|
Off-site Links To Legislation and Other Information |
THOMAS.gov Bill Data--The Library of Congress |
Non-partisan Budget & Spending Information |
The White House |
National and International Resources We Use |
Does Your Opinion Match the Polls? |
|
Legislation News & Report (TM) The Week in Congress .com (TM) The Wednesday Galleys "A Democracy is Only A Democracy When You Participate" February 8, 2008 Edition Volume 5 Number 4 |
||||||||||||||||
Other Bills and Resolutions This Week +++ U.S. & The World ---- South Korean Leader Wished Well; ----- Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions Continued; ---- US to Comply with UN Nuke Inspectors; ----- Refugee Aid Increase to Africa-Middle East; ----- ----- ---- Managing America +++ Banking & Finance Nothing This Week ---- The Courts Nothing This Week Education Nothing This Week Energy Nothing This Week Environment and Resources Nothing This Week Government Agencies Nothing This Week Health & Safety Mental Health Benefits Equalized; ----- Military Nothing This Week Miscellaneous D-N-C Registry Revenue Authorized; ----- Native American Matters Nothing This Week Public Land Nothing This Week Taxes Mental Health Benefits Equalized; ---- Motor Sports Depreciation Made Permanent; ---- Veterans Nothing This Week ---- War on Terror Nothing This Week Recording Organization Turns 50; ----- ---- ----- Civil Rights Black History Month Since 1926; ---- ---- ----- Challenger Anniversary Mourned; ---- The President Cote d'Ivoire Sanctions Continued; ---- US to Comply with UN Nuke Inspectors; ----- Refugee Aid Increase to Africa-Middle East; ----- ----- |
Photo: Darren Hester
EDUCATION BILL EXPANDED
Lenders, Schools to be More Accountable to Student Borrowers
(TheWeekInCongress.com) February 7, 2008 - On the heels of the education package passed last year, the House further fine-tuned governance of student loan lending practices, more accurate representation of the actual net cost of education by schools and extended programs to recruit and train educators, healthcare professionals and public servants.
Loan applications and procedures are to be streamlined and simplified in the interest of clarity. Student and family borrowers are to be given more thorough information on the debt they may incur. Colleges and universities must provide students with an accurate net cost of pursuing education at their institutions. The textbook industry is encouraged to find less expensive ways to provide college texts. Ultimately publishers must provide information on substantive changes to new editions of textbooks to determine if an older, less expensive text has the necessary information the professors require to teach the classes.
Like its predecessor, the bill looks to increase grants and loan forgiveness to students studying to enter public service fields and those who would be willing to serve for a period of time in high-need areas of education and healthcare.
STIMULUS PACKAGE RETURNED TO HOUSE
The Senate Trimmed Down its Amendments, Some Prevail
(TheWeekInCongress.com) February 7, 2007 - Most Senate expansions of the House bill, HR 5140, were aside as the Senate agreed to return it with provisions sending rebate checks to low-income seniors and some veterans and with stronger wording on prohibiting rebates and other bill benefits for illegal aliens.
Amendments not making the cut include efforts to create jobs through funding of some public works projects, add additional funds for food stamps and food banks as well as funds for home heating costs of low-income families.
The bill passed the Senate 81 to 16. The House agreed to the Senate amendments 380 to 34 clearing the measure for the president.
{HR 5140 Report} {An explanation of the Senate substitute from the Senate Finance Committee}
|
Bills Equalize Mental Health Benefits; Increase SBA Opportunities for Veterans; Reauthorize Do-Not-Call Registry; Extend Motor Sports Complex Tax Deductions. Mental Health Group health plans must continue to treat mental health benefits the same as other medical benefits in regard to lifetime limits and yearly limits of benefits. Veteran Small Businesses The House agreed to a Senate amendment to the House bill increasing small business opportunities for veterans. House - HR 4253 Senate - S 1784 Do Not Call FTC is reauthorized to collect fees from telemarketers for access to Do-Not-Call list. Company cost for the list set at $14,850. Motor Sports Taxes Deductions for depreciation of motor sports complex assets are made permanent.
|
||||||||||||||
