House Cloakroom: May 14 – May 18 Analysis:  This week the House will take up the National Defense Authorization Act.  This is an annual bill that lays out the nation’s defense policy for the year and lays out the programs for which Congress will later appropriate money.  Once again, provisions surrounding the president’s powers to [...]

House Cloakroom: May 7 – May 11 Analysis:  This week the House will take up the first of the fiscal year 2013 appropriations bills.  The Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations funds agencies such as NOAA and theUS attorneys.  There will likely be numerous amendments seeking to cut more money from the bill, which is at the [...]

House Cloakroom: April 23 – April 27 Analysis: This week the House will take up a proposal to increase internet security.  The bill is based on the idea that the private sector knows best how to defend its networks.  As a result it creates a clear legal avenue for companies to share cyber threat information [...]

House Cloakroom: April 16 – April 20 Analysis: The House will return from their two week recess on Monday and take up Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) plan to reduce taxes on small businesses.  The bill will provide small businesses with a one year 20% tax cut.  Additionally, work will begin in earnest on the [...]

House Cloakroom Analysis: This week the House of Representatives will be focused on the budget.  Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) passed his budget, The Path to Prosperity, out of the House Budget Committee last week and it will be on the floor this week.  The budget tackles entitlement reform, through Medicare premium support, general tax reform, [...]