Two-Week Sprint for Political Journalists and Policy Pros Following Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Congress returns Monday to a full workload and a tight schedule. Senior researchers from VoteTocracy, a nonpartisan policy platform, used its regular Sunday Week Back-Week Ahead Report to highlight the pressures facing lawmakers when they return to a short, two-week session before breaking again the week of September 22. The House is scheduled to return the week of September 29, but it might cancel its last, two-week session in D.C. in order to campaign, depending on the work accomplished during these next two weeks. The Senate is currently scheduled to be in session from September 8 through October 4. 

According to the VoteTocracy report, both chambers will use the September session not only to pass a government funding bill to avoid another government shut-down, but also to focus on political issues leading up to the mid-term elections. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is expected to focus on jobs and the economy; energy; healthcare; and government accountability; while in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will target the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank and the House-passed Internet Tax Freedom Act.  Other legislation Congress must address during this time is fully reviewed in a prior VoteTocracy report, Critical Issues when Congress Returns on Sept. 8th.

In addition to highlighting the work ahead, VoteTocracy also noted several congressional committees that were active over the Recess in the weeks preceding the September session.

 In the House:

• Administration Chairman Candice Miller (R-MI) signed the contract to retain counsel for its lawsuit against President Obama (Full Resolution Analysis).
• Armed Services held hearings on the Taliban prisoner swap, situations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
• The Education Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a field hearing entitled The Effects of the President's Health Care Law on Indiana's Classrooms and Workplaces.
• Ethics extended the probe regarding Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), who is being investigated for a potential conflict of interest over his advocacy of a military contractor in which he has stock.
• Oversight and Government Reform held five hearings, one focused on Examining Allegations of Corruption at the Export-Import Bank that may impact required re-authorization legislation.
• Veterans' Affairs held three field hearings largely focused on VA access in rural areas.

In the Senate:

• Foreign Relations, led by Chairman Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), traveled to Estonia, Poland, and the Ukraine to support US allied action against Russia.
• Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a business meeting and reported out on H.R. 4007, Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014 and H.R. 4197, All Circuit Review Extension Act as well as several others.
• Veterans' Affairs held one field hearing-examining veteran care in Hawaii.

About VoteTocracy

VoteTocracy is a nonpartisan, technology enabled political information resource and engagement platform designed to "Make Congress Easy for Everyone." Subscribers include editors and publishers, journalists, advocacy organizations, educators, and lawmakers connecting with constituents. VoteTocracy was re-launched in January 2013 and recognized as a 2014 Honoree in Politics by The Webby Awards, the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The company is privately held and operates as a for-profit entity. For more information, contact sales at: 917-517-0132, or 551-804-0180, or e-mail [email protected]

SOURCE VoteTocracy