This is the calm before the storm, as everyone anticipates the Supreme Court's ruling on the ACA case today at 10:00 a.m. ET. But aside from any stray comments that might be made on the case during "one minute" speeches in the House, or "one week and a half" speeches in the Senate, there's no real or ongoing discussion of it planned for today. You can be sure Members will be lining up to put out press releases and do satellite TV appearances on the ruling, however.
We'll of course be all over it from the moment the decision is handed down, and even beforehand, anticipating the events of the day. In addition to ongoing coverage here, it'll be the topic of the day in a special, expanded edition of Daily Kos Radio. We're already planning on running long, adding two extra hours to the show, which means we'll be on from 9 a.m. ET to 1 p.m. I'll be joined by Armando, who'll be on hand to read through and analyze the opinion as soon as it's available. So for a sneak preview of what you're likely to see in the post-release written analysis on the front page, stop by Daily Kos Radio and give us a listen.
We're even getting set up to take your calls today, starting in the 10 o'clock hour. For details on how you can reach out and touch various parts of Armando's body of knowledge, stay tuned to the Daily Kos Radio group page.
Recapping yesterday's action:
The House basically spent all day (and all night) on the Transportation/HUD appropriations bill amendments, minus a couple hours out around dinner time for the White House-Congressional picnic. That's all there is to say about that. It's a real thing. The picnic, I mean. In case you thought I meant the Transportation/HUD bill. Which is also real. Real annoying and real long and really taking forever, that is.
The Senate? A big nothing, floor-wise. Lots of work behind the scenes, though, trying to work out deals on amendments to the flood insurance bill, the student loan bill, and the long-stalled surface transportation bill. But no roll call votes on anything.
Looking ahead to today:
The House will continue with the Transportation/HUD appropriations bill, and it will at some point take up two resolutions related to the contempt of Congress citation Republicans are seeking against Attorney General Eric Holder, during which the Congressional Black Caucus reportedly plans a mass walkout. The first will be a straight up finding of contempt, and a referral of that charge to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The second authorizes the Government Reform & Oversight committee to seek a declaratory judgment in federal court affirming Holder's duty to comply with their subpoenas. This second resolution mirrors the action House Democrats authorized a few years ago, when it was Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten who were in contempt of Congress, and frankly, it stands a far better chance of being adjudicated before the whole thing is mooted by the dissolution of the 112th Congress than the contempt charges do. It just might not come out the way they think, since any judge weighing the administration's claims of deliberative privilege and the Committee's pleas to override it would likely include some inquiry about just what it is the Committee seeks, what it thinks it will find, and the likelihood that it's findable or even exists. And that might not go all that well for them. But to show they're "serious," it makes sense for them to seek the authorization, regardless. Truthfully, it might not be a bad idea for the administration to file such a motion on its own.
The Senate will keep on keepin' on, ostensibly debating the flood insurance bill, while seeking to finalize any deals there are to be had on amendments to it, plus student loans and transportation. Senators will just have to stand by to see if there's going to be any work to do before this recess, and when it will hit.
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
Don't forget to check in with Daily Kos Radio for commentary on all this and more, with special, expanded hours plus your calls, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT. Just click on the player below.
The Daily Kos Radio Player
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:
THE NIGHTLY WHIP: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
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 votes expected: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Last votes expected: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
H.Res. – Resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Rep. Issa – Oversight and Government Reform) (50 minutes of debate) (Subject to a Rule)
H.Res. 706 – Authorizing the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas (Rep. Issa – Rules) (20 minutes of debate) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Completion of H.R. 5972 – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2013 (Rep. Latham – Appropriations)
Postponed Amendment Votes (5 amendments)
Rep. Blackburn Amendment
Rep. McClintock Amendment #13
Rep. Lankford Amendment
Rep. Denham Amendment
Rep. Landry Amendment
Postponed Suspensions (10 bills)
- H.R. 5889 – Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2012, as amended (Rep. Smith (TX) – Judiciary)
- H.R. 3412 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, as the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building" (Rep. Boustany – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3501 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the "SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office" (Rep. Stutzman – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3772 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the "First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building" (Rep. Thompson (MS) – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 3276 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the "Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building (Rep. Castor – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 4251 – Securing Maritime Activities through Risk–based Targeting for Port Security Act (Rep. Miller (MI) – Homeland Security)
- H.R. 4005 – GAPS Act (Rep. Hahn – Homeland Security)
- H.R. 1447 – Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2011 (Rep. Thompson (MS) – Homeland Security)
- H.R. 5843 – To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit use of certain grant funds for training conducted in conjunction with a national laboratory or research facility (Rep. Lungren – Homeland Security)
- H.R. 3173 – To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to require, in total, not more than one in–person visit to a designated enrollment center (Rep. Scalise – Homeland Security)
In the Senate, courtesy of the
Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Thursday, June 28, 2012
Convenes: 9:30am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the second half.
The Senate will continue to debate the flood insurance bill on Thursday. We await House action on the transportation bill. We also have to consider the student loan extension before the end of the week.
6/27 wrap-up:
Senate Floor Wrap Up for Wednesday, June 27, 2012
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.511, commending the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes Softball Team for winning the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Softball Championship.
Adopted S.Res.512, recognizing the 100th anniversary of Rice University.
Began the Rule 14 process of S.3342, a bill to improve information security and for other purposes. (McCain and others)
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Today's House committee schedule:
HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Thursday, June 28, 2012
HOUSE MEETS AT 10:00 AM
APPROPRIATIONS------------------------------------------------9:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. _ - Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for FY 2013. 2359 RHOB.
EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE-----------------------------9:30-Open
Workforce Protections Subc. On promoting safe workplaces through voluntary protection programs. Public witnesses. 2175 RHOB.
ENERGY & COMMERCE-------------------------------------10:00-Open
Energy and Power Subc. On reviewing the EPA’s new proposal to tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter. Public witnesses. 2123 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES--------------------------------------10:00-Open
Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subc. On the appraisal industry and regulations impacting the single-family mortgage market. Dept. and public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
FINANCIAL SERVICES---------------------------------------2:00-Open
Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subc. On fractional reserve banking, a system which only a fraction of bank deposits are backed by actual cash-on-hand and are available for withdrawal, and its impact on monetary policy. Public witnesses. 2128 RHOB.
HOMELAND SECURITY-------------------------------------10:00-Open
Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subc. On discussing economic espionage. Dept. and public witnesses. 311 CHOB.
JUDICIARY-------------------------------------------------------9:45-Open
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subc. On identity theft and income tax preparation fraud. 2141 RHOB.
JUDICIARY------------------------------------------------------12:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 1860 – Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2011, H.R. 823 – For the relief of Maria Carmen Castro Ramirez and J. Refugio Carreno Rojas, H.R. 316 – For the relief of Esther Karinge, H.R. 794 – For the relief of Allan Bolor Kelley, H.R. 357 – For the relief of Corina de Chalup Turcinovic, H.R. 824 – For the relief of Daniel Wachira, H.R. 1857 – For the relief of Bartosz Kumor, H.R. 3120 – Student Visa Reform Act, and H.R. 6019 – Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act. 2141 RHOB.
NATURAL RESOURCES-------------------------------------10:00-Open
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subc. On H.R. 624 – First State National Historic Park Act, H.R. 3640 – To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire not more than 18 acres of land and interests in land in Mariposa, California, H.R. 4109 – Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act of 2012, H.R. 4334 – Organ Mountains National Monument Establishment Act, H.R. 4484 – Y Mountain Access Enhancement Act, H.R. 5319 – Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study Act, H.R. 5958 – To name the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in honor of James L. Buckley, H.R. 5987 – Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act. MC’s, dept. and public witnesses. 1324 LHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------9:00-Open
Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform Subc. On reviewing “Sue and Settle” the term used when an advocacy group files a lawsuit against a federal agency claiming it has failed to meet a deadline or has not satisfied some regulatory requirement and the agency can either enter a lawsuit or settle the claim. 2203 RHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------9:15-Open
National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations Subc. On assessment of the transition form a military to a civilian-led mission in Iraq. 2154 RHOB.
OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM------------------------9:30-Open
TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs Subc. On overseeing effective implementation of the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act at the Securities and Exchange Commission. 2247 RHOB.
RULES-----------------------------------------------------------2:00-Open
Full Committee. On H.R. 5856 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2013, H.R. 6020 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for FY 2013, and the committee’s report on activities during the third quarter of the 112th Congress. H-313 Capitol.
SCIENCE, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY--------------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On an examination of the EPA practices and foundations for regulations affecting the economy, and markup of the committee’s report on activities during the third quarter of the 112th Congress. Lisa Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. 2318 RHOB.
SELECT INTELLIGENCE--------------------------------------9:00-Open
Full Committee. Markup of H.R. 5949 – FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2102, member access requests, and the committee’s report on activities during the third quarter of the 112th Congress. HVC-304 Capitol.
SMALL BUSINESS-----------------------------------------10:00-Open
Contracting and Workforce Subc. On discussing whether contracting preferences provided to Federal Prison Industries, commonly known as UNICOR, unfairly disadvantage small businesses competing for federal contracts. Public witnesses. 2360 RHOB.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE---------------------10:00-Open
Full Committee. On reviewing the delays and problems associated with the TSA’s transportation worker identification credential. Dept. and public witnesses. 2167 RHOB.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS---------------------------------------10:00-Open
Economic Opportunity Subc. Markup of H.R. 4115 – To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to require, as a condition on the receipt by a state of certain funds for veterans employment and training, that the state ensures that training received by a veteran while on active duty is taken into consideration in granting certain state certification or licenses, H.R. 3524 - To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to provide certain rights for persons who receive treatment for illnesses, injuries and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the uniformed services, H.R. 4057 - To amend Title 38, U.S. Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to veterans and members of the armed forces through the provision of information on institutions of higher learning, H.R. 4740 - To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to ensure that relocation of a servicemember to serve on active duty away from the servicemember’s principal residence does not prevent the servicemember from refinancing a mortgage on that principal residence, and H.R. 5747 – To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve the protections for servicemembers against mortgage foreclosures. 334 CHOB.
Today's Senate committee schedule:
Thursday, Jun. 28, 2012
9:30 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Hearings to examine innovative non-federal programs for financing energy efficient building retrofits.
SD-366
9:30 am
Foreign Relations
Hearings to examine The Law of the Sea Convention (Treaty Doc. 103-39), focusing on perspectives from business and industry.
SH-216
10:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Hearings to examine the need for privacy protections, focusing on industry self-regulation.
SR-253
10:00 am
Judiciary
Business meeting to consider S.285, for the relief of Sopuruchi Chukwueke, S.1744, to provide funding for State courts to assess and improve the handling of proceedings relating to adult guardianship and conservatorship, to authorize the Attorney General to carry out a pilot program for the conduct of background checks on individuals to be appointed as guardians or conservators, and to promote the widespread adoption of information technology to better monitor, report, and audit conservatorships of protected persons, and the nominations of Terrence G. Berg, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jesus G. Bernal, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, Lorna G. Schofield, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and Danny Chappelle Williams, Sr., of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Department of Justice.
SD-226
2:15 pm
Indian Affairs
Business meeting to consider H.R.443, to provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United States to the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska, H.R.1560, to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for membership in that tribe, H.R.1272, to provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al, by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188, S.134, to authorize the Mescalero Apache Tribe to lease adjudicated water rights, S.1065, to settle land claims within the Fort Hall Reservation, S.2389, to deem the submission of certain claims to an Indian Health Service contracting officer as timely, and S.3193, to make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
SD-628
2:30 pm
Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs
Hearings to examine economic statecraft, focusing on embracing Africa's market potential.
SD-419
2:30 pm
Intelligence
Closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters.
SH-219
