January 29th, 2010 by B
Photographer: aschaeffer
This bill states the following: “Until the Comptroller General submits the report required… no appropriated funds, including official funds of the House of Representatives or funds available under any Federal law, rule, or regulation, may be used to pay for official travel outside of the United States by any Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives.” H.R. 4447 was referred to the Committee on House Administration.
January 21st, 2010 by B
Photographer: Valentin Mosichev
Under this bill, the United States Congress will not receive the standard annual pay raise for 2011. H.R. 4423 was referred to the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
December 17th, 2009 by B
Photographer: Senate Photo Studio
The Health Care Reform Bill (also known as H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act) is a controversial piece of legislation. Soon all members of the Senate will be voting on this bill. Whether you are for this reform or against it, now is the time to act. Let all the representatives hear you in one email. Remember, you voted them into power, now tell them what to do.
December 16th, 2009 by B
Photographer: BookMama
A bill, joint resolution, or amendment concerning an increase of the national debt will not be considered in the House of Representatives or Senate unless a two-thirds majority of the voting Members is secured. H.R. 4262 was referred to the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Budget
December 11th, 2009 by B
Photographer: bshafer
Colonel Van Barfoot is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was ordered to remove a flagpole from his lawn after flying the Flag of the United States of America, and possible legal actions may occur due to his refusal. This bill would allow any recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor to fly, at all times, the Flag of the United States of America. H. RES. 952 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
August 27th, 2009 by B
Author: Keith Frith
Tax on Individuals (Title IV, Sec. 441):
A tax will be imposed on the modified adjusted gross income of a taxpayer for the following income: between $350,001 and $500,000 is an increase of one percent, between $500,001 and $1 million is an increase of 1.5 percent, and over $1 million is an increase of 5.4 percent.
August 25th, 2009 by B
Author: Albert Lozano
Employer Regulations (Title III, Sec. 806):
An employer who provides health coverage participation but fails to meet the requirements will be fined $100 each day until the requirement is fulfilled.
Employers who Chose to not Provide Government Health Coverage (Title IV, Sec. 412):
An excise tax of up to 8 percent of the wages paid to employees will be imposed upon an employer for not offering qualified health coverage.
Tax on Individuals who do not Accept Health Coverage (Title IV, Sec. 59B):
A person who does not have private health coverage (no one may sign up after the bill goes into effect) or is not on any form of government health care will be fined 2.5 percent of their modified adjusted gross income.
Health Insurance Coverage Returns (Title IV, Sec. 6050X):
Any individual providing coverage to any other person will file a return with certain information the Secretary will require. There will be a penalty for failing to file.
Taxpayer Income Information (Title IV, Sec. 431):
The Secretary may divulge the return information of any taxpayer to the officers and employees of the Health Choices Administration. The information used will be what the Secretary deems necessary. This information is to be used for determining affordability credit.
August 24th, 2009 by B
Author: Keith Frith
Subsidies (Title II, Sec. 241):
Under this bill, the third year of government health care will allow individuals below the 400 percent poverty level and who are not eligible for Medicare, to received government subsidies to partake in the premium plan health insurance.
Employer Responsibility (Title III, Part 1, Sec. 311 & 312):
An employer is to offer a qualified health benefits individual plan and family plan. An employee is to be automatically enrolled in a health-benefits plan, but has the option to opt-out. The employer is to make a minimum contribution on the applicable premium up to 72.5 percent for the individual plan, and a minimum of 65 percent for family plans. The premiums range from 1.5 percent to ten percent. Eight percent of the average wages paid by the employer (this is added onto the premium being paid by the employer) will be deposited into the Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund. The employer will provide the Health Choice Commissioner, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Treasury any information the Commissioner requires.
August 12th, 2009 by B
Photographer: dbking
The bill reads as follows, “To require full and complete public disclosure of the terms of home mortgages held by Members of Congress.” S. 1632 was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
August 10th, 2009 by B
Photographer: Chance Agrella
A member of the House of Representatives who requests an earmark will be required to post the following on their website within 24 hours of the request: the requested amount, name & address of the receiver, an explanation of the earmark, a statement regarding conflict of interest, and whether the receiver is a for-profit or non-profit entity. H. Res. 687 was referred to the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
