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TheWeekInCongress.com-September 20, 2007--The Senate has returned to amending HR 1585, the $631 billion Department of Defense Authorization bill that sets spending limits, authorizes defense programs and sets US policy in regards to defense matters and the war on terror. A substitute amendment would replace the House-passed bill text with the Senate version. S 1547.

The bill was pulled from the Senate floor in late July when it failed to garner enough votes to proceed to a final vote on passage.

Amendments of special interest this week include:

The Specter (R-PA) amendment to provide habeas corpus protection to detainees of the war on terror failed to gain sufficient cloture votes 56 to 43

The Webb (D-VA) amendment to specify dwell time for troops between deployment was rejected 56 to 44 as was a similar amendment he offered in July that was also defeated 56 to 41. A McCain Amendment that recognized the need for military leaders to have flexibility regarding deployment and troop down time was also rejected 55 to 45 (60 votes needed) In another amendment, R&R time would be enhanced for members whose qualifying tour of duty is 12 months or less, or for not more than 20 days for members whose qualifying tour of duty is longer than 12 months.

A Levin (D-MI) amendment, requiring that the Secretary of Defense commence the reduction of the number of United States forces in Iraq not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the bill, fell when the underlying amendment, aiming to provide for a reduction of and transition of US forces in Iraq, was withdrawn. The Feingold (D-WI) amendment that aimed to remove all combat troops from Iraq in 2008 failed on a 28 to 70 vote.

Several successful amendments focused on increasing medical attention to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and conditions related to service in that theater as well as increasing support of military families dealing with deployment issues. Veterans needing to travel more than 100 miles for treatment of combat related injuries would receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses for the veteran, and an adult, spouse, parent, or guardian of the former member, or another member of the former member's family who is at least 21 years of age if necessary.

The matter of the Moveon.org television ad asking "General Petraeus or General Betray us?" continued to draw fire in an amendment condemning that personification that passed 72 to 25, but an amendment that 'strongly condemn attacks on the honor, integrity, and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, by any person or organization' failed to gain the necessary 60 votes and was defeated 51 to 46.

Personal protective security when in the US would be provided to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretaries of the military departments, the Chiefs of the Services,, and Commanders of combatant commands. The amendment requires that security details would be either military personnel or private contractors.

The Senate also gave voice vote agreement to several amendments regarding private contractors as a result of the recent threat of de-authorizing the US Security firm, Blackwater, by the Iraqi government over armed action resulting in the death of Iraqi civilians. The Amendments would look to limitations on security clearances, providing independent management review of contracts, an inspector general report on introducing fines for noncompliance of contracts by private security contractors and to better provide for enforcement of contracts that are indefinite in detail.

The assertions that Iran has a significant impact and role in supporting insurgent activities in Iraq was supported in a July amendment calling for a report on Iran's involvement and complicity in Iraq by a vote of 97 to 0. A pending Lieberman (I-CT) / Kyle (R-AZ) amendment would further assert US policy in regard to Iran.

The final vote for the week was taken on the Levin/Reed (D-RI) amendment that would withdraw most US troops from Iraq within nine months. Remaining troops would support Iraqi forces. The amendment failed on a 47 to 47 vote. The amendment required 60 votes for passage.

Amendment action, approaching 500 registered amendments, will continue during the week beginning September 24th.

{HR 1585 with House & Senate Amendments-Votes}

{S 1547}

(Senate Amendments}

{Senate Committee Report-Indexed for Research}

{Senate Committee Statement on earmarks}

Bills Would Increase Economic Aid to 28 States; Require Mental Health Parity in Group Health Insurance; Extend Terror Insurance Program.

Aid to States

Hundreds of counties in 28 States from Maine to Georgia, Texas to California and several mid-western States have unemployment and poverty rates beyond 150% of the national average.

Grants would provide basic building blocks for economic development. Transportation and public infrastructure, jobs skills training and business development.

HR 3246

Mental Health

Recognizing that Mental health and substance abuse problems have a significant impact on work attendance and performance, the bill requires Mental health benefits to be no more restrictive than standard health care benefits.

S 558

Terror Insurance

The Government program of back up insurance for terror damages after a certain amount is paid by private insurers, intended to run for three years, is extended for fifteen years.

HR 2761

The House is adjourned until September 24th. The Senate will continue consideration of HR 1585, the Defense Authorization bill with one vote on Friday and continued amendment action beginning again on Monday. On Monday, the Senate will also take up the the conference report to the Water Resources bill, HR 1495, with passage expected.