The federal Calling for 211 Act (S. 211 and H.R. 211) is national, bipartisan legislation that’ll provide a total of $700 million over six years for the implementation and delivery of 211 phone service throughout the United States if approved. The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in January 2007.

The primary sponsor in the Senate is Hillary Clinton. There are, at present, 48 co-sponsors, including California’s two senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

The primary sponsor in the House is Anna Eshoo. There are, at present, 143 co-sponsors, including Contra Costa County’s three congressional representatives: Jerry McNerney, George Miller, and Ellen Tauscher.

Currently the legislation is in suspense because of a rule that prevents bills sponsored by presidential candidates from being heard until after the national election, regardless of whether the person is still running. Thus, bills in which Senator Clinton is the primary sponsor won’t be heard in committees until after November 4, 2008.

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