The Senate returned last week for a few hours, but will be in full swing to begin the second session of the 109th Congress Wednesday morning. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. Senate floor consideration will begin on Wednesday, when the full chamber reconvenes; a vote is expected by the end of the week. Other priorities for the Senate before the President's Day recess include a tax reconciliation package, the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act, flood insurance reform, LIHEAP legislation, and asbestos litigation reform. Lobbying reform will on the agenda after the President's Day Recess with border security and immigration, and the FY 2007 budget resolution after the March recess. Later in the spring, the Senate will focus on health care access and a possible supplemental to address Iraq, Katrina and the avian flu. Appropriations, Homeland Security and terrorism and methamphetamine curbs will be dealt with later in the spring.

The House will reconvene on Tuesday, January 31. The following day, February 1, it is tentatively scheduled to hold another vote on the conference report to the budget reconciliation package (S. 1932). Before adjourning in late December, the Senate made minor technical changes to the measure; it will require House approval before it can be signed into law. The chamber will also finalize the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act and the tax reconciliation package. Speaker Dennis Hastert has announced the he plans to focus on legislation tightening lobbying regulations soon after the House returns. On Thursday, February 2, the Republican Caucus will hold elections to several leadership posts including a new majority leader from a field of three candidates - current temporary Majority Leader Roy Blunt (Mo), House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman, John Boehner (Oh) and House Republican Policy Committee Chairman, John Shadegg (Az).

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE RELEASES EXPIRING FEDERAL LAWS REPORT

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released its report "Unauthorized Appropriations and Expiring Authorizations" (January 13, 2006). The report identifies authorizing legislation that should be in place before Congress considers the 13 regular appropriations bills for fiscal year 2007. You can access the report via the CBO website: http://www.cbo.gov/

Communications. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has scheduled hearings on Tuesday, January 24, and Thursday, January 26 (both at 10:00 a.m. in 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building) on communications issues, specifically broadcast/audio flag and competition/convergence. A series of hearings on other communications issues is scheduled for next week and through February and March.

Flood Insurance. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has scheduled a Tuesday, January 24, hearing at 10:00 a.m. in 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building on proposals to revise the national flood insurance program.

Homeland Security. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security has scheduled a Wednesday, January 25, hearing at 10:00 a.m. in 138 Dirksen Senate Office Building on the US-VISIT program.

Hurricane Preparedness. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled a Tuesday, January 24, hearing at 10:00 a.m. in 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building on hurricane preparedness.

Mine Safety. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services-Education has rescheduled its hearing on the Sago mine disaster (originally scheduled for January 19) to today at 11:00 a.m. in 216 Hart Senate Office Building.