The House is scheduled to wrap-up work today and the Senate is scheduled to depart later on Friday for a two-week recess. Upon returning on April 24th, their first order of business will be to address the looming deadline to extend the debt ceiling, which will prove even more challenging if the Senate does not confirm Supreme Court nominee Judge Gorsuch this week. Congress must deal with the expiring continuing resolution to fund the government by the April 28th deadline or it could force a government shut-down.
In addition, there continues to be speculation that the House will renew their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Members of the Freedom Caucus have been meeting with Vice President Pence, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and budget director Mick Mulvaney this week in hopes of advancing the bill. The significant challenge remains with how to garner enough votes to pass a bill while balancing the vote count between the interests of conservative groups on one side and moderates on the other.
