The following is political activity for Friday, July 30, 2010, 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 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
• H.R. 3534 – Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Rahall / Natural Resources Committee)
• H.R. 5851 – Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Labor Committee)
• Rangel faces 13 ethics charges  -  The House ethics committee charged Rep. Charles B. Rangel with 13 separate violations of House rules Thursday, saying his various financial dealings broke the “public trust.” (Washington Post)

IN THE SENATE

• The Senate convenes at 9:30am; following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
• There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate. The next vote will occur around 5:30 and 5:45pm on Monday, August 2. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with amendment #4557 (Teacher Funding and FMAP) with respect to HR1586.
• Senate plans Wed. test vote on oil spill bill  -  The Senate plans to hold a procedural vote next Wednesday to test whether there is enough support to pass legislation clamping down on offshore oil drilling procedures and expanding alternative energy, a Democratic aide said on Thursday. (Reuters)

OTHER NEWS

• House rejects bill to aid sick 9/11 responders  -  A bill that would have provided up to $7.4 billion in aid to people sickened by World Trade Center dust fell short in the House on Thursday, raising the possibility that the bulk of compensation for the ill will come from a legal settlement hammered out in the federal courts. (AP)
• Supreme Court leery of broad challenges to yet-to-take-effect state laws  -  Some experts say the tack of the judge who blocked parts of the Arizona law leaves her ruling vulnerable to reversal on appeal. But it may stand if the high court follows precedent on immigration. (Los Angeles Times)
• Democrats Under Fire Over Health-Law Reporting Mandate  -  Congressional Democrats may water down or repeal new tax-reporting rules that are supposed to raise $16 billion for health-care legislation, facing a chorus of criticism about the rules. (Wall Street Journal)
• Obama the Velcro president  -  Obama is the White House’s chief spokesman, policy pitchman, fundraiser and negotiator — and blame usually falls on him. Aides are seeking to downsize his exposure. (Los Angeles Times)
• Illinois to have 2 Senate elections in November  -  Illinois voters will cast two votes for U.S. Senate on Nov. 2 — one for a senator who will serve 60 days and the other for one who will serve a six-year term — under an order issued Thursday by Gov. Pat Quinn as required by the federal courts. (Chicago Tribune)

FEDERAL GRANT OF THE DAY

• Fiscal Year 2010 Request for Proposals to Coordinate Regional Pollution Prevention Information Network Centers- Under this RFP, EPA expects to fund a proposal for the coordination of a national network of eight regional pollution prevention information centers. The centers are referred to as Regional centers in this document and are collectively known as the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx). Under CFDA 66.717 grants may be awarded to support pollution prevention/source reduction and/or resource conservation projects that help to eliminate pollution at the source. The Regional centers collaborate with State and local technical assistance providers to share pollution prevention (P2) information and training nationwide. The coordinator shall be able to provide leadership in the following areas: 1) support national P2 initiatives, 2) support collaboration and efficiency among the regional centers, 3) support evaluation and ensure quality P2 information products, and 4) assist in marketing P2Rx services nationally.  For more information, see EPA. Application deadline: September 20, 2010

TODAY IN HISTORY

July 30, 1975- On this day, former Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa disappeared in suburban Detroit. He is presumed dead, though his remains have never been found.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, contact Anchor Consulting at 703-333-6013