Recap: BakerHostetler’s 30th Annual Legislative Seminar

Peggy PetersonBy Peggy Peterson on Posted in Federal Policy

Last week, BakerHostetler celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Annual Legislative Seminar. This two-day premier policy showcase in Washington, D.C., allows clients to listen and interact firsthand with key members of the U.S. House and Senate. Led by Federal Policy team leader Mike Ferguson, the seminar featured senior lawmakers who shared a range of policy insights and perspectives.

The evening before the seminar, BakerHostetler hosted firm clients for dinner at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  In honor of the 30th anniversary of this premier program, we were honored to welcome special guest, Vice President of the United States Mike Pence.

Vice President of the United States Mike Pence speaking at BakerHostetler’s 30th Annual Legislative Dinner

The next day, we hosted more than 300 clients for a discussion with a diverse group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Ferguson and fellow Senior Advisor Heath Shuler held candid “fireside chats” with their friends and former colleagues on key policy issues and politics.

View the Photo Gallery from the 30th Annual Legislative Seminar >>

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Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

Chris JonesBy Chris Jones on Posted in Congress, Federal Policy, Healthcare

Below is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session.

HOUSE PANEL TO VOTE ON BIPARTISAN DRUG PRICING MEASURE

The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on legislation that contains several prescription drug pricing provisions, including requiring pharmacy benefit managers to disclose details of negotiated rebates and calling on drug manufacturers to justify price increases. Continue Reading

The Weekly Hill Update

Adam HigginsBy Adam Higgins on Posted in The Weekly Hill Update

Washington D.C. The capitol, the seat of the government of the United States.Below is the Federal Policy team’s weekly preview, published when Congress is in session.

HEADLINES

• Prescription drug costs will be back in the spotlight as the Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing focused on pharmacy benefit managers, and the House Ways and Means Committee takes up bipartisan legislation addressing drug prices.

• House Democrats plan to take up the Save the Internet Act before departing to Leesburg, Virginia, for a party policy retreat.

• The Senate will vote on several of President Donald Trump’s judicial and administrative nominees, after the Senate last week accelerated consideration of nominees. Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

Chris JonesBy Chris Jones on Posted in Healthcare

Below is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session.

REPUBLICANS BALK AT TRUMP’S CALL FOR NEW HEALTHCARE BILL

President Donald Trump last week said Republicans would introduce legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) after he called on federal courts to strike down the law, but GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill don’t want to renew a policy fight many believe cost them control of the House in 2018.

Congressional Republicans were dumbfounded when the Trump doubled down on his administration’s decision to ask a federal court in New Orleans to overturn the ACA by saying Congress could swiftly pass a new healthcare law. “The Republican Party will become ‘The Party of Healthcare!’ Trump tweeted last week. Continue Reading

The Weekly Hill Update

Adam HigginsBy Adam Higgins on Posted in The Weekly Hill Update

Washington D.C. The capitol, the seat of the government of the United States.HEADLINES

• BakerHostetler on Tuesday will host our 30th Annual Legislative Seminar, with members of the House and Senate from both sides of the aisle discussing the current policy and political environment.

• NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday will address a joint meeting of Congress.

• Congress is caught up in partisan sniping over how to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and disaster relief funding levels for Puerto Rico and other regions. Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

Chris JonesBy Chris Jones on Posted in Federal Policy, Healthcare

Below is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session.

GOTTLIEB, HARGAN TO TESTIFY ON 2020 HEALTH BUDGET, PROGRAMS

Outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and the No. 2 official at HHS will be on Capitol Hill this week testifying on the Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2020 healthcare programs.

Gottlieb will be before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees FDA’s congressional appropriations.

HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan will testify Tuesday before the House Budget Committee on the department’s fiscal 2020 budget request. Committee Democrats – who have called the department’s budget “cruel” – are expected to question Hargan on proposed cuts to discretionary programs as well as mandatory health programs such as Medicaid.

Earlier this month, HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified before three congressional committees defending President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2020 budget for his department.

Congress is under no obligation to approve the president’s budget proposal – and lawmakers never do, regardless of who’s in the White House. Instead it’s mostly a starting point for later spending negotiations. Continue Reading

The Weekly Hill Update

Adam HigginsBy Adam Higgins on Posted in The Weekly Hill Update

Washington D.C. The capitol, the seat of the government of the United States.Below is the Federal Policy team’s weekly preview, published each week when Congress is in session.

HEADLINES

•  Washington is consumed with reaction to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report to the Justice Department, as President Donald Trump claims exoneration and Democrats demand release of Mueller’s full report.

•  The House will vote whether to override Trump’s veto of a resolution negating his declaration of an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.

•  Trump will host meetings at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and will honor the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. Continue Reading

Senate Bill Would Force Company Cyber Disclosure on SEC Filings

Peggy PetersonBy Peggy Peterson on Posted in Cybersecurity

Amid growing alarm on Capitol Hill over cybersecurity and data privacy, new Senate legislation would require publicly traded companies to disclose in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings whether they have cybersecurity experts on their boards of directors – and if not, explain why.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said his legislation is meant to encourage companies to be more transparent about whether and how their boards and senior management are prioritizing cybersecurity.

His bill – the Cybersecurity Disclosure Act – picked up support from several key lawmakers, such as Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., one of the Senate’s leading voices on cyber policies and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee. It also enjoys Republican support, with Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and John Kennedy, R-La., signed on as co-sponsors. Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

Chris JonesBy Chris Jones on Posted in Healthcare

Below is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session. Highlights this week: Azar testifies before three committees on HHS’ budget; a series of Senate bills targeting pharma introduced; medical device tax repeal legislation introduced – but only in the Senate; outpatient physicians plan to lobby on Part B reimbursements; and more. Continue Reading

The Weekly Hill Update

Adam HigginsBy Adam Higgins on Posted in The Weekly Hill Update

Washington D.C. The capitol, the seat of the government of the United States.Below is the Federal Policy team’s weekly preview, published each week when Congress is in session.

HEADLINES

•  The Trump administration will release its fiscal year 2020 budget request, a largely symbolic document that demonstrates the president’s policy priorities but won’t be enacted by Congress.

•  The Senate is likely to approve a House-passed resolution blocking Trump’s emergency declaration along the U.S.-Mexico border, setting up what would be the first veto of his presidency.

•  Congressional committees continue their busy pace, including hearings on the budget as well as on net neutrality, the financial services industry and chemical facility safety. Continue Reading

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