Legislative Watch

Legislative Watch

Immediate Action Items: None at this time.

International Treaties & Obligations

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The best interest of the child principle would give the government the ability to override every decision by every parent if a government worker disagreed with the parents decision. The treaty creates “the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion” and outlaws the “arbitrary interference with his or her privacy.”

Article VI of the US Constitution: “All treaties made...shall be the supreme law of the land.”

www.parentalrights.org

U.S. Congress

Recent Senate Votes
Patent Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (95-5)

The Senate passed this bill that would overhaul the nation's patent system and change the way they are issued and challenged. The House is expected to pass its own patent bill.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 - Vote Rejected (44-56)

The Senate rejected this House-passed continuing resolution that would have reduced spending by $57.5 billion over the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year. The current, short-term continuing resolution expires on March 18, 2011.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 - Vote Rejected (42-58)

The Senate also rejected a Democratic alternative to the full-year continuing resolution that would have reduced spending by $4.7 billion over the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year.

Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
The HAMP Termination Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (252-170, 1 Present, 9 Not Voting)

The House voted to end the Home Affordable Modification Program, a home foreclosure prevention program that uses Troubled Asset Relief Program money to help homeowners modify their mortgages. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.

Rep. James Renacci voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act - Vote Passed (225-195, 12 Not Voting)

The House voted to revive a voucher program that would help low-income Washington D.C. residents send their children to private schools. The bill faces an uncertain future but could be attached to the 2011 spending bill currently being negotiated between the House and Senate.

Rep. James Renacci voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (223-196, 13 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration for four-years. The Senate passed a two-year bill in February. The two chambers will now work out a compromise bill.

Rep. James Renacci voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Vote Passed (221-202, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting)

This bill would declare the House-passed spending bill, H.R.1, to be enacted if the Senate does not pass a FY2011 spending bill by April 6. Supporters say the vote highlights the Senate's inability to pass a budget, while opponents say the bill is unconstitutional.

Rep. James Renacci voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming House Agenda

THE LEADER'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE
WEEK OF APRIL 11, 2011

MONDAY, APRIL 11TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 p.m. in pro forma session.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 1308 - To amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Elton Gallegly / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) S. 307 - To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the "W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
H.R. 1217 - To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts / Energy and Commerce Committee)
H.R. __ - Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Department Of Defense and Other Agencies (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Appropriations Committee)
THURSDAY, APRIL 14TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
Begin Consideration of H.Con.Res. __ - Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan / Budget Committee)
FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes for the week are expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
Complete Consideration of H.Con.Res. __ - Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan / Budget Committee)
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK
Natural Resources Committee Markup on “Gas Price Legislation”
(Wednesday, April 13th at 10:00 a.m.)

Upcoming Votes

Repeal of 1099 tax reporting rule - H.R.4

The Senate is scheduled to take up this bill that would repeal a tax reporting provision in the healthcare overhaul law that affects business and real estate owners.

Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 - H.R.910

The House is scheduled to vote on this bill that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

Net neutrality rule disapproval - H.J.RES.37

This House resolution would overturn a Federal Communications Commission rule regarding "net neutrality."

For further information on legislative updates email our legislative liaison directly: mandfrost@zoominternet.net

Ohio Friends And Neighbors

The welcome center for the conservative grassroots.