U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, last week applauded passage of an energy package that seeks to boost vehicle fuel efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy.The House of Representatives on Tuesday by a vote of 314-100 sent the measure to the president's desk to be signed into law."This energy bill is a first step toward promoting conservation and reducing petroleum dependence in our economy," English said."Unfortunately, our efforts to get a stronger, market oriented energy policy, to diversify our energy use, increase supply and reduce prices was opposed by too many special interests."English noted that the House-passed bill would raise the corporate average fuel economy rating for automobiles to help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.Specifically, the measure would raise CAFE standards for all cars and light trucks: from 27.5 mph for cars and 22.2 mph for light trucks and sport utility vehicles to 35 mph by 2020. This is the first congressionally mandated increase in the CAFE standard since 1975.In addition to increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, the measure includes a renewable fuels standard that would require 36 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels to be blended with gasoline by 2022.Also, it would expand energy efficiency standards and requirements for a range of products including battery chargers, residential clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators, among others.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, praised last week's passage of his bill that ensures that members of the Armed Forces who are discharged as a result of combat-related wounds receive the full compensation to which they are entitled by the Department of Defense.Altmire introduced the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act, after the bipartisan Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors uncovered a Department of Defense rule that unfairly penalized wounded soldiers by prohibiting them from receiving their full enlistment bonuses. Since Altmire introduced the legislation in October, news reports surfaced nationwide that the military was demanding that wounded service men and women repay their bonuses because they were unable to complete their entire military obligations.The House of Representatives on Dec. 18 unanimously passed the measure, which the Senate had approved earlier in the month."This legislation will ensure that from this point forward, every combat-wounded veteran injured in Afghanistan or Iraq receives his or her full enlistment or re-enlistment bonus," Altmire said.Altmire noted that the measure would:n Guarantee that service members who die or are discharged for disabilities will not be required to repay any portion of their bonusesn Mandate that the Department of Defense provide full bonuses to any service members who die or are discharged for disabilitiesn Require that bonuses be paid within 90 days of discharge.———State Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th, is encouraging residents to seek help when considering changes in the Medicare coverage for 2008, noting that Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes to prescription drug coverage for the new year.One such counseling service is the APPRISE Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.APPRISE is a free service provided to Medicare beneficiaries, as well as their families and caregivers to help individuals select coverage that best suits their individual needs.Trained volunteer counselors are available to provide assistance. Commonly requested information often deals with Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and benefits, selection of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans, Medicare Managed Care programs, long-term care insurance as well as several other programs.APPRISE can also help individuals with various paperwork, such as filing a claim or appealing an existing one.Though changes to one's Medicare coverage can be made after the deadline, it is only permitted under certain circumstances.For more information, individuals can visit Stevenson's Web site at www.DickStevenson.com, or call APPRISE at 800-783-7067.