This week's R&P Report from NWYC ...

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REVIEW

Health Care Bill - Reaction to the President’s Speech: Though the House committees have largely finished their work on a health care overhaul bill, Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-SC) outburst during President Obama’s address to Congress is seen as an indication that illegal immigration will be an issue for conservatives when the bill is on the House floor and amendments may be made.The idea of a surtax has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Before the August recess, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she supported raising the threshold for the tax to pay for the overhaul from $280,000 for individuals to $500,000. Ways and Means member Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) said he thought the surtax, like the entire House bill, was a “non-starter.” (H.R.3200)

Troops in Afghanistan: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said any proposed boost in U.S. combat troops in Afghanistan would be met with extreme skepticism on Capitol Hill. House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) said it is important to remember why troops are in Afghanistan. “America’s security depends on our success in denying al Qaeda breathing room to plot future attacks on the U.S. and our allies,” he said. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

U.S. Tourism: The Senate passed a travel promotion bill that would create a nonprofit corporation to promote the U.S. abroad as a tourist destination. (S.1023)

Tax Standardization: The House passed a bill that would set national standards for taxing insurance products that help guard against catastrophic risks such as earthquakes. (H.R.2571)

Chesapeake Bay Trails: Legislation to authorize permanent funding for a network of Chesapeake Bay trails and waterways passed easily in the House. The bill would authorize funds for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and an education program that focuses on conserving and restoring the watershed. The vote was 311-107. (H.R.965)

Congress in Case of Crisis: The House adopted a resolution to create a joint House-
Senate committee to study ways to ensure that Congress can continue to govern after a natural disaster or terrorist attack that kills or incapacitates a large number of lawmakers. The measure would allow for emergency appointments to replace members who are causalities of a catastrophic emergency.

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Student Loan Bill: The House is expected to vote Sept. 17 on a student loan bill sponsored by Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA). The measure would convert federally subsidized student loans by private lenders to direct government loans, a change the Obama administration has strongly advocated, but one that has incurred criticism from many lenders, loan servicers and universities. (H.R.3221)

Collective Bargaining: A House committee approved a bill to bring Transportation Security Administration employees under the protections of the federal civil service system and allow them to bargain collectively. (H.R.1881)

PREVIEW

In the House, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) plans to introduce a resolution of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting, “You lie!” during the President’s speech concerning health care coverage of illegal immigrants. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

The Senate will continue work on their health care bill. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) said of the bill, “It’s very, very similar,” to the plan the President outlined. Sen. Baucus is part of the “Gang of Six” committee members who have been negotiating for months in an effort to write a bipartisan health care bill.

The Senate will also continue work appropriations bills. That chamber has passed four of the 12 spending bills necessary for the year. After a day of stalled action in the Senate, Democrats accused Republicans of deliberately slowing the process.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider two bills that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.

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