This Week in Congress

With four days until supplemental unemployment benefits begin running out on March 14th, the House is expected to pass on Wednesday, March 10th, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Package.  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that $1.1 trillion of spending under the package would go out this year, with a further $459 billion coming in 2022.

Additionally, the House voted 225-206 to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would allow employees to hold union elections off of company premises and use mail or electronic ballots.  The legislation would address the status of independent contractors by proving they are employees under federal labor law.  The legislation faces a steep challenge overcoming a filibuster in the Senate.

The Senate held nomination votes on Marcia Fudge to be Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Merrick Garland to be Attorney General, and Michael Regan to be EPA Administrator.

Finally, the Pentagon approved continued deployment of the National Guard at the U.S. Capitol through at least May 23rd. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request by the U.S. Capitol Police.