House passes two bills, adjourns until 8:30 p.m. for Obama's speech

The House quickly passed two non-controversial bills on Tuesday afternoon, and then adjourned shortly before 3 p.m. to prepare for President Obama's State of the Union address.

By voice vote, members approved:

H.R. 316, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act. This bill would reinstate two federal licenses that will allow towns in Connecticut develop small hydropower capacity along the Farmington River.

H.R. 235, the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act. This bill gives federal grants to states that make it easier for veterans with medical backgrounds to become emergency medical technicians.

The House also briefly debated H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, which is meant to reduce federal red tape that acts as an obstacle to hydropower development across the country. But members insisted on a recorded vote for this bill, which should come later in the week.

By the late afternoon, the House chamber will undergo a security sweep in preparation for Obama's speech. Members are expected to begin filing back into the House chamber for the speech at about 8:35 p.m.

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