House Cloakroom

Analysis:

A recent Gallup poll shows the mounting debt tops American fears and yet Congress continues to pursue legislation that would deepen the debt crisis. This week the House will move to consider legislation intended to increase the availability of credit to small businesses but with a price tag of $33 billion with no offsets made to pay for the program it will only grow the level of our unsustainable debt.  Additionally, one should question the necessity of this measure when it clearly duplicates efforts made in the original $700 TARP bill.  Also on the docket for the week is the FY 2010 War Funding Supplemental bill meant to pay for on going operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.   The total cost of the bill is $84.3 billion dollars, although only $33 billion is actually war funding and the rest is a whole list of other “emergency” priorities including $23 billion to bailout the states. Lastly, the House may consider the DISCLOSE Act, the Democrats response to the Supreme Court case Citizens United.

Major Floor Action:

  • H.R. 5297 – Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 (aka TARP III)
  • FY 2010 War Funding Supplemental (text still not available)
  • H.R. 5175 — DISCLOSE Act

Major Committee Action:

Senate Cloakroom

Analysis:

The Senate will continue its work on the so-called tax extenders package, which raises taxes, spending and the deficit.  It is clear the Senate has missed the message from the American people.

Floor Action:

  • The Senate will continue work on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (HR4213).
  • Several District Court judges are likely to be confirmed – Tanya Pratt, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana; Brian Jackson, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana; and Elizabeth Foote, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana.

Committee Action: