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Legislation News & Report (TM) The Week in Congress .com (TM) The Wednesday Galleys "A Democracy is Only A Democracy When You Participate" February 29, 2008 Edition Volume 5 Number 6 |
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Other Bills and Resolutions This Week +++ U.S. & The World State Department Response Program Expanded; ---- ----- ---- ----- Managing America +++ Banking & Finance Nothing This Week ---- The Courts Nothing This Week Education Nothing This Week Energy Nothing This Week Environment and Resources EPA to Continue Diesel Cleanup Program; ----- Hunting Allowed in W. VA Park; ----- Government Agencies National Service Programs Amended; ----- Health & Safety Mitigation Sought for Airport Noise; ----- Agency Beefed Up to Inspect Imported Toys; ---- Mental Health Parity Sought in Group Plans; ---- Military Nothing This Week Miscellaneous ----- Capitol Visitors Center Divided; ----- Native American Matters Nothing This Week Public Land ----- Fed Property Donated for Nevada Cancer Center; ----- ----- Utah Town gains National Park Land; ----- Naval Facility To Become National Park Asset; ----- Florida Lighthouse Transferred; ----- ----- Taxes Nothing This Week Veterans Nothing This Week ---- War on Terror Nothing This Week ----- Everglades Activist Remembered; ----- ----- ----- Civil Rights ---- Nothing This Week The President President Limits PLO US Activities; ----- Intel. Advisory Board Created; ----- High Intensity Drug Trafficking in US; ---- ----- |
1963 photo of President Kennedy proposing VISTA program. The program was established in 1964.
HOUSE WORKS ON BILL TO RECHARGE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
(TheWeekInCongress.com) March 6, 2008 - The GIVE Act focuses on increasing volunteer opportunities for elementary, secondary and college students, the baby boom generation and retired volunteers to volunteer in service to the nation.
Younger students would participate in the Learn and Serve Program that combines community service with teacher instruction and the Summer of Service program that provides a $500 educational award for 100 hours of service.
Three programs would continue to provide volunteer opportunities for seniors including the Retired Seniors Program that applies their expertise to projects, the Foster Grandparents program that helps children without available grandparents and Programs of National Significance for older Americans with children to apply themselves to energy conservation, environmental stewardship or other environmental needs.
The bill seeks the efforts, too, of "scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians to participate with the goal of increasing the Nation’s competitiveness in the global economy and reduce the digital divide in low-income and rural communities".
Most amendments to the bill were agreed to. The Minority motioned to recommit the bill and replace it with the text of HR 3773, the House FISA bill. The motion was ruled as non-germane to the bill. The Minority appealed the ruling and a motion to table the appeal prevailed, but the House adjourned without votes on final passage. Further consideration is expected.
HR 2857 Report SENATE COMPLETES CONSUMER SAFETY OVERHAUL
Senate Bill Prevails Against Amendments to Limit Whistleblower Protection
(TheWeekInCongress.com) March 6, 2008 - The Senate replaced a House-passed bill increasing funding for consumer protection agencies with Senate bill text. The bill, S 2663 replaces similar content in the House bill HR 4040 but includes increased protection and rights for whistleblowers, a point of contention in the debate.
Under the Senate bill, employers are prohibited from taking adverse personnel action against whistleblowers and civil action is increased. Opposition to that provision attempted to replace the bill with the House text that did not include whistleblower protection. Opponents held that protection is already in place and expanding the protection will lead to increased time and expense in lawsuits for corporate defendants.
The bill would spend $88.5 million in 2009 rising to $155 million by 2015. Consumer Product Safety Commission testing facilities would get an overhaul and the staff would be increased by 500 persons over the next five years.
A publicly accessed database is to be created to contain information from consumers, local, State and Federal government agencies, Health care professionals, child service providers, public safety entities, non-governmental sources on product risks. Manufacturers, labelers and others would have the opportunity to comment on their products.
The bill passed the Senate 78 to 14.
S 2663 Report
CBO WEIGHS IN ON PRESIDENT'S FY09 BUDGET
Deficits Increase through 2009 to $342 Billion. Revenues down $8 billion, Spending up $30 Billion, Mostly for Military
No funds for Iraq Included After 2009
Debt Drops to Near Balanced Budget in 2012
Recent Stimulus Package Adds $178 Billion to Deficit
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Bills Increase State Department Emergency Response; Seek Mental Health Parity. President Identifies Drug Trafficking Areas in the U.S. State Department Aiming to replace military intervention in countries needing reconstruction and stabilization, the bill would create an office at State and a 250 person Response Readiness Corps. Mental Health Group health insurance plans offering mental health and substance abuse benefits must assure that they are no more expensive or restrictive than other medical benefits. US Drug Trafficking The President targeted high-intensity drug trafficking areas in 28 counties of 9 states. The designation opens the door to more funds to fight drugs.
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