House Cloakroom: April 19 – 23
Analysis:
Another light week on the House side is in store as the Senate battles financial regulatory overhaul on the other side of the Capitol. This week the major bill likely to be brought up is the DC voting rights bill. Last year the Senate passed a similar version but with a provision that would change some of the District’s gun control laws. DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, leading the effort to pass this legislation, is opposed to the gun amendment and wants to separate the issues, which could mean separate votes on these two measures. Any changes made to the bill will mean it has to go back to the Senate. For more information see work by Heritage experts Nathaniel Ward and Brian Darling on the Constitutional concerns with the bill and the gun issues.
Major Floor Action:
- HR 157 — District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009
Major Committee Action:
- The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing review last weeks Nuclear Security Summit and looking forward to the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on Stimulus Spending on High Speed Rail Projects.
Senate Cloakroom: April 19 – 23
Analysis –
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) caught many Washington-types by surprise when he announced the Senate would begin consideration of the financial regulation bill drafted by Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT). Ironically, Dodd’s proposal protects banks dubbed “too big to fail” and, in essence, creates a permanent TARP.
Major Floor Action –
- On Monday, the Senate will vote to invoke cloture on the nomination of Lael Brainard to be an Under Secretary of Treasury. Several more nominations are expected.
- Later in the week, a test-vote is likely on the financial regulation package.
Major Committee Action –
- The Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the 2011 budget and ballistic missile defense.
- Ironically, as the Senate debates financial regulation, the Finance Committee will hold a hearing on financial institution fees.
- The Rules Committee will hold a hearing on the history of the filibuster.
- The Budget Committee is rumored to be marking up the 2011 budget.
