House adjourns for the week, readies patent, energy bills

The House adjourned for the week at 3:37 p.m. Thursday, after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) outlined a schedule for next week that includes patent reform, energy and the start of work on the Defense Department Appropriations bill.

The patent bill is H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act. While the Senate has already passed a similar version of this bill, it is somewhat controversial, for several different reasons. Several of these issues were pointed out in a "Dear Colleague" letter being circulated to build opposition to the bill.

The energy bill is H.R. 2021, the Jobs and Energy Permitting Act. This bill is aimed at make it easier to obtain drilling permits in the Alaskan outer continental shelf.

Cantor also said the House can be expected to take up a Federal Aviation Administration bill. The FAA is authorized until June 30, but a longer-term authorization has eluded the House so far. In late May, Democrats warned that Republican attempts to cut funding from the FAA, and make it harder to form air and rail unions, is jeopardizing the chances of an agreement on this bill.

Elsewhere, Cantor said the House could begin work on a Defense Department Appropriations bill for FY 2012 starting next week. He also hinted that the House may consider a bill to defund U.S. military activities in Libya.

Before adjourning, the House approved H.Res. 299, which allows Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to designate a day allowing official photographs to be taken inside the House chamber while the House is in session.

It also approved H.R. 1934, which is aimed at improving the operations of the Library of Congress.