The House and Senate both return to session this week following a two-week recess. This Wednesday, April 10, President Obama will release his budget proposal for federal fiscal year 2014, which begins on October 1. The budget blueprint is expected to renew discussions on a possible long-term deficit reduction deal, often referred to as a “grand bargain.” According to reports, the President’s plan will include $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction over the next ten years by eliminating certain tax breaks that benefit the wealthy and cutting some spending on entitlement programs. The Senate Budget Committee and House Ways and Means Committee are both scheduled to hold hearings later in the week on the President’s budget proposal.

Also this week, senators will also continue working on a comprehensive immigration reform package, and the full Senate may begin to debate gun control legislation. In addition, Senate committees will hold hearings regarding several of the President’s nominations, including Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Marilyn Tavenner as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Gina McCarthy as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and Ernest Moniz as the Secretary of the Department of Energy. Meanwhile, the House is expected to consider several legislative measures this week, including a measure regarding the construction of a hydropower facility in Utah (HR 254), a bill to convey a number of cemeteries in South Dakota to local communities (HR 291), and a bill to authorize the federal Bureau of Reclamation to permit private firms to develop hydropower at small facilities owned by the bureau (HR 678).

Link(s): HR 254; HR 291; HR 678