Recapping Last Week in Congress
The House had a relatively productive week, insofar as this House can be productive at all. Meaning that the House passed a fair number of bills that have a dim future (at best) in the Senate. So does that really count as productive? No, not really. But all I can do is tell you what they did. And they did do things.
There was the "Civilian Property Realignment Act" (discussed here), the "Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act," the "Budget and Accounting Transparency Act" (see the Dem Whip's Office description here), and the House tweak of the STOCK Act.
The Senate had, as is typical, a much lower volume of activity last week, passing the FAA reauthorization (with the controversial anti-union provisions), invoking cloture on the motion to proceed to the surface transportation bill, and confirming the appointment of Cathy Ann Bencivengo to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
This Week in Congress
The Iraq War may be over, but we're not done with the fallout. Two of the three post office naming bills to be considered in the House this week honor Marines killed in the war.
The balance of the week will be spent on H.R. 7—yes, 7—the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act." It's the House version of the surface transportation bill the Senate is expected to take up this week. I'm not hearing great things about these bills, and I've noticed that House Republicans are pushing their bill with the sort of lofty rhetoric typically reserved for a real dog of a bill, so as Wednesday draws nearer, we'll look to get a clearer picture of what kind of $#*% sandwich this thing really is.
After that, all they've got ready to go is more wrangling over the payroll tax cut extension, which is still in conference, even as the current extension's sunset date draws near.
The Senate kicks off the work week today (unlike the House, which won't be in until Tuesday) with consideration of the nomination of Adalberto Jose Jordan to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
And... that's as far as we can go with the Senate's schedule. It's expected, though, that they'll be moving forward with the surface transportation bill this week, having invoked cloture on the motion to proceed to it last week, and then agreed to the motion itself by unanimous consent.
Full floor schedules are below the fold. No committee meetings are scheduled for today.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE WEEKLY WHIP: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
First Vote Of The Week: Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
Last Vote Predicted: Friday 3:00 p.m.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012
On Monday, the House will meet at 1:00 p.m. for pro forma session. No votes are expected in the House.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (3 Bills)
- H.R. 2079 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Main Street in East Rockaway, New York, as the “John J. Cook Post Office” (Rep. McCarthy (NY) - Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3247 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the “Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building” (Rep. Akin - Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3248 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the “Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building” (Rep. Akin - Oversight and Government Reform)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business with last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
H.R. 7 - “American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012” (Rep. Mica – Transportation and Infrastructure/Natural Resources/Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means/Oversight and Government Reform) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to H.R. 3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
Members are advised that Conference Reports may be brought up at any time
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Monday, February 13, 2012
Convenes: 2:00pm
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #437, the nomination of Adalberto Jose Jordan, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees .
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Jordan nomination.