Fall 2000 Headlines

Mary Beth Polley
News Service Assignments - The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, MA and The Woburn Daily Times Chronicle, Woburn, MA Internship - New York Daily News

Merrimack Valley Congressmen in Budget Battle
As Congress remains locked in a struggle with the President over funding for education, labor and Medicare, New England Congressmen plan for a possible post-election session to continue the budget battle.

Senator Judd Gregg on Bush Debate Prep
As New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg (R) watched the Presidential debates Tuesday, he found Vice-President Al Gore's remarks neither new nor original. The Senator, who played Vice-President Gore last weekend in practice debates with Republican candidate George W. Bush, had heard it all before.

Environmental Bill May Bring $43.7 million to New England
New England stands to receive $43.7 million to fund a variety of water resources projects, including $500,000 to study pollution in the Merrimack River Basin, if Congress acts on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) before it adjourns.

House Members call for fuel aid
WASHINGTON - With winter approaching and oil prices skyrocketing Merrimack Valley representatives have joined with more than 70 members of Congress to push for additional fuel aid to avert an "expected energy crisis" this winter.

Northeastern Congressmen meet with Sec. Of Energy to discuss fuel crisis
Northeastern Congressmen met with Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson yesterday to discuss immediate actions the federal government can take to protect the Northeast from a "home heating oil crisis" this winter.

Lawrence receives $3 million to combat lead poisoning
WASHINGTON - The city of Lawrence is expected to receive close to $2 million to combat lead poisoning and de-lead older homes in the city from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Markey up for Committee Chairmanships
Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-7th), who is running unopposed for his 13th term, could have an embarrassment of chairmanship riches to choose from if the Democrats win enough seats in the November election to regain control of the House of Representatives.

Martin Meehan's Political Contributions
Congressman Martin T. Meehan (D-Lowell) has close to $1.7 million in his campaign coffers even though he is running unopposed for his fifth term, according to Federal Election Commission reports released last week.

Congressmen reflect on session
WASHINGTON -- Despite some continued progress on balancing the budget and paying down the national debt, Merrimack Valley Congressmen acknowledge that partisanship and election year politics have trapped the 106th Congress in a long session that has produced limited results.

National domestic violence program due to expire this weekend
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provides billions of dollars in federal funding for domestic abuse programs across the country, will expire tomorrow unless the Senate takes immediate action.

Senate must act to preserve $33 million in aid for violence against women
More than $33 million in federal funding for domestic abuse and sexual assault programs in Massachusetts could be lost if Senate does not move quickly to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).