The US House of Representatives Administration Committee recently voted 4-3 to approve the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 (H.R. 4844), a bill that would require anyone registering to vote to show proof of U.S. citizenship.  Prior to passage, the committee adopted a substitute amendment to extend the deadlines by which such proof is required.  The bill was sponsored by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL).  

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President Bush signed into law a partition of 700 miles extending between the United States and Mexico .  The decision comes during a critical time for midterm elections; many Republican lawmakers have pushed for more stringent immigration reform, which included the fence.  The fence bill is the only immigration legislation to pass this year.   

The New York Times reports that the $1.2 billion that Congress previously approved is insufficient to build the full 700 miles of proposed double-layered fence.  A 14-mile fence currently under construction by San Diego is estimated to cost $126.5 million.  

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H.R.889 : To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2006, to make technical corrections to various laws administered by the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Young, Don [AK] (introduced 2/17/2005)      
Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Homeland Security; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
House Reports: 109-204 Part 1; Latest Conference Report: 109-413 (in Congressional Record H1640-1664)
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-241  

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H.R.4954 : To improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [CA-3] (introduced 3/14/2006) 
Committees: House Homeland Security; House Transportation and Infrastructure
House Reports: 109-447 Part 1; Latest Conference Report: 109-711 (in Congressional Record H8540-8569)
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-347  

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H.R.5122 : To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52]
Committees: House Armed Services
House Reports: 109-452; Latest Conference Report: 109-702 (in Congressional Record H8061-8540)
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-364  

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H.R.5948 : To reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004.
Sponsor: Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 7/27/2006) Committees: House International Relations; House Judiciary; House Financial Services
Latest Major Action: 10/18/2006 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.  

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H.R.6012 : To amend title 5, United States Code, to increase the maximum age for the original appointment of a retired member of the Armed Forces to a border patrol agent position, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Pearce, Stevan [NM-2] (introduced 7/28/2006)      
Committees: House Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 7/28/2006 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.  

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H.R.6015 : To enhance border security through the use of temporary support personnel, expansion of Border Patrol agent training, increased hiring authority, support for local law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Mike D. ( AL ) [AL-3] (introduced 7/28/2006)      
Committees: House Homeland Security
Latest Major Action: 7/28/2006 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.  

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S.2611 : A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 4/7/2006)      
Latest Major Action: 5/25/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 62 - 36. Record Vote Number: 157