This Week in Washington: September 14, 2009

The White House: After a compelling speech to a joint session of Congress last week, President Obama used his weekly address to highlight a new report detailing everyone is vulnerable to losing their health insurance. The report, issued by the Department of Treasury, suggests that if we continue with our current health care system around half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years. Switching gears this week; President Obama will deliver a major speech on the financial crisis, speak at the AFL-CIO’s annual convention in Pittsburgh, and visit with the Canadians.

The U.S. Senate: Senate leaders will spend most of their time working on the annual spending bills which fund the government as they await the Senate Finance Committee’s release of health care overhaul legislation. Although the House of Representatives has worked on health care reform proposals in their chamber, serious negotiations have taken place in the Senate between both parties and the White House. Hearings of interest this week: Health Effects of Cell Phone Use.

The U.S. House of Representatives: The House has its usual roster of non-controversial suspension bills as House Democrats decide if they’ll introduce a resolution to censure Congressman Joe “You Lie” Wilson (R-SC). Hearings of interest this week: Diversity at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation government contracts for small, minority, and disadvantaged businesses.

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