The SENATE convened at 2:00 p.m., and will spend most of the week on the financial regulatory overhaul.  Roll call votes are possible later in the week. 

The Senate is expected to spend the majority of the week considering amendments to financial regulatory reform legislation, while the House is slated to take up a bill that would provide benefits for energy-saving home improvements and several other bills under suspension of the rules.  

The Senate meets today to continue work on the Restoring American Financial Stability Act (S. 3217), which would implement additional safeguards to protect the financial system and overhaul federal regulation of the banking industry. The bill also contains provisions that would prevent financial institutions from becoming “too big to fail.”  Three cloture votes on the bill failed last week, with the Senate finally beginning consideration of the bill on April 28.  Roll call votes on amendments are scheduled to begin May 4.

The HOUSE convened today at 10:00 a.m. today for a pro forma session.  Tuesday, the House is scheduled to consider 7 measures under suspension of the rules.  Wednesday, and for the balance of the week, the House is expected to take up 13 measures under suspension of the rules and one measure subject to a rule.

The House is slated this week to take up the Implementing Management for Performance and Related Reforms to Obtain Value in Every (IMPROVES) Acquisition Act of 2010 (H.R. 5013). The IMPROVES Acquisition Act would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to comprehensively manage its acquisition workforce, reform DoD’s financial management, and expand the defense industrial base in order to promote competition and innovation. The legislation would apply to the parts of the defense acquisition system not addressed by the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act, which was signed into law in May 2009.

KEY HEARINGS & MARKUPS

APPROPRIATIONS:   The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on proposed FY 2011 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction.
Wednesday, May 5 at 9:30 a.m., 124 Dirksen Building.

The Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on proposed FY 2011 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction. Wednesday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m., H-140 Capitol Building.

The Defense Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on proposed FY 2011 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction. Wednesday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m., SVC-217 Capitol Building.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on proposed FY 2011 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction.
Thursday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m., 138 Dirksen Building.

The Commerce, Justice and Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on proposed FY 2011 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction.
Thursday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m., 192 Dirksen Building.

AGRICULTURE:   The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee will mark up the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act.
Wednesday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m., G-50 Dirksen Building.

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on agriculture policy in advance of the 2012 farm bill.
Wednesday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m., 1300 Longworth Building.

ENERGY & COMMERCE:  The National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on how the National Park Service has implemented the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Wednesday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen Building.

ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS:   The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing titled “Water Resources Development Act of 2010: Jobs and Economic Opportunities."
Thursday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m., 406 Dirksen Building.

JOINT ECONOMIC:  The Joint Economic Committee will hold a hearing titled “Avoiding Another Lost Decade: How to Promote Job Creation."
Wednesday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m., 210 Cannon Building.

HEALTH, EDUCATION, & LABOR:  The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Tuesday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m., 430 Dirksen Building.

JUDICIARY:  The Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “State Taxation: The Role of Congress in Developing Apportionment Standards."
Thursday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m., 2141 Rayburn Building.

WAYS AND MEANS:   The Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on the financial condition of the unemployment insurance trust funds of the various states. Thursday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m., B-318 Rayburn Building.

SENATE DEMOCRATS RELEASE IMMIGRATION DRAFT

Senate Democrats released their immigration proposal this past Thursday, a draft which emphasizes border security in an effort to sway Republicans but also has provisions that take aim at the recently-passed legislation in Arizona that has sparked anger amongst Democrats.

While some security provisions have been included, such as the prevalent use of unmanned aerial vehicles to patrol the borders, the blueprint also aims to prevent states from enacting their own immigration laws and penalties—a clear message to Arizona lawmakers and their new controversial laws.

The main issue with this new overhaul is whether or not the proposal contains the perfect recipe to entice Republicans and moderate Democrats to the table, while keeping progressives from bolting.  Civil liberties and labor groups have expressed reservations about the emphasis on border security, but some proponents of a comprehensive overhaul that includes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants have said they were pleased that Democrats have offered a serious introduction for bipartisan conversations.

Five key Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, released the 26-page blueprint at a news conference last Thursday night, after circulating it among various advocating organizations.

 With the blueprint being seen as an “invitation” to Republicans to work jointly on the issue, the efforts have drawn praise from President Obama, who called it “a very important step” before ironing out a bill.  However, the administration has sent mixed signals about how much political capital the President is ready to invest in the issue.