Both the House and Senate are in session today as the Senate is posed to approve three new FERC nominees to finally re-establish a full slate of commissioners. The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of David Rosner to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2027, the nomination of Lindsay S. See to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2028 and a Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Judy W. Chang to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2029.
The House met for votes at 10:30 A.M. and is expected to consider pursuant to a Rule H. Res. __ – Report to accompany the Resolution Recommending that the House of Representatives Find United States Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with a Subpoena Duly Issued by the Committee on the Judiciary. The House will also begin consideration of H.R. 8070 – Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
The vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, escalates a tug-of-war over audiotapes of President Joe Biden’s interview with a special prosecutor as top Republican leaders worked Tuesday night to count votes to ensure the measure could pass in the narrowly divided chamber. If Republicans are successful, Garland will become the third attorney general to be reprimanded by the House for defying a congressional subpoena. But the consequences are likely to end there, since President Biden has asserted executive privilege over the tapes, giving Garland legal protection from any further investigation.
Later today, the House will begin to consider the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 which had more than 1,300 amendments filed with the Rules Committee which ultimately made in order for debate 350 amendments Tuesday. Many of the hot button amendments on abortion in the military, NATO, Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, as well as budget toplines and issues surrounding diversity, climate and transgender troops will make for a contentious process.
The House is also expected to consider one postponed suspension today, S. 138 – Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act.
Adam S. Olsen, Washington, D.C.
