National Write Your Congressman’s Mission
To encourage
responsible Americans to use their influence in government to preserve the
freedoms set forth by our Founding Fathers.
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Health Care Legislation: House Democratic leaders unveiled a comprehensive health care bill that differs from a Senate health care plan in the way it would finance the overhaul.
Public options are similar in the measures, though the Senate bill is expected to include a provision allowing states to “opt out” of participation if their legislatures pass a law rejecting the plan and their governors sign it. House Democrats want to finance the expansion of insurance coverage by levying a surtax on people earning more than $500,000 a year. Senate Democrats want to levy an excise tax on insurance plans with high premiums. Both the House and Senate bills would create health insurance “exchanges” — regulated marketplaces where people without insurance could shop for coverage. Both would subsidize the purchase of private insurance for low-income people, and both would expand Medicaid.
Floor debate is scheduled for this week. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the legislation would cost less than $900 billion over 10 years, which is President Obama’s spending target for the measure. (H.R.3200)
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Unemployment Compensation: The Senate is expected to vote this week on a measure that would allow unemployed individuals in all 50 states to draw an extra 14 weeks of benefits, with six more weeks available to those in states with a jobless rate exceeding 8.5 percent. (H.R.3548)
Powers of the Fed: Lawmakers are considering draft legislation that would create a Financial Services Oversight Council to determine if firms pose a threat to the economy. It would require the Fed to gain approval from the Treasury secretary before providing money under certain conditions.
Homebuyer Tax Credit: Negotiators have reached an agreement on legislation that would extend the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010, and closed within 60 days. It would also add a $6,500 credit for some owners of existing homes. It is still unclear what measure the proposal will be attached to. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.
Credit Rating Rules: House lawmakers will be considering a bill that would require the Security Exchange Commission to strengthen regulations of credit rating firms. It would require banking regulators to report to Congress on modifications. (H.R.3890)
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