Coming Soon, and Up for Debate This Week: War Spending, Housing Foreclosures, and Aviation Spending

WASHINGTON, May. 05 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of May 5, 2008.

Last week, the White House sent Congress a request for $70 billion in additional war funding. It is expected that this will be included in an upcoming supplemental spending bill. The bill may also include spending on extension of unemployment benefits and college aid to veterans.

The spending request amounts to about $680 per family in the U.S., or $220 per person. Extending unemployment benefits or aiding veterans would add additional costs.

This week, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008. This bill would authorize loans and grants for state programs to acquire foreclosed housing, which is intended to alleviate problems in the mortgage and housing markets.

Passage of the Neighborhood Stabilization Act would cost the average U.S. family about $74.

H.R. 5818 The Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 Costs $73.96 per family What People Think: 40% For, 60% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5818.html

The Senate is scheduled to continue debating H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act. The bill authorizes spending on the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011. The bill is also intended to improve aviation safety and capacity.

Passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act would cost the average U.S. family a little over $480.

H.R. 2881 The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 Costs $482.54 per family What People Think: 62% For, 38% Against http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2881.html

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

New Items S. 2136 The Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2007 Saves $0.03 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2136.html H.R. 5830 The FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008 Costs $25.10 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5830.html H.R. 1575 The Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reaffirmation Act Costs $0.18 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1575.html H.R. 5818 The Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 Costs $73.96 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5818.html S. 702 The State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act Costs $0.40 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_702.html Updated Items H.R. 3221 The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 Saves $183.28 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3221.html Passed Items P.L. 110-206 The Reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act Costs $13.32 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-206.html P.L. 110-207 The Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007 Costs $0.00 per family http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-207.html

P.L. 110-208

A bill to amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond May 2, 2008

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-208.html