Congressional Activity Brief - April 2, 2025
High Profile Actions
The Senate delivered a significant rebuke to the Trump administration's trade policy yesterday, passing S.J. Res. 37 by a 51-48 vote to terminate the national emergency declared to impose duties on imported articles from Canada. This action demonstrates growing bipartisan concern over tariff impacts on cross-border trade with America's largest trading partner.
The chamber also began consideration of H.J. Res. 24, which would disapprove Department of Energy regulations on energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. A final vote is scheduled for today as part of several planned votes, including confirmation of Dean Sauer as Solicitor General and Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General.
Meanwhile, the House welcomed two new Republican members from Florida, with Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine taking their oaths of office following special elections, bringing the chamber's membership to 433.
Government Efficiency Highlights and Lowlights
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved nine bills aimed at improving maritime and transportation security, including the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act, measures to update Coast Guard drug overdose treatment policies, and reforms to Amtrak transparency and accountability.
The Senate Commerce Committee examined Boeing's safety and manufacturing challenges, emphasizing the need to restore America's aviation leadership while maintaining rigorous safety standards. Similarly, the Environment and Public Works Committee began work on Surface Transportation Reauthorization with testimony from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing titled "Inside the Biden FBI: Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and a Bureau Leadership in Decline," focusing on resource allocation and oversight concerns at the law enforcement agency.
America-First Legislature
The Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight conducted a hearing titled "Unleashing the Golden Age of American Energy Dominance," examining policies to expand domestic energy production and reduce foreign energy dependence.
The Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs investigated "Salt Typhoon: Securing America's Telecommunications from State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks," focusing on national security threats to critical communications infrastructure.
The Financial Services Committee advanced several significant bills targeting digital currency and financial technology regulation, including the STABLE Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the Financial Technology Protection Act, reflecting concerns about potential government overreach in digital finance.
Pork Alert
The Senate proceeded with consideration of the Department of Energy's energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, with a vote scheduled for today. This follows the pattern of using congressional review authority to roll back regulations viewed as burdensome to business.
A Congressional Résumé of Activity for the first session of the 119th Congress reveals a total of 4,302 measures introduced (1,401 in the Senate and 2,901 in the House) but only 2 public bills enacted into law, highlighting the ongoing inefficiency of the legislative process despite significant staff and resource expenditures.
The House Small Business Committee held a hearing titled "Fueling America's Future: How Investment Empowers Small Business Growth," focusing on capital access issues but potentially leading to proposals for new federal spending rather than streamlining existing programs.
