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Vol. 14 No. 2-5
Monday, February 15, 2010
REVIEW
Financial Rules Bill: GOP lawmakers are looking to Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) to breathe new life into a bipartisan effort to overhaul financial industry regulations by agreeing to work with Senate Banking Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Talks between the parties broke down last week as lawmakers considered proposals that are aimed at helping prevent another meltdown of financial markets. (H.R.4173)
Greenhouse Gas Regulations: GOP lawmakers are pushing legislation that would block the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate greenhouse gases. While any such measure faces a certain veto from the President, a group of 13 House Republicans have filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA finding that greenhouse gases qualify as a dangerous pollutant. They allege the finding is based on faulty science.
Sanctions on Iranian Human Rights Abusers: A bipartisan group of senators announced that they will soon introduce legislation that would sanction Iranian citizens deemed to have been involved in violating the human rights of their fellow Iranians. The measure would require the President to compile a public list of individuals in Iran who have been complicit in human rights abuses.
PREVIEW
$85 Billion Jobs Proposal: With lawmakers feeling pressure to address high unemployment, senators are considering a slimmed down version of a jobs-creation bill that they hope to push through more quickly than the original version. This draft bill includes payroll tax relief for businesses that hire new workers, extensions of the highway trust fund, a “Build America” bond program and expense deductions for small businesses. The base bill is expected to be brought to the floor when lawmakers return from their President’s Day break. (H.R.2847)
Patriot Act: By reducing the scope a jobs-creation measure, lawmakers in the Senate have effectively deferred action on several controversial counterterrorism acts that Congress had been on track to pass by the end of this month. (S.1692) (H.R.3845)
Health Care: Health care issues were also originally to have been included in the jobs-creation bill. Lawmakers are now making new plans for addressing a fast-approaching cut in Medicare fees for physicians.
War Spending: Lawmakers, some in districts where weapons systems are built, are pressing the Obama administration to request additional appropriations for weapons systems not requested. A push to buy new Super Hornet fighter jets for the Navy and F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets for the Air Force is expected. Shipbuilding advocates are seeking funding for missile defense ships.
Campaign Spending: Lawmakers announced a sweeping new set of proposals to regulate campaign spending by corporations, unions and other powerful entities. The draft measure includes a ban on expenditures by foreign-controlled corporations and by those who received funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The move comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations to make campaign contributions at election time.
Stalled Nominations: Republican Senators agreed to confirm 27 presidential nominees for critical positions in government after months of stalling. The move came after the President threatened to wield presidential power and bypass the Senate in order to appoint the nominees.
The House and Senate are observing their President’s Day district work period. Both chambers are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 22. Jobs-creation legislation is expected to be the first order of business.
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