Thursday: Pope speech, Planned Parenthood

by Jordain Carney - 09/24/15 8:06 AM ET

The Capitol is grinding to a hault Thursday morning as Pope Francis speaks before a joint meeting of Congress.

Francis is expected to speak at 10 a.m. in the House chamber, followed by a brief appearance on the West Front of the Capitol, where thousands have flocked to hear him speak.

{mosads}He’s also expected to meet privately with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

After Francis’s speech, the Senate is expected to convene at 1 p.m. to restart debate over a spending bill that would defund Planned Parenthood and redirect the funding to other health centers.

The Senate is expected to take a procedural vote at 2 p.m., though the proposal is expected to fail to get the 60 votes needed to move forward.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could then move to tee up a “clean” short-term spending bill, though he’s been tight-lipped about his intentions. Lawmakers have until Oct. 1 to pass a short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.

Meanwhile, the House is expected to vote on a dozen noncontroversial bills under suspension of the rules. Votes in the House are expected between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The House will also begin consideration of legislation — previously passed last year — that would set hard deadlines on environmental reviews that could delay construction projects.

Tags Boehner John Boehner Mitch McConnell