Happy New Year, everyone! Congress is back in session this week, although it's a pretty light week on the Hill for our issues.
The big news this week is that the Senate is expected to vote on a three month extension of the unemployment benefits that expired for more than 1.3 million Americans at the end of 2013. The prospects for the bill are still up in the air as senators on both sides of the aisle debate whether or not to offset the cost of the extension.
But in lighter news, it looks like former American Idol star Clay Aiken is mulling a run for Congress. If he wins, he'll double the total number of former reality TV show stars in the House to two. Perhaps he and Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), who rose to prominence on the The Real World: Boston, can start the "Congressional Reality TV Caucus."
And here's what we're working on this week:
Wednesday, January 8th
School Discipline
The Department of Education and the Department of Justice will hold a press event in Baltimore, MD to announce the release of the long-awaited federal school discipline guidance.
Civil Rights
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the nomination of Debo Adegbile to be the head of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice.
Thursday, January 9th
Reproductive Rights
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a hearing on the so-called No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.
Sentencing Reform
The U.S. Sentencing Commission is holding a public meeting, which will include a presentation on the policy priority concerning Drug Offense Guidelines.
Voting
The National Commission on Voting Rights is holding a hearing in Arizona to discuss, among other things, voting rights restrictions in Arizona and the need for a legislative fix to the Shelby County Supreme Court decision.
Happening This Week
2014 Appropriations
This week, the House is expected to pass an omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2014, which will combine 12 annual appropriations measures.
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