S.Con.Res. 103
A Concurrent Resolution to Correct the Enrollment of the bill H.R. 889

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider S.Con.Res. 103, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, June 26, 2006. The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

A summary will be made available.

Legislative History

S.Con.Res. 103 was introduced by Sen. Stevens (AK) on June 22, 2006. On June 22, 2006, S.Con.Res. 103 was agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at 5-9446.

Conference Report to H.R. 889
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider the Conference Report to H.R. 889, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, June 26, 2006. The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

The Conference Report to accompany H.R. 889 includes the following provisions:

• Provides $1.6 billion funding level for the Integrated Deepwater Systems (Deepwater) Program, the Coast Guard’s program to replace or modernize the ships and aircraft used in the Coast Guard’s deepwater missions;
• Requires a detailed Deepwater implementation report;
• Makes several changes to existing law regarding the activities of the Coast Guard, shipping and navigation and the maritime transportation system;
• Authorizes the Coast Guard to establish Naval Vessel Protection Zones up to 12 nautical miles offshore;
• Authorizes the Coast Guard to conduct international training and to provide technical assistance to international navies, coast guards and maritime authorities during regular Coast Guard operations;
• Authorizes the Coast Guard to inspect ferries for maritime safety purposes;
• Requires the Coast Guard to detail adequate personnel to assure that Great Lakes pilotage rates are adjusted annually;
• Requires the Coast Guard to develop a long-term plan to recapitalize the service’s polar icebreakers;
• Promotes the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on U.S. Flag vessels;
• Establishes a long-range vessel tracking system pilot project;
• Requires vessel operators to notify the Coast Guard of any release of an object that may create a hazard to navigation;
• Adjusts oil spill liability limits for tank and nontank vessels to reflect changes in inflation;
• Authorizes the Federal government to purchase any property that was the principal residence of a member or related employee of the Coast Guard that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas;
• Requires the Coast Guard to report to Congress on the additional costs associated with the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricane Katrina;
• Authorizes the Coast Guard to temporarily extend the expiration of licenses and documents for mariners that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and certificates of inspection and compliance for vessels that are inspected by marine safety offices that are located in the impacted region.

Legislative History

H.R. 889 was introduced by Rep. Young (AK) on February 17, 2005. The bill was reported, as amended, by voice vote from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on May 18, 2005. On July 28, 2005, House Report 109-204 Part 1 was filed. The bill was discharged from the Homeland Security Committee on July 29, 2005. On September 15, 2006, the House passed H.R. 889 by a recorded vote of  415-0 (Roll no. 474). The Senate passed H.R. 889 in lieu of S.1280 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent on October 27, 2005. Conference Report 109-413 was filed on April 6, 2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at 5-9446.

H.R. 4843
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 4843, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, June 26, 2004.  It is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.R. 4843 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, as of December 1, 2006.

The bill also requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.

Legislative History

H.R. 4843 was introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (FL) on March 2, 2006.  The bill was ordered to be reported from the Veterans Affairs Committee, as amended, by voice vote on June 22, 2006. House Report 109-521 was filed on June 22, 2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact Rep. Jeff Miller's office at 5-4136.

H.Res. 887
Congratulating the Miami Heat for Winning the 2006 NBA Championship

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.Res. 887, under suspension of the rules, the week of June 26, 2006. The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.Res. 887 congratulates the Miami Heat for Winning the 2006 NBA Championship.

Background

On June 20, 2006, the Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks, the Western Conference Champions, in 6 games to win the 2006 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship. Dwyane Wade, of the Miami Heat, was named the 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

The Miami Heat became just the third team in the history of the NBA Finals to win a series after losing the first two games, and the first team in the history of the NBA Finals to do so after losing the first two games by double-digit margins. This is the first NBA championship title for the Miami Heat, which has long been one of the most outstanding basketball programs in the Nation

The Miami Heat fans are a part of this championship by supporting the team and giving the team the energy, strength, love, and passion to compete each and every season.

Legislative History

H.Res. 887 was introduced by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (FL) on June 22, 2006. The bill was referred to the Government Reform Committee, but was not considered.

For additional information or questions, please contact Rep. Ros-Lehtinen's office at 5-3931.

H.Res. 881
Congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on Their Victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.Res. 881, under suspension of the rules, the week of June 26, 2006. The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.Res. 881 congratulates the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on their victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

Background

On Monday, June 19, 2006, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes won the National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the decisive seventh game of the championship series. The Edmonton Oilers proved worthy opponents and should be congratulated for a hard-fought Stanley Cup series.

The Hurricanes' win marked their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. The Hurricanes' win marked the first major professional sports championship won by a team from the State of North Carolina. Owner Peter Karmanos and general manager Jim Rutherford have created a model franchise, assembling a team that rose from last place three years ago to the pinnacle of its sport today. The Hurricanes were ably led by head coach Peter Laviolette, also the head coach of the 2006 United States Olympic team, and assistant coaches Kevin McCarthy, Jeff Daniels, and Greg Stefan.

Hurricanes team members Craig Adams, Kevyn Adams, Anton Babchuk, Rod Brind'Amour, Erik Cole, Mike Commodore, Matt Cullen, Martin Gerber, Bret Hedican, Andrew Hutchinson, Frantisek Kaberle, Andrew Ladd, Chad LaRose, Mark Recchi, Eric Staal, Cory Stillman, Oleg Tverdovsky, Josef Vasicek, Niclas Wallin, Aaron Ward, Cam Ward, Doug Weight, Glen Wesley, Ray Whitney, and Justin Williams are all worthy of praise and admiration for their contributions to the resilient championship team.

Cam Ward, the Hurricanes' goalkeeper and a 22-year-old rookie, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the NHL post-season.

The Carolina Hurricanes represent a new future for the NHL, introducing hockey to additional regions of the country and creating new fans of the sport's high level of athleticism and competition. The entire Hurricanes organization has contributed considerably to the community it represents, generously donating time and resources to a variety of charitable and educational programs for children throughout the State of North Carolina.

Raleigh, the Triangle region, and all of North Carolina are proud of the accomplishment and dedication of the Carolina Hurricanes' team, organization, and fans.

Legislative History

H.Res. 881 was introduced by Rep. Price (NC) on June 20, 2006. The bill was referred to the Government Reform Committee, but was not considered.

For additional information or questions, please contact Rep. Price's office at 5-4501.

H.R. 4416
To Reauthorize Permanently the Use of Penalty and Franked Mail in Efforts Relating to the Location and Recovery of Missing Children

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 4416, under suspension of the rules, the week of June 26, 2006. 

Summary

H.R. 4416 reauthorizes permanently the use of penalty and franked mail in efforts relating to the location and recovery of missing children. Public Law 99-87 is amended by striking section 5 (39 U.S.C. 3220 note).

Legislative History

H.R. 4416 was introduced by Rep. Millender-McDonald (CA) on November 18, 2005. The bill was ordered to be reported from the Government Reform Committee, by voice vote, on June 8,2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Government Reform Committee at 5-5074.