Image not recoveredlincolnmemorial-300x246.jpg
The following is a roundup of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. It’s courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available.

In the House:

  • The House will convene at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. 
  • Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
  • I)  One Minutes
  • II)  Suspensions (13 Bills):
    1.  
      1. H.R. 685 – United States Civil Rights Trail System Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Clay / Natural Resources Committee)
      2. H.R. 2442 – Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Natural Resources Committee)
      3. H.R. 2950 – To direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District (Sponsored by Rep. Matheson / Natural Resources Committee)
      4. H.R. 3123 – Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Lamborn / Natural Resources Committee)
      5. H.R. 905 – Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act (Sponsored by Rep. Stupak / Natural Resources Committee)
      6. H.R. 1771 – Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Sarbanes / Natural Resources Committee)
      7. H.R. 1053 – Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Wittman / Natural Resources Committee)
      8. H.Res. 16 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Biggert / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
      9. H.Res. 693 – Honoring the life and accomplishments of Jim Johnson and extending the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family on the occasion of his death (Sponsored by Rep. Brady (PA) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
      10. H.Con.Res. 186 – Supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (IL) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
      11. H.Res. 725 – Congratulating the Chula Vista Park View Little League team of Chula Vista, California, for winning the 2009 Little League World Series Championship (Sponsored by Rep. Filner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
      12. H.Res. 734 – Expressing the support for and honoring September 17, 2009 as “Constitution Day” (Sponsored by Rep. Latta / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
      13. H.R. 3614 – Providing for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Velazquez / Small Business Committee)
  • Special Orders
  • Issa demands more details on VIP Countrywide mortgage program  -  Rep. Darrell Issa wants Bank of America to turn over tapes that may contain evidence of preferential loan treatment for VIPs. (The Hill)

 In the Senate:

  • The Senate convenes at 11:30am, with Morning Business until 1:30pm.
  • At 1:30pm, consideration resumes of H.R.3326, Defense Appropriations.
  • At 4:30pm, business turns to Executive Session and debate nomination of Jeffrey Viken to be United States District Judge, Judge for the District of South Dakota; 5:30pm is the vote on confirmation of the nomination.
  • Sen. Rockefeller seeks to extend health bill’s protections  -  More than 70 million people who work at large companies would not get health insurance protections sought by President Obama under a closely watched Senate health care bill, a Democratic lawmaker involved in the debate says. (USA Today)  

Other News:

  • Baucus health bill would let private group write rules  -  The National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners is made up of state officials, but it’s not subject to public rules, and members are often cozy with the industry. (LA Times)
  • More Help Coming To Clean Up Crisis; Programs for Toxic Assets, Mortgages  -  The Obama administration is close to rolling out two initiatives aimed at addressing lingering problems from the financial crisis: A long-delayed effort to cleanse financial firms of their toxic assets, and a $35 billion plan to prop up state programs that help lower-income borrowers get affordable mortgages. (Wash Post)
  • Climate bill could be short on details  -  The climate bill coming this week from Sens. Barbara Boxer and John Kerry will likely leave some big questions unanswered, including the biggest: how to divvy up carbon allowances. (The Hill)
  • Downturn Weighs on Poor  -  More Children Fall Into Poverty as Family Incomes Shrink; Ms. Smith Sells Her Recliner (WSJ)
  • In Some States, a Push to Ban Mandate on Insurance  -  In more than a dozen statehouses across the country, a small but growing group of lawmakers is pressing for state constitutional amendments that would outlaw a crucial element of the health care plans under discussion in Washington: the requirement that nearly everyone buy insurance or pay a penalty. (NY Times)

Federal Grant of the Day:

  • NIH/HHS – Medications Development for Cannabis-Related Disorders- The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) to support research studies that focus on the identification, and preclinical and clinical evaluation, of medications that can be safe and effective for the treatment of cannabis-use and -induced disorders, as well as their medical and psychiatric consequences. Eligible applicants include non profit entities, institutions of higher education, local governments, faith-based organizations, etc.  The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is April 30, 2010.  See NIH for more information.

Today in History:

  • September 29, 1907- On this date, the cornerstone was laid at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. by President Theodore Roosevelt.  Construction of the cathedral would continue for the next 83 years, with the last finial placed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, contact Anchor Consulting, LLC at (703) 333-6013 or [email protected]