The House Cloakroom by Dan Ziegler Analysis: The House will be busy next week trying to wrap up business for the year before going on break. The main piece of legislation on their plate will be finishing up the last appropriations spending bill, which will be used to tack on so called “job creating measures” like unemployment benefits, food stamp programs, and COBRA health insurance subsidies. Make sure to watch Minority Whip Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) speech at Heritage last week where he laid out his “No Cost Stimulus” plan. Also …
The House Cloakroom – Dec. 7 – 11 Analysis: The major piece of legislation for the week will be a bill to overhaul the financial regulatory system, which includes creating a Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Heritage analyst David John talks about a better approach here. A bill to extend expiring tax provisions including a tuition tax deduction may come up for a vote as well. Off the hill, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is set to begin on Monday with President Obama scheduled to visit the conference on Friday, December …
Analysis – Health care will dominate the Senate this week, and probably the entire month of December. Everyone will be watching Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ben Nelson (D-NE), all three of whom have threatened to prevent the bill from moving to final passage (i.e. they would filibuster) if their concerns are not addressed. Senators are also likely to weigh in on the President’s Afghanistan announcement, which is scheduled for Tuesday evening. Major Floor Action – On Monday, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Jacqueline …
Analysis – Will the health care debate start next week? Everyone is asking the question, but no one seems to have the answer. Rumors will continue to dominate the discussion until Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) takes some concrete action. In the midst of health care speculation, the Senate will consider the nomination of Judge David Hamilton, a controversial nominee who boldly embraces the “empathy” standard. Major Floor Action – The Senate will continue debate on the Military Construction and Veterans Appropriation bill (H.R.3082). A vote on final passage is likely.
Analysis – With Veterans’ Day on Wednesday, the Senate will have a shorter than normal workweek – Monday and Tuesday. Senators will spend the remainder of the week back home honoring veterans and, presumably, hearing from constituents about health care. The timeline for Senate action on the Reid-Obama health care bill is ever changing, which suggests substantial problems exist. A score from the Congressional Budget Office could come as early as next week. Major Floor Action – On Monday, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Andre Davis to …
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:
