House Cloakroom: June 4 – June 8, 2012

Analysis: This week the House will continue consideration of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill that was brought to the floor last week.  There are expected to be several amendments to decrease the spending in this bill and end loan guarantee programs like the one that gave over $500 million to the now defunct Solyndra ^[1].  The House will also vote on a bill that would repeal the onerous tax on medical devices that was put in place by Obamacare.

Major Floor Action:

• HR 5325 ^[2] – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012
• HR 436 ^[3] – Protect Medical Innovation Act (Medical Device Tax Repeal)

Major Committee Action:

• House Oversight and Government Reform ^[4] Committee will hold a hearing on “Political Influence on BLS Data.”
• The House Financial Services ^[5] Committee will hold a hearing on the Investment Advisor Oversight Act.
• The House Judiciary ^[6] Committee will hold a hearing on “Justice Department Oversight.”
• The House Energy and Commerce ^[7] Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “EPA Enforcement Oversight.”
• The House Energy and Commerce ^[7] Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Medicare Fraud Prevention.”
  

Senate Cloakroom: June 4 – June 8, 2012

Analysis: The Senate returns from their Memorial Day recess this week and will move to the Paycheck Fairness Act.  The bill is ostensibly meant to help eliminate any discrepancy in pay between men and women, but is more likely to only increase the number of lawsuits filed against employers.  The bill is not expected to pass and will likely become a political exercise.  The Senate could also take up an extension of current student loan rates if a deal between Democrats and Republicans is reached.

 Major Floor Action:

• S 3220 ^[8] – Paycheck Fairness Act

Major Committee Action:

• The Senate Judiciary ^[9] Committee will hold an oversight hearing on “Ted Stevens Case Prosecutorial Misconduct.”
• The Senate Finance ^[10] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Challenges of Impoverished Families.”
• The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs ^[11] Committee will hold a hearing on “JP Morgan Chase Loss and Financial Regulation Oversight.”
• The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation ^[12] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Impact of EU Greenhouse Gas Rules on U.S. Airlines.”
• The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ^[13] Committee will hold a hearing on “Bully-Free Schools.”