THE DAILY WHIP: FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017

H.Res. 480 – Rule providing for consideration of S. 114 – A bill to authorize appropriations for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes, as amended (Sen. Heller – Veterans’ Affairs) (One hour of debate).  The Rules Committee has recommended a closed Rule that provides for one hour of general debate equally divided between the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The Rule allows one motion to recommit, with or without instructions, and waives all points of order against the legislation.

H.Res. 481 – Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3180 – Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Rep. Nunes – Intelligence) (One hour of debate).  The Rules Committee has recommended a closed Rule that provides for one hour of general debate equally divided between the Chair and Ranking Member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The Rule allows one motion to recommit, with or without instructions, and waives all points of order against the legislation. 

The Rule also Waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII, the requirement of a two-thirds vote to consider a Rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee, through the legislative day of August 1, 2017.  Members are urged to VOTE NO.

H.R. 3180 – Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, as amended (Rep. Nunes – Intelligence) (One hour of debate).  This legislation authorizes funding for intelligence and intelligence-related activities for FY 2018. 

Bill Text for H.R. 3180:
PDF Version

S. 114 – A bill to authorize appropriations for the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes, as amended (Sen. Heller – Veterans’ Affairs) (One hour of debate).  This legislation provides an additional $2.1 billion for the Veterans Choice Program to allow veterans to continue receiving VA-funded medical care in the community through January 2018, while also providing authorization for 28 VA major medical facilities, authorizing locality pay for physician assistants, expanding direct hiring authority at the VA, requiring the VA to establish a recruiting database and requiring the VA to develop a plan to hire more doctors. The inclusion of $1.4 billion that will go directly to the VA is part of a bipartisan compromise and is the main difference betweenthis bill and language that failed the House under suspension of the Rules earlier this week by a vote of 219-186.  That vote can be found here.

Unless something is done, the VA will run out of funding for the Choice program by the middle of August.  It is essential that Congress stand up and help those who have put their lives at risk for the American people and pass this legislation.  This bipartisan compromise goes a long way in supporting those who have so bravely served our country. 

Bill Text for S. 114:
PDF Version

Suspensions (4 bills)

1. H.R. 2772 – SEA Act (Rep. Taylor – Veterans’ Affairs)
2. H.R. 3262 – Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2017 (Rep. Kuster – Veterans’ Affairs)
3. H.R. 95 – Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, as amended (Rep. Brownley – Veterans’ Affairs)
4. H.R. 873 – Global War of Terrorism Memorial (Rep. Gallagher – Natural Resources)