TWICJUN2708

(TheWeekInCongress.com) June 26, 2008 - All US Transportation uses 14 million gallons of petroleum daily. The bill aims to move Americans towards the use of mass transit as a way to reduce demand on oil.

$1.7 billion is provided to States with some flexibility to reduce transit fares or extend mass transit systems. The bill also increases the Federal share in some mass transit projects to 100%.

The Federal transit pass for government employees would be expanded nationwide. Acquisition of van pool vehicles is facilitated.

The bill passed the House 322 to 98.

HR 6052

ENERGY PRICE GOUGING BILL FAILS IN THE HOUSE

Details Too Vague, Opponents Argue.

HR 6346, a bill to define and prohibit gasoline price gouging required that two thirds of the House agree, but failed on a largely party line vote of 276 to 146. 51 Republicans joined 225 Democrats to support the bill while one Democrat joined 145 Republicans opposing the measure. Opponents held that the terminology and definitions of price gouging in the bill were too vague. The bill required a presidential determination of an energy emergency before bill provisions would be activated and sets forth fines for violations.

HR 6346

BILL REQUIRING ENERGY COMPANY TO USE LEASES OR LOSE THEM FAILS IN THE HOUSE

A bill that requires those who hold oil and gas leases on Federal lands to show diligent progress towards production or risk losing the lease failed to receive the 2/3rds votes need for passage.

HR 6251

BILL TO CURTAIL OIL MARKET SPECULATION PASSES HOUSE

The House passed HR 6377 that directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a government created watchdog over the commodities and futures market, to take action to curtail unreasonable market speculation that is driving energy prices beyond what would be justified by simple supply and demand forces. The CFTC could approach the matter by raising margin and other cash requirements on futures trading. The margin, now low, is the amount of actual cash the trader must put down on the futures contract, a percentage of the actual amount of the contract.. By raising the margin the risk of loss would be higher and speculation is expected to wane. The bill was agreed to 402 to 19.
HR 6377

SENATE APPROACHES HOUSE WIRE TAP AMENDMENTS BILL

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. Cloture was agreed to in the Senate June 25th. The bill was agreed to in the House 293 to 129. On Thursday, June 26th the Senate Majority Leaders put forth that an agreement was made to revisit HR 6304 on Tuesday, July 8th and that the only amendments made in order are Dodd/Feingold/Leahy amendment to strike immunity, the Specter amendment, and the Bingaman amendment concerning staying court cases against telecom companies.

HR 6304

HOUSE-PASSED FORECLOSURE AID BILL DELAYED IN THE SENATE

Senators Oppose $4 billion to States and Locals for Foreclosed Property Buyouts

(TheWeekInCongress.com) June 26, 2008 - HR 3221 began in April as a renewable energy bill but soon became a vehicle for a Senate-initiated amendment regarding the housing crisis. The House accepted that amendment and then further amended the housing provisions, sending the bill back to the Senate where it continued to be amended.

Although the House and Senate generally agree on the bill's content, divisions over a $4 billion House provision that would aid States and municipalities in the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed properties. The White House has weighed in to veto the bill if that provision was left in. The Senate agreed 79 to 16 to the Dodd/Shelby amendment that would substitute Senate language for House language in the bill.

Consideration is expected to continue in early July.

The Majority's outline of bill provisions

HR 3221- Including all amendments

HR 3221 Majority Whip's Bill Details

HR 3221 Senate Substitute Amendment Text

Reports on other bills included in HR 3221 amended:

HR 1852, HR 1066, & HR 1427

SENATE APPROVES HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO WAR SUPPLEMENTAL

The bill, HR 2462 began as a military construction funding bill in the House and moved back and forth between the House and Senate to become the vehicle for the President's ware supplemental. The final bill provides funds to continue the wars in the Middle East, provide vet benefits, Midwest and post Katrina disaster relief and unemployment insurance funds.

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

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Bills Aim to Add Epilepsy Treatment to VA Benefits; Protect Vets from Bankruptcy; Increase Reach of Disabled Protection; Expand Foster Care benefits.

Epilepsy Treatment

With some similarities between the causes of traumatic brain injury and the possible causes of epilepsy will be studied in the 6 Epilepsy Centers of Excellence established in the bill.

HR 2818

Bankruptcy Protection

Higher pay rates for troops in combat are ended when redeployed, but the preceding period of higher pay is used to determine qualifications for bankruptcy. The bill solves the problem.

HR 4044

Foster Care

States are provided with the option to provide kinship guardianship payments on behalf of children, to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of the children for whom they have cared for as foster parents on a permanent basis.

HR 6307

The Senate will continue business Friday. When the Senate returns to work on July 7th it is expected to continue the FISA Amendments bill (HR 6304) and the House Passed Medicare bill (HR 6331).

The House is adjourned until July 8th.