March 10, 2010
The House Democratic Caucus officially selected Norm Dicks (D-WA) to become chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee yesterday, filling the vacancy left by John P. Murtha who passed away in February. Congressman James Moran (D-VA) will replace Norm Dicks as chairman of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. Congressman Dicks will remain a member of the Interior… Read More
January 19, 2010
The US Senate returns to Capitol Hill this week to tackle a full agenda starting with a measure to increase the federal debt limit (HJ Res 45). Likely amendments to the resolution include one by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to halt the EPA rulemaking based on the so-called endangerment finding announced last month. The endangerment… Read More
December 2, 2009
The Senate is off to a slow start on debating their health reform measure this week, which may force the Senate to return to DC the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to wrap up work on a the bill. While no decisions have been made yet, Senate Leadership is warning members of the… Read More
October 26, 2009
The House and Senate continue to negotiate a health care reform bill, which has left some open time for both chambers to consider FY10 appropriations bills. The first order of business this week will be to extend the current continuing resolution (CR) for most federal agencies since the current CR expires on Saturday, October 31st…. Read More
September 28, 2009
The congressional agenda this week will sound familiar to those who have been following the action: Both chambers will focus on appropriations measures as the fiscal year winds down on September 30th, and Senate and House committees will continue to resolve differences on health care reform proposals. Appropriations Congress has until Wednesday night to pass… Read More
September 14, 2009
This week, lawmakers will attempt to clear the decks of routine legislative business on the floors of each chamber so that they can continue to give their full attention to how to move major aspects of Democrats’ signature priorities: healthcare reform and climate change legislation. The House will take up a bill to overhaul the… Read More
September 7, 2009
Congress returns to work this week after a fractious August recess during which lawmakers were confronted about the public health insurance option and other contentious elements in Democratic health reform bills. Policy experts already are identifying less controversial proposals that could attract support from moderate Democrats and even some Republicans. Lawmakers hope to come up… Read More
August 7, 2009
After the historic vote to confirm US Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor – and add more funds to the popular “cash for clunkers” program – the Senate went into their August recess period. The House recessed last week and both will return after Labor Day. To date, only four of the twelve FY2010 appropriations bills… Read More
August 5, 2009
The Senate approved their Agriculture spending bill yesterday – the fourth fiscal 2010 spending bill passed by the Senate. Informal work to begin reconciling the four spending bills passed by both chambers is expected to occur over the August break so that conference reports can be considered in September. Before leaving last week for its… Read More
August 3, 2009
With the House gone for its August recess, the Senate will turn its attention this week to passing one more spending bill, replenishing the popular Cash for Clunkers program, and confirming President Obama’s pick for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, all with the aim to leave town Friday until after Labor Day. APPROPRIATIONS As… Read More
