Congress Remembers 9/11 Attack

Today in Washington, D.C. - Sept. 11, 2012
The Senate and House reconvened at 10 AM today. At 11 AM, Senators and Representatives joined in a remembrance ceremony on the Capitol steps to mark the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

At 2:15, the Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to (i.e. whether to take up) S. 3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps bill. Last night, the Senate voted 89-1 to confirm Stephanie Maria Rose as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN), and Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) today introduced H.J.Res. 118, a resolution disapproving of President Obama’s effort to roll back the work requirements critical to the success of the bipartisan welfare reform law enacted in 1996.  According to a recent survey, more than 80 percent of Americans support welfare reform’s work requirements. These reforms have raised earnings, lowered poverty, and reduced government dependence. However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in July issued a controversial memorandum to states about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that will undermine the critical work focus of welfare reform.

H.J.Res. 118:

• Expresses Congress’s disapproval of the Obama Administration’s regulatory effort that will weaken welfare reform;
• Prevents the Obama Administration from implementing its plan to waive the work requirements of the 1996 welfare reform law; and
• Preserves critical reforms that have help lift millions of American families out of poverty.

According to a September analysis by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Obama Administration’s decision to waive the welfare work requirements qualifies as a rule and is therefore subject to review – and potential disapproval – under the Congressional Review Act. In an effort to hold the Obama Administration accountable and protect the critical reforms that have lifted millions of Americans out of poverty, House leaders introduced H.J.Res. 118.

"It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that the Obama Administration has refused to withdraw their illegal 'guidance' undermining the critical welfare work requirements," said Chairman Camp.  "This resolution will restore these requirements that have led to more work, higher earnings, less welfare dependence and fewer impoverished Americans.  As the economy continues to struggle under the President's policies, we must not make things worse by undoing a program that has been essential in moving individuals from welfare to work."

“The president’s waiver scheme will roll back bipartisan welfare reforms that helped end dependency, reduce poverty, and strengthen income security for countless families,” Chairman Kline stated. “We did not ask for this fight, but we will not stand by while the President runs roughshod over the law and promotes policies that will hurt families and taxpayers.”

Chairman Jordan said, “Strong work requirements for welfare help people get back on their feet. It’s unbelievable that the Obama administration would ignore the clear language of the law in an attempt to weaken these work requirements. The House and Senate need to pass this resolution and force President Obama to explain his history of opposition to effective welfare reform.”

Yesterday the House cleared several pending government administrative bills. They House passed by Voice Vote:
H Con Res 132 — Resolution to ensure printing and production of the updated House document “Hispanic Americans in Congress”
HR 2489 — American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2011 - authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
HR 2706 — Billfish Conservation Act of 2011 - Prohibits Sale of Billfish.
HR 3397 — Cabin Fee Act of 2011 - Mmodify the Forest Service Recreation Residence Program by implementing a simple, equitable, and predictable procedure for determining cabin user fees.
HR 406 — Amending the Federal Election Campaign Act to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event of the death of the candidate.
HR 6007 — North Texas Zebra Mussel Barrier Act of 2012 - exempt from the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 certain water transfers by the North Texas Municipal Water District and the Greater Texoma Utility Authority
HR 6336 — Display a statue of Frederick Douglass in Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center - direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept the statue.

The House passed by vote:
HR 2139 (376-2) - Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act
HR 6186 364-11) — A bill to require a study of flood insurance options for communities
HR 6122 (377-0) — Gifts and bequests for the Library of Congress - revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes

House Postponed vote on:
HR 4264 — FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012

The House has already scheduled 11 bills for consideration today. These bills were identified in yesterday's report.

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