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D.C. and District Talk

· Energy Bill Debate Begins in Senate
This week the Senate began the debate on a national energy plan. I would like to urge our Illinois Senators to finally make the right choice for America—to abandon an agenda of obstruction for a strategy of solutions.

Each day that debate lingers on this energy plan is a day too long for the American people. For four years, Americans have waited on Congress to deliver a plan that speaks to their energy needs—a plan that promotes conservation, encourages exploration and secures a stable energy supply for future generations. And for four years, the House has successfully passed an energy plan that meets those needs—only to see our legislation die in the Senate.

I have been a long-time supporter of implementing a national energy plan, and I have voted for numerous versions of this bill. This legislation promotes conservation, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, improves our economy, and creates jobs.

As we reach record highs for both oil and gasoline prices, as well as record levels of foreign oil imports, we must tackle these difficult issues. The OPEC oil embargo began 30 years ago this month; many of us remember gas stations running out of gas and very long lines. That took place when we imported just 30 percent of our oil; today, we import over 60 percent of our oil. I believe we must start to produce more oil here at home.

We should also not forget the massive blackout that hit the northeast U.S. in 2003. This bill deals with the important issue of electricity transmission. The details are boring, but I was successful in getting a bipartisan amendment passed in Committee that will ensure investment into improvements in the electric grid.

Our agricultural sector and our environment will be aided by the inclusion of a renewable fuel standard. Another aspect of this legislation is the positive effect it will have on job creation here in Illinois. The increased use of renewable fuel is one area where jobs are expected to grow. Additionally, the clean coal initiatives in this bill will help the coal mines of central and southern Illinois.

Finally, I want to touch on the many environmentally-friendly provisions included in this bill. Our House bill increases funding for hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell development; increases research funding for coal gasification projects; creates a new Clean School Bus program; and has strong energy efficiency language, including a provision to reduce energy use in federal buildings by 20 percent.

We started with legislative language that was agreed to in last year's Conference Committee. I hope that this time we will finally be successful in getting a bill signed into law, as we desperately need a national energy plan.

H.R. 6, the house version of the bill, passed the House by a bipartisan 249-183 margin. Once the Senate passes a version of the legislation the two bills would then be sent to
a Conference Committee to work out the differences between the different pieces of legislation.

You may express your views on this and any other issue to your Illinois Senators by using the information below:

U.S. Senator Barack Obama

713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2854
(202) 228-4260 - fax

Email Webform: http://www.obama.senate.gov/contact

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

332 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
(202) 228-0400 - fax

Email Webform: http://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

To monitor this important bill as it moves through the legislative process please visit http://thomas.loc.gov and type in HR 6.

Constituent Corner

· Truth About Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry

I am continuing to receive emails from constituents concerned about cell phone numbers being used by telemarketers. If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue this advisory to give consumers the facts.

One e-mail making the rounds says:

“JUST A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS...”

Another version claims:

“The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register.”

Here’s what you need to know about the National Do Not Call Registry program:

•FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent.

•The federal government does not maintain a national cell phone registry. Personal cell phone users have always been able to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry — the same Registry consumers use to register their land lines — either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register. Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up and are active for five years. There is no cut-off date or deadline for registration.

•Business-to-business calls are not covered under the Registry.

To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry and the rules that enforce it, visit the FTC at www.ftc.gov or the FCC at www.fcc.gov.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Friday, June 24th, Doug Bugger of my Collinsville district office will be available to help the residents of Sandoval and Fairfield. In Sandoval, he will be at the Sandoval Community Center on 102 North Cherry Street from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. In Fairfield, he will be in the Wayne County Courthouse Board Room on 305 Court Street from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary, so feel free to drop by at any time. For more information, please visit my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.htm. I hope you stop in to see us!

Legislative Week in Review

· The following bills were passed by the House of Representatives this week:

o H.R. 2862 – Science and Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Wolf – Appropriations)

o H.R. 1812 – Patient Navigator Outreach and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2005 (Rep. Menendez – Energy and Commerce)

· To keep up to date on legislation as it moves through the legislative process please visit http://thomas.loc.gov and type in the bill number.

Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week

· Congress will be in session from Tuesday through Thursday of next week. Some of the legislation which will be considered includes:

o H.R. 2863 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Young {FL} – Appropriations)

o H.R. 2745 - Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Hoekstra – Intelligence)

o Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006

· Want to know more? Keep an eye on the Office of the Clerk’s web site: http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/index.html. This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.

Did You Know?

· Low Income Families can Apply to Receive Discount Prescription Drugs

RxForIllinois.org is a program that connects qualified, low-income people with discount prescription drugs, direct from the pharmaceutical manufacturer. RxForIllinois.org offers a single point of access to public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Many people have difficulty affording health care, including prescription medicines. A number of patient assistance programs provide help to patients who lack prescription drug coverage and earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level (approximately $19,000 for an individual or $31,000 for a family of three).

Patients will be directed to the public or private programs most likely to meet their needs. RxForIllinois.org helps low-income, uninsured patients:

· Enroll in more than 150 company patient assistance programs

· Access more than 1,200 medicines for free or at a low cost

· Learn how to contact government programs for which they may qualify, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

For more information and to apply for the program please visit http://www.rxforillinois.org.

Thank you for the interest in my newsletter! Remember to tell your friends about it as well--they can sign up on my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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