Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Congress’s productivity in 2023, two new deadlines for a potential government shutdown and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
With 2023 ending, Samuel looked back at the productivity of the U.S. Congress. The 31 pieces of legislation passed in 2023 marked the lowest number of bills signed into law in nearly 50 years. Samuel discussed what caused the lack of productivity, including the change in the Speaker of the House. He then compared it to some of the previous congressional sessions and their level of productivity.
Samuel talked about the leadership change in the House of Representatives, as Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected Speaker. Johnson, according to Samuel, is on a short leash with several House Republicans, especially after losing four appropriation bills. Congress did approve two separate spending continuances, which may create two opportunities for a government shutdown in 2024 if they are allowed to expire. Samuel discussed the two dates for potential shutdowns - Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 - and spoke about the 10 days Congress will have in the new year to resolve the budget.
Finally, he discussed the bipartisan Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Both sides of the aisle are working together to gather information on trade relations with China. There are a lot of incentives to maintain positive relations with China, but Samuel believes that China currently holds an advantage in the trade relationship. He outlined the importance of taking back industries and products crucial to the supply chain in the U.S. that Chinese trade products had previously fulfilled.
To hear more from Samuel, please listen to the show above.