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(TheWeekInCongress.com) May 1, 2008 - Hailed by Senator Kennedy (D-MA) as the "first major new civil rights bill of the new century" the House agreed 414 to 1to Senate amendments to the bill. The amended bill passed the Senate 95 to 0. The bill protects insurance buyers and employees from coverage and hiring decisions based on genetic information.

The bill establishes fines running from $100 per day to a cap of $500,000 for health insurance companies that violate the law. The Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights has jurisdiction over privacy violations.

HR 493

FARM BILL LINGERS IN HOUSE

Final Passage Expected Next Week

(TheWeekInCongress.com) May 1, 2008 - The $280 billion, five-year Farm Bill conference report remains under consideration in the House with a final vote expected during the week of May 5th. The bill provides nutrition programs, farm financing, export and conservation programs and subsidies to farmers.

Delay on the bill is centered on it continuing subsidies to farmers at a time when farm income is high, averaging more than the average income of other Americans. Rep, Jeff Flake (R-AZ) propose to return the bill to the conference committee with the instruction not to raise the direct payments to farmers above the $40,000 cap now in place. The original House bill set the cap at $60,000, the Senate reduced it. The Flake Motion was defeated 157 to 259.

To other motion to recommit the bill will be voted on May 6th. A motion proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI-1st) is a budget oriented effort that holds the bill violated House pay-as-you-go rules because the current conference report under consideration uses the 2007 CBO baseline from which it balances its figures. The 2007 baseline is lower than the 2008 baseline. Rep. Ryan pointed out that agricultural products and fuel prices have risen dramatically in the past year. To determine subsidy prices on the lower figures allows for higher subsidies based on lower prices, Rep Ryan explained. Opposition to the motion from the Republican Ranking Committee Member noted that the baseline used is the one consulted when the bill was considered in the House last year. Senate rules did not dispute that explanation.

Another motion by Rep Ron Kind (D-WI-3rd) aims to increase funds for conservation programs. The motion was supported by the explanation that two out of three farmers who apply for financial support in exchange for putting acreage into the program are denied due to the lack of funds. The current funding is $5.3 billion over five years.

HR 2419 - Original House Farm bill with Amendments

SENATOR MCCAIN ESTABLISHES CITIZENSHIP

(TheWeekInCongress.com) May 1, 2008 - Having been born to American parents on a military base in Panama, Senator McCain deals with clarifying the Constitutional requirements that an American President must be a 'natural born citizen'.

The Constitution requires that an American President must have reached the age of 35; must have resided in America for 14 years; and must be a ``natural born Citizen'' of the United States.

SRES 511

Bills Improve Aviation Safety; Seek Regulations on Combustible Dust; Give Mariana Islands Voice in US House.

Air Safety

Congress sees US aviation infrastructure at a crossroads. The bill provides fixes.

HR 2881

Combustible Dust

After deaths from explosions in a Sugar factory Congress looks to eliminate the danger to workers.

HR 5522

Mariana Islands

Omnibus Public Land Bill would also give the Northern Mariana Islands a delegate seat in the US House.

S 2739