November 27th
This week in MORE POWER:
Additional Military & Humanitarian Aid
Reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration
Passing the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act
Renewing the Farm Bill
Regulating Government Surveillance
The Senate will return from Thanksgiving recess today. The House will resume tomorrow.
Additional Military & Humanitarian Aid
Last month, President Biden asked Congress for a $106B national security bill that includes aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and funding for the U.S.-Mexico border. It also includes $10B in humanitarian aid, most of which would go to Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and the West Bank.
In response, the House passed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide $14.3B in aid only to Israel, while cutting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding. The Senate does not want to advance this bill. Senators discussed including Biden’s request in the continuing resolution to keep the government open, but decided to prioritize a “clean” bill solely focused on stopgap funding instead. When Senators return later today, this aid bill will be a top priority. Getting it through the House means writing legislation that will get enough support from Democrats and more moderate Republicans combined. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration
This summer, Congress made progress on reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The House passed the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act and the Senate introduced the FAA Reauthorization Act, which includes mandated passenger compensation for canceled flights that the House bill does not. The Senate can vote on the bill as soon as they return from recess. If neither bill passes by the end of the year, there would be immediate and significant disruptions to commercial and private flights. You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action.
Passing the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act
Both chambers passed different versions of the National Defense Authorization Act this summer. The House bill contained conservative provisions, like banning reimbursements of service member travel for abortion care, that the Senate bill did not.
When Congress returns from recess, a conference committee will meet to negotiate the final bill. If the final bill doesn’t pass both chambers, military personnel would have to stay home without pay, and military programs would stop. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Renewing the Farm Bill
The Farm Bill funds agricultural programs throughout the country, alongside nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Congress has to reauthorize the Farm Bill every five years. The bill is still in committee in both chambers of Congress, where members have punted it several times to prioritize other legislation. If the Farm Bill doesn’t pass before SNAP and WIC funding expires at the end of the year, there will be a delay in benefits, or benefits could stop altogether, potentially leaving millions of Americans hungry. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Regulating Government Surveillance
Congress first passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in 1978 in order to protect Americans from recently acknowledged federal government data collection abuses. At that time, it set official federal government policies on surveillance and collection of foreign intelligence within America.
When Congress reauthorized the bill in 2008, it contained a new section - 702 - which gave the federal government new surveillance authorities to collect data, like phone calls, texts, emails, social media messages, and web browser history, on non-U.S. citizens on foreign soil. Government officials say data secured due to section 702 has disrupted terrorist attacks and ransomware infiltration of U.S. infrastructure. However, civil liberties groups consider it an infringement on Americans’ rights, as it could allow the government to collect and review Americans’ data without their knowledge, or a warrant.
House and Senate committees are still working out final details on their respective versions of the bill. If Congress does not pass a bill to renew FISA by the end of the year, the program will run out of money, which the government does not want in light of increased terrorist threats this year. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
What Congress Passed This Week
Nothing. They have been home in their districts for Thanksgiving.
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Nothing.
