Here's a running summary of important or interesting bills submitted in the House and Senate. We'll update the status of the legislation when major milestones are reached -when there's a vote, when it's passed along to the other chamber, when the president signs or vetoes it, and so on.

• On January 21, the House passed the TARP Reform and Accountability Act (H.R. 384). The legislation lays out requirements for financial institutions that receive bailout funds, as well as automakers that receive government bridge loans. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate.
• House member Louise Slaughter submitted the Prevention First Act of 2009 (H.R. 463/S.21). In the Senate it was introduced by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The legislation focuses on reproductive and sexual health issues, and in some cases reverses Bush administration policies. It provides funding for comprehensive sex education programs, and none for abstinence-only sex ed. Other provisions include mandatory access to emergency contraception for rape survivors, and a requirement that hospital staff provide factual, science-based information on EC, including instructions that it doesn't cause abortions.

The bill would also force health insurers to offer equitable coverage for prescription contraceptives.

• The House passed legislation that would reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
  

All of the Rochester-area House representatives voted in favor of the bill: Democrats Louise Slaughter, Eric Massa, and Dan Maffei, as well as Republican Chris Lee. Because of the expansion, which loosens the income threshold, 11.2 million more New York children will be eligible for the state health care program. The expansion will be financed by an increase in the tobacco tax.

Similar legislation is under consideration by the Senate.

An SCHIP expansion passed during the previous Congress, only to be vetoed by President Bush. Sponsors couldn't get enough support to override the veto.

• The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (H.R. 11/S.181) prohibits pay discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Under the law, an employee has 180 days to file a charge with the Department of Labor. The bill passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate. UPDATE: The bill passed the Senate 61 to 36 on Thursday, January 22, according to the Washington Post. The Post says that the bill has been sent back to the House for final consideration and may become the first piece of legislation signed by President Barack Obama. UPDATE #2: President Obama signed the act into law on Thursday, January 29, 2009
  

• The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 12/S.182) addresses pay discrimination based on a person's sex. The bill passed the House and is under consideration by the Senate.

• The Camera Phone Predator Alert Act (H.R. 414). The bill requires camera phones to make an audible noise when a picture is taken.