This Week In Congress - Week of Dec 9, 2024

Key House Votes

Bill	Yeas	Nays	Result
S. 4367 Thomas R Carper Water Resources Development Act	399	18	Passed
S. 3613 Improving Federal Building Security Act of 2024	410	6	Passed
H.R. 9668 Strategic Homeland Intelligence and Enforcement Legislation to Defend against the CCP Act	409	4	Passed
H.R. 7673 Liberty in Laundry Act	215	200	Passed
H.R. 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act	281	140	Passed
H.R. 9716 Increasing Baseline Updates Act	407	0	Passed
S. 4199 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024	236	173	Passed

Senate Membership Changes

• Three new Senators were sworn in:

• Andy Kim (New Jersey)

• Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

• Adam Schiff (California) - Appointed, not elected

• The Speaker of the House formally acknowledged the changes.

• State-level processes for filling Senate vacancies vary.

Key Senate & House Legislation

• The Senate passed key bills focused on veterans:

• Veterans Benefits Improvement Act - (Specific bill number not found in either document) - To improve current benefits.

• S. 559 amended the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.

• S. 1444 to increase the pay and enhance the training of United States Border Patrol agents.

• Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act - To bolster home and community-based services.

• The House passed a bill to extend PreCheck to severely injured/disabled veterans 

• H.R. 7365 (as per PDF, but was not mentioned in audio) was a bill to provide PreCheck to certain severely injured or disabled veterans.

U.S. Fiscal Crisis

• Ongoing discussions about the U.S. fiscal crisis are a major concern.

• The fiscal situation could significantly impact funding for veterans' programs and social services.

Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82)

• The Senate began debate on the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).

• Aims to repeal provisions affecting certain government retirees’ benefits:

• Government Pension Offset (GPO)

• Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)

• These provisions reduce benefits for those who also receive pensions from jobs where they didn't pay into Social Security taxes.

Social Security Fairness Act Debate

• Differing arguments:

• Some view provisions as unfair to those penalized for not paying social security taxes in certain jobs.

• Others view it as necessary for the Social Security's solvency.

• A vote on cloture (to end debate) is pending, making this a key issue.

Detailed Veterans Legislation

• Veterans Benefits Improvement Act - (Specific Bill # not mentioned in audio)- Includes measures for:

• Streamlining mental healthcare access.

• Expanding GI Bill eligibility.

• Extending the timeframe for GI Bill benefit use.

• Elizabeth Dole Act (Specific Bill # not mentioned in audio) - Focuses on:

• The increasing need for home and community-based care.

• Aiding veterans to remain in their homes longer.

Fiscal Crisis Impact on Veterans

• Veterans’ needs evolve, demanding a comprehensive approach.

• Quality veteran care requires considerable funding.

• The number of aging veterans increases demands on veteran programs.

• Budget decisions directly impact veterans’ well-being and social programs.

AmeriCorps Oversight (House Hearing)

• A House hearing on AmeriCorps was held due to a financial audit failure.

• Focus was on oversight and accountability for government programs.

• The audit revealed issues in financial management and grant oversight.

• The hearing aimed to find the root cause and improve program operations.

• Emphasis on constant vigilance and responsible use of taxpayer funds.