The Week Ahead

In the British Parliament most outstanding legislation has been completed and a number of bills await the Royal Assent. This will be done before prorogation which is expected on Tuesday morning. There will then be a brief break before the new session begins on November 6th, with the Queen's Speech.

The House of Representatives will again consider a number of bills (19) under the suspensions procedure. This include the naming of 4 buildings after noteworthy individuals; an
expression of support for designation of the month of October 2007 as "Country Music Month"; bills about Darfur and two bills drawing attention to breast cancer. Bills to be considered under special rules will be:

H.R. 3867 - Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act (Rep. Velazquez – Small Business)
H.R. 2262 – Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 (Rep. Rahall – Natural Resources)
H.R. 3920 - Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 (Rep. Rangel – Ways and Means)

The Senate has made the following Unanimous Consent Agreements relating to next week

1.—Ordered, That on Monday, October 29, 2007, upon the conclusion of Morning Business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 294, a bill to reauthorize Amtrak, and for other purposes, and that all first degree amendments be filed at the desk by 3:30 p.m. Ordered further, That on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at a time determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill, and that the mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII be waived. (Oct. 26, 2007.)

2.—Ordered, That with respect to the cloture motion filed on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3963, to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes, the mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII be waived (Oct. 26, 2007).

3.—Ordered, That the veto message on S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, be considered as read and that it be printed in the Record and spread in full upon the Journal.

Ordered further, That the message be held at the desk. (June 20, 2007.)

The way has been paved for consideration, perhaps during the coming week, for the Senate to consider the revised SCHIP bill - in an attempt to overcome the veto on the original legislation.