As part of the day-long debate in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday concerning the Global War on Terror, Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, announced on the floor of the House the creation of the “Wall of the Fallen.” The tribute, located in a prominent foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building, lists the names of all the U.S. military personnel who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of the Global War on Terror. The tribute was created under the supervision of the Committee on House Administration, which Ehlers chairs.

The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is slated to receive $1.2 million in improvements thanks to more than $786,000 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers announced today.  Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, was informed by VA officials that the grant funds will be used to pay for life safety code renovations at the facility, which has served veterans of all of our nation’s military conflicts since the Civil War.

Add one more honor to Deborah Nelson Snow’s list of accolades and accomplishments. Snow, who was named Michigan’s Senior Citizen of the Year in 2003, was honored Friday by receiving Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers’ second annual Congressional Medal of Merit for Seniors at the monthly meeting of the Advocates for Senior Issues, held at the Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Citing his record of voting to protect Social Security benefits and to lower the cost of Medicare benefits, the non-partisan 60-Plus Association presented Congressman Ehlers with its Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award. The organization, which represents nearly 5 million seniors, cited Ehlers for supporting the repeal of a 1993 tax on monthly Social Security benefits, abolishing the Social Security earnings limit for seniors between the ages of 62 and 64, abolishing the Death Tax, and repealing the telephone excise tax that was implemented in 1898 to fund the Spanish-American War.

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 5 p.m.

Suspensions (4 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. 5540 - Sergeant Jacob Dan Dones Post Office Designation Act (Dimmitt, Texas)
2. H.R. 5504 - Larry Winn, Jr. Post Office Building Designation Act (Mission, Kansas)
3. H.R. 5104 - Morris W. Milton Post Office Designation Act (St. Petersburg, Florida)
4. H.Res. 826 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be established

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9:30 a.m. for morning hour and 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (7 bills):

1. H.Res. 731 - Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military families from protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service members at funerals: Expresses appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who: (1) attend military funerals across the country to show respect for fallen members of the Armed Forces and, when needed, shield mourning family members and friends of the deceased from war protesters who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, the dignity of a funeral; and (2) in so doing, help preserve the memory and dignity of the nation's fallen heroes.
2. H.R. 5060 - To amend the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 to require data with respect to Federal financial assistance to be available for public access in a searchable and user friendly form: Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to work with the Administrator of General Services and other agencies to make available data regarding federal financial assistance in accordance with this Act and the E-Government Act of 2002.
3. H.Res. 867 - Honoring the life and accomplishments of James Cameron: James Cameron founded America's Black Holocaust Museum (the Museum) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the only memorial in the United States to victims of lynching and racial violence. Mr. Cameron was the last living survivor of a lynching until his death on June 11, 2006, at age 92. The Senate recognized Mr. Cameron as the Nation's oldest living lynching victim in June 2005 and formally apologized for its failure to outlaw lynching, which killed more than 4,700 people from 1882 to 1968, three-fourths of whom were black. Seven United States Presidents called for lynching to be outlawed, and the House of Representatives passed bans three times in the early twentieth century, only to have the Senate kill each of them with a filibuster, one that lasted six weeks.
4. H.R. 4356 - Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2005: Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit fraud in any matter involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 or in connection with the procurement of property or services related to a disaster by a contractor or supplier. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 30 years for violations. Imposes a fine of $1 million and/or prison term of up to 30 years for wire, radio, television, or mail fraud in connection with a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the Judiciary Committees of Congress an explanation of actions taken to combat such offenses.
5. H.Con.Res. 367 - Honoring and praising the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on the 100th anniversary of being granted its Congressional Charter: Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the historic congressional charter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Honors SAR for its work to perpetuate and honor the memory of the men who fought to gain our freedom during the Revolutionary War, and for their devotion to our nation's youth.
6. H.R. 5228 - To require representatives of governments designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism to disclose to the Attorney General lobbying contacts with legislative branch officials, and for other purposes: Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to require representatives of governments designated by the Secretary of State as State Sponsors of Terrorism (covered foreign principals) to disclose to the Attorney General lobbying contacts with legislative branch officials. Prohibits the Secretary from recognizing as accredited a diplomatic or consular officer of a covered foreign principal unless the officer agrees to comply with this Act.
7. H.R. 1285 - To amend the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999 to remove the limitation for nonimmigrant classification for nurses in health professional shortage areas: Amends the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999 to repeal a provision limiting the nonimmigrant classification for nurses working in health professional shortage areas (currently, limited to classification petitions filed within a four-year period beginning on the date of issuance of interim or final regulations under that Act).

H.R. 5631 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007: Appropriates $377.6 billion for the Department of Defense operations for Fiscal Year 2007, which is $19.1 billion more than was appropriated in FY 2006 and $4.1 billion less that was requested by the President’s budget proposal.

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

Suspensions (6 bills):

1. H.R. 5603 - To temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes:  A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.
2. H.R. 5293 - Senior Independence Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.
3. H.Con.Res. 426 - Recognizing the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Food and Drugs Act for the important service it provides to the Nation: Resolves that the Congress recognizes the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services and its employees for 100 years of service in ensuring the safety of our food and the safety and efficacy of our medical products, providing leadership to the world in the regulatory sciences, and their hard work and extraordinary dedication to the protection and promotion of our Nation's public health.
4. H.R. 5573 - Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006: Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers program.
5. H.R. 5574 - Children`s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2006: A summary of this legislation was not available at time of publication.
6. H.Res. 323 - Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research: Calls for Congress to support: (1) efforts to promote awareness of cancer in children; (2) increased investment in childhood cancer research; (3) incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology; (4) incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers; (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials; (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and (7) enhanced education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.

H.R. 9 - Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006: Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation. Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.

H.R. 4890 - Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006: Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose the rescission of any dollar amount of discretionary budget authority or the rescission, in whole or in part, of any item of direct spending. Sets forth requirements for the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission. Requires any rescinded budget authority or items of direct spending to be dedicated only to deficit reduction, and not to be used as an offset for other spending increases. Provides for adjustment of: (1) committee allocations resulting from such rescission; and (3) applicable limits, as appropriate, under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of a proposed rescission.

• Possible Motions to go to Conference
• Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees

On Friday, there are no votes expected in the House.