On Wednesday July 10, 1996 the U.S. House of Representatives
passed HR 3754, with the language permitting the Librarian of
Congress to transfer funds from the Books for the Blind program
still intact.
Congressmen Cox and Packard of California engaged in a
colloquy on the House floor to help provide legislative history
which could reduce the likelihood of such a move by the Librarian
of Congress. However, Section 208, which allows transfer of funds
between programs, still retains Books for the Blind in the list of
programs between which transfers can occur.
HR 3754 now goes to the Senate Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch, chaired by Senator Connie Mack. Markup of the bill by the
subcommittee is scheduled July 16, with the bill going to the full
Senate Appropriations Committee the next day, July 17.
There is significant opposition to the language in the bill,
with opponents contacting their senators and urging them to remove
Books for the Blind from the list of programs between which funds
can be transferred. There will be a move to amend the bill in the
subcommittee, full committee, or if necessary, on the floor of the
House.
Language which will likely be used in an amendment is:
"Prohibit the Librarian of Congress from transferring funds in a
way which would reduce the appropriations for Books for the Blind."
Please pass this information on to all concerned parties.
David Andrews
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