Can I renew my passport when waiting for H1B approval?

My passport is expired 9 months later, and the US company just filed H1B petition for me with the copy of my passport. I would like to have my passport renewed while waiting for the H1B approval because renewing my passport is more convenient when I am in Canada. I need to handle in my current passport to renew it for 2 weeks. Here are my questions:

1. Will the USCIS ask for my current passport before approving my H1B? (they already got copies)

2. Can I use my new passport with the H1B visa to enter US a few weeks later?

Thanks