The Note: Losing a Sliver of the News Cycle

— -- WASHINGTON, July 27

President Bush signs the Voting Rights Reauthorization Act of 2006 into law at 9:35 am ET on the South Lawn. Earlier this month, the act passed the Senate 98-0 after overcoming a mini-revolt in the House among a small number of House Republicans who objected to the targeted nature of the act's pre-clearance provisions as well as provisions pertaining to bilingual ballots. Again, watch the POTUS rhetoric for mojo, focus, and the Vision Thing.

At 11:15 am ET, the President meets with Romanian President Traian Basescu, a strong ally of the Administration in Iraq and in the war on terror, in the Oval Office. At 5:00 pm ET, Pres. Basescu participates in a bipartisan meeting with House and Senate lawmakers.

In the afternoon, the President signs the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, a bill that will establish a national sex offender registry.

President Bush makes remarks to the National Association of Manufacturers at 1:40 pm ET at Washington, D.C.'s Grand Hyatt.

The Vice President keynotes the 2006 Korean War Veterans Armistice Day ceremony at 10:25 am ET at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The formal wreath-laying ceremony marks the 53rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the 11th anniversary of the dedication of the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), and committee chairmen hold a 10:15 am ET on-camera briefing to announce August field hearings on border security. Hastert is expected to say lyrically: "Today we're proud to announce that eight of our committees are holding 19 hearings in 12 states this August."

With only 103 days to go until the midterms, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) join DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer and DCCC Chair Rahm Emanuel to discuss the Democrats' message and to preview events heading into the August recess at a 12:00 pm ET pen and pad briefing at the Mott House in Washington, DC.

After gathering for a rare joint caucus, House and Senate Democrats will join together in the Russell Senate Swamp at 1:45 pm ET to call for a New Direction for America. Speakers will include Sen. Reid, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Pelosi, and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).

At 1:30 pm ET at the Capitol Hill Club, members of the Republican Main Street Partnership, including Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), who faces a strong Democratic challenge this November, and Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), whose retirement has created a competitive open seat, present a new legislative agenda entitled "Promise for America."

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman headlines a closed-press fundraiser for Ralph Norman's congressional campaign in Columbia, SC. He then heads to Atlanta, GA to speak (open press) to the Urban League's 2006 conference. Later today, Chairman Mehlman travels to Macon, GA for a "meet and greet" rally with GOP precinct chairs and to attend a closed press fundraiser for Mac Collins' congressional campaign.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) attends a 10:00 am ET EPW Committee hearing on the nation's emergency preparedness and response systems relating to the Stafford Act in Dirksen.

The Senate reconvenes at 9:30 am to begin consideration of an offshore drilling measure.

U.N. Ambassador John Bolton testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at 9:30 am ET in the Hart Senate Office Building as part of his effort to win confirmation to his current post, which he took in a recess appointment.

The House Select Intelligence Committee hears testimony on methods to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act from Reps. Heather Wilson (R-NM), Jane Harman (D-C), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) at 1:00 pm ET in the Rayburn House Office Building. Wilson is, so far, the very model of a challenged incumbent doing the hug-the-President-push-away-from-the-President straddle.

The House Judiciary Committee and International Relations Committee hold hearings to discuss the Senate's immigration bill in conjunction with border security hearings at 11:30 am ET in the Rayburn House Office Building.