![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin................................................March 12, 2008**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 5578---**To extend agricultural programs beyond March 15, 2008
>
> **H.R. 3361---**Pension Protection Technical Corrections Act of 2007
>
> **H.Res. 991**---Recognizing the exceptional sacrifice of the 69th
> Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, in support of the
> Global War on Terror
>
> **H.Res. 953**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
> that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to
> reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States
> Armed Forces both at home and abroad

**H.R. 5578---To extend agricultural programs beyond March 15, 2008
*(Peterson, D-MN)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5578 would extend agricultural programs
under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the "farm
bill") through April 18, 2008. The current provisions are set to expire
on March 15, 2008.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: On July 27, 2007, the House
passed H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007, which
would have extended farm bill programs for five years, by a vote of
[231-191](http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll756.xml). On December 14,
2007, the Senate passed their version of the legislation but House and
Senate conferees have yet to file a conference report. To read the RSC's
original Legislative Bulletin on H.R. 2419, [click
here](http://www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/doc/LB_072607_farmbill.doc).

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5578 was introduced on March
11, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs. Neither committee took any official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for H.R. 5578 was not
available at press time.

**[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.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available.

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

**H.R. 3361---Pension Protection Technical Corrections Act of 2007**

***(Rangel, D-NY)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3361 would make a number of technical
corrections and conforming changes to titles I through XII of the
[Pension Protection Act of
2006](http://www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/doc/LB_072806_pensionnew.doc),
which amends the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). For a
comprehensive summary of all the technical changes made by H.R. 3361,
please see a Joint Committee on Taxation description here:
<http://www.house.gov/jct/x-60-07.pdf>.

It is possible that the text of this bill will change prior to floor
consideration. If the revised text contains any non-technical
provisions, the RSC will alert its offices accordingly.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Pension Protection Act of
2006 amended ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the
funding rules for pensions. The bill was passed in the House on July 28,
2006, by a vote of
[279-131](http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll422.xml). On August 17,
2006, the bill was signed by the President and became Public Law No.
109-280. According to the Minority staff on the House Ways and Means
Committee, H.R. 3361 would make only clerical changes to the Pension
Protection Act of 2006 and would not alter any of the bill's significant
provisions. The changes made by H.R. 3361 will be applied as if they
were enacted in the original version of the legislation.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3361 was introduced on August
3, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor and the
Committee on Ways and Means. On September 19, 2007, the bill was
referred to the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment,
Labor, and Pensions, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for H.R. 3361 was not
available at press time. A Joint Committee on Taxation description of
the bill does not indicate whether it will effect spending or 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}** 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}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available.

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

H.Res. 991---Recognizing the exceptional sacrifice of the 69th Infantry
Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, in support of the Global War on
Terror *(Israel, D-NY)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 991 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 991 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, as one
    of the great regiments in American military history;

-   "Recognizes that America owes a tremendous debt for the exceptional
    service, patriotism, and fidelity of the soldiers of the Fighting
    69th;

-   "Recognizes that the Fighting 69th has continually participated in
    the Global War on Terror since the attack on September 11, 2001; and

-   "Acknowledges that as the 69th Infantry Regiment deploys to
    Afghanistan to fight in the central front in the Global War on
    Terror, that the proud traditions of the regiment will be respected
    and that the sacrifices of one of America\'s most storied combat
    units will not go unnoticed."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, with
    citizen-soldiers from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten
    Island, and Long Island, has faithfully answered America's call to
    arms since its formation in 1851;

-   "The Fighting 69th was one of the first units to assist in the
    recovery effort at the World Trade Center in New York following the
    September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, where they lost a comrade, a
    firefighter;

-   "The 69th Infantry Regiment, while deployed to Iraq as 'Task Force
    Wolfhound', its first overseas combat since World War II, fought to
    defend the city of Al Taji against al-Qaeda terrorists, protected
    Iraq's first free elections, and secured the infamous 'Route Irish',
    the most dangerous road in Baghdad;

-   "19 members of the Fighting 69th were killed in action and over 78
    were wounded in Operation Wolfhound; and

-   "The Fighting 69th has now served the Nation in 5 wars and over 20
    campaigns, and Congress has awarded 6 members with the Congressional
    Medal of Honor."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 991 was introduced on
February 14, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Armed Services'
Subcommittee on Military Personnel, 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. 953---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon
the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces
both at home and abroad (Knollenberg, R-MI)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 953 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 953 would express the sense of the
House that "all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to
reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States
Armed Forces both at home and abroad."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "It was through the brave and noble efforts of the Nation's
    forefathers that the United States first gained freedom and became a
    sovereign nation;

-   "There are more than 1,500,000 active and reserve component members
    of the Armed Forces serving the Nation in support and defense of the
    values and freedom that all Americans cherish;

-   "The members of the Armed Forces deserve the utmost respect and
    admiration of their fellow Americans for putting their lives in
    danger for the sake of the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans;

-   "Members of the Armed Forces are defending freedom and democracy
    around the globe and are playing a vital role in protecting the
    safety and security of all Americans;

-   "The Nation officially celebrates and honors the accomplishments and
    sacrifices of veterans, patriots, and leaders who fought for
    freedom, but does not yet officially pay tribute to those who
    currently serve in the Armed Forces;

-   "All Americans should participate in a moment of silence to support
    our troops; and

-   "March 26th, 2008, is designated as 'National Support Our Troops
    Day.'"

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 953 was introduced on January
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. On February
11, 2008, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel, 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.