US Congress - Long Road, Short Time
Dateline: 08/10/00
When Congress returns on Sept. 5, less than 20 working days will remain before the projected end of the session on Oct. 6. Especially in an election year, that's a short time to travel a very long and bumpy legislative road. Not only does Congress face the must-do chore of approving the next federal budget, their immediate supervisor, President Clinton, has "urged" legislators to take care of several other issues for us by the end of the session.
The 2001 Federal Budget
Laws behind the federal budget process require that
all 13 Appropriations (spending) Bills of the budget
be approved by Congress and signed into law by Oct. 1. Otherwise, Congress will
have to pass emergency spending bills in order to prevent a government
shutdown like the six-month episode in 1995-96. So far, only one (Military
construction) of the 13 spending bills has completed the process and been signed
by President Clinton. (See: Current status of 2001
Appropriations Bills)
As if the ongoing budget battle were not enough, President Clinton has called on Congress to, "complete work on America's key priorities," among which he includes some of the following:
Gun Control -- Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation:
"Common Sense" is gun control-speak for requiring trigger locks
and gun-buyer background checks at gun shows. The "legislation" is H.R.
1501 - Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and
Rehabilitation Act of 1999.
The bill, which also bans the importation of large capacity ammunition clips and prevents violent juvenile offenders from buying guns as adults, has been tied up in a House-Senate conference committee since July, 1999.
|
Gun
Control Debate Online: Click
here to discuss the gun control issue |
With gun control laws being such a hot election year topic (Bush: against - Gore: for), it's not likely that any final action will be taken on this legislation until next year -- if ever -- depending on the outcome of the November elections.
Articles on
Gun Control
Where do About Guides stand on gun control? Find out here.
PNTR - China Trade Relations
The first thing the Senate will take up on Sept. 5 will be the question of
establishing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with the People's
Republic of China, or H.R.4444
the U.S.- China Relations Act of 2000.
This bill passed in House of by a 237 - 197 vote back on May 24 (See: House Passes China Trade Bill), and President Clinton wants the Senate to do likewise in early September.
| Trade With China: Click here to discuss the pros and cons of opening up trade with China |
Although he expects the bill to pass, the President is concerned that procedural matters will slow it down. "This is not a done deal," Clinton said during a China trade seminar co-sponsored by the U.S. Commerce Department.
"It is absolutely imperative that this bill be voted in early September," added the President.
Articles on
Trade With China
Read what About Guides have to say on opening up trade with China.
But wait, there's more...
Next page Affordable Prescription Drug Benefits >Page 1, 2
Reference Links - Related Articles
Articles on Trade With China
Read what About Guides have to say on opening up trade with China.
Where do About Guides stand on gun control? Find out here.
It's the process of dividing up our tax dollars and it must be done again every year. From your About Guide.
The President asked Congress to increase the minimum wage by $1 -- from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour -- in two equal steps over the next two years. From your About Guide.
So, the House did. But, not the way the President had in mind. He says he will veto the bill unless the Senate changes it. From your About Guide.
Differences between House and Senate versions of the Patients Rights Act of 1999, from your About Guide
President Clinton announces his new Medicare drug plan. From Senior Health Guide Marian Eure.
Senior Health Guide Marian Eure reports on the President's plan to bring Medicare into the 21st century.
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