More votes piling up in House tonight

The House on Thursday afternoon continued to debate several funding limitation amendments to the FY 2011 spending bill, in anticipation of votes that are still expected later Thursday night.

Earlier in the afternoon, the House debated an amendment that would stop the government practice of paying the legal fees of litigants that successfully sue the government. The aim of this amendment, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), is to provide time to examine the extent to which this practice is encouraging environmental groups to repeatedly sue the government in order to generate a revenue stream.

Another amendment from Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) would delay an EPA regulation that limits mercury in cement. This amendment was debated by several members, most Democrats opposing it, and most Republicans supporting it.

A third amendment from Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) that would eliminate several Obama administration czars. Scalise mentioned czars dealing with healthcare, climate and other czars.

Members suggested roll call votes on all of these amendments.

Along the way, House Republicans raised points of order against an amendment that would freeze Defense Department programs until DoD financial statements are validated as ready for an audit. By voice vote, the House accepted an amendment from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) that would ensure that $30 million is maintained at the Justice Department to fund prosecutions against sexual predators on behalf of child victims.