This Week In Congress: January 30, 2017
Legislation moving through congress this week.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Most of the new laws the House is discussing are mostly housekeeping for the Department of Homeland Security; however the new Congress is trying to undo many of the rules former President Obama put forth during his last days in office.
For an excellent summary on what a rule does, how they are made, and what this law would be repealing, I refer you to this Planet Money episode from NPR. This program covers H.J. Res. 38 in particular.
H.J. Res. 38
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule.
Summary: Holds companies accountable for the pollution they put into the environment and seeks to protect water supplies from pollution. If this rule remains in effect it will be a significant step forward in protecting our people and our environment from needless pollution.
Read the full text of the published rule regarding the protection of water quality.
H.J. Res. 41
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”
Summary: Energy companies must disclose where they spend their money, this rule clarifies and strengthen a section of the Dodd-Frank Act.
For more, check out the SEC press release and the text of the rule.
H.J. Res. 37
Disapproving the final rule submitted by the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Summary: Improves the compliance of contractors with federal government labor laws in compliance with the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order.
Read the full text of the published rule regarding the fair pay and safe working conditions for federally contracted employees.
H.J. Res. 36
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation.”
Summary: New regulations on natural gas and oil spills during production, which have not been updated since 1979. This rule seeks to reduce the waste of natural gas from venting, flaring, and leaks during oil and natural gas production activities on Federal and Indian lands.
Read the full text of the published rule regarding the protection of water quality.
SENATE
H.R.7
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017.
Summary: This is already illegal under the Hyde Amendment.
All bill information taken from the official schedule for the House and Senate.
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