House Cloakroom: December 10 – December 14

Analysis: The waiting game continues here in Washington as the talks over the fiscal cliff continue. The House does not appear to be taking up any major legislation this week once again. However, there will be several hearings of note on both Dodd-Frank and Obamacare implementation. Those are listed below.

Major Committee Action:

• The House Transportation and Infrastructure ^[1] Committee will hold a hearing on the “High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program.”
• The House Financial Services ^[2] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Impact of Dodd-Frank Act: Volcker Rule.”
• The House Energy and Commerce ^[3] Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Health Exchanges and Medicaid Expansion in the Health Care Law.”
  

Senate Cloakroom: December 10 – December 14

Analysis: The Senate will be taking up a bill to extend the Transaction Account Guarantee for two years. This program was created as a temporary response to the 2008 financial crisis and provides unlimited federal coverage on all non-interest bearing accounts. It is set to expire at the end of this year.

Major Floor Action:

• S 3637 ^[4] – A bill to temporarily extend the transaction account guarantee program, and for other purposes
  

Major Committee Action:

• The Senate Finance ^[5] Committee will hold a hearing on “Improving Care for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries.”
• The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship ^[6] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Response to Hurricane Sandy.”
• The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs ^[7] Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development will hold a hearing on “HUD Rental Housing Assistance Programs.”