Up for Debate This Week: Farm Legislation, Tax Relief, and a Water Bill Veto Override

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of November 5, 2007 .

This week the Senate will debate H.R. 2419, the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007. It would provide for the continuation of federal agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012. Its passage would cost about $125 per U.S. family.

H.R. 2419 The Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 Costs $125.89 per family What People Think: 41% For, 59% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2419.html

A related bill was recently introduced in the Senate. S. 2302, the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, would cost the average U.S. family a little under $5,000. The large difference in cost estimates between the two bills is because the estimate for S. 2302 includes "baseline" spending on farm programs, where the estimate for H.R. 2419 includes only changes in spending.

S. 2302 The Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 Costs $4,875.84 per family What People Think: 50% For, 50% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2302.html

The House will consider H.R. 3996, the Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007. It would amend the Internal Revenue Code regarding the alternative minimum tax, the discharge of mortgage indebtedness, and tax administration, and it would extend certain expiring tax credits, deductions, and other tax incentives. Passage of the bill would save the average U.S. family a little over $130.

H.R. 3996 The Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 Saves $132.82 per family What People Think: 50% For, 50% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3996.html

The President recently vetoed H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. It would have spent about $180 per U.S. family on conservation and development of water and related resources, and it would have authorized the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States . The bill passed with sufficient margins to override the veto, and Congress may override the veto soon.

H.R. 1495 The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Costs $179.14 per family What People Think: 49% For, 51% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1495.html

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

New Items S. 2284 An original bill to amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, to restore the financial solvency of the flood insurance fund, and for other purposes Costs $46.93 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2284.html H.R. 3920 The Trade and Globalization Act of 2007 Costs $244.72 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3920.html S. 2242 The Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007 Costs $65.37 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2242.html S. 2285 An original bill to reauthorize the Federal terrorism risk insurance program, and for other purposes Costs $64.04 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2285.html Updated Items H.R. 2830 The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 Costs $74.16 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2830.html Passed Items P.L. 110-108 The Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007 Saves $14.90 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-108.html P.L. 110-109 The Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2007 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-109.html

SOURCE WashingtonWatch.com

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