House leaders said the chamber could vote on a budget resolution the first week of February, potentially setting up a COVID-focused reconciliation bill later in the month, while a group of Senators is looking for ways to make it easier to get floor votes for bipartisan bills.
Weekend work? House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has told members to prepare to work weekends to speed up action on the next COVID relief bill. House committees started working this week and the full chamber is in session next week with potential floor votes.
Reconciliation bill week of February 22? House committees will be working the weeks of February 9 and 16, with the full House scheduled for votes the week of February 22.
Push suggests Dems are moving ahead without the GOP. Republicans have said they are not yet convinced another round of relief is needed, but some agree more funds for vaccine distribution are needed.
Changes to the Senate filibuster? A bipartisan group of senators is considering potential changes that would not gut the 60-vote legislative filibuster, but would make it easier to get votes for bipartisan bills on the floor and more votes for amendments, which have become increasingly rare in the Senate. While they are not close to a deal, some change could come after the impeachment trial, which is set to begin on February 9.
