WEEKLY UPDATE: The Week Ahead in Congress

This week: Energy Policy in the Senate

It’s going to be a light week in Congress, with the House staying out due to the DC snowstorm, and no Senate votes until Wednesday evening. Washington-area federal offices will also be closed on Monday. The Senate is in Wednesday evening and will begin consideration of bipartisan energy legislation.

In the House (soon)

The next votes in House will be February 1. The chamber was scheduled to re-vote on limits to the President’s ability to lift sanctions on Iran (H.R. 3662), which was previously vacated because 137 Members were late for the vote. The House was also set to vote on overriding the President’s veto of the Reconciliation bill that would have repealed parts of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and removed federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

H.R. 3662 IRAN TERROR FINANCE TRANSPARENCY ACT

Sponsor: Rep. Steven Russell [R, OK-5]

This bill prohibits the President from removing sanctions on foreign financial institutions until the President makes two certifications to Congress: (1) that the institution has not knowingly facilitated transactions or provided significant financial services for or on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its agents, a foreign terrorist organization, or a person whose property or property interests are blocked pursuant to the IEEPA in connection with Iran’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. (2) that the institution no longer knowingly engages in illicit or deceptive financial transactions or other activities.

H.R. 3762 RESTORING AMERICANS' HEALTHCARE FREEDOM RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2015

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Price [R, GA-6]
(This bill was vetoed by the President on Jan 8, 2016)

As you know, “reconciliation” is an expedited process for special bills that reduce the budget deficit to come up for consideration in the Senate without a 60-vote cloture threshold. H.R. 3762 would repeal key parts of the Affordable Care Act: the individual mandate, the employer mandate, and the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), and would defund Planned Parenthood for one year.

In the Senate: Energy Reform

The Senate will be in on Wednesday evening and will begin consideration of the bipartisan “Energy Policy Modernization Act” (S. 2012).

The bill's lead sponsors are Chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, Lisa Murkowski [R, AK] and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell [D, WA], who held four hearings to consider 114 individual bills introduced by senators on topics relevant to energy reform: "After weeks of negotiations, this bill represents the common ground that exists for modernizing our energy policies on efficiency, infrastructure, supply, accountability, and reauthorizing conservation programs." Source: Committee release.

S. 2012 ENERGY POLICY MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015

Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK]

SUMMARY OF KEY PROVISIONS (Provided by Committee on Natural Resources)

Section-by-section analysis | Bill Text | CBO Score (estimate of effect on federal revenue)

Efficiency – Energy efficiency provides significant benefits for consumers, the economy, and the environment. The provisions in this title include agreements on everything from longer-term utility energy service contracts to the reauthorization of the weatherization and state energy programs. The efficiency of our homes, buildings, and manufacturing facilities all stand to increase as a result of it.
Infrastructure – We depend on electrical transmission lines and other infrastructure to transport energy from where it is produced to where it is used. This title will help modernize our electrical grid, enhance cybersecurity safeguards, maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, provide a streamlined process for natural gas export projects, and ensure a qualified, well-trained workforce.
Supply – To provide for an energy supply that is increasingly abundant, affordable, clean, diverse, and secure, this title focuses on the development of renewable energy, traditional resources, and non-fuel minerals alike. The responsible development of American resources – including hydropower geothermal, bioenergy and rare earth elements – will strengthen our economy, competitiveness, and security for decades to come.
Accountability – Practical reforms are needed to advance innovation, protect electric reliability, and ensure the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Among the provisions in this title are the reauthorization of certain energy-related components of the America COMPETES Act, better interagency coordination of energy/water initiatives, and the repeal of numerous provisions within the U.S. Code that are outdated or redundant.
Conservation Reauthorization – The Committee is also responsible for oversight and stewardship of our public lands. The bipartisan legislation permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund in a way that balances land acquisition with other conservation programs important to states and permanently reauthorizes the Historic Preservation Fund, both set to expire this fall. It also creates a new National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund, to address the maintenance backlog at some of our nation’s most treasured public places.

In Process: Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ISIS/ISIL

Last week, in a surprising move, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell [R, KY] set up a vote for an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, something that has been requested by President Obama since February 2015, though a McConnell aide told the National Journal that the AUMF resolution: “is not the one the [p]resident asked for” and “not one that would tie the [p]resident’s hands.”

"McConnell used Rule 14 to place the ISIL AUMF directly on the Senate calendar rather than going through the committee process. This means that the Senate can take up the bill at any time," explained Cody Poplin on Brookings' LawFare blog.

S.J.RES. 29: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT AND ITS ASSOCIATED FORCES.

Sponsor: Sen. Mitch McConnell [R, KY]
(Text pending)

Other AUMF proposals that have been introduced:

Several other versions of authorization exist but none have been approved:

H.J.RES. 27 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST ISIL RESOLUTION
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-28]

Does not authorize the deployment of ground forces in a combat role
Repeals the 2002 authorization of force that led to the invasion of Iraq
Requires report to Congress every 60 days
Limits authorization to three years
Allows for any lawmaker to offer a privileged motion to force a "timely debate" to repeal or revise the authorization resolution

H.J.RES. 33 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger [R, IL-16]

Authorizes "necessary and appropriate force" against ISIL and any "individuals and organizations fighting for, on behalf of, or alongside ISIL"
Repeals the 2002 authorization of force that led to the invasion of Iraq
Requires report to Congress every 90 days

H.R. 4208 AUTHORITY FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT ACT
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Rigell [R, VA-2]

Authorizes forces "against ISIL, any closely related successor entity, or associated persons or forces"
Repeals the 2002 authorization of force that led to the invasion of Iraq
Limits authorization to three years
References ISIS's "descipable acts of violence and mass executions against Muslims," threatened genocides against religious groups, anti-ISIL Coalition, beheadings of journalists James Foley andSteven Sotloff, death of American aid worker (and former Army ranger) Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and American hostage Kayla Mueller
Expressly states that the use of US ground troops in combat against ISIL, except to protect the lives of US citizens from imminent threat, is not consistent with purpose of this bill

S.J.RES. 26 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT AND ITS ASSOCIATED FORCES
Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Graham [R, SC]

Authorizes "all necessary and appropriate force" with no restrictions on ground troops
Leaves other authorizations of force in place
Requires report to Congress every 60 days
Authorization has no time limits
References recent attacks in Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and France
References beheadings of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, deaths of Army Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler (the first U.S. service member killed in action in the U.S. military campaign against ISIS) and American aid worker (and former Army ranger) Peter Kassig, American hostageKayla Mueller, Pope Francis's call to action to stop ISIS, and ISIS threat to attack Washington, DC.

S. 1587 AUTHORITY FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT ACT
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine [D, VA]

Repeals the 2002 authorization of force that led to the invasion of Iraq
Requires a report to Congress at least once every six months
Limits authorization to three years
Purpose: "to protect the lives of US citizens and to provide military support to regional partners in their battle to defeat ISIL"
Expressly states that the use of US ground troops in combat against ISIL, except to protect the lives of US citizens from imminent threat, is not consistent with purpose of this bill

THE PRESIDENT'S DRAFT AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE (AUMF)

Expressly does not authorize use of forces in "enduring offensive ground combat operations"
Repeals the 2002 authorization of force that led to the invasion of Iraq
Requires report to Congress "at least once every six months" of actions taken under the authorization
Limits authorization to three years

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.