05-06-2000

CONGRESS: The Sausage Factory: House-Senate Committee Action, May 1-4

Hot Bills


Here is the status of major legislation on the congressional front
burner:


PATIENTS' RIGHTS


House: Approved a bipartisan patients' rights bill (H.R. 2723) on Oct. 7,
1999, 275-151, and then merged it with an insurance access bill (H.R.
2990).


Senate: Approved S. 1344 with narrower reforms favored by health insurers
on July 15, 1999, 53-47.


Outlook: The bill is in critical but stable condition. Talks have yielded
an agreement allowing independent reviews of denials of care to patients
in employer-sponsored health plans, but disputes about the bill's scope
and other issues hurt its prognosis.


MARRIAGE PENALTY TAX RELIEF


House: Approved H.R. 6 on Feb. 10, 268-158.


Senate: Effort to end debate on S. 2346 failed on April 27.


Outlook: Differences in the Senate seem irreconcilable, with angry
Democrats blocking passage because they've been unable to offer either a
scaled-back alternative or amendments to add a Medicare drug benefit and
pay down the federal debt.


DIGITAL SIGNATURES


House: Approved H.R. 1714 on Nov. 9, 1999, 356-66.


Senate: Approved S. 761 on Nov. 19, 1999, by unanimous consent.


Outlook: Under White House and industry pressure, House GOP leaders now
aim for mid-May to complete a final bill, which would set a legal standard
for e-commerce and online contracts. This deadline makes it harder for
House negotiators to continue resisting Senate proposals that would limit
legal challenges to electronic transactions and add stronger consumer
protections.


AFRICA TRADE ENHANCEMENTS


House: Approved H.R. 434 on July 16, 1999, 234-163.


Senate: Approved an amended H.R. 434 on Nov. 3, 1999, 76-19.


Outlook: With the explosive China trade debate due later this month, top
House GOP leaders stepped in to resolve lingering disputes with the Senate
over Africa trade. They won agreement on a final bill that also includes a
Caribbean trade initiative, and then quickly set a May 4 House vote to get
this matter off their crowded agenda.


EDUCATION


House: Floor action pending on last of four parts of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act reauthorization (H.R. 4141).


Senate: Began debate on an omnibus ESEA bill (S. 2) on May 1.


Outlook: A fierce Senate debate is under way over who controls how federal
aid to schools is spent. Democrats want to incorporate President Clinton's
school spending priorities-and possibly gun control provisions. A small
bipartisan group is exploring compromises, but the odds are against
success.


BANKRUPTCY REFORM


House: Approved H.R. 833 on May 5, 1999, 313-108.


Senate: Approved amended version of H.R. 833 on Feb. 2, 83-14.


Outlook: Senate GOP leaders are ready to let the bill die if a deal can't
be reached with pro-consumer Democrats, who are blocking their attempts to
accommodate the House by untangling the Senate bill from an amendment that
raises the minimum wage. With opposition mounting from unions and
consumers, prospects of breaking a Senate filibuster are fading.


House and Senate authorizing committees went into battle with the Clinton
Administration over defense policy, but made peace with military retirees
by offering them new prescription drug benefits. Meanwhile, as the
appropriators began their annual spend-and-cut ritual, House members felt
the first nick themselves.


National Journal News Service

National Journal