House

Freshman Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) on Monday said efforts to force the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay members into the group shows that the left is "intolerant" and won't rest until it "bullies" that group and others to accept its views.

"Some of us in America still believe in the concept of sexual morality, that sex is intended for one man and one woman within the institution of marriage," Bridenstine said on the House floor. "Organizations that hold this philosophy and promote it among our youth should be commended, or at least, you would think, tolerated.

Democrats in the House and Senate are looking to stop what they say are deceptive advertising practices by anti-abortion health clinics that imply they offer abortion services, but instead encourage birth and promote adoption.

The legislation is aimed at crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), which are clinics often set up by a church or other anti-abortion groups. Democrats in Congress and other pro-abortion groups say these clinics are known to indicate they can perform abortions in order to attract pregnant women patients, and then try to convince them to carry their babies to term.

Legislation offered by Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) would suspend audits for 180 days.

The House meets at noon, and in the afternoon, will take up two suspension bills, including one making it a crime to lie about receiving military medals.

The Stolen Valor Act, H.R. 258, is similar to a bill the House passed last year in a 410-3 vote. The House should be able to easily pass it again this year.

Congress is hoping to make progress next week on the Keystone pipeline, student loans and the farm bill before leaving for the Memorial Day break.

House Republicans are looking to end the work session with a vote pressuring the Obama administration on the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The GOP has said for years now that the administration has had plenty of time to approve the pipeline, which they say will create jobs and help make the U.S. more energy independent.

House committees will hear testimony next week on a wide range of topics, from controversial issues of the day like immigration and healthcare, to forward-looking issues like traveling to Mars.

The House Judiciary Committee holds two hearings Wednesday — one on lessons learned from the 1986 immigration law, and another on protecting constitutional rights during the war on terror.

Under the bill, the SEC would have to ensure the benefits of new rules outweigh their costs. 

The House on Friday morning took a step toward passing a bill that would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct strict cost-benefit analyses of its regulations.

Members approved a rule for H.R. 1062, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act, in a 223-180 vote. Passage of the rule will let the House approve the bill later Friday.

The House will finish out the week by passing a bill that would force the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to more closely examine its regulations and their effect on the economy.

Members will consider H.R. 1062, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act. This bill requires the SEC to conduct more detailed cost-benefit analyses of their regulations, and to make sure the benefits of each rule outweigh the costs.

Only two Democrats sided with Republicans in the party-line 229-195 vote.