Find Out What Congress Is Voting On This Week!

At the beginning of each week, we present three real bills on the schedule for a vote, so you can tell your reps whether they should say 'yea' or 'nay.' We know, Congress voting on things? Shock!

So, before your representative or senators vote on bills, in your name, we're going to quickly tell you about what's in them and give you a chance to weigh in.

VOTE 1 - The $619 Billion Plan for Defense Spending in FY2017

This bill would authorize federal spending on national defense programs for fiscal year 2017. It proposes $619 billion in spending, $543 billion of which would go toward the Dept. of Defense’s (DOD) base budget. $59 billion would be set aside to fund Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and overseas bases — about $18 billion more than the president requested in his budget.

Read more about the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, and tell your rep how to vote, here.

VOTE 2 - Does the DOD Need to Tell Combat-Injured Vets That Too Much Tax Was Withheld From Their Severance Pay?

This bill would direct the Dept. of Defense (DOD) to identify severance payments made to combat-injured veterans since January 17, 1991 where taxes were withheld and notify veterans who had taxes improperly withheld so they can recover those funds. Combat-injured veterans would have up to one year after they’re notified about the improper withholding and given instructions for recovering the money to file paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a credit or refund.

Read more about the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 and tell your rep how to vote, here.

VOTE 3 - Does the National Park Service Need More Private Donations?

This bill would establish funds and endowments aimed at raising money for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service (NPS) while enacting reforms to improve the NPS for its second century of operation. The “Centennial Challenge Fund” would be modified to match every dollar of private donations with federal funds that would be used for major projects and programs to enhance the NPS.

Read more about the National Park Service Centennial Act and tell your rep how to vote, here.

Want to see Congress' full schedule for the week? Check it out here.

— Eric Revell