Week of January 2, 2017
Tuesday, January 3rd
The 114th Congress will meet at 11:00 a.m. for legislative business and adjourn sine die.
The House will convene for the start of the 115th Congress at 12:00 p.m. There will be a recorded quorum call at 12:00 p.m. following the Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Election of the Speaker of the House
Swearing-in of Members and Delegates
1 Rule Bill
1) H.Res. ____ -Adopting Rules for the One Hundred and Fifteenth Congress (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) | Rules Committee
Topline Summary:This resolution adopts the rules for the 115th Congress
2 Suspensions
1) H.R. ____ - Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) | Veterans Affairs Committee
Topline Summary:This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to retain a copy of any reprimand or admonishment any employee of the Department receives in that employee’s permanent record for as long as he or she is employed by the Department.
2) H.R. ____ - Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) | Veterans Affairs Committee
Topline Summary:This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a standard identification protocol for biological implants that is consistent with FDA’s Unique Identification System and to procure biological implants only through competitive procurement processes.
Wednesday, January 4th and the Balance of the Week
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
On Thursday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business
Reading of the Constitution of the United States by Members of the House of Representatives (The reading will begin approximately at 10:00 a.m.)
Sponsor: Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) | Judiciary Committee
On Friday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business
At 1:00 p.m. the House will convene for the Joint Session of Congress to count the electoral ballots for President and Vice-President of the United States. Members are advised that votes are possible during the Joint Session. Additional information regarding votes will be relayed as soon as possible.
6 Suspensions
1) H.J.Res. ____ - Approving the location of a memorial to commemorate and honor the members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) | Natural Resources Committee
Topline Summary: This resolution authorizes the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association to consider sites for the location of a memorial to honor the member of the Armed Forces that served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield.
2) H.R. ____ - Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) | Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Topline Summary: This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide more online information about the cost and performance of federal programs that exceed $1 million in budget authority, such as program activities, funding amounts, performance information on awards or other financial assistance, and program evaluations.
3) H.R. ____ - Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. John Duncan(R-TN) | Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Topline Summary:This bill requires presidential fundraising organizations to disclose to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), on a quarterly basis and in an electronically searchable and sortable format, basic information about donations to presidential libraries greater than $200, including the amount or value, source, and date of the contribution.
4) H.R. ____ - Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. William Clay (D-MO) | Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Topline Summary: This bill improves the transparency and accountability of federal advisory committees.
5) H.R. ____ - GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) | Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Topline Summary: This bill authorizes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to obtain federal agency records required to discharge the GAO's duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties), including through bringing civil actions to require an agency to produce a record.
6) H.R. ____ - Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA | Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Topline Summary: This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and makes changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OSC operations.
2 Rule Bills
1) H.R. ____ - Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) | Judiciary Committee
Topline Summary: This bill amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to allow joint resolutions disapproving en bloc regulations submitted to Congress for review within 60 legislative days of the end of a presidential term.
2) H.R. ____ - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 (PDF)
Sponsor: Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) | Judiciary Committee
Topline Summary: This bill amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to require congressional approval of major agency regulations before those regulations can go into effect.
Possible Consideration of a Resolution Relating to UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (Israel)