This Week in Congress: Blocking Energy Development Off the Atlantic, Pacific, and Florida Coasts ― Plus in Part of Alaska
How do you feel about this week's congressional agenda?
Congress returns from its summer recess this week to kickoff a fall work session that will, eventually, involve passing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month. But with the path forward on taking up appropriations bills still unclear, lawmakers will largely turn their focus elsewhere during their first week back in the Capitol.
The House starts its week on Monday with votes on several energy related bills under the fast-track suspension of the rules process which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. The rest of the House’s week will largely be focused on bills to block energy development off the Atlantic, Pacific, and Florida coasts along with the Section 1002 region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that was opened for energy exploration by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The Senate convenes on Monday for a procedural vote on the nomination of Kelly Craft, who has already been confirmed as UN ambassador, to serve as the U.S. representative to the UN’s general assembly. A confirmation vote on her nomination is expected early in the week. The rest of the Senate’s schedule is yet to be announced, although before senators left for recess Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed motions to limit further debate on a bill to increase aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo in dealing with an outbreak of the Ebola virus and several executive branch nominations which could be considered.
Check here throughout the week to see the vote results and updates to the schedule.
Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.
HOUSE
Monday after 6:30pm (under suspension of the rules)
- H.R. 2114: Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2019 Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 1420: Energy Efficient Government Technology Act Passed 384-23.
- H.R. 1768: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 Passed 295-114.
- H.R. 1760: Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act Passed by voice vote.
Tuesday after 12pm
- H.R. 2852: Homebuyer Assistance Act of 2019, as amended Passed 419-5.
- H.R. 3620: Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2019, as amended Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 281: Ensuring Diverse Leadership Act of 2019, as amended Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 241: Bank Service Company Examination Act Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 1690: Safe Housing for Families Act of 2019 Passed by voice vote.
Wednesday after 12pm
- H.R. 205: Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act of 2019 Passed 248-180.
- H.R. 1941: Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act Passed 238-189.
Thursday between 9am and 3pm
- H.R. 1146: Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act Passed 225-193.
SENATE
Monday after 5:30pm
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Kelly Craft to be U.S. Representative to the UN General Assembly Invoked 54-38.
Tuesday after 11:50am
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Kelly Craft to be U.S. Representative to the UN General Assembly Confirmed 56-38.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Elizabeth Darling to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families at HHS Invoked 57-37.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Elizabeth Darling to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families at HHS Confirmed 57-37.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Stephen Akard to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions Invoked 91-3.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Dale Cabaniss to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management for a term of four years Invoked 53-41.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of James Byrne to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Invoked 81-13.
Wednesday after 11am
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Stephen Akard to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions Confirmed 90-2.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Dale Cabaniss to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management for a term of four years Confirmed 54-38.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of James Byrne to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Confirmed 81-11.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Michelle Bowman to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors for a term of 14 years from February 1, 2020 (reappointment) Invoked 62-31.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Thomas Feddo to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security Invoked 92-1.
- Cloture motion on the nomination of Jennifer Nordquist to be U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of two years Invoked 94-0.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Stephanie Haines to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania Confirmed 94-0.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Ada Brown to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas Confirmed 80-13.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Steven Grimberg to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia Confirmed 75-18.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Steven Seeger to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois Confirmed 90-1.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Mary McElroy to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Rhode Island Confirmed by voice vote.
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Stephanie Gallagher to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland Confirmed by voice vote.
Thursday after 12:15pm
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Michelle Bowman to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors for a term of 14 years from February 1, 2020 (reappointment)
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Thomas Feddo to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security
- Confirmation vote on the nomination of Jennifer Nordquist to be U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of two years
Rest of the Week (tentative)
- S. 1340: Ebola Eradication Act of 2019 Consideration TBA.
Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!
— Eric Revell
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