LEGISLATIVE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Credit for this update goes to Brenda T. Formo, NC Federation of Republican Women.  Thanks!

U.S. Congress


Fiscal year 2011 ends on Sep 30, 2011. At 12:50 a.m. on Sep 23, 2011 the House passed a short-term spending bill through Nov 18, 2011 that includes $3.7 billion in disaster relief and avoids a government shutdown on Oct 1, 2011. The vote was 219 to 203 with 11 not voting. An earlier bill failed.  (THE SENATE REJECTED IT--though they have not passed a budget in 877 days!.)

NC Representatives voting for the bill:  Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).

NC Representatives voting against the bill: G. K. Butterfield (D-1st), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

Heath Shuler (D-11th) did not vote.

Senate - Recent Actions

1. Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011 (H.R.2887)

•On Sep 15, 2011 the Senate passed the bill to continue programs through March 31, 2012 and "authorizes appropriations through that date for specified federal-aid highway programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act."
•The vote was 92 to 6 with 2 not voting. Both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan voted for the bill.


2. On Sep 15 the Senate passed by unanimous consent a bill "to add supplemental disaster relief funding" to unrelated legislation pertaining to trade sanctions on Myanmar (Burma). The supplemental appropriation provides $6.9 billion in funding to the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, and House and Urban Development. Megavote & Senate.gov

House of Representatives Recent Actions:

1. A Resolution to provide for consideration of H.R. 2401 "to require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)." (H. Res 406) [A Resolution is a statement of position or opinion and has no legal authority.] The issue of the EPA stopping job creation through regulations will continue to be discussed.

•Passed on Sep 22, 2011 in a vote of 245 to 175 with 13 not voting.
•NC Representatives voting for a review of the EPA regulations and actions: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (R-7th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th).

•NC Representatives voting against a review of EPA rules and actions: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).


2. Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (HR 2883).

•Extends "through FY 2016 the authorization of appropriations for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program." It also revises grant requirements for children affected by methamphetamine or other substance abuse problems. The bill changes other requirements, including more authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to "authorize states to conduct child welfare program demonstration projects," among other repeals, renewals and rules pertaining to child welfare and foster care.
•On Sep 21, the vote passed 395 to 25 with 13 not voting. All NC Representatives voted for the bill except Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5th).

3. House Resolution (H. Res 405) "Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (HR 2608) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958."

•The vote was 238 to 185 with 10 not voting.
•NC Representatives voting for Small Business programs: Renee Ellmers (R-2nd), Walter B. Jones (R-3rd), Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Howard Coble (R-6th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th),

•NC Representatives voting against Small Business programs: G. K. Butterfield (D-1st), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (-13th).

4. Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2011 (HR2189)

•"Requires states that receive certain criminal justice assistance grants to report to the Attorney General on a quarterly basis certain information regarding the death of any person who is detained, arrested, enroute to incarceration, or incarcerated in state or local facilities or a boot camp prison. Imposes penalties on states that fail to comply with such reporting requirements."

•The vote was 398 to 18 with 17 not voting. All NC Representatives voted for the measure.

The U.S. and Israel

Palestinian President Abbas is set to request statehood for the Palestinians on Friday, Sep 23rd at the United Nations. Although President Obama has been on both sides of the issue, this week he is against Palestinian statehood and said he would veto the request. Recently he said that "efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure," and that he supports Israel and wants a peace process that will ensure Israel's security. The Wall Street Journal

Sources: house.gov; Fox News, "House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown, but Battle With Senate Looms," AP, Sep 23, 2011; The Wall Street Journal, "Budget Vote Surprises GOP leaders," by Naftali Bendavid, Sep 22, 2011 and "Government Shutdown Possible Over Disaster Aid," by Naftali Bendavid, Sep 21, 2011; senate.gov; megavote; The Heritage Foundation, "Obama Falling Short on Israel," Sep 22, 2011.