Congressional Dish

Catching up the the bills that passed the House of Representatives in February, this episode details a bill designed to keep campaign donors secret, a bill to make all regulations more difficult to enact, a bill that makes unlocking your cell phone legal, a bill that prohibits states from seizing your land for another private interest's gain, a bill that sets up the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau... and more. H.R. 3308: "Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2014" Introduced by Rep. Billy Long of Missouri Advertisements and/or information provided by the government on radio, TV, internet, and through the mail need to clearly state that it is paid for and distributed "at taxpayer expense". Representatives Quoted [caption id="" align="alignright" width="268"] "I sometimes have to Google what some of the agencies in the Federal Government do." – Rep. Blake Farenthold of Texas[/caption] Gerald Connolly of Virginia Blake Farenthold of Texas H.R. 3865: Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 Introduced by Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan Would prohibit the Treasury Department from changing the rules that allow social welfare groups to claim tax exempt status. Representatives Quoted Rob Woodall of Georgia Chris Van Hollen of Maryland Sandy Levin of Michigan Dave Camp of Michigan Lynn Jenkins of Kansas Charles Boustany of Louisiana Kevin Brady of Texas HR 2804: "All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2014" Introduced by Rep. George Holding of North Carolina Title I: All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2014 Makes every Federal agency submit monthly reports on the status of every rule they are working on. Rules can't go into effect until they have been published on the Internet for at least 6 months. Exemption for national security, emergencies, or implementing international trade agreements. Title II: Regulatory Accountability Act Agencies must justify the rules they make and provide alternatives including "no action" alternatives, eliminating existing rules, and "specifying performance objectives" instead of giving specific actions necessary for compliance Agencies must do a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed rules and all alternatives. There must be a 60 day mandatory comment period (120 days for a major rule - which they changed the definition of to basically mean any rule that costs companies money). There will be no judicial review allowed of an agency's decision to withdraw a proposed rule. The agencies must adopt the "least costly rule considered". None of these new procedures will apply to monetary policies made by the Federal Reserve. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2014 Rule makers must list alternatives that cost businesses the least or benefit "small businesses" the most financially. Every rule needs to be reviewed every 10 years. Title IV: Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act Changes the rules for suing the government in regards to their rule making decisions. HR 1944: "Private Property Rights Protection Act" Introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin A State that uses it's power of eminent domain to seize a person's private property for "economic development" will be barred from receiving Federal economic development funds for two years after a court rules that the State took the property for this purpose. States can get Federal money is they return the land. Additional Information Wikipedia:: Kelo vs. New London Supreme Court decision Yahoo NewsNebraska law that allowed Keystone XL struck down SF Gate: Richmond mortgage eminent domain battle expanding, December 9, 2013. NY Times: Richmond, CA a long shot against blight, January 12, 2014. Representatives Quoted Bob Goodlatte of Virginia Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina "Dozens of communities across the country are considering a vulture fund- developed investment scheme by which the municipality's eminent domain power is used to acquire underwater— but otherwise performing—mortgage loans held by private-label mortgage- backed securities and then refinance those loans through programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Our housing finance system depends on private capital to take risk, make loans, purchase mortgage-backed securities, and help millions of Americans fulfill the dream of homeownership. What this eminent domain scheme considers would be incredibly destructive to the finance of homeownership and would do little more than help a few homeowners who can already afford their mortgage and line the pockets of the investors who developed this proposal. Who would invest in a mortgage knowing that their investment could be stolen just a few months or years later? Ironically, this new risk to the housing finance system would freeze the return of private capital to our markets at a time when many in Congress are looking for ways to increase the role of the private sector and decrease the federal government's footprint. Using eminent domain in this manner will hurt Main Street investors the most. Those investors and pensioners may be invested in mortgages sitting in communities considering this plan— like Richmond, California—and not even know it. They are the ones who will suffer the most from this particular form of eminent domain. Mr. Sensenbrenner's legislation shines a spotlight on the abusive uses of eminent domain, including this in- vestment scheme, and I am proud to support the bill. I believe this legislation may have the effect of defeating such a scheme." - Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina HR 1211: "FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014" Introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa of California Instead of making FOIA information available for copying, it makes the information "available in an electronic, publicly accessible format". Gives the government one year to set up a website, "accessible by the public at no cost to access" that allows us to submit information requests, receive status updates on our requests and file appeals. "An agency may not withhold information under this subsection unless such agency reasonable foresees that disclosure would cause specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an exemption, or if disclosure is prohibited by law." Creates a pilot program to test the efficiency of using a single website for FOIA requests. One place that will handle requests for at least 3 different agencies. Authorizes no additional money to create the website. Representatives Quoted Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland Rep. Darrell Issa of California HR 1123: "Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act" Introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia Allows people to unlock their cell phones. Prohibits cells phones from being unlocked in bulk. Additional Information Los Angeles Times: The House's cellphone unlocking bill: Thanks but no thanks. February 25, 2014. Representatives Quoted Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado HR 3193: "Consumer Financial Freedom and Washington Accountability Act" Introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin [caption id="attachment_1435" align="aligncenter" width="477"] Yup, that guy is a Congressman.[/caption] The bill takes the authority to police financial products and services away from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and gives that authority to a new five member commission. Four of the members the new commission will be picked by the President and the fifth will be the Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Federal Reserve. Forces the Financial Stability Oversight Board to stop Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations under certain conditions; right now, the board is authorized to do so at their discretion. The Federal Reserve Chairman has a seat on this 5 member board too. Gives the Financial Stability Oversight Board an unlimited amount of time to kill Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations. Forces the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to consider harm to the "financial soundness" of banks when it makes rules. Allows other agencies to create and change consumer protection laws. Funds the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau via Congress instead of the Federal Reserve. Additional Information Rep. Sean Duffy was on The Real World: Boston. Representatives Quoted Rep. Maxine Waters of California Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana Music Presented in This Episode February by The Distants (found on Music Alley by mevio) Little Banksters by Kito Peters (found on Music Alley by mevio) Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

In this episode, we look at all the important bills that become laws since the start of 2014, including a law that might cost you thousands of dollars per year, a law that ends public financing of political party nominating conventions, and a law that President Obama openly intends to ignore. We also discuss the resignation of Rep. Rob Andrews of New Jersey from the House of Representatives. Laws Discussed in This Episode S. 25: "South Utah Valley Electric Conveyance Act" Introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch This law has nothing to do with the South Utah Valley Electric Service District. S.25 changes the cost of living adjustment included in the budget agreement that was created after the shutdown ended which cut cost of living adjustments to pensions paid to veterans by 1%, which would short them each tens of thousands of dollars over the course of their lives. Now, we're going to short change military members who enroll on or after January 1, 2014. Makes changes to which fund we use to pay Medicare doctors. Pays for all of this by extending the sequester for another year. It'll now go through 2024. HR 4302: "Protecting Access to Medicare Act" Introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania In 1997, Congress invented the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR) system for paying Medicare doctors. It tied the amount of money doctors get for Medicare doctors to projected growth of the economy. Since health care costs have skyrocketed at the same time that the economy has gone sour, doctors would see a huge pay cut of 24% if the SGR system of payment were used. H.R. 4302 delays the cuts to Medicare doctors for another year. Section 213 repeals the limitation on cost-sharing (deductibles) for employer-sponsored health plans for companies with 100 employees or fewer. It is retroactive to March 2010. HR 2019: "Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act" Introduced by Gregg Harper of Mississippi Eliminates all public funding of "any major or minor" political party nominating convention. Authorizes - but does not appropriate - the money to go towards a ten year pediatric research fund NPR segment on H.R. 2019 S. 2195: Denys US admission to UN Reps who were spies or terrorists Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Denies visas to United Nations representatives who have been "found to have been engaged in espionage activities or a terrorist activity." This new law was designed to keep Iran's representative to the United Nations out of the United States. The United States says that Hamid Aboutalebi was involved in the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. President Obama called the new law "advisory", basically saying he has the right to waive it using his power to receive or reject ambassadors. President Obama claims that Bush set the precedent for waiving laws in this manner. S. 404: Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act Introduced by Patty Murray of Washington Green mountain lookout can't be moved except for safety reasons S. 2183: Propaganda for Ukraine Introduced by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty Incorporated and Voice of America will provide "news and information" to Ukraine & Ukraine's neighboring countries We will conduct a "programming surge" broadcasting 24-7 to "target populations" We will "highlight inconsistencies and misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets" We will focus on areas dominated by Russian media We will put more reporters and "organizational presence" in eastern Ukraine We will "partner with private sector broadcasters" to create content and spread the word. We can use "jamming and circumvention technology to overcome any disruptions to service." Congress is allowed to use $10 million of our money for this, if they appropriate the funds. Emergency Declarations President Obama continued national emergency declarations for "the situations" in: Cuba Zimbabwe Iran Somalia President Obama declared new national emergencies for situations in: Ukraine South Sudan Rob Andrews Resigns from Congress On February 18, Rep. Rob Andrews of New Jersey resigned from Congress, citing his family has the reason when the real reason was because he was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Read the House Ethics Committee Report Rob Andrews under investigation for, among other things: Spending over $16,000 of campaign funds to fly his family to a wedding in Scotland. Using campaign funds to fly himself and his daughter to Los Angeles six times in 2011 so that she could pursue an acting career in Hollywood. Using campaign funds to donate thousands of dollars to theaters that hired his daughter to appear in their productions. Earmarking over $1.5 million to the Rutgers University School of Law, where his wife is an Associate Dean. By resigning, Andrews made all these investigations go away because the House Ethics Committee said it lacks jurisdiction over ex-members. On May 5, Rob Andrews registered as a lobbyist based out of a Philadelphia law firm where his wife used to work. He will be lobbying on behalf of Merit Inc., which provides IT and security for private and public institutions including the EPA, National Park Services, U.S. Corps of Engineers, US Navy, US Army, the FAA, the Dept. of Justice, and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. He will also be lobbying on behalf of the National Coordinating Committee for Multi-employer Plans, which proudly proclaims on it's website that "NCCMP influences virtually every piece of employee benefit legislation for the benefit of multi-employer plans." Representatives Quoted in This Episode Rep. Adam Smith of Washington Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Music Presented in this Episode Working for America by Olio (found on Music Alley by mevio) None of the Above by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

In March, the President signed into a law some changes to our flood policy law. What is our flood policy law in the United States? How did we change it? Are the changes good? In the United States, we have a nationalized flood insurance industry. The question becomes then, does our flood insurance system have protections in place to make sure that our tax money is protected? Does is make the people in flood zones pay enough to cover the replacement of their homes? Do the rules make sense? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are all the same: No. The National Flood Insurance Program was created in 1968 because the private market refused to offer flood insurance after recurring, expensive flooding of the Mississippi River in the 1960s. The refusal of the private sector to provide flood insurance, a product that was in high demand by people in flood zones, left the government with the option of either bailing out flood victims or creating an insurance program itself, so that people in flood zones would at least chip into the pot of money that would inevitably be used to rebuild after floods occur. The National Flood Insurance Program is managed by FEMA and has three main goals: To provide flood insurance To improve flood plain management To develop maps of flood hazard zones However, because of this dilution that private sector involvement is a good thing in it's own right, private insurance companies manage our flood insurance program even though they are not exposed to any risks. But this sweet deal isn't quite sweet enough for the private market as they still want out of the program. "The main reason carriers have been leaving the National Flood Insurance Program is #1, the profit margin is very slim. We receive approximately 30% for administering this program. Out of that 30%, we pay our agents 20%. We then pay state premium taxes of of 2%, which leaves us 8 points to manage this program and to pay for all of our costs. - Donna Jallick, Flood Insurance Vice President of Harleysville Insurance in Pennsylvania, March 2011. Flood insurance is only mandatory for people with a federally backed mortgage. It's still optional for everyone else and many people opt not to buy it, even though they're in a flood zone. However, even the people required to get flood insurance as a term in their mortgage agreement, often just let the policy lapse once they're in their home or business. With only the truly responsible paying into the program, we end up paying through emergency FEMA funds to rebuild buildings for people who chose not to insure their property. Smart freeloaders know that the government will pay for them either way. Despite the low participation numbers, flood insurance pretty much paid for itself until 2005, the year of Hurricanes Rita, Wilma, and Katrina. After that year, the flood insurance program went from pretty much solvent to $18 billion in debt. Number of Flood Insurance Policies by 113th Congressional District Despite the debt, as of 2012, the flood insurance program was still only collecting about $3.5 billion in premiums. About $1 billion of that goes to private insurance companies, who assume none of the risk and merely sign people up for a profit. One of the reasons that premiums are so low is because we offer subsidies to about 20% of buildings with flood insurance. These people can pay as little as 40% of their own premiums, with the rest of us picking up the rest of their premium tabs and rebuilding their homes - often in the same exact spot where it was destroyed. Subsidy Percentage by 113th Congressional District For example, a home in Biloxi, Mississippi flooded over 15 times in a decade. The home, valued at $183,000 has cost us $1.47 million to repeatedly repair and rebuild. Another problem is that local communities often fight flood prevention measures. Communities in New York and New Jersey have fought recommendations by the Army Corps of Engineers to put up sand dunes on the beaches to protect from ocean flooding. Their reason? They might block ocean views. Another example is in Tuckerton, NJ, which was told by FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to elevate houses on the shore and/or relocate them to somewhere outside the flood zone. They didn't bother and Hurricane Sandy wiped out almost half the homes in their community, except for the few that were elevated by individual, responsible homeowners. Another huge issue that we're having with the flood insurance program is that our flood zone maps aren't accurate. Now, what we're seeing is that communities that are newly placed into flood zones by updated maps are getting pissed and demanding the maps be redrawn. They insist they are not in flood zones and that they should not have to pay more for insurance because a new map says they are in a flood zone. That's the problem with the mapping process, we just don't know how accurate they are. Many, many counties in this country are still operating under old maps, which underestimate the number of buildings in harms way. Our problem is not that too many people are being included in the maps - as whiny Congressmen might have you believe. Many of my constituents have told me that they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, despite no evidence of the area ever flooding. - Rep. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virgina The problem is that the current maps are telling people that they are safe when they're not. Until 2003, FEMA had been using mostly paper maps drawn in the 1970s and '80s. That year, at the urging of floodplain administrators, Congress created a law that designated about $1 billion -- $200 million a year for five years -- to update and digitize the nation's flood maps. But David Maurstad, who ran the flood insurance program from 2004 to 2008, said he told the White House's Office of Management and Budget that the money wouldn't come close to covering the cost of updating all the maps. The Association of State Floodplain Managers estimated the total cost of updating flood maps nationwide at $4.5 billion to $7.5 billion. $1 billion wasn't going to cut it. Even after Hurricane Sandy proved in no uncertain terms that the maps were not accurate, and were leaving too many locations out of flood zones - putting life, property, and tax dollars in danger, Congress has actually cut spending on flood mapping in recent years. Congress allocated $99 million for updating maps in 2012 and 2013, roughly half of what it had spent annually since 2004. Investing in new maps is crucial because modern technologies are capable of producing far more accurate maps. Lidar, which is collected by airplanes that shoot laser pulses at the ground, can detect differences in ground elevation of as little as 3 inches and produces data that's 10 times as accurate as that used to generate earlier maps. And computer programs such as ADCIRC can model storm surge and wave action with far greater accuracy. We have the ability to get this right. What we haven't had is people in Congress to care enough or understand enough to fund it. Although, even with this great new technology and even if we fully funded accurate mapping, we still have a huge problem. The FEMA maps are not taking predicted sea level rise and climate change factors into account. So, does the bill signed into law last month, which edits the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform law, does this new law fix these situations? Let's look at the details. HR 3370 was signed into law March 21, 2014 by President Obama. Section 3: Brings back subsidies People who didn't have flood insurance before the flood insurance law and people who bought insurance after the law was passed can now get subsidies. People who paid more than their subsidized premiums would have been will be refunded the difference. In a clear favor to the real estate industry - which lobbied hard for this provision - building owners will be able to pass along their subsidized rate to the next owner, who will then see their rate slowly increase over time. Changes and refunds will be effective by July 21, 2015. Section 4: Got rid of a requirement that premium adjustments be made based on the current risk of flooding Section 5: Caps premium increases at 18 percent per year Section 6: Gives people in areas that weren't in a flood zone before but are in a flood zone after re-mapping a subsidy for their first year and then premiums will increase no more than 18% per year until they are paying the correct amount for insurance for their level of flood risk. Section 7: Insurance writers must "strive to minimize" the number of yearly premiums that are over 1% of the coverage. $10,000 per year for a million dollar policy. Section 8: All new and renewing flood insurance policies will include a new yearly surcharge. The surcharge is $250 for non-residential properties and vacation homes and $25 for primary homes. The surcharge will expire when everyone is paying premium rates that reflect their actual risk. Section 10: FEMA can buy insurance for the flood insurance program from the private sector. Section 11: Gives flood insurance buyers the option of paying yearly or monthly Section 12: Gives homeowners the option of buying policies with deductibles as high as $10,000 Section 13: Flood insurance is not required for buildings that aren't attached to your house and that no one lives in. Section 14: Improvements made to the home to prevent flooding will be taken into account when determining insurance premiums Section 17:The Technical Mapping Advisory Council will have to sign off on hazard maps to make sure they are credible. Section 19: In communities where have a flood mitigation project, the people in that flood zone will get lower premiums because of that project. The project does not need to be complete for people to get the reduced premiums. The project needs to be 100% authorized, 60% funded, and halfway done. Section 24: Flood Insurance Advocate position is created. Responsibilities included educating property owners on flood risks, flood mitigation, ways to reduce rates with flood protection measures, the mapping process, & changes to the flood insurance program. Flood Insurance Advocate will also help pepole get and verify rate information when purchasing & renewing a flood insurance policy Section 30: Gives affected communities more information during the mapping process and gives them a 30 day window after the first draft is done to add their own data "that can be used to supplement or modify the existing data Additional Information Discussed in This Episode Illegal immigrant detention costs $2 billion per year A tornado destroyed multiple towns in Arkansas this weekend, including Mayflower, AR and Vilonia, Ar. What a pic! RT Amazing photo from @Basehunters of Louisville, MS supercell that produced the EF-4 tornado Mon. night pic.twitter.com/RyckBgbK3L — Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) May 1, 2014 Monster MT @JeffMoore78 RT @ChaserTV RT @mlwdgrl1975: Tornado in Vilonia pic.twitter.com/nt9RvqFsmU Rough damage path so far of long track violent #Tornado in Arkansas (radar based) .. over 40 miles #arwx pic.twitter.com/CXK9z1bwID — Ari Sarsalari (@AriWeather) April 28, 2014 Pensacola had 20 inches of rain and major flooding I friend sent me this that was sent to her from Pensacola area. awful !! pic.twitter.com/9PZXwuV5Gi — Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) April 30, 2014 Tornado victims stories Representatives Quoted in This Episode Rep. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey Rep. Pete King of New York Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas Rep. Steven Lynch of Massachusetts Rep. Maxine Waters of California Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon Music Presented in This Episode Music: After the Flood by William Brooks Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Check Out Adam Scorgie's New Podcast The Score G Exchange on iTunes Buy The Union on Amazon Check out the trailer for The Culture High

In February, the House passed a package of ten bills that give away or sell Federal land, most of them so that private interests can use our land for profit. To contribute to Congressional Dish, please use the PayPal link below. Thank you. HR 2954: Public Access & Lands Improvement Act The Congressional Budget Office analysis of HR 2954 RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ):" Let's be clear: we are talking here about Federal property, that is, property owned by all Americans. The land in question in Escambia County, Florida; Anchorage, Alaska; Fernley, Nevada; Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; Yellowstone and Grand Teton and the land on which Federal grazing occurs, the land impacted by this package is Federal land, owned by each and every American taxpayer. In the case of these land transfers, the Federal Government gave the land, gave it to a local community as a means of Federal support, and the only requirement, in most cases, was that the land always be used for public purposes. As long as it is a park or a school or a fire station, it is yours, for free. What these bills do is end those public purpose requirements. The communities want to use these lands for private profit. They want to close them to the public, in many cases. This is not a land grab by Uncle Sam. This is not some silly scheme by the Feds to harm local communities and to use their power to hold down the tax-payers and keep the public out. This is a community asking to make money off land that was owned by all Americans, and it is the job of Congress to decide if that is a good idea or not. TITLE I: Florida land transfer Allows Escambia County, FL to give away it's title, right, and/or interest in Santa Rosa Island "to any person or entity", without restrictions. Escambia County has 2 years to transfer its rights, title, and interest in its property that falls within Santa Rosa Country to Santa Rosa County. The transfer is final and "shall terminate" "any regulation of Santa Rosa County by Escambia County" RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ): "This is public land, not land to give away and, as stated before, over and over again, be dredged and used for a harbor for potential windfall profit." The concern raised by Raul Grijalva is over the possible dredging of Navarre Pass. A pass was dredged for boats in 1965 but was almost immediately destroyed by Hurricane Betsy. In 1968, a permit to re-dredge the pass was denied. The fighting over this has continued ever since. From what I can gather, Santa Rosa county wants to dredge the pass again but Escambia County does not. Both counties currently get a vote on this issue. Terminating any regulation of Santa Rosa County by Escambia County could potentially take Escambia's vote away and allow the pass to be dredged. TITLE II: Transfer of Federal land rights to the City of Anchorage Section 203: Secretary of the Interior will give all rights to land it currently leases to the City of Anchorage "to enable economic development" of that land. City of Anchorage will pay all costs. TITLE III: Sale of Federal land to Fernley, Nevada Introduced by Mark Amodei (NV-2) Section 302: Forces the Secretary of Interior to process a sale of 9,407 acres of Federal land to the City of Fernley in Nevada. Secretary of Interior will determine the "fair market price" CBO estimate's that to be $3,500 per acre = almost $33 million worth of land The map of the land will be available for public inspection, but it doesn't say it has to be available before the sale is completed. The land transfer will not be considered a "major Federal action", which exempts it from evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act Section 303: Releases the Federal government from any liability from "the presence, release, or threat of release of any hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, petroleum product (or derivative of a petroleum product of any kind), solid waste, mine materials… on the Federal land in existence on or before the date of conveyance." Section 304: Appears to exempt the land from public land, mineral leasing, mining, and geothermal leasing laws. *confusing - not sure* "Current uses of these lands include grazing, mining, a public airport lease, and a geothermal lease... The Federal government owns both the surface and mineral estate in much of the parcels and the value of the mineral estate may be substantial." "The city has said possible uses could include parks, an airport, hospital, convention center and other businesses." TITLE IV: Prevents Federal land purchases Introduced by Rob Bishop of Utah RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ): "Let's put one other misleading claim to rest. While Republicans claim the Federal Government owns too much land, the historic trend has been one of divestiture and fragmentation. As recently as the late 1860s, the Fed-eral Government owned 1.8 billion of the 2.3 billion acres in the contiguous United States. Grants to States, home-steaders, land-grant colleges, railroads and others settling in the Alaska and the West have reduced Federal land ownership by roughly 640 million acres to date."* Section 401: No land can be purchased, donated, or transferred to the Federal government until a database of land-for-sale is created and made "easily accessible to the public" Section 401: No land can be purchased, donated, or transferred to the Federal government until a database of land-for-sale is created and made "easily accessible to the public." TITLE V: Bush Administration Rules for Cape Hatteras National Seashore Introduced by Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina Section 502: Management of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area will be managed according to a Bush Administration era environmental assessment, issued June 13, 2007. In October 2007, a lawsuit was filed against the Bush Administration rules by Defenders of Wildlife an the National Audubon Society, claiming that they Bush Administration rules didn't restrict off-road vehicles enough to protect the animals and land - including land nesting birds, whose populations were declining - and sea turtles. A "consent decree" - basically a settlement- was agreed to in April of 2008. This consent decree is what is currently governing the seashore. After the consent decree was agreed to, the National Park Service created the rules - which included a public comment period - and their final rule went into effect on February 15, 2013. This bill nullifies the consent decree, prevents enforcement of the final rule, and puts the Bush Administration rules back in charge. The Secretary of Interior can not restrict pedestrian or motorize vehicle traffic in order to protect animals beyond the restrictions enacted by the Bush Administration. Protections for endangered species at Cape Hatteras can not be greater than the restrictions placed for that species at any other National Seashore. Section 504: Prohibits enforcement of a final rule regulating off-road vehicles at the seashore that went into effect on February 15, 2012. TITLE VI: Green Mountain Lookout Can't be Moved [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="412"] The Green Mountain Lookout in 2010[/caption] March 2012: A federal court ordered the Forest Service to remove a lookout structure from Green Mountain wilderness area. The lookout was constructed in 1933 and had been rehabilitated in 2009. Susan DELBENE (WA) "Green Mountain Lookout, located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, was built in 1933 as a Civilian Conservation Corps project to detect fires and spot enemy aircraft during World War II. The look-out is an important, historic and unique part of the Pacific Northwest. It is a popular destination for hikers, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, severe weather caused the Green Mountain Lookout to fall into disrepair in 2001, and the U.S. Forest Service began taking steps to preserve the historic…structure for future generations. How-ever, an out-of-State group filed a law-suit against the Forest Service for using machinery to conduct these repairs, and a U.S. District Court ordered the Forest Service to remove the look-out. My bill would allow critical and routine maintenance while keeping this iconic structure where it is meant to be—in its original home. Local governments in the area, my constituents, as well as a number of environmental and historic preservation groups support my bill to keep the Green Mountain Lookout where it is. The Natural Re-sources Committee agrees. They passed this bill unanimously last year, and why wouldn't they? This bill is common sense. It saves us money because it would actually cost more to remove the lookout than to keep it where it is. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that, if this bill had been brought up on its own, by its own merits, it would have passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Unfortunately, that is not what is happening here today. Instead, this bill has gotten wrapped up in a series of very controversial and divisive bills" Section 603: Green Mountain Lookout can't be moved except for safety reasons. TITLE VII: River Paddling in Yellowstone & Grand Teton Introduced by Rep. Cynthia Loomis (WY) Prohibits the enforcement of two regulations that all rivers to be closed to hand paddlers in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Would take effect 3 years after the bill becomes law. Existing regulations prohibit boating on rivers and on five of Yellowstone's 168 lakes and a 1,000 foot section of the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. The ban was put in place sixty years ago to prevent overfishing. TITLE VIII: Longer permits and no environmental studies for grazing Introduced by Rep. Raul Labrador (ID) Section 802: Increases the term for new permits on Federal land from 10 to 20 years. Anyone who sues to stop grazing and lose in court will pay the legal fees and other expenses of the winner, unless the court rules otherwise. Section 803: An expired or transferred permit will remain in effect, under the original terms, until the government finishes processing a new permit or lease, which will be valid for twenty years. "The renewal, resistance, or transfer of a grazing permit or lease by the Secretary concerned shall be categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement". Crossing and trail authorizations for livestock will be exempt from environmental regulations. Temporary crossing or trailing authorizations "shall not be subject to protest or appeal" TITLE IX: Sell Dead Wood from the Rim Fire Introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (CA) TOM MCCLINTOCK (CA): The fire also left behind hundreds of millions of board feet of dead timber that is on Federal land that could be sold to raise millions of dollars, money that could then be used to replant and reforest our devastated lands. In addition, processing that timber would help to revive the economy of a stricken region. Section 902: Secretary of Agriculture "shall conduct a timber salvage and restoration pilot program. Automatically deemed to comply with NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and three other forest management laws. Is not subject to "judicial review by any court of the United States." Specifically prohibits a temporary restraining order. The pilot program will be conducted according to an proposed alternative in a draft environmental impact statement. The "proposed alternative", which would govern the pilot program, has no details: "In addition to the Proposed Action, the EIS will evaluate the required No Action alternative and will likely consider other alternatives identified through the inderdisciplinary process and public participation." Sierra Pacific is already collecting fallen trees on private land A fascinating article in the Modesto Bee is in favor of opening some additional land to logging but is pissed at Tom McClintock for going so far and not trying to find a sensible compromise: "McClintock has called for immediate salvage logging of 1 billion board feet of timber. To understand the magnitude of what McClintock envisions, a billion board feet is equal to all the timber logged in California in a year. Much of it is in steep, remote areas. To get to it, loggers would need to cut roads and scale steep mountains, causing yet more erosion on slopes with no ability to stop runoff. The damage – environmental and to whatever is below – could be enormous. McClintock believes that such a massive operation should be exempt from federal environmental laws, public comment and court review. That is nonsensical. There is no scientific basis for the scale of removal that McClintock advocates. Besides, the logging industry doesn't have enough trucks, crews, equipment and processing capacity for it. For instance, there are only 11 logging crews and 165 trucks working in the area of the Sierra hit by the fire, and they will be busy through the summer simply removing the timber from private lands. And even if more crews and trucks could be brought into the area, the mills would have no place to store that much timber. The congressman from Elk Grove ought to drop his ill-conceived idea and concentrate on helping the timber companies acquire the areas they target." Tom McClintock statement on Rim Fire timber TITLE X: Chesapeake Bay Orders a report on past and future restoration funding levels for activities over $100,000. Develop a restoration plan that will be updated every two years .Create an independent evaluator for the restoration programs. TITLE XI: Issues a patent for 80 acres of Alaska land for surface rights United States keeps all mineral rights. Additional Information The government recently seized the cows of Cliven Bundy, a rancher in Nevada who has refused to pay his grazing permitting fees for over 20 years, which lead to armed standoff between Federal agents and 100 man hillbilly militia. This started in 1993 when the Federal government revoked Bundy's permit for grazing on 600,000 acres of federal land for lack of payment. In 1998, a Las Vegas federal judge ordered Bundy to remove his cows from our land. He has refused. Since then, Bundy has racked up a bill of over $1 million in unpaid fees and has refused to move his cows onto his own land. Bundy says he doesn't have to pay because he no longer has a contract with the Federal government, as it was revoked in 1993. Bundy also says that the land in dispute belongs to Nevada, not the Federal government. The Bureau of Land Management removed his cows from the Federal land - impounding them instead of putting them on Bundy's undisputed land - and Bundy and his hillbilly supported showed up pissed off with guns. The BLM last week backed down. Music Presented in This Episode Intro and Exit music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) This Land is Your Land by Walter Wolfmann Washington and the Roadmasters (found on Music Alley by mevio) In Kansas City? Want to Dance? Check out Best of All Dance, owned by a Congressional Dish supporter! 816-436-5299

We have a new law! President Obama signed a bill loaning a billion dollars and giving another $150 million to Ukraine. In this episode, we find out exactly what's in it and why we are giving money to Ukraine - and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. HR 4152: Ukraine Aid Bill Highlighted pdf of the Ukraine Aid bill that was signed into law by President Obama: Key Sections: Section 3: Lists seventeen aspects of United States policy toward Ukraine. Section 5: The Secretary of State will assist the new Ukraine government, the European Union, and "other appropriate countries" with investigative assistance and training to "support the identification, seizure, and return to the Government of Ukraine of assets linked to acts of corruption." Will be aided by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury Specifically names the former President, his family, and other government officials. Section 6: $50,000,000 will be given to the Secretary of State for 2015- either directly or by giving money to non-governmental organizations -for election monitoring, "diversifying Ukraine's economy, trade, and energy supplies, including at the national, regional, and local level," expanding their access to independent media, and supporting political and economic reforms. The President will make the actual strategy for how this will be done. Section 7: $100,000,000 will be used to provide defense articles, defense services, and military training "to countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine." Additional amounts are allowed to be appropriated under other provisions of law. Section 8: Sanctions will be levied against any former or current Ukrainian government officials, anyone acting on behalf of the old government who the President says ordered or controlled acts of violence against antigovernment protestors on November 21, 2013. Sanctions also will be levied against Russian government officials, "close associates" and family members of that official that the President says has expropriated Ukrainian or Russian private or public assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts, the extraction of natural resources, bribery, or transferring their proceeds from these things to other countries Sanctions include exclusion from the United States and blocking and prohibiting all transactions of property and/or money that is either in the United States or in the possession of "United States persons". This is the Citizens United version of "United States persons" as "persons" includes "legal entities" - corporations - and the law specifically says that it includes foreign branches of United States corporations. The sanctions don't apply to the importation of goods. Section 10: Annual report detailing the capability of Russia's military, Russia's space program, Russia's nuclear program. Information about Moldova People in one region are asking to be a part of Russia. One of those two huge natural gas pipelines goes through Moldova. Actually goes into Moldova, back into Ukraine, and then into Romania. Information about Lithuania Russia has refused Lithuanian exports - dairy, pork, cars - which hurts Lithuanian businesses because Russia buys 20% of their crap. March 14, 2014: Lithuania's Prime Minister said the political crisis in Ukraine should steer Lithuanian public opinion towards becoming a part of the European Union in 2015. March 17, 2014: A plan to establish a joint Polish, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian military brigade was "re-launched" Information about NATO Since we promised not to expand East, NATO has absorbed Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovania, Albania, and Croatia. 2008: "A powerful military bloc appearing near our borders will be perceived in Russia as a direct threat to the security of our country." - President Putin of Russia. Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty says an attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on all NATO countries. Music in This Episode Intro and Exit music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) I Disagree by 20 Riverside (found on Music Alley by mevio)

The United States appears prepared to restart the Cold War and loan at least $1 billion of our tax money to Ukraine through the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Why? In this episode, we look at what we're asking for in Ukraine in return for our generosity. Executive Producer: Anonymous * For an excellent perspective on the Russian invasion of Crimea, listen to Episode 270: Poking the Bear and Episode 271: Cashing the Doomsday Cheque of Common Sense with Dan Carlin. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans struggling countries money but in return the IMF demands that the country change its economic laws to make them much more corporate friendly. As explained in the The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, there are three economic principles that the free marketeers want their target countries to adhere to: Governments must remove all rules and regulations standing in the way of the accumulations of profits. Governments should sell off any assets they own that corporations could be running at a profit. Governments should dramatically cut back funding of social programs. In Ukraine's case, Their elected government - an elected government that had recently backed out of a "free trade" deal with Europe and was recently cut off from promised IMF cash because it didn't change Ukraine's economic laws - was overthrown and it was replaced by an IMF-friendly government, which has restarted the "free trade" deal with Europe and has promised to enact the "painful" IMF economic reforms. The new government is currently being promised $27 billion. "You know that we resumed talks with the IMF, we do understand that these are tough reforms, but these reforms are needed for the Ukrainian state. We are back on track in terms of delivering real reforms in my country. Probably in the near future, next week, or in ten days, Ukraine is to sign the political part of an association agreement with the European Union and we want to be very clear that Ukraine is and will be a part of the Western world." -Interim Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, March 12, 2014 Our government is supporting this new government. Here's my answer to "Why?". Potential Profits in Ukraine The two most promising areas are in energy and agriculture. First, energy. Poor Ukraine has the potential to become filthy rich because of the country's untapped natural gas supplies. Ukraine has not one, but two, big shale formations that are mostly unfracked. Ukraine is completely hooked on natural gas for energy, but they have been buying it from Russia. Russia has been giving Ukrainians discounts on their natural gas that keep Ukrainian's prices just low enough that Ukraine's natural gas company hasn't bothered to start fracking at home. And yes, that's the other thing. Ukraine's natural gas industry is nationalized. Ukraine's natural gas belongs to the state, it belongs to the government, it belongs to the people. In fact, in 2011, Ukrainians passed a law that said that all natural gas fracked in Ukraine must be sold to Ukrainians. No exports allowed. What that means for The People is that they will be able to use their own resources for energy - become energy independent, if you will. What that means for multinational fossil fuel corporations is that they can't profit from exporting Ukraine's nationalized natural gas. According to Morgan Williams, President and CEO of the US-Ukraine Business Council, "The new prime minister says he wants to privatize the state-owned energy companies." Second, agriculture is big business in Ukraine. Ukraine has been nicknamed the "breadbasket of Europe" for centuries and in January, The Financial Times called Ukraine "one of the world's most promising agriculture commodity producers". The reason is that in 2013, Ukraine had their best year ever for corn. The market is practically drooling over the prospects of getting control of this land. Morgan Williams, President and CEO of the US-Ukraine Business Council - the group I think is really calling the shots here - said, "The potential here for agriculture/agribusiness is amazing ... production here could double. The world needs the food Ukraine could produce in the future. Ukraine's agriculture could be a real gold mine." So Ukraine is a country with huge, untapped natural gas reserves, which can be easily transported and sold to Europe since Ukraine already houses two of the most important gas pipelines which transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. Ukraine is also a country with fertile land in a time when other "breadbaskets of the world" are either flooded or withering in drought. Add to that Ukraine's educated workforce ripe for corporate slavery and you've got a country that the market would love to take advantage of. This is why Ukraine is a target. This is why we're involved. What Are We Fighting For? According to a 96 page document prepared by the IMF in 2012, the IMF wants Ukraine to, first and foremost, cut heating assistance for Ukrainian citizens. The IMF is also adamant that Ukraine needs to let their currency be more flexible, flexible in the down direction that is. Since the IMF government was installed, Ukraine's currency has fallen 24 percent, making it the worst performing currency this year. Another goal of the IMF is to "facilitate mergers and acquisitions of banks". Ukrainian banks controlled 58% of the Ukrainian banking industry in 2010, according to the IMF. Other goals of the IMF include the "repeal of burdensome government regulations", "wage and employment restraint", which translates to lower wages and cutting of Ukrainian government jobs, via "reforms and reductions" in the health and education sectors, which make up the bulk of public employment in Ukraine. These new laws are in addition to the new laws the IMF had already gotten from the recently ousted government. Ukraine already reformed their pension system by raising the retirement age for women from 55 to 60, lowered corporate tax rates in 2010, laid off 30,000 public employes in 2011, and privatized Ukraine's 11th largest bank in 2011- selling it to a titanium business tycoon who gobbled up Ukraine's government-owned titanium in a fire sale of Ukrainian state assets that took place in 2004. Where Are We Now? It appears that the Ukrainians are screwed. The new prime minster said he is prepared to be "the most unpopular prime minister in the whole history" and he's enacting the new economic laws, full steam ahead. For our part, in our Congress, the IMF loan money is uncontroversial. Both the House and the Senate have approved $1 billion of our tax money which will go towards the IMF loan. Timeline of Events Winters of 2006 and 2009: Russia and Ukraine waged two "gas wars" when Moscow halted deliveries to both Ukraine and by extension the rest of Europe. July 24, 2010: "On Foundations of Natural Gas Market Functioning" took effect, which establishes three key principles for the Ukrainian gas market: Free Consumer Choice of Suppliers Nondiscriminatory Access to Gas Transportation System - due January 1, 2012 Horizontal Unbundling of Gas Sector - separating the gas production and marketing from the "natural monopoly" of transportation, to begin with (privatization is prohibited for transportation infrastructure) Early 2011: Ukraine halted natural gas exports to Poland's gas company after a Ukrainian law mandated all state-owned oil and gas be sold to the Ukrainian population. Early 2011: IMF suspends a $15 billion loan "because Ukraine refused to remove subsidies on household gas supplies." February 2011: Ukraine became a full member of the Energy Community, an organization formed at the initiative of the European Union to extend the EU internal energy market to southeastern Europe and beyond. The gas market law was a precondition of membership of the Energy Community. June 2011: Gas Market Law allows Ukraine's state-oil company to export Ukraine's natural gas. January 2013: Ukraine signs fracking deal with Royal Dutch Shell for exploration at Yuzivska in eastern Ukraine Nov. 5, 2013: Ukraine signs a 50 year, $10 billion shale gas deal with Chevron to develop the western Olesska field. Nov. 21, 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a political and free trade agreement - in the works since 2005 - with the European Union, instead choosing to resume talks with Russia - the country that controls their energy supply. February 22, 2014: President Viktor Yanukovych flees to Eastern Ukraine (the Russian side) after what he called a coup. February 26, 2014: The government of Ukraine becomes pro-Western and willing to enact IMF reforms, at least until the election on May 24th. March 21, 2014: Ukraine's interim government signs restarts the free trade agreement with the European Union. March 27, 2014: The IMF promises Ukraine $27 billion after Ukraine's interim government cuts heating subsidies by 50%, promising to eliminate them all by 2016. Full Videos of Clips Presented in this Episode House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Ukraine March 6, 2014 Eric Rubin, Spokesman for the White House National Security Council Daleep Singh, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Treasury Rep. Elliot Engel (NY) Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup of Ukraine aid bill March 12, 2014 Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) Senator Rand Paul (KY) US-Ukraine Relations: President Obama and Ukraine's Prime Minister speak to reporters after a meeting at the White House March 12, 2014 President Barack Obama Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk #Music Presented in this Episode The Darkest Places by MxPx Intro and Exit music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

In early February, the House passed a package of eight bills that are supposed to appeal to hunters and fisherman. For this episode, Jen is joined by Cody Herman, host of Day One Outdoors and owner of Day One Outdoors adventure tour company, who helps Jen understand the bills and discusses whether or not the changes are good. HR 3590: "SHARE Act" "Sportsman Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act" Passed the House of Representatives on February 5, 2014 by 268-154. H.R. 3590 is a collection of eight bills, two of which never went through the committee process. The bill in its entirely also never went through committee. TITLE I: Prevents the EPA from regulating the chemicals in bullets, shot, projectiles, propellents, and primers. Written by Jeff Miller (R-FL) In 2012, a group of 100 environmental organizations asked the EPA to regulate lead in ammunition and fishing tackle as a toxic substance because of the risk lead poisoning poses to animals and humans who eat animals killed by lead bullets and tackle. Lead poisoning has been found in California condors, turkey vultures, ravens, and a mountain lion. Livestock that graze on land contaminated with lead shot often ingest the metal, leading to lead-contaminated meat and dairy products. In October of 2013, California became the first state to ban lead ammunition. The law will be effective July 2019. EPA doesn't currently have the authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act to regulate the manufacture or sales of ammunition or tackle containing lead. This title would explicitly prohibit EPA from doing so. TITLE II: Creates public shooting ranges Taxpayers currently pay 75% of the construction, operation, and maintenance of public shooting ranges. This bill increases taxpayer obligation to 90% of construction costs and we'll pay 90% of the cost for buying land for public shooting ranges. Also, the United States can't be sued in civil court or in any case demanding money for injury, property loss or damage, or "death caused by an activity occurring" at the public shooting range. TITLE III: Public Lands Filming for Groups of 5 or Fewer This title will require a permit and a $200 annual fee for commercial filming activities; if you have a permit, you can't be assessed "any additional fee" for commercial activities that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours. Also, the government can't prohibit the use of motor vehicles from being used for filming on Federal lands and waterways. TITLE IV: Polar Bear bill The polar bear was added to the Endangered Species Act on May 15, 2008. On that day, it became illegal for US big-game hunters to bring back polar bear body parts to the United States. This title allows 41 polar bear killers to bring home their dead polar bear body parts - or trophies. The bears were hunted in early 2008, but their killers didn't import their body parts in time so the parts are now stuck in Canada. The bill would let them bring their hides, claws, teeth, and bear penises into the United States to show off to their friends. This title is being pushed by Don Young of Alaska, who pushed for it last Congress too. Don Young proudly proclaims to be the only US Congressman to hunt a polar bear. Many of the 41 hunters are members of Safari Club International, which has given at least $57,897 to Don Young of Alaska, with the largest chunk of that cash coming in for the 2012 election, after he introduced this favor to the Safari Club International members the first time. TITLE V: Electronic Duck Stamps States will be allowed to issue electronic duck stamps- a hunting license/collectors item that serves as an entrance pass to wildlife refuges- which will be valid for 45 days. 98 cents of every dollar for them goes towards conservation. TITLE VI: Weapons Should be Allowed at Water Resource Facilities Overturns current law that prohibits weapons at water resource projects. TITLE VII: Establishes an Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior The committee will direct the Secretary of the Interior on how to expand hunting and fishing, promote hunting and fishing, create programs to recruit and retain new hunters and shooters, create programs to "increase public awareness of ...the benefits of recreational hunting and shooting", and programs for conservation. TITLE VIII: Open Most Federal Land to Hunting and Fishing Actions to open up land - including land in National Monuments - will not count as "major actions" and will not be subject to environmental impact analysis Lands can be closed for public safety, resource extraction, or compliance with other laws. Orders the government to open more shooting ranges and exempts the government from any liability for injuries, damages, or deaths that occur on those shooting ranges National Parks will not be affected Prohibits any further restriction of motorized vessels in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is a battle being waged by freshman Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri's 8th district. The problem is that people are running ATV's that damage the vegetation, motorboats are threatening the safety of people on canoes and the motors pollute the river water, and people are pulling trucks into the river and having parties on the gravel bars. Also, horse owners have created 65 miles of unapproved trails and their horse droppings have created an ecoli problem in the area. This overturns a Forest Service decision that prohibits deer hunting with dogs in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. The decision was made in late 2012 and took effect last year because of safety complaints made by private landowners adjacent to the forest and from people using the land for recreation. Kisatchie National Forest was the only public land where deer hunting with dogs was allowed. Additional Information Wolf Blitzer makes $ 3 million per year. Music Presented in This Episode Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) East River by Paul Sachs (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cold War Kids by Jonnie Horden (found on Music Alley by mevio)

On February 5, the House of Representatives passed a bill that takes away California's right to divide its dwindling water supply. The bill forces California to take water away from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta and give it to Agribusiness in the San Joaquin Valley, voiding a bunch of State and environmental laws in the process. Summary of the Bill HR 3964: "Sacramento- San Joaquin Valley Emergency Water Delivery Act" This is the second time the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed this bill. A similar bill was passed during the 112th Congress. TITLE I: Eff The Fish [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Water would be diverted away from this delta and given to Big Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley[/caption] Section 101: Makes sure that water currently dedicated to fish and wildlife is given Central Valley Project contractors by December 31, 2018. Most Central Valley Project contractors are agricultural in the San Joaquin Valley. Section 102: New terms for water contracts: Eliminates a provision that makes sure the EPA approves new contracts for water delivery. Extends the renewal length of existing contracts from 25 years to 40 years and eliminates requirements for environmental reviews Adds a provision that contracts must only charge water customers for the water actually delivered Section 105: Water usage will be prioritized to go towards agricultural, municipal, and industrial purposes Section 107: Private for-profit organizations would be eligible for water storage and delivery contracts paid for with taxpayer money, which is not currently allowed. If by September 30, 2018, the Central Valley doesn't get an additional 800,000 acre-feet of water, all non-mandatory water uses will be cut off until the Central Valley gets their water. Section 108: Rules will revert back to the law as of 1994. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="314"] The delta smelt, the "stupid little fish" the House GOP is pretending is the only species affected by drying up the delta[/caption] Operations of this new water plan "shall proceed without regard to the Endangered Species Act" Prohibits the Federal government and any agency of the State of California from enforcing a State law that restricts water usage for the Central Valley Project or State Water Project (which gives water to Southern California) to protect any species affected by this new water diversion. Prohibits the State of California from enforcing any of their laws that restricts Central Valley "water rights" "under the Public Trust Doctrine. No costs associated with diverting water to Central Valley contractors will be paid by Central Valley contractors "California law is preempted" from restricting the size of a fish allowed to be taken out of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers or the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers Delta. Section 111: Federal agencies can not be forced to change their actions by a National Environmental Protection Act determination. *New to the 113th Congress version* Section 112 & 113: Gives 10 year water contracts to the Oakdale, South San Joaquin, and Calaveras County water districts if it doesn't take water away from the Central Valley *New to the 113th Congress version* Section 114: A pilot program to remove "non-native" bass species from the Stanislaus River. The districts will pay 100% of the costs The government "shall issue" permits for the program under the Endangered Species Act within 180 days; if it's not done in 180 days, the permits "shall be deemed approved" Permitting can be outsourced to "any qualified private contractor' National Environmental Protection Act "shall not apply" to permitting for the program. "Any restriction imposed under California law" on catching fish in the Stanislaus River "is herby void and is preempted" Pilot fish-murdering program will sunset in seven years. TITLE II: Overturns a Court Settlement The Settlement ruled in 2004 that the Bureau of Reclamation illegally dried the San Joaquin River and ruled that they will have to release water from the Friant Dam for the first time in 55 years in order to allow the fish - specifically salmon- in the river to survive. The lawsuit was first filed in 1998 and was one of California's longest running water disputes. It also restores water supplies to farmers near Stockton Section 201: Repeals the settlement and enacts a whole new plan. The new plan "preempts and supersedes any State law" that imposes stricter requirements. Central Valley water contractors are allowed to sue the Federal government if it fails to enact the new plan. Section 211: Repeals a requirement that salmon be reintroduced to the San Joaquin River TITLE III: Payments to Central Valley water contractors Section 301: Federal government has to reimburse water contractors for construction costs already accrued by January 31, 2018; future costs need to be reimbursed by the government within five years. Power revenues can't be used towards construction cost reimbursement TITLE IV: Water Allocations Section 403: Agricultural water contractors in the Central Valley will get 100% of their promised water in Wet - Below Normal years, 75% in a "dry" year, and "50% in a "Critically dry" year Section 404: The Federal government must make sure that the Endangered Species Act and goals of "addressing environmental needs" do not cause any "adverse water supply or fiscal impacts" to Central Valley water contractors. TITLE V: Precedent Section 501: The coordination of water rights "require assertion of Federal supremacy to protect existing water rights", says "these circumstances are unique to California", and therefore "nothing in this Act shall serve as precedent in any other State." Section 502: "Nothing in this Act shall affect in any way the Proclamation of State of Emergency and associated Executive Order issued by Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on January 17, 2014." Representatives Quoted in This Episode (In Order of Appearance) Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California Rep. Tom McClintock of California Rep. Devin Nunes of California Rep. Mike Thompson of California Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah Rep. John Garamendi of California Rep. Anna Eshoo of California Rep. Jared Huffman of California Rep. Grace Napolitano of California Additional Information Water War Boils Down to Farmers vs. Fisherman by George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2014. Jennifer Briney's appearance on Start Talking and Recording Today with Nick Seuberling YouTube video of Congressional Dish supporter David's 12 year old son, Sam Levin, and his impressive musical talents Music in this Episode Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Are You Thristy? by Mighty Men of Faith (found on Music Alley by mevio) Get Out of Our House by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

In this episode, we catch up on all the bills that passed the House of Representatives in January, including a bill to protect chemical storage companies from having to pay for their messes, a few bills to damage ObamaCare, and a bill to make sure private health insurance companies can't pay for abortions. Information Presented in This Episode Mel Watt Resigns On January 7, Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina's 12th district resigned to become Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency after being appointed to the position by President Obama. The Federal Housing Finance Agency was created during the 2008 financial meltdown, a meltdown created largely by giant private banks chopping up bad mortgages, mixing them with good mortgages, and selling them to other companies such as Frannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The FHFA is in charge of regulating sort-of Federal mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Private banks want Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac gone because Fannie and Freddie are more heavily regulated than private banks and create a basement of rules that banks sort-of have to play by. Private banks want the "free market" to control mortgages so that they can, once again, do whatever they want and make enormous profits with new financial scams models. Last August and again in the State of the Union, President Obama sided with the "free marketeers" and voiced his support for getting rid of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in favor of more private banker control of our mortgages. Who will President Obama's choice to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac side with? Well, former Representative Mel Watt's top two campaign contributors over the course of his Congressional career were Bank of America and the American Bankers Association. In total, he took over $1.3 million from the Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate sector. Representative Watt's former district, North Carolina's 12th district, is a funny shaped, likely gerrry-mandered district that cuts through the center of the state; it includes portions of Charlotte, Salisbury, and Lexington. The district will remain unrepresented until the November election. HR 2279: Protects Finances of Chemical Storage Companies On January 9, the House passed H.R. 2279. The one good thing about this bill is that it would require owners of chemical storage facilities to report to their states the quantities of dangerous chemical that they store in their buildings. This is a direct response to the giant explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West Texas, which took place on the same week as the Boston Marathon bombing, killed five times as many people, but didn't get nearly as much press coverage. The explosion happened after the building caught fire and ignited ammonium nitrite - the same stuff used in the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing- which was being stored in the building in huge quantities which were never reported to Texas regulators or the Department of Homeland Security. The building had not been inspected by Federal worker safety regulators since 1985, when it was cited for improper storage of dangerous chemicals and given a $30 fine. It had been fined again in 2012 by the Department of Transportation for improper storage of dangerous chemicals. The explosion killed fifteen people, injured 160, and destroyed 50 homes. So had this bill been law early last year, in theory, Texas and the Department of Homeland Security would have known how much the company was storing and may have done inspections more regularly. That's a good thing. But that's where the good things stop. The company responsible for the West, Texas explosion was only insured for $1 million in damage, which wasn't nearly enough to cover the damage they caused. The damage was estimated at $100 million, at least. The State of Texas has no requirement for storage facilities to have any insurance, and so FEMA had to pay 75% of the costs of the damage. Despite the fact that the Federal government had to pick up the tab for that explosion, H.R. 2279 would make it more difficult for the Executive Branch, and therefore the Federal government, to require companies that store hazardous materials to have insurance or cash on hand to pay for their accidents; it prohibits the Feds from requiring any more insurance than the States require. Rep. Cory Gardner of Colorado, argued for H.R. 2279 on the House floor on January 9; he is the author of the bill: "Solid waste must be disposed of in a responsible, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner; but there is no need for overly burdensome regulations that put a strain on businesses." In addition, the law currently says that the President needs to create and annually update a list of facilities with hazardous materials and that each State must designate one facility as their most dangerous. H.R. 2279 says the States no longer need to do this and replaces that requirement with one that says the President can't add a facility to the list if the State objects. Even if the States wanted to, however, the bill says the States can't add facilities to the list any more than once every five years. On the very same day that the House of Representatives were passing H.R. 2279, chemicals that were being stored at a facility owned by Freedom Industries - a facility that had not been inspected in over 22 years - spilled into the Elk River near Charleston, West Virginia poisoning the water supplies of over 300,000 people. And just like in Texas, the chemical storage facility in West Virginia was subject to almost no State or local regulations. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. expressed his concerns about HR 2279 while, unbeknownst to him, poisonous chemicals were gushing into the Elk River: "And I am especially troubled by provisions in the bill that enable sites to veto sites from being added to the Superfund National Priorities List, as well as the provision that weakens the requirement for companies who deal with hazardous materials to carry insurance to cover contamination threats. Absent this insurance requirement, it will be easier for a company to go bankrupt and shirk its responsibility to clean up contamination that it has caused" Which is exactly what Freedom Industries did nine days after the spill. At the time Freedom Industries filed for bankruptcy, 25 lawsuits had been filed against the company, all of which have been put on hold. The bill passed the House of Representatives 225-188 with mostly Republicans voting for it and mostly Democrats voting against it. All three Representatives from the state of West Virginia voted for the bill. Voting yes on H.R. 2279 was Shelley Moore Capito, who represents the part of West Virginia directly affected by the spill. A week after she voted for the bill to make it harder to regulate chemical storage facilities while her own constituents got poisoned, she gave a speech which said this on January 16: "For more than two decades, no government agency inspected this facility. Precious response time was lost be-cause Freedom Industries did not immediately report the spill, and responders did not have sufficient information about the chemical. We must examine our existing laws at all levels of government—local, State, and Federal—and find the gaps that allowed this spill to occur. " By voting yes, she did not do what was best for her constituents; she did what was best for Freedom Industries by trying to make it harder for the Federal Government to police them, yet instead of apologizing for that vote a week later, she pretended the vote never happened. As always, the reason for her vote is most easily found in the financials. Shelley Moore Capito has taken over $800,000 from the mining industry, and Freedom Industries was storing a chemical used to "clean coal" in the facility that poisoned - and continues to poison- her constituents. Shelley Moore Capito is running for one of West Virginia's two Senate seats in November. H.R. 3811: Prevent Imaginary Security Breaches on Healthcare.gov On January 10, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3811, which would change the law to say that the Secretary of Health and Human Services will have two days to tell us if there has been a security breach on healthcare.gov if our personal information was stolen. In reality, there haven't been any security breaches on healthcare.gov. Seems to me to be an unnecessary bill aimed to make people think there have been security breaches. H.R. 3811 passed the House of Representatives 291- 122. HR 2274: Deregulation of Wall Street, But Not Too Much On January 14, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2274, which exempts mergers and acquisition brokers from registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mergers and acquisition brokers specialize in the sale of private businesses; they help big companies gobble up little companies. SEC recently issued regulations basically saying that if a merger and acquisition broker is not dealing at all with securities - if the broker doesn't gamble or "trade" items that they don't actually possess- then they don't have to register with the SEC, rendering this bill unnecessary. The SEC has ten conditions the merger and acquisitions broker must obey in order to not register; this bill only has two, meaning that the SEC rules protect the financial system better than this bill. H.R. 2274 passed the House of Representatives unanimously. HR 1233 - Allows Presidential Records To Stay Secret Under the Presidential Records Act, a former President can restrict access to his records for twelve years. After that, an Executive Order says that the former President can appeal to the current President to keep his records secret by claiming executive privilege. In essence, the decision rests with the current President and can be overturned by the courts. This bill makes that rule an actual, passed-by-Congress law, instead of a rule by Executive Order, as has been the case since the Reagan administration. It also puts in place procedures with deadlines for a former President to claim continued executive privilege. One provision says that the former President must make the request personally, which I think means that his records are fair game once he's dead. Passed the House of Representatives 420-0. The Budget On January 15, the House of Representatives passed the 2014 budget, which has been signed into law. The law was covered in detail in Congressional Dish episode CD061: State of the Budget. HR 3362: Busy Work for Obamacare Workers Right now, the executive branch is releasing required monthly reports on enrollment data for health insurance plans. H.R. 3362 would require the Secretary of Health and Human services to do a detailed report every week which includes every individual state's enrollment numbers, hits on the health care exchange websites, number of customer chats, number of customer phone calls, how many people enroll per zip code, what kind of plan each person picked, how many people logged into the websites, the ages of new enrollees, the number of new people in Medicaid, an estimation of the cost of tax credits and more. These weekly reports would have to be issued until March 2015. H.R. 3362 also requires the government to publicly publish the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every person trained to help Americans get health insurance coverage - called navigators. But the bottom line is that this will never become law because, once again, it's would have to be signed by President Obamacare, who has no reason to give his administration extra, unnecessary busy work. 259 members of the House voted for this doomed bill. HR 7: Prohibit Private Insurance Plans from Covering Abortions The day of the State of the Union, the Republicans passed a bill that restricts our access to abortions. First, the bill prohibits any Federal money from going towards abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother, which is already Federal law. The bill changes current law by dictating what private insurance companies will and will not be allowed to cover. Any health care plan offered to Federal employees which will be paid for by their employer - the government - can not offer abortion coverage. The employees would be allowed to get separate abortion coverage with their own money. The bill also allows States and local governments to get extra abortion coverage for their employees; one place that doesn't work for though is the District of Columbia which is part of the Federal government. This bill also prohibits any tax credits from going to a person or company who chooses a health care plan on an exchange that includes abortion coverage. In addition, the bill would stop the private health insurance companies from offering plans that cover abortions because it changes the definition of "qualified health plans" so that ones that offer abortions are no longer qualified and therefore wouldn't be able to sell those plans on the exchanges. H.R. 7 passed the House of Representatives 227-188. Music in This Episode Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) All Hail to the Market by Alun Perry (found on Music Alley by mevio) Jennifer Briney's Upcoming Guest Appearance Start Talking and Recording Today, hosted by Nick Seuberling Also recommended: Whodey Weekly (a podcast about the Cincinnati Bengals), hosted by Nick Seuberling

In this episode, Jen and Joe recap all the bills that passed the House of Representatives and were covered on Congressional Dish in 2013. Also, an update on the debt ceiling. Music in This Episode: Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito, In Your Name by The Undercover Hippy, Debt Ceiling See how your representative voted on S. 540, the bill that suspends the debt ceiling until March 16, 2015, which passed the House on February 11 and the Senate on February 12. If we don't suspend the debt ceiling, we probably will not default on our debt as doing so would be unconstitutional. However, the only way that we would avoid a default would involve a scenario along the lines of the one described by Jeffrey Dorfman in Forbes, which involved slashing the Federal government and even eliminating whole departments. The debt ceiling either needs to be raised or suspended or the government drastically slashed by February 27. Bills Covered by Congressional Dish in 2013 (In Chronological Order) H.Res.5: House Rules for the 113th (Agreed to 1/3/13) Highlighted in episode CD010: House (Finally!) Votes on Sandy Aid Members can take private jets using government money (CD016) Speaker John Boehner promised we would have at least 72 hours to read bills, but this promise wasn't put in the official House rules. (112th Congress) H.R. 8: The Fiscal Cliff Bill (Passed House & Senate 1/1, LAW 1/2) Highlighted in episode CD009: What's in the Fiscal Cliff Bill Extended unemployment insurance Extended Farm bill until September 2013 Extended the Bush tax cuts Increased capital gains taxes from 15% to 20% Extended the college and child tax credits Multinationals -including banks- don't have to pay taxes on income from foreign subsidiaries H.R. 152: Funded Hurricane Sandy relief (Passed House 1/15, Senate 1/28, LAW 1/29) Highlighted in episode CD010: House (Finally!) Votes on Sandy Aid Sandy was on 10/29/12, funding for the recovery was finally provided on 1/15/13 All Reps from Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas voted against it H.R. 307: Prepares for Biological Attacks (Passed Senate 2/27, House 3/4, LAW 3/13) Highlighted in episode CD011: No Budget, Still Get Paid Loosened the definition of an "emergency" to include "threat justifying emergency authorized use" of unapproved medical devices H.R. 325: "The No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013" (Passed House 1/23, Senate 1/31, LAW 2/4) Highlighted in episode CD011: No Budget, Still Get Paid Suspended the debt ceiling until May 18, 2013 House & Senate both have to pass budgets by April 15, 2013 (which they did). Would have paid Congress no matter whether or not they passed their budgets; they would have been back paid. H.R. 225: Pediatric Research (Passed House 2/4) Highlighted in episode CD013: Surveillance, Stupidity, and Drones Public & private non-profits need to help CDC with surveillance systems in order to get pediatric research grants but provided no money. H. R. 444: "Require A Plan Act" (Passed House 2/6) Highlighted in episode CD013: Surveillance, Stupidity, and Drones President would have to submit a second budget if his first budget wasn't balanced. H.R. 235: Helping Veterans Become Emergency Medical Technicians (Passed House 2/12) Highlighted in episode CD014: Marching Towards Sequester Gives grants to States to streamline requirements for veteran EMTs to become civilian EMTs H.R. 592: Gave Hurricane Sandy Money to Repair Churches (Passed House 2/13) Highlighted in episode CD014: Marching Towards Sequester The first amendment to the Constitution prohibits direct funding of religious buildings [caption id="attachment_419" align="alignright" width="150"] A small conduit hydro-electric project[/caption] H.R. 267: Fast Tracks Hydro-Power Projects (Passed House 2/13, Senate 8/1, LAW 8/9) Highlighted in episode CD014: Marching Towards Sequester Fast tracks hydro-power projects on existing dams. H.R. 273: Eliminates Federal Workers' First COLA in 3 Years (Passed House 2/15) Highlighted in episode CD014: Marching Towards Sequester S. 47: Violence Against Women Act Re-authorization (Passed Senate 2/12, House 2/28, LAW 3/7) Highlighted in episode CD017: VAWA & Funding Defense Adds stalking and date rape to list of punishable offenses Cyber stalking counts as stalking Most of the funding decreased from previous levels H.R. 749: Banks Only Send Privacy Notices When Something Changes (Passed House 3/12) Highlighted in episode CD018: The Ryan Budget H.R. 890: Extended a welfare program and prohibits states from operating their own (Passed House 3/13) Highlighted in episode CD018: The Ryan Budget H.R. 803: "SKILLS Act" (Passed House 3/15, S. 1911 introduced in Senate committee 1/9/2014) Highlighted in episode CD018: The Ryan Budget Would effectively put decisions on welfare-to-work training programs in corporate control by changing the make-up of local boards. Would have required layoffs of Federal workers by consolidating 35 programs into one. H.R. 933: The Continuing Resolution (Passed Senate 3/20, House 3/21, LAW 3/26) Highlighted in episodes CD017: VAWA & Funding Defense, CD019: Continuing Resolution- Part 1, CD020: Continuing Resolution- Part 2, and CD021: Trailblazer vs Thin-thread Funded the government until September 30, 2013 Included the Monsanto Protection Act H.R. 678: Waives hydro-power projects from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (passed House 4/10, Senate 8/1, LAW 8/9) Highlighted in episode CD022: Crippling the Regulators Authorizes small hydro-power projects and determines who is first in line for the power H.R. 1120: Shut Down the National Labor Relations Board until 2014 (passed 4/12) Highlighted in episode CD022: Crippling the Regulators Board would have had to stop all work & not enforce decisions make after 1/4/2012 Could have restarted if recess appointments were ruled Constitutional or at start of second session of 113th All about recess appointments made by President Obama which may have been unconstitutional S. 716: Gut the STOCK Act (Passed Senate, 4/11, House 4/12, LAW 4/15 - Passed Congress with no recorded votes) Highlighted in episode CD024: Let's Gut the STOCK Act Exempted Congressional staff and executive branch employees from financial reporting. Eliminated the searchable website for financial reports. H.R. 882: No Contracts for Tax Delinquent Companies (passed House 4/15) Highlighted in episode CD024: Let's Gut the STOCK Act Can be waived H.R. 1163: Authorizes NSA Spying & Data Collection (Passed House 4/16 by 416-0) Highlighted in episode CD024: Let's Gut the STOCK Act Provides a framework for the coordination of information security between civilian, national security, and law enforcement communities. Focuses on automated and continuous monitoring of information systems. Acknowledges "market solutions for the protection of critical information systems important to the national defense and economic security of the National that are designed, built, and operated by the private sector." Authorizes "secure facilities" for storing information Authorizes having enough staff with classified clearance to analyze that information H.R. 756: "Cybersecurity Enhancement Act" (Passed House 4/16) Highlighted in episode CD024: Let's Gut the STOCK Act Trains cyber-security professionals with taxpayer money & creates a strategy for buying private sector cloud services H.R. 624: CISPA "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act" (Passed House 4/18) Highlighted in episode CD025: What's in CISPA? Director of National Intelligence would create procedures for giving "cyber threat information" to private companies and utilities Information can be passed from private companies to DHS and DOJ Information given by the private companies to the government will be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act A company that shares cyber intelligence with the government will be exempt from civil or criminal liability if they act "in good faith" The military and intelligence communities can't control, change or direct in any way the cyber-security efforts of a private company. Says US citizens can not be targets for surveillance H.R. 527: The Helium Bill (Passed House 4/26, Senate 9/26, LAW 10/2) Highlighted in episode CD026: A Tale of Two Bills Changes the way we sell our stockpile of helium so we get a fairer price & end the global helium shortage by allowing the government to sell our helium H.R. 807: Debt Ceiling Games (Passed House 5/9) Highlighted in episode CD027: Overtime Tells Treasury to make interest payments and social security payments when we hit the debt ceiling H.R. 1406: Time Off Instead of Overtime Pay (Passed House 5/8, S. 1623 Introduced in Senate committee 10/30) Highlighted in episode CD027: Overtime Allows time and a half in paid time off instead of time and a half pay for overtime, if the employee chooses that option H.R. 45 Repeal Obamacare (Passed House 5/16) Highlighted in episode CD028: The IRS Scandal Introduced by Michelle Bachmann H.R. 1062: Prevent Wall Street Regulations (Passed House 5/17) Highlighted in episode CD028: The IRS Scandal Forces SEC to do a cost-benefit analysis on their regulations of Wall Street SEC must explain why they didn't include suggestions made by the financial industry SEC must review all existing regulations every five years H.R. 258: Don't Lie About Military Medals for Money (Passed House 5/20, Senate 5/22, LAW 6/2) Highlighted in episode CD029: Keystone XL Pipeline The Bush Administration version was ruled unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment This changes it so that you get busted for fraud if you fake having a medal for financial gain H.R. 1073: Penalties for Attacking US and Corporate Ships (Passed House 5/20) Highlighted in episode CD029: Keystone XL Pipeline Penalties that currently apply when a US ship or ship in US territory is attacked would be applied worldwide and would include attacks on corporate ships. H.R. 3: No Permit Needed for Keystone XL (Passed House 5/22) Highlighted in episode CD029: Keystone XL Pipeline [caption id="attachment_580" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tar sands oil next to a home in Mayflower, Arkansas. Source: EPA[/caption] Bill by Lee Terry of Nebraska Would exempt Keystone XL from the law requiring a Presidental permit Government can waive any law or regulation in order to issue the Keystone XL permit H.R. 1911: Increase Interest Rates for Students (Passed Senate 7/24, Passed House 7/31, LAW 8/9) Highlighted in episodes CD029: Keystone XL Pipeline and CD038: Wasting July Caps student loan interest rates at 8.25% for undergrads and 9.5% for graduate level students H.R. 1344: "Helping Heros Fly Act" (Passed Senate 8/1, House 8/2, LAW 8/9) Highlighted in episode CD029: Keystone XL Pipeline Creates procedures for expediting and private TSA screenings for injured and disabled veterans H.R. 2216: Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans (Passed House 6/4) Highlighted in episode CD030: Military Construction & Anti-Biotics Never went to conference with the Senate & was funded via Jan 2014 omnibus budget S. 622: Animal Drug Bill (Passed Senate 5/8, house 6/3, LAW 6/13) Highlighted in episode CD030: Military Construction & Anti-Biotics Reauthorizes a fee system for accelerating testing or distribution of animal antibiotics Caps the amount of revenue the fees can bring into the government H.R. 1919: Electronic System for Tracing Pharmaceutical Drug Origins (Passed House 6/3) Highlighted in episode CD030: Military Construction & Anti-Biotics Allows so much time for implementation that the soonest the system would exist is 2028 Prohibits states from enacting stricter standards H.R. 742: Repeal Part of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform (Passed House 6/12 by 420-2) Highlighted in episode CD031: First Draft of 2014 NDAA Makes SEC (Wall Street Police) liable for lawsuits that arise from them sharing information with other regulators. H.R. 634: Some Financial Gamblers Would be Exempt from Providing Collateral (Passed House 6/12 by 411-12) Highlighted in episode CD031: First Draft of 2014 NDAA H.R. 1256: Merge the Wall Street Police Forces (Passed 6/12) Highlighted in episode CD031: First Draft of 2014 NDAA The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and SEC would have to issue the exact same rules. Would exempt the biggest foreign swap gamblers from United States swaps regulations. Matt Taibbi: "This really just gives banks permission to go around the world regulator shopping." H.R. 1960: House NDAA (Passed 6/14, Final version LAW 12/26) Highlighted in episode CD031: First Draft of 2014 NDAA H.R. 1797: The Abortion Bill (Passed House 6/18, S. 1670 introduced to Senate committee 11/7) Highlighted in episode CD032: The Abortion Bill Doctors can't perform an abortion on a fetus that is 20 weeks or older. Doctors can be fined and sentenced to five years in prison. The mother can't be prosecuted. Exceptions: Life of the mother in danger, rape, or incest. H.R. 1613: Deepwater Drilling in The Center of the Gulf of Mexico (Passed House 6/27) Highlighted in episode CD033: Let's Deepwater Drill Approves the treaty with Mexico allowing drilling the Western Gap - in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Slipped into the 2014 budget and is now LAW H.R. 2231: Force Offshore Drilling Upon States (Passed House 6/28) Highlighted in episode CD034: Let's Drill Offshore Forces Federal government to lease at least 50% of the unleased Outer Continental Shelf with the most fossil fuel resources Increase oil and gas production Forces leases off of the east coast and southern California Limited the content of environmental impact studies H.R. 2609: Energy & Water Funding (Passed House 7/10) Highlighted in episode CD035: Energy and Water Shorted renewable energy by $1.9 billion Shorted power grid upgrades, fuel efficiency, energy efficient buildings, geothermal energy, wind energy, energy assistance for the poor, environmental clean ups, and natural gas. Gave more than requested for nuclear energy and fossil fuels. H.R. 2094: The Epinephrine Bill (Passed House 7/30, Senate 10/31, LAW 11/13) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Public schools will be allowed to stockpile epinephrine for students with food allergies and train staff to administer it H.R. 2218: Coal Waste is Not Hazardous (Passed House 7/25) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Coal industry will have 10 years of meet groundwater protection standards EPA cannot categorize waste from burning coal, oil, natural gas, and tar sands as 'hazardous waste'. H.R. 1582: Stop EPA Regulations (Passed House 8/1) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July EPA is not allowed to issue a regulation costing over $1 billion The social cost of carbon – climate change, cancer rates, etc. – can't be used in a cost-benefit analysis H.R. 367: Stop All Regulations, Expect Federal Reserve Regulations (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Authored by Jo Ann Emerson Forces Federal agencies to get Congressional approval for all major rules that cost over $100 million, affect the finances of businesses, or create a carbon tax If Congress does nothing for 70 working days, the rule can't be enacted None of this is subject to judicial review Monetary policy by the Federal Reserve is exempted H.R. 313: Stop Government Conferences (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Government conferences capped at $500,000 but private companies can make up the rest. All conference materials must be posed online. H.R. 2879: Screw Federal Workers (Passed House 8/1) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Makes it easier to fire high level Federal employees Caps some Federal worker bonuses and prohibits any bonus at all for others. H.R. 1660: Customer Service in Government (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July Each agency must establish customer service standards but will get no extra funding to do so. H.R. 2769: No IRS Conferences (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July H.R. 2768: IRS Staff Must be Told that Taxpayers Have Rights (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July H.R. 2565: IRS Agents Can't Target Audits for Political Purposes (Passed House 7/31) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July and CD028: The IRS Scandal H.R. 2009: Stop Enforcement of ObamaCare (Passed House 8/2) Highlighted in episode CD038: Wasting July IRS prohibited from enforcing tax provisions of Affordable Care Act H.R. 5: The Charter School Bill (Passed House 7/19) Highlighted in episode CD039: The Charter School Bill Expands the number of charter schools Gives charter schools as much taxpayer money as real public schools Charter school programs can be provided by for-profit businesses Public money will go to private schools and tutoring Sex education must teach abstinence to get Federal funds High schools students contact information must be given to military recruiters H.R. 2217: DHS Funding Bill (Passed House 6/6) Highlighted in episode CD042: House DHS Funding Bill Never went to conference & was funding in the omnibus budget in January 2014. S. 157 Natural Gas Pipeline in an Alaska National Park (Passed Senate 7/19, House 9/10, LAW 9/18) Highlighted in episode CD043: Nothin' Allows permits for small hydroelectric projects and a natural gas pipeline to cut through an Alaska national park. H.R. 2844: Prevent Americans From Knowing They Have Slow Internet (Passed House 9/9) Highlighted in episode CD043: Nothin' FCC does a 25 country comparison of data transmission speeds and price; this bill repeals that report. H.R. 2275: Damage ObamaCare (Passed House 9/12, passed House & Senate 10/16, LAW 10/17) Highlighted in episode CD043: Nothin' and CD049: Crisis… Postponed The bill was the "vehicle" to end the shutdown. The text was completely changed Prevents Americans from getting subsidies until the Secretary of Health and Human Services has a subsidy verification system in place. Funded government until 1/15/14 Suspended debt ceiling until 2/7/14 Killed the Monsanto Protection Act H.R. 3102: Cut Food Stamps by $40 Billion (Passed House 9/19) Highlighted in episode CD044: Pretend to Defund ObamaCare Was Titled the "Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act" H.R. 1410: Stop a Casino Near Arizona Cardinal's Stadium (Passed House 9/17) Highlighted in episode CD044: Pretend to Defund ObamaCare Done on behalf of wealthy casino-owning tribes in Arizona that don't want the competition S. 793: Organization of American States is the Main Diplomatic Group in South America (Passed House 9/17, Senate 9/25, LAW 10/2) Highlighted in episode CD044: Pretend to Defund ObamaCare South American wants us out of their business; we're saying we're not going away. H.R. 761: Mining Projects are "Infrastructure" (Passed House 9/18) Highlighted in episode CD044: Pretend to Defund ObamaCare Exempts mining projects from environmental regulations. H.R. 1961: Fire Safety Exemption for the Delta Queen (Passed House 9/25) Highlighted in episode CD045: Stop the Shutdown Exempts an old wooden boat from fire safety standards for 10 years so it can carry passengers overnight The Shutdown Bills The House CR that didn't really defund the Affordable Care Act (Episode CD044) The Senate CR that has not had a vote yet in the House (Episode CD045) The House CR that delays the Affordable Care Act for year (Episode CD046) The House CR that delays the Affordable Care Act & kills employer-paid health benefits for Congress and their staff. The House bill that requests a conference committee with Senate Funds National Parks and some museums Funds operations in Washington D.C. Funds veterans benefits Funds the National Institutes of Health Funds the National Guard and reserves H.R. 2275 finally ended the shutdown (see above) Back to Work H.R. 3080: Rush Water Projects (Passed House 10/23, Passed Senate with changes 10/31) Highlighted in episode CD050: Privatize Water Projects Speeds up and consolidates studies Speeds up permitting by letting utilities and natural gas companies pay the Army Speeds up environmental reviews Prohibits lawsuits after five months Privatizes maintenance and management of public water infrastructure H.R. 992: Expands Bank Bailouts (Passed House 10/30) Highlighted in episode CD051: Expand Bank Bailouts Bill written mostly by Citigroup lobbyists Makes foreign banks eligible for a bailout Allows bailout-eligible banks to trade in credit default swaps H.R. 2374: Prevent Brokers from Having a Fiduciary Duty to Their Customers (Passed House 10/29) Highlighted in episode CD051: Expand Bank Bailouts Prevents a Department of Labor regulation forcing brokers to do what is best for their customers, not themselves S. 252: Reauthorize and Decrease Funding for Premature Birth Research (Passed House 11/12, Senate 11/14, LAW 11/27) S. 330: HIV Organs Can Go to People With HIV (Passed Senate 6/17, House 11/12, LAW 11/21) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter S. 893: Cost of Living Adjustment for Disabled Veterans (Passed Senate 10/28, House 11/12, LAW 11/21) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter H.R. 2922: Personal Security Detail for Supreme Court Justices (Passed House 11/12, Senate 12/10, LAW 12/20) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter H.R. 982: Publicly Publish Names of People Who Make Asbestos Trust Fund Claims (Passed House 11/13) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter H.R. 2655: Penalize Americans for Using the Justice System (Passed House 11/14) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter Imposes mandatory financial penalties for filing "frivolous" lawsuits. Eliminates the 21-day grace period to withdraw a lawsuit without financial penalty. H.R. 3350: Allow Insurance Companies to Sell Junk Policies (Passed House 11/15) Highlighted in episode CD053: TPP- The Leaked Chapter H.R. 2061: DATA Act (Passed House 11/12) Highlighted in episodes CD054: Hidden Data Act and CD057: Data Act-tually Pretty Good Streamline reporting standards and publish spending data on USAspending.gov H.R. 1965: Hand Over Our Land to Oil Companies (Passed House 11/20) Highlighted in episode CD055: Three Bills for Fossil Fuels Speeds up oil and gas permitting Forces us to lease our land to fossil fuel companies Leases land for oil shale development - a technology that still doesn't exist Limits Americans' access to the courts to stop drilling Severely limit Native Americans' access to the courts to stop drilling H.R. 2728: Prevent Fracking Regulations (Passed House 11/20) Highlighted in episode CD055: Three Bills for Fossil Fuels Prevents Federal regulation of fracking Rigs studies to only examine benefits of fracking, not the costs H.R. 1900: Speed Up Gas Pipeline Permitting (Passed House 11/21) Highlighted in episode CD055: Three Bills for Fossil Fuels Automatically permits pipelines that are not permitted in under 120 days H.R. 3547: Public Insurance for Private Space Flights (Passed House 12/2, served as the vehicle for the 2014 budget, LAW 1/17/14) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 Taxpayers will pay for private space accidents starting at $500 million and up to $2.8 billion H.R. 2719: TSA Must Publish Their Plans for New Technology (Passed House 12/3, S. 1893 referred to Senate committee 12/20) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 TSA must publicly publish a plan for the security technology they intend to buy Private sector must be included and plan must identify "public private partnership" opportunities H.R. 3626: Illegal To Have Firearms Undetectable to Metal Detectors (Passed House 12/3, Senate 12/9, LAW 12/9) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 H.R. 1105: Private Equity Fund Advisors Don't Need to Register With SEC (Passed House 12/4) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 H.R. 3309: Limit Patent Lawsuits (Passed House 12/5) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 Claims must be available on a public, searchable website Limits lawsuits down the supply chain Lawsuit losers must pay expenses and fees of the winners H.R. 3304: NDAA for 2014 (Passed House 10/28, Senate 11/19, LAW 12/26) Highlighted in episode CD059: NDAA 2014 A cyber-security section was added last minute by Jay Rockefeller Creates a "Conflict Records Research Center" and allows states, foreign governments, and "any source in the private sector" to give money to the Department of Defense. Allows contractors to make more than the President of the United States. Expands the drug war to Chad, Libya, Mali, & Niger.