Without dissent, the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved the Senior Independence Act (H.R. 5293), a measure to reauthorize and strengthen services offered under the Older Americans Act, the chief federal law governing the organization and delivery of a number of social services for older Americans. The measure now awaits Senate action.

Voting in federal elections should remain confined to only American citizens, witnesses testifying to the Committee on House Administration agreed in a hearing Thursday, but differences still remain over how to achieve that goal. Committee Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers noted that the U.S. Department of Justice has prosecuted many instances of voter fraud in recent years, but that current laws make it difficult to prevent non-citizens from voting illegally.

On Monday, 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 (6 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. S.Con.Res. 103 - A concurrent resolution to correct the enrollment of the bill H.R. 889: Providing for technical corrections.
2. Conference Report on H.R. 889 - Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006: Authorizes appropriations for FY2006 for the Coast Guard (CG) for: (1) CG operation and maintenance, with a portion from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for certain purposes under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA purposes); (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including related equipment (earmarking a Fund amount for OPA purposes, for the Integrated Deepwater Systems, and for sustainment of legacy vessels and aircraft); (3) CG research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, and human factors directly relating to improving CG performance in search and rescue, aids to navigation, marine safety, marine environmental protection, enforcement of laws and treaties, ice operations, oceanographic research, and defense readiness, with a portion from the Fund for OPA purposes; (4) retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefit Plans, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges over U.S. navigable waters constituting obstructions to navigation, and for personnel and administrative costs associated with the Bridge Alteration Program; (6) environmental compliance and restoration at CG facilities; and (7) the CG Reserve program, including personnel and training costs, equipment, and services.
3. H.R. 4843 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2006, 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. 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.
4. H.Res. 887 - Congratulating the Miami Heat for winning the 2006 NBA Championship
5. H.Res. 881 - Congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on their victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals
6. H.R. 4416 - To reauthorize permanently the use of penalty and franked mail in efforts relating to the location and recovery of missing children: Makes permanent the authority to use official (penalty and franked) mail in efforts relating to the location and recovery of missing children.

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for morning hour and 10 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (3 bills):

1. H.R. 42 - Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005: States that a condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying the U.S. flag on residential property within the association with respect to which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use. Nothing in this act shall be considered to permit any display or use that is inconsistent with: (1) Federal law or any rule or custom pertaining to the proper display or use of the flag; or (2) any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, place, or manner of displaying the flag necessary to protect a substantial interest of the condominium, cooperative, or residential real estate management association.
2. H.R. 5341 - Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006: Amends federal money and finance law to instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations that exempt a depository institution from filing a currency transaction report (CTR) if the transaction is with a qualified customer. Defines qualified customer as any person that: (1) is incorporated or organized under federal or state law, including a sole proprietorship, or is registered as and eligible to do business within the United States or a state; (2) has maintained a deposit account with the depository institution for at least 12 months; and (3) has engaged, using such account, in multiple currency transactions subject to federal CTR requirements.
3. H.Res. 854 - Recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States: Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month, and recognizes the importance of homeownership in building strong communities and families.

H.R. 4973 - Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2006: Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the status of the national flood insurance program for certain pre-FIRM properties (properties not constructed or improved after specified dates). Prescribes study contents, including extension of mandatory flood insurance coverage purchase requirements to: (1) properties located in any area that would be designated as having special flood hazards but for the existence of a structural flood protection system; and (2) property located in any area having special flood hazards which secures the repayment of specified loans.

H.R. 5672 - Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007: Provides $59.84 billion in funding for Fiscal Year 2007, which is $2.63 billion more than appropriated in FY 2006 and $140 million more than requested by the President’s budget proposal.

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.

H.R. 4761 - Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006: Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise the determination of adjacent zones and planning areas in the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Prescribes guidelines for: (1) lease administration; (2) lease grants; (3) lease receipts ; and (4) allocations to states and coastal municipal political subdivisions.

* Possible Motions to go to Conference

* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees