House Cloakroom: April 26-30

Once again the major issues for the week will be on the Senate side with possible consideration of a financial regulation overhaul bill and the possible introduction of a climate change bill by Senators Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman.  The House will be taking up three smaller measures this week focusing on misspent federal funds, defense acquisition, and Puerto Rico.  Though the defense acquisition bill received complete bi-partisan support out of the House Armed Services Committee and is lauded as a bill that would save taxpayers billions of dollars it is more likely to increase bureaucracy, add more regulation, create a slower and less efficient acquisition system, and continue a risk adverse mentality at the Pentagon.

Major Floor Action

• HR 3393 ^[1] — Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2009
• HR 5013 ^[2] — Implementing Management for Performance and Related Reforms to Obtain Value in Every Acquisition Act of 2010
• HR 2499 ^[3] – Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009

Major Committee Action

• The House Armed Services Committee ^[4] will hold a number of hearings during the week, most notably a full committee hearing on the “Security and Stability in Pakistan” and a subcommittee hearing on the budget for the Army Reserve, National Guard, and Air National Guard.
• The House Ways and Means ^[5] Subcommittee on Trade will hold its first hearing with new subcommittee Chairman John Tanner (D-TN) to discuss U.S.-Cuba policy.
• The House Energy and Commerce ^[6] Subcommittee on Energy and Environment will hold hearing on reducing dependence on oil.

Senate Cloakroom:  April 26-30

It’s all about financial regulation ^[7] in the Senate.  Rumors persist that Senators Dodd (D-CT) and Shelby (R-AL) are closing in on a deal, but Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) is promising to move ahead with a vote on Monday even if a deal does not exist.  Senator Dodd’s bill is fatally flawed ^[8] and conservatives believe a complete re-write ^[9] is necessary—a watered down compromise remains unacceptable.  Global warming will make a come back on Monday, as Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC) and Lieberman (I-CT) unveil their plan to tax American energy ^[10].

Major Floor Action

• On Monday at 5:00pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to Senator Dodd’s financial regulation bill (S.3217).  If cloture is invoked, the Senate will debate and amend the bill for the remainder of the week.

Major Committee Action

• The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee ^[11] will hold two hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ^[12].
• The Foreign Relations committee ^[13] will hold a premature hearing on the START treaty ^[14].
• While the Senate debates financial regulation, a Banking subcommittee ^[15] will hold a hearing on short-termism in financial markets.
• An Appropriations subcommittee ^[16] will hold a hearing on the future of U.S. energy policy ^[14].
• A Commerce subcommittee ^[17] will hold the week’s most ridiculous hearing – promoting travel to national parks ^[18].