Summary
The Senate was supposed to be on recess this week, however, they have been in session all weekend debating a foreign aid package. After Senate Republicans blocked the bipartisan package that included immigration reforms last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proceeded with a $95 billion foreign aid-only bill that includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance and $4.8 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific region. On Thursday the Senate voted 67-32 to consider the package, followed by debate and another procedural vote over the weekend. A final vote is expected on Wednesday.
The House will come back in session on Tuesday afternoon, when they will consider several non-controversial votes under suspension. If the Senate does pass the foreign aid supplemental, it is unclear how House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will proceed. Though he has indicated support for Ukrainian assistance, he faces strong opposition from many House Republicans and former President Donald Trump. Johnson tried to pass an Israel-only aid package last week, but the measure failed. This will be another challenge for the Speaker to manage in his very divided caucus.
Speaker Johnson is also expected to bring up H.Res. 863, articles of impeachment for Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas again this week. The Resolution failed in a tie-vote last week after 4 House Republicans voted against the measure, but with Majority Leader Steve Scalise back in town this week, Johnson may have the votes for passage, provided every other member is also in attendance.
Hearings
- House Energy & Commerce Committee: On Wednesday the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine bipartisan policy proposals to improve the health and wellbeing of patients and support caregivers.
- House Agriculture Committee: Also on Wednesday the House Committee on Agriculture will hold a hearing to receive testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack.
- House Oversight Committee on Accountability: On Wednesday the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic holds a hearing to examine America’s vaccine safety system.
Regulatory Update
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing the following rules:
Medicare
- Alternative Payment Models – The proposed rule would implement a new Medicare payment model titled, Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model (was set for December 2023).
- Payment Update – The proposed rule would revise the Medicare hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (April 2024).
Medicaid
- Disproportionate Share Hospital Program – The final rule would implement requirements under section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), which relate to Medicaid shortfall and third-party payments (February 2024).
- Eligibility and Enrollment – The final rule would implement changes to align enrollment and renewal requirements for most individuals in Medicaid and promote maintenance of coverage (February 2024).
- Access to Care – A pair of final rule intended to access to care and quality outcomes for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries enrolled in managed care delivery systems and fee-for-service Medicaid (April 2024).
Other Topics:
- Healthcare System Resiliency and Modernization – The proposed rule would revise and update national emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers (was set for December 2023).