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Up for Debate This Week: Coast Guard Funding and Veterans Benefits

WASHINGTON, Apr. 21 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of April 21, 2008.

This week, the House will debate a bill to fund the Coast Guard for the current fiscal year.

In addition, H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007, would make a variety changes to the Coast Guard's operations, including the contracting practices used by the Coast Guard for the Integrated Deepwater Program. The Coast Guard is a military branch of the United States government involved in maritime law, mariner assistance, and search and rescue.

Passage of the bill would cost the average U.S. family just under $75.00. H.R. 2830 The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 Costs $74.04 per family What People Think: 28% For, 72% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2830.html

The Senate will debate S. 1315, the Disabled Veterans Insurance Improvement Act of 2007. The bill would affect several veterans programs, including disability compensation, pension, burial, life insurance, and readjustment benefits.

Passage of S. 1315 would cost the average family just under $9.00. S. 1315 The Disabled Veterans Insurance Improvement Act of 2007 Costs $8.83 per family What People Think: 34% For, 66% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_1315.html

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

New Items S. 789 The Government Credit Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 Costs $2.73 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_789.html S. 1551 The Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007 Costs $19.12 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_1551.html H.R. 5522 The Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act of 2008 Costs $1.80 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5522.html H.R. 5749 The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 Costs $144.40 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5749.html S. 2291 The Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 Costs $0.38 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2291.html S. 2606 The United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008 Costs $2.58 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2606.html H.R. 5715 To ensure continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families Costs $9.24 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5715.html H.R. 4106 The Telework Improvements Act of 2007 Costs $0.05 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4106.html S. 2390 The Fire-Safe Communities Act Costs $4.42 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2390.html H.R. 5719 The Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008 Saves $3.92 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5719.html Updated Items H.R. 3179 The Local Preparedness Acquisition Act Costs $0.75 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3179.html