Welcome 114th Congress!
At noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6th, the 114th Congress will convene for the first time — and Republicans will officially gain control of both chambers of Congress.
John Boehner is expected to be re-elected as Speaker of the House. However, Reps. Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) are also seeking the position.
In the Senate, Vice President Biden will swear in new and reelected senators. Senators are then expected to elect Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) as president pro tempore, a Constitutional position third in the Presidential line of succession, which usually goes to the longest-serving senator of the majority party. The president pro tempore presides over the chamber in the absence of the vice president. (Learn more about what to expect on the first day of Congress.)
Here's a look at the rest of the first week in Congress.
Obamacare
One of the first items the House may consider this week is related to the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare." The House will vote on the Hire More Heroes Act, which would "exempt veterans already enrolled in health care plans through the Dept. of Defense or the VA from being counted toward the employee limit under the health care law," according to the bill sponsor. The Hire More Heroes Act (HR 22) (HR 3474 in the 113th Congress) was previously passed in the House in March 2014, but the Senate never voted on it. The Hire More Heroes Act was also introduced in the Senate as S 12.
The House also plans to vote on a bill that would change the definition of the full-time workweek for Obamacare from 30 hours to 40 hours. The Save American Workers Act (HR 30) (HR 2575 in the 113th Congress) was preciously passed by the House in April 2014. According to the bill's sponsor, "repealing this redefinition [of 'full time employment'] and restoring it to the historical norm ensures this bill not only protects working poor and middle class employees, it also ensures that laws governing employment are consistent."
Keystone XL Pipeline
Later this week, the Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing and a vote on approving construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. We can expect a vote by the full Senate on Keystone next week:
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Hoeven-Manchin Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S 1)
— Bipartisan — To approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. "Authorizes TransCanada to construct and operate the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to the US Gulf Coast, transporting an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to US refineries, which includes 100,000 barrels a day from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. Upon passage, a presidential permit would no longer be needed to approve the project," according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)
Meanwhile, the House plans to vote on Keystone later this week:
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Keystone XL Pipeline Act (HR 3)
To approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. The House previously authorized construction of the Keystone XL pipeline (HR 5682 in the 113th Congress) in November 2014.
Also in the House…
Each Congress, the House votes to adopt its rules. Here's the 114th Congress's proposed rules:
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The Rules of the House for the 114th Congress (HRes 5)
A resolution providing for the House Rules of the 114th Congress. Includes "dynamic scoring" of legislation that may have a significant economic impact, which would focus on the macroeconomic effects of a bill. Would continue authorization of the lawsuit against President Obama regarding his use of executive power that the House approved last year. Would also continue the Select Benghazi Committee, which has been investigating the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the US consulate. (Read the draft text.)
From our Hill sources: The draft House rules package put forward by the new Republican leadership would not allow delegates to vote on the House floor, a proposal supported by the District of Columbia's Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. House Democratic majorities in the past have allowed delegates who are normally not allowed to cast floor votes to participate in certain circumstances.
The House will also vote on these bills, which were previously passed by the House in the 113th Congress:
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Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIA) (HR 26)
The House-passed version, which was voted on in Dec. 2014, extends the authorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) of 2002 for six years until December 31, 2020, and also phases in a new program trigger for all certified acts of terrorism from $100 million to $200 million by 2020, according to the House Republican leadership. (S 2244 in the 113th Congress)
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Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act (HR 37)
A package of 11 bills introduced in the 113th Congress "which make it easier for small businesses to grow and hire, creating more opportunity for all," according to the bill sponsor. The bill was passed by the House in Sept. 2014. (HR 5405 in the 113th Congress)
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Low-Dose Radiation Research Act (HR 35)
"Seeks to address the limited understanding of health risks associated with low dose radiation by leveraging the nation’s current expertise in low dose radiation and then proposing a long-term strategy to address current gaps of knowledge," according to the bill sponsor. (HR 5544 in the 113th Congress)
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National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization (HR 23)
"Promotes research that helps save lives, reduce injuries and lessen damage from windstorms" and "will help improve building codes, voluntary standards, and construction practices for buildings and homes," according to the bill sponsor. (HR 1786 in the 113th Congress)
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Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act (HR 34)
"Will improve the country’s understanding of the threat posed by tsunami events. The legislation will improve the forecasting and notification systems, support local community outreach and preparedness and response plans, and develop supportive technologies," according to the bill sponsors. (HR 5309 in the 113th Congress)
— Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of a complex legislative system. —
