Thursday: Enforcing laws, water rights and child care

The House meets in the afternoon to take up two more government oversight bills, including one that would require the government to tell Congress when it fails to enforce a law.

Members will vote on the Faithful Execution of the Law Act, H.R. 3973. The bill is another manifestation of GOP frustration with an administration they say routinely decides on its own to enforce laws in a piecemeal fashion.

{mosads}Today’s vote follows Wednesday’s vote to let the House and Senate file lawsuits against the Executive Branch for failure to enforce the law.

The House will also consider another oversight bill — the Water Rights Protection Act, H.R. 3189. This bill is aimed at preventing the federal government from seizing water rights from private ownership.

Before passing the water bill, the House will have to approve a rule governing floor consideration. That same rule also covers consideration of a “doc fix” bill, which will also look to delay individual mandate penalties under ObamaCare — the House will pass this healthcare bill on Friday.

The Senate starts at 9:30 a.m., and will hold a few votes throughout the day on amendments to S. 1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act.

This bill would reauthorize federal grants to states for low-income families, so they can buy childcare services. The Senate should be able to pass this non-controversial bill by the end of the day.