The House gets back to recess

This Week in the People's House

August 22, 2010

By Bobby Frederick

After an emergency one-day session on August 10th, the People's House spent the week of August 15th in complete recess. There are three full weeks of recess left before the House reconvenes on Tuesday, September 14th.

Among the business the House will have to consider before the end of the year - if not before the November 2nd election - are outstanding appropriations measures. So far, the House has passed just two of the twelve FY 2011 Appropriations measures (military and transportation). Last year, the House managed to pass all twelve appropriations bills before the August recess.

Did you know: In 1789 it took just ONE appropriations bill to pay for the needs of our nation. The cost? $639,000. Oh what a difference a couple hundred years makes.

Finally, there are only 16 days scheduled for the remainder of the 111th Congress. Lame duck appears guaranteed.

Current Balance of the House is 433 members: 255 Democrats, 178 Republicans and 2 vacancies (NY-29 & IN-3). Enjoy this abbreviated version of The People's House!

Big News This Week - Iraq, Ethics, Food Safety

Ahead of President Obama's August 31st deadline, the last U.S. combat brigade left Iraq on Thursday, August 19th. 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in Iraq and continue to be in harm's way. According to the Department of Defense, as of August 20th there have been 4,419 U.S. fatalities in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

After being convicted of one count of lying to federal agents, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is officially a convicted felon. This count carries a maximum of five years in prison. Jurors were deadlocked (11-1) on the remaining 23 counts. A hearing will be held on August 26th to discuss a second trial. Blagojevich hinted that Obama administration officials would be called to testify in round 2.

In news for anyone who eats, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa has recalled 380 MILLION eggs after hundreds were sickened by salmonella. Update from the FDA. Legislative note: It took two cracks, but the House passed H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act on July 30, 2009. The legislation aims to bolster food facility inspections, improve food traceability and allow mandatory quarantines The Senate is expected to act on its version of food safety legislation in September.

The People's House Political Extra - 72 days until the 2010 Midterm Elections

-Last week, respected election handicapper, Charlie Cook predicted that Republicans would take back the House. They need 39 seats to do so. Cook predicts 35-45 and believes this is a "conservative" estimate.

-The GOP now tops Democrats on the generic ballot by 12 points. This is the largest lead for Republicans since Rasmussen Reports started polling the question.

-The Democrat campaign arm for House races may hold the overall cash advantage, but for the fourth month in a row, the National Republican Campaign Committee outraised the DCCC.

-Alaska, Arizona, Florida and Vermont all hold Primary Elections on Tuesday, August 24th.