House Cloakroom: April 23 – April 27, 2012

Analysis: This week the House will take up a proposal to increase internet security.  The bill is based on the idea that the private sector knows best how to defend its networks. As a result, it creates a clear legal avenue for companies to share cyber threat information with each other and the federal government as well as defend themselves from attack. Additionally, several committees will continue work on budget reconciliation packages which are the vehicles for the actual cuts proposed in the House passed Ryan budget.

Major Floor Action:

• HR 3523 ^[1] – Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Major Committee Action:

• The House Oversight and Government Reform ^[2] Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and National Archives will hold a hearing on “Medicaid Fraud Protections.”
• The House Foreign Affairs ^[3] Committee will hold a hearing on “Instability in Africa.”
• The House Budget ^[4] Committee will hold a hearing on “Replacing the Sequester.”
• The House Appropriations ^[5] Committee will hold a markup of the Fiscal 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
• The House Judiciary ^[6] Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law will hold a hearing on “Federal Permitting Process Overhaul.”

Senate Cloakroom: April 23 – April 27, 2012

Analysis:  In a contrast with the House, the Senate will take up a bill to bailout the ailing postal service this week.  The Senate seems content to ignore the gaping flaws in the existing business model as this bill would not provide the postal service the necessary tools to become viable again. Additionally, the bill removes money from retirement accounts, which is ensuring the solvency of pensions and health care, to fund hemorrhaging daily operations.

Major Floor Action:

• S 1925 ^[7] – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
• SJ Res 36 ^[8] – A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures.
• S 1789 ^[9] – 21^st Century Postal Services Act

Major Committee Action:

• The Senate Finance ^[10] Committee will hold a hearing on “Medicare Billing Fraud.”
• The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs ^[11] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Collapse of MF Global.”
• The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation ^[12] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Future of Online Video.”
• The Senate Rules and Administration ^[13] Committee will hold a hearing on the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act.
• The Senate Finance ^[10] Committee will hold a hearing on the “Impact of Tax Overhaul on State and Local Policy.”
• The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ^[14] Committee will hold a markup or an FDA user fee reauthorization bill.