Legislative Activity This past week has seen the evolution of the federal government shutdown and the slow emergence of a potential framework for a deal. Late in the week, President Barack Obama met separately with Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House Democrats and House Republicans. While President Obama continues to maintain he will not negotiate on … Continue Reading
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY WRRDA Reauthorization On Thursday, September 19, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up and approved H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA). WRRDA was introduced as a bi-partisan measure by Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Bob Gibbs … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Student Loan Interest Rates A bipartisan group of senators, led Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), announced another agreement on student loan interest rates last week. The deal, which represents a new scheme that shifts to market-driven variable interest rates, was announced after Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) ultimately agreed to support it. According to reports, … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Farm Bill On July 18, the Senate accepted a unanimous consent resolution that formally requested the Senate to move to conference on the Farm Bill. In sending the Farm Bill to the House, the Senate had to place its text into the shell of the House-passed bill, which the House sent to the … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Budget and Appropriations The House approved its version of FY 2014 Homeland Security appropriations on June 6, but the Senate is just beginning the appropriations process. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) has announced that the Homeland Security Subcommittee 302(b) allocation for FY 2014 will be $39.1 billion (plus $227 billion for … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Budget and Appropriations Last Thursday, June 6 the House approved the FY 2014 Homeland Security appropriations bill by a vote of 245-182, which provides $38.9 billion in discretionary funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Both Republican and Democrat amendments successfully transferred funds from the Office of the Undersecretary for Management … Continue Reading
