Congress is back and Republicans just want to talk up the pocketbook benefits of last year’s “big, beautiful bill” ahead of Tax Day this week.
But complicating that election-year message are a host of pressing scandals, the threat of further oil price spikes from the Iran war, the record-setting DHS shutdown and other GOP policy squabbles.
Here’s what to watch as Congress returns:
— TAX TALK: House Republicans are planning a Wednesday all-member news conference to promote tax cuts from last year’s megabill. President Donald Trump is set to take the message to Nevada and Arizona this week.
— EXPULSION FEVER: House leaders are facing a bipartisan outcry to expel members accused of personal misconduct.
The group includes Rep. Eric Swalwell, who abandoned his California gubernatorial run Sunday night and is under pressure to resign from office after sexual assault and misconduct allegations, and Rep. Tony Gonzales, who admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Members are also targeting Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for alleged campaign finance violations and Cory Mills for a range of allegations.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna told us Sunday she wants to pair up a resolution to expel Swalwell and Gonzales. But one of the reasons GOP leaders have been hesitant to push Gonzales to resign is his seat is more competitive now.
— IRAN WAR: Republicans are increasingly worried about explaining away rising gas prices and spiking inflation. There’s little hope global energy flows will return to normal soon as Trump plans a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Both chambers this week will likely debate and vote on Democratic-led war powers resolutions. The White House is taking steps to ensure GOP loyalty, as some Republicans who’ve been supportive of the war begin to raise doubts.
— POLICY BATTLES: The Senate is set to restart debate on the SAVE America Act, the sweeping elections bill most Republican members don’t think can pass. And the party still faces an internal fight over how to end the DHS shutdown that’s entering its third month.
The House GOP doesn’t intend to move forward on the Senate-approved DHS funding bill this week and will instead wait until the Senate makes progress on its budget reconciliation bill, according to four people granted anonymity to describe private plans. But making progress on that reconciliation bill is rife with its own complications.
Speaker Mike Johnson also needs to find a way to renew the Section 702 spy powers law before it expires April 20. He’s planning to put a straight extension on the floor this week, but has yet to secure hard-liners who want to vote on amendments aimed at establishing protections from government surveillance.
What else we’re watching:
—Jacobs wants leadership post: Rep. Sara Jacobs plans to run for vice chair of the Democratic caucus next term, a source granted anonymity to discuss her thinking tells Riley Rogerson. Jacobs, 37, has already talked with most House Democrats about her plan.
—A big week of approps hearings: Trump administration officials are set to face questions about the Iran war and the DHS shutdown at a series of House Appropriations subcommittee hearings this week. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is likely to be pressed Wednesday by members of the Interior-Environment panel about the Strait of Hormuz and energy costs. The Homeland Security subcommittee hears Thursday morning from Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow.
Meredith Lee Hill and Riley Rogerson contributed to this report.
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