House Analysis –
All eyes continue to be on health care as Congressional leaders continue to work towards an agreement. The war in Afghanistan and the coming troop decisions by the administration continue to weigh heavy on Members minds especially following leaked reports of the assessment by General McChrystal.
Major House Floor Action –
The schedule for the floor appears to be unknown at this point as Congressional leaders have not worked out an agreement concerning earmarks and appointing conferees for the appropriations bills. There are several appropriations bills waiting to be conferenced by the two chambers including Agriculture (HR 2997), Energy-Water (HR 3183), Homeland Security (HR 2892), Transportation-HUD (HR 3288) and Interior-Environment (HR 2996).
Major House Committee Action –
House Armed Services Committee will hold two major committee hearings next week. In the first General Ray Odierno will brief the members on the ongoing operations in Iraq. The next day the committee will hear from a group of administration officials concerning the abandonment of the Third Site missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency proposed by Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA). Heritage Senior Fellow, David John, has been asked to testify at this hearing.
So what about this provision of a $25K fine and a year in jail for no health insurance? The only way that is possible for some of us is if there is an extension of the COBRA we are on, or, pre existings are eliminated. So which is it? Have not heard of any realistic proposals for those issues at this point. And do not tell me the government option by the Feds is the way to go. That is a recipe for government rationed health care. This is not a case where I want to be like Europe or Canada thank you!
Tax and trade-another bogus problem established by the left with all the liberal millionaires lining up to make a killing. Follow the money. It is a mini wall street with a layer of traders, running up the price of energy in this country for NO GOOD REASON! Thanks to Al Gore, the inventor of the internet and investor in govt subsidized energy programs (the FInn Car) who stands to rake in millions more if tax and trade is passed. Does anyone smell a rat here? Nobel Prize for junk science, invest in govt subsidized car maker and proponent of tax and trade program? Follow the money people–as it leaves your pocket and goes to his!
Heritage, you should bring to light all the millionaires, including the president, who adamantly claimed the greed of the private sector, show the public who made their millions off tax payers, rich and poor.