The following is a roundup of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. It’s courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available.

 IN THE HOUSE

• The House convenes at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. 
• Last votes are expected at 6:00 p.m.
• One Minutes (15 per side)
• H.R. 4213 – Tax Extenders of 2009 (Closed Rule, One Hour of General Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Rangel / Ways and Means Committee)
• Begin Consideration of H.R. 4173 – Rep. Barney Frank’s Permanent Bailout (General Debate Rule Only, Three Hours of General Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank / Financial Services Committee)
• Postponed Suspensions Votes (6 Bills):

1. H.R. 3951 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 Louisiana Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the “Roy Rondeno, Sr. Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Rep. Cao / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2. H.R. 4017 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 43 Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, as the “Ann Marie Blute Post Office” (Sponsored by Rep. McGovern / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. H.Res. 35 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should provide increased Federal funding for continued type 1 diabetes research (Sponsored by Rep. Gene Green / Energy and Commerce Committee)
4. H.Res. 55 – Expressing support for the designation of a National Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month to raise awareness of and promote research into this challenging disorder (Sponsored by Rep. Royce / Energy and Commerce Committee)
5. H.R. 3603 – To rename the Ocmulgee National Monument (Sponsored by Rep. Marshall / Natural Resources Committee)
6. H.R. 86 – To eliminate an unused lighthouse reservation along the coast of Orange County, California (Sponsored by Rep. Campbell / Natural Resources Committee)

• Special Orders
• House to move on jobs bill this year  -  The House will move as early as next week on a jobs bill anchored by at least $75 billion in spending on infrastructure, according to House Democrats. (The Hill)

IN THE SENATE

• The Senate convenes at 9:30am to resume consideration of H.R.3590, Health Care Reform. Following any remarks by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee or their designees, two hours will be for debate only, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the second 30 minutes. The remaining time will be equally divided and used in an alternating fashion. No amendments are in order during the controlled time.
• Roll call votes are possible throughout the day.
• Senators Strike Health Deal  -  Senior Senate Democrats reached tentative agreement Tuesday night to abandon the government-run insurance plan in their health-overhaul bill and to expand Medicare coverage to some people ages 55 to 64, clearing the most significant hurdle so far in getting a bill that can pass Congress. (WSJ)

OTHER NEWS

• Obama Offers Help for Small Businesses  -  President Obama and Congress are ending the year as they began it, at work on an economic stimulus package of tax cuts and spending, with the latest effort likely to raise the total cost of antirecession measures to the $1 trillion level that some economists had urged last winter. (NY Times)
• Congress readies huge year-end spending bill  -  Congressional negotiators sealed agreement Tuesday night on sweeping spending legislation that boosts housing and heating subsidies but curbs President Barack Obama’s requests for aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan. (AP)
• Justices Question Antifraud Law  -  The Supreme Court expressed deep skepticism Tuesday about a federal antifraud law that prosecutors have often used against politicians and corporate executives, suggesting it was too vague to be constitutional. (WSJ)
• GAO: FDA yet to make safety changes post-Vioxx  -  The Food and Drug Administration still hasn’t restructured its staff to better monitor drug safety, more than three years after experts recommended key changes in the wake of the Vioxx scandal. (AP)
• White House seeks federal oversight of rail-transit safety  -  U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood unveiled on Tuesday details of the administration’s plan to take over safety regulation of the nation’s subway and light-rail systems, a proposal that would give federal authorities the power to bring lawsuits and seek criminal sentences. (Wash Post)

 GRANT OF THE DAY

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center grant. The purpose of this program is to provide prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions, and policies, and to establish public and private partnerships including the establishment and implementation of the National Action Alliance as a major support for the advancement of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP).

The National Action Alliance will be responsible for promoting, developing, and implementing activities leading to the achievement of the national strategy objectives. The group will provide national leadership in policy recommendations and the formulation of national approaches for the prevention of suicidal behavior. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center is designed to be both a resource for the Nation, as well as a source of technical assistance and expertise for SAMHSA Suicide Prevention grantees. Further, suicide prevention efforts among high risk youth, suicide attempters, the growing elder populations, and those in despair due to economic concerns should be addressed, including use and analysis of “new media” technologies, tele-health, and improved culturally appropriate strategies.

As of February 2009, approximately 1.89 million men and women have been deployed to serve in support of overseas contingency operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Individuals returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are at increased risk for suffering post-traumatic stress and other related disorders. Experts estimate that up to one-third of returning veterans will need mental health and/or substance abuse treatment and related services. In addition, the family members of returning veterans have an increased need for related support services. To address these concerns, SAMHSA strongly encourages all applicants to consider the unique needs of returning veterans and their families in developing their proposed project. For a list of eligible applicants or more information, see SAMHSA. The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is February 10, 2010.

TODAY IN HISTORY

• December 9, 1793- On this day, Noah Webster started New York City’s first daily newspaper, the American Minerva.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, or to be removed from this list, contact Anchor Consulting, LLC at beacon@anchor-consult.com.