Featured Items

Congress continues its August recess and will not return to Washington for several weeks.

Last week, Congress passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. The bill amends and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965. The President is expected to sign it.

Just a few provisions of the bill were discussed in the WashingtonWatch.com blog post “Good and Bad in the Big Education Bill.” Its implementation will cost the average U.S. family over $1,200.

When Congress returns in September, it will have just three weeks before the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year October 1st. As yet, not a single FY 2009 spending bill has passed both houses.

The only bill to pass even one house is H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009, which would spend a little over $1,000 per family.

Last week, the WashingtonWatch.com blog pointed out that Congress saw its 10,000th bill introduced, even while management of the annual spending process goes ignored. You can follow the FY 2009 budget and spending process here.

H.R. 4137
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007
Costs $1,214.12 per family

H.R. 6599
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009
Costs $1,069.92 per family

What People Think

The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 36% For, 64% Against Vote on this Bill

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 51% For, 49% Against Vote on this Bill

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

H.R. 6306
To authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for the United States contributions to, the fifteenth replenishment of the resources of the International Development Association and the eleventh replenishment of the resources of the African Development Fund, and for other purposes
Costs $37.99 per family

Updated Items

H.R. 5658
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
Costs $5,009.31 per family

Passed Items

P.L. 110-297
The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act
Costs $0.18 per family

P.L. 110-298
The Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2007
Costs $0.01 per family

P.L. 110-299
A bill to clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and to require the Administrator to conduct a study of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels

P.L. 110-300
A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965