Congress has a full plate of unfinished business to consider during the lame duck session, which begins November 15, continues for a week, and then resumes after Thanksgiving. Congressional Digest and International Debates have covered many of the issues on this agenda.
Deficit Commission Recommendations – House and Senate votes are expected on recommendations of the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, due December 1. See “The Deficit and the Debt,” Congressional Digest, February 2010.
Energy – Two bills may be considered: A scaled-down energy package and a bill to create a renewable energy standard requiring that, by 2020, 15 percent of America’s energy be produced from renewable sources. See “Energy Consumption,” Congressional Digest, September 2008; “Biofuels Expansion,” Congressional Digest, June 2008; and “Renewable Fuels Policy,” Congressional Digest, April 2007.
New START Treaty – The Senate will consider ratification the arms reduction treaty signed by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev earlier this year. See “The New START Treaty,” International Debates, October 2010.
Child Nutrition – The House will vote on reauthorization of Federal child nutrition programs. See “Child Nutrition,” Congressional Digest, December 2010.
Chinese Currency – The Senate is expected to take up legislation to address Chinese currency manipulation. See “China Currency Policy,” International Debates, November 2010.
Immigration Reform – The Senate is expected to hold another vote on legislation to give children of illegal immigrants an opportunity to go to college and become citizens. See “The DREAM Act,” Congressional Digest, November 2010.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – Another vote is also expected on the Defense Department policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military. See “Gays in the Military,” Congressional Digest, April 2010.
Mine Safety Reform – The Senate may vote on a bill to provide greater protection for America’s miners. See “Mine Safety,” Congressional Digest, January 2008.
Food Safety – The Senate may take up legislation to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration and related agencies to improve the Nation’s food safety system. See “Food Safety,” Congressional Digest, April 2008.
Look for upcoming Congressional Digest Debates coverage of these bills, also slated for consideration during the lame duck session:
Expiring Tax Cuts – Congress is expected to vote on a series of expiring tax cuts, including those passed in 2001 and 2003 under the Bush Administration.
Cybersecurity – The Senate may take up a bill to address software vulnerabilities in U.S. defense systems.
