March 23, 2018
This is a wrap-up edition on this week’s omnibus appropriations bill. Steve Gordon provides a sense of the drama that continued almost up to the minute we pushed ‘send’ in Heard on The Hill. Al Jackson provides an excellent summary of the appropriations provided for the military in the omnibus. Dana Marston shares a few different ways to slice the appropriations bill, a look at the Administration’s plan to address the opioid epidemic, and a preview of gubernatorial elections this year. Congress is now on a two-week Eastern/Passover district/state work period. We’ll recharge our batteries and return the week after next to summarize key aspects of the omnibus and preview the rest of the year.
Read MoreMarch 16, 2018
Noise and news were both running at full tilt this week. Steve Gordon covers the news about policy, politics, and people in Heard on the Hill. Larry Smith provides a very thorough update on NAFTA and trade. Dana Marston shares next week’s hearing and markup schedule, as well as a look at the use of TIGER grants in rural infrastructure, how the Senate voted on a banking deregulation bill, and top recipients of GI Bill funds. Congress is scheduled to finish the omnibus spending bill this week or weekend and leave for two weeks of working in the district over Easter/Passover. We’ll report next Friday, and then we’ll next when Congress reconvenes in April.
Read MoreMarch 9, 2018
Candidate Donald Trump made support for American steel a major tenet of his campaign, and President Donald Trump made good on that campaign promise this week. Our lead article today is written by Larry Smith on developments in trade and NAFTA. He kept sending us changes to his article as the events kept changing – the last version was Thursday evening. Mike Joyce talks about the first hearings on infrastructure and gives us some insights on what’s possible. Steve Gordon tells us what he’s Heard on the Hill. Dana Marston shares next week’s Capitol Hill calendar of hearings and markups, as well as a graphics on hot topics like trade and the opioid epidemic.
Read MoreMarch 2, 2018
Our cover story is by John McKechnie, who reports on the momentum toward Dodd-Frank reform. Larry Smith updates us on NAFTA and trade. Jake Ostenso provides the latest in regulatory reform in Agency Watch. Steve Gordon covers Governors, Appropriators, Talk of Tariffs, and The Big Wind in “Heard on the Hill.” Dana Marston shares next week’s calendar of legislative hearings and mark-ups, as well as infographics on the opioid crisis and SNAP participation. As always, we’re grateful for your comments and suggestions – and your interest in Washington.
Read MoreFebruary 16, 2018
Infrastructure is center stage in Washington – and in Arizona. Mike Joyce, our infrastructure and trade expert, provides a review of the President’s infrastructure plan. Steve Gordon discusses what he heard last weekend at the National Republican Senatorial Committee retreat and during the week in “Heard on the Hill.” Al Jackson reviews the defense numbers in the two-year budget deal recently signed by the President.
Read MoreFebruary 12, 2018
The White House rolled out this morning their long-awaited infrastructure plan. The plan calls for spending $1.5 trillion on infrastructure -- $200 billion from the federal government paid for by unspecified cuts in the upcoming budget, and $1.3 trillion from cities, states, private investors, and other sources. The plan also cuts the federal red tape that bogs down projects and increases costs. They have included specific money for rural communities, aid to support apprenticeships and other forms of workforce training, and some funds for transformative, next-century projects. Click link below to download materials released this morning from the White House. Mike Joyce will dig deeper and summarize in this week's This Week in Washington.
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2018
The Budget Battle went to the center stage this week. Republicans wanted to raise the caps on defense spending, and Democrats wanted to spend more on domestic programs. Neither party saw the benefit of shutting down the government, and the idea of governing with a series of stop-gap, last minute patches didn’t set well with anybody. Steve Gordon summarizes the week, including a summary of Glen Hamer’s meetings in Washington, in “Heard on the Hill.” Dana Marston provides a calendar of next week’s hearings and legislative markups, as well as the latest in the nation’s unemployment numbers, the trade balance, and Congress’s proposed budget deals. Next week, Steve will summarize some of the conversations from the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s winter retreat, and we’ll have updates on pending legislation from some of our colleagues.
Read MoreJanuary 26, 2018
Thanks for your continued interest in Washington, D.C. and for reading This Week in Washington. Steve Gordon provides an overview of this year’s legislative agenda – from the vantage point of the Senate Majority Leader – in “Heard on the Hill.” Larry Smith updates NAFTA/Trade, while Mark Strand, President of the Congressional Institute, contributes his thoughts on Congress’s role in NAFTA. Al Jackson provides a look into the impact of continuing resolutions on military readiness, while Jake Ostenso updates on regulatory changes in Agency Watch. Dana Marston provides next week’s Capitol Hill calendar, as well as insight into President Trump’s draft infrastructure plan, new tax laws facing U.S. companies that operate internationally, where your health insurance dollars go, and the Senate’s work to avoid a second government shutdown. The President’s State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th. Senate and House Republicans will have a legislative retreat later next week. We’ll publish an abbreviated version next week, and a full report the following week. Thanks for your thoughts and comments, and thanks again for reading This Week.
Read MoreJanuary 19, 2018
Thanks for reading This Week in Washington. The new tax reform legislation is generating early but very positive signs. Americans are beginning to give this legislation that the kind of positive response that Republican legislators expected. Congress is starting 2018 with two carry-over challenges -- spending and immigration. The federal government will run out of money Friday night. Both sides say that there will not be a government shutdown… both sides say the other side will be responsible if there is a shutdown. We’ll focus our attention this year and keep you up to date on key areas of concern for members of the Arizona Chamber. This week, Steve Gordon discusses everything he’s seen and heard this week in Heard on The Hill. Mike Joyce tells us about the upcoming infrastructure proposal. Dana Marston provides a calendar of hearings and markups today and next week, as well as graphics on the President’s key trade advisers, proposed Medicaid work requirements, effects of the new tax law on your paycheck, where DACA matters most, and who is affected by a government shutdown… if it comes. Please continue to feel free to reach us with your comments and suggestions for future editions.
Read MoreJanuary 12, 2018
Happy, healthy, and successful New Year. This begins the second year of our affiliation with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We are very grateful for the warm and positive response we’ve received to This Week in Washington, and we’re grateful to everyone at the Arizona Chamber for their assistance, encouragement, and support. We will continue last year’s structure and format, and we’ll augment it with more interviews from key individuals around Washington. We’re discussing other creative ways to bring information about Washington, D.C. to the members of the Arizona Chamber – and we’ll keep you advised. Steve Gordon sets the stage for 2018 with an overview of where we start the year in Heard on the Hill. Larry Smith provides the latest on NAFTA renegotiation process and trade. Dana Marston shares this week’s hearing calendar, as well as graphics on the increased minimum wage, unemployment rates, the upcoming tax season, and a new form of health plan made possible by a presidential executive order. Thanks for your continued interest in Washington, D.C. and for reading This Week in Washington. Here’s to a great 2018.
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