Washington Watch - February 16, 2011
Budget Showdown In Congress
This week, President Obama released his FY 2012 budget, but Congress has its
eye on extending the 2011 CR (Continuing Resolution), set to expire in March.
Last year, Congress was unable to agree on a FY 2011 budget, so we are currently
running on a temporary one through March 4th (the CR).
Last week, House Republicans released their version of the CR that would cut
around $60 billion from the budget. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) attempted to put
forth an amendment earlier this week that would strip the health care law of
funding in its entirety, however, House rules do not allow lawmakers to alter
spending bills in that manner. The Republican cuts that were approved went to
certain new programs created under the health care law, such as community health
centers, as well as a denial for spending increases for current agencies, such
as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The House-version of the CR, with its new amendments is not set to reach the
Senate until the week of Feb. 28th. At that point, the legislative body will
offer its own language and volley back to the House for further consideration.
The Congress will probably pass a CR that lasts for a few weeks before an
agreement can be reached on a longer term CR, which would fund the government
through September.
Quick Look: House Small Biz Committee Holds Hearing On The State of
the Small Business Economy
On Wednesday, February 16, the House Small Business Committee will hold a
full committee hearing entitled Putting Americans Back to Work: The State of the
Small Business Economy.
During the hearing, the Committee will examine tax, regulatory and health
care policies that are inhibiting small business job creation and economic
growth. We expect this hearing will set the stage for future Committee debates
on the most pertinent obstacles that are impeding entrepreneurs’ ability to
strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work.
Stayed tuned to NASE's Washington Watch for
details on the outcome of this hearing.
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