On the Agenda: December 9-13

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Washington is in full holiday mode after the National Christmas Tree was lit last Friday evening. For too many political observers, however, it’s hard to look at the festive décor without thinking of what comes after the holidays are through: 2014 and its midterm elections.

While the looming specter of the next election always hangs over the heads of Washingtonians, look for members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to grow even more cautious as November 2014 ticks closer.

Don’t believe me? Word on the street is that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are working together on a budget deal to avert another government shutdown next month. While it’s far from a done deal, the fact that a potential deal is in the works at all shows that Republicans are eager to avoid angering voters with another shutdown.

Fortunately there are still three full weeks left before the calendar flips to 2014, so let’s check out what’s going on in Washington this week:

Monday, December 9th

National Defense Authorization (NDAA)
The Senate will resume debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (S. 1197). The bill currently includes helpful transfer provisions of Guantanamo Bay detainees, as well as provisions concerning sexual assault in the military, and religious liberty.

Tuesday, December 10th

Employment
The Department of Labor will host a symposium, “50 Years Later: Women, Work & the Work Ahead.”

Employment
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of David Weil to be administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

Immigration
The Bipartisan Congressional Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform, of which ACLU is a part, will co-host a congressional briefing called “Seeking Asylum at the U.S. Border: Challenges, Gaps and Solutions.”

Wednesday, December 11th

NSA Surveillance
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its second hearing on “Oversight of U.S. Government Surveillance Authorities.” NSA Director, Gen. Keith Alexander, Deputy Attorney General James Cole, and DNI General Counsel Robert Litt are expected to testify.

State and Local Surveillance
Policy Counsel Mike German will speak on a panel at an event hosted by the Brennan Center titled “Who’s Watching Little Brother? Local Surveillance, National Concerns.”

Thursday, December 12th

Sentencing Reform
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to markup several criminal justice bills, including the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2013.

National Security
Legislative Counsel Michelle Richardson will speak at the 8th Annual Office of General Counsel Intelligence/National Security Law Conference on an off-the-record panel on the future of predictive analysis.

Immigration
The House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing called, “Asylum Abuse: Is it Overwhelming Our Borders?” The House Homeland Security Committee will also hold a hearing on vacancies at the Department of Homeland Security titled “Help Wanted at DHS: Implications of Leadership Vacancies on the Mission and Morale.”

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