Monday’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 2:00 p.m. for legislative business.
• Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
• Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. 1.      H.R. 3767 – The “W. Hazen Hillyard Post Office Building” Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Bishop (UT) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2. 2.       S. 1825 – A bill to extend the authority for relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees (Sponsored by Sen. Lieberman / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. 3.      H.R. 3539 – The “Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post Office Building” Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Sires / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4. 4.      H.R. 1506 – To provide that claims of the United States to certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances (Sponsored by Rep. Slaughter / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5. 5.      S. 1314 – The “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office” Designation Act (Sponsored by Sen. Wyden / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6. 6.      H.R. 1242 – To amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to provide for additional monitoring and accountability of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Sponsored by Rep. Maloney / Financial Services Committee)

 

• Special Orders
• House, Senate panels ready to investigate Fort Hood shootings  -  Congressional panels in both chambers will look into the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, which left 13 dead and at least 30 wounded. (The Hill)

In the Senate:

• The Senate convenes at 2pm with Morning business until 3pm; Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
• Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3082, MilCon VA Appropriations until 5:30pm.
• Two roll call votes are scheduled for 5:30pm in relation to the Coburn amendment #2757 (public disclosure of reports) and Coburn motion to commit.
• Gregg: Budget deficit is sending the U.S. to ‘third-class status as a nation’  -  The U.S. is headed toward “third-class status as a nation” because of the budget deficit, according to the senior Republican on the Senate Budget Committee. (The Hill)

Other News:

• Obama chides China on human rights  -  President Obama told Chinese students today that the U.S. does not wish to contain China’s rise, but also offered a gentle critique of their country’s approach to human rights. (LA Times)
• In Arizona, a laboratory for charter schools yields mixed results  -  Arizona’s flourishing charter school movement underscores the popular appeal of unfettered school choice and the creativity of some educational entrepreneurs. But the state also offers a cautionary lesson as President Obama pushes to dismantle barriers to charter schools elsewhere: It is difficult to promote quantity and quality at the same time. (Wash Post)
• Obama Hobbled in Fight Against Global Warming  – President Obama came into office pledging to end eight years of American inaction on climate change under President George W. Bush, and he has promised that the United States would lead the way toward a global agreement in Copenhagen next month to address the warming planet. (NY Times)
• Immigrant Bill Is Back on Table  -  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano called Friday for Congress to consider an overhaul of immigration law early next year, a move that could rekindle a divisive debate during an election year. (WSJ)
• GM to start repaying debt to U.S. government next month  -  General Motors is expected to announce on Monday that it will begin repaying its debt to the United States next month, years earlier than required. (Wash Post)
• Law Seeks to Ban Misuse of Genetic Testing  -  The most important new antidiscrimination law in two decades — the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act — will take effect in the nation’s workplaces next weekend, prohibiting employers from requesting genetic testing or considering someone’s genetic background in hiring, firing or promotions. (NY Times)
• Pittsburgh eyes students’ wallets  -  Pittsburgh wants to tax one of its most abundant resources: students. (USA Today)

Federal Grant of the Day:

• DoEd – International Research and Studies (IRS) Program- The IRS Program provides grants to conduct research and studies to improve and strengthen instruction in modern foreign languages, area studies, and other international fields. In one area of concentration, the program is looking for the development of specialized instructional or assessment materials focused on any of seventy eight (78) languages.  For a list of eligible applicants and more information, see DoEd. The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is January 12, 2010.

Today in History:

November 16, 1864- On this day during the Civil War, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman began his famous “March to the Sea” from Atlanta to Savannah, leaving havoc and destruction in his wake. It would be among the final blows to end the southern Confederacy.

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].