Appropriations

 

The House plans to pass two more FY 2005 in the final days before the summer recess, leaving only three more for floor action in September.  Republican leaders in the Senate are preparing for the construction of an omnibus spending package sometime in September.  House leaders have scheduled floor debate on the District of Columbia and military construction spending (HR 4837) bills this week.  The House Appropriations Committee plans to finish marking up all of its FY 2005 bills by the end of this week, Friday July 23. 

 

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its military construction and legislative branch bills which could both be considered on the Senate floor this week, according to some GOP leadership aides.  The House could also send the Senate a package of already passed bills  (minus the defense measure, HR 4613, which is still expected to clear on its own) sometime during the first week of September.   Senate Republicans would then bring the package to the floor.   The House, in the meantime, would debate and try to pass its remaining three bills - Labor-HHS, Transportation-Treasury and VA-HUD.  Those bills could be added to an omnibus in conference or simply be put on hold. 

 

Chairman Stevens of the Senate Appropriations Committee would like to bring the Homeland Security spending measure (HR 4567) to the Senate floor sometime this week, but it appears unlikely that that will happen. 

 

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Senate Committee Approves State Revenue Restrictions on Indian Casinos

 

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments,  by voice vote on Wednesday, July 14, which would restrict the revenue states can collect from tribal casinos and exempt some Indian gaming machines from state and federal oversight.  Senator Reid,  who blocked earlier consideration of the measure allowed it to go to markup last Wednesday but will likely try -- alongside other opponents -- to prevent the measure from reaching the Senate floor.  Senators Reid and Feinstien have voiced concerns that the bill (S. 1529) which amends the 1998 law regulating tribal gambling ventures, would leave many Indian casinos unregulated.  The bill would allow tribes to operate some electronic gaming machines without entering into federal and state agreements. Aides to committee members said several holds are expected on the bill sponsored by Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, Ben Nighthorse Campbell.  A hold would prevent the unanimous consent necessary for Senate debate. 

 

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States Authorized to Use Preparedness Funds for Training Courses

 

The Department of Homeland Security has approved the use of state grant funds to cover new critical preparedness training courses for emergency responders.  The new courses for emergency responders, are being offered by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and include "Introduction to Unified Command for Multiagency and Catastrophic Incidents," "All Hazards Incident Management," and "Command and General Staff Functions in the Incident Command System."

 

States and urban areas can use funds allocated from the Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Security Initiative to cover the costs of administering or attending these courses, and to reimburse overtime and other costs associated with the training.

For the full press release, please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

 

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House Clears Project BioShield Authorization for President's Signature

 

On Wednesday, July 14, the House cleared S. 15, the Project BioShield Act of 2004.  The measure would authorize 10 years of funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for research, development, and purchase of tests, treatments, and vaccines to protect against potential bioterror weapons.  It would also transfer overall responsibility for the Strategic National Stockpile to HHS and would permit them to purchase drugs and other stockpile items.  It would also allow the distribution of treatments not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the event of a national emergency.