Recapping yesterday's action:

The House moved quickly to agree to the conference report on H.R. 2112, the bill the Senate turned into the first "minibus" last week, and which became the new continuing appropriations bill in conference. Then it launched into the first half of a five-hour debate on the Balanced Budget Amendment, before adjourning for the evening.

The Senate also made time for agreeing to the continuing appropriations bill once it was received from the House, fitting it in between periods of ongoing debate and consideration of amendments on the Defense authorization bill. By the way, take a look at the list of pending amendments to the bill. What a fun place the Senate is, eh?

Just for the record, let me note that during today's proceedings, Senator Barrasso (R-WY) put a hold on the nomination of Kenneth J. Kopocis, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Barrasso may or may not insist, if asked, that he was objecting on someone else's behalf. But if unanimous consent is asked and you object, you own the hold. The end. Just wanted to put that out there.

Looking ahead to today:

The House will begin with consideration of a rule for their latest labor union-bashing bill, the "Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act." How much you wanna bet there ain't much democracy or fairness in it? We'll find out next week, since it looks like they'll be postponing debate on the actual bill until then.

After the rule is dispensed with, they'll finish up the second half of the five hours of debate and then a vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment, apparently in an effort to erase the "workforce" part of the "Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act" that already has no democracy or fairness in it.

The Senate continues its consideration of the defense bill today, but no roll call votes are scheduled, so most Senators likely left town last night and won't be around for debate.

Today's floor and committee schedules appear below the fold.

In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Democratic Whip:

THE NIGHTLY WHIP: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First/Last votes are expected between: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

“One Minutes” (5 per side)

H.Res. 470 – Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3094 - Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act(Rep. Foxx – Rules)

Complete Consideration of H.J.Res. 2 - Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States (Rep. Goodlatte -Judiciary) (Suspension bill, 160 Minutes of Debate Remaining)

Roll Call Votes

• H. Res. 466, Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules. On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 - 173 (Roll no. 854).
• H. Res. 466. On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 248 - 169 (Roll no. 855).
• H. Res. 467, Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2112) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes. On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 262 - 156 (Roll no. 856).
• H.R. 2112. On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 298 - 121 (Roll no. 857).

In the Senate, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader:

Senate Floor Schedule for Friday, November 18, 2011

Convenes: 9:00am

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.

Senators are encouraged to offer their amendments during Friday’s session. There will be no roll call votes on Friday.  The next roll call vote will be at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, November 28, 2011.

• 11/17 wrap-up:

Senate Floor Wrap Up for Thursday, November 17, 2011

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation Appropriations bill; Adopted: 70-30

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.2059, a bill to protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information contained in their financial disclosure reports, and for other purposes.

Passed H.R.2056, to instruct the Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study the impact of insured depository institution failures, and for other purposes with a Levin amendment

Passed H.R.3321, America’s Cup Act of 2011 with a Feinstein substitute amendment

Passed S.99, the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2011 with a committee-reported substitute amendment and Bingaman amendment

Adopted S.Res.332, supporting the goals and ideals of American Education Week

Adopted S.Res.333, a resolution honoring former World War II U.S. POWs.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS