A service of National Write Your Congressman
The 112Th Congress is now in session. It’s leaders include: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 53rd Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
REVIEW
The Senate: The new session of the Senate began with the traditional swearing-in of reelected and newly elected members. After the ceremony and the opening prayer, Vice President Biden administered the oath-of-office for 31 senators, which includes 16 new senators. Though they maintained the majority, Democrats lost six seats after the November mid-term elections resulting in the make-up of the current Congress at 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and two Independents.
The House: After the swearing in of members and the election of , the new session of the House included a reading of the U.S. Constitution. The House is made up of 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats.
The Constitution allows Congress to determine the rules for its proceedings on the first day of a new session.
House Rules: The first order of business in the House was a rules package that covers scheduling (how many days worked, when votes can and cannot occur), the terms and conditions for debating bills (all bills will cite their constitutional authority and be posted online for 72 hours before a vote) and allows electronic devices on the floor of the chamber. The package passed 240-191.
Senate Rules: Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) proposed three additions to Senate rules regarding filibusters. They state that senators must remain on the floor to maintain the filibuster; if a motion to proceed passes, then a cloture vote must be taken immediately to prevent delays by opposing senators; and senators may not put “secret holds” on bills. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called the attempt “a brazen power grab.” Negotiations continue. No vote was taken.
Health Care: The House on Friday cleared a key procedural hurdle in repealing the landmark health care law, voting 236-181 largely along party lines to move ahead to next week's final vote on repeal. In their effort to preserve the law, Democrats pointed to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that estimates repealing the overhaul would increase the national deficit by an estimated $230 billion over 10 years. But GOP members said Democrats “rigged the CBO score” on the overhaul by forcing the budget office to ignore $115 billion needed to implement the law, double-counting $521 billion in Social Security payroll taxes, premiums on a new long-term insurance program, cuts to Medicare and other moves. The unbiased CBO is completing a more detailed report. (H.R.2)
Highway and Transit Funding: Lawmakers in the House and Senate are working to adopt a transportation funding bill for the nation's aging highway system. The House adopted a rule that would make it easier to cut highway and transit spending by allowing certain motor-fuel taxes to be used on projects other than highways. Prior to the rule change, the House was barred from considering legislation that would shortchange authorized highway and transit spending levels.
Pay Cut for Congress: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) introduced a draft bill that would cut the salary of Congress members by 5 percent. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue or go to www.nwyc.com .
Congressional Budget Cuts: In a first act of the new Congress, lawmakers adopted a resolution to reduce the amount lawmakers may authorize for salaries and expenses of committee members, staffers and leadership offices in 2011 and 2012.
The House: After the swearing in of members and the election of , the new session of the House included a reading of the U.S. Constitution. The House is made up of 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats.
The Constitution allows Congress to determine the rules for its proceedings on the first day of a new session.
House Rules: The first order of business in the House was a rules package that covers scheduling (how many days worked, when votes can and cannot occur), the terms and conditions for debating bills (all bills will cite their constitutional authority and be posted online for 72 hours before a vote) and allows electronic devices on the floor of the chamber. The package passed 240-191.
Senate Rules: Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) proposed three additions to Senate rules regarding filibusters. They state that senators must remain on the floor to maintain the filibuster; if a motion to proceed passes, then a cloture vote must be taken immediately to prevent delays by opposing senators; and senators may not put “secret holds” on bills. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called the attempt “a brazen power grab.” Negotiations continue. No vote was taken.
Health Care: The House on Friday cleared a key procedural hurdle in repealing the landmark health care law, voting 236-181 largely along party lines to move ahead to next week's final vote on repeal. In their effort to preserve the law, Democrats pointed to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that estimates repealing the overhaul would increase the national deficit by an estimated $230 billion over 10 years. But GOP members said Democrats “rigged the CBO score” on the overhaul by forcing the budget office to ignore $115 billion needed to implement the law, double-counting $521 billion in Social Security payroll taxes, premiums on a new long-term insurance program, cuts to Medicare and other moves. The unbiased CBO is completing a more detailed report. (H.R.2)
Highway and Transit Funding: Lawmakers in the House and Senate are working to adopt a transportation funding bill for the nation's aging highway system. The House adopted a rule that would make it easier to cut highway and transit spending by allowing certain motor-fuel taxes to be used on projects other than highways. Prior to the rule change, the House was barred from considering legislation that would shortchange authorized highway and transit spending levels.
Pay Cut for Congress: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) introduced a draft bill that would cut the salary of Congress members by 5 percent. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue or go to www.nwyc.com .
Congressional Budget Cuts: In a first act of the new Congress, lawmakers adopted a resolution to reduce the amount lawmakers may authorize for salaries and expenses of committee members, staffers and leadership offices in 2011 and 2012.
PREVIEW
The week ahead: The House of Representatives has postponed all legislative action for this week in wake of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and 17 others, according to the office of Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA). The Senate will deliberate the debt limit after Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned that the government will hit its limit as early as March 31. Congress must also find a way to fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2011 after a stopgap funding measure expires March 4. The Senate is on recess until January, 25.
Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.
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It was tragic news on the assassination attempt of a Congresswomen from Arizona and then the complete disregard for human life in the shooting of 18 others in attendance at the gathering. We have family that are represented by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Family also apparently live near the neighborhood of the shooter, who has been arrested on Federal charges.
Our thoughts and prayers go out the victims, the family and friends, the NW Tucson and Pima County community, as well as our nation, after the murder of five people and the wounding of 14 others. Sadly, two Federal employees, including a U.S. Federal judge and social worker on the Congresswomen's staff; in additon to a nine year old girl and three senior citizens, who are all victims to this tragic event.
Violence like this may test our Republic. It may lead to recommendations that It can be an attack on our freedoms found in the U.S. Constitution, such as the First Amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances. - First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
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