Legislative Switch List
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LEGISLATIVE
SWITCH LIST
March 01, 2007
From August W. Westphal,
National President
While we have been successful in passing H. R. 4 in
the House, it is now in the Senate for action. The Bill, Medicare Prescription Drug
Negotiating Act of 2007, is now in the Senate Finance Committee waiting action. We urge
our membership to call and/or write their two U.S. Senators urging them to vote favorably
on the legislation. It is in our best interests that it passes.
You will recall our advising the 109th Congress failed to complete a number of their
mandated actions prior to adjournment of the 109th Congress in December 2006. A Continuing
Resolution (CR) was passed to allow the government to continue in operation. We are now
advised the 110th Congress has passed a Continuing Resolution which expires October 1,
2007. In the meantime the necessary Appropriations bills for 2008 will also be facing the
Congress. The 2008 Fiscal Year (FY) begins on October 1, 2007.
We are greatly concerned with the Appropriations for the Railroad Retirement Board. In the
most recent CR the allotted amount for the Board was $103.018. The Board had requested the
amount of $104.5 million for fiscal year 2007. In the future actions we are praying for
the larger amount to allow the Board to function without cuts in staff or service. This
too is in our best interests.
Has your Unit activated the important calling committees? We continue to urge our Units
and Members to form the Calling Committees, This action will allow our Units to be ready
when the call comes from Tom Dwyer, NARVRE National Legislative Director for calls to the
Congress. As the Congress continues to develop legislation we must be ready to communicate
with them when the call comes.
Many Units have advised they have such committees to call their membership about meetings,
etc. This is good. We need to have all Units prepared to call when the need presents
itself. We urge everyone to participate in the program. Do not leave it to just a few
members who take the time to call and be recorder in favor or opposed to a certain piece
of legislation. Use the NARVRE Toll Free Numbers 1-877-668-3864 and
1-877- 668-3866. They are furnished for this important action in Congress.
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LEGISLATIVE
SWITCH LIST
February 01, 2007
From August W. Westphal,
National President
The new Congress has proposed to accomplish many
items of legislation during the first 100 hours. Keep in mind the 100 hours is calculated
in legislative time. When the Congress is actually in session. You have no doubt been
watching the Congress in action via C-Span. Many of our members are fully aware of what is
happening on Capitol Hill. This is good. Good foe the mind of the member and also the fact
our members are keeping in touch with what is going on in Washington. The very place where
legislation is passed or defeated. We encourage all who have the capability for this
viewing to watch closely what is happening in the Congress.
On Friday January 12 the Congress debated the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act
of 2007. After lengthy and active debate a vote was taken and the bill passed the House
255-170. It now goes to the Senate for de bate and vote. Already the President has
indicated in the press he will veto the legislation if and when it arrives on his desk.
But we must continue the fight.
The idea behind this is using the shear size of the Medicare program to generate steeper
discounts than private insurance plans can muster. John Dingell (D) MI the chief sponsor
of the legislation indicated 43 million people can have the purchasing power to perhaps
encourage these drug houses to give the government and American retirees a better price.
We support this thought and encourage our members to now write their Representative and
U.S. Senators urging passage of the legislation by a wide majority.
In the event the President does exercise his veto power, and favors the prescription drug
industry over the people, the Congress will have an opportunity to override the veto. This
has not occurred with this President but it has happened many times before on legislation
that differs between the Congressional and Administrative branch of government. Your
letters to the Congress will give them support to override the veto. They need the support
of the grassroots to cast their vote and give the government and Medicare an opportunity
to negotiate a better price for prescription drugs.
Write your letters today. Do not wait. Let them know we are concerned.
Click here to E-Mail us at:
LEGISLATIVE
SWITCH LIST
January 01, 2007
From August W. Westphal,
National President
The beginning of a new year is upon us. As railroad
retirees and seniors in general we must be concerned with what takes place in the 110th
congress. As you are aware it is a "new ball-game" now. Every piece of
legislation must be initiated again, go through the hearing process and be finally voted
upon in each house of the Congress and presented to the President for approval or
rejection. It is a process that has been going on for many years.
While there is a Democratic majority in the Congress we must not be lulled into thinking
everything will be done with dispatch. There will be many roadblocks to overcome. However,
with the leadership change we do not believe there will be that negative thinking towards
legislation designed to benefit seniors. At least we pray this will not happen in this
Congress.
The burning question in many minds is; "How much will the Prescription Drug prices be
reduced in 2007"? Were you experiencing the "Dough-nut Hole" last year? If
so, you know the seriousness of the matter being corrected as soon as possible. It will
not be an easy task inasmuch as the pharmaceutical companies are well represented in the
congress. A recent count indicated there were two to four lobbyists for every Member of
the Congress. That is 100 in the U. S. Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives.
While we are talking in numbers, each voter has two Senators in the Senate and one
Representative in the House of Representatives as their representatives in the Congress.
This is important to know when it comes to making contacts in the new Congress.
Have you or has your Unit established the important Calling Committee? It may be that such
a committee has not been organized or used in previous important actions before the
Congress. It is an easy task to perform. First, one member of the Unit must have an
Internet connection and receive messages from Tom Dwyer, National Legislative Director for
NARVRE. Second, within the Unit gather the names and telephone numbers of those who wish
to participate in calling. Do not shirk these responsibilities. You will find it is very
enjoyable. You may even make new friends in the process. We will outline the process
further in NARVRE News this month. As we have pointed out, NARVRE is the "A-
team" in calling the Congress.
Every member should be a proud partner in this process!!
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Page Last Revised 03/01/2007.
