Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers Thursday applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for overwhelmingly approving legislation that would reform the Federal Prison Industries (FPI) program to allow private-sector companies to compete for government contracts on an equal footing with FPI. House members voted 362-57 in support of the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2006 (H.R. 2965), with 202 Republicans, 159 Democrats and one independent in favor of the legislation.

Congressman Ehlers participated in a hearing Wednesday regarding the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration that are aimed at cleaning up and restoring the Great Lakes. The hearing was held in the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Chairman Ehlers and other members of the House Administration Committee favorably reported the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 which, if passed by Congress, will require that every individual who wishes to vote in the 2008 federal elections must present a photo ID to be allowed to cast a ballot.

On Monday, the House is not in session.

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (19 bills):

(Bills on suspension are generally considered non-controversial and have reduced debate time, but require a two-thirds majority vote to be passed.)

1. H.Con.Res. 210 - Supporting the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by the year 2015
2. H.R. 4583 - Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act: Amends the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to authorize specified variations for the average fiber diameter of specified wool products, including cashmere.
3. H.Res. 982 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week
4. H.Res. 526 - Supporting the goals and ideals of observing the Year of Polio Awareness
5. H.Con.Res. 386 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America`s first professionally trained African-American nurse
6. H.Res. 622 - To recognize and honor the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of democratic ideals and their important contribution to the outcome of World War II
7. H.Con.Res. 415 - Condemning the repression of the Iranian Baha’i community and calling for the emancipation of Iranian Baha’is: Calls on the government of Iran to cease repressive activities aimed at the Iranian Baha'i community and holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of its nationals, including the Baha'i community.
8. H.Res. 942 - Recognizing the centennial anniversary on August 5, 2006, of the Iranian constitution of 1906
9. H.Res. 976 - Condemning human rights abuses by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressing solidarity with the Iranian people
10. H.Res. 415 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam needs to do more to resolve claims for confiscated real and personal property, and for other purposes: Welcomes the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's recent attempts to establish private land use rights for some of its citizens, and hopes that these rights are expanded to all Vietnamese citizens. Calls on the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to more fully recognize its property restitution responsibility, and to direct local officials, particularly in the Central Highlands region, to resolve land confiscation complaints. Urges the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to: (1) form a national restitution claims commission; and (2) ensure that land use reforms do not result in increased land inequity, particularly for the poor and for those out of favor with the Communist Party.
11. H.Con.Res. 317 - Requesting the President to issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, and for other purposes
12. H.Res. 959 - Recognizing and supporting the success of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 in increasing adoption and the efforts the Act has spurred including National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month, and encouraging adoption throughout the year
13. H.R. 5664 - Jacob Fletcher Post Office Building Designation Act (Babylon, New York)
14. H.R. 4768 - Robert Linn Memorial Post Office Building Designation Act (Beaver, Pennsylvania)
15. S. 418 - Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act: Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to make it unlawful for any registered investment company to issue or sell any periodic payment plan certificate. Retains the validity of certain previously issued certificates. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) measures taken by a registered broker or dealer to refund voluntarily payments made by military service members on any periodic payment plan certificate, and the amounts of such refunds; (2) the sales practices of such brokers or dealers on military installations over the five years preceding submission of the report, and any legislative or regulatory recommendations to improve such practices; and (3) the revenues generated by such brokers or dealers in the sales of periodic payment plan certificates over such five-year period, and the products marketed by them to replace the revenue generated from the sales of prohibited certificates.
16. H.R. 5450 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act (Sponsored by Congressman Ehlers): Re-establishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA. Establishes within NOAA the positions of: (1) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (2) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (3) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Education; (4) up to two additional Deputy Assistant Secretaries; and (5) General Counsel. Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide a review of NOAA environmental data and information systems, including recommendations to address any inadequacies identified by the review; (2) develop a strategic plan that responds to such recommendations and sets forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system; and (3) develop a strategic plan for research and development (R&D) at NOAA. Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop a reorganization plan for NOAA; and (2) provide public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing of a NOAA facility.
17. H.R. 5295 - Student and Teacher Safety Act of 2006: Requires states, local educational agencies, and school districts to deem a search of any minor student on public school grounds to be reasonable and permissible if conducted by a full-time teacher or school official, acting on any colorable suspicion based on professional experience and judgment, to ensure that the school remain free of all weapons, dangerous materials, or illegal narcotics. Denies Safe Schools and Citizenship Education funds, provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, to states, local educational agencies, and school districts that fail to deem such searches reasonable and permissible.
18. H.Res. 874 - Recognizing and honoring America’s Seniors: Recognizes the importance of honoring the nation's senior citizens. Encourages children to set aside time to learn from them and to read about their contributions and urges all Americans to honor their service.
19. H.Con.Res. 419 - Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the State of New York develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York, and for other purposes

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (6 bills):

1. S. 1025 - Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Act of 2005: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the funding and implementation of the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Component of the Integrated Local Water Supply Plan, Wichita, Kansas (referred to as the Equus Beds Division). Makes operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Division the sole responsibility of the City of Wichita. Authorizes appropriations for the federal share of the Division's total cost. Terminates the Secretary's authority to carry out this Act 10 years after its enactment.
2. S. 2430 - Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006: Amends the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990 to require the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to implement fish and wildlife restoration proposals and regional projects if funding is available. Defines "regional projects" as authorized activities of FWS related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement that benefit the Great Lakes basin.
3. H.R. 2334 - City of Oxnard Water Recycling and Desalination Act of 2005: Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities for the GREAT project to reclaim, reuse, and treat impaired waters near Oxnard, California. Limits the federal cost share of the project to 25 percent. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for the operation and maintenance of the project.
4. S. 2832 - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2006: Limits the maximum Appalachian Regional Commission grant amount for designated at-risk counties to 70 percent. Directs the Commission to designate as "at-risk counties" those counties in the Appalachian region that are most at risk of becoming economically distressed. Authorizes additional appropriations to the Commission through FY2011 to carry out Appalachian regional development. Extends, for five years, the termination date of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (with exceptions for the Appalachian development highway system and certain definitions).
5. H.R. 4653 - To repeal a prohibition on the use of certain funds for tunneling in certain areas with respect to the Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project, California: Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1986 to repeal a provision prohibiting the use of certain funds for any segment of the downtown Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project unless the Southern California Rapid Transit District notifies the Urban Mass Transportation Administration that no part of the Metro Rail project will tunnel through any zone designated as a potential risk zone or high potential risk zone for methane gas.
6. H.R. 3858 - Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006: Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

H.R. 6054 - Military Commissions Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication. 

H.R. 4844 - Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006: Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require any individual who desires to register or re-register to vote in an election for federal office to provide the appropriate state election official with proof that the individual is a U.S. citizen. Requires proof of citizenship in states without a registration requirement and states permitting same day registration. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the appropriate state or local election official from: (1) providing a ballot for an election for federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a current and valid photo ID; or (2) accepting any ballot of an individual voting by mail without a copy of a current photo ID. 

H.R. 6089 - Illegal Immigrant Deterrence and Public Safety Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication. 

H.R. 6090 - Effective Immigration Enforcement and Community Protection Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

H.R. 6091 - Border Security Enhancement Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

• Possible Motions to go to Conference
• Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees