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Week of July 7th
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Senate returns from a short Independence Day break this week to complete action on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 6304). While the overall bill has merits, I am against granting retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies who aided the White House's warrantless wiretap program. I am encouraged that we will have an opportunity to vote on striking this section of the bill prior to final passage.
MEDICARE: Later in the week, the Senate is likely to reconsider a cloture vote on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331), which would retroactively prevent the 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians that became effective on July 1. I was outraged that a bipartisan majority in the Senate was once again been blocked from consideration of legislation that would have a positive impact on the lives of American seniors and the quality of their healthcare. This bill, which passed the House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan 355-59 vote, represents a true compromise. Importantly, it was fully paid for through modest reductions in overpayments to private insurance companies.
RISING GAS PRICES: Also leftover from last month, the Senate may vote again on the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008 (S. 3044) and take a first vote on the Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008 (H.R. 6377). Both are designed to help ease the pain Americans are feeling at the pump. S. 3044, which I have co-sponsored, provides a solution for the root causes of skyrocketing fuel prices. This important bill protects consumers from price gougers, ends tax breaks that are subsidizing record profits, forces Big Oil to invest in clean and affordable alternative energy sources, stops market manipulations by speculators, and stands up to OPEC nations who are engaged in price fixing. H.R. 6377 directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to utilize all of its authority, including its emergency powers, to curb the role of excessive speculation in any energy futures contract market under its jurisdiction, including so-called "swaps," and to eliminate excessive speculation, price distortion, sudden or unreasonable fluctuations or unwarranted changes in prices, or other unlawful activities that prevent the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for energy-related commodities. The House passed the bill, 402-19, before the July 4th recess.
DOJ OVERSIGHT: Attorney General Michael Mukasey will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. As a member of this committee, I will participate in questioning the Attorney General on the steps he has taken to improve enforcement of our civil rights laws. I have been very concerned about the Bush Administration's weak enforcement of our civil rights laws and political hiring, firing, and case assignment within the Civil Rights Division. I am particularly anxious to hear what steps the Justice Department will take in advance of the November general election to ensure that all eligible votes are counted and that any deceptive practices typically designed to disenfranchise minority voters are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
UPCOMING MEDIA: If you live in or around the Eastern Shore, listen to my live interview Thursday morning (July 10) with Bill Reddish at about 7:35am on WICO-1320AM (Delmarva Broadcasting). On Friday (July 11), I'll be live with Ron Smith on WBAL (AM 1090) at 5:00pm for your drive home.
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