On the Blog: Presidential Politics

It’s hard to follow what happens in Washington, D.C., so a lot of people focus on the “Who’s up? Who’s down?” of politics. The last few weeks served up some good examples of that kind of politics as it relates to President Obama.

We surveyed the scene in a post entitled: “Being Presidential.”

Featured Items

With Congress returning from its summer break this week, the Senate is scheduled to debate H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act.

The bill would alter the rule in patent law that prioritizes the award of a patent from the “first to invent” to the “first inventor to file.” The bill would also allow individuals to challenge the validity of a patent and would modify the Patent and Trademark Office’s authority to collect and spend fees.

Passage of H.R. 1249 would cost the average U.S. family about $490.

The House will debate H.R. 2218, the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act.

The bill would amend and reauthorize two federal laws related to charter schools, and it would spend $300 million per year over seven years on grants to develop and expand charter schools.

Passage of H.R. 2218 would cost the average U.S. family a little under $9.00

H.R. 1249
The America Invents Act
Costs $489.67 per family

H.R. 2218
The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act
Costs $8.74 per family

What People Think

The America Invents Act 31% For, 69% Against Vote on this Bill

The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act 60% For, 40% Against Vote on this Bill

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

H.R. 1741
The Secure Visas Act
Costs $3.36 per family

S. 703
The HEARTH Act of 2011
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 1904
The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011
Costs $0.07 per family

S. 1000
The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011
Costs $10.69 per family

S. 1001
The Alternative Fuel Vehicles Competitiveness and Energy Security Act of 2011
Costs $7.96 per family

S. 914
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans, and for other purposes
Costs $11.55 per family

S. 714
The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization of 2011
Costs $1.15 per family

H.R. 461
The South Utah Valley Electric Conveyance Act
Costs $0.00 per family

Updated Items

none

Passed Items

none