![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin................................................April 14, 2008**

**Contents:**

> **H. Res. 866**---Expressing sympathy to the victims and families of
> the tragic acts of violence in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Arvada,
> Colorado
>
> **H. Res. 994**---Expressing support for designation of a National
> Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day
>
> **H.R. 5517**---To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas, as the "Texas
> Military Veterans Post Office"
>
> **H.R. 4881**---Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2007
>
> **H.R. 3548---**Plain Language in Government Communications Act of
> 2007
>
> **H. Res. 259**---Honoring and recognizing the work of the Meals On
> Wheels Association of America, its member senior nutrition programs
> throughout the country, and their annual March For Meals campaigns
>
> **H.Res. 1097**---Expressing support for the designation of the month
> of April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to provide
> attention to the tragic circumstances that face some of our Nation's
> children on a daily basis and to underscore our commitment to
> preventing child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in
> safety and security

**H. Res. 866---Expressing sympathy to the victims and families of the
tragic acts of violence in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Arvada,
Colorado (Lamborn, R-CO)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 866 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 866 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Offers its heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of the
    tragic acts of violence in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Arvada,
    Colorado;

-   "Conveys its gratitude to Jeanne Assam, city and county officials,
    as well as the police, fire, sheriff, Federal authorities, and
    emergency medical teams whose quick response saved lives; and

-   "Reaffirms that New Life Church, Youth With A Mission, and all other
    communities and organizations of faith in our country should be
    places of refuge from violence and hatred, and deserve protection
    from the same."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "On Sunday December 9, 2007, a man entered the New Life Church
    property with the intent to cause harm to members and guests of the
    church

-   "The attacker shot 5 bystanders at the New Life Church, killing 2 of
    them and injuring 3 others;

-   "The shooting resulted in the tragic loss of Stephanie Works, 18,
    and Rachel Works, 16, who lost their lives from wounds sustained
    from shots fired by the attacker;

-   "Jeanne Assam, a volunteer private security guard, heroically rushed
    into harm's way and used her own gun to stop the shooter, thereby
    saving the lives of several other bystanders;

-   "The shooting at Youth With A Mission resulted in the death of
    Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24;

-   "The attacker seriously wounded Dan Griebenow and Charlie Blanch;
    and

-   "Local first responders in the City of Arvada and Jefferson County
    Colorado responded quickly and professionally, thereby saving
    wounded individuals."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 866 was introduced on
December 18, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform. On March 13, 2008, a committee mark-up was held and
the resolution was reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H. Res. 994---Expressing support for designation of a National
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day (Broun, R-GA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 994 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 994 would express the sense that the
House "supports the designation of a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia
Awareness Day." The resolution would also request that the Clerk of the
House transmit the resolution to a number of national leaders in the
fight against Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia.

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia affects men, women, and children of all
    ages;

-   "This disorder is very distressing to those who have it, causing
    great discomfort and severe emotional stress;

-   "Children with Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia are unable to participate
    in many normal childhood activities including most sports and are
    often subject to social discomfort because of their disorder;

-   "Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia includes a wide range of symptoms
    including life-threatening, uncontrollable bleeding and severe
    bruising;

-   "Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia is frequently misdiagnosed or
    undiagnosed by medical professionals;

-   "Currently there is no cure for Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia;

-   'It is essential to educate the public on the symptoms, treatments,
    and constant efforts to cure Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia to insure
    early diagnosis and treatment of the condition;

-   "Helen P. Smith established the Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Research
    Foundation in Augusta, Georgia, in 2001;

-   "Helen P. Smith and the Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Research
    Foundation have worked tirelessly to promote awareness of
    Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and help fund research on the disorder;
    and

-   "March 1 would be an appropriate day to establish a National
    Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 994 was introduced on
February 25, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform. On March 13, 2008, a committee mark-up was held and
the resolution was reported, as amended, by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 5517---To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas, as the "Texas Military
Veterans Post Office" (Poe, R-TX)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 5517 is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5517 would designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas,
as the "Texas Military Veterans Post Office."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Texas Veterans Commission
(TVC) was established by the Texas Legislature in 1927 to ensure that
every veteran from Texas had the ability to access the benefits afforded
to them under the law. According to the TVC's Website, as of September
30, 2007, there were more than 1.7 million veterans living throughout
Texas.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5517 was introduced on February
28, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote on
March 13, 2008.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score for H.R. 5517 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. post office
renaming are those for sign and map changes, none of which significantly
affect the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** A Committee Report
citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits was not available. Such a report is not
required because the bill is being considered under a suspension of the
rules.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Although no committee report
citing constitutional authority is available, Article I, Section 8,
Clause 7 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish
Post Offices and post roads.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 4881---Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2007**

***(Ellsworth, D-IN)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 4881 would prohibit contractors who owe
delinquent federal tax debt from obtaining a contract awarded by the
government. The bill would only apply to contracts that exceed the
simplified acquisition threshold, which is \$100,000 for domestic
contracts or \$200,000 for oversees humanitarian contracts. The bill
would also give the head of a federal agency the authority to
unilaterally waive the prohibition if they see fit.

H.R. 4881 would require any contractor that submits a bid proposal to
include a form to certify that they do not have a "seriously delinquent"
tax debt. In addition, contractors submitting bids to the government
must grant the Secretary of Treasury the authority to disclose tax
information to the head of the relevant agency. A contractor would not
be considered to be "seriously delinquent" if a debt is being paid in a
timely manner in accordance with an agreement with the IRS or if the
debt in question is subject to a pending hearing or hearing request.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [House Report
110-578](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr578)),
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that government-hired
contractors owed an estimated \$5 billion in unpaid federal taxes in
2004 and 2005. These taxes usually represent money that was withheld
from employees and never paid to the federal government. The Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform asserts that some contractors with
delinquent tax debt have won contracts over contractors that had fully
paid their taxes. H.R. 4881 would attempt to force compliance with tax
laws by prohibiting contractors with outstanding debt from receiving
government contracts. The bill would also force contracts to certify
that they owed no delinquent taxes when they submitted a bid proposal to
an agency for a federal contract.

In additional views included in [House Report
110-578](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr578)),
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Tom Davis
(R-VA) points out that the administration is already working on similar
changes to current regulations. According to Rep. Davis, the
administration is in the process of instituting regulations that would
require any contractors making bids on federal contracts to certify that
they do not owe outstanding tax debt. Rep. Davis concludes that, "since
the issue addressed in H.R. 4881 is already being addressed through the
regulatory process it is not totally clear to me what we are
accomplishing with this legislation. Nevertheless I have no real
objection and therefore supported the legislation in Committee."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 4881 was introduced on December
19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform's Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and
Procurement. On March 11, 2008, a subcommittee mark-up was held and the
bill was reported, as amended, by voice vote. The Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform held a mark-up and reported the amended bill by
voice vote on March 13, 2008.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 4881 would
cost \$5 million in FY 2009 and \$14 million over the FY 2009 through FY
2013 period for the Secretary of Treasury to work with other agencies to
carry out the requirements of the bill. According to the Joint Committee
on Taxation, H.R. 4881 would have a "negligible effect of revenues."

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** [House Report
110-578](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr578))
states that, "H.R. 4881 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause
9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, in [House Report
110-578](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr578)),
cites constitutional authority in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (the
"necessary and proper" clause).

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 3548---Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007
*(Braley, D-IA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3548 would require that, within one
year, each federal agency use "plain language" in any document that
explains how a federal benefit or service is obtained. The term "plain
language" would be defined as "language that the intended audience can
readily understand and use because it is clear, concise, well-organized,
and follows other best practices of plain language writing." Agency
documents required to be written in plain language under the bill would
include letters, publications, forms, notices, or instructions issued by
an agency, but would not include regulations.

Within six months of the enactment of the bill, each agency head would
be required to submit a report describing how the agency intends to:

-   Communicate the requirements of this Act to agency employees;

-   Train agency employees to write in plain language;

-   Meet the deadline set forth in the bill (one year);

-   Ensure ongoing compliance; and

-   Designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing these
    requirements.

Finally, H.R. 3548 would require each agency head to make an annual
progress report each of the first two years following enactment of the
bill and once every three years thereafter.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to
[www.plainlanguage.gov](http://www.plainlanguage.gov/) (the federal
government's Website devoted to commonly understood government
documents), efforts to encourage plain language have been undertaken
since the end of WW II. In the 1970s, President Nixon proclaimed that
the Federal Register be written in "layman's terms." President Carter
continued the tradition by issuing orders that required government
documents to be "cost-effective and easy-to-understand by those who were
required to comply with them." In 1998 President Clinton created a new
plain language requirement for certain federal agencies. Currently, some
(but not all) agencies have codified standards for plain language use.
H.R. 3548 would create a general plain language standard for federal
documents that explain how a federal benefit or service is obtained, but
not for regulations.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3548 was introduced on
September 17, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform's Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and
National Archives. On January 29, 2008, a subcommittee mark-up was held
and the bill was reported, as amended, by voice vote. The Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform held a mark-up and reported the amended
bill by voice vote on March 13, 2008.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 3548 would
cost \$2 million annually for agencies to comply with the requirements
under the bill. In addition, CBO estimates that the bill would also
affect direct spending for certain agencies that are not subject to the
appropriations process (such as the Tennessee Valley Authority). CBO
estimates that any increase in direct spending would not be significant.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** [House Report
110-580](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr580))
states that, "H.R. 3548 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause
9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, in [House Report
110-580](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr580)),
cites constitutional authority in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (the
"necessary and proper" clause).

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H. Res. 259---Honoring and recognizing the work of the Meals On Wheels
Association of America, its member senior nutrition programs throughout
the country, and their annual March For Meals campaigns *(LoBiondo,
D-NJ)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 259 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 259 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Recognizes the important work the Meals On Wheels Association of
    America and its member senior nutrition programs throughout the
    country do in preventing senior hunger and improving the quality of
    life for hundreds of thousands of our nation's seniors each year,

-   "Recognizes the important role the Meals On Wheels Association of
    America and its member programs throughout the country\'s March For
    Meals campaigns play in increasing awareness of the need for senior
    nutrition programs and in raising non-Federal funds and soliciting
    volunteers to support and assist these programs in accomplishing
    their important mission,

-   "Honors the Meals On Wheels Association of America and its member
    programs for their continuing hard work and dedication on behalf of
    our nation's seniors, and

-   "Encourages Members of Congress to support their local senior
    nutrition programs by participating in their annual March For Meals
    events and delivering meals to homebound seniors in a community
    within their district or State.'

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest
    organization in the United States representing those who provide
    meal services to people in need;

-   "The Meals On Wheels member local senior nutrition programs help
    those men and women in cities, suburban areas, and rural communities
    across America who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or at
    risk;

-   "The Meals On Wheels member programs provide nutritious meals to
    individuals who suffer from long-term chronic conditions as well as
    those who may just need short-term assistance;

-   "Good nutrition is essential to good health and the meals provided
    by senior nutrition programs contribute to the overall well-being of
    America's seniors;

-   "In the words of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, these
    programs are needed 'so no senior goes hungry'; and

-   "Each March, chosen because it was during this month that the law
    was enacted that included senior meal programs in the Older
    Americans Act of 1965, Meals On Wheels member programs across the
    country conduct local, community-based "March For Meals" fundraising
    and awareness campaigns."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 259 was introduced on March
31, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.Res. 1097---Expressing support for the designation of the month of
April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to provide
attention to the tragic circumstances that face some of our Nation's
children on a daily basis and to underscore our commitment to preventing
child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in safety and
security *(Courtney, D-CT)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1097 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, April 14, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1097 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Expresses support for the designation of National Child Abuse
    Prevention Month;

-   "Should increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect
    prevention and should continue to work with the States to reduce the
    incidence of child abuse and neglect; and

-   "Should recognize that child abuse and neglect prevention programs
    reduce child maltreatment, strengthen families, reduce mental
    illness, deter criminal behavior, and contribute to children's
    positive emotional, academic, social, and cognitive development."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "In 2006, an estimated 905,000 children were determined to be
    victims of abuse or neglect out of an estimated 6,600,000 children
    referred for investigations and assessments;

-   "The number of children who received an investigation or assessment
    by Child Protective Services increased by 333,000 from 2002 to 2006;

-   "In 2006, an estimated 1,530 children died tragically as a result of
    abuse or neglect;

-   "25 percent of the children abused and neglected are likely to be
    maltreated again;

-   "Child abuse and neglect can have long-term economic and societal
    costs;

-   "Community-based services to overburdened families are far less
    costly than the emotional and physical damage inflicted on children
    or the costs of child protective services, law enforcement, courts,
    foster care, health care, and the treatment of adults recovering
    from child abuse;

-   "The annual estimated cost to the United States for not preventing
    child abuse and neglect is approximately \$104,000,000,000,
    according to a 2008 report by Prevent Child Abuse America;

-   "Child protection agencies are unable to provide important follow-up
    services such as counseling or case management to 40 percent of the
    abused and neglected children on their caseloads; and

-   "It is appropriate to designate the month of April 2008, as National
    Child Abuse Prevention Month.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1097 was introduced on March
31, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.