Senate Analysis – An extension of unemployment insurance benefits will occupy the Senate for most of the week. Not only is extending jobless benefits the wrong way to address the lack of jobs, but Senators are likely to attach more misguided policies – like an extension of the homebuyers tax credit – to the provision. It should be noted the Senate had planned on taking up some version of Obamacare this week. Another significant slip in the timetable is noteworthy, especially after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the …
Senate Analysis: Late last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced the next week would be devoted to S.1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act. The $247 billion so-called “doc fix” was originally included in the massive health care overhaul being crafted behind closed doors. By moving the measure separately, the Obamacare will appear to less. It’s a classic Washington bait-and-switch designed yet again to hide the true cost of liberal programs. Major Senate Floor Action:
Senate Analysis – This week, the Senate will continue work on more over-due appropriations bills. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on its health care reform concept. Of course, the real work will continue behind closed doors where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and members of the Obama administration continue to craft the bill that will be debated on the Senate floor. Major Senate Floor Action – The Senate is poised to complete work on the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill. Several appropriations conferences …
Senate Analysis – This week, the Senate will try complete several more over-due appropriations bills. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to formally vote its health care bill out of committee. However, the real work will be going on behind the scenes as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and members of the Obama Administration continue their efforts to blend two committee health care bills into one, cumbersome monstrosity. Similarly, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will be working behind closed doors to fill in the blanks of their …
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 …
At the United Nations, President Obama tried desperately to convince the international community we have entered a “new era,” one in which the United States was serious about tackling global warming. His allies in the U.S. Senate do not appear eager to address the issue, as they used parliamentary procedures to dodge tough climate-related votes on the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill. Dodge Number One Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) attempted to offer several climate-related amendments, including one that would have forced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct an investigation into alleged …
Senate Analysis – All eyes will be focused on the Senate Finance Committee, as they begin their markup of Senator Baucus’ health care reform proposal. As the media and American people focus on health care, the Senate will also tackle several additional appropriations measures, which further expand our national debt. Several issues could flare up during those debates, including EPA regulation of greenhouse gases, the investigation into CIA activities and missile defense funding. Major Senate Floor Action – Senators are likely to find themselves in a pitched global warming debate …
Major Senate Floor Action – The Senate will continue work on the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides the blueprint for our military’s priorities. Major fights are expected on F-22 funding and missile defense. Major Senate Committee Action – The Finance Committee has postponed their markup of a controversial health overhaul bill. Even without a markup, work on revenue raisers will continue behind closed doors. Several committees will focus on global warming, including Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, and Agriculture. The Senate Commerce Committee will hold the most ridiculous …
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has abandoned her plans to draft and mark-up a comprehensive national energy tax modeled after the House-passed Waxman-Markey bill before Congress’s August recess. According to Reuters, Boxer promised, “we’ll do it as soon as we get back” from our month-long vacation. This should not come as surprise, as problems with the bill were beginning to mount. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have engaged in a very public debate over “carbon tariffs” with Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and …
