Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers won election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the eighth time in November, but nevertheless he has a new address.

Residents of Kent County and 10 other Michigan counties no longer face the cost of having the emissions of their vehicles tested or having stringent controls placed on local industries thanks to a reclassification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Congressman Ehlers said.

On Monday, the House is not in session.

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

Suspensions (16 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. 5076 - National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2006: Amends federal transportation law to extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for FY2007-FY2009, including an emergency fund (not to exceed $4 million) for necessary NTSB expenses for accident investigations.
2. H.Res. 1087 - Designating Room H-139 of the Capitol as the "Henry J. Hyde Room": Makes this resolution effective on the day after Henry J. Hyde is no longer serving as a Member of the House of Representatives.
3. H.R. 6316 - To extend through December 31, 2008, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits
4. H.R. 6111 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that the Tax Court may review claims for equitable innocent spouse relief and to suspend the running on the period of limitations while such claims are pending
5. H.R. 5666 - Southern Idaho Bureau of Reclamation Repayment Act of 2006: Authorizes any owner of land within the A&B Irrigation District in Idaho to repay at any time the construction costs of District project facilities that are allocated to such land. Provides that, upon full payment of such costs, the parcels shall not be subject to specified ownership and full-cost pricing limitations under federal reclamation law, for which the Secretary shall, upon request, provide the landowner a certificate.
6. H.R. 5466 - Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation Act: Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (a series of water routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and in the District of Columbia that traces the 1607 and 1608 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay).
7. H.R. 1492 - To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a program within the National Park Service to support and work in partnership with citizens, governmental and tribal organizations, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of identifying, protecting, and acquiring historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II in order to gain inspiration from these sites and to demonstrate the nation's commitment to equal justice.
8. S. 1219 - A bill to authorize certain tribes in the State of Montana to enter into a lease or other temporary conveyance of water rights to meet the water needs of the Dry Prairie Rural Water Association, Inc.
9. H.R. 5110 - More Water and More Energy Act of 2006: Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, to conduct a study to identify: (1) the obstacles to increasing the extent to which produced water (water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of oil, natural gas, coal-bed methane, or any other substance to be used as an energy source) can be used for irrigation and other purposes; and (2) the actions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles.
10. H.R. 395 - Lowell National Historical Park Boundary Adjustment Act: Modifies the boundary of the Lowell National Historical Park to include certain properties in the City of Lowell, Massachusetts.
11. S. 3711 - Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006: Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area and the 181 South Area for oil and gas leasing, notwithstanding their omission from the Outer Continental Shelf leasing program. Subjects the following areas to a moratorium upon oil and gas leasing (or any related activity): (1) any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) any area in the Eastern Planning Area that is within 125 miles of the Florida coastline; or (3) specified areas within the Central Planning Area and within 100 miles of the Florida coastline. Reserves to the United States the right to designate national defense areas on the Outer Continental Shelf.
12. H.R. 4742 - To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions governing patents and trademarks in certain emergencies: Allows the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to waive statutory provisions governing the filing, processing, renewal, and maintenance of patents, trademark registrations, and applications for patents or registrations to the extent necessary to protect the rights and privileges of applicants and other persons affected by an emergency or a major disaster. Disallows judicial review of any decision not to exercise such waiver authority.
13. H.R. 1176 - Nonprofit Athletic Organization Protection Act of 2006: Exempts a nonprofit athletic organization from liability for harm caused by an act or omission in the adoption of rules of play for sanctioned or approved athletic competitions or practices if: (1) the organization was acting within the scope of its duties; (2) the organization was properly licensed, certified, or authorized for the competition or practice; and (3) the harm was not caused by the organization's willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, or reckless misconduct. Makes exceptions where state law: (1) requires such an organization to adhere to risk management procedures, including mandatory training; (2) makes the organization liable for the acts or omissions of its employees, agents, and volunteers to the same extent as an employer is liable for its employees; and (3) makes a limitation of liability inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a state or local government.
14. H.R. XXXX - To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and repress the misuse of the Red Crescent distinctive emblem and the Third Protocol (Red Crystal) distinctive emblem
15. H.Con.Res. 73 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National High School Seniors Voter Registration Day
16. H.Res. 1070 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of the House should actively engage with employers and the American public at large to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the Armed Forces who were wounded in service and are facing a transition to civilian life.

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.

Suspensions (6 bills):

1. H.R. 6099 - Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006: Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child.
2. H.R. XXXX - To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program, and for other purposes
3. S. 1820 - Dewey F. Bartlett Post Office Designation Act (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
4. S. 3722 - Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2006: Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Lithuania, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ships KINGFISHER and CORMORANT; (2) Portugal, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates GEORGE PHILIP and SIDES; and (3) Turkey, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ship BLACK HAWK. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis to: (1) Taiwan, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ships ORIOLE and FALCON; (2) Turkey, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ship SHRIKE; and (3) Mexico, the AUSTIN class amphibious transport dock ships OGDEN and CLEVELAND.
5. S. 2125 - Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006: Sets forth specified U.S. political, social, civil, and economic policy objectives (policy objectives) with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorizes additional FY2006 funds for bilateral assistance programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Arms Export Control Act.
6. H.Res. 1082 - Condemning the decision by the city of St. Denis, France, to name a street in honor of Mumia Abu Jamal, the convicted murderer of Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Faulkner: Urges the municipal government of St. Denis, France, to change the name of Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal and, if such action is not taken by the municipal government of St. Denis, urges the government of France to take appropriate action against St. Denis to change the name of Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal.

    

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• Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees