Summary
Congress returns to the lame duck session with a big to-do list, including must-pass pieces of legislation: funding the government and reauthorizing the annual defense policy bill. This week, the Senate is expected to debate the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions to strengthen environmental health and security. For example, the bill reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ongoing study and assessment on human health impacts of PFAS chemicals in drinking water. NDAA also includes provisions to improve supply chains and stockpiles, including pharmaceutical supplies. Legislative action on the fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations bill is likely to occur closer to the December 16 deadline, especially since lawmakers will likely try to tack on various measures to the must-pass vehicle.
With Democrats expected to lose control of the House in 2023, Congressional Democrats also plan to push for items on their wish list in the remaining weeks. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) indicated House Democrats would pursue legislation to raise the debt limit. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who appears likely to become the next Speaker, signaled House Republicans would use raising the debt limit as leverage to force spending cuts on Medicare and Social Security. Additionally, the Senate is expected to vote on the House-passed Respect for Marriage Act, which would protect same-sex marriage, before the end of the year.
This week, the House will vote on the Lymphedema Treatment Act, a broadly bipartisan bill that would require Medicare to cover certain lymphedema compression treatment items beginning January 1, 2024. The House will also consider a long list of bills unrelated to public health and health care.
At the committee level, lawmakers will convene hearings on other key issues:
- Cannabis Laws: On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties hold a hearing to examine developments in state cannabis laws and bipartisan cannabis reforms at the federal level, including the House-passed Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act).
- Medical Mistreatment of Women: On Tuesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations will hold a hearing of the medical mistreatment of women in ICE detention. Committee members will hear from two panels. The first panel includes a former detainee as well as two physicians. The second panel includes senior officials at the Department of Homeland Security and a medical director at a detention center.
- Healthy and Affordable Food: On Wednesday, the Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing to discuss promoting healthy and affordable food for older Americans.
- Heath Robinson Honoring our Pact Act: On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will hold a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs implementation of the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act.