Federal Legislative Update
November 2007

November 2, 2007
November 9, 2007
November 16, 2007
November 30, 2007

11/30/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Tell Congress: DON'T BLOCK THE
(OMNI)BUS!! Stand Up for Real Resources for Children and Public Education

Congress returns to work the week of December 3 and will turn to drafting a comprehensive "omnibus" bill that will include increased funding for a number of important priorities, including education. Following the disappointing failure of Congress to override the President's veto of the FY08 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, Congress must take this opportunity to stand up for children and public education. There are only a few weeks left in this congressional session. Congress must act now!

The omnibus bill will include increased funding for education programs as well as programs for veterans, cancer research, health care, clean air and water, and safe roads and bridges. But, passage will once again face an uphill battle, with opposition from those who support the President's demands for program cuts.

Contact your representatives in Congress TODAY!!

Tell Congress "Don't Block the Bus" - support the omnibus funding bill for fiscal year 2008.

Did Your Member of Congress Stand Up for Children and Public Education?

On November 15, 51 Republicans joined all voting Democrats in voting to override the President's veto of the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill. Unfortunately, the House fell two votes short of overriding the veto. Was your Member among those who took this principled vote? See how your Member voted and let him/her know you are watching.

Tell Speaker Pelosi to Protect Rural Schools: Reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act

The Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act, which provides predictable, guaranteed funding to federally-impacted forest counties, will expire at the end of the year. Unless Congress acts immediately to reauthorize the program, many rural communities will face employee layoffs and program eliminations as early as this spring.

Call Speaker Pelosi today at 415-556-4862 (her district office) and urge her to put reauthorization of this critical program on the fast track.

11/16/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Congress Goes on Recess: NEA Scores Victories in Final Weeks

Congress has adjourned for a two-week Thanksgiving recess and will return the week of December 3. The last few weeks have seen significant action on a number of issues of critical importance to educators. With YOUR HELP, we have secured a number of significant victories for children and public education:

ESEA reauthorization – Both Senator Kennedy and Representative Miller, respectively the chairs of the Senate and House Education Committees, have stated that they do not plan to move any ESEA reauthorization legislation in 2007. This major victory is due in large part to the pressure exerted by NEA members against a draft House bill that included a number of very troubling provisions, including a continued overreliance on standardized testing and a linking of teacher pay to student test scores.

Higher Education – The House Education Committee passed a higher education reauthorization bill that would, among other things, help ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities, expand college access for low-income and minority students, streamline the federal student financial aid application, and provide supports to help students transition seamlessly from community colleges to four-year programs. The Committee rejected three NEA-opposed amendments that would have added the Teacher Incentive Fund (merit pay); Adjunct Teacher Corps (allows people to enter the classroom as teachers based only on content knowledge); and the "academic bill of rights" (would chill free speech and academic freedom on college campuses).

Head Start – The House and Senate passed NEA-supported legislation to reauthorize the Head Start program, after Congress repeatedly failed to reauthorize the program since 2003. The reauthorization increases funding for Head Start, provides support for professional development, and retains civil rights protections for Head Start employees.

Social Security Offsets – The Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on November 6 on legislation to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. This was the first hearing ever held in a Senate committee with jurisdiction over the issue. A hearing has also been promised in the House for early 2008.

Employment Non-Discrimination – The House passed NEA-supported legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

House Override of President's Veto Falls Short

Despite significant pressure from NEA members and our partners, the House fell two votes short, 277-141, in its attempt last night to override President Bush’s veto of the education funding bill.

Thank you for your great job communicating with your member of Congress!

11/09/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Tell Congress to Stand Up for Children and Public Education and Override the President's Veto of Education Funding!

The House and Senate have passed an education funding bill that provides significant increases for important programs like Title I, special education, Head Start, after-school programs, and Pell Grants. This bill reverses the trend of cuts and freezes to education funding in recent years and will help provide schools and students the resources necessary to succeed. But, President Bush has promised to veto this bill and is expected to do so next week. If the President's veto is allowed to stand, billions of dollars will be lost from education programs.

A two-thirds vote is needed in the House and Senate to override a presidential veto, so every vote is critical. The House will vote first, as early as the middle of next week. If the House does not vote to override the veto, the bill will die without even moving to the Senate.

Contact your Members of Congress TODAY!!

Tell your representative to stand up for children and public education by voting to override the president's veto of the education funding bill.

Social Security Offsets Hearing Held - Still Time to Submit Your Stories!

The Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, chaired by Senator Kerry (D-MA), held a hearing on the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision on Tuesday, November 6. NEA/Massachusetts Teachers Association member Peggy Kane testified at the hearing, giving voice to the concerns of educators across the country about these unfair offsets.

The Subcommittee continues to accept written statements, which will be entered into the written record of the hearing. You can share your story about how the offsets impact you and the need for immediate repeal. Statements must be typewritten and single-spaced, not exceeding 10 pages in length. The first page must clearly state your full name and address as well as the title and date of the hearing ("GPO and WEP: Policies Affecting Pensions from Work Not Covered by Social Security" November 6, 2007).

Statements must be MAILED (not faxed) to:
Senate Committee on Finance
Attn. Editorial and Document Section
Rm. SD-203
Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-6200b

Statements must be received by the Subcommittee no later than November 20, 2007.

11/02/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Social Security Offsets: Hearing Scheduled for November 6!!

The Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, chaired by Senator Kerry (D-MA), will hold a hearing on the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision  on Tuesday, November 6. The Subcommittee will accept written submissions for the record. Statements must be typewritten and single-spaced, not exceeding 10 pages in length. The first page must clearly state your full name and address as well as the title and date of the hearing ("GPO and WEP: Policies Affecting Pensions from Work Not Covered by Social Security" November 6, 2007).

Statements must be MAILED (not faxed) to:

Senate Committee on Finance
Attn. Editorial and Document Section
Rm. SD-203
Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-6200b

Statements must be received no later than two weeks after the hearing.

Higher Education: Tell Congress to Protect Academic Freedom and the Free, Open Exchange of Ideas

Some in Congress are supporting an NEA-opposed proposal that would chill free speech and academic freedom on college campuses. The so-called "Academic Bill of Rights" seeks to direct speech and politicize academic content in higher education institutions.

Contact Your Members of Congress Today

Tell your Representative to reject any proposals that would stifle the open debate and free exchange of ideas so fundamental to higher education.