Congress recently wrapped up a busy work period in May, but is still left with unfinished business heading into the summer. The most pressing item on the Congressional agenda for June is the reauthorization of certain federal government surveillance provisions originally contained in the USA PATRIOT Act. Those provisions expired beginning June 1, 2015 and will remain that way for at least a brief period of time until Congress can agree on either an extension of or reforms to those surveillance authorities currently enjoyed by our federal intelligence agencies.
Congress left town last week for a two week recess over the Easter holiday after both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed their respective budget blueprints. Congress is also poised to adopt legislation that would permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) Medicare physician repayment formula when they return on the week of April 13th.