Prism Group's Daily Summary
DISASTER RELIEF COULD HITCH A RIDE ON CR... According to reporting by The Hill, lawmakers are working to include disaster relief as part of the year-end Continuing Resolution, which must be passed next week in order to a government shutdown. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) has been generally open to an aid package on par with the White House’s $98 billion request, but wants an opportunity for Republicans to mark-up the bill.
HOW CONGRESS, DOD CAN HELP SMALL BUSINESSES MEET NEW CYBER RULES... Congress and small business advocates are working on a series of fixes for a new Department of Defense cybersecurity certification program they fear will otherwise be a major disincentive for smaller, nontraditional defense suppliers to bid on Air Force and other defense contracts. On Capitol Hill, there is a draft bill that would create a tax credit to cover part of the cost of compliance for the smallest companies. And some advocates are also suggesting Small Business Administration loans might be available to help businesses cover the upfront costs.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER’S FINAL ATTEMPT TO CONFIRM LAUREN MCFERRAN FELL SHORT ON WEDNESDAY... Yesterday, on the Senate floor, outgoing Senators Krysten Sinema and Joe Manchin voted with Republicans against Lauren McFerran. The final vote tally was 49 – 50, with Senate Democrats moving quickly to continue to approve Judicial nominees in the final days of the 118th Congress. As a result, President-elect Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress will have the opportunity to appoint two new Republican members—McFerran’s replacement and another to fill a currently vacant seat—shifting the influential labor board to a 3-2 Republican majority. President-elect Trump is also expected to act swiftly in selecting a new general counsel for the board, a role with significant authority over labor enforcement actions and union elections.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Seven states are in regular session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
Facing a projected $10-12 billion budget deficit, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has ordered a freeze on most non-essential hiring, contracts, purchasing, and travel for state agencies. He has also tasked leaders to propose cost-saving measures to maintain essential services ahead of his 2025-27 budget proposal.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has nominated Rebecca Battle-Bryant to lead South Carolina’s new Office of Statewide Workforce Development. The role’s duties include ensuring job training aligns with market demands and workforce development efforts, as the high-demand industries continue to grow in the state.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... convenes today at 9:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here.
The Senate... convenes today at 10:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Check back next week for possible updates.
The Senate...
Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing, TODAY, 12/12 at 11:00 AM entitled “Executive Business Meeting”.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Check back next week for possible updates.
AT THE AGENCIES
The U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Check back next week for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently appointed 42 industry, business, and civil society leaders to the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) to advise on ways that U.S. government programs and activities can strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. environmental technologies industry.
The U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced tariff increases under Section 301 for imports from the People’s Republic of China of certain tungsten products, wafers, and polysilicon.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, traveled to Atlanta to host the inaugural SBA AI Small Business Summit and officially launch SBA’s AI for Small Businesses Resource Hub.
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