• The House passed legislation (HR-2965) by a 362 to 57 vote that would end the competitive edge Federal Prison Industries has in bidding for federal contracts through a five-year phase out. The House passed a similar measure in 2003.
• The House also passed a bill (HR-6061) by a 283 to 138 vote that would authorize the construction of 700 miles of fencing and additional "virtual" fencing along the U.S.- Mexico border. This is the first of a series of GOP border security initiatives that will be passed individually and then added to the homeland security appropriations bill later this month.
• The House also passed 245 to 171 a lobbying-reform rules change that will require the disclosure of the sponsors of "earmarks" in appropriation bills and other legislation. The requirement must be renewed each Congress.
• The Senate unanimously passed the port security bill (HR-4954) that also contains emergency Internet telephone service requirements and $5 billion more for rail and mass transit security programs. It is unclear whether Congress can pass a final version before the House adjourns on Sept. 29.
• The Senate re-debates legislation (HR-5684) implementing the US-Oman free trade agreement. The measure which first cleared the Senate in June and the House in July needs to pass again because the Constitution requires the House to act first.

Senate Approves Small Business Tax Cuts
The Senate Finance Committee approved about $8 billion in business tax breaks that backers said were needed to push a minimum wage increase through the narrowly divided Senate. The bill also extends an opportunity tax credit for businesses that hire disabled workers and will allow small businesses to write off up to $112,000 in equipment expenses.

Houses Passes Ethics Bill
The U.S. Senate passed their version of a lobbying reform and ethics bill. Negotiators from both the House and Senate will meet to negotiate a merged draft of the two before passing it on to the President. With the passage of the Senate bill, the Democrats were able to claim passage of six legislative items within the first 100 hours in session.

Health Care Coalition Makes Recommendations
The Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured suggests that Congress increase the amount of money placed in the Children's Health Insurance Program, among other initiatives. Although the proposal would cost $45 billion in the first five years, analysts claim this plan of action would be cheaper than no action at all.