This is the weekly installment of a series highlighting the events and activities of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Make the jump for a special "going postal" edition.
Week in Review: 02/12/07-02/17/07
Hearings
February 14: Full Committee business meeting on the Executive Branch Reform Act of 2007 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007
Summary: Two important bills sponsored by Waxman and other committee members were reported on for consideration on the House floor.
H.R.984 The Executive Branch Reform Act (full text - PDF) This bill aims to reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests on the Executive Branch. Senior officials in the White House and other federal agencies will be required to report contacts with lobbyists and private parties, including dates of meetings, parties involved and subject matter discussed. The revolving door between Lobbyists, Contractors and Government will stop spinning with a federal ban to prevent favors or contracts being handed out to former employers. Likewise, if a government official leaves to become a lobbyist they would be prevented from lobbying former colleagues for at least 2 years. The bill also requires the federal government to disclose funding for covert propaganda, a la Armstrong Williams, to the American public.
H.R.985 The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (full text - PDF)
This bill strengthens protections for Whistleblowers, particularly those specializing in National Security Issues, Government Contracting, and Science. Whistleblowers should not fear that reporting waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars will cost them their jobs.
Video: Executive Branch Ethics Hearings, Opening Statement by Waxman, and Whistle Blower Protection Act |
February 15: Iraq Reconstruction: An Overview
Witnesses:
- David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, GAO
- Stuart Bowen Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
- William Reed, Director, Defense Contract Audit Agency
Summary: Another hearing to followup the previous week. Remember the 363 tons of cash - $12 billion dollars that went unaccounted for in Iraq? Well, the Defense Contract Audit Agency has discovered another $10 billion in questioned and unsupported costs, $2.7 billion of which went to Halliburton. So now there's $22 billion in missing or questionable funding and BushCo is asking for more money??? The DCAA isn't even done yet. Thus far, they have audited only $57 billion of the total $350 billion spent on the war in Iraq, so we still don't know the full magnitude of the wasteful spending. As Waxman said in his Opening Statement, "The total amount of waste, fraud and abuse could be astronomical".
Report (PDF): REBUILDING IRAQ: Reconstruction Progress Hindered by Contracting, Security, and Capacity Challenges |
Legislation - NEW
Here are the bills & resolutions introduced last week - listed under the Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the matter.
Domestic Policy
- H.R.1012 : To reform laws and procedures affecting small business.
Sponsor: Rep Buchanan, Vern [FL-13]
- H.R.1073 : To amend the definition of a law enforcement officer under subchapter III of chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, respectively, to ensure the inclusion of certain positions.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51]
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Government Management, Organization, and Procurement
- H.R.984 : To provide for reform in the operations of the executive branch.
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30]
- H.R.985 : To amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that such policies, forms, and agreements are consistent with certain disclosure protections, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30]
- H.R.1150 : To establish the Commission on Economic Indicators to conduct a study and submit a report containing recommendations concerning the appropriateness and accuracy of the methodology, calculations, and reporting used by the Government relating to certain economic indicators.
Sponsor: Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5]
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Information Policy, Census, and National Archives
- H.R.1117 : To repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to reinstitute section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security.
Sponsor: Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1]
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Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
- H.CON.RES.69 : Expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of Luis A. Ferre.
Sponsor: Rep Fortuno, Luis G. [PR] (introduced 2/16/2007)
- H.CON.RES.71 : Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the founding of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the Nation's 1.3 million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and Philhellenes.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14]
- H.RES.162 : Recognizing the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their players.
Sponsor: Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] (introduced 2/14/2007)
- H.RES.179 : Expressing support for a National Foster Parents Day.
Sponsor: Rep Boyda, Nancy E. [KS-2]
- H.RES.180 : Honoring the life and achievements of Leo T. McCarthy and expressing profound sorrow on his death.
Sponsor: Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14]
- H.RES.183 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should issue a postage stamp commemorating the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Sponsor: Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23]
- H.RES.189 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" should be established.
Sponsor: Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39]
- H.R.988 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the "Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office".
Sponsor: Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44]
- H.R.996 : To provide for the issuance of a semipostal in order to afford a convenient means by which members of the public may contribute towards the acquisition of works of art to honor female pioneers in Government service.
Sponsor: Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9]
- H.R.1024 : To provide for the issuance of a postage stamp commemorating the 450th anniversary of the founding of the first European settlement in the continental United States, at Pensacola, Florida, by Tristan de Luna in 1559.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1]
- H.R.1048 : To establish a program to transfer surplus computers of Federal agencies to schools, nonprofit community-based educational organizations, and families of members of the Armed Forces who are deployed, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7]
- H.R.1054 : To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to eliminate Congressional review of newly-passed District laws.
Sponsor: Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC]
- H.R.1064 : To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend for 2 years the provisions under which the special postage stamp for breast cancer research is issued.
Sponsor: Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43]
- H.R.1070 : To allow postal patrons to contribute to funding for gang prevention programs through the voluntary purchase of certain specially issued postage stamps.
Sponsor: Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43]
- H.R.1110 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11]
- H.R.1124 : To extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11]
- H.R.1131 : To establish a commission to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
Sponsor: Rep Baker, Richard H. [LA-6]
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Going Postal
Post Office Naming Bills
As I've been compiling the Bills and Resolutions going through Committee for the past few weeks, I have noticed a significant portion of the legislation has to do with the Postal Service - either proposing a new postage stamp for historic events or popular figures, or the naming of a post office after a historic or popular figure. Most of the time I've never heard of the people and I don't have enough hours in the day to Google the honorees. But I was still a little curious how such a seemingly trivial process goes through the Congress. How much time and effort are being spent on these? How much does it cost? Who can be nominated?
First of all, a report (PDF) from the 108th Congress showed that 18% of all laws passed were post office naming bills and the number of these bills is increasing with each session. Seems to me this is just a way to make it look like they're working hard getting so many laws passed.
The House has an informal policy of not considering postal naming legislation until all reps from the state have signed on as cosponsors. Is this another waste of time ... going through the process of getting umpteen names on a bill? Passage by the House is then a matter of routine and often passes with a unanimous vote. The Bill then goes to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Like the House, both Senators from the state must agree upon the naming bill. Typically groups of bills are passed in one bloc, unanimously, and without debate. The end result of naming a post office is the installation of an 11x14-inch plaque dedicated to the individual at the expense of the US Postal Service ($250-$500). The inscription on the plaque says, "This building is named in honor of (NAME) by act of Congress PL110-## (DATE)". In addition, the USPS, in conjunction with the sponsoring legislator may hold a dedication ceremony. This ceremony includes invitations to the honoree's family, an honor guard, a religious figure for the invocation and light refreshments such as cake and punch. The USPS may cover these costs or share them with a local community interest.
In general, an individual can be proposed for post office naming only if they have been deceased for more than 10 years or were a President or Postmaster General. However there are some exceptions (See Legislation - Updated section below).
Postage stamps
While Congress proposes some Resolutions and Bills for postage stamp subjects, the vast majority of all U.S. postage subjects are proposed by the public. On behalf of the Postmaster General, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) evaluates the merits of all stamp proposals. The CSAC uses the following guidelines to evaluate subjects:
- Subjects must be interesting and/or educational
- Subjects must have national significance and appeal: Americans and America-related subjects are highly preferred
- A person cannot be featured sooner than 10 years after their death, and then only on the anniversary of their birth. An exception is made for deceased U.S. Presidents, who may be featured on the first birth anniversary after their death.
- Historical events and Statehood anniversaries are considered only for anniversaries which are multiples of 50 years.
Click the CSAC link above to find out how to submit your own proposal for a postage stamp. |
Legislation UPDATES
These are all post office naming bills. Six have passed both House and Senate and are cleared for the White House to sign.
QUIZ: Just for fun, see how many of these names you recognize. Answers will be posted in a comment below.
Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
- H.R.49 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 North Frontage Road West in Vail, Colorado, as the "Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House.
- H.R.335 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 152 North 5th Street in Laramie, Wyoming, as the "Gale W. McGee Post Office".
Sponsor: Rep Cubin, Barbara [WY] (introduced 1/9/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House.
- H.R.414 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 Calle McKinley, West in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the "Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep Fortuno, Luis G. [PR] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- H.R.433 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the "Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (16)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House.
- H.R.437 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio Grande City, Texas, as the "Lino Perez, Jr. Post Office".
Sponsor: Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (31)
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- H.R.514 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida, as the "Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post Office".
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/17/2007) Cosponsors (24)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House.
- H.R.521 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the "Lane Evans Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] (introduced 1/17/2007) Cosponsors (84)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House.
- H.R.577 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, as the "Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] (introduced 1/19/2007) Cosponsors (31)
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2007 Cleared for White House. |
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