Good morning...

Despite last night's pleas to work together, the House returns this morning at 10 a.m. and soon after that will work on a bill to end taxpayer funding for presidential campaigns and party conventions, an item the White House opposes. The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. and will continue to fight over whether or how Senate filibuster rules should be changed.

In the House, as many as five hours of debate are allowed today on the campaign funding bill, H.R. 359. But it should not take that long, as only six amendments will be considered.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer this morning urged Democrats to vote against the bill. "H.R. 359 would not strengthen our federal election campaign process, nor would it help to correct some of its current flaws," Hoyer said. "It would simply eliminate the program, which aims to give smaller donors an equally important role in the election process."

A brief summary of the six that were printed in the Congressional Record and thus are eligible for consideration:

1) Ensure that all money saved (estimates are $617 million over ten years) goes to reducing the deficit, from Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

2) After funding is terminated, use any unused money to pay for security at Presidential nominating conventions, from Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

3) Alter the bill so that funding for presidential campaigns is maintained, also from Rep. Castor.

4) Prohibit entities that receive federal funds from advocating the election or defeat of a presidential candidate, from Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.).

5) Alter the bill so taxpayers can still voluntarily finance presidential campaigns through additional donations made when taxes are filed, from Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.).

6) A similar amendment from Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) that would allow voluntary taxpayer contributions.