invited James Carter, an expert on budget, tax and fiscal issues, to present his thoughts on the current state of the federal budget. The picture James paints in his article entitled A Miracle Cure to Save the Federal Budget from Calamity is far from rosy, but it’s worthwhile reading. Steve Gordon brings us up to date on the progress on trade and legislation he’s Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston shares highlights of this week’s legislative calendar, and also dives into the impact of tariffs on states’ trade with China, trends in long-acting opioid prescriptions, and causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S.
Read MoreMay 3, 2019
Al Jackson has the cover article with his Defense Appropriations Update. Steve Gordon brings us up to date on activity in the Senate, trade, the White House, and the intersection of a good economy and good polls in Heard on the Hill. Our next report will be next week – reporting on This Week in Washington.
Read MoreApril 16, 2019
This is the week of Steves. Steve Ruhlen wrote the cover article on The Budget, The Appropriations Process – and the Chance for Compromise. Steve Gordon reports on trade, Agency Watch, a new Secretary of the Interior, and the sound of frustration in the Senate in his Heard on the Hill. The Senate and the House have recessed for 2 weeks. Senators and Congressmen will return to Washington on April 29, and we’ll be back shortly thereafter.
Read MoreMarch 27, 2019
Steve Gordon reports on what he’s heard about taxes, trade, pharmaceutical pricing, backlog on appointments, and healthcare in Heard on The Hill. Al Jackson brings us up to date on beginnings of the debate on the Defense Appropriations Budget for this fiscal year. Dana Marston digs into a study of the possible impacts of marijuana legalization on opioid prescription rates, and also takes a look at how Americans are changing the way they get their TV programming. We’ll be back next week with another edition of This Week.
Read MoreMarch 20, 2019
Steve Gordon took time last week to interview Matt Walker, Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. They are a top tier association, and are leading a grassroots coalition designed to have impact on the National Labor Relations Board’s Joint Employer Standard. We think you will find the interview both interesting and informative. We’ll return to our usual format next week …in This Week.
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