EIW Today - February 25th, 2025

Feb 25

Prism Group's Daily Summary

HOUSE TO VOTE ON BUDGET RESOLUTION EVEN WITH QUESTIONABLE SUPPORT... Today, the House will vote on a budget resolution that kicks off the reconciliation process that would cut current spending by at least $1.5 trillion, reduce taxes by $4.5 trillion, raise the debt limit by $4 trillion, and advance other tax, border, energy, and defense priorities. However, House Republicans only have a one seat majority, meaning only one Republican member could tank the resolution, giving the Senate’s two-bill approach more wind. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), among a few others, have signaled they will not support this version.

HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS HEARING TOMORROW... Tomorrow, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on "Fostering American Innovation: Insights into SBIR and STTR Programs." This hearing aims to analyze how the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs enable small businesses to innovate while protecting the United States' national security.

BLUEVINE SURVEY SHOWS US SMALL BUSINESSES CONFIDENCE IS SURGING... Bluevine's 2024 End-of-Year Business Owner Success Survey Report™ reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook among small business owners (SBOs) heading into 2025. Despite lingering concerns over inflation and rising costs, the survey of 1,200 SBOs found that confidence is on the rise. After two years of navigating economic unpredictability—from rapid inflation to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes—small businesses have sharpened their ability to adapt quickly. Unlike larger corporations, these entrepreneurs have mastered operating lean, staying agile, and pushing forward despite economic headwinds, positioning them well for whatever challenges the new year may bring.

BETACOM AND SIEMENS SUPERCHARGE MANUFACTURING... Betacom and Siemens have launched a groundbreaking private 5G network platform aimed at accelerating innovation in manufacturing. This initiative is deployed at MxD, the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing located in Chicago, providing a hands-on technology demonstration center. The platform is designed to enhance operations across various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management. Betacom's service is the first fully managed private 5G network in the U.S., leveraging their extensive experience in wireless infrastructure. This collaboration marks a significant step towards the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, promising to transform industrial workflows and connectivity.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:

Forty-seven states are in regular session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

Texas could become one of the first states in the nation to maintain a reserve of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under new priority legislation before a Texas Senate committee. Senate Bill 21 would permit the Texas Comptroller's Office to acquire, exchange, sell, manage, and retain Bitcoin investments, as well as other cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of at least $500 billion. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick named the bill among his legislative priorities.

Michigan has opened applications for a $10 million matching fund program to help businesses support worker housing, with $8 million allocated for large businesses and $2 million for small ones. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority will approve projects on a first-come, first-serve basis, and Executive Director Amy Hovey expects high demand.

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?

The House... convenes today at 10:00 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...

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

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

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

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

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 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.”

The Senate...

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Wednesday, 2/26 at 10:15 AM entitled “Nominations.”

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 Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/26 at 9:00 AM entitled “Executive Business Meeting.”

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold an executive session Thursday, 2/27 at 9:30 AM entitled “Nomination.”

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

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/27 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nomination of Keith Sonderling to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor.”

BILLS OF INTEREST