The legislation also proposes defunding some military activities in Libya and keeping in place all U.S. aid for Pakistan.

The House majority leader said Friday's jobless figures are a strong argument against raising taxes in a debt-ceiling deal.

A conservative freshman Republican lawmaker has introduced a constitutional amendment calling for term limits for both chambers of Congress.

The House on Friday morning approved two rules that will allow the House to take up bills that would appropriate funds for energy and water programs and reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as early as next week.

By voice vote, the House approved the rule for the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, H.R. 2354. This bill would fund the Department of Energy and other related agencies, but cut $1 billion compared to FY 2011.

The House defeated a measure Friday that would have removed 50,000 troops now permanently based in Europe.

As the White House, Pentagon and lawmakers look for ways to generate savings within the Defense budget, some are calling for dramatic changes in the way U.S. forces are positioned around the globe.

The House defeated an amendment, 137-307, offered by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) that would have brought home permanently 50,000 U.S. troops now based in Europe. Polis’s provision would have mandated that 30,000 troops remain permanently stationed there.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) on Thursday introduced a bill that requests Congress support a study on building a "Melting Pot Museum" on the National Mall.

The House on Friday again defeated an attempt by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) to cut off funding for the military intervention in Libya.

Kucinich and other members offered multiple amendments during three days of debate on the 2012 Defense Appropriations Act that would have restricted or totally cut off funds for the controversial military operation.

The amendment the anti-war liberal offered on Friday morning would have prohibited funds in the bill be used for the Libya mission unless Congress formerly declares war against the country. The amendment was voted down 169-251.

Kucinich said the Obama administration is on pace to spend $1 billion on the operation by September “without this Congress having any say whatsoever.”

The House on Friday morning approved an amendment to the 2012 Department of Defense Appropriations Act that would effectively block Navy chaplains from performing same-sex marriages.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.)., was approved in a 236-184 vote. It would prevent funds in the bill from being used in the Chaplain Corps' Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal training.

Republicans want to know whether the Supreme Court justice helped develop a legal defense of the law for President Obama.