Federal Legislative Update
July 2006

July 20, 2006

News from Capitol Hill...

Voting Rights Act Renewal Expected Today

You didn’t let up on the pressure. You let Congress know you wanted vital sections of the Voting Rights Act renewed and restored. Well, you did it. The Senate is expected to reauthorize the sections today, a week after the House passed the bill.

The Senate began debate this morning amid an agreement that the bill would move forward with no amendments. The President is expected to sign the legislation into law perhaps as early as this week.

Thanks to your efforts and commitment, the nation's most successful law in ensuring equal access to the voting booth for all Americans will remain in effect. The right to vote, and to have one's vote counted, is the lifeblood of a democratic society. Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act in 1965 in response to discrimination such as literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, threats and violence. Yet, despite the undeniable success of the VRA, obstacles remain for far too many voters.

You stood up to be counted when it mattered. All Americans have won.

Take Up the Fight!  Help Repeal
Unfair Social Security Provisions

Help spread the word and build momentum toward repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Join NEA's Nationwide Call to Action on the following dates:

• July 31-August 4 (Congressional recess – Members of Congress will be back home in their districts)
  
• September 5-8 (Congress returns from recess and is in session)
  
• September 25-September 29 (Congress in session)
  

Suggested Activities:                                                 

• Ask your Governor to write a letter to Congress and your state legislature to pass a resolution calling on Congress to repeal the GPO and WEP. 
  
  
• Get your school board and principal involved. Explain how the offsets are hindering recruitment of talented educators.
  
  
• Visit federal lawmakers in their district offices with a group of public employees. 
  
  
• Organize a rally to send a clear message about the unfair GPO and WEP. 
  
  
• Host a town hall meeting with a wide cross-section of public employees. 
  
  
• Organize a call-in day . Call the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask for your Representative and Senators by name. 
  
  
• Deliver postcards to Members of Congress in their local offices.
  
  
• Send an e-mail message to Congress ; ask friends, family, and co-workers to do the same.  
  
  
• Submit a letter to the editor or an op-ed to your local newspaper.   
  
  
• Reach out to police, firefighters, and other impacted groups in your area to form a coalition in support of repeal.
  

Get more ideas for activities and model language.

Your involvement is vital to repealing these provisions that penalize educators and public sector employees. Help make sure no educator loses benefits they or their spouses have earned.

July 13, 2006

News from Capitol Hill...

School Nutrition Bill Needs Your Help;
Ask Members of Congress To Cosponsor

You can help address the alarming increase in obesity and related illnesses among school-age children. A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the Senate and House that would ensure foods and drinks sold in schools meet up-to-date nutritional standards. But unless the bill — the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act (S. 2592 and H.R. 5167) — gets more support, it may not be scheduled for a floor vote.

To put the bills on the Senate and House calendar, it's vitally important that you contact your Senators and Representative. Urge your elected officials to schedule a vote before Congress adjourns this year.

S. 2592/H.R. 5167 would update the definition of "foods of minimal nutritional value" and ensure that all foods sold in schools – whether in the cafeteria or in a vending machine – will meet new nutritional standards developed by nutrition and medical experts.

Background:

• Currently, the federal school meal program reimburses schools for ice cream and candy bars. Schools can also be reimbursed for potato chips, snack cakes and donuts served in the cafeteria.
  
• The bills would not prevent parents from bringing in a birthday cake to celebrate their child’s birthday or the school band or chess club from holding a fundraiser with baked treats.

Take Action Today

Contact your Senators and Representative today and urge them to cosponsor S. 2592/H.R. 5167, the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, and to push for a floor vote. Our children's health matters to everyone.