News Articles By

By Congresspedia Assistant Editor Avelino Maestas

With the State of the Union address out of the way, all eyes should return to Congress’ most pressing issues: FISA reform and an economic stimulus package.

It looks like Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), is going to spoil the stimulus party, introducing his own economic stimulus bill to rival the compromise version reached by President Bush and the House of Representatives. Baucus — the Senate Finance Committee chairman — said rebates for seniors, extended benefits for the long-term unemployed, and tax relief for businesses were the key components of the Senate plan, which is backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

The Senate bill would issue rebate checks for most Americans: in this case $500 for just about everybody or $1,000 for couples, rather than the tiered system favored by Bush and the House. That bill would begin phasing out rebates for individuals making more than $75,000, and for couples making more than $150,000.

The House is expected to vote on their version of the package this afternoon, meaning a conference committee will have to sort out the differences before the bill can move on to the White House. Bush urged quick passage of a stimulus bill during his State of the Union address on Monday.

Prior to the president’s speech, Senators continued their legislative tug-of-war over electronic intelligence reform. More on the debate, and the history of FISA legislation, after the break.

Details of a proposed economic stimulus package were revealed this week. It includes rebate checks (of at least $300, with individuals set to receive $600 and couple's $1,600) for most Americans and a series of tax incentives for businesses. While the Senate hasn’t had a chance to really contribute to the conversation, most observers believe the proposal will quickly move forward following President Bush’s State of the Union speech on Monday.

Also on Monday, the Senate will debate a cloture motion on a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act overhaul bill. Known as the RESTORE Act, the legislation outlines oversight roles for the collection of electronic communications intelligence. Today, the Senate voted down a proposal to increase oversight, tighten restrictions in intelligence collection. A competing measure -- which includes legal immunity for phone companies that helped the federal government spy on Americans without a warrant – is to be debated on Monday. If the cloture motion succeeds, members will continue with a vote on the overall bill, without discussing a number of amendments introduced during debate.

By Assistant Managing Editor Avelino Maestas

Congress this week began work on an economic stimulus package, designed to prop up a struggling economy amidst a worsening mortgage-lending crisis. While the details of Democrats’ plans remain under wraps, President Bush unveiled his proposed economic stimulus package on Friday. He called for tax rebates and other incentives, while Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the package would cost almost $150 billion.