Wednesday’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 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. 
• Last votes are expected at 7:00 p.m.
• One Minutes (15 per side)
• H.R. 3639 – Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Maloney / Financial Services Committee)
• The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:

1. Hensarling Amendment (10 minutes)
2. McCarthy (NY) / Markey (CO) Amendment (10 minutes)
3. Maffei Amendment (10 minutes)
4. Sutton Amendment (10 minutes)
5. Stupak Amendment (10 minutes)

• Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. H.Res. 868 – Honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (CA) / Armed Services Committee)
2. H.Con.Res. 139 – Congratulating the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy on their 50th graduation anniversary and recognizing their contributions to the Nation (Sponsored by Rep. Lamborn / Armed Services Committee)
3. H.Res. 856 – Recognizing the Commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21 (Sponsored by Rep. Nadler / Armed Services Committee)
4. H.Res. 880 – Recognizing the efforts of career and technical colleges (Sponsored by Rep. Cassidy / Education and Labor Committee)
5. H.Res. 752 – Recognizing the tragic loss of life that occurred at the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Illinois (Sponsored by Rep. Halvorson / Education and Labor Committee)
6.  H.Res. 878 – Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day (Sponsored by Rep. Platts / Education and Labor Committee)

• Postponed Suspension Votes (4 Votes):

1. H.Res. 858 – Congratulating the Inter-American Foundation (Sponsored by Rep. Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)
2. H.Res. 839 – Condemning the illegal extraction of Madagascar’s natural resources (Sponsored by Rep. Blumenauer / Foreign Affairs Committee)
3. H.Res. 863 – Recognizing November 2 as World Pneumonia Day (Sponsored by Rep. Shea-Porter / Foreign Affairs Committee)
4. H.Res. 641 – Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Sponsored by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)

• Special Orders
• Financial reform fight heats up House  -  The House was supposed to be the path of least resistance on financial reform. But Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank is fighting off attacks from the right and left on his legislation. (Politico)

 

 

 

In the Senate:

• The Senate convenes at 9:30a.m and begins a period of morning business.
• Once morning business is completed, the Senate resumes consideration of H.R.3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009.
• Dodd to go alone with draft for financial reform  -  Senate Banking Committee Chairman  Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) plans to circulate a draft bill of sweeping financial reforms as soon as next week that breaks with the Obama administration and the House on two key issues, officials said. (Wash Post)

 

Other News:

• Merkel urges Congress to act on climate  -  German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Congress and the Obama administration Tuesday to take bold steps to address global warming, even as Senate Democrats and Republicans feuded over whether to press ahead with a climate bill. (Wash Post)
• Fears of a New Bubble as Cash Pours In  -  Concerns are mounting that efforts by governments and central banks to stoke a recovery will create a nasty side effect: asset bubbles in real-estate, stock and currency markets, especially in Asia. (WSJ)
• Congress Poised to Keep Homebuyers’ Tax Credit  -  The Senate and House are poised to agree on a compromise measure to extend unemployment benefits that also would expand a popular $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers, despite a recent government report on extensive mistakes and suspected fraud in the program. (NY Times)
• Health care timetable could slip, Reid says  -  In a blow to the White House, the Senate’s top Democrat signaled yesterday that Congress might fail to meet a year-end deadline for passing health care legislation, leaving the measure’s fate to the uncertainties of the 2010 election season. (Boston Globe)
• Republicans Win in Key States  -  A Republican sweep in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday shifted the political terrain against President Barack Obama only a year after his historic election. (WSJ)

 Federal Grant of the Day:

• DHS – International Research in Homeland Security Science & Technology Mission Areas
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate is soliciting applications for international research projects aligned with the mission and requirements of DHS S&T. These projects should be designed to augment and complement, through international research and col1aboration, the depth and breadth of homeland security science and technology research.  Specifically, the S&T Directorate seeks proposals that will contribute to homeland security science and technology, including but not limited to:

1. Evaluation of novel tools or approaches to confronting homeland security challenges;
2. Basic research to provide data, understandings, or models that support S&T efforts or policy decisions; and
3. S&T and operations research evaluations to support revolutionary improvements in DHS’s mission and its component agencies’ operations.  Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, as well as private institutions of higher education. 

• The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement September 23, 2010. See full announcement for more information.

 

 Today in History:

• November 4, 1922- On this day, famed British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team unearth the entrance to the tomb of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings; this tomb was the most complete ancient Egyptian royal tomb ever found.

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].