Gearing Up to Recess

So much of the pace of Congress seems to depend upon where it is in the cycle of considering legislation, especially in reference to the timing of recesses and elections – key times when the members are back in their districts defending their actions to the voters. Both parties seem conscious of not wanting to handle controversial legislative issues close to the November elections, in particular (especially since 468 of their seats are on the ballot). I've noticed an uptick in a willingness to compromise and try to pass bills before the Independence Day break, perhaps in an effort to avoid controversial legislation during the fall campaign season? Am I becoming cynical or just realistic?

Several of the issues that didn't reach a majority vote to break a threatened filibuster (cloture) earlier this month are back on the agenda for this week, including housing, Medicare and FISA (foreign intelligence surveillance), where companies who violated the privacy laws might get immunity in the proposed legislation – a sticking point between the House, Senate and White House (not to mention those companies, and the American people!).

National associations continue to follow these bills, and send out their email alerts to members, who email us, asking for our position on revised legislation. This does get our attention.

I've also noticed that there are fewer constituent meetings. I wonder if the bulk of these visits for the year are intentionally scheduled during the budget and appropriating process in the spring. The budget was voted on weeks ago, and the different appropriations committees are making their decisions now. You should notice media articles about what projects are being funded back in the states and districts, based on these decisions.

So what else is happening, and might happen before recess?

Congress is talking about former press secretary Scott McLellan’s new book, which questions the Bush administration's honesty with the public. House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for documents related to the leaking of Valerie Plame’s CIA identity.

They’re talking about whether any members of Congress may have received special treatment from financial companies when negotiating for favorable mortgage rates. They’re marking up spending bills in the appropriations committees, with about one third of the federal budget for discretionary spending (energy, the environment, education, health, housing, defense (not the wars), transportation, commerce, agriculture, homeland security, etc). That’s a lot of competition for a relatively small piece of the federal pie.

They’re talking about creating an oversight task force to create necessary health care reform policy. They’re debating whether to allow off-shore drilling, how to repair the financial markets, whether to extend unemployment security and other tax benefits. They continue to debate how to fix or delay fixing certain Medicare rules, the alternative minimum tax (which would unfairly subject low middle income families to paying higher taxes), and they seem to be considering legislation without subjecting it to the “pay/go” rules of finding an “offset” somewhere else in the federal budget to pay for any legislation with a price tag on it. Most bills are reviewed by the congressional budget office before introduction to get a “CBO score” in order to determine how much money needs to be offset, a major challenge for most legislation.

They celebrated “Seersucker Thursday” last week (I couldn’t make this stuff up), which was originally created by the southern senators to show those dark-wool suit-wearing northern senators how to dress for the southern heat. Truly, everyone wears seersucker suits, gets a group photo taken and has a brief ice cream social (not everyone, certainly, but some!).

After the Hill community held its collective breath for Senator Kennedy's surgery and hoped-for positive outcome, it was devastated by the death of Tim Russert, "Meet the Press" moderator and campaign journalist (among other noteworthy accomplishments). He was someone almost everyone knew and watched, and respected and feared. Very sad.

I'm working on three issues to craft into potential floor speeches, legislation, and areas for the Senator to consider championing. I've been doing my research and talking to experts, as I want to get this right. My goal is to position public health at a key strategy to contribute to reducing health care costs and boosting the economy while protecting the environment and reducing energy dependency, the issues most on the minds of Congress domestically. Wish me success.

I gave a presentation back home last week to the Health Officers Association, who is strengthening their advocacy skills to influence health policy at all levels. And today I was invited to speak at the national Girl Scout leadership training on engaging the political process to make a difference. I actually enjoy these presentations when I know what I'm talking about.

Two briefings of interest: last week on Global Health and Climate Change, collecting and observing the science data; and tomorrow about biodiversity, with an author I'm currently reading: Edward Wilson (The Future of Life). Even though it’s a library book, I'm bringing it to request an autograph.

Other very well-written books I’ve enjoyed are Sheila Weller’s “Girls Like Us” (about Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon), and a few by author Wendell Berry (about a character named Andrew Catlett). I hadn’t heard of any of these (thank goodness for the New York Times Book Review), but all are delightful to read for very different reasons. The first resonates with my youth, and the others are about a simpler time.

Weather continues to be unpredictable, with the last two softball games being rained out, as well as my first formal meeting with the Senator (who was stuck on the runway during a hailstorm, unable to fly back to D.C.).

Question: Will the Senate pass Medicare and housing bills before the July 4th break?

Senate Dance Frustrates

So close, and yet so far. The Senate leadership was not able to reach cloture (the 60 votes needed to end any potential filibuster and bring a bill to the floor to allow debate) on several important initiatives. Tax extender legislation, energy policy and relief, Medicare, and several others not only stalled, but came to a complete halt.

Majority leader Reid may seek to introduce separate bills with components of each of those larger pieces of legislation. Many segments of the population clearly need relief, but the parties were unable to reach any compromise or agreement. I'm guessing that negotiations continue behind the scenes, and that while public stances and messages are calculated for campaign spin, serious and honest brokering is taking place privately to bring some of this needed relief.

Even staff knew that the Medicare bill would be close to not moving forward, as Senator Baucus (Finance Committee chair) had only 53 expected yes votes (7 short), and that he needed to leave town last Friday for his son's wedding. Isn't there an unwritten rule that Congressional families aren't allowed to plan any life events while Congress is in session? I thought I even saw that in staff contracts (kidding, but staff is very careful about always being available when the Senate is in session).

Knowing that Congress takes recess in August, there's even an effort to be available on the weekends in July as necessary to be sure that sunset bills and bills needing reauthorization happen before that break period. And with the conventions approaching, the parties will want to have some "wins" to brag about, understandably.

I hope to meet with the Senator tomorrow to update him on projects that I've been working on, and seeing what public health projects he may have a particular interest on. I've reached out to colleagues to see what particular pieces of policy they feel are missing from the federal agenda from their point of view. I have 6 months left to try to make progress, and am seeking particular unmet needs that aren't yet on the Congressional radar. Any suggestions?

Some of the issues are clearly local or state, such as insurance coverage, planning and zoning initiatives, health professional licensure and certification, education. Federally, we cover national defense, interstate commerce (which health care is often considered), and regional issues, such as transportation, energy/environment, and entitlement programs. There is also federal regulation and oversight, and grant funding for research and demonstration programs.

Watching the very small progress made lately in the Senate is very frustrating and disappointing to those of us wanting to do good for the country. Having a presidential race, the entire House and 1/3 of the Senate campaigning, and a very partisan Congress with neither chamber having a veto-proof majority sets a challenging stage for collaboration. I often hear conversations about "waiting to see who takes the White House" and just "waiting until next year."

On the other hand, despite the extreme weather (hot, humid, and hail), I've been enjoying the city. And no, the market hasn't had my favorite cherry chocolate bread for over a month! (I put in a special request for July 6th, the next time I'll be up at the Dupont Circle farmer's market.) The raisin pumpernickel, while delicious, is a sad cousin to the ccb. The strawberries, on the other hand, have been fabulous! And with signs threatening that this week might be the last, I bought 6 quarts for smoothies and freezing (good thing I toted up some plastic leftover containers from Trader Joe's grapes for the big haul). And today at the market I saw cherries still on the branch! I saw that one other time, in Moldova from the orchard behind the house where we were being hosted. Both branches' cherries were delicious.

I found a better bike route to work - along Pennsylvania Ave to Constitution and up the hill (and in the heat, it's really a hill!) to the garage. The ride home is more fun, as I can cut through the mall to the basin and Potomac Park to the bike trail and home again along the water.

Summer festivals are gearing up. I saw a wonderful evening of ballet at the Kennedy Center, capped with 12 songs by Frank Sinatra (beautifully costumed and choreographed - with wit, whimsy, and mastery). Ben Miller and Indigenous performed (free!) outside the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian (also fabulous), and the National Sculpture Garden has free jazz every Friday evening.

I also enjoyed the amazing artifacts in the Smithsonian Museum of African Art - masks that represented status, rituals, and culture. The National Gallery of Art has a display of recently uncovered Afghanistan artifacts, including the jewelry from five burial tombs. One coin found in one of the females' tombs was thought to have originated in France. Amazing stories about the Silk Road. I confess to eavesdropping in on a "private tour" being given to three distinguished looking guests. (Most of the tourists were blue-jeanned and comfortable; these three were well-suited and silver-haired.) Upon closer notice of the guests, rather that listening to the tour guide, I noticed a body guard, looked a little closer, and realized I was standing next to Donald Rumsfeld. With some of his unpopular decisions, maybe he does need a bodyguard...

Today my spousal unit and I discovered another great bike loop - the Capitol Crescent Trail, which starts right from K St. in Georgetown, along the Canal, and then heads to Bethesda, where it picks up the bike trail in Rock Creek Park. Best of all, Beach Drive is closed to cars on the weekend, so us bikes just cruise downhill on the road - much smoother and less congested than the multi-use ("on your left") trail.

And whoever thought of putting swimming pools on apartment rooftops was a genius. Even though they're not much more than wading pools with five feet of water, coming back from a sweaty bike ride and jumping in a pool is just grand. You can look around and see other rooftop pools, the National Cathedral, the Washington Monument, airplanes coming in for a landing. Not to mention all the 20-year olds eyeing each other. Very entertaining and refreshing.

The Society for Public Health Education, Inc. (SOPHE) programming committee accepted my abstract for the annual meeting, so San Diego, California, here I come. The public health fellow from ASPH (Association of Schools of Public Health), who works with the Senate HELP committee, and I will talk about our experiences working in a Senate committee and personal office at the late October conference. Looking forward to it.

In the meantime, the applications for the 2009 APHA fellows are in and I'll participate in their review and selection later this summer. I'm gratified to see some strong candidates, one of whom will follow in my footsteps. (I'm trying to make those shoes very big!)

So, another chance to suggest public health policy for me to consider working on this session - any thoughts?

Start of Summer

At least it feels that way, as the weather is hot, hazy and high 90’s (after horrendous storms and tornado watches).

The Senate tried and missed on passing climate change legislation. High gas prices (I saw $4.59/gallon at the local Exxon today), imperfect policy and a heated campaign season (aren’t they always?) prompted procedural maneuvering from the start. The Republicans refused to waive the “reading of the bill,” so 500 pages, 8 hours and three hoarse clerks later, debate began to reach cloture and a motion to proceed, but little substance of the bill was addressed. Some Senators still seem confused about the difference between weather and climate. Apparently the Republicans were also annoyed that the Democratic leadership wasn’t bringing up nominations as promptly as supposedly promised.

At the same time, there’s a collective sigh of relief with the Democratic primary season ending. The very next morning, campaign volunteers were outside the Metro station on the Hill, handing out gold index cards inviting staffers to volunteer to work on the McCain campaign. Already.

The Hill newspapers are also regularly debating the scope of the presidential campaign and possible VP picks (that’s the latest game here). Everyone’s watching to see how the Senate manages a campaign between two of its own, and many others wondering where they might fit in the next administration – cabinet, administrative office, White House. High entertainment factor for the emotionally uninvolved.

Constituents are increasingly concerned about rule changes expected to occur this summer related to Medicaid and Medicare benefits, and whether or not fixes will be in the Supplemental, what the specifics of the Medicare bill will be, and what corrective amendments might be offered by leadership to less germane bills going to the floor, correcting problems with competitive bidding for durable medical equipment suppliers (sounds like I know what I'm talking about already...). Seeing the farm bill back to vote again on that 15th amendment accidentally left out of the version sent to the president for signature was unexpected and distracting. Talk about someone dropping the ball!

I dropped (introduced) the bill I’d been working on for several weeks, on the same day as the House version. One senator agreed to be an original cosponsor on ours (especially helpful since she’s on the committee to which it’s been referred) and four prominent national organizations came out to endorse it. We distributed a press release, included it in talking points for the Senator’s events this weekend, and I shared my “one pager” with district staff for their information. A good experience to see this process from beginning to end.

I attended my first reception at the Willard Hotel (http://www.washington.intercontinental.com/washa/index.shtml). Apparently that’s where the term “lobbyist” started, as so many people would hang around in the lobby, hoping to catch elected officials visiting from the White House, one block away. This reception was “allowed,” since it was a “widely attended event” (still, we ate standing, no forks). It was a majestic building, in any event.

The District summer season is in full swing. Free concerts, movies and plays, house and garden tours, charity fundraisers, and gazillion joggers and bikers (myself included). Despite the 98-degree heat outside, I took my morning bicycle ride, and found the paved canal path to Great Falls Park! Will return with more time to take the 14-mile trip to the park. I did successfully (2nd time’s the charm) obtain my Congressional Parking pass ($25) for my residential district, which I’m apparently eligible for since I work in the same office as my home state.

Late this afternoon I was able to check off another destination of interest: Arlington National Cemetery, http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/. And less than three miles away, right over the bridge near the Lincoln Memorial! Lots of other patriotic tourists there, too, dripping with sweat while watching the changing of the guard and visiting such sites as the Kennedy graves and the Iwo Jima monument. A very sobering and peaceful place. Sad to think that we’re currently at war.

The Millennium Stage (free concerts) at the Kennedy Center concluded their A Cappella series Friday evening with The Manhattan Transfer (who I listened to in school, decades ago). They were fabulous, and still popular, as the hall was filled – needing 4X more seating (and completely filled) than usual. I walked there, and am wearing down the support in my walking shoes. We women need a better fashion for wearing good walking shoes with work suits. My style will start attracting pidgeons!

The markets have blackberries and other locally grown fruit, so I’m in heaven. Gardens are fragrant (though needing frequent watering), my neighborhood has a wonderful public art display, and the next crop of university students are moving in. Life goes on.

Here’s hoping that tomorrow’s farmer’s market has my favorite cherry chocolate bread.

Senate Session Resumes through June

Feels like summer, looks like summer - fountains on, flowers blooming, bright blue sky. No D.C. humidity yet, so I'm grateful.

Votes expected tonight to proceed on the climate change bill in the Senate. Before the Memorial Day recess, the war supplemental and farm bills were passed. Pending nominations may be considered, as well. More than any other type of bills considered seem to be those resolution declaring "weeks" and "months" - very popular (and easy).

This month looks fairly routine (if there is such a thing): constituent visits, recommending bills to consider cosponsoring (I suggested seven today alone, but am catching up), briefings and hearings (two scheduled for this week, on infection control and health information technology), and following up on pending legislation - one bill close to being dropped/introduced, and another at the beginning of the process. I also hope to find time to draft two statements for the Senator to consider crafting policy from (too soon to mention here).

Two weeks away was quite relaxing - visiting family and friends in three states, catching up with pets and garden, reading (10 books, with all that traveling), and coping with being in an airplane for 11 hours rather than the 2.5 expected. Yikes!

Am working on a presentation about the federal legislative process and how to influence it, waiting to hear about a proposed session at my national conference in the fall, and watching my state and town struggle with budget deficits. These are big problems to solve, and I hope the decision-making process is less partisan than what I observe federally.

It seems to me that the 24/7 attention of the media, the rapid sharing of unvetted information through the internet, and the unrealistic expectations of the public (coupled with their lack of serious attention) makes it harder for elected officials to be particularly forthcoming or thoughtful without being attacked. I can't help but think our policy outcomes are much weaker because of this. Yet our problems are large, and the solutions seem so small in comparison.

Does anyone else feel this way?