FOR RELEASE: January 2, 2008

          After months of posturing by the Democrat leadership in the House of Representatives over the future of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the simple legislation to extend the existing program was agreed to on a vote of 411-to-three.  This extension does not include an increase in taxes that some had advocated in order to extend the SCHIP program to those making up to $61,000 and to make it easier for recent immigrants and illegals to access the SCHIP program.  The SCHIP extension did not include any reduction in citizenship requirements, which could have made it easier for illegal immigrants to qualify for SCHIP.  Excluding the reduced citizenship requirements brought objections from the Hispanic Caucus.  Yet, in the end, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

          Congress has agreed to make the Do-Not-Call Registry permanent.  The Do-Not-Call registry was established by Congress over three years ago in response to the large number of complaints from citizens who did not want to be bombarded by telemarketers calling their homes.  It is administered by the Federal Trade Commission, and the original legislation called for numbers placed on the Do-Not-Call Registry to remain on the list for three years.  With the three-year time frame about to expire, citizens had asked why they would have to re-register their telephone numbers, and Congress agreed.  Under the legislation adopted in December, if you have registered your phone number, it will remain on the Do-Not-Call Registry. 

If you have not put your number on the Registry and wish to, you may do so by calling, toll-free,1-888-382-1222.  You must call from the number that you wish to have registered.  If you wish to register on the Internet, the web address is www.ftc.gov/donotcall.

          At least 25 years ago, some well-meaning persons pressed to have coyotes re-introduced into western Virginia .  I was in the Virginia Senate then and opposed this measure, but it became law.  Since then, the number of coyotes has grown by an estimated by 20 percent per year, and they are a huge problem in Southwestern Virginia and in parts of the Fifth District.  The coyotes are attacking and killing pets and livestock, doing thousands of dollars worth of harm to Virginia 's livestock industry each year.

             At the urging of Congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Rick Boucher and me, the House has included an appropriation of $150,000 for predator and coyote control in Southwest and Southside Virginia and up into the Shenandoah Valley .  The money goes to the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.  This division will work with farmers in the affected areas to address the growing coyote problem.  

          Please keep in touch with me on issues that are important to you.  You may write Congressman Virgil Goode, 70 East Court Street, Room 215, Rocky Mount , VA 24151 ; or fax to 1-540-484-1459; or call toll-free to the Danville office, 1-800-535-4008.