Congress next week will deliver a one-two punch for Republicans, by accelerating the confirmation of President Trump’s Cabinet members in the Senate, and moving quickly to roll back many Obama administration “midnight rules” that have drawn GOP opposition.
The Senate is set to confirm three new Cabinet members by early next week, leaving plenty of room to usher through at least two more nominees before the President’s Day break begins on Feb. 17.
Senator will vote on Treasury Secretary nominee Steve Mnuchin on Monday, followed immediately by a vote on David Shulkin, President Trump’s pick to head secretary of Veterans Affairs.
On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on Linda McMahon, who is nominated to run the Small Business Administration.
Mnuchin drew strong opposition from many Democrats and required a vote last week to break a filibuster. But Democrats appear less critical of Shulkin and McMahon, which has allowed them to move much more quickly through the chamber.
Democrats have been slow-walking many Cabinet nominees, but have not signaled whether they will try to do so with Secretary of Energy nominee Rick Perry, a former Texas governor, and Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. Lawmakers said both of those nominees could be on the floor next week.
Both nominations advanced in committee last month with some backing from Democrats, but both Zinke and Perry have Democratic opponents who could try to slow down final votes.
The Senate next week is also scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Trump’s labor secretary nominee, Andrew Puzder.
Four prior hearings that were scheduled for the burger chain CEO were cancelled due to missing paperwork from the Office of Government Ethics and a new revelation that he employed an illegal immigrant. Puzder faces staunch opposition from Democrats who say he embraces anti-labor policies.
The House, meanwhile, will focus on repealing four Obama-era regulations. Two of the rules deal with state-run savings plans, one governs Alaska land management, and the last is controversial because GOP critics say it effectively forces states to fund Planned Parenthood clinics, regardless of any opposition those states may have to the abortion provider.
The rule designates that providers with a “reproductive health focus” are to be considered more “effective” than health centers that provide more comprehensive care.
Republicans will try to kill that rule and others using the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress the authority to undo administration rulemaking within 60 legislative days.
The Department of Labor rules governing state-run retirement plans for people employed in the private sector have also drawn stern criticism from Republicans. Proponents say the rules help ensure retirement savings for non-government employees, but opponents say it will discourage businesses from setting up 401K plans and will essentially force people to enroll in government-run retirement accounts that offer less control and fewer protections.
The House will vote to repeal a rule that exempts state-run accounts from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as well as a rule that would expand the ERISA exemption beyond states to include some cities and counties.
“Hardworking Americans could be forced into government-run plans with fewer protections and less control over their hard-earned savings,” said Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., a sponsor of the repeal measure. “Employers will face a confusing patchwork of rules, and many small businesses may forgo offering retirement plans altogether. Congress must act to protect workers and small businesses from these misguided regulations.”
The House will also vote on a rule that has drawn staunch opposition from the Alaska delegation and a lawsuit from the state. The rule imposed new restrictions on hunting predatory animals on federal land.
The Fish and Wildlife Service announced the rule last year and said it was needed to conserve species and preserve biodiversity.
But Rep. Don Young, R-Ala., who has led the charge to repeal the rule, called it “a unilateral power grab” which “fundamentally alters Alaska’s authority to manage wildlife across all areas of our state.”
Beyond the House floor, lawmakers will be working on legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare, beginning with a hearing in the Energy and Commerce Committee on legislation aimed at lowering the price of prescription drugs by encouraging development of generic alternatives.
“We have a lot going on next week,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., told the Washington Examiner.
