Our first full week of 2013 and the 113th Congress...

It's 2013, both the Iowa State Houses and the 113th Congress in Washington D.C. represent the status quo after the November election, and leadership in Washington D.C. isn't really changing any either...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-1 Monday, January 7, 2013 REVIEW 113th Congress Sworn In: The Senate and House have ushered in a new Congress. The 113th Congress convened on Thursday, January 3rd at 12 noon EST. In the Senate, Vice President Joe Biden swore in 12 new members elected in November, along with lawmakers who won another term and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott. Sen. Scott, a former House member, was tapped by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the remaining term of Sen. Jim DeMint, who resigned to head a Washington think tank. In the House, newly reelected House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) swore in dozens of new lawmakers in the afternoon. Balance of Party Power: Democrats tightened their grip on the Senate for a 55-45 edge in the new Congress, ensuring that Reid will remain in charge. Republicans maintained their majority in the House but will have a smaller advantage with 233 Republicans and 200 Democrats. President Signs Fiscal Cliff Legislation: President Obama has signed a bill that boosts taxes on individuals making more than $400,000 and families making more than $450,000. It preserves tax cuts for most American households. The bill, which averts a looming fiscal cliff that had threatened to plunge the nation back into recession, also extends expiring jobless benefits, prevents cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors and delays for two months billions of dollars in across-the-board spending cuts (sequestration) in defense and domestic programs. President Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, signed the bill using an autopen, a mechanical device that copies his signature. (H.R.8) GOP Maintains Speaker of the House Position: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has narrowly regained a second term as Speaker of the House. The position calls for the Speaker to oversee the Republican-led chamber that has proved extremely difficult for him to manage. His reelection was uncertain in the face of a push by the most conservative wing of the GOP caucus. The final vote tally was 220 for Rep. Boehner to 192 for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief: The House has passed legislation that northeast lawmakers whose states were damaged by Hurricane Sandy have been seeking for months. The measure is the first installment of the more than $60 billion the White House has requested for aid to the area. The $60.4 billion package the Senate passed in December died in the House when the 112th Congress ended and the 113th was sworn in. Congress Votes Not to Raise their Pay: Congress has voted to freeze the salaries of lawmakers and federal employees. Despite Democratic objections in the House, the bill passed 287 to 129, with 55 Democrats voting with Republicans to approve the measure. Some Democrats expressed fear that Republicans would use the vote to save face if the House did not reach an agreement on fiscal cliff legislation. President Obama signed an executive order in December that lifted a ban on pay freezes for federal employees. Congressional Pay: The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to set its own pay. Currently, members of Congress earn an annual base salary of $174,000 with leadership salaries higher than rank-and-file members. For years, Congress used stand-alone legislation for pay increases. However, beginning in 1975, annual adjustments took place automatically unless members voted not to accept them.   PREVIEW   Raising the Debt Ceiling: With the government expected to run out of borrowing authority by the end of next month, both parties are preparing for the battle over how much to raise the limit. Republicans are vying to leverage new spending cuts in return for a debt limit increase while Democrats are promising to hold firm in opposition. President Obama has vowed not to bargain for an increase in the debt limit as he did last year. Gun Rights and Restrictions: Democratic members of both chambers have vowed to introduce legislation that would tighten restrictions on gun sales and ownership. The semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips. Corporate Tax Overhaul: Lawmakers are considering tax code revisions for 2013. The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions. What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.     Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.