Most of the real work of the U.S. Congress (and perhaps the most contentious) will occur after the elections when Congress returns to finish the “business of the people” during a short Lame Duck session. Almost everything of consequence, most notably a set of automatic, economy-related spending cuts and tax increases that have been called […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Congress returned to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10 for an abbreviated session and is likely to do the bare minimum: making sure the federal government doesn’t shutdown.  Congress has scheduled only about five to six work days in Washington between now and the elections.  Many members will be spending most […]

The link below will take you to a report to Congress by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office on projections of the economy for the remainder of 2012 and 2013. It is an interesting report. It makes projections based on two scenarios, one where the federal budget deficit is reduced by austerity to about $600 billion […]

What follows is a summary of a recent article published by the Senate Republican Policy Committee on its concerns over the newly established Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. As a reminder, MRAA worked with a maritime lawyer in New York City and the National Automobile Dealers Association to secure an exemption for boat dealers in the […]

The U.S. President signed the $105-billion Highway Transportation Bill on July 6, bringing an end to a three-year fight over fishing and boating spending. This is an important development for the boating industry because the Highway Transportation Bill contains the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund re-authorization. MRAA has been working with other fishing […]

In the House of Representatives, 245 members recently voted in support of small businesses everywhere by passing H.R. 4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act. The bill is a comprehensive regulatory reform bill that streamlines the time consuming rulemaking and permitting process, brings transparency to rules issued by federal agencies, and […]

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act, on August 1 by a vote of 256 Yea to 171 No along party lines to extend the expiring tax cuts for households and businesses at all income levels through 2013. These tax cuts are known as the “Bush Tax […]

I am following up briefly on yesterday’s message on the Bush Tax cuts and continuation of the current estate tax. The House of Representatives voted yesterday 256 to 171 (along party lines) to extend the expiring tax cuts for households and businesses at all income levels through 2013. The vote came following the House rejection […]

The following link will take you to a report on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the Republican Policy Committee. I believe you may find this interesting. As it now stands, boat dealers are exempt form the Dodd-Frank Act, but I am always amazed how the federal agencies get involved in regulation over Congressional intent. […]

I want to provide you with a brief update on repeal of the Estate Tax. It appears House action on legislation to extend the Bush tax cuts has been moved up and will now take place this afternoon. Legislation that sets the parameters for fundamental tax reform will be voted on tomorrow. The rule approved […]