Published: July 21, 2008

Up for Debate This Week: Oil Speculation, Foreclosures, and Global Health Aid

WASHINGTON, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of July 21, 2008.

This week, the Senate will debate legislation to curb speculation in oil and natural gas. S. 3268, The Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008, would suppress trading that is not regarded as "legitimate" hedge trading. It is intended to prevent excessive price speculation in energy commodities, hoping that this would bring prices down.

Cost information for the bill is not yet available. It was discussed in a recent post on the WashingtonWatch.com blog.

S. 3268

The Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008

What People Think: 50% For, 50% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3268.html

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/blog/2008/07/19/the-debate-on-oil-speculation/

The House will debate H.R. 3221, The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The bill takes many steps intended to reform housing. It would modernize the Federal Housing Administration, protect military servicemembers against foreclosure, give money to state and local governments for redeveloping abandoned and foreclosed homes, and more.

Passage of H.R. 3221, the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, would cost the average U.S. family a little over $190.

H.R. 3221

The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008

Costs $193.68 per family

What People Think: 39% For, 61% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3221.html

The House will also take up H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, which passed the Senate last week.

The bill would authorize spending for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. It was mentioned in our recent blog post on the passing of Senator Jesse Helms.

Passage of H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, would cost the average U.S. family just about $300.

H.R. 5501

The Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008

Costs $299.97 per family

What People Think: 43% For, 57% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5501.html

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

New Items

S. 3258

The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009

Costs $315.23 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3258.html

S. 3260

An original bill making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes

Costs $425.29 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3260.html

S. 3261

An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes

Costs $1,111.84 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3261.html

Passed Items

P.L. 110-275

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

Costs $24.90 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-275.html

P.L. 110-277

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin

Costs $0.06 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-277.html

P.L. 110-278