Weekly Roundup of Activity on the Hill

Here’s the weekly round-up from our “Hill sources”:
House in recess this past week, and the Senate in recess through June 4. The Senate voted on a few bills before it left for the Memorial Day break, but failed to make progress on others.

Bills that the Senate passed

Bills the Senate considered, but didn’t pass

  • The Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act (S 2343)
    Before leaving, the Senate voted against two bills that would keep the student loan interest rate low for another year. The Senate voted on the Democratic bill, The Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act, but that failed 51-43 (60 votes were needed). The Democratic bill expanded the payroll tax to pay for the loan rate extension.
  • The Interest Rate Reduction Act (S 2366)
    This Republican student loan bill was voted down 34-62. The Interest Rate Reduction Act pays for the reduction by terminating a healthcare fund.
  • The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization (S 1925)
    The Senate left without making any headway toward reauthorizing VAWA, leaving the issue until June to sort out. Democrats made an attempt to move their bill, S 1925, and Republicans made an attempt to move the House Republican bill, HR 4970.

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NEWLY INTRODUCED BILLS
http://www.popvox.com/blog/2012/newly-introduced-bills-congress-week-may-7/