By Rachna Choudhry, 1/19/2015
It’s Time for the State of the Union!
On Tuesday evening, 9pm EST, the President will give the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. (POPVOX will be live tweeting during the State of the Union, linking issues he discusses with proposals pending before Congress. So join us on Twitter @POPVOX or check out #SOTU.) As President Obama explained: “My presidency is entering the fourth quarter. Interesting stuff happens in the fourth quarter.” So stay tuned on POPVOX!
The State of the Union
In the two weeks before the State of the Union, the President has been traveling across the country talking about some of the key themes of his address, including:
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Affordable high-speed broadband for all Americans
Related bill: HR 279: to “ensure the Internet remains open and free from government interference by limiting the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to regulate broadband under Title II of the Communications Act. The FCC has stated it plans to reclassify broadband Internet access as a public utility under Title II rather than an information service,” according to the bill sponsors.
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Free community college
Stay tuned for related bills.
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Charting a new course on Cuba
Related Bill: Free Trade with Cuba Act (HR 403): “would lift the long-standing embargo on trade with Cuba to give American companies their fair share,” according to the bill sponsor. Cuba sits 90 miles off the US coast and has a GDP of $60 billion.
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Supporting Net Neutrality
Related Bills: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act (HR 196 and S 40 in the Senate) would “require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban so-called “paid prioritization” agreements between a broadband provider and a content provider,” according to bill sponsors.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will also be holding hearings on draft legislation which "guarantees that Internet users will continue to be the decision makers for the content they want, while ensuring that innovation and investment continue to fuel the robust future of the Internet," according to the committees.
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Immigration action
Related bills:
Defund Executive Amnesty Act (HR 227): prohibits the use of funds for certain immigration-related policies, including executive orders or any other executive policy issued after March 11, 2011, that provides for parole, employment authorization, deferred action, or any other immigration benefit or relief for individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States (with exceptions for asylum, temporary protected status, or cancellation of removal by an immigration judge).
Repeal Executive Amnesty Act (S 129): to repeal executive immigration overreach, to clarify that the proper constitutional authority for immigration policy belongs to the legislative branch.
HRes 11: Providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the US Constitution with respect to the implementation of the immigration laws.
Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act (HR 52): Provides a path to earned access to legalization for those who meet certain eligibility requirements, among them: Residency requirement (The alien was physically present in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 5 years immediately preceding the date on which this provision was enacted and has maintained continuous physical presence since then); and Community service (if older than 18, has performed at least 40 hours of community service), according to the bill sponsor.
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Affordable Care Act
Related Bills:
HR 370: To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Public Option Deficit Reduction Act (HR 265): “would create a publicly run health insurance plan that would be available in every Obamacare marketplace, an option that would save $158 billion over 10 years,” according to the bill sponsor.
Republican Response to SOTU
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) will be delivering the Republican response to the State of the Union address. She was elected in Nov. 2014 as the first woman to serve in federal elected office from the State of Iowa and also became the first female combat veteran elected to serve in the Senate. (Read her bio.)
In the Senate…
The Senate will continue consideration of the Keystone XL Pipeline:
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Hoeven-Manchin Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S 1)
— Bipartisan — "Authorizes TransCanada to construct and operate the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to the US Gulf Coast, transporting an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to US refineries, which includes 100,000 barrels a day from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. Upon passage, a presidential permit would no longer be needed to approve the project," according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text.)
From our Hill Sources: The House passed its version of the Keystone approval (HR 3) by a 266 to 153 vote, with 28 Democrats and all but one Republican supporting the bill. Meanwhile, the White House has indicated the President would veto the Keystone bill because it "conflicts with longstanding Executive branch procedures regarding the authority of the President and prevents the thorough consideration of complex issues that could bear on US national interests (including serious security, safety, environmental, and other ramifications). (Read the White House statement.) Given the veto threat, the lengthy amendment process may provide an opportunity for the Senate leadership to secure the 67 Senate votes needed to override a veto.
Amendments: This week, the Senate will consider amendments from Senators Murkowski (Amendment #2 – a substitute), Markey (Amendment #13 – to ensure that oil transported through the Keystone XL pipeline into the United States is used to reduce US dependence on Middle Eastern oil), Portman-Shaheen (Amendment #3 – to promote energy efficiency.) and Franken (Amendment #17 – to require the use of iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States in the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and facilities). (Source)
In the House…
The House will also vote on these bills during the week:
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Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act (HR 161)
“Would help modernize the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications and help to provide the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable energy to American households and businesses,” according to the bill sponsor.
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Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)
— Bipartisan — “Seeks to afford basic protection to mothers and their unborn children entering the sixth month of gestation,” according to the bill sponsors. Prohibits the abortion from being performed if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater, except: (1) where necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, excluding psychological or emotional conditions; or (2) where the pregnancy is the result of rape, or the result of incest against a minor, if the rape has been reported at any time prior to the abortion to an appropriate law enforcement agency, or if the incest has been reported at any time prior to the abortion to an appropriate law enforcement agency or to a government agency legally authorized to act on reports of child abuse or neglect.
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Paris Terrorist Attacks Resolution (HRes 37)
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Paris that resulted in the deaths of seventeen innocent persons and offering condolences to those personally affected by this cowardly act.
Fair Tax Act Re-introduced
Tax reform has consistently been a topic of interest on POPVOX. Already, in the early days of the 114th Congress, the newly re-introduced Fair Tax Act has generated considerable activity on POPVOX.
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Fair Tax Act (HR 25 and S 155)
"To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States," according to the bill summary. Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23% in 2017, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes, and for state government functions. Allows a monthly sales tax rebate for families meeting certain size and income requirements. Prohibits the funding of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2019.
Background: The proposal to repeal income, payroll and estate and gift taxes — replacing them with a national 23% sales tax — was first introduced in 1999. Learn more in our Tax Reform Issue Spotlight.
** Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of a complex legislative system. **
