House and Senate Cloakroom: December 5 – December 9

Josh Robbins / December 05, 2011

House Cloakroom: December 5 – December 9

Analysis: This week the House of Representatives will take up two major bills relating to regulations.  The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would require that major regulations from executive agencies be approved by Congress.  The Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act would block a new EPA rule that imposes regulations on the dust kicked up by farming activities.  The House could also take up legislation related to expiring programs including payroll taxes, unemployment insurance and the Sustainable Growth Rate (Doc Fix).

Major Floor Action:

• HR 10 – Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act
• HR 1633 – Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act
• Payroll Tax, Unemployment Insurance and/or Sustainable Growth Rate (Doc Fix) extensions

Major Committee Action:

• The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on “Endangered Species Act Oversight.”
• The House Ways and Means  Committee will hold a joint hearing with their Senate counterparts on the “Tax Treatment of Financial Products.”
• The House Homeland Security  Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies will hold a hearing on “Cybersecurity Policies.”
• The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment will hold a hearing on “Research and Strategic Priorities for Energy Critical Elements” which will include testimony by The Heritage Foundation’s Derek Scissors.
• The House Judiciary  Committee will hold a hearing on “Operation Fast and Furious.”

Senate Cloakroom: December 5 – December 9

Analysis: This week the Senate will take up two nominations which are likely to be controversial.  The first is the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, which has run into trouble because of her prior rulings on gun issues.  The second is the nomination of Richard Cordray to be the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a new government agency created by the Dodd-Frank Act.  45 Republican senators have signed a letter opposing anyone’s nomination to this position until several reforms are made to the agency.  Additionally the Senate may return to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill and/or take up legislation related to the expiring programs and tax provisions listed above.

Major Floor Action:

• HR 2354 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
• Nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
• Nomination of Richard Cordray to be the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Payroll Tax, Unemployment Insurance and/or Sustainable Growth Rate (Doc Fix) extensions

Major Committee Action:

• The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the “Implementation of the Wall Street Reform Act.”
• The Senate Finance  Committee will hold a joint hearing with their House counterparts on the “Tax Treatment of Financial Products.”
• The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on the “Problems of Long-Term Unemployment.”
• The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on “Internet Domain Name Expansion.”