S. 1929 is expected to be considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) on October 26, 2009. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on October 27, 2009.

 

 

S. 1929 extends the authorization of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs through April 30, 2010. The current authorization for the SBA is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2009.

BACKGROUND

The Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953, and has a current business loan portfolio of roughly 220,000 loans worth more than $50 billion. The SBA has been extended through short-term authorizations since 2007. The most recent was signed into law on September 30, 2009.

 

 

COST

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet produced a cost estimate for S. 1929.

H.R. 3633 is expected to be considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) on September 23, 2009. The Committee on Energy and Commerce approved the bill by voice vote on October 15, 2009.

 

 

H.R. 3633 authorizes the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) to extend the deadline for making grants to public safety agencies to improve the interoperability of emergency communications systems to the end of Fiscal Year 2012. Under current law, all grant expenditures must be completed by September 30, 2010.

Additionally, the bill specifies that funding for an interoperable emergency communications grant program under current law could remain available until expended, but no later than the end of Fiscal Year 2012. Currently, funding for the program must be spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2010. The bill would give recipients an additional year to spend grant funds.

The bill permits the NTIA to provide additional one-year extensions on a case-by-case basis, but even in those cases, funds would have to be spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2012. H.R. 3633 requires the NTIA, when considering such an extension, to consider the circumstances that gave rise to the need for the extension, the likelihood of completion of performance within the deadline for completion, and such other factors deemed necessary.

 

BACKGROUND

The 2005 Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act required all broadcasters to convert to digital broadcasting and cease broadcasting in analog by February 17, 2009. That date was later extended to June 12, 2009. The law required the spectrum freed up from the termination of analog broadcasting to be auctioned off. The proceeds of that auction were primarily intended for deficit reduction, but certain portions were also set aside for other purposes, including a grant program to assist public safety agencies with acquiring and deploying interoperable communications equipment, software, and systems.

The grants are administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and CBO recently reported that the NTIA had spent approximately $225 million on the program, as of September 30, 2009.

 

COST

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that H.R. 3633 would not affect revenues or spending subject to appropriation.

H.Con.Res. 787 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) September 30, 2009.

H.Con.Res. 787 would resolve that the House of Representatives:
• "Supports the designation of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day;
• "Encourages all people in the United States to become more informed and aware of metastatic breast cancer; and
• "Respectfully requests the Clerk of the House to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network."

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution findings metastatic breast cancer refers to Stage IV breast cancer when cancer cells travel from the breast, either through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, to other parts of the body, including the bones, liver, lungs, or brain, and continue to grow in their new location.

H.Res. 790 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Shelley Berkley(D-NV) October 1, 2009.

H.Res. 790 would resolve that the House of Representatives:
• "Supports the goals and ideals of a national day of remembrance for American nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers; and
• "Encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities to recognize a national day of remembrance for past and present workers in America's nuclear weapons program."

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution findings, hundreds of thousands of men and women have served this nation in building its nuclear defense since World War II.

H.Res. 568 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) June 19, 2009.

 

H.Res. 568 would resolve that the House of Representatives recognize the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution findings, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is most known for John's Brown Raid on October 16-18, 1859, who chose the town for its federal armory and arsenal with plans to seize the town and began an uprising in the South that would end slavery. John Brown and his provisional army of 21 men captured the bridge, arsenal, armory, Hall's Rifle Works, along with hostages, and slave owners John Allstadt and Lewis Washington.

H.Res. 783 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) on September 29, 2009.

H.Res. 783 would resolve that the House of Representatives:
• "Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month;
• "Celebrates the vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the United States; and
• "Encourages the people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities."

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution findings, September 15, 2009, through October 15, 2009, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

H.Res. 729 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) on September 10, 2009.

 

H.Res. 729 would resolve that Congress:
• "Urges the President to designate a day as ‘National Firefighters Memorial Day' to commemorate Federal, State, and local firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty; and
• "Calls upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect."

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution's findings, President Harding declared the week of October 9 to be "Fire Prevention Week" in 1922. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service takes place each year at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on the Sunday before Fire Prevention Week.

H.Res. 831 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) on October 14, 2009.

H.Res. 831 would resolve that Congress:
• "Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month;
• "Recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family;
• "Recognizes the significant commitment of taxpayers to support adoption, including the $1,900,000,000 provided to support adoption through the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance program, as well as the assistance provided through the Title IV-E Foster Care program to 130,000 children waiting for adoptive families, among other important programs; and
• "Encourages the citizens of the United States to consider adoption of children in foster care who are waiting for a permanent, loving family."

 

 

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution's findings, National Adoption Month celebrates the gift of adoption, recognizing the adoptive and foster families who share their hearts and homes with children in need, and raises awareness of the need for families for the many waiting children, particularly older children and teens, children of color, members of sibling groups, and children with physical and emotional challenges. November 2009 is National Adoption Month, and November 21, 2009, is National Adoption Day.

H.R. 3632 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage.  The legislation was introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) on September 23, 2009. 

H.R. 3632 amends the federal judicial code, the federal criminal code, and other federal law.  Specifically, the bill makes the following changes to federal code:

• Removes the power of certain active or retired federal judges to appoint U.S. magistrate judges;
• Revises the statutory description of the District of North Dakota to eliminate the current four divisions and make one judicial district (will not affect pending cases or juries);
• Revises requirements for the disability retirement and cost-of-living adjustments of annuities for territorial judges;
• Subjects judicial branch senior executives to federal civil service annual leave requirements and limitation;
• Revises requirements for the compensation of Federal Judicial Center personnel, including reemployed annuitants;
• Requires court use of separate judgment and statement of reasons forms in the imposition of a criminal sentence;
• Requires appropriate adaptation of pretrial services functions for juveniles;
• Modifies the reporting schedule for criminal wiretap orders; and

Increases the compensation thresholds triggering administration review of compensation for non-counsel investigative, expert, or other services necessary for adequate representation of a personal financially unable to obtain them. 

BACKGROUND

The bill consists of nine miscellaneous administrative provisions developed by the United States Judicial Conference, the leadership arm of the Federal Judiciary.

COST

There is no Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate yet available for H.R. 3632.

H.Con.Res. 177 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. David G. Reichert (R-WA) on July 31, 2009.

H.Con.Res. 177 would resolve that the Congress:
• "Supports the designation of Celebrate Safe Communities Week;
• "Supports Crime Prevention Month;
• "Commends the efforts of the thousands of local law enforcement agencies and their countless community partners educating and engaging residents of all ages in the fight against crime;
• "Asks communities across the country to consider how Celebrate Safe Communities can help them highlight local successes in the fight against crime;
• "Encourages the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Crime Prevention Council to continue to promote through Celebrate Safe Communities and year-round, individual and collective action, in collaboration with law enforcement and other supporting local agencies, to reduce crime and build safer communities throughout the United States; and
• "Encourages government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during Crime Prevention Month."

BACKGROUND

According to the resolution's findings, "Celebrate Safe Communities" will help promote year-round support for locally based and law enforcement-led community safety initiatives that help keep families, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses from crime. The week of October 1, 2009, through October 3, 2009, would be an appropriate week to designate as "Celebrate Safe Communities" Week.