Sunday, April 2, 2017

CHPP Daily Brief: "Praying for All in Authority" Saturday, April 1, 2017




Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
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The Daily Brief:
"Praying for All in Authority"
Saturday, April 1, 2017

"Standing Together as One
. . . Under the Cross of Christ"


"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)




"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
(Deut. 33:27)
Pray for Senate Judiciary Committee

Special Prayer Request:

Please pray for the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who will vote on Monday (April 3rd) on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the seat on the Supreme Court vacated by Justice Antonin Scalia


Please lift up the names of each member of thiscommittee before our Lord, asking Him to direct theirhearts as He would desire.

The names of all members of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee can be found
by going here. Thank you.

Congress Last Week

Senate votes to let states defund Planned Parenthood



House votes to revoke broadband privacy rules

House votes to require EPA science use to be open

House votes to keep lobbyists off EPA board

U.S. Senate backs Montenegro's membership in NATO

Senate votes to repeal Labor Dept. municipal retirement plan rule

House Speaker Ryan understands Trump's frustration on health bill

House Republicans consider reviving healthcare push: lawmaker

Healthcare deal-breakers for House conservatives

U.S. House committee approves bill to increase scrutiny of Fed

House intel panel chief Nunes says he will not divulge his sources

Senate pledges bipartisanship in expanded Russia probe

Gorsuch faces uphill climb for Senate confirmation: Democratic leader

SEC nominee Clayton to get Senate panel vote April 4

House tax chief says Obamacare taxes not part of tax reform

House Ways and Means Chairman aims to move tax bill through committee in spring

Senate banking chair wants financial rules reform by early 2018

Activity Summaries

Weekly Digest of the Congressional Record

@PrayforCongress Moment - March 27-31, 2017
GAVEL DOWN: Closing out the Week in Congress (Mar. 27-31, 2017)
Next Week Preview - April 3-7, 2017
Senate - Gorsuch

Senate Floor Schedule

Program for Monday: Senate begins consideration of S. 89, Delta Queen, and votes on passage of the bill at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Following disposition of S. 89, Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Elaine C. Duke, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

Senate to vote on Gorsuch next week
The Senate will vote on the nomination of Supreme Court pick Neil Gorsuch on April 7, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday.The vote will come days after the Senate Judiciary Committee considers the nomination on Monday and will potentially set up a showdown with Democrats, who are threatening to filibuster.

Nuclear option support builds: Key GOP moderate won't rule it out
Key centrist GOP senators who have long opposed the idea of "going nuclear," blowing up Senate rules to more easily confirm presidential nominations are now changing their tune and warning Democrats not to push them by filibustering Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court.Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Tuesday said Gorsuch is "eminently well-qualified" and doesn't deserve to be filibustered, as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has vowed to do."There are no grounds for a filibuster of Neil Gorsuch," she told reporters Tuesday afternoon.If Democrats successfully filibuster Gorsuch, Republicans are expected to invoke the nuclear option and change Senate rules to allow Supreme Court justices to be confirmed by a simple 51-vote majority instead of the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.Asked if she would support a decision by Senate GOP leaders to "go nuclear," Collins said: "I am not eager to see the rules changed so I hope that Democrats do not launch a filibuster against an eminently well-qualified nominee."

Gorsuch Floor Fight Foreshadows Change in Senate
A committee vote Monday on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch will kick off a consequential weeklong confirmation showdown - one that is primed to reshape the Senate and fill the high court seat left vacant for more than a year.The Senate Judiciary Committee meets to advance Gorsuch's nomination to the Senate floor, with the panel's 11-member GOP majority expected to deliver enough votes for a positive report.Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the full Senate would vote on Gorsuch's nomination four days later, on Friday, April 7.What happens in the Senate over the next several days could reverberate in future Supreme Court confirmation fights, and appears likely to make the process longer, nastier and even more political. And if Republicans stand firm as expected, the Supreme Court will have its first new justice since 2010, regain its conservative tilt, and no longer be at risk for the kind of 4-4 deadlocks that left it unable to decide controversial cases on immigration and public sector unions last year.

Note: Some in Washington think removing the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees could make the process less contentious.
Senators Look to Supreme Court Nuclear Winter
The Senate Republicans' deployment of the "nuclear option" to change the chamber's rules and confirm President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee is so inevitable that senators are already moving on to the next debate."We're on this spiral downward, and obviously, the next thing to go likely the next time there's a big issue that comes up legislatively will be the legislative filibuster," Sen. Bob Corker said Tuesday.The Tennessee Republican made it clear he thought that moving to a majoritarian status for passing legislation would be a bad idea, but he wants his fellow senators to acknowledge the point before it becomes a fait accompli.
Senate Committees

Senate Committee Meeting Schedule

Monday, Apr. 3, 2017
Judiciary - Please pray for the members of this committee.
Business meeting to consider the nominations of Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Rod J. Rosenstein, of Maryland, to be Deputy Attorney General, and Rachel L. Brand, of Iowa, to be Associate Attorney General, both of the Department of Justice.
Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2017
Hearings to examine United States Strategic Command programs.
Hearings to examine fencing along the southwest border.
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Jay Clayton, of New York, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hearings to examine efforts to protect U.S. energy delivery systems from cybersecurity threats.
Hearings to examine FDA user fee agreements, focusing on improving medical product regulations and innovation for patients.
Hearings to examine the European Union as a partner against Russian aggression, focusing on sanctions, security, democratic institutions, and the way forward.
Hearings to examine national water hazards and vulnerabilities, focusing on improved forecasting for responses and mitigation.
To receive a closed briefing on cyber threats to the United States.
Hearings to examine keeping goods moving, focusing on continuing to enhance multimodal freight policy and infrastructure.
Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017
Hearings to examine improving border security and public safety.
Hearings to examine protecting our midshipmen, focusing on preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Business meeting to consider pending calendar business.
Hearings to examine the nomination of Scott Gottlieb, of Connecticut, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.
Hearings to examine the decline of economic opportunity in the United States, focusing on causes and consequences.
Closed hearings to examine intelligence programs and threat assessment.
Hearings to examine a progress report on conflict minerals.
Hearings to examine the current state of retirement security in the United States.
Thursday, Apr. 6, 2017
Hearings to examine United States Southern Command and United States Northern Command.
Hearings to examine FAA reauthorization, focusing on perspectives on rural air service and the general aviation community.
Hearings to examine the 2017 tax filing season, focusing on Internal Revenue Service operations and the taxpayer experience.
Organizational business to consider committee rules for the 115th Congress.
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the 115th Congress.
House

House Floor Schedule

MONDAY, APRIL 3RD
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 479 – North Korea State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe / Foreign Affairs Committee)
2) H.Res. 92 – Condemning North Koreas development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson / Foreign Affairs Committee)
3) H.Res. 54 – Reaffirming the United States-Argentina partnership and recognizing Argentinas economic reforms, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Albio Sires / Foreign Affairs Committee)
TUESDAY, APRIL 4TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) Concurring in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 353 – Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)
H.R. 1343 – Encouraging Employee Ownership Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Randy Hultgren / Financial Services Committee)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 369 – To eliminate the sunset of the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe / Veterans Affairs Committee)
H.R. 1304 – Self-Insurance Protection Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe / Energy and Commerce Committee)
THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
H.R. 1219 – Supporting Americas Innovators Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Patrick McHenry / Financial Services Committee)
FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH
On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
Printable PDF

Legislative Program for next week

(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of inquiring of the majority leader the schedule for the week to come.
I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), my friend. (Mr. McCARTHY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, on Monday the House will meet at noon for morning-hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning-hour and noon for legislative business.
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m.
On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business tomorrow.
In addition, the House will consider several bipartisan measures from the Committee on Financial Services that will create jobs and support American entrepreneurship. First, H.R. 1343, the Encouraging Employee Ownership Act, sponsored by Representative Randy Hultgren, which will open up more opportunities for employees to share a stake in the companies they work for every day.
Next, H.R. 1219, the Supporting America's Innovators Act, sponsored by Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry. This bill will increase access to capital for America's small businesses and startups and ensure our entrepreneurs have the best chance to succeed. Mr. McHenry's bill is also a key component of our Innovation Initiative in the House, which aims to accelerate private sector innovation and leverage more innovation in government.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, additional legislative items are possible, and I will relay scheduling information to Members if any items are added.
Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that information.
As the majority leader knows, after today we will have 8 legislative days left before the CR runs out on April 28. We will be gone, as the gentleman knows, for 2 weeks, or a few more days than that, for the Easter break. We have not enacted any appropriation bills except for the MILCON-VA and the Defense Appropriation bill we passed through this House in a bipartisan vote and that is pending in the Senate.
Given the limited number of days in session before April 28, we are going to require relatively quick action if we are to fund the government for the balance of the year past April 28.
Mr. Leader, can you tell me--because no appropriation bill or CR or omnibus was on the schedule for next week, can the gentleman tell me when he expects some form of continuing to authorize expenditures for the balance of the year between now and September 30 will occur?
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend.
Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Discussions are ongoing about the appropriations process and how to ensure the government is funded after April 28.
I thank my good friend from Maryland for being a good faith negotiating partner in this effort.
I do not currently anticipate floor action next week. But as always, I will advise Members as soon as possible when action is scheduled in the House.
Full floor colloquy on next week's House schedule
House Committees

House Committee Meetings - Week of April 2 - 9, 2017

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Next Farm Bill: Commodity Policy, Part II

Discussion Draft: Brownfields Reauthorization

Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Enabling Innovation in the National Airspace

Assessing Progress and Identifying Future Opportunities in Defense Reform

Use of Confidential Informants at ATF and DEA

An Assessment of Ongoing Concerns at the Veterans Crisis Line

H.R. 1808, Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act of 2017; and
H.R. 1809, Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017.


Examining the Federal Reserves Mandate and Governance Structure

Examining Federal Support for Job Training Programs

Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Cybersecurity in the Health Care Sector: Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships

First Amendment Protections on Public College and University Campuses

Joint Hearing with Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance entitled Increasing the Effectiveness of Non-Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran

Defeating a Sophisticated and Dangerous Adversary: Are the New Border Security Task Forces the Right Approach?

Assessing VA Approved Appraisers and How to Improve the Program for the 21st Century.

Authorization of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs

The Next Farm Bill: Credit Programs

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Response to the Baton Rouge Flood Disaster: Part II

FAST Act Implementation: State and Local Perspectives

H.R. 1180, Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017

Facilitating the 21st Century Wireless Economy

The 2016 Semi-Annual Reports of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

Federal Response to the Opioid Abuse Crisis

Agriculture and Tax Reform: Opportunities for Rural America (Rescheduled)

Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1731, the RECLAIM Act of 2017

Damage to the Military from a Continuing Resolution

"Legislative Hearing on H.R. 105; H.R. 299; H.R. 1328; H.R. 1329; H.R. 1390; H.R. 1564; and a draft bill entitled "Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017."

Taking Care of Small Business: Working Together for a Better SBA

Pending Legislation (Rescheduled)

Assessing the Iran Deal

The Current State of the U.S. Marine Corps

Turkeys Democracy Under Challenge

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Pending Legislation (Rescheduled)

Evaluating the Defense Contract Auditing Process

Examination of the Federal Financial Regulatory System and Opportunities for Reform

Scam Spotting: Can the IRS Effectively Protect Small Business Information?

Enforcement Is Not Optional: The Goldman Act to Return Abducted American Children

House Relationships

> > > Please pray for relationships among members of Congress, particular between members of various House caucuses.


The week of the health care bill was particularly damaging to relationships within the House majority. One reporter noted a member of the Tuesday Group now determined to never meet with the Freedom Caucus.
All members of Congress have a vested interest in restoring freedom that was undermined by the Affordable Care Act. Please pray that bridges would be built and new pathways forged among members and staff about how to make these issues clear, and bring America's policies in line with God-honoring freedom, particularly in regard to health care.
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him." (Hosea 14:4)
Reference Links
Links to Congressional news and information
The Bible Readathon

Our Bible Readathon Continues

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)


We are now reading the Word of God every night from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EST. We are reading through thewhole Word, from Genesis to Revelation, andbeginning again in Genesis when finished.

Our numbers of readers continues to grow over time.All are welcome to join!
Our conference number is: 712-770-4340.

The access code is: 350430#.Please call at any time from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EST.WELCOME!

[Note: we are reading from these versions of the Scripture:King James, New King James, New American Standard,and NIV.]