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The Week Ahead in Congress
July 18, 2010 - by Donny Shaw
The big item on the agenda this week will be the unemployment extension bill that’s been stuck in the Senate for the past month and a half. Sen. Robert Byrd’s [D, WV] interim replacement, Carte Goodwin, is going to be sworn-in to the Senate on Tuesday at 2:15, and immediately afterwards, he will vote with 57 other Democrats plus Republicans Snowe and Collins in favor of “cloture,” which will end the filibuster and allow the bill to move forward towards final passage.
As I explained Friday, after they pass cloture, the Senate will still have to take one more vote on the bill (within 30 hours of passing cloture) before they can send it over to the House of Representatives for the final vote before it is sent to Obama for his signature. As you’ll see in the schedule below, the House is already anticipating having the bill sent over to them from the Senate sometime this week. This whole thing should be wrapped up by the end of the week. In the meantime, when they’re not working on the unemployment bill, both chambers will be voting on all kinds of other stuff, like small business loans, safer oil drilling technology, and helping Haitian orphans. Take a look for yourself below.
First, the House schedule:
MONDAY, JULY 19, 2010
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:00 p.m.
Suspensions (5 Bills)
- H.Res. 1472 - Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (Rep. Polis – Education and Labor)
- H.Con.Res. 126 – Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the Department of Education (Rep. Watson – Education and Labor)
- H.Res. 1219 – Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month (Rep. Calvert – Education and Labor)
- H.Res. 1491 – Congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series (Rep. Wilson (SC) – Education and Labor)
- H.R. 1855 – SECTORS Act (Rep. Loebsack – Education and Labor)
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
Suspensions (24 Bills)
- H.R. 5266 - National Commission on Children and Disasters Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Rep. Brown (FL) – Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.R. 5545 – To deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers (Rep. Norton – Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.Res. 1463 – Supporting the goals and ideals of Railroad Retirement Day (Rep. Perriello – Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.R. 5604 – Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2010 (Rep. Perriello – Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.R. 5301 – To extend the period during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and States are prohibited from requiring a permit under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for certain discharges that are incidental to normal operation of vessels (Rep. LoBiondo – Transportation and Infrastructure)
- H.R. 4842 – Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 (Rep. Clarke – Homeland Security)
- H.Res. 1516 – Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, honoring the service members who fought in World War II and their families, and honoring the service members who are currently serving in combat operations (Rep. Skelton – Armed Services)
- H.Res. 1411 – Honoring the service and commitment of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. (Rep. Schwartz – Armed Services)
- H.Res. 1483 – Recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division of the United States Army, known as the Liberators, during World War II (Rep. Gingrey – Armed Services)
- H.R. 5341 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Orndorf Drive in Brighton, Michigan, as the “Joyce Rogers Post Office Building” (Rep. Dingell – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.Res. 1513 – Congratulating the Saratoga Race Course as it celebrates its 142nd season (Rep. Murphy (NY) – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 4684 – National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act (Rep. Nadler – Financial Services)
- H.R. 5283 – Help HAITI Act of 2010 (Rep. Fortenberry – Judiciary)
- H.R. 5532 – International Adoption Harmonization Act of 2010 (Rep. Lofgren – Judiciary)
- H.Res. 1470 – Honoring the life, achievements, and distinguished career of Chief Justice William S. Richardson (Rep. Djou – Judiciary)
- H.R. 5566 – Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 (Rep. Gallegly – Judiciary)
- S. 1749 – Cell Phone Contraband Act of 2010 (Sen. Feinstein – Judiciary)
- H.R. 1469 – Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 (Rep. Schiff – Judiciary)
- Senate Amendments to H.R. 725 – Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act (Rep. Pastor – Natural Resources)
- S. 1053 – To amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date (Sen. Murkowski – Natural Resources)
- H.R. 5716 – Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Act (Rep. Gordon – Science and Technology)
- H.R. 2693 – Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act (Rep. Woolsey – Science and Technology)
- H.Con.Res. 292 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National Aerospace Week (Rep. Ehlers – Science and Technology)
- H.R. 4380 - U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 (Rep. Levin – Ways and Means)
H.R. 1264 – Multiple Peril Insurance Act (Rep. Taylor – Financial Services) (Subject to a Rule)
Further Action on H.R. 4213 – Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act (Rep. Levin – Ways and Means) (Subject to a Rule)
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.
* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.
* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.
And here’s what’s on the Senate calendar so far for the week:
Monday, July 19 — Convenes: 2:00pm
Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 3:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of HR5297, the Small Business Jobs bill. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.
Votes:
There will be no roll call votes on Monday, July 19.
Tuesday, July 20
Votes:
2:30pm roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture with respect to H.R.4213, which extends Unemployment benefits through November.
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Comments
Displaying 31-60 of 152 total comments.
I’m 22. I still have yet to get a call back for an interview anywhere. They aren’t hiring anyone. My 68 year old grandmother has gotten a job before me.
Filtered Comment [ show ]
a revised 4851 has been brought to the floor by McConnel and blocked by read on at lest 3 occasions, Scott Brown® also has an unemployment bill that has been been blocked by Harry reid at least 6 time, reid will not even allow for the bill to be read let alone voted on. Pelosi blocked a republican unempoyment bill from coming to a vote the day before the memorial day break. Republicans have proposed more unemployment bills and amendments then the democrats have, Reid alone has blocked more unemployment bills then the republicans have. Both sides are playing games with us.
Reid is still blocking and will not allow for the senate to vote on 5618 which would be guaranteed to pass the senate. Are you going to blame republicans because Reid will not allow for the senate to vote on an unemployment bill that what was wrote and supported and passed by house democrats. The is not a democrat republican problem it is a Harry Reid problem.
W
How do you explain Bush coming into office with billions in surplus and in eight years he and the gop turned it into trillions in deficit crashed the economy and involved us in two wars one of which they fabricated nothing but lies to get us involved the gop is to blame I can go on and on but you are obviously not informed enough to hear the truth.By the way no jobs were created under Bush 8 million lost at least the Democrats are going in the right direction and the hole Bush and the Gop got us into isn’t geting any deeper so please stop with your love the gop crap they have always been for the wealthy and for tearing down the middle class and working people check your history and remember where is your paycheck now and why are you unemployed THE GOP!!!
I agree with you so much General if I should say so myself!!!
there has not been a private sector job created since 1997, there are less jobs now then there were in 1998. this recession we are in now stated in the early 90s but washington kept making it worse by printing money and pushing it off. Clinton pushed it off with the 401K, low interest rates, business regulaions and nafta, the dot com bubble almost flushed it all down the toilet, bush then pushed it off with two wars and the housing bubble plus low interest rates, it got to the point that our economy was so fake that when it finally crashed again in 2007 there was no more tricks to stop it. If they would have let the economy re-balance in the mid 90s things would not have been near as bad as they are now. the governments constant meddling in the markets for the last 20 or so years turned what would have been a minor setback into a giant snowball that is smothering us all. Economics are a little more complicated then oboma is good and bush is bad.
Watch The Obama Deception documentary at Youtube you will understand that it is both the Democrats and the Republicans who are completely at fault here. This is exactly what they want all of us to be focused on the WRONG ISSUE! Blaming each other’s camps divide and conquer the oldest game in the book!!! Watch The Obama Deception you will be amazed!!! Again I have nothing to do with the producers nor do I benefit from recommending this documentary in any way it just will answer everyone’s questions on the economy and unemployment and why our congress is dragging their feet.
Right on! Mikes
Hey, but the link connected to an Afgan. War interview. Check this link on the McConnell, Candy Crowley Interview. This guy does a great job in expressing what most Americans think of GOP/McConnell’s out right lies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDOb8E7D8tc
Candy Crowley interview was OURSTANDING, makes the GOP & Republicans transparent. Most American knows they only care about one thing, to get more power back in November’s election. They know more Republicans in congress, means less accountability and more wealth for them. Just like the good old Bush/Cheney days.
Their motives are clear. There is so much money and power at stake for them individually that they have thrown out their morals, integrity, and honor.
Yes, that’d be great if the unemployed go afford the gas to go to the voting booths.
My birthday is in November and I sure would enjoy my birthday a whole lot better if all the idiots that are in office now get booted in November!!!!
My birthday was Friday I would’ve enjoyed a job or an income of some sort. I hope congress enjoyed their vacation weekend! I also hope the president and his family enjoyed their weekend. Please… when will we the voters ever learn?!!! We got “change” and it wasn’t change back from a strong economy either.
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Shameless advertising for BS does not belong here!
Art LeDoux
Folks, I think we need to continue to keep the pressure on both the house and senate with emails and phone calls. I have emailed every republican representative and senator almost every day for the last week. The only thing republicans care about is the november election. They want the economy to be as bad as it can be in hopes that people will blame the democrats. I think 15 million unemployed and out of benefits will be a huge voter block for them to overcome.
While I had posted this the other day, I hadn’t heard any feedback, from my fellow bloggers. I am concerned that I may not have benefits left, when I believed them to be available. Are they including your 26 weeks paid for by your previous employer,as part of the 99 weeks? I have had two extensions, with money added back on each one. I received my first check on the second week of Dec., 2008. I live in Indiana. Also, since everything is on hold, there are no vouchers for me to fill out weekly for the retro pay? Do you think I still have weeks coming, and how would I collect the retro pay? Last check, 6/21/2010.
I am in Michigan, and from the discussions that I have had with the caseworkers here, no one really knows what will happen. It is all dependant on how the bill reads once it is finalized. The caseworkers are in as much limbo as we are; they have been give absoulutely no information as to what is going to happen. When I asked one last week what has happened in the past, she said that things have never progressed this far in the 25 years she has worked there. All we can do is keep watching the news, blogs, etc to find out what will transpire.
you should be able to call your caseworker and ask what tier your on if they say end of tier 4 your screwed (sorry for the harshness) but they didnt add a tier 5 as of yet as far as your second question about no vouchers in mississippi they do weekly automated system (phone) to apply for that weeks benefits with proof required of me looking for employment monthly i think it is so every week since end of may ive called in and put app in system. not sure how indiana does it but i know if i miss 1 week of putting app in system it will stop benefits till a contact visit with caseworker hope that helps
Well I’m in Illinois and a few years ago I went looking for work in a few
other states. Well unfortunately my cell phone broke the day of my call in.
By the time I got to a phone I could use it was to late. When I returned to
Illinois I went to the unemployment office and explained the situation and
they gave me a form to fill out. The money came in about 3 weeks.
Hopefully you can go in to your local office and ask, maybe after they pass
it?
Art LeDoux
I’m on Indiana. This happened to me last time when they didn’t pass the bill on time. If/When they pass the bill, on Sunday their should be a voucher to file for the next tier, if you have another tier. Like juju said, there are only 4 tiers. But since they never gave you or I another form to apply for the next tier, we will not receive backpay like everyone else.
Please pay close attention to what YOU see happenning in the senate. To say I am not voting for a party is not the issue. No mater what party they are with, each has found ways to delay the issue of unemployment for the last 3 weeks.
It is unfortunate that Americans are disorganized when it comes to sticking together. ANY Senator who delayed this from going through back in June needs voted out and replaced, Republican or Democrat. This issue is no more than a game of political chess to these people and they know that we won’t vote in unity. Back in the day, people would have willingly gave their lives to any country or government that tried disrupting the freedom of life we have here.
Yet we won’t lift a finger to overthrow or disrupt the structure these government officials are paid from. Instead of backing the war in Iraq, How about we back the one in our own country against unemployment.
It’s been way past 3 weeks fanofilms. Try like ever since the end of may!!!!!
I actually did mention that this goes back to June 2. I know the date well because I had 300.00 left of my 1st 26 weeks and therefore was cut off June 4th without even 1 extension. On June 12th I sold my 69 Harley and paid my rent 3 months in advance along with ALL of my bills. I did this because I saw the “Game” those in congress were playing. Local and national TV stations avoided the unemployment topic on news cast. The former President hasn’t stepped forward to help fix the mess he helped create. And the present one has been very quiet about it until this morning. Lets face it folks, if we would have united at our capitals and TV stations, we would have had a voice but we didn’t so we went ignored. Organize rallies in your community, The employed and unemployed standing together screaming “WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAND FOR THIS TYPE OF NEGLECT”. After all, it is only getting worse so we better start thinking of NOVEMBER now when it runs out again, not when November gets here.
Before you paint with broad strokes, you may need to get an understanding
of Senate rules and Senate Floor Procedure. Also take a good look at the
proposed bills. Some were only a 2 month duration. If we understand the
process and hope they are patient enough to get the best bill we will be
better of in the long run. I understand we need something now, but don’t you
want something for a longer term and with better outcome(like a job).
Art LeDoux
a 2 month extension would actually provide everyone with 13-20 weeks of unemployment benefits the idea behind giving everyone 12-30 quickly was so that people would not have to suffer while a long term solution is hashed out. a two month extension gets most everyone to November.
That’s what I am talking about..Nobody cared and everybody depended on our Government but the media has not covered any news about this because the people are all “Sitting Ducks,” waiting for things to happen. Had we all gotten together and protested, big time protests, then the media would have paid attention and we would have had a voice but nobody did such a thing. It is like young people these days are afraid to fight for their rights. Not like in the 1960’s where there was a revolution for all rights.Why have we stopped organizing rallies and fighting for our rights? Why are we so afraid to stand up and fight for what is ours?
I think that Chris51 and rufusjuice are right. We need to keep the pressure on and we need to become more involved with what the Senators are doing. Not just in November, but always. We need to NEVER forget what they put us through. Never let them forget it either! There is a list here somewhere of everyone one of them that voted ‘no’ on this bill. Print it, write them down. If they are from your State, you need to vote them out! Mine is Scott Brown and you can bet that he’ll be voted out as soon as he comes up for election! And I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. If I have to campaign, volunteer for someone running against him, I will. These are the things that we need to be doing from now on. There are millions of us out there. Some lost everything. And the ones that voted no didn’t care about them or us. It’s time to make a stand!!
So you agree that the senate should have voted to cut social security benefits to retirees and that the government should be able to great retro-active taxes?
Both of those provision were in 4213 The government should not be able to raise a tax today and them make people pay the tax on money they made in 2007 2008 and 2009 plus 2010 , that is just scary. and people on socially security benefits can not afford to have there benefits cut.
4213 is a bad bill, though I need an extension I also have relatives that draw social security and I can not see cutting their income to increase mine.
What would be wrong with passing 5618, why has Reid blocked more extension then the republicans have? Why won;t reid allow for a stand alone bill. Please explain this to me since you “kinda know what you are talking about” Why is reid blocking 5618?
ok why is it when i awoke this morning and turned tv to cnn the first headline i saw scroll across the bottom of screen was " Obama to push for unemployment benefit extention" In the almost 2 MONTHS ive been hanging on a thread and needle, kicking and screaming for news coverage and for Obama to speak up for us there was ZERO headlines in news and ZERO comments from our president. Now that its a done deal he wants to try to grab some spotlight by looking like he spoke and got it passed.
For those that have been on here yall know my disgust with the republican party for playing politics and now he jumps on the politics bandwagon. We are broke, hungry, fixing to lose assets, but we are not stupid. Yes i am excited at the notion of going grocery shopping when this passes but i will never forget all those who left me struggling the past two months, and will always have a sour taste in my mouth for those playing politics in 3 million peoples time of need