Recapping yesterday's action:
As is usually the case in the House, the first work day of the week was all about the suspension bills. Seven were scheduled. Six made it to the floor. Only three required roll call votes, and each of those three passed without a single vote cast against them. The odd man out from the schedule: a motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2297, a bill to promote the development of the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia.
The Senate, in addition to continuing the debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the student loan bill, confirmed the three federal judges slated for approval today, two by voice vote, and one by roll call. In addition, they slipped two FCC commissioners through.
Looking ahead to today:
The House picks up its first regular appropriations bill of the year, and you know, it struck me yesterday that it was the Commerce, Justice, Science bill, which is a little unusual to see come up first. Lately, I think it's almost always been a defense or veterans-related appprops that makes it to the floor first, probably because there's generally less disagreement among the appropriators about those subjects. Military construction is always a popular starting point.
But I think the shenanigans with the "Sequester Replacement Act" is screwing that up this year. House Republicans want to repeal the so-called "automatic, across-the-board cuts" agreed to last August as part of the debt ceiling deal, at least with respect to defense spending. So that's probably got to be addressed first, before they can actually move a defense-related appropriations bill.
And of course, they'll be looking to make up that extra spending with cuts elsewhere, and they'll be doing it at the expense of accounts and programs already cut to the bone by the rest of the August agreement. Balking at the defense cuts is throwing everything else into disarray, too. And as a result, you've got the first appropriations bill of the year coming to the floor under a veto threat.
So they'll spend all day, and maybe a good part of the night, on this one, even though it sounds like the President isn't interested in letting this go anywhere. Not that the Senate is likely to send it on to him in its present form, anyway. And maybe it's with that knowledge that the leadership has opted to bring the bill to the floor under an open rule, meaning anyone can bring any amendment they like. I'm sure the Republican plan is pretty much to crap on all of them if they're written by Democrats, and maybe give a sidelong glance at the ones coming from their fellow Republicans. They can keep that up all night, especially knowing none of it is likely to matter.
In the Senate, the order of the day is a noon cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the student loan bill.
By the way, how are we doing with the whole filibuster and cloture thing this year, thanks to our "gentleman's agreement?" For a while there, it sort of did seem like we were seeing fewer cloture motions made. But the deal on reining in filibusters of motions to proceed fell apart pretty early in the first session, and now we're really beginning to see the numbers rack up. Today's vote is on the 83rd cloture motion filed during the 112th Congress, and really, that's not all that far off the record and near-record-setting paces of the previous two Congresses. Today's motion was filed on April 26th, and by the same date in the last two Congresses, there had been 90 filed in the 111th, and 99 in the 110th. So there's been some slack in the pace, but this 83rd filing in the 112th has already claimed the title of the third all-time highest total for an entire Congress.
So, yeah, that whole thing is kind of sucking wind right now.
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, MAY 7, 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.
**Members are advised that the GOP Leadership has announced that votes will occur after 7:00 p.m. when the House is considering Appropriations bills, and that the House will be voting late into the evening on Tuesday.
First votes expected: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Last votes expected: Evening
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
H.R. 5326 - Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes (Rep. Wolf - Appropriations) (Subject to a Rule)
**We expect an Open Rule which would not require that amendments be pre-printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration.
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Convenes: 10:00am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act with the time until 12:00pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2343.
Following the vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
5/07 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Monday, May 7, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTE
1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #508, Jacqueline H. Nguyen, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Confirmed: 91-3
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2050, Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act (Republican request)
Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2240, Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act (Republican request)
Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4849, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Backcountry Access Act (Republican request)
Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act (Republican request)
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed the following:
- Executive Calendar #512, Ajit Varadaraj Pai, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2011
- Executive Calendar #513, Jessica Rosenworcel, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2010
- Executive Calendar #568, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of AR, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas by voice vote
- Executive Calendar #569, John Z. Lee, of IL, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois by voice vote
Today's House committee schedule:
AGRICULTURE-----------------------------------------------------------11:00-Open
Nutrition and Horticulture Subc. On specialty crop and nutrition programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. 1300 LHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS---------------------------------------------------------10:00-Ex.
Defense Subc. Markup of H.R. _ - Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2013. H-140 Capitol.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------11:30-Open
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subc. Markup of H.R. _ - Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for FY 2013. H-140 Capitol.
ENERGY & COMMERCE---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Health Subc. Mark up of legislation to reauthorize user fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices, establish user fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and reform FDA programs. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES----------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subc. On examining legislation that would overhaul the Federal Reserve System. MC’s and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY---------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Border and Maritime Security Subc. On examining the U.S. Border Patrol’s new strategic plan and how the plan addresses the evolution of border security threats. Dept. witnesses. 311 CHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY---------------------------------------------------12:30-Open
Transportation Security Subc. On building secure partnerships in travel, commerce, and trade with the Asia-Pacific region. Dept. and public witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY--------------------------------------------------------------10:15-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 4970 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012, H.R. 4377 – Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2012, and H.R. _ - Divisional Realignment Act of 2012. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES----------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Subc. On H.R. 3210 – Retailers and Entertainers Lacey Implementation and Enforcement Fairness Act, and H.R. 4171 – Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2012. 1324 LHOB.
SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY-----------------------------------------10:00-Open
Investigations and Oversight Subc. On the science behind green building rating systems. Dept. and public witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS-----------------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Full Committee. On ensuring quality of the Department of Veterans Affairs mental health care staffing. Eric Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. 334 CHOB.
WAYS & MEANS---------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Oversight Subc. and Social Security Subc. Joint hrng. on tax fraud involving identity theft. Dept. witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:30 am
Armed Services
To receive a closed briefing on the Defense Clandestine Service in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SVC-217
10:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Hearings to examine expanding refinancing opportunities to improve the housing market.
SD-538
10:00 am
Finance
Hearings to examine the nominations of Mark J. Mazur, of New Jersey, and Matthew S. Rutherford, of Illinois, both to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and Meredith M. Broadbent, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission.
SD-215
2:30 pm
Intelligence
To receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community.
SH-219