Today’s Agenda
Today, Senator Lee will be on Sean Hannity’s radio program at 2:30 PM EST (12:30 MST) and Your World with Neil Cavuto at 4:00 PM EST (2:00 MST) to discuss a balanced budget amendment. He will also give a floor speech about a balanced budget amendment at 6:00 PM EST (4:00 MST), following a Utah tele-press conference at 5:30 PM EST (3:30 MST)
From the Senator’s Desk
From the Whip
The Senate will convene at 10:00am and will be in morning business for up to 2 hours. Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of S. J. Res. 10, the Republicans’ Balanced Budget Amendment, and S. J. Res. 24, the Democrats’ Balanced Budget Amendment, for up to 8 hours of debate.
The Senate will recess from 12:30 – 2:15pm for the weekly policy lunches.
Note – on Wednesday, when the Senate resumes consideration of the balanced budget resolutions, there will be 10 minutes of debate prior to Roll Call Votes on S. J. Res. 24 and S. J. Res. 10.
The Senate will have to vote on a year-end package of expiring laws that will include extensions of the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benefits, “Doc Fix” issue, and TANF before the congress adjourns for the year. It is expected the House will consider HR 3630 today (Payroll tax, UI, TANF, Doc fix, Job initiatives, etc.).
The current CR expires on Friday, December 16th. It is expected the House will act on HR 2055, the MilCon Appropriations bill (vehicle for the Omnibus), at some point in the next few days. The Senate will have to complete action on the bill following disposition in the House.
It is likely that the Senate will act on the DoD Authorization conference report at some point before we adjourn for the year.
On Twitter
Numerous state legislative leaders have signaled their willingness to ratify a balanced budget amendment: ow.ly/7WRKQ #utpol #tcot
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 12, 2011
Today on the Senate floor: 8 hours of debate on whether or not Congress is serious about spending restraint #strongBBA #BBA
— Brian Phillips (@SenLeeComs) December 13, 2011
Tune in to @Morning_Joe tomorrow AM at 6:35 ET! @SenMikeLee will be on to discuss why we need a #StrongBBA. #MSNBC
— Emily Bennion (@SenLeePressSec) December 13, 2011
No love for big gov: bit.ly/uh5PFy #tcot #tlot #biggovernment #fromthegovernmentheretohelp #wecantwait to #downsizedc
— Joe Tauke (@SenLeeResearch) December 13, 2011
Around the Water Cooler
Republicans plan House OK of payroll tax cut bill
Republicans claimed enough support to muscle legislation through the House on Tuesday that would continue a payroll tax cut for 160 million workers, a vote that would shift the battleground to a staunchly opposed Senate.
Inflated home sales figures from 2007-10 to be lowered
National home sales figures will be lowered dating back to 2007 after the private trade group that collects them said the numbers were too high.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday it will release the downward revisions for previously occupied homes on Dec. 21.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, Senator Lee will attend a GOP Conference meeting with Ben Bernanke. He will also be a guest on Glenn Beck’s radio program at 10:30 AM EST (8:30 MST) and host a Jell-O bar for visiting constituents at 3:30 PM EST.