Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, issued the following statement in response to President George W. Bush’s address to the nation regarding his Administration’s policy for Iraq:  “I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Iraq. Tonight, we heard from President Bush about his Administration’s plan for moving forward in that war-torn country. I am eager to look at the details of the President’s plan, but based on the lack of success that we have seen so far, we are going to have work very rigorously to ensure that our plan definitely will work. As we do all of this, the basic question that we need to ask is, “What is in our best interests as a nation?”

The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday approved a resolution remembering and honoring former President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26, 2006, at the age of 93. The bill, H. Res. 15, was introduced by Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, who represents essentially the same Congressional district that Ford represented as a member of the House from 1949-1973. The bill was approved by a vote of 423-0.

Legislation that would create new – and strengthen existing – programs that support U.S. manufacturing sector research, development and innovation efforts has been reintroduced by Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers. The proposal, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act (H.R. 255), would provide technical extension services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers, said Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids. The bill is essentially identical to legislation he introduced in the 108th and 109th Congresses. The legislation twice stalled in the Senate after being approved by the full House of Representatives in July 2004 and September 2005.

Seeking to ensure the quality of online “distance learning” education programs, Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers has introduced legislation requiring a scientific study comparing them to more traditional, campus-based programs. The bill, the Independent Study of Distance Education Act of 2007 (H.R. 412), requires that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) conduct a scientifically correct, statistically valid study of the quality of distance education programs as compared to campus-based programs.

On Monday, the House is not in session, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday.

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. Res. 61 - Observing and celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and encouraging the people of the United States to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and his life and legacy.
2. H.R. 188 - To provide a new effective date for the applicability of certain provisions of law to Public Law 105-331: Revises the effective date for mandatory deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts of any amount derived from proceeds of the surcharge on the sale of the Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin, under the Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin Act, which remains unpaid to a designated recipient organization solely by reason of a specified matching fund requirement.
3. H.R. 391 - To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Community Development to continue to insure and enter into commitments to insure home equity conversion mortgages under section 255 of the National Housing Act.
4. H. Res. 39 - Commending the University of Florida Gators for their victory in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and for winning the national college football championship.
5. H. Con. Res. 31 - Honoring the Mare Island Original 21ers for their efforts to increase equal employment opportunities in the military: Recognizes the historic accomplishments of the Mare Island Original 21ers in combating racial discrimination in employment and providing equal employment opportunities for African-American shipyard workers.  Additionally, this resolution recognizes the importance of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity as a forerunner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and recognizes the importance of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a powerful and ongoing tool for eliminating racial discrimination in employment.
6. H. Res. 43 - Commending the Boise State University Broncos football team for winning the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and completing an undefeated season.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes are expected by 2 p.m. on Friday.

Suspensions (2 bills):

1. H.R. XXX - Short Term Extension of the Small Business Administration: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.
2. H. Res. 58 - To honor Muhammad Ali, global humanitarian, on the occasion of his 65th birthday and to extend best wishes to him and his family.

H.R. 5 - College Student Relief Act of 2007: Cuts the interest rate in half, over a five-year period, for undergraduate students with federally subsidized loans, bringing the interest rate to 3.4% by 2011, compared to 6.8% today. The measure offsets the $5.8 billion cost by reducing payments the federal government makes to lenders and non-profit agencies that guarantee loans by private lenders.

H.R. 6 – CLEAN Energy Act of 2007: Reduces or eliminates certain tax breaks for oil and gas companies, and provides for additional royalty payments and fees, to generate $12.8 billion over the next 10 years. The bill dedicates these increased revenues to a new account that would support research on and use of clean domestic renewable energy and promote energy efficiency. The bill requires oil and gas producers who currently are not paying federal royalties on their offshore leases either to agree to royalty payments when fuel prices reach certain levels, or to pay fees based on production.

H.R. XXX - Strengthening the Page Board of the House of Representatives: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.

H.R. XXX - Congressional pension accountability: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.