This Week in Washington: June 22, 2009

The White House:  President Obama used his weekly address to highlight the Administration’s new financial reform package to protect consumers.  The proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules.  This week, President Obama will sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, meet with the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, and host a town hall meeting at the White House to discuss the need for health care reform.

The U.S. Senate:   The Senate will continue work on a travel promotion bill, perhaps this week with its chief sponsor Senator Ensign (R-NV).   Senate committees will give President Obama’s financial reform proposal a thorough review and vetting, trudge through more hearings on health care reform, and address hate crimes legislation.

The U.S. House of Representatives:  In addition to working through yearly appropriations bills to fund the government, most work will focus on negotiations on a climate change bill.  House committees will also have a chance to review Obama’s financial reform package in addition to hearings on U.S.- Africa trade relations, Somalia, and the 2010 Census.

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