Legislative Update XXII

Congress quickly adopted legislation that adds $7 billion to the highway trust fund, replenishes the federal unemployment insurance trust fund and gives new lending authority to Federal Housing Administration programs that play a large role in providing low-interest housing loans.

The House of Representatives passed $2 billion in emergency funds to keep the CARS or "cash for clunkers" program going and and unanticipated amount of people rushed to take advantage of it (the Senate will likely vote on it next week). The House also passed a bill restrict Wall Street pay and passed a far-reaching food safety bill requiring more government inspections and imposing new penalties on those who violate the law. Additionally, the House passed a defense appropriations bill, cutting the F-22 but not other programs the Obama administration and Pentagon want cut, but differences will need to be worked out with the Senate. Oh, and House members unanimously approved a resolution that in part recognizes President Barack Obama as being born in Hawaii which the Senate joined.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the full Senate, which will take up confirmation on Tuesday (there's no firm date for a vote yet). Sen. Lindsey Graham was, sadly, the only Republican on the committee to vote in favor.

Unfortunately, a full House vote and a Senate Finance Committee vote on health care reform have both been put off until September.