Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (H.R. 3043) was a bill in the 110th Congress "making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes." (Official title.)



Current status




House consideration
On July 11, the House Committee on Appropriations approved the bill by voice vote. The bill was expected to meet opposition from conservatives, as it exceeded the White House's spending request by about $10.6 billion. President Bush previously threatened to veto any appropriations bill that went beyond his spending requests.






 * An amendment "to prohibit use of funds in the bill by the NLRB to recognize as the exclusive bargaining representative of employees any labor organization that has not been certified as such by the NLRB."




 * An amendment "to add a new section prohibiting use of funds to implement any policy prohibiting a Medicare beneficiary from electing during a coverage election period, to receive health care benefits under title XVIII of such Act through enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan."






 * An amendment that would have prohibited the use of funds in the bill for Planned Parenthood.





Later that day, the bill (H.R.3043) passed the House by a vote of 276-140.



Senate consideration
In the Senate, Sen. David Vitter proposed an amenmdent that would "prohibit the provision of funds to grantees who perform abortions." The amendment was rejected by a vote of 41-52 on October 18, 2007.





A few days later, on October 23, 2007 the Senate passed its version of the bill by a vote of 75 to 19.



Veto and attempted override
After lengthy negotiations, the House and Senate passed a final version of the bill in November 2007. President Bush vetoed the measure on November 13. The House attempted to override the veto on November 15, 2007 but failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority.



Supporters

 * Association for Career and Technical Education
 * Learning Disabilities Association of America
 * National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
 * National School Boards Association
 * Student Aid Alliance