This is a weekly post spotlighting labor topics in focus by the US legislative and executive branches during the previous week. In this issue, we cover: Reconciliation Package Updates COVID-19 Updates Federal Contract Workers’ Minimum Wage Update Registered Apprenticeship Funding Announced Upcoming Congressional Hearing… Continue Reading
The US House of Representatives returns to Washington this week, but negotiations aimed at forging a bipartisan consensus on the next federal COVID-19 response package are still weeks away. The Memorial Day holiday weekend brought a surge of activity by Americans who have been in lockdown for months and are yearning for a return to … Continue Reading
At two o’clock in the morning on Saturday December 2, 2017, the Senate took another major step towards accomplishing comprehensive tax reform – on a near party line vote, it passed its version of the most sweeping legislation to overhaul the US Tax Code in a generation. Although Republicans have made significant progress on tax … Continue Reading
The November 9 release of the Senate Finance Committee Chairman’s Mark has put into high gear the race to complete once-in-a-generation tax reform. A mere five hours after the House Ways and Means Committee completed a four-day markup and voted its legislation out of Committee along party lines (further discussed here), Senate Republicans released their … Continue Reading
It’s here! House Republicans have released the legislative text of the most serious effort to reform the US Tax Code since 1986. Republican tax-writers have come a long way from the “Blueprint” and the “Unified Framework” – they have offcially broken ground on sweeping tax reform legislation titled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Bill). Although they have made … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate to Vote on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Conference Report Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the Senate is expected to vote on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524) conference report this week. The bipartisan legislation authorizes grant programs; creates a task force on pain management; expands … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Approves FY 2017 Appropriations Bill Decreasing FCC’s Budget On July 7, the U.S. House of Representatives (House) passed H.R.5485, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, 2017 containing appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2017. The $21.7 billion funding measure contains appropriations for various federal agencies for the fiscal year ending September … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity H.R. 5273, Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016, scheduled for House Floor Vote House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, announced H.R. 5273, Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 (HIP-C), introduced by House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Chairman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA), … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Zika Funding Proposal Scheduled for House and Senate Vote Both the House and Senate are expected to vote on Zika funding proposals this week, ending several weeks of disputes on the issue. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced H.R.__, the Zika Response Appropriations Act, 2016, will be considered on the House Floor. … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity 60 Members of Congress Address FCC’s Set-Top Box Proposal On May 5, 60 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler expressing concern about the FCC’s recent proposal to change the FCC’s set-top box rules (previously discussed here). The letter stated … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Passes Bill Preventing Broadband Rate Regulation On April 15, the House of Representatives (House) passed H.R.2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act by a vote of 241-173. The bill’s main provision states that “the Federal Communications Commission may not regulate the rates charged for broadband Internet access service.” The … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Proposed Rules for Vehicles to Control GHG The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation have announced proposed rules to create a “comprehensive Phase 2 Heavy-Duty National Program” intended to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption for new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. The program focuses on phasing in new technology … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene today, Monday, June 9, at 2:00 pm. After any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30 pm, with senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. At 5:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for a series … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity After two weeks of recess, the Senate will convene today, Monday, April 28, at 2:00 pm. After any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30 pm, with senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. At 5:30 pm, there will be up to … Continue Reading
The Senate will convene today, Monday, February 10, at 2:00 pm. After any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1963, the Military Retirement Pay Restoration bill. At 5:30 pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1963. The House … Continue Reading
The Senate will convene today, Monday, February 3, at 2:00 pm. After any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (also known as the farm bill). Time will be equally divided and controlled until 5:30 pm, when … Continue Reading
The Senate will convene today, Monday, January 27, at 2:00 pm. After any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. At 5:30 pm there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion … Continue Reading
The Senate will convene today, Monday December 9, at 2:00 pm, and after any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:00 pm, with Senators allowed to speak for up to10 minutes each. After morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1197, the National Defense Authorization Act … Continue Reading
