Trade news continues to dominate the headlines from both a geopolitical and economic perspective. Congress remains sidelined by the Administration, but played host to USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week and also heard from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Section 232 tariffs this morning. One overlapping aspect of trade and policy that Congress will have […]

Following weeks of discussion with GOP and Democratic Senators, Senate leaders have hotlined a Unanimous Consent agreement that if agreed to would package together five of the nine remaining FY26 spending bills. The spending measures slated for inclusion in the package are: – Department of Defense – Commerce-Justice-Science – Interior-Environment – Labor-Health and Human Services – Transportation-Housing and Urban Development […]

This is the last week of session before Congress recesses for the holidays and until January 5. Before leaving town, the Senate will pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), confirm nearly 100 Trump nominees, and vote on a War Powers Resolution relating to Venezuela. Senate leaders will also attempt to make progress on an […]

US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Under the terms of the renegotiated NAFTA, the updated trilateral agreement provides for a mandated review by July 1, 2026. That process was formally kicked off by the U.S. in September, with USTR seeking public comment. The third and final day of public hearings was held on Friday, December 5. Since then, […]

The final version of the NDAA (S.1071) was released this evening at 5:30 pm. The Rules Committee will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 pm to consider a closed rule governing consideration of the bill with final passage in the House expected on Wednesday. The Senate is not expected to consider the bill until the week […]

As is customary, December will be a busy month, particularly with the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) nearing completion and representing one of the final legislative trains leaving the station for outstanding congressional and White House priorities. In addition, House and Senate leaders will be managing a full calendar of committee and floor business, […]

Last night, the Senate took a major step forward by invoking cloture (60-40) on the motion to proceed to the House-passed CR, with the understanding that once on the bill Leader Thune will offer a now-public complete substitute amendment that: Extends the CR to January 30, 2026; Incorporates the bipartisan agreement for full year FY26 […]

The Senate has remained in session over the weekend as the government shutdown reaches its 40th day, making this the longest closure in history. The Sente will gavel in again today, beginning at 1:30 p.m., as Republicans continue to search for a path forward with a dozen of their Democratic colleagues. Topline. There have been signs […]

Late Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Korea), President Trump and President Xi greeted each other on the sidelines of the APEC Summit for their long anticipated in-person trade meeting. The working meeting lasted 90 minutes and concluded with both leaders signing off on a one-year trade agreement. The details of the agreement were negotiated in […]

With President Trump and President Xi set to meet this Thursday, October 30, at APEC in South Korea we are nearing the next major inflection point of global trade negotiations following “Liberation Day,” and the follow-on August 1 reciprocal trade deadline. Notably, this will be Trump’s and Xi’s first in-person meeting since the 2019 G20 […]