Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, offered the following comments in response to President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address delivered to a joint session of the U.S. Congress Tuesday evening in the chambers of the U.S. House of Representatives: “President Bush gave a good speech tonight that focused on issues and answers and stayed away from partisanship and divisions. It is my hope that the members of Congress who listened to the speech can take that spirit of cooperation, set aside partisan differences and work to move our nation forward. …”

Being a member of the minority party for the 110th Congress will not mean less work for Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, who has been named to four different standing House committees. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, received his final subcommittee assignments Tuesday, placing him on a total of four committees and six subcommittees. He will be the top-ranking Republican on one committee and one subcommittee.

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

Suspensions (5 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.R. 521 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the "Lane Evans Post Office Building"
2. H.R. 49 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 North Frontage Road West in Vail, Colorado, as the "Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Post Office Building"
3. H.R. 335 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 152 North 5th Street in Laramie, Wyoming, as the "Gale W. McGee Post Office"
4. H.Res. 70 - Congratulating the University of California at Santa Barbara men's soccer team, the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association Champions
5. H.Res. 82 - Commending the University of Louisville Cardinals football team for their victory in the 2007 Orange Bowl

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for Morning Hour and at 12 noon for legislative business. On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (5 bills):

1. H.Res. 24 - Establishing the House Democracy Assistance Commission for the One Hundred Tenth Congress: Establishes in the House of Representatives a House Democracy Assistance Commission to: (1) work with the parliaments of selected countries that have established or are developing democratic parliaments which would benefit from assistance under this resolution; (2) enable members and staff of partner country legislatures to study House operations and support agencies; and (3) make recommendations to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding the provision of needed material assistance to such parliaments to improve the efficiency and transparency of their work.
2. H.Con.Res. 20 - Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to immediately establish a full, independent, and public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Patrick Finucane, as recommended by Judge Peter Cory as part of the Weston Park Agreement, in order to move forward on the Northern Ireland peace process
3. H.Res. 59 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and for other purposes
4. H.Con.Res. 34 - Honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry research and development and the first and only African American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences
5. H. Con. Res. 5 - Expressing support for the designation and goals of "Hire a Veteran Week" and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation supporting those goals

H.J.Res. XXX - Making Continuing Appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes: A detailed summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected in the House.