The POPVOX Blog

  1. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 20, 2013

    by marci on May 20, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House:

    The House was in Monday to consider two suspension bills, both of which passed in votes of 390-3.

    • HR 258The Stolen Valor Act, which would make it a crime to lie about earning military medals for financial gain. The bill is a response to a Supreme Court decision that said Congress cannot make lying a crime; that finding led the Court to strike down a broader law on this issue. However, the Court said Congress can criminalize lies about military medals when they are used for a financial gain. The bill passed in the House today includes that change in order to ensure it is constitutional.

      The House approved similar legislation last year, but the Senate never took it up.

    • HR 1073The Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act: This bill amends U.S. law to implement several international treaties and protocols that the U.S. approved in 2005.

      The various treaties are aimed at criminalizing terrorist acts against ships and offshore platforms, and criminalizing the smuggling of nuclear and other weapons by sea.

    The Senate:

    The Senate was in session Monday to start work on the farm bill, S. 954. No votes on amendments were taken, but could take place later in the week.

       

  2. The Week Ahead: May 20 - 25

    by rachna on May 19, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are in for one last week before taking off for Memorial Day, and will use this time to work on issues like student loan interest rates, the Keystone pipeline and agriculture spending.

    Video to Watch: Watch veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell as he shares the back stories and "what to watch" next week in Congress. (Video)

    The Senate

    The Senate may spend time on the comprehensive immigration bill this week, but will start off with a five-year farm bill:

    • S 954 The Farm Bill (or the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act): a five-year farm bill that would spend $955 billion over those five years.

      The scoop: The Senate was able to pass a farm bill last year, but the House never considered a proposal on the floor, as Republicans are wary of its cost.

    The House

    The House will look at two major bills for the week:

    • HR 1911 Smarter Solutions for Students Act: This bill would permanently use the interest rate on 10-year government bonds as a basis for setting interest rates on federal student loans.

      The scoop: Congress needs to find some solution to the problem of student loan rates by this summer. Without legislation, the rates on new loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Republicans hope their bill provides a permanent fix. Democrats say the GOP bill could allow rates to rise up to the 8.5 percent cap, much higher than the 6.8 percent original rate.

    • HR 3 Northern Route Approval Act: This bill would remove the need for a presidential permit to construct the northern piece of the Keystone oil pipeline from Canada.

      The scoop: Republicans have pushed this issue for years, while the Obama administration has delayed a final decision out of concerns for the environment.

    Members of the House will also consider a slew of "suspension bills," which need a two-thirds majority vote to pass:

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  3. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 17, 2013

    by marci on May 17, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House was in Friday, and passed one bill:

    H.R. 1062 — the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act. This GOP bill would require the Securities and Exchange Commission to apply extra scrutiny to their regulations, and withhold new rules unless their benefits outweigh their costs.

    For Republicans, the bill fits in with their deregulation theme. Democrats and the White House say the bill would make it more difficult to implement the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill.

    The Senate is not likely to take it up and the White House has said it opposes the bill.

  4. What to Watch in Congress - Week of May 19

    by marci on May 17, 2013

    Veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell talks background and highlights for the next week in Congress.

     

     

     

  5. The POPVOX Top 20: May 10 - 16

    by rachna on May 17, 2013

    "Obamacare" Repeal Tops the List in the Weekly Roundup

    More than 3,500 people weighed in on repealing "Obamacare" (HR 45) in this Congress. Three in four POPVOX users supported the repeal. And yesterday, the House of Representatives voted 229 to 195 in favor of repealing President Obama’s health-care law. It's the 37th time that the GOP-led House has tried to undo all or part of the legislation, but it likely won't be considered by the Senate.

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    POPVOX Roundup: Week of May 10 - 16

    Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    POPVOX Roundup

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

     

  6. Issue Spotlight: Firearms and Gun Control

    by rachna on May 16, 2013

    Issue Spotlight: Firearms and Gun Control

    5/5/13: Last month, the Senate shelved its planned for a vote on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act, which would ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system and require a background check for every firearm sale. As part of this, the Senate had also considered the bipartisan compromise known as the Toomey-Manchin Amendment, which was opposed by 45 Senators.

    Senator Manchin, however, is now working to make changes to his Amendment to garner the support of additional Senators -- and to beat a filibuster. And meanwhile, the House version of this compromise has more than 100 cosponsors.

    Firearms and Gun Control Legislation

    Congress needs to hear from their constituents on this issue at this critical time. Weigh in and POPVOX will deliver your letters to your Members of Congress -- guaranteed.

    Relating to Background Checks

    • HR 1565 The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act: To protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and provide a responsible and consistent background check process. 
    • HR 1605 The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act: To protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and provide a responsible and consistent background check process.
    • S 729 The Disarm Criminals and Protect Communities Act: to protect law abiding citizens by preventing criminals from obtaining firearms.
    • Compromise The Toomey-Schumer-Manchin Amendment: would require states and the federal government to send all necessary records on criminals and the violently mentally ill to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It also extends the existing background check system to gun shows and online sales.
    • S 649 The Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act: would ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system and require a background check for every firearm sale.
    • S 374 The Fix Gun Checks Act: A bill to ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system and require a background check for every firearm sale.
    • S 22 The Gun Show Background Check Act: A bill to establish background check procedures for gun shows.
    • HR 141 Closing the ‘gun show loophole.’ To require criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at gun shows.
    • HR 137 The Fix Gun Checks Act: To ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system and require a background check for every firearm sale.
    • HR 21 The NRA Members' Gun Safety Act: To provide for greater safety in the use of firearms.

    Relating to Banning Specific Weapons and Ammunition

    Relating to Trafficking

    Relating to Enforcement

    Relating to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

    • HR 575 The Second Amendment Protection Act: The US should not adopt any treaty that poses a threat to national sovereignty or abridges any rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, such as the right to keep and bear arms, and to withhold funding from the United Nations unless the President certifies that the United Nations has not taken action to restrict, attempt to restrict, or otherwise adversely infringe upon the rights of individuals in the US to keep and bear arms, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected rights of US citizens.
    • HCR 23 House Resolution expressing concerns about the US becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.
    • SCR 7 Senate Resolution expressing concerns about the US becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.

    Relating to the Second Amendment

    • HR 848 The Armed Prohibited Persons Act: to make grants to States to develop systems to retrieve firearms from armed prohibited persons. 
    • S 261 : To establish and clarify that Congress does not authorize persons convicted of dangerous crimes in foreign courts to freely possess firearms in the United States.
    • HR 575 The Second Amendment Protection Act: To express the sense of the Congress that the United States should not adopt any treaty that poses a threat to national sovereignty or abridges any rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution, such as the right to keep and bear arms, and to withhold funding from the United Nations unless the President certifies that the United Nations has not taken action to restrict, attempt to restrict, or otherwise adversely infringe upon the rights of individuals in the United States to keep and bear arms, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected rights of citizens of the United States.
    • S 82 The Separation of Powers Restoration and Second Amendment Protection Act: A bill to provide that any executive action infringing on the Second Amendment has no force or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain purposes.
    • HR 410 The Restore the Constitution Act: To provide that any executive action infringing on the Second Amendment has no force or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain purposes.

    Relating to Children and Schools

    Relating to the Sale of Firearms and Ammunition

    • HR 1369 The Firearm Risk Protection Act: To prohibit the sale of a firearm to, and the purchase of a firearm by, a person who is not covered by appropriate liability insurance coverage. Just introduced!
    • HR 720 : To increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of firearms or explosives licenses to a known or suspected dangerous terrorist.
    • S 174 The Ammunition Background Check Act: A bill to appropriately restrict sales of ammunition.
    • S 35 The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act: A bill to require face to face purchases of ammunition, to require licensing of ammunition dealers, and to require reporting regarding bulk purchases of ammunition.
    • HR 142 The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act: To require face to face purchases of ammunition, to require licensing of ammunition dealers, and to require reporting regarding bulk purchases of ammunition.
    • HR 238 The Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act: To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to restrict the ability of a person whose Federal license to import, manufacture, or deal in firearms has been revoked, whose application to renew such a license has been denied, or who has received a license revocation or renewal denial notice, to transfer business inventory firearms. 
    • HR 34 The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act: To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms.
    • HR 93 The Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act: To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to restrict the ability of a person whose Federal license to import, manufacture, or deal in firearms has been revoked, whose application to renew such a license has been denied, or who has received a license revocation or renewal denial notice, to transfer business inventory firearms.
    • HR 404 The Straw Purchaser Penalty Enhancement Act: To enhance criminal penalties for straw purchasers of firearms.
    • HR 236 The Crackdown on Deadbeat Gun Dealers Act: To ensure greater accountability by licensed firearms dealers. 
    • S 34 The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act: A bill to increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of firearms and explosives licenses to known or suspected dangerous terrorists.

    Relating to Gun Buybacks

    Relating to Concealed Carry

    Relating to Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers

    • HR 577 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act: To clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes. 
    • HR 449 The Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act: To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. 
    • HRes 40 House Resolution expressing that active duty military personnel who are stationed or residing in the District of Columbia should be permitted to exercise fully their rights under the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

    Relating to Licensing and Registration

    Other Bills

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  7. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 16, 2013

    by marci on May 16, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House

    The House held its third vote since 2011 on the full repeal of ObamaCare.

    H.R. 45 — "Repeal Obamacare" legislation from Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). Republican leaders promised to give their caucus another shot at repealing ObamaCare a few weeks ago, after having to pull a bill that would have simply tweaked ObamaCare due to lack of GOP support.

    The bill passed 229-195, but just like in the last Congress, the Senate will not consider it, and the Obama administration has promised to veto it if it ever could escape Congress.

    The Senate

    The Senate was in session and spent most of the day debating and voting on Ernest Moniz, the next Energy Secretary. But the Senate did quickly pass S. 982, a bill that would stop the Army Corps of Engineers from blocking access to fishing waters.

     

  8. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 15, 2013

    by marci on May 16, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The Senate

    The Senate finally finished work on a bill authorizing federal water and coastal restoration projects.

     

    • S 601 The Water Resources Development Act The water projects bill is seen as one that will help in flood mitigation and storm restoration efforts around the country. The bipartisan bill passed the Senate in a 83-14 vote.

      The bill does not include language on climate change that was seen as something that would lead to Republican opposition. Nonetheless, it's not clear how quickly the bill can be taken up and passed in the Republican-led House.

      • The House

      The House approved several suspension bills on Wednesday:

    • HR 356 The Hill Creek Cultural Preservation and Energy Development Act allowing a land exchange between Utah and the federal government to benefit a Utah Indian tribe. Approved by unanimous consent.
    • HR 384 The Homes for Heroes Act which would create a new position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to deal with homeless veterans. This bill passed 420-3.
    • HR 573 a bill to expand the coastal territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. Approved by unanimous consent.
    • HR 701 a bill to establish an October 31 deadline for new regulations expanding the ability of small companies to issue securities without registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This bill passed 416-6.
    • HR 767 a bill to rename an energy project in Montana. This bill passed 415-1.

  9. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 14, 2013

    by marci on May 14, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House

    Amid constant debate about the IRS, Benghazi, and the Associated Press scandals, the House passed a small group of suspension bills:

    • HR1580 affirming U.S. policy of supporting multi-stakeholder Internet governance, and opposing Internet control by government or governments. It passed unanimously, 413-0.
    • HR180 The National Blue Alert Act, which calls for the development of a system for relaying information about wounded or killed police officers.This also passed easily in a 406-2 vote.
    • SCR10 authorizing the use of the Capitol for the celebration of Hawaiian King Kamehameha's birthday. This met no opposition, and passed 411-0.

     

    The Senate

    The Senate made significant progress on S. 601, The Water Resources Development Act. It approved several amendments to this bill, which authorizes various water and coastal projects around the country. The Senate is expected to pass this bill Wednesday.

     

  10. The Week Ahead: May 13 - 17

    by rachna on May 12, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House returns this week to vote on a bill repealing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, while the Senate continues work on a water resources bill. 

    Video to Watch: Watch veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell as he shares the back stories and "what to watch" next week in Congress. (Video)

    The House

    • HR 45 Repealing the healthcare law: The House will yet again vote on a bill to "repeal Obamacare." Many Republicans have been asking for this vote all year as a chance to get new Members on the record as opposing the controversial law.

      The scoop: House leaders promised in April that a vote would come, after a failed attempt to pass legislation to adjust the law. House passage will once again give the GOP a chance to remind voters that they are fighting to repeal the law. But just as in the last Congress, House passage will likely be as far as the bill goes, with no indication that the Senate will consider it.

    • HR 1062 The SEC Regulatory Accountability Act: This bill would require the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct an enhanced cost-benefit analysis for all regulations it issues, and also require the SEC to ensure that the benefits of a rule outweigh the costs.

    The House will also consider several suspension bills this week, all of which will get less debate time and be subject to a two-thirds majority vote. They are:

    • HR 180 A bill encouraging the development of plans for law enforcement to send out information when an officer is hurt or killed.
    • HR 356 The Hill Creek Cultural Preservation and Energy Development Act: To clarify authority granted under the Act entitled “An Act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in the State of Utah, and for other purposes”.
    • HR 384 The Homes for Heroes Act: requiring the Department of Housing and Urban Development to pay closer attention to veterans' housing needs.
    • HR 573 A bill granting the Northern Mariana Islands the same coastal land rights as other US territories.
    • HR 701 A bill setting a fall deadline by which the Securities and Exchange Commission can exempt securities from regulation.
    • HR 767 A bill assigning regional Bureau of Land Management offices as Pilot Project offices under the Energy Policy Act.
    • HR 1580 A bill affirming US policy on Internet governance.
    • SCRes 10 A resolution authorizing the celebration of King Kamehameha's birthday in the Capitol Visitors Center.

    The Senate

    The Senate is also in session, but so far only has plans to continue its work on:

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  11. Issue Spotlight: Syria

    by rachna on May 11, 2013

    5/9: President Obama last week explained that the United States is investigating whether the Syrian government used chemical weapons in its civil war, but made clear that he was not inclined to send troops to Syria. Meanwhile, Congress has been watching Syria as well. The Senate Armed Services announced that it will receive a closed briefing on the situation in Syria next week.

    We'd like to spotlight the bills that Congress is considering related to Syria.(Updated 5/11)

    • HR 1922 A bill to limit assistance to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Egypt, and Pakistan.
    • S 892 A bill: to amend the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to impose sanctions with respect to certain transactions in foreign currencies
    • S 856 The Syria Stabilization Act: to foster stability in Syria.
    • HR 893 The Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Accountability Act: To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons who transfer to or acquire from Iran, North Korea, or Syria certain goods, services, or technology that contribute to the proliferation activities of Iran, North Korea, or Syria.
    • HR 1327 The Free Syria Act: To improve United States humanitarian and other assistance to the Syrian people, facilitate the transition of Syria to a democratic government, provide for United States support to the post-Assad government.
    • S 617 The Syria Democratic Transition Act: to provide humanitarian assistance and support a democratic transition in Syria

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  12. "What to Watch" in Congress Next Week - with Charlie Mitchell

    by marci on May 11, 2013

    Veteran Washington reporter, Charlie Mitchell, provides the back-stories and tells us "what to watch" next week in Congress.

    Bills mentioned:

    H.R. 45: To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

    S. 744: Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

    S. 296: Uniting American Families Act of 2013

    S. 601: Water Resources Development Act of 2013

  13. The POPVOX Top 20: May 9

    by rachna on May 9, 2013

    The Second Amendment Once Again Tops the List in the POPVOX Weekly Roundup

    More than 500 people weighed in on the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act (HR 1565) last week. This is one of more than 50 firearms and gun control bills introduced in this Congress. (See the full list.)

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    POPVOX Roundup: Week of May 3 - 9

    Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    POPVOX Roundup

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

     

  14. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 9, 2013

    by marci on May 9, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    On Thursday, the House approved legislation that amounts to a backup plan in case a deal can't be reached on the debt ceiling.

    H.R. 807 — the Full Faith and Credit Act. This bill would let the government continue to borrow money to pay interest on the debt, without having it count against the debt ceiling.

    Republicans say the bill is a "just in case" measure that would help ensure the government can meet its debt service obligations even if there is no deal to raise the debt ceiling.

    Democrats said it's not fair to only create an escape valve for debt interest payments, not other government programs. They also said consideration of the bill could send shivers through the credit markets, as it could give off the impression that the GOP believes there won't be a debt ceiling deal.

    Regardless, House passage sends the bill to a Senate that is unlikely to take it up, with a statement from the Obama Administration that it would veto the bill it if ever cleared Congress.

    The Senate spent the day working on S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act. Several amendments were adopted to the bill, but final passage is expected next week.

    Language calling for a study of storm-related building codes and authorizing delayed water resources projects were among the amendments approved on Thursday.

     

  15. Issue Spotlight: National Nurses Week

    by rachna on May 8, 2013

    It's National Nurses Week! As HHS Secretary Sebelius explained, the week is to "recognize the contribution of the health care providers at the heart of our health care system."

    • HRes 201 A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week on May 6 through May 12, 2013.

    Issue Spotlight: Nurses

    We'd like to spotlight bills related to nurses. Weigh in and POPVOX will deliver your message directly to Congress.

    • HR 1821 The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for patient protection by establishing safe nurse staffing levels at certain Medicare providers
    • S 739 The National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act: to establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals
    • HR 485 The National Nurse Act: To establish the position of National Nurse for Public Health, to be filled by the same individual serving as the Chief Nurse Officer of the Public Health Service.
    • S 382 A bill to allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
    • HR 1835 A bill to provide that service of the members of the organization known as the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    • HR 643 A bill to provide that no Federal or State requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings shall require a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or utilize such energy efficient lighting if the lighting contains mercury.
    • S 569 A bill to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare.
    • HR 1857 A bill to make demonstration grants to eligible local educational agencies for the purpose of reducing the student-to school nurse ratio in public elementary schools and secondary schools.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  16. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 8, 2013

    by marci on May 8, 2013

    From our Hill Sources:

    Congress had a light workday on Tuesday:

    In the House, Members voted in favor of a rule for H.R. 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act.

    This legislation would let private sector workers use their overtime for time off, instead of taking it in the form of overtime pay.

    Republicans say the bill is a way to give private sector workers the same flexibility that government workers already have. Democrats oppose it and warn it may undermine overtime pay for workers. The bill would require companies and employees to agree on an arrangement before the policy is put in place. 

    The House is expected to pass the bill on Wednesday.

     

    The Senate started debate on S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act.

    The bill would authorize various water resources projects across the country. Senators continue to work on amendments to this bill.

     

  17. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 7, 2013

    by marci on May 8, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House passed a controversial bill dealing with overtime pay and made progress on a debt ceiling bill, while the Senate worked on amendments to a water bill.

     In the House

    H.R. 1406 — the Working Families Flexibility Act. The House passed this bill in a 223-204 vote on Wednesday. It would allow companies and workers to agree to arrangements under which workers could receive paid time off instead of overtime pay.

    Republicans say the bill gives private sector workers the same option that government workers have, to allow more time away to deal with school issues and illnesses.

    Democrats blasted the bill as one that would undermine the 40-hour workweek. They said it would give companies more control over workers, by letting them assign overtime work only to those workers who will do it in a trade for time off instead of overtime pay.

    The White House has said it would veto the bill, and the Senate is not expected to consider it.

    H.R. 807 — the Full Faith and Credit Act. The House held a procedural vote on this bill that will likely lead to its passage on Thursday. It would allow the government to borrow money above the debt ceiling to pay interest on the debt, or make payments related to the Social Security Trust Fund.

    Republicans say it would give the government more options if the debt ceiling were ever reached. By allowing some additional borrowing, it would make it easier for the government to fund regular programs.

    Democrats oppose this bill, making it unlikely to advance in the Senate even after House passage.

    In the Senate

    The Senate was in Wednesday, and disposed of some amendments to S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act. However, work on that bill continues.

    At the end of the day, the Senate quickly passed S. 622, which is meant to help speed up the approval process for generic drugs used on animals.

     

  18. POPVOX Daily Digest - May 6, 2013

    by marci on May 7, 2013

    From our Hill Sources:

    On Monday, the Senate approved legislation that would give states the right to collect sales taxes on purchases made online.

    The Senate approved the Marketplace Fairness Act, S. 743, in a 69-27 vote — a rare bipartisan vote in the Senate.

    The vote split Republicans, many of whom argued that the bill effectively imposes a new tax on consumers. But most of the Senate agreed with the notion that imposing taxes on sales made through Amazon and other online retailers is a more fair playing field for brick-and-mortal retailers.

    Senate passage sends the bill to the House, although it's unclear House Republican leaders will seek to consider the bill at all.

    The House had a light day of work, and only dealt with suspension bills, all of which were non-controversial and easily met the two-thirds majority vote needed for passage. Those bills, which now head to the Senate, are:

  19. Issue Spotlight: Immigration

    by rachna on May 6, 2013

    Immigration reform is once again becoming a priority issue in Washington, DC. This week, a Senate committee will be considering a comprehensive immigration reform bill:

    This isn't the first time that lawmakers have considered sweeping immigration reform. Here's a look at the history of immigration reform in the recent decades.

    Issue Spotlight: Immigration

    Updated 5/6: Here are some specific bills introduced in Congress related to immigration reform. Weigh in and POPVOX will deliver your message to your Members of Congress. (Bills listed in order of popularity among POPVOX users. In other words, the more people have weighed in, the higher it is on the list.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  20. The Week Ahead: May 6 - 10

    by rachna on May 5, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: Congress is back from its late April break to deal with online sales taxes, a jobs bill and the debt ceiling.

    The Week Ahead

    The Senate

    The Senate has plans to vote on the online sales tax bill and then a water resources bill.

    • S 743 The Marketplace Fairness Act: to restore States’ sovereign rights to enforce State and local sales and use tax laws.

      The scoop from our Hill Sources: Before leaving town, the Senate voted to end debate on this bill and hold a final vote on it Monday. The bill would give states the option of collecting sales tax on purchases made online.

      The bill has found wide support in the Senate as a way to let states claw back some of the revenue they've lost as more people shop online. Under the bipartisan legislation, anyone living in a state that collects sales tax would be hit by a tax whenever they make a purchase online, even if it's from a company based in another state. Before holding a final vote, the Senate will consider an amendment that would require states to give a 180-day notice before collecting these taxes. This is the only amendment that will be considered. However, passage is still expected. Even with limited amendments, the Senate has already voted 63-30 to end debate on the bill.

    Once the Senate is done with the online sales tax bill, it will start work on this legislation:

    The House

    The House has a full list of bills they expect to consider.

    • HR 1406 The Working Families Flexibility Act: to give private sector workers the same choices that government workers have when it comes to using their overtime hours.

      The scoop: Under current law, only government workers can trade time-and-a-half overtime pay for time off, while private sector workers must be paid a wage. The legislation changes that to give private sector workers the option of being paid in time off instead of wages.

      Republicans say the bill would give families more flexibility to deal with sick children or other issues that require parents to be home more. They also note that it would require companies and workers to agree on this sort of trade-off. But Democrats will oppose the bill, and argue it would undermine the wages workers are guaranteed by current law.

    • HR 807 The Full Faith and Credit Act: would allow the government to exceed the debt ceiling, but only to pay for interest on the debt or to pay interest costs related to the Social Security Trust Fund.

      The scoop: This is the GOP's contingency plan in case the two parties cannot agree on a debt ceiling increase later this year. In its original form, it did not allow any additional borrowing, and would have required the government to make debt interest payments in the event the debt ceiling were reached.

      The new bill is more generous than that, as it would authorize some new borrowing above the ceiling. But Democrats still oppose it, and argue that Congress should be focusing on a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

    The House will also consider three suspension bills during the week:

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

MEDIA KIT

RECENT ARTICLES

Article Archives

Follow

feedback
Feedback

Use this form to leave comments for POPVOX staff about the website. Do not leave comments about legislation here.

Thank you for your feedback!