This week, the House will consider six bills: a bill relating to the District of Columbia Special Olympics, a bill allowing the presentation of an American flag to the family of a deceased federal employee, a bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, a bill to expand the use of charter schools, an appropriations bill for intelligence-related agencies, and a resolution relating to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011.
House Concurrent Resolution 67 (H.Con.Res. 67) would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. This event, to be held on September 30, is part of the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics DC and is now in its 26th year.
The House will also consider the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2061). This bill authorizes the head of an executive agency to pay the expenses for the presentation of an American flag for an agency employee who has died of injuries incurred in connection with his or her employment, and to furnish a flag upon the request of the employee’s next of kin.
H.R. 2382 would extend the Generalized System of Preferences. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a program run by the U.S. Trade Representative designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing duty-free entry for up to 4,800 products from 129 designated countries and territories. Created in the Trade Act of 1974, the GSP’s authorization expired on December 31, 2010, and has not yet been reauthorized.
The House will also consider the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218). This bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to expand the use of charter schools throughout the country. It would replace the current charter school grant program with a program to award grants to state entities (including state educational agencies, state charter school boards, or governors) and subgrants to charter school developers to open new charter schools and expand and replicate high-quality charter schools.
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (H.R. 1892) would appropriate federal funding for the intelligence-related activities for such entities as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security.
Lastly, the House will consider a resolution relating to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2011. This resolution has not yet been finalized, and this page will be updated with more information on this resolution once it is made available.
The House and Senate will also meet for a joint session on Thursday, September 8, where President Obama will address both houses of Congress on jobs.