House Cloakroom: March 19 – March 23
Analysis: This week marks the second anniversary of the passage of a government takeover of our health care, Obamacare. Fittingly, this anniversary will coincide with the release of Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) Fiscal 2013 Budget, which places us on a path to reducing the size and scope of government. Watch this week for more information on the details of the plan as it is released. The House will also vote on a repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that includes a problematic federal reform of medical malpractice laws.
Major Floor Action:
- HR 5 – HEALTH Act (IPAB repeal and federal medical malpractice reform)
Major Committee Action:
- The House Budget Committee will introduce Rep. Ryan’s Fiscal 2013 Budget.
- The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on the “International Financial System Review.”
- The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing on “Department of Energy Stimulus Spending.”
- The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on “Iran and Hezbollah Threat Assessment.”
- The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on “Jobs and Gasoline Prices.”
Senate Cloakroom: March 19 – March 23
Analysis: This week the Senate will take up the House passed JOBS Act, a bill meant to help small businesses acquire capital to start up and grow. While the Senate is on this bill they will consider expanding a corporate subsidy as an amendment to the bill. The United States Export-Import Bank requires congressional re-authorization so they can continue to issue loans at a risk to the taxpayers at the direction of their legislation. The bank is similar to a Fannie Mae for exporters. This proposed extension and expansion of government intervention in the free market comes in sharp contrast to the budget being introduced at the same time in the House.
Major Floor Action:
- HR 3606 – JOBS Act
- #1833 – Cantwell Amendment (US Export-Import Bank Re-authorization)
Major Committee Action:
- The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on “Determining Guilt or Innocence.”
- The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the “Situation in Afghanistan.”
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on “Stay-at-Work and Back-to-Work Strategies.”