Although the conventional wisdom leads many to conclude that the Republicans will enhance their majorities in the House and have a better than 50-50 shot of taking over the Senate, the current debate about whether to reauthorize the Export-Import bank portends the future value of House Democrats to the business community. With Minority Whip Hoyer and Financial Services Committee Ranking Member opposing the short term extension that is currently included in the Continuing Resolution, it is unclear whether the Republican leadership will be able move the CR without Democratic votes. This coming week should be interesting political theater with House leadership trying to balance the conservative elements of their party, some of whom have already come half-way on a short term extension, with the hardline position of House Democrats who realize that this may be their best opportunity to secure a multi-year extension of the bank, and who are secretly hoping that the House (or Senator Ted Cruz) forces a government shut down over this issue. (though neither are likely to do so)
Author: Thornrun
Sens. Schumer and Durbin Release Text of Corporate Inverters Earnings Stripping Reform Act of 2014
Today, Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) released the final text of “Corporate Inverters Earnings Stripping Reform Act of 2014”. The bill is designed to “prevent earnings stripping of domestic corporations, which are members of a worldwide group of corporations which includes an inverted corporation,” while requiring “agreements with respect to certain related party transactions with those members.”
TRP Clean Energy Report
Members of the House and Senate return to Washington this week following a 5-week recess. Lawmakers will have just a few weeks to handle a series of ‘must-pass’ legislative items before adjourning again until the November elections. Key issues expected to be considered include a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown, reauthorization of the Export-Import bank, extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act and consideration of a fiscal 2015 Defense Authorization bill. House leadership plans to revisit several energy and environmental measures in September, including bills to approve the Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline, block federal limits on carbon emissions from power plants and expand access to drilling offshore and on federal lands.
TRP Health Policy Report
The House and Senate were out last week. In notable Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation news, a federal appeals court announced Thursday that it will rehear a case challenging insurance subsidies in the health law, setting aside an earlier ruling that invalidated the subsidies in many states. The move deals a blow to ACA opponents and could undermine efforts by challengers to persuade the Supreme Court to intervene in the dispute. Elsewhere, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell met with more than a dozen top health insurance executives last Thursday in preparation for the health law's second enrollment period. The meeting, which included both state and national insurance officials, included discussion of affordability on the exchanges and how best to maximize enrollment with only three months for people to sign up. Burwell is working to ensuring the marketplaces do not stumble on Nov. 15, as they did last year – an outcome that clouded the tenure of her predecessor, Kathleen Sebelius.
TRP Health Policy Report
The House and Senate were out last week for the five-week summer recess. In notable Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation news, Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) wrote to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner on Wednesday, seeking an update on how many people are covered under the health law ahead of the second enrollment period that starts in November. In May, HHS reported a surge in sign-ups, which pushed ACA enrollments to over 8 million people. Republicans are skeptical of the figure and have suggested the total was inflated. Barrasso and Alexander asked CMS to provide updated information on how many people had signed up for coverage through the exchanges as of Aug. 15.
TRP Health Policy Report
The House and Senate remain adjourned for their five-week summer recess. Despite the lull in activity on Capitol Hill, last week saw several notable updates on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Last Tuesday, a government report found that the health law’s medical device tax is raising roughly three-quarters of the revenue originally expected. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) said the IRS needs to continue to tweak its compliance rules, identifying several mistakes that slowed collection of the controversial tax.
Whither CHIP?
This post, penned by Thorn Run Partner's Billy Wynne, originally appeared in the August 19 edition of Health Affairs.
In a day all but lost to Affordable Care Act prehistory, on November 7, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Among the bill’s many differences with its Senate counterpart, it would have allowed the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to expire at the end of 2013, with children covered under that program enrolled in either Medicaid or commercial Exchange plans.
TRP Health Policy Report
The House and Senate remain adjourned for their five-week summer recess. When Congress returns in September, lawmakers plan to take up a series of issues, including a continuing resolution to fund the government past September 30, a border security bill, reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act and consideration of a fiscal 2015 Defense Authorization bill. The Senate may also consider a constitutional amendment regarding campaign financing, legislation on the minimum wage, student loans and a bill to address the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling. Senate leaders say the chamber will be in session straight through September 23rd, when members will adjourn again until after the November elections. The House is scheduled to be in session from September 8-19 and September 29-October 2.
TRP Clean Energy Report
The House and Senate have adjourned for a five-week summer recess. Before departing, the House on August 1 approved a border security bill (H.R. 5230) in 223-189 vote. House members also passed a second measure (H.R.5272) by 216-192 that would limit the President’s power to shield undocumented immigrants from deportations. Passage in the House came a day after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of an emergency spending bill (S. 2648) that would have provided $2.7 billion in federal aid to the agencies tasked with addressing the border crisis. Senators also approved veterans’ reform legislation (H.R. 3230) 91-3, sending the package to President Obama. The House passed the veterans’ bill on July 30 in a 420-5 vote. The Senate also voted 81-13 to approve an $11 billion highway funding bill (H.R. 5021). Earlier in the week, the House voted 225-201 to authorize a lawsuit against President Obama (H.Res. 676) for delaying the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate. In the House, members debate a series of suspension bills before taking up legislation (H.R. 4315) that would make changes to the Endangered Species Act.
TRP Health Policy Report
The House and Senate remain adjourned for a five-week summer recess. When Congress returns in September, lawmakers plan to take up a series of issues, including a continuing resolution to fund the government past September 30, a border security bill, reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act and consideration of a fiscal 2015 Defense Authorization bill. The Senate may also consider a constitutional amendment regarding campaign financing, legislation on the minimum wage, student loans and a bill to address the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling. Senate leaders say the chamber will be in session straight through September 23rd, when members will adjourn again until after the November elections. The House is scheduled to be in session from September 8-19 and September 29-October 2.