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The Week Ahead in Congress: March 16 – 20

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From our Hill Sources: The debt limit is back! The federal debt limit will be reached on March 16—unless Congress acts to raise the limit. The Senate will continue working on a human trafficking bill. And the House will vote on several bills related to health care costs. It's also Brain Injury Awareness Day on the 18th.

With the House and Senate both in session this week – there are a lot of bills to consider in the week ahead.

The Debt Limit Is Back

The federal debt limit will be reached on March 16, according to the Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, unless Congress acts to raise the debt limit. (Read his letter to Congress.) However, the Treasury Department plans to delay the date by which Congress must act until October or November of this year. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) explained, “We’re … not going to shut down the government or default on the national debt.” (CBS’s Face the Nation, 3/8/15)

About the Debt Limit

The debt limit is the total amount of money that the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. The debt limit does not authorize new spending commitments—but allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that Congresses and Presidents have made in the past. Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 separate times to permanently raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit—49 times under Republican Presidents and 29 times under Democratic Presidents. (Source: Treasury Department)

In August 2011, the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the credit rating of the United States—for the first time ever—as the debt limit debate devolved into a partisan fight. As part of the bipartisan Budget Control Act agreement raising the debit limit, a bipartisan 12-member Joint Committee, or supercommittee, was charged with securing a minimum of $1.2 trillion in additional spending reductions. When the supercommittee failed to come up with a plan for specific cuts to the federal budget, a “sequestration” provision kicked in, requiring across-the-board spending cuts, which began in 2013.

Related Bills in Congress

This year, Congress has proposed several bills related to the debt limit:

  • Federal Debt Management Act (S 19)

    Limits the Department of the Treasury's authority to manage the debt of the United States by using extraordinary measures to prevent the public debt limit from being exceeded. (Read bill text)

  • HR 111

    To protect the Social Security and Medicare trust funds from the public debt limit (Read bill text)

  • Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act (S 333)

    “Will promote spending reform by preventing Congress from raising the debt limit unless that legislation also cuts commensurate spending over the next decade. The entire amount should be offset within federal programs, allowing the interest savings on the national debt to provide additional savings above the debt limit increase amount,” according to the bill sponsor.  (Read bill text)

  • Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act (HR 164)

    To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached. (Read bill text)

  • Fiscal Sanity Act for the National Debt (HR 1244)

    This bill suspends the public debt limit for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending 300 days later.

  • Fiscal Sanity Act for the National Debt (HR 1236)

    This bill suspends the public debt limit for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending 60 days later.

  • Default Prevention Act (HR 692)

    “Guarantees the sovereign debt of the United States Government will be paid in full and on time, under any circumstances — even total political gridlock,” according to the bill sponsor. “If the debt limit is reached, under HR 692, the Treasury Secretary may continue to borrow above the limit for the sole purpose of paying principal and interest due on the debt, thereby guaranteeing the debt of the United States is honored.” (Read bill text)

Human Trafficking

The Senate is also expected to continue working on a bill to combat human trafficking:

  • Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S 178)

    —Bipartisan— “Would empower law enforcement to further crack down on human traffickers in communities across the country while bringing about greater restitution and justice for victims. In addition to law enforcement provisions, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act helps victims rebuild their lives by using fines and penalties against perpetrators to improve the availability of restitution and witness assistance funds,” according to bill sponsors. (Bill text)

    From our Hill Sources: The bipartisan bill, which was expected to pass last week without issue, hit a snag when Democrats noticed that it contained a provision extending the "Hyde Amendment" prohibition on using federal taxpayer funds for abortion-related services to the Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund created by the bill. This would be a departure from past Hyde Amendment practice because the fund is financed by by fines imposed on traffickers, not federal taxes. While the Hyde amendment language was included in the bill that passed the Judiciary Committee in a bipartisan vote, Democrats said that it was not listed in the summary of changes they were provided and it went unnoticed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated that a vote on Attorney General nominee, Loretta Lynch's, confirmation will not move forward until work on the human trafficking bill is completed.

Brain Injury Awareness Day: March 18th

Approximately 2.5 million Americans experienced Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 3.2 million Americans are living with long-term, severe disabilities as a result of brain injury. Another 360,000 men and women are estimated to have been inflicted by a TBI in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The national cost of TBI is estimated to be $60 billion annually, according to the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF) co-chair, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

The Task Force has set March 18 as this year’s Brain Injury Awareness Day. Here's a look at proposals pending before Congress related to brain injury. Share your voice on POPVOX!

Related Bills in Congress

  • Concussion Awareness and Education Act (HR 1271)

    —Bipartisan— "Would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) where applicable, to conduct systemic research on the treatment, surveillance and prevention of concussion injuries. In addition, this legislation also seeks to establish the Concussion Research Commission, under the direction of the Secretary of HHS, to identify and formulate systemic recommendations to address key components of concussion research, surveillance, education, treatment and prevention," according to the bill sponsor.

  • Concussion Treatment and Care Tools (ConTACT) Act (HR 582 and S 307 in the Senate)

    —Bipartisan— Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish guidelines for states on the implementation of best practices for diagnosis, treatment, and management of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) in school-aged children, including best practices relating to student athletes returning to play after an MTBI. (Read bill text)

  • Supporting Athletes, Families and Educators to Protect the Lives of Athletic Youth Act (SAFE PLAY Act) (HR 829 and S 436 in the Senate)

    Would direct the CDC and the US Department of Health and Human Services to: Recommend guidelines for the development of emergency actions plans for student athletes; Report to Congress on the number of sports related fatalities and catastrophic injuries and their cause; and Develop and disseminate information about the health risks associated with exposure to excessive heat and humidity, and how to avoid heat-related illness, according to the bill sponsor. “Would also provide assistance for school districts to develop and implement a standard plan for concussion safety and management and set up concussion management teams to respond to incidents on campus.” (Read bill text)

  • Secondary School Student Athletes' Bill of Rights (HRes 112 and SRes 83 in the Senate)

    —Bipartisan— Expresses support for: (1) the principles and values set forth in the Secondary School Student Athletes' Bill of Rights; and (2) secondary schools that have successfully implemented programs, policies, and practices to emphasize and encourage student athlete safety and well-being. Recognizes the importance of proper safety measures, timely medical assessments, and appropriate environmental conditions, and the role that teachers, parents, coaches, and athletic health care team members play, in ensuring the well-being of secondary school student athletes. (Read resolution text)

  • Adult Day Center Enhancement Act (HR 263)

    Will expand and enhance adult day programs that provide care and support for those living with neurological diseases and disorders. “Adult day programs provide a critical source of support for those living with neurological diseases and disorders. This bill would ensure that these vital programs are strengthened while ensuring that the needs of young adults and veterans are met,” according to the bill sponsor. “We must ensure that individuals suffering from MS, Parkinson’s, TBI and other similar neurological diseases or conditions and their families can continue to live their lives with dignity.” (Read bill text)

TBI Bills Related to the Military

  • Ensuring Access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Military Medical Facilities (HR 146)

    Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy available at a military medical treatment facility to a member of the Armed Forces who is: (1) prescribed such therapy by a physician, (2) serving on active duty, and (3) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. (Read bill text)

  • TBI Assessment Act (S 244)

    “Directs the VA to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a comprehensive review of the VA's assessment of cognitive impairment for veterans who file disability claims related to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The VA's compensation exams determine whether or not a veteran has TBI, and the extent of the veteran's disability-which is then used by the VA to process a veteran's claim for disability benefits,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)

Health Care and Costs

The House will also consider several bills related to trauma care:

And the House will consider several bills related to health care costs:

  • Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act (HR 639)

    —Bipartisan— To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to drug scheduling recommendations by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and with respect to registration of manufacturers and distributors seeking to conduct clinical testing. (Read bill text)

  • Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act (HR 284)

    —Bipartisan— “To make durable medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers’ bids binding in the competitive bidding program to promote fair competition, better protect seniors and support small businesses,” according to the bill sponsors. “Would increase price transparency and promote fair competition among DMEPOS suppliers by making bids binding.” (Read bill text)

  • Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act) (HR 876)

    —Bipartisan— “Will provide important protection for Medicare beneficiaries. Currently, a hospital may either admit a patient as an “inpatient” or keep the patient “under observation.” While the distinction is often impossible to determine, particularly by the beneficiary, the economic implications can be extreme if the patient later requires care in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare would pay for skilled nursing care for a beneficiary who is in the hospital for more than three days as an “inpatient,” but does not pay if the beneficiary was in the hospital for the same length of time “under observation.” The NOTICE Act would alert the beneficiary or person acting on her behalf of her admission status and the financial implications of that classification on eligibility and cost-sharing so she can advocate on her own behalf while in the hospital," according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)

Also in the House…

The House will also consider these proposals this week:

  • Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (HR 1191)

    To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (Read bill text)

  • EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act (HR 1029)

    —Bipartisan— “To bring fairness, transparency, and independence to the EPA’s expert panel,” according to the House Science Committee. “The Science Advisory Board (SAB) informs the EPA on regulations that impact the lives of millions of Americans. Some members on this board have received grant money from the EPA, and several of the members have openly expressed policy preferences in the same areas they are asked to independently study. The heavy costs of EPA’s regulations warrant some degree of public oversight to ensure SAB’s findings are free from bias or conflicts of interest and not simply provided by a set of handpicked advisors. The EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act addresses these issues by ensuring the science guiding EPA’s regulatory policy is open to review by the public and requiring members who serve on this board to disclose their professional backgrounds.” (Read bill text)

  • Secret Science Reform Act (HR 1030)

    “Requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to base its regulations on public data,” according to the House Science Committee. “Requires the EPA to base its decisions on information to which all scientists have access. This will allow the EPA to focus its limited resources on the highest quality science that all researchers can examine. And this will promote sound science and restore confidence in the EPA decision-making process.” (Read bill text)

  • NLRB Resolution (SJRes 8)

    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures. “To stop the National Labor Relations Board from implementing its “ambush election” rule,” according to the resolution sponsors. “The rule was finalized in December to shorten the length of time in which a labor union certification election is held—currently a median 38 days—to as little as 11 days.” (Read resolution text) —Passed the Senate on March 4.—

  • Committee Expenses (HRes 132)

    Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the 114th Congress. (Read resolution text)

— 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. —

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