April 28th
1000 MORE's weekly nonpartisan roundup of the most important happenings in federal government, written in a way that doesn't require a law degree to understand, with tools to take action
April 28, 2023
This week in MORE POWER:
Update on debt ceiling bill
Growing and strengthening the satellite industry
A bill to help farmers
Disaster zone recovery
Improving rural emergency call connectivity
Republicans abandon national abortion ban
Update On Debt Ceiling Bill
The House passed Speaker McCarthy's bill, the Limit, Save, Grow Act, on Wednesday. If the Senate passes it and the president signs it into law, it would raise the debt ceiling through May 2024 while significantly cutting spending on government programs through 2033. The bill includes 9% spending cuts totaling $142B, meaning nearly a million families lose housing vouchers, SNAP and WIC benefits, and access to Head Start and childcare.
Republicans argue spending cuts like these are necessary to bring down the national debt over time, negating the need for a debt ceiling increase. Democrats believe that this is the wrong time for these negotiations; instead, they think there are ways to increase revenues (i.e. taxing corporations and the wealthy) without cutting social programs, but that those should happen during budget bill talks later in the year. Many advocacy organizations have come out against the bill, including the National Education Association (NEA) teachers union, saying it would cause billions of dollars of cuts to low income students and students with disabilities.
Now the pressure is on the Senate to take action. Majority Leader Schumer is expected to present a counter-offer in the form of "clean" debt ceiling bill, meaning a bill to increase the debt ceiling without spending cuts. President Biden has been asking for a bill like this. The clock is ticking. According to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the federal government only has enough cash to keep going through early June. If Congress doesn't raise the debt ceiling by then, analysts predict an ugly scene: tanking financial markets and widespread economic havoc.
Growing And Strengthening The Satellite Industry
The House is considering a bipartisan bill to set parameters for the FCC to grant access rights to satellite companies. If Congress passes it and President Biden enacts it, the Secure Space Act would make American companies more competitive in the global satellite market of the future and combat competition from foreign nations like China. A vote on the bill in the House is imminent.
A Bill To Help Farmers
Two members of Congress on different sides of the aisle who represent farming communities teamed up on a bill to help farmers across the country: Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act.
If the Senate passes it and the president signs it into law, this bill from Rep. Robin Kelly, (D-IL) and Rep. Bob Latta, (R-OH), would mean that farmers could harness existing satellite technology to wirelessly connect to in-field equipment and sensors. That means farmers can grow crops more efficiently, increasing profitability. The House passed the bill on Wednesday. It goes to the Senate next.
Disaster Zone Recovery
The House has passed several bills on disaster relief this year, and the latest bipartisan effort on this front comes from Rep. Buddy Carter, (R-GA) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO): ITS Codification Act. ITS stands for Institute for Telecommunication Sciences. This bill would direct the institute to research emergency communication and tracking technologies to help first responders find people trapped in confined spaces without access to cell phone service, like during an earthquake or after a building collapse.
Rep. Pettersen said, “our first responders should have access to the best technology and equipment available to connect with people in harm’s way and save lives.” The House passed the ITS Codification Act this week. The Senate will vote on it next.
Improving Rural Emergency Call Connectivity
Another bipartisan bill to help people in emergency situations, the ALERT Parity Act, passed the House this week. ALERT stands for Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications. Rep. Bill Johnson, (R-OH) and Rep. Kim Schrier, (D-WA) sponsored the bill.
If we make the bill law, current dead zones in cell phone coverage would no longer hinder emergency calls. Instead, satellite technology would complete 911 calls. The Senate votes on the bill next.
Republicans Abandon National Abortion Ban
Because of calls, emails, and letters from constituents around the country, House Republicans have come out against introducing a national abortion ban in this term of Congress due to its lack of popularity.
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What Congress Passed This Week
Justice for Jana Elementary Act
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Nada.
