Up for Debate This Week: Amtrak, NASA, and Energy Policy

This week the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The bill would continue spending on the Amtrak passenger rail system for another five years, and it would make various changes to the way the Amtrak system is operated.

Passage of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 would cost the average U.S. family a little over $100.

     H.R. 6003
     The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008
     Costs $107.03 per family
     What People Think: 72% For, 28% Against
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6003.html

The House will also debate H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. The bill would continue spending on NASA and create or continue several NASA programs, including the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, Landsat thermal infrared data collection, the Glory Mission, a Deep Space Climate Observatory, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station.

Passage of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 would cost the average U.S. family a little under $200.

     H.R. 6063
     The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
      2008
     Costs $190.88 per family
     What People Think: 67% For, 33% Against
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6063.html

The Senate is expected to consider S. 3044, the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008. Intending to control high energy prices and promote energy independence, the bill would make various changes to tax laws, consumer protection laws, antitrust laws, and other laws. It would give the president authority to declare a federal energy emergency and allow state attorneys general to sue to enforce the new law. Cost information for S. 3044, the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008 is not yet available.

     S. 3044
     The Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008
     What People Think: 50% For, 50% Against
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3044.html

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

    New Items

     H.R. 6063
     The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
      2008
     Costs $190.88 per family
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6063.html


     H.R. 6003
     The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008
     Costs $107.03 per family
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6003.html


     H.R. 1343
     The Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007
     Costs $102.58 per family
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1343.html


     S. 3036
     The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008
     Costs $12,152.98 per family
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3036.html


    Passed Items

     P.L. 110-240
     The Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007
     Costs $2.18 per family
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-240.html


     P.L. 110-241
     The Credit and Debit Card Receipt Clarification Act of 2007
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-241.html


     P.L. 110-242
     A bill to make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National
      Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special
      immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-242.html


     P.L. 110-243
     A joint resolution directing the United States to initiate international
      discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an
      agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the
      Arctic Ocean
     http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-243.html

SOURCE WashingtonWatch.com