Roy Moore considering run for U.S. Senate in 2018
Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2018, according to a report from WAFF. Through a spokesperson, Moore said he was interested in running for the senate seat against newly appointed incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, but he also has his eyes on other top elected jobs in the state. “As far as Judge Moore’s future, he is being asked to run for several offices: U.S. Senate, Governor, and Attorney General,” said spokesperson Rich Hobson. “He is weighing his options for the future, but his main concern right now is the pending appeal to restore him to the Office he was elected to by the citizens of Alabama.” Moore was suspended in 2016 for not giving in to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Back in 2003, he was forced out of the same post for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument. Last week, Gov. Robert Bentley set the dates for the special election to permanently replace former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. Bentley’s dates set the primary election for June 5, 2018, followed by a primary runoff, if necessary on July 17, 2018. Moore was on Bentley’s shortlist for the Sessions’ vacated senate seat, though the governor announced Feb. 9 that he had selected Strange.
N.Y. Times throws shade on Robert Bentley appointing Luther Strange to U.S. Senate
A new article in The New York Times casts a shadow on Gov. Robert Bentley’s appointment of former Attorney General Luther Strange to the U.S. Senate. Author Alan Blinder writes that Strange, who was elected Alabama Attorney General in 2010 and 2014, has seen his popularity wane after accepting the appointment, especially considering his former office was in spearheading an investigation into the scandal-plagued governor. Though no state lawmakers have come forward with evidence, many have publicly opined that Strange’s appointment was an attempt Bentley to quash the investigation. Whether or not that was Bentley’s goal, Strange was quoted after his appointment that speculation about inquiries on Bentley was “unfair to him and unfair to the process,” adding that “we have never said in our office that we are investigating the governor.” Strange also deflected any appearance of impropriety by saying prosecutors in the Attorney General’s office would “relentlessly pursue the rule of law.” “My own commitment to rooting out corruption in government speaks for itself,” he said. “That vow has never wavered and will continue to guide me as I serve the people of Alabama in the U.S. Senate.” Strange’s replacement, Steven Marshall, confirmed soon after he took the job that there was indeed an investigation into Bentley and he appointed a special prosecutor to take the reigns on the case. Matt Hart, one of the lawyers responsible for the conviction of former House Speaker Michael Hubbard, is also involved in the inquiry. Still, some state lawmakers say the cloud surrounding Strange’s appointment could hamstring him during the 2018 special election to decide former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions permanent replacement. “He would have been solid, and he probably would have beaten the governor’s appointment,” said Republican State Rep. Corey Harbison, adding that “Luther’s ambition to become a United States senator caused him to do things that I don’t think he would have done in normal circumstances.”
Robert Bentley plans 2018 election for Jeff Sessions’ Senate seat
Whoever fills Jeff Sessions soon to be vacant U.S. Senate seat, will not have to worry about winning a special election later this year, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced Thursday. Instead, an election will take place during the normal 2018 elections, giving Sessions’ successor over a year in the new position to build a campaign war chest and prove themselves to the people of Alabama, Bentley said on Thursday. According to AL.com, who first reported the announcement, the governor claims the decision to forgo a special election in 2017 could save the state up to $16 million. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Bentley, confirmed Thursday afternoon. Sessions is poised become the United States’ next Attorney General in President-Elect Donald Trump‘s administration. Should that happen, he will leave behind a coveted U.S. Senate seat in the Yellowhammer State, leaving Bentley to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Earlier Thursday, Bentley announced he anticipates to make his replacement selection by Friday, but will withhold announcing his choice until after Sessions is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 20 people have been interviewed for the position by Bentley, and according to the governor’s spokeswoman no one else will be considered. Among those interviewed are: Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard Alabama Revenue Commissioner Julie Mage Former state Rep. Perry O. Hooper Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Glenn Murdock State Rep. Connie Row State Sen. Cam Ward State Sen. Arthur Orr U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks State Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh State Sen. Bill Hightower State Sen. Trip Pittman State Rep. Bill Poole Suspended Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore
Abortion rights group hits Marco Rubio over Zika
A top abortion rights organization is taking a swing at Sen. Marco Rubio. NARAL Pro-Choice America released a new campaign ad Tuesday, hitting Rubio over his decision to support legislation that didn’t fund women’s health clinics in the wake of the Zika outbreak. The advertisement — part of a six-figure ad campaign — also takes a swing at Rubio for not allowing women infected with the disease to get an abortion. “Sen. Rubio is putting the interests of extreme right-wing groups ahead of the women of Florida. Rubio’s actions are putting women and families in Florida, ground zero for this outbreak, at much greater risk,” said Sasha Bruce, senior vice president for campaigns and strategy at NARAL, in a statement. “Women deserve a full range of health care options, including abortion, not options limited by Sen. Rubio’s extreme and out-of-touch political beliefs. This is true always, but especially during a public health crisis. Sen. Rubio should stop playing politics and do the right thing for women and families of Florida.” Rubio backed several Zika funding bills, including a House GOP-backed bill that, among other things, included provisions to defund Planned Parenthood in Puerto Rico. Senate Democrats blocked that $1.1 billion funding bill in June. The Senate is expected to take up the bill again Tuesday. “The Zika virus is here; it’s dangerous to pregnant women, and it has no cure. But Marco Rubio voted against funding health clinics that provide critical care during this public health emergency,” an announcer says in the ad. “Marco Rubio continues to be against a woman’s right to choose an abortion even they’re infected with the Zika virus. Tell Marco Rubio to stop putting his agenda ahead of the health and safety of women and families.” The ad will air on TV in Orlando and West Palm Beach, while digital ads will run across the state. “Patrick Murphy is the only candidate to have voted against every measure to fund Zika – once again putting himself and his political aspirations before Floridians,” said Olivia Perez-Cubas, a spokeswoman for Rubio’s campaign. “Marco was one of the first Republicans to support the president’s funding request and has supported every single Zika proposal that has come up in the Senate. Meanwhile, Murphy continues to exploit this public health and economic emergency in order to score political points. There were 705 cases of Zika in Florida as of Sept. 1. According to the Department of Health, 80 of those cases involved pregnant women, while 49 cases were locally acquired cases. The organization is running similar ads in Tennessee and Mississippi.
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate: July 11-15, 2016
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are both in session this week for a very busy legislative schedule. After this week, both chambers will take an extended break for both the Republican and Democratic national party conventions as well as the August recess through the Labor Day holiday. U.S. House of Representatives On Monday, the House is in session and will consider a robust package of 24 bills under Suspension of the Rules. A full list of bills can be found here. Among these bills is a House amendment to H.R. 636: Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, which represents an agreement to extend the FAA and federal aviation programs through FY 2017. The current FAA authorization expires on July 15. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None Also, H.R. 5588: Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2016. This bill authorizes the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None For the balance of the week, the House is expected to consider the following: H.R. 5538: The Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2017. The bill provides a total of $32.1 billion in net discretionary spending, almost 1 percent less than current funding and 3 percent less than requested by the president. It increases funding for the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service but cuts funding for EPA, the Bureau of Land Management, Office of Surface Mining, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None S.304: The Conscience Protection Act of 2016. The bill prohibits the federal government, as well as state and local governments, from penalizing, retaliating against, or otherwise discriminating against a health care provider because the provider does not provide or sponsor abortion coverage. It provides for a complaint process and civil actions for any violations through the HHS and Justice departments. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None H.R. 5119: The No 2H2O from Iran Act. The bill prohibits federal funds from being used to purchase heavy water from Iran, or to issue licenses to purchase heavy water. Alabama co-sponsor(s): 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer H.R. 5631: The Iran Accountability Act. The bill expands and strengthens existing sanctions against Iran related to its ballistic-missile program, support for international terrorism, and its ongoing record of human rights abuses against its own population. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None Senate Amendment to the House Amendment to S.764: Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Labeling Requirements. The House is expected to consider Senate-passed legislation directing the Agriculture Department to issue nationwide rules for determining which foods should be labeled as genetically modified. The bill offers food companies the option of on-label disclosure, the use of a symbol developed by the Agriculture Department, or electronic bar codes that consumers can scan with their smartphones. Alabama co-sponsor(s): N/A U.S. Senate The Senate is in session and may take further procedural votes on the House-passed H.R. 5293: The Department of Defense Appropriations bill for FY 2017. Due to Democratic opposition the measure, which was reported unanimously by the Appropriations Committee, failed to achieve the necessary 60 votes of support during a Senate vote last week. Alabama co-sponsor(s): N/A House-passed FY 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations conference report, which also serves as the vehicle to provide funding to combat the Zika virus. Other legislation, namely the FAA extension, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations conference report, which also serves as the vehicle to provide funding to combat the Zika virus, as well as the conference report to S. 524 to combat opioid abuse are also likely.
Yeas and Nays – How Alabama delegation voted this week: 6/24/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week: House votes Much of the U.S. House of Representative’s legislative schedule was postponed due to the House Democrats’ “sit-in” protest. A vote on overriding the president’s veto of H. J. Res. 88, a resolution that disapproves the rule issued by the Labor Department on April 8, 2016, commonly known as the fiduciary rule on retirement investment advice, which subjects broker-dealers who oversee retirement investments to the fiduciary standard under which they must provide investment advice that is in the best interest of the investor “without regard to the financial or other interests” of the financial institution, adviser or other party. A two-thirds vote of both chambers is needed to override a veto; the House originally passed the measure by a 234-183 vote, while the Senate originally cleared it by a 56-41 vote. The president vetoed the measure June 8. Passed House 239-180, but the vote failed to override a presidential veto. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Conference Report to H.R.2577, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2017. The conference report would provide $82.5 billion in discretionary funding in fiscal 2017 for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction and military housing. It also would provide $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus, with roughly $750 million in offsets. Passed House 239-171. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Next week the House is in recess and will be back in session on Tuesday, July 5. Senate votes The Senate only voted on amendments this week and passed no legislation. The Senate is scheduled to be in session next week.
Terri Sewell, House Democrats stage sit-in demanding gun law vote
In the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting and subsequent failed gun legislation in the U.S. Senate earlier this week, Democratic lawmakers, including Alabama’s 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, brought the business of the U.S. House of Representatives to a screeching halt Wednesday, staging a sit-in to demand a vote on gun control legislation. Shortly after the House gaveled in for a day of regular business, civil rights icon and Georgia-Democrat John Lewis entered the chamber, stood at a podium and called on his colleagues to join him for an old-fashioned sit-in reminiscent of the 1960s civil rights movement. Lewis pledged along with more than 40 of his fellow lawmakers to remain on the House floor until legislation is brought forward to halt the killings brought forth by firearms. “We have been too quiet for too long,” Lewis said on the House floor. “There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.” In a letter to Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan announcing the protest, Lewis said, “Over the last 12 years, gun-related crimes claimed more American lives than AIDS, war and illegal drug overdoses combined. We urge you to lead the House into action and work with both sides of the aisle to pass common-sense solutions to keep American children and families safe.” Thirty minutes after the sit-in began House Republicans, who control the floor proceedings, quickly declared the sit-in out of order and immediately called a recess at noon. This automatically turned off the cameras that usually provide live coverage to the public via C-SPAN, leaving lawmakers to take broadcasting the event into their own hands, as they quickly took to social media using the hashtag #NoBillNoBreak to draw national attention to their efforts. Alabama’s Rep. Sewell is one of the many lawmakers tweeting the event from the House floor. Sewell said she joined her colleagues to pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting and all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to senseless gun violence. I am in good company during this sit-in on the House floor! We are demanding a vote on reform bills. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/rQrtn8VITt — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) June 22, 2016 “Congress has repeatedly failed to pass gun safety measures that would protect our communities while preserving the rights of responsible gun owners,” said Sewell in a news release. “While I am a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that strengthening background checks, eliminating gun show loopholes, and preventing potential terrorists from acquiring assault weapons will not limit the rights of lawful gun owners to protect and defend themselves.” Sewell continued, “Make no mistake; this is not an attempt to take guns away from law-abiding citizens — these are common-sense gun safety measures. We must set aside party politics and work together in the best interests of our nation to reduce gun violence and senseless killings.” “The rising tide of gun violence continues to claim far too many lives. It’s time for Congress to act. I urge my colleagues to take up gun safety measures that will protect our families and our communities. We cannot continue to mourn these tragedies without doing all we can to prevent them.” Now in it’s sixth hour, the sit-in continues.
Senate passes $602 billion defense authorization bill, defies White House veto threat
Defying a White House veto threat, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a sweeping $602 billion defense bill. Among its many Pentagon reforms it bars shuttering the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, includes 1.6 percent pay raise for military troops as well as a historic provision that would mandate young women to register for a potential draft, and denies the Pentagon’s bid to start a new round of military base closings. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017 passed the Senate 85-13, with support from both of Alabama ‘s U.S. senators, Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions. “From the lack of a comprehensive, coherent, bi-partisan strategy to deal with Islamic terrorists, to the purpose for the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, to policies about who is eligible for combat, the current Administration continues to make illogical choices for ideological and political reasons that are counter to common sense,” said Sessions, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a news release. “While this bill is not perfect, I supported it because it provides needed resources for our national defense, for our service men and women fighting overseas, and for Alabama’s military assets that are so crucial to our national defense.” Sen. Shelby had a personal victory by ensuring an amendment, which will allow the U.S. Air Force to continue to use the RD-180 rocket engine for critical national security launches until a domestic alternative is available, was included in the final bill. “The inclusion of this amendment in the NDAA is a significant victory for national security and reflects what Congress has heard time and again from every senior official currently serving in the Air Force, Pentagon, and Intelligence Community,” said Shelby in a news release. “The NDAA now safeguards the U.S. Air Force’s authority to maintain competition for the most vital national security and intelligence launches. Not only is this authority critical to ensuring America’s assured access to space, but it is also positive news for American taxpayers.” The amendment safeguards roughly 1,000 jobs in Decatur, Ala., where the rockets are produced by United Launch Alliance – a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed-Martin. The House passed a version of the NDAA last month, but significant changes by the Senate mean lawmakers must meet to negotiate a final bill. “For this defense bill to become law, the Senate must go to conference with the House of Representatives and get the President’s signature,” Sessions continued. “As our country faces increased threats abroad and at home, I hope this legislation can be improved and made final. I continue to work to make sure Alabama’s contributions to our national defense are properly recognized and protected, and that our men and women overseas have the resources, support and policies in place that will allow them to succeed.”
Tom Jackson: Hit that reset button already, Marco Rubio
Well past the point that it became abundantly — and, in some circles, painfully — obvious that Marco Rubio should have applied himself to the job he convinced Floridians he wanted in 2010, a fresh question has arisen: Should Rubio declare himself a candidate for re-election? The answer is: Duh. Of course, he should. This is the biggest no-brainer since Captain America rejected United Nations sanctions. It’s hard to believe he’s even hemming, let alone hawing. Listen, everyone gets that Rubio has been that “young man in a hurry” for nearly 20 years, especially those on whose hands he stepped reaching for the next rung. And he almost couldn’t be blamed for seeking the presidency, considering how establishment conservatives rhapsodized about his wonkmanship, his reform policies and his political skills. And maybe, if he’d been quicker with his wits on that New Hampshire stage, maybe the 3-2-1 strategy laid out by his strategists would have prevailed. I mean, suppose Rubio had prefaced his infamous robotic repetitions with a deft qualifier, such as, “Yes, I’m repeating myself, and I will continue to repeat myself because it doesn’t matter how you pose the question, the answer remains the same. What’s true is true: Barack Obama knows exactly what he’s doing.” This is not beyond imagining, no matter how programmed Rubio’s critics think he is. Indeed, those who know him well, and those who covered him closely during the primary, know he is perfectly capable of riffing off-script without sacrificing expertise. But that was then, and this is now, more than two months after the stinging defeat in Florida that ended — for the moment, anyway — his White House dream. And just now, Republicans defending lots of purple-state seats need to field their best team if they have any hope of maintaining their majority in the U.S. Senate. With all due respect to the political talent wrangling to become the GOP nominee — with one tin-eared exception — that team looks better if Rubio is on the roster. The idea might be growing on him, too. Tuesday afternoon, an email landed bearing Rubio’s signature and the subject line “Time to stand together.” It reads, in part, “Our liberal opponents have already launched countless attacks against many of my Republican colleagues. We must protect our Republican Senate majority. “Defeating these Democrats will only be possible if conservatives like us stand together to defend our Republican Senate.” “Stand together.” At the risk of reading way, way, way too much into a fundraising email, this hints that Mr. I’ll-Be-A-Private-Citizen is signaling a fresh course. He ought to be, anyway. With the clarity of retrospect, Rubio shouldn’t have leapt into the awful Republican scrum in the first place. Never mind that he was, with the exception of one memorable debate, clearly the best-informed candidate in the pack. I lost track of the times he fact-checked Donald Trump in real time. (An aside: The fact Rubio says he’s willing to speak nicely about Trump at the Republican National Convention is a problem for supporters who took his eviscerations of the presumptive nominee to heart, but it’s also, unfortunately, a calculated penance. We’ll be listening closely for what he does and, more important, doesn’t say.) Alas, this was not the year for facts, articulated policies or — as Jeb Bush came to appreciate and rue — deeply researched and painstakingly detailed plans to fix what ails America. This, instead, is the year a substantial chunk of voters think the presidency is a reality show. After all, how hard can it be? Barack Obama makes nuke deals with Iran, slows the retreat of glaciers, amends his namesake health plan at will and still squeezes in an afternoon 18 at Fort Belvoir Golf Club. What’s a first-term senator encountering an unanticipated detour to do? Reroute, already. Hit the reset button. Immediately. Not just because it’s what’s in Rubio’s best political interests, but because the other GOP candidates need time before the June 24 filing deadline to make alternate plans. Again, re-election to the Senate also is Rubio’s best path forward. He’s not likely to be elected Florida’s governor anytime soon; Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam, the most-Florida politician ever, is practically Rick Scott’s heir apparent. And former state House Speaker Will Weatherford, every bit as talented, is almost certain to maneuver himself into future consideration. Besides, being a senator is a cool job, in and of itself. And if Rubio wins again, then buckles down to the work while avoiding past missteps (the Gang of Eight immigration scheme leaps to mind), ratcheting up his constituent service and resisting the lure of another presidential run in 2020, then by 2024 or 2028 at the outside, he’d be in his 50s, experienced, wiser and a little gray at the temples; the game would again be afoot. Indeed, perhaps by then he’ll have served in a Republican administration: Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It could happen. And there are worse launching pads. Hit that button already, Sen. Rubio. It’s the right thing all-around. ___ Recovering sports columnist and former Tampa Tribune columnist Tom Jackson argues on behalf of thoughtful conservative principles as our best path forward. Fan of the Beach Boys, pulled-pork barbecue and days misspent at golf, Tom lives in New Tampa with his wife, two children and two yappy middle-aged dogs.
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate: May 23 – 27, 2016
Both chambers are in session this week. U.S. House of Representatives On Monday, the House is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules. A full list of bills can be found here. Among these bills is: H.R. 4889: the Kelsey Smith Act. This bill requires mobile phone service providers to provide call location information to law enforcement when the device has been used to call “911” for emergency assistance Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. Background: named after Kelsey Smith, who in 2007 was abducted from a parking lot in Kansas. While a search for her began immediately, law enforcement encountered difficulty in obtaining location information from her cell phone provider. After four days of searching, police located her body within 45 minutes of finally receiving the data. Kelsey had been murdered the night she was abducted. H.R. 4167: the Kari’s Law Act. This bill requires all multiline telephone systems to be able to dial “911” without the need to dial an additional number. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Mo Brooks (AL-05) Background: named after Kari Rene Hunt, who in 2013 was murdered by her estranged husband. She agreed to meet her husband at a local motel to leave their children with him for a short visit. At the meeting, her husband attacked her. Kari’s daughter, then 9 years old, attempted to dial 911 from the room phone. However, the phones required the user to dial “9” before dialing “911” and she was unable to reach a 911 dispatcher. The House will also consider several suspension bills focused on veterans, including H.R. 5286: the VA Construction & Lease Authorization, Health & Benefits Enhancement Act, which enhances various veterans benefits and authorizes the construction of a number of VA facilities; H.R. 3956: the VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act; H.R. 2460: a bill to improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans; and H.R. 3989: the Support Our Military Caregivers Act. The House will also consider H.R. 5077: the Intelligence Authorization for FY 2017 under suspension. For the remainder of the week, the House is expected to consider the following: H.R. 897: the Zika Vector Control Act. This bill prohibits EPA or a state government from requiring a permit for the use of registered pesticides near navigable waters. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2576: the TSCA Modernization Act. The House will consider legislation that updates the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and is intended to better enable EPA to regulate existing and new chemical substances. The measure requires EPA to make determinations regarding the safety of chemicals without regard to cost or non-risk factors, and it establishes key points in the evaluation and regulatory process where EPA may order testing. It also expands EPA’s ability to collect and use fees, and it protects state laws from federal pre-emption under certain circumstances. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H.R. 5233: the Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing for D.C. Home Rule Act. The bill repeals a District of Columbia law that had modified D.C.’s home rule charter to allow for locally generated funds to be spent without congressional approval, and it modifies the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act to further specify that all city funding is subject to Congress’ annual appropriations process. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H.R. 5055: the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2017. The bill provides a total of $37.4 billion in funding subject for FY 2017 for the Energy Department and federal water projects, $259 million more than comparable FY 2016 funding and $168 million more than requested. Compared with current funding, it increases funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, nuclear weapons activities and fossil fuels energy but cuts funding for nuclear nonproliferation programs, the Bureau of Reclamation and renewable-energy programs. Numerous amendments are expected during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. House amendment to S. 2012: the Energy Policy Modernization Act. The House is expected to consider an alternative to the Senate energy bill, which passed the Senate on April 20 by an 85-12 vote. Among other things, the Senate-passed bill would expedite the federal approval process for liquefied natural gas exports, streamline the approval process for electric transmission lines, increase cybersecurity protections for the electricity grid, and expedite the licensing process for hydropower projects. It would also authorize funds for increasing energy conservation in federal data centers, establish voluntary national building codes and improve energy efficiency in both the manufacturing and commercial sectors. Motion to go to conference on S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act. After the House adopts its modifications to the Senate-passed energy bill, the House is expected to vote on a motion to go to conference with the Senate. On Friday, the House is not in session. Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: Budget Season: The House Appropriations committee continues its FY17 hearing and markup slate, a full schedule can be found here. IRS Commissioner Misconduct: On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Allegations of Misconduct Against IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, Part 1.” More information here. Puerto Rico: On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup of H.R.5278, the “Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act.” More information here. Welfare Reform: On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing titled “Moving America’s Families Forward: Setting Priorities for Reducing Poverty and Expanding Opportunity.” More information here. Science Markup: On Tuesday, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a markup of the “Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016.” More information here. Veterans: On Tuesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on legislation to establish a permanent Veterans Choice Program; and H.R.5083, the “VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016.” More information here. Small Business: On Tuesday and Thursday, the House Small Business Committee will hold two part hearing titled “The Sharing Economy: A Taxing Experience for New Entrepreneurs.” More information here.
GOP presses Facebook over links to conservative stories
Senate Republicans on Tuesday demanded an explanation from Facebook after reports that former company staffers excluded links to conservative political stories. A senior Facebook executive said the company has found no evidence to back up the anonymous allegations. In a letter to chairman and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, South Dakota Sen. John Thune requested information on who at the company made the decisions on stories for Facebook’s Trending Topics feature, what training is provided to employees, whether the company is investigating and what steps it will take to hold people accountable. “If Facebook presents its Trending Topics section as a result of a neutral, objective algorithm, but it is, in fact, subjective and filtered to support or suppress particular political viewpoints, Facebook’s assertion that it maintains ‘a platform for people and perspectives from across the political spectrum’ misleads the public,” wrote Thune, who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He asked for answers by May 24. News reports say employees excluded links to stories they considered less reliable in its list of trending stories, though individuals could post links to conservative stories on their own Facebook feeds. Tom Stocky, Facebook vice president of search, said his team is responsible for the Trending Topics and that the company has “found no evidence that the anonymous allegations are true.” “There are rigorous guidelines in place for the review team to ensure consistency and neutrality,” Stocky wrote. “These guidelines do not permit the suppression of political perspectives. Nor do they permit the prioritization of one viewpoint over another or one news outlet over another. These guidelines do not prohibit any news outlet from appearing in Trending Topics.” Adam Jentleson, an aide to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., maintained there are more pressing priorities than the Facebook issue. “The Republican Senate refuses to hold hearings on (Supreme Court nominee) Judge (Merrick) Garland, refuses to fund the president’s request for Zika aid and takes the most days off any Senate since 1956, but thinks Facebook hearings are a matter of urgent national interest,” Jentleson said. “The taxpayers who pay Republican senators’ salaries probably want their money back.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate: Apr. 25 — 29, 2016
Both chambers are in session this week and are scheduled to adjourn at week’s end for a one-week district work period. U.S. House of Representatives On Monday, the House meets in pro forma session. On Tuesday, the House is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules including: H.R. 1684: the Foreign Spill Protection Act. This bill would allow the federal government to recover the costs for oil spill cleanup activities from foreign entities owning or operating offshore facilities located further out to sea than the boundary of the exclusive economic zone (200 miles) of the United States H.R. 4698: the Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act. This bill seeks to strengthen security screening at foreign airports that have non-stop flights to the U.S. H.R. 3583: the PREPARE Act. This bill includes numerous provisions intended to improve the Homeland Security Department’s and Federal Emergency Management Administration’s (FEMA) emergency preparedness and response programs and activities. A full list of bills that will be considered under suspension can be found here. Also on the House floor this week: H.R. 4901: the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Reauthorization Act. The bill reauthorizes for five years, through FY 2021, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) program, under which federal funding is provided to eligible students in Washington, D.C., to allow them to attend private schools, and it modifies the program to provide for greater student participation and to mandate greater accountability by the private schools that participate in the program. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None H. J. Res. 88: a joint resolution to disapprove of the Labor Department’s Fiduciary Rule. The resolution disapproves the rule issued by the Labor Department on April 8, 2016, commonly known as the fiduciary rule on retirement investment advice, that subjects broker-dealers who oversee retirement investments to the fiduciary standard, under which they must provide investment advice that is in the best interest of the investor “without regard to the financial or other interests” of the financial institution, adviser, or other party. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01) Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: Budget season: The House Appropriations Committee continues its FY17 hearing slate, a full list of those hearings can be found here. NDAA: On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee will markup the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). More information can be found here. E&C markups: The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold multiple markups this week. More information is available here. TSA oversight: On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining Management Practices and Misconduct at TSA.” More information here. Small businesses: On Wednesday, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled “S is for Savings: Pro-Growth Benefits of Employee-Owned S Corporations.” More information here. Homeland security oversight: On Thursday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Criminal Aliens Released by the Department of Homeland Security.” More information here. EPA and Pebble Mine: On Thursday, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining EPA’s Predetermined Efforts to Block the Pebble Mine, Part II.” More information here. Asia: On Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “America as a Pacific Power: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia.” More information here. U.S. Senate The Senate is in session and expected to continue consideration of its FY17 Energy and Water appropriations legislation. Highlights of what is happening in Senate Committees this week: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program: On Tuesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing to examine the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2017 and the Future Years Defense Program. More information here. China: On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to examine United States-China relations, focusing on strategic challenges and opportunities. More information here. Small business regulations: On Wednesday, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing to examine the controversial waters of the United States rule and the case for reforming the Renewable Fuels Association. More information here. ISIL: On Thursday, the Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing to examine counter-ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) operations and Middle East strategy. More information here.
