The bill faces an uncertain future in the House, were lawmakers are concerned about the discretion it would give Obama.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) on Wednesday condemned comments from Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that the use of "comfort women" in Japan during World War II was "necessary."

Royce described "comfort women" as a "state-sponsored program of sexual brutality" against thousands of women during the war. But this week, Hashimoto was reported as saying that these women were "necessary."

The CBO refused to provide a new estimate, but said scrapping the law's taxes and spending cuts would outweigh the reforms' costs.

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) on Tuesday introduced legislation that would put in place limits on the ability of the government to compel the disclosure of information from the press.

Poe's Free Flow of Information Act is a reaction to news that the Justice Department seized two months of phone records of Associated Press reporters. Justice's decision seemed aimed at furthering its investigation of leaks related to how U.S. agents foiled a terrorist plot.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed that as more details come out on the IRS scandal, he intends to “find out the relevant details.”

Last week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) admitted that officials in Ohio had targeted conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, with higher scrutiny. Many groups were singled out for having the words "Tea Party" or "patriot" in their name.

House Republicans have "truly lost their minds," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Wednesday.

The House meets for speeches at 10 a.m., and amid several more angry speeches about the IRS and Justice Department scandals, members will consider five suspension bills throughout the day.

One of these, H.R. 384, is a Democratic bill that would create an advocate for homeless veterans in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Homes for Heroes Act was passed last year by the House, but ignored by the Senate.

The House on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation reaffirming U.S. policy as one that supports an Internet that is controlled by stakeholders, not governments.

In a 413-0 vote, members passed H.R. 1580, which once again signals the support of Congress for the continued development of the Internet without guidance from any single government or a collection of governments.

The Senate advanced the water infrastructure bill Tuesday by voting on three more amendments.

On Wednesday, the Senate will resume amendment votes on the bill — there will be six more before final passage.