Are we outta here? Can I go now? Can I go now? Can I go now?
The House made its way, business-like, through the conference report on the defense authorization bill (with the indefinite detention provisions), voted on a couple suspension bills, and debated but postponed votes on a few more.
The Senate voted on and rejected both balanced budget amendments, passed a few measures on voice vote (including an Intelligence Authorization bill), completed the Rule XIV process on the House payroll tax cut conglomeration train wreck, and approved a big batch of military promotions.
Looking ahead to today:
Current official schedule in the House: five suspension bills.
Current official schedule in the Senate: one judicial nomination (9th Circuit), the defense authorization conference report, and just maybe, the above-mentioned House Republican payroll tax mess.
Why put it that way? Because the current continuing appropriations law expires on Friday, and there's the threat of a partial government shutdown (again) if something isn't passed before then. And right now, the vehicle for getting something put into place hasn't got the requisite support. Nor do Senate Dems believe the Republican House will stick around to work out a deal on the payroll tax, et al., if the Senate agrees to an omnibus appropriations bill. And they want both of those things taken care of before anyone goes home.
So we can't say for sure at this point exactly how either house will really spend its day, or for that matter, whether this will be their last in DC for the first session of the 112th Congress.
One way out, of course, would be to pass yet another short-term continuing appropriations bill that keeps things operating at current levels (or as Republicans would have it, and have succeeded in having it in the past, at current levels minus some arbitrary level of cuts), and just punt the payroll tax, UI extension, etc. until later. The only question then would be, when's later? In the few days between Christmas and New Year's? Or might they let those things expire briefly and then fix them retroactively?
We'll just have to sit here like idiots and wait to find out, I 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: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 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.
First/Last votes are expected between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspension (1 bill)
- H.R. 3659 - Welfare Integrity and Data Improvement Act, as amended (Rep. Paulsen - Ways and Means)
Postponed Suspension Votes (4 bills):
- H.R. 886 - United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Womack - Financial Services)
- H.R. 2719 - Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act of 2011 (Rep. Hastings (WA) - Natural Resources)
- H.R. 443 - To provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United States to the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska (Rep. Young (AK) - Natural Resources)
- S. 278 - Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District Land Exchange Act (Sen. Udall (CO) - Natural Resources)
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Thursday, December 15, 2011
Convenes: 9:30am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in 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 proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #337, the nomination of Morgan Christen, of Alaska, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. There will be 30 minutes of debate on the nomination, equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees. The Senate will vote on confirmation of the Christen nomination at time to be determined on Thursday.
We expect to consider the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report during Thursday’s session. We also hope to consider the House Republican Payroll Tax bill.
12/14 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Wednesday, December 14, 2011
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Passage of S.J.Res.24, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States introduced by Senator Udall (CO): Not Passed: 21-79
2) Passage of S.J.Res.10, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States introduced by Senator Hatch): Not Passed: 47-53
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed H.R.515, Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 with a Kerry amendment by voice vote
Passed H.R. 1892: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 with a Feinstein substitute amendment
Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed the following:
NAVY
#380 Rear Adm. (lh) Barry L. Bruner;
Rear Adm. (lh) Jerry K. Burroughs;
Rear Adm. (lh) James D. Cloyd;
Rear Adm. (lh) Michael T. Franken;
Rear Adm. (lh) Bradley R. Gehrke;
Rear Adm. (lh) Robert P. Girrier;
Rear Adm. (lh) Paul A. Grosklags;
Rear Adm. (lh) Sinclair M. Harris;
Rear Adm. (lh) Margaret D. Klein;
Rear Adm. (lh) Richard B. Landolt;
Rear Adm. (lh) Brian L. Losey;
Rear Adm. (lh) William F. Moran;
Rear Adm. (lh) Troy M. Shoemaker;
Rear Adm. (lh) Dixon R. Smith;
Rear Adm. (lh) Robert L. Thomas, Jr. – to be Rear Admiral
COAST GUARD
#411 RDML David R. Callahan – to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
#458 Capt. Kurt B. Hinrichs – to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
#459 Capt. Mark E. Butt
Capt. Linda L. Fagan
Capt. Thomas W. Jones
Capt. Steven D. Poulin
Capt. James W. Rendon
Capt. Joseph A. Servidio – to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
