Franken Takes Seat in Senate and on HELP Committee

Al Franken (D-MN) was installed as Minnesota’s junior Senator. With Franken’s swearing-in, the Democratic caucus would now have a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority, if Senators Kennedy (D-MA) and Byrd (D-WV) were not absent for health reasons. Franken will serve on the HELP committee, relieving Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) of his temporary duty on that committee. Franken will also serve on the Aging, Indian Affairs, and Judiciary committees. Read more!

Congress Returned This Week to Face a Four-Week Ambitious Stretch

Among the items on the agenda for the returning Congress are the following: moving ahead on sweeping health care legislation, progress on writing the 12 annual appropriations bills, and global warming legislation. The House expects to markup its 12 spending bills before the month long August recess. Senate Finance and HELP Committees expect to have their health care legislation and markups before the July 4th week-long recess that begins June 29th. Health care is what is on the front burner is pushing other issues that divide the Democratic majority to the sidelines for now. President Obama has said he wants health care reform passed by the August recess and he is planning for he and his Cabinet officials to take to the airwaves to push reform this year. Read more!