The Senate is scheduled to consider a package of lobbying reform measures with debate scheduled throughout this week. On Tuesday, March 7, the chamber will consider S.2320, which would provide an additional $1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program by shifting recently passed Deficit Reduction Act funds from FY 2007 to FY 2006. Of the $1 billion in shifted funds, $250 million would be distributed in formula funding; the remaining $750 million would be released at the discretion of the President. The legislation was cleared for final passage after the chamber voted to waive a budget point-of-order against the bill. A final vote is scheduled for tomorrow, March 7.

The Senate may also consider legislation that would increase the borrowing authority for the federal flood insurance program. A hold was placed on the bill last week by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) until the Senate agreed to consider the LIHEAP bill. A measure to increase the $8.2 trillion limit on the national debt could also be considered. Congress must act before a scheduled weeklong recess beginning on March 17, or the first-ever default on U.S. obligations could occur.

The House will convene tomorrow, March 7, to consider six measures under suspension, including a bill modifying several controversial provisions to the final version of the Patriot Act. The Senate passed the measure last week. Later this week the chamber will complete floor debate on legislation authorizing the Food and Drug Administration to establish national standards for food safety. The measure calls for the standardization of food notification requirements rather than allowing individual states to set them. Any current state requirements would remain in effect for 180 days after enactment of the measure.

Important markups on the Hill this week include the fiscal year (FY) 2007 budget resolution by the House and Senate Budget Committees. A key issue is whether a reconciliation savings package will be proposed. Last year's reconciliation bill, signed by President Bush last month, was the first reconciliation package passed in eight years. Senator Judd Gregg, Chairman of the Budget Committee, and Congressman Jim Nussle, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, are interested again in finding more entitlement savings through a reconciliation bill, but have been quoted as saying that it may be difficult to do in an election year. Other markups include immigration reform legislation, and a markup of legislation (S. 1955) reforming the health insurance system to increase access to health care for small businesses on Wednesday, March 8 (Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee). The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 8 regarding the Quadrennial Defense Review, a congressionally mandated report that the Department of Defense produces every 4 years to look at defense strategy, force modernization, infrastructure needs and other areas in the defense programs.

The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology has scheduled a Wednesday, March 8, hearing on the proposed FY 2007 budget for enhancing preparedness for first responders.

The Administration recently released its 150-page report on the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, which was a result of a Presidential charge to evaluate the federal government's response to the storm. Presidential Homeland Security Advisor, Frances Townsend conducted the report entitled, "The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned." The report makes 125 recommendations in 17 different policy areas and includes 11 critical actions to be completed before the first day of the next hurricane season (June 1, 2006).