The Committee on House Administration (CHA) by unanimous voice vote Thursday approved legislation that would free bloggers and other Internet communicators from possible regulation by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., said the Online Freedom of Speech Act (H.R. 1606) was necessary to “allow bloggers and other online activists to express their views on the Internet without fear of running afoul of our campaign finance laws.”

On Monday, the House will meet at 2 p.m. in a Pro Forma session.

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (11 bills):

(Bills on suspension are generally considered non-controversial and have reduced debate time, but require a two-thirds majority vote to be passed.)

1. H.R. 4346 - Malcolm Melville `Mac` Lawrence Post Office Designation Act (Francesville, Indiana)
2. H.R. XXXX - To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make other technical amendments to the trade laws, and for other purposes: A summary of this bill was not available at time of publication.
3. S. 1184 - A bill to waive the passport fees for a relative of a deceased member of the Armed Forces proceeding abroad to visit the grave of such member or to attend a funeral or memorial service for such member: Waives passport fees for the widow, widower, child, parent, grandparent, brother, or sister of a deceased member of the armed forces traveling abroad to visit such member's grave or to attend such member's funeral or memorial service. Current law does not provide such benefit for a widower or grandparent, and limits such benefit to visits to the grave.
4. H.Con.Res. 190 - Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Russian Federation should fully protect the freedoms of all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the Russian Constitution and international standards: Resolves that the United States should urge the Russian Federation to ensure full protection of freedoms for all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, and end the harassment of unregistered religious groups by the security apparatus and other government agencies. The resolution also urges the Russian Federation to ensure that law enforcement officials vigorously investigate acts of violence against unregistered religious communities, as well as make certain that authorities are not complicit in such attacks.
5. H.R. 4841 - To amend the Ojito Wilderness Act to make a technical correction: Makes a technical correction to the map referenced in Public Law 109-94, which among other things transferred approximately 11,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands located west of, and contiguous to, the main body of the Pueblo of Zia's current reservation in New Mexico. Following enactment of the law, it was determined that approximately 700 acres of additional BLM lands to be transferred to the tribe were omitted. H.R. 4841 corrects the law to include these additional BLM lands. 
6. H.Con.Res. 350 - Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust: Permits the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust on April 27, 2006. 
7. H.R. 4826 - To extend through December 31, 2006, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits: Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to extend from March 31, 2006, through December 31, 2006, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits for water projects.
8. H.R. 4911 - Higher Education Extension Act of 2006: Amends the Higher Education Extension Act of 2005 to extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through June 30, 2006.
9. S. 2363 - A bill to extend the educational flexibility program under section 4 of the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999: Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out the educational flexibility (Ed-Flex) program to allow states that were in the program on September 30, 2004, to continue to waive statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to certain federally-funded education programs until the reauthorization of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
10. H.Res. 698 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad
11. H.Con.Res. 354 - Expressing the continued support of Congress for requiring an institution of higher education to provide military recruiters with access to the institution`s campus and students at least equal in quality and scope to that which is provided to any other employer in order to be eligible for the receipt of certain federal funds

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday, the House Floor will be cleared at approximately 12:30 p.m. in order to provide time for a security sweep of the House Chamber prior to the Liberian President’s arrival. The House will reconvene at approximately 1:45 p.m. in Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia.

H.R. XXXX - Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006: The supplemental provides $67.6 billion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, roughly the same as the total budget request. Furthermore, it provides $19.1 billion for disaster assistance. It also prohibits DP-World from purchasing an American subsidiary company that is involved in the operations of certain U.S. ports; allows $750 million of contingency LIHEAP funds provided in the recently enacted budget reconciliation package to be available for FY06 and FY07; provides the Secretary of the Veteran’s Administration the authority to use up to $275 million of the VA funds in the bill to avert a shortfall in the VA medical services program; prohibits previously appropriated funds to be used to support the Palestinian Authority unless the Secretary of State certifies that certain conditions are met; and provides $50 million in economic assistance to Liberia. 

H.R. 1606 - Online Freedom of Speech Act: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to exclude Internet communications from the definition of “public communication,” thus exempting web sites, blogs, and online advertisements from Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulation.

• Possible Motions to go to Conference
• Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees

On Friday, there are no votes expected in the House.