House Cloakroom
Analysis: This week, the House will take up its version of the farm bill. Like the Senate bill that has already passed, it is a nearly $1 trillion reauthorization of food stamps and agriculture subsidies. The Heritage Foundation has compiled a list of 20 unjustified programs in the bill, including a tax on Christmas trees. Also on the floor next week will be a bill banning abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks, when unborn babies are capable of feeling pain.
Major Floor Action:
- HR 1947 – Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013
- HR 1797 – District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
Major Committee Action:
- The House Judiciary Committee will hold a markup of the Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act.
- The House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a markup of the Student Success Act.
- The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security will hold a hearing on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.
- The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on the Medicare Trustees Report.
Senate Cloakroom
Analysis: This week, debate will continue on the Senate Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform bill. The Heritage Foundation has a new paper pointing out that the bill does not require those who are given amnesty to pay all their back taxes. This is just one of many problems with the bill.
Major Floor Action:
- S 744 – Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act
Major Committee Action:
- The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on “Transparency in Health Care Spending.”
- The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “Extreme Weather Events.”