Approaches to Mitigate Freight Congestion, GAO-09-163R, November 20, 2008 Department of Homeland Security: Billions Invested in Major Programs Lack Appropriate Oversight, GAO-09-29, November 18, 2008 Contract Management: DOD Developed Draft Guidance for Operational Contract Support but Has Not Met All Legislative Requirements, GAO-09-114R, November 20, 2008 Health Information Technology: More Detailed Plans Needed for the… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Legislation
Senators Reid and Byrd Unveil Economic Recovery Package
News release: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Appropriation Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd today unveiled a $100.3 billion economic recovery package that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, support a struggling auto industry and help families hurting in this flagging economy.” Reid Byrd Economic Recovery Package Explanatory Statement: “In response to higher… Continue Reading
Remarks on Implementation of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
Interim Assistant Secretary Neel Kashkari, November 19, 2008: “…The EESA is not an economic stimulus plan, nor is it an economic growth plan. It was designed to stabilize the financial system. Today, the LIBOR-OIS spread has fallen 238 basis points from its peak to 100 basis points. We believe the combined actions of Treasury, the… Continue Reading
CBO Cost Estimate for S. 3689, Economic Recovery Act of 2008
S. 3689, Economic Recovery Act of 2008 – November 18, 2008 – Cost estimate for the bill as introduced on November 17, 2008. “CBO estimates that enacting this legislation would provide $89.3 billion in budget authority and result in outlays totaling $50.4 billion in 2009 and $88.4 billion over the 2009-2018 period excluding potential additional… Continue Reading
Financial Institution Bailout Under Critical Review
Senate Banking Committee Hearing: Oversight of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Examining Financial Institution Use of Funding Under the Capital Purchase Program, November 13, 2008 Opening Statement of Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, Oversight of the EESA: Examining Financial Institution Use of Funding Under the Capital Purchase Program – “…five trillion dollars have been committed in… Continue Reading
Support for Legislation to Provide Aid to the Auto Industry
Follow up to previous postings on calls for a government bail- out of the auto industry, today Speaker Pelosi stated: “I have asked Chairman Barney Frank of the House Financial Services Committee to work with House and Senate leaders, and with the Bush Administration, to craft legislation to provide emergency and limited financial assistance to… Continue Reading
Conforming Loan Limit for U.S. Will Remain $417,000 for 2009
News release: “The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the conforming loan limit will remain $417,000 for 2009 for most areas in the U.S. but specified higher limits in certain cities and counties. The conforming loan limit is the maximum size of loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase in 2009. According to… Continue Reading
2008-2009 Presidential Transition Resources
Presidential Transition Team website: “The Presidential Transition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-293) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop a transition directory in consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Act provides that the transition directory “shall be a compilation of Federal publications and materials with supplementary materials developed by the… Continue Reading
Pelosi, Reid Call On Paulson To Use Authority To Provide Aid To Auto Industry
Follow up to November 7, 2008 posting – Is a Government Bail-Out In GM’s Future? – this November 8 press release: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson calling on him to review the feasibility of using the authority given under the Emergency Economic… Continue Reading
FTC Submits Report to Congress on Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007
News release: “The Commission has approved the Report to Congress Under the Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007 (2007 DNCIA) [Pub. L. No. 110-187, 122 Stat. 633 (2008)], signed into law on February 15, 2008. The report, which is mandated under the 2007 DNCIA, contains information on the Commissions efforts to improve the accuracy… Continue Reading
PBGC Announces Maximum Insurance Benefit for 2009
“The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) today announced that the maximum insurance benefit for participants in underfunded pension plans terminating in 2009 is $54,000 per year for those who retire at age 65, up from $51,750 for 2008. The amount is higher for those who retire later and lower for those who retire earlier or… Continue Reading
The DOJ's Single-Firm Conduct Report
The DOJ’s Single-Firm Conduct Report: Promoting Consumer Welfare Through Clearer Standards for Section 2 of the Sherman Act, October 2008 “On September 8, 2008, the Department of Justice (the “Department”) issued a 213-page report entitled Competition and Monopoly: Single-Firm Conduct Under Section 2 of the Sherman Act (the “Single-Firm Conduct Report” or “Report”). The Report… Continue Reading
