House Cloakroom: March 8 – 12, 2010
Analysis:
Again, the question expected to dominate the discussion in Washington will be whether there are enough votes to pass the health care legislation on the House side. In order to move the ball forward it is expected there will be a health care reconciliation mark up in the Budget Committee sometime during the week. Besides the ongoing health care saga the House and Senate will likely put the finishing touches on a “jobs” bill this week. Two other likely votes include legislation to impeach a district judge and another to withdraw troops from Afghanistan led by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH).
Major Floor Action:
- H. Con. Res. 248 – Afghanistan War Powers Resolution
- H. Res.1031 – Impeaching G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, for high crimes and misdemeanors
- Possible action on “jobs” measures
Major Committee Action:
- Possible health care reconciliation mark up in House Budget Committee in preparation for bringing it to the floor.
- Budget season continues with several hearings on Fiscal 2011 budgets for federal departments, agencies, and programs.
Senate Cloakroom: March 8 – 12, 2010
Analysis:
It’s a trifecta! Jobs, health and regulatory reform are on the agenda for the Senate this week. On the floor, Senators will focus on a massive tax extenders package that has been billed as a stimulus. Behind closed doors, Senate Democrats will be discussing how to move health care via reconciliation. Also behind closed doors, several Senators will continue to hammer out the details of financial regulatory reform. As with most weeks, the consequential action is taking place out of the eyes of the public.
Major Floor Action:
- The Senate will continue on H.R. 4213, the tax extenders package.
Major Committee Action:
- An Environment and Public Works subcommittee will hold a hearing on the effort to overhaul the chemical safety law.
- The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on reauthorization the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
- The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the Citizens United case.
- The Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing on the future of public diplomacy.