The Week Ahead

This is the last week before the Presidents' Day recess, so the stimulus bill is likely to dominate the agenda of both Houses of Congress. The target has been to have a bill ready for the President's signature before the recess starts. There may be further action on confirmations in the Senate.

At Westminster a busy week is expected before recess for 'half term' begins at the close of business on Thursday. The House of Commons will take the Political Parties and Elections Bill – Report stage (day 1) on Monday.

Westminster: http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/2009/02/09/week.html
House of Representatives: http://democraticleader.house.gov/docUploads/6_Weekly_Leader_209091.pdf?CFID=13924048&CFTOKEN=38577085

The Week Ahead

Last week at Westminster was overshadowed by allegations about some Peers. No doubt this coming week will continue to see the matter at the top of the agenda, indeed on Monday in the Commons there is a debate on "Standards of conduct in Parliament and constitutional reform".

Foreign affairs is always a topic of interest in the House of Lords, but questions and debates seem to be even more focused on the matter this week.

The stimulus Bill will be considered in the Senate - David Herszenhorn writes in today's New York Times -

"Senate Republicans and even some Democrats are pressing for big changes to the $819 billion economic stimulus package the House passed this week, setting the stage for a bruising debate over tax cuts and spending that will test the Obama White House." The full article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31stimulus.html?_r=1

Further details of business can be found at

House of Representatives:
http://democraticleader.house.gov/docUploads/5WeeklyLeader20209.pdf?CFID=13924048&CFTOKEN=38577085
Westminster: http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/2009/02/02/week.html