NEWS and HOW YOU CAN HELP - A Call To Action: Help Solidify the Additional Funding for the HPA

I found out this information today.  As we already know, the Senate did approve the additional funding for HPA enforcement for 2012.  However, the minibus bill is now being decided by a Joint Conference Committee.  Unfortunately, Hal Rogers, the elected official who is all for keeping the HPA as is, is the chairman of the committee.  They could see such a small amount of $499,000 in HPA enforcement as a bargaining tool in negotiations, and I imagine Rogers will probably want to get rid of it.  So, this means it is now or never for the funding.  EVERYONE needs to write their legislators AND the committee members requesting no cut in the funding approved by the Senate.

Here are the names, phone numbers, and emails of those who sit on the Joint Conference Committee.  Please write to or call ALL of them and let them know we need to see the HPA more appropriately enforced.  If the email link requires you to put in a zip code from that rep's state, then state zip codes can be googled online.  As it's best to write your own letters rather than use a pre-written piece, here are some pointers to use.  Point out that as elected officials, we require them to make sure laws are upheld, no matter how trivial they may seem.  The government has had nearly 40 years to uphold the law, but continued violations of the HPA are being recorded on a regular and alarming basis.  This is an easy law to uphold if the government will step up and do it.  Additional funding will help put those in violation in court and set and example to others to stop breaking the law.

Plus, since many of those who want to continue the system as is read this blog, be assured that they will also be writing to these people.  So feel free to spread the word and let's make sure that the law gets upheld and the TWH is saved!

Republicans:

Appropriations Full Committee Chairman Hal Rogers - 202-225-4601, email link

Rep. C.W. Bill Young, Chairman Emeritus - 202-225-5961, email link

Rep. Jerry Lewis, Chairman Emeritus - 202-225-5861, email link

Rep. Frank R. Wolf, CJS Subcommittee Chairman - 202-225-5136, email link

Rep. Jack Kingston, Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman - 202-225-5831, email link

Rep. Tom Latham, THUD Subcommittee Chairman - 202-225-5476, email link

Rep. Robert B. Aderholt - 202-225-4876, email link

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson - 202-225-4404, email link

Rep. John Culberson - 202-225-2571, email link

Rep. John R. Carter - 202-225-3864, email link

Rep. Jo Bonner - 202-225-4931, email link

Rep. Steven C. LaTourette - 202-225-5731, email link

Democrats:

Appropriations Ranking Member Norm Dicks - 202-225-5916, email link

Rep. Rosa DeLauro - 202-225-3661, email link

Rep. John Olver - 202-225-5335, email link

Rep. Ed Pastor - 202-225-4065, email link

Rep. David Price - 202-225-1784, email link

Rep. Sam Farr - 202-225-2861, email link

Rep. Chaka Fattah - 202-225-4001, email link

Rep. Adam Schiff - 202-225-4176, email link