It’s Columbus Day recess: House Republicans contemplate their future, President Obama pitches TPP; the Senate prepares to vote on Sanctuary Cities bill & CISA — and bipartisanship is briefly spotted on Capitol Hill last week with a successful discharge petition on the Export-Import bank. Is this the future of governing or a temporary fever? And POPVOX spotlights Mental Health bills in Congress.
Columbus Day Recess or "Indigenous People's Day"
Member of Congress are back home in their districts for Columbus Day recess, to return October 19. Some jurisdictions now celebrate “Indigenous People's Day” on the second Monday in October, including Albuquerque; Portland, Oregon; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Olympia, Washington.
POPVOX highlights bills related to Native American issues.
Race for Speaker of the House Continues
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy removed himself from consideration in the Speaker’s race, announced he would stay on as Majority Leader, and set off a scramble for a new frontrunner.
Paul Ryan appears to be the default choice of many in the caucus, along with Daniel Webster [FL] and Jason Chaffetz [UT], the other announced candidates for the seat — though Ryan insists he does not want the job.
Reactions to the “chaos” include some pundits declaring that it is healthy for the party or even could open up an opportunity for a bipartisan “Coalition Speakership,” — a notion even floated by Illinois Republican Rep. Robert Dold.
Update on the POPVOX Speaker Poll
As of Sunday, October 11, over 700 people have weighed in on the POPVOX poll asking who should be the next Speaker. Rep. Paul Ryan was added to the poll on Friday, Oct. 9, while other non-announced candidateswere removed from the list.
Trans-Pacific Partnership begins its long journey
President Obama began laying out his case for the agreement in his weekly address. The agreement has a long journey to passage, including: 30 days for private Congressional review, 60 days for public review, up to 105 days for economic review by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Tell Congress what you think about the TPP:
THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) TRADE AGREEMENT
Read details of the agreement from the U.S. Trade Representative.
Senate to consider bill to limit "Sanctuary Cities"
"Sanctuary cities" are jurisdictions that "have policies designed to not prosecute unauthorized immigrants." (Wikipedia). As reported by the LA Times, the issue of Sanctuary Cities received nationwide attention after the death of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco, who was killed by a man with a criminal record who had been deported several times.
When the Senate returns after the recess, it will take up a bill from Senator David Vitter [LA] to increase penalties on these cities.
Tell Congress what you think:
S. 2146 STOP SANCTUARY POLICIES AND PROTECT AMERICANS ACT
"A bill to hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for defying Federal law, to increase penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed, and to provide liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement…"
Cybersecurity Bill on Tap after Recess
In the wake of several high-profile cyber breaches, the Senate may consider its cybersecurity bill after recess. The House passed its own bill (H.R. 1731) in April.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson, recently said that passing a bill "is critical to improving the nation’s digital defenses."
As Politico reports, the bill faces considerable hurdles, opponents, and 22 amendments that will be considered as a part of the Senate process. "The Senate bill has been heavily contested by privacy groups that say the measure could expose too much personally identifiable data to the government, as well as by legislators concerned about government surveillance." – FCW
Tell Congress what you think:
S. 754 CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION SHARING ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1731 NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION ADVANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
Ex-Im Discharge Petition: One-time anomaly or a new way to cut through gridlock?
Congress watchers are still processing what it means that 41 Republicans joined with Democrats to push through the first successful discharge petition since 2002.
"One reason that discharge petitions are rarely approved is that they generally require bipartisanship. After all, the majority party can generally move things through the process as it sees fit. It's the minority party that needs to force the issue." – Philip Bump, The Washington Post
With 218 signatures, the petition forces the bill out of committee and onto a Floor Vote when Congress returns.
"The broader significance of the move is that dozens of House Republicans dared to try it at all," writes The Atlantic. "
Source: The Washington Post
Tell Congress what you think:
H.R. 3611 EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REFORM AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
VIEW FROM THE HILL:
View from: First St. NE, October 5, 2015.
(Photo/Whitney Wyszynski)
Mental Health Awareness Week
Since 1990, the first week in October has been designated "Mental Health Awareness Week" to educate the public and raise awareness about the challenges facing those with mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Over forty bills have been introduced in the 114th Congress on the topic.
In the wake of the Oregon school shooting, several Members of Congress have called for action on mental health issues to help stem the violence. "Momentum is building for legislation to reform the U.S. mental health system, which has stalled for several years over disagreements concerning patient privacy and involuntary mental health treatment policies." – Morning Consult
Tell Congress what you think:
H.R. 2646 THE HELPING FAMILIES IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ACT
"To make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes."
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
