U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, has been tapped to serve as the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, for the 110th Congress.English, who has been a member of the full committee since his freshman term, received the appointment this week during a House Ways and Means Caucus meeting."I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan fashion and hope to achieve mutual goals to help advance a tax agenda that promotes savings, investment and job creation for the American people,"he said of his appointment.For the 110th Congress, English will keep his seats on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare, and the Human Resources Subcommittee which governs issues such as welfare and unemployment compensation.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire on Thursday voted to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, by voting for the DeGette-Castle Stem Cell Research Enhancement ActThe House passed the measure, 253 to 174."Having worked at a large academic medical center, I know the potential this research has to develop treatments for serious medical conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury,"Altmire said. "We all know people with these conditions. A vote for this bill is a vote for them."The DeGette-Castle bill would expand the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research by lifting the restrictions on the embryonic stem cell lines which can be used for federally-funded research.However, the bill only authorizes federal research funds for stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics.The DeGette-Castle bill also creates a strict ethical framework that must be followed for this research.In 2005, the same bill passed the House; it was also approved last year in the U.S. Senate but was vetoed by President Bush.The bill now moves to the Senate where it is expected to pass. Bush, however, is again expected to veto it.———The U.S. House of Representatives this week approved raising the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 over two years.U.S. Reps.

Phil English, R-3rd, and

Jason Altmire, D-4th, voted for the bill, which passed in a 315 to 116 vote."It has been nearly 10 years since Americans earning the minimum wage have been given a pay raise," said English, an original sponsor of the 1996 Quinn-Riggs-English amendment to raise the federal minimum wage to today's rate of $5.15."I believe the minimum wage hike is an issue that has been long overlooked and am pleased the House acted on behalf of American workers today."But during Wednesday's House debate, English expressed concerns regarding the measures impact on American small businesses and Americans with disabilities.@$:———State Sen.

Don White, R-41st, recently became chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee in the state Senate.The committee reviews all legislation affecting banking and insurance issues.White also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.As he took over the helm of the Banking and Insurances Committee, White surrendered his chairmanship of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He will continue to serve as a member of the committee.White also is a member of the Community and Economic Development Committee, the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Labor and Industry Committee.———State Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, was recently reappointed to four Senate committees during the new legislative session.Robbins, who is part of the Senate leadership team as majority caucus secretary, was reappointed as vice chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.He was also reappointed to four other Senate Committees: Banking and Insurance; Game and Fisheries; Local Government; and Rules and Executive Nominations.As the Senate majority caucus secretary, Robbins handles all executive nominations submitted to the Senate for approval.