WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., has introduced legislation (H.R. 6720) to prohibit the slaugher of dogs and cats for human consumption. The bill was introduced on Sept. 6 and has eight co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., Dave Brat, R-Va., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Dina Titus, D-Nev., Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., Ted Lieu, D-Calif., Daniel M. Donovan, R-N.Y., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. The legislation was referred to the House Agriculture Committee. F  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., has introduced legislation (H.R. 6711) to "provide an allowance to offices of Members of the House of Representatives which shall be available for the compensation of interns." The bill was introduced on Sept. 5 and has 21 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Robert C. Scott, D-Va., Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Don S. Beyer, D-Va., Judy Chu, D-Calif., Denny Heck, D-Wash., Betty Mc  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has introduced legislation (S. 3408) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 "to direct the Secretary of Education to award grants for teaching English learners to institutions of higher education." The bill was introduced on Sept. 5 and has eight co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Kamala D. Harris, D  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., has introduced legislation (S. 3412) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 "to extend the employer credit for paid family and medical leave." The bill was introduced on Sept. 6 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, and Dean Heller, R-Nev. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. For more information, Sen. Deb Fischer, 454 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-6551; or in the state at 440 N  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has introduced legislation (S. 3409) to "allow veterans to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana and to discuss the use of medical marijuana with a physician of the Department of Veterans Affairs as authorized by State law." The bill was introduced on Sept. 5 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. For more information, Sen. Bill Nelson, 716 Senate Hart Office Building, Washi  more