Summary
Democrats are moving quickly, and likely without Republicans, to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan through budget reconciliation. This week, House and Senate committees are drafting legislation that meets the reconciliation instructions specified in the recently adopted FY21 Joint Budget Resolution. They will submit that legislation to the chambers’ respective Budget Committees by February 16, who will then combine them before the merged reconciliation legislation moves to the floor. While the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump could take up to two weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other congressional Democrats intend to pass Biden’s COVID plan via reconciliation by the end of February.
The next COVID-19 relief bill is expected to include $400 billion to support the federal government’s COVID-19 response, including $20 billion to implement a national vaccination program, $50 billion to expand testing, and $30 billion to purchase additional personal protective equipment and other supplies. Notably, due to an amendment adopted last week in the Senate, the FY21 Joint Budget Resolution allows the House and Senate Budget Committee Chairs to reallocate funding to provide additional financial support for rural hospitals through the Provider Relief Fund.
Later today, the Senate is scheduled to consider, and is expected to confirm, the nomination of Denis McDonough to serve as Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs. Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Senate Budget Committee for her confirmation hearings this week. On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will consider the nominations of Marty Walsh and Miguel Cardona to serve as the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, respectively. As for Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Senate Finance and HELP Committees have yet to schedule the confirmation hearings for Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra.