TPMDC’s update on the biggest legislative initiatives on the Hill:
- Climate Change: The House did its part on Friday, passing the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. And they did it in a way that could, in theory, hold a great amount of sway with fence-sitting Democrats in the Senate. (Republicans are a different story–eight GOPers voted for the bill, but the rest sided with House Minority Leader John Boehner who called it a “pile of shit.”) But success (and a successful bill) will depend in large part on factors like the Senate schedule, and White House involvement, which remain big unknowns.
- Health Care: The House of Representatives will begin the mark-up process on a health reform bill, drafted by three different committees of jurisdiction: Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means. Thus far, the roll out in that chamber has been pretty seamless, especially by comparison to the action in the Senate. But figuring out how to keep things moving smoothly while three committees make changes to it independently turns out to be a bit tricky. We should know more about that process soon.
Congress is not in session this week.
