Today on the Hill: House Begins Consideration of Disaster Relief Bill

House lawmakers are turning their attention toward disaster relief aid as the partial government shutdown enters its 26^th day. The lower chamber will begin consideration of a $12 billion supplemental spending bill (H.R. 268) for relief and recovery aid to states impacted by recent hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires & other natural disasters. Lawmakers have also queued up 14 amendments to the underlying bill, suggesting that final passage may come later tonight or tomorrow.

In the upper chamber, Senators will resume consideration of a resolution (S.J.Res.2) that would disapprove of sanctions relief for companies associated with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Eleven Republicans joined Senate Democrats in voting to advance the resolution despite opposition from the Department of Treasury — which warned that the move could disrupt global aluminum markets.

Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership has recommended a host of new, progressive lawmakers for the House Financial Services Committee. Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) are expected to join the committee in a major victory for progressives who have called for stricter oversight of banking and housing industries. In addition to the new Democratic members, the GOP announced that freshman Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), John Rose (R-TN), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Denver Riggleman (R-VA) will be joining the committee for the 116^th Congress.