Stabilizing the housing market by Natalie Adona, May 9, 2008 (3:16pm)
This bill seeks to alleviate some of the pressure brought on by the housing crisis by helping at-risk borrowers refinance their loans. The bill would permit the Federal Housing Administration to provide up to $300 billion in refinance assistance. Supporters of the bill applaud the governments effort to stabilize the market, but are concerned that the voluntary nature of the bill does not do enough. Opponents of the bill claim that the program is too costly and that it requires the government to be too involved in citizen’s private affairs.
Defining life and the right to abortion by Natalie Adona, May 2, 2008 (4:00pm)
Tax breaks for teachers by Natalie Adona, Apr 25, 2008 (4:02pm)
National parks and black history by Natalie Adona, Apr 25, 2008 (3:59pm)
This bill would provide funds to the Secretary of the Interior to conduct research for the purpose of making the John Hope Franklin Greenwood Memorial/Museum of Reconciliation as a National Park. It would also provide funding to do the same for other sites in Tulsa, Oklahoma that are linked to the 1921 Tulsa race riot.
John Hope Franklin is a United States historian and past president of the American Historical Association.
Justice for the student borrower! by Natalie Adona, Apr 25, 2008 (3:43pm)
Urban security by Natalie Adona, Apr 18, 2008 (4:04pm)
Show us the money! by Natalie Adona, Apr 18, 2008 (4:02pm)
Emergency provisions for the 2008 election by Natalie Adona, Apr 18, 2008 (3:58pm)
HR 5036 would provide money to jurisdictions for switching from electronic to paper ballot voting systems with a voter verified paper trail (VVPT). It is an emergency assistance bill because the changes need to be made in time for the November 2008 Presidential election. Supporters of this bill are generally troubled by current voting technologies -especially with touchscreen voting. Opponents of the bill think that this amounts to a waste of money, and the optical scanners that count votes on most paper ballot types also have a track record of residual votes (i.e., votes that are not counted).
Consolidated bills by Natalie Adona, Apr 15, 2008 (9:52pm)
This bill covers multiple government departments relating to natural resources: the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, National Heritage Areas, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Department of Energy. The bill also tightens border security, strengthens non-immigrant worker programs, and revises immigration law as the law applies to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Oversight of Foreign Affairs by Natalie Adona, Apr 10, 2008 (9:47pm)
H.R. 1003 would amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 in order to extend the expiration date of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to October 1, 2009. The Advisory Commission a bipartisan panel created to provide oversight of U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics.
Honoring Eisenhower by Natalie Adona, Apr 10, 2008 (7:12pm)
S. 890 would expand the authority of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
and would authorize the appropriation of about $2 million a year over the next five years. Enacting S. 890 would not affect direct spending or revenues in state and local governments. However, some government officials worry that certain provisions for volunteers leaves the government vulnerable to tort liability lawsuits.
Wildlife Safety by Natalie Adona, Apr 3, 2008 (9:58pm)
This bill makes technical corrections to Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, which make it unlawful to import, export, transport, buy or sell fish, wildlife and plants taken or possessed in violation of federal, state or tribal law. Interstate or foreign commerce in fish and wildlife taken or possessed in violation of foreign law also is illegal under the Lacey Act Amendments.
Integrated Ocean Observation System by Natalie Adona, Apr 2, 2008 (3:54am)
This bill would establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, or an IOOS. The IOOS will monitor and forecast ocean conditions, and will also increase our understanding of deep ocean and coastal environments. Supporters like this bill because an IOOS will protect public health by way of identifying marine toxins and pollutants, improve warnings of tsunamis, hurricanes and other natural hazards, and will also enhance homeland security.
Increased benefits for veterans by Natalie Adona, Mar 28, 2008 (4:00pm)
Prevention of Indian child abuse by Natalie Adona, Mar 28, 2008 (3:45pm)
This proposed amendment would make more resources available to American Indian tribal authorities for data collection on child abuse on Indian reservations. S. 398 would remove “any impediment to the reduction of child abuse” and also authorizes funds for the treatment of Indian victims of child abuse.
e-Government transparency by Natalie Adona, Mar 14, 2008 (3:56pm)
This bill would increase the ease at which anyone seeking online information posted by government agencies can find documents. Many pages that are posted by government agencies cannot be found on a Google or Yahoo search. For example, an online search for “New York radiation” does not produce basic information available from Department of Homeland Security or FEMA. Google is working on a standard called sitemap protocol, which would allow web-crawlers to search the entirety of websites.
Restoring voting rights to ex-felons by Natalie Adona, Mar 14, 2008 (8:20am)
This bill would make it illegal for states to keep ex-felons away from the ballot box. 48 of 50 states have some kind of law restricting felon voting. Two states currently disenfranchise all felons permanently regardless of having completed their sentence, and many others have a long and tedious clemency procedures. There are approximately 2 million ex-felons in the United States who cannot vote. Felon disenfranchisement laws disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities -especially African Americans and Latinos, a fact that is recognized and abhorred by the United Nations. The United States is the only modern democratic nation to deny suffrage to criminal offenders on a large scale.
Bill to counteract voter intimidation by Natalie Adona, Mar 12, 2008 (8:01pm)
This bill would make it illegal on the federal level to use tactics to intimidate voters at the polls. It would also make deceptive tactics like disseminating false information in order to keep voters from the polls a federal crime.
Campaign finance in Senate elections by Natalie Adona, Mar 12, 2008 (7:47pm)
This bill would require senators to electronically submit campaign finance reports. Submitting these reports electronically would make it easier for the public to access this information, and would add to government transparency. Senator John Ensign (R-NV) has objected to this bill and has blocked its passage.
Preserving eletoral integrity, or adding more problems? by Natalie Adona, Mar 12, 2008 (7:10pm)
This bill attempts to set federal guidelines for verifying electronic votes by way of using a verified voter paper audit trail (VVPT), a standard that not all states require, and a function that not all machines implement. Supporters of the bill like the Congress’ attempt to create federal standards for electronic voting equipment –the process of administering an election is traditionally controlled locally, creating vast differences in the way votes are ultimately counted. Opponents, many of whom are experts in election administration, are worried that the bill does not do enough to keep top election officials from reporting errors in audit procedures, and also worry that the 2008 election will be open to tampering and electronic failures, as no audits would be required until 2010. Opponents also wish to remove the requirement in this bill that would give the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
(EAC) authority to control what voting systems each state uses to count votes.
Clean elections by Natalie Adona, Mar 12, 2008 (5:52pm)
This bill would create a voluntary system of public funding for candidates running for the U.S. Senate, a system often referred to as “clean elections”, because politicians would no longer be obligated to a particular interest group or lobbyist in order to fund their next campaign. Candidates would have to meet a threshold of constituent support by collecting $5 qualifying contributions from a set number of voters. The candidate would have to swear off further private contributions in order to qualify for public funding.
Illegal immigration and the Farm Bill by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (4:58pm)
One among many amendments to the Farm bill is a main point of debate-whether illegal immigrants should receive assistance provided in this bill. Critics claim that tax funds should not be used on illegal immigrants. Proponents believe it’s important to support all who can benefit from the bill’s funding.
Regulating financial aid institutions by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (4:49pm)
Proponents of this bill view the changes made regarding financial aid and university tuitions as a good compromise for the moment to bring necessary attention back to the needs of education and also to eliminate corruption within the financial aid industry. Although the bill passed unanimously some experts, such as Barmak Nassirian of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, are concerned about certain measures of the bill that may be harmful for students who need help with repaying loans.
Honoring our disabled veterans by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (4:39pm)
Proponents of this bill support the issuance of $1 coins to commemorate veterans who are permanently disabled, in order to fund the construction of a disabled veteran’s memorial in Washington D.C. Proponents agree that the memorial is necessary to pay respect to veterans who became disabled during service.
Affordable housing for Native Hawaiians by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (4:28pm)
Supporters of this bill believe that HR 835 would be very beneficial to Native Hawaiians because it would help struggling families and individuals find adequate and affordable housing. They argue that the bill would also guarantee beneficial loans to low income Native Hawaiians living on homesteads. Opponents of the bill dispute its constitutionality because it gives money to a particular race of people, an action that could be considered discriminatory. Opponents say that Native Hawaiians are considered a racial group “rather than an entity entitled to sovereignty within the United States.” Opponents of the bill are also unhappy that it prohibits amendments.
Security versus civil liberties by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (4:04pm)
Opponents believe that this bill is a blatant invasion of privacy, violates the Fourth Amendment, and call it President Bush’s attempt to weaken governmental checks and balances. Having passed just five days after its introduction, many opponents believe that this bill lacks sufficient Congressional oversight. Supporters of the bill claim that its provisions are essential for the Department of Homeland Security to protect Americans against terrorist attacks.
Expanded access or price controls for prescription drugs? by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:51pm)
Groups that support S 3 believe this bill will allow for negotiation of lower drug prices for citizens within the Medicare system. Supporters point the fact that the Department of Veteran Affairs and state Medicaid programs already have the capability to use their purchasing power to negotiate for lower drug prices, and so urge the passage of this bill with the hopes that drug prices will become substantially lower for Medicare participants. Opponents of S 3 believe that Medicare has already been a substantial success, and fear that the bill will create price controls for drugs that would subsequently limit access. Other opponents believe the bill would essentially allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to control the prices charged by competing companies for prescription drugs.
Improved housing for Native Americans by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:36pm)
Supporters of HR 2786 praise this bill for its ability to provide Native Americans with the tools necessary to improve the housing situations of tribal members. Furthermore, many supporters favor an amendment to the bill that allows for community development loan programs to include tribes. Supporters hope that the bill will address the problems of overcrowding and inadequacy of the system that exist within current Native American housing programs.
Efforts to sanction Iran by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:31pm)
While supporters of HR 957 believe that it will help to strengthen pressure on Iran, those in opposition allege that the bill is likely to undercut U.S. efforts to pressure Iran into halting its nuclear program. These opposition groups not only believe that the bill takes focus away from Iran’s nuclear program, but that it also penalizes international companies and entities that support sanctions.
Promoting maritime safety and efficiency by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:10pm)
By reauthorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) authorities, this bill will allow the NOAA to use hydrographic data to “promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound navigation and maritime commerce.” Some groups like the American Association of Port Authorities are wary of the bill because they believe it could marginalize the commercial maritime industry.
Veteran Health Care by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:06pm)
This bill, no doubt influenced by the Walter Reed scandal, helps to ensure that injured veterans will receive quality medical care after returning from combat. Supporters applaud the bill for addressing the problems exposed at Walter Reed such as, improving veterans’ medical facilities and creating an improved electronic medical record system.
Rehashing the Farm Bill by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (3:00pm)
The basic provisions of this bill stem from an amendment to the 2001 Farm Bill, an amendment that had wide support but was stripped in committee. Since then, it has been rehashed several times, but to no avail. Interesting but ineffectual opposition in committee includes major concerns on the effects on contract law in general, and not only in the agricultural areas it purports. This has the potential for big clashes between consumer and lawyers groups, and pro-business interests.
Protecting reporters by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (2:51pm)
The Free Flow of Information Act provides a Federal shield law which would protect reporters and their sources from government investigations. Numerous media companies have announced support of this bill; however some opponents believe that it is insufficient and are pushing for the House version to be passed instead.
Missing and Exploited Children by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (2:42pm)
Amending the Clean Air Act by Natalie Adona, Mar 5, 2008 (2:38pm)
This bill would amend the Clean Air Act, and includes a commission that would award grants to entities supporting projects reducing or eliminating carbon emissions from the Capitol Power Plant. Supporters of environmental protection and alternative energy would like to see this bill passed because the technology developed will be useful not only to reduce emissions in the Capitol Power Plant, but also in other coal burning plants.
However, opposition groups think that the standards for awarding grants are too narrow and would not stimulate innovation or improvement of carbon emissions, and that the bill is limited only to the efficiency of the Capitol plant. They may also criticize the appropriation of $3,000,000 for a commission of such a narrow scope.
Educating our troops by Natalie Adona, May 9, 2008 (3:31pm)
This bill would provide financial assistance covering tuition, room and board, and a stipend of $1000 a month to a veteran wishing to continue his or her education after completion of military service. In order to qualify, veterans must have served from three to 36 months and must have enlisted after September 11, 2001. S. 22 essentially updates the G.I. Bill. Many military organizations support the passage of this bill; however, many more politicians have openly supported H.R. 5740, the House version of this bill, than they have S.22. H.R. 5740 is comparatively less generous in terms of the financial assistance provided to vets. Some critics of S.22 have complained that providing too much money to veterans for college will cause a drop in the number of career military officers.