The House was not in session this week.
The Senate on Tuesday passed H.R. 72, the GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017, 99-0.
Senate passes Sasse bill to open school lunch, food stamp records
“The bill would ensure the Government Accountability Office can access the National Directory of New Hires database, equipping GAO to audit unemployment insurance claims, quarterly wage data, and information on new hires, Sen. Ben Sasse said. The GAO is a watchdog organization within the government that often reports to Congress, providing needed facts for legislative decisions. Last March, the GAO was unable to comply with Sasse’s request to audit school lunch programs to ensure that assistance was targeted to kids who needed it most.”
Members of both chambers met on the west front of the Capitol for the Inauguration of President Donald Trump. Immediately following, the Senate confirmed the first two of the new President's nominees.
Senate confirms first nominees of Trump era
“In a 98-1 vote, the Senate confirmed retired Gen. James Mattis to be Defense secretary. Immediately after that vote, the Senate confirmed retired Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security by a vote of 88-11.”
Senate confirms Kelly as Trump's Homeland Security secretary
Mattis, Kelly confirmed to Cabinet positions
Also making headlines in the Senate this week were a pair of bills related to miners' health care. Considering this is related to health care and federal spending, its worth noting.
Senators introduce dueling miners bills
“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on Tuesday that he is filing legislation that would include a "permanent extension" for retired coal miners and their dependents. … The benefits are currently scheduled to expire at the end of April after senators included a four-month extension in last year's funding bill. … But a separate bill, backed by a bipartisan group of senators, would address both healthcare for miners and their families as well as a separate pension fund that is heading toward insolvency.”
Weekly Digest of the Congressional Record
January 17-20, 2017
GAVEL DOWN: Closing out the Week in Congress (Jan. 16-20, 2017)
House Committees
No hearings held this week
Senate Committees
(Dates as recorded in the Congressional Record)
January 17, 2017
Zinke — Interior
Zinke expresses some difference from Trump on climate change, Russia
Interior nominee Zinke disputes Trump on climate change
Trump's Interior pick: Climate change is not a hoax
DeVos — Education
DeVos vows to be advocate for 'great' public schools
Trump’s education secretary nominee escapes Senate confirmation hearing mostly unscathed
Betsy DeVos Hearing Highlights the Need for Less Government Control in Education
Sanders tangles with Trump’s Education pick over college costs
Why Betsy DeVos’ Support for School Choice Could Help America’s Schoolchildren
Trump's Education Pick Betsy DeVos Criticized for Donating Millions to Christian Organizations
Senate committee vote on DeVos postponed
January 20, 2017
Mattis — Defense
Senate confirms retired generals as first two Trump cabinet members
Mattis, Kelly confirmed to Cabinet positions
Ross — Commerce
Commerce nominee Ross gets warm Senate reception
Commerce nominee Ross: Tackling NAFTA is first priority, then China
Commerce nominee Ross hints Trump might use trade power
Perry — Energy
Rick Perry says he regrets vow to abolish Energy Department
Perry vows solution to Yucca Mountain impasse
Trump's energy pick Perry softens stance on climate change
Dems blast Trump plans for deep spending cuts
How Rick Perry Can Free Up US Energy From Government Favoritism
Pruitt — EPA
Senate Committee holds hearings on Scott Pruitt EPA nomination
Trump's EPA nominee: We will obey Congress
EPA nominee vows to restore state power
Pruitt at EPA confirmation: Human activity a factor in global warming
EPA pick Pruitt: Climate change not a hoax
Mnuchin — Treasury
Mnuchin Defends Banking Past, Advocates Strong U.S. Dollar
Treasury nominee Mnuchin defends mortgage record at OneWest Bank
Treasury pick Mnuchin fights questions about tax shelters, 'foreclosure machine'
Mnuchin Says Long-Term Strength of U.S. Dollar Is Important
Mnuchin Grapples With the Strong-Dollar Dilemma Left by Rubin
MNUCHIN: The US may need 'a 21st century version' of Glass-Steagall
Mnuchin Calls for Boosting IRS Despite House Plan to Streamline
Haley — UN Ambassador
Nikki Haley breaks with Trump on Russia: 'I don't think we can trust them'
During the hearing, Haley also expressed disappointment that President Barack Obama's administration allowed the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution last month to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Better to review Iran deal than withdraw from it: Trump U.N. pick Haley
Haley: No Muslim registry under Trump administration
Price — Health and Human Services
Price Faces Tough Questions on Stock Trading, Health Care Law
Price backs Trump's goal of universal health coverage
Rep. Tom Price defends his medical investments
Price won't promise not to cut Medicare, Medicaid
Price pledges orderly Obamacare exit
HHS Pick Tom Price Pledges to Meet ‘Needs of All’ After Obamacare Repeal
Senate Finance panel to hold Price hearing next week
Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) announced the Jan. 24 hearing on Tuesday, calling Price "immensely qualified" to lead HHS.
How Tom Price Could Restore the Doctor-Patient Relationship
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