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Source: U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick (N.C.-9), 5/18/12
Two important pieces of legislation were passed this week in the House.
The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization provides federal funding for programs and organizations that help assist women who are victims of domestic abuse, stalking and sexual assault. The bill reauthorizes VAWA for five years and makes critical reforms to funding streams for grant programs to ensure the effective and responsible use of resources.
Also passed was the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization, which provides pay, funding and authorities for our men and women in uniform, and is the primary way by which Congress provides for the common defense.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce marked-up two bills aimed at reducing gast prices for the American people. The Gasoline Regulations Act would ensure that certain costly EPA regulations impacting transportation fuels are not finalized before the cumulative costs of these rules are fully understood. The Strategic Energy Production Act would require that any future drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve be coupled with a plan to expand American energy production.
Truth in Tuition
In 2008, The Higher Education Opportunity Act was signed into law, addressing the rising costs of higher education. Within this bill was an amendment introduced by Reps. Myrick and Patrick Murphy (D-PA), which introduced the "Net Price Calculator". The idea behind this tool was helping students and families plan for the cost of college by requiring that institutions of higher learning provide information on their website about current and past costs.
As reported last week by NPR, the "Net Price Calculator" has become a reality. All colleges are now required to have it on their websites, and it will show families the "sticker price" for the school, as well as available scholarships and grants.
"It's time to be straight with American families about how much a college education is going to cost," Rep. Myrick said. "'The Net Price Calculator' gives students and their families time to plan financially, especially in our current economy".
Education Benefits for Troops
Starting May 15, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor will launch the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) – a program to provide unemployed veterans with up to 12 months of education benefits. The VRAP is a provision of the Veterans Opportunity To Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act, which passed in the House last year. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress. Please let us know if we can ever be of assistance to you and your family.
Sincerely,
The Office of US Rep. Sue Myrick
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