Spending bills to dominate Congressional agenda next week

The House and Senate will try to keep fiscal 2001 appropriations bills moving next week to get as much work as possible out of the way before they begin the August recess late next week and members head to their respective national political conventions.

The House is expected to take up the District of Columbia appropriations bill-the last of the 13 spending bills to be considered. The House also is scheduled to take up a bill to eliminate a tier of taxes on Social Security benefits for higher income seniors enacted in 1993 as part of President Clinton's spending and tax package.

The Senate next week will continue working on appropriations bills as well, hoping to complete consideration of the Energy and Water spending bill if it is unable to finish it this week.

Next up will be the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill and the Commerce-Justice-State spending bill. Senate Majority Leader Lott also tentatively plans to file a cloture motion Wednesday on a bill granting permanent normal trade relations status to China.