House Republicans are pulling out all the stops to lampoon the Biden-Harris administration’s environmental record ahead of November’s election — all while a potential government shutdown looms. Congress has two weeks left in session before the election. The GOP-controlled House’s to-do list includes hosting a trio of high-profile hearings this week meant to showcase the administration’s shortcomings while pushing through legislation to limit the use of “woke” investing principles and scrap tailpipe pollution rules. Meanwhile, Republicans can't agree on a deal to avert a government shutdown before funding runs out Oct. 1. And the GOP proposal on the table — which includes partisan add-ons such as requiring proof of citizenship to vote — has no chance in the Democratic-led Senate. Hearing blitz: Republicans have scheduled three hearings this week where conservative critics of President Joe Biden are expected to decry the administration’s energy policies and caution viewers against voting for Kamala Harris. The hearings are scheduled for the House Budget, Oversight and Accountability, and Energy and Commerce committees. Messaging points are likely to mirror Republicans’ campaign trail highlights, including allegations that Biden’s signature climate law is straining the nation’s coffers, threatening national security, destroying the fossil fuel industry and leading to inflation and high energy prices. (It’s worth noting that the price of oil has been falling and inflation is slowing.) Democratic lawmakers and witnesses are likely to counter that the Biden administration energy policies have created thousands of jobs and boosted domestic manufacturing. Harris maintained during last week’s presidential debate that while she intends to boost clean energy she also believes that fossil fuel production is critical to reducing reliance on foreign oil. Bills on bills on bills: The House is slated to vote on two bills that target efforts by banks and financial firms to consider climate change when making investment decisions. Republicans have targeted so-called environmental, social and governance investing for years, arguing that it privileges political factors over the bottom line. Democrats and advocates say the measures would ultimately limit investor choice and hurt efforts to green corporate America. House Republicans will also vote on a pair of resolutions aimed at scrapping recent rules that limit pollution from cars, small trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. This week’s bills are not expected to reach Biden’s desk. Tick tock: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will try again this week to pass a continuing resolution, or stop-gap funding to keep the government open. He scrapped a vote on his conservative-backed funding patch, last week after failing to garner enough support among GOP lawmakers to pass it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called on Johnson to work with Democrats on a bipartisan bill to keep the government funded after Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. But drafting a new plan that House Republicans and the Democratic-controlled Senate can both support before the end of the month will be an uphill battle.
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