Another week that starts with a parade of suspension bills. This is not unusual, by the way. The schedule starts to get a little heavy with them towards the end of a session, though, and we're getting to that point with the August recess just weeks away, and the campaign trail looming.
So Monday starts with an exciting array of suspensions, kicking the work day off at 12:30 -- also not unusual for the House. Remember, everybody's flying in from their home districts after the weekend, so starting work at 12:30 isn't the lackadaisical schedule it appears to be. Unlimited one minutes and other morning business (i.e., talking about anything you want to) takes up the early afternoon, then debate -- such as it is -- begins on 12 suspension bills at 2:00, with votes on those bills postponed (pursuant to clause 8 of Rule XX) until 6:30.
Tuesday's still got 22 more suspensions on the slate.
From late Tuesday, when they've dispensed with the suspensions, work begins on bills subject to rules:
- H.R. 5876 - Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens
- H.R. 6275 - The Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008
- H.R. 3195 - ADA Restoration Act
- Two Native American land claims bills -- H.R. 4115 and H.R. 2176 -- dealing with claims of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community, respectively
- H.R. 6052 - The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008
On the Senate side, work begins at 3:00 today, with no votes expected. Work continues on H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, last punted back to the Senate in mid-May.
No floor action is scheduled yet on the supplemental or on FISA, but it's expected early this week, with Congress set to recess after Friday's session for a one-week district work period for the July 4th holiday.