Recapping yesterday's action:
The House stayed up late, setting aside the TRAIN Act for a midnight session to pass a continuing appropriations bill only slightly changed from the one that failed the day before. The House-passed measure still offsets disaster relief funding, this time with cuts to the program many Republicans until recently were begging for money from—by which I mean the program that also funded the Solyndra loan guarantees.
The Senate wrapped up work on amendments to and passage of the trade bill, H.R. 2832, for which there is no short title. It's just, "A bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes." Woohoo! Well, whatever. It's done, along with H.R.2338, the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, sent over by the House just the other day.
Looking ahead to today:
The House schedule was late in arriving last night due to the extended session. But they're expected to continue work on the TRAIN Act, set aside yesterday, and then quickly adjourn for the week. (Or more likely, adjourn to a series of pro forma sessions spread out over the next week.) A little move we'll call "my way and the highway." The play here is to hand the Senate a continuing appropriations bill they don't like, and stick them with a shutdown if they won't accept it. We'll see how that goes.
The Senate actually has nothing scheduled but waiting for the continuing appropriations bill from the House. Well, that and actually considering that bill. Except that what's coming from the House is apparently unacceptable to the Senate, where Democrats have rejected the notion of offsetting natural disaster relief, as House Democrats did before them. The Senate could pick up another House-passed vehicle and use that to send back a different CR, and just say that if the House skips town on its job, that's on them. Like I said, we'll have to wait and see whether anyone wants to play rough.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First and last votes expected: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
One Minute Speeches (5 per side)
Complete Consideration of H.R. 2401 - The Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act of 2011 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Sullivan / Energy and Commerce Committee)
The rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Bobby Rush Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jerry McNerney Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Gwen Moore Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Lois Capps Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Adam Kinzinger / Charles Gonzalez Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Charles Dent Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Alcee Hastings Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Gerald Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Ed Whitfield Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Robert Latta Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Laura Richardson Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Special Order Speeches
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Friday, September 23, 2011
Convenes: 9:00am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
We await House action on the continuing resolution.
Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
Roll Call Votes
- On the Amendment (Rubio Amdt. No. 651 ), S.Amdt. 651 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To limit eligibility for trade adjustment assistance to workers who are laid off because of an increase in imports from, or a shift in production to, a country with which the United States has a free trade agreement in effect. Amendment Rejected, 34-62.
- On the Amendment On the Amendment (Thune Amdt. No. 650 ), S.Amdt. 650 to H.R. 2832, To require a report on the consequences of failing to act on trade agreements. Amendment Rejected, 44-52.
- On the Amendment (Cornyn Amdt. No. 634 ), S.Amdt. 634 to H.R. 2832, To provide Taiwan with critically needed United States-built multirole fighter aircraft to strengthen its self-defense capability against the increasing military threat from China. Amendment Rejected, 48-48.
- On the Amendment (Casey Amdt. No. 633 ), S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To extend and modify trade adjustment assistance. Amendment Agreed to, 69-28.
- On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2832 as Amended ), H.R. 2832 (A bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes). Bill Passed, 70-27.
Other Business
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Thursday, September 22, 2011
Passed H.R.2338, the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act.