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 Legislative Update - September, 2005
by Alan Lopatin, Washington Representative, NARSVPD
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Senate and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
Congress returns on September 7 from its August/Labor Day District Work Period for a busy month of spending and revenue decisions for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2005 (FY 2006). Apart from taking final action on fiscal year 2006 appropriations, the House and Senate
are also scheduled to consider “reconciliation” legislation mandating changes in direct spending and entitlement programs ranging from Medicaid to student loans and agriculture programs. On top of that, House and Senate tax-writers may take action on estate tax repeal or modification, tax extenders, and a
package of tax cuts consistent with the Budget Resolution considered earlier this year.
Also pending before the Committees which oversee the Senior Corps are measures to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (to be marked up in the Senate HELP Committee the week of September 6 with floor action to follow), Head Start (due to be considered in the House and Senate before year’s end), and potential
changes to pension laws and guarantees.
Fiscal Year 2006 Support for the Senior Corps
Action to date on fiscal year 2006 appropriations for the Senior Corps has held relatively good news. At a time when scores of education and other domestic programs are being slashed and eliminated (including potential significant cuts to the Community Services Block Grant), the House and Senate have given
tentative approval to funding increases in all three Senior Corps programs consistent with President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2006 Budget submitted in February.
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