This week in the People's House
By Bobby Frederick
5/9/2010
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

The House convened briefly at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 3rd (first votes 6:30 p.m. on May 4th) and adjourned at 10:01 a.m. on Friday, May 7th (last vote at 3:44 p.m. on May 6th), registering 13 votes for the week.

Current Balance of the House : 254 Democrats, 177 Republicans and 4 vacancies (GA-9, NY-29, HI-1, PA-12)

Rule Bills

5/6/10
H.R. 5019- The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, Introduced by Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT).

Passed 246-161 (Voting Yes- 234 D’s & 12 R’s : Voting No- 7 D’s & 154 R’s)


Summary: Dubbed "cash for caulkers", H.R. 5019 authorizes $6 billion for a new rebate and loan program for contractors and homeowners who employ energy-efficient home renovations. Consumers would receive discounts from contractors, who in turn would be reimbursed by the government for employing retrofits. "Silver Star" rebates would provide up to $3,000 for energy improvements such as insulation, window or air conditioner replacement. "Gold Star" rebates would provide up to $8,000 for projects that reduce overall household energy-consumption.

The bill also authorizes a new $600 million program for lower income individuals residing in "manufactured" (mobile or modular) homes before 1976 to purchase newer, more energy-efficient homes. The Congressional Budget Office stated, that if fully funded, this measure would cost $6.6 billion through Fiscal Year 2015.


Republicans successfully added provisions to the bill through a Motion to Recommit (the minority party's last and sometimes only chance to alter or stop the underlying bill) that would end the program if it increases the deficit, bar participating contractors from hiring sex offenders and prevent rebates for home pool heaters. The motion passed 346-68.


Proponents of the bill aruged that it would create 168,000 jobs, lower home energy costs and benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


Opponents of the bill objected to the price tag and argued that the $787 billion stimulus package had already created a similar program with subpar results, creating only 8,500 of the promised 87,000 jobs.


Next step: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on similar legislation this month. The Obama Administration supports this policy.

Suspensions

Generally reserved for non-controversial measures, legislation can be passed under Suspension of the Rules by 2/3’s of those present and voting.

This week, the House suspended the rules to pass seven pieces of legislation: Honoring 60 years of NSF, Supporting National Lab day, Honoring the Navy's USS New Mexico, expressing support for New York city after the failed terror attack on May 1st, Commemorating 40th Anniversary of Kent State shooting, Supporting National Train Day and Celebrating Mothers Day. The Telework Improvements Act failed on Suspension. Click here for vote tallies (Roll Call votes 243-248 & 250-51).

Other Big News

Department of Labor's April jobs report a mixed bag. 290,000 jobs were added in April (the most since the recession began), but unemployment rose to 9.9% and "real unemployment" (broader gauge of the economy that includes individuals who have stopped looking for or cannot find jobs) rose for the third straight month to 17.1%.

Failed Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad was captured on May 3rd as he was about to flee the country. Today on "This Week", Attorney General Eric Holder claimed the Pakistani Taliban orchestrated the attack.

A grey-hair-inducing day ensued on Wall Street as the Dow plunged more than 900 points on May 6th before recovering to lose 348 points. The cause of the crash is not fully known, but Congress plans to investigate. Meanwhile, the Senate will continue debate on financial services reform.

Gulf oil spill cleanup efforts continue as the political reality sets in that a climate/energy bill this year is likely deader than dead.

The People's House Politics Extra

With 177 days until Election Day 2010, this week's results from primaries in 3 states, the ousting of a sitting-Senator in Utah, and the retirement of an institution in the House, provided the strongest clues yet as to the uphill road incumbents will face this year.

Primaries: The week started off turbulent, but primarily safe for incumbents as Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina each held primary contests on May 4th where every sitting-incumbent seeking re-election won.

Still, two incumbent Congressmen from Indiana, Dan Burton (R) and Mark Souder (R) failed to receive a majority of the vote, scoring 29.7% and 47.8% respectively.

In Ohio, most incumbents were either unopposed or received at least 80% of the vote. Congressman Charlie Wilson (D) and Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R) earned 69% and 62% respectively.

Finally, in North Carolina, most incumbents registered in the mid 70% range, but four incumbents, Larry Kissell (D), Heath Shuler (D), Patrick McHenry (R) & Howard Coble (R) did not reach two-thirds of the vote.

Retirement Watch:

On May 5th, Congressman David Obey (D-WI) who has served in the House since 1969, announced his retirement. This news led election handicapper, Charlie Cook, to move this race from a "likely Democrat" to "Toss-up". District Attorney, competitive lumberjack and "Real World" alum Sean Duffy is the likely Republican candidate to take on a yet to be determined Democrat.

This latest retirement means that 42 House incumbents (20 D's and 22 R's) will not seek reelection in 2010. Parties like to keep their retirement number low due to the extra time, money and effort it costs to hold an open seat.

First incumbent ousted:

The week ended with the sternest blow to incumbents yet as third term Republican Senator Bob Bennett of Utah was ousted from the 2010 ballot by delegates at the state convention on May 8th. The Tea Party declared victory and the two remaining Republicans will face off in a June 22nd primary.

Upcoming Contests:

May 11th - West Virginia and Nebraska hold primaries.

May 18th- Pennsylvania-12 holds race to replace the late Congressman John Murtha.

May 22nd- Winner takes all, mail in special election in Hawaii-1.

Next week in the People's House

H.R. 5116, The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act introduced by Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN).

Summary: Authorizes $85.6 billion over five years for science and technology programs.