[StBernard] Washington Report from Rep. Richard H. Baker

[Westley Annis]

February 16, 2007

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.

Congressman Baker’s Website Awarded the Bronze Mouse 

The Congressional Research Management Foundation, a non-profit research and consulting organization named Cong. Baker’s website as one of the best in Congress.  615 websites were evaluated on how well they incorporate key areas of effectiveness: audience, content, usability, interactivity, and innovation. Congressman Baker considers constituent service to be his top priority and he has strived to create a responsive and user-friendly site that addresses constituents’ questions and concerns.  Please click here <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=628>  to learn more.   

Congressman Baker Ranked 20th Most Conservative Member of the House for 2006 

In rankings released today, the non-partisan Capitol Hill magazine National Journal places Rep. Richard H. Baker, R-Baton Rouge, as the 20th most conservative member of the House, based on a review of the overall legislative voting record of 429 members for 2006.  Rep. Baker’s 89.2 percent “overall conservative” ranking, from comparative composite voting records on key economic, social, and foreign policy issues, places him atop the conservative list among Louisiana ’s House delegation.  The composite score consisted of individual issue area results in which Baker ranked more conservative than 89 percent of fellow House members on economic issues, 79 percent on social issues, and 94 percent on foreign policy issues.  To view all the rankings, click here <http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings> .   

Thanks to the Troops 

As Congress continues to debate our policies in Iraq , we should not forget the service of thousands of men and women who voluntarily serve our country.  The Department of Defense has an “America Supports You” website <http://americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx>  that allows you to send a free message of support or learn how you can assist our soldiers. Click on the link above for more information.   

Summer Internships Available in Congressman Baker’s Washington Office 

Every summer college students from across the nation come to Congress to learn more about the processes and functions of the legislative branch of the federal government.  Congressman Baker’s office has internship opportunities available to Louisiana college students who would like learn more about their government.  For more detailed information please visit the website by clicking here <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/internships.cfm> .  The deadline for summer applications has been extended to March 15th.  Completed applications should be faxed to 202-225-7313.  For additional information please contact Lynn Kirk at 202-225-3901.   

Congressman Baker Continues to Advocate for Veterans Programs 

In continuing his support to the men and women who have served our country in the military, Congressman Baker supported increased funding for veterans’ programs this week.  Since President Bush released his 2008 budget requests in early February, Congressman Baker has worked with his colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee to ensure that funding levels for veterans’ programs reflect our priorities: to provide increased access and top quality medical care to our veterans; to ensure a seamless transition from active military service to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and to provide veterans with every opportunity to live healthy, active lives.    

With support from Congressman Baker, Veterans Committee Republicans submitted their views and estimates regarding the 2008 budget, which will be discussed at committee hearings later this month.  These estimates include recommended funding for veterans’ programs totaling $2.91 billion above the Bush administration’s overall fiscal year 2008 request.  Of this amount, $1.41 billion would be for discretionary spending on veterans’ programs and $1.5 billion would fund new mandatory spending on a legislative proposal to improve GI Bill education and training for members of the National Guard and Reserves.  

Important Change to Daylight Savings 

With the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L 109-58), Daylight Savings Time (DST) will change March 11, 2007, and end November 4, 2007. This change will extend the DST time period by roughly three weeks.  Currently, DST is observed in the United States from 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in April until 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. The following states and territories do not observe DST: Arizona , Hawaii , American Samoa , Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands .