Recess fake-out edition: One day to pass a $26.1 billion state aid bill, a $600 million border security measure and views on the lame duck session

This Week in the People's House
8/8/2010
By Bobby Frederick

There are few sights quite like that of Congressmen and Congresswomen sprinting down the southeast Capitol steps after casting their last votes before the August recess (in fact pictures and videos of this are hard to find on the internet). They sprint towards staff-driven vehicles waiting to take them to the airport and presumably take them back to their districts to meet with constituents. Members will get a chance to re-live DC's version of the running of the bulls on Tuesday.

If you follow The People's House, you know that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling the House back in to pass a $26.1 billion state aid bill that would prevent teacher layoffs and refill Medicaid funding created by the 2009 Stimulus law. While expected to pass, there is some controversy as this spending package is partially paid for by $12 million in cuts to the Food Stamp Program. (Think of it as starving Peter to teach Paul).

Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) also plans to offer a resolution urging that a lame-duck session should only take place if the country experiences an emergency. This effort comes amid reports that Democrats could push to enact cap-and-trade and other major policies into law after the midterm elections in which they are forecasted to experience significant losses.

Finally, the House may also consider H.R. 5875- the Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Quick Summary: This $600 million Senate-passed measure would bolster security at our borders. The House has already cleared a $700 million measure for border purposes, but it was only partially paid for, making it a non-starter in the Senate.

Other Big News

Bad news on the economy...again. The U.S. lost 131,000 jobs in July and unemployment rate is still 9.5%. See how YOUR state compares.

Good news on its surface: 74% of the oil spilled by BP has either burned, evaporated or dispersed.

U.S. District Court Judge (from Watseka, IL) overturned California's ban on same-sex marriage.

For my East Central Illinois brethren: For FutureGen, it's Different Administration, Same Result: After seven-year ordeal, Obama Department of Energy denies Mattoon, Illinois a flagship coal-fueled power plant with near-zero emissions.

The People's House Politics Extra!!! (86 days until the 2010 Midterm Election)

In a snapshot of Virginia's 5th Congressional District, town hall meetings may not be as loud this summer, but anger still remains.

Fourth House incumbent, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI) falls in primary.

Living in 2008- Dem strategy hinges on first-time voters coming back to the polls and running against George W. Bush.

August 10th: Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota hold primaries while Georgia has its run-off.