State of Play
The House is in session this week. The Senate is in recess.
The House returns this week to a full plate, which will be dominated by consideration of the final FY2026 minibus funding package, tariffs, and Member absences.
Republican House leadership said that they are nearing passage of all FY2026 funding bills ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline but were considering adding unrelated measures such as renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a Haiti trade preference bill, and possible health-care provisions, which could complicate an already difficult vote.
Driving the News
Davos kicks off this week with several Members of Congress and Administration officials attending, including President Trump.
President Trump’s renewed demands to take over Greenland, coupled with tariff threats and incendiary social media posts, have turned Davos into an emergency diplomatic summit and deepened rifts with European allies already shaken by his trade policies.
The Administration is signaling little interest in de-escalating the Greenland crisis. More on the trade ramifications below.
Three Things to Watch in Tech
What’s Going on with the EU Trade War?: President Trump upended months of US-EU trade negotiations by demanding a deal to acquire Greenland and threatening escalating tariffs on European countries if they refuse.
President Trump specifically has threatened to impose a ten percent tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Finland, the UK and the Netherlands over interference of his desire to take over Greenland.
His ultimatum has left Europe with few good options, but European officials are considering freezing a recent trade deal, activating the EU’s anti-coercion instrument, or imposing retaliatory tariffs, even as they brace for a sharp escalation in trans-Atlantic tensions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned EU nations not to retaliate and instead, “take a deep breath.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also responded to retaliatory efforts by sharply criticizing EU digital regulations at Davos, and urged Europe to welcome US companies for growth opportunities.
House Homeland Gets a CISA Update: Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala will testify publicly before the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday for the first time next week alongside senior DHS officials, giving lawmakers a chance to scrutinize his leadership as the agency faces workforce cuts and heightened controversy.
The hearing comes amid Democratic concerns over a failed polygraph test that led to several staffers being placed on leave and as CISA remains without a Senate-confirmed leader.
While the White House has renominated Sean Plankey to lead CISA, his confirmation is uncertain as key senators threaten to block it.
House Science Sizes Up US Quantum Leadership: House Science will hold a full Committee hearing Thursday to examine the current state of US quantum research and technology and review the first seven years of the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) through its economic, scientific, and national security impacts.
Witnesses from NIST, NSF, NASA, and the Department of Energy are expected to assess which programs have worked, what challenges remain, and whether the US is keeping pace with China in quantum capabilities.
The hearing will also shape priorities for the next five years, including workforce needs, education, and policy goals as Congress considers reauthorizing the initiative.
Recall that reauthorization of the NQIA was noticeably absent from the FY26 NDAA, which is expected to arise during Thursday’s hearing.
🏛️ Tech Hearings
The House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing on “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: CISA, TSA, S&T” - Wednesday, January 21 at 10:00 AM EST
The House Small Business Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Empowering Rural America Through Investment in Innovation” Wednesday, January 21 at 10:00 AM EST
The House Homeland Security Committee Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Smarter Borders, Safer Nation: Expanding the Use of Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology” - Thursday, January 22 at 10:00 AM EST
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee holds a hearing on “Assessing U.S. Leadership in Quantum Science and Technology” - Thursday, January 22 at 10:00 AM EST
🗓️ Upcoming Events
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - Discussion on "Advancing Multilateral AI Partnerships" - Tuesday, January 20 at 12:00 PM EST
Commerce Department; National Institute of Standards and Technology - Meeting of the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board - Wednesday January 21 to Thursday, January 22
Broadband Breakfast - Virtual Discussion on "State BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) Roundtable" - Wednesday, January 21 at 12:00 PM EST
The Institute of World Politics - Discussion on "Artificial General Intelligence: America's Next National Security Frontier" - Wednesday, January 21 at 5:00 PM EST
The National Press Foundation and the Copyright Alliance - Virtual Discussion on "AI, Intellectual Property, and the Emerging Legal Landscape" - Thursday, January 22 at 1:00 PM EST
