House Cloakroom:
Analysis:
After a wild week resulting in a last minute deal on a continuing resolution (CR) that finishes the fiscal year, the House returns under a one week funding bridge to allow full action on a complete package by the end of this week. Much of the agreement is outlined to the public, but the full details of the measure will be released early in the week in legislative language and a vote looks likely on Wednesday.
The House officially returns to the floor on Tuesday night to take up a couple small measures followed by Wednesday’s action on the CR as well as a measure repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
On Thursday, the House will begin debate on Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s 2012 Budget and this is expected to last two days with a final vote possible no later than 3 pm on Friday afternoon.
Major Floor Action:
· H.R. 1217 – To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund
· H.R. __ – Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Department Of Defense and Other Agencies (Subject to a Rule)
· H.Con.Res. __ – Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021
Major Committee Action:
- The House Education & the Workforce will hold a full committee hearing on Health and Human Services Department programs, with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and a Subcommittee hearing on “Davis-Bacon Act Implementation.”
- The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “Jobs and Energy Permitting.”
- The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia will hold a hearing on “Political Transitions in the Middle East.”
- The House Oversight and Government Affair Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, US Postal Service, and Labor Policy will hold a hearing on the “Federal Employees Compensation Act Assessment.”
- The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup on bills on offshore drilling permits, offshore lease sales, and the establishment of new leases.
- The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on “How the Tax Code’s Burdens on Individuals and Families Demonstrate the Need for Comprehensive Tax Reform.”
Senate Cloakroom:
Analysis:
After narrowly avoiding a government shutdown, the Senate passed by voice vote late last Friday night another week long short-term Continuing Resolution that cuts $2 billion from FY 2010 levels. Leaders from both parties will continue negotiations with the White House to shape the next CR that both the House and Senate will vote on later this week. Hopefully, the next CR will fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year.
The Senate is not in session on Monday. There will be votes on several judicial nominations this week in addition to the Senate’s work on the CR.
Major Floor Activity:
A continuing resolution providing funding for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Major Committee Action:
The Senate Armed Services Committee continues their series of hearings on the defense authorization legislation on Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on natural gas drilling policies.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing to discuss deficit reduction on Wednesday.
A hearing to discuss the FY 2012 budget for international development will be held in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.