Both chambers are back this week before a scheduled recess next week for the 4th of July.  It is a busy week ahead, but we are still basking in the glow of the OKC Thunder’s clinching of the NBA title yesterday.  The extra sunlight from the solstice doesn’t hurt, either. 

May was an eventful month, with the reconciliation bill sticking to timelines (against many predictions) and passing the House of Representatives. This month will be devoted to the Senate, as Majority Leader John Thune pushes to get the bill on the President’s desk by July 4th. 

We write this knowing that the moment we hit send, it will become obsolete, because such is the pace of change these days.  The main event we are watching continues to be reconciliation. 

Members are coming back to Washington, DC, today after a two-week recess for Easter. This four-week stretch will take us to Memorial Day and will be largely focused on getting the reconciliation package across the floor.

The Senate held a marathon vote session on Friday night, ending with the early Saturday passage of a budget resolution that advances President Trump’s widespread agenda.  The measure, as passed, departs from the House version in a few key areas and has sparked criticism from deficit hardliners.