Here's what Phyllis Schlafly, conservative activist and founder of Eagle Forum, recently wrote:
"Obama's costly, dangerous and altogether bad bill (S. 2433), which could come up in the Senate any day, is called the Global Poverty Act. It would commit U.S. taxpayers to spend 0.7 percent of our Gross Domestic Product on foreign handouts..." [Emphasis Mine
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Legislative oversight
March 12, 2008
House Creates a Panel to Watch Over Lawmakers’ Behavior
By CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON — In the wake of a string of Congressional misconduct and corruption cases, the House on Tuesday created an independent panel to investigate suspected wrongdoing by lawmakers, despite deep reservations from rank-and-file lawmakers from both parties.
The new Office of Congressional Ethics was promoted by Democratic leaders as a way to restore credibility to an internal policing process that had been seen as largely ineffective in recent years, even as individual lawmakers were indicted, rebuked and jailed for various offenses. The vote to establish the office was 229 to 182.
By creating a panel of six people of “exceptional public standing,” the House, for the first time, delegated the authority for regulating behavior in the House to nonlawmakers. Current members of the House, federal employees and anyone who has been a registered lobbyist in the past year would be ineligible.
“The public does not trust us on ethics issues at this point,” said Representative Michael E. Capuano, Democrat of Massachusetts and head of a task force that recommended the new panel. “They think we are all here protecting each other.”
Opponents said the panel added an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, represented an abdication of Constitutional responsibility, could lead to purely partisan inquiries and would impair the ability of the existing House ethics committee to conduct its own inquiries.
“If you have a single ounce of self preservation, you will vote ‘no,’ ” said Representative Todd Tiahrt, Republican of Kansas, who warned that lawmakers could be bankrupted by legal fees defending themselves against frivolous accusations.
Some Democrats were equally deadset against it. “With this proposal, we are indicting ourselves, we are retreating before those who would tear this House down.” said Representative Neil Abercrombie, Democrat of Hawaii.
The Democratic leadership had twice backed off on forcing a vote on the measure, allowing time to revise the plan and try to ease criticism. Even on Tuesday, Democratic officials were not certain they had enough support. Republicans nearly derailed the proposal, falling just one vote short of killing it procedurally and later complaining that Democrats had extended the voting period to twist arms.
On the final vote, 196 Democrats and 33 Republicans backed the new approach, while 159 Republicans and 23 Democrats opposed it. The result validated the leadership view that even lawmakers uneasy about the new ethics panel would be reluctant to oppose it after the 2006 elections turned, at least partly, on a voter backlash to misbehavior by lawmakers.
Democrats gave freshmen lawmakers who were elected last year on a reform platform a leading role in the debate, and they urged their more senior colleagues to back the plan.
“The cat’s out of the bag,” said Representative Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut. “The people figured out long ago that there are too many members violating the public trust, and they watched too many members sit idly by.”
Backers of the proposal, which had the support of leading Washington watchdog groups, said it was essential to ensure proper enforcement of new lobbying restrictions and other rule changes approved when Democrats took control last year.
And they disputed the contention that the House had proved incapable of enforcing its own rules of behavior, noting a series of prominent incidents that included the conviction of two House Republicans on corruption charges, a sex scandal involving teenage House pages and several indictments, including one last month.
“Unless you were sound asleep prior to the last election, unless you were living in another country, another land in another time, you know what the people thought about this, the people’s House that we love,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland, the majority leader.
Democrats said they had made changes to reduce the potential for inquiries inspired by partisan motives, including requiring that an investigation can only be instigated when one panel member appointed by the speaker and another by the minority leader agree. All six members must also be appointed jointly by the speaker of the House and the leader of the minority party. Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader and an opponent of the plan, said Tuesday that he was unsure how he and Speaker Nancy Pelosi would find agreement on the panel membership.
Ms. Pelosi, Democrat of California, said she expected to be the top target of those who want the new panel to begin inquiries.
“I am willing to take that risk because I also trust this group will rid itself of frivolous, baseless complaints,” she said
\
House Creates a Panel to Watch Over Lawmakers’ Behavior
By CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON — In the wake of a string of Congressional misconduct and corruption cases, the House on Tuesday created an independent panel to investigate suspected wrongdoing by lawmakers, despite deep reservations from rank-and-file lawmakers from both parties.
The new Office of Congressional Ethics was promoted by Democratic leaders as a way to restore credibility to an internal policing process that had been seen as largely ineffective in recent years, even as individual lawmakers were indicted, rebuked and jailed for various offenses. The vote to establish the office was 229 to 182.
By creating a panel of six people of “exceptional public standing,” the House, for the first time, delegated the authority for regulating behavior in the House to nonlawmakers. Current members of the House, federal employees and anyone who has been a registered lobbyist in the past year would be ineligible.
“The public does not trust us on ethics issues at this point,” said Representative Michael E. Capuano, Democrat of Massachusetts and head of a task force that recommended the new panel. “They think we are all here protecting each other.”
Opponents said the panel added an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, represented an abdication of Constitutional responsibility, could lead to purely partisan inquiries and would impair the ability of the existing House ethics committee to conduct its own inquiries.
“If you have a single ounce of self preservation, you will vote ‘no,’ ” said Representative Todd Tiahrt, Republican of Kansas, who warned that lawmakers could be bankrupted by legal fees defending themselves against frivolous accusations.
Some Democrats were equally deadset against it. “With this proposal, we are indicting ourselves, we are retreating before those who would tear this House down.” said Representative Neil Abercrombie, Democrat of Hawaii.
The Democratic leadership had twice backed off on forcing a vote on the measure, allowing time to revise the plan and try to ease criticism. Even on Tuesday, Democratic officials were not certain they had enough support. Republicans nearly derailed the proposal, falling just one vote short of killing it procedurally and later complaining that Democrats had extended the voting period to twist arms.
On the final vote, 196 Democrats and 33 Republicans backed the new approach, while 159 Republicans and 23 Democrats opposed it. The result validated the leadership view that even lawmakers uneasy about the new ethics panel would be reluctant to oppose it after the 2006 elections turned, at least partly, on a voter backlash to misbehavior by lawmakers.
Democrats gave freshmen lawmakers who were elected last year on a reform platform a leading role in the debate, and they urged their more senior colleagues to back the plan.
“The cat’s out of the bag,” said Representative Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut. “The people figured out long ago that there are too many members violating the public trust, and they watched too many members sit idly by.”
Backers of the proposal, which had the support of leading Washington watchdog groups, said it was essential to ensure proper enforcement of new lobbying restrictions and other rule changes approved when Democrats took control last year.
And they disputed the contention that the House had proved incapable of enforcing its own rules of behavior, noting a series of prominent incidents that included the conviction of two House Republicans on corruption charges, a sex scandal involving teenage House pages and several indictments, including one last month.
“Unless you were sound asleep prior to the last election, unless you were living in another country, another land in another time, you know what the people thought about this, the people’s House that we love,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland, the majority leader.
Democrats said they had made changes to reduce the potential for inquiries inspired by partisan motives, including requiring that an investigation can only be instigated when one panel member appointed by the speaker and another by the minority leader agree. All six members must also be appointed jointly by the speaker of the House and the leader of the minority party. Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader and an opponent of the plan, said Tuesday that he was unsure how he and Speaker Nancy Pelosi would find agreement on the panel membership.
Ms. Pelosi, Democrat of California, said she expected to be the top target of those who want the new panel to begin inquiries.
“I am willing to take that risk because I also trust this group will rid itself of frivolous, baseless complaints,” she said
\
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Medicare Senate
Listing of bills containing the phrase medicare
Items 1 through 20 of 20
1.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries by improving eligibility and services under the Medicare Savings Program, and for other purposes. ' (S.2101)
2.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a prospective payment system instead of the reasonable cost-based reimbursement method for Medicare-covered services provided by Federally qualified health centers and to expand the scope of such covered services to account for expansions in the scope of services provided by Federally qualified health centers since the inclusion of such services for coverage under the Medicare Program. ' (S.2188)
3.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend for 6 months the eligibility period for the "Welcome to Medicare" physical examination and to provide for the coverage and waiver of cost-sharing for preventive services under the Medicare program. ' (S.2115)
4.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide continued entitlement to coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished to beneficiaries under the Medicare Program that have received a kidney transplant and whose entitlement to coverage would otherwise expire, and for other purposes. ' (S.2320)
5.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the in the home restriction for Medicare coverage of mobility devices for individuals with expected long-term needs. ' (S.2103)
6.
Senate: 'To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate on workers'' compensation set-asides under the Medicare secondary payer set-aside provisions under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.' (S.AMDT.3397)
7.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect Medicare beneficiaries'' access to home health services under the Medicare program. ' (S.2181)
8.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive bidding project for clinical laboratory services. ' (S.2099)
9.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits, to eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions, and for other purposes. ' (S.2102)
10.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit Medicare beneficiaries to continue to rent certain items of complex durable medical equipment. ' (S.2158)
11.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize payments for ambulatory surgical centers under the Medicare Program. ' (S.2250)
12.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the inclusion of barbiturates and bezodiazepines as covered part D drugs beginning in 2008. ' (S.2190)
13.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to modernize the quality improvement organization (QIO) program. ' (S.2396)
14.
Senate: 'To express the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should maintain "deemed status" coverage under the Medicare program for clinical trials that are federally funded or reviewed as provided for by the Executive Memorandum of June 2000.' (S.AMDT.3401)
15.
Senate: 'A bill to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of community and healthcare-associated infections (CHAI), with a focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. ' (S.2278)
16.
Senate: 'A bill to ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers (including health plans under parts C and D of the Medicare Program) in the same manner as such laws apply to protected activities under the National Labor Relations Act. ' (S.2161)
17.
Senate: 'A bill to prohibit the implementation of policies to prohibit States from providing quality health coverage to children in need under the State Children''s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). ' (S.2049)
18.
Senate: 'A bill to establish a Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, to assure the economic security of the United States, and to expand future prosperity and growth for all Americans. ' (S.2063)
19.
Senate: 'A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out demonstration projects and outreach programs for the identification and abatement of lead hazards, to establish the Joint Task Force on Lead-Based Hazards and the Task Force on Children''s Environmental Health and Safety, to strengthen the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. ' (S.2244)
20.
Senate: 'A bill to establish a grant program to provide screenings for glaucoma to individuals determined to be at a high risk for glaucoma, and for other purposes. ' (S.2350)
powered by Capitol Advantage ©2008
Items 1 through 20 of 20
1.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries by improving eligibility and services under the Medicare Savings Program, and for other purposes. ' (S.2101)
2.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a prospective payment system instead of the reasonable cost-based reimbursement method for Medicare-covered services provided by Federally qualified health centers and to expand the scope of such covered services to account for expansions in the scope of services provided by Federally qualified health centers since the inclusion of such services for coverage under the Medicare Program. ' (S.2188)
3.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend for 6 months the eligibility period for the "Welcome to Medicare" physical examination and to provide for the coverage and waiver of cost-sharing for preventive services under the Medicare program. ' (S.2115)
4.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide continued entitlement to coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished to beneficiaries under the Medicare Program that have received a kidney transplant and whose entitlement to coverage would otherwise expire, and for other purposes. ' (S.2320)
5.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the in the home restriction for Medicare coverage of mobility devices for individuals with expected long-term needs. ' (S.2103)
6.
Senate: 'To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate on workers'' compensation set-asides under the Medicare secondary payer set-aside provisions under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.' (S.AMDT.3397)
7.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect Medicare beneficiaries'' access to home health services under the Medicare program. ' (S.2181)
8.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive bidding project for clinical laboratory services. ' (S.2099)
9.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits, to eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions, and for other purposes. ' (S.2102)
10.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit Medicare beneficiaries to continue to rent certain items of complex durable medical equipment. ' (S.2158)
11.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize payments for ambulatory surgical centers under the Medicare Program. ' (S.2250)
12.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the inclusion of barbiturates and bezodiazepines as covered part D drugs beginning in 2008. ' (S.2190)
13.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to modernize the quality improvement organization (QIO) program. ' (S.2396)
14.
Senate: 'To express the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should maintain "deemed status" coverage under the Medicare program for clinical trials that are federally funded or reviewed as provided for by the Executive Memorandum of June 2000.' (S.AMDT.3401)
15.
Senate: 'A bill to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of community and healthcare-associated infections (CHAI), with a focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. ' (S.2278)
16.
Senate: 'A bill to ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers (including health plans under parts C and D of the Medicare Program) in the same manner as such laws apply to protected activities under the National Labor Relations Act. ' (S.2161)
17.
Senate: 'A bill to prohibit the implementation of policies to prohibit States from providing quality health coverage to children in need under the State Children''s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). ' (S.2049)
18.
Senate: 'A bill to establish a Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, to assure the economic security of the United States, and to expand future prosperity and growth for all Americans. ' (S.2063)
19.
Senate: 'A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out demonstration projects and outreach programs for the identification and abatement of lead hazards, to establish the Joint Task Force on Lead-Based Hazards and the Task Force on Children''s Environmental Health and Safety, to strengthen the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. ' (S.2244)
20.
Senate: 'A bill to establish a grant program to provide screenings for glaucoma to individuals determined to be at a high risk for glaucoma, and for other purposes. ' (S.2350)
powered by Capitol Advantage ©2008
Veterans-Health care
Listing of bills containing the phrase Home%20Care
Items 1 through 7 of 7
1.
Senate: 'A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program for the provision of readjustment and mental health services to veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. ' (S.38)
2.
Senate: 'A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes. ' (S.117)
3.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or release. ' (S.383)
4.
Senate: 'A bill to establish demonstration projects to provide at-home infant care benefits. ' (S.820)
5.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. ' (S.1454)
6.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. ' (S.1468)
7.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend or make permanent certain authorities for veterans'' benefits, and for other purposes. ' (S.1757)
Items 1 through 7 of 7
1.
Senate: 'A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program for the provision of readjustment and mental health services to veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. ' (S.38)
2.
Senate: 'A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes. ' (S.117)
3.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or release. ' (S.383)
4.
Senate: 'A bill to establish demonstration projects to provide at-home infant care benefits. ' (S.820)
5.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. ' (S.1454)
6.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. ' (S.1468)
7.
Senate: 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend or make permanent certain authorities for veterans'' benefits, and for other purposes. ' (S.1757)
Public Housing
Public Housing Asset Management Improvement Act of 2007Bill # H.R.3521Original Sponsor:Albio Sires (D-NJ 13th)Cosponsor Total: 7(last sponsor added 10/10/2007) 7 Democrats
About This Legislation:Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable.
Detailed, up-to-date bill status information on H.R.3521.
About This Legislation:Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable.
Detailed, up-to-date bill status information on H.R.3521.
Economic Stimulus
Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008Bill # H.R.5140Original Sponsor:Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 8th)Cosponsor Total: 16(last sponsor added 01/28/2008) 11 Democrats 5 Republicans
About This Legislation:Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) grant tax rebates of the lesser of net income tax liability or $600 to individual taxpayers in 2008 ($1,200 to married couples filing joint returns, plus $300 for each dependent child); (2) provide for a minimum tax rebate of $300 ($600 for joint returns) for taxpayers with earned income of at last $3,000; (3) increase to $250,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (4) allow business taxpayers a 50% bonus depreciation allowance for equipment placed in service in 2008. Reduces taxpayer rebates by 5% of the amount that exceeds an adjusted gross income of $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). Raises the statutory ceiling on the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage, originated between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, that may be purchased by either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Expresses the sense of Congress that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should securitize mortgages acquired pursuant to the increased conforming loan limits of this Act, if the manner of securitization does not: (1) impose additional costs for mortgages originated, purchased, or securitized under existing limits; or (2) interfere with the goal of adding liquidity to the market. Establishes a temporary loan limit increase for mortgages in specified high-cost areas if the borrower receives credit approval by December 31, 2008. Grants the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discretionary authority to increase loan limits for a specified period.
Detailed, up-to-date bill status information on H.R.5140.
About This Legislation:Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) grant tax rebates of the lesser of net income tax liability or $600 to individual taxpayers in 2008 ($1,200 to married couples filing joint returns, plus $300 for each dependent child); (2) provide for a minimum tax rebate of $300 ($600 for joint returns) for taxpayers with earned income of at last $3,000; (3) increase to $250,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (4) allow business taxpayers a 50% bonus depreciation allowance for equipment placed in service in 2008. Reduces taxpayer rebates by 5% of the amount that exceeds an adjusted gross income of $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). Raises the statutory ceiling on the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage, originated between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, that may be purchased by either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Expresses the sense of Congress that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should securitize mortgages acquired pursuant to the increased conforming loan limits of this Act, if the manner of securitization does not: (1) impose additional costs for mortgages originated, purchased, or securitized under existing limits; or (2) interfere with the goal of adding liquidity to the market. Establishes a temporary loan limit increase for mortgages in specified high-cost areas if the borrower receives credit approval by December 31, 2008. Grants the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discretionary authority to increase loan limits for a specified period.
Detailed, up-to-date bill status information on H.R.5140.
Mental Health Issues
The House passed H.R. 1424, to amend section 712 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans, by a yea-and-nay vote of 268 yeas to 148 nays, Roll No. 101.
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