Recapping yesterday's action:
The House was not in session yesterday. Well, they held a pro forma session at which they declared their intention not to convene a real session, and that they would not be convening for that purpose until today, at a time that would be too late to allow the President to speak to them. But other than that, nothing.
The Senate moved quickly through its agenda for the day, overwhelmingly approving an appeals court judge by a vote of 96-2 (after keeping her waiting nine months), and agreeing to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the patent reform bill by a vote of 93-5. Basically, Jim DeMint (R-SC) was holding his breath and stomping his feet all day, voting-wise, joined by the usual suspects.
Looking ahead to today:
The House convenes today at 2pm, with votes postponed until 6:30. What exciting challenges await, that are taking precedence over President Obama's speech? A resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the DC Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, a bill permitting the presentation of an American flag at the funeral of civilian federal employees killed in connection with their official duties, and a tariff bill, specifically the extension of the Generalized System of Preferences. All to be considered under suspension of the rules.
Yowza.
In the Senate, the five jerk-ass Republicans who held out in the face of the other 93 who voted for cloture yesterday are actually going to make them run out the post-cloture clock. So that's how even Senators who get trounced in their failed filibuster attempts can still waste a whole Senate day, even after getting their asses kicked.
What does that mean for what the Senate will be doing today? It means they won't be doing $#*t.
Well, what they'll actually do with the time is debate the patent reform bill as though it were really on the floor, even though technically it isn't, and won't be until Wednesday—in fact, they'll still have to vote on the actual motion to proceed itself on Wednesday—thanks to the jerky jerks who lost the vote but wouldn't give the hell up already and let people do their damn work.
Nothing wrong with the Senate, though! Nope!
Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.
In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business.
Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
One Minute Speeches
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.Con.Res. 67 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (Sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
2) H.R. 2061 - Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Richard Hanna / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.R. 2832 - To extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. David Camp / Ways and Means Committee)
Special Order Speeches
In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:
Senate Floor Schedule for Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Convenes: 10:00am
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.1249, the America Invents Act.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 2:30pm, there will be 30 minutes for tributes to the late Senator Mark O. Hatfield as if in morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, recess and morning business will count post-cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.1249.
The Senate expects to begin consideration of the America Invents Act during Wednesday’s session. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
Roll Call Votes
- On the Nomination (Confirmation Bernice Bouie Donald, of Tennessee, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit ). Nomination Confirmed, 96-2.
- On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 1249 ). Cloture Motion Agreed to, 93-5.
Other Business
Adopted S.Res.257, a resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Mark O. Hatfield, former US Senator for the State of Oregon