Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers and the Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan, in conjunction with Medicare Today, will hold an event Monday, April 17, to assist Medicare recipients with understanding the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit. Kent, Ionia and Barry county area seniors are invited to a presentation and discussion about the new benefit at the Gerald R. Ford Museum from 10-11 a.m., followed by individual counseling sessions for those seeking more information or assistance in signing up for the benefit. An appointment is required to participate in a counseling session. Reservations can be made by calling Ehlers’ office at (616) 451-8383 or (202) 225-3831.

The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday approved the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), legislation to expand college access by strengthening the Pell Grant program, providing parents and students with more information about spikes in college costs, and bolstering math and science education to enhance American competitiveness. House members voted 221-199 to approve the bill, with Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, joining with 207 Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor. Ehlers said among the many reasons he supported the legislation is that it will help improve math and science education in the U.S. as part of President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative.

On Monday, the House will meet at 2 p.m. in a Pro Forma 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 (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. H.J.Res. 81 - Providing for the appointment of Phillip Frost as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: Resolves that the vacancy on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, occurring by reason of the expiration of the term of Manuel L. Ibanez of Texas on May 4, 2006, is filled by the appointment of Phillip Frost of Florida. The appointment is for a term of six years, beginning on the later of May 5, 2006, or the date of the enactment of this joint resolution.
2. H.J.Res. 82 - Providing for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: Resolves that the vacancy on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, occurring by reason of the expiration of the term of Alan G. Spoon of Massachusetts on May 4, 2006, is filled by the reappointment of the incumbent for a term of six years. The reappointment shall take effect on May 5, 2006.
3. H.Con.Res. 355 - Recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes: Resolves that it is the sense of Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school, and that Congress recognizes NAMM, the International Music Products Association, for its efforts to emphasize the importance of school music programs in the academic and social development of children.
4. H.Res. 703 - Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and supporting continued efforts to control radiation and mitigate the adverse health consequences related to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Resolves that the House of Representatives recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and expresses sympathy for the ongoing effects of the disaster, including adverse health consequences and deaths; calls upon national and international health organizations to focus their research into the public health consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster into areas identified by the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, so that the global community can benefit from the findings of such research; supports continued United States assistance to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, the Shelter Implementation Plan, construction of a facility to store spent nuclear fuel, and other efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; and urges other countries and the European Union to continue to provide assistance to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, the Shelter Implementation Plan, construction of a facility to store spent nuclear fuel, and other efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
5. H.Res. 744 - Expressing support for the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland and support for continued police reform in Northern Ireland as a critical element in the peace process: Reiterates support for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, in Belfast, as the blueprint for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland; commends the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for their leadership and persistence in seeking a peaceful resolution in Northern Ireland; commends the Sinn Fein leadership in successfully urging the Irish Republican Army to end its armed struggle and verifiably put its weapons beyond use; commends Sir Hugh S. Orde, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), for his leadership and for working to protect both communities; commends the PSNI for the institution of the Historical Enquiries Team, which will provide a thorough and independent examination of unresolved deaths that occurred in connection with the Troubles from 1968 to 1989; commends Nuala O'Loan and the Police Ombudsman's Office for the work they have done in promoting human rights in law enforcement and in fostering community confidence in the PSNI; and commends the work of the Northern Irish Policing Board and its District Partnerships for promoting genuine community policing in Northern Ireland.
6. H.Res. 692 - Commending the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the contributions and sacrifices they made to the United States nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands, solemnly acknowledging the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb by the United States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and remembering that 60 years ago the United States began its nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands

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

Suspensions (12 bills):

1. H.R. 3127 - Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006: Sets forth the sense of Congress with respect to the situation in Darfur, Sudan, including the sense of Congress that the atrocities unfolding in Darfur are genocide. The bill amends the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004 to direct the President, with waiver authority including congressional notification, to block the assets and deny visas and entry to any individual (and family member) responsible for acts of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity in Sudan. The measure authorizes the President to provide assistance to reinforce the deployment and operations of an expanded African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). The bill directs the President to instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to advocate NATO reinforcement of AMIS, upon request of the African Union. The bill also amends the Sudan Peace Act to include entry denial at U.S. ports to certain cargo ships or oil tankers among the measures available to the President if the government of Sudan fails to take specified peace measures in Darfur. 
2. H.Con.Res. 320 - Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and other purposes: Resolves by the House of Representatives that Congress condemns and deplores the arbitrary detention of Dr. Pham Hong Son by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and calls for his immediate and unconditional release, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political prisoners; condemns and deplores the violations of freedom of speech, religion, movement, association, and the lack of due process afforded to individuals in Vietnam; strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to consider the implications of its actions for the broader relationship between the United States and Vietnam, including the impact on trade relations; urges the Government of Vietnam to allow unfettered access to the Central Highlands and to the Northwest Highlands by foreign diplomats, the international press, and nongovernmental organizations; and applauds the European Parliament for its resolution of December 1, 2005, regarding human rights in Vietnam, and urges the Government of Vietnam to comply with the terms of the resolution. 
3. H.Res. 578 - Concerning the Government of Romania`s ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children in Romania: Resolves that the House of Representatives supports the desire of the Government of Romania to improve the standard of care and well-being of children in Romania; urges the Government of Romania to complete the processing of the intercountry adoption cases which were pending when Law 273/2004 was enacted; urges the Government of Romania to amend its child welfare and adoption laws to decrease barriers to adoption, both domestically and intercountry, including by allowing intercountry adoption by persons other than biological grandparents; urges the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to work collaboratively with the Government of Romania to achieve these ends; and lastly, requests that the European Union and its member States not impede the Government of Romania's efforts to place orphaned or abandoned children in permanent homes in a manner that is consistent with Romania's obligations under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
4. H.Res. 737 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes: Resolves that the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances; and requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities with the goal of increasing financial literacy rates for individuals of all ages and walks of life.
5. H.R. 4688 - Mayor John Thompson `Tom` Garrison Memorial Post Office Designation Act (Badin, North Carolina)
6. H.R. 4561 - Francisco `Pancho` Medrano Post Office Building Designation Act (Dallas, Texas)
7. H.R. 4646 - Coach John Wooden Post Office Building Designation Act (Reseda, California)
8. H.Res. 556 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic.
9. H.Con.Res. 360 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers` Memorial Service: Resolves that the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary shall be permitted to sponsor the 25th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on the Capitol Grounds. The purpose of this memorial will be to honor the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2005. The memorial shall be held on May 15, 2006, or on another date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate jointly designate.
10. H.Con.Res. 371 - Honoring and congratulating the Minnesota National Guard, on its 150th anniversary, for its spirit of dedication and service to the State of Minnesota and the Nation and recognizing that the role of the National Guard, the Nation`s citizen-soldier based militia, which was formed before the United States Army, has been and still is extremely important to the security and freedom of the Nation
11. H.Con.Res. 366 - To congratulate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Transportation System, to honor Commander John Young and the Pilot Robert Crippen, who flew Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14, 1981, on its first orbital test flight, and to commend the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and all those supporting America`s space program for their accomplishments and their role in inspiring the American people
12. H.Res. 541 - Honoring Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2005, and Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005, and for other purposes: Resolves that the House of Representatives recognizes and honors Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch; recognizes and honors Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock; and acknowledges the importance of National Institute of Standards and Technology research and its contributions to United States industry, academia, and government.

H.R. 513 - 527 Reform Act of 2005: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

H.Con.Res. XXXX - Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2007: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

* Possible Motions to go to Conference

* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees