Recapping yesterday's action:
The House ran through four of its five planned suspension bills yesterday, but ended up pulling the curious one we noted in our last installment—the surface transportation extension bill. See, the Republican leadership probably figured at first that if they just extended current authorization levels for a little while, they'd get Democratic support for passing the bill quickly under suspension of the rules, which requires a 2/3 vote. But Dems wanted the House to take up the Senate-passed version instead. That's already been through the trial-by-fire of the Senate filibuster. Without any indication that there would be Dem support, the bill was doomed, and the Republicans pulled it from the floor. Not for long, it seems. But we'll deal with that down below, in our look ahead.
The Senate debated and then voted to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act. The vote was a whopping 92-4, which might make you wonder why they needed a cloture vote at all. Well, aside from the fact that even one objecting Senator can create a situation in which a cloture motion becomes necessary, there's also the fact that this is just the motion to end debate on the question of whether or not to begin debate on the bill. Yes, they really do that, and yes, despite the fact that they just voted 92-4 to end debate on beginning debate, there's no deal in place just yet to yield back the 30 hours of post-cloture time. They'll probably get that deal tomorrow, but it's not in place yet, which tells you at a minimum that they're likely to face a filibuster on the bill itself, and hints that the next vote on cloture, if any, probably won't be such a wipeout. It's looking like Republicans just didn't want to be seen as standing in the way of having the debate, but that doesn't mean they support the bill. They don't, and they'll come back tomorrow and cry about it being a tax hike, and the 92-4 margin will be but a distant memory.
Looking ahead to today:
The House starts off, or at least plans to, with another two suspensions. The first is a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the IPO bill (which Republicans wish you would call the "JOBS Act," for some reason). And the second is another stab at the surface transportation extension, though it's not entirely clear how it will differ (if at all) from the one Republicans were forced to pull yesterday. All the schedule says about it is that it's "legislation related to H.R. 4239," which is yesterday's extender bill. It's simple enough to just say that it's H.R. 4239 again, but they're not saying that. So we'll expect something slightly different. In any case, it's a rather unusual way to present a scheduled item of business.
After they sort that out—and you should not rule out seeing the bill pulled again—it's on to the "Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act." I'll give you one guess how the Republicans want to "reform" the FCC's process.
The Senate returns to the task of trying to run down the post-cloture clock on the motion to proceed to the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act. Again, there's no agreement yet in place, so they might in fact waste the whole day on further debate on the fact that they voted to end debate on the question of whether or not to begin debate. I'll never tire of saying that.
They'll also take a brief break for weekly caucus luncheons and... the official photograph of the 112th Congress? I'll be damned! I could have sworn they did that last week! Huh. Well, I, uh... I guess not. Hey, you can't rush these things, right?
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold. Note the gigantic list of Armed Forces commissions approved by unanimous consent yesterday. Always a sure sign of an upcoming recess.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: MONDAY, MARCH 26, 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 votes expected: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Last votes expected: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspensions (2 Bills)
- Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3606 - Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act (Rep. Fincher - Financial Services)
- Legislation Related to H.R. 4239 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 (Rep. Mica - Transportation and Infrastructure/Ways and Means/Natural Resources/Science, Space, and Technology/Energy and Commerce)
Begin Consideration of H.R. 3309 - Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2012 (Rep. Walden - Energy and Commerce) (Subject to Rule)
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Crowley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Stearns Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Waters Amendment #5 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Waters Amendment #6 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Eshoo Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Diaz-Balart Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Owens Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Al Green Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Speier Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Yvette Clarke Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Postponed Suspension (1 Bill)
- H.R. 3298 - Homes For Heroes Act of 2011 (Rep. Al Green - Financial Services)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Tuesday, March 27, 2012
- Convene: 10:00am
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
- Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act, post-cloture. By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, recess and morning business will count post-cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2204.
- At 12:30pm, the Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair to accommodate the weekly caucus meetings and the official photograph of the 112th Congress.
- We hope to begin consideration of S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act during Tuesday’s session.
3/26 wrap-up:
ROLL CALL VOTE
1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act; Invoked: 92-4
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Began the Rule 14 process of S.2237, the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act. (Reid)
Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011. (Republican request)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2230, Paying a Fair Share Act. (Whitehouse)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2231, Small Business Lending Enhancement Act. (Udall CO)
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy and the following Executive Calendar items:
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #615 to be Brigadier General — Col. Peter R. Masciola
Executive Calendar #616 to be Major General — Brig. Gen. Mark A. Ediger
Executive Calendar #617 to be General—Lt. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger
Executive Calendar #618 to be Brigadier General—
Colonel Ondra L. Berry
Colonel Allen D. Bolton
Colonel William D. Cobetto
Colonel Wade A. Lillegard
Colonel Thad L. Myers
Executive Calendar #619 to be Major General—
Brigadier General Steven A. Cray
Brigadier General William J. Crisler, Jr.
Brigadier General Jon F. Fago
Brigadier General Michael A. Loh
Brigadier General Eric W. Vollmecke
Executive Calendar #620 to be Major General—
Brigadier General David W. Allvin
Brigadier General Howard B. Baker
Brigadier General Thomas W. Bergeson
Brigadier General Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
Brigadier General Darryl W. Burke
Brigadier General Richard M. Clark
Brigadier General Dwyer L. Dennis
Brigadier General Mark C. Dillon
Brigadier General Carlton D. Everhart, II
Brigadier General Samuel A. R. Greaves
Brigadier General Morris E. Haase
Brigadier General Garrett Harencak
Brigadier General Paul T. Johnson
Brigadier General Randy A. Kee
Brigadier General Jim H. Keffer
Brigadier General Michael J. Kingsley
Brigadier General Jeffrey G. Lofgren
Brigadier General James K. McLaughlin
Brigadier General Kurt F. Neubauer
Brigadier General John F. Newell, III
Brigadier General Craig S. Olson
Brigadier General John N. T. Shanahan
Brigadier General Michael S. Stough
Brigadier General Scott D. West
Brigadier General Kenneth S. Wilsbach
Executive Calendar #621 to be Brigadier General—
Colonel Steven M. Balser
Colonel Mark H. Berry
Colonel Walter A. Bryan, Jr.
Colonel Gregory S. Champagne
Colonel Sean T. Collins
Colonel John L. D’Errico
Colonel Dawne L. Deskins
Colonel Scott A. Dold
Colonel Gary L. Ebben
Colonel Kenneth L. Gammon
Colonel Bruce R. Guerdan
Colonel Leonard W. Isabelle, Jr.
Colonel Clifford W. Latta, Jr.
Colonel Paul C. Maas, Jr.
Colonel Edward P. Maxwell
Colonel David M. McMinn
Colonel Thomas C. Patton
Colonel Braden K. Sakai
Colonel Janet I. Sessums
Colonel Peter J. Siana
Colonel Jeffrey M. Silver
Colonel James K. Vogel
Colonel Sallie K. Worcester
Executive Calendar #622 to be Lieutenant General — Lt. Gen. Clyde D. Moore, II
Executive Calendar #623 to be Brigadier General — Col. Douglas D. Delozier
ARMY
Executive Calendar #625 to be Major General — Brig. Gen. Michael X. Garrett
Executive Calendar #626 to be Major General—
Brigadier General Robert P. Ashley, Jr.
Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Bailey
Brigadier General Jeffrey N. Colt
Brigadier General Kenneth R. Dahl
Brigadier General Gordon B. Davis, Jr.
Brigadier General Joseph P. DiSalvo
Brigadier General Robert M. Dyess, Jr.
Brigadier General Karen E. Dyson
Brigadier General Paul E. Funk, II
Brigadier General Harold J. Greene
Brigadier General William C. Hix
Brigadier General Stephen R. Lyons
Brigadier General Herbert R. McMaster, Jr.
Brigadier General John M. Murray
Brigadier General Richard P. Mustion
Brigadier General Michael K. Nagata
Brigadier General Bryan R. Owens
Brigadier General James F. Pasquarette
Brigadier General Lawarren V. Patterson
Brigadier General Aundre F. Piggee
Brigadier General Ross E. Ridge
Brigadier General John G. Rossi
Brigadier General Thomas C. Seamands
Brigadier General Michael H. Shields
Brigadier General Leslie C. Smith
Brigadier General John Uberti
Brigadier General Bryan G. Watson
Brigadier General Darrell K. Williams
Executive Calendar #627 to be Major General — Brig. Gen. Craig A. Bugno
Executive Calendar #628 to be Lieutenant General — Maj. Gen. David D. Halverson
Today's House committee schedule:
AGRICULTURE---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Conservation, Energy, and Forestry Subc. On reviewing challenges and opportunities for the U.S. Forest Service’s land management. 1300 LHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Water Development Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, and Office of Electrical Delivery and Energy Reliability programs. Dept. witnesses. 2362-B RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the General Services Administration. Dept. witnesses. 2362-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the National Drug Control Policy. Dept. witnesses. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On testimony from American Indians and Alaska Natives. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. On testimony from American Indians and Alaska Natives. B-308 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Education’s K-12 education. Public witnesses. 2358-C RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Legislative Branch Subc. On the FY 2013 budget requests for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Office, Clerk of the House, and Sergeant at Arms offices. Dept. witnesses. H-140 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-----------------------------------------------10:00-Open
State and Foreign Operations Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of the Treasury. Timothy Geithner, Secretary, Department of the Treasury. 2359 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subc. On understanding challenges to future irregular warfare. Public witnesses. 2212 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Tactical Air and Land Forces Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Defense’s rotorcraft modernization programs. Dept. witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE--------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On learning from the Upper Big Branch tragedy. 2175 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On reviewing government and industry efforts in information technology supply chain security. 2123 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE-------------------------------------------10:15-Open
Health Subc. On examining the current state of cosmetics. 2322 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES---------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. __ FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act; H.R. 2446 – RESPA Home Warranty Clarification Act; H.R. 3283 – Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act; H.R. 4235 – Swap Data Repository and Clearinghouse Indemnification Correction Act. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subc. On the impact to the U.S. and the dollar of Federal Reserve aid to the Eurozone. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Subc. Markup of H.R. 1940 - To ensure compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction by countries with which the United States enjoys reciprocal obligations, to establish procedures for the prompt return of children abducted to other countries, and H.R. 3605 - To prevent United States businesses from cooperating with repressive governments in transforming the Internet into a tool of censorship and surveillance, to fulfill the responsibility of the United States Government to promote freedom of expression on the Internet, to restore public confidence in the integrity of United States businesses. H.R. 4141 – International Food Assistance Improvement Act. 2200 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Europe and Eurasia Subc. On economic opportunities in Europe and Eurasia. Dept. and public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Border and Maritime Security Subc. Markup of H.R. 4251 – Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-based Targeting for Port Security Act. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 3862 – Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act; H.R. 2299 – Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On using American resources to create jobs and addressing rising gasoline prices. 1324 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM-----------------------------10:00-Open
Federal Workforce and U.S. Postal Service Subc. On examining whether the U.S. Postal Service’s health plan can solve its financial crisis. Dept. witnesses. 2154 RHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM-----------------------------10:00-Open
Technology and Information Policy Subc. On reviewing labor abuses, human trafficking and government contracts. Dept. witnesses. 2247 RHOB.
RULES-----------------------------------------------------------2:30-Open
Full Committee. On H.R.__ - FY 2013 Budget Resolution. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY--------------------------------10:00-Open
Technology and Innovation Subc. On examining the effect of federal policies on competition, innovation, and job growth. Public witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
SELECT INTELLIGENCE---------------------------------------------------------9:00-Ex.
Full Committee. Hrng. on current intelligence activities. HV-304.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE---------------------------10:00-Open
Water Resources and Environment Subc. On the FY 2013 budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers. 2167 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS--------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Full Committee. On assessing ongoing delays to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ major construction. Public witnesses. 334 CHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:30 am
Armed Services
Hearings to examine U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber 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.
SD-106
10:00 am
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army.
SD-124
10:00 am
Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy: Subcommittee on Oversight
A joint oversight hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) work with other Federal entities to reduce pollution and improve environmental performance.
SD-406
10:00 am
Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security
Hearings to examine the economic imperative for promoting international travel to the United States.
SD-226
10:30 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development
Hearings to examine the choice neighborhoods initiative, focusing on a new community development model.
SD-538
2:00 pm
Joint Economic Committee
Hearings to examine monetary policy going forward, focusing on why a sound dollar boosts growth and employment.
SH-216
2:15 pm
Foreign Relations
Business meeting to consider S.Res.356, expressing support for the people of Tibet, S.Res.395, expressing the sense of the Senate in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the NATO summit to be held in Chicago, Illinois from May 20 through 21, 2012, S.Res.397, promoting peace and stability in Sudan, S.Res.80, condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights, S.Res.391, condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the Senate on freedom of the press in Syria, S.Res.344, supporting the democratic aspirations of the Nicaraguan people and calling attention to the deterioration of constitutional order in Nicaragua, the nominations of Julissa Reynoso, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Gina K. Abercrombie-Winstanley, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, Frederick D. Barton, of Maine, to be Assistant Secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations, and to be Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, William E. Todd, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Pamela A. White, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, of Louisiana, to be Director General of the Foreign Service, Carlos Pascual, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, John Christopher Stevens, of California, to be Ambassador to Libya, Jacob Walles, of Delaware, to be Ambassador to the Tunisian Republic, Tracey Ann Jacobson, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, Mark A. Pekala, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, Richard B. Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Georgia, Kenneth Merten, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, and Jeffrey D. Levine, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, all of the Department of State, and Sara Margalit Aviel, of California, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and lists in the Foreign Service.
S-116
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland
A hearing to examine Army modernization in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SR-222
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Hearings to examine the Department of Defense's role in implementation of the National Strategy for Counterterrorism and the National Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SR-232A
2:30 pm
Intelligence
Closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters.
SH-219
2:45 pm
Finance: Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
Hearings to examine renewable energy tax incentives, focusing on how have the recent and pending expirations of key incentives affected the renewable energy industry in the United States.
SD-215