THE DAILY WHIP: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
Mariel Saez or Latoya Veal 202-225-3130
House Meets At: | First Vote Predicted: | Last Vote Predicted: |
---|---|---|
10:00 a.m.: Morning Hour | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. |
H.Res. 892 – Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5303 – Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (Rep. Shuster – Transportation and Infrastructure)(One hour of debate). The Rules Committee has recommended a structured Rule that provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Rule allows for 25 amendments, debatable for 10 minutes equally divided between the offeror and an opponent. The Rule allows one motion to recommit, with or without instructions, and waives all points of order against the legislation.
A second Rule providing for additional amendments to H.R. 5303 is expected to be considered on the Floor tomorrow.
The Rule allows for Suspension Authority through the legislative day of September 30, 2016.
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 September 30, 2016, relating to a measure making or continuing appropriations for fiscal year ending September 30, 2017.
The Rules Committee rejected a motion by Ms. Slaughter of New York to make in order and provide the appropriate waivers for an amendment offered by Rep. Kildee of Michigan which provides $220 million in assistance to Flint, Michigan and other communities with increased levels of lead in their drinking water. Members are urged to VOTE NO.
H.Res. 893 – Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 954 – CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016 (Rep. Smith (NE) – Ways and Means) (One hour of debate). The Rules Committee has recommended a Closed Rule that provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The Rule allows one motion to recommit, with or without instructions, and waives all points of order against the legislation. Members are urged to VOTE NO.
Begin Consideration of H.R. 5303 – Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (Rep. Shuster – Transportation and Infrastructure)(One hour of debate). The bill revises and authorizes water resources development projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It also de-authorizes five existing projects and establishes an expedited process for the de-authorization of other projects. The bill that was reported out of Committee was a bipartisan compromise, but House Republicans stripped Section 108 which would have unlocked the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to ensure that revenues collected from shippers are used to maintain U.S. coastal and Great Lakes harbors. Without this provision, the balance in the Trust Fund will double in the next decade to $20 billion and continue to grow. While Committee Democrats worked in good-faith with Committee Republicans to strengthen and maintain our Nation’s ports, harbors and waterways, the removal of Section 108 significantly alters this piece of legislation.
While the Senate WRDA bill contains provisions to address the crisis in Flint, Michigan, H.R. 5303 does not, even though last week Speaker Ryan said: “[T]hat is an issue that should be dealt with in the WRDA bill. We're bringing the WRDA bill up next week, the water resources bill. That's where that belongs, in that conversation.” The people of Flint have been unable to use tap water, but House Republicans continue to refuse to address the issue.
The Rule provides for one hour of general debate. A full list of the 25 amendments made in order in the first Rule can be foundHERE.
Bill Text for H.R. 5303:
PDF Version
Background for H.R. 5303:
House Report (HTML Version)
House Report (PDF Version)
H.R. 954 – CO-OP Consumer Protection Act (Rep. Smith (NE) – Ways and Means)(One hour of debate). H.R. 954 marks House Republicans’ 65th vote to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since 2011.
The ACA established Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs) to promote local, non-profit coverage options. Unfortunately, they have been hindered by funding reductions and Republican efforts to undermine risk mitigation provisions in the law.
H.R. 954 would exempt from the individual mandate penalty people whose CO-OP terminated coverage mid-plan year. The bill would be effective as of January 1, 2014. While Republicans argue that H.R. 954 is intended to protect individuals who lost coverage, the bill is unnecessary. The ACA provides for Special Enrollment Periods for cases in which an individual experiences such an interruption in coverage to enable those affected to select another plan outside of open enrollment. Individuals for whom coverage is unaffordable or who experience a hardship also may quality for an exemption from the individual responsibility provision of the law. Since the enactment of the ACA, the uninsured rate has fallen to a record low of 8.6 percent. Weakening individual responsibility by adding additional statutory exemptions to the requirements risks increasing premiums and decreasing the number of Americans with coverage. Additionally, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that H.R. 954 would add $4 million to the federal deficit over the next decade.
Since the enactment of the ACA, the uninsured rate has fallen to a record low of 8.6 percent. Weakening individual responsibility by adding additional statutory exemptions to the coverage requirements risks increasing premiums and decreasing the number of Americans with insurance. Additionally, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that H.R. 954 would add $4 million to the federal deficit over the next decade.
H.R. 954 is merely another attempt by House Republicans to undermine the ACA in the absence of serious proposals to build upon and improve the law. Instead of wasting time on unnecessary legislation, Republicans should use the next four days focusing on passing a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and provide urgently needed funds to combat the Zika virus and help the residents of Flint recover from their tragedy.
In the Statement of Administration Policy, the President’s senior advisors stated that they would recommend he veto this bill. Members are urged to VOTE NO.
Bill Text for H.R. 954:
PDF Version
Background for H.R. 954:
House Report (HTML Version)
House Report (PDF Version)
Suspensions (3 bills)
- S. 1698 – Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (Sen. Tillis – Oversight and Government Reform)
- H.R. 5065 – Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act, as amendment (Rep. Herrera Beutler – Homeland Security)
- H.R. 5391 – Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, as amended (Rep. Richmond – Homeland Security)
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
The GOP Leadership has announced the following schedule for Wednesday, September 28: The House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. The House is expected to complete consideration of H.R. 5303 – Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (Rep. Shuster – Transportation and Infrastructure)(Subject to a Rule).
The Daily Quote |
---|
“Democrats stepped up the pressure Monday as the Senate prepared for a key procedural vote on a Republican-backed stopgap spending bill needed to avoid a government shutdown. Republican leaders need at least 60 votes Tuesday to advance the measure, which would extend current funding levels until Dec. 9 to avoid a partial shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on Saturday… GOP leaders may be hoping they can still muster the 60 votes they need Tuesday… But the effort is more likely to fail, particularly because [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell [R-KY] can't even count on support from all 54 Republican senators. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said last week he would oppose the measure because it lacks a provision to restore full power to the Export-Import Bank. The bottom line: With the clock ticking toward a possible shutdown, look for a final round of negotiations to begin soon after the bill gets blocked Tuesday.” - CQ, 9/27/2016 |