MAJORITY WHIPLINE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

Floor Schedule and Procedure:

Suspensions (6 bills)

1. H.R. 259 – Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 (Rep. Pallone – Energy and Commerce)

The Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019, provides 3 months of additional funds for the Money Follows the Person demonstration; which helps states transition individuals from institutions to home- and community-based settings. It extends for 3 months protections against spousal impoverishment for the spouses of individuals receiving Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS), ensuring that married individuals receiving HCBS do not lose eligibility or face unnecessary institutionalization. These provisions are paid for by a small reduction in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for states that do not have an asset verification system in place, as required by law; and by a reduction in the Medicaid Improvement Fund.

2. – Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 (Rep. Eshoo – Energy and Commerce)

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 would reauthorize and strengthen HHS’s emergency preparedness and response programs and efforts and modernize the regulatory framework at the FDA for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and provide FDA with stable funding to do so through a new user fee program.

3. H.R. 251 – Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Extension Act (Rep. Thompson (MS) – Homeland Security)

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Extension Act of 2019, would extend the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) authority to regulate security standards at high risk chemical facilities for a period of two years. The current authority is set to expire next week on January 19, 2019. Under CFATS, facilities with threshold quantities of dangerous chemicals are required to register with DHS, conduct security vulnerability assessments, and adopt site security plans.

4. H.R. 226 – Clarity on Small Business Participation in Category Management (Rep. Velazquez – Small Business)

This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide in its small business goaling report information as to how many small businesses are participating in the “best in class” vehicles so Congress can ascertain the effectiveness of such contracting vehicles for small firms.

5. H.R. 227 – Incentivizing Fairness in Subcontracting Act (Rep. Velazquez – Small Business)

This bill amends the Small Business Act to specify what credit is given for certain subcontractors and to provide a dispute process for non-payment to subcontractors.

6. H.R. 128 – Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act (Rep. Comer – Small Business)

This bill clarifies the duties of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy by including in its responsibilities the duty to examine small business issues in international economies and authorizes the office to represent small businesses and their interests before international entities and foreign governments for purposes of contributing to regulatory and trade initiatives.

“The promise of America is as valid as it ever was; the American Dream is still worthy of pursuit; and the creation of a ‘more perfect Union’ must always be our goal.”

                                                                 James E. Clyburn