On the Senate side, a bill introduced in response to the California train wreck last week:
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (D-CA)(for herself and Mrs. BOXER (D-CA)):
S. 3493. A bill to require rail carriers to develop positive rail control system plans for improving railroad safety and to increase the civil penalties for railroad safety violations; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Source: GPO [S8856]
A couple more bills introduced in the Senate that are sort of 'no duh' kinds of bills. I haven't seen the legislative language for these bills and how they propose to accomplish the goals, but who the heck would not want these things to happen?
By Mrs. BOXER (D-CA)(for herself, Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY), Mr. CARDIN (D-MD), and Mr. WHITEHOUSE (D-RI)):
S. 3495. A bill to protect pregnant women and children from dangerous lead exposures; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Source: GPO [S8856]
By Mr. BINGAMAN (D-NM):
S. 3499. An original bill to protect innocent Americans from violent crime in national parks; from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; placed on the calendar. Source: GPO [S8856]
And finally, a bill in the House that Michael Phelps (and lifeguards around the nation) will likely be happy to see:
By Mr. SIRES (D-NJ)(for himself, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL), Mr. PAYNE (D-NJ), and Mr. PASTOR (D-AZ)):
H. Res. 1446. A resolution expressing the importance of swimming lessons and recognizing the danger of drowning in the United States, especially among minority children; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Source: GPO [H8275]
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pollock Municipal Airport, WWII Vets in Philippines & Broad Energy National Security: September 15, 2008
No bills of note introduced in the Senate yesterday, but here are a few in the House. The first two bills demonstrate how local and targeted some can be in the House, while the third bill is a broad and wide-ranging one dealing with energy and national security.
This first bill deals with a local issue and I'm curious to know how the folks in Pollock, LA like the idea of having their municipal airport being closed down.
By Mr. MCCRERY (R-LA):
H.R. 6891. A bill to authorize the closure of a municipal airport in Pollock, Louisiana, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Source: GPO [H8127]
The next bill is quite targeted, dealing with veterans who served in the Philippines during WWII:
By Mr. FILNER (D-CA):
H.R. 6897. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain payments to eligible persons who served in the Philippines during World War II; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [H8127]
The final piece of legislation is a broad, over-arching energy bill aimed at improving national security through energy policy decisions:
By Mr. RAHALL (D-WV)(for himself, Mr. GENE GREEN (D-TX), Mr. GEORGE MILLER (D-CA), and Mr. DINGELL (D-MI)):
H.R. 6899. A bill to advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, Rules, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, 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 [H8127]
This first bill deals with a local issue and I'm curious to know how the folks in Pollock, LA like the idea of having their municipal airport being closed down.
By Mr. MCCRERY (R-LA):
H.R. 6891. A bill to authorize the closure of a municipal airport in Pollock, Louisiana, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Source: GPO [H8127]
The next bill is quite targeted, dealing with veterans who served in the Philippines during WWII:
By Mr. FILNER (D-CA):
H.R. 6897. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain payments to eligible persons who served in the Philippines during World War II; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [H8127]
The final piece of legislation is a broad, over-arching energy bill aimed at improving national security through energy policy decisions:
By Mr. RAHALL (D-WV)(for himself, Mr. GENE GREEN (D-TX), Mr. GEORGE MILLER (D-CA), and Mr. DINGELL (D-MI)):
H.R. 6899. A bill to advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, Rules, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, 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 [H8127]
Monday, September 15, 2008
National Service Bill: September 12, 2008
The House was not in session and the Senate had a shortened day. The House adjourned on Thursday to let Members of Congress who would be affected by Hurricane Ike get back home to their respective districts.
One bill introduced in the Senate, that has a great chance of passing, especially considering both presidential candidates are co-sponsors, is Sen. Kennedy's national service bill to encourage Americans to volunteer for a national cause and create a series of funds and tax incentives aimed at encouraging service:
By Mr. REID (D-NV)(for Mr. KENNEDY (D-MA)(for himself, Mr. HATCH (R-UT), Mr. OBAMA (D-IL), Mr. MCCAIN (R-AZ), Mr. DODD (D-CT), Mr. COCHRAN (R-MS), and Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY))):
S. 3487. A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to expand and improve opportunities for service, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S8482]
One bill introduced in the Senate, that has a great chance of passing, especially considering both presidential candidates are co-sponsors, is Sen. Kennedy's national service bill to encourage Americans to volunteer for a national cause and create a series of funds and tax incentives aimed at encouraging service:
By Mr. REID (D-NV)(for Mr. KENNEDY (D-MA)(for himself, Mr. HATCH (R-UT), Mr. OBAMA (D-IL), Mr. MCCAIN (R-AZ), Mr. DODD (D-CT), Mr. COCHRAN (R-MS), and Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY))):
S. 3487. A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to expand and improve opportunities for service, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Source: GPO [S8482]
Friday, September 12, 2008
Apache Water Rights, Inspecting Electronic Devices at Border, Abolishing Death Penalty & Earmark Audits: September 11, 2008
The Senate and House spent part of day memorializing those lost during the 9/11 attacks. There were a few bills of note introduced in both chambers.
Here are a couple interesting bills in the Senate. The first from Senate Kyl is to resolve water rights for Apache tribe in AZ. The second is bill to provide incentives for energy issues:
By Mr. KYL (R-AZ):
S. 3473. A bill to resolve water rights claims of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Source: GPO [S8383]
By Mr. BAUCUS (D-MT) (for himself and Mr. GRASSLEY (R-IA)):
S. 3478. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of energy, to provide transportation and domestic fuel security, and to provide incentives for energy conservation and energy efficiency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S8383]
In the House, three very interesting bills, some which will be quite controversial. The first is to issue a rule on check electronic devices at the border. The second is to abolish the death penalty and the third is to provide audits for programs and projects funded through earmarks.
By Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ (D-CA) ( Mr. THOMPSON (D-TN)):
H.R. 6869. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a rule with respect to border security searches of electronic devices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. Source: GPO [H8048]
By Mr. KUCINICH (D-OH) (for himself, Mr. CAPUANO (D-MA), Mrs. CHRISTENSEN (D-VI), Mr. CLAY (D-MO), Mr. CONYERS (D-MI), Mr. CUMMINGS (D-MD), Mr. DAVIS (D-IL) , Mr. ELLISON (D-MN), Mr. FATTAH (D-PA), Mr. KENNEDY (D-RI), Ms. KILPATRICK (D-MI), Ms. MCCOLLUM (D-MN), Ms. NORTON (D-DC) Mr. PAYNE (D-NJ), Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL), Mr. STARK (D-CA), Ms. WATERS (D-CA), Ms. WATSON (D-CA), and Ms. WOOLSEY (D-CA)):
H.R. 6875. A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 [H8048]
By Mr. FORTENBERRY (R-NE):
H.R. 6881. A bill to provide for audits of programs, projects, and activities funded through earmarks; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Source: GPO [H8048]
Here are a couple interesting bills in the Senate. The first from Senate Kyl is to resolve water rights for Apache tribe in AZ. The second is bill to provide incentives for energy issues:
By Mr. KYL (R-AZ):
S. 3473. A bill to resolve water rights claims of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Source: GPO [S8383]
By Mr. BAUCUS (D-MT) (for himself and Mr. GRASSLEY (R-IA)):
S. 3478. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of energy, to provide transportation and domestic fuel security, and to provide incentives for energy conservation and energy efficiency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Source: GPO [S8383]
In the House, three very interesting bills, some which will be quite controversial. The first is to issue a rule on check electronic devices at the border. The second is to abolish the death penalty and the third is to provide audits for programs and projects funded through earmarks.
By Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ (D-CA) ( Mr. THOMPSON (D-TN)):
H.R. 6869. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a rule with respect to border security searches of electronic devices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. Source: GPO [H8048]
By Mr. KUCINICH (D-OH) (for himself, Mr. CAPUANO (D-MA), Mrs. CHRISTENSEN (D-VI), Mr. CLAY (D-MO), Mr. CONYERS (D-MI), Mr. CUMMINGS (D-MD), Mr. DAVIS (D-IL) , Mr. ELLISON (D-MN), Mr. FATTAH (D-PA), Mr. KENNEDY (D-RI), Ms. KILPATRICK (D-MI), Ms. MCCOLLUM (D-MN), Ms. NORTON (D-DC) Mr. PAYNE (D-NJ), Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL), Mr. STARK (D-CA), Ms. WATERS (D-CA), Ms. WATSON (D-CA), and Ms. WOOLSEY (D-CA)):
H.R. 6875. A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 [H8048]
By Mr. FORTENBERRY (R-NE):
H.R. 6881. A bill to provide for audits of programs, projects, and activities funded through earmarks; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Source: GPO [H8048]
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Impartial Forums for Nazi Railroad Claims & Exempting Energy Companies from State Environmental Laws: September 10, 2008
Senate and House are back in full swing of things.
In the Senate, quite an interesting bill by the Senators from New York that provides impartial forum for claims against railroads responsible for taking folks to Nazi concentration camps:
By Mr. SCHUMER (D-NY)(for himself and Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY)):
S. 3462. A bill to ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by heirs and survivors of such persons; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [S8275]
In the House, here's a bill by Representative from Tennessee that the environmentalists will be angered by and the oil companies will be pleased about:
By Mrs. BLACKBURN (R-TN):
H.R. 6860. A bill to exempt exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas under leases on Federal lands from State environmental and pollution control laws, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on 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 [H8018]
In the Senate, quite an interesting bill by the Senators from New York that provides impartial forum for claims against railroads responsible for taking folks to Nazi concentration camps:
By Mr. SCHUMER (D-NY)(for himself and Mrs. CLINTON (D-NY)):
S. 3462. A bill to ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by heirs and survivors of such persons; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [S8275]
In the House, here's a bill by Representative from Tennessee that the environmentalists will be angered by and the oil companies will be pleased about:
By Mrs. BLACKBURN (R-TN):
H.R. 6860. A bill to exempt exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas under leases on Federal lands from State environmental and pollution control laws, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on 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 [H8018]
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Founding Father's Docs in Schools, Vet's Tuition Assistance for Business and Mortgage Fraud: September 9, 2008
No bills of great interest introduced in the Senate yesterday, so here are a few bills from the House:
I think this bill is a great idea to have copies of these founding documents displayed in all public schools.
By Mr. MURPHY (D-CT):
H. Res. 1417. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all public elementary schools and public secondary schools should display a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; to the Committee on Education and Labor. Source: GPO [H7853]
This next bill would allow veterans to use some financial education assistance promised to them to establish and operate businesses. There will likely be an awful lot of qualifying language in the legislation, but think this is great idea for the vets who want to go the entrepreneurial route instead of college.
By Mr. FORTENBERRY (R-NE):
H.R. 6850. A bill to allow veterans to elect to use, with the approval of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, certain financial educational assistance to establish and operate certain business, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [H7955]
This final bill seems like a great idea to me in light of all the issues we've had in recent years with mortgage fraud.
By Mr. MEEK (D-FL):
H.R. 6853. A bill to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7955]
I think this bill is a great idea to have copies of these founding documents displayed in all public schools.
By Mr. MURPHY (D-CT):
H. Res. 1417. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all public elementary schools and public secondary schools should display a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; to the Committee on Education and Labor. Source: GPO [H7853]
This next bill would allow veterans to use some financial education assistance promised to them to establish and operate businesses. There will likely be an awful lot of qualifying language in the legislation, but think this is great idea for the vets who want to go the entrepreneurial route instead of college.
By Mr. FORTENBERRY (R-NE):
H.R. 6850. A bill to allow veterans to elect to use, with the approval of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, certain financial educational assistance to establish and operate certain business, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Source: GPO [H7955]
This final bill seems like a great idea to me in light of all the issues we've had in recent years with mortgage fraud.
By Mr. MEEK (D-FL):
H.R. 6853. A bill to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H7955]
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Getting Money Back from Iraq & Family Members of Aliens in Military: September 8, 2008
Members came back yesterday and Congress started back up for a busy 3 week run until next break.
In the Senate, a couple interesting bills that will likely be controversial. The 1st bill calls for pulling back funds appropriated to rebuild Iraq. There have been many reports of enormous surpluses in Iraq, which probably led to this bill being introduced.
The 2nd bill calls for adjusting status of family members of aliens fighting for the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. I personally feel that any person who volunteers to fight for our country and serve in our military deserves all we can give to them and their family.
By Mr. COLEMAN (R-MN):
S. 3450. A bill to provide for the rescission of funds made available for fiscal year 2009 for Iraq reconstruction; to the Committee on Appropriations. Source: GPO [S8130]
By Mr. MENENDEZ (D-NJ):
S. 3453. A bill to authorize the adjustment of status for immediate family members of aliens who served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [S8131]
Nothing to report from the House from yesterday. Unfortunately, our country lost Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Democrat from Ohio's 11th District over the summer recess, so the House spent parts of the day paying tribute. Always sad to lose someone who spent their life serving the public, regardless of party affiliation.
In the Senate, a couple interesting bills that will likely be controversial. The 1st bill calls for pulling back funds appropriated to rebuild Iraq. There have been many reports of enormous surpluses in Iraq, which probably led to this bill being introduced.
The 2nd bill calls for adjusting status of family members of aliens fighting for the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. I personally feel that any person who volunteers to fight for our country and serve in our military deserves all we can give to them and their family.
By Mr. COLEMAN (R-MN):
S. 3450. A bill to provide for the rescission of funds made available for fiscal year 2009 for Iraq reconstruction; to the Committee on Appropriations. Source: GPO [S8130]
By Mr. MENENDEZ (D-NJ):
S. 3453. A bill to authorize the adjustment of status for immediate family members of aliens who served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [S8131]
Nothing to report from the House from yesterday. Unfortunately, our country lost Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Democrat from Ohio's 11th District over the summer recess, so the House spent parts of the day paying tribute. Always sad to lose someone who spent their life serving the public, regardless of party affiliation.
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