In this Capitol Report:
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Federal Policy News
Congressional Update:
- Transportation Bill Sent to President’s Desk: Within hours of each other yesterday, the House (359-65) & then the Senate (83-16) passed a compromise transportation and infrastructure package. This five-year language was a compromise between the six-year versions passed earlier this fall. The new language provides $305 billion in funding for highways, passenger transit , rail & bridge infrastructure programs through 2020.
- Ex-Im Bank Reauthorized! As a measure included in the must-pass transportation bill, was reauthorization language for the Export-Import Bank. Lending ability was slightly reduced and additional oversight measures were added, but the bank can resume lending.
- Senate Passes Obamacare Repeal: Language passed the Senate Thursday by a vote of 52-47. The House passed similar language earlier this year, but language between the two houses of Congress would need to be reconciled and both bill drew veto threats from President Obama.
- Congress Acts to Block GHG Rules: The House passed two Senate-approved resolutions to block EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) rules aimed at power plants, 242-180. President Obama was attending the Paris climate summit at the time and has said he will veto the GHG bill upon returning to the United States.