In the Senate
– The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (S 3187)
This bill, which has been in the works for several months, is meant to speed up the approval of generic drugs and biosimilar drugs at the FDA. It would do so by allowing the FDA to charge a user fee to companies submitting their drugs for approval — the user fees charged let the FDA hire people to process the applications. (From Sen. Tom Harkin [D-IA])
On Monday, the Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on the bill, which will determine how it will proceed for the rest of the week.
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s3187
The Senate bill is similar to one making its way to the House floor, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act (HR 5651). Both bills are bipartisan, and reflect negotiations between Congress and the generic drug industry.
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr5651
– Flood Insurance
The Senate may also consider a bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) past its May 31 expiration. Republicans and Democrats are still debating how to extend the program and what amendments might be considered as part of the bill. The NFIP provides for federally backed flood insurance to people in flood zones. Some argue that its pending expiration is slowing home sales in those flood zones, since the insurance must be purchased through the program.
Last week, the House approved a 30-day extension of the NFIP, in the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act (HR 5740). The Senate could choose to pass that bill this week, to give it more time to agree to a longer-term extension.
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr5740
Other Bills of Interest
– The Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act (S 2343)
This bill (#1 on POPVOX last week) has not moved in the Senate since a procedural motion failed earlier in the month. The Senate could try returning to this bill this week, which is from Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]. It would extend the 3.4 percent interest rates on new Stafford loans for another year. (Without legislation, rates will jump to 6.8 percent on July 1.)
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s2343
The House Republican version, the Interest Rate Reduction Act (HR 4628), from Rep. Judy Biggert [R-IL13], was approved by the House in late April.
Weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr4628
– The National Defense Authorization Act for 2013 (HR 4310)
Authorizes $643 billion in defense spending for 2013. This bill (#5 on POPVOX last week) passed the House last Friday, but is opposed by the Obama Administration, in part because it spends more than Congress agreed to spend on defense next year, but also because of various policy requirements in the bill. (From Rep. Howard McKeon [R-CA25])
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr4310
– HRes 568
Expressing Congress’s opinion that Iran should not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons. Passed by the House last week. (#8 on POPVOX). (From Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL18])
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hres568
– The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (HR 4970)
The Republican proposal (from Rep. Sandy Adams [R-FL24]) to reauthorize a federal program aimed at helping women who are victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. Passed the House last week.
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr4970
– The Border Tunnel Prevention Act (HR 4119)
Reduces the trafficking of drugs and to prevent human smuggling across the Southwest Border by deterring the construction and use of border tunnels. Passed the House last week (#10 on POPVOX). (From Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D-TX16])
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr4119
– The Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (HR 2657)
Number three on POPVOX, this bill would impose new fines for using body-gripping traps in National Wildlife Refuge areas. This Democratic-sponsored bill has not moved since its introduction last summer. (From Rep. Nita Lowey [D-NY18])
Read the bill and weigh in at
http://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2657
Did you miss a bill last week??
If you think you missed a bill last week, check out PopVox’s Weekly Round Up
http://www.popvox.com/blog/2012/topbills-5-17-2012/
