This Week in Washington D.C.: Review and Preview from nwyc.com

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REVIEW

“Cap and Trade” Energy Legislation: The House narrowly approved the landmark legislation by a 219-212 vote. The measure would put the Department of Agriculture, rather than the EPA, in charge of special projects to reduce emissions in rural areas. It would not set new greenhouse gas emission standards for aircraft, but does include new standards for motor vehicles and off-road equipment. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. (H.R.2454).

Health Care Package: Senators are looking at ways to lower the cost of a health care draft bill to $1 trillion or less. The action came after an initial cost estimate of the bill was $1.6 trillion over a decade. Under the measure, a portion of employer-paid health insurance premiums could be taxed. The bill could also include a government-run insurance option. Senators are continuing to discuss how to deal with employers who do not cover their workers, which drives up emergency-room costs. The bill will be brought to the floor after the July 4Th recess.

Homeland Security: The House will consider fourteen amendments to a bill that would provide funds for Homeland Security programs. The measure would provide $42.6 billion in fiscal 2010 discretionary funds for the Department of Homeland Security, $205 million less than requested. The measure includes authorizing language governing the handling of Guantánamo Bay detainees. (H.R.2892).

Chemical Facilities Regulations: The House Homeland Security Committee approved a bill along party lines that would require chemical facilities to use safer technologies. It would open the facilities to civil lawsuits if they violate regulations. (H.R.2868).

Defense Authorization: The House passed the $550 billion FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill by a vote of 389 - 22. It extends through FY 2010 authority to provide income equalization payments to reserve personnel experiencing extended and frequent active-duty mobilizations and provides a special monthly allowance to service members recovering from combat or combat-related catastrophic injuries. Also in the bill, a 3.4 percent boost in military pay is included.

Lawmakers are discussing whether to keep expanding ground-based missile defense in Alaska and how to restructure the military commission process for prisoners held at the detention center in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.The administration has threatened to veto any defense authorization bill that includes money for additional F-22 Raptor fighter jets, though the House Armed Services Committee has approved a bill that includes more than $300 million as a down payment to buy 12 F-22s in 2010. (H.R.2647).

Disabled Veterans: The House passed a bill (H.R.2990) to increase the number of disabled veterans eligible for military retired pay and for veterans’ disability compensation. The vote was 404 - 0. The measure would be added to the defense bill (H.R.2467) before the House votes on passage.

Impeachment Proceedings Avoided: Congress was taking steps to impeach District Judge Samuel Kent, who is currently serving a 33-month sentence. Mr. Kent sent the Senate a notice of his resignation, effective June 30, 2009, thus avoiding the need for impeachment.

Satellite Television Bill: An energy subcommittee approved legislation that would reauthorize the law governing the way satellite television carriers distribute local broadcast stations to markets without local affiliates. Negotiators are debating whether to compel satellite providers to broadcast local TV signals to markets that do not receive them. Satellite companies want broadcasters to help cover the cost of reaching these remote markets. (H.R.2994).

Tourism Bill Stalled: After weeks of work, the Senate returned a tourism measure to the calendar to be considered in the future. The bill would have created a nonprofit corporation to promote tourism to the U.S. from overseas. It would be paid for by establishing a $10 fee for foreigners visiting the U.S. (S.1023).

PREVIEW

The House and the Senate will observe a July 4Th recess. The Senate is due to reconvene on July 6. The House is scheduled to return on July 7Th. The Senate will take up the Defense Authorization bill and both chambers will continue work on the health care package. Look for your next R & P Monday, July 13.

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

Cedar Rapids, Iowa U.S. Representative

State of Iowa Senators' Contact Information:

Representative Dave Loebsack
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1502
Phone: (202) 225-6576
Fax: (202) 226-0757
Website: http://Loebsack.house.gov/Webform: http://loebsack.house.gov/contactform/

Senator Charles Grassley
SH-135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501
Phone: (202) 224-3744
Fax: (202) 224-6020
Website: http://Grassley.senate.gov/Webform: grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm

Senator Tom Harkin
SH-731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1502
Phone: (202) 224-3254
Fax: (202) 224-9369
Website: http://Harkin.senate.gov/Webform: harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact

Robin Tucker

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