The POPVOX Blog

  1. POPVOX Evening Update: November 15, 2012

    by marci on November 15, 2012

    According to our Hill Sources:

    On Wednesday, the House passed one noncontroversial bill on suspension:

    • HR 2453 authorizing a Mark Twain commemorative coin.

    The Senate approved the following measures by voice vote:

    • S Res 599 reaffirming U.S. support for Israel and Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism.
    • S 1440 The Preemie Reauthorization Act, which allows coordination at the federal level on research into the causes of premature births.
    • HR 6570 allowing for less frequent reports on how money is spent under the 2009 stimulus bill and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

    Friday in Congress:

    The Senate has adjourned for Thanksgiving.

    The House will vote on:

  2. POPVOX Evening Update: November 14, 2012

    by marci on November 14, 2012

    According to our Hill Sources:

    On Wednesday, the House passed several noncontroversial bills on suspension:

    The Senate approved two non-controversial bills and a resolution:

    • HR 6118 The Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act which would give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services more flexibility in determining fines for labs that improperly perform their periodic proficiency testing.
    • HR 6131 extending the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, and Fraud Enforcement with Enforces beyond Borders Act (SAFE WEB Act). The SAFE WEB act helps the U.S. Federal Trade Commission enforce anti-fraud rules across international borders.
    • SJRes 596 allowing donations to be made in the Capitol building for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
    • S 3414 The Cybersecurity Act The Senate tried again to advance this bill by holding a vote to end debate on the bill. But it needed 60 votes in favor, and it failed, 51-47.

  3. The Week Ahead for Congress: Nov. 13 - 16

    by rachna on November 13, 2012

    Bills before Congress: November 13

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are finally back after a long recess! There's a lot on the table for this Lame Duck Session. Here's what's expected to move this week.

    The Senate

    The Senate will take up:

    • S 3525The Sportsmen Act: to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting.(Senate vote this week.)

    The House

    The House will take up:

    • HR 6156The Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act: To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to products of the Russian Federation and Moldova and to require reports on the compliance of the Russian Federation with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (House vote this week.)
    • HR 6190The Asthma Inhalers Relief Act: To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to allow for the distribution, sale, and consumption in the United States of remaining inventories of over-the-counter CFC epinephrine inhalers. (House vote this week.)
    • HR 6371The Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act: To transfer certain functions from the General Accountability Office to the Department of Labor relating to the processing of claims for the payment of workers who were not paid appropriate wages under certain provisions of such title. (House vote this week.)
    • S 1956The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act: To prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (House vote this week.)
    • HR 6586 To extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014 (House vote this week.)
    • HR 6570 To amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to consolidate certain CBO reporting requirements (House vote this week.)
    • HR 6116 To amend the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide for direct appeals to the United States Supreme Court of decisions of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court, as amended (House vote this week.)
    • HR 5934The Stop Tobacco Smuggling in the Territories Act: To include certain territories and possessions of the United States in the definition of State for the purposes of chapter 114, relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. (House vote this week.)

    (If you'd like this alert emailed to you directly once a week, please send me an email at rachna@popvox.com.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  4. Issue Spotlight: Veterans Day

    by rachna on November 11, 2012

    An armistice to stop fighting during World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, and in 1938, the day became a federal holiday. In 1954, after World War II's historic mobilization of our armed forces and the Korean war, Congress changed "Armistice Day" to honor all veterans. (Learn more)

    In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, POPVOX is spotlighting veterans legislation. We hope you will take a moment to review this partial list of veterans bills (divided by issue areas) and weigh in. POPVOX will deliver your comments to your Members of Congress. And for those of you who are veterans, thank you for your service to our country.

    Honoring Veterans

    • HR 6464 Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept certain documents as proof of service in determining the eligibility of an individual to receive amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 1025 The Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (and S 491) recognizes the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law.
    • HR 319 The Veterans Day Off Act requires employers to provide veterans with time off on Veterans Day.
    • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act (and HR 1968) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War.

    Veterans Employment

    • HR 6401 Requires the Secretary of Labor to carry out a pilot program on providing veterans with access at One-Stop Centers to Internet websites to facilitate online job searches.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 6563 The Veterans Jobs Corps Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans jobs corps.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 3235 The Helping Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Return to Employment at Home Act requires, as a condition on the receipt by a State of certain funds for veterans employment and training, that the State ensures that training received by a veteran while on active duty is taken into consideration in granting certain State certifications or licenses.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 2433 The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans.
    • HR 1941 The Hiring Heroes Act (and S 951) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

    Veterans Education

    • HR 6101 The Student Veteran Academic Counseling Enhancement Act improves educational counseling opportunities for veterans.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 4140 The Restore the Promise GI Bill eliminates the time limitation for use of eligibility and entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
    • S 3503 To improve the provision of work-study allowances by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 745 S 745 protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits.

    Veterans Health

    • S 3340 The Mental Health ACCESS Act improves the programs and activities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding suicide prevention and resilience and behavioral health disorders for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 6527 The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act improves the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to women veterans, to improve health care furnished by the Department.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 6574 The Servicemember Mental Health Review Act requires a review of the separation of members of the Armed Forces on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability, including separation on the basis of a personality or adjustment disorder.-- Recently introduced!
    • HR 6580 The Veterans Dental and Vision Benefits Act allows veterans who receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for supplemental dental and vision insurance under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. -- Recently introduced!
    • HR 198 The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act directs the V.A. to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy.
    • HR 396 The TBI Treatment Act creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment.
    • HR 2052 The Fort McClellan Health Registry Act directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
    • HR 329 The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act provides chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers.
    • HR 2074 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury.
    • S 1689 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities.
    • HR 930 HR 930 improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma.

    Veterans Homelessness and Housing

    • HR 5999 The Housing for Blinded Veterans Act improves the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to blind veterans.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 3349 The Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act enhances and expands the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 3614 And HR 6381 The Housing Assistance for Veterans Act (HAVEN Act) establishes a pilot program to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify homes of disabled and low-income veterans.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 3323 The Military Family Home Protection Act improves the protections for servicemembers against mortgage foreclosures.-- Recently introduced!
    • S 1148 The Veterans Programs Improvement Act improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for purposes of receiving benefits under laws administered by the V.A.
    • HR 287 The Homes for Heroes provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans.

    Other Veterans Bills

    • S 1707 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.
    • HR 2985 The Veteran’s I.D. Card Act directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans.
    • HR 1484 The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act improves the V.A. appeals process.

    Recognizing Vietnam Veterans

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, in which more than 58,000 service members lost their lives.

    • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
    • H Res 601 Expresses support for designation of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
    • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
    • HR 3612 The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
    • HR 2634 The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act provides assistance for certain individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enhance the availability of medical care for descendants of veterans of the Vietnam era.
    • S 873 Provides benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era outside Vietnam.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  5. Weekly Bill Round Up: Nov. 9

    by rachna on November 10, 2012

    The elections are over! Congress returns from recess on Tuesday. Here are the bills that are on POPVOX users' minds this past week.

    Top Bills of the Week

    • HR 6079#1 The Repeal of Obamacare Act
    • NASA#2 Doubling Funding for NASA
    • S 3412#3 The Middle Class Tax Cut Act
    • Budget#4 Sequestration
    • HR 3553#5 The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act
    • HJRes 36#6 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to abolish the Electoral College
    • HR 2306#7 The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act
    • HJRes 121#8 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to award 29 extra electoral votes to the Presidential candidate with the largest percentage of the popular vote.
    • S 1549#9 The American Jobs Act
    • HR 2672#10 The Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act
    • HR 6388#11 Strengthening the Horse Protection Act
    • HR 6286#12 The Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act
    • S 3525#13 The Sportsmen's Act
    • S 3551#14 Requiring investigations into the Sept. 2012 attacks on US missions in Libya, Egypt and Yemen.
    • HR 2673#15 The Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Royalty Giveaway Repeal and Deficit Reduction Act
    • HR 2674#16 The 340B Program Improvement Act
    • HR 3035#17 The Mobile Informational Call Act
    • HR 258#18 The Protect Life Act
    • S 1108#19 The 10 Million Solar Roofs Act
    • S 3250#20 The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  6. Issue Spotlight: The Lame Duck

    by rachna on November 10, 2012

    Congress returns on Tuesday for a "Lame Duck" session. There's a long list of unfinished legislative business that awaits them. Below is a partial list. Keep checking back as we update this list!

    In the Senate

    These are the bills that Senate Leadership has identified as action items -- updated Nov. 10, 2012

    Sorted by POPVOX popularity.

    In the House

    Stay tuned for more! Updated Nov. 10, 2012

    • HR 6156 The Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to products of the Russian Federation and Moldova and to require reports on the compliance of the Russian Federation with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  7. PRESS CLIP: FIT THE BILL: Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill

    by kentai on November 7, 2012

    FIT THE BILL: Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill on PureWow

  8. PRESS CLIP: Alumni Spotlight: Rachna Choudhry, co-founder of POPVOX

    by kentai on November 5, 2012

    Alumni Spotlight: Rachna Choudhry, co-founder of POPVOX on Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

  9. PRESS CLIP: Start-ups aim for a more democratic lobbying system

    by kentai on November 4, 2012

    Start-ups aim for a more democratic lobbying system in Capital Business (Washington Post)

  10. Issue Spotlight: Election Day!

    by rachna on November 4, 2012

    The Election is days away! At stake are 31 Senate races and 435 House races, not to mention one Presidential race. Here are some of the bills that are on our minds. We hope you'll weigh in on POPVOX. And don't forget to vote!

    The Electoral College

    • HJRes 121 Proposing a Constitutional amendment to increase by 29 votes the number of electoral votes awarded to the candidate for President who receives the largest percentage of the popular vote.
    • HJRes 36 Proposing a Constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President by the popular vote of all citizens of the US regardless of place of residence.

    Presidential Elections

    • HJRes 17 Proposing a Constitutional amendment to repeal the 22nd article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
    • S 3312 The Presidential Funding Act: To amend the tax code to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections.

    Voting

    Check out more bills related to voting.

    Campaign Regulations

    • S 3369 The DISCLOSE Act: To provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities.
    • HJRes 65 Proposing a Constitutional amendment to prohibit candidates for election to Congress from accepting contributions from individuals who do not reside in the State or Congressional district the candidate seeks to represent.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  11. Weekly Bill Round Up: Nov. 1

    by rachna on November 3, 2012

    Can you believe the election is just days away? Have you checked out your Congress Match? And now for the weekly bill roundup. Thanks for using POPVOX and don't forget to vote!

    Top Bills of the Week

    • NASA#1 Doubling Funding for NASA
    • HR 6079#2 The Repeal of Obamacare Act
    • S 3250#3 The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act
    • S 3412#4 The Middle Class Tax Cut Act
    • HR 2673#5 The Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Royalty Giveaway Repeal and Deficit Reduction Act
    • HR 2672#6 The Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act
    • S 3609#7 The Internet Radio Fairness Act
    • HR 2674#8 The 340B Program Improvement Act
    • HRes 672#9 US energy, environmental, and foreign policies should reflect issues related to climate change.
    • HR 6388#10 The Strengthening the Horse Protection Act
    • S 1549#11 The American Jobs Act
    • HR 6411#12 The Inclusive Prosperity Act
    • HR 3553#13 The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act
    • HR 2979#14 The Natural Disaster Emergency Mortgage Relief Act
    • HR 358#15 The Protect Life Act
    • HR 6480#16 The Internet Radio Fairness Act
    • Budget#17 Sequestration
    • HR 2449#18 The Fresh Start Act
    • HR 2475#19 To authorize a project for hurricane and storm damage reduction at Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
    • HR 2258#20 The National Hurricane Research Initiative Act

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  12. PRESS CLIP: Startup POPVOX could double as case study for LaunchTN tech-venture push

    by kentai on November 1, 2012

    Startup POPVOX could double as case study for LaunchTN tech-venture push on Venture Nashville Connections

  13. Issue Spotlight: Weather

    by rachna on October 30, 2012

    For those of you in Hurricane Sandy's path, we hope you and your families are safe and dry. While the federal government remains closed, those of us in the nation's capital have the hurricane and its aftermath on our minds. To that end, the POPVOX team pulled together the proposed legislation related to natural disasters, weather, preparedness and recovery.

    Issue Spotlight: Weather and Natural Disasters

      Preparedness

    • HRes 672 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the energy, environmental, and foreign policies of the United States should reflect appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to climate change, as documented by credible scientific findings and as evidenced by the extreme weather events of recent years.
    • HR 2258 The National Hurricane Research Initiative Act: To establish the National Hurricane Research Initiative to improve hurricane preparedness. (And S 692).
    • HR 2629 The Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act: To amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to modify the 9-1-1, E9-1-1, and Next Generation 9-1-1 program.
    • HR 1128 The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Preparedness Planning Act: To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a competitive program to make emergency preparedness planning and implementation grants to local educational agencies and districts located in areas under a high threat of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or public health emergencies.
    • HR 81 The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act: To promote and encourage the valuable public service, disaster relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer basis by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service, by undertaking a study of the uses of amateur radio for emergency and disaster relief communications, by identifying unnecessary or unreasonable impediments to the deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and disaster relief communications, and by making recommendations for relief of such unreasonable restrictions so as to expand the uses of amateur radio communications in Homeland Security planning and response.
    • HR 5620 To authorize the Secretary of Defense to provide funding assistance to State training centers certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as capable of providing emergency response training.
    • HR 6301 To provide that the US Postal Service shall maintain the number of officers and employees necessary to meet its homeland security and natural disaster assistance responsibilities.

      • FEMA and Emergency Management

    • HR 5807 The FEMA Regional Office Oversight Act: To require an audit of the extent to which regional FEMA offices are able to support coordinated and integrated Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities to respond to an act of terrorism or other incident.
    • HR 3058 The FEMA Flexibility Act: To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to permit a class deviation to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to support domestic emergency operations.
    • S 1118 The FEMA Common Sense and Cost Effectiveness Act: to authorize the construction and maintenance of levees on property acquired under hazard mitigation grant programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
    • S 1418 The Emergency Management Assistance Compact Act: to authorize appropriations for grants to the States participating in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
    • S 3320 To authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to waive the 30-day waiting period for flood insurance policies purchased for private properties affected by wildfire on Federal lands. (And HR 6017).

      • Relief and Reconstruction After Disasters

    • S 3601 The Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act: To provide tax relief with respect to the Hurricane Isaac disaster area.
    • HR 2067 The Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit against tax for hurricane and tornado mitigation expenditures.
    • HR 2979 The Natural Disaster Emergency Mortgage Relief Act: To defer mortgage payment due dates and to prohibit creditors from imposing late fees, increasing interest rates, or submitting adverse credit information with regard to the account of a mortgage holder whose principal residence has been severely impacted by a natural disaster for up to a 90-day period following issuance of a disaster declared by the Presidential for the area in which the mortgage holder’s principal residence is located.
    • S 129 The Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act: To provide for full and open competition for Federal contracts related to natural disaster reconstruction efforts.
    • S 1389 To exempt any road, highway, or bridge damaged by a natural disaster, including a flood, from duplicative environmental reviews if the road, highway, or bridge is reconstructed in the same location.
    • HR 6542 To improve assistance after a hurricane or major disaster.
    • HR 2474 To authorize a project for hurricane and storm damage reduction at West Onslow Beach and New River Inlet (Topsail Beach), North Carolina.
    • HR 2475 To authorize a project for hurricane and storm damage reduction at Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  14. How FEMA Disaster Assistance Works

    by marci on October 30, 2012

    When disaster strikes, the most important and immediate concern is rescue. For the hours and days following a tragic event, emergency responders race against the clock and the odds to preserve and protect human life.

    As days pass, rescue becomes response, which leads to rebuilding -- assisting those who have been displaced or whose homes have been damaged -- with considerable involvement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

    Here is an overview on the types of assistance available through FEMA:

    The Disaster Declaration

    In 1988, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act established a process to allow states and local governments to request assistance from the federal government when they determine that a disaster is beyond the response capabilities of the state or local government. A governor must request a disaster declaration from the President, which makes federal assistance available and assigns a disaster number to the event. (See recent disaster declarations.)

    Types of Assistance

    Three types of federal assistance are available:

    1. Individual assiistance for homeowners and renters - grants through FEMA and low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration.
    2. Public assistance - reimbursement to public and nonprofit organizations for emergency services and damaged public facilities or infrastructure.
    3. Hazard Mitigation - funding to prevent or lessen the effect of future disasters

    Individual Assistance

    Some housing assistance is available (must apply for SBA loan assistance first)

    1. Temporary housing vouchers - to help people find temporary safe housing
    2. Repair assistance - grants to get home safe, sanitary, functional
    3. Replacement (rare grant to help replace damaged home)
    4. Permanent or semi-permanent construction (very unusual - only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA/EPR where no other type of housing is possible.)

    Most housing assistance comes through low-interest SBA loans (See: disaster loan fact sheet.)

    **The first step for individual assistance is to fill out an Electronic Loan Application (ELA).

    1. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - grants for necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster, including medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage. (Usually requires that homeowner applies for SBA loan first.)

    Public Assistance

    FEMA provides partial reimbursement (usually 75%) to public and nonprofit entities to cover 

    1. Debris removal costs related to the disaster
    2. Emergency protective measures
    3. Repairing roads and bridges
    4. Putting water systems and utilities back in order
    5. Repairing buildings and equipment
    6. Repairing utilities
    7. Restoring damaged parks and recreational facilities.

    The 25% match can come from state, local, and in-kind contributions (which is why cities and states document donations and volunteer efforts.)

    Hazard Mitigation

    An amount equivalent to 7.5% of each disaster's estimated total cost available for acquisition and demolition, relocation, elevation, or floodproofing of flood damaged or floodprone properties.

    For more information, see: A Guide to The Disaster Declaration Process

  15. Weekly Bill Round Up: Oct. 26

    by rachna on October 26, 2012

    See which bills, resolutions and treaties were the most popular among POPVOX users in our weekly round-up. Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week

    • NASA#1 Doubling Funding for NASA
    • HR 6079#2 The Repeal of Obamacare Act
    • HR 3553#3 The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act
    • S 3412#4 The Middle Class Tax Cut Act
    • HR 6388#5 Stengthening the Horse Protection Act
    • HR 1487#6 The Poison-Free Poultry Act
    • HR 6509#7 The Reducing food-based Inorganic and Organic Compounds Exposure Act
    • S 1955#8 Authorizing interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk for human consumption.
    • S 3525#9 The Sportsmen's Act
    • HR 3984#10 The Arsenic Prevention and Protection from Lead Exposure in Juice (APPLE Juice) Act
    • SRes 556#11 Suspending foreign assistance to Libya and Egypt until the President certifies that both governments are providing proper security at US embassies and consulates.
    • S 1549#12 The American Jobs Act
    • HR 6511#13 Requiring investigations into the Sept. 2012 attacks on US missions in Libya, Egypt and Yemen.
    • HR 2673#14 The Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Royalty Giveaway Repeal and Deficit Reduction Act
    • HR 2672#15 The Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act
    • S 3551#16 Requiring investigations into the Sept. 2012 attacks on US missions in Libya, Egypt and Yemen.
    • Budget#17 Sequestration
    • HR 5542#18 The Bring Jobs Home Act
    • HR 1672#19 The Brewers Excise and Economic Relief (BEER) Act
    • S 3609#20 The Internet Radio Fairness Act

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  16. Foreign Policy and the Presidential Debate

    by rachna on October 22, 2012

    Whether you watched the Presidential debate on Monday night, or need a recap, the POPVOX team has put together a list of bills related to the topics the candidates discussed. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills and send a message to Congress on POPVOX!

    Issue Spotlight: Foreign Policy and the Presidential Debate

    The debate included approximately 15-minute segments on a range of foreign policy topics. The moderator, Bob Schieffer of CBS News, gave each candidate initially two minutes to respond to each topic, and then opened it up to discussion. The list below is sorted by the topics chosen by Mr. Schieffer.

    America's role in the world

    • HR 5865 The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act to promote the growth and competitiveness of American manufacturing.
    • HR 1749 The Reciprocal Market Access Act to enhance reciprocal market access for United States domestic producers in the negotiating process of bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements.
    • HR 6303 The Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy Act to establish the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy.
    • HCRes 124 Expressing the sense of the Congress that President Obama’s delays in implementing a clear mission for the American space program represent a clear threat to American exceptionalism
    • S 3477 The Women, Peace, and Security Act to ensure that the United States promotes women’s meaningful inclusion and participation in mediation and negotiation processes undertaken in order to prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict and implements the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.
    • HR 1532 The Race to the Top Act To provide incentives for States and local educational agencies to implement comprehensive reforms and innovative strategies that are designed to lead to significant improvement in outcomes for all students and significant reductions in achievement gaps among subgroups of students.
    • HR 3012 The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act To eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants.

    Our longest war - Afghanistan and Pakistan

    • HR 6391 The Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act to terminate the designation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally.
    • HR 5734 To provide compensation for the deadly acts by elements of the Pakistani military and intelligence services against US citizens
    • HR 1530 To establish the Afghanistan-Pakistan Study Group
    • HR 5787 The Congressional Oversight of Afghanistan Agreements Act to provide for congressional oversight of United States agreements with the Government of Afghanistan.
    • HR 5735 Provides for the establishment of a Tomb of Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of cremated fragments of the remains of members of the Armed Forces killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or a subsequent conflict when the fragments are unidentifiable by use of DNA testing or other means because of the condition of the fragments, are unclaimed, or are identified and authorized by the person designated to direct disposition of the remains for interment in such memorial.
    • S 3235 The Hire at Home Act (and HR 4115): requires, as a condition on the receipt by a State of certain funds for veterans employment and training, that the State ensures that training received by a veteran while on active duty is taken into consideration in granting certain State certifications or licenses.
    • S 3505 The Afghanistan Contractor Accountability Act to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars in construction-related contracts for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan by requiring reporting to Congress by Federal agencies that refuse to implement, or only partially concur with, SIGAR recommendations to seek reimbursement for failure by a contractor or subcontractor to successfully complete a contract due to poor contractor performance, cost overruns, or other reasons.
    • SRes 159 honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden.
    • S 3429 The Veterans Jobs Corps Act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans jobs corps.
    • HR 2826 The Combat Veterans Back to Work Act To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption from employer social security taxes with respect to service members and veterans, and to provide a business credit for the retention of such individuals for at least 1 year.

    Red lines: Israel and Iran

    • HRes 630 Expresses support for Israel and its right to self-defense against the illegal nuclear program by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
    • HR 4173 The Prevent Iran From Acquiring Nuclear Weapons Through Diplomacy Act directs the President of the United States to appoint a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of ensuring that the United States pursues all diplomatic avenues to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to avoid a war with Iran.
    • HR 4485 The Credible Military Option to Counter Iran Act furthers the preparedness of the United States Armed Forces, in cooperation with regional allies, to prevent the Government of Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
    • HR 4179 The Iran Financial Sanctions Improvement Act strengthens the multilateral sanctions regime with respect to Iran, to expand sanctions relating to the energy sector of Iran, the proliferation of weapons of mass
    • HR 3783 The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act provides for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s growing hostile presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.
    • SRes 574 Calls on the United Nations to take concerted actions against leaders in Iran for their statements calling for the destruction of another United Nations Member State, Israel.
    • SCRes 23 (and HRes 271) expresses support for the State of Israel’s right to defend Israeli sovereignty, to protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within reasonable time to protect against such an immediate and existential threat to the State of Israel.
    • S 1595 The Solidarity with Israel Act prohibits funding for the United Nations in the event the United Nations grants Palestine a change in status from a permanent observer entity before a comprehensive peace agreement has been reached with Israel.
    • HR 4133 The United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act To express the sense of Congress regarding the United States-Israel strategic relationship, to direct the President to submit to Congress reports on United States actions to enhance this relationship and to assist in the defense of Israel.

    The changing Middle East

    • HR 5993 The Syria Non-Intervention Act to prohibit the use of funds available to the Department of Defense or an element of the intelligence community for the purpose or which would have the effect of supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Syria by any nation, group, organization, movement, or individual.
    • HR 2106 The Syria Freedom Support Act To strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria’s threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria.
    • HRes 687 Calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be tried before the International Criminal Court for committing crimes against humanity.
    • HR 2237 The Syria Freedom Support Act To promote the strengthening of the private sector in Egypt and Tunisia.
    • S 2034 The Syrian Human Rights Accountability Act to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuses committed against the people of Syria.
    • S 3551 (and HR 6511) requires investigations into and a report on the September 11-13, 2012, attacks on the United States missions in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen.
    • HRes 783 Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the attacks on United States diplomats in Libya and Egypt.
    • SRes 556  Expresses the sense of the Senate that foreign assistance funding to the Governments of Libya and Egypt should be suspended until the President certifies to Congress that both governments are providing proper security at United States embassies and consulates pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
    • SRes 372 Recognizing the importance of the United States-Egypt relationship, and urging the Government of Egypt to protect civil liberties and cease intimidation and prosecution of civil society workers and democracy activists.

    New face of terrorism

    The rise of China and tomorrow's world

    • S 3449 The China Fair Trade Act: prohibits purchases by the Federal Government of Chinese goods and services until the People’s Republic of China becomes a party to the Agreement on Government Procurement.
    • HRes 356 Urges the European Union and its member states to maintain the arms embargo against the People’s Republic of China.
    • HR 2909 The Emergency China Trade Act withdraws normal trade relations treatment from the products of the People’s Republic of China, to provide for a balanced trade relationship between that country and the United States.
    • HR 6313 (and HRes 352) promotes peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and its environs and other maritime areas adjacent to the East Asian mainland.
    • S 1619 The China Currency Bill provides or identification of misaligned currency, require action to correct the misalignment.
    • HR 3375 To direct the President to impose duties on merchandise from the People’s Republic of China in an amount equivalent to the estimated annual loss of revenue to holders of United States intellectual property rights as a result of violations of such intellectual property rights in China.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  17. POPVOX Tweets the Foreign Policy Debate

    by marci on October 22, 2012

  18. Issue Spotlight: Space

    by rachna on October 21, 2012

    In honor of Felix Baumgartner's historic skyjump, which grabbed the nation's attention earlier this month, we wanted to pull together proposals related to NASA and space exploration.

    Issue Spotlight: Space

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

  19. Weekly Bill Round Up: Oct. 18

    by rachna on October 20, 2012

    See which bills, resolutions and treaties were the most popular among POPVOX users in our weekly round-up. Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week

    • S 3525#1 The Sportsmen's Act
    • NASA#2 Doubling Funding for NASA
    • HR 6079#3 The Repeal of Obamacare Act
    • HR 6388#4 Strengthening the Horse Protection Act
    • HR 4089#5 The Sportsmen's Heritage Act
    • HR 4183#6 The Weekend Voting Act
    • S 1549#7 The American Jobs Act
    • S 3412#8 The Middle Class Tax Cut Act
    • HR 6530#9 The Global Free Internet Act
    • HR 2673#10 The Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Royalty Giveaway Repeal and Deficit Reduction Act
    • HR 2672#11 The Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act
    • SRes 446#12 Expressing that the UN should not be allowed to exercise control over the Internet.
    • HR 2606#13 The New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act
    • HR 3032#14 The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act
    • S 3609#15 The Internet Radio Fairness Act
    • Budget#16 Sequestration
    • HR 2306#17 The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act
    • HR 2674#18 The 340B Program Improvement Act
    • S 2547#19 The Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act
    • HRes 762#20 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding community-based civil defense and power generation.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  20. Issue Spotlight: Food and Beverages

    by rachna on October 19, 2012

    While working at a coffee shop in Washington, DC, I asked our interns, Ken and Peter, if they wanted another coffee. It then occurred to Peter that perhaps there are bills in Congress that could affect what we eat or drink. So we decided to spotlight a few of these bills. We hope you'll weigh in on POPVOX and link to this list to share with others.

    Issue Spotlight: Food and Beverages

    • HR 3362 The Amtrak Food and Beverage Service Savings Act: limits the manner in which Amtrak is authorized to provide food and beverage service.
    • HR 3553 The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act: amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to require that food that contains a genetically engineered material, or that is produced with a genetically engineered material, be labeled accordingly.
    • HR 6509 The RICE Act: establishes limitations on the quantity of total arsenic in rice and rice products under chapter IV of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
    • HR 3984 The APPLE Juice Act: limits the quantity of arsenic and lead in beverages containing fruit juice pursuant to tolerances under section 406 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
    • HR 4346 The REAL Beef Act: amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act so that labels on packages of meat include a statement on whether the meat contains lean finely textured beef.
    • HR 1487 The Poison-Free Poultry Act: amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban the use of the arsenic compound known as roxarsone as a food additive.
    • HR 1722 The Eat Local Foods Act: amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a local food credit.
    • HR 1675 The BEER (Brewers Excise and Economic Relief) Act (also S 1111): amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the tax on beer to its pre-1991 level.
    • HR 6531 The Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act: amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and to provide resources for State pollution prevention and recycling programs.
    • S 1955 Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and to provide resources for State pollution prevention and recycling programs.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

     

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

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