THE LONG GAME: Senate moves forward with aid bill; House to re-do impeachment vote
A bill that would provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan was approved by the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation passed by a vote of 70-29, with 22 Republicans voting for the bill, even though former president Donald Trump has loudly voiced his opposition to it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) argued in favor of the bill saying, “American leadership matters. And it is in question.” However, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the House where many conservatives have lined up against further support for Ukraine. Instead of the full package, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said he might attempt to split the aid into separate measures. Some Democrats are considering using a discharge petition to get around Johnson's opposition. The support of a core group of Senate Republicans stood in stark contrast to Trump’s comments over the weekend that, if elected, he would not support NATO allies delinquent in their dues—and, in fact, would encourage foreign aggression against them.
After suffering a stunning embarrassment, House Republicans are expected to try once again to impeach House Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The House voted last week against impeaching Mayorkas in a 214-216 vote, with three GOP members opposing the measure; a fourth Republican switched to a “no” vote allowing the leadership to re-try the measure. Critics assailed Speaker Johnson and his lieutenants for failing to count votes accurately. However, Republicans are expecting that Rep. Steven Scalise (R-LA)—who was absent while receiving treatment for cancer-- will return to Washington this week. For his part, Mayorkas called the allegations against him “baseless” and said that Congress has an obligation to fix the broken border. Meanwhile, one of the Republicans who opposed impeachment, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), announced that he will not seek re-election.
Washington Watch is published weekly when Congress is in session. Published monthly during extended recess or adjournment.
Spotlight on Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican legislators log 391 trips during current term
Puerto Rican legislators have taken a total of 391 official trips so far this term, at a cost of approximately $800,000. Destinations include Central and South America, Europe, the Caribbean, and mainland United States. The trips were taken by members of both the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and New Progressive Party (PNP). The House provides information on such trips—including expenses, duration, and reasons for the travel-- on its official website; the Senate does not. Lawmakers said that trips to the mainland, including Washington, D.C., enabled them to meet with federal officials or representatives of the Puerto Rican diaspora, or to take part in events sponsored by groups such as the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Council of State Governments (CSG). Senators are eligible for a per diem of $110 per day; House members can receive a per diem of $75.
Treasury Department unveils new transparency rules for real estate transactions
In a move that could have broad implications for the real estate industry in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new regulation aimed at ending anonymity in real estate transactions. The new regulation, issued by the department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), will “combat and deter money laundering in the U.S. residential real estate sector by increasing transparency,” a department official said. The regulation comes on the heels of a new rule adopted by the Internal Revenue Service calling for identifying the names of individuals and companies behind limited liability companies (LLCs). Transactions using cash payments and made through LLCs have skyrocketed in Puerto Rico in recent years. An investigation published two years ago by El Nuevo Día found that the number of real estate transactions involving LLCs had spiked dramatically in Puerto Rico, exceeding 15,000 in five years.
Johnson & Johnson to expand operations in Puerto Rico with $168 million investment
Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced that it is investing $168 million to expand its operations in Puerto Rico. The company will extend its manufacturing division at the Ethicon medical device plant in San Lorenzo by converting a former Janssen Pharmaceutical facility. “Our plant (in San Lorenzo) is already stretched to the limit in terms of capacity and space,” said Rosana García, general plant manager of Ethicon Puerto Rico. “We evaluated many alternatives. Among them, options outside of Puerto Rico. The result of all that analysis was 'we are going to invest in our Johnson & Johnson (J&J) plant in Manatí.” The facility has 350,000 square feet as well as key infrastructure components, including wastewater treatment and waste disposal facilities.
View From The White House
The White House announced last week Elizabeth Kelly would be named as director of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Institute at the National Institute for Standards and Technology, which President Biden established by executive order in October.
President Biden will travel this week to East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a train derailment last year which spilled dangerous chemicals resulting in long-term health concerns among residents of the area.
The Biden administration announced last week that it would invest $1.5 billion in zero-emission buses and other forms of clean transit, as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
3121 SOUTH STREET NW, SUITE 100
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20007
TEL. (202) 337-1016
Comments