This morning, the House voted 216-214 to pass H.Con.Res.14. With the Senate's passage of the bill on Saturday by a vote of 51-48, the two chambers may now formally begin the budget reconciliation process to advance major parts of the Trump Administration agenda, with a goal to complete the process before June.

The resolution provides instructions for Congressional committees to advance portions of the package, which includes a permanent renewal of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act along with immigration and border security, energy and defense policies. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) agreed to seek at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to safety-net programs in the final package, along with a minimum of $4 billion in savings identified by committees that handle agriculture, nutrition and housing, energy, health, education, and labor policy.

Argentum sent a letter this week to Acting Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Leland Dudek about recent changes that could impact the ability of seniors residing in senior living communities to receive their Social Security benefits.

Starting next Monday, April 14, the SSA will implement updated identity verification procedures intended to enhance security and combat fraud. The SSA will require individuals to prove their identity if applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or changing direct deposit information for existing benefits.

At noon today, Donald Trump will take the oath of office for his second term as President. The incoming administration is expected to focus its initial attention at immigration and border security, the economy (including renewal of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and imposing tariffs), and rolling back Biden-era regulations, with a slew of executive orders anticipated this week. In advance of his inauguration, Argentum sent the incoming president a letter today outlining our priorities.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced nearly two-dozen key appointments to the incoming administration, including for roles that will have direct and indirect oversight of public policies facing senior living communities, residents, and caregivers.

The nominees are due to face confirmation hearings in Congress in the New Year; however, the president-elect has suggested bypassing the advice and consent role of Congress for his political nominees through the use of recess appointments. This would require the Senate to vote for a recess, instead of their more typical “pro forma” legislative sessions as they have largely done since 2014 when the Supreme Court ruled that the Senate must be out of session for 10 days for a president to make recess appointments.

The president does have limited powers to force a Congressional recess that could allow for recess appointments without the Senate's approval; those appointments would last through the remainder of the Congressional session (December 2026). The incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated he would be open to recess appointments for more controversial nominees.

Key nominees include: