TWICSEP7

The bill addresses the needs of "more than 24,000,000 veterans, and 36,600,000 family members of living veterans and survivors of deceased veterans to total about 20% of the US population. To address the needs of that population, Veterans Affairs" would receive $37.2 billion with nearly $30 billion to improve access to and quality of medical services for all veterans. The Senate voted to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from rounding down to the next lower dollar amount, any benefit payments for disability, dependency and indemnity compensation for veterans.

The Senate agreed to an amendment by Senator Coleman (R-MN) adds an additional $100 million to beef up security at the national political conventions next year. The amendment was agreed to 76 to 15.

Other Senate amendments would transfer funds to improve training for VA psychologists, require a report on the quality of mental health services to veteran's and a report on access to medical services provided by the VA to veterans who live in remote rural areas. Additionally, amendments allow for non-federal land in Aurora Colorado to be used to construct a VA medical facility there, up to $12 million for a study of South Texas veterans' inpatient and specialty outpatient health care needs in South Texas as well as a report on the reconstruction of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The VA is directed to reconsider contracting out any job that could be performed by ten or fewer Federal employees. Contractors bidding for a job in excess of $5 million must certify their status regarding any Federal tax liabilities.

{HR 2642 as passed by the House with amendments and votes}

{Senate Amendments to HR 2642 with votes}

FOREIGN OPS, STATE DEPARTMENT SPENDING BILL PASSES SENATE

Amendments Add Details to Country Programs, Seek Oversight

Secretary of State Rice

"The Foreign Operations spending bill funds the programs and initiatives that represent America’s non-military priorities and intentions towards the rest of the world as well as efforts to engage in the Global War on Terror and the sale of military equipment and training. How, where, and on what the funds are spent and the conditions required to qualify for funds goes a long way to define foreign policy intentions and how other countries see the US."

The Senate heavily amended the bill. Country specific amendments include $75 million for democracy programs in Iran, increasing funds through an offsetting cut for democracy radio and television broadcasts to Cuba, and providing for aerial eradication of cocoa in Colombia and funds for alternative crops. A new US-Egypt Friendship Endowment to improve exchanges between the countries is created. Funds to Iraq would be prohibited until the State Department reports on the Iraq Government efforts to fight corruption and the Committees on Appropriations are given, for the purposes of conducting oversight, access to State Department data on programs in Iraq.

Spending would be increased or minimum funding amounts set and various certifications and reports are ordered that require in-country police, governments and military factions be transparent or not party to corruption and human rights violations. Those countries include Iraq, Colombia, Bolivia, the Western Sahara region, Nepal, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and countries that recruit child soldiers.

International Military Education and Training for Guatemala is limited to the Guatemalan Air Force and Navy and only if the Secretary of State certifies that the Guatemalan Air Force and Navy are respecting human rights and are cooperating with civilian judicial investigations and prosecutions of military personnel who have been credibly alleged to have committed violations of human rights.

Regarding world organizations, an effort to reduce US dues to the UN, from the 27.1% in the bill to last year's 25% failed, as did an effort to prohibit funds to the World Bank for control of Malaria. Both amendments were in response to the belief that there is a lack of clarity in those organization's management of money and questionable program results.

Transparency in accounting is called for in the Global Fund related to fight HIV AIDS, TB and Malaria, foreign assistance spending in general and the Secretary of State is directed to establish and maintain on the home page of the State website a direct link to the website for the Office of Inspector General of the Department of State. Peace Corps funding would be increased by $10 million.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds by international organizations, agencies, and entities that requires the registration of, or tax guns owned by U.S. citizens was agreed to 81 to 10 RV 321.

An effort to prevent contributions to organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning was defeated 41 - 53. RV 320. An amendment prohibiting funds to organizations that support coercive abortions passed 48 to 45. RV 318. An amendment to revise the bill language and allow for funds to non-governmental organizations that work to reverse foreign country programs such as coercive abortion and aid children and women who are imprisoned and suffer other human rights violations because of pregnancy or rape succeeded 53 to 41 RV 219.

{HR 2764 with amendments and votes as passed by the House}

{Senate amendments to HR 2764 with votes}

Bills Aid Education; Increase Trade Opportunities and Micro-Loan Amounts for Small Businesses. Voter Protection Bill Not Considered.

Three Bills Increase Educational Resources, Opportunities-

Minority Serving Institutions May Get Help with Broadband Access. HR 694

Foreign Exchange Program Between US and Poland High School Students Proposed. S 377

Pacific Rim Students Could Study in the US for One Year.

HR 3062

Small Business

Small Businesses Could See Increase in Foreign Trade Opportunities.

HR 2992

Micro-Loan Limits for Small Business Startups Raised .

HR 3020

Voter Protection

Bill to Set Paper Ballot Requirements Scheduled for Floor Action but Not Considered. HR 811

The House and Senate Agreed to the Conference Report on HR 2669, a Bill to Increase Access to Education Financing. House Vote: 292 to 97 RC 864

Senate Vote: 79 to 12 RV 326