Governmental Strategies Incorporated

House Committee Approves Energy Speculation Bill (July 24, 2008) -- The House Agriculture Committee, by voice vote, today approved a bill that it claims will bring greater transparency and accountability to energy and agricultural commodity markets. The Committee Chairman, Collin Peterson (D-MN), hopes to bring the bill to the House floor next week, perhaps under the Suspension Calendar. The link, below, is to the Committee press release describing elements of the legislation. Link to External Information.
New Tax "Extender" Bill Introduced In Senate (July 24, 2008) -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has introduced a new $123 billion tax bill in an effort to restart stalled talks aimed at extending a number of popular energy and research and development tax credits that would otherwise expire at the end of the year. A number of modifications have been incorporated in the latest bill in an effort to attract the 60 votes necessary to limit debate and move to passage in the Senate. The link, below, is to a copy of the latest bill. Link to External Information.
CPB Declines to Commit to 100% Screening (June 12, 2008) -- There has been continuing tension between the Congress, especially the Democrat majority, and the Administration (along with shippers) over the legislative mandate to scan all incoming cargo before it departs for the U.S. by the end of 2012 (with lots of delay clauses). At his hearing today, Sen. Lautenberg promoted 100% overseas scanning. Jay Ahearne, as diplomatically as he could, said that this administration wouldn't do it. David Huizenga declined to be pulled into the debate (as DHS, not DOE, is responsible for fulfilling the mandate) and focused instead on the positives his organization has learned from overseas efforts thus far.

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