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The following is political activity for Wednesday, March 30, 2011, going on in Washington and across the nation. It is courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available. The Political Update will resume on Monday, April 4th.

In the House:

  1. The House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
  2. H.R. 471 – Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Boehner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
  3. H.R. 872 – Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee / Agriculture Committee)
  4. Cantor – ‘Time is up’ to reach a spending deal for fiscal year 2011 – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) ruled out another short-term measure to fund the government, raising pressure on both parties to reach a deal to avert a government shutdown after April 8.  “Yeah, I want to see a long-term CR here,” stated Cantor. The Hill

In the Senate:

  1. Session convenes at 9:30am
  2. Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  3. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 493, the Small Business Jobs bill.
  4. Roll call votes in relation to amendments to the bill are possible during Wednesday’s session. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
  5. Harry Reid will consider hot-button riders – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said Tuesday that Democrats are willing to take a look at policy riders tacked onto the House-approved spending bill, which could create a negotiating point with House Republicans.  Politico

Other News

  1. Sen. Conrad reviving the bipartisan ‘Gang of 10′ to craft energy legislation – Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) are reviving a bipartisan “gang” of senators they formed in 2008 to craft sweeping energy legislation.  The Hill
  2. House Votes to Scrap Foreclosure Program – The House voted 252-170, mostly along party lines, to terminate the $30 billion Home Affordable Modification Program and redirect unspent funds toward reducing the deficit.  NY Times
  3. Tax Revenue Snaps Back – State and local tax revenue has nearly snapped back to the peak hit several years ago—a gain attributed to a reviving economy and tax increases implemented during the recession.  WSJ
  4. Roberts, Alito leave imprint on rulings – During their five-plus years on the bench, the Supreme Court nominees of President George W. Bush have begun making their marks in cases involving gun rights, freedom of speech and campaign finance.  Wash Times
  5. Redistricting draws unregulated cash – Top House Republicans and Democrats are raising millions of dollars for redistricting fights, opening the floodgates for what could be a $30 million campaign funded in part by unregulated, unreported soft money. Politico

Federal Grant of the Day

  • Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants- The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) plans to provide funds for Graduate Student Research Grants to support dissertation research by advanced graduate students who are working in partnership with Head Start programs and with faculty mentors.  Administration for Children & Families

Today in History

  • March 30, 1867- Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2 cent/acre, by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward. The media call this Seward’s Folly.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, contact Catherine Harper at 703-333-6013 or [email protected]