Recapping yesterday's action:
The House handled its suspension bills without incident yesterday, which is perhaps more than I expected. But they fumbled the continuing appropriations bill, which went down by a vote of
195-230, with 48 Republican nays. News outlets
like ABC reported that, "the surprise 230-195 defeat came at the hands of Democrats and tea party Republicans." But I'll note (
again) for the record that there are 60 members of the House Tea Party Caucus, the gang Michele Bachmann claims to lead under that banner. Fewer than half of that number actually voted nay yesterday. Just 25 did. Which means that just barely more than half of the nay votes from Republicans came from members who identify themselves openly with Bachmann's Tea Party Caucus, and that 56% of the Tea Party Caucus actually voted for it. Bachmann herself, of course, was nowhere to be found and missed the vote entirely. In fact, Bachmann hasn't cast a vote since August 1st, and has missed the last 29 roll calls in the House.
The Senate spent its day considering and rejected a handful of amendments to the trade bill. All of which, by the way, were offered by Republicans and were subject to "painless filibusters" requiring 60 votes for passage. So there is at least unanimous agreement that the work of filibustering amendments is too annoying for anyone to have to do, Democrat or Republican.
Looking ahead to today:
The House moves on to H.R. 2401, the" Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act." BANANAS Alert Level: 7. Also of note is the upcoming consideration of H. Res. 409, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of Rule XIII, which requires a 2/3 vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee. The Republican leadership may need this in place in order to be able to move the continuing appropriations bill again on short notice. But what's interesting about their use of this particular trick is that it's a procedure they used to call imposing "Martial Law" when Democrats did it.
The Senate appears to have ironed out a schedule under which they'll complete work on the trade bill and its amendments today, and clear the decks for receiving the continuing appropriations bill, whenever that might come through from the House.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Thursday, 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 a weekend session is now possible. This is a change from the previously announced schedule and further scheduling information will be announced as soon as it becomes available.
First votes are expected between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
Last votes are expected ???
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
H.R. 2401 - The Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act of 2011 (Rep. Sullivan - Energy and Commerce) (Subject to a Rule)
The Rule provides for two hours of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Rush Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. McNerney Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Moore Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Capps Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Kinzinger/Gonzalez Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Dent Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Hastings (FL) Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jackson-Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Whitfield Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Latta Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Richardson Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
H.Res. 409 - Martial Law Authority Rule - Waiving clause 6(a) of Rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee)
Possible Further Consideration of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (H.R. 2608 - Small Business Program Extension and Reform Act of 2011)
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (4):
- S.Con.Res. 28 - A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II (Sen. Inouye - House Administration)
- S. 846 - To designate the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse (Sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt - Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.R. 2943 - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Extension (Rep. Davis (KY) - Ways and Means)
- H.R. 2883 - Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Rep. Davis (KY) - Ways and Means)
Considered and Failed:
Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment to H.R. 2608 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Rep. Rogers (KY) – Appropriations) (195 – 230)
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Thursday, September 22, 2011
Convenes: 9:30am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2832, the Generalized System of Preferences bill. The only remaining amendments in order to the Casey amendment #633 (Trade Adjustment Assistance) are the following:
- Rubio amendment #651 (TAA limited eligibility)
- Thune amendment #650 (ITC report) and
- Cornyn amendment #634 (sale of F-16 aircraft to Taiwan).
There will be up to 5 hours of debate on the Rubio, Thune and Cornyn amendments, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with Senator Cornyn controlling one hour of the Republican time and Senators Thune and Rubio each controlling 30 minutes of the Republican time.
At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 5 roll call votes in relation to the following:
- Rubio amendment #651
- Thune amendment #650
- Cornyn amendment #634
- Casey amendment #633, as amended, if amended and
- H.R.2832, as amended, if amended.
Each vote will require 60-votes in the affirmative. There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote.
Additionally, we await action by the House on the continuing resolution.
Roll Call Votes
- On the Amendment (Hatch Amdt. No. 641 ), S.Amdt. 641 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To make the effective date of the amendments expanding the trade adjustment assistance program contingent on the enactment of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, the United States-Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, and the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act. Amendment Rejected, 44-54.
- On the Amendment (McCain Amdt. No. 625 ), S.Amdt. 625 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To extend the trade adjustment assistance as in effect before the enactment of the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance of 2009. Amendment Rejected, 46-53.
- On the Amendment (Hatch Amdt. No. 642 ), S.Amdt. 642 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To modify the eligibility requirements for trade adjustment assistance. Amendment Rejected, 40-57.
- On the Amendment (Kyl Amdt. No. 645 ), S.Amdt. 645 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, To repeal trade adjustment assistance for firms. Amendment Rejected, 43-54.
Other Business
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Discharged the Small Business committee and Passed S.633, Small Business Fraud Prevention Act w/ a Murray amendment
Adopted S.Con.Res.17, expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)