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Articles Tagged bills-before-Congress, page 1

  1. The Week Ahead: June 17 - 21

    by rachna on June 16, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House is hoping to finally pass a farm bill this week, and will also consider a controversial abortion bill, while the Senate will continue working on its immigration bill.

    Video to Watch: Watch veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell as he discusses "what to watch" next week in Congress. (Video)

    Student Loan Interest Rates: As federal student loan interest rates are set to double at the end of the month, a discharge petition has been filed in the House that would force a vote on the Student Loan Relief Act of 2013 (HR 1595). If a majority of Members of the House sign on to the petition, it will be brought directly to the House floor. So far, 186 Members have signed in support. 218 signatures are needed. Weigh in.

    In the Senate

    It's all about Immigration Reform this month.

    • S 744 The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill (officially, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act): This is the bipartisan Senate proposal on immigration reform, and the Senate is expected to keep working on this bill throughout June.

    In the House

    The House will spend much of its week on:

    • HR 1947 The Farm Bill (officially, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act): This five-year farm bill would spend about $940 billion over ten years, less than the Senate's $955 billion bill.
      The Scoop: Cuts in the House bill — particularly to the federal food stamp program — have drawn complaints from Democrats. But many Republicans believe the bill still spends too much, making it unclear whether it can survive in the House.
    • HR 1797 The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: This proposal from Rep. Trent Franks would ban all abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy. The bill as originally introduced would have only applied to the District of Columbia, but was amended in committee to include all states.
      The Scoop: Democrats offered amendments during a Floor debate that would have allowed for exceptions in cases of rape or incest. While none of these amendments passed, language was "quietly" added (according to news reports) to the bill by House GOP Leadership allowing for such exceptions. (Read revised bill text.) It is unclear whether the changed language will be enough to garner Democratic support for the final bill.
      The bill is a response to the trial in Pennsylvania in which a doctor was convicted of murder for performing abortions long after the limit in that state.

    The House will also take up several suspension bills this 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.

  2. The Week Ahead: June 9 - 13

    by rachna on June 9, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: It looks like a busy week in Congress -- with some major issues on the docket: immigration reform, the farm bill, defense authorization and more.

    Video to Watch: Watch veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell as he discusses "what to watch" next week in Congress. (Video)

    In the Senate

    The Senate will pass the farm bill this week, and then start a long stretch of work on the bipartisan immigration bill.

    • S 954 The Farm Bill (officially, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act): After several weeks of work, the Senate should be able to pass this bill on Monday. The bill covers commodities, conservation, trade, rural development, research, and energy. About two-thirds of the $950+ billion spending (over ten years) in the Farm Bill is for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

      The Scoop: Work on this bill isn't done — Senate passage shifts the conversation to the House, which wants to pass a bill that cuts more from the food stamp program.

    • S 744 The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill (officially, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act): The Senate has a procedural vote on this bill early in the week, and then will likely work on this bill for a few weeks.

      The Scoop: Many Republicans continue to insist that the bill needs tougher border enforcement language, before they can support a bill that would give more than 11 million illegal residents a path toward U.S. citizenship.

    In the House

    The House will spend much of its week on:

    The House will also consider several suspension bills during the week, most of which deal with federal land use:

    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. The Week Ahead: June 3 - 7

    by rachna on June 2, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: Congress is back from from Memorial Day recess. Here's a look at what to expect.

    Video to Watch: Watch veteran Washington reporter Charlie Mitchell as he discusses "what to watch" next week in Congress. (Video)

    Just one month left to solve this year's student loan crisis.

    Unless Congress acts, the interest rate on federally backed student loans will jump on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. (Learn more in our Issue Spotlight.) The House has already passed a bill, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, but Democrats disagree with the House approach, so this week the Senate will consider:

    • S 953 The Student Loan Affordability Act: This bill would keep the rate at 3.4 percent for another two years, and pays for it by raising taxes on tar sands oil producers, and closing loopholes like one companies use to lower taxable income by using profits to make interest payments.

      The scoop: Senate Democrats say their bill will help students avoid a costly doubling of interest rates. Republicans are likely to favor the House-passed bill.

    • HR 1911 Smarter Solutions for Students Act: The House bill would peg the rate to the 10-year Treasury note, plus 2.5 percent, permanently taking Congress out of the business of setting interest rates.

      The scoop: Democrats say this bill could allow rates to rise above 6.8 percent in the coming years. Republicans note that the House bill caps the rate at 8.5 percent and is structured similarly to a student loan proposal offered by President Obama.

    The Senate

    • 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 will also continue to work on this bill this week. Senators have been working on amendments to this $955 billion, five-year bill, and are hoping to finish it this week.

    The House

    In the House, members will start work on spending bills for 2014, and are looking to pass two of the twelve annual bills this week. They are:

    Aside from those bills, the House will consider several suspension bills that will get less debate and will need a two-thirds majority to pass. They are:

    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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. The Week Ahead: April 29 - May 3

    by rachna on April 29, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are not in session this week, but here's a look at what to expect from the Senate when they return.

    The Senate

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this week that when the Senate returns in May, it will take up a water infrastructure bill and the farm bill, and hopes to complete an immigration bill before the July 4th break.

    The House

    No word yet. Stay tuned!

    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.

  8. The Week Ahead: April 22 - 26

    by rachna on April 21, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House meets this week to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Senate will try to pass a bill allowing states to tax online sales.

    The Week Ahead

    The Senate

    The Senate has plans to take up one major piece of legislation this week, the Marketplace Fairness Act. On Monday, the Senate will hold a procedural vote on whether to formally start work on the legislation.

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

      The Senate will start work Monday on this bill, which would give states the authority to tax Internet sales made to residents or businesses in their state.

      States have complained for years about dwindling tax revenues, and this bill would allow them to recoup the taxes they used to collect before billions of dollars of sales started happening online.

      While some oppose what they see as a new tax on growing Internet companies, the Senate seems likely to pass it. Last month, the Senate easily approved a non-binding amendment calling for states to collect these taxes.

    The House

    The House will work to amend Obamacare.

    • HR 1549 Helping Sick Americans Now Act: The House will start work Wednesday on this bill, which would attempt to keep open the 2010 healthcare law's insurance program for people with pre-existing conditions.

      The Obama administration stopped enrollment in this program earlier in the year. And while many Republicans oppose the law they call "Obamacare," GOP leaders see the bill as a chance to keep the program open, at the expense of shrinking another piece of the law they don't like.

      Specifically, the bill would take $4 billion from a preventive healthcare fund run by the Department of Health and Human Services. The GOP has said this is a "slush fund" that the government is free to spend how it likes. It then directs $3 billion to the pre-existing conditions insurance program, and $1 billion to deficit reduction.

    The House will also consider several other bills this week, including:

    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.

  9. The Week Ahead: April 15 - 19

    by rachna on April 14, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The Senate continues its work this week on gun control legislation, while the House will consider a handful of cybersecurity and tax bills.

    The Week Ahead

    The Senate

    The Senate voted last week to start debating Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's gun control proposal, and votes are expected on amendments to the bill this week and possibly the week after.

    • S 649 Safe Communities, Safe Schools 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

    One key amendment that could get a vote this week is a bipartisan proposal from Sens. Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey, which would scale back the background check requirements in the bill. If this passes, it could help bring Senate Republicans onboard with the bill.

    • Amdnt Toomey-Manchin Compromise Amendment on Background Checks: 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.

    But several other amendments are likely, and each one has the potential to change senators minds about supporting the bill in the end. Democrats will be looking to pass language reimposing an assault weapons ban, for example.

    See related gun bills in our Issue Spotlight.

    The House

    The House will consider four cybersecurity bills:

    The House will also consider four other bills during the week, including two related to taxes (which are due Monday):

    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.

  10. The Week Ahead: April 8 - 12

    by rachna on April 7, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: Congress returns from Easter/Passover break with several difficult issues to be addressed between now and the August recess: Gun Control, Immigration, the Budget (and again reaching the debt ceiling in mid-May). Here's what to expect in the week ahead.

    The Week Ahead

    This week, Members in the House will deal with a handful of Republican jobs bills, and the Senate will focus on a Democratic effort to pass gun control legislation.

    The House

    The House will work on the following bills this week:

    • HR 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act: This bill would freeze the work of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and invalidate any of the over 200 decisions it has made since January 2012. The NLRB enforces the rights of workers to form unions and remedies unfair labor practices.

      The GOP bill is designed to freeze the work of the NLRB until the Supreme Court decides whether two of the three current board members were put there constitutionally by President Obama.

      In 2012, Obama appointed three new members to the NLRB (one since resigned) while the Senate was away on Christmas holiday but still conducting "pro forma" sessions. Several court challenges arose, challenging the validity of decisions made by the NLRB since the appointments. In January 2013, a federal appeals court reversed two lower court decisions and found that the appointments were unconstitutional.

    • HR 678 Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act: This will would spur the development of hydropower along conduits controlled by the Bureau of Reclamation.

      The bill fits in with the GOP goal of promoting domestic energy development, which Republicans say would help boost job creation.

    The House will also take up three non-controversial bills under a suspension of House rules. They are:

    The Senate

    The Senate will start work this week on one major issue:

    • Guns Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he won't present a gun control bill to the Senate that bans assault weapons, to the frustration of many Democrats. (Weigh in on Sen. Reid's bill, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act - S 649.)

      Instead, the bill will call for more background checks on gun sales, more restrictions on "straw" gun purchases (those that are meant for people who would otherwise be prevented from buying a weapon), and federal funding for school safety programs. The Senate should begin debating this bill this week.

      See related gun bills in our Issue Spotlight.

    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. The Week Ahead for Congress: March 18 - 22

    by rachna on March 17, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: It's budget week in Congress! The House will most likely end up passing the budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

    In the House

    • HCRes 25 The Ryan Budget reduces the deficit by $5.7 trillion over ten years than the current baseline, and cuts individual and corporate taxes. It also repeals the 2010 healthcare law. The House will most likely end up passing the budget.

      Before approving Ryan's budget, the House is expected to vote on a few other budget alternatives. The House Republican Leadership will determine which other budgets to debate early in the week, but typically allows votes on budgets from Democrats, the Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and the Republican Study Committee.

    • HRes 115 A resolution funding House committees. The House is expected to pass this resolution this week.

    In the Senate

    The Senate is hoping to start work on a Democratic budget that reduces the deficit by about $700 billion over ten years compared to the current baseline. It also increases revenues by nearly $1 trillion, which has drawn fierce opposition from Senate Republicans.

    Before the Senate can start on the budget, however, it will first look to pass a continuing spending resolution for 2013. The Senate started work on its version of the resolution, which is based on the House-passed HR 933, but still needs to work out a deal on dozens of remaining amendments.

    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. The Week Ahead for Congress: March 11 - 15

    by rachna on March 11, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: Congress returns with a full slate of work, including jobs bills and legislation to avoid a government shutdown later in March.

    • Budget The Continuing Resolution: The House passed its version of the continuing resolution last week, HR 933. This week, the Senate will spend most of the week on a substitute. The Senate wants to change the bill to make it easier for the Obama administration to cope with the sequester. If the Senate can pass a different version, leaders of the House and Senate will have to agree on a compromise bill.

    In the House

    The House will spend the week on four bills, including two jobs bills:

    Two other suspension bills will also be considered during the week:

    In the Senate

    The Senate will spend most of the week on a substitute to the House-passed continuing resolution. The Senate wants to change the bill to make it easier for the Obama administration to cope with the sequester.

    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.

  13. The Week Ahead for Congress: March 4 - 8

    by rachna on March 3, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate return this week, with plans to work on one major piece of legislation — a spending bill for the rest of fiscal year 2013.

    The Federal Spending Bill

    Under the current continuing resolution, the government is funded until late March. The House is expected to pass a resolution for the rest of the fiscal year, through September.

    Normally, a continuing resolution would allow the government to continue only with programs already in existence. Last week, however, Republicans said they would try to pass a resolution that gives the Defense Department the flexibility to start new programs over the next six months.

    While the $85 billion sequester went into effect last Friday, neither the House nor Senate has any plans to take up legislation to amend it or repeal it this week.

    In the House

    Other than the continuing resolution, the House has plans to work on a few suspension bills:

    In the Senate

    The Senate is in all week, but as of the weekend it had no plan to take up any legislation, except for a resolution setting budgets for Senate committees for the rest of the fiscal year. The Senate will vote on some judicial nominations, and could make plans during the week to consider 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.

  14. The Week Ahead for Congress: Feb. 25 - March 1

    by rachna on February 24, 2013

    From our Hill Sources: "It's going to be an interesting week!" The House and Senate are both in. And the $85 billion in across-the-board automatic cuts will automatically occur on Friday, March 1, if both houses of Congress cannot pass the same bill.

    All Eyes on Whether Congress will Pass Federal Spending Cuts to Avoid Sequestration

    All eyes will be on the Senate early in the week, which will attempt to pass legislation to replace the $85 billion in spending cuts due to hit at the end of the week.

    • Sequester "Sequestration" -- automatic, across-the-board cuts to federal spending: The deadline for Congress to take action to avoid across-the-board spending cuts is March 1st.

      • Senate Democrats are proposing a bill that calls for $110 billion in deficit reduction, achieved by $55 billion in new taxes on the wealthy, including a minimum tax of 30 percent on all income above $2 million. Even if the Senate can pass the Democratic proposal, it is unclear whether the House will take it up. House Republicans have said they will not vote for tax increases.

      If the House does consider a Senate-passed bill, it may try to remove the tax provisions -- or the House may just run out of time. The $85 billion in across-the-board automatic cuts will automatically occur on Friday, March 1, if both houses of Congress cannot pass the same bill.

    More in the House

    The House has a relatively light schedule, and has plans to deal with just three other bills this week.

    • S 47 Violence Against Women Act Reathorization

      One of them is a GOP substitute amendment to the Senate-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. There are some signs that VAWA reauthorization could be stalled this year just as it was last year. The GOP substitute alters several provisions in the Senate-passed bill, including language giving tribal courts jurisdiction over non-tribe members in domestic violence cases and protections LGBT victims of violence.

      If the House can pass its bill, however, a deal could be close. House Republicans continue to insist that they want to reauthorize VAWA.

    The only other bills on the House schedule are two suspension bills:

    • HR 667 Rename the Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.
    • HRes __ Academic Competition Resolution: would create a House-administered competition for students across the country in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). The resolution initially encourages students to create new mobile applications (or "apps"). (The resolution hasn't been assigned a number yet, so it isn't available on POPVOX, but resolution text is available.)

    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.

  15. The Week Ahead for Congress: Feb. 11 - 15

    by rachna on February 10, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: On Tuesday, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address to a joint-session of Congress. Throughout the week, both chambers will consider a handfull of bills:

    In the House

    Members will also take up four suspension bills, which require a two-thirds majority vote for passage:

    In the Senate

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: This bill reauthorizes the VAWA program. Senate leaders reached an agreement last week on amendments, and may be able to finish work on amendments and pass the bill by Tuesday.

      Republicans oppose language allowing native American courts to have jurisdiction over non-Indians in domestic abuse cases. They say it could violate the Constitutional rights of Americans. A GOP proposal to amend the language was rejected. Several other Republican proposals may be considered this week. Last year, the House and Senate approved separate versions of a Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, but were never able to agree on how to reconcile these two versions. House Republicans say they are continuing to work with Democrats in Congress and with the Obama administration to finish this work this year.

    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. The Week Ahead for Congress: Feb. 4 - 8

    by rachna on February 3, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are in for just part of the week, but each will work on major legislation while they're in.

    In the House

    The House is in from Monday to Wednesday, and will consider:

    In the Senate

    The Senate is in Monday, and will start work on:

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: This bill reauthorizes the popular VAWA program but makes several changes that contributed to delays in passing this bill in Congress last year. The Senate bill extends various protections under the law to Indian, LGBT and immigrant communities, which were not included in a bill House Republicans supported last year.

      The Senate will hold a procedural vote on this bill Monday. The Senate breaks Tuesday and Wednesday, but more work on the bill is expected Thursday and Friday.

    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.

  17. The Week Ahead for Congress: Jan. 28 - Feb. 1

    by rachna on January 27, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: The House is out, but the Senate is in all week and is expected to pass a bill providing disaster aid for people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Here's what to expect from the Senate:

    In the Senate

    • HR 152 The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act: The House has already passed this bill, and the Senate seems ready to pass it this week. It lets the government spend $50.7 billion on various programs to help New York, New Jersey and Connecticut recover from Sandy. The Senate will vote on an Republican amendment to offset the cost of the bill with spending cuts.

    • HR 325 The No Budget, No Pay Act: This bill suspends the debt ceiling until the middle of May, and also requires the House and Senate to pass a budget by mid-April, under threat of withholding the pay of members of Congress.

      According to our Hill Sources, Senate Democrats seem to favor this bill as a short-term way to avoid a debt ceiling fight. Democrats say they will pass the House bill and the Obama administration has indicated it would sign the bill. The Senate has not set a date for a vote on this bill as of the weekend, but debate and a vote could happen by the end of the week.

      Find bills related to the debt ceiling and federal budget in this Issue Spotlight.

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization: In the last Congress, both the House and Senate approved different versions of this bill, which were never reconciled into something that could pass both Houses and be signed into law by the President. According to our Hill Sources, Democrats have indicated they want to get to this bill in the near future, to ensure VAWA is reauthorized.

    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.

  18. The Week Ahead for Congress: January 21 - 25

    by rachna on January 20, 2013

    Bills before Congress: January 21 - 25

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are both in for a short work week, due in large part to Monday's inauguration of President Obama.

    Monday's Schedule: Members will arrive at the Capitol as early as 9 a.m. Monday morning, and both President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will be sworn in just before noon. Obama's second inauguration speech is scheduled to start promptly at noon.

    Once the festivities are over, both chambers will start work Tuesday on a handful of bills. In the House, look for work on:

    • HR 325 Debt limit extension legislation: After holding a retreat in Virginia last week, Republicans have decided to move a bill (HR 325) that would raise the statutory debt ceiling for another three months. The House Republican plan is to make a longer-term debt ceiling agreement contingent on Senate passage of a budget — the Senate has not passed one in nearly four years.

      The bill is also expected to withhold the pay of members of Congress in the event that Congress cannot pass a budget. Democrats criticized the GOP plan as a "gimmick", but Republicans see the bill as an opportunity to engage the Senate on an ongoing debate about the budget and spending levels.

      Find bills related to the debt ceiling and federal budget in this Issue Spotlight.

    • HR 273 Eliminating a pending pay increase for federal workers. (This is a House Republican response to President Obama's Executive Order calling for a pay increase for federal workers starting in late March.)
    • HR 307 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act: To reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response. (This is a bill the House approved late last year to reauthorize various government programs that help keep the US prepared for biological threats. It was easily approved last year, and the House will likely approve it again on Tuesday, sending it onto the Senate.)

    The Senate is expected to consider:

    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.

  19. The Week Ahead for Congress: Jan. 14 - 18

    by rachna on January 13, 2013

    Bills before Congress: January 14

    From our Hill Sources: The Senate is out this week, but the House meets Monday to start work on a few bills related to Hurricane Sandy relief.

    • SandyThe Sandy Recovery Improvement Act: The House will start on this bill from Rep. Jeff Denham, which would make several reforms to the way the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) distributes disaster aid. For example, it would allow FEMA to make grants to states earlier in the process, based on damage estimates. It also makes permanent a program that creates financial incentives for the speedy removal of storm debris. The bill has support from both Republicans and Democrats, and should pass easily. (The bill hasn't been introduced yet, but you can read bill text on the House Republican Majority website.
    • HR 152 The Disaster Relief Appropriation Act: This is the $17 billion Sandy relief bill that House Republicans promised to consider this week. Republicans will allow a vote on an amendment that would add another $33.7 billion to the bill, which should prompt substantial opposition from House Republicans. Dozens of Republican amendments to the bill are also expected that would scale back the size of the bill. The bill is in addition to a $9.7 billion Sandy relief bill approved earlier in the month.

    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 for Congress: Dec. 17 - 21

    by rachna on December 16, 2012

    Bills before Congress: December 17

    From our Hill Sources: Congress is back for another week, and will consider dozens of bills as members await an agreement on the fiscal cliff.

    • NDAAThe National Defense Authorization Act: The House and Senate may pass a final conference agreement on this bill this week. The House bill is HR 4310, and the Senate bill is S 3254.

    The Senate

    In addition to the NDAA, the Senate has plans to work on:

    • HR 1 This bill was an appropriations bill for the Department of Defense, but Senate Democrats are using it as a vehicle for the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Assistance Supplemental bill. According to Hill Sources, The bill reflects the Obama administration's request for more than $50 billion in funding for Sandy relief. Senate Democrats are hoping to pass this bill before the end of the year.

    The House

    The House will take up several suspension bills during the week, in addition to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 4310).

    (If you'd like this alert emailed to you directly once a week, please send me an email at rachna@popvox.com.)

    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.)

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