The repeal bill is much simpler than the one Republicans passed at the beginning of the 112th Congress — in two short paragraphs, the healthcare law would be repealed. The rest of the bill states findings of fact that the law has not lowered healthcare costs and threatens U.S. economic growth.
The bill interrupts the progress the House was making on passing 2013 spending bills. Three more spending bills are poised for floor action, but those will be taken up in a following week.
The House will, however, consider a bill aimed at making it easier to mine for rare earth minerals. Many believe these minerals are a key component of manufacturing and national security, and that the United States runs a risk by relying on foreign sources for these commodities.
Below is a more detailed look at the week ahead:
Monday
The House meets at 2 p.m. for legislative work on seven suspension bills, and roll call votes on all or some of these bills will be held at 6:30 p.m.:
H.R. 4155, the Veteran Skills to Jobs Act,
H.R. 4114, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act,
H.R. 5892, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act,
H.R. 6019, the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act,
S. 1959, the Haqqani Network Terrorist Designation Act, and,
S. 2061, the Former Charleston Naval Base Land Exchange Act.
The Senate is in session but has no votes scheduled.
Tuesday
The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches and then at noon to start work on the healthcare repeal bill (as yet unnumbered). Members will likely start by approving the rule for the bill, then moving to general debate, which should last through Wednesday.
At noon, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the confirmation of John Fowlkes to be a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. Then, at 2:25 p.m., the Senate will vote to end debate on a motion to proceed to S. 2237, the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act, which would reduce taxes on wages paid on the first $5 million above 2011 levels.
The Senate is in for the rest of the week, but has no firm schedule beyond Tuesday.
Wednesday-Thursday
The House meets at noon Wednesday, and is expected to approve the healthcare repeal bill that day. Members may also start work Wednesday on H.R. 4402, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act, and will complete work on that bill by Thursday. Final votes for Thursday will happen by the early afternoon.
Friday
The House is not in session.