Recapping yesterday's action:
The House very nearly broke a sweat yesterday, with a grueling two-hour debate and voting schedule. Between 5 and 7 pm last evening, they debated three suspension bills naming federal buildings and a post office, passing two by voice vote, and one in a 362-2 cliffhanger. Then, in a stunning display of ambition, they also passed on voice vote two resolutions authorizing preparations for the next inaugural ceremonies in 2013.
The Senate held no roll call votes yesterday, but passed the day with some unanimous consent housekeeping, and the initiation of the Rule XIV process for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act passed by the House last week.
Looking ahead to today:
Today in the House, one more suspension bill, and then the start of debate on the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development, and Oh Yeah, Totally a Bunch of Rural Jobs Act. You can tell they really mean it!
You might not normally think that the debate of a pretty narrowly-focused bill like this would take all day, but it's one of the few bills actually coming to the floor with a relatively open rule for debate, which means they don't really know how many amendments are going to be offered (they need only be printed in the Congressional record a day ahead of time), and the debate will be open for members to use pro forma amendments to claim extra debate time, as well. That means that if you flip on C-SPAN, you might catch members making motions "to strike the last word," and being granted five minutes of debate time for doing so. When they're operating under open rules, any amendment can get five minutes of debate time. "Striking the last word" technically means deleting the last word of the previously pending amendment, thereby creating a new and different amendment for the purposes of debate, and renewing the five minute limit for a whomever made the motion. There's no actual vote on the amendment with the last word removed, so there's no problem there. It's just a mechanism for giving out extra debate time while still keeping some structure to things. The point is, nobody knows how long this will go on for. Sometimes people like to take advantage of the free debate. Other times, even free debate isn't enough to interest them. Like, perhaps, when the subject is Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development, for instance.
The Senate is slated to make another attempt to invoke cloture on a Reid substitute amendment to its transportation bill at 12:30 today. Has there been enough movement in the backroom dealing to get to 60 votes? Well, if its any indication, the day's schedule calls for an immediate break following the vote for the party caucus lunches, followed by the consideration of two judicial nominations when they return. So what do you think?
Truth is that they might just as well have scheduled things that way even if they thought they had the votes, though we might have expected to see the two judicial nominations taken care of first, if they thought they could spend the afternoon making progress on transportation. What's the holdup? Although there were 85 votes for cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill, Republicans were having too much fun offering things like the Blunt anti-contraception amendment, and presumably want to do more of the same before they'll agree to let the government build any roads and infrastructure. That, after all, could possibly lead to some economic benefits, which this president cannot be allowed to have. So instead, the Senate will bicker about whether or not they should be allowed to rifle through your medicine cabinet, for freedom. You know, so that the government doesn't come between you and your doctor.
So that's it. That's the day you're paying for in Congress. Enjoy!
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First/Last votes are expected between 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspension (1 Bill)
- H.R. 4105 - To apply the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economy countries (Rep. Camp – Ways Means)
Begin Consideration of H.R. 2842 - Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011 (Rep. Tipton – Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule)
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order any amendment that has been preprinted in the Congressional Record and complies with the House Rules.
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Convenes: 10:00am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill. The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to the Reid amendment #1761 is 11:30am on Tuesday.
At approximately 12:00pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1761 to S.1813.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and conduct two roll call votes on confirmation of the following:
- Calendar #439, Mary Elizabeth Phillips, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri and
- Calendar #440, Thomas Owen Rice, of WA, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.
3/5 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Monday, March 5, 2012
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.2153, a bill to apply the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economies and for other purposes. When the Senate receives H.R.4105 from the House and if it is identical to S.2153, the Senate will pass H.R.4105 with no amendments.
Discharged Foreign Relations and Adopted S.Res.386, calling for free and fair elections in Iran.
Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.1837, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for marketing and regulatory programs. Dept. witnesses. 2362-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the National Science Foundation. Subra Suresh, Director, NSF. H-309 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Bureau of Prisons. Charles Samuels Jr., Director, Bureau of Prisons. H-309 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Defense Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Air Force. Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force; Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, Air Force. H-140 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Water Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the National Nuclear Security Administration. Thomas D’Agostino, Administrator, NNSA, Anne Harrington, Adm. Kirkland Donald, Director, Naval Reactors. 2362-B RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Financial Services Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mary Schapiro, SEC Chairman. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Homeland Security Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Coast Guard. Adm. Robert Papp Jr., Commandant, USCG. B-318 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for Bureau of Land Management. Robert Abbey, Director, BLM, Karen Mouritsen, Budget Officer, BLM. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Geological Survey. Mary Schapiro, SEC Chairman. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Labor, HHS, and Education Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for Dept. of Health and Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of HHS. 2358-C RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------9:00-Open
State and Foreign Operations Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Rajiv Shag, Administrator, USAID. 2358-C RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization budget request for the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Northern Command. Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; Army Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., Commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. 2118 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES--------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Military Personnel Subc. On the FY 2013 military personnel budget request. Dept. witnesses. 2212 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES--------------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Strategic Forces Subc. On the FY 2013 missile defense budget request. Dept. witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of Medicare and FCC process and reporting bills. 2123 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Border and Maritime Security Subc. On visa overstay problems. John Cohen, Deputy Counterterrorism Coordinator, Dept. of Homeland Security; Peter Edge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS. 311 CHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY----------------------------------------------------2:30-Open
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies Subc. On the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards Program. Dept. witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY--------------------------------------------------------------10:15-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 4018 – To improve the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, and H.R. 4119 – To reduce the trafficking of drugs and to prevent human smuggling across the southwest border. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Mineral Resources Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Office of Surface Mining. 1324 LHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for NOAA, the Office of Insular Affairs, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1334 LHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES----------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Indian and Alaska native Affairs Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Indian Health Service and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. 1334 LHOB.
RULES-------------------------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 3606 – To increase American job creation and economic growth by improving access to the public capital markets for emerging growth markets. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY-----------------------------------------2:00-Open
Energy and Environment Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for EPA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, NOAA; Lek Kadeli, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development, EPA. 2318 RHOB.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY----------------------------------------11:00-Open
Technology and Innovation Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Patrick Gallagher, Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, and Director, NIST. 2318 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS-----------------------------------------------------12:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On Veterans Affairs contracting practices in Savannah. 334 CHOB.
WAYS & MEANS---------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Health Subc. On the impact of new advisory board on Medicare. Public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:30 am
Armed Services
Hearings to examine U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program; with the possibility of a closed session in SVC-217 following the open session.
SH-216
10:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Hearings to examine spurring job growth through capital formation while protecting investors, part II.
SD-538
10:00 am
Budget
Hearings to examine perspectives on the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Defense.
SD-608
10:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2013 for the Forest Service.
SD-366
10:00 am
Finance
Hearings to examine tax reform options, focusing on incentives for capital investment and manufacturing.
SD-215
10:30 am
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Hearings to examine the nomination of Tony Hammond, of Missouri, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
SD-342
2:30 pm
Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science and Space
Hearings to examine keeping America competitive through investments in research and development.
SR-253
2:30 pm
Foreign Relations
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2013 for international development priorities.
SD-419
2:30 pm
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Hearings to examine the nominations of Mark A. Robbins, of California, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, and Roy Wallace McLeese III, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
SD-342
2:30 pm
Intelligence
Closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters.
SH-219