Recently in Washington 

This week the House passed H.R. 4474, the Idaho Wilderness Water Facilities Act, as well as H.R. 3726, the Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act.

Congressman Mike Simpson Responds to State of the Union
Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union speech last week:

“Getting our out-of-control budget deficit under control must be our top priority, and it will require all Americans to participate.  Rather than criticizes the President’s proposal to freeze discretionary spending, I consider it an initial offer to Congress in what I hope will be a bipartisan dialogue that leads to real action.  I fully expect the counter offer made by House Republicans to bring more robust ideas to the table as well, and I hope these include freezing discretionary spending across the board at fiscal year 2009 levels and doing away with the irresponsible spending increases in the current year’s budget.  We should commit to staying on budget, just like any American family has to do, by doing away with off-budget, so-called ‘emergency’ measures and taking an up-or-down vote in the next two months on a constitutional amendment that requires Congress to balance the budget each year.

“While this is by no means a comprehensive list of budget reforms that ought to be considered, it is a good start—prudent, achievable things Congress can do to bring our budget deficit under control sooner rather than later.  What is more, they are supported by the majority of Americans and can attract the votes of Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle.  I hope that my colleagues will see the election in Massachusetts not as a mandate to dig in their heels, but as one to engage each other in a hopeful, productive, and bipartisan effort to resolve what may ultimately be the most critical issue of our time—the exploding national debt and unsustainable growth of federal spending.  Now is the time for Members of Congress to stop preaching and start listening to the American people.”

Committee Update
At 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the President’s budget for FY2011.  Peter Orzag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, will testify.
 

House Legislative Business This Week 

Monday, February 1, 2010
On Monday, the House is not in session.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (8 Bills):

1. H.R. 4495 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 North Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, as the "Jim Kolbe Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Giffords / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 
2. H.Res. 957 - Honoring Jimmie Johnson, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion (Sponsored by Rep. McHenry / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 
3. H.Res. 1014 - Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of North American Inclusion Month (Sponsored by Rep. Towns / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 
4. H.Res. 1043 - Recognizing Brescia University for 60 years of leadership in higher education. (Sponsored by Rep. Guthrie / Education and Labor Committee) 
5. H.Res. 901 - Recognizing the 49th anniversary of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana (Sponsored by Rep. Moore (WI) / Education and Labor Committee) 
6. H.Res. 1022 - Honoring the life and sacrifice of Medgar Evers and congratulating the United States Navy for naming a supply ship after Medgar Evers (Sponsored by Rep. Johnson (GA) / Judiciary Committee) 
7. H.Res. 960 - Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as "National Stalking Awareness Month" to raise awareness and encourage prevention of stalking (Sponsored by Rep. Poe / Judiciary Committee) 
8. S. 2950 - To extend the pilot program for volunteer groups to obtain criminal history background checks (Sponsored by Sen. Schumer / Judiciary Committee)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 and the Balance of the Week
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. in Pro Forma session. There are no votes expected in the House on Friday.

Suspensions (2 Bills):

1. H.R. 2843 - Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Wasserman Schultz / House Administration Committee) 
2. H.R. 4532 - Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Tanner / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 4061 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Lipinski / Science and Technology Commmittee)

Senate Amendments to H.J.Res. 45 - To Establish Statutory PAYGO Requirements and Permit Continued Financing of Government Operations (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Rangel / Ways and Means Committee)