Might as well start getting you people in the habit of tuning in to
Daily Kos Radio weekday mornings from 9-11 EDT (with podcasts available soon, in case you can't make it). Yesterday we spent a little time talking about the mechanics and use of filling the amendment tree in the Senate. You know you wanted to hear that! So
click here to listen (or on the player button at the bottom of this section), and don't miss out!
Recapping yesterday's action:
The House made its way through the raft of amendments to, and final passage of, the "Conservation and Economic Growth Act." So presumably, the economy is going to grow now, which is awesome. But it's going to do so without requiring that the gift shops in our National Parks sell only items made in America, because that was in the motion to recommit the bill that Republicans rejected. Just thought you might want to know.
The Senate also moved a pile of amendments today, these to the farm bill. Just 47 left to go! Among those considered: one from Rand Paul (R-KY) forbidding any subsidy payments to anyone with more than $250,000 in income (failed), and one from Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) restoring some of the cuts made in SNAP (also failed). Two others that would have cut SNAP even more also went down.
And just so you know, the Senate also agreed to congratulate the Los Angeles Kings for winning the Stanley Cup, and to declare today (the 20th) "American Eagle Day." So for those of you who were perhaps thinking of assaulting an eagle, maybe you want to put that off for now, out of respect for the day.
Looking ahead to today:
The House today considers the "Domestic Energy and Jobs Act," so by this time tomorrow, there should be a whole bunch of jobs and stuff. Maybe. I mean, the Republicans in the House keep adding the word "jobs" to every bill they bring up (this one was known as the "Strategic Energy Production Act" as recently as Monday), but for some reason it doesn't seem to do anything. Maybe running a government isn't really all that much like ordering a sandwich, after all. Oh well. Anyway, there are 27 amendments to the bill to deal with before we get to final passage, so it looks like this one will stretch out into tomorrow's schedule, too.
Oh, and P.S., I heard yesterday afternoon that the Oversight Committee might take up the contempt of Congress resolution that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA-49) has been threatening against Attorney General Eric Holder, in connection with the "Fast & Furious" probe. More about that on today's radio show. Tune in and I'll tell you all about the problems with contempt of Congress proceedings. Or, if you can't, well, search my archived posts on it. I'd do it for you, but it's 1:00 in the morning as I write this.
The Senate will start the day with some debate on, and then a motion to proceed to, the resolution of disapproval of the EPA mercury rule. The expectation is that the motion will fail, and the plan thereafter is to return to the amendments to the farm bill, and hopefully to final passage as well. But there are still 47 amendments standing in the way of that, and even though not all of them are likely to require roll call votes, there's still a substantial number that will, and we could be in for a long night. The expected sequence of the votes can be found here.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
And don't forget to check in with Daily Kos Radio for commentary on all this and more, every Monday through Friday, from 9-11 a.m. EDT. Just click on the player below.
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In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First/Last votes expected: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Begin Consideration of H.R. 4480 – Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (Rep. Gardner – Energy and Commerce/Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule)
The Rule provides for two hours of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Hastings (WA) Manager’s Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Polis Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Terry/Mack Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Quigley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McKinley Amendment #11 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McKinley Amendment #12 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Waxman Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Gene Green Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Terry Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Rush Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Holt Amendment #34 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Lewis (GA) Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Amodei Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Markey Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Landry Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Rigell Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Holt Amendment #33 (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Wittman/Rigell Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Westmoreland/Braley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Bass (CA) Amendment #38 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Bass (CA) Amendment #39 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Capps Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Hanabusa Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Speier Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. DeLauro/Markey/Frank Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson-Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Suspension (1 bill)
House Amendment to S. 3187 – Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (Sen. Harkin – Energy and Commerce)
Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 – Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Rep. McKinley)
Postponed vote (1 vote)
Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 – Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Rep. Walz)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the Republican Leader will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards. The time until 11:30am will be equally divided controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 15 minutes.
At 11:30am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37. If the motion to proceed is not successful (which is what is expected), the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill and resume voting on the remaining amendments in order to the bill.
Senators should expect several roll call votes beginning at 11:30am on Wednesday.
6/18 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Tuesday, June 19, 2012
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Ayotte amendment #2192 (value added grants) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 38-61
2) Snowe amendment #2190 (milk marketing order reform); Agreed To: 66-33
3) Grassley amendment #2167 (pay cap marketing loans); Agreed To: 75-24
4) Brown (OH) amendment #2445 (rural development); Agreed To: 55-44
5) Sessions amendment #2174 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 43-56
6) Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse pilot); Agreed To: 58-41
7) Sessions amendment #2172 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 41-58
8) Casey amendment #2238 (technical/study-federal milk marketing); Agreed To: 73-26
9) Paul amendment #2181 ($250,000 income limit); Not Agreed To: 15-84
10) Alexander amendment #2191 (wind loans); Not Agreed To: 33-66
11) Feinstein amendment #2309 (insurance recall); Agreed To: 76-23
12) Toomey amendment #2217 (organic/AMA); Not Agreed To: 42-57
13) Gillibrand amendment #2156, as modified (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 33-66
14) DeMint amendment #2263 (broadband funding); Not Agreed To: 45-54
15) DeMint amendment #2268 (loan guarantees); Not Agreed To: 14-84
16) DeMint amendment #2276 (checkoffs); Not Agreed To: 20-79
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.3314, to specifically authorize certain funds for an intelligence-related activity and for other purposes by voice vote.
Adopted S.Res.496, observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.
Adopted S.Res.497, congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012 Stanley Cup.
Adopted S.Res.498, designating June 20, 2012, as “American Eagle Day”.
Adopted S.Res.499, 10th anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
APPROPRIATIONS-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. _ - Financial Services Appropriations Act for FY 2013. 2359 RHOB.
APPROPRIATIONS--------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Interior and Environment Subc. Markup of H.R. _ - Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for FY 2013. B-308 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES-------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On military options for the Iranian nuclear challenge. Public witnesses. 2118 RHOB.
ARMED SERVICES--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On the discussing the Afghanistan National Security Forces and strategies for the security lead transition. Dept. witnesses. 2212 RHOB.
EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE---------------------------------------10:00-Open
Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subc. On assessing the challenges facing multiemployer pension plans. Public witnesses. 2175 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE--------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. 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, H.R. 4273 – Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012, H.R. 5892 – Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012, H.Con.Res. 127 – Expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived, and the committee activities and summary report. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES----------------------------------------------------9:00-Open
Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subc. On the U.S. equity market structure. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES----------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity Subc. On recent efforts by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to change mortgage loan disclosures required at real estate closing. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS--------------------------------------------------------1:30-Open
Middle East and South Asia Subc. On reflections on the revolution in Egypt. Dept. and public witnesses. 2200 RHOB.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS--------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subc. On the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Public witnesses. 2172 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY--------------------------------------------------10:15-Open
Full Committee. On responses from American Muslims on the hearings on Islamic radicalization within their communities. Public witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY---------------------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subc. On discussing the Drug Enforcement Administration. Michele Leonhart, Administrator, DEA, Department of Justice. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY----------------------------------------------------------------1:00-Open
Immigration Policy and Enforcement Subc. On H.R. 2899 – Chinese Media Reciprocity Act of 2011. MC’s and public witnesses. 2141 RHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM--------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of a resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, Department of Justice, in contempt of Congress. 2154 RHOB.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY-------------------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On oversight of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy. 2318 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS----------------------------------------------------10:00-Open
Oversight and Investigations Subc. On H.R. 2985 – To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans, H.R. 3730 – To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice to individuals whose sensitive personal information is involved in a data breach, H.R. 4481 – To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs employees who violate certain civil laws do not receive bonuses, and H.R. 5948 - To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries of veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. MC’s and public witnesses. 334 CHOB.
WAYS & MEANS-----------------------------------------------------------9:30-Open
Full Committee. On Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and granting Russia permanent normal trade relations. Ron Kirk, Ambassador, United States Trade Representative, and public witnesses. 1100 LHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
9:30 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
Hearings to examine the initial public offering (IPO) process, focusing on ordinary investors.
SD-538
10:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science and Space
Hearings to examine risks, opportunities, and oversight of commercial space.
SR-253
10:00 am
Judiciary
An oversight hearing to examine the United States Patent and Trademark Office, focusing on implementation of the Leahy-Smith "America Invents Act" and international harmonizing efforts.
SD-226
2:30 pm
Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel
Hearings to examine Department of Defense programs and policies to support military families with special needs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2013 and the Future Years Defense Program.
SH-216
2:30 pm
Judiciary
Hearings to examine Holocaust-era claims in the 21st century.
SD-226