Conyers Introduces Six Bills at the Start of the 111th Congress

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) today introduced six bills on the first day of the 111^th Congress.  Today’s legislation includes a proposal to create a War Powers Commission, a measure to assist homeowners in bankruptcy, a series of election protection bills, and the reintroduction of HR 40, a bill to establish a commission to study various reparations proposals.

Below are summaries of the bills introduced today and the names of co-sponsors.

National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties
Will establish a Blue Ribbon Commission comprised of experts outside government service to investigate the broad range of policies of the Bush administration that were undertaken by the Bush administration under claims of unreviewable war powers. 
Co-sponsors: Nadler, Johnson, Jackson-Lee, Cohen, Gutierrez, Delahunt, Wasserman Schultz

Mortgage Bankruptcy
The Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009 (which is identical to a bill introduced today by Sen. Durbin) amends the Bankruptcy Code to allow a judge to modify the terms of a home mortgage in foreclosure.  This legislation removes an anomaly in current law that allows the modification of virtually all other types of debt in bankruptcy, except home mortgages.
Co-sponsors:  Nadler, Linda Sánchez, Delahunt, Scott, Waters, Gutierrez, Cohen

Election Reform
The Voting Opportunity and Technology Enhancement Rights Act (VOTER) will protect and expand voting rights in federal elections, as well as ensure the proper administration of federal elections by requiring, among other things, early voting, same day registration, proper allocation of poll workers and voting machines, and an Election Day federal holiday.
Co-sponsors: Nadler, Weiner, Schiff, Cohen, Gutierrez, Wasserman Schultz

Caging
The Caging Prohibition Act, one, requires election officials to corroborate their caging documents with independent evidence before a voter can be deemed ineligible, and two, limits all other challenges that do not come from election officials to those based on personal, first-hand knowledge.
Co-sponsors: Johnson, Nadler, Scott, Schiff, Gutierrez, Cohen, Wasserman Schultz

Deceptive Practices
The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act prohibits the communication of false election related information with the intent to prevent another from voting and increases voter intimidation penalties.
Co-sponsors: Johnson, Nadler, Delahunt, Scott, Schiff, Gutierrez, Cohen

H.R. 40
The Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, establishes a commission to study the institution of slavery and its lingering effects on modern day society.
Co-sponsors: Nadler, Scott, Gutierrez, Cohen