The R&P Report for Monday, October 4, 2010 ...

www.nwyc.com The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman

Vol. 14 No. 2-29

Monday, October 4, 2010

REVIEW

Voting Day Reminder: midterm elections Nov. 2.

Small-Business Bill: The House cleared a small-business measure sending it to the Funding the Government: The House cleared a stopgap funding measure to ensure the federal government will keep running while Congress is out for the midterm elections recess. As the last major item on the agenda before lawmakers head for the campaign trail, the continuing resolution was sent to the President for a signature. (H.R.3081)

Federal Election Act: The House passed a measure to prohibit certain state election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns. (H.R.512)

Plain Writing Act: The House passed a bill on to the White House that would require the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple easy-to-understand language. The bill’s final version passed the House by a vote of 341-82. Earlier last week, it received unanimous consent in the Senate. (H.R.946)

Expiring Tax Cuts: House Democrats punted a vote on extending the 2001 and 2003 (Bush) tax cuts until after the elections.

Financial Services Overhaul: In the first major legal challenge to the implementation of the financial services overhaul enacted this summer, two key business lobbies pressed a federal judge to overturn a new rule giving shareholders power to install or oust members of corporate boards of directors.

Child Nutrition: Despite the President’s push for action, the House put off consideration of a Senate-passed child nutrition bill until the lame-duck session. To help offset new spending on school nutrition programs, the bill taps $2.2 billion from a temporary boost in food stamp benefits scheduled in 2013. (S. 3307)

Water and Chemical Plant Security: For the third time in four years, lawmakers are set to extend the existing authority of the Department of Homeland Security to regulate chemical facilities that present high levels of risk. The provision is in the fiscal 2011 small-dollar stopgap spending bill and is the latest signal that lawmakers are struggling over how strictly the department should police the industry. (H.R.3081)

Minority Class Action Settlements: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) blamed Republican opposition for blocking the Senate from ratifying settlements of longstanding legal claims by black farmers and American Indians. Fraud and lax oversight in awards made in past settlements were sighted as a reason for concern.

Cuba Travel: A House committee is expected to mark up a bill this year that would lift the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba. (H.R.4645)

Military Budget Cuts: Adm. Mike Mullen said the military was near a “tipping point” where reductions could make it unable to meet its requirements. “We need to fund the war we are in because I have people on the front line sacrificing their lives,” he said and urged lawmakers not to cut funds for weapons.

Fallen Soldiers’ Insurance: The House passed a bill that would require insurance companies to provide increased transparency when dealing with the families of fallen soldiers. The measure is in response to questions about how Prudential was explaining benefits available to families of deceased service members. Rather than giving them the opportunity to receive lump sum settlements, Prudential was automatically putting their money into “retained asset accounts,” where the company can earn interest on any money not drawn out of the account. (H.R.5993)

PREVIEW

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: The military is now reviewing the results of surveys it requested from service members and their families about ending the ban on openly gay individuals serving in the military. Almost half a million military personnel were surveyed. Congress is expected to revisit the issue after the elections.

The Week Ahead: The House and the Senate are on recess until after the midterm elections. They are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill Nov. 15.

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

Other News on the Campaign Trail ...

Voting has begun for the November 2Nd Midterm Election in Iowa!

Satellite voting begins today at the River of Life Church @ 3801 Blairs
Ferry RD NE. Hours are Noon to 6PM. - from http://twitter.com/lc_elections

October 4, 2010 WATCH LIVE: Branstad Meets With Editorial Board - The Gazette

The Gazette editorial board is meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad today, starting at 1:30 p.m...

Prior to meeting with the Gazette Editorial Board, Terry Branstad was the program at the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, October 4Th.

Miller-Meeks will work hard for Iowa‎ -Muscatine Journal
While Miller-Meeks has participated in telephone town halls, there is nothing like actually meeting people to gauge their sincerity and commitment. ...

"Mariannette Miller-Meeks has proven that she's ready to take on Democrat
incumbent Dave Loebsack, a Washington insider who has blindly supported his
party's failed agenda of job-killing policies and reckless spending.
Mariannette's campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican
candidates in Iowa and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses
continue to force their..." - NRCC Chariman Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Miller- Meeks Campaign: Mariannette Miller- Meeks advances to top level of ... - IowaPolitics.com (press release)
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) has reached 'Young Gun' status, the premiere ...

Robin Tucker