This week in Congress

The House is in from Monday through Friday this week. The Senate is also in session. The Senate will be focusing on nominations.

The big activity this week takes place off the floor --  President Trump's first budget -- and work continues on the GOP health care plan.

Last week, it was revealed that House Republicans have not yet sent their ObamaCare repeal  Retention bill to the Senate. It seems the bill has still not been "scored" by the Congressional Budget Office, so there is no way of knowing if the bill complies with Senate reconciliation rules. That means the House may have to vote on the bill again,

Among the bills being considered by the House is HR 953, which lifts some requirements imposed on businesses to get a permit from federal or state governments before putting pesticides into "navigable waters." The point of the bill is to make it easier to control the spread of the Zika virus, as well as remove some burdens on farmers. These seem like good ideas, however, the fact that this applies to state governments is troublesome.

The House will also consider a number of bills on suspension including:

1.   HR 1809 -- Reauthorizes and "reforms" unconstitutional federal juvenile justice programs.

3. HR 467 -- This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that each VA medical facility annually certifies that it is in full compliance with all provisions of law and regulations relating to scheduling appointments for veterans' hospital care and medical services. The VA may not waive any applicable provision of such laws or regulations.

(Really . . . VA facilities need a law to tell them they need to have decent procedures for scheduling appointments? Remember that the next time some statist points to the VA as an example of a government-run heath care system that "works.")

4. HR 1329 -- Provides veterans with a  cost-of-living increase. (I thought there was no inflation?)

5. HR 1545 -- This allows the VA to disclose certain patient information to State "controlled substance" monitoring programs, thus entrapping more veterans in the federal and state war on pain, patients, and doctors.

Tags: Congress