Conor Kenny's News Articles

Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (Feb. 9 - 15, 2008)

by Conor Kenny — February 11, 2008 - 1:11pm
  • Topics: This Week In Congress

    • With the Senate approving an economic package last week, it looks like Congress can now return to some issues that were put on hold while the stimulus plan was crafted.

    For example, while both the House and Senate approved a Farm bill last year, the chambers never met to iron out their differences. Earlier his month, the Senate announced conferees, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is expected to do the same tomorrow.

    One possible snag may be subsidies for farmers: President Bush has threatened a veto if subsidies are included for individuals making more than $200,000 per year. Another might be the Sen. Finance Committee: Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) wants to check the bill for tax loopholes that can be closed.

    A quick update on FISA, the FARM bill and the budget are after the break, along with committee schedules.

    Congresspedia Review: This Week in Congress (Feb. 2 - 8, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — February 8, 2008 - 3:17pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress

    • Less than two weeks after President George W. Bush issued his call for action, Congress approved an economic stimulus package designed to put spending money in the hands of Americans. While the Senate was able to exert some pressure on the legislation, expanding eligibility for seniors and disabled veterans, Republicans successfully blocked additional measures geared toward lower-income workers and the unemployed.

    Meanwhile, the debate over the stimulus package stalled work on the RESTORE Act (the FISA reform bill) in the Senate. With the recently approved 15-day extension of the Protect America Act expiring on February 16, time is again running out for electronic surveillance reform.

    Major differences exist between the House and Senate versions of the bill, including the question of whether phone companies that helped the administration eavesdrop on Americans’ phone calls should receive immunity from civil lawsuits. The House approved its bill last year without an immunity provision. Meanwhile, the Senate spent the first few weeks of the year fighting over immunity, which President Bush has said is essential in a completed bill.

    For more on FISA and on energy legislation, follow the link after the break.

    Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (Feb. 2 - 8, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — February 4, 2008 - 11:47am
  • Topics: This Week In Congress

    • The same fears of recession that are fueling quick Congressional action on an economic stimulus package are also forcing President Bush to submit a budget that trims spending on popular programs. However, despite any belt-tightening, the stimulus package will likely push the budget deficit to $400 billion, the highest since 2004 (though lower in real terms due to inflation) and a figure that will tie lawmakers’ hands heading into the 2008 elections.

    The FY 2009 Federal Budget is the first to break the $3 trillion threshold. In it, Bush aims to increase defense spending by five percent, but will propose reductions in Medicaid and some education programs. Others, like the Early Start reading program, would be eliminated entirely.

    The Senate will resume its review of the stimulus bill today, including amendments that would extend unemployment benefits for 13 weeks and would provide tax rebates for seniors and disabled veterans. Also up for consideration: food stamp extensions, low-income heating assistance, and home investment incentives.

    For more on the budget, the FISA debate in the Senate, and committee schedules for the week, check after the break.

    Congresspedia Review: This Week in Congress (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — February 1, 2008 - 11:10am
  • Topics: Congresspedia News Updates

    • This week, we saw Democrats in the Senate becoming more assertive in their second year as the majority party, as the chamber continued its fracas over electronic intelligence reform and prepared to vote on its own economic stimulus package.

    The House on Tuesday passed its version of an economic stimulus bill. Backed by President Bush, the legislation includes tax incentives for business investment and rebate checks for working Americans. However, also on Tuesday, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), rained on the stimulus parade, signaling his committee would vote on an expanded economic package.

    The Senate’s plan for stimulus varies from one drafted in the House. The Senate version would offer tax rebates check to more Americans, including seniors and the wealthy. However, those rebates would be worth less compared to the House proposal: $500 vs. $600 for individuals, and $1,000 vs. $1,200 for couples. It also raises the ceiling for who can get checks: for individuals, $150,000 and, for couples, $300,000. The House ceilings are half as high.

    The Senate will take up the House version of the bill on Monday, and will then offer provisions of its plan as amendments. It’s unclear whether Democrats will have enough votes to include a long-term unemployment benefits extension or 5.6 billion in renewable energy and efficiency tax credits. There does appear to be support for funding low-income heating assistance.

    There’s more on FISA below the fold including details on a deal reached in the Senate.

    Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — January 29, 2008 - 4:43pm
  • Topics: This Week In Congress

    • By Congresspedia Assistant Editor Avelino Maestas

    With the State of the Union address out of the way, all eyes should return to Congress’ most pressing issues: FISA reform and an economic stimulus package.

    It looks like Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), is going to spoil the stimulus party, introducing his own economic stimulus bill to rival the compromise version reached by President Bush and the House of Representatives. Baucus — the Senate Finance Committee chairman — said rebates for seniors, extended benefits for the long-term unemployed, and tax relief for businesses were the key components of the Senate plan, which is backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

    The Senate bill would issue rebate checks for most Americans: in this case $500 for just about everybody or $1,000 for couples, rather than the tiered system favored by Bush and the House. That bill would begin phasing out rebates for individuals making more than $75,000, and for couples making more than $150,000.

    The House is expected to vote on their version of the package this afternoon, meaning a conference committee will have to sort out the differences before the bill can move on to the White House. Bush urged quick passage of a stimulus bill during his State of the Union address on Monday.

    Prior to the president’s speech, Senators continued their legislative tug-of-war over electronic intelligence reform. More on the debate, and the history of FISA legislation, after the break.

    Congresspedia Review: This Week in Congress (Jan. 22 - 25, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — January 28, 2008 - 5:33pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress

    • Details of a proposed economic stimulus package were revealed this week. It includes rebate checks (of at least $300, with individuals set to receive $600 and couple's $1,600) for most Americans and a series of tax incentives for businesses. While the Senate hasn’t had a chance to really contribute to the conversation, most observers believe the proposal will quickly move forward following President Bush’s State of the Union speech on Monday.

    Also on Monday, the Senate will debate a cloture motion on a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act overhaul bill. Known as the RESTORE Act, the legislation outlines oversight roles for the collection of electronic communications intelligence. Today, the Senate voted down a proposal to increase oversight, tighten restrictions in intelligence collection. A competing measure -- which includes legal immunity for phone companies that helped the federal government spy on Americans without a warrant – is to be debated on Monday. If the cloture motion succeeds, members will continue with a vote on the overall bill, without discussing a number of amendments introduced during debate.

    Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (Jan. 22 - 25, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — January 22, 2008 - 1:15pm
  • Topics: This Week In Congress

    • Markets overseas on Monday reacted to a potential US recession with near panic, and American stocks saw a sharp drop today when they reopened, providing further incentive to Congressional leaders hoping to develop an economic stimulus plan this week.

    Stocks later erased their losses, after the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by 3/4 of a point. Lawmakers are meeting with President Bush today to talk about a package of tax rebates, incentives and other measures meant to stave off a recession. They hope to have a plan developed by the State of the Union speech next Monday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he thinks Congress can pass a stimulus plan by March 1.

    Several high profile issues may be pushed to the wings as the economy takes over the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean we’re not keeping an eye on things for you here at Congresspedia. FISA reform, defense appropriations and children’s health care will all see votes this week. There’s more below the fold, including committee schedules for the week.

    Congresspedia Review: This Week in Congress (Jan. 11 - 18, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — January 18, 2008 - 4:30pm

    By Assistant Managing Editor Avelino Maestas

    Congress this week began work on an economic stimulus package, designed to prop up a struggling economy amidst a worsening mortgage-lending crisis. While the details of Democrats’ plans remain under wraps, President Bush unveiled his proposed economic stimulus package on Friday.

    Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (Jan. 15 - 18, 2008)

    by Conor Kenny — January 16, 2008 - 12:46pm
  • Topics: This Week In Congress, U.S. Congress

    • By Avelino Maestas, Assistant Managing Editor, Congresspedia

    Congress is back up to half-strength this week, following the winter recess. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) kept the Senate in a special “pro forma” session in a bid to prevent President Bush from making any recess appointments. That didn’t stop Bush from attempting a pocket veto on the Defense Appropriations Act, which funds the Defense Department and provides money for soldier and sailor enlistment bonuses.

    Congress is Out Until Mid-Late Jan., But Congresspedia is Open for Business

    by Conor Kenny — January 7, 2008 - 1:48pm

    The lights at the House are out until January 15th and the Senate gets back on the 21st, but there's still plenty happening on Congresspedia. One of the most exciting is the Wiki the Vote project to build profiles on each and every candidate for Congress. Candidates, supporters, detractors and those whose motivation I haven't quite been able to discern have been showing up to add all kind of information to the profiles.

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