CQ's Ben Weyl and Joseph J. Schatz report a conference committee between the two chambers is the likely destination for the small-business capital bill that will be considered on the Senate floor Tuesday. The legislation (HR 3606) would loosen securities rules and make it easier for small companies to raise capital and go public. The main holdup in the Senate is a planned provision to reauthorize the Export-Import bank. That amendment from Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is one of two that will be considered this morning and is the only one likely to pass. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill earlier this month.

The Senate is expected to reject an amendment from Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed that would add investor protections to the legislation. Both amendments need 60 votes to invoke cloture. House leaders are expected to request a formal House-Senate conference committee to resolve the Export-Import language. The White House has already expressed support for the legislation, which has been sold as a bipartisan measure to create jobs. The bill would raise the thresholds that trigger Sarbanes-Oxley reporting and permit "crowdfunding," or the use of social media and the Web to finance new businesses. Firms would be able to issue up to $1 million in securities without having to register with the SEC.

FCC Split on Posting Ad Records Online: The commission is divided over a proposed rule that would force TV stations to post information about political ads they sell online, CQ's Ambreen Ali reports. Broadcasters are currently required to keep records, on site, of who buys political ads as well as the time, placement and what they cost. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski has pushed to make that information publicly available online, but Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell said the rule encroaches on territory better handled by the Federal Election Commission.

House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., pressed Genachowski at a hearing yesterday on the matter, arguing that all the information requested is currently available through the FEC. The broadcasters oppose the new requirements, while public interest groups claim they would make it easier for the public to gain information about money in politics.

Facebook Adds Former Boehner Aide: Facebook announced the hiring of former Republican aide Greg Maurer this morning as director, public policy. Maurer will help public policy manager Chris Herndon manage outreach efforts in the House and work alongside Louisa Terrell, who leads Senate outreach efforts. Maurer was a longtime aide to current House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and comes to Facebook after working as vice president for corporate affairs at UPS. He will report to Joel Kaplan, who heads Facebook's D.C. office. FCC Moves Forward With Local Community Radio Act: The commission took additional steps on Monday to implement a law designed to encourage the creation of more low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations ahead of Wednesday's open meeting. The agency issued orders that modify the current restrictions on LPFM stations and seeks comments on ways to promote community radio service. Earlier this year an FCC report found the LPFM stations don't interfere with commercial radio stations. Apple to Pay Dividend: Apple announced Monday it would use some of its excess cash to begin paying a quarterly dividend and buy back $10 billion in stock. The $45 billion needed will come from the company's domestic cash reserves, since the $60 billion the firm has parked overseas would be subject to hefty repatriation taxes in order to bring it back to the U.S. Apple told reporters current tax laws discourage U.S. companies from repatriating substantial amounts of foreign cash. The firm also announced it sold three million units of the latest iPad over the weekend, the strongest launch for the device to date. The firm has sold more than 58 million iPads so far. "Conflict Mineral" Reporting Rules Raise Issues: The New York Times has a look at the impact of a provision in the Dodd-Frank financial reform law that requires public companies whose products use certain minerals to report whether they come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The measure was aimed at cutting off the financial support for brutal militia groups in Central Africa that have taken over the mining of "conflict minerals" — including gold and other metals widely used in electronics — to support their military campaigns. Firms say they support the restrictions, but are also looking for some flexibility in how they comply. The law is already showing an impact in the Eastern Congo, where many mines have reduced or stopped production even though the disclosure rules haven't taken effect yet.