The Week in Congress 7.28.08 - 8.1.08

Energy

The House is expected to bring a measure to the floor to address speculation in the energy futures market. The bill will likely be brought up under suspension of the rules requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. Last week the Senate failed to invoke cloture on a similar bill, falling 10 votes short of the 60 votes needed to end debate.

The Senate may also consider energy legislation this week. Senate Republicans have said they will hold up any legislation that does not address rising energy costs, possibly preventing an omnibus bill made up of noncontroversial bills that have been stalled in the Senate and a tax extenders bill from coming to the floor.

Read more from the Center:

• What History Tells Us About the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
  
• Relief from High Oil Prices: Testimony Before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming by Joseph Romm
• Ten Reasons Not to Lift the Offshore Drilling Moratorium

Taxes

As early as Tuesday the Senate could hold a vote to end debate on S. 3335, a measure that would extend expiring tax breaks, including several renewable energy tax breaks and patching the Alternative Minimum Tax. Democrats have been unable to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate on the measure in the past because of disputes over offsetting the costs of the bill, but have added some new provisions that are popular with some Republicans in the hopes of gaining more votes.

Read more from the Center:

• Want to Help 13 Million Children? Expanding the Child Tax Credit
• Issue Brief: The Child Tax Credit
• Idea of the Day: Increase the Production of Renewable Electricity 

Equal Pay

The House is expected to consider H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill will increase penalties for sex discrimination in worker’s pay unless the company has a business-related reason for the inequality in wages. It will also prevent employers from punishing employees who disclose salary information to other coworkers.

Read more from the Center:

• Fair Pay Is a Better Way by Jessica Arons and Alexandra Cawthorne