Recapping yesterday's action:
The House debated six suspension bills yesterday, passing two (H.R. 2947 and H.R. 491) by voice vote, H.R. 2157 by a recorded roll call vote, and postponing three more votes for today.
The Senate considered and rejected the resolution of disapproval seeking to block the new NLRB rules, then went on to run through 16 of the 39 pending amendments to the postal reform bill. Of those that got roll call votes, only one (Akaka amendment #2049, managerial organizations) went down despite majority support. (All amendments were subject to the "painless filibuster," that is, an agreed-upon requirement of 60 votes to pass.) They did manage to muster the 60 votes needed to waive the Budget Act with respect to the bill, however. Sen. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III (R-AL) had objected that the bill's provisions transferring back the USPS's now-infamous forced overpayments for its pension system was a violation of pay-for requirements. But that's not accurate, and 62 Senators collectively told him to go take a flying leap. And that was that.
Looking ahead to today:
The House takes up two more suspension bills today, which I didn't even realize were coming to the floor under suspension at all when I wrote This Week in Congress for Monday. But yes, the DATA Act and the Small Business Credit Availability Act are both in fact being voted on under suspension of the rules.
The big news of the day, though, is that they're bringing up a motion to go to conference on the latest transportation bill, which is the first indication that the House is finally be ready to talk to the Senate about a compromise position that'll get a full-fledged reauthorization passed, at long last. The Senate has had its own bill passed (with 72 votes) and waiting since mid-March, but until now the House had held out and refused to take it up. Now they can consider the Senate's position mostly away from prying eyes, in the conference room setting, rather than under the glaring lights of the House, where they'd have been forced to give up their ridiculous and overly partisan positions in full view of the C-SPAN cameras.
The Senate starts off its day with a few more hours of debate on the motion to proceed to the Violence Against Women Act renewal, but then switches gears at 2:00 p.m. to take up the 20 or so remaining amendments to the postal reform bill, followed by a vote on passage of the bill itself. Why the debate on a different bill first, when you know you have so many votes to take care of? Well, setting aside the time until 2:00 for this other debate gives Senators time to hold and finish up the bulk of their committee meetings, before their presence is required for a long series of back-to-back votes. So although the scheduling may seem backward to the rest of us, to Senators it makes sense.
Hey, you have to take what you can get and hold on to it tight when you find something in the Senate that makes sense.
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, APRIL 24, 2012
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First/Last votes expected: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspensions (2 bills)
- H.R. 2146 – DATA Act, as amended (Rep. Issa – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3336 – Small Business Credit Availability Act, as amended (Rep. Hartzler – Agriculture)
Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II and Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees
Postponed Suspensions (3 Bills)
- H.R. 1038 – To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960 (Rep. Gosar – Natural Resources)
- H.R. 2050 – Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act (Rep. Simpson – Natural Resources)
- H.R. 2240 – Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act of 2011 (Rep. Tsongas – Natural Resources)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act with the time until 2:00pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes; the Majority will control the second 30 minutes. Additionally, Republicans will control the time from 11:30am until 12:30pm and the Majority will control the time from 12:30pm until 1:30pm.
At 2:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1789, the Postal Reform bill. There will be several votes beginning at 2:00pm in order to complete action on the Postal Reform bill.
The following amendments are the only amendments remaining in order. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will vote on passage of S.1789, as amended. The amendments with an asterisk following them are amendments we hope can be disposed of without a roll call vote.
- Manchin #2079 (extend moratorium on closings);
- Paul #2026 (performance based bonuses)* ;
- Bingaman #2076 (state liaisons)* ;
- Paul #2027 (capitol complex);
- Cardin #2040 (50 mile limit)* ;
- Paul #2028 (alternative methods pilot program);
- Carper #2065 (stamp rate authority)* ;
- Paul #2029 (profitability plan)* ;
- Carper #2066 (executive compensation)* ;
- Paul #2039 (prohibit collective bargaining);
- Casey #2042 (delivery time);
- Paul #2038 (first class mail and mailbox use)* (unlikely to be offered);
- Landrieu #2072 (impact on small businesses)* ;
- DeMint #2046 (unions);
- McCaskill #2030 compensation reforms)* ;
- Coburn #2059 (close unprofitable facilities);
- Pryor #2036 (SoS re: closing and consolidation)* ;
- Rockefeller #2073 (Medicare coordination)* ;
- Rockefeller #2074 (health benefits program)* ;
- Schumer #2050 (delivery point services);
- Tester #2032 (executive pay)* ; and
- Warner #2071, with modification to be agreed to by two Managers (OPM retirement implementation plan)* .
4/24 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, April 24, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures; Not Agreed To: 45-54
2) Lieberman motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the substitute amendment #2000, as modified and S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Agreed To: 62-37
3) McCain amendment #2033 (reorganization commission); Not Agreed To: 30-69
4) Coburn amendment #2061, as modified (mandatory retirement); Not Agreed To: 33-65
5) Udall(NM) amendment #2043, as modified (six-day delivery); Not Agreed To: 43-56
6) Akaka amendment #2034 (workers compensation); Not Agreed To: 46-53
7) Corker amendment #2083 (frequency of mail delivery); Not Agreed To: 29-70
8) Akaka amendment #2049 (managerial organizations); Not Agreed To: 57-42
9) Paul amendment #2025 (end mailbox use monopoly); Not Agreed To: 35-64
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.432, designating April 30, 2012, as “Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young Americans”.
Adopted S.Res.433, designating April 2012 as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month”.
By unanimous consent, the following items were placed on the Legislative Calendar:
- S.2338, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012. (Hutchison, Grassley and Cornyn)
- S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act. (Reid)
- S.2344, To extend the National Flood Insurance Program until December 31, 2012. (Vitter)
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
AGRICULTURE----------------------------------------------------2:30-Open
Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture Subc. On rural development programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. 1300 LHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. _ - Energy and Water Appropriations Act for FY 2013 and a report on the suballocation of budget allocations for FY 2013. 2359 RHOB.
BUDGET--------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On replacing the sequester. Dept. witnesses. 210 CHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R._ - Gasoline Regulations Act, H.R._ - Strategic Energy Production Act, and H.Con.Res. 112 – Establishing the budget for the U.S. government for FY 2013 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2014 through 2022. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subc. On oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mary Schapiro, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On the LRA, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, and other sources of instability in Africa. Dept. witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Middle East and South Asia Subc. On U.S. policy toward the evolving situation in Syria. Public witnesses. 2360 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Western Hemisphere Subc. On a review of the FY 2013 budget for the Western Hemisphere. Dept. witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------2:30-Open
Asia and the Pacific Subc. On oversight of U.S. policy toward Burma. Dept. and public witnesses. 2200 RHOB.
JUDICIARY------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subc. On H.R. 3361 – Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2011. Public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY------------------------------------------------------12:00-Open
Courts, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subc. On H.R. 4377 – Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2012. Public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY-------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 365 – National Blue Alert Act of 2011, and H.Con.Res. 112 – Establishing the budget for the U.S. government for FY 2013 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2014 through 2022. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES-------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of pending legislation . 1324 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------------9:30-Open
Health Care, District of Columbia, Census, and the National Archives Subc. and Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight, and Government Spending Subc. Joint hrng. on whether the government is adequately protecting taxpayers from Medicaid fraud. MC’s and public witnesses. 2154 RHOB.
RULES-----------------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Full Committee. On H.R. 3523 – Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY--------------------------------10:00-Open
Investigations and Oversight Subc. and Healthcare and Technology Subc. of the Small Business Committee. Joint hrng. on how the report of carcinogens uses science to meet its statutory obligations and its impact of small business jobs. Dept. and public witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE----------------------------9:00-Open
Aviation Subc. On reviewing aviation safety in the United States. Dept. and public witnesses. 2167 RHOB.
WAYS & MEANS------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Human Resources Subc. On reviewing the implementation of the reforms to the unemployment insurance system. Dept. and public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
WAYS & MEANS--------------------------------------------------2:30-Open
Oversight Subc. On examining limitations of the purchase of over-the-counter medication with tax-advantaged accounts such as health care Flexible Spending Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, and Health Reimbursement Account. Dept. and public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Business meeting to consider the 2012 Farm Bill.
SR-328A
9:30 am
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Business meeting to consider S.2218, to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, and for other purposes, S.241, to expand whistleblower protections to non-Federal employees whose disclosures involve misuse of Federal funds, S.2061, to provide for an exchange of land between the Department of Homeland Security and the South Carolina State Ports Authority, S.1673, establish the Office of Agriculture Inspection within the Department of Homeland Security, which shall be headed by the Assistant Commissioner for Agriculture Inspection, and for other purposes, S.2170, to amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code, which are commonly referred to as the "Hatch Act" to eliminate the provision preventing certain State and local employees from seeking elective office, clarify the application of certain provisions to the District of Columbia, and modify the penalties which may be imposed for certain violations under subchapter III of chapter 73 of that title, S.1998, to obtain an unqualified audit opinion, and improve financial accountability and management at the Department of Homeland Security, H.R.3902, to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to revise the timing of special elections for local office in the District of Columbia, H.R.2668, to designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 2136 South Naco Highway in Bisbee, Arizona, as the "Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station", S.Res.419, expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition week, H.R.298, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the "Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building", H.R.1423, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 4th Avenue Southwest in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as the "Specialist Micheal E. Phillips Post Office", 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", H.R.2213, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the "Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office", H.R.2244, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the "Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office", H.R.2660, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 North Holderrieth Boulevard in Tomball, Texas, as the "Tomball Veterans Post Office", H.R.2767, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8 West Silver Street in Westfield, Massachusetts, as the "William T. Trant Post Office Building", H.R.3004, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 260 California Drive in Yountville, California, as the "Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building", H.R.3246, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the "Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building", 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", 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", and the nominations of Tony Hammond, of Missouri, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, 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
9:30 am
Judiciary
An oversight hearing to examine the Department of Homeland Security.
SD-226
9:30 am
Rules and Administration
Hearings to examine S.219, to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form.
SR-301
9:30 am
Veterans' Affairs
Hearings to examine Veterans' Affairs mental health care, focusing on evaluating access and assessing care.
SD-138
10:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development
Hearings to examine helping homeowners save money through refinancing.
SD-538
10:00 am
Finance
Hearings to examine tax reform, focusing on what it means for state and local tax and fiscal policy.
SD-215
10:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Business meeting to consider an original bill entitled "Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act", and any pending nominations.
SD-106
10:30 am
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Defense
Closed hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2013 for national and military intelligence programs.
SVC-217
2:00 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel
To resume hearings to examine the Active, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SD-106
2:30 pm
Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Service and General Government
Hearings to examine expanding broadband access, promoting innovation, and protecting consumers in a communications revolution, focusing on fiscal year 2013 resource needs for the Federal Communications Commission.
SD-138
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
Hearings to examine current readiness of U.S. forces in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SR-232A
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Hearings to examine ballistic missile defense policies and programs 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.
SR-222