What's Congress Voting On? Week of January 3, 2017
by Countable | 3.20.17
Week of January 3, 2017
The 115th Congress will officially begin Tuesday, with new lawmakers taking being sworn in and the first votes of the session cast. But don't expect members to ease themselves back into legislating, as this week looks like it will provide plenty of controversy. One of the first orders of business in the House is the election of the speaker, and Paul Ryan (R-WI) is expected to retain the speaker's gavel despite the possible defection of a handful of Republicans.
The House will then vote on a rules package for the 115th Congress which has already ignited bickering. The rules will include new fines for members who take pictures or video on the House floor, which was included to deter future disruptions on the floor after last summer's sit-in and has been criticized by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as being "unconstitutional."
A high profile attempt to constrain the Office of Congressional Ethics had been included in the rules package, but following criticism from President-elect Donald Trump and many others the proposal was removed. The House will now work toward reforming the OCE in a bipartisan manner before Congress leave on its August recess.
Following the adoption of the House rules, lawmakers will move on to more typical legislative tasks. On the agenda this week are bills to make it easier for Congress to reject "midnight rules" issued by lame duck presidents, empower the legislative branch to approve or reject major regulations, and increase accountability for federal advisory committees and misbehaving Dept. of Veterans Affairs employees. The House will also vote on a non-binding resolution rejecting the U.N. Security Council's vote condemning Israeli settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The House is scheduled to be voting Monday through Friday, while the Senate convenes Tuesday and hasn't yet announced any votes. Check here throughout the week to see vote results and other updates to the schedule.
Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.
House
Tuesday after 6:30pm
- Election of the Speaker of the House Ryan 239, Pelosi 189, Others 5.
- H.Res. 5: Adopting Rules for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress Passed 234-193.
- H.R. 27: Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 28: Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2017 Passed by unanimous consent.
Wednesday between 4:30-5:30pm
- H.R. 21: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Passed 238-184.
- H.R. 71: Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 73: Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2017 Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 69: Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 70: Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2017 Passed by voice vote.
- H.R. 72: GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017 Passed by voice vote.
- H.J.Res. 3: Approving the location of a memorial to commemorate and honor the members of the Armed Forces that served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield Passed by voice vote.
Thursday after 12pm
- Formal reading of the Constitution on the House floor (7am)
- H.R. 26: Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Passed 237-187.
- H.Res. 11: Objecting to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian Peace Passed 342-80.
Friday after 12pm
- Counting the votes of the Electoral College
Senate
Tuesday
- S.Res. 1: Notifying the President that a quorum has assembled. Passed by unanimous consent.
- S.Res. 2: Notifying the House that a quorum has assembled. Passed by unanimous consent.
- S.Res. 3: Determining the hour of daily meeting of the Senate. Passed by unanimous consent.
- S.Con.Res. 1: Extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Passed by unanimous consent.
- S.Con.Res. 2: Providing for the counting of electoral votes on January 6, 2017. Passed by unanimous consent.
Wednesday
- S.Con.Res. 3: Budget Resolution for FY 2017 Motion to proceed passed 51-48.
Thursday
- S.Con.Res. 3: Budget Resolution for FY 2017
Friday
- Counting the votes of the Electoral College.
Want to tell your lawmakers how to vote on the bills before them this week? Use the "Take Action" button to make sure they hear your voice.
— Eric Revell
Written by Countable
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Vote against the ban on live streaming, unless you have something to hide.
Please vote against this ban on live streaming and photographs. We need transparency now more than ever before.
Please support Elizabeth Warren's bill to require disclosure of Donald Trumps conflicts of interest. We need to know what his business interests are and while we're at it, let's see his tax returns as well!!!
I feel that the UN should continue to receive financial assistance from the US and that to cut this Assistance would be a travesty!
Do not prevent live streaming on the floor. Do not defund planned parenthood. Do not appoint Bannon. Stop denying climate change.
We need a complete investigation of the Russian involvement in our election
Vote against ban on live streaming, more transparency not less
Change the rules on broadcasting from the floor! We deserve to see what's happening in real time.
Please vote against the ban on live streaming and photographs. The Public has the right to know what is happening in Congress, and if the Speaker can turn off official cameras at will, then we need to keep alternative methods of informing the public. This move towards government secrecy is suspicious and dangerous.
Please do not remove the independent congressional oversight group.
How could you plan fines for live-streaming? We pay you to work for us. We should see what goes on behind closed doors so we can hold you ALL accountable for your work or lack of. Transparency is required! Sneaking things in is all too common of a ploy. And the OCE debacle, glad it was postponed, but we 74 million of us are watching! This will not be business as usual.
Government need more transparency, not less. Photos and videos must be allowed and no fines given.
Please vote against ban on live streaming. We need access to your discourse to remain educated about current events.
I'm disappointed that the "Rules" legislation passed imposing fines on those who film or take pictures with cameraphones in Congress. Transparency is vital now, and now more than ever, we must protect the public's ability to keep an eye on what is being done behind government's closed doors.
Senators, please vote No on the Fines for Public Streaming. We need more transparency not less! I want to know what is going on and this attempt at closed doors and secrecy is an affront to the American people who have sent you to represent us!
Reject the REINS Act and MIDNIGHT RULES Act
Do not do away with the independent ethics office only criminals want less oversight and transparency.
Hello, my name is Colleen Easley from Olympia, Wa. I am writing to request that you try to force the senior members of the Republican Party support a bipartisan investigation into the Russian interference into the election. This is necessary to restore the faith and confidence of all United States citizens that our election was legitimate. By refusing to do this they appear to be playing partisan politics and further add to the suspicion that Republicans are in collusion with Russia since they are the ones who were the beneficiaries. Thank you.
Vote against the ban on live streaming . Clearly partisan.
Congress doesn't need more power, they need to be held accountable to the people.