I can haz paycheck fairness now? No? Oh wells.
Recapping yesterday's action:
Another late night of voting in the House, with the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill keeping them busy with 40+ amendments considered, not to mention their slate of ten suspension bills and a couple of last-minute unanimous consent items. Highlights of the day: two Republican lightbulb derangement syndrome amendments, and the passage of the International Child Support Recovery Improvement Act by voice vote, sparing non-deabeat dad Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL-08) the potential embarrassment of going on the record on that one.
The Senate met to determine that they would not go forward with a debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act today, because only a majority of them wanted to have it. So there will be no paycheck fairness for one half of the population, because more than half but less than three-fifths of the Senate wanted it.
Looking ahead to today:
The House will continue with and wrap up its consideration of the Energy and Water Development bill, and from there it's on to still more motions to instruct the conferees on the surface transportation bill, then the next veto-targeted appropriation bill, Homeland Security.
The Senate moves on from the Paycheck Fairness filibuster into a potential farm bill filibuster. They're holding out some hope of a deal on the motion to proceed, but for right now, the plan is to spend the day debating that motion to proceed while waiting or the cloture motion on it to ripen. But that doesn't happen until Thursday. So absent a deal, today will be spent on yet another motion to proceed, which that gentlemen's agreement on filibuster reform was supposed to have resolved a year and a half ago. But you already knew that was a failure.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.First votes expected: 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Last votes expected: 10:00 - 11:00 p.m.
One Minute Speeches (15 per side)
Complete Consideration of H.R. 5325 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen / Appropriations Committee)
No further amendment to the bill may be offered except those included in the unanimous consent agreement.
Postponed Amendment Votes:
Rep. Gerold Connolly Amendment
Rep. John Shimkus Amendment
Rep. Loretta Sanchez Amendment
Rep. Jared Polis Amendment
Rep. Michael Burgess Amendment
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Amendment
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan Amendment
Rep. Steve Chabot Amendment
Rep. Tom Reed Amendment
Rep. Dennis Kucinich Amendment
Rep. Marsha Blackburn Amendment #2
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment #2
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer Amendment #2
Rep. Scott Tipton Amendment
Rep. Dana Rohabacher Amendment
Rep. Cliff Stearns Amendment
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment
Rep. Mick Mulvaney Amendment
Rep. Steve King Amendment
Rep. Cynthia Lummis Amendment
Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Offered by Rep. Jeff Flake)
Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Offered by Rep. Lloyd Doggett)
Begin Consideration of H.R. 5855 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Aderholt / Appropriations Committee)
The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order any amendment offered that complies with the House rules.
Postponed Votes on Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) S. 292 - Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act (Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski / Natural Resources Committee)
2) S. 363 - A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey property of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the City of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker / Natural Resources Committee)
Special Order Speeches
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is his intention to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3420, the Farm bill.
Following the remarks of the Majority Leader and the Republican Leader, the next hour will be equally divided between the two sides with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3420 on Tuesday, June 5th. If no agreement is reached, the cloture vote will occur on Thursday, June 7th; however, we hope to reach an agreement to begin consideration of the bill during Wednesday’s session.
We also hope to get an agreement to vote on a judicial nomination during Wednesday’s session.
6/5 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, June 5, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTE
1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act; Not Invoked: 52-47
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.2061, to provide for an exchange of land between the Department of Homeland Security and the South Carolina State Ports Authority with committee-reported amendments.
Adopted S.Res.477, a resolution calling for the safe and immediate return of Noor and Ramsey Bower to the United States.
Adopted S.Res.478, a resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the chartering of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.
Adopted S.Res.479, commemorating the dedication of the Strategic Air Command Memorial during the 20th anniversary of its stand down.
Adopted S.Res.480, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of United States Strategic Command.
Adopted S.Res.481, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the United States- Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and the vitality of the overall bilateral relationship by voice vote.
Adopted S.Con.Res.45, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the Montford Point Marines.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Subc. Markup of H.R. _ - Agriculture Appropriations Act for FY 2013. 2361-A RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------11:00-Open
Financial Services and General Government. Markup of H.R. _ - Financial Services Appropriations Act for FY 2013. 2362-B RHOB.
BUDGET-----------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On the Congressional Budget Office’s long-term budget outlook. Douglas Elmendorf, Director, CBO. 210 CHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE--------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Power Subc. On EPA enforcement priorities and practices. Dept. and public witnesses. 2322 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE--------------------------------------------------10:15-Open
Communications and Technology Subc. On examining the impact of technological advances on audio consumers. Public witnesses. 2123 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE---------------------------------------------------4:00-Open
Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subc. Markup of H.R. 5865 – American Manufacturing Competiveness Act of 2012, and H.R. 5859 – To repeal an obsolete provision in title 49, United States Code, requiring motor vehicle insurance cost reporting. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES--------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On H.R. 4624 – Investment Adviser Oversight Act of 2012. Public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES----------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subc. On an examination of the Federal Reserve’s final rule on the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act’s ‘ability to repay’ requirement. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Subc. On examining the response of the Department of State to the arrest of American citizen Jacob Ostreicher in Bolivia. Public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS--------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Asia and the Pacific Subc. On the outlook of the U.S.-Korea alliance. Dept. and public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On investigating waste, fraud, and abuse in Afghanistan. Dept. and public witnesses. 2200 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY--------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 4251 – The Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-based Targeting for Port Security Act, and the committee activity report for the third quarter of the 112th Congress. 311 CHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY--------------------------------------------------12:00-Open
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subc. On examining the current level of national preparedness. Dept. and public witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY---------------------------------------------------------------11:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 4377 – Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2012, H.R. 4018 – Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2012, H.R. 3668 – Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act of 2011, H.R. 4223 – Safe Dose Act, H.R. 4369 – Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2012, and H.R. 5889 – Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2012. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES---------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Water and Power Subc. On H.R. _ - Accelerated Revenue and Repayment Act, and S. 997 – East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension Act. Public witnesses. 1334 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM----------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On reviewing the possible influence of the Department of Labor political appointees on Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data collection and dissemination. Dept. and public witnesses. 2154 RHOB.
RULES---------------------------------------------------------------------3:00-Open
Full Committee. On H.R. 436 – Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2011, and H.R. 5882 – Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY 2013. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY-------------------------------------10:00-Open
Space and Aeronautics Subc. On examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s launch indemnification program. Dept. and public witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY--------------------------------------2:00-Open
Energy and Environment Subc. On examining the EPA’s impact on jobs and energy affordability. Dept. witnesses. 2318 RHOB.
SMALL BUSINESS--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Full Committee. On addressing the Small Business Administration’s oversight of the capital access programs with a special focus on the ad hoc procedures used to manage those programs. Karen Mills, Administrator, Small Business Administration. 2360 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS----------------------------------------------------10:30-Open
Full Committee. On the Department of Veterans Affairs pharmaceutical prime vendor contract. Dept. and public witnesses. 334 CHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. On pending legislation. MC’s and public witnesses. 334 CHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
10:00 am
Judiciary
Hearings to examine ensuring that Federal prosecutors meet discovery obligations.
SD-226
2:30 pm
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Hearings to examine the European Union Emissions Trading System.
SR-253