What's Coming Up

The Congress returns to Washington D.C. this week amid a full legislative calendar which includes legislation principally sponsored by Delahunt. On Tuesday, thirteen measures are scheduled for consideration under suspension of the rules, including S 2739, an omnibus measure that consolidates more than 60 House-passed energy technology transfer, water recycling and land bills never acted on separately by the Senate.

Wednesday, legislation authored by Delahunt, H.R. 1777, the Need Based Educational Aid Act will be considered by the House. This bill makes permanent a temporary legislative provision that allows certain colleges and universities to agree to admit students without regard to their ability to pay tuition. This provision also allows these schools to use a common analysis to award institutional financial aid from each participating institution. Awards are determined after admission, and are based solely on an individual student’s financial needs. This ensures that qualified students are given an equal chance to attend these universities, despite their financial circumstances.

The House will also consider passing Senate amendments to HR 493, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act. The measure prohibits insurance companies, employers and labor unions from discriminating on the basis of individual's genetic information for the purpose of employment, providing health insurance or other purposes.

The house is also poised to approve a conference agreement on the Farm Bill which would provide $570 billion over 10 years for farm support programs and the food stamp program. In the 10th District, this legislation will specifically help local cranberry growers, specialty crops, and the conservation reserve program.

Tuesday

Delahunt announces South Shore Surplus Property Forum for later this month. For more details, please click here.

Office visitors include from a number of local and national groups including: representative from AIDSWatch Group, from the National Breast Cancer Coalition, from the Student Conversation Association, from the American Council of Engineers Companies, from the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, and from the American Heart Association.

Delahunt announces that his Congressional Website has launched a Photo Gallery with pictures of those who come to our nation’s capitol. To see more, please click here.

Wednesday

Delahunt meets with a delegation of European Parliament members to discuss European Union-United States issues on justice and home affairs.

The House Judiciary Committee holds a mark up on a number of bills, which include: H.R. 4279, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007, H.R. 5593, the Congressional Review Act Improvement Act, and H.R. 4044, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008.

As mentioned earlier, the House will consider Delahunt-authored, H.R. 1777, the Need Based Educational Aid Act.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern is expected to address a joint session of Congress.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a mark up on a number of bills, that include the Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008, H.R. 3658, which would amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to provide rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the Foreign Service, and H.R. 389, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorized Act of 2008.

Office visitors include representatives from the local Boston office of the Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, Bob Curtis from the Regional Technology Development Corporation which is based in Woods Hole, and representatives from the Quincy Municipal Fire Insurance Company.

Thursday

The Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law holds a hearing on the Protecting Americans from Unsafe Foreign Products Act.

The Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, holds a hearing H.R. 4081, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2007 and H.R. 5689, the Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2008.

Delahunt’s Oversight Subcommittee continues hearings on the Iraqi Refugee crisis. This hearing will examine the crisis from the perspective of non-governmental organizations that are working on the ground to provide much needed aid to refugees and internally displaced persons. For more information, please click here.

Office visitors include representatives from the Duxbury, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association, John Pappalardo from the Cape Cod Commerical Hook Fisherman’s Association, and representatives from Jordan Hospital.

Delahunt News

Delahunt Touts Massachusetts Advanced Biofuels Plan. To learn more, please click here.

House Reauthorizes Small Business Innovation Program. Click here for more information.

Delahunt Joins With UMASS To Announce $250,000 Grant For Marine Renewable Energy Center. For more information, please click here.

For a full list of legislation that Congressman Delahunt has co-sponsored in the 110th Congress please click here .