TWICDEC14

(TheWeekInCongress.com December 13, 2007) The House agreed, 370 to 49, to the conference report authorizing spending levels and programs for the Department of defense.

Iran

Although the House showed little interest in supporting the DeFazio amendment to the underlying bill that would have required Congressional approval before the President could strike inside Iran, the final conference report contained no language on the issue. A 'Sense of Congress' in the report, however, continues to assess Iran's program of enriching uranium and its ballistic missile program as a threat to the region, Europe and "eventually could pose a threat to the US homeland."

The amendment from Senator Lieberman, requiring a report from State and Defense on Iran's intentions in Iraq and any influence it has on insurgency there, is included in the report.

Iraq

Although the report establishes that a failed state in Iraq is to be avoided, provisions regarding Iraq are largely requests for reports. Defense is directed to report to Congress on 'a broadly accepted' (by the Iraqi people) hydrocarbon law, laws providing for provincial elections and laws reforming the de-Baathification process aimed to national reconciliation. Defense is to inform Congress on progress toward Iraq spending the $10 billion it committed to rebuild its own infrastructure.

Congress also seeks a report A report on the assessment of US Force levels required over the next 6 months, the missions to be undertaken during that period and incremental costs. The report calls for a description of the range of conditions that could prompt changes to US Force levels over the next six months.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Pakistan Frontier Corps is funded at $75 million for its effort to locate Osama bin Laden and fight terror forces along the Afghanistan / Pakistan Boarder. Congress requires a report from State and Defense on the comprehensive strategy of the US for security and stability in Afghanistan.

The Senate is expected to take up the conference report before adjourning for the year.

HR 1585 cnf. rpt.

HR 1585 as passed by House and Senate with votes

Senate Amendments to HR 1585

{UPDATE: The Senate agreed to the Conference Report 90 to 3}

SENATE CONTINUES TO AMEND FARM BILL

Amendment to Reduce Income Caps for Subsidy Payments Defeated

(TheWeekInCongress.com December 13, 2007) A variety of Senate amendments to HR 2419 have fallen short of the 60 vote minimum required for passage. Standing out were two amendments that would have limited support for farmers with substantial incomes.

The underlying Senate bill reduced the adjusted gross income limit to $360,000 above which commodity farmers would no longer qualify for subsidy payments. An amendment by Senators Dorgan (D) and Grassley (R) failed 56 to 43. Senator Klobuchar's (D) amendment that would cut off subsidies at an adjusted gross income of $750,000 per year or greater failed 48 to 47. The Klobuchar amendment would also have reduced to $250,000 per year the income level qualifying non-farmers who invest in agriculture land.

The original House bill reduced the adjusted gross income limit from the current $2.5 million to $1 million. An amendment effort to further reduce the limit to $250,000 failed 175 to 250.

Another amendment from Senator Sessions (R) would have established a pilot program establishing tax exempt savings accounts for agricultural producers that would replace federally subsidized crop insurance or noninsured crop assistance. The amendment failed 35 to 58.

The bill establishes a new program called the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). FRSAN was loosely described by opponents as a telephone hotline for farmers under psychological stress due to farm-related challenges. It is also possible that FRSAN is the beginning of a program to provide mental health services to farm families. The bill authorizes the program but does not yet fund it. An amendment by Senator Gregg to strike the program from the bill failed 39 to 56.

The Senate agreed 78 to 12 to invoke cloture on HR 2419. A vote on passage is expected on Friday, December 14, 2007.

House Bill HR 2419 with amendments.

Senate Substitute S 2302

{UPDATE: The Senate agreed to the Conference Report 79 to 14}

HOUSE RESOLUTION

CONTINUES FUNDING THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2007

HJR 69

ENERGY BILL MOVES IN SENATE

Planned Cuts in Oil Company Subsidies Removed.

Requirement of 15% Renewable Energy in Utility Company Portfolios Dropped.

Senate Vote: 86 to 8

HR 6

Senate Amendments to HR 6

Senate Substitute S 1419

INTELLIGENCE CONFERENCE REPORT APPROVED

The Report is the first successful effort by Congress in two years to reauthorize the US intelligence programs.

The most contentious provision requires US interrogators use techniques put forth in the US Army manual rather than classified approaches allegedly used by some intelligence agencies.

The Report reflects provisions in the underlying bills that increase inspector general oversight of the intelligence agencies, focus attention on preparation for economic and military needs resulting from global climate change and order better oversight of private contractors.

The Report was agreed to 222 to 199.

The Minority motion to recommit the bill to the Conference Committee failed 205 to 215. The motion required removing any earmarks from the bill and insisted on maximum permissible spending for human intelligence-gathering activities.

HR 2082 - The original House bill.

S 1538 - The Senate bill that replaced the House bill.

Bills Curtail Investment in Sudan; Increase Sanctions on Burma; Provide Vision Care to Veterans; Reauthorize Terror Insurance & Increase Airport Employee Screening.

Sudan

Voluntary efforts by State and local governments and mutual fund managers to divest of holdings in Sudan are made legal.

S 2271

Burma

Restriction on doing business with Burma are expanded to include gemstones. Visas of government officials denied.

HR 3890

Veterans' Vision

Veterans with eyesight loss in the range of 20/200 or less or peripheral field loss of 20 degrees or less would be awarded enhanced disability compensation.

HR 797

Terror Insurance

The three-year program begun in 2002 to cover catastrophic loss beyond insurance company ability to pay is extended for 15 years.

HR 2671

Airport Screening

A pilot study is ordered to better screen airport employees admitted to sensitive areas.

HR 2423

The House is adjourned until Monday, December 17th when it is expected to take up an Omnibus Spending bill covering several Federal Departments.

The Senate is expected to continue work on various bills over the next several days.