August 2007
The House and Senate passed separate versions of legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year (FY) 2008. Both bills contain provisions addressing the US-VISIT program, implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the REAL ID Act, and other border security matters.
Members of the bipartisan House U.S.-China Working Group joined together last week to unveil a U.S.-China Competitiveness Agenda of 2007 comprised of four legislative priorities to expand America’s influence in China and increase American competitiveness in the global marketplace. Members involved in this effort include Reps. Mark Kirk (R-IL), Susan Davis (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Steve Israel (D-NY), and Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA).
The Senate and the House of Representatives last week approved the final conference agreement (H. Report 110-259) on legislation (H.R. 1 and S. 4) to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The agreement includes provisions requiring a report on exchanges in predominantly Muslim countries, strengthening basic education activities in those countries, implementing security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), establishing a model ports of entry program, and promoting democracy abroad. The agreement has been sent to President Bush who is expected to sign it.
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved H.R. 176, the Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007, by a vote of 371 to 55. The legislation was introduced in January by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) to authorize assistance to the countries of the Caribbean to fund educational development and exchange programs. Its aim is to develop two comprehensive educational initiatives targeted toward the Caribbean: one to establish a system for United States-Caribbean educational exchange programs, and the second to develop a plan to enhance teacher training and community involvement in early education in the region.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday approved legislation that would authorize funds for a South Pacific exchange program. The bill, H.R. 3062, would establish an annual one-year program within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program to permit Pacific Island students to study in the United States. It would authorize $500,000 each year for fiscal 2008 and 2009 for Fulbright awards to Pacific Island students.
Reps. William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced legislation recently that would establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.
The Senate and the House of Representatives last week approved the final conference agreement (H. Report 110-259) on legislation (H.R. 1 and S. 4) to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The agreement includes provisions requiring a report on exchanges in predominantly Muslim countries, strengthening basic education activities in those countries, implementing security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), establishing a model ports of entry program, and promoting democracy abroad. The agreement has been sent to President Bush who is expected to sign it.
Reps. William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced legislation recently that would establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.
The Senate and the House of Representatives last week approved the final conference agreement (H. Report 110-259) on legislation (H.R. 1 and S. 4) to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The agreement includes provisions requiring a report on exchanges in predominantly Muslim countries, strengthening basic education activities in those countries, implementing security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), establishing a model ports of entry program, and promoting democracy abroad. The agreement has been sent to President Bush who is expected to sign it.
