Blog - The Week Ahead in Congress

With taxes fresh on everyone’s mind, Congress is returning from a two-week recess today and will immediately begin voting on a series of partisan tax bills.

The first vote, which will be in the Senate, is the Democrats’ so-called “Buffet Rule” that would ensure that people who earn more than $1 million per year pay an effective 30 percent tax rate. That vote — technically on defeating a GOP filibuster on the motion to proceed — will take place this afternoon.

The second vote will happen later in the week in the House on a Republican bill to cut corporate taxes for businesses with fewer than 500 employees, regardless of the size of the company based on assets held.

The full schedules for both chambers are below. House first:

THE WEEKLY WHIP: FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

First Vote Of The Week: Monday 6:30 p.m.
Last Vote Predicted: Thursday 3:00 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012

On Monday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (4 Bills)

1. H.R. 3001 – Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Act (Rep. Meeks – Financial Services)
2. H.R. 1815 – Lena Horne Recognition Act (Rep. Hastings (FL) – Financial Services)
3. H.R. 4040 – To provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf (Rep. Baca – Financial Services)
4. H.R. 2453 – Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Rep. Luetkemeyer – Financial Services)

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business with last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.

H.R. 4089 – Sportmen’s Heritage Act of 2012 (Rep. Miller (FL) – Natural Resources/Agriculture/Energy and Commerce) (Subject to Rule)

H.R. __ – Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Rep. Mica – Transportation and Infrastructure/Ways and Means/Natural Resources/Science, Space, and Technology/Energy and Commerce) (Subject to a Rule)

H.R. 9 – Small Business Tax Cut Act (Rep. Cantor – Ways and Means) (Subject to a Rule)

And here’s the Senate schedule:

Senate Floor Schedule for Monday, April 16, 2012

Convenes: 2:00pm

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2240, the Paying a Fair Share Act.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.2230, the Paying a Fair Share Act on Thursday, March 29th.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #460, Stephanie Dawn Thacker, of WV, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit with up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Thacker nomination.  There will then be a 2nd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2230, the Paying a Fair Share Act.

If the House does not adopt S.Con.Res.38, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will also meet on the following dates at the following times in pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted:

• Monday, April 2nd at 2:00pm
• Thursday, April 5th at 11:00am
• Monday, April 9th at 10:00am
• Thursday, April 12th at 2:00pm