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Another Would Pay for the Iraq Occupation Until July 2007 and Then Consider Further Spending Based On Iraq Meeting Benchmarks Created by and Certified by the President

{Report HR 2206}

{The Bill Passed May 10, 2007 221 to 205---Vote}

The Third would Extend Relief to What is Termed Unfinished Disaster and Emergency Relief in the Western States

{Report HR 2207)

{The Bill Passed 302 to 120---Vote}

The bills represent the original, vetoed bill divided for separate vote. Passed bills may be combined together under HR 2206 with the title changed to reflect any additions.

→The Original Bill, HR 1591, Conference Report Details as Passed and Vetoed
→The Bill, HR 1591, Language Regarding Benchmarks for Iraq to Meet.
→Text of the Bill, HR 1591, Indexed for Research

SENATE COMPLETES WORK ON FDA BILL

Lower Cost Drug Imports, Internet Pharmacy Regulation Not Likely

Photo: Hu

The bill aims primarily at charging pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers more for product testing and other reviews and then using those funds to improve safety-testing of prescription drugs and other oversight, but debate quickly turned last week to the issue of importing drugs from foreign countries at a cost-savings to consumers.

Recent action on the bill sharply lessened the prospect of lower cost drug imports reaching American consumers due to a provision requiring the drugs to be certified as safe. The administration has, in the past, noted that certifying safety is nearly impossible due to the absence of oversight regarding handling of the drug between manufacturer and consumer, oversight of ingredients and related problems.

An amendment to improve conflict of interest rules for the FDA’s advisory committees that have members who might profit from the committee's decisions failed.

Increasing the authority of FDA scientists in regards to determining drug safety was also defeated.

Other amendments include review of labeling on indoor tanning machines, ensuring the safety of human and pet food, and permitting the sale of baby turtles if the seller can certify they are salmonella-free. An amendment proposing better regulation of Internet pharmacies was withdrawn.

{Full report with amendments and votes}

HOUSE - SENATE TO MEET ON FY2008 BUDGET

Resolutions are Similar

Photo Jane M. Sawyer

House: $2.7 trillion for FY 2008 rising to $2.9 trillion in FY 2012

Senate: $2.299 trillion for FY 2008 rising to $2.677 trillion in FY 2012.

The House replaced the senate bill with the House bill. The Senate voted on instructing its conferees to extend tax breaks as follows:

Kyl Amendment. Make permanent the estate tax break, leave tax rate at 35% for estates over $4 million, lower for smaller estates.

Passed: 54 to 41 (Vote)

Gregg Amendment: Continue Marriage tax break, childe tax credit, 10% tax rate, Earned Income Tax Credit for military families, adoption credit, dependent care, college tuition credit, 15% capital gains, death tax and $2000 IRA deduction.

Failed: 44 to 51 (Vote)

Conrad Amendment: Continues the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief and ten-percent bracket; extends the adoption tax credit, dependent care tax credit, treatment of combat pay for purposes of EITC ; reforms the estate tax towards small businesses and family farms and raises the joint recipient heirs exemption from estate taxes to $7 million. The amendment directs the Senate to debate the relief and is said not to increase the deficit through 2012

Passed: 51 to 44 (Vote)

{Report on Senate Resolution (SCR 21)} {Report on House Resolution (HCR99)}

Bills Authorize Homeland Security and Intelligence Spending; Small Business Program Revisions; and Cut Off Gaming of the Educational Loan Program by Lenders

DHS Policy, Contract and Preparedness Emphasized

A new Directorate of Policy is formed to oversee department operations and decisions. Provisions include bio-preparedness and protection of critical infrastructure.

{Full Report}

Intelligence Agency Programs and Spending Authorized

Most of the content and amounts for the 16 intelligence agencies are classified due to security concerns. Amendments aim to improve the resources of personnel

{Full Report}

Opportunities for Small Business Participation in Government Contracts Improved

Provisions allowing for small contracts to be 'bundled' with larger contracts are changed to break out smaller, more manageable contracts for small business bidders.

{Full Report}

Lenders Must Reveal More Information to Student Loan Borrowers

Student loan lenders are prohibited from appearing to be endorsed by the educational institutions in which they do business and must give more loan detail options to borrowers.

{Full Report}

SENATE BEGINS WORK ON HOUSE WATER BILL

The Senate took up HR 1495, a bill that authorizes water and water-related projects to be carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers. The House Provided over $13 billion. The Senate bill parallels the House bill but would spend a bit more and would focus more funds on specific projects such as continued Katrina relief for new Orleans and that area.

The Senate invoked cloture providing for further considerations of the bill 89 to 7. (Vote)