Taxi! I ain't stayin' all day!
Recapping yesterday's action:
The House passed the Republican bill defunding the Election Assistance Commission and terminating public financing of presidential elections and party conventions on a nearly party-line vote, with just one Republican (Walter Jones of NC) crossing the aisle and no Democratic defections at all.
There were no Republican defections on the passage of the "Regulatory Flexibility Act," however, while 28 Dems strayed on that one.
And the day wrapped up with unanimous passage of the measure to rename a Capitol Visitor Center conference room after Gabriel Zimmerman, the slain aide to Gabrielle Giffords.
The Senate had a busy day, voting-wise, with roll calls on five additional amendments to the defense bill, passage of that bill, and then two failed motions to proceed on the competing party versions of the payroll tax holiday extension.
That, of course, is only the most cursory possible recap of a day full of very contentious debate on some significant issues of constitutional import. But this is a procedural wrap-up, as opposed to a close examination of the substantive issues. So I'll recommend that you read up on the ins and outs of the bill's indefinite detention provisions as covered, perhaps as they can be nowhere else, by emptywheel.
Looking ahead to today:
The House has a short Friday program scheduled, in at 9:00 and out by 1:30. In between, they'll consider a slate of seven amendments to the "Regulatory Accountability Act," then possibly take up a suspension bill (on a Friday, usually against the rules and requiring special dispensation) relating to the looming railroad strike. You'll recall that this strike, and the call for Congressional intervention in it, was the subject of several measures on which the Senate initiated Rule XIV procedures on Wednesday (and completed yesterday).
The Senate is not in session today.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes are expected between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Last votes are expected between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“One Minutes” (5 per side)
Suspension (1 Bill)
- Possible Consideration of H.J.Res. 91 - To provide for the resolution of the outstanding issues in the current railway labor-management dispute (Rep. Mica - Transportation and Infrastructure)
H.R. 3010 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 (Rep. Smith (TX) - Judiciary)
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Moore Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Olsen Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson - Lee Amendment #3 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson - Lee Amendment #2 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Nadler Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson - Lee Amendment #11 (10 minutes of debate)
The Senate is not in session today.
12/1 wrap-up:
Wrap Up for December 1, 2011
SENATE FLOOR WRAP UP FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
ROLL CALL VOTES
- Feinstein amendment #1125 (detainees); Not Agreed To: 45-55
- Feinstein amendment #1126 (limitation military authority to detain citizens); Not Agreed To: 45-55
- Feinstein amendment #1456 (modification of Feinstein amendment #1126); Agreed To: 99-1
- Menendez-Kirk amendment #1414 (Central Bank of Iran sanctions); Agreed To: 100-0
- Sessions amendment #1274 (clarification – disposition of detainees by the military); Not Agreed To: 41-59
- Passage of S.1867 (DoD Authorization bill, as amended); Passed: 93-7
- Motion to proceed to S.1917, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act (Reid; 60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 51-49
- Motion to proceed to S.1931, Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act (Heller; 60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 20-78
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed H.R.2192, the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act of 2011
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.30, Extending the cooling-off period under section 10 of the Railway Labor Act with respect to the dispute referred to in Executive Order No. 13586 of October 6, 2011. (Reid)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.31, Applying certain conditions to the dispute referred to in Executive Order 13586 of October 6, 2011, between the enumerated freight rail carriers, common carriers by rail in interstate commerce, and certain of their employees represented by labor organizations that have not agreed to extend the cooling-off period under section 10 of the Railway Labor Act beyond 12:01 a.m. on December 6, 2011. (Reid)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.32, To provide for the resolution of the outstanding issues in the current railway labor-management dispute. (Enzi)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1930, the Earmark Elimination Act of 2011. (Toomey)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1931, to provide payroll tax relief, to reduce the Federal Budget deficit and for other purposes (Heller)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1932, To require the Secretary of State to act on a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. (Lugar)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. By unanimous consent, at 11am on Tuesday, December 6, there will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Halligan nomination.