TEACH Act Autism Bill by Sarah Ames, Aug 21, 2008 (5:56pm)
This bill is one of a series geared toward helping educators and parents of autistic children. TEACH Act encourages educators to get certified to teach autistic children with the incentive of a refundable tax credit. If passed this bill would be a big step in supporting autistic children in public education.
HR 2338 Addressing the Impact Global Warming has on Wildlife by Sarah Ames, Aug 18, 2008 (11:43pm)
Global Warming Wildlife Security Act, HR 2338, is one of the many bills at the center of the global warming debate. Given the drastic and seemingly undeniable warming of the planet there has been a noticeable shift in legislation. Current legislation seems to be focusing on how global warming is having adverse affects on obvious regions and in this case wildlife rather than debating its existence. The intention of the Global Warming Wildlife Security Act is to assist wildlife in their fight for survival in a warmer climate. Species that inhabit historically cold regions like the arctic face particular dangers of extinction. This bill would establish means for both federal and state based agencies to collaborate in efforts to decrease the chances of vulnerable species’ extinction. At times the legislation is vague, but it does set up a potential timeline and in congruence with other global warming and environmental protection bills could have powerful results. Even though global warming deniers still abound, there is surprisingly little vocal opposition to this bill. Unfortunately this does not translate into an easy passage of HR 2338 and increased wildlife security.
A Step in the Fight Against Drop Out Rates by Sarah Ames, Aug 18, 2008 (8:10pm)
Although I am usually skeptical of any bill attached to the failing No Child Left Behind, the reauthorization of the Striving Readers Act is an important piece of legislation that increases the funding of literacy programs. Reading competency has historically been tied with graduation rates, which given the high national drop out rates serves as a red flag. This bill ensures the growth of the national literacy program and simultaneously continues the fight against national drop out rates.
Continuing the Fight for Equal Pay by Sarah Ames, Aug 18, 2008 (7:46pm)
The importance of this bill cannot be overstated, as it closes an all important loophole that has enabled employers to continue to discriminate against women. Although discrepancies between men and women’s salaries have recently been dismissed as an issue of the past, in 2006 the Census Bureau found that women still only earn 77% as much as men earn for the same work. This bill would be an important step in changing that reality and continuing the fight for equal pay.
SKIL Bill S. 1083 by Sarah Ames, Aug 18, 2008 (6:18pm)
The SKIL bills, S 1083 and HR 1930, have garnered a great deal of attention as they would bring relief to the H-1B visa shortage and increase the annual cap of immigrants who have advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering or math. There are two inherent opposing positions to this bill: 1) it develops a highly educated workforce and keeps the best from going to competing nations 2) it decreases employment opportunities and wages for skilled American workers. However, there is widespread and diverse support of this bill from companies dependent on foreign labor. SKIL bill would enable companies to hire the best and brightest around the world without immigration restrictions. On the other hand, those opposing the bill are largely anti-immigration organizations concerned that with SKIL bill Americans will lose their jobs and wages will decrease. While concern is understandable, it is important to recognize that this bill would enable American companies to prosper and to further drive down competition abroad. It has also been a concern at many American universities that foreign students come, excel, and receive advanced degrees only to leave. SKIL bill would keep such scholars in the United States working for American companies. S. 1083 is also a prime example of a bill that Senators promoting limited immigration could safely support given its highly restrictive nature.
SKIL bill to increase immigration of skilled workers by Sarah Ames, Aug 4, 2008 (10:34pm)
The SKIL bills, HR 1930 and S 1083, have garnered a great deal of attention as they would bring relief to the H-1B visa shortage and increase the annual cap of immigrants who have advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering or math. There are two inherent opposing positions to this bill: 1) it develops a highly educated workforce and keeps the best from going to competing nations 2) it decreases employment opportunities and wages for skilled American workers. There is widespread and diverse support of this bill from companies dependent on foreign labor. SKIL bill would enable companies to hire the best and brightest around the world without immigration restrictions. On the other hand, those opposing the bill are largely anti-immigration organizations concerned that with SKIL bill Americans will lose their jobs and wages will decrease. While concern is understandable, it is important to understand that this bill would enable American companies to prosper and to further drive down competition abroad. It has also been a concern at many American universities that foreign students come, excel, and receive advanced degrees only to leave. SKIL bill would keep such scholars in the United States working for American companies.
Protection Against Popcorn Lung by Sarah Ames, Jul 14, 2008 (11:36pm)
This legislation is designed to protect food processing workers from a lung disease, “popcorn lung”, that is linked to diacetyl, a chemical used in artificial butter popcorn flavoring.
While there have been reports for many years now documenting the devistating nature of the lung disease, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had failed to adequately respond.
“Worker health advocates would have preferred to see OSHA issue a diacetyl standard on its
own rather than under Congressional mandate. But the agency made it clear
that they would not take the necessary steps to protect workers from diacetyl,” said David Michaels of the Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy.
I agree with Michaels that OSHA should have been able to respond without a mandate, but I think this bill shows OSHA that if needed Congress will act to promote a healthy environment for all workers.
Chiropractic Care for Veterans by Sarah Ames, Jul 14, 2008 (11:17pm)
This bill is an important step in furthering the support for veterans. Chiropractic care can often be an essential to rehabilitation or long-term care and with this bill is appropriately made available to all veterans. Therefore it is of no surprise that there is no real opposition to this bill, as any individual or organization opposed would come across as unpatriotic and ungrateful for the sacrifice of American service men and women.
Campus Privacy for Violent Crimes by Sarah Ames, Jul 14, 2008 (9:44pm)
In 2000 David A. Shick, a student at Georgetown University, was killed by a fellow student. Georgetown reacted to this act of violence by holding a closed disciplinary hearing. David Shick’s parents were told that they would only have access to the results of this hearing if they agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement that would prohibit them from sharing this information with anyone else (including their closest family members). After years of legal battles and fees they obtained the information.
This bill would end the loophole in federal law, thus requiring universities to disclose how they handle violent crimes on their campuses.
ANC not a terrorist organization by Sarah Ames, Jun 30, 2008 (9:45pm)
It is remarkable that Nelson Mandela who was awarded the Peace Prize must still receive a waiver from the State Department to enter the United States for his association with the ANC. S. 2979 would begin the process of recognizing the legitimacy of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa by exempting the African National Congress (ANC) from treatment as a terrorist organization.
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2008 by Sarah Ames, Jun 30, 2008 (9:03pm)
Former Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee Biden, Hatch, and Specter introduced the Child Protection Improvement Act of 2008. The bill makes permanent the pilot program 2003 PROTECT Act. The bill would enable youth-serving organizations to run background checks on prospective volunteers.
As Biden said “Millions of people volunteer to work with our nation’s youth even year. While most of them have the best interests our children at heart, we’ve got to do everything we can to keep away those who prey on our kids. This legislation will help the Boys & Girls Clubs, and others like them, screen volunteers and keep our kids safe.”
Rail Accountability Act gives voice to public by Sarah Ames, Jun 30, 2008 (6:19pm)
This bill would require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding to authorize the construction of a railroad line. Such considerations include identifying potential negative impacts on any socio-economic population and giving greater weight to public opinion. Overall the main intention of this bill is to give more power to local officials when determining railroad line locations, which allows the people most impacted the ability to voice their concerns.
Small Campaign Donations Tax Deducta by Sarah Ames, Jun 30, 2008 (6:00pm)
This bill would allow for small campaign contributions to a candidate for federal elective public office or for the national committee of a national political party to receive a tax reduction. The intention of the bill is to encourage individuals to participate in elections through contributions, but there has been little media coverage of the issue since the tax deduction would be minimal.
Increased penalties for kid-friendly manufactured drugs by Sarah Ames, Jun 30, 2008 (4:57pm)
This bill penalizes those manufacturing and producing drugs with intent to sell to those under 21 years of age with increased penalties. Those creating kid-friendly drugs (varying flavors and colors) would have equally harsh penalties as those actually selling the drugs.
HR 1262 by Sarah Ames, Jun 16, 2008 (5:47pm)
H.R. 1262 extends waivers for schools struck by Katrina and Rita to September 2008. While many educational associations declared their support for initial waivers, I have not found one that has acknowledged the importance of their extension. Despite initial efforts to support relief efforts in schools, it appears that maintaining such efforts are no longer imperative to the very associations that deemed waivers as imperative in 2005 and 2006.
Increased Funding for NASA by Sarah Ames, Jun 16, 2008 (4:54pm)
This bill would provide NASA with its largest authorization in forty years with $20.2 billion in funding for NASA in FY2009. Those supporting the bill have historically been affiliated with NASA and argue that H.R. 6063 would increase scientific and technological innovation, as well as encourage communication between nations. Yet the Bush administration does not support the bill claiming it is not within its fiscal policy and “infringes upon the President’s authority to conduct foreign affairs.”
Supporting abused women by Sarah Ames, Aug 21, 2008 (6:28pm)
The financial impact of violence against women is often unacknowledged. SAFE Act is the first step in addressing the devastating impact abuse has on women’s financial security and ability to maintain their jobs. This bill would allow abused women to seek help and time off without fear of losing their job. While there may be concern from employers that this bill could be costly, the amount lost annually from fired abused women is astronomical. Thus this bill is both ethical and practical in nature and should be passed.