Week two of recess and lawmakers are preparing to return to Washington…
House Republicans are readying new version of an Obamacare replacement bill. Current spending authorization runs out next week, meaning Congress must pass a deal to avoid a government shutdown. The 115th Congress reached 100-day mark. White House is expected to drop tax overhaul plan next week. Speaker Ryan has said Congress might not pass a tax bill until much later in the year.
- American Health Care Act
- Funding Deadline
- Tax Reform Legislation Delayed
- First 100 Days
- ICYMI: Around the Capital
- ICYMI: Around the Country
New changes to Obamacare replacement legislation
The White House is reportedly pressuring Congress to take a vote on new version of a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act before the “100 Days” milestone of the Trump Presidency, though no vote is currently scheduled for next week.
Over recess, a proposal – the MacArthur Amendment – emerged that would reinstate federal “Essential Benefits,” (which the previous version of the House GOP American Health Care Act removed), but would allow states to apply for “limited waivers,” to eliminate or reduce these requirements on a state-by-state basis. Benefits that states could opt out of requiring include:
- restrictions on charging different prices based on age or health status (if the state establishes a high-risk pool or participates in a federal pool)
- requirement to cover preexisting conditions
- mental health care
- prescription drug coverage
- maternity care
The amendment would continue to allow young people to remain on parents’ policies until age 26.
Whether the proposal could reach the 216 votes required to pass the House is still in question.
Government shutdown fast approaching
Current spending authorization runs out on April 28th, so Congress will be scrambling next week to reach a deal and avoid a government shutdown. Most expect that there will be a one-week extension passed to give more time for negotiations through several thorny issues.
A spending bill must get 60 votes in the Senate (to overcome a filibuster), so any deal must bring at least a few votes from Democrats. That means that Democratic priorities like continued funding for Planned Parenthood and the Affordable Care Act subsidies could remain.
The White House wants to see funding for a border wall and an increase in defense spending in the bill. Another administration priority for the spending bill is to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities, a policy that was the subject of an executive order that is currently being challenged in court.
Typical for a fast-approaching funding deadline, the Trump administration instructed agencies to begin preparing for a shutdown.
First 100 days in the books for 115th Congress
First 100 days…You’re hearing a lot about President Trump’s first 100 days, but here at POPVOX, we’re all about Congress and legislation. Whether you’ve been too busy to pay attention or perhaps you got lost in all the developments (can you believe it’s already April?), we’ve created a quick look at what Congress has been up to in its first 100 days.
Tax reform legislation delayed
On Friday, President Trump told the AP that he would release a “massive tax cut” next Wednesday “or shortly thereafter.” The proposal is expected to include a cut to the corporate tax rate, mostly paid for with “growth and ‘dynamic scoring,’” according to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin.
“Dynamic scoring” is Washington-speak for figuring the net cost of something based on what you think your income will look like in the future. It’s like buying an expensive house with a balloon note while you are in med school – and expecting to afford the higher payments later when you graduate and have a high-paying job as a doctor. In the case of tax reform, proponents of dynamic scoring believe that tax breaks will lead to more business investment, job creation, and economic stimulus; which will increase GDP growth and result in more net taxes paid, making up for the revenue loss that comes with cutting rates.
Members of Congress expect a slower process for tax reform. This week Speaker Ryan said Congress might not pass a tax bill until much later in the year. Speaker Ryan supports a plan to pay for cuts with a “border adjustment tax” (tax on imports into the United States), expected to raise $2 trillion.
A Thursday hearing on border tax adjustments was postponed.
#ICYMI: Around the Capital
- President Trump signed a reauthorization of the Veterans Choice Act, allowing veterans to seek treatment outside the VA.
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky [D, IL-9] became the first lawmaker to announce legislation to end involuntary "bumping" from flights.
- DOT launched new webpage to help travelers know their rights when flying.
- United missed Senate deadline for info about the violent removal of a passenger from an overbooked flight.
- House Financial Services will hold hearing next week to discuss CHOICE Act, reboot of bill to replace parts of Dodd-Frank.
- New bipartisan legislation to boost the number of doctors able to work in rural America by extending the Conrad 30 program.
- D.C. Appeals Court considered the legality of law enforcement using secret cellphone tracking technology without warrants.
- Bipartisan lawmakers are narrowing in on funding agreement that would provide money for Planned Parenthood and the ACA, with little to no funding for border wall.
- House Natural Resources Ranking Member Raul Grijalva [D, AZ] is suing the Trump administration over border wall.
- Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said it's up to Congress take on immigration reform.
- White House launched a website to ask for the public's input on government reorganization.
- U.S. dropped "mother of all bombs" on ISIS in Afghanistan, the largest non-nuclear bomb ever dropped by the U.S. military. Learn more about the 11-ton bomb.
- Internal Dept. of Homeland Security assessment shows steps to build a nationwide deportation force.
- Trump selected former Congressman Scott Garrett to lead the Export-Import Bank. Position requires Senate confirmation.
- President Trump called Turkish President Erdogan to congratulate him on contested referendum, becoming the first Western leader to do so.
- New bipartisan legislation to bar doctors from supplying more than a week's supply of opioid prescriptions to patients suffering from acute pain.
- U.S. extended sanctions relief for Iran after inspectors said the country complied with the terms of the nuclear deal forged by the Obama administration. State Dept. set to review deal.
- EPA set to offer employees buyouts and early retirement.
- White House's missing cybersecurity plan.
- Sen. Ron Wyden [D, OR] wants the Senate to require "basic cybersecurity practices," including two-factor identification to protect digital information.
- Several states may soon suspend programs that provide healthcare coverage for children unless Congress reauthorizes funding.
#ICYMI: Around the Country
- NCAA said it will resume holding championship events in North Carolina after lawmakers repealed and replaced a contentious "bathroom bill."
- Newly sworn in Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey [R] moved up the date for a special election for the Senate seat formerly held by now Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
- MD Gov. Larry Hogan [R] signed a series of new laws related to prosecuting rape cases, including removing requirement that rape survivors must prove they fought back and forbidding police from destroying rape kits for at least 20 years.
- Alaska is applying for approval from FERC on $40-50 billion pipeline and natural gas export project.
- OK Gov. Mary Fallin [R] signed legislation rolling back 2003 tax credit for zero-emission electricity. The credit helped propel the state to third in the country for wind production.
- NM Gov. Susana Martinez [R] vetoed $6.1 billion spending bill over legislative tax increases, spending disputes, and lack of hearings for Board of Regents nominees. Included all funding for higher education. Albuquerque Public Schools dropped all middle-school sports until the budget crisis is resolved.
- Hawaii state lawmakers asked DoD for help preparing for a nuclear attack. Some called for updating contingency plans.
- NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced several tobacco-related bills, including upping the price of cigarettes to $13 and raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products.
- Arkansas carried out its first execution since 2005, after Supreme Court denied man's final plea. Justice Gorsuch cast the deciding vote, his first recorded vote on the Supreme Court.
Please keep in mind that highlighting specific legislation 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.
