As floor debate continues on The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Senators will continue to offer their amendments to the bill as it moves towards a final vote.
Also in the Senate, the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Public Transportation Safety and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on Aviation Safety.
In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold hearings regarding the Federal Role in Public Transit Safety and Stimulus Spending on Transportation Programs.
Additionally, the NMB is holding a public meeting regarding the current representational election procedure on December 7th and possibly December 8th.
Both the House and Senate are out on recess for the Thanksgiving Holiday. They are expected back in session on Monday, November 30th.
This week, we expect Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to release of the Senate’s comprehensive healthcare reform bill.
In the House, Robert Gless, the Assistant Director of our Air Transport Division testifies before the Homeland Security Committee regarding Security at Foreign Aviation Repair Stations (11/18).
In the Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee focuses a hearing on Transportation Reauthorization. And, the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee hears testimony on Veterans’ Employment. Finally, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
In a historic vote Saturday, the House passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Healthcare for America Act by a vote of 220-215. Among the “yea’s” were 219 Democrats and 1 Republican, Rep. Anh Cao (LA-2). Of the opposition, 39 Democrats voted against along with 176 Republicans. In the coming weeks, the Senate will attempt to mount enough support to gain successful package of their bill, before the two are conferenced and brought to the President for signing.
In the House this week, the Education and Labor Committee will hold a field hearing regarding Women in the Workforce.
In the Senate, the Finance committee will hold a hearing regarding Climate Change Legislation and Jobs. Additionally, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
On the hill this week, the House and Senate will continue to push towards passing their comprehensive healthcare reform bills.
In that regard, House leadership has placed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act on the schedule to be considered. This is the House healthcare reform bill that was unveiled by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi late last week, and it possible that the full House will vote on it Friday. Also, the House will consider H.R. 3639, the Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009.
Committee Hearings this week: In the House, the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Distracted Driving. In the Senate, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will hold hearing regarding Increasing Small Business health Care Costs and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
This week the Senate will consider H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009.
“On the Hill” this week: The Senate and House continue to work on Healthcare reform.
The following hearings of interest are scheduled in the House: Stimulus Spending Oversight, New Air traffic Control System, Combating Distracted Driving, Workplace Health and Safety in Nevada and Veterans’ Bills.
The Senate has scheduled the following hearings of interest: Combating Distracted Driving, Health Care Fraud and National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization.
The House Financial Services Committee will mark up legislation on private fund investments, investor protection and accountability and transparency in rating agencies.
On the Hill this week the House and Senate will continue their push towards comprehensive healthcare reform.
In the House, the following hearings are scheduled: the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - Combating Distracted Driving, the Veteran’s Affairs Committee - Veteran’s Health Bills, and the Judiciary Committee - Bankruptcy and Antitrust law and Financial Regulation. In addition, the House will vote on H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010 and the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.
In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Bankruptcy and Medical Debt. Also, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act.
In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing regarding High-Speed Rail in the United States and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Additionally, the House will consider the Conference Report on H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY2010.
In the Senate, the Finance Committee will hold a full committee markup regarding Health Care Revision as they vote today on their healthcare reform bill. Also, the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing regarding Antitrust and Health Insurance and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Economic Effects of Climate Change Legislation. “
Healthcare remains the priority of the Senate and House. No schedule has been set for the time for either floor vote. TWU will participate with a nationwide call in for “Healthcare Now” Oct 7, 2009.
The House will be voting on the H.R. 1016 Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 and the H.R. 3590 Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009.
In the Senate, the Judiciary committee will hold a hearing regarding Workplace Discrimination and the Supreme Court and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee will hold a hearing regarding Health Care Overhaul and Small Business.
On the hill this week, Congress has returned from recess. Most prominently, the Senate Finance Committee is in the second week of markup on its Healthcare Reform bill.
In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be holding a hearing on Stimulus Spending on Transportation Programs and the Ways and Means Committee will be holding a hearing on Defined Benefit Pension Plans. In addition, the House will vote on the Conference Report on H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2010.
In the Senate, aside from the ongoing Healthcare Reform Bill markup in the Finance Committee, the Special Aging Committee will hold a hearing regarding Health Systems Costs and Quality.
Additionally, Paul G. Kirk, a longtime aide to the late Senator Kennedy, was tapped by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacant Senate seat for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on September 25, 2009.
“On the hill this week; the House is in recess. The Senate will continue to work on healthcare reform and a vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court is expected before heading into recess as well. In addition, the Senate will work towards a vote on more funding for the popular Cash for Clunkers Auto Trade-In program.
Late Friday before going on recess the House Energy & Commerce committee passed the health bill by a vote of 31-28. The Energy & Commerce committee was the final House committee to vote on the tri-committee bill and the next step will be merging the three bills before bringing it to the House floor.
The Senate Banking committee will hold a hearing on Transit Funding and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee will hold a hearing regarding Safety and Network and Regional Airline Relationships. “
“On the hill this week, Members of Congress are still continuing their push to pass healthcare reform legislation.
In the House, the Energy & Commerce committee is set to resume their markup of H.R. 3200, the tri-committee healthcare reform bill. The Transportation and Infrastructure committee will hold hearings on the New Air Traffic Control System and Stimulus Spending on Transportation Programs. In addition, the House will consider H.R. 3269, the Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act of 2009 when it comes to the floor.
In the Senate, the Finance committee has yet to release their draft of healthcare reform legislation.
Confirmation hearings will be held for the following in the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee: Christopher P. Bertram to be assistant secretary of Transportation for budget and programs and chief financial officer, Daniel R. Elliott III to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board, Susan L. Kurland to be assistant secretary of Transportation for aviation and international affairs, and Christopher A. Hart to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Lastly, the Senate Judiciary committee has concluded the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary committee will vote this week on her nomination.
On the hill this week, lawmakers from the House and Senate will continue to work on healthcare reform.
In the House, the Energy and Commerce committee will complete the third and final markup of the tri-committee healthcare reform bill. The Judiciary committee will hold a hearing regarding Competition and Airline Alliances and the Transportation and Infrastructure committee will hold hearings regarding a New Intermodal Union Station and a New Air Traffic Control System. Also, the House will consider H.R. 2920, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009.
In the Senate, the Judiciary committee will hold a hearing regarding an Employee Verification System and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee will hold a hearing on the Right to Information, FAA Modernization, and Nominations. In addition, the Senate will continue consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
Lastly, the Senate Judiciary committee will continue the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
A time for change has come to Washington, DC. ALL TWU MEMBERS MUST ACT NOW TO HELP CHANGE OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM! On June 25th 2009, TWU joined with over 10,000 union, healthcare, and community activists on Capitol Hill to tell Congress that comprehensive healthcare reform can’t wait, and we demand reform now! The time when insurance companies and pharmaceutical giants collecting billions of dollars every year capitalizing on inefficiencies and inequities in the healthcare system is coming to an end, but there is still much work to be done. Let me be clear, under no circumstance will we agree to taxing ANY healthcare benefit that we now receive.
Escalating healthcare costs are crushing families, business, and government budgets. Millions of Americans do not have health coverage, or have inadequate coverage. As Congress inches closer to producing final healthcare reform legislation before the August Congressional Recess, TWU must remain steadfast in our support for President Obama’s healthcare plan: (1) a “Pay or Play” mandate that requires employers to pay for healthcare or pay into a government fund, (2) a Public Plan Option that ensures universal healthcare, (3) a national Healthcare Exchange that fosters competition between public and private insurance plans, (4) expansion of Medicaid, and (5) insurance delivery system reforms that keep insurance companies honest. This plan reduces long-term growth of healthcare costs, protects families from bankruptcies, closes the health disparity among demographic groups, improves patient quality of care, and assures affordable quality health coverage for all Americans and it should be funded without taxing our present healthcare benefits.
As we continue to strongly support reforms to our nations’ broken healthcare system, we remain equally as vigilant in our opposition to leading this country in the wrong direction to achieve such a goal. As you are all too aware, we have earned our health benefits after making countless concessions at the bargaining table. TWU, in concert with other labor organizations, cannot stand by silently as members of Congress loudly champion the idea of taxing our employer-based health benefits as a means to finance reform off the backs of workers. Eliminating or capping the tax exclusion for employer-provided health insurance would lead employers to eliminate health coverage all together, drive up cost for employers who do provide coverage, and punish workers who bargained for their health benefits in good faith. This type of proposal jeopardizes healthcare reform as a whole.
President Obama campaigned against eliminating the tax exclusion of health benefits, and as a result of our support, the Democratic Party won the White House and made substantial gains in Congress in the 2008 elections. Democrats are in the majority because we - organized labor, the voters - help put them there. I strongly encourage you to write letters to your elected officials in the House of Representatives and Senate to clearly state your opposition to this tax and to hold them accountable to their voters and their campaign pledge. I urge you to do so immediately. The stakes are too high and the cost of inaction is too great not to act now with unified voices.
This week on the hill, members of the House and Senate will continue to work on healthcare reform bills as they attempt to pass legislation before the August recess.
In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure committee will hold hearings regarding a New Air Traffic Control System and Transportation Spending and Economic Stimulus. The Homeland Security committee will hold a hearing on General Aviation Security and the Oversight and Government Reform committee will hold a hearing on the tragic Washington Metrorail Collision that occurred on June 22nd , which took the lives of 9 people.
In the Senate, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)committee will continue marking up their healthcare reform bill. They will also hold a hearing regarding the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, the Environment and Public Works committee will hold a hearing on Transportation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Lastly, the Senate Judiciary committee will begin the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
A united labor movement, backed by community supporters, will stage a major demonstration in downtown Atlantic City on June 21, union members announced today.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the labor and community mobilization, to back the fight by Atlantic City casino dealers, slot technicians, keno and simulcast eployees and other workers for fair contracts. Speakers will include UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.
“We’re excited that people will be coming from all over the country to support us,” said Robert Beck, a casino dealer at Bally’s. “We’re winning elections, we’re winning legislation—and now we’re going to have support from the entire labor movement and our community to win fair contracts.”
Since March 2007, casino workers have organized and won six union representation elections at four major
This week “on the hill,” Congress is back from the Fourth of July recess and will continue working on health care reform.
Senator Al Franken from Minnesota will be sworn in as the 58th Democratic Senator in the 111th Congress. And, some are suggesting that the Employee Free Choice Act will come before the Senate soon. However, there is no sign of it on the schedule this week.
In the House, the health care reform bill markup will continue in the Education & Labor, Energy & Commerce, and Ways & Means committees.
In the Senate, the HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) committee will continue to markup their health care reform bill. The Finance committee is expected to begin marking up their health care reform bill soon. In addition, the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee will hold a hearing on Public Transit and Climate Change.
This week “on the hill,” the House and Senate are in recess for the Fourth of July Holiday. They will return from recess Monday, July 6, 2009. But, there are new political developments this week….
FINALLY….The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in Al Franken’s favor. In making their ruling, the Court stated the following; “For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under Minn. 32 Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota.”
Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he will abide by the ruling of the State Supreme Court.
With the seating of Al Franken, the Senate will have 60 Senators caucusing with the Democrats (Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders are officially listed as Independent but caucus with the Democrats. And, Arlen Specter switched parties from Republican to Democrat April 28, 2009.)
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