Thursday: Charter schools, patent reform, and preparing for Obama
The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches and noon to start work on H.R. 2218, the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act.
Members will begin by debating the rule for the bill, then start debating the bill itself, then move to debate the eight amendments made in order. One of these, from Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), could prove controversial because it would eliminate language in the bill that defines "high-quality charter schools" as those that demonstrate success in increasing academic achievement for economically disadvantaged students, students from major racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and students with limited English proficiency.
Another amendment, from Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.), would allow charter schools to receive a second grant after three years if they demonstrate positive student outcomes. The current language allows these second grants after five years.
The House will work until 4 p.m., when it will recess to allow a security sweep of the chamber in preparation for President Obama's 7 p.m. address to a joint
