www.nwyc.com
Vol. 14 No. 2-24
Monday, August 2, 2010
REVIEW
Immigration Bill: Democratic members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus renewed their calls for a broad immigration overhaul bill, while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a former ally of Democrats on the issue, said he may introduce a constitutional amendment that would deny citizenship to U.S-born children whose parents are in the country illegally. (H.R.5875) To express your opinion on this issue, go to www.nwyc.com. Energy Measure and Oil Spill Cap: The Senate is preparing a bill for floor action that includes language to hold oil companies liable for all economic damages stemming from any offshore spills they cause. It would eliminate the $75 million cap on economic liability for oil spills. (S.3472)
Small-Business Lending: The Senate stalled in its consideration of a bill that would create a $30 billion small-business lending fund, extend $12 billion in tax breaks and enhance federal programs designed to help small businesses. A stalemate over billions of dollars in domestic funding amendments left both sides frustrated. (H.R.5297)
Educating Seniors About Fraud: The House passed a $150 million bill that aims to educate senior citizens about financial fraud. (S.3494)
Tax Package and Health Care Law: A tax package was pulled from the floor after GOP members threatened to take steps that could change the health care overhaul enacted this year. The GOP motion would have repealed the provision that requires small businesses to file a 1099 form to the IRS for payments of more than $600 made to any vendor during a tax year. It goes into effect in 2012. (H.R.4849)
13 Counts Against Rangel: Rep. Charles Rangel will face a rare public ethics trial in September on charges that he violated House rules in his personal finances and fundraising.
Corporate Political Spending: A House committee approved a bill that would require corporations to give shareholders an annual vote on how much money to spend on political activities. The committee rejected a GOP amendment that would prevent the measure from being enacted until Congress enacts a bill requiring labor unions to obtain approval for their political expenditures and to disclose those activities to members. (H.R.5860)
Financial Services and Generic-Drug Bill: A Senate committee approved a spending bill to fund the Treasury Department, the Small Business Administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The draft bill includes a provision that is expected to hasten enactment of a generic-drug bill that would prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies in order to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market. (S.369)
PREVIEW
Abortion Policy Permanent Repeal in Spending Bill: Senate appropriators approved a $213 billion fiscal 2011 spending bill that includes language to permanently repeal a ban on abortion. The policy barred U.S. financial assistance to any organization that performs or promotes abortion. Repealing it allows assistance to be given to organizations that perform abortions. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) offered the amendment. To express your opinion on this issue, go to www.nwyc.com.
START Treaty: Democratic lawmakers in the Senate are pushing for Republican support of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that is being drafted. The treaty would require both the U.S. and Russia to reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals.
The Week Ahead: With the House out for the August recess this week, the Senate returns for one more week to vote on education jobs funding aid to states and the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.
Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF
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From a more local prospective, what are some of the public policy issues and concerns:
Is it time to eliminate gender to resolve the Marriage or Civil Union debate? From our Christian-Catholic prospective, we continue to view marriage as a sacrament between one man and one women. We can understand the interest in same-sex couples desiring civil unions, however, why not give it a name that defines each relationship? Instead, we have partner #1 and partner #2 in Iowa ...
Same-sex marriage issue focus of competing rallies - The Gazette
The Flood of 2008 is changing some of the landscape in our community ...
Escalators are going down in post-flood Cedar Rapids - The Gazette
The City of Cedar Rapids appears to want to close two blocks of Second Avenue SE, but at what cost to the City, the taxpayers and those who walk, bike and drive through this neighborhood?
Street system could cope with closed Second Avenue - The Gazette
New mandates by City and other changes to Chapter 29 bring lawsuit against the City ...
Landlords of Linn County suing Cedar Rapids over new rules - The Gazette
In closing, there is a new political organization getting started in the State of Iowa and the roots start in the City of Cedar Rapids and the fallout of the Flood of 2008.
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