Recapping yesterday's action:
The House considered its one scheduled suspension bill, before moving on to a resolution expressing the condolences of the House on the death of the Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ).
Afterwards, they began consideration of the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development bill. Although considered under a modified open rule, only three amendments came to the floor yesterday, two handled by voice vote, and one for which the vote was postponed to today.
The Senate was unable to invoke cloture on the transportation bill (actually a Reid substitute amendment that would have had the effect of blocking out most other amendments). The vote actually came out worse this time. The first attempt at cloture failed 54-42. This time it "lost," 52-44.
They did succeed in confirming the two judges on the docket today, however. Both with overwhelming majorities.
Looking ahead to today:
Today, the House is slated to complete its consideration of the scintillating Bureau of Reclamation bill, and then turn to the so-called "Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act." I say so-called, because up until this week, this bill was known as the "Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act," which gives a better hint as to what it's really all about. But someone decided Republicans had to do something that at least sounded job-related, if only to get themselves out of jumping off the birth control cliff. So here we are, with a financial market deregulation bill renamed "JOBS." And a plateful of 17 amendments, with which I expect they will close out the week tomorrow, before heading out of town for yet another recess.
Meanwhile, it's back to the drawing board for the Senate, in search of some way to get the transportation bill unstuck after a month on the floor. This is, let's recall, a bill that passed with bipartisan, unanimous support in committee. And yet we're now passing the one month mark on this filibuster. Which, I'll note, I don't see a whole lot of people actually calling a filibuster.
But there's nothing wrong with Senate rules. La la la!
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 6, 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 votes are expected between 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Last votes are expected between 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Complete Consideration of H.R. 2842 - Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011 (Rep. Tipton – Natural Resources)
Postponed Amendment Vote:
Rep. Napolitano Amendment
Begin Consideration of H.R. 3606 - Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act (Rep. Fincher - Financial Services) (Subject to a Rule)
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Fincher/Rep. Carney Manager’s Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McIntyre Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Himes/Rep. Capuano Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson Lee Amendment #19 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Ellison/Rep. Capuano/Rep. Lynch Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Waters/Rep. Capuano Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson Lee Amendment #21 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson Lee Amendment #18 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McCarthy (CA) Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McHenry Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Miller (NC)/Rep. Schweikert Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Schweikert Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Capuano Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Peters Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Capps Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Loebsack Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Convenes: 10:00am
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 S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill. We continue to work on a path forward to complete action on the Surface Transportation bill.
The Senate will recess from 5pm to 6pm to accommodate a Senators-only briefing.
3/6 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, March 6, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1761 to S.1813; Not Invoked: 52-44
2) Confirmation of the nomination of Mary Elizabeth Phillips, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri; Confirmed: 95-2
3) Confirmation of the nomination of Thomas Owen Rice, of WA, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington; Confirmed: 93-4
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.389, designating the first week of April 2012 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.
Passed Calendar #253, S.1886, the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act of 2011 with a Leahy-Grassley amendment by voice vote.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
AGRICULTURE----------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of the budget views and estimates letter for FY 2013. 1300 LHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------------------9:00-Open
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Robert Mueller, Director, FBI. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Agriculture. Dept. witnesses. 2362-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Defense Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Army. John McHugh, Secretary, U.S. Army; Gen. Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. H-140 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Water Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Department of Energy nuclear energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Dept. witnesses. 2362-B RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Homeland Security Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Craig Fugate, Director, FEMA. 2358-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Dept. witnesses. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Energy and Water Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dept. witnesses. 2362-B RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Office of Treasury Inspector General and the Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Dept. witnesses. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Defense installations, environment, energy, and base realignment and closings. Dept. witnesses. H-140 Capitol.
ARMED SERVICES------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization budget request from the U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Transportation Command. Dept. witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES-------------------------------------------------------------------3:30-Open
Seapower and Projection Forces Subc. On assessing mobility airlift capabilities and operational risks under the revised 2012 defense strategy. Dept. witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Communications and Technology Subc. On cybersecurity and communications networks. Public witnesses. 2123 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE------------------------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Energy and Power Subc. On the American energy initiative and rising gas prices. Public witnesses. 2322 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES---------------------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subc. On the operations of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. MC’s and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-----------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 2106 - To strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, and to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, H.R. 890 - To allow for the enforcement of State disclosure laws and access to courts for covered Holocaust-era insurance policy claims, H.R. 3783 - To provide for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere, H.R. 4041 - To amend the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to further enhance the promotion of exports of United States goods and services, and S.Con.Res. 17 - Expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-------------------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subc. On examining the Department of State’s rewards programs. Dept. and public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY-------------------------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Transportation Security Subc. Markup of H.R. 2179 - To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to United Service Organizations, Incorporated, and for other purposes. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY--------------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subc. On the prescription drug epidemic in America. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY---------------------------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Immigration Policy and Enforcement Subc. On H.R. 3808 – The Scott Gardner Act, which allows the federal government to deport illegal aliens who are arrested by law enforcement for driving while intoxicated. MC’s and public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES-------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Council on Environmental Quality. Nancy Sutley, Chairwoman, Council on Environmental Quality. 1324 LHOB.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY-------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Full Committee. On the FY 2013 budget request for NASA. Charles Bolden, Administrator, NASA. 2318 RHOB.
SMALL BUSINESS-------------------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 3850 - Government Efficiency through Small Business Contracting Act, H.R. 3851 - Small Business Advocate Act, H.R. 3893 - Subcontracting Transparency and Reliability Act, H.R. 3980 - Small Business Opportunity Act, H.R. 4118 - Small Business Procurement Improvement Act, H.R. 4121 - Early Stage Small Business Contracting Act, and the FY 2013 budget views and estimates letter for the Small Business Administration. 2360 RHOB.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Coast Guard and maritime transportation operations and activities. Adm. Robert Papp, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. 2167 RHOB.
WAYS & MEANS--------------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On reviewing the interaction of tax policies and financial accounting rules, as well burden that businesses face in dealing with tax accounting. Public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:00 am
Armed Services
Hearings to examine the situation in Syria; with the possibility of a closed session in SVC-217 following the open session.
SD-106
9:30 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Hearings to examine healthy food initiatives, local production, and nutrition.
SH-216
10:00 am
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Health and Human Services.
SD-124
10:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Hearings to examine priorities, plans, and progress of the nation's space program.
SR-253
10:00 am
Finance
Hearings to examine the President's 2012 trade agenda.
SD-215
10:00 am
Judiciary
Hearings to examine lending discrimination practices and foreclosure abuses.
SD-226
10:00 am
Veterans' Affairs
Joint hearings to examine a legislative presentation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
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 Navy.
SD-192
2:00 pm
Aging
Hearings to examine opportunities for savings, focusing on removing obstacles for small business.
SD-562
2:30 pm
Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2013 for the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
SR-253
2:30 pm
Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks
Hearings to examine S.29, to establish the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area, S.1150, to establish the Susquehanna Gateway National Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania, S.1191, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Naugatuck River Valley National Heritage Area in Connecticut, S.1198, to reauthorize the Essex National Heritage Area, S.1215, to provide for the exchange of land located in the Lowell National Historical Park, S.1589, to extend the authorization for the Coastal Heritage Trail in the State of New Jersey, S.1708, to establish the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, H.R.1141, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, H.R.2606, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the construction and operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in the Gateway National Recreation Area, S.2131, to reauthorize the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, the Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area, and the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and S.2133, to reauthorize the America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership in the State of Iowa.
SD-366