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Last time we brought you the Assembly Agenda the U.S. government was 14 days into a partial government shutdown and on the verge of breaking the U.S. debt ceiling, potentially causing the U.S. to default on its credit. As anticipated, at the eleventh hour (literally minutes before midnight) Congress ultimately did not risk the full faith and credit of the United States and finally passed a Continuing Resolution, or CR, funding the government through January 15, and raising the debt-ceiling to approximately February 7. As part of the legislative package that reopened the government and averted U.S. credit default, a bicameral budget committee was established to get down to the business of formulating and agreeing to a budget for FY2014. That committee is supposed to report their recommendations (maybe even a deal!) in December. You can expect another round of the fiscal battle to be repeated again in less than 60 days.
This week, both the House and Senate return on Tuesday, but with only 16 days left on the legislative calendar, talk of major legislative packages (immigration reform and tax reform) have been pushed back. In addition, the 2014 election campaign is officially underway, all but further complicating any chances of major legislative action.
As budget negotiations take shape in the days and weeks ahead, the Armenian Assembly will continue working with Congressional leaders to ensure the best possible outcome for Armenia and Artsakh.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
WEDNESDAY, November 13 – The Atlantic Council will host Victoria J. Nuland, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State for a conversation entitled “Toward a Transatlantic Renaissance: Ensuring Our Shared Future." See here for more information.
THURSDAY, November 14 – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing entitled "A Pivotal Moment for the Eastern Partnership: Outlook for Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan." The hearing will be webcast for live viewing here.
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