Government Reopens
Last week, Congress was able to find bipartisan agreement to open the government and avoid default on US debt. The final deal was similar to the "clean" Continuing Resolution that Democrats kept asking the Speaker to bring up for a vote. Congressman Scott does not believe there were any winners in the 16 day shutdown. However, he believes it is time to move on and tackle long standing deficit problems and other legislation that have been awaiting action.
Summary of the Agreement
The Continuing Appropriations Act, H.R. 2775, was passed by bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and signed into law by the President. The law funds the government through January 15, 2014 and suspensions the debt limit until February 7, 2014. In addition, the House and Senate have agreed to appoint conferees to negotiate difference on the Budget Resolution on balanced deficit reduction and replacing sequestration. That conference would conclude by December 13, 2013.
The law also provides back pay to federal workers. The law also includes a more stringent income verification policies for Exchange-based tax credits and subsidies in the Affordable Care Act. Members of Congress will also be prohibited from receiving a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2014. You can read the text of H.R. 2775 online at the Library of Congress' website - "Thomas."
Water Resources Reform and Development Act
This week the House will consider H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This bipartisan bill establishes a new process for determining which Army Corps of Engineers water resource projects will move forward. Among the many provisions of H.R. 3080, is an approval for the Port of Savannah deepening project to proceed. The Georgia Congressional delegation is in full support of this project, which will provide economic benefits in every Congressional district. For a summary of the importance of reauthorizing water projects, read this information pamphlet.
Medicaid Coverage Gap
Part of the Affordable Care Act offered to assist states with expanding Medicaid to cover individuals without insurance who are not eligible for tax credits in the insurance exchanges. Georgia chose not to expand Medicaid, which will leave nearly 400,000 legal residents without insurance options. The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report explaining the impact of not expanding Medicaid to low income residents. Much of their health care coverage will come at the expense of over stressed hospitals such as Grady Memorial.
Georgia HWY 92
The long-awaited expansion and realignment of HWY 92 through Douglasville has been approved for early 2014 construction. This action puts the project ahead of the projected timeline. Congressman Scott has worked closely with state and local elected officials to keep the project on track. For more information, read the Douglasville Sentinel or Douglasville Patch articles.
White House Tours
Public tours of the White House have resumed. In addition, the Fall Garden Tour is open October 26 and 27. For information about tours, visit Congressman Scott's website.
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You can also connect with Congressman Scott via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or LinkedIn.
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