Congressional
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Greetings!
Please enjoy today's issue of the Congressional Climate newsletter, brought to you by Keys to the Capitol! |
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Today's Hill Action:
THE SENATE:
The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. ET and will resume consideration of H.R.3288, on Transportation and HUD appropriations. No roll call votes are scheduled after 3:00 p.m.
SENATE COMMITTEES:
Senate Armed Services (9:30 a.m.): Hearings to examine the nomination of Michael G. Mullen, for reappointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reappointment to the grade of admiral.
Senate Foreign Relations (9:30 a.m.): Hearings to examine the nominations of Alan D. Solomont, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to Andorra, Lee Andrew Feinstein, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Poland, Barry B. White, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to Norway, and Jose W. Fernandez, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, all of the Department of State.
Senate Finance (10 a.m.): Hearings to examine unemployment insurance benefits.
Senate Judiciary (10 a.m.): Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law: Hearings to examine human rights, focusing on mental illness in United States prisons and jails.
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (2:30 p.m.): Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security: Hearings to examine aviation safety, focusing on the Hudson River midair collision and the safety of air operations in congested space
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (2:30 p.m.): Business meeting to consider pending nominations; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine potential costs and price volatility in the energy sector, focusing on the greenhouse gas trading program.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (2:30 p.m.): Hearings to examine potential costs and price volatility in the energy sector as a result of a greenhouse gas trading program.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (2:30 p.m.): Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia: Hearings to examine security clearance reform, focusing on modernization.
The House meets at 10:30 a.m. Votes will occur between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.
HOUSE COMMITTEES:
House Ways and Means (1 p.m.): Income Security and Family Support Subc. On the implementation of legislation that establishes grants to encourage the practice of placing foster children estranged from their parents in the homes of blood relatives. B-318 RHOB.
House Rules (3 p.m.): On H.R. 3221 - Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, and H.R. 3246 - Advanced Vehicle Technology Act. H-313 Capitol.
House Judiciary (1 p.m.): Commercial and Administrative Law Subc. On whether mandatory binding arbitration is fair. 2141 RHOB. House Energy and Commerce (1 p.m.): On preparing for the 2009 pandemic flu season. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. 2123 RHOB.
House Oversight and Government Reform (9:30 a.m.): Government Management, Organization, and Procurement Subc. On acquisition challenges and investment management at the Department of Homeland Security. 2154 RHOB.
House Science and Technology (2 p.m.): On options and issues for NASA's Human Space Flight Program. Dept. and public witnesses. 2318 RHOB. |
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Redi Threatens to Take Away Columbus Day Recess:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday warned Senators that the chamber may not go into recess next month in order to clear a backlog of legislative work.
"We have many times in the past taken that [off] because there's so much work to do at home, but we can't do that unless we complete our work here," said Reid, who added that he met with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to discuss the schedule.
The Senate often breaks for a week in early October, with the recess revolving around the Columbus Day holiday. This year Columbus Day will be observed on Monday, Oct. 12.
Reid, who often threatens to keep the Senate in session to pressure Members to act, made his statement after voicing frustration at the slow-moving process of the transportation appropriations bill that is being considered. The Majority Leader warned he may have to file a procedural motion to get the bill passed.
KTC
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A cow on Capitol Hill:
Flanked by a cow named Betty - and six of his Senate colleagues - Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling for the House to pass an amendment increasing price supports to dairy farmers.
The Vermont independent made his pitch in a park adjacent to the Capitol, posing with his colleagues and the cow. He spoke in favor of an amendment to provide $350 million in support to dairy farmers.
Sanders and Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Tom Udall, D-N.M. stood with members of the National Farmers Union. The senators said dairy farmers are suffering through one of the worst periods in recent history.
Sanders says the agriculture industry will suffer if dairy farms continue to collapse.
KTC
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Hoops for Hope Basketball Classic Tonight:
Tonight, the annual tradition of lobbyists and congressmen "hooping it up" for charity continues. Keys to the Capitol will once again be participating. We hope you all can come out and root us on!
Members of Congress & Lobbyists Square Off
During 11th Annual Charity Basketball Game
Washington, D.C. -- In what has become a true rivalry, members of the American League of Lobbyists (ALL) and members of Congress will hit the hardwood next Tuesday, September 15, to compete in the 11th Annual Hoops For Hope Congressional v. Lobbyists Charity Basketball All-Star Classic.
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Location: Georgetown Visitation High School Time: Staff Game Tip-off at 6:00 p.m. Members of Congress Tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
Members expected to suit up: Senators John Thune and Representatives John Shimkus, Jeff Flake, Ron Kind, Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Todd Tiahrt, Kendrick Meek, William Clay, Steve Scalise, Brad Ellsworth, Dean Heller, Todd Platt, Charlie Dent, Frank LoBiondo.
Started eleven years ago, Hoops for Hope benefits Horton.s Kids, St. Anthony.s, the Washington Jesuit Academy, and The Luke Tiahrt Foundation, charities that focus on mentoring underprivileged and at need children. Paul Miller, Chairman and founding organizer, said, .We spend so much time working in the District that many of us felt the need to give something back to the city and its residents. The money we raise from this game is our way of doing that.
Representative John Shimkus, co-captain of the Member team, said, "I enjoy this event because it's an opportunity for Members of Congress and the lobbying community to put politics aside for an evening to show the public that we can get along and achieve good things when the cause is right."
To date this event has raised just over $400,000 and organizers expect this year's total to continue with past years. fundraising successes.
Members of Congress lead the series 7-3, so this year's match-up looks to be a good one as both teams battle for bragging rights and the coveted Hoops for Hope trophy. Miller added, "Our team is ready to keep our two-game winning streak alive. We expect the Members team to really come out strong again this year, but it.s our year." He jokingly added, "This game has been decided in the last couple of minutes of each game so maybe we should just play the last four minutes -- it would save us all a lot of breath and bruises."
Representative Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), the co-captain for the Member team added, " Last year we got behind early and could never really catch-up." He promises this year will be a much different look, style of play and outcome. Both teams feel confident they will capture the trophy. |
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Until tomorrow,
Keys To The Capitol |
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