TWICJUL1808

(TheWeekInCongress.com) July 17, 2008 - The House passed HR 5959, a bill to authorize funds for the US intelligence community. While intelligence spending is classified and rarely are specifics offered on activities funded, this year the bill took on issues that have surfaced between Congress' effort to exercise oversight and the White House's reluctance to provide information as well as political issues that have risen to national attention.

The bill takes a broad step in establishing that nothing in it authorizes any conduct that is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution. It then moves to detailed issues. The matter of disclosure of CIA operative Valerie Plame is addressed with an increase in jail time from ten to fifteen years for those who disclose an agent's name after access to identifying information. Those who disclose after access to classified information would face ten years in jail.

The Detainee Act, a 2005 law that codified definitions of detainees, their rights to counsel, and removed their option of habeas corpus is to be reported on by the Director of National Intelligence who must explain adherence to or departure from the law. The related issue of interrogation and torture is addressed with the provision that private contractors are prohibited from being paid to conduct the interrogation of a detainee or prisoner in custody or under the effective control of the CIA. The Director of National Intelligence may waive that prohibition if he certifies that the contractor must be hired because no Federal employee is capable of performing the interrogation or is available to perform them, and the interrogation is in the national interest.

As Congress seeks avenues for oversight the bill requires that the President report in extensive detail on specific justifications, legal challenges, financial and other aspects of intelligence operations he or she authorizes. The bill also establishes far reaching authority for the intelligence community Office of Inspector General and requires the IG to report with extreme detail to Congress.

Beyond the politics, the bill looks to increase education and training of students through grants for the study of foreign languages and dialects. Human intelligence activities, considered essential to US security, will receive increased funding as Congress reports concerns with reductions in spending and less support for those activities by the Bush Administration. Cyber Security of Federal computers is to be studied by an advisory panel of congressional members appointed by the President. Nuclear trafficking is to be reported on as are any nuclear ambitions in Syria, Iran and North Korea. Congress also requires a report on the prospect of weapons of mass destruction development in Syria.

The bill passed the House amended by voice vote.

HR 5959

ALASKA OIL AND GAS BILL FAILS IN THE HOUSE

The Bill Would Open Little Mentioned Reserve Near North Slope Oil Fields

(TheWeekInCongress.com) July 17, 2008 - The US House failed to muster two thirds support for HR 6515, a bill providing for a natural gas pipeline relatively parallel to the existing North Slope oil pipeline put in place decades ago. Other provisions in the bill required current lease holders to certify diligent efforts to exploit those leases or return them to the Department of Interior. The bill failed on a vote of 244 to 173.

A related bill, HR 6251, also failed 223 to 195 on June 26, 2008

HR 6515

HOUSE AND SENATE OVERRIDE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF MEDICARE BILL

HOUSE - 381 to 41

SENATE - 70 to 26

KUCINICH IMPEACHMENT QUEST REFERRED TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

The Ohio Democrat has been pushing his 35 Articles of Impeachment Against the President for two weeks through floor speeches. The House agreed to refer his effort to the Judiciary Committee. The House Agreed to the referral 238 to 180.

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Bills Aim to Increased Marine Education; Make Grants for Paper Ballots; Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa; and Bolsters Sanctions on Burma.

Marine Science

The Sea Grant Program is reauthorized to continue to provide 30 Sea Grant College programs that sponsor and conduct applied and basic marine science research, education, training and technical assistance programs all directed to the understanding and utilization of the ocean, coastal and Great Lake resources.

HR 5618

Paper Backup Ballots

States wanting them can receive grants to provide an alternative paper backup ballots at the polls if systems fail.

HR 5801

AIDS Fight

$50 billion over five years continues the successful effort to stamp out AIDS, TB, and Malaria in Africa.

HR 5501

Burma Sanctions

The bill extends and increases sanction on Burma including blocking assets of government officials.

HR 3890

The House is adjourned until Monday, July 21, 2008.

The Senate is expected to continue business Friday, July 18th and may consider energy-related legislation.