Business

Week ahead: Trump gets to work with ObamaCare, regs in his crosshairs

by Sylvan Lane - 01/23/17 6:00 AM ET

President Trump is expected to begin his administration’s first week with a flurry of executive actions targeting business regulations and ObamaCare.

There are few details on what Trump will tackle first, but the new president and his senior aides have promised a steady stream of actions beginning on “day one,” Monday.

Even so, ObamaCare is likely the first target. Trump could target the law’s essential health benefits standards, which set guidelines for what insurance plans must cover. Those standards have long been a target of Republicans.

Trump’s actions come as Republicans in Congress press ahead with their own efforts to repeal and replace former the health law.

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Trump has said he expects a repeal and replacement to happen simultaneously, but GOP lawmakers are still divided on their timeline, with some hesitant to go forward without a replacement plan ready.

A key focus of the week ahead for Republicans will be getting Trump’s new team in place.

Lawmakers have a busy week as they press ahead with another round of confirmation hearings — and votes — for the new Cabinet.

The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday will vote on whether to recommend Ben Carson, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Trump’s pick to lead the White House Office of Management, will testify before the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday.

Mulvaney has come under fire for failing to pay $15,000 in taxes on a nanny hired to take care of his three children. He’s insisted that it was an oversight, but some Republicans are worried about his chances to get through confirmation.

Expect Mulvaney to also face tough questions from Democrats after a recent report from The Hill about the Trump team’s plans for deep budget cuts to a number of agencies.

Also in the coming week, Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick to lead the Small Business Administration, appears before the Senate Small Business Committee.

Your week ahead:

Monday:

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) speaks on tax reform at the Heritage Foundation, 3:30 p.m. http://bit.ly/2iTyiCt.

Tuesday:

Senate Banking Committee: Vote on the nomination of Ben Carson to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 10 a.m. http://bit.ly/2iTEBG5.
Senate Budget Committee: Hearing on the nomination of Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) to be director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, 10:30 a.m. http://bit.ly/2iTu51A.
Senate Small Business Committee: Hearing on the nomination of Linda McMahon to be administrator of the Small Business Administration, 10:30 a.m. http://bit.ly/2iTyd1H.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) speaks on the committee’s agenda at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 10 a.m.

Wednesday: