Legislation to fund the Iraq War through early 2009 will head to the Senate this week, and both chambers will try to iron out differences on a 2009 budget resolution. In addition, Congress may have to vote on a veto override of the 2007 Farm bill. In elections news, Arkansas [3], Kentucky [4] and Oregon [5] hold congressional primary elections this week, while a controversial nominee to the Federal Election Commission [6] withdraws his name from consideration.

The Senate will take up the 2008 Iraq war supplemental [7] this week, following the House’s vote on the measure last Thursday. The Senate will serve to temper the bill produced by the House, by reinserting $162 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars while likely stripping out some of the most controversial provisions.

One potential victim could be the new G.I. bill [8], which – along with extended unemployment benefits and other domestic spending – was part of the package approved by the house last week.

A planned markup of the Housing bill should occur this week, after Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Chris Dodd [9] (D-Conn.) delayed the legislation last Thursday. Dodd is working with ranking member Sen. Richard Shelby [10] (R-Ala.) to reach a deal on a proposed homeowner bailout. Under the legislation, the Federal Housing Administration would insure $300 billion in new loans. Banks could then work with homeowners threatened with foreclosure to renegotiate mortgages.

Critics have argued the legislation is actually a bailout to financial institutions, since banks would have the final say on whether to rehabilitate mortgages. In addition, the Dodd-Shelby deal to use money allocated for an affordable housing trust fund to pay for the mortgage rescue has drawn fire from a number of charitable organizations.

We reported last week that President George W. Bush [11] had named four additional candidates to be appointed to the Federal Elections Commission [12], despite a years-long battle over a previous nominee, Hans von Spokovsky [13]. On Friday, von Spokovsky withdrew his name from contention, easing fears that the oversight board would remain toothless during a pivotal election cycle.

The 2007 Farm Bill [14], which finally passed last week, is sitting on the president’s desk awaiting his signature. The legislation – which had been debated for the better part of a year – flew through the House and Senate on Wednesday and Thursday with veto-proof majorities. It includes a delicate balance of spending and policy proposals, but several watchdog groups have come out against the number (and amounts) of subsidies including in the Farm bill, especially since food prices are at record levels.

Following the party’s third special election loss this cycle, Republicans were scrambling to refine their image in the face of an increasingly hostile electorate. Eyes also fell upon the National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s fundraising arm for House candidates and incumbents. House Minority Leader John Boehner [15] (R-Ohio) met with NRCC Chairman Rep. Tom Cole [16] (R-Okla) on Friday to discuss strategy for the rest of the cycle.

Speculation swirled last week that the minority leader would seek to replace Cole, but Boehner dismissed the rumors and said Cole was in for the long haul. He also recognized changes were needed to help the struggling GOP brand in the face of a “very difficult environment.”

Finally, Sen. Ted Kennedy [17] suffered a seizure over the weekend, requiring a medical airlift from his home. The Democratic senator is recovering in Massachusetts General Hospital.

Hearings Schedules:
May 20, 2008

Senate

• Select Committee on Intelligence [18]
  To hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary [19] to hold hearings to examine protecting the constitutional right to vote for all Americans, 2:30 p.m., SD-226.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs [20] To hold hearings to examine Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) challenge, focusing on securing one of the worlds most dangerous areas, 2:45 p.m., SD-419.
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [21] To hold hearings to examine financial speculation in commodity markets, focusing on institutional investors and hedge funds contributing to food and energy price inflation, 10:30 a.m., SD-342.
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary [19]
  To hold hearings to examine global internet freedom, focusing on corporate responsibility and the rule of law, 10 a.m., SD-226.
• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources [22]
  To hold hearings to examine energy and related economic effects of global climate change legislation, 10 a.m., SD-366.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations [20] To hold hearings to examine agreement on Extradition between the United States of America and the European Union (EU), signed on June 25, 2003 at Washington, together with twenty-two bilateral instruments which subsequently were signed between the United States and each European Union Member State in order to implement the Agreement with the EU.
• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs [23] To hold hearings to examine the nomination of Steven C. Preston, of Illinois, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 10 a.m., SD-538.
• Senate Committee on Health, Labor, and Pensions [24] To hold hearings to examine plant closings, focusing on workers’ rights and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)(Public Law 100-379) Act's 20th anniversary, 10 a.m., SD-430.
• https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Senate_Committee_on_Appropriations Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense] To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Defense, 11 a.m., SD-192.
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry [25] To hold hearings to examine efforts to create jobs with climate solutions, focusing on the ways agriculture and forestry can help lower costs in a low-carbon economy, 2:30 p.m., SR-328A.
• Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs [26] To hold hearings to examine pending health care legislation, 9:30 a.m., SR-418.

House

• House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law [27] Hearing on Immigration Needs of America's Fighting Men and Women, 2:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade [28] Hearing on Export Compliance: Ensuring Safety, Increasing Efficiency, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn.
• House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security [27] Hearing on H.R. 3546, To authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels through 2012, 11 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight [28] Hearing on City on the Hill or Prison on the Bay? The Mistakes of Guantanamo and the Decline of America's Image, Part II, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia [29] Hearing on Part-Time Reemployment of Federal Annuitants, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.

May 21, 2008

Senate

• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration [30] To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Cynthia L. Bauerly, of Minnesota, Caroline C. Hunter, of Florida, and Donald F. McGahn, of the District of Columbia, each to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission, 2 p.m., SR-301.
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry [25] To hold hearings to examine efforts to create jobs with climate solutions, focusing on the ways agriculture and forestry can help lower costs in a low-carbon economy, 2:30 p.m., SR-328A.
• Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs [26] To hold hearings to examine pending health care legislation, 9:30 a.m., SR-418.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations [20] To hold hearings to examine treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Concerning Defense Trade Cooperation, done at Washington and London on June 21 and 26, 2007 (Treaty Doc. 110-07), and treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia Concerning Defense Trade Cooperation, done at Sydney, September 5, 2007 (Treaty Doc. 110-10), 9:15 a.m., SD-419.
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary [19] To hold hearings to examine the skyrocketing price of oil, 10 a.m., SD-226.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [21] Business meeting to consider the nomination of Paul A. Schneider, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Time to be announced, S-216, Capitol.

House

• House Committee on Foreign Affairs [28] Hearing on the Rise of Sovereign Wealth Funds: Impacts on U.S. Foreign Policy and Economic Interests, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs [29] Joint hearing on Census Data: Special Issues Related to the U.S. Territories, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health [31] Hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1157, Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2007; and H.R. 758, Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment [32] Hearing on H.R. 5618, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2325 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water and Environment [33] Hearing on Reauthorization of the Greats Lakes Legacy Act, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Education and Labor [34] Hearing on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel Report: Foundations for Success, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia [28] Hearing on the U.S.-Israel-Egypt Trilateral Relationship: Shoring Up the Foundation of Regional Peace, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security [27] Oversight hearing of FBI Whistleblowers: Exposing Corruption and Retaliation Inside the Bureau-FBI Counterterrorism Agent, 1:30 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy [29] Hearing on Neighborhoods: the blameless victims of the subprime mortgage crisis, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans [35] To markup the following bills: H.R. 2964, Captive Primate Safety Act; H.R. 5350, To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia; H.R. 5451, Coastal Zone Reauthorization Act of 2008; and H.R. 5741, Shark Conservation Act of 2008, 2 p.m., 1334 Longworth.

May 22, 2008

Senate

• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia [21] To continue hearings to examine improving the security clearance process, focusing on reform efforts to streamline, standardize, and update the process, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary [19] To hold hearings to examine closing the justice gap, focusing on providing civil legal assistance to low-income Americans, 2 p.m., SD-226.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations [20] To hold hearings to examine the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization on October 19, 2005 (Treaty Doc. 110-14), 9:30 a.m., SD-419.
• Senate Committee on Armed Services [36] To hold hearings to examine the nominations of General David H. Petraeus, USA, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, United States Central Command, and Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, USA, for appointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq, 9:30 a.m., SD-106.
• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs [37] To hold oversight hearings to examine the status of backlogs at the Department of the Interior, 9:30 a.m., SD-562.
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary [19] Business meeting to consider S. 2756, to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a permanent background check system, S. 2982, to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations, S. 1210, to extend the grant program for drug-endangered children, S. Res. 563, designating September 13, 2008, as ``National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day'', and the nominations of Elisebeth C. Cook, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice, William T. Lawrence, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, and G. Murray Snow, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, 10 a.m., SD-226.
• Senate Committee on Finance [38] To hold hearings to examine S. 1919, to establish trade enforcement priorities for the United States, to strengthen the provisions relating to trade remedies, 10 a.m., SD-215.
• Senate Special Committee on Aging [39] To hold hearings to examine improving Medicare for the most vulnerable, focusing on senior citizens at risk, 10:30 a.m., SH-216.

House

• House Committee on Small Business [40] Hearing entitled ``RESPA and its Impact on Small Business, 10 a.m., 1539 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight [32] Hearing on American Decline or Renewal?--Globalization Jobs and Technology, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources [35] Oversight hearing on The United States Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program-Science, Preparation, and Response, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [29] Hearing on Accountability Lapses in Multiple Funds for Iraq, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Health [41] Hearing on Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
• House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism [42] Hearing on The Border Security Challenge: Recent Developments and Legislative Proposals, focusing on the following bills: H.R. 5662, Putting Our Resources Towards Security (PORTS) Act; H.R. 5552, Border Accountability Act of 2008; and H.R. 4008, SAVE Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
• House Committee on the Judiciary [27] Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws held a hearing on H.R. 5546, Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight [28] Hearing on City on the Hill or Just Another Country? The United States and the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy [29] Hearing on Neighborhoods: Targeting Federal aid to neighborhoods distressed by the subprime mortgage crisis, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Subcommittee On Domestic Policy [43] Joint hearing entitled ``Targeting Federal Aid to Neighborhoods Distressed by the Subprime Mortgage Crisis, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.