Reuters | Lawyer for Key Jan. 6 Witness Worked Across Administrations at Justice Department

Jody Hunt and Bill Jordan are profiled in connection to their representation of Cassidy Hutchinson, a special assistant to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, throughout her testimony before the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

House appropriators will begin marking up the first of the fiscal year 2025 spending bills this week, although there remain disagreements over policy provisions and funding amounts, signaling a difficult season ahead. Additionally, House Republicans released their draft of the Farm Bill. Normally passed in a bipartisan fashion, Democrats have already signaled opposition to the legislation.

Both the Senate and House are in session this week. The House will focus on legislation that would counter President Biden’s climate policies as well as promote domestic energy production. Lawmakers are also still trying to finalize an agreement on the remaining six appropriations bills, set to expire on Friday, though it was reported that the only unresolved funding bill is for the Department of Homeland Security.

Now that the House has a Speaker, it can move forward with business, starting with a rules package. Republican leadership will then gather to discuss committee assignments. Both discussions will be shadowed by tension created by concessions Speaker Kevin McCarthy made to the Freedom Caucus during the prolonged Speaker vote. Meanwhile, President Biden will be meeting with the leaders of Mexico, Canada, and Japan.

A new Congress convenes today. The Senate, now more firmly under Democratic control, will swear in new members, say farewell to one member, and leave. The House and its new Republican majority has more serious business – electing a new Speaker. Kevin McCarthy may not have the votes to win outright. Without a Speaker, the House cannot move forward.