EIW Today - February 24th, 2025

Feb 24

Prism Group's Daily Summary

HOUSE TO VOTE ON BUDGET RESOLUTION... After President Trump signaled his support for the House’s “one, big beautiful” reconciliation bill, which advances his tax, border, energy, defense, and debt limit increases, the House is set to vote on a budget resolution on Tuesday to officially kick off the budget reconciliation process. The reconciliation bill aims to cut at least $1.5 trillion in current spending, reduce tax revenues by $4.5 trillion, and increase the debt limit by $4 trillion. Republicans can only lose one vote for the resolution to pass.

APPLE'S $500B BET ON U.S. INNOVATION... Apple has announced a historic investment of over $500 billion in U.S. manufacturing and innovation over the next four years. CEO Tim Cook expressed optimism about the future of American innovation, stating that this commitment builds on the company's long-standing investments in the country. The initiative aims to enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities and create jobs, reflecting Apple's dedication to supporting the U.S. economy and technological advancement.

47-YEAR-OLD GREW UP THINKING SHE’D WORK ON A CATTLE FARM—NOW HER COMPANY RAISES MILLIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES... Elizabeth Gore's passion for small businesses has driven her entire career. Growing up in Texas with plans to work on her family's cattle farm, she shifted gears after a college internship on Capitol Hill. Her nine years at the United Nations Foundation, where she launched initiatives like Girl Up, fueled her obsession with supporting entrepreneurs. After serving as Dell’s entrepreneur in residence, she co-founded Hello Alice in 2017—a tech platform dedicated to helping small business owners access capital, business planning tools, and mentorship. Since then, Hello Alice has empowered 1.5 million entrepreneurs and distributed $52 million in grants, reinforcing Gore’s mission to uplift small businesses everywhere.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:

Forty-seven states are in regular session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

Lawmakers in at least 15 states have introduced dozens of bills to regulate or limit cryptocurrency kiosks, commonly found in gas stations or convenience stores. The bills would set a limit on daily transactions, usually $1,000 a day, and cap fees at $5 or between 3% and 15% per transaction. The bills, backed by AARP, are meant to reduce crypto scams that frequently target the elderly.

The Hawaii Technology Development Corp. and Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, co-administrators of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, have announced receipt of an additional $20.5 million in federal funding to bolster the Hawaii Small Business Capital Program, also known as HI-CAP. The infusion of money from the US Treasury brings total federal support to $40.3 million, underscoring corporation’s and authority’s commitment to strengthening Hawaii’s economy by empowering local small businesses and nonprofits.

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?

The House... convenes today at 12:00 PM. The full schedule may be found here.

The Senate... convenes today at 3:00 PM. The full schedule may be found here.

HAPPENING ON THE HILL

The House...

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Tuesday 2/25 at 9:30 AM entitled “AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC WITNESS DAY 1, MORNING SESSION.”

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 2/25 at 10:00 AM entitled “Examining Policies to Counter China.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Tuesday 2/25 at 10:00 AM entitled “OVERSIGHT HEARING - STATE OF THE CIVIL WORKS PROGRAM.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Tuesday 2/25 at 1:30 PM entitled “AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC WITNESS DAY 1, AFTERNOON SESSION.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Tuesday 2/25 at 3:00 PM entitled “DEFENSE - MEMBER DAY.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 9:30 AM entitled “AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC WITNESS DAY 2, MORNING SESSION.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 10:00 AM entitled “An Examination of How Reining in PBMs Will Drive Competition and Lower Costs for Patients."

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing, Wednesday, 2/26 at 10:00 AM entitled “Fostering American Innovation: Insights into SBIR and STTR Programs.” Committee on Financial Services Capital Markets Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Wednesday, 2/26 at 10:00 AM entitled “The Future of American Capital: Strengthening Public and Private Markets by Increasing Investor Access and Facilitating Capital Formation.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 10:30 AM entitled “Examining the Biden Administration’s Energy and Environment Spending Push.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 10:30 AM entitled “FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 1:30 PM entitled “AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC WITNESS DAY 2, AFTERNOON SESSION.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Wednesday 2/26 at 2:00 PM entitled “OVERSIGHT HEARING – FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Thursday 2/27 at 9:00 AM entitled “AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC WITNESS DAY 3.”

Committee on Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Tuesday 2/25 at 10:00 AM entitled “American Trade Enforcement Priorities.”

The Senate...

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing TODAY, 2/20 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nomination.”

Committee on Judiciary will hold an executive business meeting TODAY, 2/20 at 10:15 AM entitled “Executive Business Meeting.”

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing Wednesday, 2/26 at 2:30 PM entitled “Hearing from Lenders: Managing Risk for the Long-Term in the 7(a) Loan Program.”

Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, 2/26 at 2:30 PM entitled “Exploring Bipartisan Legislative Frameworks for Digital Assets.”

Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/27 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nomination Hearing.”

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