WAR SUPPLEMENTAL CONTINUES TO FIGHT ITS WAY THROUGH THE HOUSE AND SENATE
The war supplemental spending bill is scheduled to be on the House floor on May 14 after consideration of the measure was delayed when conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats objected to a veterans’ benefit provision that had not been offset. The benefit, which is actually a separate GI Bill measure, would expand higher education funding for active-duty veterans. House leaders were meeting to find an agreeable offset for the provision.
President Bush is pleased that the supplemental stays within the $183 billion cap on discretionary spending, but believes the GI Bill issue should be addressed in separate legislation instead of being combined with war funding for Iraq and Afghanistan. The supplemental also extends unemployment benefits and delays several Medicaid regulations.
The House version of the supplemental will be offered in three amendments: the first amendment contains the war money, the second all of the war policy language and calls for troop reductions, and the third amendment contains the domestic spending items.
Meanwhile, the war supplemental seems to be on two different tracks in the Senate. On one track, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Byrd wants to hold a committee mark-up on May 15. The bill could be reported out in two parts: one with war funding and one with domestic spending items. Any troop policy language would be decided on the Senate floor.
If Senator Byrd prevails, the Senate’s
version of the supplemental could contain by far more domestic
spending than the House measure; something sure to draw the
President’s veto pen. But the other track for the bill is if Senate
Majority Leader Reid simply bypasses the Byrd measure and takes the
House’s version straight to the Senate floor.
FARM BILL COMPLETE, READY FOR VOTE
Conferees finished the farm bill this week. Highlights of the conference report were released on Thursday.
Broadly, the farm bill reauthorizes farm, nutrition, trade, and rural development programs for the next five years. The projected cost of the bill is still being calculated but could run as much as $570 billion to $600 billion over the next 10 years.
Highlights include lower caps and reforms on farm subsidies. People making more than $750,000 a year in farm-related income would be barred from receiving direct payments. People making more than $500,000 a year in non-farm-related income would not be allowed to collect any subsidies. Nutrition programs are increased by $10.3 billion. Conservation program spending is increased by $6.6 billion. The conference report includes a permanent disaster trust fund at $3.8 billion.
The measure also contains incentives for producers to grow cellulosic energy crops, and for landowners to protect endangered species. The conference report changes the definition of “rural” to ensure that USDA funds go to rural areas with the greatest need.
Current farm law is extended through May 16. The conference
report is expected to be voted on by both the House and Senate
on May 14. The President has threatened to veto the bill
because of its cost and because he wanted tighter limits placed
on farm subsides. So, Congressional supporters are aiming to
have not only enough votes to pass the conference report but to
sustain an override.
SENATE TO DEBATE REMEDIES FOR RISING GAS PRICES
The Senate will debate and vote on two energy amendments (bills) that are intended to address rising gasoline prices.
The Democratic amendment aims to go after price gougers and OPEC. It would also repeal tax credits for the oil and gas industry to fund renewable energy, impose a “windfall profits” tax, and halt shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The Republican alternative would focus on increasing supply by encouraging more domestic drilling and promoting coal-to-liquids fuels. It too would halt temporarily oil shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
However, neither proposal would temporarily suspend the federal gas tax as has been discussed in recent days
IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION PENDING SENATE APPROVAL
On Thursday, the House considered and passed a bill (HR 1512) that would require the federal government to reimburse states for the cost of detaining illegal immigrants charged with crimes.
The measure seeks to put the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) back where it was prior to a FY 2006 law that banned reimbursements for those persons not convicted of a crime. The measure was adopted on a voice vote. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate (S. 2587) and is pending before the Judiciary Committee.
Separately, a series of hearings on immigration policy continues this week. The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe will hold a hearing on the visa waiver program. The hearing is scheduled for May 14 at 1:00 p.m.
HOUSE FINISHES FORECLOSURE BILLS
Last week, the House passed two bills to decrease the impact of the current foreclosure problems.
H.R. 5818 establishes a $15 Billion loan program that gives grants to qualifying states and cities for the rehabilitation of foreclosed properties.
H.R. 3221 combines a variety of measures under previous consideration by the House. Among those measures are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reforms, the modernization and funding of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and increasing the funds available to the FHA's loan guaranteeing program.
