Both the House and Senate are in session this week.
Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the forty-seventh President of the United States. He began his term by issuing close to 50 presidential actions, including executive orders and national proclamations, that focused on immigration and border enforcement, domestic energy production, increased oversight of the federal workforce, and scaling back gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Congressional Republican leaders will meet with President Trump today to strategize their plan to either pursue a single legislative reconciliation package or instead first pass a standalone border and energy security bill before turning to other legislative priorities, including tax policy. President Trump and Republican leaders will also discuss the upcoming March 14 continuing resolution deadline to fund the government, as well as the need to address the debt ceiling.
This week, the House will consider bipartisan legislation (H.R. 471) aimed at strengthening resiliency through active forest management, which has gained momentum after the devastating California wildfires. The lower chamber will also vote on a bill (H.R. 21) that requires healthcare practitioners to provide medical care to a child who survives an abortion and the Senate-passed version of the Laken Riley Act (S.5), which would require federal officials to detain migrants who entered the United States unlawfully if they are arrested for or charged with theft or related crimes.
Former Senator Marco Rubio was confirmed yesterday as Secretary of State on a 99-0 vote, the first cabinet official to be approved. His replacement to the Senate is Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. The Senate will continue the confirmation process this week for numerous Trump’s cabinet nominees:
Separately, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to serve until December 15, 2026, announced that he will run in a special election next year to complete the final two years of the term Vice President JD Vance has vacated.