EIW Today - February 29th, 2024

Prism Group's Daily Summary

LAST-MINUTE DEAL WOULD AVERT WEEKEND SHUTDOWN... Party leaders are in agreement on a two-part plan to keep the government funded beyond a Saturday deadline. The deal includes a stopgap funding measure that runs through much of next month, alongside final agreement on six key appropriations bills. There is still much work to be done in overcoming myriad hurdles, but yesterday’s news suggests the chances of a government shutdown have declined significantly.  

SHORT-TERM PELL BILL LIKELY TO FALTER IN HOUSE... Yesterday, the nation’s largest teachers unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, both came out against H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. The bill would allow 8-15 short-term training programs to access Pell grant funding usually reserved for institutions of higher education. The measure was slated to be considered under suspension of the rules today, requiring a 2/3 majority to pass. Even though the bill passed out of the Education & The Workforce Committee on a 37-8 vote and was expected to receive the 2/3 votes to pass, the latest opposition seriously undermines Democratic support. It is unlikely the bill will pass in its current form. 

THE STATE OF THE STATES 

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Forty-three state legislatures are in regular session. Louisiana is in special session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York has partnered with the Biden Administration in a $500 million initiative to boost equity for minority- and women-owned small businesses in the Empire State, enhancing access to growth capital and a post-pandemic recovery. 

The Iowa Business Council's annual report highlighted a critical workforce shortage, urging the need for population growth and diversity to sustain business expansion and competitiveness in the state. 

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... convenes today at 10:00 AM ET. The full schedule may be found here. 

The Senate... convenes today at 10:00 AM ET. The full schedule may be found here. 

HAPPENING ON THE HILL 

The House...  

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next Thursday, 3/07 at 10:00 AM on “The Rare Earth Mineral Marketplace: Examining the Small Business Role in this Critical Supply Chain.” 

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next Wednesday, 3/06 at 10:00 AM on “Reducing Mismanagement: GAO Recommendations for Improving the SBA.” 

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Tuesday, 3/12 at 10:00 AM on “Navigating Regulations: Alternative Pathways to Investing in Small Businesses.” 

Committee on Agriculture will hold a hearing next Wednesday, 3/06 at 10:00 AM “for the Purpose of Receiving Testimony from The Honorable Rostin Behnam, Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading Commission.” 

Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing next Wednesday, 3/06 at 10:15 AM on “Proven Results: Highlighting the Benefits of Charter Schools for Students and Families.” 

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing next Wednesday, 3/06 at 10:00 AM on “The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report.” 

The Senate...  

Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/29 at 10:00 AM on “All Means All: Empowering People with Disabilities to Thrive in Careers and the Workplace.” 

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Friday, 3/01 at 5:00 PM on “Modern-Day Voting Discrimination in Alabama.” 

BILLS OF INTEREST 

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for lifelong learning accounts. 

• Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a bill to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules with respect to the electronic delivery of certain required disclosures. 

• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish the Made in the USA tax credit. 

AT THE AGENCIES 

The US Department of Labor 

The US Department of Labor issued a press release on joining Restaurant Opportunities Centers United for listening session on impacts of indoor heat in the restaurant industry. 

The US Department of the Treasury 

The US Department of the Treasury published a readout on Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen’s meeting with Minister of Finance Bruno Le Maire of France. 

The US Department of Commerce 

The US Department of Commerce issued a press release entitled “CHIPS for America Announces Funding Opportunity to Expand U.S. Semiconductor Packaging.” 

The US Trade Representative  

The Office of the US Trade Representative published remarks by Ambassador Katherine Tai at the International Trade Union Confederation panel on transforming the WTO to deliver social justice. 

The US Small Business Administration 

The US Small Business Administration published a readout of SBA Administrator Guzman’s meeting with young black entrepreneurs at the White House. 

Curious for more information? 

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