Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, on Feb. 15 announced his opposition to H. Con. Res. 63, a resolution opposing the plan for moving forward in the military conflict in Iraq because the resolution offered “no alternatives, no other idea, no solutions.”

A call to strengthen education content standards and science education in our nation’s schools through the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was met with strong support by Congressman Ehlers.

On Monday, the House is not in session.

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

Suspensions (14 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. 47 - Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Medal of Honor Day to celebrate and honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor: To establish March 25 as a day to honor recipients of the National Medal of Honor, the highest award that can be bestowed on a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
2. H.R. 755 - Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2007: Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to provide oral testimony by their respective Chairpersons (or a designee), beginning in 2007, and annually for five years, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on their efforts to reduce the complexity in financial reporting to provide more accurate and clear financial information to investors.
3. H.R. 1066 - To increase community development investments by depository institutions, and for other purposes: Permits federal savings associations to make investments designed primarily to promote the public welfare, including the welfare of low- and moderate-income communities or families, through the provision of housing, services, and jobs. It limits the maximum amount a savings association could invest in this area to 15% of the association's actual capital stock and 15% of the association's unimpaired surplus fund. Federal savings associations are currently limited to a maximum 5% in both cases.
4. H.R. 644 - Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act: Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants (without certain otherwise-required loan guarantees) to eligible public entities and Indian tribes to assist in the environmental cleanup and economic development of brownfield sites including mine-scarred lands.  
5. H.R. 884 - Promoting Anti-terrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science (PACTS) Act: Creates a new Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office in the Homeland Security Department's Science and Technology Directorate. It authorizes the directorate to carry out cooperative activities with key international allies in the war on terror to conduct research and develop technology that would help prevent, prepare for or respond to acts of terrorism and other events. The bill authorizes the use of $100 million in previously authorized funds over four years for these efforts.  
6. H.Res. 42 - Recognizing Ann Richards’ extraordinary contributions to Texas and American public life
7. H.R. 990 - Pell Grant Equity Act of 2007: This bill eliminates the "tuition sensitivity" provision from the Pell Grant program, thereby ensuring students continued eligibility for the full amount of aid they would have otherwise received.
8. H.Res. 126 - Commending the University of Southern California Trojan football team for its victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl
9. H.Res. 103 - Congratulating the Mount Union College Purple Raiders for winning the 2006 NCAA Division III Football National Championship
10. H.R. 1129 - To provide for the construction, operation, and maintenance of an arterial road in St. Louis County, Missouri
11. H.R. 494 - To provide for the conditional conveyance of any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, Michigan: Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey to the city of St. Joseph, Michigan, any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall.  
12. H.Con.Res. 52 - Supporting the goals and ideals of American Heart Month
13. H.Con.Res. 74 - Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for additional research into the chronic neurological condition hydrocephalus, and for other purposes
14. H.R. 710 - Living Kidney Organ Donation Clarification Act: To amend the National Organ Transplant Act to clarify that kidney paired donation does not involve the transfer of a human organ for valuable consideration.

On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 556 - National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act of 2007: Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to direct the President, upon receiving written notification of a possible merger, acquisition, or takeover which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce (covered transaction), or upon a motion of the President, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or a committee member, to review such covered transaction to determine its effects on national security.

On Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 800 - Employee Free Choice Act: This bill requires a union to be certified as a bargaining agent if the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) finds that a majority of the workers in a bargaining unit have signed authorization cards designating the union as their bargaining agent. The measure eliminates the provision of current law that allows employers — once a majority of their workers have signed authorization card — to require that a secret ballot election be held to determine whether the workers want the union. The measure also includes other provisions intended to make it easier for unions to organize workers.

On Friday, there are no votes expected in the House.