Today's Hill Action:
THE SENATE:
The Senate is in session. SENATE COMMITTEES:
Senate (Select) Intelligence (2:30 p.m.): Closed hearings to consider certain intelligence matters. Senate Judiciary (2:30 p.m.): Hearings to examine strengthening security and oversight at biological research laboratories.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (10 a.m.): Hearings to examine the Weapons of Mass Destruction Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009.
Senate Finance (9 a.m.): Business meeting to consider an original bill providing for health care reform.
THE HOUSE:
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Hoyer Announces Four Day Cut in House Schedule:
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced Monday that he is cutting four days from the chamber's work schedule.
In a change from the original schedule, Hoyer said the House will not be in session on Friday, Oct. 2; Monday, Oct. 5; Friday, Oct. 9; and Monday, Oct. 19.
"As we discuss health care reform in particular, Members value time in their districts to work and meet with constituents," Hoyer said in a statement. "House Members will continue to work on important issues in committee, on the floor and in their districts this fall."
The announcement comes at a time when Congressional Democrats have their hands full with a laundry list of issues awaiting action, including health care and financial regulatory reforms. The House already cleared a climate change bill and has advanced all of its appropriations measures, but the Senate has yet to do the same.
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LeMieux Announces Committee Assignments:
Newly installed Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) is expected to announce this week that he will serve on the Armed Services, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Aging committees, an aide confirmed Monday.
Two of three of the committee assignments, which will be formally announced Tuesday, were also held by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), whom LeMieux replaced. Martinez, who retired with just more than a year to go in his first term, held seats on Armed Services; Commerce; and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committees. He was ranking member of the Aging Committee.
LeMieux, who was sworn in on Sept. 10, was tapped by his former boss, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R), to replace Martinez. LeMieux has said he will not run for a full term next year. Crist, meanwhile, is seeking his party's nomination for the seat.
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Tom Delay Set to Dance With The Stars:
Former House Majority Leader, Tom Delay will make his dancing debut tonight on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars".
Can the onetime "Hammer" of the U.S. House of Representatives do a mean Texas two-step?
DeLay will join the likes of singer Macy Gray, actress Melissa Joan Hart and entertainer Donny Osmond on the ninth season of the ABC show. It's the highest-profile move by the former Republican power broker since he left Congress in 2006.
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