A closer look at next week …

Instead, the House plans to take up a resolution disapproving Obama’s request to increase the federal debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. This resolution, H.J.Res. 98, is expected to pass the lower chamber, in part because House passage will do nothing to stop the increase — the Senate would have to pass the resolution as well, and the Democratic-controlled upper chamber has no plans to consider it.

Other than holding the first quorum call of the new session and electing Paul Irving sergeant at arms on Tuesday, the House has nothing scheduled for the week. Members are now preparing for Obama’s State of the Union Address the following week, on Jan. 24.

The Senate is out all week. Below is a more detailed look at the week ahead for the House:

Monday

The House is not in session (Martin Luther King Day).

Tuesday

The House meets at 2 p.m. for a pro forma session, but will recess immediately and delay votes until 6:30 p.m. Members will vote on a resolution electing Paul Irving the 36th sergeant at arms of the House.

Tuesday will also see a quorum call to establish a quorum in the House at the start of the second session of the 112th Congress.

Wednesday

The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches and then at noon for legislative work. Members will consider the rule for H.J.Res. 98, disapproving of Obama’s request to increase the federal debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. A vote on the resolution itself should follow the vote on the rule.

The House Rules Committee is expected to approve a rule for the resolution on Tuesday evening.

Thursday

The House is not in session.

Friday

The House is not in session.