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

Many are concerned what the majority party in Washington D.C. is doing these days to our Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Here's a recap from National Write Your Congressman.

Vol. 14 No. 2-8

Monday, March 15, 2010

REVIEW

Tax Extenders: The Senate sent a package of tax breaks back to the House, bringing lawmakers a step closer to a conference committee on what Democrats are calling their jobs agenda. The Senate voted 62-36 to pass the bill. The tax bill would extend more than $30 billion worth of tax breaks that expired at the end of 2009. It extends, long-term unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless through Dec. 31. Other provisions, such as Medicaid funding assistance to states and physician payment rates under Medicare, would get shorter extensions. The bill is not fully offset, but the tax portion of it is. Because the safety-net spending is considered an “emergency” it is exempt from pay-as-you-go rules. (H.R.4213)

Jobs Measure: The Senate is taking final action on a $17.6 billion package that includes payroll tax relief for businesses that hire new workers. It would cost $13 billion over 10 years. The measure also includes extensions of the Highway Trust Fund, the Build America Bonds program and expense deductions for small businesses. The House passed the bill earlier this month but returned it to the Senate with amendments. (H.R.2847)

Tax on Bonuses: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) fund recipients. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and has 51 cosponsors. Eight other related bills have been introduced into the House.(H.R.1586)

To voice your opinion on this issue, go to www.nwyc.com.

Defense Department - F-35s: The Senate Armed Services Committee learned last week that the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, will cost tens of billions of dollars more than previously disclosed and will be fielded much later than officials recently predicted. The growing costs and schedule-setbacks left Congress members exasperated. Some vowed to continue support of the program only if it is properly managed.

Financial Overhaul: Senate Banking Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) announced plans to introduce his own proposal for overhauling financial regulations. The move came after two failed rounds of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.

Earmarks: With Senate leaders from both parties under pressure to respond to voter anger over congressional spending, lawmakers announced plans to impose restrictions on earmarks. A champion of the “tea party” movement, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is pressing an amendment to impose a one-year ban on all earmarks.

Student Loan Package: Democrats debated wrapping a health care overhaul and a student loan bill into a single budget reconciliation package last week. The legislation would make the federal government the sole originator of student loans. (H.R.3221)

PREVIEW

Health Care Bill - Abortion Funding: Several Democratic lawmakers who supported a blanket ban on abortion funding in the House-passed health care bill have shown signs of wavering, an indication that they may accept the Senate version of the bill. House leaders are positioning for a final vote on health care overhaul legislation as soon as this week, (H.R.3590) (H.R.3962)

FAA Reauthorization: The Senate is continuing work on a bill that would reauthorize the FAA through fiscal 2011. It would expedite the transition to a new air traffic control system and provide airline passengers new “rights” against excessive tarmac delays, (H.R.915)

The Week Ahead: The House is expected to direct its efforts toward health care overhaul legislation, with floor votes possible. The Senate is moving forward on a bill serving as a vehicle for a $17.6 billion jobs measure (H.R.2847).

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

Our Heritage

We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

Another good organization to follow is the Public Interest Institute located in the 2Nd Congressional District in Iowa, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Robin Tucker