TWICJAN12

The bill offers a potpourri of un-implemented 9-11 Commission recommendations and other efforts to further develop responses to and protections from terrorism in the US.

First responder grants are to be directed more specifically at areas most likely to be threatened by attack rather than a uniform payout as Congress finds that grant funds have gone unused or were spent for non-terror related projects. Further fine-tuning on distribution of grants and identifying likely targets is ordered.

A time table is set for 100 percent inspection of air cargo by September 20, 2009 and equal coverage for cargo containers entering the US by 2011.

The much sought but illusive interoperable communications systems are further funded in the bill and are seen as a key to rapid and effective response to disaster because disaster officials and other law enforcement can not communicate due to different telecommunication systems protocol.

Dealing with proliferation of WMD through a program of disposal of Russian nuclear waste and weapons and chemical weapons is furthered. (Full Story...HR1)

MINIMUM WAGE

HIKE PASSES

The House agreed to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour by mid-2009. CBO calculates that the bill only impacts Federal outlays minimally but the private sector will spend $5 billion over five years. Small business tax break to be added in Senate (Full story...HR2)

STEM CELL DEBATE REVIVED

Provisions Vetoed in Earlier Bill Included

Steps Taken To Avoid Cell 'farming' for Profit

The potential of the cells to help fight disease compels revisiting the bill, supporters hold. The cells are life and must not be destroyed, opponents say. (Full story...HR3)

MEDICARE BILL ALLOWS

GOVT TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES

Government negotiators would intervene between pharmaceutical companies and private health plans selling prescription plans to seniors. Some question if prices can be lowered.

(Full Story..HR4)

Monthly Budget Review Shows Continued Decline in Deficit Despite Increases in Spending

2007 First Quarter Deficit of $85 billion is $35 billion Less Than Same Time Last Year.

(Story here...MBR)

SENATE

Photo: Morgue files

SENATE ETHICS LAW DELIBERATED

Members Voting Against Cost of Living Increase Sacrifice Their Increase

Amendment Prohibits Pensions for Corrupt Lawmakers

The Senate began consideration of ethics and lobby issues this week to produce a bill that can be signed into law whereas the House ethics and protocol Resolution passed last week added to internal rules and will not become public law.

Both bills stiffen fines for failure of lobbyists to provide information publicly about their activities and spending with Members and concern themselves with gift bans but neither has yet to address lobbyist donations to political campaigns. The Senate bill, however, goes further as amended to raise some fines for lobbyist misbehavior to $200,000 per incident.

Both bills require that earmarks be identified in all bills and the sponsor of the earmark be identified. The senate bill requires the addition of an explanation of government purpose for the earmark and provides a procedural mechanism for posing a point of order on a bill when an unidentified earmark is suspected, allowing then for a period of floor debate to hash out the conflict.

The Senate bill provides a provision or, perhaps, an invitation that would prohibit a Member from receiving a cost-of-living-increase if the Member voted against such an increase or attempted a parliamentary move to block an increase. That Member's COLA would be deposited in a healthcare account for veterans in the US Treasury.

Creation of an oversight committee to follow ethical matters and make recommendations on punishments and procedures is included but is expected to be amended to provide a public office, detached from Congress, to oversee how Members behave.

The bill will remain under consideration for amendments until the week of January 15th when the Majority Leader expects to complete amendment and debate activity and vote on passage. (Full Story....S1)