This week in the People's HouseBy Bobby Frederick
5/16/2010
Light lifting this week as the House convened at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3rd (first votes at 6:30 p.m.) and adjourned at 11:36 a.m. on Friday, May 14th (last vote at 1:11 p.m. on May 13th), registering 17 votes for the week.
Current Balance of the House : 254 Democrats, 177 Republicans and 4 vacancies (GA-9, NY-29, HI-1, PA-12). Two of these vacancies will likely be filled by the end of this week.
Current Balance of the House : 254 Democrats, 177 Republicans and 4 vacancies (GA-9, NY-29, HI-1, PA-12). Two of these vacancies will likely be filled by the end of this week.
Rule Bills
5/12 & 5/13/ (2010)
H.R. 5116, The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act introduced by Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
Democrat leadership pulled this bill from the floor when it became apparent that a Republican Motion to Recommit (parliamentary procedure that makes changes to the bill) with which they could not live with, would pass. The bill will be back on the floor the week of 5/17 under more structured rules.
Summary: Authorizes $85.6 billion in funding over five years for science and technology programs. The funding would go to the National Science Foundation , the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and two other government science agencies. The intent of this legislation is to strengthen U.S. competitiveness when it comes to math and science. The Rules Committee ruled in order 50 Democrat Amendments and 4 Republican Amendments on this bill.
During Debate, Democrats promoted this as a jobs-creating measure while Republicans pointed to increased spending and creation of more government programs as a cause for concern.
In 2007, Congress passed and then-President Bush signed the first iteration of the COMPETE's act which authorized around $42 billion through FY2010 (3 years) Again, H.R. 5116's authorizing period is through FY 2015 (5 years) at double that amount.
The aforementioned Motion to Recommit offered by Republicans altered the bill by making the bill a three year authorization (instead of five), freezing spending for many programs at FY2010 levels and barring ANY funds in the bill from being used to pay the salaries of government workers who had been caught viewing pornography on their government computers. In 2009, an Inspector General report revealed rampant porn watching at the NSF.
The Motion passed 292-126 (Voting Yes-121 D's & 171 R's : Voting No 125 D's & 1 R) at which point the Democrat leadership pulled the bill from consideration.
H.R. 5116, The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act introduced by Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
Democrat leadership pulled this bill from the floor when it became apparent that a Republican Motion to Recommit (parliamentary procedure that makes changes to the bill) with which they could not live with, would pass. The bill will be back on the floor the week of 5/17 under more structured rules.
Summary: Authorizes $85.6 billion in funding over five years for science and technology programs. The funding would go to the National Science Foundation , the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and two other government science agencies. The intent of this legislation is to strengthen U.S. competitiveness when it comes to math and science. The Rules Committee ruled in order 50 Democrat Amendments and 4 Republican Amendments on this bill.
During Debate, Democrats promoted this as a jobs-creating measure while Republicans pointed to increased spending and creation of more government programs as a cause for concern.
In 2007, Congress passed and then-President Bush signed the first iteration of the COMPETE's act which authorized around $42 billion through FY2010 (3 years) Again, H.R. 5116's authorizing period is through FY 2015 (5 years) at double that amount.
The aforementioned Motion to Recommit offered by Republicans altered the bill by making the bill a three year authorization (instead of five), freezing spending for many programs at FY2010 levels and barring ANY funds in the bill from being used to pay the salaries of government workers who had been caught viewing pornography on their government computers. In 2009, an Inspector General report revealed rampant porn watching at the NSF.
The Motion passed 292-126 (Voting Yes-121 D's & 171 R's : Voting No 125 D's & 1 R) at which point the Democrat leadership pulled the bill from consideration.
Suspensions
Generally reserved for non-controversial measures, legislation can be passed under Suspension of the Rules by 2/3’s of those present and voting.
This week, the House suspended the rules to pass seven pieces of legislation: Supporting National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day, Honoring William "Ernie" Harwell, Supporting Peace Officers Memorial Day and Women's Health Week, a clarification of a Veterans health care policy, Honoring AmeriCorps and Expressing Sympathy to those affected by floods in the Southeast. Click here for vote tallies (Roll Call votes 256-58, 260-61, 271-72).
Other Big News
On May 10th, President Obama announced that current Solicitor General, Elana Kagan, was his choice to fill the Supreme Court Chair being vacated by Justice Stevens. Under the Constitution, only the Senate has "Advice and Consent" powers over this matter.
BP came to the Hill to face the House and Senate for what can only be described as blame game hearings. While no one knows how much oil is leaking per day, BP appeared to be making some progress in stemming the spill late Sunday, 5/16.
On the international front, in the aftermath of U.K. elections, Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned on May 11th making room for new Prime Minister David Cameron whose Conservatives became the largest part in Parliament with 306 seats (short of a 326 majority).
Michelle Obama released the White House's Obesity Report with the goal of reducing childhood obesity to 5% of the population by 2030. Today 1 in 3 kids are either overweight or obese.
BP came to the Hill to face the House and Senate for what can only be described as blame game hearings. While no one knows how much oil is leaking per day, BP appeared to be making some progress in stemming the spill late Sunday, 5/16.
On the international front, in the aftermath of U.K. elections, Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned on May 11th making room for new Prime Minister David Cameron whose Conservatives became the largest part in Parliament with 306 seats (short of a 326 majority).
Michelle Obama released the White House's Obesity Report with the goal of reducing childhood obesity to 5% of the population by 2030. Today 1 in 3 kids are either overweight or obese.
The People's House Politics Extra
With 170 days until Election Day 2010, this week's primary calendar ushered out the first House incumbent as 14-term Democrat Alan Mollohan of West Virginia was ousted 56% to 44%.
4 House incumbents lost their primary in 2008, while 2 each lost in 2006 and 2004.
Primaries:
West Virginia and Nebraksa (each with 3 Congressmen) held their primaries on 5/11. In WV, Shelly Moore Capito (R) was unopposed while Nick Rahall (D) won with 67.5%. In NE, Adrian Smith (R) won with 88%, Jeff Fortenberry (R) won with 84% and Lee Terry (R) won with 63%.
Republicans on the Rise:
A new NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll shows R's getting their mojo back with Independent voters who prefer the GOP over the D's 38% to 30%. At this time in 2006, that number favored D's 40% to 24%.
R's should be careful though as this quote by Tennessee voter Joe Carter best sums up what's going on right now. "Both parties do things I disagree with," Mr. Carter said. "But just to stop what's going on now, I will vote Republican."
Finally, the latest Rasmussen Poll shows R's besting D's on the "generic ballot" 44%-38%. R's first took the lead in the generic back in June 2009, but this week's 6% margin ties the smallest lead for R's in 2010.
Contests to watch this week and predictions:
May 18th- Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon all hold primaries.
PA- Tim Burns (R) vs Mark Critz (D) to replace the late John Murtha.
Prediction: Burns with 52%
PA- Party Switching Incumbent Senator Arlen Specter (D) vs Congressman Joe Sestak (D).
Prediction: Specter's out.
AK- Incumbent Blanche Lincoln (D) vs Lt. Gov Bill Halter (D) for the D Senate Primary.
Prediction: Lincoln won't cross the 50% needed to avoid a June 8th runoff.
KY- Tea Part favorite Rand Paul (R) vs KY Secretary of State Trey Grayson.
Prediction: Rand Paul with 54%
Chris Cilliza and Dan Balz of the Washington Post provide a great run down here.
May 22nd- Winner takes all, mail in special election in Hawaii-1.
Prediction: With the DCCC pulling out of Hawaii, Charles Djou (R) will outlast Ed Case (D) and Colleen Hanabusa (D)
4 House incumbents lost their primary in 2008, while 2 each lost in 2006 and 2004.
Primaries:
West Virginia and Nebraksa (each with 3 Congressmen) held their primaries on 5/11. In WV, Shelly Moore Capito (R) was unopposed while Nick Rahall (D) won with 67.5%. In NE, Adrian Smith (R) won with 88%, Jeff Fortenberry (R) won with 84% and Lee Terry (R) won with 63%.
Republicans on the Rise:
A new NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll shows R's getting their mojo back with Independent voters who prefer the GOP over the D's 38% to 30%. At this time in 2006, that number favored D's 40% to 24%.
R's should be careful though as this quote by Tennessee voter Joe Carter best sums up what's going on right now. "Both parties do things I disagree with," Mr. Carter said. "But just to stop what's going on now, I will vote Republican."
Finally, the latest Rasmussen Poll shows R's besting D's on the "generic ballot" 44%-38%. R's first took the lead in the generic back in June 2009, but this week's 6% margin ties the smallest lead for R's in 2010.
Contests to watch this week and predictions:
May 18th- Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon all hold primaries.
PA- Tim Burns (R) vs Mark Critz (D) to replace the late John Murtha.
Prediction: Burns with 52%
PA- Party Switching Incumbent Senator Arlen Specter (D) vs Congressman Joe Sestak (D).
Prediction: Specter's out.
AK- Incumbent Blanche Lincoln (D) vs Lt. Gov Bill Halter (D) for the D Senate Primary.
Prediction: Lincoln won't cross the 50% needed to avoid a June 8th runoff.
KY- Tea Part favorite Rand Paul (R) vs KY Secretary of State Trey Grayson.
Prediction: Rand Paul with 54%
Chris Cilliza and Dan Balz of the Washington Post provide a great run down here.
May 22nd- Winner takes all, mail in special election in Hawaii-1.
Prediction: With the DCCC pulling out of Hawaii, Charles Djou (R) will outlast Ed Case (D) and Colleen Hanabusa (D)
Next week in the People's House
The House is likely to take up a possible $200 billion package of tax extenders (unemployment, Medicare Doc Fix and COBRA benefits, etc).
The House will take another crack at H.R. 5116, The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act introduced by Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
Summary: Authorizes $85.6 billion over five years for science and technology programs.
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