Constitutional Law

CapHill Round-Up: 3/23/09

The Treasury Department is applying a full-court press to support Secretary Timothy Geithner's 'Legacy Assets' plan – a public-private partnership to relieve bank of $1 trillion in toxic assets. While stocks have soared, commentators are questioning how Congress will field this proposal in addition to the administration's already ambitious agenda.

Meanwhile, the war of words on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) continues heating up. Three corporations offered a compromise to EFCA. However, the compromise was roundly criticized: business lobbyists called it a 'non-starter,' unions condemned the effort as 'cutting backroom deals trying to protect their narrow interests,' and the lawmakers who introduced EFCA termed it 'unacceptable.'

IN the HOUSE

The House has another chance to pass the Omnibus public lands act, which has seen a procedural gauntlet including amendments and previously being defeated in the House. The bill would set aside hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness currently unprotected.

The DC Voting Rights Act continues languishing in the House after the Senate passed an amended version that would weaken DC gun safety laws.

IN the SENATE

The Senate proceeds one senator short. The determination of whether Al Franken or Norm Coleman will join the chamber from Minnesota will soon appear before the state's supreme court. An attorney for Coleman says the three-judge panel overseeing the ongoing trial is likely to enlarge Franken's lead. However, Coleman's camp is more optimistic about their chances before the supreme court.

After House passage last week, the Senate now considers the TARP bonus tax bill, which would tax bonuses at a rate of 90 percent if distributed by companies that took bailout money. Less likely to advance this week is a recently introduced bill to provide cameras for federal courtrooms. Also, the Senate is 'expected to adopt' the House bill creating thousands more opportunities for paid community service.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on March 23, 2009 (boomark / email).