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The following is political activity for Thursday, May 12, 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.

IN THE HOUSE

  1. The House will meet at 10:00 a.m.
  2. Last votes are expected between 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.One Minute Speeches (15 per side)
  3. Complete Consideration of H.R. 1231 – Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)
  4. Begin Consideration of H.R. 754 – Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (MI) / Permanent Select Intelligence Committee)
  5. Special Order Speeches
  6. House Approves a Bill to Spur Oil Exploration  -  Maneuvering on oil drilling, gas prices and industry profits intensified on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. House Republicans pushed through a bill to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration as Democrats vowed action on measures to rescind billions of dollars in tax breaks for major oil and gas companies. (New York Times)

IN THE SENATE

  1. The Senate convenes at 9:30am.
  2. Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for debate only until 1pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the next 30 minutes.
  3. Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #47, the nomination of Michael Francis Urbanski, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
  4. At approximately 2pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Urbanski nomination.
  5. Dem senators file bill to create $5 billion transportation fund  -  A pair of Democratic senators filed legislation Wednesday that would create a transportation infrastructure fund and seed it with $5 billion. (The Hill)

OTHER NEWS

  1. Battle over national debt ceiling has negotiation experts shaking their heads  -  That’s the frustrated conclusion that America’s professional negotiators have reached, after watching Washington’s politicians begin their own negotiation over the national debt ceiling. (Washington Post)
  2. House panel OKs malpractice bill  -  The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday passed new limits on lawsuits against doctors after defeating Democratic amendments to preserve more lenient state laws. (The Hill)
  3. House Bill Lets States Lower Extended Jobless Aid to Ease Company Taxes  -  House Republicans moved to let U.S. states cut federally paid jobless benefits and use the funds to avert tax increases on businesses, which Democrats blasted as an attack on the unemployed. (Bloomberg)
  4. AT&T and T-Mobile Chiefs Field Skeptical Questions on Capitol Hill  -  A few weeks ago, AT&T and T-Mobile were robust competitors. T-Mobile ads made merciless fun of AT&T’s reputation for dropped calls and sluggish wireless data connections while celebrating T-Mobile’s fast network and low rates. AT&T promoted superior nationwide service and its exclusive array of the sleekest, fastest smartphones. (New York Times)
  5. Newt Gingrich: I’m running for president  -  Republican Newt Gingrich said Wednesday he’s running for president because his experience has prepared him to return America “to hope and opportunity.” (AP)

FEDERAL GRANT OF THE DAY

  • Access Teacher Development Online Program- The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open competition for the Access Teacher Development Online Program (ATDOP), including online distance education, a U.S. exchange component in summer 2012 and a follow-on program for exchange participants. The award level for this cooperative agreement will be up to $900,000. The purpose of this program is to increase the oral and aural proficiency of English as a foreign language teachers while developing their speaking and listening teaching methods. For more information, see the State Department.

TODAY IN HISTORY

  • May 12, 2002- On this day, Jimmy Carter became the first present or former U.S. president to visit Cuba since Fidel Castro seized power in 1959.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, contact Anchor Consulting at 703-333-6013