On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 954, the CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016, by a vote of 258-165 (See Roll Call #563). This legislation temporarily exempts individuals whose coverage under a plan offered by a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer receiving funds through the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program was terminated or otherwise discontinued from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate
On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act, by a vote of 399-25. (See Roll Call #572). This legislation authorizes the United States Army Corps of Engineers to carry out water resources development activities through cost-sharing partnerships with non-federal sponsors. These activities include navigation, flood damage reduction, shoreline protection, hydropower, dam safety, water supply, recreation, environmental restoration and protection, and disaster response and recovery.
Also on Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, by a vote of 246-177. (See Roll Call #574). This legislation provides a six month delay in the effective date for the Department of Labor’s overtime pay rule.
Also on Wednesday, the House agreed to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5325, the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act, by a vote of 342-85. (See Roll Call #573). The bill funds the federal government through December 9, 2016, provides $1.1 billion to respond to the Zika virus, includes the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Conference Report as passed by the House, and contains $500 million in grants to help states rebuild and recover from recent flooding.
Also on Wednesday, the House passed S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding, by a vote of 348-77-1. (See Roll Call #564). This legislation would allow the victims and families of victims of terror attacks to sue foreign states that aid and abet acts of terror that occur on U.S. soil. Specifically, the legislation amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to narrow the immunity granted to foreign states and their employees or agents from lawsuits by victims of terrorist acts on U.S. soil.
