As House Prepares to Adjourn, So Does Capital Thinking
With House lawmakers set to leave Washington at the end of the week (and the Senate to follow shortly thereafter), Capital Thinking will also begin its own August recess, returning on September 14.
Senate Legislative Activity
The Senate will meet on Monday, July 27, at 2:o0pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.22, the legislative vehicle for the Highway Bill. All time during adjournment of the Senate will count post-cloture on Kirk amendment #2327 (reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank). If no agreement is reached, all post-cloture time on Kirk amendment #2327 will expire at approximately 10:00pm. Pending Amendments to H.R.22, the legislative vehicle for the Highway Bill include:
- McConnell amendment #2266, as modified (substitute amendment);
- McConnell for Kirk first degree amendment # 2327 (reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank);
- McConnell first degree amendment to underlying bill #2329 (two-month surface transportation extension); and
- McConnell second degree amendment #2330 to SA #2329 (date change)
House Legislative Activity
On Monday, July 27, the House will meet at 12:00pm for morning hour and at 2:00pm for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30pm. The following legislation will be considered under suspension of the rules:
- H.R. 1138 – Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act;
- H.R. 774 – Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, as amended;
- Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2499 – Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2015;
- H.R. 1482– Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015;
- H.R. 1656 – Secret Service Improvements Act of 2015, as amended;
- H.R. 2750 – Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015, as amended;
- H.R. 2770 – Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act, as amended;
- H.R. 2843 – TSA PreCheck Expansion Act, as amended;
- H.R. 2127 – Securing Expedited Screening Act, as amended;
- H.R. 1300 – First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act, as amended;
- H.R. 2206 – State Wide Interoperable Communications Enhancement Act, as amended;
- H.R. 1634 – Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015, as amended;
- H.R. 998 – Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015, as amended;
- H.R. 1831 – Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014, as amended;
- H.J. Res. 61– Hire More Heroes Act of 2015;
- H.R. 675 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015; and
- H.R. 1607 – Ruth Moore Act of 2015
On Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28 and 29, the House will meet at 10:00am for morning hour and at 12:00pm for legislative business. On Thursday, July 30, the House will meet at 9:00am for legislative business, with last votes expected by 3:00pm. The House will consider:
- H.R. 427 – Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2015 (Subject to a Rule); and
- H.R. 1994 – VA Accountability Act of 2015 (Subject to a Rule)
The House may also consider H.R. __ – VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act and the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. It is possible that additional legislative items will be added to the schedule.
On Friday, July 31, no votes are expected in the House.