Fat Tuesday: Violence against women, hydropower and SOTU

By Pete Kasperowicz - 02/12/13 09:32 AM ET

Today is Mardi Gras, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the day after is Valentine's Day. But none of these culturally significant days seem to be having any impact on the congressional calendar, which is filled today with a bill on violence against women and hydropower legislation. Although, maybe we'll hear some Valentine's Day-related puns on Thursday.

The Senate meets at 10 a.m., and by 11 a.m. it will resume work on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, S. 47.

On Monday, senators rejected another Republican amendment, this one from Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). That leaves five more amendments before the Senate holds a vote on final passage, which is expected today.

The Senate has plans to hold its usual caucus lunches on Tuesday, and then has no plans other than adjourning in the late afternoon to get ready for President Obama's State of the Union address.

The House meets at noon, and by 2 p.m. will start a short legislative day in which it will consider up to three bills:

— H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act,

— H.R. 316, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act, and

— H.R. 235, the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act.

The House will recess by 5:30 p.m. at the latest, which will allow the House chamber to undergo a security sweep for Obama's address. By about 8:30 p.m., the House chamber will start filling up for Obama's remarks at 9 p.m.