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« A Series of Tubes | Main | It Is Rocket Science »

November 14, 2007 |Permalink |Comments (4)

Speak Up Speak Out

John has a point, this is important and living in a democracy requires us to pay attention.

The House is expected to attempt to override the President’s veto of the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill (H.R. 3043) possibly as early as this week. Two-thirds of each chamber must approve the bill in order for it to pass into law without the President’s support. For this to happen, Republicans would need to break ranks with the President.

Take Action
Ø Call your Representative(s) today and tomorrow. You can reach any DC legislative office through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. It is particularly important that you reach out to Republicans — they hold the cards in this vote.
Ø Identify yourself, your agency if applicable, and where you are calling from in the state/district. Ask to leave a message for the Representative.
Ø Sample message: “Please vote in support of H.R. 3043, the Labor/HHS appropriations bill that provides our community with critical dollars to support older adults living independently at home, supports their family caregivers, and, in doing so, helps save the federal government Medicaid dollars which would otherwise go to nursing homes. There are modest increases for these home and community-based services for seniors in the bill and we ask the Congressman/woman to ensure that older adults in our community are able to continue living independently by overriding the President’s veto.”

Background & Talking Points
The Labor/HHS bill would provide $150.7 billion in discretionary spending, which is $6.2 billion above the fiscal 2007 level and $9.8 billion more than Bush proposed. President Bush vetoed the bill over his objection to this $9.8 billion difference.
The bill contains $63 million more for Older Americans Act programs and services under the Administration on Aging, roughly a 4.6 percent increase over last year.
It would also fund a wide range of social service, education and other critical federal support programs in addition to OAA, such as the Community Service Block Grant, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Social Services Block Grant, and many others.
If Congress cannot override the veto, they will have to either cut the bill to meet the President’s demands or another series of continuing resolutions (CRs) may continue to fund federal programs at last year’s levels.
To see how OAA is funded under the bill, n4a members can go here.

Comments ( 4)

Dr. Thomas is right: "living in a democracy requires us to pay attention," - a simple admonition we too often forget.

Large corporations spend millions of dollars to persuade Congress to do things their way (which is almost always to the people's disadvantage).

We the people do not have that option, but we do have the numbers. We need to take the time to phone, write, email, etc. to make our views known. It needs to become a habit.

H.R.3043 is crucial. Please let your Congresspeople know, by phone and email in this instance - today.

Posted by Ronni Bennett
November 15, 2007 9:20 AM

While we're on the subject of our responsibility to lobby Congress, please check out Ronni's critical efforts to raise awareness of another piece of legislation that could have a dire impact on our democratic society: http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/2007/11/more-on-the-tho.html

Ronni first reported on H.R. 1955, The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism and Prevention Act of 2007 (the thought crime bill) last week, and she continues to raise important questions about this sinister piece of legislation. Thanks Ronni!

Posted by Kavan
November 15, 2007 10:00 AM

Congress Unable to Override Veto of Major OAA Funding Increase

Through the Support Our Seniors campaign, NCOA has been advocating for substantial increases in funding for all Older Americans Act (OAA) programs. Thanks to your efforts, Congress heeded our call and voted for increases of $111 million for OAA programs in fiscal year 2008.

The House approved $34 million more for Administration on Aging (AoA) programs, plus $47 million to pay for the required minimum wage increase for enrollees in the Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program. The Senate version included $69 million in increases, but not the Title V boost.

When negotiators from both chambers resolved the larger bill within which this funding is located, they settled on a $63.6 million increase for AoA programs (4.6 percent), plus $47 million for the Title V minimum wage increase. This compromise passed both chambers in early November (274-141 in the House and 56-37 in the Senate). The following are some of the key increases over 2007 appropriations:

. $7 million for supportive services and centers
. $19 million for congregate meals
. $9 million for home-delivered meals
. $8 million for nutrition services incentives
. $2 million for family caregiver support

The bill also includes $22.5 million for the AoA Choices for Independence initiative, less than the $28 million requested by the agency. Other programs of interest to NCOA receiving funding include:

. $2 million for the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment
. $2 million for Lifespan Respite Care
. $10 million for Real Choice Systems Change grants
. $45 million for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)-an increase of $14 million

NCOA was very pleased with the outcome and urged President Bush to sign the bill. Unfortunately, he vetoed it, because it spent $9.8 billion more than he proposed. His quarrel was not primarily about aging programs-the $111 million in increases were among numerous increases that he opposed. On Thursday the House fell two votes short of overriding the veto, with a 277-141 vote. 66.27% of the House voted for the override, but 66.67% were needed, so the veto stands.

What happens next is not clear. Democratic leaders have promised to propose new spending levels that cut the increases in half (from $22 to $11 billion), both in this bill and in other appropriations bills that the President opposes. The Democrats want to achieve at least one of the following: win over enough Republicans for a veto-override margin, or gain White House support for smaller increases, or win the battle for public opinion. It is not clear whether those cuts will make a percentage reduction in all increases or hit some of the increases harder than others. A conclusion may not come until the week of December 17.

Posted by Arnold
November 19, 2007 5:57 PM

Congress Unable to Override President's Veto of Major OAA Funding Increase
November 19, 2007

The House of Representatives came within two votes of overriding the President's veto of the bill that funds human services, including Older Americans Act (OAA) programs. Fifty-one Republicans joined 226 Democrats for a 277-141 vote to override, not quite reaching the necessary two-thirds.

Through the Support Our Seniors campaign, NCOA has advocated for substantial increases in funding for all OAA programs. Many concerned individuals across the country contacted their members of Congress about this important issue. Congress heeded our voice and voted to boost OAA spending by $111 million in fiscal year 2008. The money was in the annual appropriations package known as Labor-HHS-Education, which the President vetoed.

The same bill also included significant spending increases for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Community Services Block Grant, community health centers, and much more. Funding for OAA and all programs in the bill is now in jeopardy, because Congress could not override the veto.

NCOA is deeply disappointed that the veto was not overridden. If you share our disappointment, please tell your House member what you think. (See your representative's vote.)

Posted by Arnold (MAGS)
November 27, 2007 8:02 PM

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