WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 — The U.S. Supreme Court convenes Monday and will face a number of high-profile cases, including whether or not to review an Appeals Court decision that said Congress exceeded its power when it passed a sweeping overhaul of our nation’s health care law in 2010. The law requires almost every American to have health insurance.
In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit Court in Atlanta said Congress overstepped its authority when passing the law. Attorneys General and governors in 26 states have challenged the health-care law on behalf of their states.
The high court docket also includes several other important cases, including how much power states have over illegal immigration. The immigration case stems from Arizona’s first-of-its-kind law requiring local police officers to check the status of people stopped for questioning. Five other states have since enacted similar laws and the outcome of this case could impact the availability of farm workers.
The Obama administration sued to challenge the Arizona measure, and a federal appeals court blocked it from taking effect. The appeals panel said the state was interfering with the national government’s authority over immigration policy.
Arizona is now seeking Supreme Court review, arguing that federal officials have been lax in securing the nation’s borders and that U.S. immigration law lets states step into the void.
Lawmakers also return this week with a busy schedule that could include advancing trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. The Senate passed a bill on Sept. 22 that offers help for workers displaced by foreign trade and extends trade preferences that expired in December. But the White House and House leaders are still trying to agree on the process for moving all four bills forward.
The House is expected to consider legislation that would keep the government funded past the current Oct. 4 deadline. However, the revised longer-term bill passed by the Senate could face opposition from some House Republicans because it would provide about $24 billion more than the spending caps already approved as part of the House budget resolution.
For other events, hearings and reports to be released this week, see the list below:
Monday, October 3
United Fresh Produce Association, 2011 Washington Public Policy Conference. Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
The 34th Annual National Food Policy Conference, Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th Street NW (16th and K Streets, NW), Washington, DC.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will keynote the Rural Wealth Creation and Livelihoods: A National Conference and Conversation for Practitioners, Researchers, and Policymakers in Washington, DC.
2:00 p.m. Senate convenes, resumes consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act.
5:00 p.m., House Committee on Rules, Hearing: H.R. 2250 - EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011, H-313 The Capitol.
5:00 p.m., House Committee on Rules, Hearing: H.R. 2608 - Continuing Appropriations Act 2012, H-313 The Capitol.
USDA Reports: Dairy Products, Commodity Costs and Returns Data, Crop Progress
Tuesday, October 4
United Fresh Produce Association, 2011 Washington Public Policy Conference. Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
The 34th Annual National Food Policy Conference, Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th Street NW (16th and K Streets, NW), Washington, DC.
Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2608 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Subject to a Unanimous Consent Agreement)
10:00 a.m., House Committee on Financial Services: Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, Hearing: Audit the Fed: Dodd-Frank, QE3, and Federal Reserve Transparency, 2128 Rayburn House Office Building.
10:00 a.m., House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hearing: Why Taiwan Matters, Part II, Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
10:00 a.m., House Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Hearing: Does Administrative Amnesty Harm our Efforts to Gain and Maintain Operational Control of the Border? 311 Cannon House Office Building.
10:00 am., “America's Agricultural Labor Crisis: Enacting a Practical Solution”
Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security
Dirksen 226
10:00 a.m., House Committee on the Judiciary, Hearing: A Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building.
10:00 a.m., Committee on Natural Resources, Hearing: The President's New National Ocean Policy, 1324 Longworth House Office Building.
2:30 pm. EDT. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife hearing, “ Nutrient Pollution: An Overview of Nutrient Reduction Approaches.” NRCS Chief Dave White testifies, among others. 406 Dirksen.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will keynote the Consumer Federation of America’s 34th annual national food policy conference in Washington, DC.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan will speak at the National Integrated Pest Management Meeting in Washington, DC.
USDA Reports: Vegetables
Wednesday, October 5
United Fresh Produce Association, 2011 Washington Public Policy Conference. Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
9:30 a.m., Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Hearing: Administration Efforts on Line-by-Line Budget Review, 2322 Rayburn HOB.
10:00 a.m., Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Markup of “Legislation to Promote Small Business Capital Formation and Job Creation,” 2128 Rayburn.
1:00 p.m. Committee on Small Business, Hearing: Adding to Uncertainty: The Impact of DOL/NLRB Decisions and Proposed Rules on Small Businesses, 2360 Rayburn HOB.
Service Management Contracts: Are Contractors Overcharging the Government?
Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight
2:00 p.m. Senate Homeland Secutiry and Govt. Affairs Committee Ad Hoc Subcomittee on Contracting Oversight. The federal government spends billions of dollars every year on contracts for food service management at military installations and bases, hospitals, and government buildings and through the federal school lunch program. The purpose of the hearing is to examine whether food service management contractors are withholding rebates, discounts, and credits which should be passed through to the federal government. USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong among the witnesses. Dirksen Senate Office Building, room SD-342
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan will speak at the Disability Employment Awareness Month event in Washington, DC.
USDA Reports: Broiler Hatchery
Thursday, October 6
9:00 am, Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Hearing: Moving from Unemployment Checks to Paychecks: Assessing the President's Proposals to Help the Long-Term Unemployed, B-318 Rayburn HOB.
9:00 a.m: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “Chemical Risk Assessment: What Works for Jobs and the Economy?”
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
USDA Reports: U.S. Export Sales
Friday, October 7
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to travel to the Quad Cities, IA/IL
USDA Reports: Dairy Products Prices, Peanut Prices
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