The Daily Countable: FISA Reauthorized, Opioids and Medicaid, & Voting Snafus in Virginia
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
One more day until government shutdown, folks!
Republicans have formulated another stopgap spending bill, with a six year CHIP extension attached to it. It's still unclear if all the Republicans will support it, or if some Democrats may defy their caucus and vote for it, but if you want to know about the bill itself, read all about it right here.
One Big Thing
Today, just in time for the Friday expiration deadline, the Senate passed the FISA bill, reauthorizing warrentless surveillance for another six years without the greater privacy protections that some lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, were calling for.
Do you support this move to reauthorize FISA? Do you want to see Congress introduce separate legislation to address privacy concerns? Does it make you want to go off grid and move to the middle of nowhere? Let your lawmakers know!
On the Radar
The opioid epidemic is on everyone's radar these days, and for good reason. And Medicaid is also a big issue for many of you. GOP members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee are now bringing the two together in a report, arguing that Medicaid expansion is fueling the opioid crisis.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) managed to push back via a written statement even though she has the flu. So, if you agree with her that this report is poppycock, what's your excuse? Let your Members of Congress hear from you!
And if you agree with the report, you should also weigh in. The more participation the better! That's always the Countable position.
Under the Radar
This news didn't get much coverage outside of the DC area, but a Washington Post analysis found that thousands of Virginia voters likely voted in the wrong state legislature district in 2017, and have been since 2010. And research experts say the problem likely exists everywhere.
What?!?
Want to know what happened in Virginia and how you, no matter what state you live in, can see if you are also assigned to the wrong voting district? Read our article here, then contact your state Board of Elections to urge them to conduct a similar analysis. Every vote counts!
Your Gov at a Glance 👀
The White House: President Trump in DC
- The president will meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in the morning, before meeting with senior military leaders at the Pentagon.
- The president will then travel to Pennsylvania to visit H&K Equipment Company, where he will deliver remarks before returning to the White House.
The House of Representatives: In Session
- Voting on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through February 16, renew the Children's Health insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, and extend delays of several Obamacare taxes.
- Voting on a bill to exempt financial institutions that originate fewer than 500 mortgages or sell less than 500 credit lines annually from reporting requirements.
- Voting on one other bill.
The Senate: In Session
- Voting on a bill to reauthorize intelligence agencies' surveillance powers under FISA Section 702.
- If the CR passes the House, the Senate could move to start consideration of the bill.
Tomorrow’s Preview
- The House is expected to vote on a bill to enact criminal penalties for healthcare providers who don't provide care to an infant that survives an attempted abortion.
- If the CR passes the House and the Senate doesn't vote on it today, a vote would likely be held tomorrow.
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— Asha Sanaker
Talk to Andrea Seabrook, Managing Editor, via email, andrea [at] countable.us, or on twitter, @RadioBabe. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Countable.
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