Recapping yesterday's action:
Things have not improved appreciably just yet. The House approved a rule for consideration of the next in the never-ending series of bills attempting to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act.
The Senate passed a few bills and resolutions by unanimous consent, but held no roll call votes. The pending business was the STOCK Act, debate of which resumes today. Among the background procedural maneuvers setting up votes later on was the completion of the Rule XIV process on the Republican bill purporting to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project.
Looking ahead to today:
A little more activity in the House today, not that anything's going to get done. Three suspensions, a Democratic motion to instruct conferees on the payroll tax cut extension, and an attempt to repeal part of the health care bill (hiding behind the title of "The Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act"). I mean, what else would they be doing, right?
In the Senate, work continues on the STOCK Act, with votes expected to begin on amendments.
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, JANUARY 31, 2012
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First votes: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Last votes: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspensions (3 Bills)
- H.R. 3835 - To extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal Employees (Rep. Duffy – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.Res. 496 - Adjusting the amount provided for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Twelfth Congress (Rep. Lungren – House Administration)
- H.R. 3567 - Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act of 2011, as amended (Rep. Boustany – Ways and Means)
H.R. 1173 - The Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 (Legislation to repeal the CLASS Act) (Rep. Boustany – Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means)
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order only those amendments that have been preprinted in the Congressional Record no later than the legislative day of Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The Rule also provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment for a period not to exceed three hours.
Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 (One Hour of Debate) (Offered by Rep. Michaud)
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.
We hope to have votes in relation to amendments to the STOCK Act during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.
1/31 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, January 31, 2012
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.359, commending Alan S. Frumin on his service to the U.S. Senate.
Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.286, recognizing May 16, 2012, as Hereditary Angioedema Awareness Day and expressing the sense of the Senate that more research and treatments are needed for Hereditary Angioedema with an Inouye amendment.
Adopted S.Res.360, raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by designating January 2012 as “National Stalking Awareness Month”.
Adopted S.Res.361, congratulating the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team for winning the 2011 Bowl Championship Series National Championship.
Adopted S.Res.362, designating the month of February 2012 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”.
Adopted S.Res.363, congratulating the Pittsburg State University Gorillas football team for winning the 2011 NCAA Division II Football Championship.
Adopted S.Res. 364, recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week.
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2041, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline project and provide for environmental protection and government oversight. (Hoeven)
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House Committee Schedule:
ARMED SERVICES-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the use of Afghan nationals to provide security to U.S. forces. Dept. and public witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
BUDGET----------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the Congressional Budget Office’s budget and economic outlook. Douglas Elmendorf, Director, Congressional Budget Office. 210 CHOB.
EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On expanding opportunities for job creation. Public witnesses. 2175 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE----------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Environment and the Economy Subc. On the final report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s nuclear future. Public witnesses. 2322 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Health Subc. On reauthorization of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act. Dept. and public witnesses. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES----------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity Subc. On implementation of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES-----------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subc. On H.R. 3461 – Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subc. Markup of H.R. 3674 – Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness Act of 2011. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY--------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet Subc. On strengthening U.S. manufacturing and innovation. Dept. and public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY---------------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Courts, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subc. On H.R. 2469 – End Discriminatory State Taxes for Automobile Renters Act of 2011. Public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 3407 – Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act, H.R. 3408 – PIONEERS Act, and H.R. 3410 – Energy Security and Transportation Jobs Act. 1324 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM-------------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On discussing the impact of Presidential recess appointments. 2154 RHOB.
RULES-------------------------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Full Committee. On H.R. 3578 – Baseline Reform Act of 2011, and H.R. 3582 – Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY----------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Environment Subc. On examining the EPA’s ground water research. Public witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
SMALL BUSINESS---------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Full Committee. On examining obstacles to small business job creation and economic growth. Public witnesses. 2360 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS-----------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the Department of Veterans Affairs pharmaceutical prime vendor contract. Dept. and public witnesses. 334 CHOB.
WAYS & MEANS----------------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Oversight Subc. and Select Revenue Measures Subc. Joint hrng. on harbor maintenance funding and maritime tax issues. Dept. and public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
CONFERENCE-----------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Conference. On H.R. 3630 – To extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment compensation, Medicare physician payment, provide for the consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, and for other purposes. HVC-201 Capitol.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
10:00 am
Budget
Hearings to examine the outlook for the eurozone.
SD-608
10:00 am
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Hearings to examine developing and strengthening high-growth entrepreneurship.
SR-428A
2:30 pm
Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on European Affairs
Hearings to examine Ukraine, focusing on what's at stake for the United States and Europe.
SD-419
2:30 pm
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Hearings to examine Federal retirement processing, focusing on ensuring proper and timely payments.
SD-342
2:30 pm
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control [link]
Hearings to examine the United States-Caribbean Security Cooperation.
SD-562