TWICMAR30

Weighing in at $122 billion the Senate version of this House approved bill exceeds the president's overall request of $103 billion and is $2 billion less than the House totals. The Senate version spends $49 billion for defense against a House allotment of $53 billion and the President's request of $50 billion. Finally, disaster relief from the Senate version sits at $11 billion against the House $10 billion and the President's $3 billion.

The Senate bill also would remove troops from Iraq beginning immediately for a total withdrawal by March 2008. For troops to continue the President must certify that "Iraq is making meaningful and substantial progress in meeting political and military benchmarks including the militia disarmament program and fair sharing of oil revenues." An amendment calling to strike the language for withdrawals, presented as an amendment that would not tie the hands of the commander in chief, was defeated.

A report on Iraq's progress in meeting benchmarks is ordered not only from the Commander, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, but the United States Ambassador to Iraq.

Most of the differences-besides spending amounts-between the House and Senate bill is in the amendments and the bill was subject to several amendments unrelated to the bill intent. One amendment removed obstructions to the conveyance of public land to build a prison in Texas. Another amendment called for fiscal responsibility in farm assistance and was defeated. Also incorporated in the final Senate version was the minimum wage bill passed recently and most tax break provisions for small businesses passed at the same time. A cost of living increase for the Federal judiciary was approved by unanimous Consent. Funds to recruit and retain teachers in regions impacted by Hurricane Katrina was also approved.

This bill and the House bill are expected to move quickly through the conference process in which differences in each bill are addressed.

(Full Report Here) (Bill Indexed for Research Here)

Photo: Darcos

SURFACE

TRANSPORTATION TO GET SECURITY OVERHAUL

Ridin' the dog may become a safer prospect as the House pumps $6 billion into beefing security for buses and other over the road transportation modes

Report here

2005 TRANSPORTATION SPENDING BILL REVISED

$20 million for Forest Roads

Repeat DUI Fines Increased

HR 1195

HURRICANE KATRINA AID

CONTINUES

Bills Continue Loan Assistance

HR 1562

Business Aid Extended

HR 1468

Photo: Morgue Files

HOUSE PASSES

BUDGET RESOLUTION

Passage Follows Senate Agreement with the Bill

House/Senate

Conference is Next

The House entertained budget proposals this week beginning with the House resolution HCR 99. The Leadership also allowed a budget from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Republican Caucus to be included in the bill as amendments.

How much would be spent by each plan reflects the differences in the plans. The Progressive Caucus would increase spending across the board and would look to a rapid redeployment of troops from Iraq. The Republican resolution proposes to scale things back to around the amount the President proposes.

The Democratic resolution affirms pay go as the predominant budget tool to cut deficit growth beginning in FY 2008, affirms that no taxes would be raised and prohibits deficit spending, allows the Alternative Minimum Tax to survive another year and sets up a reserve fund mechanism whereby committees are directed to assure that outlays do not increase the deficit.

The Republican resolution-HCRXX-covers most of the same ground but seems to aim at Social Security Fund savings as a key to producing a surplus by 2012. Other spending cutting measures include installing pay as you go. The primary spending difference in the Republican bill is provisions that aim to cut spending for Medicare by $142 billion over 5 years.

The Republicans have also raised some ideological issues from previous congresses including medical malpractice reform and savings on student loans, both cost cutters but savings there would likely to be absorbed by the provision that removes or prohibits budget points of order against any spending on the war on terror. Points of order, if sustained by the chair effectively kill bills and provisions.

The House Budget Resolution HCR 99

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The Republican Budget Resolution amendment at highlights

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The Senate Budget Resolution SCR 21

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The Progressive Caucus Amendment to HCR 99