FindLaw | Legal News & Information

Up for Debate This Week: Economic Stimulus and Higher Education

WASHINGTON, Feb. 04 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of February 4, 2008.

Last week, the House passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008.

This is the "economic stimulus package," tax reductions and other incentives to encourage consumer spending and business investment. It moves to the Senate this week.

The House-passed bill saves about $1,285 per family, or about $410 per person. A Senate amendment, which has not yet been introduced, would save about $1,458 per family, or $466 per person. (Not everyone would get these benefits directly - these figures are averages.)

H.R. 5140

The Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 Saves $1,285.39 per family

What People Think: 48% For, 52% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5140.html

The House this week is scheduled to debate H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. It would amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, which promotes access to college education.

Passage of H.R. 4137 would cost the average U.S. family about $867 per family.

H.R. 4137

The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007

Costs $867.12 per family

What People Think: 36% For, 64% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4137.html

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

New Items

S. 625

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Costs $78.80 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_625.html

S. 1667

A bill to establish a pilot program for the expedited disposal of Federal real property

Costs $0.31 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_1667.html

H.R. 2517

The Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007

Costs $2.21 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2517.html

S. 1000

The Telework Enhancement Act of 2007

Costs $0.08 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_1000.html

P.L. 110-175

The OPEN Government Act of 2007

Saves $0.24 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-175.html

H.R. 5140

The Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008

Saves $1,285.39 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5140.html

P.L. 110-181

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Costs $4,700.72 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-181.html

S. 2483

The National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2007

Saves $0.45 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2483.html

Updated Items

P.L. 110-142

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude discharges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income, and for other purposes

Saves $0.71 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-142.html

Passed Items

P.L. 110-181

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Costs $4,700.72 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-181.html