The following is political activity for Thursday, December 2, 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 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.
  • Last votes are expected at 7:00 p.m.
  • One Minutes (10 per side)
  • Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4853 – Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Levin / Ways and Means Committee)
  • Complete Consideration of S. 3307 – Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Sen. Lincoln / Education and Labor Committee)
  • Possible Consideration of the Rep. Rangel Censure Resolution (One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Lofgren / Ethics Committee)
  • Suspensions (2 Bills):

1. H.R. __ – Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part IV (Sponsored by Rep. Oberstar / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2. H.R. 6469 – To amend section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to include a condition of receipt of funds under the child and adult care food program (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Labor Committee)

  • Postponed Suspension Votes (9 Bills):

1) H.Res. 1638 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day (Sponsored by Rep. Fattah / Education and Labor Committee)

2) H.Res. 1598 – Expressing support for the designation of the month of October as National Work and Family Month (Sponsored by Rep. McCarthy (NY) / Education and Labor Committee)

3) H.Res. 1576 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established (Sponsored by Rep. Burton / Education and Labor Committee)

4) H.Res. 1313 – Expressing support for designation of May as “Child Advocacy Center Month” and commending the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on their 25th anniversary in 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Griffith / Education and Labor Committee)

5) H.Res. 1690 – Supporting the observance of American Diabetes Month (Sponsored by Rep. DeGette / Energy and Commerce Committee)

6) S. 2847 – CALM Act (Sponsored by Sen. Whitehouse / Energy and Commerce Committee)

7) H.Res. 527 – Commending the NATO School for its critical support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote global peace, stability, and security (Sponsored by Rep. Tanner / Foreign Affairs Committee)

8) H.Res. 528 – Commending the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia (Sponsored by Rep. Tanner / Foreign Affairs Committee)

9) H.Con.Res. 325 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (Sponsored by Rep. Hastings (FL) / Financial Services Committee)

  • Special Orders
  • House approves short-term spending bill  -  The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to avert a federal government shutdown by extending temporary funding for another two weeks, giving Democrats time to craft a more lasting solution. (Reuters)

IN THE SENATE

  • The Senate convenes at 9:30am.  Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the next 30 minutes.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 3:30pm to allow for the Democratic caucus meeting.
  • Senators push NASA to carry out revamping  -  Concerned that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is dragging its feet in revamping its space program, a Senate panel sought assurances from Obama administration officials on Wednesday that NASA would carry out the orders it had been given for the next three years. (New York Times)

OTHER NEWS

  • Gridlock, partisan anger threaten lame duck  -  Senate Republicans’ aggressive move to block virtually all business in the chamber has created a fresh round of partisan anger, threatening to derail or delay the rest of the Democratic agenda in an already gridlocked lame-duck session of Congress. (Politico)
  • White House won’t expand offshore drilling  -  The Obama administration announced yesterday that it had rescinded its decision to expand offshore oil exploration into the eastern Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic Coast because of weaknesses in federal regulation revealed by the BP oil spill. (Boston Globe)
  • F.T.C. backs plan to honor privacy of online users  -  Signaling a sea change in the debate over Internet privacy, the government’s top consumer protection agency on Wednesday advocated a plan that would let consumers choose whether they want their Internet browsing and buying habits monitored. (New York Times)
  • Lawmakers negotiate tax cuts as House plans vote  -  The White House held the door open Wednesday for a year-end compromise that would extend all the Bush-era tax cuts temporarily and the Senate’s top Republican said the only question that remained was how long current rates should be allowed to continue before they expire. (AP)
  • Fed officials push fiscal stimulus  -  Top Federal Reserve officials are pressing lawmakers to pair a long-term plan for deficit reduction with new short-term fiscal stimulus to boost an economy that the central bank admits needs more help than it can provide. (Wall Street Journal)

 

FEDERAL GRANT OF THE DAY

  • Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science- The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) and the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program supports the active involvement of K-12 science, technology, engineering, computer and information science, and mathematics (STEM) teachers and community college faculty in engineering and computer science research in order to bring knowledge of engineering, computer science, and technological innovation into their classrooms. The goal is to help build long-term collaborative partnerships between K-12 STEM teachers, community college faculty, and the NSF university research community by involving the teachers and community college faculty in engineering and computer science research and helping them translate their research experiences and new knowledge into classroom activities. Partnerships with inner city schools or other high needs schools are especially encouraged, as is participation by underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.  For more information, see NSF. 

 TODAY IN HISTORY

  • December 2, 1954- On this day, the United States Senate votes 65 to 22 to condemn Joseph McCarthy for “conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute”.

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