Archive for March 2025

Federal Government Funding Expires This Friday President Trump announced his preference for a “clean” continuing resolution (“CR”) through the end of FY 2025. Speaker Johnson (R-LA) released the text on Saturday. The measure would fund the government through September 30 (the end of its fiscal year), increase defense and border security spending by $6 billion,…

Budget Reconciliation Update Senate leaders announced they will start working on budget resolution differences with the House in late March. House Ways and Means Committee Republicans plan two long drafting sessions this week for reconciliation language details.  President Trump, in his Congress address last week, emphasized tax priorities: permanent income tax cuts, no tax on…

Congress Considering Recission Some members of Congress are concerned about the political implications and Separation of Powers issues related to the administration’s decision to withhold certain appropriated funds. Senate Budget Chairman Graham (R-SC) has suggested addressing these concerns by having Congress vote to legally authorize the spending cuts through a process called recission. The Impoundment…

New House Party Ratio Sadly, Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died last week. Party ratios in the House are now 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats. The Texas governor will call a special election to fill the seat, which is expected to remain Democratic Return to the ASAtoday page to read more articles

Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican Imports Rolled Back Until April 2nd Certain tariffs on Canada and Mexico are being suspended until April 2nd. This suspension applies to articles entering under USMCA (US/Mexico/Canada Trade Agreement), with a separate rate reduction on non-USMCA-eligible Canadian potash from 25% to 10%, effective at 12:01am on March 7th. It is…

Tariffs on Russia President Trump announced potential tariffs on Russian imports contingent upon Moscow reaching a ceasefire and peace agreement in its conflict with Ukraine. The President stated, “Considering the ongoing intense military actions by Russia against Ukraine, I am contemplating significant banking sanctions, additional sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and a…

CDC Issues a Measles Alert The CDC has announced a health advisory regarding the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. The agency recommends that all U.S. residents ensure their MMR vaccinations are current. Additionally, travelers to regions experiencing outbreaks, both domestically and internationally, should review local health notices and observe themselves for symptoms after…

This Week in Congress This week in Congress, the House voted on three resolutions brought under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove of regulations issued in the last months of the Biden administration.  Specifically, the resolutions would overturn an EPA regulation relating to rubber tire air pollutant requirements (H.J.Res. 61), a Department of Energy regulation…

FY24 Government Funding Expires March 14, 2025 Federal government funding will expire in 11 days. Congressional leadership will primarily focus on preventing a shutdown over the next two weeks. The House of Representatives will initially attempt to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to extend funding by the end of the current fiscal year (September 30). Historically,…

Update: Budget Reconciliation! Last week, House Republicans passed their budget resolution by 217-215, with Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY) joining all Democrats in opposition.  The House and Senate must align budget resolutions to use the reconciliation process. Leaders like John Thune (R-SD) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) demand permanent extension of all TCJA expiring tax provisions, which…