5 Stories to Watch Next Week | September 19, 2020

5 Stories to Watch Next Week Chad Wolf Nomination Hearing for Top Homeland Security Job The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a hearing next Wednesday considering the nomination of Chad Wolf for the post of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Wolf has held this post in an acting capacity since November of last year. Recently, Wolf was the subject of a whistle blower complaint filed by Brian Murphy, former head of intelligence and analysis at DHS. The complaint alleged that Wolf ordered lower level officials in the agency to suppress information about Russian election interference to help President Trump. While the veracity of the report has been questioned, it may cause some Senate Republicans on the committee, especially those facing tough reelection challenges, to waver in their support for Wolf. Watch out next week to see if Senate Republicans schedule a confirmation vote for Wolf prior to the election or let him continue serving in an acting capacity, indicating dicey confirmation odds. Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Up for Vote in the House The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives might vote next week on the MORE Act, which would allow for the federal decriminalization of marijuana. The bill would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), who has made marijuana legalization a central plank of her campaign for vice President. While the bill is almost certain to pass the House, watch out to see if some Senate Republicans also indicate their willingness to vote for the bill when it reaches the upper chamber. California State Legislators Sue Gavin Newsom for Misusing Executive Powers Republican California Assemblymen James Gallagher and Kevin Kiley filed a dispositive motion with the California Superior Court in an effort to thwart executive orders issued by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). In their brief, they argue that the governor’s executive orders imposing arbitrary shutdowns on schools and businesses are not allowed under the California Constitution. Furthermore, they contend that, by signing those orders, Newsom assumed the role of a one-man state legislature and that is a violation of state law. Watch out next week to see if their motion is granted following court proceedings and, if so, how the California Superior Court restructures Newsom’s emergency powers in the seventh month of the pandemic shutdowns. House to Vote on Stopgap Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown Facing a looming partial government shutdown beginning Oct. 1, House Democrats may bring a stopgap spending bill to the floor for a vote next week. This action will leave a few days for leaders in the Senate and the White House to negotiate the details of the spending bill before a final vote in the Senate. The length of the continuing resolution remains a matter of contention as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he wanted the measure to last until the end of the year while Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) wants the measure to last until March of next year. Watch out next week for any contentious spending riders that House Democrats might try to sneak into the bill, possibly pertaining to bailouts for Democratic states, that might necessitate a temporary government shutdown in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Massive Energy Bill Focused on Combating Climate Change To Be Voted on House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said Tuesday that the House of Representatives will vote next week on a more-than-900-page energy bill that is slated to be part of the Democrats’ broader strategy to combat climate change. The bill provides for stricter building codes and energy efficiency standards. In addition, it initiates new research and development programs for solar, wind, geothermal, and other forms of renewable energy. The legislation also reauthorizes various clean diesel programs while starting an electric vehicle supply equipment rebate program. While the bill is almost certain to fail in the Senate, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) have proposed a similar energy bill in the upper chamber. Watch out next week to see if the probable passage of the bill in the House kindles any interest to pass a similar bill in the Senate among Senate Republicans. Newt's Latest Podcasts: Order Newt's Latest Book: https://www.gingrich360.com/trump-and-the-american-future