Category: Policy Updates/Issue News
Policy Updates and Issue News February 2016
The President’s Budget President Obama released his proposed FY’17 government budget to Congress February 9. Its progressive vision of governance could influence the upcoming presidential election and define much of the President’s legacy. Among popular bipartisan items in the president’s budget plan are $1 billion investments in cancer research, prescription drug abuse and heroin-use treatment. … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News February 2016”
Policy Updates and Issue News December 2015 Part II
Congress Plays Santa Then Leaves Town The first session of the 114th Congress has adjourned. During a final week filled with long hours of debate and dozens of votes, Congress passed two massive end-of-year measures. Amid threats of a political stalemate over funding for FY’16 that could force a federal government shutdown, Washington was able … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News December 2015 Part II”
Policy Updates and Issue News – December 2015
Congress Launches End-Of-Year Dash The more gridlocked Congress becomes, the more predictable lawmakers are. Major issues languish in committee or in the House or Senate for months and months. The federal government spending for FY ‘16 began October 1 with temporary extensions of existing FY’15 authorities. There has been no budget authority or spending allocation … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – December 2015”
Policy Updates and Issue News – September 2015
Pope, Presidents and Politics Washington, D.C is high profile in national and international headlines this week. Pope Francis comes from Cuba to Washington to meet with President Obama, address Congress, speak to huge crowds on the Mall, conduct mass and participate in several meetings. On the heels of the Pope’s tour comes President Xi Jinping … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – September 2015”
Policy Updates and Issue News – July 2015
EPA is Determined to Enforce Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule What is the WOTUS Rule? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to begin enforcing its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation on August 28. The final version is more specific about what would be exempt such as underground drainage from farm land. … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – July 2015”
Policy Updates and Issue News – May 2015
Congress is on its annual Memorial Day Recess this week. The House and Senate will return to Washington, D.C. next week to begin a two month legislative marathon to work on pending legislation ranging from appropriations (spending), Patriot Act (personal privacy), Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and immigration to Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and Waters … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – May 2015”
Policy Updates and Issue News – April 2015
Congress Heading Back to Washington Congress is wrapping up its two week Easter Recess and will be in session most of the time between now and July 31. The next four months will determine the fate of most major legislation for the year. Big ticket items like budget, appropriations, defense, national security, trade, energy, environment, … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – April 2015”
Policy Updates and Issue News – March 2015
Broadband / Net Neutrality National Grange wrote an op-ed calling for any new net neutrality regulations to find ways that increase both innovation and investment. High-speed mobile applications and broadband services are playing an increasingly vital role in agriculture, telebusiness, telemedicine and teleeducation. Yet rural Americans are among the most underserved consumers of high-speed Internet. … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News – March 2015”
