Chamber Turns 200 As Government Moves To Calm Senate Rift

Overview

• The Planalto took two hits in Congress, with the Senate rejecting Jorge Messias for the Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 29, and lawmakers overturning Lula’s veto on the “dosimetry” bill a day later, a measure that eases sentencing rules for crimes tied to the January 8, 2023 attacks.
• The Senate shifted to a low‑conflict schedule this week with semi‑presential sessions and consensus items, and committees canceled meetings as complex proposals like the public‑security amendment and a plan to expand the Central Bank’s autonomy stalled.
• At the Chamber’s 200th‑anniversary ceremony on Wednesday, leaders from all three branches praised Congress’s role in democracy, while Lula skipped the event during a trip to the United States and sent minister José Guimarães to represent him.
• Guimarães and defense minister José Múcio met Senate president Davi Alcolumbre in a bid to cool tensions, and Guimarães said Alcolumbre was calm and willing to keep collaborating on votes.
• Alcolumbre, credited with steering the Messias defeat, said Wednesday he does not expect any gesture from the Planalto and has shown no rush for another Supreme Court hearing, while the government has not decided whether to submit a new nominee.