Land Shark: July 30th, 2008

You got to give it to any Senator who pulls out the Land Shark from Saturday Night Live. Here's Republican Senator from Iowa, Chuck Grassley, yesterday on the floor during the pissing match Senate Republicans and Democrats are having over the tax extenders and drilling:

"By portraying themselves as fiscal conservatives, while in reality playing the same old tax-and-spend game, the Blue Dogs remind me of the land shark character played by Chevy Chase on ``Saturday Night Live.'' This was many years ago, so maybe some of you will not remember. But we have a picture of the land shark skit with the theme from ``Jaws'' playing in the background.

The land shark knocks on a person's door. With the door still closed, the person would ask: Who is at the door?

The land shark would reply: Flower delivery.

The person answering the door then said: You are that clever shark, aren't you?

And in response, the land shark said: Candygram.

If you don't know how the skit ended, the person eventually let the land shark in the door because that person believed the land shark when the land shark said he was a dolphin. And, yes, the land shark ate that person.

The moral of the land shark story is, don't let yourself be fooled that the Blue Dogs are fiscal conservatives because they are pursuing the same old tax-and-spend Washington game. Don't let the House of Representatives Blue Dogs' insatiable appetite for spending swallow the much-needed tax relief contained in the tax extenders." Source: GPO [S7728]

Invasive Plants, Tax Credit for Commuting, Background Checks & Homeless Shelters: July 30, 2008

On the Senate side, here is a bi-partisan bill to get rid of invasive plants that are hurting the fish and wildlife in many areas of the country:

By Mr. NELSON (D-FL)(for himself, Ms. STABENOW (D-MI), Ms. COLLINS (R-ME) , Mr. CARDIN (D-MD), and Mr. MARTINEZ (R-FL)):
S. 3366. A bill to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative plant species, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Source: GPO [S7780]

A couple interesting bills in the House, the first would surely be appreciated by many working citizens, but the question is how to pay for it. The second bill deals with providing incentives to build homeless shelters. The last one makes a lot of sense to me, requiring background checks for anyone who will need a firearm.

By Mr. CAMPBELL (R-CA) (for himself, Mr. SHADEGG (R-AZ), Mr. PENCE (R-IN), Mr. FEENEY (R-FL), Mr. BROUN (R-GA), Mr. LAMBORN (R-CO), Mr. DAVIS (R-KY), Mr. CHABOT (R-OH), Mrs. BACHMANN (R-MN), Mr. BARTLETT (R-MD), Mr. DAVID DAVIS (R-TN), Mr. DOOLITTLE (R-CA), Mr. WALBERG (R-MN), Mr. KUHL (R-NY), Mr. BARRETT (R-SC), Mr. GOODE (R-VA), Mrs. MYRICK (R-NC), Mr. KLINE (R-MN), Mrs. MUSGRAVE (R-CO), Mrs. SCHMIDT (R-OH), Mr. BISHOP (R-UT), Mr. LATTA (R-OH), Mr. POE (R-TX), Mrs. BLACKBURN (R-TN), Ms. FOXX (R-NC), Mr. GINGREY (R-GA), Mr. WESTMORELAND (R-GA), Mr. MCHENRY (R-NC), and Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN (R-CA)):
H.R. 6667. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for the cost of fuel used for commuting to and from work whether or not the taxpayer itemizes other deductions; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]

By Mr. JEFFERSON (D-LA):
H.R. 6674. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for building homeless shelters in areas warranting assistance due to incidents of national significance; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7628]

By Mrs. McCARTHY (D-NY)(for herself, Mr. Kirk (R-IL), Mr. Conyers (D-MI), Mr. Moran (D-VA), Mr. Shays (R-CT), Mr. Rangel (D-NY), Mr. Castle (R-DE), Mr. Rothman (D-NJ), and Mr. Kennedy (D-RI)):
H.R. 6676. A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require background checks for employees authorized to possess or transfer firearms or ammunition in the course of a licensed firearms business; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7628]

Food Protection, Social Program Drug Testing & Dyed Diesel: July 29, 2008

On the Senate side, here is a great bill, I don't think we could ever do enough food protection, espcially in light of the many recent issues with food-borne illnesses:

By Mr. REID (D-NV)(for Mr. OBAMA (D-IL)):
S. 3358. A bill to provide for enhanced food-borne illness surveillance and food safety capacity; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7629]

This is a very interesting, and sure to be controversial, bill from the Senate. It would require families received TANF, which is financial assistance from the government, to be drug tested. I'm certain their will be issues with cost, privacy, accuracy, etc. but it would be a way of determining that government assistance is not getting smoked or snorted.

By Mr. VITTER (R-LA):
S. 3361. A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7629]


On the House side, another bill that may be controversial to allow dyed diesel to be used on rural highways. At the moment, dyed diesel fuel is only allowed in off-road vehicles such as tractors and recreational vehicles:

By Mr. HILL (D-IN):
H.R. 6634. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow dyed diesel to be sold in rural areas for use in highway vehicles; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H7306]

Troubled Schools & Drugged Submersibles: July 28, 2008

On the Senate side, here are a couple bills. One that would providing monies for additional counselors at troubled schools and the other bill deals with drug-trafficking and submersibles.

By Mr. CASEY (D-PA):
S. 3347. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a demonstration project to fund additional secondary school counselors in troubled title I schools to reduce the dropout rate; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S7573]

By Mr. BIDEN (D-DE) (Mr. GRASSLEY (R-IA), and Mrs. FEINSTEIN (D-CA)):
S. 3351. A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7573]

There were no bills introduced in the House.

Working Weekends & Child Porn Task Forces: July 26, 2008

The Senate was in on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend, the House was out of session. Here's one of the few bills introduced in the Senate Saturday and it's a great one:

By Mr. COBURN (R-OK):
S. 3344. A bill to defend against child exploitation and child pornography through improved Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and enhanced tools to block illegal images, and to eliminate the unwarranted release of convicted sex offenders; read the first time. Source: GPO [ S7526]

Kids of Vietnam Vets with Spin Bifida, Horse for Human Consumption and Gitmo Prisoners Coming to DC: July 24, 2008

In the Senate, this bill made me wonder what instances, and how many, took place to provide impetus for creation of this bill:

By Mr. BAYH (D-IN)(for himself and Mr. LUGAR (R-IN)):
S. 3332. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive health care to children of Vietnam veterans born with Spina Bifida, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [S7279]

Here are a couple more bills in the Senate with great intentions:

By Mr. GREGG (R-NH)(for himself and Mr. SUNUNU (R-NH)):
S. 3323. A bill to provide weatherization and home heating assistance to low income households, and to provide a heating oil tax credit for middle income households; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7279]

By Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY):
S. 3334. A bill to strengthen communities through English literacy, civic education, and immigrant integration programs; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S7279]

On to the House, for the love of all things big and small....

By Mr. CONYERS (D-MI)(for himself, Mr. BURTON (R-IN), Mr. RAHALL (D-WV), Mr. JONES (R-NC), Mr. MORAN (D-VA), Mr. CHABOT (R-OH), Mr. GRIJALVA (D-AZ), Mr. SCOTT (D-VA), Mr. SMITH (R-NJ) , Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL), Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL), Mr. NADLER (D-NY), and Ms. SUTTON (D-OH)):

H.R. 6598. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain conduct relating to the use of horses for human consumption; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7163]

All I can say for this one is wow, can you image having the gitmo detainees brought to DC:

By Mr. GOHMERT (R-TX):
H.R. 6615. A bill to provide for the transport of the enemy combatants detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Washington, D.C., where the United States Supreme Court will be able to more effectively micromanage the detainees by holding them on the Supreme Court grounds, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Source: GPO [H7163]

Polygamy, Video Games and Emergency Tomato Assistance: July 23, 2008

In the Senate on the 23rd, a couple interesting bills. One is to create a polygamy task force (huh?) and another bill that yet again takes aim at video games and adult content.

By Mr. REID (D-NV):
S. 3313. A bill to establish a Federal Polygamy Task Force, to authorize assistance for victims of polygamy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [S7148]

By Mr. WICKER (R-MS):
S. 3315. A bill to prohibit the distribution or sale of video games that do not have age-based content rating labels, to prohibit the sale or rental of video games with adult content ratings to minors, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S7148]


On the House side, here is a bill to help out the tomato producers who took a hit during the salmonella scare of recent weeks:

By Mr. MAHONEY (D-FL) (for himself, Mr. BOYD (D-FL), Mr. PUTNAM (R-FL), and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL)):
H.R. 6581. A bill to appropriate funds for the provision of emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh tomatoes for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh tomatoes and products containing fresh tomatoes from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding tomatoes issued by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2008; to the Committee on Agriculture. Source: GPO [H7057]

Vet's Benefits, Smoking near Federal Buildings and Children's Arrows: July 22, 2008

There were no bill introduced on Monday, July 21st, but quite a few introduced yesterday, the 22nd. Here is a great bill, though will likely add to admin costs, I think it would be important for our vets to truly understand what benefits they are eligible to receive. Would be a great step away from the generic form letters sent out to everyone:

By Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY)(for Herself and Mr. SCHUMER (D-NY)):
S. 3307. A bill to provide veterans with individualized notice about available benefits, to streamline application processes for the benefits, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [S7030]

Here are a few bills introduced in the House yesterday. The first one will be controversial for any smokers out there (I myself have been in process of quitting smoking for a couple years now). This bill would ban smoking anywhere 'near' pretty much every major federal government building in DC:

By Mr. ENGEL (D-NY) (for himself and Mr. PLATTS (R-PA)):
H.R. 6571. A bill to prohibit smoking near executive, legislative, and judicial branch buildings and entryways; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Source: GPO [H6824]


And this one is a bit peculiar, but you never know what a member of Congress will find important on any given day:

By Mr. KIND (D-WI) (for himself and Mr. RYAN (R-WI)):
H.R. 6564. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the rate of the excise tax on certain arrows designed for use by children; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H6824]

Estate Tax and Sex Offenders: July 18, 2008

In the Senate, this bill deals with a point of great controversy - the estate tax (some call it 'death tax' or 'inheritance tax') and there is sure to be lot of debate in coming 12 months over the extension of Bush's estate tax cut, or whether to repeal the tax all together or allow it to go back to its previous rate before the Bush cut:

By Mr. CARPER (D-DE)(for himself, Mr. VOINOVICH (R-OH), and Mr. LEAHY (D-VT)):
S. 3284. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the estate tax as in effect in 2009, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S6937]

In the House, here's a bill introduced dealing with registering sex offenders in a New Hires directory. I'm all for excess notification and warnings when it comes to sex offenders.


By Mrs. BACHMANN (R-MN):
H.R. 6539. A bill to provide for the use of information in the National Directory of New Hires in enforcing sex offender registration laws; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Source: GPO [H6725]

Nanotechnology & Nonimmigrant Aliens Medical Treatment: July 16, 2008

On the Senate side, a bipartisan bill introduced to promote achievement in nanotechnology (applied science at atomic and molecular scale). I'm behind any program to improve our sciences:

By Mr. WYDEN (D-OR)(for himself and Ms. SNOWE (R-ME)):
S. 3269. A bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish an award program to honor achievements in nanotechnology, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S6868]

In the House, this bill may create some controversy. It would allow nonimmigrant aliens to come to US for medical treatment. As much controversy as there is over immigration, it would be terribly difficult to turn someone away from the U.S. who needs medical service, regardless of nationality:

By Mr. COHEN (D-TN)(for himself and Mr. ISSA (R-CA)):
H.R. 6519. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to temporary admission of nonimmigrant aliens to the United States for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H6673]

Food Inspection & Forced Labor by Japanese: July 15, 2008

In the Senate, here is a great bill introduced to deal with the increasingly tainted food supply here in the U.S.:

By Mr. BROWN (D-OH):
S. 3267. A bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for improved public health and food safety through enhanced enforcement, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Source: GPO [S6244]

And in the House, a bill to compensate those forced into labor by Japan:

By Ms. HOOLEY (D-OR):
H.R. 6497. A bill to require the payment of compensation to members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States who were forced to perform slave labor by the Imperial Government of Japan or by corporations of Japan during World War II, or the surviving spouses of such members, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Source: GPO [H6576]

Women Entrepreneurs & Drug Test Masking Agents: July 14, 2008

Only a few bills introduced in the Senate and most of them deal with annual appropriations, however, here is a bull to reauthorize program dealing with women's business development:

By Mrs. HUTCHISON (R-TX):
S. 3262. A bill to reauthorize the women's entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Source: GPO [S6650]

On the House, an interesting bill introduced to combat drug masking agents:

By Mr. ENGEL (D-NY)(for himself, Mrs. SCHMIDT (R-OH), and Mr. TERRY (R-NE)):
H.R. 6486. A bill to prohibit the manufacture, marketing, sale, or shipment in interstate commerce of products designed to assist in defrauding a drug test; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Source: GPO [H6472]

Wildfires & Volunteer Fire Stations: July 11, 2008

The House was not in session on Friday, only the Senate was in, and they were only in briefly. There were small number of bills introduced, but there is one that is timely with all the problems wildfires are causing out west:

By Mr. REID (D-NV) (for Mrs. BOXER (D-CA)):
S. 3256. A bill to provide a supplemental funding source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities on Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands, to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Source: GPO [S6604]

Sticking with the fire fighting theme, here is a bill from early last week in the House to help volunteer fire stations with rising fuel costs:

By Mr. ALTMIRE (D-PA)(for himself, Mr. PLATTS (R-PA), and Mr. RYAN (D-OH)):
H.R. 6461. A bill to assist volunteer fire companies in coping with the precipitous rise in fuel prices; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Source: GPO [H6407]

Foot and Mouth Argentina & National Speed Limit: July 10, 2008

In the Senate, here is a bipartisan bill introduced to deal with growing food concerns. This bill deals solely with Argentina and Foot and Mouth disease:

By Mr. JOHNSON (D-SD)(for himself, Mr. ENZI (R-WY), Mr. TESTER (D-MT), Mr. BARRASSO (R-WY), Mrs. MCCASKILL (D-MO), Mr. DOMENICI (R-NM), Mr. DORGAN (D-ND), Mr. ALLARD (R-CO), Mr. SALAZAR (D-CO), and Mr. NELSON (D-NE):
S. 3238. A bill to prohibit the importation of ruminants and swine, and fresh and frozen meat and products of ruminants and swine, from Argentina until the Secretary of Agriculture certifies to Congress that every region of Argentina is free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Source: GPO [S6559]

On the House side, I imagine this one will cause some controversy, as I think any bill dealing with speed limits (increase or decrease) would be. Rep. Speier is the newest Member of Congress:

By Ms. SPEIER (D-CA):
H.R. 6458. A bill to establish a national maximum speed limit of 60 miles per hour on highways, and 65 miles per hour on portions of the National Highway System located outside of an urbanized area; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Source: GPO [H6405]

Fisherman Fuel Credits & Health Coverage For All: July 9, 2008

Only a couple bills introduced in the Senate yesterday, he's one of the many bills Congress and Senate have introduced in recent weeks to help offset the rising fuel costs in different industries throughout the country:

By Ms. MURKOWSKI (R-AK) (for herself and Mr. STEVENS (R-AK)):
S. 3234. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a temporary income tax credit for commercial fisherman to offset high fuel costs; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S6504]

In the House, a major bill with decent support to provide affordable and guaranteed private health coverage:

By Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL)(for herself, Mrs. EMERSON (R-MO), Mr. BAIRD (D-WA), Mr. BLUMENAUER (D-OR), Mr. COOPER (D-TN), Mr. DAVIS (D-AL), Mr. ENGLISH (R-PA), Ms. ESHOO (D-CA), Ms. HARMAN (D-CA), Mr. HASTINGS (D-FL), Mr. HINOJOSA (D-TX), Ms. HOOLEY (D-OR), Mr. LIPINSKI (D-IL), Mr. MEEK (D-FL), Mr. MORAN (D-VA), Mr. SNYDER (D-AR), Ms. TSONGAS (D-MA), Mr. WELCH (D-VT), Mr. WU (D-OR), Mr. DICKS (D-WA), and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (R-FL)):

H.R. 6444. A bill to provide affordable, guaranteed private health coverage that will make Americans healthier and can never be taken away; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Source: GPO [H6342]

Green Roofs & Fuel-Efficient Vehicles: July 8, 2008

Both the House and Senate are back in full force. On the Senate side, here's a bill to offer tax credits for 'green roofs'. I have to admit i love the look of green roofs and the more plant life we can add is some areas of the country, the better.

By Mr. SMITH (R-OR) (for himself and Ms. CANTWELL (D-WA)):
S. 3228. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for green roofs; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S6441]


On the House side, Rep. Paul introduced a bill to provide tax incentives to replace your vehicle with a more fuel-efficient vehicle:

By Mr. PAUL (R-TX):
H.R. 6441. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for replacing an automobile with a more fuel-efficient automobile; to the Committee on Ways and Means. Source: GPO [H6229]

Welcome Back & Iran Sanctions: July 7, 2008

Welcome back from 4th of July break. There are 4 weeks in the legislative calendar until the big August recess (which lasts 5 weeks) so there is an awful lot for Members to get done before the break for the summer.

It was a quiet start to the month yesterday, the House was not in session but the Senate started back up and there were only a few bills introduced in the Senate, but this one could have some implications. I'll need to read the text to see the specifics once it is published, but Senator Baucus introduced a bill to impose sanctions on Iran. I don't know if this is to avoid any type of military battle or if this is a precursor to one:

By Mr. BAUCUS (D-MT):
S. 3227. An original bill to impose sanctions on Iran and for other purposes; from the Committee on Finance; placed on the calendar. Source: GPO: [S6362]

4th of July Recess: June 28 through July 7

Congress is on recess until Tuesday, July 8th - Have a great 4th of July break!