From our Hill Sources: Welcome to August! The House and Senate are both in recess until after Labor Day. But there's plenty for them to consider as they talk to constituents during recess; reviewing the Iran nuclear deal, reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank, a long-term highway funding bill as well as spending bills to keep the government running beyond the end of the fiscal year.
In this Weekly Update, we're highlighting two important milestones: the fifth anniversary of Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn more and share your voice with Congress.
Upcoming Congressional Votes on the Iran Nuclear Deal
Last month, the United States along with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China signed a deal with Iran to substantially limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the removal of international sanctions. On July 19, the State Department officially transmitted the agreement to Congress—triggering the 60-day Congressional review period set by legislation passed by Congress in May. During this review period, Congress must vote on a joint resolution of approval or disapproval (or opt to do nothing). The 60-day review period expires on Sept. 17, 2015.
Learn more about the deal and how the process works in our Iran Nuclear Deal Issue Spotlight (Graphic from the White House.)
Possible Vote in September
Last week, Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced "legislation that would prevent the implementation of the Obama Administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran." According to Chairman Royce, "the agreement gives Iran permanent sanctions relief, but in exchange only temporarily restrains Iran’s nuclear program."
Resolution to Disapprove Nuclear Agreement with Iran (HJRes 64)
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) Disapproving of the agreement transmitted to Congress by the President on July 19, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran. (Read resolution text)
From our Hill Sources: Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) announced that the House may vote on Congressman Royce's resolution after the recess in September:
"Throughout the month ahead, members will have more time to closely study this proposal, listen to the American people, and determine whether it meets this essential standard. If members determine this deal does not make our country safer, they will have an opportunity to vote for this resolution when we return in September.” — House Speaker John Boehner
Majority Support for House Resolution Disapproving the Deal
Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) announced last week that half the members of the House — 218 Representatives — have now cosponsored his legislation “intended to build support for an expected vote in September.”
Resolution Disapproving the Iran Nuclear Agreement (HRes 367)
Sponsor: Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) “Sets the stage for the 60-day lead up to a vote on this agreement by allowing Members to express their disapproval of the accord. The unprecedented outpouring of support for this resolution proves that Congress will not rubber-stamp a deal that severely threatens the United States and our allies by paving Iran's path to a bomb,” according to the sponsor. (Read resolution text)
Support for the Deal in the Senate
Before leaving for recess, the Senate agreed to begin considering the nuclear deal on Sept. 8. Soon after, Senator Angus King (I-ME) made a statement on the Senate floor announcing his support for the deal:
“There is no certainty when it comes to this question. There are risks in either direction, and credible arguments can be made on both sides. But in the end, I have concluded that the terms of this agreement are preferable to the alternatives and that it would be in the best interest of the United States to join our partners in approving it.”
Also before recess, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)–who may be the next Senate Democratic leader–expressed his views opposing the deal. The White House aggressively responded, suggesting that Senator Schumer could lose support to become party leader in the Senate in 2016.
"I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy. It is because I believe Iran will not change, and under this agreement it will be able to achieve its dual goals of eliminating sanctions while ultimately retaining its nuclear and non-nuclear power. Better to keep U.S. sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be."
From our Hill Sources: The final text of the resolution that the Senate will vote on has not been publicly released — and it may not be until the Senate has enough votes to pass it. The Senate needs 60 votes end debate on legislation, known as cloture, before it is put to a vote, and 67 votes to override the President's veto. So far, 58 Senators oppose the Iran nuclear deal, or are leaning toward opposition. 27 Senators are supporting the deal, or are leaning toward supporting it, and another 15 are still undecided.
Dodd-Frank Turns Five
The Wall Street reform law known as Dodd-Frank turned five years old. Before adjourning for recess, the House and Senate held several hearing examining the implications of the law.
In the fall of 2008, a financial crisis of "a scale and severity not seen in generations left millions of Americans unemployed and resulted in trillions in lost wealth," according to the White House. In response, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. It is seen as the most far reaching Wall Street reform in history. The law seeks to prevent the excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis; and provides protections for American families, creating new consumer watchdog to prevent mortgage companies and pay-day lenders from exploiting consumers, according to the White House.
Bills Related to Dodd-Frank
Since its passage, Members of Congress have introduced bills to amend or repeal the law, while others have introduced additional financial regulatory bills. Here are a few recent proposals:
Repealing Portions of Dodd-Frank (HR 2094)
Sponsor: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) "To repeal titles I and II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This act would break down portions of Dodd-Frank, build up community banks, and cut regulations and bureaucratic red tape that hold our banks and consumers hostage," according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
Repealing Dodd-Frank (HR 171)
Sponsor: Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) "The 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act claimed to reform the financial system in the wake of the financial collapse. However, the legislation has codified too-big-to-fail bailout policies while placing onerous new regulations on community banks which had nothing to do with the crisis, driving many out of the home mortgage market. In response, I have introduced legislation (HR 171) to repeal Dodd-Frank entirely," according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
Repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) (HR 3118 and in the Senate, S 1804)
Sponsor: Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) To eliminate the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection by repealing title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. "The unelected bureaucrats at the CFPB’s helm are wholly unaccountable to the American people. Unlike most federal agencies, Congress does not oversee the CFPB through the annual appropriations process. The agency receives more than $600 million annually from the budget of the Federal Reserve System – monies that Congress does not control. This unique setup makes the CFPB one of the least accountable regulatory agencies in the federal government; a situation that invites regulatory excess and abuse," according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
Bailout Prevention Act (S 1320)
Sponsor: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) –Bipartisan– "To halt megabank bailouts during a financial crisis by responsibly limiting the Federal Reserve's lending authority. It would also close a loophole that creates risk-taking exemptions for megabanks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley," according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act (S 1206 and in the House, HR 2600)
Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) "Under the legislation, any institution that is too big to fail will be broken up and reorganized to avoid more government bailouts and future risk to the economy. This legislation would require the Secretary of the Treasury to identify and break up institutions that are deemed too big to fail," according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
21st Century Glass-Steagall Act (S 1709 and in the House, HR 3064)
Sponsor: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) –Bipartisan– "A modern version of the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall) that reduces risk for the American taxpayer in the financial system and decreases the likelihood of future financial crises," according to the bill sponsor. "Would separate traditional banks that have savings and checking accounts and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from riskier financial institutions that offer services such as investment banking, insurance, swaps dealing, and hedge fund and private equity activities. The bill would clarify regulatory interpretations of banking law provisions that undermined the protections under the original Glass-Steagall and would make "Too Big to Fail" institutions smaller and safer, minimizing the likelihood of a government bailout." (Read bill text)
The 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Last month marked the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush. The ADA "works to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment," according to the Dept. of Labor. While the ADA is the most comprehensive federal legislation to address the needs of people with disabilities, it is not the first. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Smith-Fess Act (also known as the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act), which establishes the Vocational Rehabilitation program for people with disabilities. It was modeled on an earlier law that provided for the rehabilitation of World War I veterans with disabilities. (Learn more about the legislative history on this timeline.)
Five federal agencies enforce the Americans with Disibilities Act: the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforce regulations covering employment; the Department of Transportation enforces regulations governing transit; the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces regulations covering telecommunication services; and the Department of Justice enforces regulations governing public accommodations and state and local government services. (Learn more.)
Internationally, the ADA is seen as the gold standard for disability rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has extended the principles of the ADA–non-discrimination, equality of opportunity, accessibility and inclusion–to over 130 countries that have signed on. An American delegation under President George W. Bush negotiated and approved the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006. The United States signed the treaty in 2009 and the President submitted it to the US Senate in May 2012 for its consent for ratification but fell five votes short. The treaty requires no changes to US laws or new appropriations, according to the Senate HELP Committee. Members of Congress continue to advocate for CRPD. Most recently, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) explained:
"While we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ADA, we must also renew our commitment to protecting Americans with disabilities when they are abroad. Ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would mean greater accessibility for Americans with disabilities – including service members – if they live, work, serve, or study overseas. Approving the CRPD will preserve our country's status as a leader in standing up for the rights of individuals with disabilities."
Bills Related to the ADA
Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Members of Congress have introduced legislation to amend the law's protections and scope. Here are some recently introduced bills pending before Congress:
Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act (S 2001 and in the House, HR 188)
Sponsor: Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) "To end discriminatory wage practices that put workers with disabilities at a disadvantage when seeking competitive and meaningful employment," according to the bill sponsor. Would repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, ending the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages. (Read bill text)
Refueling Assistance Act (HR 3217)
Sponsor: Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) "Would help ensure individuals with disabilities can fill up their cars with gas and travel with the same ease and sense of security that able-bodied drivers enjoy," according to the bill sponsor. "According to guidance issued by the Department of Justice, people with disabilities are supposed to honk their horn to get assistance from a gas station attendant. Unfortunately, this system often fails to meet the needs of drivers with disabilities. As a result, drivers are frequently faced with a blatant disregard for this guidance, a general lack of awareness about the policy, or excessive wait times." (Read bill text)
Accessible Post Offices (HR 3219)
Sponsor: David Cicilline (D-RI) To provide that post offices shall comply with public accommodation standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Read bill text)
ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act (HR 241)
Sponsor: Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) "The purpose of the Americans with Disabilities is not to give abusive trial lawyers access to the hard earned money earned by small businesses,” said the bill sponsor. “The ACCESS Act will ensure that disabled individuals continue to have access throughout our communities while protecting small businesses from abusive lawsuits. The important thing is to find ways to improve access, not to fleece small business owners and jeopardize jobs.” (Read bill 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. —
