The R&P Report for Monday, March 14, 2011...

The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman...

REVIEW

Short-Term Government Funding: Lawmakers in the House are moving ahead with another short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would keep federal agencies running past March 18, when the current spending law expires. Republicans and Democrats are able to agree on only two things in the current appropriations debate: Congress should avoid a government shutdown, and funding should be reduced in some areas. Beyond that, lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on how to fund the government through the end of September. The Senate defeated the current CR (H.R.1) by a vote of 44-56.

Spy Agencies: The House Intelligence Committee approved its annual authorization legislation that would set policies and spending for federal intelligence agencies. The bill seeks to limit leaks of classified information. In response to government information that appeared on the website WikiLeaks, the measure aims to make it more difficult to leak information to the public, other governments or rogue agents. The cost of the bill is classified. (H.R.754)

EPA Overreach?: Lawmakers have accused the Environmental Protection Agency of regulatory overreach and indifference to farmers as the agency toughens air quality rules on particulates. In one concession, the EPA said dairies would not be required to develop plans to contain large-scale milk spills. The agency is also expected to approve a blend of 15 percent ethanol in motor fuels for most U.S. vehicles, expanding biofuel markets.

FHA Program Termination: The House passed a measure that would permanently cancel funding for the Federal Housing Administration Refinancing Program which allows underwater borrowers who are current on their loans to refinance into an FHA-insured mortgage if their lender agrees to write off at least 10 percent of their principal. The bill goes next to the Senate. (H.R.830)

Debit Card Fees: Hundreds of small-business owners stormed Capitol Hill in an effort to sink a bipartisan draft bill that that would delay limits on debit card fees charged by banks.

PREVIEW

Rewriting No Child Left Behind:

A group Suspected Terrorist Detainees: Lawmakers in the House and Senate are considering legislation that would require all future detainees to be held in military, not civilian, custody unless the Secretary of Defense explicitly granted a waiver. That provision is aimed at limiting the likelihood of criminal trials in civilian courts, even for terror suspects detained within the U.S. The House version would bar families of current Guantánamo detainees from visiting them. The Senate version would not.

Pentagon Programs Funding Squeeze: In a draft bill, the Senate Budget Committee delivered a bipartisan message to the Defense and State departments that called for budget cuts even in the midst of war to help address the national debt.

2012 Budget Cuts: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), chairman of the House Budget Committee, announced he will unveil a fiscal 2012 budget resolution next month. The measure is expected to propose changes to entitlement programs — possibly including Medicaid and Medicare — that most experts agree are the major drivers behind the ballooning federal deficit. For more information and to voice your opinion on this issue, click here.

Public Broadcasting Corporation Funding: Lawmakers are considering a Senate Democratic amendment to a House-passed spending bill that would provide $445 million in funding to the PBC for fiscal 2013. The House-passed spending bill would zero out CPB funding for fiscal 2013. Democratic lawmakers trying to fend off GOP efforts to ban funding for public broadcasting say their work was made tougher when a video surfaced this week showing an National Public Radio executive disparaging the GOP and tea party members. (H.R.1) Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

The Week Ahead: The House is expected to once again take the lead on a short-term CR aimed at preventing a government shutdown which the Senate would have to clear before the current extension expires by week’s end. The Senate is scheduled to vote on a judicial nomination and a small business technology bill before addressing the CR.

Locally, what's happening in government affairs?

• Look for Mayor Ron Corbett and the City Council to announce the Charter Review Commission at the first City Council meeting in April. The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking applicants to fill the final positions for the proposed 13 member citizen board/commission


• Debate continues in Iowa over enforcing records, meeting laws - The Gazette
  DES MOINES — Attorney General Tom Miller says people who criticize his enforcement of Iowa’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws as too lax are mistaken...

State of Iowa will honor final WWI vet to pass: Frank Woodruff Buckles

Half-staff flags to honor Cpl. Frank Buckles, World War I vets - WaterlooCedarFalls Courier
Mar 14, 2011 ... Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset Tuesday in honor ... Buckles was the last known surviving American veteran of World War I. Born in Missouri, Buckles died Feb. ...

Defense.gov News Article: Last American WWI Veteran Dies - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 – Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, died yesterday at his ...

Robin Tucker

Monday, March 7, 2011 ...

This past Saturday was exciting to see Iowa upset #6 Purdue to close out the Big Ten regular season. The Creighton Bluejays season ended at the hands of Missouri State in the semifinals, after beating UNI in the quarterfinals of the men's Arch Madness game in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Washington High School had WPA on Thursday night. We enjoyed the pre-dance festivities involving many youngsters and parents.

We are less than two months away from the May 3Rd Local Option Sales Tax vote. How should a flood protection system be funded by the City of Cedar Rapids? Should local option sales tax money be used to help fix our roads that have been hit with deferred maintenance? It is an important community conversation.

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, March 7Th had a program on the new Events Center for Cedar Rapids. The U.S. Cellular Center and Five Season's Hotel will be renovated and a new convention center will be added, with additional parking.

Last week, the Washington Warriors saw the ladies fall in the First Round of the girls State basketball tournament. On Wednesday, the boys will play Linn-Mar in the First Round of the boys State basketball tournament.

We received this week's R&P Report by fax, so it's not as easy to pass on.

In Washington D.C., the Federal Government voted to extend the government for another two weeks. Will legislation be hammered out that will avoid a government shutdown at the end of the week?

The U.S. House passed H.R. 4 Small Business Paperwork Mandate, which will repeal the 1099 reporting expansion to include payments of $600 or more to corporations. The bill now goes to the Senate.

H.R. 662 Highway Funding passed the U.S. House last week. This is a multi year law reauthorizing extension of federal-aid highway, highway safety, transit and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund.

Preview of this week in Washington ...

• Arab Pro-Democracy: Democrat sponsored legislation pushing for more aid for Arab pro-democracy movements.
• Abortion Funding: H.R. 3 to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions. The bill would not pertain to cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is danger.
• Rewriting No Child Left Behind
• Medicare Accountability
• Defense of Marriage Bill: H.R. 875 would allow funds for the House to defend in court the Defense of Marriage bill, when on Feb. 23 the Obama administration announced that it would abandon its legal defense of the law.
• Patent Law Revision: S. 23 would make "first to file" - instead of "first to invent" - the guiding principle behind awarding patents.
• National Defense and Spending Cuts: Both political parties are in disagreement over extent of GOP proposed cutbacks to department funding

For more information, we recommend you join http:/www.NWYC.com. A great source for what is going on in Congress.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman for the week of Monday, January 31st ...

A service of National Write Your Congressman

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 15 No. 3
Monday, January 31, 2011

REVIEW

Medicare: House GOP members are considering a draft measure to privatize Medicare that would be included in their alternative to President Obama’s annual budget. Under one scenario, people who turn 65 on or after January 1, 2021, would receive a voucher to buy private insurance in the “exchanges” expected to be formed by the new health care law. Meanwhile, the eligibility age for Medicare would increase incrementally from its current 65 years of age to 69 for those born in 2022 and later.

Balanced Budget Amendment: Republicans in the House have introduced a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. The measure, which would require two-thirds approval of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states, would require that federal spending in any year not exceed total revenue, cap federal spending at 20 percent of gross domestic product and require the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress every year. The amendment would also require a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Presidential Campaign Spending: The House passed the first in what promises to be a series of measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit, starting with ending a program that provides public funding during presidential elections. The bill would terminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the move would reduce mandatory spending by $617 million over 10 years. (H.R. 359) Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Race to the Top: President Obama urged Congress to model a rewrite of federal education law on the administration’s signature competitive grant, Race to the Top. The program provides federal money to states that tie teacher pay to student achievement, adopts common curriculum standards and expands charter schools, among other strategies.

Small-Business Programs: The Senate cleared by unanimous consent a four-month extension of small-business programs through May 31. The goal of the programs is to make funds more readily available to small business owners. (H.R. 366)

Senate Rule Changes: The Senate approved a standing order curtailing “secret holds” that senators use to anonymously block legislation and nominations. Party leaders agreed that majority Democrats will allow Republicans to offer more amendments to bills, and in return Republicans will not block legislation from coming to the Senate floor for consideration. Lawmakers also approved an order to prevent senators from forcing the reading of legislation or an amendment if the text has been available for 72 hours. New rules also eliminate the requirement for Senate confirmation of hundreds of executive nominations. Democrats were unable to get the two-thirds support necessary for approval for filibuster changes, including a measure that would have required senators to continuously talk if they want to filibuster legislation or a nomination.

PREVIEW

Federal Education Law: A panel of Senate members on the Education and Workforce Committee will begin hearings on the long-stalled rewrite of the No Child Left Behind program the week of Feb. 7.

Oil Spill Legislation: House and Senate Democratic leaders vowed to make oil spill legislation a top priority for the 112Th Congress, with two draft bills introduced in the House and a leading Senate Democrat promising to develop bipartisan legislation in the near future. The measures would establish new safety standards and improve oversight of the offshore oil industry.

Patriot Act: The chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary committees will consider dueling proposals to reauthorize three sections of the anti-terrorism law known as the Patriot Act, which is set to expire at the end of February.

Nuclear Security: Pres. Obama announced plans to establish a jointly financed nuclear security center in China.

The week ahead: The House is in recess and is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 8. The Senate is expected to address oil spill legislation and continue work on measures that would help balance the budget.

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Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

Interesting to note that the House is not in session for this week. Out of Florida, Federal Judge has ruled that Obama health care law is unconstitutional. Headlines on Tuesday, February 1 ...

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for Monday, January 24, 2011 ...

A service of National Write Your Congressman
www.nwyc.com

Vol. 15 No. 2
Monday, January 24, 2011

The 112Th Congress is now in session. It’s leaders include:

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
• Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
• 53rd Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH)
• House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA)
• House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
  
  

REVIEW

Memorial Observances: After a week long pause to reflect on the shootings in Arizona that left six dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) critically injured, the House reconvened on Monday last week. The Senate remained on recess until Jan. 25.

Repealing the Health Care Law: After seven hours of debate, the House passed a measure (245-189) to repeal the health care law. The bill goes next to the Senate, where it is not expected to reach the floor of the Democrat–led chamber. President Obama has vowed to veto the repeal. Lawmakers also passed a resolution calling for legislation to replace the health care law. (H.R.2)

Regulatory Reform: President Obama passed an executive order that requires federal agencies to review health and safety regulations to determine if they are too burdensome on businesses, in which case they may be changed or repealed. The President sent two memorandums directing enforcement agencies to make compliance information easily accessible online and to look for ways to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. While Republicans had hoped to take the lead in regulatory reform, and say this proposal is remarkably similar to theirs, most are praising the move.

Stop the Overprinting: The House considered a bill that would eliminate a current requirement that copies of all bills and resolutions introduced by members of Congress automatically be printed. It would require that bills and resolutions be made available in electronic format accessible on the Internet and printed at members’ request. (H.R.292)

Mine Safety: Democratic lawmakers in the House called for passage of stricter mine safety regulations after a preliminary report blamed the fatal explosion at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine on a series of safety violations.

PREVIEW

House Tax Reporting: The House and Senate plan to considered separate measures that would repeal the 1099 requirement in the health care law that calls for businesses to report to the IRS any payment over $600 made to a vendor. The requirement is estimated to bring in $19.2 billion over 10 years. The Senate’s repeal draft bill would include an offset of $39 billion in spending rescission's. ( H.R.4)

Spending Limits: The House is expected to vote on a resolution that would require the Budget Chairman, Paul Ryan (R-WI) to move toward setting non-security discretionary spending limits at fiscal 2008 levels. Democrats criticized the GOP rule, which they say would give Rep. Ryan too much power. Republicans countered that the authority was necessary to set enforceable spending limits since Congress failed to enact a budget resolution for fiscal 2011.

Tax Code Overhaul: The House Ways and Means committee has begun a series of hearings to tackle what could be the most significant corporate and individual tax overhaul in 25 years. Under the microscope are corporations that outsource jobs overseas and tax breaks for big oil and gas companies.

Medical Malpractice: The House is expected to address legislation that would revamp the medical malpractice liability system. Many GOP members blame it for increasing health care costs, while many Democrats says patients deserve to be compensated when they have been injured at the hands of their physicians.

Reducing Federal Spending: Lawmakers in the House are preparing a measure that would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over 10 years,

The Week Ahead: The House will consider medical malpractice legislation. The Senate is expected to address the 1099 issue as it returns to Capitol Hill.

The Senate and House meet in a joint session Tuesday night to hear President Obama’s State of the Union speech.

The House this week considers a resolution to reduce fiscal 2011 appropriations at least to fiscal 2008 levels. The House also considers a bill to end public financing of presidential campaigns and party nominating conventions.

House and Senate committees hold hearings on the health care overhaul.

The Senate could continue debate on an overhaul of its rules, including those on filibusters, which the chamber had discussed before it recessed Jan. 5. Look for your action alert later today!

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Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

The year 2011 will be an interesting year for public policy at all levels, local, regional, state and Federal. At the Federal and State levels, we will likely continue to see the Tea Party movement to unfold. However, they appear focused more on Federal, than local issues.

At the State and local levels, the budget process will be extremely tight in 2011. In our local community of Cedar Rapids:

• The Home Rule Charter is up for review for the City of Cedar Rapids
• We will have redistricting across the State of Iowa. Iowa will lose a U.S. House member for the 2012 election
• The City's FY 12 budget will be discussed heavily in the month of February
• Changes to Chapter 69 of the municipal code have been recommended by the local civil rights commission
• The City of Cedar Rapids will likely look to extend the Local Option Sales Tax for 20 years with a proposed May vote
• Some in the City suggest that the City should revert back to our old form of government
• The City will have elections in November for District 2, 4 and one at-large position

Robin Tucker

First R&P Report for 2011, the 112Th Congress and the Assassination Attempt on Congresswomen

A service of National Write Your Congressman

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 15 No. 1
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The 112Th Congress is now in session. It’s leaders include: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 53rd Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

REVIEW

The Senate: The new session of the Senate began with the traditional swearing-in of reelected and newly elected members. After the ceremony and the opening prayer, Vice President Biden administered the oath-of-office for 31 senators, which includes 16 new senators. Though they maintained the majority, Democrats lost six seats after the November mid-term elections resulting in the make-up of the current Congress at 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and two Independents.

The House: After the swearing in of members and the election of , the new session of the House included a reading of the U.S. Constitution. The House is made up of 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats.

The Constitution allows Congress to determine the rules for its proceedings on the first day of a new session.

House Rules: The first order of business in the House was a rules package that covers scheduling (how many days worked, when votes can and cannot occur), the terms and conditions for debating bills (all bills will cite their constitutional authority and be posted online for 72 hours before a vote) and allows electronic devices on the floor of the chamber. The package passed 240-191.

Senate Rules: Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) proposed three additions to Senate rules regarding filibusters. They state that senators must remain on the floor to maintain the filibuster; if a motion to proceed passes, then a cloture vote must be taken immediately to prevent delays by opposing senators; and senators may not put “secret holds” on bills. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called the attempt “a brazen power grab.” Negotiations continue. No vote was taken.

Health Care: The House on Friday cleared a key procedural hurdle in repealing the landmark health care law, voting 236-181 largely along party lines to move ahead to next week's final vote on repeal. In their effort to preserve the law, Democrats pointed to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that estimates repealing the overhaul would increase the national deficit by an estimated $230 billion over 10 years. But GOP members said Democrats “rigged the CBO score” on the overhaul by forcing the budget office to ignore $115 billion needed to implement the law, double-counting $521 billion in Social Security payroll taxes, premiums on a new long-term insurance program, cuts to Medicare and other moves. The unbiased CBO is completing a more detailed report. (H.R.2)

Highway and Transit Funding: Lawmakers in the House and Senate are working to adopt a transportation funding bill for the nation's aging highway system. The House adopted a rule that would make it easier to cut highway and transit spending by allowing certain motor-fuel taxes to be used on projects other than highways. Prior to the rule change, the House was barred from considering legislation that would shortchange authorized highway and transit spending levels.

Pay Cut for Congress: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) introduced a draft bill that would cut the salary of Congress members by 5 percent. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue or go to www.nwyc.com .

Congressional Budget Cuts: In a first act of the new Congress, lawmakers adopted a resolution to reduce the amount lawmakers may authorize for salaries and expenses of committee members, staffers and leadership offices in 2011 and 2012.

PREVIEW

The week ahead: The House of Representatives has postponed all legislative action for this week in wake of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and 17 others, according to the office of Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA). The Senate will deliberate the debt limit after Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned that the government will hit its limit as early as March 31. Congress must also find a way to fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2011 after a stopgap funding measure expires March 4. The Senate is on recess until January, 25.

Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

*** *** ***

It was tragic news on the assassination attempt of a Congresswomen from Arizona and then the complete disregard for human life in the shooting of 18 others in attendance at the gathering. We have family that are represented by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Family also apparently live near the neighborhood of the shooter, who has been arrested on Federal charges.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the victims, the family and friends, the NW Tucson and Pima County community, as well as our nation, after the murder of five people and the wounding of 14 others. Sadly, two Federal employees, including a U.S. Federal judge and social worker on the Congresswomen's staff; in additon to a nine year old girl and three senior citizens, who are all victims to this tragic event.

Violence like this may test our Republic. It may lead to recommendations that It can be an attack on our freedoms found in the U.S. Constitution, such as the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances. - First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Robin Tucker

Update on the Lame-Duck Session of Congress from National Write Your Congressman ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-34
Monday, December 20, 2010

REVIEW

Congress is currently holding a lame-duck session which includes lawmakers who are not slated to continue to hold office.

Bush-era Tax Cuts: An $858 billion tax cut package that President Obama negotiated with Senate Republicans was signed by the president on Friday. The Senate passed the two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts earlier last week and sent the package to the House. In the House, a coalition of moderate House Democrats and Republicans passed the compromise package by a vote of 277-148, thereby avoiding widespread tax increases next year. The bill will extend unemployment benefits for 13 months, including making them retroactive to Nov. 30, when they expired. The legislation will reinstate the estate tax through 2012 at the rate of 35 percent with a $5 million exemption, and it will include a payroll tax holiday that will reduce employee payroll taxes in 2011 by 2 percentage points, from a 6.2 percent rate to a 4.2 percent rate. Employees making $50,000 a year will save about $1000 in payroll taxes under the new plan. (H.R.4853)

Omnibus Spending Bill: Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to pass a $1.108 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill last week, giving in to pressure from GOP members who criticized the measure. The catch-all spending package is almost 2,000 pages long and is said to contain an estimated $8 billion in earmarks. Congress is expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. (H.R.3082)

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): Lawmakers in the Senate officially began debating the new arms control treaty with Russia last week. They could consider as many as 70 amendments, which makes a vote on the treaty during the lame duck session increasingly unlikely.

Anti-Spoofing: The House cleared a measure that would make it illegal to use so-called caller ID “spoofing” for fraudulent or other harmful purposes. It would set maximum civil and criminal fines at $10,000 for each violation or $30,000 daily for continuing violations. It goes next to the President’s desk to be signed into law. (S.30)

Food Safety Bill: The Senate passed a comprehensive food safety bill by voice vote on Sunday night, sending the measure back to the House to clear for the president's signature. (S.510)

Ethanol Provisions: A bloc of House Democrats is working to build support for changes to energy provisions included in the tax package the Senate recently passed. At least 30 Democrats signed a letter to party leaders calling for a reduction in ethanol subsidies and the elimination of incentives for coal-based transportation fuels in the package.

Defense Authorization: The House and Senate are completing a fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill stripped of its most controversial elements. A provision that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” provision is gone. Also missing is a Senate Armed Services provision that would have allowed privately funded abortions to be performed in military hospitals. The final version of the measure neither endorses nor prevents additional spending on an alternative engine for F-35 fighters — a program that has divided lawmakers and triggered a veto threat. (H.R.6523)

Fraudulent Sales: The House cleared legislation that would ban an online sales practice, known as “data pass,” in which merchants share consumer information with certain third-party companies. The bill targets online sales practices in which third-party companies try to sell shoppers additional items while they are completing online purchases from the initial merchants. It goes next to the President’s desk.(S.3386)

PREVIEW

The Week Ahead: Lawmakers in the Senate will continue to work on the START treaty and could consider a defense authorization measure. They blocked the DREAM Act, an immigration measure (H.R.5281) that would provide a path to citizenship for adult children of illegal immigrants. Click here to voice your opinion on the DREAM Act.

Senate lawmakers also passed a stand-alone bill that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, the House also passed the measure. In the House, lawmakers are expected to pass a $725 billion stripped-down version of the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill. The Senate could clear the bill for the President by unanimous consent soon thereafter. Go to http://www.nwyc.com/ to get the latest updates on these rapidly changing issues.

*** *** ***

To better help keep up on what is going on in Washington D.C., we have joined National Write Your Congressman. I first learned about nwyc.com back when I came back to Cedar Rapids from Omaha in 1988. My father was a member and suggested it to me. As a member, we get periodically, often every Monday, when Congress is in session, the R & P Report.

We are glad to see the so-called "Bush Tax Cuts" were extended. We would have preferred them to simply be made permanent, so that we could have moved on with future Federal public policy, rather than get stuck in the past arguments.

We want to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings. May the work of the upcoming 112Th Congress in 2011-12 be one that builds on the foundational of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness that the Founding Fathers spelled out. May our Country at all levels promote Limited Government and idea of free markets. We need to encourage of the things we think, say and do:

• FIRST: Is it the TRUTH?
• SECOND: Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• THIRD: Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
• FOURTH: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Robin Tucker

Update on the Lame-Duck Session from National Write Your Congressman ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-30
Monday, November 22, 2010
REVIEW

R & P Report for the Lame-duck Session of the 111Th Congress

Lame-duck Session (includes lawmakers who are not slated to continue to hold office)

Earmarks Ban: House Republicans agreed by unanimous consent to extend an earmark moratorium through the 112th Congress. Although the ban only applies to House Republicans, it is expected to effectively end the practice for the entire House because the GOP will control the floor next year, and leaders have said they will not bring up bills that include earmarks.

Rep. Rangel Censured: The House Ethics Committee voted 9-1 to recommend that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) be censured on 11 counts of breaking House rules and that he pay his unpaid taxes tied to his “financial misconduct.” If the entire House accepts the recommendation, the Harlem lawmaker will be required to stand in the well of the House chamber and receive a formal rebuke.

Medicare Payments: The Senate passed a one month extension of the current Medicare physician payment rates.

Energy Bill Postponed: Any possibility of an energy bill being passed this year, before the new Congress is seated, was eliminated when a vote on a bill to promote natural gas and electric cars was cancelled.

Unemployment Insurance: The House voted not to extend the rules and pass the bill that would extend beyond Nov. 30 a program providing the long-term unemployed with an additional 13 weekly checks. (H.R.6419)

Food safety: Lawmakers in the Senate have inserted language into a food safety bill that would allow small farms and processors to stay in business. The measure would allow the Food and Drug Administration to order food recalls and regulate imported food. (H.R.2749) (S. 510)

Sex Trafficking: Objections to the cost of the bill have stalled a measure in the Senate that would authorize $45 million over three years for grants in an effort to stop sex trafficking of minors. (S.2925)

Health Care Law Opt Out: A Republican and a Democratic senator introduced a draft bill that would move up the date allowing states to opt out of certain obligations in the new health care law - including the requirement that all people purchase health insurance. To be eligible for waivers, states would offer alternatives that federal regulators deem as effective and affordable as those the law requires.

Gender Gap Bill: Senators voted 58-41 against a motion that would have stopped debate and brought a bill aiming to narrow the gender gap in wages to the floor for a vote.

PREVIEW

The New Congress: The 112th Congress is scheduled to run from Jan.5, 2011 to Jan. 3, 2013, during what will be the third and fourth years of Barack Obama's presidency.

Middle Class Tax Cuts: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said the House would vote on an extension of middle class tax cuts for middle class families, but the country could not afford tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. (S.3793)

Dream Act: President Obama is urging Congress to pass during the lame–duck session an immigration measure giving a route to legal status for illegal immigrants’ young adult children who go to college or join the military for two years. An estimated 2.1 million fit the criteria. About 800,000 would be expected to complete the requirements. (H.R.1751) (S.3827)

Fiscal 2011 Appropriations: The stopgap appropriations measure funding the government expires Dec. 3. Congress is considering a continuing resolution.

Post-Thanksgiving: Congress is scheduled to be in session Nov.29 - Dec. 17. Both Houses: Will consider a continuing resolution to fund the government. The Senate: Is expected to address the defense authorization act along with the strategic arms reduction treaty (START) with Russia.

The House: The White House is urging the House to clear a Senate-passed child nutrition bill (S.3307), but objections over funding has stalled action

The 112Th Congress will take session in January 2011, as the R&P Report mentioned. All five congressmen in the State of Iowa were retained, as well as Senior Senator Chuck Grassley.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for Monday, October 4, 2010 ...

www.nwyc.com The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman

Vol. 14 No. 2-29

Monday, October 4, 2010

REVIEW

Voting Day Reminder: midterm elections Nov. 2.

Small-Business Bill: The House cleared a small-business measure sending it to the Funding the Government: The House cleared a stopgap funding measure to ensure the federal government will keep running while Congress is out for the midterm elections recess. As the last major item on the agenda before lawmakers head for the campaign trail, the continuing resolution was sent to the President for a signature. (H.R.3081)

Federal Election Act: The House passed a measure to prohibit certain state election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns. (H.R.512)

Plain Writing Act: The House passed a bill on to the White House that would require the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple easy-to-understand language. The bill’s final version passed the House by a vote of 341-82. Earlier last week, it received unanimous consent in the Senate. (H.R.946)

Expiring Tax Cuts: House Democrats punted a vote on extending the 2001 and 2003 (Bush) tax cuts until after the elections.

Financial Services Overhaul: In the first major legal challenge to the implementation of the financial services overhaul enacted this summer, two key business lobbies pressed a federal judge to overturn a new rule giving shareholders power to install or oust members of corporate boards of directors.

Child Nutrition: Despite the President’s push for action, the House put off consideration of a Senate-passed child nutrition bill until the lame-duck session. To help offset new spending on school nutrition programs, the bill taps $2.2 billion from a temporary boost in food stamp benefits scheduled in 2013. (S. 3307)

Water and Chemical Plant Security: For the third time in four years, lawmakers are set to extend the existing authority of the Department of Homeland Security to regulate chemical facilities that present high levels of risk. The provision is in the fiscal 2011 small-dollar stopgap spending bill and is the latest signal that lawmakers are struggling over how strictly the department should police the industry. (H.R.3081)

Minority Class Action Settlements: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) blamed Republican opposition for blocking the Senate from ratifying settlements of longstanding legal claims by black farmers and American Indians. Fraud and lax oversight in awards made in past settlements were sighted as a reason for concern.

Cuba Travel: A House committee is expected to mark up a bill this year that would lift the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba. (H.R.4645)

Military Budget Cuts: Adm. Mike Mullen said the military was near a “tipping point” where reductions could make it unable to meet its requirements. “We need to fund the war we are in because I have people on the front line sacrificing their lives,” he said and urged lawmakers not to cut funds for weapons.

Fallen Soldiers’ Insurance: The House passed a bill that would require insurance companies to provide increased transparency when dealing with the families of fallen soldiers. The measure is in response to questions about how Prudential was explaining benefits available to families of deceased service members. Rather than giving them the opportunity to receive lump sum settlements, Prudential was automatically putting their money into “retained asset accounts,” where the company can earn interest on any money not drawn out of the account. (H.R.5993)

PREVIEW

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: The military is now reviewing the results of surveys it requested from service members and their families about ending the ban on openly gay individuals serving in the military. Almost half a million military personnel were surveyed. Congress is expected to revisit the issue after the elections.

The Week Ahead: The House and the Senate are on recess until after the midterm elections. They are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill Nov. 15.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

Other News on the Campaign Trail ...

Voting has begun for the November 2Nd Midterm Election in Iowa!

Satellite voting begins today at the River of Life Church @ 3801 Blairs
Ferry RD NE. Hours are Noon to 6PM. - from http://twitter.com/lc_elections

October 4, 2010 WATCH LIVE: Branstad Meets With Editorial Board - The Gazette

The Gazette editorial board is meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad today, starting at 1:30 p.m...

Prior to meeting with the Gazette Editorial Board, Terry Branstad was the program at the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, October 4Th.

Miller-Meeks will work hard for Iowa‎ -Muscatine Journal
While Miller-Meeks has participated in telephone town halls, there is nothing like actually meeting people to gauge their sincerity and commitment. ...

"Mariannette Miller-Meeks has proven that she's ready to take on Democrat
incumbent Dave Loebsack, a Washington insider who has blindly supported his
party's failed agenda of job-killing policies and reckless spending.
Mariannette's campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican
candidates in Iowa and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses
continue to force their..." - NRCC Chariman Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Miller- Meeks Campaign: Mariannette Miller- Meeks advances to top level of ... - IowaPolitics.com (press release)
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) has reached 'Young Gun' status, the premiere ...

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman for Monday, September 27, 2010 ...

http://www.nwyc.com/

Vol. 14 No. 2-28

Monday, September 27, 2010

REVIEW

Voting Day Reminder: midterm elections Nov. 2.

Small-Business Bill: The House cleared a small-business measure sending it to the President to sign into law. The bill would establish a $30 billion lending fund to provide community banks with capital for small business loans. The measure includes $12 billion in tax incentives aimed at small businesses. It would revive an expired bonus-depreciation provision and allow all capital gains from certain small-business stock to be excluded from taxation. (H.R. 5297)

National Defense Bill: The bill is on hold after Democrats amended it with a provision that would extend legal status and a path to citizenship for certain children of illegal aliens. It also included language that would eliminate the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Lawmakers voted not to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. (S.3454)

Expiring Tax Cuts: Senate Democrats signaled that they are unlikely to schedule a vote on extending the expiring 2001 and 2003 (Bush) tax cuts before Congress leaves Capitol Hill for the campaign trail this week. (S.3816)

Cyber-security: The leader of the Pentagon’s Cyber Command asked lawmakers to continue to provide funding to the new unit as it works to find ways to combat threats to computer networks. (S.773) (S.3480)

Food Safety: A Senate Committee approved a measure to strengthen criminal penalties for companies and individuals that knowingly violate food safety standards. The bill would increase penalties for distributing tainted food products and establish fines and prison sentences of up to 10 years for violations. Under the measure, such an offense would be a felony. (S 3767)

“Fair Elections Fund”: A House panel approved a bill that would provide public financing of congressional elections to the House. It would provide primary and general election candidates who abide by certain restrictions with federal financial support from a newly created “Fair Elections Fund” and would receive 400 percent matching payments for certain small-dollar contributions. The bill would use proceeds from spectrum (electromagnetic wavelengths) auctions to help finance political campaigns. (H.R.6116)

Click here to express your opinion or go to www.nwyc.com

Campaign Finance Bill: The Senate again rejected (59-39) an effort by Majority Leader Harry Reid to call up a campaign finance disclosure measure. GOP members united against the bill. (S.3628)

Prescription Drug Monitoring: The House passed a bill aimed at preventing drug abuse. It would reauthorize a program to assist states in monitoring prescription drug use and would authorize $15 million for fiscal 2011 and $10 million annually from fiscal 2012-2013. (H.R.5710)

Autism Grant: The House passed a measure to expand aid to those with autism and their families. The bill would authorize $17 million annually for fiscal 2012-16 for grants for services rendered to children and adults with autism. (H.R. 5756)

PREVIEW

Continuing Resolution (CR): The Senate is expected to pass a short-term CR to fund most government operations past the end of the 2010 fiscal year. It may contain extra funding for the Pell Grant program for low-income college students.

Child Nutrition: The House is expected to consider legislation that would authorize the first increase in decades for per-meal reimbursement to schools. (S.3307) (H.R.5504)

China Currency: The House is expected to advance a bill aimed at China’s currency practices. Many experts say that China maintains the yuan at an artificially low value to keep Chinese exports cheap and imports expensive. (H.R.2378)

The Week Ahead: Before Oct. recess, lawmakers in both chambers will address a CR to keep the government funded. The House is expected to address a loan guarantee program for home construction and a child nutrition measure. The Senate will address a Social Security payroll tax bill.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

Early voting has begun for the 2010 General Election on November 2, 2010 in the State of Iowa.

Both parties pushing the early vote - The Des Moines Register

• Need to Register to Vote in Iowa? pdf link!
• Obtain an Absentee Ballot in the State of Iowa

News on Miller-Meeks campaign in the 2Nd Congressional District of Iowa.

Miller-Meeks for Congress » Welcome
Miller-Meeks within 1 point of Loebsack, 41-40% (September 16th ... 09-20-2010 MILLER-MEEKS FOR CONGRESS EVENT SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 20-25 ...

Miller-Meeks wants less stimulus, lower taxes - ‎UI The Daily Iowan
"And that will require a change in Congress." Miller-Meeks spoke to a small group of people Sunday in Iowa City about the changes she wants to bring to ...

AFL-CIO sends out more campaign mailers in Iowa‎ - DesMoinesRegister.com (blog)
A union group is sending out more mailers that promote two Iowa Democrats seeking re-election to Congress.

American Future Fund Political Action: Endorses Mariannette Miller ...‎ - IowaPolitics.com (press release)

Miller-Meeks changes stance on Social Security privatization‎ - Mason City Globe Gazette

If you are in Cedar Rapids and have questions regarding voting, please contact me at my office at 319.366.7791 x 103. It is important that we participate in our election process.

Robin Tucker

R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman for Monday, September 20, 2010 ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-27
Monday, September 20, 2010

REVIEW

Small Business Bill: The Senate passed (61-38) a package of provisions that would establish a $30 billion lending fund designed to help community banks make loans to small businesses. Most Republicans voiced opposition to the provision saying it is an unwarranted government handout to banks. The bill would also provide $12 billion in tax breaks and enhance federal programs that support small businesses. (H.R.5297)

1099 Requirement: The Senate failed to pass an amendment to the small business bill that would have revised or eliminated the provision in the new health care law that requires businesses to file a 1099 tax form when they pay a vendor more than $600 in a year. That provision has been a source of anger and protest from small businesses and their representatives in Washington. (H.R.5297)

Rural Energy Savings Act: The House passed a bill that would provide $4.9 billion in federal funding for low-interest loans to rural customers to implement energy efficiency measures. (H.R.4785)

Coal Industry and EPA Authority: Coal industry supporters are weighing new lines of attack on the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions after Senate Democrats canceled a markup of the agency’s annual spending bill. (S. 3454)

Overseas Contractor Reform Act: In an effort to enforce stricter penalties and provide more oversight of overseas contractors who provide poor services, the House passed a bill that states that no government contracts or grants should be awarded to individuals or companies who violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. (H.R.5366)

Food Safety: The Senate placed a food safety bill on hold until after the Nov. 2 elections. The bill is designed to strengthen the FDA’s food safety enforcement powers. Those in favor of it say new regulations are necessary now in light of the recent recall of contaminated eggs. Those against the measure say it would authorize spending that is not paid for and would burden industry with new regulations. (S.510)

PREVIEW

Sexual Orientation: A House subcommittee backed a bill designed to advance the government’s understanding of health issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It would call for the collection of data from volunteers who are not minors. Funding has not yet been determined. (H.R.6109)

Click here to express your opinion or go to www.nwyc.com

Tax Extenders: The Senate unveiled a $50 billion package of tax-cut extensions, including a one-year renewal of the R&D credit. The bill would renew dozens of provisions that lapsed at the end of last year that focus on businesses and individuals. Funds to settle class-action lawsuits brought by black farmers and Native Americans are included along with money to retain workers laid off as a result of globalization and to provide jobs for unemployed youths. (H.R.4849)

Stem Cell Research: Anticipating a long debate, Senate Democrats announced they will not take up a bill that would allow federal funding of embryonic stem cell research until after the elections. Lawmakers in the House followed suit. The measure is in response to a judge’s injunction blocking such funding. (S.3766) (H.R.4808)

Defense Bill Path to Citizenship: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said that he would amend the defense authorization bill with a provision to extend legal status and a path to citizenship in some cases for illegal immigrants. The amendment would use language similar to the DREAM Act (H.R.1751) that would give illegal immigrants who came to this country before they were 16 years-old a path to citizenship if they served in the military or met other requirements. (S.3454)

Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

U.S. and Russian Nuclear Stockpiles: A treaty that would restrict each country to a maximum of 1,500 deployed nuclear warheads is headed for the Senate floor. Debate is expected to center on questions of trust between the two countries and on national security.

$699.9 Billion Defense Spending: A Senate panel advanced the defense appropriations draft bill. It includes $157.7 billion for overseas operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is headed to the full Senate for a vote. (H.R.5136)

The Week Ahead: The House is expected to clear a small-business lending measure. The Senate address the defense authorization bill.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

*** *** ***

The General Election will be held in the State of Iowa and nationally on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. We support Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Congress in Iowa's 2Nd Congressional District.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Congress

http://millermeeks.com/news/miller-meeks-for-congress-event-schedule-for-september-20-25 - Miller Meeks for Congress

Event Schedule for the week of September 20-25, 2010 for Miller Meeks ...

http://millermeeks.com/news/nrcc-announces-new-on-the-radar-and-contender-candidates - Miller-Meeks for Congress

Washington - The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) today announced its newest round of 'On the Radar' and 'Contender' candidates. By reaching the first and second step of the three-step 'Young Guns' program, these Republican candidates have reached the ...

Robin Tucker

9/13/2010: Congress has returned from the August and Labor Day recess to Capitol Hill

http://www.nwyc.com/

Vol. 14 No. 2-26
Monday, September 13, 2010

REVIEW

(Congress returned to Capitol Hill today after observing a month-long Summer District Work Period.)

Stem Cell Research: Now that a federal appeals court has lifted a decision, the government is free to once again fund embryonic stem cell research. It is unclear when a final ruling will be made on the issue.

PREVIEW

$26.1 Billion Education, Medicaid Package: The Senate passed Nuclear Arms Treaty: Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) plans a Sept. 16 committee markup for his resolution that would ratify a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. A substitute amendment by ranking minority member Richard Lugar (R-IN) is expected to be included.

Business-Related Tax: About 30 industry trade groups, whose members file their tax returns as individuals, have called on lawmakers to keep the current income tax structure in place even though it is set to expire Dec. 31. The Obama administration has called for top rates to rise on income above $200,000 a year for individuals and $250,000 for couples. That would equal a tax increase of roughly $40 billion next year, compared to today’s rates. The new taxes would impact about half the business-related income reported on individual tax returns, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Click here to express your opinion, or go to www.nwyc.com.

Financial Protection Chief: A battle is headed for the Senate when the White House makes its upcoming decision about who is to lead the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Elizabeth Warren is widely viewed as the President's top candidate to lead the agency. Republicans were almost universally opposed to her, while Banking Committee Chairman, Christopher Dodd (D-CT) raised doubts about her confirmation.

Clean Energy: A coalition of environmental groups and clean-energy advocates are urging Congress to address federal fuel-economy and tailpipe emissions standards.
Homeland Security: Congress will be considering the possible need for a low- and slow-flying armed aircraft to supplement the nation’s alert fighter fleet.

Health Care Spending Up: A report by independent government economists and actuaries projects that the new health care law Congress recently passed will push the growth of national health spending slightly higher during the next decade. The law was designed to curb spending.

The Week Ahead: The House is expected to address a bill dealing with education, spending and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Senate will address the New Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

*** *** ***

Now News on Miller-Meeks for Congress in the IA-2

"For people to say a marketplace will not work in health care, they're
wrong," ~ Dr. Miller-Meeks

Elections 2010: Physicians on the ballot‎ - American Medical News

Dr. Miller-Meeks said she is running for Congress for a second time to preserve the best parts of medicine and to make the health system more ...

Miller-Meeks says it may be time to delay enrollment in Medicare‎ - Radio Iowa
... 2010 An eye doctor from Ottumwa who's running for congress says it may be time to ... Marianette Miller-Meeks, the Republican challenging Democratic ...

We support Miller-Meeks and her commitment to step aside from her medical practice to represent our family and our neighbors throughout the Second Congressional District in Iowa as our next member of Congress. We encourage you to sit down and get to know Mariannette, as we have had the pleasure to do. Election Day is November 2Nd in the State of Iowa. If you would like an absentee ballot, you can visit this site.

US House race, District 2: Family setback threatened congressional ... - ‎DesMoinesRegister.com
She resigned from her practice in January 2009 to campaign full time for Congress. Even though her husband's new job offers insurance, Miller-Meeks, 55, ...

Barbara Grassley stumps for Miller-Meeks‎ - West Liberty Index
... to vote for in the US Congress race when they hit the polls in November. ... Miller-Meeks, who was victorious in the June Republican Primary with 47 ...

Robin Tucker

R&P Report for Monday, August 2, 2010 ...

www.nwyc.com
Vol. 14 No. 2-24
Monday, August 2, 2010

REVIEW

Immigration Bill: Democratic members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus renewed their calls for a broad immigration overhaul bill, while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a former ally of Democrats on the issue, said he may introduce a constitutional amendment that would deny citizenship to U.S-born children whose parents are in the country illegally. (H.R.5875) To express your opinion on this issue, go to www.nwyc.com.

Energy Measure and Oil Spill Cap: The Senate is preparing a bill for floor action that includes language to hold oil companies liable for all economic damages stemming from any offshore spills they cause. It would eliminate the $75 million cap on economic liability for oil spills. (S.3472)

Small-Business Lending: The Senate stalled in its consideration of a bill that would create a $30 billion small-business lending fund, extend $12 billion in tax breaks and enhance federal programs designed to help small businesses. A stalemate over billions of dollars in domestic funding amendments left both sides frustrated. (H.R.5297)

Educating Seniors About Fraud: The House passed a $150 million bill that aims to educate senior citizens about financial fraud. (S.3494)

Tax Package and Health Care Law: A tax package was pulled from the floor after GOP members threatened to take steps that could change the health care overhaul enacted this year. The GOP motion would have repealed the provision that requires small businesses to file a 1099 form to the IRS for payments of more than $600 made to any vendor during a tax year. It goes into effect in 2012. (H.R.4849)

13 Counts Against Rangel: Rep. Charles Rangel will face a rare public ethics trial in September on charges that he violated House rules in his personal finances and fundraising.

Corporate Political Spending: A House committee approved a bill that would require corporations to give shareholders an annual vote on how much money to spend on political activities. The committee rejected a GOP amendment that would prevent the measure from being enacted until Congress enacts a bill requiring labor unions to obtain approval for their political expenditures and to disclose those activities to members. (H.R.5860)

Financial Services and Generic-Drug Bill: A Senate committee approved a spending bill to fund the Treasury Department, the Small Business Administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The draft bill includes a provision that is expected to hasten enactment of a generic-drug bill that would prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies in order to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market. (S.369)

PREVIEW

Abortion Policy Permanent Repeal in Spending Bill: Senate appropriators approved a $213 billion fiscal 2011 spending bill that includes language to permanently repeal a ban on abortion. The policy barred U.S. financial assistance to any organization that performs or promotes abortion. Repealing it allows assistance to be given to organizations that perform abortions. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) offered the amendment. To express your opinion on this issue, go to www.nwyc.com.

START Treaty: Democratic lawmakers in the Senate are pushing for Republican support of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that is being drafted. The treaty would require both the U.S. and Russia to reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals.

The Week Ahead: With the House out for the August recess this week, the Senate returns for one more week to vote on education jobs funding aid to states and the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

*** * ***

From a more local prospective, what are some of the public policy issues and concerns:

Is it time to eliminate gender to resolve the Marriage or Civil Union debate? From our Christian-Catholic prospective, we continue to view marriage as a sacrament between one man and one women. We can understand the interest in same-sex couples desiring civil unions, however, why not give it a name that defines each relationship? Instead, we have partner #1 and partner #2 in Iowa ...

Same-sex marriage issue focus of competing rallies - The Gazette

The Flood of 2008 is changing some of the landscape in our community ...

Escalators are going down in post-flood Cedar Rapids - The Gazette

The City of Cedar Rapids appears to want to close two blocks of Second Avenue SE, but at what cost to the City, the taxpayers and those who walk, bike and drive through this neighborhood?

Street system could cope with closed Second Avenue - The Gazette

New mandates by City and other changes to Chapter 29 bring lawsuit against the City ...

Landlords of Linn County suing Cedar Rapids over new rules - The Gazette

In closing, there is a new political organization getting started in the State of Iowa and the roots start in the City of Cedar Rapids and the fallout of the Flood of 2008.

Robin Tucker

This week's R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-22

Monday, July 19, 2010

REVIEW

Financial Overhaul: The Senate gave final approval to the financial overhaul bill last week. By a vote of 60-39 lawmakers adopted the conference report on the measure. This action sends the bill to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law this week. The bill is designed to prevent a repeat of the near-collapse of the financial system in 2008 that triggered a global recession. (H.R.4173)

Spending Battles: As appropriations subcommittees across Capitol Hill marked up spending bills for the coming year, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) told Congress the nation is in an “emergency” situation because of the growing and unsustainable national debt. Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) proposed caps for individual bills and an overall discretionary spending cap. Neither a budget nor a deeming resolution has been adopted by the Senate.

Oil Spill Bills: A flurry of spill-related measures are being drafted in both chambers. Offshore drilling requirements would call for the Interior Department to perform increased inspections. A competing bill would assign similar powers to the Coast Guard. (H.R. 3534) (H.R.5629)

Improper Payments: The House cleared a bill that aims to reduce the amount of improper payments federal programs make for goods and services. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that $98 billion in improper payments were made in fiscal 2009, and the Government Accountability Office estimated that $72 billion in improper payments were made in 2008. New inspection and report regulations would apply. (S.1508)

Child Nutrition: A child nutrition bill that would increase spending on food programs for infants and youth by $8 billion over a decade has advanced out of a House committee. (H.R.5504)

Flood Insurance Reform Act: The House passed a bill that would extend the maximum amount of severe repetitive loss insurance coverage available. (H.R.5114)

Afghanistan Funding: After receiving reports that billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being shipped out of Afghanistan, rather than being used to rebuild the country, lawmakers attended the first in a series of hearings with the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction. In a supplemental spending bill, the Obama administration requested $3.9 billion for foreign assistance to Afghanistan for fiscal 2011. (H.R.4899)

PREVIEW

Estate Tax: With the idea of a less burdensome estate tax in mind, senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Kyl (R-AZ) are drafting a proposal to replace the version that expired last year. They are expected to attach it to a small-business lending bill that is currently awaiting Senate action. The measure would gradually drop the top estate tax rate to 35 percent, set the per-person exemption at $5 million and index it to inflation. (H.R.5297)

Unemployment Benefits: The Senate is expected to try again to pass a $34 billion extension of unemployment benefits on July 20, assuming a new West Virginia senator is in place by then. Gov. Joe Manchin is due to appoint an interim replacement for the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd by the end of the week. (H.R. 4213)

War Supplemental: A dozen GOP members in the Senate helped Democrats pass a $58.8 billion supplemental war funding bill in May, but they have not lent their support to the $22.8 billion version of the supplemental the House passed earlier this month. The House bill included $10 billion in emergency aid to prevent the expected layoffs of about 138,000 school employees. (H.R.4899)

The Week Ahead: The Senate is expected to continue work on unemployment benefits and the House will address the oil spill related bills.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

You can't forget local government, either. Last week, the City Council in Cedar Rapids passed on the 2Nd and 3Rd reading for a new Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code. Now, in Cedar Rapids, the City will mandate property owners to use an agreement or addendum contract on Crime Free housing, if they are involved in renting a home, room or an apartment.

This is an interesting move by the City of Cedar Rapids. Most cities recommend use of a Crime Free Lease Addendum or Agreement, but this is a requirement on any property, not just multi-family. It would include your own personal home, assuming you want to rent it out. This can be the case, which some have found the case for financial reasons from time to time.

It will be a violation of Chapter 29 ordinance, if you do not use the City's mandated contract. The contract is between private parties and not the City, so many may find this unusual on there personal single family property. It is a City mandated contract between property owner/agent/landlord and the tenants, respectively.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for the week of June 6, 2010...

Getting back into the work flow for the shorter week, after the Independence Day holiday. We received a letter and supporting documentation from Senator Charles E. Grassley on TARP and our concerns over the budget deficits and government spending. It was nice to hear from our Senator about our concerns.

Here's this week's R&P Report from http://www.nwyc.com/

Vol. 14 No. 2-21

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

REVIEW

Unemployment Benefits: The House backed legislation by a vote of 270-153 last week that would revive expired unemployment benefits. The Senate is expected to pick it up when they return from July recess. (H.R.5618)

Immigration Reform Waffling: Lawmakers in the Senate are not expected to introduce an immigration overhaul until they have bipartisan support for the measure, despite President Obama’s recent urging of Congress to address the issue. Democratic party leaders stated they cannot pass a bill without Republican backing.

War Spending Bill Delayed: The House adopted a key amendment to the Senate-passed supplemental war spending bill last week. Democratic leaders put off enactment of the measure hoping that the Senate will agree to add domestic funding. The House package includes a $10 billion provision to help school districts avoid educator layoffs, along with $80 billion to pay for additional troops. (H.R.4899)

Financial Overhaul Legislation: Senate Democrats moved closer last week to securing the 60 votes necessary to approve financial regulatory overhaul legislation and send the bill to the President. It would create a new consumer protection agency and expand powers of the Federal Reserve. (H.R.4173)

Kagan Nomination and Gun Rights: The National Rifle Association announced its opposition to Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court while the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence announced its endorsement of President Obama’s nominee.

Biosecurity Funding: House Democrats have proposed using biosecurity money to offset the cost of student aid provisions in the fiscal 2010 supplemental spending bill. This action drew fire from Republican lawmakers and a number of industry groups, which contend that the move will endanger national security. (H.R.4899)

Rig Explosion Compensation: The House passed a bill aimed at making it easier for victims of the Gulf oil rig explosion to be compensated for injuries and loss of life. The measure passed by voice vote, despite GOP objections about the scope of the bill. (H.R.5503)

$795 Million to Broadband Internet: President Obama is scheduled to announce dozens of new grants to help bring broadband Internet service across the country, as provided for under last year’s economic stimulus law. (H.R.4213)

PREVIEW

Airline Food Violations: Lawmakers are preparing legislation that would seek larger fines for airline catering companies with poor sanitation records. It will press federal regulators to ban the worst offenders from operating at U.S. airports altogether. The measure would raise fines from the current $1,000 per violation to $50,000 per violation. (S.510)

Transit Safety: Legislation that would allow the federal government to oversee transit safety has begun moving in the Senate, but its prospects in the House are not seen as good. The bill would create a certification program that would allow states to carry out their own safety programs, under certain conditions. (S.3015)

Mine Safety: Lawmakers in the House introduced mine safety legislation that backers say would help prevent accidents like the April explosion that killed 29 miners in West Virginia. Federal regulators would have additional power to shut down mines with serious safety violations. Industry groups and GOP members have come out against it saying it oversteps the bounds of government. (H.R.5663)

The Week Ahead: Congress is taking a July the Fourth break. The Senate and the House are scheduled to reconvene on Monday, July 12.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

Robin Tucker