Legistlative Activity
Reid Files Motion to Proceed on Terrorism Risk Insurance Bill
On July 9, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed a motion to proceed to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (S. 2244). This bill, introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) to December 31, 2021; TRIA is currently set to expire on December 31, 2014. The bill enjoys bipartisan co-sponsorship and was unanimously voted out of the Senate Banking Committee on June 3, but it is unclear whether it can clear the 60-vote procedural hurdle to get to the floor. Leader Reid has indicated that Republicans plan to offer several floor amendments to the bill.
Upcoming Hearings
- Wednesday, July 16: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “Southern Border Challenges.”
- Wednesday, July 16: The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security will hold a hearing on “Port of Entry Infrastructure.”
Executive Branch Activity
President Obama Requests Supplemental Funds for Unaccompanied Minors
On July 8, President Barack Obama asked Congress to appropriate an additional $3.73 billion in emergency funds to alleviate the crisis caused by an influx of unaccompanied undocumented minors crossing the southwest border into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities are severely strained by the growing border crisis, as over 50,000 unaccompanied minors have already attempted the border crossing in 2014. Questions are being raised by the Congress to better understand why the Administration did not include the needed funds in the FY 15 budget process.
