This Week in Congress

The Senate is done with impeachment, so they are back to nominations.

The House is in session Monday through Thursday.

The House is currently scheduled to consider H.J.Res. 79, which removes the time limits for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. When Congress sent the amendment to the states in 1972, it set a seven-year deadline for the states to ratify the amendment. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation extending to 1982. For a case why Congress can’t simply extend the deadline, see here.

By giving the federal government an open-ended mandate to enforce “equality” — defined by politicians, bureaucrats, and judges — the ERA represents a major expansion of government’s authority.

The House will also consider H.R. 2546, which designates certain lands in Colorado as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The House will also consider bills under suspension of the rules, including:

1. H.R. 1494—Requires the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen its partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

2. H.R. 504—Requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to engage with fusion centers. In 2009, a fusion center called supporters of Campaign for Liberty and Ron Paul’s presidential campaign potential terrorists. You can read about this here.

3. H.R. 4737—Directs Homeland Security to review research on how “climate change” will affect Homeland Security and research on how these effects could be mitigated.

4. H.R. 4753—Prohibits the Federal Government from purchasing foreign-made drones unless in the national interest of the United States, or for testing and training.