Recapping yesterday's action:
The House was not in session yesterday.
The Senate was, but there wasn't a great deal going on. Still, they did manage to get several executive nominations cleared, and pass three bills relating to federal court procedures, all by unanimous consent. Just one roll call vote for the day, confirming a new federal judge.
Looking ahead to today:
The House meets late today, with votes on just three suspension bills postponed until 6:30 p.m. But the good news is that after today, we'll be well on our way to making "In God We Trust" our national motto! Awesome! And much, much better than yesterday, when our national motto was "In God We Trust."
You read that right.
H. Con. Res. 13 will "reaffirm" that our national motto is indeed "In God We Trust." It already is "In God We Trust," but hey, why not reaffirm that? Think of all the jobs that could be created! We could even pass another resolution reaffirming that this resolution did, in fact, reaffirm the motto. You can never be too sure, when it comes to mottos (mottoes?). They're pretty tricky, as you can see.
The Senate plans to wrap up work on H.R. 2112, the "minibus" appropriations bill, with votes on five more amendments, a motion to recommit, and then final passage. Hey, see if you can guess who's behind the last day's worth of amendments! Did you guess Senators Coburn (R-OK), Paul (R-KY), DeMint (R-SC), Crapo (R-ID) and Lee (R-UT)? Wow, what a guess!
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, OCTOBER 31, 2011
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.
“One Minutes”
Suspensions (3 Bills)
- H.R. 1002 - Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011 (Rep. Lofgren - Judiciary)
- H.Con.Res.13 - Reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions (Rep. Forbes - Judiciary)
- S. 1280 - Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 (Sen. Isakson - Foreign Affairs)
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Convenes: 10:00am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.
At approximately 10:15am, there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the following:
- Coburn #800 (rural development agency);
- Paul #821 (TIGER grants) (60-vote threshold);
- DeMint #763 (epinephrine);
- Crapo #814 (Dodd-Frank WSR – derivatives) (60-vote threshold);
- Lee Motion to Recommit (FY11 levels);
- Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program);
- Passage of H.R.2112, as amended.
Following disposition of H.R.2112, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
Roll Call Votes
- On the Nomination (Confirmation Stephen A. Higginson, of Louisiana, to be U.S. Circuit Judge). Nomination Confirmed, 88-0.
Other Business
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Monday, October 31, 2011
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.1637, Appeal Time Clarification Act of 2011
Passed H.R.368, Removal Clarification Act of 2011
Passed H.R.394, Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011 with committee-reported amendments
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed the following:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
#103 Eric L. Hirschhorn – to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
#416 Cyrus Amir-Mokri – to be an Assistant Secretary for the Treasury
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
#420 David S. Johanson – to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring December 16, 2018
