The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman for Monday, September 27, 2010 ...

http://www.nwyc.com/

Vol. 14 No. 2-28

Monday, September 27, 2010

REVIEW

Voting Day Reminder: midterm elections Nov. 2.

Small-Business Bill: The House cleared a small-business measure sending it to the President to sign into law. The bill would establish a $30 billion lending fund to provide community banks with capital for small business loans. The measure includes $12 billion in tax incentives aimed at small businesses. It would revive an expired bonus-depreciation provision and allow all capital gains from certain small-business stock to be excluded from taxation. (H.R. 5297)

National Defense Bill: The bill is on hold after Democrats amended it with a provision that would extend legal status and a path to citizenship for certain children of illegal aliens. It also included language that would eliminate the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Lawmakers voted not to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. (S.3454)

Expiring Tax Cuts: Senate Democrats signaled that they are unlikely to schedule a vote on extending the expiring 2001 and 2003 (Bush) tax cuts before Congress leaves Capitol Hill for the campaign trail this week. (S.3816)

Cyber-security: The leader of the Pentagon’s Cyber Command asked lawmakers to continue to provide funding to the new unit as it works to find ways to combat threats to computer networks. (S.773) (S.3480)

Food Safety: A Senate Committee approved a measure to strengthen criminal penalties for companies and individuals that knowingly violate food safety standards. The bill would increase penalties for distributing tainted food products and establish fines and prison sentences of up to 10 years for violations. Under the measure, such an offense would be a felony. (S 3767)

“Fair Elections Fund”: A House panel approved a bill that would provide public financing of congressional elections to the House. It would provide primary and general election candidates who abide by certain restrictions with federal financial support from a newly created “Fair Elections Fund” and would receive 400 percent matching payments for certain small-dollar contributions. The bill would use proceeds from spectrum (electromagnetic wavelengths) auctions to help finance political campaigns. (H.R.6116)

Click here to express your opinion or go to www.nwyc.com

Campaign Finance Bill: The Senate again rejected (59-39) an effort by Majority Leader Harry Reid to call up a campaign finance disclosure measure. GOP members united against the bill. (S.3628)

Prescription Drug Monitoring: The House passed a bill aimed at preventing drug abuse. It would reauthorize a program to assist states in monitoring prescription drug use and would authorize $15 million for fiscal 2011 and $10 million annually from fiscal 2012-2013. (H.R.5710)

Autism Grant: The House passed a measure to expand aid to those with autism and their families. The bill would authorize $17 million annually for fiscal 2012-16 for grants for services rendered to children and adults with autism. (H.R. 5756)

PREVIEW

Continuing Resolution (CR): The Senate is expected to pass a short-term CR to fund most government operations past the end of the 2010 fiscal year. It may contain extra funding for the Pell Grant program for low-income college students.

Child Nutrition: The House is expected to consider legislation that would authorize the first increase in decades for per-meal reimbursement to schools. (S.3307) (H.R.5504)

China Currency: The House is expected to advance a bill aimed at China’s currency practices. Many experts say that China maintains the yuan at an artificially low value to keep Chinese exports cheap and imports expensive. (H.R.2378)

The Week Ahead: Before Oct. recess, lawmakers in both chambers will address a CR to keep the government funded. The House is expected to address a loan guarantee program for home construction and a child nutrition measure. The Senate will address a Social Security payroll tax bill.

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

Early voting has begun for the 2010 General Election on November 2, 2010 in the State of Iowa.

Both parties pushing the early vote - The Des Moines Register

• Need to Register to Vote in Iowa? pdf link!
• Obtain an Absentee Ballot in the State of Iowa

News on Miller-Meeks campaign in the 2Nd Congressional District of Iowa.

Miller-Meeks for Congress » Welcome
Miller-Meeks within 1 point of Loebsack, 41-40% (September 16th ... 09-20-2010 MILLER-MEEKS FOR CONGRESS EVENT SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 20-25 ...

Miller-Meeks wants less stimulus, lower taxes - ‎UI The Daily Iowan
"And that will require a change in Congress." Miller-Meeks spoke to a small group of people Sunday in Iowa City about the changes she wants to bring to ...

AFL-CIO sends out more campaign mailers in Iowa‎ - DesMoinesRegister.com (blog)
A union group is sending out more mailers that promote two Iowa Democrats seeking re-election to Congress.

American Future Fund Political Action: Endorses Mariannette Miller ...‎ - IowaPolitics.com (press release)

Miller-Meeks changes stance on Social Security privatization‎ - Mason City Globe Gazette

If you are in Cedar Rapids and have questions regarding voting, please contact me at my office at 319.366.7791 x 103. It is important that we participate in our election process.

Robin Tucker