Wed 3 Mar 2010
The following is a roundup of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. It is 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)
- Suspensions (9 Bills):
- H.Res. 1096 – Encouraging individuals across the United States to participate in the 2010 Census to ensure an accurate and complete count beginning April 1, 2010, and expressing support for designation of March 2010 as Census Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Reyes / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
- H.Res. 1079 – Congratulating the National Football League Champion New Orleans Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV and for bringing New Orleans its first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history (Sponsored by Rep. Cao / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
- H.Res. 1082 – Supporting the goals and ideals of the fourth annual America Saves Week (Sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson / Financial Services Committee)
- H.R. 2554 – National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott (GA) / Financial Services Committee)
- H.Con.Res. 239 – Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (CA) / House Administration Committee)
- H.Con.Res. 236 – Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust (Sponsored by Rep. Klein / House Administration Committee)
- S. 2968 – Making certain technical and conforming amendments to the Lanham Act (Sponsored by Sen. Leahy / Judiciary Committee)
- H.Res. 1127 – Expressing concern regarding the suicide plane attack on Internal Revenue Service employees in Austin, Texas (Sponsored by Rep. Doggett / Ways and Means Committee)
- H.Res. 1117 – Commending and congratulating the California State University system on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (Sponsored by Rep. Lofgren / Education and Labor Committee)
- H.R. 4247 – Keeping All Students Safe Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Labor Committee)
- The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
- George Miller Amendment (10 minutes)
- Flake Amendment (10 minutes)
- Postponed Suspensions (4 Bills):
- H.Res. 747 – Congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America’s Best College (Sponsored by Rep. Hall (NY) / Armed Services Committee)
- H.Res. 699 – Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard (Sponsored by Rep. Graves / Armed Services Cost)
- H.Res. 1111 – Designating March 2, 2010, as “Read Across America Day” (Sponsored by Rep. Markey (CO) / Education and Labor Committee)
- H.Res. 362 – Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program (Sponsored by Rep. Watson / Education and Labor Committee)
- Special Orders
- Rangel to give up tax committee gavel - After being admonished by an ethics panel for accepting corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean, Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., will take a “leave of absence” from his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means committee, NBC News has learned. (msnbc.com)
IN THE SENATE
- The Senate convenes at 9:30am to resume consideration of HR4213, Tax Extenders.
- Currently there are 3 amendments pending to the bill, the Sessions amendment #3337 (spending caps), the Thune amendment (business taxes), and the Landrieu amendment (Go Zone). Senators Murray and Sanders will offer the next 2 Democratic amendments and Senator Bunning will offer the next 2 Republican amendments.
- Roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the day on Wednesday.
- Senators seek to block stimulus money for overseas - A group of Democratic senators is urging the Obama administration to suspend an economic stimulus program aimed at financing renewable energy, complaining that money is going to projects that are creating jobs in foreign countries. (AP)
OTHER NEWS
- Senate ends impasse, approves jobless aid extension - Republican Sen. Jim Bunning had held up the 30-day continuation of unemployment aid, citing concern about the deficit. The Senate votes for the bill, which also replenishes the Highway Trust Fund. (LA Times)
- New formula to give fresh look at U.S. poverty - The Obama administration Tuesday embraced an alternative way of defining what it means to be poor, stepping gingerly into a long-running debate over whether to revise the method that has been used to measure poverty for decades. (Wash Post)\
- Hoyer Open to Senate Plan on Consumer Agency - A top House Democrat said Tuesday that an overhaul of financial regulation doesn’t necessarily have to include a standalone consumer-protection agency. (WSJ)
- Toyota hearings may lead to new auto safety rules - After skewering top Toyota executives in three congressional hearings, lawmakers and federal safety officials will now decide if the auto industry needs new regulations to ensure that the company’s huge safety recalls aren’t repeated. (AP)
- Texas Gov. Perry beats Hutchison in GOP gubernatorial primary - Texas Gov. Rick Perry cruised to victory in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday night, crushing Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and setting the stage for a run for a third full term this fall. (Wash Post)
FEDERAL GRANT OF THE DAY
- Recovery Act-Equipment to Enhance Training for Health Professionals Nursing Education, Practice and Retention Program- This funding opportunity is one of many for the Equipment to Enhance Training for Health Professionals (EETHP) program, hereby known as EETHP Equipment Initiative. Twenty-one health professional training programs comprise this initiative. HRSA is announcing the availability of funds to support multiple programs in the purchase of health professions training equipment. While the overall goals of the EETHP Equipment Initiative are the same for each program, applicants must satisfy the statutory requirements of the health professions training program under which they are applying for equipment. Accordingly, a different a funding announcement is being offered for each of the 21 eligible programs that comprise the Initiative. The equipment requested under this announcement should support activities and the goals of the Nurse Education, Practice and Retention (NEPR) program. For more information, see HRSA. Application deadline: March 26, 2010
TODAY IN HISTORY
- March 3, 1931- President Herbert Hoover signed a bill into law declaring “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States of America.
Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information or to opt-out of this list, contact Anchor Consulting at 703-333-6013 or beacon@anchor-consult.com
