June 8, 2012
House appropriators say the traditionally controversial Labor-HHS-Education appropriations measure could move forward in committee in June. Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chairman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) said Thursday that he would like to unveil his measure when the House returns from its recess the week of June 18th. Last year, the measure was not marked up by the House… Read More
June 7, 2012
The Senate’s in at 9:30am and is expected to hold a key procedural vote on the farm bill at 10:30am. The House is in at 10:00am with first votes expected between 1:30—2:30pm and last votes expected between 10:00—11:00pm. The House is set to repeal parts of the health care act, including the medical device tax…. Read More
May 18, 2012
The House is also slated to vote on a defense authorization bill (HR 4310), which has a small provision with big implications for future transportation fuels. The Defense Department has been developing advanced biofuels for its ships and planes, helping make a market along with other federal agencies. The DOD’s goal is to curb dependence on… Read More
May 8, 2012
The Senate will take up a measure today that would prevent subsidized student loan interest rates from doubling this July. While both parties agree that they want to stop the rate hike from going forward, Senate republican leadership indicated Monday that they will likely filibuster the democratic measure because it opposes the proposed offset. Senate… Read More
May 7, 2012
Congress returns to work today after a week-long recess period. The Senate convenes at 2:00pm and continues debate of the student loan interest rate bill. The House is also in at 2:00pmwith votes expected around 6:30pm. This afternoon, the House Budget Committee will mark up two bills: The Sequester Replacement Act of 2012 (HR 4966)… Read More
April 30, 2012
Congress is in recess this week, returning to work on Monday, May 7th. Before leaving town last Friday, the House took action on legislation to delay the increase in student loan interest rates. And both chambers continued to move forward on their FY2013 appropriations measures. FY 2013 Appropriations While Congress is expected to finalize any… Read More
April 16, 2012
Congress is back in session today after a two-week break for the Easter holiday. Appropriators in both chambers will begin moving FY 2013 annual appropriations bills this week. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday will start marking up its spending bills for FY 2013 with a goal of cutting federal spending by a little more… Read More
March 29, 2012
The House is expected to adopt the FY 2013 GOP budget plan, which would set up a conflict with the Senate over appropriations spending levels. That chamber also plans a vote on a three-month highway bill extension, days before funding for transportation programs expires. The Senate votes on a motion to invoke cloture on an… Read More
February 17, 2012
The House and the Senate are expected to vote on legislation that would extend a payroll tax cut through the end of the year. The legislation also would extend federal unemployment insurance benefits and prevent a cut in Medicare payments to physicians. The Senate holds a test vote on an amendment offered by Majority Leader… Read More
February 2, 2012
Senate Republicans are posed today to initiate an effort to block automatic budget cuts scheduled to take place next January. They will propose replacing the first year of the spending “sequester” with a plan to shrink federal employment and extend a pay freeze on government workers. The effort is an attempt to stave off what… Read More
