Policy Update

Continuing Resolution Moving Through Congress

9/28/2006

Source: Independent Sector

Continuing Resolution Moving Through Congress

In light of stalled FY2007 appropriations legislation, Congress is moving toward funding most government programs and agencies at FY2006 levels through November 17 by passing a continuing resolution attached to a $447.6 billion Defense spending bill/conference report (H.R. 5631).  The House approved the conference report on September 26; the Senate is expected to approve it today.  Source: Congress Daily PM, CQ Today

Appropriators Oppose Omnibus Action on Spending Bills

Despite opposition by leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Congress is likely to consider the remaining FY2007 appropriations bills in an omnibus package following November's elections.  In a September 25 letter to House and Senate leaders, Appropriations Chairs Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) instead suggested that lawmakers finish the legislation in 2007 to avoid an omnibus; however, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) wants to complete the bills this year. 

Others have suggested pushing the process forward by bypassing floor action on the remaining spending bills and instead moving to House-Senate conferences with the committee approved versions of the legislation.  Source: Congress Daily PM, CQ Today

Administration Reiterates Support of Line-Item Veto

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman yesterday urged the Senate once again to bring up line-item veto legislation (H.R. 4890), saying he believes it would pass the chamber.  Portman spoke at a news conference led by Citizens Against Government Waste, the National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers for Common Sense, American Conservative Union, and Freedom Works. 

Portman acknowledged the legislation is unlikely to be considered before November's elections; however, said he believes lawmakers are more likely to pass it during a lame-duck session.  S

Source: Congress Daily PM, BNA Daily Tax Report

Democrats and Others Criticize Republican Handling of Budget Bills

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Kent Conrad (D-ND) and House Budget Committee Ranking Member John Spratt (D-SC) yesterday criticized lawmakers for failing to approve a federal budget resolution and making little progress on spending bills.  They also pushed for the reinstatement of pay-as-you-go budget rules, rather than the line-item veto. 

Similarly, the nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget yesterday sent a letter to lawmakers expressing its disappointment in Congress' lack of progress on a budget resolution and appropriations legislation.  Source: BNA Daily Tax Report 

Members in House and Senate Push for Additional Labor-HHS Funds

Twenty-four moderate House Republicans yesterday sent a letter to House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), urging him to support a $3 billion increase to the FY2007 Labor-Health and Human Services spending bill.  Majority Leader Boehner had promised House moderates during debate of the FY2007 budget resolution that he would work to increase Labor-HHS funds. 

Similarly, Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Ranking Member Tom Harkin (D-IA) are circulating a letter signed so far by 52 senators, asking Senate and Appropriations Committee leaders to allocate increased funding to Labor-HHS.  Source: Congress Daily AM 

Prospects for Estate Tax Reduction Continue to Look Dim

Echoing others in the Senate, Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) yesterday said it is unlikely that the Senate consider estate tax legislation during a lame-duck session after November's elections.  Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) additionally said he believes an estate tax package would not receive the 60 votes necessary for passage this year. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to debate whether to bring up the package of popular tax extensions that had previously been partnered with estate tax legislation as part of the 'Trifecta' tax bill (H.R. 5970).  Source: BNA Daily Tax Report, Congress Daily AM

Court Upholds FEC Electioneering Decision

A federal court yesterday ruled that a Federal Election Commission decision to prohibit nonprofit Christian Civic Life of Maine, Inc. from running television ads during the 30 days before a primary election was correct.  The FEC had ruled that Christian Civic Life's attempt to run ads mentioning Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) would have violated the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.  Source: Roll Call