Highlights of Senate Appropriations Committee Supplemental Mark

Senator Robert C. Byrd, (D-W.Va.) today released the following summary of provisions what will be included in the FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental legislation that is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, May 8, 2008.  Byrd noted that “while the President is seeking to rebuild Baghdad, he is showing callous disregard to help rebuild on American soil or to aid struggling Americans.  And the product that will be before the Committee tomorrow will seek to begin to address our needs here at home.”

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Kids Getting One Penny of Every New Federal Dollar

From First Focus

Publication reveals woeful five year trend of expenditures on children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Over the past five years only one penny of every new, real non-defense dollar spent by the federal government goes to children, a new publication by First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization revealed today.

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New Government Research Confirms SCHIP Directive Illegal

From First Focus

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional Research Service (CRS) confirmed that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) exceeded its authority in issuing a proposal threatening the health coverage of thousands of low-income American kids through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

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Walden and Hooley Act to Protect Oregon Against Medicaid Cuts

Governor calls on Congress to protect Oregon’s most vulnerable

In the face of opposition by the President, Oregon Congressman Greg Walden and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley joined colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in reaching unanimous, bi-partisan agreement on a measure that would halt harmful new Medicaid rules recently issued by the Bush Administration. Hooley is a co-sponsor of the bill.

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House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act

Amidst Administration threats of a veto, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act (H.R. 5613), legislation placing one-year moratorium on seven Medicaid regulations imposed by the Bush administration that would make significant cuts to the program over the next five years.  The act was approved with strong bipartisan support, introduced by Representatives John D. Dingell (D-MI) and Tim Murphy (R-PA).  The legislation calls for the moratorium

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Farm bill negotiations approach deadline

Protracted efforts by House and Senate leaders to agree on a final farm bill continue, as disagreements persist on how the bill will be funded. Versions of the bill approved by the House and Senate both include funds to ease eligibility for food stamps and increase stagnant benefit levels

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2009 federal budget may help restore program cuts

Congress may complete work soon on a budget resolution that will help determine whether or not the recent pattern of under-funding education, job training and other federal programs critical to many Oregonians will continue in 2009.

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