In the Senate
The Senate is in session beginning Monday. It will take up:
— The Sportsmen Act (S 3525): to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting.
(Senate vote this week. According to Hill Sources, elements of this bill are supported by Republicans, but the Senate version has language that would appropriate new money for implementation, and the GOP has put forward a budget point of order against the bill for that reason. Late Monday afternoon, the Senate will vote to waive that point of order. If the vote is successful, the Senate will move immediately to a vote on passage of the bill.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s3525
— The Paycheck Fairness Act (S 3220): to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex. (Senate cloture vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s3220
In the House
The House returns Tuesday and will work on:
— The STEM Jobs Act (HR 6429): This bill expands access to green cards for non-U.S. nationals with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). (House vote this week. In September, the House failed to pass this bill under a suspension of House rules, which required a two-thirds vote. Democrats opposed the bill because it would expand STEM visas by taking away visas from the lottery system, which gives countries with low emigration rates access to 55,000 visas. Bringing the bill up under regular order should lead to its passage this week, since only a simple majority vote will be needed.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr6429
— The Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act (HR 915), as amended by the Senate: calls for increased cooperation between the federal and state governments on border security. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr915
— The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act (HR 3563) which is meant to modernize the national public alert warning system. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr3563
— The DHS Accountability Act (HR 5913) which sets up a process for improving the Department of Homeland Security. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr5913
— The Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act (HR 5997) which would allow a federal grant to be used to prepare for mass medical emergencies. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr5997
— The Mandatory Operational Control Reporting and Performance Measures Act (HR 6025) which would require DHS to report to Congress on its ability to control the northern and southern U.S. borders. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr6025
— The Clothe a Homeless Hero Act (HR 6328): directing the Transportation Security Administration to donate unclaimed clothing at airports to homeless or needy veterans. (House vote this week.) – https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr6328