TWICJUN2008

(TheWeekInCongress.com) June 19, 2008 - It might seem presumptuous that TheWeekInCongress.com, a small publication, would associate itself with the journalist icon, Tim Russert. As it turns out, likely without even knowing of its existence, Russert had a tremendous influence on the Website.

TheWeekInCongress.com was preceded by the newspaper column of the same name. More space was needed than print publications could provide. A website was in order. It was important to first determine the voice of the Website, the extent and nature of reporting bill content, and how to handle politics. We looked to the top of the journalistic food chain for guidance.

The voice of the Website was influenced by Lynne Russell, one of the original three anchors when CNN got started decades back. Russell offered direct, to the point, reporting with a calm demeanor. For guidance on the extent and nature of information reported we looked to Jim Lehrer. His News Hour continues to thoroughly parse and dissect news. How, though, could such politically charged information as US legislation be considered and explained without partisan politics? It was Tim Russert who showed the way. If there was any one thing that simply 'came off' of Tim Russert it was that he may or may not have agreed with a political position but was willing to let that view be aired, open it up for viewers to hear and decide. It doesn't get any better than that.

Russert's influence on the world of journalism and this Website in particular will continue simply because it is the right way to go about the business. Thanks for setting the bar where it ought to be, Tim.

R. H. McElroy

H. RES 1275

WAR SUPPLEMENTAL TAKEN UP IN THE HOUSE

The Bill Has Passed Both Bodies With Amendments and Amendments to the Amendments

The complicated bill was originally intended to fund military construction projects, but became a vehicle for the President's request for supplemental funds for Iraq, some domestic spending and provisions that would remove troops from Iraq.

After passage in the House the Senate amendments removed domestic spending provisions considered sure to be vetoed as well as the multi-billion tax provision from raising taxes on the wealthy that paid for most bill provisions including the proposed GI bill of rights education provisions extended to current veterans. The Senate also added increased spending.

The House now removes the Senate amendments and divided the question into two amendments. The first amendment funds the war and some foreign aid including $170 million to Israel that would be lost if the appropriation bills are not completed by the end of the fiscal year. The war funding is cut by $3 billion to total $161 billion. The first amendment was agreed to 268 to 155 . RC 431.

The second amendment expands educational benefits for veterans under the GI bill. That amendment does not come with spending offsets. Permanent bases in Iraq continue to be prohibited. The bill requires that any agreements with Iraq as the administration is now trying to develop be approved by the Senate as would general treaties. It also sets provisions that require Iraq pay for 50% of its own reconstruction costs. The second amendment was agreed to 416 to 12. RC 432

Other veterans matters are also included. Unemployment benefits passed last week will be included at about $2 billion less than the original bill proposed after some modifications on eligibility.

The emergency nature of the bill allows for deficit spending. The bill would total $257 billion.

HR 2642 - the original bill --- HR 2642 with amendment details.

FISA BILL MOVES IN HOUSE

Immunity for Telecoms Allowed with Documentation

Participants in FISA Authorization Between 911 and Jan. 2007 Must Document Their Actions

The House, Senate and White House have agreed to a FISA bill that would relieve telecoms who aided the government and are being sued civilly if they can produce the written authorization from the government. Participants in the President's Surveillance Program defined as surveillance conducted between 911 and January 7, 2007 must provide documentation and explanation of their roles and actions. The bill was agreed to in the House 293 to 129.

HR 6304

SENATE-HOUSE OVERRIDE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF COMPLETE FARM BILL

The House and Senate voted to override the President's veto of the current farm bill. This is the second veto override on the bill. Earlier the President vetoed HR 2419 but the bill, was sent to the President missing one of its titles. The President vetoed that bill and the House and Senate overrode that veto. A new bill was crafted to include the missing title. The President vetoed that bill as well. On the HR 2419 veto override the House voted 316 to 8 . The Senate voted 82 to 13. On the second veto override vote the vote was on the replacement bill, HR 6124. the House voted 317 to 109. The Senate voted 80 to 14.

MINORITY ATTEMPTS ENERGY BILL

DISCHARGE PETITION

Democrats Plan Four Bills of Their Own

(TheWeekInCongress.com) June 19, 2008 - The dividing line between most Republicans and the Democrat legislation to reduce gas prices is domestic drilling. Democrats historically have opposed drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve as was prohibited ten years ago by President Clinton and have supported laws prohibiting oil extraction within 150 miles of the US shoreline. Republicans hold that the time is now to drill domestically as the quickest way to lower energy prices.

The Discharge petition is a mechanism whereby 218 Members can vote to discharge a bill from committee directly to the floor for consideration and a vote. The bill subject to the petition is HR 2279 sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA-16th). As of June 18th the petition had 91 signatures.

HR 2279 calls for the President to open at least three closed or to-be-closed military bases to construct refinery facilities. The bill is specific to refineries, not drilling and aims at the current wisdom that one reason for high gas prices is insufficient US refining facilities to meet demand. Opposition has held that the current refineries are only operating at 86% of capacity.

The House is expected to consider several energy-related bills during the week beginning June 23rd. One bill is described as requiring energy companies who own oil leases on approximately 65 million acres of US land to drill or lose the leases. The other bills would return the regulations that were deregulated in the early 2000's allowing for increased speculation in the energy markets seen as a significant cause of high prices, and aid the transportation costs of commuters. A recent House-passed bill defining and prohibiting fuel price gouging is to be included.

HR 2279

HOUSE COMPLETES NASA FUNDING

The Authorization for NASA funding and programs was passed by the House with a 409 to 15 vote.

HR 6063

SENATE TAKES UP HOUSE MORTGAGE BILL

The Senate is Responding to House Amendments to the Senate Amendments.

The bill aims towards renewable energy development, sequestration of carbon dioxide, International cooperation on energy and pollution, energy efficient buildings and other energy-related matters. The government would be prohibited from entering into any leases with companies for exploration of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico until those companies agree to revise earlier contracts that inadvertently limited the amount of royalties they owed on extracting the commodities.

HR 3221

HR 3221 Majority Whip's Bill Details

HR 3221 Senate Substitute Amendment

No reproduction, language translation or distribution of all website content without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)

Bills Seek to Increased Bomb Security; Trace Source of Nuclear Attack; Test Airport Screening; Urge Implementation of 911 Commission Priorities; Provide Recourse for Bumped Air Passengers; And incorporate Civil Air Patrol into National Security.

Bomb Threats

The Office for Bombing Prevention would enhance the ability and coordinate efforts to deter, detect, prevent, protect against and respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the US.

HR 2631

Nuclear Forensics

To be established is a Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program devoted to developing and maintaining a ‘vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties related to technical nuclear forensics, radio chemistry, geochemistry, nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, materials science and analytical chemistry.’

HR 4749

Airport Bio-Screening

The bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study on how airports can transition to uniform, standards-based and interoperable biometric identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access to secure or sterile areas at an airport.

HR 5982

Mass Transit Security

The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for the safe keeping of 11.3 million mass transit passengers. The resolution urges the TSA to enhance security against terrorist attacks and continue to develop the National Explosives Detection Canine Team.

HRES 1150

Bumped Air Passengers

Individuals who believe they have been delayed or prohibited from boarding a commercial aircraft because they were wrongly identified as a threat would find a ‘timely and fair process’ of mitigation under this bill.

HR 4179

Civil Air Patrol

The Secretary of Homeland Security is directed to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Defense to use the Civil Air Patrol to support homeland security missions.

HR 1333

The Senate will continue debate on HR 3221 but no votes are expected until June 23rd or 24th. The Senate may also move to HR 2642, the war supplemental passed by the House on Thursday. The Senate is also expected to take up the FISA bill during the week beginning June 23rd.