Both the House and Senate are in session this week.
Over the weekend, President Trump announced additional tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% from China. The tariffs on Canada and China are set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, opening the door for last-minute negotiations. The tariffs on Mexico will be delayed by at least a month after the United States and Mexico reached a series of last-minute border security agreements. Economists expect prices to increase on a wide range of household items due to the upcoming tariffs. Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs to coincide with the U.S. tariffs, while China has indicated it could take “necessary countermeasures.”
Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. Netanyahu has indicated they plan to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, Iran, and Israel’s regional ties.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is hoping to begin the reconciliation process this week by having the House Budget Committee mark up a budget resolution, which establishes instructions for reconciliation. However, no hearings have been announced, and significant disagreements remain within the Republican conference over pursuing a single legislative reconciliation package or splitting the policy directives into separate bills, as well as potential pay-fors. Some Members have indicated that it is likely that committee action will slide to next week.
At the same time, federal government funding expires on March 14. Congressional leaders and appropriators have still not come to an agreement on top-line spending numbers, further delaying negotiations.
The House has planned votes this week on legislation that would classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act on a permanent basis (H.R. 27) and prohibit a President from blocking fracking without congressional approval (H.R. 26).
The Senate will continue moving through the Trump Administration cabinet nominations this week, with a floor vote scheduled Monday to confirm Christopher Wright as Secretary of the Department of Energy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has also scheduled procedural votes on Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Pam Bondi to be Attorney General, Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Eric Scott Turner as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Other Trump cabinet nominees will be considered in the committee process this week:
