(C) Iowa Capital Dispatch
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D.C. Dispatch: Bills are passed, Senate sticks around, House heads home [1]
['Jay Waagmeester', 'More From Author', '- December']
Date: 2023-12-15
The U.S. Senate is sticking around Washington this week, while House members head home in the midst of a season where several must-pass bills have yet to be approved.
In an effort to pass an immigration bill, the Senate postponed its holiday break, which was scheduled to start Friday. Whether the immigration bill can be passed in the next week is to be determined, senators say.
Congress did pass several bills introduced by Iowans, including those that would expand research on prematurely born infants, expand the availability of substance-abuse assistance.
Here’s what the Iowa’s delegation was up to this week:
Passed bills
Diagnostic lab billing transparency: A bill introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is headed to the Senate inside a package of bills. Miller-Meeks’ bill would require diagnostic labs to be more transparent when posting prices.
“Currently, patients can only see the prices for labs conducted at hospitals and not the prices for diagnostic services offered by competing independent labs,” Miller-Meeks said in a news release. “The ‘Diagnostic Lab Testing Transparency Act,’ supports consumer choice by expanding a patient’s ability to shop for diagnostic tests and therefore compare prices.”
The Diagnostic Lab Testing Transparency Act furthers price transparency requirements for diagnostic labs by requiring the labs to post cash prices and the minimum and maximum insurer-negotiated rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.
This bill applies to services listed as “shoppable services” by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Chinese shell companies: With the intent of eliminating Chinese shell companies, a bill by Rep. Zach Nunn passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 420-1.
The Protect Small Businesses and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act is an attempt to mitigate the effects of a 2020 law, which, according to the congressman’s office, was implemented by the Department of Treasury in a way that’s different from congressional intent.
Shell companies are typically used to hold and manage funds for another entity, and typically do not provide products or services. The 2020 Corporate Transparency Act established reporting requirements for businesses, but offered the ability for companies to report it was “unable to obtain” or “unable to identify” the true ownership of the business.
“The Chinese Communist Party has more than 40,000 shell companies currently operating in the United States that jeopardize our national security, steal our intellectual property and undermine our economy,” Nunn said in a news release. “By passing this legislation, we’re fighting back against the Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive maneuvers to harm our national security while, at the same time, reducing the burden of red tape on Iowa’s small businesses.”
The law, which is up for a vote in the Senate, removes the opportunity to claim lack of awareness of ownership and extends the 90-day reporting window for new businesses to 12-months to adjust to the new requirements.
Nunn on opioid overdoses: A bill tripling the money allocated to the Building Communities of Recovery program passed the House and is headed to the Senate.
The bill would increase funding for the program connecting people with substance use disorders and mental health disorders with community resources by $11 million. The change increases the current allocation of $5 million to $16 million, distributed annually through 2028.
“Communities across the country continue to struggle with how to deal with the opioid epidemic,” Nunn said in a news release. “Too many Iowans know a family member or friend who is dealing with an addiction to opioids. We must do more to stop the flow of illegal drugs into this country, and we also need to help those suffering from addiction now.”
In 2022, 1,355 deaths in Iowa were reported as substance-involved mortalities, with alcohol contributing to 926 of those deaths, opioids contributing to 227, and psychostimulants contributing to 202 deaths, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill was included in the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act.
PREEMIE Act passes House: A bill supporting the research and education of premature birth research, introduced by Miller-Meeks, passed the House. It reauthorizes a 2006 law that funds research, education and intervention to reduce prematurely born infants.
“I’m proud that this bipartisan effort to support research and educational programs to uncover the cause and impact of preterm births has passed the House and I look forward to getting it one step closer to becoming law,” Miller-Meeks said in a news release.
Funding includes grants to educate doctors and the public about risk factors that could lead to premature births and to screen pregnant people to detect if risk factors are present.
According to the CIA World Factbook, the United States has the 174th highest infant mortality rate out of 227 listed countries.
Parental leave for military: A Nunn-sponsored bill to give drilling members of the Reserve and National Guard who are new fathers or adoptive parents the same parental leave as mothers and of those in other branches was included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
“As a father and current Air Force Reserve member, I’ve experienced firsthand the sacrifices parents make to serve our country,” Nunn said in a news release. “I’m proud that our bipartisan bill has been included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to make life easier for military families.”
The bill passed Thursday awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.
Fentanyl focus in defense: A bill sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst was included in the newly passed defense authorization act. The bill would direct the Pentagon to develop a counter-drug strategy for fentanyl and increase cooperation with the Mexican government and military.
“The danger of fentanyl to families across our nation is too great to ignore, which is why I’ve worked throughout the year to counter this national security threat,” Ernst said in a news release. “Through this bipartisan work, the Pentagon will use its tools to go after the drug cartels and force Mexico to the table. As it becomes law, we can save American lives.”
Military back-pay approved: The Senate unanimously passed an Ernst bill that allows military officers to be paid retroactively. The Military Personnel Confirmation Regulation Act allows officers to use retroactive dates to claim the pay grade they were appointed to when receiving payments and benefits.
“Our servicemembers are not political pawns, but their livelihoods and the lives of their families were held up for months, through no fault of their own,” Ernst said in a news release. “At a time when our military is facing historic recruiting shortages, it is essential our nation not waver in its support of those who selflessly serve.”
According to Ernst’s office, this change could result in tens of thousands of dollars for some families.
Other congressional actions
K9 retirement support: Rep. Randy Feenstra proposed a $5 million grant program through the Department of Justice to assist law enforcement officers in caring for their retired K9s.
The grants would be distributed through the U.S. attorney general to registered nonprofits. Requirements include nonprofits with proven track records and reporting the records of spending the grant money, which would eventually be presented to Congress.
“Our police and law enforcement officers make incredible sacrifices to protect our communities and undertake many responsibilities out of the public eye,” Feenstra stated in a news release. “That includes caring for police K9s – which assist officers in seizing drugs, tracking missing people and detaining criminals – during their service and after their retirement.”
Feenstra said the legislation could be a way to attract police officers to departments that are struggling to hire new officers.
“In my conversations with police and sheriff’s departments across the 4th Congressional District, officers themselves often cover the expenses associated with veterinary visits and other costs,” Feenstra said. “Our police forces are still struggling to hire new officers, and our law enforcement officers already have enough on their plates; they shouldn’t be expected to spend their paychecks on routine police dog care and checkups.”
Fertilizer study requested: A bipartisan bill to study competition and trends in fertilizer markets and how prices are affected was introduced by Iowa’s senators.
“Bidenomics has been tough on all Iowans, especially our farmers and rural communities,” Ernst said in a news release. “On top of rising prices for everyday goods, Iowa’s ag community is facing all-time high fertilizer costs.”
The bill would require the secretary of agriculture to complete a report within the next year that details market trends over the past 25 years, fertilizers imported most often, impacts of anti-dumping duties, concerns regarding the industry, new technologies and more.
“Farmers’ bottom lines thin as the price of fertilizer rises,” Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a news release. “With fertilizer being one of the ag industry’s highest input costs, it’s problematic farmers have such a limited window into market fluctuations. Our bill will provide farmers in Iowa and across the Heartland with needed transparency and certainty as they navigate production costs.”
Feenstra for farm safety: A bill regulating software and technology used in farming operations was introduced by Feenstra. It would require technologies, including those using artificial intelligence, to be verified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“From precision agriculture to veterinary software, the latest developments in agricultural technology – including artificial intelligence – have the power to lower input costs for farmers, protect the health of livestock and poultry and make farming operations more efficient,” Feenstra said in a news release. “However, we must be equally active in certifying that these new technologies, products and processes work as they should and uphold the highest industry standards.”
Grassley: Increase reporting of law enforcement attacks
A bipartisan bill reintroduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley would help law enforcement officers better prepare for, identify and prevent unprovoked attacks or ambushes.
Grassley’s bill would increase the volume of information that is voluntarily collected after a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty and expand mental health improvement opportunities for those in law enforcement.
“Attacks on law enforcement officers are tragic and disgusting assaults on justice,” Grassley said in a news release. “We ought to do all we can to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the courageous officers who serve us. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to back the blue and learn how we can better protect those in uniform.”
Ernst introduces anti-harassment bill
A bill that would terminate federal employees convicted of sexual harassment, and prevent pay raises and promotions for five years for employees convicted or found guilty by an administrative board of committing sexual misconduct was introduced by Ernst.
The introduction of the bill was prompted by a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation failure to answer questions from Ernst regarding sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
“Sexual assault has no place in our society, let alone the government,” Ernst said in a news release. “I’m exposing this misconduct, kicking these creeps out of our federal workplace, and putting an end to this egregious behavior. This follows my promise of accountability for the bureaucrats who turned the FDIC into a frat house by making sure federal employees who committed sexual misconduct—working on the taxpayer’s dime—face appropriate consequences.”
The bill would also require those contracted by the federal government to follow this policy.
The impeachment inquiry
The House approved proceeding with an impeachment inquiry into Biden, which will now be investigated in three committees.
Feenstra said the process was part of his constitutional duty, “While Republicans have upheld our constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the executive branch, President Biden has been uncooperative and evasive.”
Nunn said it is important for Congress to maintain the power of oversight, “By voting to formally continue this inquiry, I remain impartial on the outcome of the investigation, but we must ensure Congress has the power needed to effectively conduct oversight of the Executive Branch in a way that compels transparency from the White House,” he said.
Rep. Ashley Hinson said she has never supported “predetermined or political impeachments, as Nancy Pelosi pursued with President Trump. The credible allegations uncovered about President Biden’s potential involvement in Hunter Biden’s influence peddling and alleged pay-to-play schemes warrant full investigation, as do the President’s blatant lies about his knowledge regarding his family’s foreign business dealings.”
Ernst: ‘GREET is great’
The U.S. Department of the Treasury will now allow the U.S. Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model when calculating sustainable aviation fuel credits. Sustainable aviation fuel is supported in part by Iowa crops, and Iowa’s delegates celebrated the change.
“GREET is great, and I’m glad that Treasury is finally realizing it,” Ernst said in a news release. “By ensuring our farmers and producers are rewarded for their clean practices, GREET creates a market-driven approach to sustainability that is better for our national security and our environment.”
Hinson called the move “an important step in the right direction.”
Grassley weighed in on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it a “big win for Iowa farmers & ethanol producers 2day Treasury dept approved the adoption of U.S. GREET Model to be used for ethanol based sustainable aviation fuel Hope to see the trend continue.”
Feenstra replied to Grassley’s post, saying, “The GREET model is the most accurate and reliable tool for measuring the benefits of #IA04 ethanol, biodiesel, and #SAF. This decision is good for our economy, our energy security, and our producers. I hope the Biden administration honors this commitment in the long run, too.”
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