THE LONG GAME: Johnson proposes “laddered” CR; Manchin’s decision
With funding set to run out by the end of the week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) unveiled his proposal to keep the federal government operating beyond the November 17 deadline. Rather than a typical continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the entire government, Johnson opted for a two-tiered (or “laddered”) CR. Under the plan, some spending bills—specifically, programs for veterans, transportation, housing, agriculture and energy-- would be extended until Jan. 19, while others (including defense spending) would go on a CR that would last until Feb. 2. The plan received mixed reviews. It was quickly panned by the White House, which called it “a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns.” Even some conservative Republicans opposed it because it lacked spending cuts. Among the latter was Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who was angered over an extension of what he called “Pelosi” spending levels. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “far from perfect,” but said Monday that he was open to the idea. The bill does not include funding for aid to Israel or Ukraine, nor does it include new funding for border security. As a somber reminder of the times, the credit agency Moody’s Investor Services downgraded its outlook on the U.S. government's debt on Friday from “stable” to "negative,” citing in part the political polarization among lawmakers.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced Thursday that he would not seek re-election in 2024. The decision by the centrist is a blow to the Democrats’ chances to retain their slim 51-49 majority in the upper chamber. Next year, Democrats will be defending 23 seats, while the GOP will only need to defend 11 seats. Manchin, who was first elected to the seat in 2010, would have likely faced West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) in the general election. Manchin, who has often been a thorn in the side of President Biden and other Democrats, might not be retiring completely from politics, however. In a statement, he said that he will be “traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.” This raised the possibility that Manchin, 76, would explore a third-party presidential run.
Washington Watch is published weekly when Congress is in session. Published monthly during extended recess or adjournment.
Spotlight on Puerto Rico
ew York Governor announces new economic, education agreements with Puerto Rico
Last Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Puerto Rican government announced the creation of the New York State and Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council. The council will include officials appointed by the governors of Puerto Rico and New York to explore, propose, and help implement policies that will strengthen the economies of both jurisdictions. The announcement included three new economic development partnerships. The first is the New York-Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange, which will support biotech, pharmaceuticals, biomedical and life systems technology. The New York-Puerto Rico Broadband Partnership will bring together New York’s ConnectALL broadband initiative with Puerto Rico’s Smart Island Initiative to deploy high-speed internet across the Island over the next five years using both state and federal funds. Finally, the two governments will launch a Strengthening Healthcare program through collaboration between their respective Departments of Health.
Puerto Rico Department of Health declares flu epidemic
The Puerto Rican Department of Health declared an influenza epidemic on the Island last week. More than 900 hospitalizations and nearly 26,000 cases have been recorded since the flu season began, with 42 deaths confirmed as of November 4, compared to 15 for all of last year's flu season. According to the department, there have been six times as many recorded cases of flu this season compared to last year. The majority of the cases have affected children and young people, with more than 13,600 cases afflicting people under 19 years of age.
Puerto Rico Status Act reintroduced
Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Puerto Rico Status Act last week, though supporters of changing Puerto Rico’s status worry that the proposal pushing for a plebiscite may once again die without a vote. The bill passed the House during the previous Congress but died in the Senate without a vote. As was the case with the previous legislation, the bill would allow Puerto Ricans to determine their future via three options that alter the status quo: statehood, independence, or “free association.” Proponents of statehood have generally been the biggest supporters of the bill. However, the vote is contingent on turnout and it is difficult to predict what would happen if Puerto Rican voters were given a choice under this law and if Congress would be legally compelled to go along with it. Previous non-binding plebiscites showed strong support for statehood but suffered from low turnout because of boycotts from those opposed to statehood. As of now, there are no scheduled hearings for the bill and no word on how Speaker Johnson might view such legislation.
View From The White House
The Senate last week confirmed the 150th judge of President Biden’s term, including 113 district judges, 36 appeals court judges, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Following fierce lobbying from leaders from both Maryland and Virginia, the General Services Administration announced that it had selected a site in Greenbelt, MD as the location for a new FBI headquarters.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a draft rule last week that would crack down on marketing practices by private-sector Medicare Advantage plans and enable people with Medicare drug benefits to gain access to “biosimilar” pharmaceuticals-- less expensive versions of biologic drugs
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