Weekly Update


MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
ENSIGN LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO RENEW ENERGY TAX CREDITS This past week, Senator Ensign (R-NV) and Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced legislation to extend the renewable energy tax credits. The tax credits for wind, geothermal, and biomass power would be extended for one additional year. The legislation would also provide $400 million in clean energy renewable bonds for public power and other cooperatives that are not eligible for the tax credits. The tax credits are measured to cost about $6 billion. However, the Senate proposal was not paired with a financial offset, which will likely be an issue in the House, due to their more strict adherence to PAYGO rules. “Satisfying our energy needs and reducing our reliance on foreign sources is a challenge that we must meet, but that can only happen with the right incentives in place," said Ensign. "Our bipartisan bill will help put us on a path toward energy independence with American ingenuity leading the way.” The proposal has 6 Democratic cosponsors and 14 Republican cosponsors. The legislation is an amendment for the housing package (S. 3221). WORK CONTINUES ON A LONG TERM EXTENSION OF FARM BILL Congressional negotiators continue to attempt to find offsets for the additional $10 billion in spending. If the negotiations have not concluded by April 18th, there is likely to be a one or two year extension of the current farm law. The current farm law is under a temporary extension set to expire on April 18. HOUSING BILL FACES CRUCIAL TESTS THIS UPCOMING WEEK Since the Senate reconvened after its two week break, the Senate has been addressing the subprime mortgage and housing problem. The current housing package under consideration provides tax breaks for businesses and homebuyers facing foreclosure. The package also overhauls the FHA mortgage insurance program (S. 2338). The housing legislation has been moving fairly quickly through the Senate. Tomorrow, there will likely be a vote to file cloture if Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agree on a certain number of amendments to be allowed. Many amendments are threatening to impede the bill's progress, including the Ensign/Cantwell renewable energy amendment. Other amendments include an amendment offered by Senator Martinez (R-FL) to overhaul Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by creating an independent regulator. Senators Nelson (D-FL) and Coleman (R-MN) are planning to introduce an amendment that would provide relief to homeowners behind on their mortgage payments. GOVERNORS REACH REAL ID GRANT ACCORD WITH SECRETARY CHERTOFF Last Thursday, a working group of governors, including Governor Jim Gibbons (R-NV), acting in his role as co-lead for Homeland Security for the National Governors Association, reached agreement on how the REAL ID grant funds will be distributed. The agreement would allow DHS to award a portion of the funds to begin development of a "hub" system, while allocating the remaining funds to all states. To be eligible for funds, each state must have submitted an application to DHS before midnight on April 7, 2008. DHS has developed a short-form application for states that have not previously submitted an application. States that have already submitted a grant proposal application (including Nevada) need not re-apply. HOUSE REAUTHORIZES U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION Last week, the House unanimously passed a measure (H.R. 4847) to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration. The U.S. Fire Administration, which is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would receive $293 million each fiscal year through 2012. H.R. 4847 would update the training program at the National Fire Academy to include national catastrophes related to terrorism, large-scale fires, hazardous materials, wildfires and advanced emergency medical services. In addition, the bill would authorize the agency to make the National Fire Incident Reporting System a nationwide database. HEARING HELD ON BILL TO DELAY MEDICAID REGULATION IMPLEMENTATION The Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing last week on legislation (H.R. 5613) introduced by Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) to delay implementation of seven Medicaid regulations until April 2009. Members and witnesses debated whether and how the regulations would dismantle state Medicaid programs; the potential impact on beneficiaries; and how best to protect the fiscal integrity of the Medicaid program. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), several years ago investigators found that states had overpaid providers in order to inappropriately draw more federal matching funds; however, GAO had no further recommendations regarding the specific topics addressed in the seven Medicaid regulations. The director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Dennis Smith, testified that the Administration strongly opposes the legislation. Mr. Smith also noted that the Administration is concerned that the bill, as currently drafted, contains overly broad language which could jeopardize the policies and interpretations that predate the regulations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of the bill at $1.65 billion. Committee aids may seek to comply with pay-go rules in part by expanding to all states an existing three-state pilot program for electronic asset verification.	THE WEEK AHEAD: The Senate will continue to consider amendments and provisions to housing and mortgage legislation focused on providing relief to struggling homeowners. The House is not in session today. HOUSE FLOOR. The House convenes on Tuesday to consider 11 measures under suspension. On Wednesday, April 9 and for the remainder of the week, the House will take up 7 measures under suspension. No votes are expected Friday. SENATE FLOOR. The Senate convenes at 2:00 p.m. with possible roll call votes on energy legislation (H.R. 3221) and a foreclosure prevention bill (S. 2636). The bipartisan housing stimulus package worked out the week of March 31 by Senate leadership is scheduled for a final floor vote April 8. The bill was introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) on April 3 as an amendment in the form of a substitute to H.R. 3221, the House energy independence bill. Senators had until 3 p.m. today to introduce amendments; debate will close at 2:15 p.m. on April 8. KEY HEARINGS AND MARKUPS BANKING: The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Turmoil in U.S. Credit Markets: Examining Proposals to Mitigate Foreclosures and Restore Liquidity to the Mortgage Markets.”: Thursday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m., 538 Dirksen Building. COMMUNICATIONS: The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on the digital television transition scheduled for February 17, 2009, focusing on consumers, broadcasters, and converter boxes: Tuesday, April 8 at 2:30 p.m., 253 Russell Building. ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES: The Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on pending water and power legislation (S. 2259, H.R. 813, H.R. 31, H.R. 716, H.R. 786, H.R. 1140, H.R. 1503, H.R. 1725, H.R. 1737, H.R. 2614): Tuesday, April 8 at 2:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen Building. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (S. 1870): Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., 406 Dirksen Building. The Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on coal gasification technologies, focusing on the need for large-scale projects: Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m., 253 Russell Building. The Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through existing Clean Air Act authorities: Thursday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m., 2123 Rayburn Building. HEALTH: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing titled: “Covering Uninsured Children: The Impact of the August 17 CHIP Directive”: Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m., 215 Dirksen Building. HOMELAND SECURITY: The Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled: “Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring FEMA’s Ability to Respond and Recover in the Wake of a National Catastrophe”: Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., 311 Cannon Building. The Management, Investigations, and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Solving the Department of Homeland Security’s Management Challenges”: Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m., 311 Cannon Building. LABOR: The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on various aspects of mine safety: Thursday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m., 138 Dirksen Building. TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE: The Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing titled “Transportation Challenges of Metropolitan Areas”: Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., 2167 Rayburn Building. The Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on aviation delays and consumer issues: Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m., 2167 Rayburn Building. The Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on Federal Aviation Administration oversight of safety regulations, runway incursions, operational errors, and FAA oversight of maintenance operations: Thursday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m., 253 Russell Building. VETERANS: The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing on making Department of Veterans Affairs health facilities the workplace of choice for health providers: Wednesday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m., 418 Russell Building. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on ending homelessness among veterans: Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., 334 Cannon Building.
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