Senate committees next week: Judiciary to examine constitutionality of healthcare reform

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will hold a hearing next week to "examine the constitutionality of Democrat's landmark healthcare reform legislation." The hearing comes as House Republicans continue to attack the constitutionality of the bill, and after a December decision by federal judge in Virginia found the law to violate the Constitution.

Judiciary Committee

Feb. 02, Dirksen, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

A spokesman from Leahy's office says there is not yet a witness list or agenda. Floor Action Blog will publish those documents as they become available. Meanwhile, in other committees the Senate has a full schedule next week:

Senate Budget Committee 

Feb. 01, 608 Dirksen, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine the U.S. economic outlook.

Feb. 02, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine tax reform, focusing on fiscal responsibility.

Feb. 03. 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine challenges for the United States economic recovery.        

Energy and Natural Resources

Feb. 01, 366 Dirksen, 10 a.m.       

Hearings to examine the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2011.

Feb. 03, 10 a.m.  

Hearings to examine the energy and oil market outlook for the 112th Congress.

Foreign Relations

Feb. 01, 419 Dirksen, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine Iraq, focusing on transitioning to a civilian mission.

Judiciary

Feb. 01, 226 Dirksen, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine foreclosure mediation programs, focusing on if bankruptcy courts can limit homeowner and investor losses.

Feb. 02, 2 p.m. 

Hearings to examine the nominations of Caitlin Joan Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Kathleen M. Williams, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida; Mae A. D'Agostino to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; and Timothy J. Feighery to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, Department of Justice.

Feb. 03, 10 a.m.

Business meeting to consider various judicial nominations and S.23, to provide for patent reform.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Feb. 2, 342 Dirksen, 10 a.m.

Hearings to examine catastrophic preparedness, focusing on FEMA.

Armed Services

Feb. 03, 106 Dirksen, 9:30 a.m. 

Hearings to examine United States policy toward Iraq.

Environment and Public Works Committee      

Feb. 02, 406 Dirksen, 10 a.m. 

An oversight hearing to examine public health and drinking water issues.

Finance Committee

Feb. 03, 215 Dirksen, 10 a.m.   

Hearings to examine the status of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Feb. 03, 428A Rusell, 10 a.m.     

Organizational business meeting to consider committee's rules of procedure and budget for the 112th Congress.    

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions    

Feb. 03, 430 Dirksen 430, 2 p.m.   

Hearings to examine simplifying security, focusing on encouraging better retirement decisions.