![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................July 11, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 2608 ---** SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act
>
> **H.Res. 527 ---** Recognizing the month of November as "National
> Homeless Youth Awareness Month"
>
> **H.R. 2900 ---** Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007
>
> **H.Res. 287 ---** To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use
> of the name "America", and for other purposes
>
> **H.Res. 426 ---** Recognizing 2007 as the Year of the Rights of
> Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia, and offering support for
> efforts to ensure that the internally displaced people of Colombia
> receive the assistance and protection they need to rebuild their lives
> successfully
>
> **H.Res. 467** --- Condemning the decision by the University and
> College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli
> academia
>
> **H.Res. 482** --- Expressing support for the new power-sharing
> government in Northern Ireland
>
> **H.Res. 500 ---** Expressing the sense of the House of
> Representatives in opposition to efforts by major natural gas
> exporting countries to establish a cartel or other mechanism to
> manipulate the supply of natural gas to the world market for the
> purpose of setting an arbitrary and nonmarket price or as an
> instrument of political pressure
>
> **H.Res. 436 ---** Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the University
> of Central Arkansas
>
> **H.Res. 210 ---** Commending the Appalachian State University
> football team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic
> Association Division I-AA Football Championship

H.R. 2608 --- SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act
*(McDermott, D-WA)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 2608 is scheduled to be
considered under suspension of the rules on Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2608 increases from seven years to nine
years the eligibility period of refugees and asylees to receive
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Refugees and asylees who
have already had their eligibility for SSI benefits lapse would also be
eligible to receive benefits for another two years. In addition, those
who are in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship could also
continue to receive SSI benefits even after the nine years have lapsed.

The two year extension is effective for the three year period covering
fiscal years 2008 to 2010.

H.R. 2608 also requires the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce an
individual's federal tax refund by the amount of debt an individual owes
to a state's unemployment compensation system for payments fraudulently
received. The bill directs that the money saved be used to compensate
the state's unemployment compensation fund. This provision is included
in the bill in order to offset the cost of the extension in SSI
benefits.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: SSI is a federal program funded
by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes) designed to
supplement the income of elderly and disabled people who have little or
no income. Refugees and asylees, who have not yet become citizens, are
eligible to receive SSI benefits for seven years. Beyond that period, in
order to continue to receive benefits, a recipient must become a U.S.
citizen.

One major policy change contained in the 1996 Welfare Reform law was to
set limits on benefits for immigrants who are not citizens. In the case
of refugees and asylees, the 1996 welfare reform bill set a five-year
limit on SSI benefits. This was changed to the current seven-year limit
in 1997.

According to Ways and Means Committee Republicans, "a primary barrier to
citizenship within the current seven-year period of SSI eligibility for
refugees is lengthy delays in processing of citizenship applications in
some areas. Other barriers to citizenship, especially for elderly
refugees, include a lengthy application, an in-person interview, a test
of English proficiency and civic knowledge, and an application fee."

The Ways and Means Committee also cites data from the Social Security
Administration (SSA) which states that 7,000 immigrants have had SSI
benefits suspended, 4,500 will have benefits suspended this year, and
12,000 will lose SSI benefits over the next three years.

For more background on SSI benefits, visit this website:
<http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/index.htm>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2608 was referred to the House
Committee on Ways and Means on June 7, 2007, which took no further
action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to preliminary estimates
by CBO and JCT, H.R. 2608 would reduce spending by \$73 million over
five years and \$374 million over ten years. Revenues would be reduced
by \$62 million over five years and \$326 million over ten years. The
net budgetary impact is to increase the deficit by \$55 million in 2008,
reduce the deficit by \$11 million over five years, and \$48 million
over ten years.

**[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}**: Brad Watson,
<brad.watson@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9719

**H.Res. 527 --- Recognizing the month of November as "National Homeless
Youth Awareness Month" *(McDermott, D-WA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 527 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 527 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "supports helping vulnerable youth through current programs
    authorized under title IV of the Social Security Act;

-   "encourages the promotion through such programs of assistance for
    especially foster youth in staying off the streets, staying in
    school, and obtaining their high school diplomas and further
    education and training;

-   "applauds the initiative of public and private organizations and
    individuals dedicated to helping these programs prevent homelessness
    among youth, and provide aid when prevention fails; and

-   "should recognize 'National Homeless Youth Awareness Month' to
    support and further encourage such efforts."

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "an estimated 1,300,000 to 2,800,000 youths in the United States are
    homeless for at least one night each year, with many staying on the
    streets or in emergency shelters;

-   "homeless youth are typically too poor to secure basic needs, are
    often unable to access adequate medical or mental health care, and
    are often unaware of supportive services that are available;

-   "an average of 13 homeless youth die each day due to physical
    assault, illness, or suicide;

-   "some homeless youth are expelled from their homes or run away after
    physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by their parents or guardians,
    or are separated from their parents through death or divorce;

-   "other youth become homeless due to a lack of financial and housing
    resources as they exit juvenile corrections or foster care,
    including 25 percent of foster youth who experience homelessness
    within two to four years after exiting foster care;

-   "awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and its causes
    should be heightened to better coordinate current programs with the
    many families, businesses, law enforcement agencies, schools, and
    community and faith-based organizations working to help youth remain
    off the streets; and

-   "November would be an appropriate month to recognize as National
    Homeless Youth Awareness Month."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 527 was introduced on June
28, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, which took no
further action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 2900 --- Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007
*(Dingell, D-MI)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 2900 is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2900 would amend the Federal Food, Drug
and Cosmetic Act to reauthorize a number of programs and the collection
of prescription drug user fees over the FY 2008 through FY 2012 period.
H.R. 2900 includes the text of several separate bills that have been
introduced this Congress. The *highlights* of the bill are as follows:

**[Title I --- Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of
2007]{.underline}**

-   The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) was created by Congress
    in 1992, and through the program, pharmaceutical manufacturers pay a
    user fee to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to have
    the FDA review and approve new prescription drugs. This process is
    designed to bring additional revenue into the FDA in order to help
    increase productivity and reduce turn-around time on new drug
    applications

-   H.R. 2900 would reauthorize PDUFA and make several changes to the
    legislation including increased FDA review of pharmaceutical
    advertisements. Specifically, under this bill, the FDA would be able
    to collect user fees from pharmaceutical companies that submit
    advertisement to the agency for review. Under current law,
    submitting an advertisement to the FDA for review is not required,
    but some companies do so voluntarily.

-   H.R. 2900 sets a target for FDA to generate total revenue of \$392.8
    million in FY 2008 from user fees, adjusted upward annually based
    the agency's workload.

**[Title II --- Medical Device User Fee Amendments of
2007]{.underline}**

-   The Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act (MDUFA) created a
    system much like PDUFA for the review of medical devices. Under the
    Act, medical device companies pay a user fee to the FDA to
    facilitate speedy review of devices pending for review and approval.

-   H.R. 2900 would reauthorize the FDA's authority to collect fees
    under MDUFA and would allow the agency to collect up to \$287
    million over five years from these fees.

-   H.R. 2900 would authorize \$35.5 million over five years for the
    establishment of a system to evaluate post-market safety information
    on medical devices.

-   The bill would establish two new annual fees on manufacturers of
    medical devices, including a fee for registering with the agency and
    another on filing reports on equipment, outlining changes to
    previously approved devices.

**[Title III --- Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement
Act]{.underline}**

-   H.R. 2900 would require that applications for approval of medical
    devices include a description of any pediatric (children)
    populations that suffer from the condition or disease that the
    device is intended to treat, or otherwise affect.

-   The bill would require the National Institutes for Health, the
    Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the FDA to develop a
    plan for expanding pediatric medical device research and
    development.

-   H.R. 2900 would authorize \$30 million over five years for a new
    program to provide grants to entitles to encourage innovation in the
    development of pediatric devices.

**[Title IV --- Pediatric Research Equity Act]{.underline}**

-   H.R. 2900 would reauthorize the FDA's existing authority to require
    manufactures of biologics (made from living organisms, such as
    insulin) and drugs to submit pediatric assessments along with any
    application for anew ingredient or other changes to existing drugs.

**[Title V --- Best Pharmaceutical for Children Act]{.underline}**

-   H.R. 2900 would reauthorize the agency's authority to provide an
    additional six months of market exclusivity to pharmaceutical
    manufacturers if the company provides information on pediatric
    studies and meets certain requirements.

-   The bill directs the FDA to track certain pediatric studies and
    label changes and provide this information to the public.

-   H.R. 2900 directs the FDA to provide funds to entities with
    expertise in conducting pediatric clinical trials and other research
    to enable the entities to conduct drug studies for certain drugs,
    such as those that manufactures do not provide studies on.

**[Title VI --- Reagan-Udall Foundation]{.underline}**

-   The bill would establish the Reagan-Udall Foundation as a
    non-profit, public-private corporation for the advancement of the
    FDA's Critical Path Initiative. The purpose of the foundation would
    be to advance the FDA's mission to modernize medical, veterinary,
    food, and cosmetic product development and enhance overall product
    safety.

-   The bill would define the duties of the Foundation, including
    identifying unmet needs in the development, manufacture, and
    evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of tools that measure
    product safety. The Foundation would also award grants to
    universities, public-private institutions, and non-profits in order
    to meet its goals.

-   The bill would establish a board of directors and an executive
    director to oversee the work of the Foundation and stipulate that
    the Foundation must be located within 20 miles of the District of
    Columbia. H.R. 2900 would instruct the FDA to transfer funds from
    its annual appropriation to the Foundation to carry out its duties.
    The Foundation would also be able to accept any funds from gifts,
    grants, or bequests.

**[Title VII --- Conflicts of Interest]{.underline}**:

-   The bill would require the FDA officials to develop and implement
    outreach and recruitment plans to find potential members of advisory
    committees in the medical and scientific fields.

-   Recruitment strategies would include advertising the process for
    becoming an advisory committee member, making electronic contact
    information widely available, and developing a method for entities
    that receive funds from federal agencies to identify people that the
    FDA could contact about serving on an advisory committee.

-   The bill would require that everyone under consideration for an
    appointment to an advisory committee reveal any financial interests
    that might relate to the advisory committee's actions.

-   The bill would allow for the FDA to grant on conflict of interest
    waiver for each advisory committee if the individual's expertise was
    necessary for the committee. Each waiver would have to be made
    public at least 15 days before the first meeting of the committee.
    The bill would also allow individuals with conflict of interests to
    provide information to the committee.

**[Title VIII --- Clinical Trial Databases]{.underline}**:

-   The bill would establish a clinical trial registry database and a
    clinical trial results database. Every clinical trial that tests the
    safety of a pharmaceutical or medical device would be required to
    report the results to the database.

-   The bill would require both privately and publicly funded clinical
    trials to begin submitting information to the databases within 14
    days of the trial. Any entity that conducted a clinical trial
    without meeting the database requirement would be subject to a civil
    monetary penalty for noncompliance.

-   H.R. 2900 would require that both databases contain information
    regarding the type of trial being conducted, the location of the
    trial, the safety issue being studied, the sponsor of the clinical
    trail, and the results of the trial (insofar as they are known). The
    information of the databases would be made available to the general
    public on the Internet.

**[Title IX --- Drug Safety]{.underline}**

-   Under current law, the FDA retains a relatively limited role in
    reviewing and monitoring a drug *after* it has been put on the
    market.  However, H.R. 2900 would increase and expand the FDA's
    parameter's concerning drugs currently on the market.

-   The bill would give the FDA the authority to require the maker of
    drugs that have presented a certain amount of risk to patients since
    being on the market, to work with the FDA to further examine,
    research and ease the risk of any potentially harmful drug.

-   The bill would create a new program that would track data on the
    post-market safety of drugs, using a public-private partnership. 
    Drugs noted by the review to have potential to be harmful would then
    be subject to a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, which would
    include FDA-approved labeling and a schedule for periodic evaluation
    of the ongoing risk and mitigation strategy.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.R.2900 was introduced on June 28,
2007 and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which was
given, by unanimous consent, until midnight on July 9, 2007, to file a
report on the bill. No other official action was taken.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that the total
discretionary cost of implementing the bill would be \$728 million over
the FY2008-FY2012 period. The bill is also estimated to affect direct
spending because it would extend periods of market exclusivity for
certain pharmaceutical manufacturers. Extending market exclusivity would
delay the availability of low-priced generic drugs and thereby increase
Medicare and Medicaid pharmaceutical spending. CBO estimates that this
would increase direct spending by \$7 million in FY2008 and \$200
million over the FY2008-FY2012 period.

The increase in the price of pharmaceuticals would also increase the
cost of employer-paid insurance premiums, which are nontaxable. As a
result, CBO estimates that revenue will decline by \$1 million in FY2008
and \$41 million over the FY2009-FY2012 period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes. It creates new government grant
programs for monitoring drug and medical device safety and establishes
fees for manufacturers of drugs and medical devices.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: The bill contains
intergovernmental mandates because it would preempt any state local or
local laws that require medical manufacturers to register clinical
information in a database. Some of the states with such requirements
charge fees and would lose a small amount of revenue due to the
preemption.

H.R. 2900 also contains several private-sector requirements for
manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The most costly of
these requirements would obligate manufacturers to pay fees to the FDA.
According to CBO, the cost of the fees alone would exceed the annual
threshold specified in UMRA (\$131 million in 2007, adjusted for
inflation) in each of the five years that the mandates would be
effective.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov> 202-226-0718.

**H.Res. 287 --- To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use of
the name "America", and for other purposes (Hastings, R-FL)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 287 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 287 would express that the House of
Representatives:

-   "celebrates the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name
    'America' to describe areas in the Western Hemisphere;

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-   "honors the explorations of Amerigo Vespucci and other navigators
    who contributed to the discovery of the Western Hemisphere;

-   "acknowledges the significance of Martin Waldseemu.AE4ller's 1507
    map of the world and accompanying book, 'Cosmographiae Introductio',
    which forever changed the accepted geographical view of the world
    and first officially used the name 'America'; and

-   "encourages the inhabitants of all countries of the Western
    Hemisphere who have the privilege to share this great name 'America'
    to join with the House of Representatives and citizens of the United
    States of America in this historic celebration."

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci was born in 1454 and traveled
    across the Atlantic Ocean 4 times between 1497 and 1504;

-   "during his second voyage to the Western Hemisphere in 1499, Amerigo
    Vespucci realized that the land Christopher Columbus discovered in
    1492 was not India but a new continent;

-   "cartographer Martin Waldseemuller, a member of the research group
    Gymnasium Vosagense in Saint-Die, France, first used the word
    'America' in his world map, which first appeared in public on April
    25, 1507, and described the newly discovered Western Hemisphere as
    separated by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans;

-   "Waldseemuller chose to honor Amerigo Vespucci by naming the new
    continent with Vespucci's name even while Vespucci was alive;

-   "Waldseemuller described this decision in his 'Cosmographiae
    Introductio', the book that accompanied the map, by writing, 'I see
    no reason why anyone should justly object to calling this part \...
    America, after Amerigo \[Vespucci\], its discoverer, a man of great
    ability.'; and

-   "April 25, 2007, will be the 500th anniversary of this first public
    use of the word 'America', which now serves as the root of the names
    of 2 continents."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 287 was introduced on March
29, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
markup and reported the bill, as amended, on June 26, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 426 --- Recognizing 2007 as the Year of the Rights of
Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia, and offering support for
efforts to ensure that the internally displaced people of Colombia
receive the assistance and protection they need to rebuild their lives
successfully *(McGovern, D-MA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 426 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 426 would express that the House of
Representatives:

-   "the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Colombian
    Catholic Church, and the Coalition for Human Rights and Internal
    Displacement should be commended for their initiative to declare the
    Year of the Rights of the Internally Displaced People in Colombia;

-   "the Government of Colombia and the international donor community
    should be encouraged to prioritize discussion of humanitarian
    assistance and internal displacement with the international donor
    community, especially within the context of the London-Cartagena
    Process; and

-   "the Government of the United States should increase the resources
    it makes available to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and
    protection through international and civilian government agencies,
    and assist Colombia's internally displaced people in rebuilding
    their lives in a dignified, safe, and sustainable manner."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Colombia has experienced the internal displacement of more than
    3,800,000 people over the past 20 years, representing approximately
    8 percent of Colombia's population;

-   "Colombia's internally displaced population is one of the worst
    humanitarian crises in the Americas, and the second largest
    internally displaced population in the world, after Sudan;

-   "in 1997, the Government of Colombia passed landmark legislation,
    known as Law 387, to guarantee rights and assistance to its
    internally displaced population;

-   "the Government of Colombia has expanded its ability to assist
    internally displaced people through its own agencies, and with the
    financial, technical, and operational support of the international
    community;

-   "the Government of the United States provides valuable, but limited,
    humanitarian assistance to Colombia, and has programs targeted
    specifically for internally displaced people; and

-   "the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio
    Guterres, on a visit to Colombia in March 2007, urged greater
    attention to the issue, stating that it should be a 'national
    priority' and asked for 'greater coherence' in programs to address
    the needs of the internally displaced."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 426 was introduced on May 22,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
markup and reported the bill, as amended, on June 26, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 467 --- Condemning the decision by the University and College
Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia
*(Murphy, D-PA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 467 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 467 would express that the House of
Representatives:

-   "condemns the vote by the University and College Union of May 30,
    2007, to boycott Israeli academics and academic institutions;

-   "urges the international scholarly community, the European Union,
    and individual governments, to reject, or continue to reject, calls
    for an academic boycott of Israel and reaffirm their commitment to
    academic freedom and cultural and scientific international exchange;

-   "urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm
    the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue and to condemn
    measures that would prevent the production, sharing, and exchange of
    knowledge;

-   "urges other unions and organizations to reject the troubling and
    disturbing actions of the UCU; and

-   "urges the general members of the UCU to reject the call of the
    union\'s leadership to boycott Israel."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "on May 30, 2007, the University and College Union of the United
    Kingdom voted in favor of a motion to boycott Israeli faculty and
    academic institutions;

-   "Britain's National Union of Journalists called for a boycott of
    Israeli goods in April 2007;

-   "these unions have a hypocritical double standard in condemning
    Israel, a free and democratic state, while completely ignoring gross
    human rights abuses occurring around the world in nations such as
    Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iran, and Venezuela;

-   "a totally unjustified campaign is underway by elements of the
    international academic community to limit cultural and scientific
    collaboration between foreign universities and academics and their
    counterparts in Israel;

-   "such boycotts represent a dangerous assault on the principles of
    academic freedom and open exchange;"

-   "the UCU boycott motion appears to have spawned similar movements in
    Britain to boycott Israel economically and culturally, as the
    country's largest labor union, UNISON, said it would follow the
    union of university instructors in weighing punitive measures
    against Israel;"

-   "Nobel laureate Prof. Steven Weinberg, who refused to participate in
    a British academic conference due to the National Union of
    Journalist\'s boycott, stated that he perceived 'a widespread
    anti-Israel and anti-Semitic current in British opinion'; and

-   "the senseless boycotting of Israeli academics contributes to the
    delegitimization and demonization of the State of Israel."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 467 was introduced on June 6,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
markup and reported the bill, as amended, by unanimous consent on June
26, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 482 --- Expressing support for the new power-sharing government
in Northern Ireland (Gallegly, R-CA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 482 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 482 would express the sense of the
House that:

-   "the United States stands strongly in support of the new
    power-sharing government in Northern Ireland;

-   "political leaders of Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Tony Blair,
    and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern should be commended for acting in the
    best interest of the people of Northern Ireland by forming the new
    power-sharing government;

-   "this day will be remembered as an historic day and an important
    milestone in cementing peace and unity for Northern Ireland and a
    shining example for nations around the world plagued by internal
    conflict and violence; and

-   "the United States stands ready to support this new government and
    to work with the people of Northern Ireland as they achieve their
    goal of lasting peace for those who reside in Northern Ireland."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, in Belfast,
    and endorsed in a referendum by the overwhelming majority of people
    in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, set forth a
    blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland;

-   "on May 8, 2007, leaders from the major political parties in
    Northern Ireland took office as part of an agreement to share power
    in accordance with the democratic mandate of the Good Friday
    Agreement;

-   "Dr. Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist leader, and Mr.
    McGuinness, the Sinn Fein negotiator, have put aside decades of
    conflict and moved toward historic reconciliation and unity in
    Northern Ireland;

-   "both communities have worked together in a spirit of cooperation
    and mutual respect to solve the problems of concern to all the
    people of Northern Ireland, including the decision by all the major
    political parties to join the Northern Ireland Police Board and
    support the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and

-   "President George W. Bush, like his predecessor President William J.
    Clinton, has worked tirelessly to bring the parties in Northern
    Ireland together in support of fulfilling the promises of the Good
    Friday Accords."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 482 was introduced on June
12, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
markup and reported the bill by unanimous consent on June 26, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 500 --- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in
opposition to efforts by major natural gas exporting countries to
establish a cartel or other mechanism to manipulate the supply of
natural gas to the world market for the purpose of setting an arbitrary
and nonmarket price or as an instrument of political pressure**

**(Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 500 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 500 would express the sense of the
House that:

-   "the United States should make clear to the governments of major
    natural gas exporting countries that it regards efforts to establish
    a cartel or other mechanism to manipulate the supply of natural gas
    to the world market for the purpose of setting an arbitrary and
    nonmarket price, or as an instrument of political pressure, to be an
    unfriendly act prejudicial to the security of the United States and
    of the world as a whole;

-   "the United States should develop a joint strategy with its allies
    and all countries that are importers of natural gas, as well as with
    cooperative exporting countries, to prevent the establishment of a
    cartel or other mechanism of this type, including by diversifying
    sources and alternative means of access by exporters and importers
    to international markets, such as by pipeline; and

-   "in order to mitigate potential economic and other threats to our
    security, the United States should work with our allies to reduce
    our dependence on natural gas and to increase and promote the
    utilization of clean energy sources."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "the United States currently is largely self-sufficient in natural
    gas but is projected to greatly increase its usage over time, which
    could create a growing dependence on world supply;

-   "the cost of natural gas has approximately tripled since 2000 and
    has had a significant negative impact on United States manufacturers
    and on employment in manufacturing;

-   "in 2004 alone the rising cost of natural gas was responsible for
    the closure of scores of chemical companies in the United States and
    the loss of over 100,000 jobs;

-   "chemicals, plastics, and advanced composite materials are used
    extensively for military and commercial applications and are crucial
    components of the United States defense industrial base, which is
    the foundation of United States national security;

-   "Europe, as well as Japan, South Korea, and other United States
    allies, are heavily dependent on imported natural gas, and countries
    such as China and India are rapidly increasing their reliance on
    foreign suppliers;

-   "the supply of natural gas is controlled by a relatively small
    number of countries, including Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia,
    Algeria, and Qatar, among others;

-   "these and other countries have established an organization known as
    the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to promote coordination on
    policies regarding natural gas;

-   "North Atlantic Treaty Organization officials have warned of the
    danger of Europe's increasing dependence on Russian energy and of
    the prospect of alternative suppliers, such as Algeria, cooperating
    with Russia; and

-   "the creation of an international cartel for natural gas similar to
    that of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
    would pose a major threat to the price and supply of energy, to the
    economy of the Unites States and of the world, and to their
    security."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 500 was introduced on June
22, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
markup and reported the bill, as amended, by unanimous consent on June
26, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 436 --- Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the University of
Central Arkansas *(Snyder, D-AR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 436 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 436 would express that the House of
Representatives "recognizes the 100th anniversary of the University of
Central Arkansas."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "the University of Central Arkansas strives to maintain the highest
    academic standards and ensure that its programs remain current and
    responsive to the diverse needs of those it serves;

-   "the University of Central Arkansas now has more than 100
    undergraduate courses of study, 33 masters degree programs, and 3
    doctoral programs;

-   "the University of Central Arkansas serves over 12,300 students, and
    recognized 1,008 graduates in the spring of 2007;

-   "the University of Central Arkansas serves students from all 75
    counties in Arkansas, more than 35 States, and 55 foreign countries;

-   "many buildings at the University of Central Arkansas were
    constructed during the Great Depression, thus allowing the
    institution to play a pivotal role during World War II as it served
    as a temporary military base;

-   "the first Arkansas educational television station, now the Arkansas
    Educational Television Network, was established on the campus of the
    University of Central Arkansas in 1966;

-   "the Arkansas State Normal School started as a teacher-training
    school with 105 students, and the first commencement ceremony
    recognized 10 graduates in 1909; and

-   "in 1975, the Arkansas State Normal School was granted university
    status and renamed the University of Central Arkansas."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 436 was introduced on May 23,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, which took
no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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. 210 --- Commending the Appalachian State University football
team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division I-AA Football Championship (Foxx, R-NC)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 210 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 11, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 210 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "commends the champion Appalachian State University football team
    for their historic win in the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic
    Association Division I-AA Football Championship;

-   "recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students,
    alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in helping
    Appalachian State University win the championship; and

-   "directs the Clerk of the House to transmit copies of this
    resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor Kenneth
    Peacock and head coach Jerry Moore for appropriate display."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "on December 15, 2006, the Appalachian State University football
    team (referred to in this preamble as the 'Mountaineers') defeated
    the University of Massachusetts football team by a score of 28-17,
    to win the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
    Division I-AA Football Championship;

-   "the Mountaineers were successful due to the leadership of Coach
    Jerry Moore, and in great part to the spectacular play of Most
    Valuable Player Kevin Richardson, who scored all 4 touchdowns, and
    to Corey Lynch, whose fourth quarter interception helped seal the
    victory;

-   "the championship victory was the pinnacle of a remarkable season
    for the Mountaineers, who ended the season with a 14-1 record;

-   "in 2005, Appalachian State University became the first team from
    North Carolina to win an NCAA football championship with a 21-16
    victory over Northern Iowa;

-   "residents of the Old North State and Appalachian State University
    fans everywhere are to be commended for their long-standing support,
    perseverance, and pride in the team."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 210 was introduced on May 3,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. On June 5,
2007, the resolution was referred to the Subcommittee on Higher
Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[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.

**\###**