Politics

On the Agenda

The House returned to session after a two week Easter Recess last night. The House will remain in session until the Memorial Day Recess at the end of May with a heavy load of legislation on the agenda. One of the most important items that needs action is the Senate?s bipartisan terrorist surveillance legislation. It has been 45 days since the House allowed the program to expire.

Next week, General David Petraeus along with Ambassador Ryan Crocker will report to Congress the current situation in Iraq. The improved situation in Iraq will no doubt be marred by the recent uprising.

Remaining in the news and on the minds of many in Congress is the housing downturn and its impacts on our economy and local communities. Various proposals have been offered such as new grants for cities with high foreclosure rates, tax credits for homebuyers and a buyout that would allow the Federal Housing Administration to refinance $300 billion in loans.

Lastly, on April 18 the current extension of the 2002 farm bill will expire. The President and many in Congress have urged for a full year extension on the 2002 farm bill because of hurdles that remain and the election year politics. Austin Weatherford-Legislative Assistant to Rep. Mike Conaway

Full post as published by Mike Conaway's Blog on April 01, 2008 (boomark / email).