The Ehlers Newsletter

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday, the House Floor will be cleared immediately after 10 a.m. in order to provide time for a security sweep of the House Chamber prior to the Italian Prime Minister`s arrival. The House will reconvene at 10:45 a.m. in Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy.

Suspensions (4 bills):

H.Con.Res. 316 - Raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by establishing January 2006 as "National Stalking Awareness Month": Establishes January 2006 as `National Stalking Awareness Month'. The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that National Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the people of the United States about stalking. The measure also expresses that all Americans should applaud the efforts of the many victim service providers, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, and private sector supporters for their efforts in promoting awareness about stalking.
H.Res. 357 - Honoring Justice Sandra Day O`Connor: Honors Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the occasion of her retirement from the United States Supreme Court. The resolution commends Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for her hard work and dedication to the law and the measure recognizes Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as a pioneer for women in law, helping women become a permanent and integral part of the legal profession.
H.Con.Res. 335 - Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 97th anniversary: Recognizes the 97th anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and honors and praises the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.
S. 2271 - USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006: Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to allow a person receiving a 215 order (an order from the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or his designee (Director) to produce any tangible thing, such as a book, document, or record) to challenge its legality by filing a petition with a pool of three district court judges established by the Chief Justice of the United States for such purpose. The bill permits the filing of a petition, no sooner than one year after issuance of the production order, challenging any accompanying nondisclosure order (an order prohibiting the person receiving the production order from disclosing that the FBI sought information). The measure requires the presiding judge of the pool to immediately assign a judge to conduct an initial review of a petition. S. 2271 also requires such judge, within 72 hours of the assignment, to make a determination. Additionally, the bill requires the judge to immediately deny such petition if it is frivolous and affirm the production or nondisclosure order. The measure permits any order setting aside a nondisclosure order to be stayed pending review upon request of the government. S. 2271 permits setting aside a nondisclosure order if there is no reason to believe that national security would be endangered. The bill establishes as conclusive a certification by the Director or the Attorney General that the setting aside of a nondisclosure order may endanger national security, unless the certification was found to be made in bad faith. S. 2271 requires upholding a production order unless it is found to be unlawful and requires immediate compliance with the production order if the judge does not set aside such order. The bill grants the Supreme Court, upon writ of certiorari, jurisdiction to review a decision. The measure also requires any judicial review to be as expeditious as possible and all petitions to be filed under seal. Requires any court proceedings, upon request from the government, to be ex parte and in camera. The bill additionally amends federal criminal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Right to Financial Privacy Act, and the National Security Act of 1947 to require a person making a disclosure to identify to the Director or requesting official the person to whom such disclosure will be made or was made prior to the request, but permits withholding the identity of an attorney to whom a disclosure was or will be made to obtain legal advice or assistance with respect to the request. Lastly, S. 2271 considers a library not to be a wire or electronic service communication provider for purposes of granting national security letters, unless the library provides "electronic communication service" as defined by the Federal criminal code.

H.R. 4167 - National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005: Provides for a single set of national food safety standards and warning requirements for packaged foods. The National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 coordinates and harmonizes federal, state, and local concerns and enhances consumer protection throughout the country, while at the same time protecting states’ rights. The bill allows states and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work collaboratively in establishing sound food safety policies that benefit consumers.

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