Suspending The Rules

The Senate passed a series of joint resolutions blocking 22 separate arms deals, worth more than $8 billion, with Saudi Arabia and other countries. The House could consider those measures as early as this week, sending them to the White House, which is near certain to veto them. On this episode of Bloomberg Government’s “Suspending the Rules,” defense reporter Roxana Tiron and legislative analyst Naoreen Chowdhury explain why lawmakers want to block these weapons sales and how the rising tensions with Iran figure into the debate.  Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher| Via Spotify Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass Engineer: RJ Jewell

The Senate this week will consider its fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass piece of legislation that has been enacted for the last 58 consecutive years. The House advanced its version through committee last week over objections from Republicans, who want a larger topline budget figure and oppose provisions related to border funding and the naval prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On this episode of Bloomberg Government’s “Suspending the Rules” podcast, defense reporters Roxana Tiron and Travis Tritten dive into the bill and preview the sticking points among the Trump administration, the Republican-led Senate, and the Democratic majority in the House. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher| Via Spotify Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle ParnassEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

The House will consider a five-bill minibus spending package totaling nearly $1 trillion this week, while Senate Republicans and the White House plan to huddle on budget caps and the debt limit. Bloomberg Government budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and senior congressional reporter Nancy Ognanovich break down the budget debate state of play on this episode of BGOV’s “Suspending the Rules.” Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via Spotify Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Sarah BabbageEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

A bill to provide a pathway to citizenship for more than 2 million people who came to the country illegally as children tops the agenda this week, as the House is scheduled to vote on the “American Dream and Promise Act.” It’s the latest development in the ongoing immigration debate, a week after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on goods imported from Mexico that will escalate until the country stems the flow of migrants from Central America to the U.S. On this episode of “Suspending the Rules,” Bloomberg Government homeland security reporter Michaela Ross and legislative analyst Adam M. Taylor dive into the immigration debate and break down the proposals in Congress and from the administration. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device:Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via Spotify Hosts: Adam Schank, Danielle ParnassEngineer: Nico Anzalotta 

A last-minute objection to the disaster aid deal reached between Democrats and President Donald Trump means it'll be back on the House's to-do list after the Memorial Day recess. Lawmakers will also resume the fight over humanitarian aid and wall funding for the southern border when they return.   On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick previews Congress's remaining work on emergency and fiscal 2020 spending. Deputy news director Loren Duggan chimes in on how escalating tension between Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could affect action on drug pricing, enactment of the new NAFTA, and other areas of potential bipartisan agreement.  Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via Spotify Hosts: Adam Schank, Sarah BabbageEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

The House plans to vote this week on the “Consumers First Act,” which would undo several recent changes made by the Trump administration to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). On this episode of Bloomberg Government’s “Suspending the Rules,” legislative analyst Michael Smallberg breaks down the legislation, which includes rolling back moves to reorganize the agency and limit its enforcement efforts. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher| Via Spotify Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle ParnassEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

House Democrats have started moving fiscal 2020 appropriations bills at the committee level despite the lack of agreement on topline spending levels with Senate Republicans.On this episode of “Suspending the Rules” from Bloomberg Government, budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick sets the stage for the spending fight, which will be President Donald Trump’s first full-year appropriations process facing a Democratic House majority.Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com.Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via SpotifyHosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle ParnassEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

The Trump administration’s plan to give states wider latitude to pursue changes to the Affordable Care Act will be under the microscope this week, as the House is scheduled to vote on a bill to block recent guidance on the law's "state innovation waivers." On this episode of “Suspending the Rules” from Bloomberg Government, legislative analyst Danielle Parnass and senior health care reporter Alex Ruoff break down the waiver issue amid the ongoing battle over the ACA, as well as parallel efforts to lower drug prices. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via Spotify Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Adam Schank Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

President Donald Trump would be barred from pulling the U.S. out of the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement under a bill the House will consider this week. On this episode of Bloomberg Government’s “Suspending the Rules,” legislative analyst Adam M. Taylor and Bloomberg Environment reporter Tiffany Stecker break down the bill and Democrats’ climate agenda ahead of the 2020 elections. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Listen and subscribe to Suspending the Rules from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher| Via Spotify Hosts: Danielle Parnass, Adam SchankEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

States’ continuing push to legalize marijuana use – and the businesses that serve users – has sparked the interest of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. On this episode of “Suspending the Rules” from Bloomberg Government, legislative analysts Sarah Babbage, Michael Smallberg, Adam M. Taylor, and Adam Schank cut through the haze to break down cannabis-related measures Congress could take up.Proposals include full-scale legalization, as well as smaller bills that would allow states to regulate it, give pot businesses access to the financial system, and relax regulations on medical research and veterans’ use, among other things.Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com.Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Adam SchankEngineer: RJ Jewell

A report coming this week on the economic effects of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, could set congressional consideration of the USMCA in motion this spring. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, legislative analyst Sarah Babbage highlights Democrats' critiques of the deal and its path forward in the three trading partners' legislatures. Once the Trump administration submits the deal to Congress, it will be considered under expedited fast-track procedures with no opportunity for amendments. Before House Democrats consider it, they're calling for changes to the deal's labor and environment enforcement, pharmaceutical protections, and more.  Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Loren Duggan.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

The House this week is scheduled to vote on a bill to raise the statutory spending caps for two years. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and legislative analyst Michael Smallberg break down the state of play in the fiscal 2020 budget debate. With Tax Day just around the corner, House leaders have also teed up a vote on a tax administration bill, while Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) has formally requested President Donald Trump's tax returns from the Treasury Department. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analyst Sarah Babbage and Bloomberg News reporter Laura Davison discuss the tax agenda in the House. Contact the BGOV podcast team at BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

The House this week will consider a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which lapsed on Feb. 15. The measure would also make changes to gun laws, prisoner placement, and housing assistance programs. On this episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," Naoreen Chowdhury and Adam Schank from the legislative analyst team discuss the state of play. Last week, the Justice Department asked a federal appeals court to invalidate all of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analyst Danielle Parnass and senior health-care reporter Alex Ruoff break down the potential implications and next steps in Congress. Please send any feedback, questions, or comments to BGOVpodcast@bgov.com. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass, Adam SchankEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

The House this week will vote on a nonbinding resolution opposing the Trump administration's move to ban transgender troops from serving in the military. The Pentagon said it plans to implement the policy in April, after several temporary injunctions were lifted. On this week's episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," Pentagon reporter Travis Tritten examines the ban and what comes next. The House has also scheduled votes on several bills targeting the regime of disputed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Russian influence in Europe. Another addresses Medicaid drug rebates and other program changes. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analysts Naoreen Chowdhury and Michael Smallberg break down those measures. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday, rejecting a resolution that would overturn his national emergency declaration at the southern border. Another resolution he opposes, this one to end U.S. involvement in Yemen's civil war, could land on his desk soon. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, legislative analysts Michael Smallberg and Naoreen Chowdhury discuss the resolutions and what's next. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House could consider a bill to reinstate Obama-era net neutrality rules when lawmakers return from their March recess. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analyst Adam M. Taylor and Bloomberg Law technology reporter Jon Reid break down the net neutrality debate. Hosts: Danielle Parnass, Adam M. Taylor, Michael SmallbergEngineer: Nico Anzalotta 

The White House officially kicked off the fiscal 2020 spending fight today with a budget that proposes aggressive cuts to domestic spending and increases for the Defense Department. On this episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and legislative analyst team lead Adam Schank look at the big picture of the budget and what comes next. The House is scheduled to take up several measures this week focused on transparency. They include calling for the Mueller report to be made public, investigating the assets of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and addressing financial crimes. In the second segment, legislative analysts Naoreen Chowdhury, Michael Smallberg, and Adam M. Taylor look at what's on the docket. Hosts: Danielle Parnass, Adam M. Taylor.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

House Democrats are poised to bring their signature elections and ethics package (H.R. 1) to the floor this week. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, legislative analysts Michael Smallberg, Naoreen Chowdhury, and Adam M. Taylor break down some of the bill's key campaign finance and voting rights provisions. Last week, House Republicans used an obscure parliamentary tool to insert language opposed by most House Democrats into a gun-buyer background check bill. The "motion to recommit" is the subject of the second segment, which features BGOV deputy news director Loren Duggan. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

Democrats in the House have introduced a joint resolution to undo President Donald Trump's emergency declaration, which he's using to divert funding for his border wall. On this episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," legislative analyst Michael Smallberg and team lead Adam Schank break down the issues involved and process moving forward. Among the dozens of committee and subcommittee hearings scheduled for this week are several examining data security, privacy laws, and corporate practices. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analyst Adam M. Taylor joins Smallberg to discuss the legislative push to enact the first comprehensive federal data security law. Hosts: Danielle Parnass, Adam M. Taylor, Adam SchankEngineer: Nico Anzalotta

President Donald Trump signed an agreement on Friday to keep the government open while issuing an emergency declaration to reprogram funding for a border wall. On this episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," homeland security reporter Michaela Ross and legislative analyst Michael Smallberg break down the spending deal and Trump's emergency maneuver. House Democrats plan to take up two bills after the Presidents Day recess to close what they describe as loopholes in the nation's gun buyer background check system. In the second segment, legislative analyst Adam M. Taylor dives into both bills and the changes they'd make. Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P., which operates Bloomberg Government, serves as a member of Everytown for Gun Safety’s advisory board and is a donor to the group. Everytown for Gun Safety advocates for universal background checks and other gun control measures. Hosts: Danielle Parnass, Adam M. Taylor, Michael Smallberg.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

As of Monday morning, talks to keep the government open stalled over disagreement on the number of immigration detention beds. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules" from Bloomberg Government, budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and legislative analyst team lead Adam Schank discuss the dynamics and possible paths forward to avoid a shutdown on Friday. House Democrats are starting to unveil health-care bills and hold committee hearings. In the second segment, BGOV health care reporter Alex Ruoff and legislative analyst Danielle Parnass discuss the latest health-care agenda in Congress, including on the Affordable Care Act and "Medicare-for-All" legislation. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass, Adam Schank.Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.