This week the House is expected to vote on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government after the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2014. This short-term CR, which is expected to continue funding through mid-December, is not the only important item on the House’s docket. There is also a bill up for consideration that would exempt group health insurance plans offered since 2013 from the minimum essential coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act (HR 3522).
The Senate is expected to vote on a resolution proposing to add a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress and states to establish limits on campaign contributions, as well as to distinguish between donations from individuals and corporations. Additionally, the Senate is expected to take up bills that would raise the federal hourly minimum wage to $10.10 from $7.25 (S 2223) and reduce student loan debt (S 2432).
Other issues that may come before both chambers in the next few weeks before the end of the fiscal year are the extensions of the Export-Import Bank and the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access. Congress is not expected to act on a series of expired tax extenders, including the deductibility of state and local sales taxes in lieu of income taxes, until after the November elections.
