The New Senate: What will they focus on? Finance Committee

[TayTay]

Baucus plans hearings on Medicare, Social Security finance
AP Alert - Montana (11-17-2006)

WASHINGTON_Montana Senator Max Baucus says he wants to hold hearings on looming insolvency in the Medicare and Social Security programs. Baucus also says President Bush's plan to partially privatize Social Security is dead.

The Montana Democrat spoke today as incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, a post Baucus acquires following his party's gains in the election last week.

He says rising health-care costs are a priority for the Finance Committee. Baucus also says he will propose legislation to simplify the Medicare prescription drug program.

Baucus has been on the Finance Committee for more than 20 years. When Democrats took control of the Senate in 2001, he served as the committee's chairman, briefly.

Let me remember what sub-committees Sen. Kerry sits on in Finance. Let's see, Health Care. Social Security and Family Policy and Reducing Long-Term debt. Hmmmmmmm. Gee, I wonder if anyone thinks it's 'powerful' to sit on the sub-committees that will write the new tax codes and face the challenge of fixing social security?

And this in another article:

Sen. Baucus to tackle health care costs
AFX International Focus (11-17-2006)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003435585_webdems17.html?syndication=rss

SNIP

Baucus said the committee plans to push legislation that would:

-- Permanently scale back the alternative minimum tax, a complicated portion of the tax code aimed to catch wealthy tax dodgers that affects middle class taxpayers.

-- Raise the estate tax exemption to $5 million for individuals and $10 for couples, an idea that has stalled so far even in the Republican Senate.

-- Push tax breaks for married couples and the child tax credit.

-- Renew and increase funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, which is set to expire in 2007.

-- Extend renewable electricity production credits and create $1 billion in tax credits for investments in clean coal facilities.

-- Provide free college for math and science majors, provided they work and teach in their program of study for at least four years after graduation.

Hmmmmmm, sounds like Democrats to me. I wonder if that tall Sen from Mass might have some input into these agenda items?

[TayTay]

1. Good post on Dkos from David Sirota

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/17/123657/55

Now, who is it that has the Export Products, Not Jobs bill in the Senate, that was re-directed to the Senate Finance Committee?

[wisteria]

2. Thanks for the information. I will be waiting on futher word on all this

important matters coming up for discussion.

[ProSense]

3. Good stuff! Add Sen. Kennedy:

"The student loan program works brilliantly for the banks, but not for the students," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said in a speech on the Senate floor.