The Senate will vote on a major defense spending bill next week, confirm a new solicitor general, continue its work on tax reform, and maybe even try another vote to repeal and replace Obamacare.
While the House is away for a week, the Senate next week is expected to approve a long-stalled bill authorizing $700 billion in defense spending for fiscal year 2018.
The bill exceeds President Trump’s request for a $639 billion defense budget. The extra money, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said, is needed increase troop numbers and boost the depleted inventory of aircraft and ships.
“While there are many important aspects to this legislation, at its core, this is a bill that will provide our Armed Forces the resources, equipment, and support they need to do their jobs, fulfill their missions, and keep our nation safe,” said McCain, R-Ariz.
The Senate will also vote Monday to confirm Noel J. Francisco to serve as Solicitor General. Francisco had been serving as acting Solicitor General but had to be sidelined once nominated to serve in the position by President Trump as he awaiting Senate confirmation. He’ll argue cases before the Supreme Court on behalf of the Trump administration.
The Senate hadn’t scheduled any other floor legislation as of Friday, but Republicans will be busy negotiating budget and tax bill ahead of a Sept. 25 deadline they have set for themselves to present an outline. The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on corporate tax reform Sept. 19 after holding a similar hearing on the individual rate on Thursday.
Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a CNBC interview Friday that he thinks Congress can pass tax reform legislation this year, but added, “it’s going to take a lot of cooperation of both Democrats and Republicans.”
Republican senators will be focused on an effort to repeal and replace Obamacare, which was thought to be dead for the year but has been revived under a plan that is picking up broad GOP support.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., signaled he may push for a vote on the legislation, sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La. that would give states control over Obamacare’s fate and financing. McConnell asked the Congressional Budget Office to provide a price tag for the plan, which usually takes place before floor consideration.
Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to take up the bill if they want to use a 2017 budget tool that would prevent a filibuster by Democrats who oppose the Graham-Cassidy plan.
Senate Republicans have taken a last-minute interest in Graham-Cassidy, in part because unlike past efforts, this bill has the support of many Republican governors. The momentum is leading GOP leaders to become suddenly optimistic after writing off repealing Obamacare this year.
“It would take a double-double bank shot in order for that to happen,” Republican Conference Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said when asked if a bill could pass by Sept. 30. “If it looks like this thing is starting to get some traction, we’ll do everything we can to speed it along. It’s got a significant amount of interest among our members.”
