Tuesday’s Political Roundup

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 convenes at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business.
• Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
• I)  One Minutes
• II)  Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. 1.      H.R. 3763 – To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for an exclusion from Red Flag Guidelines for certain businesses (Sponsored by Rep. Adler / Financial Services Committee)
2. 2.      H.R. 3319 – The “Army Specialist Jeremiah Paul McCleery Post Office Building” Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. McClintock / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. 3.      H.R. 3819 – To extend the commercial space transportation liability regime (Sponsored by Rep. Gordon / Science and Technology Committee)
4. 4.      H.Res. 793 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week (Sponsored by Rep. Reyes / Science and Technology Committee)
5. 5.      H.Res. 558 – Supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools (Sponsored by Rep. Ehlers / Science and Technology Committee)
6. 6.      H.Res. 797 – Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to raising awareness and enhancing the state of cyber security in the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Clarke / Science and Technology Committee)

• III)  Special Orders
• Democratic tweaks to federal consumer agency fail to calm banks, credit unions  -  House Democrats are attempting to tweak the proposed new federal regulatory agency over consumer financial products, but their efforts have yet to assuage lobbyists’ concerns. (The Hill)

In the Senate:

• The Senate convenes at 10:00am.
• Morning Business is scheduled for 90 minutes, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first half and the Republicans will control the second half.
• Following Morning Business, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R.2892, an Act to make appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. Under an order reached Monday evening, there will be up to 3 hours and 15 minutes for debate prior to a vote on the conference report. If all time is used, the vote on the conference report would occur around 4:15pm; however, some of the time could be yielded back and the vote may occur as early as 3:30pm.
• Under an agreement reached on Monday, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.1776, Medicare Physicians Fairness Act, will occur at a time to be determined with the concurrence of the two Leaders. Meanwhile, the Senate will continue to negotiate an agreement to limit amendments to the S.1776, the Medicare Physicians Fairness Act.
• Nelson seeks funds to help homeowners replace drywall  -  U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is urging state lawmakers to provide financial help to homeowners dealing with Chinese drywall. (Miami Herald)

Other News:

• Public option gains support  -  A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public. (Wash Post)
• Obama Lays Plans to Tackle Deficit  -  This has been the year of coping with the economic mess. Next year will be the year of coping with the deficit mess that follows the economic mess. (WSJ)
• Report says stimulus preserved education jobs  -  Federal economic recovery aid has created or saved 250,000 education jobs, the Obama administration announced Monday, although states and school systems continue to face enormous fiscal pressures. (Wash Post)
• Bernanke Calls for Action on Trade Gap  -  Large U.S. trade deficits with developing countries, though smaller than they were two years ago, remain a threat to the global economy, Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke said Monday in a speech that called on policy makers in the U.S. and Asia to address the issue. (WSJ)
• Financial Giants Donating Little to Obama Party  -  The Wall Street giants that received a financial lifeline from Washington may have no compunction about paying big bonuses to their dealmakers and traders. But their willingness to deliver “thank you” gifts to President Obama and the Democrats is another question altogether. (NY Times)

 Federal Grant of the Day:

• NSF – Innovations in Engineering Education, Curriculum and Infrastructure- The Innovations in Engineering Education, Curriculum, and Infrastructure (IEECI) program supports research which addresses three aspects of engineering education:  (1) how students best learn the ideas, principles, and practices to become creative and innovative engineers, and how this learning is measured; (2) how to more effectively translate successes in engineering education research into widespread practice with consideration of curriculum, student learning, innovation models, and cyber-learning technology, and (3) implementation of programs for students supported by the GI Bill. The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is January 20, 2010. For eligible applicants and more information, see NSF

Today in History:

• October 20, 1803- On this day, nearly doubling the size of the fledgling United States of America, the U.S. Senate ratified President Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of land from France – the Louisiana Purchase – for 15 million dollars.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, or to be removed from this list, contact Anchor Consulting, LLC at [email protected].