The Independent View: Congress Weekly Update Mar-27-Apr-1, 2017

The week ahead in Congress:

- This week the House votes on a Bill that would prohibit the EPA from Proposing, Finalizing, or Disseminating a Rule unless all Scientific and Technical information relied on to support the action is:

1) The best available Science
2) Specifically identified
3) Publicly available in a manner sufficient for Independent Analysis and substantial reproduction of Research Results.

- A Senate-passed Resolution to Overturn the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Broadband Privacy Rule.

S.J.Res.34: Congressional Review Act Resolution to Overturn FCC Rule "Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services", Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Flake [R-AZ].

The Bill, which already passed the Senate, overturns Obama Administration Rules requiring Internet Service Providers (ISP) to obtain Customers’ Permission before Selling or Sharing users' Personal Information. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has until May 17th, 60 Session days since the rule was issued, to present the Resolution to the President for his signature.

- The Senate will vote on Ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of NATO.

The Senate is expected to vote Monday on a Treaty allowing Montenegro to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The vote was blocked earlier by Senator Rand Paul [R-KY], who expressed concerns about extending NATO further. The Treaty is supported by Secretary of Defense, James Mattis and Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, through the Trump Administration has not yet taken an official position.

- The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence holds its first hearing into Russian Activities in the 2016 Election.

H.R. 654: Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act. To require Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a Plan, and identify the necessary Funding for Purchase and Installation of an Earthquake Early Warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone, Sponsor: Rep. Peter DeFazio [D-OR].

H.R. 1117: To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit a Report regarding certain Plans regarding assistance to applicants and grantees during the response to an Emergency or Disaster, Sponsor: Rep. Vicky Hartzler [R-MO].

H.R. 1214: Disaster SAVE Act - To increase the Disaster Assistance threshold to $500,000 for Grants to clear Debris and Repair and Rebuild Facilities, Sponsor: Rep. Lou Barletta [R-PA].