Legislative Update

Congress is taking next week off for Independance Day, so they are cramming as much through as they can this week.

All the energy bills seem to have died in the Senate, the farm bill veto was officially overridden, and they have moved on to a montrous housing bill (which is longer than any single bill I have ever seen). The house did nothing unexpected.

Also, NASA found water ice on Mars, which is kind of neat.

HR 4044- Currently, disabled veterans have certain debt relief options avaible to them through the government. These services are made available to all Natn'l gaurd and reservists who serve in a "homeland security" capacity.

HR 3546- Extends the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program until 2012.

HRes 1293- Honouring the deaths of some civil rights workers in '64.

HR 6109- Increases minimum grant amount for the "Pre-disaster mitigation program" from $500,000 per state to $575,000 per state, to be spent in "small impoverished communities."

HR 5001- Directs the District of Columbia to permit redevelopment of an old post office on Pennsylvania Ave.

HR 2452- There is currently no federal law requiring sewage operators to have a plan to notify the public and the EPA of sewage discharges or overflows. This bill would change that. As an aside, the City of Beloit did an excellent job putting signs up saying that the flooded river is probably full of the stuff Janesville (upriver from us) flushed down the toilet, even though that fact was readily apperant from the smell.

HR 6040- I cannot figure out how this bill changes anything. It is short, cryptic, technical, and seems aimed at reprimanding a few people for a single indiscretion.

HRes 1242- celebrating the 100th birthday of Louis Jordan (a musician).

HRes 1050- recognizing Pittsfield, MA as the home of college baseball.

HConRes 372- Recognizing Black Music Month (which is longer than black history month).

HRes 1051- Celebrating 100 years of the James Madison University in VA.

HConRes 2- Stating that US history books should teach the contributions of those living in US territories.

HR 6331- Affects medicare, but bill text is not online yet.

HR 6327- Affects the FAA, but bill text is not online yet.

HR 6307- No idea what this does, and bill text is not online yet.

HConRes 163- Congress wants a cure for hydrocephalus.

HRes 353- Congress wants better prostate cancer treatments.

HR 2818- Tells the VA to set up specialized epilepsy centers in 5 VA hospitals.

HRes 1098- Supporting the Year of the Veteran.

HRes 1231- Supporting Vietnam Veterans day.

HR 2245- Naming a VA clinic.

HR 4264- Naming a part of a VA hospital.

HR 4389- Naming a VA clinic.

HR 4918- Naming a VA medical centre.

HRes 1291- Celebrating the GI fourum.

HRes 1271- Celebrating National homeownership month and in so doing increase the already significant cultural pressure towards homeownership over responible finance.

HR 6312- A big credit union reform bill, text not yet online.

HConRes 370- naming September "Gospel Music Heritage Month." This from the certifiably mad Shelia Jackson-Lee.

HRes 1283- Being sad about a tornado in Iowa. This bill was on the agenda last week, but they obviously weren't sad enough to do anything with it (or they recognize the meaninglessness of thier obscure resolutions).

HConRes 195- supporting Dysphagia Awareness month.

HR 4010- naming a post office.

HRes 970- Supporting "National Corvette Day."

HConRes 365- Celebrating Robert Mondavi.

HR 5687- Interesting little bill affecting the makeup of Federal Advisory committees.

HR 6275- Charlie Rangel has a big old AMT reform bill.

HR 3195- A few technical changes. Significant in this bill, however, is the creation of a specific definition of physical and mental disability as follows:

`(3) PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT- The term `physical impairment' means any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine.

`(4) MENTAL IMPAIRMENT- The term `mental impairment' means any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disabilities.

HR 4115- Indian settlement.

HR 2176- Indian settlement.

HR 6052- A few small increases in federal spending to promote various forms of mass transit. CBO estimates that it will cost about $850,000,000 in grants to allow state and local agencies to reduce fares, and an additional $5,000,000 for direct subsidies.

I will pick up 5687 and 6275 this week. If any of the bills that aren't online right now are interesting, they will go up as well when they go online.