Capital Hill Review
Senate
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Confirmation General David H. Petraeus to be General
On Wednesday, June 30, 2010, the Senate confirmed General David Petraeus as the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.by a 99-0 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00203 ) .
Article: Senate Unanimously Confirms Petraeus
Thursday, June 24, 2010
American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R.4213)
On Thursday, June 24, 2010, Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to provide new aid to state governments and extend emergency unemployment benefits for millions of jobless workers. To advance the package of tax cuts and emergency economic provisions, the Senate was unable to get the required 60 votes as the measure was defeated on a 57-41 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00200 ) . Democrats refused to support a Republican alternative that would have paid for new spending with cuts elsewhere as well as reduced future deficits.
Article: Senate again rejects expanded spending package
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R.2194)
To increase pressure on the regime in Iran as it continues its nuclear program, the Senate voted in favor of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R.2194; ( Full text of the legislation) by a 99-0 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00199) on Thursday, June 24, 2010. The bill focuses on Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard and the country's imports of gas and other refined energy products as it makes it more difficult for companies that invest in Iran — particularly in its lucrative oil and natural-gas sector — to do business in the United States, such as by barring such companies from securing government contracts.
Articles: Congress approves new penalties against Iran ; Iran sanctions approval unanimous in Senate, sweeps House 408-8
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R.4213)
The Senate on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, defeated an amendment (S.Amdt. 4301 ) to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R.4213) by a 45-52 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00190 ) . The measure was a $141 billion package of unemployment benefits and tax incentives that would have added to the deficit $80 billion.
Article: $141B 'Extenders' Bill Defeated in Senate
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.4899)
The Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.4899; Full text of the legislation ) was approved on Thursday, May 27, 2010, by the Senate by a 67-28 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00176 ). The emergency funding and disaster relief costs $58.8 billion and includes $33.5 billion in Pentagon funding to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Article: Senate approves emergency war funding; larger aid bill stalls in House
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.4899)
An effort to put 6,000 more security troops on the U.S.-Mexico border was defeated on Thursday, May 27, 2010, by the Senate by a 51-46 vote (To view how your senators voted visit: 00165 ). The amendment (S.Amdt. 4214 ) to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.4899) was proposed by U.S. Senator of Arizona John McCain (R) which would have spent $59 billion to fund additional troops on the border. To pass, under Senate rules, the amendment required 60 votes. For now, President Barack Obama’s proposal for the temporary addition of a 1,200-person force was sufficient Democrats suggested.
Article: McCain border security plan falls short in Senate
House of Representatives
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010 (H.R.5618)
On Thursday, July 1, 2010, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010 (H.R.5618;Full text of legislation ) was passed by the House of Representatives by a 270-153 vote. (To view how your representative voted visit: 423 ). The House of Representatives voted to extend the deadline to file for federal jobless benefits after a failed attempt earlier in the week. The measure extends the deadline to file for extended unemployment benefits through November, and would retroactively pay out claims to those who saw their benefits expire in May.
Article: House passes unemployment benefits extension
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Restoring American
Financial Stability Act of 2010 (H.R.4173)
The House of Representatives passed the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 (H.R.4173; Full text of legislation ) on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, by a 237-192 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 413). The measure is the most sweeping rewrite of financial rules since the Great Depression. Nineteen Democrats voted against the bill and only three Republicans for it Anh "Joseph" Cao of Louisiana, Michael N. Castle of Delaware and Walter B. Jones of North Carolina.
Article: Overhaul of financial regulations clears House
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act of
2010 (H.R.5623 )
The Homebuyer Assistance and
Improvement Act of 2010 (H.R.5623; Full text of
legislation ) was passed by the House or Representatives on
Tuesday, June 29, 2010, by a 409-5 vote (To view how your representative voted
visit: 401).
The measure gives homebuyers more time to settle on their pending purchases who
qualified for a federal tax credit. And the deadline for closing home purchases
was extended to September 30, 2010. Initially, the program required borrowers
to get a tax credit of as much as $8,000 who signed contracts prior to April
30, 2010, to complete paperwork by July 1, 2010. Since lenders and loan
servicers aren’t processing mortgages quickly enough the bill accommodates
borrowers at risk of being disqualified for the tax credit.
Article: U.S. House Extends Closing Deadline for Homebuyer Tax Credit
Restoration of Emergency
Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010 (H.R.5618)
On Tuesday, June 29, 2010, the House of Representatives failed to pass the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010 (H.R.5618; Full text of legislation ) by a 261-155 (To view how your representative voted visit: 398 ). Under the expedited rules, the bill required two-thirds vote to pass. For the eighth time since 2008, the House of Representatives Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt Tuesday to extend unemployment benefits. The reason for this was they could not stomach adding to the deficit $33.9 billion.
Article : GOP blocks jobless aid extension
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R.2194)
The House or Representatives on Thursday, June 24, 2010, approved the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R.2194; Full text of legislation ) by a 408-8 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 394 ). The bill's purpose is to increase pressure on the regime in Iran as it continues its nuclear program. The measure's focus is on Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard and the country's imports of gas and other refined energy products as it makes it more difficult for companies that invest in Iran — particularly in its lucrative oil and natural-gas sector — to do business in the United States, such as by barring such companies from securing government contracts.
Articles: Iran sanctions approval unanimous in Senate, sweeps House 408-8 ; Senate OKs new penalties against Iran
Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.3962)
The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.3962; Full text of legislation ) was approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 24, 2010, by a 417-1 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 393 ). The measure is a six-month plan to prevent a steep reduction in physician’s fees paid by Medicare. The $6.4 billion bill reverses a 21 percent reduction in physician payments that had raised the possibility that some physicians might start to turn away those covered by Medicare. Retroactive to June 1, 2010, is the bill.
Article: House Passes Plan to Stop Medicare Cuts to Doctors
Democracy is Strengthened by
Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act (H.R.5175)
On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act (H.R.5175; Full text of legislation ) by a 219-206 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 391). The bill is an unconstitutional malicious attack on the First Amendment right of freedom of speech. To blunt the impact of January’s Supreme Court ruling overturning laws that had barred corporations and unions from airing certain types of political advertisement is the intent of the measure. Also, this is an effort to silence opponents of Democrats who fear they will lose control of Congress in the critical 2010 midterm elections.
Article : House Approves Legislation That Mandates the Disclosure of Political Spending ; House passes campaign finance bill
Friday, May 28, 2010
American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213)
The House of Representatives on Friday, May 28, 2010, approved the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213; Full text of legislation ) by a 215-204 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 324 ) . The bill would continue to provide unemployment checks to people out of work more than six months and revive tax breaks popular with families and businesses.
Article : House approves pared-back tax and spending bill
Thursday, May 27, 2010
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (H. R. 5136 )
As an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (H. R. 5136 ) by U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania Patrick Murphy (D), the House of Representatives approved by a 234-194 vote (To view how your representative voted visit: 317 ) the Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 79. The vote delivers a major victory to homosexual activists that have opposed the Pentagon policy barring openly homosexual men and lesbians from serving in the military.
Article : House votes to end 'don't ask, don't tell' policy
What Can You Do?
If your representative or senators have or have not reflected your views, let them know how you feel.
Contact Information:
US House of Representatives:
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To electronically mail your U.S. House of Representative, go to https://writerep.house.gov.
Addressing Correspondence:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative (last name):
US Senate:
Contact Information:
To go to your senators' websites, find their E-mail or to find out who your senators are... http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm
Addressing Correspondence:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name):