Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-La.) recently introduced the “Realize America’s Maritime Promise Act” (H.R. 335), which will ensure that amounts credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) are used for harbor maintenance. Instead of using the full amount of the Harbor Maintenance Tax collected each year to maintain all federal navigation channels at their authorized depths and widths, only about half of annual HMTF revenues are actually used for their intended purpose.

On Tuesday – following Monday’s Senate passage– President Obama signed into law the $50.5 billion Hurricane Sandy Supplemental bill that passed the House over two weeks ago.  The vote on final passage was 62-36.  Before final passage, there was an amendment offered by Senator Lee (R-Utah) to offset the cost of the bill.

On Jan. 28, a group of eight Republican and Democrat Senators released a Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform with the hope of introducing and debating legislation later this spring. The framework from Senators Schumer (D-N.Y.), McCain (R-Ariz.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Graham (R-S.C.), Menendez (D-N.J.), Rubio (R-Fla.), Bennet (D-Colo.), and Flake (R-Ariz.) contained four basic principles: a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants currently living in the country that is contingent on improving border security;  increasing visas for highly skilled workers; a new mandatory employer verification system (different from the current federal contractor E-Verify system); and establishing a guest-worker program.

On Jan. 29, 2013, the federal the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) agencies sent Congress several reports on multi-employer pension plans insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). These reports provide information on the financial health of multi-employer plans and the PBGC’s multi-employer insurance program, but make no recommendations. First, ERISA requires an evaluation every five years to determine whether current PBGC insurance premium levels support the multi-employer benefits guarantee. Second, the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006 mandated a study on the effects of the law on multi-employer plans, including the impact on small employers. These two reports were due to Congress in 2011. Additionally, PBGC issues an annual “exposure report” that examines the future solvency of its insurance programs.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood publicly announced this week that he will not be serving in the second term of the Administration. Secretary LaHood said that he would remain in the position until the President’s selection for a replacement has been confirmed by the Senate. While speculation on who might replace the secretary has already begun, there has been no indication from the White House as to who that might be.

This afternoon, the Senate followed the House and passed the bill (H.R. 325) to suspend the current public debt limit until May 19.  The bill does not cover new spending and suspends members of Congress’ pay if they do not pass a budget resolution before April 15, 2013.

The Senate has yet to take up and pass the Hurricane Sandy emergency relief bill following the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives last week (link to last week's CLWIR).  The bill does not appear to be in trouble, however; the Senate is debating the rules changes for the 113th Congress. 

After months of review and re-review in Nebraska, Gov. Heineman approved a new route for the Keystone XL Pipeline on Tuesday.  The news from Nebraska spawned an unusual bipartisan letter from 53 US Senators (44 GOP and 9 Dem).  The letter to President Obama urged swift presidential approval of the permit to build the pipeline from Canada. The letter citing energy independence and job creation benefits of the pipeline construction was lead by Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.). 

This bill (H.R. 325) suspends the current public debt limit until May 19, states that it cannot cover new spending and suspends the pay of members of the House and Senate if they do not pass a budget resolution before April 15, 2013.  The bill passed by a vote of 285 – 144 with 199 Republicans and 86 Democrats voting in favor of the legislation.

Yesterday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) held their organizational meeting where they approved subcommittee chairman and ranking members, provided subcommittee assignments for the 113th Congress, and adopted the Committee rules and oversight plan.