Below is the federal policy team's weekly Washington preview, published each Monday when Congress is in session.

On Thursday, BakerHostetler hosts its 29th Annual Legislative Seminar. Mike Ferguson and the federal policy team will be joined by Senate and House members, from both sides of the aisle, for an intimate discussion about the big issues facing Washington. Hope to see you there.

HEADLINES

  • Foreign policy figures lead the news again this week. Today, several senior White House officials will visit Israel to mark the opening of a new, relocated U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. President Donald Trump will address the gathering from Washington. Meanwhile, senior officials are continuing to work toward a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement and also a possible major economic deal with China.
  • Both chambers of Congress are in session this week. Veterans and agriculture legislation highlight the House agenda as the Senate continues work on judicial nominees.
  • Primaries are being held Tuesday in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and newly drawn congressional districts in Pennsylvania.

HOUSE

  • The House plans to vote Tuesday through Friday. The legislative agenda includes the farm bill, reauthorizing federal food and agriculture policy; reauthorization of the VA Choice Program; and bills to support law enforcement during annual Police Week events in Washington.
  • The Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday will hold the second of two markups this month, considering dozens of bills addressing opioid abuse.
  • The Appropriations Committee continues its work on FY 2019 spending bills. The House may also take up the administration's proposed $15.4 billion rescissions package, though Republicans may lack the votes to pass it.
  • A full listing of House committee activity can be found here.

SENATE

  • The Senate plans to be in session throughout the week and will continue floor consideration of Trump judicial nominees.
  • The Senate also expects to vote on Sen. Ed Markey's (D-Mass.) Congressional Review Act legislation reinstating Obama-era net neutrality rules. Only a majority of senators is needed for it to advance to the House, where it will likely die.
  • The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will examine oversight reports of the 340B prescription drug discount program, with officials from the Health and Human Services inspector general's office and the Government Accountability Office scheduled to testify.
  • The current listing of Senate committee activity can be found here.

WHITE HOUSE

  • On Monday from D.C., President Trump will address the opening of the relocated U.S. embassy in Jerusalem; administration officials Steven Mnuchin, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Jason Greenblatt and David Friedman plan to attend the opening.
  • Trump on Monday will have lunch with Vice President Mike Pence.
  • Trump on Tuesday will speak at the 37th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the Capitol, part of Police Week events.
  • Later in the week, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Trump at the White House Wednesday; NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Thursday; and Trump on Thursday will have lunch with Defense Secretary James Mattis.

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