Congress is set to reconvene this week amid bitter GOP infighting and explosive protests on college campuses nationwide, two issues that are expected to dominate the dialogue on Capitol Hill in the coming days. Lawmakers are likely to weigh in on the pro-Palestinian protests roiling college campuses across the country that are pitting some members — especially Democrats — against one another as the Israel-Hamas war continues. The House this week is slated to vote on a bill — titled the Antisemitism Awareness Act — that would require the Education Department to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when applying antidiscrimination laws. Importantly, both chambers are also poised to work on reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, as Congress stares down a May 10th deadline to extend its funding authorities.
Hovering over the House is Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Georgia) refusing to relent on her motion-to-vacate threat, warning Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) that she may force a vote on his ouster. Key questions, however, remain regarding when — or even if — Greene will put that plan in motion, especially as conservatives come out against her effort and former President Trump triples down on his support for Johnson.
While the Senate is out until 3:00 P.M. tomorrow, the House has reconvened for the week and will meet at 2:00 P.M. for legislative business with first and last votes expected at 6:30 P.M. The House is expected to take up seventeen bills under suspension of the rules including H.R. 5333 – Investing in All of America Act of 2023. The House is then expected to begin consideration of H.R. 529 – Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act.
When the Senate reconvenes at 3:00 P.M. tomorrow, it will take up a motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Georgia N. Alexakis to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
