This Week in Congress

Floor Schedule

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009:
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (18 bills)
1) H.R. 325 - Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with Pima County, Arizona, to participate in the planning, design, and construction of water recycling facilities and to enhance and restore riparian habitat in the Black Wash Sonoran Desert ecosystem in Avra Valley west of the metropolitan Pima County area. Limits the federal share of the project's cost to 25%. Authorizes appropriations. Permits federal funds provided by this Act to be used only for the design, planning, and construction of water-related infrastructure. (Rep. Grijalva – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
2) H.R. 1120 - Central Texas Water Recycling Act of 2009 Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the city of Waco and other participating communities in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project, to participate in the design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in McLennan County, Texas. Limits the federal share of project costs to 25% of the total. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance. Terminates the Secretary's authority to carry out this Act 10 years after its enactment. (Rep. Edwards (TX) – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
3) H.R. 1393 - Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to authorize specified additional projects, including projects for water conservation and improvement in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Hudspeth, and El Paso counties, Texas. (Rep. Hinojosa – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
4) H.R. 1044 - Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Port Chicago National Memorial Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of the Interior to administer the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a unit of the National Park System. Directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer a specified parcel of land within the proposed boundary on the map entitled "Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Proposed Boundary," dated August 2005, to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior if: the land is excess to military needs; and all environmental remediation actions necessary to respond to environmental contamination have been completed. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the city of Concord, California, and the East Bay Regional Park District to establish and operate a facility for visitor orientation and parking, administrative offices, and curatorial storage for the Memorial. (Rep. George Miller – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
5) H.R. 1280 - To modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior - Modifies a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Chippewa County, Michigan. (Rep. Stupak – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
6) H.R. 1287 - Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint partnership with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission with regard to the use of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Allows the Secretary to: plan, design, construct, and install exhibits in the Center related to the use and management of the resources at the Lakeshore, at a cost under $1.5 million; and use park staff from the Lakeshore in the Center to provide visitor information and education. (Rep. Visclosky – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
7) H.R. 689 - To interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management - Transfers the administrative jurisdiction of specified federally owned lands in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. Subjects such lands to the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Excepts lands within the Shasta Dam Reclamation Zone from such transfer and continues the administration of those lands by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Reclamation. Transfers the administrative jurisdiction of specified federally owned lands in California administered by the BLM from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture. Subjects such lands to the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the National Forest System. (Rep. Herger – Natural Resources) According to CBO, implementing this bill would have no significant effect on the federal budget and would not affect revenues or direct spending.
8) H.R. 2330 - Camp Hale Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing Camp Hale as a unit of the National Park System. (Rep. Lamborn – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
9) H.R. 2430 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Rep. Hastings (WA) – Natural Resources) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
10) H.J.Res. 40 - Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 (Rep. Baca – Natural Resources)
11) H.Res. 421 - Recognizing and commending the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its 75th year anniversary (Rep. Roe – Natural Resources)
12) H.R. 1380 - Josh Miller HEARTS Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools; and/or provide training to meet the grant requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school where an AED is to be used successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Gives grant priority to schools that: lack an AED; typically have a significant number of students, staff, and visitors present during the day; generally have a longer wait for emergency medical services than other public facilities in the community; and have not received funds under the Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act.(Rep. Sutton – Education and Labor) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
13) H.Res. 196 - Congratulating the University of Tennessee women's basketball team (the "Lady Vols") and Head Coach Pat Summitt on her 1000th victory (Rep. Duncan – Education and Labor)
14) H.Res. 232 - Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy (Rep. Graves – Education and Labor)
15) H.R. 1662 - Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require a state to include as part of its regulatory process for issuance and renewal of licenses to providers of child care services, a recommendation to each provider that it carry current liability insurance. Requires state plans for the use of child care and development block grant funds to certify that there are in effect state or local health and safety requirements that each child care provider: post publicly and conspicuously in the service area of its premises a notice specifying whether it carries current liability insurance; and give written notice to parents about whether it carries such insurance, obtain the signature of at least one parent per child acknowledging receipt of such notice, and maintain records of such signed notice while a child receives services. (Rep. Barrow – Education and Labor) There is no CBO score available for this bill.
16) H.Res. 259 - Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II (Rep. Boozman – Armed Services).
17) H.Res. 471 - Expressing sympathy to the victims, families, and friends of the tragic act of violence at the combat stress clinic at Camp Liberty, Iraq, on May 11, 2009 (Rep. Kratovil – Armed Services)
18) H.Res. __ - Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the brutal suppression of protesters and citizens in and around Tiananmen Square (Rep. Levin – Foreign Affairs)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (5 Bills)
1) H.R. 1817 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 116 North West Street in Somerville, Tennessee, as the "John S. Wilder Post Office Building" (Rep. Blackburn – Oversight and Government Reform) 2) H.R. 2090 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 431 State Street in Ogdensburg, New York, as the "Frederic Remington Post Office Building" (Rep. McHugh – Oversight and Government Reform) NO COST
3) H.R. 2173 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1009 Crystal Road in Island Falls, Maine, as the "Carl B. Smith Post Office" (Rep. Michaud – Oversight and Government Reform) 4) H.Con.Res. 109 - Honoring the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital and its transition to the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 6, 2009 (Rep. Connolly – Energy and Commerce) . 5) H.Res. 437 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month (Rep. Napolitano – Energy and Commerce) NO COST

H.R. 31 - Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of any federal law. Requires North Carolina to exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust by the United States for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the Tribe. (Rep. McIntyre – Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule)

H.R. 1385 - Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009 - Extends federal recognition to the following Indian tribes (the tribes) in the Commonwealth of Virginia and establishes their relationship with the federal government as described below: the Chickahominy Tribe; the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division; the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; the Monacan Indian Nation; and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. Makes the tribes and their members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Establishes the service area of each tribe and requirements for each tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, on request of any of the tribes, to take specified lands into trust for the benefit of that tribe, to be considered part of that tribe's reservation. Prohibits the tribes from conducting gaming activities. Requires Virginia to exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions arising, on lands in Virginia owned by, or held in trust by the United States for, the tribes. Authorizes the Secretary to accept all or any portion of Virginia's jurisdiction over such offenses and actions on verification by the Secretary of a tribe's certification that the tribe possesses the capacity to reassume such jurisdiction. (Rep. Moran (VA) – Natural Resources) (Subject to a Rule) .


THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009
On Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.
H.R. 2200 - Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2009 - Among other provisions, this bill authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for FY2010 and FY2011. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (TSA), to: report to the appropriate congressional committees on TSA use of a risk-based system for allocating security resources effectively; and include in each TSA procurement contract a requirement that the contractor implement a plan for the award of subcontracts to small businesses. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, to: make sure that advance notice of a covert test of a transportation security system is not provided to any individual (including any security screener) before completion of the test, with specified exceptions; develop a plan for a system to verify the identity and status of law enforcement officers flying armed; establish in the Federal Air Marshal Service an Office of the Ombudsman; issue security standards for foreign repair stations that perform maintenance on U.S. aircraft; require certain security information sharing procedures for airport Federal Security Directors; and establish in the TSA an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, including air cargo and general aviation security working groups. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, to: develop a strategic risk-based plan to improve airport transportation security; carry out a biometrics identifier airport access enhancement demonstration program for individuals with access to secure airport areas; and establish training programs to update transportation security officers on screening procedures and technologies in response to weaknesses identified in covert tests at airports. (Rep. Jackson-Lee - Homeland Security) (Subject to a Rule) of the TSA. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would increase net

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
Last Vote: Friday afternoon

H.R. 626 – Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: birth of a child; or placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available (subject to specified requirements) for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to promulgate regulations to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to such an employee to a total of eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: the benefits to the federal government, including enhanced recruitment and employee retention; the cost to the government; trends in the private sector and in state and local governments; and the federal government's role as a model employer. (Rep. Maloney – Oversight and Government Reform) (Subject to a Rule)

Possible Consideration of the Conference Report on H.R. 2346 - Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Rep. Obey – Appropriations) (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.


HIGHLIGHTS ON THE HILL

Senate: The Senate will begin the week by resuming consideration of railroad antitrust legislation. They will then consider the FDA tobacco regulation bill.

House: The Whip’s office doesn’t expect any late nights this week. The two tribal recognition bills will likely be coupled together and considered under one rule. Finally, they said it’s doubtful the Supplemental Conference Report will be considered this week, but it’s still possible.

Next Week: The Whip’s office listed a host of bills we can expect between now and the Fourth of July recess. The bills they noted as likely to be considered before July 4th are: the Supplemental Conference Report (next week), State Department Authorization, DOD Authorization, Intel Authorization, CJS Appropriations (probably 3rd week in June), Homeland Security Appropriations (probably 3rd week in June), Leg Branch Appropriations (probably last week in June), Cash-for-Clunkers, DC voting rights, and statutory pay-go legislation.

They listed the following bills as possible but less likely: climate change, FDA tobacco regulation conference report, surface transportation authorization, health care overhaul, card check, and an overhaul of the financial services regulatory system.