Recapping yesterday's action:
The House made an otherwise boring day interesting with a little bit of procedural fun. The business of the day was the consideration of one suspension bill (regarding the sale of surplus federal real estate), and one bill under regular order that would remove the deed restrictions on a parcel of federal land in Accomack County, Virginia and give it over unrestricted to the county. Woohoo! Right?
Well, here's the thing. That parcel of land in Accomack County was given over to local control in the mid-1970s at no cost to the county, so long as it was used only for the purpose of public recreation. If the county sought to make non-conforming use of the land, the agreement was that ownership and control would revert back to the federal government. Now, the county wants to build an “aerospace technology park” nearby, meaning a "park" of the industrial kind (the site abuts an existing NASA installation), but needs the actual park land in order to pave it over with an access road for the technology park. And that would mean the land would revert back to the federal government, unless the feds transfer the deed to Accomack County, which they don't want to do.
That's where this bill comes in. The bill would force the transfer, regardless of the terms of the 1976 agreement, handing over an $816,000 piece of land to Accomack for free.
Now, it struck Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-07) that this $816,000 windfall, being directed to Accomack County by its local Congressman, Rep. Scott Rigel (R-VA-02), seemed reasonably close to what some folks would call an earmark. $816,000 in free land, handed from the federal government to Accomack. And these days, we're told, the rules require certain disclosures with regard to earmarks and the members requesting them. More than just that, the rules also prohibit consideration of waivers of those rules. (That's how you know they're serious!) So Grijalva raised a point of order against consideration of the rule for the bill, which contained a blanket waiver of all points of order against the bill, including the point of order that would normally prohibit waiving the earmark rules.
But gosh, golly-gee, one thing the rules forgot was that you can always waive rules against waivers, and that's just what the Republicans did, voting unanimously to allow consideration of the rule and its blanket waiver, even though that meant they were waiving the rule that said no waivers were allowed.
I wish I were kidding.
There was just a little more fun to be had with this bill, though, as Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA-47) offered a motion to recommit the bill and add an amendment prohibiting the county from allowing their free gift land to be sold or used for the purposes of adult entertainment, or by foreign governments. But Republicans apparently weren't up for that restriction, either. So, Saudi Astro Porn it is! Congrats to all!
That last part I am kidding about. As far as I know.
Hmm? What? The Senate? Oh yeah, the Senate! Right! Well, the Senate held cloture votes on two alternative substitute amendments to the IPO deregulation bill (that Republicans are hoping you'll call the "JOBS Act"), neither of which succeeded. That leaves a cloture motion on the entire bill still pending, with debate resuming today. But no indication just yet of any intention to get to a vote on that cloture motion. Sounds like they're still hoping to find a path to 60 votes for a few tweaks to the bill.
Oh, and they had their picture taken.
Looking ahead to today:
The House jumps right into the cutting edge job creation stuff, with the start of debate on the tired, old horse of "tort reform." You know, the kind that would have prevented Rick Santorum's wife from winning so much money in her lawsuit against her chiropractor. (Don't worry, she didn't collect the $350,000 award. It was reduced, doubtless by some "activist judge" to $175,000.)
Of course, this bit of same-old, same-old is being sold under the acronym of "Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare," or HEALTH.
Duh.
With six hours of general debate scheduled, plus six amendments, they'll likely stretch this thing out into tomorrow, so they can at least say they worked until Thursday.
The Senate returns to debate of the IPO dereg bill, with no clear exit plan visible. That doesn't mean something can't be worked out, but so far, Senate Dems have been unable to muster the votes necessary to make the changes they say are necessary to prevent this from just being yet another overbroad regulatory repeal.
Hey, remember when the Senate rules were the reason why the House-passed version of bills always had to take a back seat to the versions the Senate preferred? Yeah, that was awesome. I wonder what happened to that?
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First/Last votes are expected between 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspension (1 Bill)
- Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 886 - United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Womack - Financial Services)
Begin Consideration of H.R. 5 - Protecting Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act (Rep. Gingrey - Energy and Commerce/Judiciary/Ways and Means/Rules)
The Rule provides for six hours of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Woodall Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Bonamici Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Alcee Hastings Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Dent/Sessions Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Gosar Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Stearns/Matheson Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill.
The time from 2:30pm until 3:00pm will be as if in morning business to acknowledge the milestone reached by Senator Mikulski as the longest serving woman in Congress.
3/20 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, March 20, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown (OH) and others substitute amendment #1833 to H.R.3606, the IPO bill; Not Invoked: 54-45
2) Motion to invoke cloture on the Cantwell-Johnson(SD)-Graham-Shelby and others amendment #1836 (Export Import Bank) to H.R.3606; Not Invoked: 55-44
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act. (Menendez)
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
AGRICULTURE---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture Subc. On identifying duplicative federal rural development programs. 1300 LHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------8:30-Ex.
State and Foreign Operations Subc. On reviewing the near eastern affairs programs at the Department of State. Dept. witnesses. HVC-301 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------9:00-Open
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for NASA. Charles Bolden, Administrator, NASA. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Agriculture’s research, education, and economics programs. Dept. witnesses. 2362-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------10:00-Ex.
Defense Subc. On reviewing the U.S. Central Command. Dept. witnesses. H-140 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Water Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Energy’s environmental management and health and safety and security programs. Dept. witnesses. 2362-B RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Internal Revenue Service. Douglas Shulman, Commissioner, IRS. H-309 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Homeland Security Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security’s facilities. Dept. witnesses. B-318 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subc. On an overview of veterans employment and training programs. Dept. witnesses. 2358-C RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Shaun Donovan, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2358-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On testimony from public witnesses. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Small Business Administration. Karen Mills, Administrator, SBA. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eric Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. H-140 Capitol.
ARMED SERVICES------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Military Personnel Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for defense health programs. Dept. witnesses. 2212 RHOB.
BUDGET--------------------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Full Committee. Markup of the FY 2013 concurrent budget resolution. 210 CHOB.
EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE----------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Labor. Hilda Solis, Secretary, Department of Labor. 2175 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On reviewing the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance and the healthcare law on its year anniversary. MC’s and dept. witnesses. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subc. On H.R. __ - Swap Data Repository and Clearinghouse Indemnification Correction Act of 2012. Public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES---------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. Markup of a subpoena to authorize the appearance of Edith O’Brien to testify on MF Global on March 28, 2012. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-----------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Full Committee. On reviewing the current situation in Russia. Public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Middle East and South Asia Subc. On reviewing U.S. policy towards Iraq. Public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY--------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On assessing the threat from Iran and Hezbollah. Public witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subc. On reviewing identification card standards. Dept. and public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY-------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Courts, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subc. On oversight of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Dept. and public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On examining American resources to create jobs and addressing the rising gas prices. Public witnesses. 1324 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On examining the causes and consequences of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. Timothy Geithner, Secretary, Department of Treasury; Ben Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. 2154 RHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------------2:00-Open
Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and Procurement Reform Subc. On the Freedom of Information Act and using technology to improve transparency in government. Dept. and public witnesses. 2154 RHOB.
SMALL BUSINESS------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Full Committee. On the economic impact of entrepreneuers. Public witnesses. 2360 RHOB.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE---------------------------10:00-Open
Water Resources and Environment Subc. On reviewing financing approaches for community water infrastructure projects. Public witnesses. 2167 RHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
10:00 am
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security
Hearings to examine balancing prosperity and security, focusing on challenges for United States air travel in a 21st century global economy.
SD-138
10:00 am
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
Hearings to examine military construction, environmental, and base closure programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SR-232A
10:00 am
Foreign Relations
Hearings to examine the nominations of Tracey Ann Jacobson, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, Richard B. Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Georgia, Kenneth Merten, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Mark A. Pekala, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, and Jeffrey D. Levine, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, all of the Department of State.
SD-419
10:00 am
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Hearings to examine retooling government for the 21st century, focusing on the President's reorganization plan and reducing duplication.
SD-342
10:00 am
Judiciary
Hearings to examine convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent.
SD-226
10:00 am
Veterans' Affairs
Joint hearings to examine the legislative presentations of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Non Commissioned Officers Association, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Vietnam Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, and The Retired Enlisted Association.
SD-G50
10:30 am
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Defense
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of the Army.
SD-192
2:00 pm
Judiciary: Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
Hearings to examine Verizon and cable deals.
SD-226
2:00 pm
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe [Link]
Hearings to examine prerequisites for progress in Northern Ireland, focusing on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and the current challenges to full implementation of the agreement and the action that is necessary for continued confidence and progress in the peace process.
RHOB-2247
2:30 pm
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2013 for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
SD-192
2:30 pm
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Service and General Government
Hearings to examine strengthening market oversight and integrity, focusing on fiscal year 2013 resource needs of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
SD-138
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Hearings to examine military space programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SR-222
2:30 pm
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Homeland Security.
SD-342