[StBernard] Washington Report from Congressman Richard H. Baker

[Westley Annis]

February 10, 2006

Thank you for signing up for Congressman Baker's newsletter. Below are issue
updates that you may find interesting. As always, please visit his website
at http://www.baker.house.gov <http://www.baker.house.gov/>  for the most
up-to-date news and information on what Congressman Baker is working on in
the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana.

Important Information about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Filing Your 2005
Taxes

On September 23, 2005 President Bush signed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief
Act of 2005. Many Louisianans are eligible for tax relief measures intended
to aid affected individuals and businesses. Click here
<http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html>  to find out how
these provisions may be useful to you when filing your 2005 federal tax
return. 

Veterans Affairs Budget for Fiscal Year 2007

This past week, the House Veterans Affairs Committee held an oversight
hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget request for fiscal
year 2007. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson, detailed the
Administration's $80.6 billion request, the largest dollar increase in
discretionary funding for VA ever requested by a President. 
Congressman Baker considers this budget a good first step, but has concerns
with some items in the request. As it did last year, the Administration
proposed that veterans who do not have service-connected disabilities,
special disabilities such as blindness, or lower incomes, pay a $250 annual
enrollment fee and higher prescription drug co-pays. Congress did not
support these fees and co-pay increases last year. In the current budget
request, the Administration accounts for approximately $800 million in
funding. Excluding the one-time enrollment fee and co-pay increases, VA
would still see a nearly 4% increase over 2006 funding levels. The
Administration's 2007 budget request for the VA includes: 
*	$36 billion for medical care; a 12.2 percent increase from 2006 
*	$42 billion in mandatory funding to support benefit program; a 14.5
percent increase over the enacted level for 2006 
*	$3.2 billion in mental health services; $339 million above the 2006
funding level.

Congress has an obligation, established in law, to compensate and care for
those who bear the burdens of war and of military service. As Congress
continues its work on the 2007 budget, the House Veterans Affairs Committee
must move toward the fulfillment of that obligation. 

House of Representatives Honor Catholic Schools

Catholic schools play a pivotal role in educating the youth of south
Louisiana. This week, the House passed H.Res. 657, legislation Congressman
Baker cosponsored, which honors the contributions of America's Catholic
schools. H.Res. 657 recognizes Catholic schools, students, parents, and
teachers for their ongoing contributions to education. According to the
National Catholic Educational Association total Catholic school student
enrollment for the 2004-2005 academic year in the United States was 2.4
million. Catholic school education goes beyond the scholastic and also
emphasizes the moral, physical and social values of our nation's youth. This
resolution congratulates Catholic schools for their contributions to
education and for the key role they play in helping ensure a brighter,
stronger future for our country. 

Planning a Trip to DC?

Please contact Rep. Baker's Washington DC office (202-225-3901) now to
request a White House tour for Spring and Summer 2006. These tours fill up
quickly, so it is best to request them at least 6 months in advance. Click
here <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/tours.cfm>  for more infomation on
tours and activities available in the Washington, DC area.