WASHINGTON, July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of July 14, 2008.

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The WashingtonWatch.com blog will tie the bills in Congress to the day's headlines, discuss the bills being debated on the House and Senate floor, and reveal some hidden stories.

Featured Items

This week, the Senate will consider S. 2731, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008.

The bill would authorize spending for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. It was mentioned in our recent blog post on the passing of Senator Jesse Helms.

Passage of S. 2731, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, would cost the average U.S. family just about $300.

S. 2731

The Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of2008

Costs $299.75 per family

What People Think: 45% For, 55% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2731.html

Among other things, the House will debate H.R. 3999, the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2007. The bill would increase spending on the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System and it seeks to improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges and strengthen bridge inspection standards.

Passage of H.R. 3999, the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2007, would cost the average U.S. family a little under $20.

H.R. 3999

The National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2007

Costs $17.37 per family

What People Think: 38% For, 62% Against

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3999.html

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

H.R. 5057

The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008

Costs $13.08 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5057.html

S. 1499

The Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007

Costs $91.75 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_1499.html

H.R. 3329

The Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

Costs $15.16 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_3329.html

S. 3230

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009

Costs $6,123.96 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_3230.html

S. 2120

The Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act of 2007

Costs $6.57 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2120.html

Updated Items

H.R. 6331

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

Costs $25.10 per family

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6331.html

Passed Items

P.L. 110-261

The FISA Amendments Act of 2008

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_PL_110-261.html