[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Issue]
[Pages 22515-22898]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[[Page 22515]]
SENATE--Saturday, September 27, 2008
(Legislative day of Wednesday, September 17, 2008)
The Senate met at 9:30 a.m., on the expiration of the recess, and was
called to order by the Honorable Mark L. Pryor, a Senator from the
State of Arkansas.
______
prayer
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Creator of the universe, all loving, all wise, all powerful, move on
Capitol Hill today. Your lawmakers need You for such a time as this,
and You have promised to supply their needs. Supply their need for
wisdom. Illuminate their minds as they seek to do the right thing.
Infuse them with supernatural power to make sense out of the riddles
that baffle so many. May they be able to look back over today's labors
knowing they have glorified You. Lord, astound them with new thoughts
and fresh insights they could not conceive without Your blessing.
We pray in the Name of Him who is the truth. Amen.
____________________
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Honorable Mark L. Pryor led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
____________________
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to
the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd).
The legislative clerk read the following letter:
U.S. Senate,
President pro tempore,
Washington, DC, September 27, 2008.
To the Senate:
Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable
Mark L. Pryor, a Senator from the State of Arkansas, to
perform the duties of the Chair.
Robert C. Byrd,
President pro tempore.
Mr. PRYOR thereupon assumed the chair as Acting President pro
tempore.
____________________
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.
____________________
SCHEDULE
Mr. REID. Mr. President, following the remarks of the leaders, if
any, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the House message
to accompany H.R. 2638, the continuing resolution. The time until 10
a.m. will be equally divided and controlled between the leaders or
their designees. At exactly 10 a.m., the Senate will proceed to a
rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur
in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2638.
As those of us here have seen, in trying to make entry to the
Capitol, there is something of a bicycle race or performance of some
kind. It has really slowed things up, so we are not going to terminate
the vote in the normal 15-minute time schedule. We are going to make
sure people have an opportunity to get here.
I say to all Members, unless something can be resolved by consent, we
are going to file cloture today on the Department of Defense
authorization bill, which will be a Monday vote. Hopefully, there does
not have to be a vote tomorrow. Thirty hours after cloture was invoked
on this matter will be sometime tomorrow afternoon. There are a number
of ways we can do that. People wanting the extra 30 hours could waive
that or they could let us have a voice vote tomorrow. As I understand
it, there is only one Senator holding up this bill now. We will work on
that during the next hour or so. It appears we may have to be in
session tomorrow, with a vote on Monday. I know there is a holiday on
Monday starting at sundown and going to sundown on Tuesday.
The staff worked until about 3 a.m. this morning on the bailout. They
made significant progress. There are probably 15 issues still left
outstanding. Senators are going to have to get together and resolve
those. We hope sometime tomorrow evening we can announce that there has
been some kind of an agreement in principle so the only thing that will
have to be done is to write the legislation. We are still a long way
from completing it, but we have made significant progress, as I just
indicated. We will keep Senators advised on a timely basis as well as
we can.
____________________
CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER ACT OF 2008
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to Calendar No. 611, H.R. 5159.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bill by
title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 5159) to establish the Office of the Capitol
Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the
Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor
Services, to provide for the effective management and
administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and other
purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. DeMINT, Mr. President, I rise to speak on the newest addition to
the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
I have been told by the Architect of the Capitol that the CVC is
scheduled to open its doors to the public for the first time on
December 2 of this year. I have toured this impressive facility, and I
believe it will be a vast improvement in the experience visitors will
have when touring the Capitol Complex. I look forward to the opening of
this long awaited addition; it will be a momentous and historic
occasion.
However, in addition to providing security and functionality, the CVC
also provides an educational experience designed to tell the story of
our Nation's Capitol. I believe it is critical that this history
appropriately and accurately reflects the traditions and history of the
Capitol.
We want our constituents and visitors from around the world to get an
accurate portrayal of the Capitol's history and, as much as possible,
to understand the motivations and inspirations of those who have led
our branch of Government since its establishment 220 years go.
Tragically, as the CVC exists now, they will get a much different
experience.
In touring the CVC, I found the exhibits to be politically correct,
left leaning, and secular in nature. The secular aspects were
especially surprising because of the deep connection between faith and
the Capitol, and our Judeo Christian traditions. But despite this
connection and our traditions, the doors to the CVC are flanked with a
quote from former Congressman Rufus Choate that says, ``We have built
no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the
Constitution.'' Even a brief reflection on our Nation's history will
show this quote is not accurate and, in my opinion, grossly
inappropriate.
The first thing you are confronted with once you have entered the CVC
is
[[Page 22516]]
the phrase ``E. Pluribus Unum'' engraved in stone above a mock of the
Capitol dome. A panel next to the dome describes E. Pluribus Unum as
our Nation's motto. This is not only completely false but also
offensive to the 90 percent of Americans who approve of our Nation's
actual motto ``In God We Trust,'' signed into law by President Dwight
Eisenhower in 1956.
Unfortunately, nowhere in the CVC will you find the words ``In God We
Trust'' engraved in stone. The acknowledgement of God and our Nation's
motto has been left out of the CVC. In fact, the massive replica of the
House Chamber omits the ``In God We Trust'' from above the Speaker's
chair.
We are now told they are planning to fix this ``mistake,'' but on my
tour 2 days ago, it was still missing. Also missing are the words to
our Pledge of Allegiance, the only words spoken each morning by both
Chambers of Congress.
There are a few articles in the CVC that reflect elements of faith--
two Bibles, a picture of the congressional nondenominational faith
space, and the oath of office--but I believe they grossly understate
the prominent role of faith and Judeo Christian values in the history
of this great building.
I have worked with the Senator Bennett, the ranking member of the
Rules Committee, this week to address some of my concerns. After
several conversations, he and Senator Feinstein, the chairman of the
Rules Committee, sent me a letter formalizing an agreement to make some
changes. Our agreement includes engraving ``In God We Trust'' in stone
in a prominent location within the CVC; engraving ``The Pledge of
Allegiance'' in stone in a prominent location within the CVC; removing
the words ``Our Nation's motto'' from the Unity panel on the Wall of
Aspirations and replacing it with a new panel.
I will ask unanimous consent to have a copy of this letter be printed
in the Record.
In addition, I have a verbal agreement with Senator Bennett that the
Architect of the Capitol will be instructed to consider the rich faith
heritage of our Nation when considering the content of any future
display. I would like to thank my friend for his help on this issue,
and I look forward to working with him in the future.
I am very pleased with this progress in improving the accuracy of the
CVC. However, I am still distressed by what remains or, rather, what is
missing.
There seems to be a trend of whitewashing God out of our history. The
last two major memorials in Washington--the FDR and World War II
Memorials--left out references to God and persons of faith, the first
time a memorial or monument in Washington has not had a quote,
reference, or inscription referencing God or the faith of those we are
memorializing.
Now it can be said these are not intentional omissions, but consider
this: last year the Architect of the Capitol censored God from a
certificate accompanying a flag flown over the Capitol by a Boy Scout
for his grandfather; a national cemetery director stopped an honor
guard from performing the traditional burial ceremony because it
mentioned God; ``In God We Trust'' was removed from the front of our
currency; schools have been sued over having the pledge of allegiance
every morning; and the list goes on.
It appears that many would prefer to ignore the role and prominence
of God and faith in our Nation's history and the lives of the American
people today. But I want to make sure unelected bureaucrats are not
removing these references just because they are afraid of offending a
vocal minority, despite the overwhelming will of the American people. I
can assure you, this is something that I will continue to fight
against.
I would like to take just a moment to detail a few of the many
examples of our faith heritage that could be included in future
displays: the Aitken Bible of 1782, the only Bible ever printed by an
act of Congress; church services held in the Capitol for over 70 years
while Congress was in session, becoming the largest church in
Washington in 1867; pictures of National Day of Prayer events or the
March for Life, both of which are attended by hundreds of thousands of
citizens each year; the text of President Lincoln's second Inaugural
and his Bible to go with the table from which he delivered his address,
which is already in the CVC; a description of all the paintings in the
Rotunda on the virtual tour monitors found in the CVC; and a picture of
Members of Congress gathering spontaneously on the Capitol steps to
sing ``God Bless America'' on September 11.
In the words of Benjamin Franklin: ``We have been assured in the
sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in
vain that build it. I firmly believe this and I also believe that
without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building
no better than the builders of Babel.''
I also firmly believe this. And while I firmly believe every person
has the right to their own opinion and the blessing of religious
freedom, that freedom is the freedom of religion, not freedom from
religion. We don't have to agree with our Founding Fathers and the
history of our country, but that doesn't mean we can change it. Daniel
Webster said in this very building, ``God grants liberty only to those
who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.'' We must
remember our history and the faith of our fathers; it is what formed us
into the great Nation we are today.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have a copy of the letter
to which I referred printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
U.S. Senate, Committee on Rules
and Administration,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2008.
Hon. Jim DeMint,
Russell Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Jim: After many years of anticipation the Architect of
the Capitol is preparing for the opening of the new Capitol
Visitor Center (CVC) on December 2, 2008.
Delaying the opening of the CVC has serious security
implications. The CVC was designed so that public visitors
will be screened at one secure location, improving security
in the U.S. Capitol for constituents, staff and Members.
Delaying the opening of the CVC also has significant
financial consequences. As you are aware, the CVC has already
cost $621 million for construction. The Architect is
currently paying the cost of salaries and benefits for staff
preparing to open and operate the facility for the American
public. Every day the CVC is closed to the public, it will
cost the taxpayer $72,040 in unused staff resources.
In response to your letter dated September 25, 2008, we
agree in principle to support engraving ``In God We Trust''
in stone in a prominent location within the CVC; engraving
``The Pledge of Allegiance'' in stone in a prominent location
within the CVC; and removing the words ``Our Nation's Motto''
from the Unity panel on the Wall of Aspirations of the
Exhibition Hall in the CVC, and replacing it with a new
panel.
We recognize that one of your suggestions (renaming ``Our
Nation's Motto'') is a correction, and the ``Pledge'' and
``In God We Trust'' are additions. The approximate cost of
doing all three projects, according to the Architect of the
Capitol, is $150,000.
We are pleased that you have agreed to Senate consideration
of the CVC legislation.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein,
Chairman.
Robert F. Bennett,
Ranking Member.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment
that is at the desk be considered and agreed to; the bill, as amended,
be read three times, passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table; and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the
Record, as if given, with the above occurring with no intervening
action or debate.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The amendment (No. 5674) was agreed to.
(The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of
Amendments.'')
The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a
third time.
The bill (H.R. 5159), as amended, was read the third time, and
passed.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate the bipartisan working
relationship on the Rules Committee. Senators Feinstein and Bennett
work so well together, and this is an example of that working
relationship.
[[Page 22517]]
Again, for all Senators, we are going to vote at 10 o'clock this
morning.
____________________
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the
leadership time is reserved.
____________________
CONSOLIDATED SECURITY, DISASTER ASSISTANCE, AND CONTINUING
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009
Mr. REID. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume
consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 2638, which the
clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
House message to accompany H.R. 2638, the Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations Act/Continuing Resolution
for 2009.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the time
until 10 a.m. shall be equally divided and controlled between the two
leaders or their designees.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask
that the time be charged against both the majority and the minority.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the
quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Cloture Motion
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair
lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will
report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
Cloture Motion
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to
concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.
2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act/
Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009.
Evan Bayh, Debbie Stabenow, Benjamin L. Cardin, Byron L.
Dorgan, Barbara A. Mikulski, Jeff Bingaman, John F.
Kerry, Herb Kohl, Sherrod Brown, Jon Tester, Benjamin
Nelson, Richard Durbin, Patrick J. Leahy, Amy
Klobuchar, Robert P. Casey, Jr., Claire McCaskill,
Bernard Sanders.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. By unanimous consent, the mandatory
quorum call is waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the
motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the
Senate to H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations
Act/Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009, shall be brought to a
close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. The clerk will call
the roll.
The legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Bayh), the
Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr.
Kennedy), and the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Obama) are necessarily
absent.
Mr. KYL. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator
from Arizona (Mr. McCain).
The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 83, nays 12, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 207 Leg.]
YEAS--83
Akaka
Alexander
Allard
Barrasso
Baucus
Bennett
Bingaman
Bond
Boxer
Brown
Brownback
Byrd
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Chambliss
Clinton
Cochran
Coleman
Collins
Conrad
Cornyn
Craig
Crapo
Dodd
Dole
Domenici
Dorgan
Durbin
Enzi
Feinstein
Grassley
Gregg
Hagel
Harkin
Hatch
Hutchison
Inhofe
Inouye
Isakson
Johnson
Kerry
Klobuchar
Kohl
Lautenberg
Leahy
Levin
Lieberman
Lincoln
Lugar
Martinez
McCaskill
McConnell
Menendez
Mikulski
Murkowski
Murray
Nelson (FL)
Nelson (NE)
Pryor
Reed
Reid
Roberts
Rockefeller
Salazar
Sanders
Schumer
Smith
Snowe
Specter
Stabenow
Stevens
Sununu
Tester
Thune
Vitter
Voinovich
Warner
Webb
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
NAYS--12
Bunning
Burr
Coburn
Corker
DeMint
Ensign
Feingold
Graham
Kyl
Landrieu
Sessions
Shelby
NOT VOTING--5
Bayh
Biden
Kennedy
McCain
Obama
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Klobuchar). On this vote, the yeas are 83;
the nays are 12. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn
having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.
The majority leader is recognized.
Mr. REID. Madam President, we are now working our way through
postcloture time. Everyone has been very courteous and agreeable. We
will probably have to spend 2\1/2\ hours before we have the final vote
on this CR. It will probably be around 1 o'clock. We would hope that we
can condense the time. That would be 1 o'clock today rather than 4
o'clock or 5 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. That being the case, the only
matter that is left that we have to be concerned about is the
Department of Defense authorization. My plan, as I have explained to
the Republican leader, is to file cloture on that today for a Monday
cloture vote. We can't wait until Wednesday to do that, for obvious
reasons. Now it appears our goal is to try to complete everything next
week.
For the information of all Members, staff worked until 3 o'clock this
morning on the rescue plan for the financial problems we have in
America today.
There are a number of issues that need to be resolved by Members.
Chairman Dodd has indicated he is going to get people together sometime
today when appropriate. Staff has to move down the road a little bit
longer. The goal is to try to come up with a final agreement by
tomorrow. Now, we may not be able to do that, but we are trying very
hard. It is something I think shows how we can work together. It is an
issue on which none of us would like to be working, but we have to work
on it.
If we are going to be able to do what it appears we can do, it will
resolve a lot of the questions people have around the country because
it is not the proposal we got from Secretary Paulson. It is one where
Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate are working to
get an end product.
Without getting into the details--I do not think we should do that
now, and I talked to Chairman Dodd earlier today, and he also agrees we
should not get into the details right now. But if we can do that, at
least announce sometime tomorrow that we have the beginning of an
agreement--we are told it is very important we do that--if we could do
it by 6 o'clock tomorrow, it would be important because that is when
the Asian markets open, and everyone is waiting for this thing to tip a
little bit too far, that we may not have another day. But if we can
announce an agreement, then it is going to take some time to draft this
because we know people want to read every line, as they should. We are
going to work something out on that.
I have spoken to the Republican leader. It is possible, with the
agreement of Senators Baucus and Grassley, that we could use a tax
measure they already have, that we would start here first. Now, my
inclination is not to do that. We should have the House do it first.
But there are a lot of possibilities floating around. I am going to
keep in as close touch as I can with Senator McConnell, and he will
notify his Members when that is appropriate, and I will do the same.
So we will have one more vote today. We think we have that worked
out. We do not have the actual agreement--I do have it. Everyone should
know I am getting pretty good at reading Lula's writing, which is OK,
but not real good.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time be
yielded back except that the following be recognized to speak, and at
the expiration of that time the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to
concur, and
[[Page 22518]]
there be no further intervening action or debate; that the people who
will speak on the motion to concur be Senator Byrd, 15 minutes; Senator
Cochran, 15 minutes; Senator Coburn, 15 minutes; Senator Sessions, 30
minutes; Senator Kyl, 10 minutes; Senator DeMint, 15 minutes; Senator
Landrieu, 30 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, reserving the right to object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, I understand there are many plans that
have been made this weekend, and I appreciate the cooperation of the
Democratic leader and the Republican leader. I appreciate the good work
that some of my Republican and Democratic colleagues have done this
last week, particularly Chairman Harkin. However, on ag we are about
ready to close out a session without a substantial and adequate advance
or plan to help the agricultural community, and the rules that have
been written in the last farm bill are not adequate.
I have asked the leader for 1 hour to speak today. I do not think
that is too much to try to advance the effort. I thank Senator
Hutchison for signing on. I have asked for just a vote at the next
available time--not today, not on this bill.
Would the leader please respond if an hour would be available?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.
Mr. REID. Madam President, we are happy to change the 30 minutes in
the consent that is being sought now to have 1 hour for the Senator
from Louisiana. What we have been working on today is that there are a
number of agricultural States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and a lot
of----
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mississippi.
Mr. REID. Mississippi, and a lot of other States. We have an
agreement that there is a piece of legislation that Senators from a
number of States will sign onto, Democrats and Republicans. Senator
McConnell and I will do everything we can to bring it up. Everyone
understands the Senate rules, and we will do our best to get it up.
Now, we cannot guarantee a vote, but we will guarantee that we will
do everything we can to bring this matter before the Senate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. REID. As modified, with Senator Landrieu having 1 hour, 60
minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Republican leader is recognized.
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I just want to indicate to my
Republican colleagues we will have a briefing in the Mansfield Room at
11 o'clock from Senator Gregg to bring everyone up to date on the
status of the talks that are going on. Staff worked, as the majority
leader indicated, through the evening, and this will be an opportunity
to bring everybody up to date.
Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, will the leader yield to the Senator
from New Mexico for a question?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I have a question of the majority
leader or the minority leader.
I have been asked by a number of people who want to come to the
Senate floor when I give a couple sentences of goodbye to the Senate,
and I am just wondering when might such things be available for myself,
Senator Warner----
Mr. REID. Madam President, I have prepared a speech that I want to
give for my friend. We have worked together for so many years. I am
going to do that on Monday. We are going to be in session on Monday,
and we will likely have a vote Monday on the Defense Department
authorization bill. If we don't, we are still going to be in session. I
think we send the wrong message to America if we leave here with this
bailout not having been done. So I am going to give my speech on Monday
about you, I say to the Senator, and that would be a good time to give
one.
Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I know Senator Warner would like to
speak. That is satisfactory with me, as long as we are expecting to
give people like you and me a little bit of time.
Mr. REID. Madam President, we will have time next week to make sure
we do. There are a number of Senators who want to say a few words or
many words--whatever they choose--about departing Senators. So we are
going to have plenty of time to do that next week.
Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I thank our leader.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader is recognized.
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I, too, had planned to speak about
Senator Domenici and Senator Warner today, and I will check with them
on their schedules because I certainly would like for them to be here
on the floor of the Senate. Obviously, a better time to do that, if it
were done today, would be after the vote, an hour and a half or so from
now. But I will be conferring with them about that.
Mr. DOMENICI. I thank the Senator.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the original request of
the majority leader?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from West Virginia is recognized.
Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I thank the Chair.
Madam President, I speak today in support of the Consolidated
Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of
2009.
The measure that is before the Senate includes the fiscal year 2009
Defense appropriations bill, the fiscal year 2009 Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs bill, and the fiscal year 2009 Homeland Security
bill.
In addition, the measure includes a continuing resolution for fiscal
year 2009, which provides funding for Government operations at fiscal
year 2008 levels through March 6, 2009.
In response to the Midwest floods and Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna, and
Ike, the measure includes $22.3 billion of critical disaster relief.
The measure also includes funding to support $25 billion of auto
industry loans that were authorized in the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007. These loans will provide a critical boost to the
effort to develop energy-efficient vehicles, while creating thousands--
thousands, I will say--of new jobs. The bill also includes $5.1 billion
for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and $250 million for
the Weatherization Program. With this funding, an additional 5.7
million households will get assistance in coping with dramatically
rising home heating costs. At the current funding level, the Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program serves only 15 percent of eligible
families.
The message that is before the Senate lives up to the commitment we
made to support our troops, provide first class health care to our
veterans, secure our homeland, direct relief to the victims of natural
disasters all across this great Nation of ours, and provide help for
families on Main Street.
Madam President, my good friend, Senator Thad Cochran, and I began
this year with the goal of producing 12 bipartisan, fiscally
responsible appropriations bills. The Committee on Appropriations made
great progress in reporting nine such bills by the end of July.
Regrettably, the President--your President, my President, our
President--chose to announce that he would veto any of the bills--hear
that--he would veto any of the bills--did you hear that--that he would
veto any of the bills that exceeded his request.
Our bills included critical increases in funding for veterans health
care, for job-creating programs such as highway and mass transit, for
the National Institutes of Health, and for fighting crime in our
streets. As a result of the President's veto threats, the
appropriations process has fallen prey to the election cycle.
Therefore, in order to fulfill our promises to the troops and to our
veterans, we have, once again, yes, been forced to use an omnibus
appropriations measure to complete our work. I disdain--I disdain--such
procedures. But, in order to complete our work, we proceeded on a
bipartisan basis to produce the legislation that is now before the
Senate.
[[Page 22519]]
So I urge all of my fellow Senators--hear me: I urge all of my fellow
Senators to join me in supporting swift action on these critical
national priorities.
Madam President, there is funding in this bill to conduct an
independent and objective study regarding the withdrawal of our troops
from Iraq in the next 12 to 18 months. This bill includes $2.4 million
for the Department of Defense to provide to the RAND Corporation to
conduct this study. As a Federally-funded research and development
center and an independent research arm of the Department of Defense,
RAND has access to the Department of Defense information necessary to
prepare such plans. Furthermore, the staff at RAND is able to draw on
expertise from across the entire spectrum of the U.S. government to
provide a long overdue strategic assessment. This study will assume
that the United States will leave a limited number of troops in Iraq to
train Iraqis, target Al Qaeda, and protect our mission after the
withdrawal of the majority of our forces.
A study of this scope is long overdue. Secretary of Defense Gates
stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2008
that in Iraq, he believes:
we have now entered that endgame--and our decisions today
and tomorrow and in the months ahead will be critical to
regional stability and our national security interests for
years to come.
Yet it is unclear where Defense Department formal planning stands on
withdrawing our forces in a measured and responsible manner. The time
to begin the Iraq withdrawal is now. This new RAND study will publicly
and independently help chart the responsible course ahead.
I wish to thank Chairman Inouye for including this language and
Senator Kennedy for his strong leadership on this issue.
Madam President, I reserve the balance of my time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi is recognized.
Mr. COCHRAN. Madam President, according to the order, I was allocated
a certain amount of time. I think it was 15 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
Mr. COCHRAN. I doubt if I will use that time, for the information of
other Senators who may be waiting for the opportunity to speak.
We have adopted, strictly speaking, an amendment to the Senate
amendment to H.R. 2638, an act making appropriations for the Department
of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008. But most Members are aware
that what this bill actually contains is the fiscal year 2009 Homeland
Security Appropriations bill, and the Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. It also contains a continuing
resolution to fund the rest of the Government through March 6, and a
substantial disaster supplemental in response to floods, wildfires, and
hurricanes.
I highlight the title of the bill because it is indicative of the
sometimes opaque and convoluted process by which the bill was drafted.
Its contents were determined almost exclusively by staff members and a
small handful of Members of the Senate. There was no opportunity for
most Senators to advocate for a specific request. There was no forum in
which to offer amendments. There were no meetings in which to argue
policy or discuss grievances that Members may have had with the
provisions of these bills. There was no meeting of the conference
committee. Only a few elements of the bill have been previously
considered on the floor of the Senate. Only the Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs chapter was debated on the floor of the other
body. Yet we have only a few days remaining in the fiscal year, and we
have been compelled to either concur in the House amendment or risk the
shutdown of the Government.
The appropriations process has rarely, if ever, been perfect, and I
am the first to admit that. In many years, the regular order has been
abandoned at some stage of the process because of pressures of the
legislative and fiscal calendar.
This year, we have thrown regular order completely out the window. In
the process, we have failed both the Senate and, in my opinion, the
people we represent. Not any of the 12 fiscal year 2009 appropriations
bills have been brought to the Senate floor. Only one appropriations
bill was brought to the floor of the House.
The Senate committee did not mark up even three of the appropriations
bills, including the Defense bill, that supports men and women in
uniform, which accounts for almost half of all discretionary spending.
We didn't consider the bill in committee. Yet here we are with a so-
called conferenced Defense bill buried within a much larger
appropriations measure, which we have adopted.
It is not without precedent to have regular bills appended to the
continuing resolution or other appropriations bills, but this is a $1
trillion appropriations package that has been presented for final
action without a conference committee meeting, without any noncommittee
members having had an opportunity to discuss the issues, to amend the
bill, and without even committee members having an opportunity to
consider most of the provisions of the bill.
Now, the principal reason, we understand, is that the leadership made
a conscious decision early in the year not to engage the President, not
to fuss with the President over appropriations bills. Of course, he has
insisted that his request be honored, that the submission he has made
to the Congress for appropriations be honored in terms of the top line
figure; that any bill increasing the amount above the President's
request would be vetoed. But you know what. I don't remember any
President since I have been in the Senate who hasn't said something
such as that when he submits the bills to the Senate. I can remember
the Senate working its will, considering the President's requests. I
remember President Reagan standing there with a big continuing
resolution and supplementals and everything else we can imagine; it was
about 2 feet high and tall, and in his State of the Union or speech to
the Congress, he said: Don't ever send me another bill such as this. I
will veto it. Well, guess what. We kept sending bills, and if they
weren't that high, they might have been close to it. That is what we
have on our hands here, the chief executive insisting on his right to
participate in the process and be an influence in the process through
the budget submission and the request for appropriations that he is
bound to make to the Government every year, and we are bound to
respond. We are bound to act, and we have.
So I am not quarreling with the technicality; what I am suggesting is
we have denied our own Members the opportunity to openly discuss, to
debate, to offer amendments on these bills. I think we need to
reexamine that process of putting half of the day-to-day operations of
the Government on auto pilot, which is what was the result, for 6
months--for 6 months--rather than negotiate with the President, or
attempt to override his veto. We can override the veto, too. It is not
the end of the world when the President vetoes a bill.
So the majority continues to express confidence that the Congress
will be able to come back next year and, working with the next
President, we hope to complete action on the remaining appropriations
bills. Whether that is realistic to expect, we will wait until the next
Congress and confront the next administration with our views on the
appropriations levels and the proper way to write these bills of
funding the Federal Government.
I fear the next Congress may refuse to do that and instead extend the
continuing resolution through the end of the year. There may be some
adjustments made here and there. We have done that before. We did it in
2007. We wouldn't spend much less under that scenario, but we might
omit some details, guidance, and oversight provisions that are our
responsibility to undertake.
So if the majority was unable to win concessions from the President
on their spending priorities, we could have
[[Page 22520]]
overridden the President's vetoes or rewritten the bills to accommodate
the President's concerns. There is nothing to stop Congress from coming
back next year and working with the next administration to address in
supplemental legislation any shortfalls we may become aware of. That is
probably what we will end up doing. But with this CR, this continuing
resolution, we will put half of the Government adrift, in effect, for
the next 6 months.
We have been able to take some comfort in the past by the fact that
the Appropriations Committees did that which was their responsibility
to do. This year, however, even the committee has fallen short. In the
Senate we marked up only 9 of the 12 appropriations bills. In the
House, only five were reported from the full committee.
That is because the majority didn't want to take votes on the single
issue which has been the top priority of American families throughout
the summer--energy prices. The majority didn't want to risk even
considering amendments to amend or repeal the moratoria on oil and gas
development on the Outer Continental Shelf, or the moratorium that
prohibits the development of Rocky Mountain oil shale deposits.
I was elected by the people of my State to vote on issues such as
energy policy. That is what we are here to do. But we spent much of the
summer, in effect, avoiding our responsibilities.
What has been the result? Before us we now have an appropriations
bill that does exactly what the majority had hoped to avoid--it lifts
the moratoria on oil shale and Outer Continental Shelf development. In
the process of getting to that result, however, Members of the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees have been denied the opportunity
to debate and offer amendments to the other appropriations bills,
including the Defense appropriations bill that is buried in this
package.
This saddens me.
I regret that Republican committee members in the other body were
denied an opportunity to amend the Defense or Homeland Security bills
that are part of this package.
I regret that Republicans in the other body were denied an
opportunity to offer a motion to recommit this bill. The majority
precluded even this minor parliamentary opportunity by using the fiscal
year 2008 Homeland Security bill as a shell for this bill.
I am sorry for all Members of the other body who were denied any
opportunity to offer amendments to any piece of this package aside from
the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill. Even amendments to
that bill were controlled by an unusually restrictive rule.
I regret that some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee
were unable to offer amendments to the Defense bill, the Interior bill
or the legislative branch bill because those bills were never brought
before the committee.
I am sorry for all the Members of this body who will have no
opportunity, and have had no prior opportunity, to offer amendments to
the various elements of this package.
This is a $1 trillion appropriations bill, yet there has been no
conference committee to resolve differences between the House and
Senate. This Senator has taken part in only a single meeting on this
bill, and that meeting was confined to the Defense Appropriations
chapter and was limited to the chairmen and ranking Members of the
Defense subcommittee. There was no similar meeting for any of the other
parts of this bill. Instead, decisions were made exclusively by staff,
the committee chairmen, and the Democratic leaders.
To be clear, Chairman Byrd and his staff have been steadfast
throughout this process in advocating for Senate priorities. I am
grateful for Senator Byrd's support, and other Senators should be as
well. I would like to be able to help him, however, and I know my
colleagues on the committee would like to help as well. Yet without
markups or conference committees or formal meetings, there is no venue
for Members to express their views or advocate for their priorities.
Some will criticize this bill for including billions and billions in
earmarks that were tucked into a must-pass spending bill behind closed
doors. It may surprise people to hear me say this, but there is some
truth in this. While I will defend vigorously the right of Congress to
appropriate funds for specific purposes or projects, I will also defend
the right of individual Senators to challenge those choices throughout
the legislative process. Just like anything else in a bill, earmarks
should be subject to scrutiny and amendment in committee, on the floor,
and during conference. We do ourselves a great disservice by
centralizing decision-making in the hands of a few, and by not allowing
all Members of the House and Senate to contribute their own unique
knowledge and ideas to legislation.
Don't get me wrong. This bill includes many positive measures.
In the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs chapter, the
Department of Veterans Affairs is funded at a record level of $94.4
billion, including $31 billion for medical services. Our commitment to
quality care for our veterans has never been greater.
The Homeland Security chapter includes funding for 2,200 new border
patrol agents, $775 million for continued work on physical and tactical
infrastructure along the southern and northern borders, and funding
above the President's request to accommodate an additional 1,400
detention beds.
The Defense chapter provides a balanced approach to readiness,
modernization and quality of life programs for U.S. military men and
women. It provides the level of support that they deserve--including
additional family advocacy programs, enhanced health care, improved
training, and state-of-the-art equipment.
The bill includes $9.3 billion for the Federal Emergency Management
Agency for essential disaster response across the United States. These
funds are crucial to help our citizens and communities recover from
recent disasters such as Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, as well as past
disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
At the end of the day, I am pleased that we will get the three
principal security-related appropriations bills to the President. I
regret the process that has brought us to this point, and the degree to
which Members have been shut out of the decision-making. It would be
unconscionable for Congress to adjourn without enacting a Defense bill
while our troops are in the field, fighting to implement the policies
of our government and sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.
I will support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
But we must do better next year. We must put the upcoming election
behind us, and recognize that shortcuts in the legislative process are
often the long way around. Enacting appropriations bills is one of the
core duties of the Congress. If Congress is to regain the trust and
respect of the American people, we must perform that duty in a timely
and transparent fashion.
Thank you, Madam President.
My hope is we will admit we have responsibilities that go beyond
putting the Government on this auto pilot as we have described. We are
here to challenge the President when we disagree with him, but we don't
need to avoid completely our responsibilities or abrogate our
responsibilities.
Madam President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair wishes to note that under the
previous order cloture having been invoked on the motion to concur in
the House amendment, the motion to concur with an amendment falls.
The Senator from West Virginia is recognized.
Mr. BYRD. Madam President, let me say that I share the disdain the
able Senator from Mississippi has expressed for this process.
Everything the able Senator has said is absolutely correct. The last
time that all appropriations bills were sent to the President on time
was 1994 when I was chairman. We should all do better, and I look
forward to working with the able and distinguished Senator to return to
the regular order.
[[Page 22521]]
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
Mr. COCHRAN. Madam President, I sincerely thank my distinguished
colleague and friend, Senator Byrd, the chairman of our committee. We
have worked closely together during my time in the Senate. I have
enjoyed the opportunity to learn from him. I appreciate the cooperation
he has extended to me personally. Also, that is true of his staff
members, that we have worked together and with mutual respect. That
respect still continues. I am grateful for it. I know that by
continuing to put our best efforts forward, we can improve this
process, and I look forward to that day.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I thank the very able and distinguished
Senator.
I certify that the information required by Senate rule XLIV related
to congressionally directed spending has been available on the publicly
accessible congressional Web site in a searchable format at least 48
hours before a vote on the pending bill.
Madam President, I speak today in support of the fiscal year 2009
Homeland Security Appropriations bill which addresses America's most
critical and pressing security needs. The Appropriations Committee,
which was established in 1867, by a vote of 29 to 0, produced a
balanced and responsible bill. We had a good negotiation with the
House.
The legislation invests the resources needed to protect our citizens
from deadly terrorist attacks, to secure our borders and enforce U.S.
immigration laws, and to ensure a rapid and effective Federal response
to both natural and manmade disasters.
The bill total is $42.2 billion. That is $42.20 for every minute
since Jesus Christ was born. The bill total is $42.2 billion, which is
$2.4 billion above the President's budget request. And despite--hear me
now--despite the administration's assertion that al-Qaida has
reconstituted itself in Pakistan with the goal of striking America, the
President--get this--the President submitted a flat budget proposal for
the Department of Homeland Security.
I am going to read that again. It bears reading again. Despite the
administration's assertion--that is, this administration--this
administration's assertion that al-Qaida has reconstituted itself in
Pakistan with the goal of striking America, the President submitted--
that is your President, my President, our President, Madam President--
the President submitted a flat budget proposal for the Department of
Homeland Security.
The President--your President, my President, our President--proposed
deep cuts--you hear that--the President proposed deep cuts in funding
for our Nation's first responders.
The message that is now before the Senate increases our ability to
secure the homeland--this homeland, our homeland--by increasing
resources for border security, restoring irresponsible cuts in first
responder grants, funding immigration enforcement, and increasing
funding above the President's request for core homeland security
missions that help to keep our people--your people, my people--our
people safe.
Finally, the bill includes new requirements for contracting,
procurement, and program oversight, helping to ensure that taxpayer
dollars are being carefully spent.
The legislation significantly increases resources for border
security, including $775 million, as requested, for border fencing and
technology on the southwest border and funding to hire 2,200 new Border
Patrol agents and 892 new Customs officers.
The legislation provides significant resources for immigration
enforcement, including over $1 billion to identify and remove from the
United States criminal aliens who are either at large or already
incarcerated in prisons or jails, funding for 1,400 new detention beds,
$60 million above the request for work site enforcement, and $226
million to fully fund 104 fugitive operations teams that locate and
remove illegal aliens who have been ordered removed from the country.
The legislation restores irresponsible cuts in first responder grants
by providing $4.244 billion--$16.2 million above fiscal year 2008 and
$2.071 billion above the President's fiscal year 2009 request.
Port security grants are funded at $400 million, and rail and transit
security grants are funded at $400 million. FIRE Act grants are funded
at $565 million, which is $265 million over the President's request,
and SAFER grants are funded at $210 million, which the President
proposed to eliminate.
The bill provides critical increases above the President's request
for core homeland security missions, including the Coast Guard, the
Secret Service, aviation security, and FEMA.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the
Record a more detailed description of the bill.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Bill Highlights
The legislation significantly increases resources for
border security, including:
$775 million, as requested, for border fencing and
technology. Of these funds, $100 million is made available
immediately, $40 million is directed toward Northern border
security, and $30 million is for interoperable communications
grants for communities along the border. $400 million is
withheld from obligation until the Department submits a
detailed expenditure plan. It is expected that nearly all of
the 670 miles of fencing and vehicle barriers on the
Southwest border will be complete or under contract by the
end of January 2009.
2,200 new Border Patrol agents--this will bring the total
number of agents to 20,019 by the end of Fiscal Year 2009. It
also adds funds to transfer 75 experienced agents to the
Northern border.
892 new CBP officers and specialists, including 561 for
land border ports of entry, 173 for airports, 100 agriculture
specialists, and 58 trade specialists.
The bill provides significant resources for immigration
enforcement including:
Direction that $1 billion be focused on identifying and
removing from the United States criminal aliens who are
either at-large or already incarcerated in prisons or jails.
This includes $150 million above the request, added by the
Senate bill, to continue the Secure Communities program that
was initially funded last year.
1,400 new detention beds, for a total of 33,400 beds--400
more than requested.
$60 million above the request for worksite enforcement
(including detention beds associated with worksite
enforcement actions). Worksite enforcement is funded at
$126.5 million.
$226 million to fully fund 104 fugitive operations teams
that locate and remove illegal aliens who have been ordered
removed from the country but who have absconded.
$189 million for the Criminal Alien Program to identify and
remove aliens currently serving time for crimes committed in
this country.
The bill restores irresponsible cuts in first responder
grants:
The bill restores irresponsible cuts in first responder
grants by providing $4.244 billion for the programs, $16.2
million above FY 2008 enacted and $2.071 billion above the
President's FY 2009 request. Port security grants are funded
at $400 million, which is $190 million over the request. Rail
and transit security grants are funded at $400 million, which
is $225 million over the President's request. FIRE Act grants
are funded at $565 million, which is $265 million over the
President's request. And SAFER grants are funded at $210
million, which the President proposed to eliminate.
The bill provides critical increases above the request for
core homeland security missions:
The bill provides $294 million for the purchase and
installation of explosives detection equipment for checked
baggage at airports, $140.1 million above the request and the
same level enacted in Fiscal Year 2008. When combined with
$250 million in mandatory funds for this program, the bill
provides $544 million. TSA is in receipt of over 80 requests
totaling $700 million for airport facility modifications for
optimal checked baggage screening solutions. The increase of
$140.1 million above the President's request greatly
accelerates the ability of TSA to implement these optimal
systems.
The bill provides $250 million for checkpoint screening
equipment, $122.3 million above the President's request and
the same level enacted in Fiscal Year 2008. At the
President's request level, deployment of screening technology
would decrease by 64 percent compared to Fiscal Year 2008.
The bill's increase will allow TSA to accelerate the purchase
of technologies that can provide significant improvements in
threat detection at passenger checkpoints.
The bill provides $122.8 million for air cargo security,
$18 million above the President's request and $49.8 million
above the
[[Page 22522]]
Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level. The bill's increase will
allow TSA to expand technology pilots that evaluate the
effectiveness of air cargo screening and to audit indirect
air carriers, shippers, and distribution centers
participating in the certified shipper program.
The bill provides $1.1 billion within the total
appropriation provided to the TSA for activities and
requirements authorized by the 9/11 Act, including $544
million for the procurement and installation of explosives
detection systems at airports; $122.8 million for air cargo
security; $30 million to expand Visible Intermodal Protection
and Response Teams; $390.7 million for specialized screening
programs (travel document checkers, behavior detection
officers, bomb appraisal officers, and officers to randomly
screen more airport and airline employees); $11.6 million for
surface transportation inspectors; and $20 million to
implement regulations and other new activities authorized by
the 9/11 Act.
The bill provides $819.5 million for the Federal Air
Marshals (FAMs), $33.4 million above the President's request
and $49.9 million above the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level.
The increase will allow FAMs to maintain current coverage on
critical flights.
The bill provides $108 million for Coast Guard response
boats, $44 million above the request and $63 million above
the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level. This funding will allow
the Coast Guard to purchase 36 Response Boat-Mediums (RB-Ms)
in Fiscal Year 2009, 22 more than the President requested.
The RB-M is a critical Coast Guard asset that will replace
aging 41-foot Utility Boats acquired in the early 1970s and
serve as a platform for boardings, search and rescues, and
port security. Recent studies have identified the lack of
response boats as an impediment to fully implementing the
Coast Guard's mission requirements.
The bill provides $353.7 million for the Coast Guard's
National Security Cutter (NSC), the same amount as the
President's request and $188 million above the Fiscal Year
2008 enacted level. Of this amount, $346.6 million is for the
production of NSC #4, and $7.1 million is for the structural
retrofit of NSC #1. The bill's accompanying statement
expresses concern with purported cost increases above the
requested level and requires the Coast Guard to provide the
Committees with detailed information on all reasons why there
may be a nearly 50 percent increase in the cost of this
cutter.
The bill provides $30.3 million above the request to re-
activate USCGC Polar Star, a Coast Guard heavy polar
icebreaker. Over 22 percent of the world's energy supply is
under the Arctic ice cap. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
has stated that Russia should unilaterally claim part of the
Arctic, stepping up the race for the disputed energy-rich
region. Russia has a fleet of 20 heavy icebreakers and is
nearing completion of the first of their newest fleet of
nuclear-powered icebreakers in an effort to control energy
exploration and maritime trade in the region. Thanks to the
Bush Administration, the United States has only one
functioning heavy polar icebreaker. These funds will allow
the Coast Guard to reactivate the Polar Star to extend its
service life 7 to 10 additional years. The Navy and the Air
Force call our need for polar icebreaking capabilities ``an
essential instrument of U.S. policy'' in the region.
The bill provides $23.5 million above the request for Coast
Guard port and maritime safety and security enhancements.
Funds are provided for additional watchstanders, boats, and
marine inspection staff; to conduct testing of Area
Contingency Plans; to increase maritime casualty
investigations; to increase armed boat escorts and security
boardings; and to increase terminal inspections of Certain
Dangerous Cargoes transport and delivery.
The bill provides $4 million above the request for cyber
crimes investigations by the Secret Service and $1.7 million
above the President's request for international
investigations.
The bill provides $97.6 million for a new consolidated
headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS headquarters facilities are currently located in
approximately 40 locations and 70 buildings throughout the
National Capital Region.
The bill provides $904 million for FEMA Management and
Administration, $19 million over the President's request and
$279 million over FY 2008. For too long, FEMA was left to
wither on the vine. This investment continues the restoration
of needed resources for an Agency that is vital to the
prevention, preparedness, and response efforts of this Nation
as threats loom and disasters strike.
Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I thank the very able, very distinguished
Senator, Thad Cochran, the ranking member, for his many notable
contributions to this legislation.
I also thank our able majority and minority staff who worked together
to produce this legislation. Let me name them: Charles Kieffer--let me
say that again--the inimitable Charles Kieffer, Chip Walgren, Scott
Nance, Drenan Dudley, Christa Thompson, Tad Gallion, Rebecca Davies,
Carol Cribbs, Arex Avanni, and Adam Morrison.
Madam President, I yield the floor. I thank all Senators.
Mr. COCHRAN. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum and
ask that the time be equally charged to both sides.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk
will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. COBURN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. COBURN. Madam President, I appreciate the unanimous consent
request that allows me to spend a little bit of time on this bill.
Before I get into the bill, I wish to answer the most senior Senator we
have in terms of the President's request for flatlining a lot of DHS.
I happen to be on the Homeland Security Committee, and I can tell
you, outside the Pentagon, there is no agency in the Government that
has more waste, fraud, and abuse than the Department of Homeland
Security. Any business manager or any family could quickly see that you
could easily flatline it and make it much more efficient and do a good
job for the taxpayers. So the motivation by flatlining is to try to
generate some efficiency in the Department of Homeland Security.
I also wish to associate some of my words with the Senator from
Mississippi on terms of process. We have a tremendous amount of money--
$643 billion--that this bill has. Here is the bill. It is another one
of those thick bills we are going to send over. There are going to have
to be technical corrections--we know that--in any big bill we do this
way. But there is something fundamentally flawed, and it doesn't have
anything to do with the bill; it has to do with the process.
We have an Appropriations Committee that does generally a very good
job on most of these items, but what we have done is excluded the whole
body from their input into making decisions about some $640 billion
worth of spending. As far as the discretionary budget, it is about 65
percent of the total discretionary budget that we are going to pass,
and it is not going to have any input except for 29 Members of this
body--no input, no chance to change policy, no chance to put
limitations, no chance to truly do what should be done. We have to ask
the question: Why is that? Why is it that appropriations bills did not
come through this body this year? I think the reason is, not because
they didn't really want people to try to improve and perfect the
legislation, it is that we didn't want any votes that might make some
political party--one or the other, ours or the majority--to have a
political advantage through a vote. That is a very terrible way for
this body to descend into politics instead of policy. This bill
contains tons of earmarks. Some are bright, some stink. Some, when the
light of day is shone on them, the American people will actually gasp
and say: Where was the common sense? How in the world are my children
paying for us spending money like this?
I am concerned, not because of the present crisis we have in front of
us. I think this body, by the time this weekend is completed, will have
addressed that issue and started down the road. But what we are doing
is treating a symptom of a disease Congress has, and that disease is
lack of oversight to see how we are spending the money, lack of metrics
to be able to measure the effectiveness of programs. We are highly
resistant to holding administrative agencies accountable, and we are
restricting the ability of individual Senators to offer positions for
the body to consider. Not that they may be won, but that the whole
country loses when we don't have the debate.
There are many egregious earmarks that are in this bill, and I will
tell you I think our appropriations process this year is broken, that
it doesn't serve the country well. There is no question we need to fund
the agencies, but what we are doing is we are taking three agencies and
we are funding them--we will not allow amendments or allow
[[Page 22523]]
the body to work--but the rest of the agencies will run in a status quo
until March 6. Now, let me give you an example of why that is bad.
I had the good pleasure of meeting with a couple of Oklahomans who
happened to be traveling back here last Monday. They happen to work for
the weather service. They are both acquisition officers for the weather
service, and here is what happened to them last year--and it is going
to happen again this year. They are going to get their final numbers
sometime in late March. We will pass the information on for them as to
what they are allowed to spend. They will have less than 3 months to
contract and acquire everything for 12 months. They are telling me it
is impossible for them to do a good job; that there is no way they can
be frugal, efficient, and get great value for the American public the
way we are running the appropriations process.
Now, that has nothing to do with my colleague from Mississippi. His
desire would have been to bring these bills to the floor, have them
amended, have them voted on, and send them to the House. But a
leadership decision was made that we could not do that.
Now, I want you to multiply these two gentlemen who were acquisition
specialists in the weather service, multiply that across the whole
Government, and what we have done is we have squeezed, into a 3-month
period of time, acquisitions that normally take 6 to 9 months to do
properly and efficiently and in a frugal way for the American
taxpayers. Consequently, we are going to waste another 10 or 15 percent
of the money in these appropriations bills.
Then, when it comes to the end of the year, if any money is left
over, here is what they told me they have to do. They have to spend the
money to make sure the Appropriations Committee will give them the
money next year, even though they had trouble spending the money this
year because we put a time constraint on them.
None of us would run our businesses, none of us would run our
families that way. Yet we are telling the rest of the Federal
Government--great employees whom we have--to do something that is
impossible to do in an efficient and orderly manner.
There are a lot of things that have happened in the last 2 years in
the way this Senate is run. I believe most of them were for political
reasons. They were not intended to hurt the policy, but nevertheless
the policy is tremendously damaged. It is my hope that come January,
when we have a new leader in the White House, no matter who it is, he
will recognize the severity of the appropriations process and its
impact on waste in this country.
As I frequently do, I wish to raise again to the American public and
this body the fact that the Government Accountability Office, the
various inspectors general, the Congressional Research Service, and the
Congressional Budget Office can specifically lay out for the American
people at least $300 billion a year of spending that is either pure
waste, fraud or total duplication. At a time when we are going to have
a $600 billion accounting deficit--because you have to add what we are
stealing from Social Security to what we spend to get what our real
deficit is--does it make any sense that we would continue to have $300
billion worth of waste, fraud or abuse and duplication in these bills?
There is not one attempt in this bill to eliminate that. Not one. Not
one.
So as you think about your quarterly tax payments or you think about
your paycheck stub and the taxes taken from you, your income tax and
estimated payments, and you think about what we are not doing, you
ought to be awfully dissatisfied as an American taxpayer. We have
failed the test. We have failed the test. Why it is important is
because what we have done is mortgaged the future hopes, freedom, and
prosperity of our children and our grandchildren.
I am disappointed, to say the least, with the process. But I am more
disappointed in the fact that we are going to earn a reputation that we
have not done our jobs.
Serious concerns with the economy should turn the attention of
Congress away from parochial interests toward national interests.
Congress has focused on parochial interests for far too long,
spending more time securing earmarks than doing the business of the
American people.
Our Nation faces an economic challenge today equal to any challenge
we have previously faced and now requires our full attention.
The following snapshot of our economy should impress upon everyone
the seriousness of the job ahead.
The national debt currently stands at over $9.58 trillion, the
largest in world history.
This year's deficit, in real accounting terms, stands above $600
billion.
This year alone, taxpayers will spend more than $230 billion just to
pay the interest on the national debt.
Since 2006, gas has risen from $2.24 per gallon to nearly $4 a
gallon.
More Americans are out of work; the unemployment rate has increased
from 4.9 percent in January to 6.1 percent in August.
In 2008, over 600,000 jobs have been lost.
According to USDA projections, the Consumer Price Index--CPI--for all
food is forecast to increase 4.5 to 5.5 percent in 2008. For example,
since 2006 the price of milk has increased approximately 16 percent.
According to Reuters news service, the total tab for government
rescues and special loan facilities this year is more than $900
billion, not including the proposed $700 billion rescue of the
financial markets in the Paulson plan.
Already this year, the Federal Government has taken drastic steps to
stabilize the economy, all using taxpayer dollar. While several of
these amounts may be fully repaid to taxpayer, they involve huge
liabilities and expenditures:
$200 billion was authorized for use in rescuing Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac. The Treasury will inject up to $100 billion into each
institution by purchasing preferred took to shore up their capital as
needed;
$300 billion for the Federal Housing Administration to refinance
failing mortgages into new reduced-principal loans with a Federal
guarantee;
$4 billion in HUD grants to banks to help hem buy and repair homes
abandoned due to mortgage foreclosures;
$85 billion loan from the Fed for AIG, which would give the Federal
Government a 79.9 percent stake and avoid a bankruptcy filing for the
embattled insurer;
At least $87 billion in repayments to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for
providing financing to underpin trades with units of bankrupt
investment bank Lehman Brothers;
$29 billion in financing from the Fed for JPMorgan Chase's
Government-brokered buyout of Bear Stearns & Co. in March;
At least $200 billion of currently outstanding loans to banks issued
through the Federal Reserve's Term Auction Facility, which was recently
expanded to allow for longer loans of 84 days alongside the previous
28-day credits;
Starting last year, Social Security and Medicare projected
expenditures exceed revenues. Over the next 75 years, this will cost
$41 trillion in present value terms. Of that amount, $34 trillion is
related to Medicare and $7 trillion to Social Security. By one account,
the current unfunded liabilities of Medicare and Social Security are
above $100 trillion.
If we think that the current economic troubles are a concern, wait
until the bill comes due for all of the reckless spending Congress is
engaging in today.
Members should focus like a laser on these issues rather than
concentrate their efforts on political games and earmarks.
Instead of doing any of this, Congress is now planning to ram through
an irresponsible continuing resolution to keep the Government operating
during fiscal year 2009.
None of these issues are addressed in the bill but only compound the
problems. Congress seems to have not learned its lesson.
The appropriations process is broken and excludes Members from
considering serious issues.
[[Page 22524]]
The Senate is preparing to vote on an appropriations bill that will
cost $634 billion, which will include funds for all of our national
security agencies, disaster relief, and a continuing resolution for the
2009 fiscal year. Yet the text of the bill only came available late on
Tuesday night, with no one having seen a word of it except for a few
Democratic staff and Members in the House. Further still, a joint
explanatory statement was released yesterday afternoon.
This must be what the House Appropriations Committee chairman meant
when he said that the continuing resolution would be drafted in
``secret.''
The following is an excerpt from an article yesterday in Bloomberg
News.
The plan outlined by Obey would give Republicans less than
24 hours to scrutinize legislation spending more than $600
billion on the Defense, homeland security and veterans'
affairs agencies including thousands of pet projects known as
earmarks.
Asked if the process has been secretive, Obey said:
``You're d**n right it has because if it's done in the public
it would never get done.'' He said he wanted to avoid his
colleagues' ``pontificating'' on the content of the
legislation, saying ``that's what politicians do when this
stuff is done in full view of the press.'' He said ``we've
done this the old fashioned way by brokering agreements in
order to get things done and I make no apology for it.''
It is easy to understand why the House Appropriations Chairman would
want to conduct his business in secret, as one who received $51.5
million in earmarks for his district.
The one constitutional duty of the Congress is to pass legislation
funding the operations of Government, and yet his duty has been
entirely abandoned by the majority.
Congress is now less than 1 week away from the beginning of fiscal
year 2009, and yet it has not passed one appropriations bill.
The only bill to receive a vote by either body is the Military
Construction--Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that passed the
House of Representatives.
No appropriations bills have even been brought to the floor of the
Senate during the entire calendar year 2008 thus far--though the Senate
is now expected to vote on three of the largest bills having had 36
hours to review the $634 billion in spending they contain.
The appropriations process should have begun long ago. It is unfair
to taxpayers when Congress chooses to pass large legislation in the
dark of night rather than debate them for all to see.
Congress now finds itself considering major national security
legislation in one day under pressure of both a Government shutdown and
delay on an important piece of economic legislation.
Had the majority leader taken action earlier this year, Members would
be free to concentrate fully on the Treasury proposal. Instead, they
are distracted by making sure that their earmarks and pork-barrel
projects are in the CR.
The CR has been loaded down with billions of dollars in wasteful
earmarks.
Despite having had only 1\1/2\ days to look over the bill, it is
plain that there are a large number of highly questionable earmarks set
to receive funding in 2009.
In just the three appropriations bills for the Department of Defense,
the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Veterans
Affairs/Military Construction, there are 2,627 earmarks worth $16.1
billion.
This means that without even funding the remaining nine
appropriations bills, Congress has nearly reached the dollar value of
all earmarks in fiscal year 2008.
According to Citizens Against Government Waste, there were 11,620
earmarks worth $17.2 billion for all 12 appropriations bills in 2008.
In fiscal year 2008, the average dollar amount of each earmark was
$1.48 million.
In the continuing resolution before the Senate, the average dollar
amount for each earmark is $6.1 million-- more than five times higher.
Every dollar that goes to an earmark in this bill is a dollar that
will not go to important national security programs at the Departments
of Homeland Security and Defense.
What kind of projects are receiving earmarked funds out our national
security agencies in 2009?
$3.2 million for the High Altitude Airship--Senator Sherrod Brown.
After spending millions to investigate and develop a blimp-based
platform for ICBM surveillance, the Missile Defense Agency--MDA--
cancelled the program--called the High Altitude Airship--due to myriad
capability limitations.
MDA did not request funding for the program for 2008. However, $2.5
million in earmarks in the 2008 Defense appropriations bill revived the
cancelled program, despite the fact that no one else at the Pentagon
had expressed interest.
After shopping the program around, Lockheed Martin managed to pass
the program to Army Space and Missile Defense Command, which will now
begin investigating if there is any utility for them with the program.
The project has been based in Akron, OH, funded by a $1 million
earmark toward the program by Senator Brown, who has a long record in
opposition to missile defense.
$2 million for Hibernation Genomics--Senator Ted Stevens. This
earmark would provide funding to the University of Alaska for research
into the hibernation genomics of Alaskan ground squirrels.
University of Alaska lobbyist, Martha Stewart--no relation--claims
that the research into squirrel hibernation will one day help wounded
soldiers in the battlefield.
According to Ms. Stewart, the university is well equipped to do the
work. She insists: ``We have a number of ground squirrels that are in
various stages of hibernation in Fairbanks.''
And $800,000 for the Columbia College Chicago Construct Program--
Senator Dick Durbin. Columbia College claims to be the ``Nation's
largest private arts and media school in the Nation.'' It offers a wide
selection of coursework in audio arts, dance, film, journalism, poetry,
and radio. According to the school's annual report, it received $2.7
million in Federal grants during 2007 from the Department of Education,
U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Corporation for National and Community
Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Department of
Health and Human Services.
Since 2000, Columbia College Chicago has received over $275 million
in grants, cooperative agreements, and direct payments from the Federal
Government.
And $800,000 for Partnership in Innovative Preparation for Educators
and Students and the Space Education Consortium--Senator Wayne Allard
and Senator Ken Salazar. The Space Education Consortium was created by
the Air Force in 2004 as a partnership with the University of Colorado
and others to promote science education for professionals as well as
``getting space technology and curriculum infused throughout the U.S.
education system from kindergarten to post-graduate work.
``It is a chance to grow a cadre of space professionals from the
launch pad to the stars,'' said Air Force General Lance Lord, commander
of the Air Force Space Command.
A July 2008 report by the DOD Inspector General stated that this
earmark was not consistent with the department's mission ``to provide
the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of
our country.''
And 24.5 million for the National Drug Intelligence Center--
Representative John Murtha. Every year, millions of dollars for our
national defense are siphoned away from the military's budget to pay
for a single program administered not by the Pentagon but by the
Department of Justice.
This funding is directed to the National Drug Intelligence Center--
NDIC--which the Department of Justice has asked Congress to shut down.
The former director of NDIC even confessed to U.S. News, ``I
recognized that a lot of [NDIC] reports were God-awful, poorly written,
poorly researched, and, some cases, wrong.''
Another former director even admitted, ``I've never come to terms
with the justification for the NDIC'' and ``the
[[Page 22525]]
bottom line was that we had to actually search for a mission.''
According to an investigation by the Government Accountability
Office, NDIC duplicates the activities of 19 drug intelligence centers
that already existed.
Since 1992, the center has received over 500 million in federal
funding.
$15 million for Waterbury Industrial Commons Redevelopment
Initiative--Senator Joe Lieberman and Representative Chris Murphy.
According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, ``This would clean up a
decades old munitions factory to be used as a city-owned industrial
park.
The Fairfield Weekly reports that the State of Connecticut has turned
down requests to fund this project--each year the Mayor of Waterbury
``makes the trip to Hartford seeking the money, and each year comes
back empty handed.''
Why should the American taxpayer fund that which State of Connecticut
will not provide funding?
And $4 million to the Go For Broke National Education Center. This
earmark is aptly named in light of the fact that Congress is helping
the Nation ``go broke.''
And $9.9 million for the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial Asociation.
Visitors can go aboard the battleship from World War II that survived
the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
While preserving the Nation's history is important, this is not only
something that could be funded privately, it is not a priority at this
time.
And $1.6 million for New Electronic Warfare Specialists Through
Advanced Research by Students Representative David Hobson.
And $4.5 million for the 2010 Olympics Coordination Center Senator
Patty Murray and Representative Rick Larsen.
And $800,000 Pseudofoliculitis Barbae--PFB--Topical Treatment--this
goes to ISW Group in St. Louis, MO--Senator Kit Bond.
There is $10 million for the Intrepid Museum Foundation.
And $4 million for the Nimitz Center.
And $1.2 million for the Center for Nonproliferation Studies,
Monterey Institute for International Affairs--Representative Berman.
And $10 million for the New Mexico State University Institute for
Defense and Public Policy----Senator Jeff Bingaman.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania is recognized.
Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 5
minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I have sought recognition to comment
briefly on a letter which I am sending today to the executive
officials, to Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke, and to the
legislators who are involved in the negotiations on the economic
proposal, with the suggestion that extensive consideration be given to
loans instead of purchasing the toxic securities.
I think the model of AIG would be very appropriate to use as opposed
to the purchase of those toxic securities. It will be very difficult to
ascertain what is fair value for those securities when there is no
market. But the AIG example was a good one, with the Government
securing a preferred position, substantial interest rate, and excellent
opportunities to get the money paid back.
I also urge the negotiators to give consideration to the proposals by
the House Republicans on the so-called insurance fund. I believe all
the options ought to be weighed when we are dealing with a matter of
this magnitude. When we deviate from the regular legislative course, we
are in a very difficult area.
As to the proposal of the $700 billion, I believe we have not yet had
a sufficiently specific description on that figure. It is a gigantic
figure, and the public response, understandably, is why and what are
the causes for the problem. That is my view, too, as to why the figure
has been advanced. There has been no specification as to why we need
that figure.
On the proposals to advance part of it initially, I think that is a
good idea. I don't know that the figure has to be as much as $250
billion. There ought to be justification for why that figure is
selected. And then the proposal for an additional $100 million, with
the request of the President, I think is sound, to have a procedure for
staged installments. But even as to the President's request, there
ought to be some standards specified.
Then, as to the balance of the $350 billion, or whatever sum that is,
we have to be careful that we do not violate the holding of the U.S.
Supreme Court in INS v. Chadha, where there was an effort to have
legislative refusal of certain executive action by the Attorney
General, the Supreme Court said where there is deviation, you have to
follow the regular legislative process--passage by both Houses and
approved by the President. So we are in a very complex legal area,
which I urge the negotiators to study carefully before coming to any
judgment. When regular order is not followed, we are on thin ice.
The executive branch negotiators, Secretary Paulson and Chairman
Bernanke, would not have any reason to know the intricacies of the
legislative process, but they have served our country very well for
more than 200 years. As we all know, it starts with a bill, a bill we
can read. Well, we still don't have a bill, and we are talking about
passage within the next couple days. After you get a bill, you have
hearings. There have been some hearings, but not in the context of a
specific bill. Then the proponents of the legislation are asked to
testify, and there are people opposed to it or people with other ideas
who testify before the relevant committee--which would be the Banking
Committee in this situation. They are subject to examination and cross-
examination and pushed as to exactly what they have in mind.
Then, after the hearing, or hearings, are completed, there is
committee action and what we call a markup, where the committee goes
over the proposed legislation line by line and decides whether there
should be changes and then votes on the changes. The committee then
files a report. It is usually thick and complicated. It comes before
the Senate and we debate it and we offer amendments.
The same thing happens in the House. Finally, when each House has
acted and there is passage of the bill proposed, it goes to conference,
where it is further refined and then is presented to the President. The
President takes an additional look at it to see if he thinks it ought
to be approved or if it ought to be rejected.
Well, that is a very lengthy process, and I think we ought to be very
careful when we deviate from that process so we know what we are doing.
Perhaps there is not time--well, there isn't time to go through the
exhaustive process, which would take a considerable period of time--but
when we deviate from that process, we ought to be careful that we know
what we are doing and not set arbitrary time limits which are very
brief.
I have taken a look at the Dow for the intervening period between
Friday, September 19, and Friday September 26--yesterday. When the
proposals were made over the last weekend, there was an urging of
Congress to act before the 26th, which was our scheduled date for
adjournment. Then we thought: Well, maybe Saturday or Sunday or maybe
Monday morning. Next week we have the Jewish holidays, and Yom Kippur
in the week that follows. But on the Dow, which closed at 11,388 on
Friday, September 19, it declined 2.15 percent over a week to close at
11,143 on September 26. By measuring from September 19, on September 22
it was down 3.27 percent; on the 23rd, it was down 1.47 percent; on the
24th, it was down .27 percent; on the 25th, it was up 1.82 percent; and
on the 26th, it was up 1.1 percent. So the net figure was down 2.15
percent.
We would rather see the Dow go up, but that is not a precipitant
decline. It is my sense that the market--Wall Street, that entity which
calibrates the market--would understand it takes some additional time.
As long as they
[[Page 22526]]
have seen that Congress is working as promptly as practicable, then I
do believe there would be a sufficient opportunity without having a
precipitous slide. Obviously, we can watch it on a day-by-day basis,
and we ought to move as promptly as we can, but I do believe it is not
a matter which has to be done yesterday or tomorrow. We have to do it
promptly and show that we acknowledge the problem.
There is a consensus, with very few dissenters, that something needs
to be done and something very substantial.
Our actions need to be very thoughtful and very careful. We also need
to assure the American people that our actions are thoughtful. Senator
Casey and I had an open forum on Pennsylvania Cable Network on Tuesday,
where we had call-ins, and the temperature out there is 212 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher. It is boiling. We have a responsibility in the
Congress to make judgments and we listen to our constituents but, in a
representative democracy, as Edmund Burke said several hundred years
ago, it is our responsibility to exercise our best judgment.
The intervening days have given us an opportunity to see the issue
percolate in the country, where people consider it, where there are
talk shows and radio and television and op-ed pieces, and we get to
digest it and sleep on it for a few days, which is a very healthy
thing.
I heard a suggestion from the former Speaker of the House, Newt
Gingrich, that whatever the proposal is, it ought to be on the Internet
for 24 hours. Maybe that is not quite long enough, but it is projected
that in 24 hours you would have thousands of responses, or perhaps
millions of responses the way the Internet is watched. That would put
us on guard that something has not been slipped in. These bills turn
out to be very voluminous. It started off as a 3-page memorandum; now
it is more than 100 pages. America could provide us with some good
ideas so that we are alerted to something being slipped in that we
can't rectify after the fact, or alert us to some unintended
consequences.
In conclusion, it is my hope the Congress will act in a way which
will be effective, after we have given the entire matter appropriate
consideration and consider views beyond those expressed by Secretary
Paulson and Chairman Bernanke. There has been some significant
movement, movement toward oversight, not allowing the people who have
gotten us into this mess to profit--the golden parachutes, et cetera.
But we are on the road to acting. I think we have to do it in an
appropriate timeframe.
I ask unanimous consent that the letter I am sending to the executive
branch, those involved in the negotiations, be printed in the Record;
in addition, a letter which I sent to Secretary Paulson and Chairman
Bernanke dated September 23 be included in the Record; and a letter I
sent to Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell, dated
September 21, be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record as follows:
September 27, 2008.
Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson,
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke,
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,
House Republican Leader John Boehner,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell,
Chairman Christopher Dodd,
Ranking Member Richard Shelby,
Chairman Kent Conrad,
Ranking Member Judd Gregg,
Chairman Barney Frank,
Ranking Member Spencer Bachus,
Senator Bob Bennett.
Gentlemen and Speaker Pelosi: I write with some suggestions
on the prospective legislation to deal with the economic
crisis and to urge you to take the time necessary to give
appropriate consideration to it without rushing to judgment.
In the past week, I, like many members, have been reaching
out to economists and other experts and have had suggestions
coming in from economists and other experts, as well as
listening to the suggestions made by other members of
Congress.
I urge you to consider lending federal funds with senior
security as opposed to having the federal government buy
toxic securities. The AIG model could be used. The obvious
difficulty for the federal government to go into the market
to buy toxic securities is the difficulty in assessing
realistic value in the absence of a market. With a lending
approach, the government is likely to be able to have lesser
expenditures with a better chance of repayment. I further
urge a real consideration to the proposals made by House
Republicans for an industry-financed insurance program for
mortgages which are in default.
As to the overall figure of $700 billion, Congress should
have a detailed explanation as to how at which that figure
was arrived and the necessity for such a large sum. I favor
the proposal to have the federal funds advanced in
installments. Consideration should be given to having the
first installment less than the $250 billion as currently
proposed. On additional installments, it is a good idea to
require a presidential certification with the legislation
specifying standards which the President should use.
On the stipulation to give Congress to the option to object
to the final $350 billion, care must be exercised not run
afoul of the Supreme Court decision in INS v. Chadha which
requires following regular legislative process with passage
by both houses and presi action and perhaps inferentially
legislative conditions.
In a letter dated September 21, 2008 I wrote to Majority
McConnell urging that we not rush to judgment. Many have
argued that the situation is so dire that there must be
immediate Congressional action in order to avoid a
cataclysmic result in the market. My view, as expressed in my
letter to Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke on
September 23, 2008, is practicable to enact a serious,
substantial program since there is a solid consensus that
some major government aid must be and will be forthcoming.
On September 19, 2008, there were predictions of dire
consequences if legislation was not passed by September 26th.
The Dow declined by 2.15% from September 19th from 11,388.44
to September 26th to 11,143.13. During this time, there was
no major deviation from September 19th: 9/22--down 3.27%; 9/
23--down 1.47%; 9/24--down .27%; 9/25--up 1.82%; 9/26--up
1.1%. It is noteworthy that the market ended on a positive
note at the end of e week, even though Congress had not
passed legislation.
I urge time for due deliberation because of the risks when
we do not follow regular order. For those who are not
acquainted with the details of the legislative process, there
should be a focus on the institutions of Congress which have
served this nation so well for more than 200 years. The
legislative process begins, as we all know, with the
introduction of a bill. As yet, we do not have in writing the
traditional starting point, a bill which we can study and
analyze. Next there are hearings on the bill with testimony
from its proponents. Then the committee of jurisdiction
listens to opponents or those with other ideas and all the
witnesses are subject to questioning, really cross
examination, by members of the committee.
Then the committee sits in what is called a markup going
over the proposed legislation line by line with votes on
suggested changes. A committee report is then filed and the
measure is called for floor action in each house with debate
and opportunity for amendments. The bills passed by each
house are then subjected to a conference where further
refinement is made before the legislation is presented to the
president.
When we depart from regular order, we are on very risky
ground. I am not suggesting that this full time-consuming
process legislative be followed; but we should take great
care in the consideration of this legislation to compensate
as much as possible for the departure from regular order.
I pass on, for your consideration, an idea proposed by
former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich who suggests that
the final proposal be put on the internet for 24 hours.
Speaker Gingrich suggests, and I concur, that such a proposal
would be read by thousands if not millions of people who
could then inform the Congress of provisions which are so
often slipped into legislation unbeknownst to the members and
further give us appraisals of unintended consequences.
As already noted, I wrote to Secretary Paulson and Chairman
Bernanke by letter dated September 23, 2008 (copies enclosed
for the additional addressees), not yet answered, which
raises questions which I would like to have responded to
before I am called upon to vote.
We have a duty to the American people to act responsibly to
address the problem, protect the taxpayers, and take every
measure to ensure that this does not happen again.
Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions.
Sincerely,
Arlen Specter.
____
U.S. Senate,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, September 23, 2008.
Henry M. Paulson, Jr.,
Secretary of the Treasury, Department of the Treasury,
Washington, DC.
Ben S. Bernanke,
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System,
Washington, DC.
Dear Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke: I write to
you because I am in the
[[Page 22527]]
process of deciding how to vote on legislation to deal with
the economic crisis. I agree that there is need for federal
action; but I am concerned that we not rush to judgment
without giving sufficient attention to the many complex
issues which are involved.
At the outset, the, or a, precipitating cause was the fact
that hundreds of thousands of people, perhaps as many as five
million, faced an inability to make their mortgage payments
and eviction from their homes. These mortgages were
``securitized,'' divided up and sold in packages to many
people or entities. As a result, it was not always clear who
had the authority to adjust these mortgages, and when it was
clear, adjustments were not made quickly enough. Last
November, Senator Durbin introduced S. 2136 and I introduced
S. 2133 to give the bankruptcy courts authority to revise
homeowners' financial obligations. Keeping people in their
homes should be a, if not the, fundamental object of
congressional action.
After assisting homeowners, a decision should then be made
as to what additional federal aid is necessary to unclog the
lending pipelines and restore confidence and stabilize the
economy. I am very skeptical about granting authority to
spend $700 billion on other aid without standards as to who
should get the funds and a requirement that there be
demonstrated necessity that such additional expenditures are
indispensable to stabilizing the economy.
Then there is the question of oversight and regulation.
Obviously, there must be oversight and some regulation to
prevent a recurrence. As I see it, the regulation must be
calibrated to those objectives and not go too far. Vigorous
enforcement of our laws to prevent market manipulation, as
well as added transparency, should be a priority.
I hear tremendous resentment from my constituents on this
matter. In a free enterprise society, entrepreneurs may
undertake whatever risks they choose to secure big profits,
but when there are losses, they should not turn to the
government for a bailout which puts the burden on the
taxpayers. The firms/corporations and their executives who
created the crisis should not profit from a federal bailout.
If it is not already a part of your proposal, you should
consider structuring the funding in a way that gives the
Government a preferred creditor position and a share in
ultimate profits, rather than simply buying up debt which has
declined in value. And any aid should be conditioned on the
elimination of golden parachutes or large compensation
packages.
Also, I am concerned about reports that foreign
corporations, with a United States affiliate, will
participate in a federal bailout. If foreign corporations are
to get funding, then foreign governments ought to bear their
fair share.
I know there is concern that Congress must act promptly or
the economy may deteriorate further. It seems to me that Wall
Street should and would understand that legislation on this
complex matter requires some time. If it is seen that
Congress is moving as swiftly as practicable, that ought to
stem the tide. But we can only do it as fast as realistic to
work through the legislative proposals and resolve these
intricate issues.
These are issues which come to my mind at the moment and I
am sure there will be more as the hearings progress and the
debate occurs. I would appreciate your responses as promptly
as possible.
Sincerely,
Arlen Specter.
____
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, September 21, 2008.
Senator Harry Reid,
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Senator Mitch McConnell,
Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Harry and Mitch: As you project the Senate's schedule,
I urge that we not rush to judgment and take whatever time is
necessary on any proposed legislation to deal with the
nation's economic problems. The public, our constituents,
have a great deal of skepticism, which I share, about
legislation which will let Wall Street ``off the hook'' and
pay insufficient attention to Main Street, middle class
Americans.
It is important to focus the legislation on the hundreds of
thousands of homeowners who are at risk of losing their
residences to foreclosure.
In deciding what additional powers to give to the federal
regulators, I believe we should give careful consideration to
not extending those powers beyond the current crisis and
steps to prevent a recurrence.
I have read reports that some Wall Street firms, whose
conduct has created the crisis, will benefit from a
congressional legislative fix. We should do our utmost to see
to it that those responsible for the crisis bear the maximum
financial burden on any bailout in order to minimize the
taxpayers' exposure.
There are reports that the bailout might be extended to
foreign firms with United States affiliates. In my view, the
legislation must be carefully tailored for United States'
interests and if foreign firms, even if United States
affiliates are to be involved, then consideration should
given to appropriate contributions from those foreign
governments.
I realize there is considerable pressure for the Congress
to adjourn by the end of next week, but I think we must take
the necessary time to conduct hearings, analyze the
Administration's proposed legislation, and demonstrate to the
American people that any response is thoughtful, thoroughly
considered and appropriate.
Sincerely,
Arlen Specter.
Mr. SPECTER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DeMINT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The
Senator is recognized for 15 minutes.
Mr. DeMINT. Madam President, as we try to end the session today, I
think I am looking for some silver lining in all we are doing here,
with the panic I believe we here in Congress have created in our
markets and credit industry and passing this conglomeration of bills
without adequate debate. There is one silver lining for me that I think
we need to mention to the American people. A number of families are
suffering for a lot of reasons, but one of the greatest is the high
cost of gasoline in this country--and now even shortages. But because
of the anger of the American people, because of the e-mails that have
come in, this continuing resolution we will be voting on today includes
a huge victory for the American people because the moratorium on oil
and gas leasing on most of the Outer Continental Shelf and on oil shale
leasing on Federal lands will expire.
Many thought this was a law that we couldn't change, but the fact is
this was a year-to-year rider on spending bills that had to be included
every year or it would expire. But because Americans got engaged in
this whole idea of making October 1 Energy Freedom Day, our Democratic
colleagues have backed down and have not included an extension of this
moratorium in this year's bill.
So at midnight on October 1, 2008, because it is a start of a new
fiscal year, the current prohibitions on oil and gas leasing on most of
the Outer Continental Shelf and on oil shale leasing on Federal lands
will expire. That is something to celebrate here in America.
Estimates from the Minerals Management Service and the Bureau of Land
Management indicate there are upwards of 18 billion barrels of
recoverable crude oil on the currently off-limit areas of the Outer
Continental Shelf, as well as more than 55 trillion cubic feet of
natural gas.
Estimates of American oil shale vary widely but range from the
hundreds of billions of barrels to trillions of barrels of oil. Many
believe we have more oil in oil shale than Saudi Arabia has.
Taking advantage of America's resources will increase the worldwide
supply of petroleum and bring down prices at the pump. The very access
to these resources will send powerful price reduction signals to the
futures market, providing immediate price relief, even if the actual
leasing does not commence for months.
Everyone is familiar with the crisis on Wall Street. The coverage
dominates every media outlet. But we also have a crisis on Main Street,
where people are paying outrageously high prices for gasoline and
having to wait in long lines to fill up their cars.
Here are only a few headlines we are starting to get from newspapers.
The Associated Press headline: ``The Southeast Shortage Squeezes Small
Retailers and One Gas Station Owner Says It's A Panic.''
CBS News reported in their headline in North Carolina: ``Gas Shortage
Leaves People Panicked.''
Washington Post, ``Gas Shortage in the South Creates Panic and Long
Lines.''
It goes on and on. This is very real. This is not something we are
manufacturing and it is a direct result of bad policy here in Congress
that has restricted the development of our own energy here in America.
Unfortunately, we are still having to wait for a number of Members of
Congress to allow this to proceed. It was announced earlier this week
that the
[[Page 22528]]
Democrats had given up on their efforts to block energy exploration,
and America celebrated. But then not more than 24 hours later we
learned the majority leader here was making plans to rob Americans of
this victory by extending the ban on oil shale. Fortunately, that
effort was defeated yesterday. Now media reports indicate that
Democrats also have a plan to delay any offshore drilling using
environmental lawsuits until after the November elections, when the
Democrats can reinstate the ban on deep sea energy exploration.
In fact, House Majority Leader Hoyer told cnnnews.com on Wednesday
that restoring the ban on new offshore oil drilling leases will be a
top priority for discussion next year. If the Democrats retain control
of Congress, he said, I am sure it will be a top priority for
discussion next year.
This is outrageous. The American people will not tolerate it. That is
why I have written a bill that is called the Drill Now Act, which will
guarantee access to offshore and oil shale reserves. It will expedite
the leasing and production of these energy supplies and provide States
with a 50-50 share of the revenues with the Federal Government and
prevent frivolous lawsuits from delaying the will of the American
people. This is very simple and it is what Americans want. I hope my
colleagues on the other side of the aisle will set aside their desire
to punish Americans for buying gas and side with the American people.
Yesterday I asked unanimous consent that we bring this bill up and
pass it, but it was objected to by the majority leader. We will
continue this effort, to try to pass this bill that will expedite
energy production in our country.
I wish to mention a few things we will be voting on in an hour
because this is, frankly, an embarrassment in a time we are running
around here like Chicken Little saying `` the sky is falling.'' The
credit markets are seizing up--this has been a self-fulfilling
prophecy. We have created a crisis in our country. But while we are
talking about a financial crisis and an economic crisis all around
America and the world, it is business as usual here in the Senate. When
the Democrats took control 2 years ago, they promised we would end this
wasteful spending and cut earmarks dramatically, but the continuing
resolution we are voting on today goes right back to where we were, and
worse. This bill includes $16.1 billion in earmarks--that is billion.
There are over 2,620 earmarks in this bill. For all the appropriations
bills last year, there were less than that, and this only includes
three. There is more porkbarrel spending today than we did all of last
year, at a time when we are saying the country is running out of money.
At this rate, for these three bills, the 2009 fiscal year budgets
will see more earmarks than we have ever seen in history. Most
Americans are beginning to understand how this wastes their money and
corrupts the process. Let me mention a few of the earmarks that are in
this bill.
There is $44 million for the National Drug Intelligence Center in
John Murtha's district, a project the Defense Department has said
repeatedly it does not want or need. But every year it comes back
because it is in a Congressman's district.
There is $1.75 million for a heritage center that Speaker Nancy
Pelosi put in for a museum that is negligible--it has no value to the
men and women in uniform.
There is $1.28 million for a Navy museum included by Congressman
Dicks. The military doesn't need another museum, they need the tools to
fight the war. If we had billions of extra money sitting around, maybe
we could talk about these extravagances, but when we are going into
more and more debt, hundreds of billions of dollars a year, it makes
absolutely no sense to be including over 2,000 earmarks, wasteful
spending, in a bill that includes serious military needs.
Americans are angry. They are hearing we have to bail out Wall
Street. They are angry at wasteful spending and they have every right
to be. When the Democrats took control, the Congressional Budget Office
projected an $800 billion surplus between 2008 and 2017. But after 2
years of Democratic control, that same budget office now projects a
$2.6 trillion deficit over the same period. That is $3.4 trillion in
deterioration of our budget situation. As I said, even worse; wasteful
spending and secret earmarks are back in full force.
Americans have seen, over the last couple of years, this Congress do
things and attempt to do things that they know are bad for our country.
They saw a massive amnesty bill for illegal immigrants come through,
but we were able to stop it because of the anger of the American
people. They have seen this Congress for years stop the development of
our own resources, our own energy, and now prices are through the roof
and shortages are occurring.
But the anger of the American people is beginning to get the
attention of Congress. We have stopped this moratorium, and we are
making progress. Now we are talking about this massive bailout of Wall
Street that was caused by bad policy here in Congress that we still
refuse to change.
While this bailout may be necessary for reasons we have caused here
in Congress, we need to do it in a way that protects the taxpayer and
includes some free market principles. We need to do some things that
actually solve the problems that caused what we are dealing with today.
We need to do some things that support some free market principles and
guarantee that the Government is not going to be a permanent player in
our financial markets.
Americans are angry. I hope they will stay angry because the more
they call and e-mail, the more we can get things done here that are
right for American people. We stopped their amnesty bill, we have
stopped the moratorium on drilling, and we have gotten their attention
on this bailout. Now they are listening to some of the better solutions
that have been brought up. So I thank the American people for being
engaged. Because of their action, we have a chance now to make some
major changes here in Congress.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Whitehouse.) The Senator from Alabama is
recognized.
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I thank Senator DeMint for his
principled leadership and his willingness to talk about some difficult
issues. I want to talk about some of those today.
I absolutely believe the question of energy is a major contributing
factor to the fundamental difficulties we are having in the economy
today. We calculated--my staff--that the average American two-car
family is paying $105 more per month today for gasoline than they were
a year or so ago. This is, in effect, a gas tax, and if a particularly
onerous event occurred--and today I heard that after the University of
Alabama had a little football game with Clemson University and pulled
off a victory, they were saying there was not enough gas for Alabamians
to go to Georgia to play the University of Georgia football team today.
Well, they would have walked over there, if necessary. It would have
been an exciting game.
But there is a problem out there, and it has been unaddressed by this
Congress. So we are now in the closing days of the 110th Congress.
Although some work may be completed, it appears that we are soon--in a
matter of hours--going to adjourn.
I would note that today is September 27, 2008. The Senate has been in
session for 148 days this year. There are 96 days left on the calendar,
but on September 30 the fiscal year ends. October 1 is a new fiscal
year, and the fundamental responsibility of the Congress and the Senate
is to authorize and appropriate the moneys necessary to run this
Government. We are within days--a couple or 3 days--of that deadline
arriving. We have yet to do it. So what we will be seeing here is a
very unfortunate event where everything will be completed in a matter
of a few hours.
They are saying that this is an election year and we need to get out
of Washington and go home and campaign. I understand that. People do
need to see their candidates, and certainly campaigns are important to
America. They help the electorate become more knowledgeable and select
[[Page 22529]]
the best candidate. But I want to be clear, the decision to adjourn
this week is a completely arbitrary decision. It is nothing more than a
date circled on a calendar. It would not set back the pace of democracy
in America for Congress to stay here and work and to actually cast
votes and to be held accountable for what it does. How much more time
would it take? I do not think a lot. But we certainly would not hurt
the Republic doing that. In my opinion, this Congress and this Senate
are failing the American people.
Senators and their staff are already scurrying around the Capitol
trying to tie up the loose ends to justify a departure. Members also
will soon hit the trail, making the case for why the people should send
them back here. It might be a tough case to make for some of us. I am
up this time. I am certainly working, and have been for some weeks,
trying to discuss with the people of my State the issues they think are
important and how I hope to address some of those.
A recent Fox News poll reports that only 17 percent of the American
people approves of the way Congress does business. That is a really
distressing number, 17 percent. It may be the lowest we have ever had.
It means that 8 out of every 10 Americans are unhappy with the
Congress. And if the American people really knew how this great
heritage of debate, amendments, and discussions that this Senate has,
how that has been eroded, I think they perhaps might be even more
unhappy with us.
While it is typical that the last week of Congress is rushed and a
lot happens, and I understand that, I do not recall a time since I have
been in the Senate that we have rushed through so many important issues
in such a very short time. Over these closing hours, the Senate will
likely call up and vote on three major pieces of legislation, huge
pieces of legislation. These huge pieces of legislation will pass, I
predict, with no opportunity for amendments and no real debate.
First, we considered, without debate, a $56 billion new stimulus
package. We did $150 billion earlier, sent out the checks and that sort
of thing. I have to say, I did not support it. It certainly has not
gotten us out of the fix we are in, almost doubling the projected
deficit for this year, every penny of that stimulus package--emergency
spending, on top of the debt--every penny increasing the debt. And this
stimulus package, thank goodness, that was proposed by the Democratic
leadership was defeated and did not pass, which would have added
another $56 billion straight to the national debt. It included a $7.5
billion bailout for automobile companies. But it has been put back in
the CR, even though it failed in that package, and presumably will
pass, as I will discuss.
Second, we are considering a continuing resolution, with an omnibus
spending bill attached, that will fund military projects in the
Department of Defense and Homeland Security.
Third, we will consider an unprecedented $700 billion financial
industry saving--economy saving, they say--bailout. I think we do have
a problem with the economy, and this Congress needs to act and we need
to act quickly, so certain normal processes will have to be truncated.
We have some good people who are focused on that. But it is a closely
held deal, very few people meeting in private meetings, unavailable to
the public, writing the legislation that will dispense with $700
billion. In truth, I do believe and hope and pray that even though we
are exposed for $700 billion, we will not actually, as a government,
take that big a hit. I think there will be a recoupment. I certainly
hope and pray it will be recouped.
So these are three extraordinarily important pieces of legislation,
each of which is being moved through Congress in the closing hours of
the session with virtually no public, open debate. I suggest it raises
questions about the historic purposes of the Senate. None of the three
bills have been subject to the traditional legislative process.
We only received the continuing resolution from the House last night.
It is 344 pages involving hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars.
How is it possible that we could fully understand its impact before we
vote today?
I have been a Member of this Senate for 12 years. There was one thing
that slowed down the trains. You know what it was--the sheriff, Senator
John McCain. He would come down here, to this chair right here--I have
seen him do it--not for some political gimmick but because he was
concerned about this process--and he would object to any UCs until he
had a chance to read the bill, and he would come down and highlight
what he considered bogus and wasteful spending. He even opposed some
spending I put in those bills. But that was healthy. But they wanted to
pass those bills, the powers that be, without any debate, without
anybody reading them, just pass them. That is not a healthy thing for
the great Senate of the United States of America to do.
Well, we have not seen a firm legislative proposal regarding the
bailout yet, but we are going to vote on it today, tonight, tomorrow,
Monday. The Senate has been called the world's greatest deliberative
body, but if we are honest, we will have to admit we have fallen far
from it. In fact, I think we are standing on the cusp of the greatest
legislative failure of Senate leadership in my tenure here for sure.
The growing trend to procedurally, through manipulation and other
efforts, limit free and open debate, to block the ability to improve
legislation through the technique of filling the tree, which the
majority leader, the Democratic leader, Harry Reid, has done--it has
been done by Republicans in the past. It has reached a new height,
anybody would have to agree, under Senator Reid, all of which is
designed to avoid the committee process traditionally available in the
Senate. And they use small groups of Senators--I have taken to calling
them masters of the universe--to negotiate deals behind closed doors
and deposit that bill on the floor of the Senate with the idea that: It
has to be passed. We are going to recess. We have no time to discuss
and debate and vote.
Mr. President, I would ask that I be notified when 20 minutes has
passed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. SESSIONS. I think this is bad for America. It is a bipartisan bad
thing. It was not good when Republicans were doing it, and it is not
good now that the Democrats have carried it even further.
This Congress is no longer serving in its traditional role of
protecting and allowing the American people to see the issues before
them, to be the saucer that allows the debating issues to be cooled and
debated. I worry about it.
There was a time when, if you look back at debates, according to a
gentleman from Harvard who studied this, the debates focused on what
was in the long-term interests of the country, and people debated that
and they said: Well, if we give money to people who invested recklessly
or people who are lazy and will not go to work, will we not encourage
reckless investment, or when we encourage people to stay home and draw
a check? I mean, they asked these kinds of questions and they discussed
them because what we do here has certain importance. But it is too rare
today.
The legislative process, I have to say, is broken. The congressional
budget and spending process is broken. The American people need to know
what is happening and what is not happening here.
So in the spirit to reach the finish line, I am going take a few
moments to highlight some items that I see as an example of the broken
nature of the process.
There is no better scorecard for how a Congress operates than the
tally of appropriations bills that are actually debated. There are 12
appropriations bills we must pass each year. Traditionally, each one is
brought up and voted on, and each one of those bills should be passed
before October 1. They fund certain parts of the Government. As of this
minute, this day, on the eve of our adjournment, this year's
legislative score on the 12 bills is zero, none, not one. This is the
first time it has happened in my 12 years in the Senate, that Congress
failed to pass a single stand-alone appropriations bill on
[[Page 22530]]
time. Failure to move individual bills is more and more a common thing.
Republicans and Democrats have both been guilty of this, but this year
is the worst ever.
The congressional budget and spending process is broken. Since 1980,
only three times has Congress enacted all its appropriations bills, as
they should, by the start of the fiscal year, October 1. Only three
times in 28 years have we done our job on time. Mr. President, 138
continuing resolutions, however, have been needed to keep the
Government running. The reason for this is that any Government agency
cannot expend a dime that is not appropriated by Congress. If we don't
appropriate money for the next fiscal year beginning October 1, they
cannot pay payrolls. They cannot pay the light bill. They cannot do
necessary things. The Antideficiency Act says it is a crime for them to
spend money not appropriated by Congress, and it violates the
Constitution.
These stopgap measures, these continuing resolutions, have been used
as a method to keep the Government open. We can't agree on the
appropriations bills, so we just continue funding at the present level
without any real review or priorities, and it avoids discussion and
debate. The American people should know a continuing resolution
represents, in truth: a failure of Congress to get its job done.
Also, over the past 12 budget cycles, Congress has passed 10 big
omnibus bills, averaging about seven or eight bills each. They are put
in massive form, as we will see, hundreds of pages oftentimes, with
just a few hours to debate and very limited ability to file amendments.
They have been rammed through the Senate and the House in the last
hours of a session. Now the masters of the universe say: If we bring
this bill up, people might actually offer amendments, and they might
ask us to change the Tax Code. Somebody might want to raise or lower
the capital gains rate. We would have to vote on that. We would be put
on record as having to vote. We don't want to go back home and have a
voting record. We are going to see if we can't bring it up at the end
of the session.
Don't think this is by chance. This is by design, to bring it up at
the end of a session so there is little time for debate and discussion.
Nobody can deny that. We know that, those of us who have been here.
This year we are going to have both. We will have an omnibus bill
where some actual appropriations bills are put together, and then we
will have a continuing resolution. We will vote on the Department of
Defense bill representing $487 billion. That is a pretty good chunk of
money, not $700 billion but a lot of money. We will not have amendments
on that bill. I am not happy with some of the things that happened that
moved some money around since it left the Armed Services Committee, of
which I am a member. As a practical matter, there is no way, I am told,
I can get a vote from this body to try to correct it. We either take
the bill, as the group of people who put it together approved it, or
not.
Let me move along and share this thought with my colleagues. It is
something we have to do. I offer this as a bipartisan solution that I
believe would make a big difference. There is no single cure for what
we are doing. It takes a determination by each of us that we want to do
a better job of affirming and defending and validating the historical
prerogatives and responsibilities of the Senate.
Let me suggest that a biennial, 2-year budget process would be a
tremendous step in the right direction. It is good Government reform.
Biennial, 2-year budgeting has been supported by the last four
Presidents, Democrats and Republicans. It has strong bipartisan support
in this Congress.
Some people know every time a bill passes--and they are skilled at
it--they can stick something on it. They believe if the bill isn't
passing but once every 2 years, they might have less opportunity to
stick some special interest pork project on it. But whatever, we would
be doing 2-year budgets, and a change from that would have benefits. By
eliminating the budget decision to every other year, Congress would
have considerably more time to spend passing critical legislation such
as this bailout package, actually giving it thought. Two-year budgets
would allow more time for considering things such as the energy crisis,
for heaven's sake. That is critical. It would also allow much better
oversight of existing wasteful programs that are not achieving what
they are supposed to.
Two-year budgeting would provide Federal agencies such as the
Department of Defense more time to complete their core missions. They
are over here all the time, every year, trying to work through
congressional arguments and fusses over what DOD needs.
Process does drive policy. The current budget process, the current
appropriations process, is not working. It is an embarrassment to the
heritage of the Senate. Two-year budgeting will not solve all our
spending problems, but it would be a positive step. I believe this is a
matter that would strengthen the Congress, our traditional role,
improve the way we do business, and make our Government better.
Putting together in a CR the appropriations bills points out the need
for more oversight, more serious congressional action, including the
fact that there is over $16 billion worth of earmarks in the bill that
were not really brought forward in a way that somebody could pass them
or reject them, based on whether they are legitimate. Senator DeMint
mentioned some of those earlier today. I will mention one.
The LIHEAP legislation eligibility was changed from 60 percent to 75
percent of a State's median income for one to be eligible. That means
more people would be eligible to have the Government pay for their
heating oil. It has been said that this program would be able to be
accessed by people who have high electricity bills and heating bills,
maybe in Arizona, Louisiana, and Alabama. But look at the $2.88 billion
designated as emergency. Almost all of this is going to be earmarked in
a way that it is going to go to the Northeast. So it is not fair, No.
1, and No. 2, I am not sure why people's gas bills are not going to be
paid. Why are we picking on that?
One more thing about that: I think it is particularly odd that
Members of the Northeast who oppose consistently drilling off our
shores, who consistently oppose natural gas pipelines, who oppose
nuclear power oftentimes, they are now demanding that the U.S.
taxpayers give them a subsidy so they can buy at below-market price
dirty heating oil to heat their homes with. We hear we need to use more
solar and geothermal and wind. Maybe we ought to give money for that if
it is so wonderful. But this is an increase of a $2.8 billion emergency
expenditure for LIHEAP.
I think it is bad policy. In this crisis of time and overspending and
deficits I don't believe another new $2.8 billion in emergency spending
is good policy. I don't believe it is good for America. Sure, it is
great if you have a check for your heating oil. You would say: Thank
you, Uncle Sam. But somebody paid for that check. If not the taxpayers,
our grandchildren.
I would note, by the way, since we are already in deficit and this is
emergency spending, every single dollar of that $2.8 billion increases
the debt of the United States. There is no money to pay for it. There
is lots of that kind of thing in there.
I will not use the rest of my time to go through these kinds of
matters, but I will note that the automobile bailout that I thought we
had defeated with the second emergency supplemental is now back in the
bill. It is going to pass, $7.5 billion to guarantee $25 billion in
loans for automobile producers. We have to be careful about this. We
have criticized the Europeans for subsidizing loans for their
industries. Now we are in this hog wild. It is going to be a problem
maybe in violation of the WTO agreements we have made.
The heritage of the Senate is indeed a great one. We have been
slipping in recent years away from full and open debate. I see the
Republican whip is here, Senator Kyl. He remembers many of the 3-week
debates on issues of importance in the day. That has gotten
[[Page 22531]]
less and less frequent as time has gone by. More and more power is
asserted by fewer and fewer Members to move huge pieces of legislation
without debate. It is not good.
I urge my colleagues to consider what we can do about it. This year
the train is on the track. I assume it is going to be able to move
forward and carry these bills through. That is what I am hearing. That
is what I hear the votes are. But I do think we need to change this. We
need to return to the great heritage of the Senate. If it means we have
to stay here for a week and stay into the night so people can come in
and engage on how to fix the energy crisis or how to create more
liquidity in the markets or what to do about the fundamental problems
this country faces--as USA Today said the other day, three things: We
are an economy founded on excessive personal debt, excessive government
debt, and a massive trade deficit. We can move around with a lot of
things to try to help the financial markets not be bottlenecked. But I
am really worried if we don't deal with those things such as energy
independence, things of that nature, the economy is not likely to
improve.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
Mr. KYL. While the Senator from Alabama is still on the Senate floor,
it is with no great pleasure that any of us opposes a continuing
resolution. But I associate myself with his remarks. At some point you
have to say enough is enough. Unless people object to the process, it
is not going to change. I note that when I try to explain to my
constituents that is the way business is done in Washington. They say:
Then try to stop it.
So while it is with great reluctance that we oppose a continuing
resolution, I don't know of any other way to make the point that this
business as usual has to stop than by voting no. So I appreciate the
remarks of my colleague from Alabama.
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, if the Senator will yield?
Mr. KYL. Yes.
Mr. SESSIONS. I thank him for making that explicit point. It is sad
that I feel I have to vote against the continuing resolution. But the
Senator is so right. You have seen this for a number of years more than
I. If we do not begin to push back against this process--and I think we
could make a difference if we fight--it is going to continue. So I
thank the Senator for his leadership and his insight and his commitment
to reform in the great traditions of the Senate.
Mr. KYL. I thank the Senator very much.
Mr. President, I, first, wish to explain a little bit of the process.
When I say we oppose a continuing resolution with great reluctance, the
reason is that something has to be done to ensure that our Government
can operate, the Government programs are funded.
Unfortunately, we have ourselves in a bind because the Senate has
passed not one single appropriations bill. There are about 13 different
appropriations bills that we usually pass each year to fund the
Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture, the Department
of Defense--all the different things that need to operate with the
Government--and we are supposed to have that done by the end of the
fiscal year, which is in a couple days. Because we have not passed a
single appropriations bill, we have to roll up everything all into one
giant bill and either take it or leave it. It is called the continuing
resolution. It continues to fund the Government, in this case, for
another roughly 6 months. There is no opportunity to amend it. It is a
take-it-or-leave-it proposition, and it is wrong. Because what happens
is that bills that could not possibly pass on their own are added to
this must-pass legislation, putting us in this absolute difficult
political bind. The Hobson's choice: If you vote for it, you are saying
yes to a broken system, to over 2,000 earmarks, to $34 billion in
spending that is added to the national debt above and beyond the
budgeted amount that otherwise is necessary to run the Government. So
there is the pressure to vote for that. Yet there is no way for us to
take each of these items out and say we would have voted to amend them
out of the bill if we would have had a chance to do so, except to
oppose the entire legislation.
Let me give you some illustrations of this. Because this is done on a
take-it-or-leave-it basis, I would have to vote against a bill which,
first of all, funds the Department of Defense, which I want to fund,
and the homeland security and military construction efforts. It funds
border enforcement, which is important for my State of Arizona, and,
importantly, it removes the moratorium on offshore drilling, which is a
policy Republicans have pushed very hard to achieve. So those are good
things in the bill that I wish to register my support for.
But am I forced to take all the other things in order to register my
support for these things? Here is what we are asked to swallow.
According to the House Budget Committee, there are 2,627 congressional
earmarks. They total $16-plus billion. Now, my colleague, John McCain,
has made it clear that if and when he is elected President, this
process is going to stop. But Senator Sessions and I wish to make the
point that it should stop now. We do not need one last orgy of earmarks
before the reformers come to town and say: It is stopped. I am going to
veto the legislation.
Now, what of these earmarks? Well, there are some very good projects,
I suspect. Here is one, for example: $23 million for biomedical
research at a particular State university. Now, one of the best
biomedical research facilities is in the State of Arizona in Phoenix. I
would love to have them be able to bid on that $23 million research
grant. They would have a good chance of getting it because they are
good. They do great work there. Why does this particular State
university get the money instead?
There is a $2 million study of animal hibernation. Now, there may
well be some scientific reason to understand why animals--I mean, I
think I know why they sleep over the winter, but there has to be
something about that that is important to some scientists. But do we
need to add that to the national debt or could it compete with other
kinds of projects? That is the problem with this kind of bill: the take
it or leave it.
What you would like to do is establish priorities and say: All right,
maybe an animal hibernation study is a good thing, but is it so
important we need to add it to the national debt? That is the
question--no debate, no amendment, take it or leave it.
There is $44 million for a drug center for the military that it says
it does not need, but it is important for a particular Member's
district. Once again, prioritize. Some of these things may be good, but
how about if you had them compete with other good things and the best
ones are funded and the ones that are not so good do not get added to
the national debt?
There is a huge amount of money in here for the so-called CDBG
disaster funds. Now, these are Community Development Block Grants,
ordinarily considered to be long-term projects. In fact, this CDBG
funding is to provide assistance for long-term rebuilding of
communities, not emergency recovery. We have emergency recovery money
in here for various emergencies or disasters, and I do not object to
that funding. But why do we need to put in an emergency supplemental
that is not paid for but is added to the Federal debt? This long-term
spending money, it should not be in here.
There is a total of $34 billion, as I said, in this unfunded
emergency spending, about $16 billion, as I said, in earmarks. Another
one of the elements is about $7.5 billion for the so-called auto
bailout loans. There is money to our big auto companies. Now, it may be
that you think our big auto companies need a little help from us
taxpayers. I am not sure that is true. One of the reasons they say they
need help is that the Government has put so many new obligations on
them for fuel efficiency standards and other things that they need to
retool in order to pay for them. Maybe we should not have put those
obligations on them in the first place.
But, in any event, there is something eerily familiar about this
loan. Do you
[[Page 22532]]
remember in our financial market problem we are working on over this
weekend, part of the issue is the fact that a lot of loans were issued
to people with almost no payments due for several years. Low interest
or no interest or no principal has to be paid, and then all of a sudden
people find out after 5 years they have a big balloon payment they have
to make and they cannot afford it. So you come in and foreclose on the
home. People criticized the mortgage brokers who enticed them into
those kinds of loans.
Guess what kind of a loan this is for the auto companies. No
principal, no interest for 5 years. What happens after 5 years? They
are going to be back in here saying: Thank you for the $25 billion that
we have not had to pay interest or principal on. We are going to have a
hard time to pay that principal and interest now. Could you give us
another hand?
We are criticizing these folks who sold mortgages to people who could
not afford them by having these no-interest and no-principal payments.
Yet that is exactly what we are doing with these auto companies right
now. Oh, they are happy to have the money, I know.
Then, we have $2.8 billion in emergency funds for LIHEAP. That is
above the regular appropriation, which is about twice again as much. So
it is over $5 billion. My colleague from Alabama said, there is one
little problem with this other than the fact it is a huge amount of
money and not paid for, it is also very unfair. We come from States
that are more in the South and in the West, and it is not a matter of
freezing winters, it is a matter of stifling hot summers. The reality
is the fuel oil to fuel heat in the winter is a whole lot cheaper than
the electricity bill in Phoenix, AZ, or Yuma, AZ, in the middle of the
summer, and people die from situations that arise from the fact that
they cannot air-condition their home. However, with all this, Arizona
gets a little less than 1 percent of the funding under the formula.
Now, the Governor of Arizona, a Democrat, Governor Janet Napolitano,
and I have both written letters to our colleagues, Democrats and
Republicans, saying this is not fair. Phoenix is the fifth-largest city
in the country. Arizona is a big State now, and it gets very hot
throughout the summer months, and electricity bills are too high for a
lot of people to afford. However, 1 percent is enough.
Let me conclude by saying, as I said in the beginning, it is with
great reluctance that we oppose a continuing resolution such as this.
But there are so many things I have discussed, and more which I could,
that require I register an objection and for which I am required to
vote no.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I have business to bring before the
Senate, and I understand this will not count against my time. May I ask
the Presiding Officer?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I thank the Chair.
____________________
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.
3569, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3569) to make improvements in the operation and
administration of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate has passed the Judicial
Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008, a bill to provide
important assistance to the men and women who comprise our Federal
judiciary system. I am pleased the Senate has given its unanimous
support to this important legislation.
I thank Senators Schumer and Sessions for moving this bill through
the Senate. Four years ago, a similar bipartisan measure I introduced
never moved out of Committee in a Republican Congress. I am glad that,
in a Democratic Congress, the bill we pass today has not suffered a
similar fate. I hope the House of Representatives will promptly
consider this bipartisan measure, and the President will sign it into
law.
This bill is intended to improve the administration and efficiency of
our Federal court system by replacing antiquated processes and
bureaucratic hurdles with the necessary tools for the 21st century.
Those who honorably serve on our Federal judiciary do not deserve to
experience unnecessary bureaucratic delays in fulfilling their
constitutional duties. Their dedication to defend our Constitution, and
deliver justice in a neutral and unbiased manner, ought to be met by an
equal commitment from Congress to provide the tools for them to fulfill
their critical duties as effectively and efficiently as possible.
The legislation we pass today contains technical and substantive
proposals carried over from previous Congresses. It also contains
additional proposals that the Federal judiciary believes will improve
its operations and allow it to continue to serve as a bulwark
protecting our individual rights and liberties.
First, the provisions in the bill facilitate and update judicial
operations. For example, the bill would authorize realignments in the
place of holding court in specified district courts. It also would
remove a ``public drawing'' requirement for the selection of names for
jury wheels, which is now a function performed more efficiently by
computers. These provisions would add convenience to the men and
women--who as lawyers, litigants, and jurors--appear before our Federal
courts.
Second, the bill contains provisions that would improve judicial
resource management and strengthen the constitutional protection of
Americans' right to serve on juries. The bill would make a juror
eligible to receive a $10 supplemental fee after 10 days of trial
service instead of 30 days. Juries serve to vindicate the rights of all
Americans, including the poor, the powerless, and the marginalized. I
am glad this bill takes steps to ensure that economic hardship will not
be an obstacle to an individual performing his or her duty to serve on
a jury. Equally important, the bill takes important steps to ensure
that no American will be threatened or intimidated from exercising
their right to serve on a jury.
Third, in the area of criminal justice, numerous provisions in the
bill would also clarify existing law to better fulfill Congress's
original intent or to make technical corrections. In particular, I am
glad the bill would explicitly authorize the Director of Administrative
Office to provide goods and services to pretrial defendants and clarify
similar authority recently made available for postconviction offenders
through the Second Chance Act of 2007. Under current law, there is no
explicit statutory authority to provide for services on behalf of
offenders who do not suffer from substance abuse problems or
psychiatric disorders. This provision would fill in that gap by
providing services to pretrial defendants to ensure their appearance at
trial.
I am also pleased that the bill contains a provision, similar to the
JUDGES Act that I cosponsored in 2003, that would reverse the troubling
and ill-conceived provisions in the so-called Republican Feeney
Amendment that limited the number of Federal judges who can serve on
the Sentencing Commission. Our Federal judges are experts on sentencing
policy, and I am glad this restoration has been included.
I thank the organizations that have supported this bill. I am
especially grateful to the Administrative Office of the Courts who, on
behalf of the Judicial Conference, sent us policy recommendations from
the Federal judiciary. Many of those recommendations are included in
this bill, and I commend them for working so hard to enact this
measure.
Our independent judiciary is the envy of the world. Yet in these
changing
[[Page 22533]]
times and circumstances, the judiciary needs improvements to increase
its efficiency and administrative operations. With passage of this
bill, the Senate has taken an important step to ensure that the Federal
judiciary has the tools to keep up with the changes and challenges of
the 21st century.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related
to the bill be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 3569) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 3569
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Judicial
Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Change in composition of divisions of western district of
Tennessee.
Sec. 3. Supplemental attendance fee for petit jurors serving on lengthy
trials.
Sec. 4. Authority of district courts as to a jury summons.
Sec. 5. Public drawing specifications for jury wheels.
Sec. 6. Assessment of court technology costs.
Sec. 7. Repeal of obsolete provision in the bankruptcy code relating to
certain dollar amounts.
Sec. 8. Investment of court registry funds.
Sec. 9. Magistrate judge participation at circuit conferences.
Sec. 10. Selection of chief pretrial services officers.
Sec. 11. Attorney case compensation maximum amounts.
Sec. 12. Expanded delegation authority for reviewing Criminal Justice
Act vouchers in excess of case compensation maximums.
Sec. 13. Repeal of obsolete cross-references to the Narcotic Addict
Rehabilitation Act.
Sec. 14. Conditions of probation and supervised release.
Sec. 15. Contracting for services for pretrial defendants and post-
conviction supervision offenders.
Sec. 16. Judge members of U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Sec. 17. Penalty for failure to appear for jury summons.
Sec. 18. Place of holding court for the District of Minnesota.
Sec. 19. Penalty for employers who retaliate against employees serving
on jury duty.
SEC. 2. CHANGE IN COMPOSITION OF DIVISIONS OF WESTERN
DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE.
(a) In General.--Section 123(c) of title 28, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``Dyer,'' after ``Decatur,''; and
(B) in the last sentence by inserting ``and Dyersburg''
after ``Jackson''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``Dyer,''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``and Dyersburg''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Pending cases not affected.--The amendments made by
this section shall not affect any action commenced before the
effective date of this section and pending in the United
States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
on such date.
(3) Juries not affected.--The amendments made by this
section shall not affect the composition, or preclude the
service, of any grand or petit jury summoned, impaneled, or
actually serving in the United States District Court for the
Western District of Tennessee on the effective date of this
section.
SEC. 3. SUPPLEMENTAL ATTENDANCE FEE FOR PETIT JURORS SERVING
ON LENGTHY TRIALS.
(a) In General.--Section 1871(b)(2) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``thirty'' in each place
it occurs and inserting ``ten''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2009.
SEC. 4. AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT COURTS AS TO A JURY SUMMONS.
Section 1866(g) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the first sentence--
(1) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
(2) by striking ``his''.
SEC. 5. PUBLIC DRAWING SPECIFICATIONS FOR JURY WHEELS.
(a) Drawing of Names From Jury Wheel.--Section 1864(a) of
title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``publicly''; and
(2) by inserting ``The clerk or jury commission shall post
a general notice for public review in the clerk's office and
on the court's website explaining the process by which names
are periodically and randomly drawn.'' after the first
sentence.
(b) Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels.--Section
1866(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the second sentence, by striking ``publicly''; and
(2) by inserting ``The clerk or jury commission shall post
a general notice for public review in the clerk's office and
on the court's website explaining the process by which names
are periodically and randomly drawn.'' after the second
sentence.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 1869 of
title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (j), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(2) by striking subsection (k); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (k).
SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT OF COURT TECHNOLOGY COSTS.
Section 1920 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``of the court reporter
for all or any part of the stenographic transcript'' and
inserting ``for printed or electronically recorded
transcripts''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``copies of papers'' and
inserting ``the costs of making copies of any materials where
the copies are''.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISION IN THE BANKRUPTCY CODE
RELATING TO CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
Section 104 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a);
(2) by redesignating subsection (b)(1) as subsection (a)
and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of that subsection as
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively;
(3) by redesignating subsection (b)(2) as subsection (b);
(4) by redesignating subsection (b)(3) as subsection (c);
and
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of
this section), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)''.
SEC. 8. INVESTMENT OF COURT REGISTRY FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 129 of title 28, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 2044 the
following:
``Sec. 2045. Investment of court registry funds
``(a) The Director of the Administrative Office of the
United States Courts, or the Director's designee under
subsection (b), may request the Secretary of the Treasury to
invest funds received under section 2041 in public debt
securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the
funds, as determined by the Director or the Director's
designee, and bearing interest at a rate determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current
market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the
United States of comparable maturity.
``(b) The Director may designate the clerk of a court
described in section 610 to exercise the authority conferred
by subsection (a).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 129 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``2045. Investment of court registry funds.''.
SEC. 9. MAGISTRATE JUDGE PARTICIPATION AT CIRCUIT
CONFERENCES.
Section 333 of title 28, United States Code, is amended in
the first sentence by inserting ``magistrate,'' after
``district,''.
SEC. 10. SELECTION OF CHIEF PRETRIAL SERVICES OFFICERS.
Section 3152 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) The pretrial services established under subsection
(b) of this section shall be supervised by a chief pretrial
services officer appointed by the district court. The chief
pretrial services officer appointed under this subsection
shall be an individual other than one serving under authority
of section 3602 of this title.''.
SEC. 11. ATTORNEY CASE COMPENSATION MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.
Section 3006A(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding ``The compensation maximum amounts provided
in this paragraph shall increase simultaneously by the same
percentage, rounded to the nearest multiple of $100, as the
aggregate percentage increases in the maximum hourly
compensation rate paid pursuant to paragraph (1) for time
expended since the case maximum amounts were last adjusted.''
at the end.
SEC. 12. EXPANDED DELEGATION AUTHORITY FOR REVIEWING CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ACT VOUCHERS IN EXCESS OF CASE
COMPENSATION MAXIMUMS.
(a) Waiving Maximum Amounts.--Section 3006A(d)(3) of title
18, United States Code, is
[[Page 22534]]
amended in the second sentence by inserting ``or senior''
after ``active''.
(b) Services Other Than Counsel.--Section 3006A(e)(3) of
title 18, United States Code, is amended in the second
sentence by inserting ``or senior'' after ``active''.
(c) Counsel for Financially Unable Defendants.--Section
3599(g)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the
second sentence by inserting ``or senior'' after ``active''.
SEC. 13. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE CROSS-REFERENCES TO THE NARCOTIC
ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT.
Section 3161(h) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (J) as
subparagraphs (B) through (H), respectively;
(2) by striking paragraph (5); and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively.
SEC. 14. CONDITIONS OF PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE.
(a) Conditions of Probation.--Section 3563(a)(2) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``(b)(2),
(b)(3), or (b)(13),'' and inserting ``(b)(2) or (b)(12),
unless the court has imposed a fine under this chapter, or''.
(b) Supervised Release After Imprisonment.--Section 3583(d)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
``section 3563(b)(1)'' and all that follows through
``appropriate.'' and inserting ``section 3563(b) and any
other condition it considers to be appropriate, provided,
however that a condition set forth in subsection 3563(b)(10)
shall be imposed only for a violation of a condition of
supervised release in accordance with section 3583(e)(2) and
only when facilities are available.''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section
3563(b)(10) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or supervised release'' after ``probation''.
SEC. 15. CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES FOR PRETRIAL DEFENDANTS AND
POST-CONVICTION SUPERVISION OFFENDERS.
(a) Pretrial Service Functions.--Section 3154(4) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, and
contract with any appropriate public or private agency or
person, or expend funds, to monitor and provide treatment as
well as nontreatment services to any such persons released in
the community, including equipment and emergency housing,
corrective and preventative guidance and training, and other
services reasonably deemed necessary to protect the public
and ensure that such persons appear in court as required''
before the period.
(b) Duties of Director of Administrative Office of the
United States Courts.--Section 3672 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended in the seventh undesignated
paragraph--
(1) in the third sentence, by striking ``negotiate and
award such contracts'' and inserting ``negotiate and award
contracts identified in this paragraph''; and
(2) in the fourth sentence, by inserting ``to expend funds
or'' after ``He shall also have the authority''.
SEC. 16. JUDGE MEMBERS OF U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION.
Section 991(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the third sentence by striking ``Not more than'' and
inserting ``At least''.
SEC. 17. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR JURY SUMMONS.
(a) Section 1864 Summons.--Section 1864(b) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``$100 or
imprisoned not more than three days, or both.'' each place it
appears and inserting ``$1,000, imprisoned not more than
three days, ordered to perform community service, or any
combination thereof.''.
(b) Section 1866 Summons.--Section 1866(g) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``$100 or
imprisoned not more than three days, or both.'' and inserting
``$1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to
perform community service, or any combination thereof.''.
SEC. 18. PLACE OF HOLDING COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF
MINNESOTA.
Section 103(6) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the second sentence by inserting ``and Bemidji'' before
the period.
SEC. 19. PENALTY FOR EMPLOYERS WHO RETALIATE AGAINST
EMPLOYEES SERVING ON JURY DUTY.
Section 1875(b)(3) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``$1,000 for each violation as to each
employee.'' and inserting ``$5,000 for each violation as to
each employee, and may be ordered to perform community
service.''.
____________________
AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIM LAW INSTITUTE
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3641, introduced earlier
today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3641) to authorize funding for the National
Crime Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of
crime under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part
of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. Presdient, I am glad the Senate is moving forward
today by passing a bill to reauthorize funding to provide legal support
to victims of crime through Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs. I
was proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. Too often,
survivors who have been victims of crimes are left without recourse and
legal assistance. This bill will help ensure that their needs are not
forgotten. It is vitally important that we continue to recognize the
needs of crime victims and their family members and work together to
promote victims' rights and services.
We have been able to make some progress during the past 27 years to
provide victims with greater rights and assistance. In particular, I
was honored to support the passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984,
VOCA, Public Law 98-473, which established the Crime Victims Fund. The
Crime Victims Fund allows the Federal Government to provide grants to
State crime victim compensation programs, direct victim assistance
services, and services to victims of Federal crimes. Nearly 90 percent
of the Crime Victims Fund is used to award victim assistance formula
grants and provide State crime victim compensation. These VOCA-funded
victim assistance programs serve nearly four million crime victims each
year, including victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child
abuse, elder abuse, and drunk driving, as well as survivors of homicide
victims. Our VOCA-funded compensation programs have helped hundreds of
thousands of victims of violent crime.
The Crime Victims Fund is the Nation's premier vehicle for supporting
victims' services. It is important to understand that the Crime Victims
Fund does not receive a dime from tax revenue or appropriated funding.
Instead, it is made up of criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds,
penalties, and special assessments.
In 1995, after the Oklahoma City bombing, I proposed and Congress
passed the Victims of Terrorism Act of 1995. Among other important
matters, this legislation authorized the Office for Victims of Crime at
the Department of Justice to set aside an emergency reserve as part of
the Crime Victims Fund to serve as a ``rainy day'' resource to
supplement compensation and assistance grants to States to provide
emergency relief in the wake of an act of terrorism or mass violence
that might otherwise overwhelm the resources of a State's crime victims
compensation program and crime victims assistance services.
We also enacted, as part of the Justice for All Act of 2004, Federal
rights for victims. In the Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy
Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims' Rights Act, we
expressly provided for the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely
notice of any public court proceeding; the right not to be excluded
from any such public court proceeding; the right to be reasonably heard
at any public proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or
parole; the reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the
Government in the case; the right to full and timely restitution as
provided in law; the right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
and the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the
victim's dignity and privacy. I wrote a letter to Attorney General
Mukasey in June to ask what the Justice Department has done to ensure
that family members of 9/11 victims are afforded the same level of
respect as the 9/11 court and military commission proceedings and move
forward.
Since fiscal year 2000, Congress has set a cap on annual obligations
from the Crime Victims Fund. I have worked to ensure that the cap has
never resulted in resources being lost to the Crime Victims Fund. I
believe we need to increase the cap. With the failure of
[[Page 22535]]
the Bush administration crime prevention policies, crime began to rise
under Attorney General Gonzales. Crime victims, the States, and service
providers need more assistance.
Instead of taking that salutary action, the Bush administration is
proposing to raid the Crime Victims Fund and zero it out. The future of
the Crime Victims Fund is in danger because the Bush administration has
proposed rescinding all amounts remaining in the Crime Victims Fund at
the end of fiscal year 2009--just cleaning it out and leaving the
cupboard bare. That would leave the Crime Victims Fund with a zero
balance going into fiscal year 2010 and create a disastrous situation
for providers of victims' services. That is wrong.
Over the last few years, we have successfully blocked the Bush
administration's past attempts to raid the Crime Victims Fund. This is
not a cache of money from which this administration should try to
reduce the budget deficits it has created. This administration has
turned a $5 trillion budget surplus into a $9.4 trillion debt. Its
annual deficits run into the hundreds of millions. It is wrong to try
to pay for its failed fiscal policies by emptying out the Crime Victims
Fund. These resources are set aside to assist victims of crime.
In order to preserve the Crime Victims Fund once again, Senator Crapo
and I, as well as 25 other Senators, sent a letter on April 4, 2008, to
the Senate Appropriations Committee asking that the committee oppose
the administration's proposal to empty the Crime Victims Fund. We asked
the committee, instead, to permit unobligated funds to remain in the
Crime Victims Fund, in accordance with current law, to be used for
needed programs and services that are so important to victims of crime
in the years ahead.
The Judiciary Committee has worked hard this Congress to pass
legislation that protects victims of Crime. This week the Senate
unanimously reauthorized the Debbie Smith DNA backlog grant program,
which helps forensic labs keep up with the increasing demand for DNA
analysis. The Debbie Smith DNA backlog grant program has given States
help they desperately needed, and continue to need, to carry out DNA
analyses of backlogged evidence, particularly rape kits. It has
provided a strong starting point in addressing this serious problem,
but much work remains to be done before we conquer these inexcusable
backlogs. I was pleased to work with Debbie Smith and Senator Biden to
pass the reauthorization.
I am also proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation. This bill will
help victims of crime by reauthorizing funding for essential programs
such as the Victim Notification System, which is run by the Department
of Justice, and programs that provide legal counsel and support
services for victims in criminal cases.
We need to renew our national commitment to crime victims. I am glad
the Senate has passed this important bill today, and I hope that the
House will move on this legislation swiftly.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 3641) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 3641
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 103(b) of the Justice for All Act of 2004 (Public
Law 108-405; 118 Stat. 2264) is amended in paragraphs (1)
through (5) by striking ``2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and
2013''.
____________________
MINTING OF COINS IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LEGACY OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY INFANTRY
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 3229, and the Senate proceed to its
immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 3229) to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in commemoration of the legacy of the United
States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National
Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, and any statements relating to the measure be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 3229) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY TO MINT COINS IN COMMEMORATION
OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Banking
Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5872, and
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 5872) to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy
Scouts of America, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related
to the bill be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 5872) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
PERSONNEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 1052, H.R. 6098.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 6098) to amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to improve the financial assistance provided to State,
local, and tribal governments for information sharing
activities, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill,
which had been reported from the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs with an amendment to strike all after the enacting
clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Personnel Reimbursement for
Intelligence Cooperation and Enhancement of Homeland Security
Act of 2008'' or the ``PRICE of Homeland Security Act''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION ON USE OF FUNDS.
Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
609) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``Grants'' and all that follows through ``used'' and
inserting the following: ``The Administrator shall permit the
recipient of a grant under section 2003 or 2004 to use grant
funds''; and
(B) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``, regardless of
whether such analysts are current or new full-time employees
or contract employees'' after ``analysts''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Limitations on discretion.--
``(A) In general.--With respect to the use of amounts
awarded to a grant recipient under section 2003 or 2004 for
personnel costs in accordance with paragraph (2) of this
subsection, the Administrator may not--
[[Page 22536]]
``(i) impose a limit on the amount of the award that may be
used to pay for personnel, or personnel-related, costs that
is higher or lower than the percent limit imposed in
paragraph (2)(A); or
``(ii) impose any additional limitation on the portion of
the funds of a recipient that may be used for a specific
type, purpose, or category of personnel, or personnel-
related, costs.
``(B) Analysts.--If amounts awarded to a grant recipient
under section 2003 or 2004 are used for paying salary or
benefits of a qualified intelligence analyst under subsection
(a)(10), the Administrator shall make such amounts available
without time limitations placed on the period of time that
the analyst can serve under the grant.''.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
committee-reported substitute be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be
read a third time and passed; the motions to reconsider be laid upon
the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements
related thereto be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a
third time.
The bill, (H.R. 6098), as amended, was read the third time, and
passed.
____________________
CONSOLIDATED SECURITY, DISASTER ASSISTANCE, AND CONTINUING
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009--Continued
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I wish to proceed to the hour that I
have asked the leader to set aside for the purpose of discussing, in my
view, a grave oversight that can be corrected if there is enough
political will to do so. So the purpose of this hour is to try to lay
out a case so that we can build, over the course of the next few days
and weeks, the will necessary to take action that if not taken could
literally result in the bankruptcy of thousands of people and
individuals in rural communities throughout Louisiana and the Nation
who, through no fault of their own, have been caught up in the
disasters of the last few weeks and months.
The disasters I speak of are not like the manmade disaster that is
happening on Wall Street as we speak. It is not the purpose for which a
group of Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have been meeting
around the clock for hours. They are disasters of nature's making--
hurricanes, strong winds, and heavy rains that no one could prevent,
but we most certainly can stop the economic downturn in the aftermath
that will occur.
I am here today because it looks to me and several of my colleagues
as though this Congress intends to leave without taking any action
whatsoever, to give even hope to people, thousands of hard-working
taxpayers who are in this situation.
I will speak for an hour, but this cartoon says it all. This was in
the USA TODAY newspaper yesterday. I don't think it needs any
explanation. I represent the lower ninth ward. I am proud to represent
the ninth ward and the lower ninth ward. I also represent St. Bernard
Parish and Plaquemines Parish and Terrebonne Parish and others that
were devastated and basically have been abandoned in large measure by
aspects of this Government that did not come to their aid. This cartoon
says we have been building a levee for the last several weeks--or
trying to build a levee--around Wall Street. Meanwhile, the rest of the
country--whatever.
Out there in the rest of the country--whatever--which is what I
represent--are thousands of farmers. This is what their fields look
like. They are completely underwater, not because they left the hose on
too long or failed to do the proper irrigation techniques but because
we had Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike, and Hurricane Fay, which did
not hit just Florida, but that storm, as the Presiding Officer will
remember, dropped significant rains throughout large parts of the
country right before harvest time. Then, a few weeks later--because the
farmers in many districts who watch the weather, of course, every day,
made the decision to wait until these rains were done, they would then
go into their fields and harvest the thousands of acres that were
planted in Louisiana in cotton, soybean, rice, sugarcane, sweet
potatoes, and our beautiful pecan trees. They would wait until those
rains subsided and then they would go to their fields for the harvest
that they were expecting to be quite spectacular despite price inputs
at the front of the season: high fuel and fertilizer costs. But then
Hurricane Ike came and Hurricane Gustav, and the water just never went
away. There was nowhere for it to go.
The State I represent, as people will know their geography, is the
State that basically drains, through the Mississippi River, the
Arkansas, the Missouri River, comes down through the Mississippi River
to Louisiana. There was simply nowhere for the water to go. It broke
levees everywhere. The levees in New Orleans held because of the work I
have been, in large measure, fighting for with others to help build.
But levees have broken all over Louisiana, including Federal levees and
non-Federal levees. We are a strong State but not always strong enough
to hold in the water from the whole Nation. Although we have tried on
many occasions to build the kind of levee system we need, we are 20 or
30 years behind.
I got here 12 years ago and have worked every day to accelerate that,
and I am going to stay here for as long as it takes to get the job
done. Nonetheless, we are not there yet.
So the water came into these fields. The farmers cannot harvest their
crops. They cannot get into the fields to try to save what is left.
This is a farmer who has farmed profitably with his family for probably
over 50 years. He is from Chaneyville. This is what the rice fields
look like if you grow rice in water, but it can't grow in salt water.
So the salt water and the tidal surge came in, ruining the rice crop.
Then, the cotton crop, which looked so beautiful just a couple of weeks
ago--8 weeks ago--the farmers throughout the South were celebrating
what a beautiful crop they may have. It has been a very tough year, as
the Presiding Officer knows, with high fuel prices and the financial
markets being unsettled, which has not just been going on the last few
weeks. Farmers have had their eyes on that. Many of them are leveraged,
as we know, quite a bit to try to produce safety the food that every
single person in this country needs. But the cotton crop as it is now,
thousands and thousands of acres, are absolutely unharvestable because
of these rains.
This Congress, Democrats and Republicans, is about ready to leave,
having done nothing--nothing--not even a lifeline, not even a
telegraph, not even a message to say: We hear you.
Right now everyone is--many people--downstairs in a room talking
about how we can build a levee around Wall Street. I understand that
something has to be done about the financial situation. I am not sure I
am in a position to be able to say exactly what should happen. But I
can tell my colleagues that while everybody has been meeting for weeks
about building a levee on Wall Street, the levees have already broken
at home. They have already broken at home; not just in Louisiana but in
Texas and in Arkansas and in Missouri and in Kansas and throughout the
heartland. People who never even heard about a subprime loan, never,
ever looked at an application for a subprime loan, never went to a bank
to inquire about a subprime loan, and most certainly never knowingly
bought one, their levees have already broken.
Now, I would not have kept my colleagues here. I am known up here as
tenacious but a team player. I fight hard, but I fight fair. I most
certainly would not have asked 100 Members, for whom I have the
greatest respect and with whom it has been my honor to work with, each
of them, to have great difficulty in their plans for the weekend. I
understand one-third are up for reelection. There are Senators who came
to me to say they have taken the first--tried to take the first
vacation with their child in 6 months. Other Senators have said they
have had these plans. I understand that. I have two young children at
home myself. But I could not leave without at least making a 1-hour
pitch--and I am going to
[[Page 22537]]
be here after the vote for several hours. I asked to speak for 1 hour
before this vote because I wanted to be able to lay this case down. But
I will be here for the rest of the day speaking about this and through
the evening if the Senate stays in. As long as the Senate is in, I am
prepared to be here because this is not a 1-hour grandstanding on my
part. Please believe me. This is about my complete inability to
understand how this Congress could pass four major appropriations
bills--Defense, Homeland Security, the stimulus package, and--not the
stimulus package--the disaster relief package, and the continuing
resolution and fail to recognize that the program we established in
good intentions and with goodwill is not even in existence yet to help
these farmers.
I wish to read from the terrific statement that our commissioner from
Louisiana, Mike Strain, who has been leading this effort--not only for
us but nationally--I wish to say something so people understand how
strongly I feel about this issue.
Mike Strain is not a Democrat; he is a Republican. I actually didn't
even support him in his election. I supported someone else. But he is
the agriculture commissioner now, and it is my job to stand with him
and to do what I can to help our rural communities. So I asked him to
testify before the committee that I chair this week to try to get
something on the record in Congress to help.
This is what our commissioner says, who is, by the way, a farmer
himself. He is a veterinarian. He is very knowledgeable. He is a
tenacious fighter. He came up and has spent days here trying to sound
the alarm. He says:
Louisiana agriculture faces unprecedented losses from
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. This is the largest natural
disaster affecting agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and
fisheries in Louisiana history.
Now, that statement did get my attention. I have only been here 12
years, but for a commissioner who is knowledgeable, who is trained, who
has been in the business, who has been elected by the people of my
State, to make such a statement before a committee, I thought it might
be worth it to bring that statement to the full floor of the Senate. He
goes on:
No parish or commodity was spared by these storms. From the
cattle rancher and the oyster fisherman in the southernmost
tip of Plaquemines Parish, to cotton farmers in the delta of
East Carol Parish all were severely impacted. Combined with
the timing of these storms, just prior to harvest, and the
devastation caused by the wind (110 miles per hour), in
Terrebonne Parish, the flooding (24 inches), in Franklin
Parish, and the tidal surge (12 feet) in Cameron Parish, our
agriculture community is in peril.
He has held 11 meetings across the State with farmers and ranchers. I
have been to several of them with him. There are several reasons our
situation is so grave: One, the inadequacy of the crop insurance
program we have in place, but the regulations aren't written yet, and
there is no availability for our farmers to access; insufficient
disaster provisions of the farm bill, which I just described; farmers
who have contracts with elevators and cannot deliver the commodity;
bank liens against partially filled commodity contracts; and
deterioration of rain and cotton quality, which I have demonstrated
with my pictures earlier.
I wish to go on to read his statement to explain these in some
detail:
Higher input cost--Fuel and fertilizer costs have more than
doubled since the start of the current crop.
I don't know what the prices are in the Presiding Officer's State,
but in the last year, gasoline prices and diesel prices have been on
the rise. As the Presiding Officer knows, several of us have been in
negotiations on bills trying to contain those costs. We have not yet
been successful. But the price of gasoline and diesel over the last 12
to 15 months has doubled. Fertilizer prices have gone up 300 percent,
and potash, which is a commonly used substance for our agriculture
base, the farmers were faced with almost a 600-percent increase with no
explanation. So their input costs were higher this year than almost any
previous year. That is how the year started. Yet farmers absorbed it.
They got their crops in the field and were ready for a good harvest,
but that was a problem on the front end.
Many farmers did not borrow enough money to cover these exorbitant
costs. Some of them were totally unexpected. They used all their
available credit. Since the storms occurred just prior to harvest, as I
said, many of the farmers have incurred all the costs of the crop
except harvesting and now will not be able to repay lenders and
suppliers.
I wish to say, they will not be able to repay lenders and suppliers.
That is what the Wall Street bailout is all about. People unable--
banks, holding companies, financiers unable to meet their debts, and
this Congress could not scramble fast enough to try to build them a
levee. But to the farmers who can't pay their notes: You are on your
own.
He goes on to explain the inadequacy of the crop insurance program:
The farm bill was signed late. Had producers known they
would have had a disaster program included that was based on
their crop insurance coverage levels, they may have made
different coverage decisions. But in order to be eligible for
the SURE program--
Which is the new program--
USDA requires farmers to purchase catastrophic insurance or
to participate in the noninsured assistance program. Due to
thin margins and high costs of buyout coverage levels, crop
insurance protection participation is relatively low in
Louisiana and other southern States.
It is not that we don't want insurance. It is not that we don't
believe in insurance. But the insurance programs that have been crafted
by this Congress do not meet the needs of southern farmers. Every
region of the country is very different, and the crop insurance
programs that exist today have never been adequate for southern
farmers.
Although a farmer may have only harvested a portion of his
crop, he may have already surpassed the yield threshold. A
cotton farmer reported to me that he met with his insurance
agent and based on preliminary calculations, even though he
has more than 1,000 acres of cotton and is facing a 50
percent crop loss, he will only receive only $3,300 in
insurance proceeds.
Mr. President, $3,300 is not going to keep the farming community in
this farmer's hometown moving forward in a strong position.
The disaster provisions of the farm bill--I wish to read from his
testimony and why it is inadequate:
Many of our crops will not qualify for assistance under the
current disaster provisions. All of the rules and regulations
of the new 2008 Farm Bill had not been written.
I repeat that for the record. The opponents of what I am trying to
do--and they are unidentifiable by name, but obviously there is some
opposition or we would have been able to get this amendment moving--
say: Senator, you are making a mountain out of a molehill because your
farmers can get help through the 2008 disaster farm bill. We passed a
farm bill. There is a disaster provision to try to help your farmers.
So I want to read this into the Record:
All of the rules and regulations--
Of that bill that is supposed to be a help for us--
. . . have not yet been written; and payments may not be
available until October or November of 2009.
Our farmers cannot wait until November of 2009 for assistance. They
need it now. The only people who can give them assistance is us. So I
am filing a bill today on behalf of myself, Senator Hutchison, Senator
Lincoln, Senator Pryor, and Senator Wicker. On behalf of these
Senators, I am introducing this bill today, and I urge other colleagues
to look at this bill to see if they will join us in our efforts to put
before this Congress at the earliest possible time a bill that will at
least provide a glimmer of hope for these farmers and rural communities
throughout America. I send the bill to the desk.
Again, the reason this bill has to be introduced and the reason this
speech had to be given today, and the reason this Congress must act
before we leave--we are going to, it looks like, take a break for a day
or two, come back for a couple of days next week, and it looks like
there is going to be some bailout package for Wall Street. It might be
a $700 billion package, it might be a $300 billion package, it could be
a $400 billion package. By the time they finish negotiating, maybe it
[[Page 22538]]
is only a $200 billion package. Right now, I am leaning against voting
for that package, no matter how it is structured, without certain
provisions in it. This bill asks for $1 billion--$1 billion of--which
at least will help all the rest of the farming communities in this part
of the country while we are working on bailing out the financial
community.
Mr. President, $1 billion. And maybe that is not sufficient. I
introduce the bill at this level because our needs in Louisiana are
$700 million. I know we might not be able to get every penny that our
commissioner has testified we desperately need and most certainly can
justify. I am most certainly willing for this $1 billion to be shared
by the other States that can put forth their documents and put forth
their requirements. Maybe this $1 billion is not sufficient. But I
could not in good conscience leave here without putting something down
with my colleagues. And this is a bipartisan effort.
I am so grateful this morning that I was able to secure, by the
motions that were provided this morning on the calendar, the support of
Senator Hutchison of Texas. She cannot even get into some places in
Texas to do the assessment because the water and damage is so high. But
she has cosponsored this bill with me.
I am very proud as well to have Senator Lincoln and Senator Pryor as
cosponsors. I am going to yield to both of them in a moment. I see
Senator Conrad is in the Chamber. I wish to give each of them 5 minutes
to speak because they are quite knowledgeable about this situation--I
must say more knowledgeable than I am about farm programs. Senator
Lincoln is on the committee. Senator Conrad was the chief sponsor and
designer of the farm disaster program. He helped to write it. Having
his testimony and him speaking today about why the program that he
wrote, with all good intentions, is not necessarily going to help us
and why we need special assistance will give a lot of support to my
arguments.
I yield to my good friend from Arkansas for whatever she might
require. I thank her for being a cosponsor of the bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas.
Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to say an
enormous thanks to my good friend and neighbor, Senator Landrieu. When
you grow up in small communities in middle America, one of the things
you understand the most is that it is important to be a good neighbor
and it is very important to have good neighbors. Through the last
several years, we in Arkansas and the folks in Louisiana have come to
understand that. We have housed most or a tremendous number of the
evacuees from both Katrina and Rita, and then Gustav sent us more
evacuees. We have worked in tandem with our neighbors to try to figure
out how we can be there for one another.
With our proximity to Louisiana and Texas, sitting right above those
two States, we say thanks to our colleagues who are allowing us to join
them in speaking out on behalf of a tremendously important constituency
that we represent, and that is production agriculture.
Senator Landrieu has brought up so many good points. Again, I wish to
reiterate that our growers across this country, these hard-working farm
families, get up early every morning. They go into the fields, into
their livestock arenas, and work hard to ensure that we can have the
safest, most abundant, and affordable food supply in the world. They
provide us a food supply, food and fiber per capita that is less than
any other developed nation in the world.
Yet in this body and throughout the Congress, it is hard to get
attention if your issue is not glamorous. If it is not glamourous and
it is not on the front page of People magazine or on the front page of
these papers, people don't want to talk about it and they don't want to
put the work into it that is required to get the results that are
needed.
These hard-working farm families are doing a tremendous job. As
Senator Landrieu has mentioned, so often we forget these are folks who
are absorbing tremendous costs--the increased cost of fuel and
utilities, the needs they have in terms of chemical application,
fertilizers, and other products, and the fluctuation of the price and
value of commodities that are going crazy as well in many of those
markets. So it is so important that we as a government create an
environment where they can continue to do the fine job they do in
ensuring that all of us--not just in this country but globally--can
enjoy that safe and abundant supply of food.
Senator Landrieu is exactly correct. Every year they go through this
unbelievable anguish of figuring out how they are going to pay to keep
their jobs. They go to their lenders in December and January to start a
new crop year. This year they are going to go to that lender and they
are going to say: We have had unbelievable disaster, whether it has
been a hurricane, floods, tornadoes, which we suffered drastically this
spring. We had one tornado that hit the ground and stayed on the ground
for 120 miles. We have seen floods that are 50-, 90-year floods. We had
those in the spring, to be followed by a tremendous amount of water
that was sent up from Louisiana or Texas after Gustav and Ike which put
all of our crops that had been planted late because of spring floods
under water, as Senator Landrieu has mentioned.
They go in to their lenders, having suffered these unbelievable
disasters, they are faced with unbelievable increases in their input
costs, and the lender says: Your house is probably worth less because
of the mortgage crisis and your 401(k) might not be so solid because of
whatever else is going on. They get hit from absolutely every
direction. Yet to be able to get back into the field, they have to have
the support of those lenders. Without having the Government behind
them, the Government to say, We are going to stand with you in whatever
it is that you meet up against, they are not going to be able to
continue to do that tremendous job.
As Senator Landrieu mentioned--and I know Senator Conrad has worked
tirelessly in terms of crop insurance--she is exactly right. Crop
insurance doesn't fit us like it does the rest of the country. We grow
capital-intensive crops and to insure ourselves against that kind of
liability and that kind of risk, it is not cost effective, nor is the
payout what it needs to be when we hit those disasters. So it is
critically important that we recognize the disaster program that is
intended to be there for those farmers crop insurance cannot fully
protect.
We worked in this farm bill to come up with that program. Again, as
Senator Landrieu has mentioned, USDA has failed to give us the rules.
So these growers, who are caught between a rock and a hard spot, know
they have a 2008 farm bill, there are no rules that apply, and they are
not going to understand or even know what they can count on in terms of
disaster payments until the spring. It is too late by April or May to
have gotten their assistance, their financing, their ability to know
what they are going to be able to plant and start for a 2009 crop year.
I thank my good friend and my good neighbor because we understand how
important it is to be and to have good neighbors. I am very grateful
she is standing up for our farm families and allowing those of us who
want to stand with her to say: It may not be a glamorous issue, it may
not be one that people are going to jump up and rise to the occasion to
try to solve. But I tell you one thing, when people look around and
realize that it is not just stock markets, it is not just home
mortgages, but it is actually the ability to feed your family, then
they will figure out that it is absolutely appropriate that we stand
here today and ask our Government to help us move forward with the kind
of environment that our growers need to put seed in the ground, to
produce, as well as to be competitive in a global marketplace so we can
continue to allow them to produce unbelievably safe and abundant food
and fiber for this Nation and for the entire world.
Thanks to my good friend and neighbor, Senator Landrieu. I am proud
to be here with her to fight on behalf of America's growers.
[[Page 22539]]
I thank the Senator for yielding.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Arkansas for
her remarks. As you can see, she is one of the experts in farming
policy of this country. We are very grateful.
I now yield 5 minutes to the Senator from North Dakota.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I thank Senator Landrieu, the Senator from
Louisiana, for her leadership. Senator Lincoln, who is a valuable
member of the Agriculture Committee and the Finance Committee, played
such an important role in writing a new farm bill, and Senator Pryor,
as well, from Arkansas, who is here. They are fighting for farmers who
have been devastated by disasters, farmers who are down and out through
no fault of their own.
We hear some saying: Wait, there is a disaster program that has just
passed that is in the farm bill.
Indeed, that is true. In fact, I am the author of that legislation,
very proud of it. The problem is, we don't yet have the regulations
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as to how that program will be
administered. So these farmers who have been hit by one hurricane after
another don't know the rules of the road. They can't know. So they are
there wondering if there is any help for them. And what do they see?
They see Congress rushing to help Wall Street and understanding that if
credit in this country locks up, it is not just going to be Wall
Street. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve has told us that if the
credit lockup continues, 3 to 4 million Americans will lose their jobs
in the next 6 months. So we all understand there is much more at risk
than Wall Street. Main Street is on the line.
But what about these farm families? What about them? Apparently,
there is no place in this package for them. And the excuse? Well, we
have a disaster program in the farm bill. But the problem is, it is not
in effect and no one knows the rules of the road because USDA hasn't
written them. Talk about a catch-22. These farmers, these constituents
of Senator Landrieu, these constituents of Senator Lincoln, these
constituents of Senator Pryor are out there in limbo land. They are
being told: Oh, yes, there is a disaster program for you. But nobody
can tell them what it is because the rules and regulations have not yet
been drafted. But it is there, so don't you worry. And they are
thinking: Well, wait a minute, where is the help? What am I going to do
about planting decisions for next year because with no money, I can't
finance. With no disaster program yet in place, without the rules and
regulations, what do they take to their banker--a newspaper headline
that the farm bill was passed with the disaster program? With the
current situation of a lockdown in credit, what is the banker going to
do with that?
What Senator Landrieu is asking for here is exactly what needs to be
done; that is, a bridge program to deal with the current emergency
until the disaster program that is part of the farm bill is in effect.
So, Mr. President, I would hope our colleagues in the House and the
Senate and representatives of the administration would help find a way
to deal with this crisis because these farm families are in every bit
as much a crisis as the families who are being affected by the fiscal
crisis, and these farm families deserve our help as well.
I thank Senator Landrieu for her leadership. She has been persistent.
She has gone from colleague to colleague. She has talked to the House
and the Senate, trying to persuade them that these farm families should
not be abandoned at their time of need. What an irony it would be if
the Congress moved in the next few days to react to a fiscal crisis in
the country but left part of the country out and said to those farm
families in Arkansas, in Louisiana, and in Texas, and, yes, in
Mississippi: Tough luck for you. We have $700 billion for other parts
of the country, but we don't have $1 billion for you. Mr. President,
that can't be the result.
I thank the Chair, and I thank Senator Landrieu for the time.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from North Dakota. I
couldn't say it better myself, and I most certainly don't know it as
well as he does, but I wish to read to the Senator, before he leaves
the floor, something that I think will make him even more concerned.
I would like to say to the Senator that, in anticipation--because I
was getting nowhere with my conversations, except with good people such
as yourself, and of course Senator Harkin was very interested, Senator
Lincoln, and Senator Hutchison, but others didn't seem to have a real
understanding of this situation despite the fact that we kept talking.
So I wrote a letter to HUD, because in the disaster package which we
are voting on now, the Senator may know that there is $22 billion of
special disaster relief, and in that there is $6.5 billion of community
development block grant money, for which we are grateful. That is money
for Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and, frankly, the whole part of the
country that got hit by the storms. But Houston alone--the mayor of
Houston, just to put this in perspective, was on record this week
saying that Houston alone needs $30 billion. Now let me repeat that.
Houston alone may need $30 billion, and we have $6.5 billion in this
bill that we are going to spread the best way we can throughout many
States.
So people would tell me: Senator, you don't have a problem. Just go
get some money from the community development block grant. Maybe you
all can come up with a plan to help your farmers.
So I thought: Well, let me scurry over and find out if that could be
possible.
So I wrote a letter as quickly as I could, and I said:
Gustav and Ike caused an estimated $700 million in damage
in agricultural damage in Louisiana alone. Regulations have
still not been written . . . will not be available through
this program until 2009, which is much too long to wait. Can
CDBG funds be used to provide grants and loans to individual
farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, as well as agricultural
lending institutions and processing facilities?
I was hoping that maybe I could get a glimmer of hope. But I want to
read for the record what they wrote.
This is probably an eligible activity under the CDBG
disaster recovery program. CDBG funds may be used to assist
businesses to create or retain low- and moderate-income jobs,
and the CDBG disaster recovery program allows the State to
make grants and loans directly rather than working through
local governments.
But here is the kicker:
The only issue that may arise is that Circular OMB A-87
does not allow one Federal program to be used for costs
allocable to another program and these costs may be allocable
to the USDA SURE Program.
And here is the last sentence:
If the CDBG activity is designed to only cover costs USDA
will not allow, then it could work.
Mr. President, I tell my friend from North Dakota, if I go home and
try to read this paragraph of gobbledygook to my farmers, I wouldn't
blame them for trying to find another Senator. I mean, I cannot even
understand it myself, yet I am supposed to go home and tell the people
whom I represent that this is the paragraph I have left Washington
with?
I didn't think this was sufficient, and so I make no apologies to my
colleagues, but as a way of explanation, the reason I am standing here
for this 1 hour is to just testify that this paragraph is not
sufficient. The program is not sufficient.
As I speak, I know the powers that be in this Chamber, on both sides,
and in the White House have been in meeting after meeting trying to
bail out Wall Street. Could somebody spend 1 hour or 2 hours figuring
out how to bail out our farmers throughout the entire midpart of our
country? Because this paragraph isn't going to do it.
Mr. CONRAD. Will the Senator yield?
Ms. LANDRIEU. I will yield.
Mr. CONRAD. I have been in the Senate for 22 years, and I have gotten
letters like that in the past. I know exactly what they mean. It means
``not eligible.'' They say ``probably it is,'' with this one little
problem, and the little problem is that because there is another
program--the disaster program
[[Page 22540]]
in the farm bill--CDBG cannot be used for that purpose. They can write
all the fancy legal language they want to try to make somebody feel
better, but we know at the end of the day how much money it is going to
result in for these farmers who have been hit by a disaster--zero,
goose egg, nothing. That is what is going to happen.
Again, the catch-22 your farmers face and farmers all across America
face is we have a disaster bill that was passed as part of the farm
bill, but USDA has not written the regulations--the rules of the road.
So, in effect, there is no program available currently, yet the
disaster is now. These farmers have been hit now. The question is, Is
there going to be any help for them now?
Here we have the prospect of a massive rescue package for the entire
country to prevent 3 or 4 million people from losing their jobs in the
next 6 months, and yet we have a need that is now. It is immediate. It
is not 6 months from now, it is right now.
The Senator is doing the Lord's work, and I hope very much that we
can find a way to get a resolution.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I thank the Senator from North Dakota. Again, because I
was able to introduce this bill this morning, I wanted very much for it
to be introduced with the support of both Republican and Democratic
leaders, and I was able to secure that. As I said, the senior Senator
from Texas is a cosponsor of this bill, and I am certain that sometime
before the next few days she will speak on behalf of the farmers of
Texas because I myself am aware, having flown over many parts of
southwest Louisiana, what the agricultural situation in Texas looks
like. It is not quite as bad per capita as Louisiana--and, of course,
Texas has Galveston, Bridge City, Houston, and so many other areas
affected--but the agricultural hit to Texas is going to be significant.
May I inquire of the Chair how many minutes I have remaining?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 18 minutes remaining.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I thank the Chair.
Mr. President, I think this says it all. I most certainly am not
trying, again, to grandstand here because I do understand the
significance of what happens on Wall Street and in Manhattan and in
many of the financial centers of this country, of which New Orleans,
whether it is a small city--Merrill Lynch actually started in New
Orleans many years ago. So I am not unaware of the significance of
cities such as Boston and Manhattan and New Orleans and San Francisco
and Chicago and the well-being of our financial sector and our country
to operate. I am not unaware of the importance of this financial system
needing to be secure not just for our people or our institutions and
our taxpayers but for the world. Our economy is so large, and so much
of the rest of the world's finances, in large measure, now are so
interconnected. So I am not here complaining about the time and effort
that has gone into trying to figure this situation out.
What I am complaining about is that in all of these discussions, no
one seems to understand that there is a financial crisis right now in
the heartland that is not being relieved by this disaster bill we are
getting ready to vote on, nor, to date, have I heard one sentence, one
phrase, one section, one paragraph that might bring any hope to the
thousands of farmers and ranchers who never even saw a subprime loan,
who have never filled out an application for a subprime loan, yet whose
crops in the field are rotting, are unharvestable--not one single word
about them. So I thought it was worth at least 1 hour of this
Congress's time to hear that word from me and to hear that word from
Senator Lincoln and to hear that word from Senator Conrad and to hear
that word from Senator Pryor and to hear that word from Senator Wicker
and Senator Hutchison, who have joined in this effort.
I am going to ask the other Senators to join with us. Many of them
are reading the document now. Senator Harkin has it under
consideration. Senator Saxby Chambliss has it under consideration. I
have expressed to both of them, with respect, as leaders of the
Agriculture Committee--should they see anything in this bill that they
think should be modified or increased or decreased or written in a
different way, the Senator from Louisiana is most certainly willing to
take any amendments that they would think necessary to make this work.
I am not even asking for this, again, to be for Louisiana. This is for
the whole country.
I have to spend an hour saying $700 billion for Wall Street and zero
for farmers? It could be said a different way: $700 billion for
financiers, zero for farmers.
If you want to know why people in America are upset with this
bailout, I could give you several reasons. Let me try one big one. The
regular people out there, who put boots on in the morning and go to
work, direct traffic, run the daycare centers, teach our kids in
school, get on the fire trucks in the morning, shine shoes, open the
grocery store--they don't think anyone is listening to them. And they
are right. No one is listening to them. Everyone is listening to the
people who have a lot of money--money, money, money.
People who work hard every day and actually put in 14-hour days and
maybe make--not farmers, because they usually make more than this--but
$8 or $10 an hour, they work hard, they never heard about a quick
buck--there are no quick bucks in the life they live. They don't make
$500 million an hour. They don't make $1 million a minute. They are
lucky if they make $1 million in a lifetime. I have to go home and tell
them not only I wasn't able to do anything to help them but no one in
the whole Congress could come up with a plan to help them. I am not
going home with that. I am not going home with it.
I am not going home with gobbledegook. I want to read it again in the
last 5 minutes. This was the response I got. Senator, we can't do
anything for you, we can't amend the bill, we can't give you a vote on
the floor, we can't put it in the bailout package, we can't put it in
the disaster package, we can't have a committee meeting, we can't do
anything. We can't do anything. That is what I was told all week.
This is the sheet of paper I am going to submit for the Record. This
is $6.5 billion. I hope the cameras could see it. I wish I had it blown
up; $6.5 billion. That is what we are taking home for all the disasters
including Houston, Galveston, everything else. I was told if I needed
help for my farmers, I could do this:
Dear Senator, your request to help farmers, this is
probably an eligible activity under the Community Development
Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. These funds may be
used to assist businesses to create or retain low- and
moderate-income jobs and the CBDG Disaster Recovery Program
allows the States to make grants or loans directly rather
than through local governments. The only issue that may arise
is that circular OMB 8-87 [may?] does not allow one Federal
program to be used for costs allocable to another program and
these costs may be allocable to the USDA shore program.
If the CDBG is designed to only cover costs USDA would not allow,
then it would work.
I don't have time to explain this to my farmers because it doesn't
make any sense. The only thing--actually nothing makes sense to them. I
went home last weekend--and I am going to wrap up. I have about a
minute left.
I went home last weekend and told them I would be there, and hundreds
of them came out of the fields with dirt on their hands, of course,
filthy dirt. These are men who had been farming for decades, who said:
Senator, I left my sons in the field to come meet you. These are the
farmers I met with. They said: Senator, what is going on in Washington?
Between the weather reports we have to read and working hard in our
fields all day, we are having a hard time understanding about this
bailout. Who are we bailing out? Why are we bailing them out? And does
anybody know that our crops are under water, that we have had the worst
disaster?
This disaster for us, may I remind everyone, comes 3 years after
Katrina hit our State and it was the worst natural disaster and manmade
disaster. Let me give you some numbers to illustrate this. When
Hurricane Andrew hit, the
[[Page 22541]]
per capita was $58. After the attacks on the World Trade Center, the
per capita equaled $1,050. But after Katrina and Rita hit, the per
capita damage shot up to $4,366. And that number will only increase
after all the damage left by Gustav and Ike has been assessed.
Let me repeat that. No disaster in the history of the country ever
exceeded the mark that Katrina and Rita have left Louisiana, including
9/11 or anything. Our disaster in Katrina and Rita, from Mississippi
and Louisiana, exceeded $4,000 per capita.
I know about disasters. I have been through the worst one in the
history of the country. We are just recovering. We are grateful for the
aid. We are still struggling. We have communities that are still
destroyed, neighborhoods with houses that are worth $600,000 as well as
$50,000, still struggling. The gulf coast is not back. And then we get
hit by this and then I have to go home and tell my farmers that we are
going to do $700 billion for financiers, and nothing for them? I have
to go home and tell them I don't know what is going on in this bailout
passage, all I can tell you is it looks as though the financiers are
going to win and you are going to lose again.
I thought before I did that, if at least they could see that I was
fighting for them and they could see an actual bill we introduced, that
might be helpful.
I see my good friend, the Senator from Mississippi, here. I would be
happy to yield a minute if he wanted to speak on this, or two?
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I asked the distinguished Senator to
yield to me because I want to commend her for the strong argument she
has made, the attention she has brought to the issue of agricultural
disaster both in her State and Texas in particular. But this also
affects my State, Mississippi.
Listening to her a little while ago, from my office, over the
television, made me think: We do need to address this issue, and why
not put language in this bill that would help ensure that consideration
was given?
I wish to be listed, if the Senator will permit me, as a cosponsor to
her bill. I am pleased to support it and I hope it is helpful.
I don't know whether we have the votes. I don't know what would
happen in conference. I don't know what will happen when the
administration sees it. But I think you have made some excellent points
and they need to be acknowledged by those in charge of our programs so
ways can be found to help these farmers.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I thank the Senator from Mississippi.
How much time do I have remaining?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Six minutes remain.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I am going to wrap up now in 1 minute and yield the
rest of my time because I know the Senators are anxious for a vote. I
couldn't think of a better way to end than with an endorsement from the
senior Senator from Mississippi. He and I and his colleague before him,
Trent Lott, have been through the mill, as they say at home, with these
storms. Well fought, shoulder to shoulder, side by side. We have had
disagreements, but we continue to work on behalf of the people of
Mississippi and Louisiana, the gulf coast. We have said often--he and I
have come to the floor to say this is America's working coast. We are
America's energy coast. We are a breadbasket in our farming community
for the rice, cotton, sugarcane, and corn. I appreciate his support.
I will be pleased to add him as a cosponsor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Again, I want the Senator to understand I would not
have taken this time--and I do not take it lightly. I am not here
complaining about something that only affects Louisiana, although that
would be meritorious enough. But I am here saying we cannot talk about
a bailout of $700 billion for Wall Street and zero for the rest of
America, particularly our farmers.
I yield the time.
Cooperative Development Program
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I would like to ask the Senator from
Vermont, the chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee,
if he would enter into a colloquy with me about the Cooperative
Development Program which is funded in his bill?
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would be pleased to enter into a colloquy
with the Senator from South Dakota, Mr. Johnson.
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend your committee and
all the work it has done to promote responsible international
development. As you know, our Nation's cooperatives have played a
significant role in our international development efforts for over 40
years. Mr. Chairman, your committee has been very supportive of the
Cooperative Development Programs, and I applaud you for it.
I am, however, concerned that the program may suffer due to the
continuing resolution. The request for applications for the 5-year
competitively bid Cooperative Development Program is set to be reissued
this fall. For a number of years, you and the committee have worked to
encourage the U.S. Agency for International Development to continue the
program's successes by providing needed increased funding. As currently
configured, this small program provides funding for eight grants that
are on average less than $700,000 per year. I am concerned that under
the continuing resolution, the new grants under this program will not
be able to grow in accordance with intent of the State and Foreign
Operations Subcommittee.
Cooperatives have had a long and beneficial impact on the economy of
my State, and I strongly support the Cooperative Development Program as
it supports the growth of cooperatives as a means of spreading
inclusive businesses in the developing world. This small but effective
program enables U.S. cooperative development organizations to expand
the use of this practical and beneficial development tool in our
foreign assistance portfolio, and I hope that you can provide some
insight on this issue.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from South Dakota for
his continued interest in international development and in the
Cooperative Development Program. I assure him that the State and
Foreign Operations Subcommittee intends to continue our strong support
of the Cooperative Development Program in the fiscal year 2009 State
and Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
Mr. JOHNSON. I thank the chairman for his support and leadership on
this issue.
Ddg--1000 Zumwalt Destroyer Program
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr Chairman, I would like to clarify language included
in the fiscal year 2009 Defense Appropriations bill that addresses the
Navy's DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyer program.
Mr. INOUYE. The bill supports the Navy's DDG-1000 program, which
incrementally funds the third ship, directs that a construction
contract consistent with the ship's current acquisition schedule be
awarded, and directs that the remaining funds necessary to complete the
third ship be included in the fiscal year 2010 budget.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Chairman, the language also identifies a requirement
for the Navy to have future shipbuilding requirements reviewed by the
Joint Requirements Oversight Council, or JROC, before moving forward
with any modifications to the existing Navy shipbuilding program of
record and before any funds can be obligated for surface combatants. I
understand that this requirement is a result of significant instability
in the Navy's surface combatant shipbuilding program; however, I would
like to be clear that the intent of the bill is to award a contract for
a third DDG-1000 in fiscal year 2009 that would be split funded between
fiscal year 2009 an fiscal year 2010.
Mr. INOUYE. That is correct. I fully expect the Joint Requirements
Oversight Council to review future Navy surface combatant requirements
so that the results of this review will be available as the Department
considers future shipbuilding plans and any adjustments to the program
that may be required in future budget submissions.
[[Page 22542]]
Mr. KENNEDY. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Your support of the Zumwalt
program is appreciated.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following
disclosure of earmarks be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
Following is a list of congressional earmarks and
congressionally directed spending items (as defined in clause
9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
and rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
respectively) included in the bill or this explanatory
statement, along with the name of each Senator, House Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who submitted a request to
the Committee of jurisdiction for each item so identified.
Neither the bill nor the explanatory statement contains any
limited tax benefits or limited tariff benefits as defined in
the applicable House and Senate rules.
DIVISION B--DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency Account Project Amount Requester(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corps of Engineers Construction Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity, LA $700,000,000 Landrieu, Mary L.; Vitter, David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corps of Engineers Construction West Bank and Vicinity, LA $350,000,000 Landrieu, Mary L.; Vitter, David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corps of Engineers Construction Southeast Louisiana Urban Drainage, LA $450,000,000 Landrieu, Mary L.; Vitter, David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA General Provision Concerning flood insurance rate maps in certain areas in MO Durbin, Richard; Costello, Jerry; Shimkus,
and IL John
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA General Provision Communications System, MS Cochran, Thad
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSA Federal Buildings Fund Cedar Rapids Courthouse, IA $182,000,000 Harkin, Tom; Grassley, Chuck; Loebsack, Dave
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFENSE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requester(s)
Account Project Amount -------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Senate
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Air Warrior-Joint Service Vacuum Packed Life Raft (AW-JSVPLR) $2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Aircraft Component Remediation 1,600,000 Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A CAAS--Pilot Vehicle Interface 1,600,000 Hinchey Grassley, Harkin, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Cockpit Air Bag System (CABS) 1,600,000 Pastor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Forward Looking Infrared System for New York National Guard 1,600,000 King (NY), Arcuri, Gillibrand, Hall Schumer
(NY), Israel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A HH-60A to HH-60L Upgrades for the 204th TN ARNG 8,000,000 Alexander
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Light Utility Helicopter 32,600,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A UH-60 Improved Communications (ARC 220) for the ARNG 1,600,000 Latham, Bishop (UT) Bennett, Grassley, Harkin, Hatch,
Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A UH-60 MEDEVAC Thermal Imaging Upgrades 1,600,000 Capps, Hooley Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A UH-60A Rewiring Program 5,000,000 Granger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Vibration Management Enhancement Program 800,000 Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Vibration Management Enhancement Program 2,500,000 Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,A Vibration Management Enhancement Program (Note: For SC ARNG) 2,000,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF C-130 Active Noise Cancellation System (ANCS) 1,600,000 Tiahrt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF Civil Air Patrol 5,000,000 Tiahrt Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF F-15 Improved Radio Communications (ARC 210) 2,400,000 Harkin, Hatch, Grassley, Landrieu,
Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF F-15C/D MSOGS Retrofit 5,000,000 Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF F-16C Fire Control Computers for the 114th Fighter Wing 1,440,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure for MC-130P aircraft 3,200,000 Martinez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF RC-26B Modernization 7,200,000 Granger, Bishop (GA), Lampson, Bingaman, Murray, Nelson (FL),
Rogers (AL) Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF Scathe View for NV ANG 400,000 Berkley, Porter Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF SENIOR SCOUT Beyond Line-of-Sight SATCOM Data Link 7,000,000 Cannon Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF Smart Bomb Rack Unit (S-BRU) Upgrade 1,600,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,AF USAF Senior Scout Digital Rio Raton ELINT System 800,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N AAR-47 Missile Advanced Warning System 4,000,000 Young (FL) Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Advanced Helicopter Emergency Egress Lighting System 1,600,000 Alexander, Melancon Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Advanced Skills Management (ASM) System 1,200,000 Dicks, Inslee Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N AN/AVS-7 Day Heads-Up Display (DayHUD) 5,000,000 Granger Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N C4ISR Operations and Training 4,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Common ECM Equipment (ALQ-214) 2,800,000 Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Crane NSWC IDECM Depot Capability 1,600,000 Ellsworth Bayh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Direct Squadron Support Readiness Training Program 3,200,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N F/A-18 Expand 4/5 Upgrade for USMC 7,600,000 Pickering Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics Health and Usage Management 4,000,000 Burr, Johnson, Leahy, Thune
System and Condition Based Maintenance for the H-53E
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP,N Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) for P-3C Aircraft 3,200,000 Granger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHEM DEMIL Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant 20,000,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22543]]
DHP AFIP/Joint Pathology Center (JPC) Records Digitization and 20,000,000 Byrd
Repository Modernization
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Cancer Immunotherapy and Cell Therapy Initiative (Note: 1,600,000 McGovern, Olver
Department of Defense Military Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Comprehensive Clinical Phenotyping and Genetic Mapping for the 1,600,000 Pryce
Discovery of Autism Susceptibility Genes (Note: Within Military
Dependents Populations)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Copper Antimicrobial Research Program 1,600,000 Arcuri, Costello, Higgins, Casey, Dodd, Durbin, Grassley,
Loebsack, Murphy (CT) Harkin, Lieberman, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Customized Nursing Programs 800,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Dedicated Breast MRI System for WRAMC/WRNNMC 1,600,000 Tierney Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Department of Defense Brain Injury Rescue and Rehabilitation 1,200,000 Alexander, Melancon
Project (BIRR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Digital Accessible Personal Health Electronic Record 800,000 Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP DoD/VA Blind Rehabilitation and Training Pilot 800,000 Jefferson Landrieu, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Enhanced Medical Situational Awareness 2,400,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Epidemiologic Health Survey at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant 800,000 Loebsack Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization 640,000 McHugh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Hawaii Federal Health Care Network 23,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Health Research and Disparities Eradication Program 6,500,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Health Technology Integration for Clinical, Patient Records and 400,000 Lowey
Financial Management Related to the Military
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Identifying Health Barriers for Military Recruits 3,000,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Integrated Patient Electronic Records System for Application to 1,200,000 Lee
Defense Information Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Integrated Translational Prostate Disease Research at Walter Reed 4,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Lung Injury Management Program 1,200,000 Meeks Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Madigan Army Medical Center Digital Pen 200,000 Smith (WA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Madigan Army Medical Center Trauma Assistance Center 1,600,000 Dicks, Smith (WA) Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Management of the Wounded Soldier from Air Evacuation to 2,500,000 Berkley Reid
Rehabilitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Microencapsulation and Vaccine Delivery 800,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Military Physician Combat Medical Training 1,000,000 Brown (FL) Martinez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Military Trauma Training Program 800,000 Ruppersberger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Mobile Diabetes Management 1,600,000 Ruppersberger, Sarbanes Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Neuregulin Research 1,520,000 Bishop (GA), Lewis (GA), Scott (GA) Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Neuroscience Clinical Gene Therapy Center (OSUMC) 800,000 Pryce
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Operating Room of the Future for Application to Mobile Army 2,400,000 Roybal-Allard
Surgical Hospital Improvements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Pacific Based Joint Information Technology Center (JITC) 4,800,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Pediatric Health Information System for Medical Charting and 400,000 Lowey
Research Related to Military Health Care
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Pediatric Medication Administration Product and Training 800,000 LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Pharmacological Countermeasures to Ionizing Radiation 800,000 Ramstad Coleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Proton Therapy 4,800,000 Foster, Davis (IL) Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) Topical Treatment 800,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Research to Improve Emotional Health and Quality of Life of 2,400,000 Castor
Servicemembers with Disabilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Reservist Medical Simulation Training Program 800,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Security Solutions from Life in Extreme Environments Center 1,200,000 Cummings, Sarbanes Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Severe Disorders of Consciousness (IBRF) (Note: Department of 6,400,000 Crowley, Pascrell
Defense Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Stress Disorders Research Initiative at Fort Hood 1,600,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Theater Enterprise Wide Logistics System (TEWLS) 2,000,000 Sestak Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Vanadium Safety Readiness 1,600,000 Paul, English, Murphy (CT), Space Brown, Casey, Dodd, Lieberman,
Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Web-based Teaching Programs for Military Social Work 3,200,000 Roybal-Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHP Wide Angle Virtual Environment for USHUS 4,000,000 Van Hollen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA ALON and Spinel Optical Ceramics 4,000,000 Bono Mack, Higgins, Tierney Feinstein, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Armor and Structures Transformation Initiative--Steel to Titanium 3,200,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Automated Composite Technologies and Manufacturing Center 5,000,000 Bishop (UT), Cannon Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Carbon Foam Program 9,600,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Domestic Production of Transparent Polycrystalline Laser Gain 5,200,000 Bilirakis, Brown-Waite, Altmire, Casey, Levin
Materials Dingell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22544]]
DPA Extremely Large, Domestic Expendable and Reusable Structures 8,000,000 Cramer Cochran, Shelby, Wicker
Manufacturing Center (ELDERS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA High Homogeneity Optical Glass 3,200,000 Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA High Performance Thermal Battery Infrastructure Project 3,000,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Hybrid Plastics and POSS Nanotechnology Engineering Scale-Up 3,000,000 Cochran, Wicker
Initiative
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Lightweight Small Caliber Ammunition Production Initiative 4,200,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Low Cost Military Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver 4,000,000 Braley, Loebsack, Boswell Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Military Lens Fabrication and Assembly 2,400,000 Murtha Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Production of Miniature Compressors for Electronics and Personal 1,000,000 Rogers (KY)
Cooling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Reactive Plastic CO2 Absorbent Production Capacity 1,600,000 Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Read Out Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Improvement 1,600,000 Simpson Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Silicon Carbide Armor Manufacture Initiative 2,000,000 Bunning
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPA Titanium Metal Matrix Composite and Nano Enhanced Titanium 3,200,000 Byrd
Development
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Alaska National Guard Counter Drug Program 3,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area--Tennessee 4,000,000 Tanner Corker, Alexander
National Guard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug 3,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Indiana National Guard Counter Drug Program 800,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Kentucky National Guard Counterdrug Program 3,600,000 Rogers (KY) McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Midwest Counterdrug Training Center 5,000,000 Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Multi-Jurisdictional Counter-Drug Program 3,000,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Nevada National Guard Counter Drug Funding Initiative 3,500,000 Berkley Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS New Mexico National Guard Counterdrug Support Program 3,200,000 Udall (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Northeast Counterdrug Training Center (NCTC) 3,000,000 Cummings Cardin, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Regional Counter Drug Training Academy, Meridian 2,500,000 Pickering Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS Southwest Border Fence 1,600,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRUGS West Virginia Counter-drug Program 800,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Helmets to Hardhats 3,000,000 Ryan (OH) Clinton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Joint Venture Education Program 5,500,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Presidio Heritage Center 1,750,000 Pelosi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Project SOAR 4,750,000 Pelosi, Braley Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Special Olympics International 3,000,000 Craig, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP STEM Education Research Center 5,000,000 LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP USS Missouri 9,900,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GP Waterbury Industrial Commons Redevelopment Project 15,000,000 Murphy (CT) Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICMA Language Mentorship Program Incorporating an Electronic Portfolio 800,000 Boswell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICMA National Drug Intelligence Center 24,500,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEL Biometric Research 2,000,000 Rockefeller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEL Intelligence Community Academic Outreach 1,600,000 Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEL Intelligence Training Program 200,000 Rockefeller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEL Littoral Net Centric Operations 2,400,000 Rockefeller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEL National Media Exploitation Center 9,000,000 Rockefeller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ANG Crypto-Linguist/Intelligence Officer Initiative 2,720,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ANG Joint Interagency Training and Education Center 650,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ANG WMD Civil Support Team for Florida 400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ANG WMD Civil Support Team for New York State 304,000 Fossella, Bishop (NY), Clarke,
Gillibrand, Hall (NY), King (NY),
Maloney, McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ARNG Joint Interagency Training and Education Center 3,600,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ARNG WMD Civil Support Team for Florida 1,200,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILPERS,ARNG WMD Civil Support Team for New York State 1,627,000 Fossella, Bishop (NY), Clarke,
Gillibrand, Hall (NY), King (NY),
Maloney, McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MP,A PATRIOT Tactical Command Station (TCS) / Battery Command Post 2,400,000 Sessions, Shelby
(BCP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDSF RRF Training Ship Upgrades 10,000,000 Delahunt, Olver, Shays, Tsongas Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A 49th Missile Defense Battalion Infrastructure and Security 2,200,000 Stevens
Upgrades
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Air Battle Captain 1,600,000 Pomeroy Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Air-Supported Temper Tent 5,000,000 Rogers (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22545]]
OM,A Army Battery Management Program Utilizing Pulse Technology 800,000 Sessions
Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army Command and General Staff College Leadership Training 1,600,000 Boyda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army Condition-Based Maintenance 2,400,000 Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army Conservation and Ecosystem Management 4,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army Force Generation Synchronization Tool (AST) 2,000,000 Dent, Dingell Specter, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army Manufacturing Technical Assistance Production Program 1,600,000 Miller (MI), Markey
(MTAPP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Army/Marine Corps Interoperability at Echelons above the Brigade 2,400,000 Rahall
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Biometrics Operations Directorate Transition 2,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Common Logistics Operating Environment (CLOE) System 1,200,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Electronic Records Management Pilot Program 1,200,000 Capito Casey, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Family Support for the 1/25th and 4/25th 4,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Fort Hood Training Lands Restoration and Maintenance 2,800,000 Carter, Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Human Resource Command Training 2,000,000 Bunning
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Joint National Training Capability--Red Flag/ Northern Edge 14,700,000 Stevens
Training Range Enhancements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Ladd Field Paving 2,500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Lightweight Ballistic Maxillofacial Protection System 3,500,000 Craig, Crapo, Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Light-weight Tactical Utility Vehicles 3,200,000 Petri, McIntyre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A M24 Sniper Weapons System Upgrade 3,200,000 Arcuri Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Modular Command Post Tent 3,000,000 Rogers (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Nanotechnology Corrosion Support 800,000 Rahall
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Net Centric Decision Support Environment Sense and Respond 3,200,000 Bishop (GA)
Logistics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Operational/Technical Training Validation Testbed 2,400,000 Reyes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Rock Island Arsenal, Building #299 Roof Removal and Replacement, 5,000,000 Braley, Hare Durbin, Grassley, Harkin
Phase III
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Roof Removal and Replacement at Fort Stewart, GA 2,160,000 Kingston
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Sawfly Laser Protective Lenses 3,000,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Soldier Barracks Roof Removal and Replacement at Fort Knox, 2,320,000 Lewis (KY) Bunning
Kentucky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Stryker Situation Awareness Soldier Protection Package 2,000,000 Smith (WA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Subterranean Infrastructure Security Demonstration Program 1,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Training Area Restoration 5,500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A TranSim Driver's Training at Fort Stewart 4,000,000 Kingston
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A TranSim Driver's Training Program 1,200,000 Matheson, Bishop (UT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A Tricon and Quadcon Shipping Containers 1,200,000 Brown (SC) Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A UAS Center of Excellence 2,400,000 Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A UH-60 Leak Proof Transmission Drip Pans 2,000,000 Rogers (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Lecture Center Audio- 520,000 Reyes
Visual expansion and upgrade
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A US Army Alaska Bandwidth Shortfalls 3,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A US Army Alaska Critical Communications Infrastructure 1,300,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,A WMD Civil Support Team for Florida 300,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF 11th Air Force Consolidated Command Center 10,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF 11th Air Force Critical Communications Infrastructure 3,200,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection of Aging Aircraft Structures 1,250,000 Cole Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Aircrew Life Support Equipment RFID Initiative 800,000 Costello Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Alaska Civil Air Patrol Strategic Upgrades and Training 800,000 Young (AK) Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Alaska Land Mobile Radio 2,900,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Alaskan NORAD Region Communications Survivability and Diversity 3,800,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF ANG Munitions Security Fence 800,000 Eshoo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Barry M. Goldwater Range Upgrades 800,000 Pastor, Grijalva
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Brown Tree Snake Control and Invasive Species Management at 400,000 Bordallo
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF C-17 Assault Landing Zone 16,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Center for Space and Defense Studies 600,000 Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Civil Air Patrol 1,360,000 Bennett, Biden, Brownback, Byrd,
Cardin, Carper, Harkin, Hatch,
Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Combined Mishap Reduction System 1,600,000 Frank Kennedy, Kerry, Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22546]]
OM,AF Defense Critical Languages and Cultures Initiative--Angelo State 2,400,000 Hutchison
University
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with 2,400,000 Tiahrt
Disabilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Department of Defense Wage Issues Modification for USFORAZORES 240,000 Frank
Portuguese National Employees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Diversity Recruitment for Air Force Academy 440,000 Becerra
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Eielson Air Force Base Coal-to-Liquid Initiative 5,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Eielson Utilidors 9,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Electrical Distribution Upgrade at Hickam 8,500,000 Akaka, Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Engine Health Management Plus Data Repository Center 3,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Engineering Training and Knowledge Preservation System 1,600,000 Davis (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Expert Knowledge Transfer 1,600,000 Gonzalez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Joint National Training Capability--Red Flag/ Northern Edge 8,600,000 Stevens
Training Range Enhancements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Joint National Training Capability-Red Flag/ Northern Edge 3,300,000 Stevens
Pacific Alaska Range Complex Environmental Assessment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Land Mobile Radios (LMR) 1,600,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF MacDill AFB Online Technology Program 1,600,000 Castor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Military Legal Assistance Clinic 800,000 Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Military Medical Training and Disaster Response Program for Luke 1,600,000 Mitchell
Air Force Base
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Minority Aviation Training 3,200,000 Meek
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Mission Critical Power System Reliability Surveys 1,200,000 Davis (CA), Price (NC) Shelby, Specter, Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF National Center for Integrated Civilian-Military Domestic 3,200,000 DeLauro
Disaster (Yale New Haven Health Systems)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF National Security Space Institute 2,800,000 Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Online Technology Training Program at Nellis Air Force Base 2,000,000 Porter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Program to Increase Minority Contracting in Defense (PIMCID) 5,600,000 Fattah
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF Revitalize Buckley AFB Small Arms Training Range 784,000 Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AF USAF Engine Trailer Life Extension Program 2,400,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AFR 931st ARG Manning 4,000,000 Tiahrt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG 129th Air Rescue Wing Security Towers 200,000 Eshoo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Active Noise Reduction Headsets 800,000 Blumenauer, DeFazio, Hooley, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Atlantic Thunder Quarterly Joint Training Events at the Air 400,000 Kingston
National Guard Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Controlled Humidity Protection (CHP) 1,600,000 Clyburn Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Crypto-Linguist/Intelligence Officer Initiative 640,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG DART (DCGS Analysis and Reporting Team) 2,400,000 Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Joint Interagency Training and Education Center 150,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG MBU 20/P Oxygen Mask with Mask Light 800,000 Dreier
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG National Guard and First Responder Resiliency Training 1,200,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Scathe View 400,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Smoky Hill Range Access Road Improvements 1,600,000 Moran (KS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Smoky Hill Range Equipment 1,600,000 Moran (KS) Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Squadron Operations Facility Repair--Phase I 2,200,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG UAV Technology Evaluation Program 3,000,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Unmanned Aerial System Mission Planning 400,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Vehicle Fuel Catalyst Retrofit 800,000 Shays
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ANG Weapons Vaults Upgrade 200,000 Eshoo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,AR Aviation Support Facilities Expansion Program, Clearwater, FL 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG 2nd Generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) 3,200,000 Castle Biden, Carper, Mikulski, Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) 1,600,000 Doggett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Advanced Starting Systems 400,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Advanced Trauma Training Course for the Illinois Army National 2,400,000 LaHood, Davis (IL)
Guard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Army National Guard Battery Modernization Program 2,400,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Border Joint Operations Emergency Preparedness Center 1,200,000 Cuellar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Colorado National Guard Reintegration Program 1,000,000 Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System 4,000,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22547]]
OM,ARNG Emergency Satellite Communications Packages (JISCC) 2,800,000 Granger Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Expandable Light Air Mobility Shelters (ELAMS) and Contingency 4,000,000 Durbin, Stabenow
Response Communications System (CRCS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Exportable Combat Training Capability 3,500,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Family Assistance Centers 1,600,000 Shuler, Hayes, McIntyre, Miller
(NC), Price (NC), Watt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Family Support Regional Training Pilot Program 1,520,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Homeland Operations Planning System (HOPS) 2,800,000 Tauscher, McNerney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Integrated Communications for Georgia National Guard Support for 1,600,000 Kingston Isakson
Civil Authorities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Jersey City Armory Dining Support Service Rehabilitation Project 400,000 Sires
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Joint Forces Orientation Distance Learning 2,400,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Joint Interagency Training and Education Center 5,600,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Minnesota Beyond Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program 2,000,000 Ellison, McCollum, Oberstar, Coleman, Klobuchar
Peterson (MN), Ramstad, Walz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG MK 19 Crew Served Weapons Systems Trainer (Engagement Skills 328,000 Granger
Trainer 2000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Mobile Firearms Simulator and Facility Improvements 800,000 Cuellar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG National Guard CST/CERFP Sustainment Training and Evaluation 800,000 Dicks, Hastings (WA) Murray
Program (STEP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG National Guard Global Education Program 400,000 Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Non-foam, Special Polymer Twin Hemisphere Pad Sets for Personnel 1,280,000 Tancredo Bayh
Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet Retrofit Kits
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Pennsylvania National Guard Integration of the Joint CONUS 2,000,000 Casey
Communications Support Environment (JCCSE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Rapid Data Management System (RDMS) 5,000,000 Shea-Porter Collins, Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Rescue Hooks/Strap Cutters 800,000 Hooley, Blumenauer, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Spray Technique Analysis and Research for Defense (STAR4D) 1,760,000 Braley Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Vermont Army National Guard Mobile Back-Up Power 800,000 Sanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Vermont National Guard Readiness Equipment 792,000 Welch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Vermont Service Member, Veteran, and Family Member Outreach, 3,200,000 Leahy, Sanders
Readiness, and Reintegration Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Weapons Skills Trainer 3,000,000 Keller, Stearns, Brown (FL) Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG WMD--Civil Support Team for Florida 2,300,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG WMD--Civil Support Team for New York 1,024,000 Fossella, Bishop (NY), Clarke,
Gillibrand, Hall (NY), King (NY),
Maloney, McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,ARNG Yellow Ribbon--Alaska National Guard 500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Aircraft Logging and Event Recording for Training and Safety 1,600,000 Pomeroy Conrad, Dorgan
(ALERTS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW ALCOM Child Care Support for Deployed Forces 2,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Camp Carroll Challenge Infrastructure Improvements 3,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Clinic for Legal Assistance to Servicemembers 400,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Critical Language Training, SDSU 1,600,000 Filner, Davis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Defense Critical Languages and Cultures Program at University of 1,600,000 Baucus, Tester
Montana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Delaware Valley Continuing Education Initiative for National 800,000 Schwartz; Gerlach; Murphy, Patrick Lautenberg, Menendez, Specter
Guard and Reserve
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW East Asian Security Studies Program 800,000 Sanchez, Linda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Former MARCH AFB Building Demo -- NE Corner 1,200,000 Calvert
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Frankford Arsenal Environmental Assessment and Remediation 1,600,000 Schwartz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Geospatial Intelligence Analysis Education 1,000,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Remediation 9,300,000 Pelosi Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Intermodal Marine Facility--Port of Anchorage 10,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Joint Tanana Range Access 60,000,000 Murkowski, Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW McClellan AFB Infrastructure Improvements 2,400,000 Matsui Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Middle East Regional Security Program 2,800,000 Berman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center 1,000,000 Pelosi, Honda Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Norton AFB (New and Existing Infrastructure Improvements) 4,800,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Phase II of Stabilization/Repair of MOTBY Ship Repair Facility 6,800,000 Sires Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Phased Redeployment Study 2,400,000 Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Restoration of Centerville Beach Naval Facility 6,400,000 Thompson (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW SOCOM Enterprise-wide Data and Knowledge Management System 800,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Soldier Center at Patriot Park, Ft. Benning 4,800,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22548]]
OM,DW Special Operations Forces Modular Glove System 800,000 Dicks, Baird, McDermott
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Strategic Language Initiative 1,600,000 Royce, Lofgren, Richardson, Boxer
Tauscher, Watson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Thorium/Magnesium Excavation--Blue Island 1,200,000 Jackson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Translation and Interpretation Skills for DoD 1,600,000 Farr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Troops to Pilots Demonstration Project 2,500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,DW Web-based Adaptive Diagnostic Assessment for Students (WADAS) 2,000,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Acclimate Flame Resistant High Performance Base Layers 1,600,000 Hayes Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Advanced Load Bearing Equipment 1,600,000 Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Cold Weather Layering System (CWLS) 2,400,000 Walberg, Hodes, Rogers (MI), Shea- Kennedy, Kerry, Stabenow
Porter, Tsongas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Combat Desert Jacket 4,000,000 Castle, Cummings Biden, Carper, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Lightweight Maintenance Enclosure 1,200,000 Davis, Lincoln
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Rapid Deployable Shelters (RDS) or Modular General Purpose Tent 1,600,000 Hinchey Schumer
System (MGPTS) Type III
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Telecom Upgrade to MCBH 3,600,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net System (ULCANS) 2,400,000 Etheridge Burr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,MC US Marine Corps Installation Access Enterprise Solution Project 800,000 Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Advanced Technical Information Supports System 760,000 Rahall
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Brown Tree Snake Control and Interdiction on Guam 840,000 Hirono
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Center for Defense Technology and Education for the Military 5,600,000 Farr
Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Continuing Education Distance Learning at Military Installations 1,200,000 Brown-Waite
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N CPI-Metamorphose/i3 Technical Data Conversion and Support 2,400,000 Baucus
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Digitization, Integration, and Analyst Access of Investigative 4,800,000 Byrd
Files, Naval Criminal Investigative Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Diversity Recruitment for Naval Academy 446,000 Becerra
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Energy Education Accreditation for Military Personnel 400,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Institute for Threat Reduction and Response FCCJ 1,200,000 Brown (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Joint Electronic Warfare Training and Tactics Development 2,000,000 Larsen Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Mark 75 Maintenance Facility Support and Upgrade 1,600,000 Brady (PA), Sestak Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Mk 45 Mod 5 Gun Depot Overhauls 9,000,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Mobile Distance Learning for Military Personnel 800,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Modernization/Restoration of Naval Air Station Key West 4,800,000 Ros-Lehtinen
Facilities and Infrastructure
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Navy Shore Readiness Integration 3,200,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Partnership for the Maintenance of Trauma and Readiness Surgery 760,000 Costa
Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet Retrofit 1,120,000 Tancredo Allard, Bond
Kits to Sustain Navy IPE Pool
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N PMRF Flood Control 2,500,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Puget Sound Navy Museum 1,280,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N SPAWAR Systems Center 800,000 Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Sustainable Maintenance and Repair Technologies for Aircraft 800,000 Crenshaw
Composites
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N U.S. Navy Mobile Condition Assessment System Pilot for Commander, 1,000,000 Gerlach
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OM,N Wireless Pierside Connection System 1,600,000 Crenshaw
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A 1/25th SIB Range (ATREP) 7,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS) 1,600,000 Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Aircraft Landing System 800,000 Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A All Terrain Ultra Tactical Vehicles 2,400,000 Peterson (MN), Herseth Sandlin, Coleman, Harkin, Klobuchar
Oberstar, Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A AN/PSQ-23 Small Tactical Optical Rifle Mounted Micro-Laser Range 1,200,000 Gregg, Sununu
Finder
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A AN/TSC-156 Phoenix TSST Mobile Satellite Communication Terminals 4,000,000 Castle Biden, Carper
(for Delaware Army National Guard)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Army Aviation--Automatic Identification Technology Life Cycle 2,000,000 Shelby
Asset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Army Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Software for the 2,400,000 Chandler
Kentucky Army National Guard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Ballistic Protection for Remote Forward Operating Bases 1,600,000 Allen, Michaud Collins, Salazar, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS) 2,400,000 Saxton, Andrews, LoBiondo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Call For Fire Trainer (CFFT) for the Army National Guard 3,200,000 Holden Casey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Call For Fire Trainer II (CFFT II) / Joint Fires and Effects 4,500,000 Cole Inhofe
Trainer System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Camp Ripley Minnesota Training Center Aircraft Rescue Fighter 1,200,000 Oberstar Klobuchar
(AARF) Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22549]]
OP,A Combat Arms Training Systems (FATS upgrade) 1,600,000 Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Combat Skills Marksmanship Trainer for the Army National Guard 4,000,000 Kingston, Gingrey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Combat Skills Simulation Systems, Ohio Army National Guard 3,720,000 Space, Ryan (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Combined Arms Virtual Trainer for the TN ARNG 4,000,000 Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Critical Army Systems Cyber Attack Technology (CASCAT) 1,200,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) 2,000,000 Loebsack, Boswell, Braley, King Grassley, Harkin, Inhofe
(IA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Deployable, Mobile Digital Target System for Armor and Infantry, 450,000 Tanner Alexander
TN ARNG
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Detonation Suppression System 4,000,000 Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Embedded GPS Receivers for the North Carolina ARNG 800,000 Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Engagement Skill Trainer 2000 for TN ARNG 800,000 Alexander
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Fido Explosive Detector 3,000,000 Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Fire Suppression Panels 2,500,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Flextrain Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) 800,000 Whitfield, Boswell, Rodriguez, Crapo
Thompson (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Fuel Tank Passive Fire Suppression Mod Kit 800,000 Mitchell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Future Combat Support Hospital 3,200,000 Boozman Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Future Medical Shelter System (FMSS) 2,400,000 Welch Dodd, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lieberman,
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Ground Guidance for Army Movement Tracking System 800,000 Coleman, Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A HMMWV Restraint System Upgrades 3,200,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A I-HITS for Montana Joint Training 3,000,000 Baucus
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Immersive Group Simulation Virtual Training System for HI ARNG 1,200,000 Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Information Technology Upgrades at the Detroit Arsenal 2,000,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Instrumentation for Urban Assault Course--TN ARNG 1,400,000 Tanner Alexander
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Interoperable Radios for Texas ARNG Disaster Response 800,000 Conaway
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Joint Incident Scene Communication Capability 2,000,000 Conaway
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Laser Collective Combat Advanced Training System 3,200,000 Ruppersberger Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS) 3,200,000 Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT) 2,400,000 Richardson, Reyes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Lightweight Maintenance Enclosure (LME) 4,320,000 Davis, Lincoln Alexander
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Maritime Domain Awareness Sensors and Software 2,400,000 Murphy, Patrick
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Minnesota Army National Guard Armory Emergency Response 704,000 Walz, Oberstar, Peterson (MN) Klobuchar
Generators
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Minnesota Helicopter Civil Band Radio Communication System 1,300,000 Walz, Oberstar, Peterson (MN) Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Minnesota Satellite Multi-Modal Collabortive Crisis and Training 2,224,000 Oberstar, Peterson (MN), Walz Coleman, Klobuchar
Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Mobile Virtual Training Capability (MVTC) 2,500,000 Keller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A MQ-5B Hunter UAV 5,000,000 Pickering Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Multi-Temperature Refrigerated Container System 2,400,000 Davis (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) Instrumentation 2,400,000 Ellsworth, Hill, Shuler Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A New Combat Helmet 2,400,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Radio Personality Modules for SINCGARS Test Sets 2,400,000 Tiahrt Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Remote Activation Munitions System (MI-RAMS) 2,800,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Retrofit 30th HBCT radios with Embedded SAAMS card 800,000 McIntyre, Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Precise 1,600,000 Souder, Gallegly Bayh, Lugar
Positioning Service (PPS) GPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A SHERPA Interoperable Deployable Communications System 2,000,000 Melancon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Specialized Reconnaissance Assault Transport System (SRATS) 6,000,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Texas Army National Guard Future Soldier Trainer Program 2,400,000 Lampson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Virtual Interactive Combat Environment for NJ ARNG 4,000,000 Holt, Saxton Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Warrior Block 0 Sensor Upgrade 1,600,000 McKeon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,A Wideband Imagery Dissemination System for the ARNG 3,000,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Air Force Plant 4 (AFP 4) Physical Security Enhancements 2,072,000 Granger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Alaskan NORAD Region Communications Survivability and Diversity 700,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF ANG-Combat Communications on the Move 1,600,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Base Low-cost Integrated Surveillance System 4,000,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Camp Ripley, Minnesota Aircraft Landing System 760,000 Oberstar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Force Protection Surveillance System 2,000,000 Sanchez, Loretta
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22550]]
OP,AF Halvorsen Loader 1,600,000 Keller Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Hawaii ANG Eagle Vision One-Meter SAR and Communications Upgrades 3,500,000 Abercrombie Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Information Modernization for Processing with Advanced Coating 1,600,000 Kingston, Marshall
Technologies (IMPACT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Joint National Training Capability-Red Flag/ Northern Edge 8,000,000 Stevens
Training Range Enhancements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS) 2,400,000 Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Life Support Radio Test Sets for the Air National Guard 1,000,000 Tiahrt Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF MacDill AFB Waterside Security System 1,000,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Nanotechnology Equipment for Laboratories 800,000 Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF NORAD and USNORTHCOM Interoperable Communications 3,000,000 Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Observations Systems for the 21st Century 3,000,000 McDermott Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Revitalize Buckley AFB Small Arms Training Range 816,000 Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF ROVER Combat Operations Support 2,400,000 Matheson, Bishop (UT) Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Science, Engineering, and Laboratory Data Integration (SELDI) 800,000 Bishop (UT) Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Secure Network Infrastructure--Toledo ANG 800,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Tactical Air Control Extreme Shelter Program 2,400,000 Salazar Bingaman, Domenici, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,AF Unmanned Threat Emitter (UMTE) Modernization 4,000,000 Berkley, Higgins, Renzi Reid, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N 66 foot Coastal Command Boat (CCB) 5,000,000 Dicks Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Advanced Ground Target Threat Simulators 1,280,000 Gallegly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Advanced Maintenance and Environmental Monitoring Technologies 2,400,000 Shea-Porter
for Public Shipyards
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Advanced Mission Extender Device Kits 2,000,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Aegis Land Based Test Site Upgrades 4,000,000 Miller, Gary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Airborne Laser Mine Detection System 2,400,000 Weldon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N AN/SPQ-9B Surface Ship Radar 4,300,000 Ackerman, Bishop (NY), Israel, Schumer
McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N AN/WSN-7 Fiber Optic Gyro System Upgrades 3,000,000 Goode Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Canned Lube Pumps for LSD-41/49 Ships 2,000,000 Myrick, Hayes Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Communications Data Link System for Capital Ships 1,600,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Condition-Based Inspection Technologies for Propulsion Equipment 800,000 Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N CVN Propeller Replacement Program 5,000,000 Taylor Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Enhanced Detection Adjunct Processor 3,200,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Gateway System 4,800,000 Mica
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N High Performance Computing Capability 800,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N High Speed Aluminum Towable Boat Lifts 4,000,000 Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Integrated Voice Communications System for the SSN-688I 3,000,000 Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Jet Fuel (JP-5) Electric Valve Operators 2,400,000 King (NY), Bishop (NY), Israel, Schumer
McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N LSD Main Propulsion Diesel Engine Upgrade 4,800,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N LSD-41/49 Diesel Engine Low Load Upgrade Kit 1,600,000 Baldwin Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Man Overboard Identification (MOBI) System 2,800,000 Visclosky, Davis (CA) Akaka, Bayh, Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N MCM-1 Class Combat System Upgrades/Acoustic Generators 1,000,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Multi Climate Protection System 2,000,000 Tsongas, Hodes, Olver, Rogers (MI), Kennedy, Kerry, Stabenow
Shea-Porter, Walberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N NIROP Industrial Facilities Materials Staging Area 3,200,000 Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N PHNSY Upgrades 4,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Remote Monitoring and Troubleshooting Project 2,500,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Shipboard Network Protection System 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Standardized Metrics Assessment of Readiness Training 3,500,000 Kennedy Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP,N Virtual Perimeter Monitoring System 2,400,000 Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Electronic Warfare Simulator 2,400,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Expansion of the Mobile Forensic Laboratories and Forensic 3,200,000 Young (FL)
Technical Assistance and Training Support Center of Excellence
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Final-E-Curfew,Mid Range Radio Frequency Operations 1,600,000 Weldon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Joint Biological Standoff Detection System 4,000,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Joint Chemical Agent Detector 4,000,000 Bartlett, Herseth Sandlin, Mikulski
Ruppersberger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW LA-5/PEQ Integrated Small Arms Illuminator 1,200,000 Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW M53 Individual Protective Mask 1,600,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22551]]
P,DW Mission Helmet Recording System 2,400,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW MK47 Mod 0 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher 3,600,000 Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Multi-Band Multi-Mission Radio (MBMMR) 1,600,000 Souder, Castor, Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion 3,280,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Simple Imagery Access with FalconView 400,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Small Arms Training Ranges 2,000,000 Ensign, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW SOF Combat Assault Rifle 3,000,000 Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW SOVAS Hand Held Imager/Long Range 2,400,000 Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW SOVAS Handheld Imager/Pocket 2,500,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,DW Special Operations Craft-Riverine 2,880,000 Taylor Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC 2kW MTG Diesel Generator Rapid Replenishment 800,000 Garrett, Pascrell, Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Combat Casualty Care Equipment Upgrade Program 3,200,000 Spratt, Barrett Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Combat Tactical Support Trailer 2,200,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC IP Distribution Box and Category 5E Cable Upgrades for Improved 2,500,000 Graves Bond
Combat Operations Communications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Nitrile Rubber Collapsible Storage Units 1,200,000 Taylor Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC On Board Vehicle Power Kits for MTVR 10,000,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Performance Enhancements for Information Assurance and 6,400,000 Cochran, Wicker
Information Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Portable Armored Wall System for VCP 800,000 Sestak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Sniper Training System (STS) 3,600,000 Maloney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P,MC Tactical Video Capture System 3,200,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A 60mm Mortar, All Types 1,600,000 Ross Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Ammunition Production Base Support (Scranton AAP)--Electrical 1,920,000 Kanjorski, Carney Casey, Specter
Substations Upgrade
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Cartridge, 105mm High Explosive Plastic-Tracer, M393A3 HEP-T 1,200,000 Radanovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A CTG, Arty, 155mm, All Types 1,600,000 Ross Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A CTG, Mortar, 120mm, All Types 1,600,000 Ross Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Grenade Incendiary Thermite AN-M14 1,600,000 Ross
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Grenades, All Types 4,000,000 Ross Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Holston Army Ammunition Plant Critical Reliability Enhancement 1,600,000 Davis, David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A M769, Mortar, Full Range Practice Cartridge 4,000,000 Kanjorski Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Rapid Wall Breaching Kit (RWBK) 3,200,000 Whitfield, Rogers (KY) McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Small Caliber Trace Charging Facilitization Program 1,200,000 Shimkus, Costello, LaHood Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,A Supercritical Water Oxidation, Bluegrass Army Depot 1,700,000 Bunning
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,AF McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Bomb Line Modernization 1,600,000 Boren Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA,AF PGU-14 API Armor Piercing Incendiary, 30mm Ammunition 2,400,000 LaHood, Costello, Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PANMC Grenades, All Types 1,600,000 Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Center of Opthamology Training and Education at Wills 1,000,000 Brady (PA)
Eye Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A 101st Airborne Injury Prevention & Performance Enhancement 2,000,000 Alexander, Corker
Research Initiative
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A 21st Century Command, Control, and Communications Technology 640,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A 3D2 Advanced Battery Technology 4,000,000 LaHood Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A 5.56mm Aluminum Cartridge Case, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant 1,000,000 Graves Bond, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Academic Support and Research Compliance for Knowledge Gathering 2,000,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Accelerated Materials Development and Characterization 2,500,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Accelerating Treatment for Trauma Wounds 1,200,000 Stearns, Crenshaw Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Acid Alkallne Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology 2,800,000 McIntyre, Price (NC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Adaptive Infrastructure for SOF Experimentation 2,400,000 Hoyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Adaptive Lightweight Materials for Missile Defense 1,600,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advance Stand off Technologies for National Security 1,200,000 Boyd Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Cargo Projectile Technology 1,200,000 Hastings (WA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Cavitation Power Technology 4,400,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Cluster Energetics 3,200,000 Frelinghuysen, Payne Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Commercial Technology Insertion for Aviation and Missile 2,400,000 Everett Shelby
Research, Development, and Engineering
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Communications ECM Demo 1,600,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22552]]
RDTE,A Advanced Composite Armor for Force Protection 1,600,000 Coble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Composites for Light Weight, Low Cost Transportation 2,400,000 Stupak
Systems using 3+ Ring Extruder
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Conductivity Program (ACP) 3,500,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Corrosion Protection for Military Vehicles 2,400,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Demining Technology 5,900,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Detection of Explosives (ADE) 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Digital Hydraulic Hybrid Drive System 2,000,000 Upton, Ramstad Coleman, Klobuchar, Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Drivetrains for Enhanced Mobility and Safety 1,600,000 Upton, Walberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration 3,200,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Energy Storage Development for Renewable Energy 1,200,000 Schwartz Casey
Generation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Environmental Control Systems 5,500,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Fuel Cell Research Program 3,000,000 Poe Cornyn, Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Functional Nanomaterials for Biological Processes 2,000,000 Snyder Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Fuzing Technologies 3,600,000 Bartlett Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies for Fuel Efficient 1,200,000 Graham
Blast Protected Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Hypersonic Weapon Technology Demonstration 2,400,000 Everett, Aderholt Shelby, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced IED Jammer Research and Development Program 2,000,000 Honda, Holt, Lofgren
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Lightweight Gunner Protection Kit 1,200,000 Altmire
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Lightweight Multi-Functional Multi-Threat Composite 2,400,000 Rangel Schumer
Armor Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery System for Army Combat 2,000,000 Dingell Levin, Stabenow
Hybrid HMMWV and Other Army Vehicle Platforms
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) Training Systems 1,600,000 Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Lower Limb Prostheses for Battlefield Amputees 1,600,000 Markey, McGovern Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Magnetic Nanosensors for Defense Applications 4,800,000 Fortenberry Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Manufacture of Lightweight Components 2,400,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Materials and Process For Armament Structures (AMPAS) 2,400,000 Regula, Sutton Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Medical Multi-Missions and CASEVAC Roles (Note: VTOL man 800,000 Harman
rated UAG/UGV)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Medium Caliber Tungsten Penetrators 1,600,000 Murphy, Tim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Modeling Technology for Large Structure Titanium 800,000 Ramstad Coleman, Klobuchar, Stabenow
Machining Initiative
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Performance Transparent Armor for Tactical Wheeled 1,200,000 Altmire
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Portable Power Institute 1,600,000 Gordon Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Prototyping with Non-Traditional Suppliers 3,200,000 Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Radar Transceiver IC Development 800,000 Harman, Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Rarefaction Weapon Engineered System 2,400,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Regenerative Medicine Therapies for Combat Injuries 3,000,000 Doyle Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Restoration Therapies in Spinal Cord Injuries 2,000,000 Hoyer, Ruppersberger Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Soldier Portable Power Systems Technologies 1,600,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Strap Down Seeker 5,000,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Surface Technologies for Prosthetic Development 1,600,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Tactical 2KW External Combustion Power Sources for 2,400,000 Hastings (WA) Cantwell, Murray
Cogeneration Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Tactical Fuels for the U.S. Military 4,000,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Technologies, Energy and Manufacturing Science 5,000,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Thermal Management System 2,400,000 Stupak Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Thermal Processing of Packaged Combat Rations 1,680,000 Gingrey Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced UV Light Diode Sensor Development 1,600,000 Clyburn Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Advanced Wireless Technologies 1,200,000 Sestak Casey, Schumer, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Aerial Canopy MASINT System 1,600,000 Rogers (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Aerial Firefighting--Precision Container Aerial Delivery System 2,320,000 Rohrabacher
(PCADS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Affordable Light-Weight metal matrix composite armor 1,600,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Air, Space and Missile Defense Architecture Analysis Program 1,200,000 Aderholt, Rogers (AL) Sessions
(A3P)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Airborne Threats 1,500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Aircraft Structural Condition Monitoring (ASCM) 1,600,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Alliance for NanoHealth (Note: Department of Defense Military 3,200,000 Culberson
Health Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22553]]
RDTE,A ALQ-211 Networked EW Controller 1,600,000 Pascrell Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Alternative Power Technology for Missile Defense 4,000,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Angiogenesis and Tissue Engineering Research 1,200,000 Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Antiballistic Windshield Armor 3,600,000 Donnelly, Clyburn Bayh, Graham, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Anti-Terror Medical Technology Program 2,800,000 Rothman, Pallone Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Applied Communications and Information Networking (ACIN) 3,200,000 Andrews, LoBiondo Casey, Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Applied Power Management Control and Integration 800,000 Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Arabic Language Training Program 960,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Armament Systems Engineering--ASEI2 3,200,000 Frelinghuysen, Sires
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Applications of Direct Carbon Fuel Cells 800,000 Regula
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Aviation Weapon Technology 800,000 Aderholt, Rogers (AL) Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Center of Excellence in Acoustics 4,400,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Missile and Space Technology Initiative 1,600,000 Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Responsive Tactical Space (ARTS) 2,400,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Army Responsive Tactical Space System Exerciser (ARTSSE) 2,000,000 Aderholt, Cramer Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Program (ATRAP) 2,400,000 Giffords
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Automated and Portable Field System for the Rapid Detection and 1,600,000 Kuhl
Diagnosis of Diseases
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Automated Communications Support System for Warfighters, 1,600,000 Chambliss, Isakson
Intelligence Community, Linguists, and Analysts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Automated Language and Cultural Analysis for National Security 2,000,000 Hoyer, Cummings, Edwards (MD), Cardin, Mikulski
Sarbanes, Van Hollen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Automatic Aim-Point Targeting Technology with Enhanced Imaging 2,000,000 Weiner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Autonomous Cargo Acquisition for Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial 2,400,000 Cramer, Aderholt Shelby
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for the Abrams M1/A2 Tank 2,400,000 Sarbanes, Bartlett, Ruppersberger Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ballistic Armor Research 3,200,000 Dent Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ballistic Precision Aerial Delivery System (BPADS) 1,000,000 Larson, Taylor Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Base Security Systems 1,200,000 Rogers (MI) Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Asset Recovery Decontamination System (BARDS) 1,600,000 Clay
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Connectivity 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Exercise and Combat Related Spinal Cord Injury 800,000 Brown-Waite
Research (Miami Project)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Nursing Program 1,600,000 Cohen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Plastic Biodiesel 1,600,000 King (IA), Boswell, Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Research Accelerating Virtual Environments for 800,000 Harman Boxer
Military Individual Neuro Disorders (BRAVEMIND)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Tracheal Intubation 4,200,000 Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Battlefield Treatment of Hemorrhagic Shock 800,000 Cohen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Behavior and Neuroscience, Fuctional Magnetic Resonance Imaging 800,000 Herseth Sandlin
Research Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Beneficial Infrastructure for Rotorcraft Risk Reduction 800,000 Sestak
Demonstrations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Bio-Battery 800,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biodefense Tech Transfer Initiative (BTTI) (only for militarily 1,500,000 Cardin, Mikulski
relevant technology)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Bioelectrics Research for Casualty Care and Management 1,600,000 Scott (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biological Air Filtering System Technology 1,600,000 Berry Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biological and Immunological Infectious Agent and Cancer Vaccine 800,000 Capuano
Research
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biomass-to-Liquid Using Synthetic Enzymes 2,000,000 Visclosky Bingaman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biometrics DNA Applications 1,600,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biosecurity for Soldier Food Safety 1,600,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Biosensor, Communicator and Controller System 5,000,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Blast Damage Assessment Risk Analysis and Mitigation Application-- 800,000 Young (AK)
Enhancements (BRAMA-E)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Blood Safety and Decontamination Technology 1,600,000 DeLauro, McDermott Coleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Blood, Medical & Food Safety Via Eco-Friendly Wireless Sensing 1,000,000 Coleman, Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A BLOS Network for MASINT Sensors 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Border Security and Defense Systems Research 1,600,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Boston University Photonics Center 3,200,000 Capuano Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Brain Interventional-Surgical Hybrid Initiative 1,600,000 Wasserman Schultz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22554]]
RDTE,A Brain, Biology, and Machine Applied Research 1,600,000 DeFazio, Hooley, Walden, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Brownout Sensor Visualization and Hazard Avoidance System 800,000 Cramer, Aderholt Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Brownout Situational Awareness Sensor 1,600,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Burn and Shock Trauma Institute 2,000,000 Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A C4ISR Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for Soldier Tactical 1,600,000 Sherman
Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A CAMEL--Water transport system 800,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cancer Prevention Through Remote Biological Sensing 1,600,000 Bishop (NY) Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Capability Expansion of Spinel Transparent Armor Manufacturing 5,120,000 Salazar Allard, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Carbon Nanotube Production 1,200,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cellular Therapy for Battlefield Wounds (Phase II) 1,600,000 Jones (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cellulose Nanocomposite Panels for Enhanced Blast and Ballistic 2,400,000 Michaud, Allen Collins, Snowe
Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Advanced Energy Storage Research and Technology 1,600,000 Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Advanced Vehicle Technology and Fuel Development 800,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Aerospace Human Factors Research and Innovation 800,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Borane Technology 2,000,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Education in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 640,000 Braley Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Information Assurance 800,000 Scott (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Injury Biomechanics 3,200,000 Boucher, Goode, Moran (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology 8,000,000 Capuano, Lynch Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Nanoscale Bio-sensors as a Defense against Biological 800,000 Boozman, Ross
Threats to America
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Ophthalmic Innovation (Note: Department of Defense 2,400,000 Diaz-Balart, Mario; Ros-Lehtinen Nelson (FL)
Military Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center for Untethered Healthcare 1,000,000 McGovern Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center of Cardiac Surgery Robotic Computerized Telemanipulation 1,600,000 Brady (PA), Gerlach
(Note: as part of a Comprehensive Approach to Advanced Heart
Care)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center of Excellence for Military Operations in Urban Terrain and 3,000,000 Crenshaw Nelson (FL)
Cultural Training
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center of Excellence in Integrated Sensor Systems (CEISS) 600,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Center of Genetic Origins of Cancer (Note: Department of Defense 2,400,000 Dingell Stabenow
Military Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ceramic and Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) Armor Development using 800,000 Stupak
Ring Extruder Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ceramic Membrane Battery Systems 1,200,000 Schwartz Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A CERDEC Airborne and Ground Wideband Digital Communications and 1,600,000 Smith (NJ)
Antenna Testbed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A CH-47 Chinook Helicopter: Accessory Gear Box (AGB) Improvement 800,000 Regula Dodd, Lieberman, Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A CH-47 Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) 3,200,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Chemical and Biological Protective Hangars 2,240,000 Hulshof
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Chemical and Biological Threat Protection Coating 2,400,000 Barrett Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Chronic Tinnitus Treatment Program 1,000,000 Dent
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Clinical Looking Glass Project (Note: To Enhance the capabilities 800,000 Engel
of Fort Drum, New York Military Health System)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Close Combat Missile Modernization (Javelin) 3,700,000 Brown (FL), Everett Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cogeneration for Enhanced Cooling and Heating of Advanced 2,400,000 Kohl
Tactical Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Co-Generation of Power and Air Conditioning 800,000 Shays Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cold Regions Test Center Distributed Test Coordination Cell 1,500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory--Women's Cancer Genomics Center 2,800,000 McCarthy (NY), Lowey
(Note: Department of Defense Military Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Columbia College Chicago Construct Program 800,000 Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Combat Mental Health Initiative 2,400,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Combat Stress Intervention Program (CSIP) 2,400,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Combat Vehicle Electrical Power-21st Century (CVEP-21) 800,000 Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Combat Wound Initiative at WRAMC 1,600,000 Byrd, Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Command and Control, Communications and Computers (C4) module 1,200,000 Young (AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Commercially Viable Si/C Power Semiconductors Using Superlattice 2,560,000 Gillibrand, Maloney Schumer
Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Common Remote Stabilized Sensor System (CRS3) 2,800,000 Emerson Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Compact Eyesafe Tactical Laser 1,200,000 Grijalva
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Compact MVCC Soldier Cooling System 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22555]]
RDTE,A Compact Pulsed Power Initiative 3,000,000 Neugebauer, Conaway Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Compact, Day and Night CMOS Camera for Mini and Micro UAVs 2,000,000 Inslee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Complementary & Alternative Medicine Research for Military 5,000,000 Harkin
Operations & Healthcare
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Complete Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Demonstrator--Parks Reserve 1,600,000 McNerney
Forces Training Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Composite Applied Research and Technology for FCS and Tactical 3,000,000 Castle Biden, Carper
Vehicle Survivability
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Composite Bottles for Survival Egress Air 2,000,000 Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Composite Small Main Rotor Blades 1,600,000 Tiahrt Brownback, Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Composite Structure Design 1,600,000 Johnson (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Composite Tissue Allotransplantation Research and Clinical 1,600,000 Yarmuth
Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Condition Based Maintenance and Mission Assuredness for Ground 2,400,000 Knollenberg Isakson, Levin, Stabenow
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Consortium for Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration 800,000 Emerson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Constant Look Operational Support Environment (CLOSE) 1,600,000 Young (AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Control of Inflammation and Tissue Repair 3,200,000 Inslee, McDermott Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Control of Vector-Borne Diseases 1,200,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Control System for Laser Powder Deposition 500,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Controlled Release of Anti-Inflammatory and tissue Repair Agents 6,000,000 Blunt
from Prothestic Devices and Burn Treatment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste to Renewable Diesel Fuel 1,600,000 Rothman, Bartlett, Moran (VA), Bayh, Lautenberg, Menendez, Specter
Payne
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Copper Air Quality Program 2,000,000 Whitfield Wicker, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Corneal Wound Repair 5,400,000 Blunt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Counter-IED Force Protection Program 2,000,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A C-RAM Armor Development 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Crosshairs Hostile Fire Indicating System 2,000,000 Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cutting Tools and Materials for Aerospace 800,000 Grijalva
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Cyber Threat Analytics 2,400,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Defense Applications of Carbonate Fuel Cells 1,600,000 Larson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Defense Helicopter Power Dense Transmission 1,280,000 Barrow Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Defense Materials Technology Center 3,000,000 Regula, Ryan (OH) Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Demonstration/Evaluation project at Travis Air Force Base, 400,000 Tauscher
California, to develop a greenhouse gas inventory and footprint
utilizing a web-based Environmental Management Information
System (EMIS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Depleted Uranium Sensing and Treatment for Removal (DUSTR) 4,000,000 Cochran
Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Deployable Space and Electronic Warfare Analysis Tools 800,000 Lamborn Casey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Detection Algorithms and Software for Force Protection 1,600,000 Reed, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Detection, Mitigation and Neutralization of High Explosive, 3,500,000 Bond
Remotely Detonated Devices
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Development of Drugs for Malaria and Leishmaniasis in US Military 3,400,000 Cochran
and Civilian Personnel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Development of Enabling Chemical Technologies for Power from 1,200,000 Olver
Green Sources
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Development of Improved Lighter-Weight IED/EFP Armor Solutions 1,000,000 Tiahrt Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Development of Truck Deployed Explosive Containment Vessel 1,600,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Developmental Mission Integration 4,000,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Dielectrically Enhanced Sensor Systems (DESS) 1,200,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages Case 2,400,000 Knollenberg, Miller (MI), Levin Levin, Stabenow
Resolution Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Battery Recharger Program 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Development 800,000 Crenshaw Martinez, Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Disposable Unit Dose Drug Pumps for Anesthesia and Antibiotics 1,750,000 Pelosi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A D-NET: Electrically Charged Mesh (ECM) Defense Net Troop 2,560,000 Aderholt
Protection System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A DoD High Energy Laser Test Facility 4,000,000 Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A DoD Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Medium/Heavy Duty Vehicle 1,600,000 Larson Lieberman
Demonstration Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A DoD International Diabetes Research Initiative 2,000,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Domestic Production of Nanodiamond for Military Operations 1,600,000 Peterson (PA) Casey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Domestically Produced Atomized Magnesium for Defense 800,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Drive System Composite Structural Component Risk Reduction 2,400,000 Brady (PA) Casey, Specter
Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Dual Stage Variable Energy Absorber 2,400,000 Murphy, Patrick Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Dugway Lidar and Modeling Improvements 2,400,000 Bishop (UT) Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Dynamically Managed Data Dissemination (DMDD) 1,200,000 Olver
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22556]]
RDTE,A Dynamometer Facility Upgrade Program at TARDEC 3,200,000 Dingell, Levin Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Effect Based Approach to Operations 1,600,000 Bennett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Electric Commodity Project 800,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Electro Conversion of Energetic Materials 3,600,000 Enzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Electrofluidic Chromatophores for Adaptive Camouflage 1,750,000 Chabot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Electronic Combat and Counter Terrorism Threat Developments to 3,760,000 Kingston Shelby
Support Joint Forces
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Embedding Iris Recognition Technology On-board Warfighter 800,000 Miller, George Roberts
Personal Equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A End-to-End Vehicle Survivability Technology 1,600,000 Knollenberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Engineering Replacement Tissues 1,600,000 Reed, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Digital Electronic Night-Vision (EDEN) 1,600,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Holographic Imager 2,480,000 Conaway, Granger Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Jamming Resistant Technology for INS/GPS Precision 1,600,000 Frelinghuysen
Guided Munitions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Ku-band / L-band Antenna System 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Landmine and IED Detection System 960,000 Cubin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Military Vehicle Maintenance System Demonstration 1,600,000 Rogers (AL) Shelby
Project with Anniston Army Depot and Auburn University
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Rapid Tactical Integration and Fielding Systems (ERTIFS) 1,600,000 Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Robotic Manipulators for Defense Applications 750,000 Cubin Enzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Enhanced Vapor Aeration Capabilities (EVAC) 2,400,000 LaTourette Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Expanding Access to Proven Lifestyle Modification Treatments 1,750,000 Pelosi
Focused onPreventing and Reversing Chronic Diseases
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Expansion and Development Upper and Lower Bionic Limbs 2,000,000 Davis (IL) Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Experiential Technologies for Urban Warfare and Disaster Response 500,000 Burr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI) with Nanomaterial-Based Circuits 1,600,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extended Duration Silver Wound Dressing--Clinical Trials 1,600,000 Shuler
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extended Lifecycle Management Environment 800,000 English
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extended Range Modular Sniper Rifle System 2,000,000 Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extreme Light Sources, University of Florida 1,600,000 Wexler
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extremely High Frequency (EHF)Transmitter for WIN-T Satellite 2,000,000 Carney Casey
Communications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Extremity War Injury Research Foundation 800,000 Doyle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Eye-Safe Standoff Fusion Detection of CBE Threats 2,000,000 Doyle Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Facilitating Use of Advanced Prosthetic Limb Technology 1,600,000 Rush Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A FCV Advanced Suspension System 1,600,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Feeding Tube for Battlefield Trauma Patients (Phase II) 1,600,000 Ryan (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fibrin Adhesive Stat (FAST) Dressing 3,000,000 Etheridge, Price (NC), Van Hollen Burr, Cardin, Dole, Mikulski,
Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fighting Drug Resistant Infections 2,000,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fire Resistant Fuels 3,200,000 Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fire Shield 3,200,000 Dreier
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fire Support Technology Improvement Program 800,000 Shuster
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Flame and Thermal Protection for Individual Soldier 3,200,000 Kagen Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Flexible Electronics Research Initiative 1,600,000 Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Florida Collaborative Development of Advanced Materials for 1,200,000 Buchanan
Strategic Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Foliage Penetrating, Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking, and 3,200,000 McHugh, Walsh
Engagement Radar (FORESTER)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Freeze Dried Blood Technology Clinical Research 2,000,000 Cole Cardin, Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fuel Cell Power System 800,000 Lungren
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fuel Cells for Mobile Robotic Systems Project 800,000 Jackson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Fuel Logistics Reduction through Enhanced Engine Performance 1,200,000 McGovern
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Future Affordable Multi-Utility Materials for the Army Future 6,400,000 Boyd Grassley, Harkin, Johnson, Thune
Combat Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Future TOC Hardware/Software Integration 2,000,000 Everett Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Garment-Based Physiological Monitoring Systems 1,600,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Gas Engine Driven Air Conditioning (GEDAC) Demonstration 2,400,000 Berkley, Porter, Grijalva, Pastor, Reid
Renzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Geosciences/ Atmospheric Research (CG/AR) 1,600,000 Allard, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Geospatial Airship Research Platform 2,800,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Global Military Operating Environment 2,000,000 Ensign, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22557]]
RDTE,A Globally Accessible Manufacturing and Maintenance Activity 1,600,000 Knollenberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Green Armaments/Rangesafe 2,400,000 Frelinghuysen, Rothman, Sires Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Green Environmentally Sustainable Laboratories and Clean rooms 800,000 Bishop (GA)
(USAMRMC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ground Combat Systems Electronic Enhancements 2,400,000 McKeon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ground Vehicle Integration Technologies 2,400,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ground Vehicle Reliability Modeling for Condition-Based 800,000 Levin, Stabenow
Maintenance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ground-forces Readiness Enabler for Advanced Tactical Vehicles 800,000 Hutchison
(GREAT-V)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Gunfire Detection Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 800,000 Everett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hawaii Undersea Chemical Military Munitions Assessment Plan 4,000,000 Hirono, Abercrombie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic System (HEADS) 1,600,000 Mitchell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Health Informatics Initiative 2,500,000 Putnam, Castor, Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Health Information Technology Demonstration Project at Madigan 1,000,000 Cantwell
Army Medical Center and Puget Sound VA Medical Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Health Sciences Regenerative Medicine Center 3,000,000 Burr, Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Heat Dissipation for Electronic Systems and Enclosures 2,000,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Heavy Fuel Burning Engines for UAVs 2,000,000 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Heavy Fuel High Efficiency Turbine Engine 2,000,000 Wexler
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Heavy Metals Total Life-Cycle Initiative 800,000 Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Helicopter Reliability and Failure Analysis Center 880,000 Cramer, Aderholt Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Helicopter Vulnerability Reduction 2,400,000 DeLauro, Courtney, Shays Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Heuristic Internet Protocol Packet Inspection Engine (HIPPIE) 2,000,000 Akin Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A HEV Battery System for Future Combat System 1,600,000 Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hibernation Genomics 2,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Altitude Airship 3,200,000 Ryan (OH) Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Altitude Integration Testbed (HIT) 3,000,000 Cramer Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Altitude Shuttle System for Battlespace Coverage 800,000 Hooley Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Detail Architecture Analysis Tool (HDAAT) 1,440,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) 25mm Ammunition 4,400,000 Costello, LaHood Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Fidelity Imaging System (HiFIS) 800,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Fidelity Virtual Simulation and Analysis 1,600,000 Aderholt Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Power Electrolytic Super-Capacitors Based On Conducting 800,000 Bond
Polymers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Pressure Processing Prototype for Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) 1,600,000 Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Speed Digital Imaging 4,500,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High Temperature Polymers for Missile System Applications 3,200,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A High-Frequency, High-Power Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices 3,200,000 Price (NC) Burr
on Aluminum Nitride
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Highly Mobile Remotely Controlled IED Countermeasures 800,000 Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Highly Reliable, Maintenance Free Remote Solar Power System 640,000 Johnson (IL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hi-Tech Eyes for the Battlefield 1,600,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hospital Emergency Planning and Integration (HEPI) 800,000 Shuster
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Host Pathogen Interaction Study 3,200,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hostile Fire Indicator 4,000,000 Shea-Porter Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hull Humvee Protection Program 2,000,000 Barrett, Brown (SC) Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Human Genomics, Molecular Epidemiology, and Clinical Diagnostics 1,160,000 Pastor
for Infectious Diseases (Note: Department of Defense Military
Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Human Terrain Geographic Decision Support 3,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hybrid Electric (Heavy Truck) Vehicle 2,400,000 Bartlett Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hybrid Luminescent Ammunition 800,000 Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A HYBRID Propellant for Medium and Large Caliber Ammunition 3,200,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles (HHV) for the Tactical Wheel Fleet 800,000 Regula, Knollenberg Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hydrogen Batteries for the Warfighter 3,000,000 Clyburn Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A HYPERSAR 2,400,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Hyperspectral Sensor for Improved Force Protection (Hyper-IFP) 1,600,000 Akin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Illinois Center for Defense Manufacturing 2,000,000 Manzullo, Hare Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Implementation of an Advanced Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle 3,000,000 Levin
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22558]]
RDTE,A Improved Blackhawk De-icing 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Improved EFP and IED protection, Testing, Modeling and Proving 2,400,000 Tauscher, Sestak Corker
Using Lithia Alumina Silica (LAS) Glass Ceramics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Improved Lightweight Integrated Communication and Hearing 800,000 Altmire Casey, Specter
Protection Device
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Simulation in Different Soils 500,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Individual Airburst Weapon System 1,000,000 Hayes, Rothman Coleman, Klobuchar, Lautenberg,
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center at the Burnham 2,400,000 Bilbray, Davis (CA) Nelson (FL)
Institute for Medical Research (Note: Department of Defense
Military Health System Enhancement
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Information Assurance Development 1,600,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A InfraRed Goggle Upgrade System (IRGUS) 800,000 Sessions, Shea-Porter Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Injection Molded Ceramic Body Armor 800,000 Olver
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ink-Based Desktop Electronic Material Technology 1,600,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Innovative Wireless Technologies for Sensor Networks 700,000 Goode
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Strategies 1,200,000 Kildee Stabenow
(IAMMS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Institute for the Advancement of Bloodless Medicine 1,600,000 Rothman, Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Institute of Surgical and Interventional Simulation (ISIS) 4,400,000 Dicks, McDermott, Smith (WA) Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Integrated Functional Materials 800,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Integrated Information Technology Policy Analysis Research 1,600,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Integrated Lightweight Tracker System 1,600,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Integrated Patient Quality Program 1,600,000 Simpson Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring System 1,600,000 Tsongas Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Intelligent Distributed Command and Control (IDC2) 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Intelligent Fault Protected Laser Diodes 800,000 Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Intensive Care Unit to Intensive Care Hospital 2,400,000 Rothman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Intensive Quenching for Advanced Weapon Systems 960,000 Sutton Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Inter Turbine Burner for Turbo Shaft Engines 3,200,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A International Heart Institute/US Army Vascular Graft Research 1,000,000 Baucus, Tester
Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A JAMMA Lightweight, Armored, Hybrid, Power Generating, Tactical 2,000,000 Cannon Bennett, Hatch
Vehicle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Collaborative Medical Information System (JCMIS) 3,200,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Combat Support Trailer 3,200,000 Kagen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Fires and Effects Training System (JFETS) 2,000,000 Cole Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Medical Simulation Technology Research and Development 1,600,000 Feeney
Center (JMSTRDC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Munitions and Lethality Mission Integration 1,600,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Munitions and Lethality Warfighter Technology Insertion 2,400,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Training Integration and Evaluation Center (JTIEC) 1,680,000 Feeney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Joint Urban Environment Test Capability 2,000,000 Bingaman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Kinetic Energy Enhanced Lethality and Protection Materials 2,000,000 Davis, David Alexander, Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Knowledge, Innovation and Technology Sharing Program 1,600,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Large Aluminum Nitride Crystals for Effective Deep Ultraviolet 800,000 McNulty Schumer
Sources
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Large Area Monitoring Network (LAMNET) 6,000,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Large Energy National Shock Tunnel (LENS XX) Hypervelocity Ground 1,600,000 Higgins
Testing
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Large Format Li-Ion Battery 800,000 Moore (WI) Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Laser Based Explosives, Chem/Bio Standoff and Point Detector 4,000,000 Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Laser Studied and Enhanced Reactive Materials: Self- 1,600,000 Craig, Crapo
Decontaminating Polymers for Chemical-Biological Defense
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lattice Block Structures for AM2 Matting Replacement 2,500,000 Hodes Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Legacy Aerospace Gear Drive Re-Engineering Initiative 2,000,000 Larson Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lehman Injury Research Center (Ryder Trauma Center) (Note: 6,000,000 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln; Diaz-Balart, Nelson (FL)
Includes funding for Jackson Health System) Mario; Meek; Wasserman Schultz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Leishmania Skin Test 800,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lens-Less Micro Seeker System for Small Steerable Projectiles 1,600,000 Dreier
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Light Tactical Vehicle Ambulance Shelter 2,400,000 Biden, Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Light Utility Helicopter Simulator 1,200,000 Barton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Light Weight Medical Evacuation Unit 1,600,000 Knollenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Light Weight Structural Composite Armor for Blast and Ballistic 1,600,000 Castle, Price (NC), Shuler Burr
Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22559]]
RDTE,A Lightweight 1-2 Person Low-Pressure Inflatable Tents 800,000 Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Anti-Ballistic Protection for Aircraft 400,000 Enzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Caliber .50 Machine Gun (LW50MG) 8,000,000 Collins, Leahy, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Cannon Recoil Reduction 1,920,000 Heller Ensign, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Multi-Functional Material Technology for Combat 800,000 Frelinghuysen, Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
Munitions Logistics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Munitions and Surveillance System for Unmanned Air 2,800,000 Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
and Ground Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Partial Hybrid Electric Military Transport Vehicle 1,600,000 Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Polymer Designs for Soldier Combat Optics 1,200,000 Olver Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Soldier Sensor Computing 800,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Transparent Armor for Force Protection 2,000,000 Cramer Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lightweight Trauma Module 2,400,000 Frelinghuysen, Pascrell Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Limb Regeneration Through Biometrics Technology 800,000 Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Limb Tissue Regeneration after Battlefield Injuries using Bone 3,000,000 Wu, Baird, Blumenauer, Hooley, Murray, Smith, Wyden
Marrow Stem Cells Smith (WA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Linear Accelerator Cancer Research 800,000 Rangel Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lithium Ion Battery Exchange Program 2,400,000 Dent
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Logistical Fuel Processors for Army Development Program 2,800,000 Bachus, Rogers (AL) Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Long Range Hypersonic Interceptor 800,000 Boyda Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Lookout Small Scale Radar 2,000,000 Walsh Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Low Cost Interceptor 2,400,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Low Temperature Vehicle Performance Research 1,600,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A LSTAT Advanced Medical Technologies 2,400,000 Sanchez, Loretta; Richardson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A LWI Training-based Collaborative Research 25,000,000 Skelton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Magneto Inductive Remote Activation Munition System (MI-RAMS) 2,800,000 Lewis (CA)
Frequency and Digital Enhancements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Magneto-Rheological (MR) Suspensions for Tactical Wheeled 2,400,000 Price (NC) Dole, Stabenow
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health 1,600,000 Michaud Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center 800,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Manufacturing Metrology for Weapon System Production and 1,760,000 Reed
Sustainment (M2WSPS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Manufacturing Technology Development of Advanced Solid State 2,400,000 McNerney, Carney Casey
Lasers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mariah II Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Development 3,200,000 Rehberg Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Maritime C4ISR System 800,000 Shuster
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (Note: A treatment Planning 2,400,000 Cazayoux, Alexander Landrieu, Vitter
Research Laboratory for High Performance Computing and Radiation
Dose Effects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Maryland Proof of Concept Alliance for Defense Technologies 3,500,000 Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mass Scale Biosensor Threat Diagnostic for In-Theater Defense 1,600,000 Ros-Lehtinen
Utilization (FIU)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Materials Applications Research Center 800,000 Bachus
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MATRIC-Project National Shield Integration Center 2,000,000 Capito
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MATTRACKS 2,000,000 Peterson (MN)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Medical Errors Reduction Initiative 400,000 Rothman, Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Medical Modeling and Simulation Through Synthetic Digital Genes 1,000,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Medical Resources Conservation Technology System 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Medium Caliber Metal Parts Upgrade 2,600,000 Kanjorski Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Medium Sized Unmanned Ground Vehicles Platform 2,000,000 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MEMS Antenna for Wireless Comms 2,400,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Michigan Technological University's Project for Diverse Sensing 800,000 Stabenow
for Synergistic Force Protection in Urban Threat Environments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology and Plastic 1,600,000 Ferguson Lautenberg, Menendez
Armor Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Micromachined Switches in Support of Transformational 2,400,000 Miller, George
Communications Architecture
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Micro-systems Nanotechnology for Advanced Technology Development 1,000,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Midwest Traumatic Injury Rehabilitation Center 1,460,000 Ehlers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Adult Stem Cell Collection and Storage Project 800,000 Rothman Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Burn Trauma Research Program 4,000,000 Lungren, Matsui Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Fuels Research Program 1,600,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Interoperable Digital Hospital Testbed 10,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Jet-Fueled Fuel Cell Generator 800,000 Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22560]]
RDTE,A Military Low Vision Research 1,600,000 Lynch, Capuano Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Nutrition Research: Personnel Readiness and Warfighter 1,600,000 Alexander, Cazayoux Landrieu, Vitter
Performance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Military Photomedicine Program 2,800,000 Sanchez, Loretta Boxer, Dole, Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Miniature Cooling Unit for Electronic Devices 800,000 Johnson (IL) Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Miniaturized Sensors for Small and Tactical Unmanned Aerial 1,200,000 Reyes
Vehicles (MINISENS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mini-LRAS3 Scout Surveillance System 1,600,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Minimizing Health Effects of Air Toxics on Military Personnel 1,600,000 Yarmuth
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Missile Attack Early Warning System (MAEWS) 2,000,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mission Execution Technology Implementation 3,200,000 Hulshof, Akin Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mitigation of Energetic Single Point Failures 2,400,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MLRS Disposal System 3,000,000 Ensign, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mobile Medic Training Program 800,000 Mica
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mobile Object Search Toolkit for Intelligence Analysts 3,200,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mobile Optical Tracking System (MOTS) All Sky Imager (MASI) 1,200,000 Reyes, Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Model-Based Engineering Environment 800,000 Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Modeling and Testing of Next Generation Body Armor 2,000,000 Rush Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Modular Ballistic System for Force Protection 800,000 Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Modular Stethoscope For Harsh Environments 1,200,000 Coleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Modular Universal TOC Packages for Vehicles and Shelters 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Moldable Fabric Armor 1,200,000 Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Mosquito Born Disease Prevention : Malaria & Dengue Fever 800,000 DeLauro Dodd, Lautenberg, Lieberman,
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Moving Vehicle BAT Face Recognition Surveillance System 1,200,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MRAP Supportability System (MSS) 4,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Multi-layer Coextrusion for High Performance Packaging 2,400,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Multipurpose Nanosat Missile System (MNMS) formerly Integrated 6,000,000 Cramer Shelby
Nanosat Delivery System (INDS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Munitions Evaluation for Composite Electric Armor 1,200,000 Coleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A MUSC Cancer Genomics Research Collaborative 800,000 Brown (SC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanocomposite Enhanced Radar and Aerospace Materials 1,200,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanocrystal Source Display 1,200,000 Markey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nano-Crystalline Cement for High Strength, Rapid Curing Concrete 1,440,000 Visclosky
with Improved Blast Resistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanofabricated Bioartificial Kidney, Pancreas, and Liver 2,500,000 Knollenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanofluids for Advanced Military Mobility 800,000 Davis (KY) Bunning
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nano-Imaging Agents for Early Disease Detection 1,600,000 Green, Al; Culberson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanomanufacturing of Multifunctional Sensors 1,000,000 Tsongas, Olver Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanophotonic Devices 1,600,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanoscale Biosensors 2,500,000 Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator (NSSA) 1,200,000 McNulty, Gillibrand Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanostructured Materials For Photovoltaic Applications 1,600,000 McHugh Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanosystems through Optical Biosensors 1,600,000 Slaughter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanotechnology for Potable Water and Waste Treatment 1,000,000 Murphy, Tim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanotechnology Fuze-On-A-Chip 2,800,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanotechnology Manufacturing Center 2,000,000 Barrow Chambliss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nanotubes Optimized for Lightweight Exceptional Strength 2,400,000 Boyd, Crenshaw Martinez, Nelson (FL)
Composite Materials
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Biodefense Training 5,000,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Eye Evaluation and Research Network (NEER) -Clinical 800,000 Sessions Harkin
Trials of Orphan Retinal Degenerative Diseases
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Functional Genomics Center 6,000,000 Bilirakis, Castor, Young (FL) Martinez, Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Oncogenomics and Molecular Imaging Center 3,200,000 Knollenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A National Warfighter Health Sustainment Study 800,000 Capuano, Price (NC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Near-Net Shaped Direct-Sintered Silicon Carbide Torso Plates 1,600,000 Snyder Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Networked Dynamic Spectrum Access Investigation Enhanced MBITR 2,400,000 Bartlett Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Neural Controlled Prosthetic Device for Amputees 1,600,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Neuroimaging and Neuropsychiatric Trauma in Warfighters 5,000,000 Pelosi Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22561]]
RDTE,A Neuroimaging of Brain Disorders 800,000 Jones (OH) Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Neuroscience Research Consortium to Study Spinal Cord Injuries 800,000 Wasserman Schultz Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Neutron/Hadron Particle Therapy 1,200,000 Foster Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A New High Temperature Domestic Sourced PES Foam Fabrication/ 2,400,000 Johnson, Eddie Bernice
Certification for DOD Aerospace Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A New Vaccines to Fight Respiratory Infection 4,000,000 Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Communications System 1,200,000 Altmire Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Diesel Engine for Ground Vehicles 4,000,000 Emanuel Durbin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation High Performance Ballistic Materials and 1,440,000 Myrick
Technologies Providing 7.62mm Small Arms Protection for US Armed
Forces Helmets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Ice Protection Technologies 1,600,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Lightweight Drive System for Army Weapons Systems 1,600,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Non-Tactical Vehicle Propulsion 1,600,000 Hall (NY), Kuhl Levin, Mikulski, Stabenow, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Protective Seat 2,400,000 Gerlach Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next Generation Wearable Video Capture System 800,000 Stupak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Next-generation Combat Helmet Development 2,800,000 Butterfield Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Nickel Boron Coating Technology for Army Weapons 2,400,000 Mahoney, Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A No-Idle Climate Control for Military Vehicles 1,600,000 Brady (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Non-communications ECM Technology Demo 1,200,000 Holt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Non-Hazardous Infrared Anti-Reflective Coatings for Army Aircraft 1,200,000 Hayes
Sensors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Norfolk State University Center for Modeling and Simulation 2,400,000 Scott (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Northern Ohio Integrated Command Operations Program 1,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Approaches to Reduce the Severity of Battlefield Combined 1,600,000 Berkley, Porter Ensign, Reid
Tissue Injury
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Extremity Body Armor 600,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Flame Retardant Nylon Fabrics 1,200,000 Spratt Chambliss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Guidance Kit--Phase 2 (NGK2) for M864 Projectile 4,000,000 Burr, Coleman, Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Methods for Detecting and Inhibiting Corrosion 1,360,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Onboard Hydrogen Storage System Development 800,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Novel Zinc Air Power Sources for Military Applications 1,600,000 Rogers (AL) Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A N-STEP-Enabled Manufacturing Cell for Future Combat Systems 2,400,000 Jordan, Latta
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Vehicle Health and Usage Management System 2,400,000 Welch, Herseth Sandlin
(VHUMS) Demonstration
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A ONAMI Miniature Tactical Energy Systems Development 2,400,000 Walden, Blumenauer, DeFazio, Smith, Wyden
Hooley, Wu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Oncology Group Pediatric Cancer Research (CH) 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A One-Step JP-8 Bio-Diesel Fuel 1,600,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Online Medical Training for Military Personnel 2,800,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A On-The-Move Telescoping Mast 2,400,000 Regula
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Open Source Intelligence for Force Protection and Intelligence 1,600,000 Hutchison, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Operator Situational Awareness System--MEDEVAC 1,750,000 Pelosi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Optical Neural Techniques for Combat / Post-Trauma Healthcare 1,600,000 Inslee, McDermott, Smith (WA) Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Optimized M-25 Soldier Fuel Cell System 2,000,000 Castle Biden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Organic Semiconductor Modeling and Simulation 1,200,000 Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Orion High Altitude Long Loiter (HALL) UAV 5,000,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Parts on Demand for CONUS Operations 5,000,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Passive IR Sensor for Persistent Wide Area Surveillance 2,000,000 Hodes Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Payload and Advanced Development for Next Generation Robot 2,000,000 Tierney Kennedy, Kerry
Platform
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma Research 5,000,000 Bayh, Cornyn, Harkin, Hutchison,
Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Perpetually Available and Secure Information Systems (PASIS) 3,200,000 Doyle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Personal Miniature Thermal Viewer 1,600,000 Michaud
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Personal Status Monitor 2,000,000 McHugh, Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Pharmaceutical Advanced Packaging 1,600,000 Holden Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Photovoltaic Tent Fabric 2,800,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Plant-based Vaccine Research (Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center) 2,000,000 Lewis (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Plasma Energy Pyrolysis System (PEPS) Clean Fuels 800,000 Davis (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Plasma Sterilizer 3,200,000 Ellison, McCollum Coleman, Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22562]]
RDTE,A Plasma Technology Laboratory 800,000 Ortiz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Plug-In Architecture for DoD Medical Imaging 800,000 Moran (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Electrification Program 3,200,000 Kilpatrick, Conyers, Dingell, Levin, Stabenow
Knollenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Portable autonomous fluid-less near-infrared non-invasive alcohol 500,000 Bingaman
testing devices
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Portable Emergency Broadband System 4,000,000 Gerlach, Sestak Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Portable Non-Magnetic Compass/Positioning/Timing Device 1,600,000 Allen, Michaud Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Positron Sensors and Energy Applications 3,000,000 Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Power and Energy Research Equipment Upgrades 6,000,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Power Dense Transmissions 1,280,000 Inglis, Barrett, Goode, Regula,
Ryan (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) Research 1,600,000 Royce
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Precision Guided Airdropped Equipment 3,680,000 Clarke, Towns, Weiner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Precision Molding Manufacturing Technology for Infrared Aspheric 2,320,000 Rothman, Andrews, Dent Lautenberg, Menendez, Specter
Optics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Press-Loaded Explosive Projectile Washout Line 800,000 Ellsworth Coleman, Klobuchar, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Prevention of Compartment Syndrome, Ultrafiltration Catheter 1,600,000 McCollum, Ellison Coleman, Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Processing DNA Data Using Classical Discrimination Techniques 2,000,000 Cramer
(PRODDUCT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Project Kryptolite Force Implementation Phase 1,200,000 Smith (NJ) Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers (Note: Department of 1,200,000 Murphy, Patrick
Defense Military Health System Enhancement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Protective Textile Fabric 800,000 Dingell Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Proteomics Project (CH-LA) 1,200,000 Schiff
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A QuickMEDS 800,000 Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Quiet, Low-Impact Alternative Energy Technology 2,240,000 Wilson (OH), Space
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Radar Tag Emitters 2,400,000 Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Radiation Hardening Initiative 2,400,000 Cramer, Aderholt Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Raman Chemical ID System 1,600,000 Tierney Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A RAND Arroyo Center 4,000,000 Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Range Scrap Disposal, Hawthorne Army Depot 800,000 Brady (PA), Sestak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid and Accurate Pathogen Identification/Detection (RAPID) 1,600,000 Visclosky Bayh, Lugar
Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Insertion of Developmental Technology 2,400,000 Frelinghuysen, Sires
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Prototyping for Special Projects 3,200,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Response Force Protection System 2,400,000 Rothman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Response System for Active Protection of Ground and Air 4,160,000 Cramer
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Up-Armor Synthesis and Crashworthiness Design for Improved 1,200,000 Visclosky, Donnelly
Soldier Survivability
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rapid Vaccine Discovery Technology 1,600,000 Visclosky, Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ration Packaging Materials and Systems for MREs 3,600,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Reconfigurable Tooling System 1,600,000 Heller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Regional Integrated Command Center (RICC) 800,000 Doyle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies to Enhance the Life of 800,000 Young (FL), Castor
Individuals with Disabilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Remote Bio-Medical Detector 2,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Remote Explosive Analysis and Detection System (READS) 2,240,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Remote Unmanned Vehicle Checkpoint System 1,000,000 Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Remote Video Weapons Sight, USSOCOM SBIR 2,000,000 Radanovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Remotely Operated Weapons Systems 5,000,000 Frelinghuysen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Renewable Energy for Military Applications 1,600,000 Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Renewable Energy Testing Center 1,600,000 Lungren, Matsui
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Renewable Jet Fuel from Lignocellulosic Feedstocks 3,200,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Respiratory Biodefense Initiative 1,600,000 Allard, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Returning Soldier Adjustment Assessment Remote Monitoring System 3,120,000 Bishop (GA)
Research Study
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ripsaw Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Weaponization 1,200,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Robotics Vehicle Secure Communications 2,000,000 Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rotary Valve Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Generator 800,000 Davis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rugged Electronic Textile Vital Signs Monitoring 3,000,000 Kennedy Reed, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ruggedized Cylinders for Expandable Mobile Shelters 2,400,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Rural Health (CERMUSA) (Note: To serve remote and rural military 2,400,000 Shuster Casey
retiree populations)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22563]]
RDTE,A Safe Airway Access in Combat 2,000,000 Hagel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Self Powered Prosthetic Limb Technology 2,400,000 Peterson (PA) Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Self Powered, Lightweight, Flexible Display Unit on a Plastic 1,600,000 Grassley, Harkin
Substrate
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Self-Deploying Autonomous Sensor Platforms for Situational 4,000,000 Blunt
Awareness
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Semi-Autonomous or Unattended Psychological Operations and 2,400,000 Spratt
Reconnaissance Tool (SUPORT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Flight in the National 4,000,000 Cardin, Mikulski
Airspace
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Short Range Electro Optic (SREO) 1,600,000 Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Silver Fox and Manta UAS 2,000,000 Giffords
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Small Agile Satellites 400,000 Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Small Business Infrared Material Manufacturing-Silicon 5,600,000 Durbin
Alternative Substrates
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Sensors 500,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Smart Data Project: Real-Time Geospatial Video Sensor 800,000 Tierney Kennedy
Intelligence
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Smart Machine Platform Initiative 4,000,000 Chabot, McNulty Brown, Schumer, Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Smart Prosthetic Hand Technology 1,600,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Smart Prosthetics Research 1,600,000 Kuhl, Walsh Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Smart Sensor Supercomputing Center 5,800,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A SOCOM Lightweight Unmanned Ground Robot 1,600,000 Ross
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Software Lifecycle Affordability Management Phase II (SLAM II) 800,000 Saxton Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Soldier Fuel Cell System 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Soldier Portable Power Pack (SP3) for the 21st Century Warrior 1,700,000 Price (NC), Hayes Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Soldier Survival in Extreme Environments 2,960,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Soldier Worn Gunshot Detection System 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Powered Tactical Smart Charger 1,600,000 Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Solid State Processing of Titanium Alloys for Defense Materiel 1,440,000 Kaptur
Armaments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Solid State Shelter Lighting System 384,000 Hill Bayh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Solutions for Infection Control in Military Hospitals 2,000,000 Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center/National Functional Genomics 1,200,000 Fortenberry Nelson (NE)
Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Specialized Compact Automated Mechanical Clearance Platform 1,600,000 Murphy, Patrick
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Spectroscopic Materials Identification Center 800,000 Berry Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Research Program 3,200,000 Pelosi, Nadler, Rangel Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Spring Suspended Airless Tires for Convoy Protection 2,800,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Stabilized Enzyme Biofuel Cell (SEBC) for Unmanned Ground Sensors 800,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Standoff Hazardous Agent Detection and Evaluation System 2,800,000 Berry Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Standoff Improvised Explosive Device Detection Program 4,800,000 Boyd, Berry, Brown (FL), Hirono, Akaka, Lincoln, Martinez, Pryor
Meek
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Staph Vaccine 4,000,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Strattice Dermal Matrix Research 2,400,000 Ferguson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Stryker Common Active Protection System (APS) Radar 1,600,000 Johnson, Sam; Hall (TX); Reyes Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Stryker Second Source Tire Research 800,000 Goode, Ryan (OH) Voinovich, Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Super High Accuracy Range Kit (SHARK) 3,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Superior Weapons Systems Through Castings 1,600,000 Brownback, Lincoln, Pryor, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Superlattice Semiconductors for Mobile SS Lighting and Solar 2,400,000 Hinchey
Power Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Sustainable Alternative Energy for DoD 2,400,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Synchrotron-based Scanning Research Neuroscience and Proton 5,000,000 Lewis (CA)
Institute
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Synthetic Automotive Virtual Environments 2,400,000 Hodes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Systems Biology Biomarkers Toxicology Initiative 2,640,000 Dicks, Baird, McDermott Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Tactical Asset Visibility Enhancement 500,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Tactical Booster for Mobile Network Centric Warfare 1,600,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Tactical Metal Fabrication System (TacFab) 2,000,000 Turner, Brown (SC), Clyburn, Kerry, Lautenberg, Menendez
Markey, Ryan (OH), Tierney,
Tsongas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Tactical RPG Airbag Protection System (TRAPS) Enhancement 800,000 Capps, Farr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Technologies for Metabolic Monitoring (TMM) 800,000 Gonzalez Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Technologies for Military Equipment Replenishment 3,600,000 Obey Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Technology and Human Systems Integration 2,400,000 Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Technology Commercialization and Management Network 1,600,000 Lewis (CA), Hinojosa
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22564]]
RDTE,A Technology for Rapid Foreign Language Acquisitions for 1,200,000 Sununu
Specialized Military and Intelligence Purposes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Telepharmacy Remote Medicine Device Unit (TRMDU) 1,400,000 Brady (PA), English Casey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Terahertz Spectrometer 800,000 Murphy (CT) Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Test Support Infrastructure Darning and Trafficability Study 4,000,000 Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Thermal and Electrical Nanoscale Transport (TENT) 1,600,000 Honda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Thermoelectric Power Generation Materials and Devices 1,200,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Threat Detection and Neutralization Project 3,200,000 Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Titanium Extraction, Mining and Process Engineering Research 3,000,000 Baucus
(TEMPER)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Titanium Powder Advanced Forged Parts Program 1,600,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Total Quality System for FDA Regulated Activities Database 1,440,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Toxic Particles 800,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Transportable Cryofracture/Plasma Arc 1,600,000 Doolittle Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Trauma Care, Research and Training 2,400,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Trauma Hemostat 800,000 Cohen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Turbo Fuel Cell Engine 2,500,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A UAS Sense and Avoid Concept Evaluation for Airspace Integration 2,400,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A UAV-Resupply BURRO 1,200,000 Larson Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultra High Speed MEMS Electromagnetic Cell Sorter (UHSMECS) 2,400,000 Capps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultra Light Weight Transmission for FCS 1,600,000 Walberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultra-Endurance Coating 3,600,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultra-High Resolution Display for Army Medicine (UHRDARM) 4,000,000 Hall (NY) Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultrasonic Consolidation for Armor Applications 1,200,000 Dingell Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Ultrasonic Impact Technology 1,200,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A UMDNJ Cancer Initiative 2,400,000 Payne, Pallone, Sires, Smith (NJ)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Uncooled Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor 2,400,000 Visclosky
(MOSFET) Embedded Micro-cantilevers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Universal Control Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) 3,200,000 Larson Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A University Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency 1,600,000 Pallone, Payne, Smith (NJ) Lautenberg, Menendez
Response
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Unmanned Ground Vehicle Advanced Technology Development 2,500,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Unmanned Ground Vehicle Initiative (UGVI) 12,000,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Unserviceable Ammunition Demilitarization via Chemical 800,000 Bennett, Hatch
Dissolution
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Urban Patterns and Signatures to Support Counter-Insurgency 1,200,000 Gregg
Operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Use of Drugs to Reduce Hearing Loss from Acute Acoustic Trauma 1,280,000 McHugh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A UXO Detection and Classification in Volcanic Soil Using an 1,000,000 Hirono Akaka
Integrated Fully Polametic GPR and Chemical Sensor Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller Compound Helicopter 5,000,000 Castle Biden, Carper, Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vehicle Armor Structure Development and Testing for Future Combat 800,000 Levin Levin, Stabenow
Systems and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vehicle Common Armor Manufacturing Process (VCAMP) 2,000,000 Saxton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vertical Integration for Missile Defense Surveillance Data 3,280,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vertical/Horizontal Integration of Space Technologies and 2,400,000 Aderholt
Applications (VISTA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A VideoArgus 2,000,000 Holt, Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vigilant Sentinel Auto-ID and Access Control System 1,600,000 Tiahrt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A VIPER Mobile Power Development Project 800,000 Harman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Virtual Opportunity and Information Center 1,000,000 Murphy, Tim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Vision Integrating Strategies in Ophthalmology and Neurochemistry 3,200,000 Granger Cornyn
(VISION)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Visualization for Training and Simulation in Urban Terrains 1,200,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Warfighter Cancer Care Engineering 2,400,000 Carson Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wearable Gyro-Compensated Personnel Tracking During GPS 800,000 Slaughter, Kuhl
Interference
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wearable Personal Area Network Technology 2,400,000 Spratt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Weight Measurements and Standards for Military Personnel 2,000,000 Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Western Hemisphere Security Analysis Center 1,600,000 Hastings (FL) Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wireless Analysis and Visualization Engines for Sensors (WAVES) 800,000 Stupak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wireless Electronic Patient Records 3,200,000 Harman Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22565]]
RDTE,A Wireless Medical Monitoring System (WiMed) 1,600,000 Boswell, Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wound Infection Treatment Program 2,400,000 Baldwin Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,A Wyoming Valley Integrated Command Operations Program (ICOP) 1,600,000 Carney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Accelerated Insertion of Advanced Materials and Certification for 3,000,000 Tiahrt Brownback, Roberts
Military Aircraft Structure Material Substitution and Repair
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Accelerator-Driven Non-Destructive Testing 2,000,000 Simpson Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF ACES 5 Ejection Seat 5,600,000 Lamborn, Pastor Allard, Bennett, Cochran, Dodd,
Lieberman, Salazar, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Acquisition Data Repository (ADR) 2,800,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Active Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Phenomenology and Automatic 2,000,000 Hobson
Target Recognition Technology Transition (ATR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advance Casting and Coating Technologies for Aircraft Canopies 2,800,000 Sutton Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advance Threat Alert/Advance Technology Demonstration 4,880,000 Hodes Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Aerospace Heat Exchangers 1,600,000 Wilson (OH) Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Carbon Fiber Research and Test Initiative 2,400,000 Spratt, Inglis Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Data Exploitation and Visualization 800,000 Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Electromagnetic Location of IEDs Defeat System 1,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Fiber Lasers Systems and Components 960,000 Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced fuel cell based power system for small UAV applications 1,200,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturing 1,600,000 Scott (GA) Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Military Installations that Integrate Renewable Energy 4,000,000 Bond
and Advanced Energy Storage Technologies
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Modular Avionics for Operationally Responsive Space Use 2,400,000 Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Nanotube Micro-Munitions Weapon Technology Initiative 1,600,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Staring Infrared Testbed (ASIRT) Technology 960,000 Allard, Salazar
Demonstration
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) 2,000,000 Hobson Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Thermal Control Coatings for Space Applications 1,600,000 Davis (IL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Center 1,200,000 McKeon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel Upgrade Initiative 1,600,000 Giffords
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Aerospace Lab Equipment Upgrade 800,000 Napolitano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Affordable Lightweight Power Supply Development 1,000,000 Gerlach Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Air Cargo Tracking and Analysis/Secure Skies 1,360,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Air Force Minority Leaders Program 8,000,000 Alexander, Corker, Hutchison,
Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Air Purification with Carbon Nanotube Nanostructured Material 5,000,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Aircraft Evaluation Readiness Initiative 2,400,000 Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Aircraft Fatigue Modeling and Simulation 3,000,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Alternative Energy--Tin City 500,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Alternative Energy Fuel Cell Power 1,600,000 Ryan (OH), Sutton Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Applications of LIDAR to Vehicles with Analysis 7,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Assessment of Alternative Energy for Aircraft Ground Equipment 1,600,000 Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF ASSET eWing and Data Fusion Technology Integration 4,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Assured Aerospace Fuels Research 1,600,000 Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF AT-6B Capabilities Demonstration for the Air National Guard 6,000,000 Tiahrt Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Automated Sensor-Communication Response Technology 1,600,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF B-1 Bomber 16-Carry Adapter Weapons Initiative 4,160,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF B-2 Advanced Tactical Data Link 11,200,000 Feinstein, Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Ballistic Missile Technology 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Base Facility Energy Independence 3,200,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF BattleSpace: Reducing Military Decision Cycles 1,280,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Big Antennas Small Structures Efficient Tactical (BASSET) UAV 1,200,000 Harman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Bio-JP8 Fuel Development 800,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Biothreat Test Pouch for Film Array System 800,000 Bennett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Body Armor Improved Ballistic Protection 2,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Broad Area Multi-Intelligence Ubiquitous Surveillance Enterprise 1,600,000 Walsh, Kuhl Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF C-130 Automated Inspection, Repair, Corrosion and Aircraft 3,200,000 Kingston, Marshall Chambliss, Isakson
Tracking Condition-Based Maintenance Plus
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22566]]
RDTE,AF Carbon Nanotube Enhanced Power Sources for Space 2,400,000 Markey, Olver
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Carbon Nanotube-based Radiation Hard Nano-Electronic Devices 7,200,000 Blunt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Carbon Non-Materials for Advanced Aerospace Applications 2,400,000 Culberson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Center for Microplasma Science and Technology (CMST) 2,000,000 Rothman, Sires Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Center for Responsive Space Systems 800,000 Wilson (NM) Bingaman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Center for Solar Electricity and Hydrogen 3,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Center of Excellence for Defense UAV Education 4,000,000 Pomeroy Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Ceramic Matrix Composite Turbine Blade Demonstration 4,000,000 Shays Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Chip Scale Atomic Clock 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Close Proximity Space Situational Awareness 640,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Coal Transformation Laboratory 800,000 Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Combat Sent Wideband Sensor Upgrade Program 3,040,000 Ensign
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Command and Control Service Level Management (C2SLM) program 4,000,000 Blunt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Compact Laser Terminal for Airborne Network Centric Warfare 2,800,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Component Object Model Attitude Control System Simulation/Trainer 1,600,000 Murray, Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Compound Zoom for Airborne Reconnaissance (CZAR) 1,200,000 Sherman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Conducting Polymer Stress and Damage Sensors for Composites 1,440,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Consortium for Nanomaterials for Aerospace Commerce and 2,400,000 Hinojosa Hutchison
Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Conventional Strike Mission Integration Demonstration 4,800,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Core Component Jammer (CCJ) 9,000,000 Tiahrt Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF COTS Analysis Tools for Navigational Warfare 1,200,000 Sestak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF COTS Technology for Situational Space Awareness 2,800,000 Gerlach Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Cyber Attack Mitigation and Exploitation Laboratory (CAMEL) III 2,000,000 Arcuri Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Cyber Security Laboratory at Louisiana Tech University 3,000,000 Alexander, McCrery Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Defensive Counterspace Testbed 800,000 Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Development and Testing of Advanced Paraffin-Based Hybrid Rockets 2,800,000 Lofgren
for Space Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Development and Validation of Advanced Design Technologies for 2,000,000 Coleman, Klobuchar
Hypersonic Research
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Diamond Substrate for Cooling of Micro-Electronics 2,000,000 Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Distributed Mission Interoperability Toolkit (DMIT) 1,600,000 Sestak, Andrews, LoBiondo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Eglin AFB Range Operations Center (ROCC) Initiative 800,000 Miller (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Eielson Air Force Base Alternative Energy Source Program 2,400,000 Young (AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Eielson Air Force Base Coal to Liquid Initiative 5,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Electromagnetic In-Flight Propeller Balancing System 2,000,000 English Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Electronics Liquid Cooling for Advanced Military Ground and 1,000,000 LaTourette
Aerospace Vehicle Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF EMI Grid Fabrication Technology 2,720,000 Bono Mack
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Energetic Device Quality and Reliability Improvements Using 2,400,000 Blunt
Computer Aided Process Control
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Expeditionary 200 kW+ Alternative Power Generator 800,000 Lamborn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Expert Organization Develoment System (EXODUS) 1,000,000 Capito
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF F-15 AESA Development and Demonstration 12,000,000 Cochran, Feinstein, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF F-15 AN/ALR-56C RWR Digital Receiver Upgrade 3,200,000 Rothman, Pascrell Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF FEL Capabilities for Aerospace Microfabrication 1,120,000 Wittman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Field Programmable Gate Arrays Mission Assurance Center 3,000,000 Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Fire and Blast Resistant Materials for Force Protection 1,600,000 Moore (WI) Kennedy, Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Flash Hyper-Dimensional Imaging System for Space Situational 1,600,000 Hirono Akaka, Inouye
Awareness and Ballistic Missile Defense
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) 1,200,000 Pascrell, Rothman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Florida National Guard Missile Range Safety Technology 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF FPS-16 Radar Mobilization Upgrade 2,800,000 Miller (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Freedom Fuels/Coal Fuels Alliance 3,200,000 Bunning
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Gallium Nitride RF Power Technology 1,600,000 Coble
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Health Surveillance System 1,600,000 Inslee Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF High Power Broadly Tunable Middle-Infrared Laser Sources 2,400,000 Davis (AL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF High Temperature Hydrogen Energy Production Facility 1,200,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Holloman High Speed Test Track 4,000,000 Pearce Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22567]]
RDTE,AF Homeland Emergency Learning and Preparedness (HELP) Center 3,000,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Hybrid Bearing 1,600,000 Coble, Hayes, Shuler, Turner Dodd, Dole, Gregg, Lieberman,
Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Hybrid Sounding Rocket Propulsion 800,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Demonstrator 1,400,000 McCarthy (CA), Doolittle, Matsui,
McKeon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Imaging Tools for Human Performance Enhancement and Diagnostics 2,000,000 Hobson Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Inductive Thermography Systems Inspection 2,400,000 Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Information Quality Tools for Persistent Surveillance Data Sets 1,600,000 Snyder Lincoln, Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Innovative Polymeric Materials for Three-Dimensional (3-D) 1,600,000 Emerson
Microdevice Construction
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Institute for Science and Engineering Simulation (ISES) 3,360,000 Burgess
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Aircraft Energy Management 2,000,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Electrical Starter/Generator (IES/G) 1,600,000 Turner Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Power for Aircraft Technologies (INPACT II) 3,500,000 Manzullo Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Propulsion Analysis Tool 2,000,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated SAR/PI Evaluator for Critical Target and Activity 800,000 Hobson
Recogniton (INSPECTAR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Spacecraft Engineering Tool (ISET) 1,600,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Integrated Targeting Device 3,000,000 Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Intelligent Manufacturing Initiative 2,400,000 Pryce Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Internal Base Facility Energy Independence--Solar 1,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Joint Theater Air Ground Simulation System 2,400,000 Martinez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures for AFSOC AC/MC-130 4,400,000 Miller (FL) Martinez, Nelson (FL)
Aircraft
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Large Area, APVT Materials Development for High Power Devices 800,000 Frelinghuysen Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Laser Peening for Friction Stir Welded Aerospace Structures 1,600,000 Tiahrt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Lean Management System Research Initiative at Air Mobility Wing 800,000 Young (FL)
MacDill AFB
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF LGX High Temperature Acoustic Wave Sensors 1,600,000 Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Light Weight Organic Photovoltaic Technologies 1,200,000 Altmire
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Lightweight, High-Efficiency Solar Cells for Spacecraft 800,000 Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Liquid Crystal Laser Eye Protection 1,600,000 Ryan (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Lithium Ion Domestic Materials Development 1,600,000 Courtney Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Low Profile Arresting Gear 800,000 Sestak Casey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Low Voltage, Wideband Electro-Optic Polymer Modulators 3,000,000 Inslee Cantwell, Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Low-Earth Orbit Nanosatellite Integrated Defense Autonomous 5,000,000 Inouye
Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Manufacturing of High Energy Superior Lithium Battery Technology 6,000,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Massively Parallel Optical Interconnects (MPOI) for ISR 1,600,000 Ensign
Satellites
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Massively Parallel Optical Interconnects for MicroSatellite 1,600,000 Reid
Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Materials Integrity Management Research for Air Force Systems 800,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Microcomposite Coatings for Chrome Replacement 800,000 Jones (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Micro-Grid Energy Storage Utilizing a Deployable Zinc-Bromide 1,600,000 Marshall
Flow Battery
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Micromachined Switches for Next Generation Modular Satellites 2,400,000 Miller, George
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Micro-Satellite Serial Manufacturing to Include Academic Outreach 800,000 Harman, Lewis (CA)
Educational Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Mobile Wind Turbine Systems to Power Forward Bases 800,000 Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Moving Target Strike 2,000,000 Miller (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF M-PACT High Pressure Pure Air Generator System 1,600,000 Frelinghuysen, Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF MPOI for Battlespace Information Exchange 3,900,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF MQ-9 Reaper--UAS AirPortal, Hancock Field 3,000,000 Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF MSSS Operations & Research 22,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multi Platform Radar Technology Improvement Program (MPRTIP) 20,000,000 Shays, Weldon Chambliss, Dodd, Isakson, Lieberman
Integration and Test on JSTARS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multicontinuum Technology for Space Structures 2,880,000 Cubin Enzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multi-mission Deployable Optical System 4,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multi-Mode Space Propulsion 800,000 Gilchrest Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multiple UAS Cooperative Concentrated Observation and Engagement 4,400,000 Bartlett, Sestak
Against a Common Ground Objective
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multi-Sensor Detect, See and Avoid 6,000,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Multi-Sensor Person-Borne Suicide Counter Bomber Detection 1,200,000 Hobson
Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22568]]
RDTE,AF Nano-Composite Structures Manufacturing Technology Development 800,000 Turner Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Nanocomposites for Lightning Protection of Composite Airframe 1,200,000 Tiahrt Brownback
Structures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF National Test Facility for Aerospace Fuels and Propulsion 1,360,000 Buyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Net-Centric Sensors Grid 800,000 Hill Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF New Electronic Warfare Specialists Through Advanced Research by 1,600,000 Hobson
Students
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Next Generation Casting Supplier Base Initiative 2,400,000 Blumenauer Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Next Generation Manufacturing Processes 1,200,000 Smith (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Next Generation Tactical Environmental Clothing for AFSOC 2,000,000 Rogers (AL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF NP 2000 Propeller System--Air National Guard Special Missions C- 2,000,000 Murphy (CT) Dodd, Schumer
130
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Nuclear Test Seismic Research 2,000,000 Leahy, Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF ONAMI Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing 4,000,000 Blumenauer, DeFazio, Walden, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Operational Responsive Space Architecture for Dual Use 1,272,000 Perlmutter
Applications
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Optic Band Control Program 800,000 Bilirakis
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Optically Pumped Atomic Laser (OPAL) 2,800,000 Hobson, Grijalva
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF PanSTARRS 8,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Partnership for Emerging Technologies 1,600,000 Duncan Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Partnership in Innovative Preparation for Educators and Students 800,000 Allard, Salazar
and the Space Education Consortium
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center 2,000,000 Doyle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Persistent Sensing Data Processing, Storage and Retrieval 1,600,000 Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF PhasorBIRD Helmet Tracker 2,480,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Plasma-Sphere Array for Flexible Electronics 2,800,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Precision Image Tracking and Registration 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) Upgrade 2,400,000 Hinchey Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Prepreg Thickness Variability Reduction Program 1,600,000 Hall (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Production of Nanocomposites for Aerospace Applications 1,600,000 Turner Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Project Air Force 3,000,000 Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Radiation Hardened Microelectronics (HX5000) Carbon Nanotube 2,000,000 Coleman, Klobuchar
Sensors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Radiation Hardened Non-Volatile Memory Technology 1,600,000 Lamborn Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Rapid Automated Processing of Advanced Low Observables 1,600,000 Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Rapid Prototyping and Nanotechnology Initiative 800,000 Waters
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Rapid Replacement of Mission Critical Electronics to Support High 1,500,000 Marshall Chambliss, Isakson
Usage Wartime Aircraft Deployments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Real-time Optical Surveillance Applications 2,800,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Reconfigurable Electronics and Non-Volatile Memory Research 2,000,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Reconfigurable Secure Computing 1,200,000 Moran (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Regional Telepathology Initiative at Keesler AFB 2,500,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Remote Suspect Identification 3,200,000 Alexander, McCrery
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels for Military Applications (Great 2,000,000 Kucinich Brown
Lakes Region)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Rivet Joint ISR Network Integration 2,000,000 Hall (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Satellite Coherent Optical Receiver (SCORE) 1,750,000 Pelosi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Science for Sustainment 1,600,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Scorpion Low Cost Helmet Mounted Cueing and Information Display 4,000,000 LaHood Durbin
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Secure Network Centric Operations 1,600,000 Johnson, Sam
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Responsive Space MPOI 2,200,000 Heller, Porter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Sensor Fusion 2,400,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Sewage-Derived Biofuels Project 2,400,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Shielding Rocket Payloads 400,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Silicon Carbide Electronics Material Producibility Initiative 4,800,000 Pickering Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Silicon Carbide Power Electronics for More Electric Aircraft 3,200,000 Pickering Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Small Adaptive Cycle Turbine Engines 1,600,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Small Low-Cost Reconnaisance Spacecraft Components 1,600,000 Bishop (UT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Smart View Program (SVP) 800,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Sonic Infrared Imaging Technology Development 800,000 Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22569]]
RDTE,AF Space Control Test Capabilities 1,600,000 Everett, Aderholt, Rogers (AL) Sessions, Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Space Qualification of the Common Data Link 1,600,000 Cannon Bennett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Space Situational Awareness 1,200,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Space Situational Awareness--TCN Demonstration and Deployment 3,000,000 Kennedy, Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Super-Resolution Sensor System 2,000,000 Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Sustainable Energy Vermont National Guard Demonstration Projects 5,000,000 Leahy, Sanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Thunder Radar Pod (TRP) 3,200,000 Israel Bond, Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Tactical Shelters Next Generation Composite Initiative 1,600,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Technical Order Modernization Environment 1,440,000 Kaptur
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Technology Insertion Demonstration and Evaluation (TIDE) 3,200,000 Doyle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies 1,600,000 Brady (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Thermal IR Processing and Exploitation Cell (TPEC) 2,400,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Thin Film Amorphous Solar Arrays 1,600,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Tools and Technologies for Incident and Consequence Management 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Transportable Transponder Landing System 4,000,000 Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Ultra High Resolution Deployable Projector for Simulation 3,200,000 Enzi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Ultra Low Power Electronics 3,200,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Ultralight Aerospace Nanotube Conductors 2,000,000 Hodes Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Unmanned Aerial Systems Mission Planning and Operation Center 400,000 Moran (KS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Vortex Low Cost Rocket Engine 2,400,000 Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Warfighter Support Using HELIOS 2,400,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Warner Robbins Air Logistics Center Special Operations Forces 800,000 Marshall Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF WASH Oxygen Sensor and Cell-Level Battery Controller 800,000 Dreier
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Watchkeeper 800,000 Rehberg Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Weather Sensors for CoT 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Wideband Digital Airborne Electronic Sensing Array 2,400,000 Reed, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF WR-ALC Strategic Airlift Aircraft Availability Improvement 3,360,000 Kingston, Marshall Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF XTC58F VAATE Small Turbo Fan Program 3,600,000 Pastor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,AF Strategic Biofuel Supply Program 1,000,000 Rodriguez Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW 3-D Electronics and Power 2,400,000 Calvert
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW 3-D Technology for Advanced Sensor Systems 1,440,000 Simpson, Price (NC) Craig, Crapo, Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Acinetobacter Baumannii Research 2,000,000 Pelosi Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Active Denial Planar Scanning Antenna System 1,600,000 Sherman, Gallegly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Battery Technology 2,300,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Craft Technology Demonstrators to Quantify and Mitigate 2,000,000 Davis (CA)
Operator Injury
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Development of Mobile Rapid Response Prototypes 1,600,000 Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Emergency Response Integrated Environment (AERIE) 1,200,000 Sestak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Information Discovery and Analysis Capability for NSA 1,200,000 Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Materials Research Institute 2,400,000 Jefferson Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Missile Simulation Technology for Intelligence Analysis 1,280,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Mobile Microgrid 2,720,000 Rogers (MI), Conyers, Dingell Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced SAM Hardware Simulator Development 5,000,000 Johnson (GA), Bishop (GA), Cramer, Chambliss, Isakson
Gingrey, Scott (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Scientific Missile Intelligence Preparation of the 2,000,000 Cramer
Battlespace (IPB)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Tactical Laser Flashlight Devices 1,200,000 Kilpatrick
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Tactical Threat Warning Radio (ATTWR) 1,200,000 Lofgren Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced Technology Sensors and Payloads 1,600,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Advanced, Long Endurance Unattended Ground Sensor Technologies 3,600,000 Pickering Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW AELED IED Electronic Signature Detection 3,200,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Agile JTRS Integrated Circuits 1,600,000 Capps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Agile Software Capability Interventions 1,600,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Aging Systems Sustainment and Enabling Technologies 2,000,000 Lucas Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Airborne Infrared Surveillance (AIRS) System 800,000 Sullivan, Boren Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW All-Source Content Management (ASCMAN) for Actionable 1,600,000 Bond
Intelligence
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22570]]
RDTE,DW Antibody-Based Therapeutic Against Smallpox 800,000 Van Hollen Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Antioxiant Micronutrient Therapeutic Countermeasures for Chemical 800,000 McCarthy (NY)
Agents
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Arctic Regional Supercomputer 3,200,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Armed Forces Health and Food Supply Research 5,000,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Augmented Reality to enhance Special Warfare Domain Awareness 1,600,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Autonomous Rendezvous/Formation Flight 2,000,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Bio Agent Early Warning Detector 2,000,000 Hoyer Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Bio-Butanol Production Research 2,000,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biodefense Vaccine Development and Engineering of Antiviral 1,600,000 Vitter
Peptides
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biofuels Program 1,600,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biological Threat Antibody Research 1,600,000 King (IA), Herseth Sandlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biometric Signatures Research 2,000,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biometric Terrorist Watch-List Data Base Management Development 1,600,000 Ramstad, Shays, Tsongas Coleman, Kerry, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Biosurety Development and Management Program 1,200,000 Reyes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW BOPPER (Bioterrorism Operations Policy for Public Emergency 1,200,000 Watt Burr
Response)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Botulinum Neurotoxin Research 1,600,000 Baldwin Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Buoyancy Assisted Lift Air Vehicle 2,500,000 Napolitano, Sherman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Camp Guernsey Joint Training and Experimentation Center 6,000,000 Barrasso
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Carbon Nanotube Chemical Detector 800,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Carbon Nanotube Thin Film Devices for Portable Power 1,600,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Catalytic Oxidation Integrated Demonstration 2,400,000 LaTourette, Pastor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Cellulosic-Derived Biofuels Research Project 4,000,000 Chandler
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Center for Advanced Emergency Response 4,400,000 Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Center for Autonomous Solar Power (CASP) large-area, flexible PV 4,000,000 Hinchey Schumer
energy research
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Center for Innovative Geospatial Technology 10,000,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute for 1,200,000 Berman
International Affairs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW CEROS 10,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Chemical Warfare Agent Fate Appropriate Response Tool 1,600,000 Kildee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Chemical/Biological Infrared Detection System 1,200,000 Collins
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Chemical/Biological Preparedness Center for Advanced Development 4,000,000 Rothman
of Mobile Rapid Response Prototypes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Collaboration Gateway 1,200,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Collection Management Tool Development 1,440,000 Cramer, Aderholt Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office/STAR-TEC 2,400,000 Young (FL)
Partnership Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Commercial Denied Area Radargrammetry Mapping 800,000 Allard, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Commodity Management System Consolidation program 1,600,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Common UGV Command and Control for PSYOP Programs 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Communications-Capable Reconnaissance Imager 800,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness 4,500,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Comprehensive National Incident Management System 2,000,000 Moran (VA), Goode Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Connectory Expansion for Rapid Identification of Technology 400,000 Hunter
Sources for DoD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Contaminated Human Remains Pouch 1,600,000 Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Continuation of Advanced Materials (Mercuric Iodide) Research for 800,000 Young (FL)
Nuclear Detection, Counter-Proliferation and Imaging for CBRNE
Special Operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Continuation of Industry Based Research into Biological Agent 1,600,000 Young (FL)
Identifiers without Wet Reagents
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Continued Expansion of Prototypes for the Destruction of Airborne 800,000 Slaughter
Pathogens Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Continuous Acquisition and Life-Cycle (CALS) and Integrated Data 3,200,000 Byrd
Environment and Defense Logistics Enterprise Services Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Copper-Based Casting Technology Applications 2,800,000 Perlmutter Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Corrosion Engineering Education Initiative 800,000 Regula, Ryan (OH), Sutton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Countering Missile-related Technology Proliferation 2,000,000 Goode
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Countermeasures to Chemical/Biological Control-Rapid Response 2,400,000 Young (FL) Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Covert Communications for SOF Operations 1,600,000 Gingrey Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Covert Sensing and Tagging System (CSTS) 1,200,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22571]]
RDTE,DW C-Scout Container Security System 2,400,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW CV-22 Helmet Mounted Display 2,000,000 Young (FL) Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Defense Command Integration Center 880,000 Moore (KS), Boyda Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Defense Fuelcell Locomotive 2,000,000 Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Defense Leadership and Technology Initiative 2,400,000 Bishop (GA); Cummings; Davis (IL); Schumer
Jackson-Lee; Johnson, Eddie
Bernice; Lee; Meek; Norton;
Ruppersberger; Sestak; Watt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Defense Support to Large Scale Disaster Preparedness 800,000 Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Defense Through Early Containment 1,200,000 Towns
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Department of Defense Corrosion Program 12,000,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Directed Energy Systems for UAV Payloads 800,000 Tiahrt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Disaster Response: Communications and Other Infrastructure 4,000,000 Crapo
Restoration
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Distributed Network Switching 2,000,000 Sanchez, Loretta Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW DNA Safeguard 1,200,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Document Analysis and Exploitation 1,600,000 Dent Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Document and Media Search and Discovery (DMSD) 1,440,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Dual Use Technologies for Bio-Defense: Drug Design and Delivery 1,200,000 Diaz-Balart, Mario
of Novel Therapeutics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW EDIT Technology for Counter-Tunnel Operations and Cache Detection 800,000 Udall (NM) Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Electric Grid Reliability/Assurance 1,200,000 Simpson Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Electronics and Materials for Flexible Sensors and Transponders 3,200,000 Pomeroy Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Emerging Critical Interconnection Tech 2,000,000 Ellsworth Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Enhanced Simulation for IO Capabilities 5,120,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Environmentally Friendly Aircraft Decontamination Systems 1,600,000 LaTourette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Environmentally Friendly Nanometal Electroplating Processes for 5,304,000 Obey
Cadmium and Chromium Replacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Environmentally Intelligent Moisture and Corrosion Control 2,000,000 Visclosky Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Expeditionary Persistent Power (USSOCOM) 1,600,000 Shuster
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Explosively Formed Projectile Iron Curtain 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ex-Rad Radiation Protection Program 5,000,000 Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Extended-Lifetime Radioisotope Batteries 1,600,000 Price (NC) Burr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Eye-Safe Long Range Stand-off System for Detection of Chemical 1,500,000 Cubin Enzi
and Biological Weapons
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Facial Recognition Technology Initiative 2,000,000 Klein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Facility Security Using Tactical Surveys 2,400,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Feature Size Migration at DMEA AMRS Boundary 2,000,000 Lungren, Matsui
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ferroelectric Component Technology 1,200,000 Peterson (PA) Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Field Experimentation Program for Special Operations 1,600,000 Farr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW First Link 2,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Flashlight Soldier-to-Soldier Combat Identification System 5,600,000 Granger, Rodriguez Cornyn
(FSCIS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Florida Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative 2,000,000 Brown (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Foliage Penetrating Reconnaissance and Surveillance System 3,200,000 Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Full Scale Impact and Blast Loading Laboratory Testing Program 1,600,000 Davis (CA) Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Generation II Special Operation Forces Internally Transported 1,600,000 Waters
Vehicle (SOF-ITV)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation Capability 800,000 Miller (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Helicopter Cable Warning and Obstacle Avoidance 800,000 Harman Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High Assurance Cross Domain Solutions for High Performance 2,000,000 Sununu
Computing Center Net-Centric Operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High Assurance Cross Domain Technology Development 2,000,000 Bilirakis Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High Performance Computational Design of Novel Materials 2,480,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High Performance Tunable Materials 2,400,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High Speed, High Volume Laboratory Network for Infectious 5,000,000 Pelosi, Udall (NM) Boxer, Domenici
Diseases
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW High-Pressure Mobile Water Delivery System 800,000 Walberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Hostile Fire Indicating System 800,000 Barton, Sestak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Hybrid Power Generation System 1,200,000 Simpson Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW HyperAcute Vaccine Development 2,400,000 Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW IM Formulation Development of Anthrax Therapeutic 800,000 Frelinghuysen Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22572]]
RDTE,DW Improved Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Filters 1,600,000 Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Improved Collapsible Urethane-Fuel Storage Tanks (ICU-FST) 1,600,000 Regula; Davis, David; Ryan (OH)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Improved Commercial Integration (ICI) 800,000 Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Improved Information Transfer for Special Forces 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Improved LAS Glass-Ceramic Laminated Armored Window Systems 1,600,000 Duncan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW In Transit Visibility System 800,000 Brady (PA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW In Vitro Models for Biodefense Vaccines 1,000,000 Brown (FL) Martinez, Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Indiana Complex Operations Partnership 2,000,000 Hill Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Indium Based Nitride Technology Development 3,000,000 Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Infections Disease Research (AMNH) for Defense Research Sciences 2,000,000 Lowey, Nadler
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Inland Empire Perchlorate Wellhead Treatment 2,000,000 Baca Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Institute for Collaborative Sciences Research 1,200,000 Meek
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Institute for Information Security 2,500,000 Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Institute of Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Systems 7,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Integrated Analysis Environment 1,200,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Integrated Bridge System 1,200,000 Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Integrated Cryo-cooled High Power Density Systems 1,600,000 Boyd Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Integrated Signature Production and Exploitation 800,000 Johnson (IL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Integration of Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade & Below (FBCB2) 1,200,000 Shelby
with Tactical Handheld Digital Devices (THDD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Intelligence Analyst Education and Training 3,900,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Intelligent Decision Exploration 3,600,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Intelligent Remote Sensing for Urban Warfare Operations 2,400,000 Sestak, Fattah
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise Modeling, Simulation, Analysis 800,000 Emerson
Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Joint Gulf Range Complex Upgrade 1,200,000 Miller (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Joint Services Aircrew Mask Don/Doff In-flight Upgrade 1,600,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Laboratory for High Performance Computational Systems 1,600,000 Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Large Scale Single-Use Bioreactor for Rapid Response to 800,000 Rogers (MI)
Bioterrorism
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Liquid Crystal Sensor Technology Research and Development for 2,400,000 Baldwin Kohl
Force Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Lithium Ion Battery Safety Detection and Control of Impending 1,600,000 Bayh, Lugar
Catastrophic Failures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Long-range Tagging and Locating System 800,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Low Cost Stabilized Turret 1,600,000 Crenshaw
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Machine Augmented Composite Armor 800,000 Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Managing and Extending DoD Asset Lifecycles 2,500,000 Abercrombie Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Maritime UAS Demonstration for the SOUTHCOM Region 3,000,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW MDIOC Modeling and Simulation 10,000,000 Lamborn Allard, Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW MHPCC 5,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Micro-Power Special Operations Generator 1,600,000 Capuano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Military/Law Enforcement Counterterrorism Test Bed 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW MilTech Expansion Program 1,600,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Miniature, Remote Wideband Survey, Collection, and Recording 800,000 Cramer
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Miniaturized Chemical Detector for Chemical Warfare Protection 1,600,000 McGovern, Olver
(ChemPen)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Mismatch Repair Derived Antibody Medicines to Treat 1,600,000 Gerlach, Sestak Specter
Staphylococcus-derived Bioweapons
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Mixed Oxidants for Chem Bio Decontamination 2,800,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Mobile Continuous Air Monitor (MCAM) 1,600,000 Brown (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Mobile Sensor Enhancement to BMD Sensors Network 4,000,000 Langevin Kennedy, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Modeling and Simulation Standards Development 640,000 Forbes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Morehouse College, John Hopps Program 1,600,000 Bishop (GA), Lewis (GA) Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Multiple Applications for Light Activated, Reactive Materiels for 1,600,000 Graves
the Protection of the Warfighter, First Responder, and Public
Health
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Multiple Target Tracking Optical Sensor Array Technology 5,000,000 Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Multi-Purpose Biodefense Immunoarray 800,000 DeLauro Dodd, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Multi-Spectral Laboratory (UML) and Analytical Services Center 1,600,000 Lucas Inhofe
(ASCENT) Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Multivalent Marburg, Ebola Filovirus Vaccine Program 3,500,000 Brown (SC) Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22573]]
RDTE,DW Nano Porous Hollow Fiber Regenerative Chemical Filter 1,000,000 Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW National Biometrics Security Project 3,200,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW National Consortium for MASINT Research 3,000,000 Bingaman, Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA ) Metals Declassification 2,720,000 Granger
for Reuse by DoD in Armaments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW National Repository of Digital Forensic Intelligence (NRDFI) and 1,200,000 Lucas Inhofe
the Center for Telecommunications and Network Security (CTANS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Naval Research Lab Supercomputing Information Prototype 2,800,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Networked Standoff Biological LIDAR 1,200,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW New England Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative 800,000 Michaud, Allen, Hodes, McGovern Collins, Dodd, Kennedy, Kerry,
Leahy, Lieberman, Reed, Sanders,
Snowe, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW New Mexico State University Institute for Defense and Public 10,000,000 Bingaman
Policy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Next Generation Intelligent Portable Radionuclide Detection and 1,600,000 English Specter
Identification Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Next Generation Respiratory Protection 2,400,000 Johnson, Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW NIDS Improved Handheld Biological Agent Detector 1,600,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Night Vision Sensor 1,000,000 Hirono
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Northwest Defense Manufacturing Initiative 1,600,000 Walden, Blumenauer, DeFazio, Murray, Smith, Wyden
Hooley, Wu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Northwest Maritime Information and Littoral Operations Program 2,800,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Novel System for Developing Therapeutics Against Botulism 4,000,000 Fortenberry Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Novel Viral Biowarfare Agent Identification and Treatment 4,000,000 Pelosi
(NOVBAIT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW On-Site Alternative Fuel Manufacturing System 1,200,000 Carney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Pacific Data Conversion and Technology Program 1,000,000 Akaka, Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Pacific Region Interoperability Test and Evaluation Capability 3,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Partnership for Defense Innovation Wi-Fi Laboratory Testing and 2,000,000 Hayes Burr
Assessment Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Pat Roberts Intel Scholars Program (PRISP) 2,000,000 Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO) Demonstration for Water Reuse 2,400,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Photovoltaic Power Supply for Autonomous Sensors 2,400,000 Etheridge
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Picoceptor and Processor for Man-portable Threat Warning 3,500,000 Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Plant Vaccine Development 1,600,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Playas Training and Research Center Joint Training Experiment 4,800,000 Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Port and Hull Security 3D, Real Time Sonar System--Echoscope 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Portable Rapid Bacterial Warfare Detection Unit 4,000,000 Boswell, Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Preventing Long-Term Brain and Lung Damage Caused by Battlefield 2,900,000 Slaughter, Higgins Schumer
Trauma Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Protection from Oxidative Stress 1,600,000 Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Protective Self-Decontaminating Surfaces 1,600,000 Grijalva, Aderholt Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Radio Inter-Operability System (RIOS) 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Random Obfuscating Compiler Anti-Tamper Software 1,600,000 Michaud Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Range Element Network Enterprise Technology (RE-NET) 4,000,000 Kingston, Bishop (GA) Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Rapid Forensic Evaluation of Microbes in Biodefense 1,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Rapid Response Institute 3,200,000 Pallone, Saxton, Smith (NJ) Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Reactive Overlay and Removable CBRN Coatings 1,600,000 McDermott Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Recombinant BChE Formulation Program 1,600,000 Sarbanes Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Reliability Testing of Lead-Free Circuits/Components 1,440,000 Visclosky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Remote Sensor Network Services Platform 2,000,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Renewable Fuel Systems for Defense Applications 3,200,000 Andrews, Sires Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Research of Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents 800,000 Rangel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Research on a Molecular Approach to Hazardous Materials 1,200,000 Craig, Crapo
Decontamination
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Robotic Mobility Platform System 1,200,000 Boyd Gregg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Roll-On, Roll-Off Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Special 4,000,000 Murtha
Mission Palletized System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Scalable Topside Array Radar Demonstrator 800,000 Gilchrest, Bartlett, Ruppersberger, Cardin, Mikulski
Sarbanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW SeaCatcher UAS Launch and Recovery System 1,600,000 Sarbanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Integrated Combat System (ICS) 3,200,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Secure Media and ID Card Development 240,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Secure, Miniaturized, Free Space, Optical Communications 2,000,000 Rothman Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Security for Critical Communication Networks 3,600,000 Rothman, Sires Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22574]]
RDTE,DW Semiconductor Photomask Technology Infrastructure Initiative 2,400,000 Tauscher
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Shock Trauma Research Center 2,000,000 Cleaver
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Signal Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Developments for 1,600,000 Brown (SC) Graham
Integration of SOF Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Simultaneous Field Radiation Technology (SFRT) 2,300,000 Pickering Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Small Assault Vehicle Expeditionary (SAVE) 800,000 Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Smart Bomb Millimeter Wave Radar Guidance System 2,000,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Smart, Modular Regenerative Off-Grid Hydrogen Fuel Cell 1,000,000 Larson Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW SOF Mission Training and Preparation Systems Interoperability 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Software Assurance Education and Research Institute 800,000 Kilpatrick, Conyers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Space-Based Interceptor Study 5,000,000 Allard, Inhofe, Kyl, Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Spartan Advanced Composite Technology 1,600,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Spintronics Memory Storage Technology 2,400,000 Lewis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Strategic Materials and Silicon Carbide Optics 4,400,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Superlattice Nanotechnology 2,000,000 Hayes Burr, Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Superstructural Particle Evaluation and Characterization with 1,200,000 Burr, Dole
Targeted Reaction Analysis (SPECTRA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Surface Enhanced Infrared Detection of Threats 1,200,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Synthetic Fuel Innovation 4,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Tactical Biometrics Operating and Surveillance System (TBOSS) 1,600,000 Capito
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Technology for Shallow Water Special Operations Forces Mobility 2,400,000 Boyd Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Technology Infusion Cell (TIC) 1,000,000 Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Terahertz High-Resolution Portable Explosives Detector 800,000 Schiff
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Total Perimeter Surveillance 1,000,000 Walberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Tunable MicroRadio for Military Systems 4,800,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW UAV Situational Awareness System 1,000,000 Drake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW UAV Systems Operations Validation Program (USOVP) 5,000,000 Pearce, Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ultra Low Power Electronics for Special Purpose Computers 1,600,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ultra Photonics Program 1,280,000 Barrett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ultra Portable Unmanned Surveillance Helicopter 1,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ultrahigh-Strength Steel for Landing Gear 2,000,000 Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Ultra-rapid Next Generation Pathogen Identification 2,000,000 Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW UML UAV/UAS Test Facility 2,400,000 Cole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Unified Management Infrastructure System 1,200,000 Schakowsky
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW University Strategic Partnership 3,200,000 Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Avionics Upgrade (UAVAU) 1,200,000 Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 1,200,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Vaccine Development Program 800,000 Pascrell Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Vacuum Sampling Pathogen Collection and Concentration 3,200,000 Simpson Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Validation of an Enhanced Urban Air Blast Tool 2,400,000 Nadler Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Vehicle Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Logistics Program 8,000,000 Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Vet-Biz Initiative for National Sustainment (VINS) 2,000,000 Sarbanes Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW ViriChip Rapid Virus Detection Systems 1,600,000 Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Weapons Shot Counter 1,400,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Wiring Integrity Technology 1,600,000 Bishop (GA), Marshall
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW X-Band/W-Band Solid State Power Amplifier 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,DW Zumwalt National Program for Countermeasures to Biological and 1,200,000 Neugebauer
Chemical Threats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N 76mm Swarmbuster Capability 1,600,000 Crenshaw
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Accelerated Improvement for Active Surface Electronic Warfare 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Accelerating Fuel Cells Manufacturability and their Application 2,400,000 Slaughter Schumer
in the Armed Forces
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N ACINT (MASINT) Tape Digitization Program 2,000,000 Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Acoustic Research Detachment Large Scale Vehicles Operations 480,000 Sali Craig, Crapo
Enhancement
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Acoustic Research Detachment Test Support Platform Upgrade 1,500,000 Sali Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Adaptive Diagnostic Electronic Portable Testset (ADEPT) 800,000 Schwartz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Adelos National Security Sensor System 2,000,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22575]]
RDTE,N Advanced Airship Flying Laboratory, AAFL Phase 2 1,600,000 Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Composite Maritime Manufacturing 2,000,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Continuous Active Sonar for UUVs 2,500,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Fluid Controls for Shipboard Applications Phase III 2,500,000 Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced High Energy Density Surveillance Power Module 2,400,000 Baldwin Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Facility 3,200,000 Hill Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Logistics Fuel Reformer for Fuel Cells 2,400,000 DeLauro Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Molecular Medicine Initiative 2,000,000 Solis, Dreier
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Naval Logistics 1,600,000 Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Repair Technology for the Expeditionary Navy 800,000 Capps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Ship Self Defense Technology Testing 4,000,000 Bishop (UT) Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Simulation Tools for Aircraft Structures Made of 1,200,000 Clay Bond
Composite Materials
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Steam Turbine 1,600,000 Kuhl Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Advanced Tactical Control System (ATCS) 1,600,000 Frank, Olver Kennedy, Kerry, Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N AEGIS Combat Information Center Modernization 4,000,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Affordable Weapons System 11,200,000 Hunter, Gallegly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Agile Laser Eye Protection 800,000 Walsh Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Agile Port and High Speed Ship Technology 6,000,000 Sanchez, Linda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Aging Military Aircraft Fleet Support 1,600,000 Tiahrt Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility upgrade 3,000,000 Hoyer Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Air Sentinel 1,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Airborne Mine Countermeasures Open Architecture Technology 2,000,000 Davis (VA)
Insertion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Aircraft Composite Rocket Launcher Improvement 2,500,000 McCarthy (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N All Weather Sense and Avoid Sensors for UAVs 2,500,000 Hoyer Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Amelioration of Hearing Loss 1,000,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Analytics for Shipboard Monitoring Systems 1,600,000 Drake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Arc Fault Circuit Breaker with Arc Location System 1,000,000 Matheson Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Assault Directed Infrared Countermeasures 2,000,000 Rothman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Assistive Technologies for Injured Servicemembers 1,600,000 Martinez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N ASW Training Interoperability Enterprise Demonstration Test Bed 1,600,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Automated Fiber Optic Manufacturing Initiative 2,800,000 Drake, Scott (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Automated Readiness Measurement System (ARMS) 2,800,000 Davis (VA), Courtney, Drake Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Acoustic Array Advanced Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell 2,000,000 Olver Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Anti-Submarine Vertical Beam Array 1,600,000 Miller (NC), Coble Burr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Marine Sensors and Networks for Rapid Littoral 1,600,000 Young (FL)
Assessment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Power Management for Distributed Operation 400,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel 1,200,000 Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Autonomous Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Delivery and 2,800,000 Dicks, Inslee Murray
Communication (AUDAC) Implementation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Base Level Inventory Tracking System Enhancements 2,800,000 Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Bio/Nano-MEMS for Defense Applications 1,500,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Biochemical Agent Detection 800,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Biosensors for Defense Applications 2,000,000 Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Boat Trap System for Port Security/Water Craft Interdiction 2,400,000 Markey, Welch Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Bow Lifting Body Ship Research 6,240,000 Kagen, Stupak Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N C-Band Radar Replacement Development 4,000,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Center for Applied Research in Intelligent Autonomous Systems 2,400,000 Sestak, Fattah Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology 2,500,000 Lewis (CA), Davis (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Center for Quantum Studies 1,200,000 Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Chafing Protection System 1,200,000 Pomeroy Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Collective Aperture Multi-Band Sensor System 3,500,000 Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Combustion Light Gas Gun Projectile 4,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Common Architecture Imaging System (CAIS) Program 800,000 Sherman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Common Below Decks Affordable Architecture 3,200,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22576]]
RDTE,N Common Expeditionary Force Protection System Architecture 4,000,000 Kennedy Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Compact Ultra-fast Laser System Development 1,600,000 Ellsworth Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Composite Materials Enhancements through Polymer Science Research 2,240,000 Cochran
and Development
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Composite Tissue Transplantation for Combat Wounded Repair 2,000,000 Chambliss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Computational Modeling and High Performance Computing in Advanced 1,200,000 Watt
Material Processing, Synthesis and Design
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Condition-based Maintenance Enabling Technologies Program 2,400,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Cooperative Engagement Capability 4,800,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Countermine Lidar UAV-based System 1,200,000 Taylor Cochran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Covert Robust Location Aware Wireless Network 1,600,000 Sanchez, Loretta
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Cross-Domain Network Access System 800,000 Johnson (IL) Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Data Acquisition Reporting and Trending System (DARTS) 2,400,000 Brady (PA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N DDG 51 Permanent Magnet Hybrid Electric Propulsion System 7,600,000 Bartlett, Murphy (CT), Olver, Dodd, Kennedy, Kohl, Lieberman
Tsongas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N DDG-51 Hybrid Drive System 6,600,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Defense Modernization and Sustainment Initiative 5,000,000 Kuhl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Deployable Command and Control Vehicle 1,200,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N DEPUTEE--High Powered Microwave Non-Lethal Vehicle/Vessel Engine 1,600,000 Baucus, Bingaman
Disabling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Desktop Virtual Trainer Follow-On 2,400,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Detection and Neutralization of Electronically Initiated 2,000,000 Emerson
Improvised Explosive Devices
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Detection, Tracking, and Identification for ISRTE of Mobile and 1,600,000 Akaka
Asymmetric Targets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Digital Directed Manufacturing Project 1,700,000 Yarmuth McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Digital Modular Radio (DMR) 2,000,000 Pastor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Digitization, Integration, and Analyst Access of Investigative 1,600,000 Byrd
Files, NCIS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Directed Energy Initiative 1,760,000 Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Disposable Biocidal Medical Masks for NAMRU Evaluation 800,000 Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Distributed Maritime Surveillance System 1,600,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Distributed Targeting Processor 2,400,000 Weldon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Domain Specific Knowledge Capture Interface 1,360,000 Carney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Durability, Energy Saving and Sustainability of Oceanic Vehicles 800,000 Lincoln, Pryor
and Support Infrastructure Through Use of Nanotech Lubricants
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N E-Beam Free Form Repair Qualification 1,200,000 Lipinski, Inslee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Electrochemical Field Deployable System for Water Generation 2,800,000 Berkley Ensign, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Electromagnetic Signature Assessment System using Multiple AUVs 1,600,000 Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Electronic Motion Actuation Systems 800,000 Latta, Higgins, Shuler, Sutton Bennett, Dole, Hatch, Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Energetics S&T Workforce Development 4,500,000 Hoyer Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Energy Efficient Gallium Nitride Semiconductor Technology 1,040,000 Visclosky, Capps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Enhanced Special Weapons/Nuclear Weapons Security program 1,600,000 Hooley, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Environmentally Sealed, Ruggedized Avionics Displays 4,000,000 Butterfield, Hayes, McIntyre Burr, Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N EP-3E Requirements Capability Migration Technology Integration 4,800,000 Edwards (TX)
Lab
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Evaluating ELF Signals in Maritime Environments 1,600,000 Sali Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Expeditionary Swimmer Defense System 2,400,000 Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Extended Underwater Optical Imaging 2,000,000 Mahoney, Hastings (FL) Martinez, Nelson (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Extensible Launching System 3,000,000 Cummings, Ruppersberger Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Extreme Torque Density (XTM) Propulsion Motor 800,000 Altmire Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N F/A-18 Avionics Ground Support System 2,400,000 Peterson (PA) Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Fiber Optic Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sensor (FOCAVES) 2,000,000 Cannon, Bishop (UT) Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Field Support of Fiber Optic Cable 1,600,000 Schwartz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Floating Area Network Littoral Sensor Grid 4,800,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Friction Stir Welding 800,000 Bennett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Fusion, Exploitation, Algorithm, Targeting High-Altitude 6,000,000 Bennett
Reconnaissance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Future Fuel Non-Tactical Vehicle Initiative 1,600,000 Kuhl Levin, Stabenow, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Galfenol Energy Harvesting 1,600,000 Latham Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Gallium Nitride RF Power Technology 1,600,000 Coble, Watt Burr, Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Guillotine 1,600,000 Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22577]]
RDTE,N Hampton University Cancer Treatment Initiative 8,000,000 Scott (VA), Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Harbor Shield--Homeland Defense Port Security Initiative 3,500,000 Reed, Voinovich, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N HealtheForces 2,800,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Awareness Littoral Observing (HALO) Sensor--360 Degree 1,200,000 Neal, Olver Kerry, Leahy
Imaging for Submarines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Energy Conventional Energetics (Phase II) 3,200,000 Hoyer Bingaman, Cardin, Domenici,
Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Power Density Motor Drive 1,000,000 Murphy, Tim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Power Density Propulsion and Power for USSVs 1,600,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Power Free Electron Laser Development for Naval Applications 2,400,000 Wittman Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Speed ACRC & Composites Sea Lion Craft Development 2,000,000 Cochran, Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Speed Anti-radiation Demonstration (HSAD) 800,000 Davis (VA), McKeon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Speed Blood and Fluid Transfusion Equipment 3,100,000 Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Strength Welded Structures 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N High Temperature Superconductor Trap Field Magnet Motor 2,000,000 Carter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Highly Corrosive-Resistant Alloy Joining for Nuclear Applications 800,000 Simpson Craig, Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Highly Integrated Optical Interconnect for Military Avionics 1,600,000 Stupak Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Holographic Optical Filter for Light Detection and Ranging 2,000,000 Schwartz; Murphy, Patrick; Sestak Casey, Specter
(LIDAR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N HTDV 10,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Human Neural Cell-Based Biosensor 1,000,000 Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development 1,200,000 Butterfield Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Hydrokinetic Power Generator 1,600,000 Dingell Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Immersive Naval Officer Training Systems 3,000,000 Reed, Whitehouse
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Implementation of Formable Textile for Composite Shaped Aerospace 1,600,000 Michaud, Allen Collins, Snowe
Composite Structures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Improved Corrosion Protection for Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch 2,000,000 LoBiondo, Sestak, Smith (NJ)
System (EMALS) for CVN-21 Class Carriers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Improved Interoperability Research and Development to support 2,000,000 Hoyer
NAVAIR and GWOT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Improved Stealth and Lower Cost Operations for Ships Using High 1,600,000 Murray
Strength Flame Resistant LCP Reinforced Netting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N In Buoy Processor for Trigger and Alert Sonobuoy System (TASS) 2,000,000 Abercrombie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Infrared LED Free Space Optics Communications Advancement 400,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Infrared Materials Laboratories 2,500,000 Cole Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Advanced Ship Control (IASC) 1,200,000 Tierney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Manufacturing Enterprise 2,400,000 McCrery Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Naval Electronic Warfare 1,000,000 Drake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Power System Converter 2,000,000 Murphy, Tim Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Product Support Data Management System 1,000,000 Rogers (KY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Ship and Motion Control Technology 3,440,000 Courtney, Gillibrand Dodd, Lieberman, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integrated Warfighter Biodefense Program 3,000,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integration of Electro-Kinetic Weapons into Next Generation of 4,500,000 Boyd Martinez, Nelson (FL)
Navy Ships
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Integration of Logistics Information for Knowledge Projection and 1,600,000 Byrd
Readiness Assessment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Intelligent Retrieval of Imagery 2,400,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Intelligent Work Management for Class Squadrons (CLASSRONS) 2,000,000 Brown (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diver Situational Awareness 1,200,000 Moran (VA)
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Joint Integrated Systems Technology for Advanced Digital 800,000 Hunter
Networking (JIST-NET)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N JSF F-35B Lift Fan Component Manufacturing 1,600,000 Smith (TX), Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Kinetic Hydropower System (KHPS) Turbine 2,400,000 Inslee, Engel, Maloney, Towns Murray, Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Landing Craft Composite Lift Fan 1,000,000 Dent, Garrett Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Large-Scale Demonstration Item for Virginia Class Submarine Bow 1,800,000 Taylor Cochran
Dome
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Laser Perimeter Awareness System 1,500,000 Coleman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Layered Surveillance/Sensing 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N LCS Common Mission Package Training Environment 4,500,000 Murtha
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Lightweight Composite Structure Development for Aerospace 800,000 Sullivan Inhofe
Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Lithium Batteries 1,600,000 Bishop (GA) Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Lithium/Sulfur Chemistry Validation for Sonobuoy Application 1,600,000 Boyda Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Lithium-Ion Cell Development with Electro Nano Materials 4,000,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22578]]
RDTE,N Littoral Battlespace Sensing-Autonomous UUV 800,000 Alexander Landrieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Long Range Synthetic Aperture Sonar for ASW 800,000 Moran (VA) Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Long Wavelength Array 2,800,000 Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low Acoustic and Thermal Signature Battlefield Power Source 2,000,000 Baucus, Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low Cost Laser Module Assembly for Acoustic Sensors 1,600,000 Sestak Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low Cost Multi-Channel Camera System 2,400,000 Bonner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low Cost, Expendable, Fiber Optic Sensor Array 5,000,000 Murtha Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low-Cost Image-Based Navigation and Precision Targeting 800,000 Markey Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Low-Signature Modular Weapon Platform 3,200,000 Blumenauer, Baird, DeFazio, Hooley, Murray, Smith, Wyden
Wu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N M65 Bismaleimide Carbon Fiber Prepreg 1,600,000 Aderholt, Bishop (UT), Tauscher Bennett, Dodd, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Magnetic Refrigeration Technology 2,400,000 Baldwin Kohl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N MARCOM Computer Research 1,000,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Marine Mammal Awareness, Alert and Response Systems (MMAARS) 2,400,000 Abercrombie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Marine Mammal Hearing and Echolocation Research 1,600,000 Abercrombie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Maritime Security--Surface and Sub-surface Surveillance System 3,600,000 Boyd
and Expeditionary Test-Bed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Micro-munitions Interface for Tactical Unmanned Systems (MITUS) 1,600,000 Ehlers, McCarthy (CA) Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Millimeter Wave Imaging 1,600,000 Castle Biden, Carper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mk 48 Torpedo Post-Launch Communication System 800,000 Arcuri Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mk V.1 MAKO for Improved Signature and Weight Performance 2,000,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mobile Acoustic Decoys for Surface Ship Defense 960,000 Price (NC) Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mobile Manufacturing and Repair Cell/Engineering Education 2,400,000 Conyers, Dingell, Kilpatrick, Levin
Outreach Program Knollenberg, Levin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mobile Oxygen, Ventilation and External Suction (MOVES) 1,200,000 Johnson, Sam Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Mobile Valve and Flex Hose Maintenance (MVFM) 1,000,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Modular Advanced Vision System 2,000,000 Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Demonstrator 3,500,000 Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Multi-Function Laser System 1,200,000 English Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Nanotechnology Engineering and Manufacturing Operations 1,600,000 Hirono
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N National Initiatives for Applications of Multifunctional 1,600,000 Hutchison
Materials
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N National Radio Frequency Research and Development and Technology 4,000,000 Buyer, Ellsworth Bayh, Lugar
Transfer Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N National Security Training 1,600,000 Serrano
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N National Sensor Fusion Support for Puget Sound Port Security 1,600,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N National Terrorism Preparedness Institute Anti-Terrorism/Counter- 3,000,000 Young (FL)
Terrorism Technology Development and Training
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N NAVAIR Distance Support Environment 800,000 Pascrell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Naval Ship Hydrodynamic Test Facilities 4,000,000 Van Hollen Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Naval Special Warfare 11m RIB Replacement Craft Design 800,000 Michaud, Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Navy Multi-Fuel Combustor for Shipboard Fuel Cell Systems 1,600,000 Lampson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Navy Science and Technology Outreach (N-STAR)--Maryland 1,000,000 Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Network Expansion and Integration of Navy/NASA RDT&E Ranges and 4,800,000 Cardin, Mikulski
Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Next Generation Automated Technology for Landmine Detection 1,600,000 Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Next Generation Electronic Warfare Simulator 1,200,000 McCarthy (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Next Generation Phalanx with Laser Demo 10,700,000 Crowley, Walsh, Bishop (UT), Obey Bunning, Hatch, Kohl, McConnell,
Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Next Generation Scalable Lean Manufacturing Initiative 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Novel Coating Technologies for Military Equipment 4,800,000 Fortenberry Hagel, Nelson (NE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N NULKA Decoy and Mk 53 Decoy Launch System 1,600,000 Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N ONAMI Nanoelectronics and Nanometrology Initiative 4,000,000 Wu, Blumenauer, DeFazio, Hooley, Smith, Wyden
Walden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N On-Board Vehicle Power Systems Development 2,400,000 Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N On-Demand Custom Body Implants/Prosthesis for Injured Personnel 1,600,000 Dingell Levin, Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Open Architecture/Maintenance Free Operating Period (MFOP) 2,800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Optimization of New Marine Coatings 1,600,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Out of Autoclave Composite Processing 1,600,000 Clay, Akin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Over-the-Horizon Vessel Tracking 800,000 Wittman, Scott (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Pacific Airborne Surveillance and Testing 15,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Paragon System Upgrades 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22579]]
RDTE,N Penn State Cancer Institute 2,800,000 Holden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Permanent Magnet Linear Generator Power Buoy System 2,000,000 Hooley Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Persistent Surveillance Wave PowerBuoy System 3,000,000 Lautenberg, Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System Demonstration at UTC 3,500,000 Wamp
SimCenter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N PMRF Force Protection Lab 2,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Point Mugu Electronic Warfare Laboratory Upgrade 1,600,000 Gallegly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Portable Launch and Recovery System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 3,200,000 Hastings (WA) Cantwell, Murray, Smith, Wyden
Operation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Power Dense Integrated Power System for CG(X) 3,000,000 Bartlett Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Precision Terrain Aided Navigation (PTAN) 1,600,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Predicting Bio-Agent Threat Profiles Using Automated Behavior 1,600,000 Herseth Sandlin Johnson
Analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Puget Sound Anoxia Research for the Department of the Navy 1,200,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Pulse Virtual Clinical Learning Lab 2,400,000 Ortiz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Quiet Drive Advanced Rotary Actuator 2,000,000 Richardson, Harman, Higgins Schumer, Warner, Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Radiation Hardness and Survivability of Electronic Systems 800,000 Bayh, Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Real-Time Hyperspectral Targeting Sensor 2,400,000 Hunter Gregg, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Reduction of Weapon System Downtime Rapid Repair Structural 2,400,000 Langevin Reed, Whitehouse
Adhesives
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Regenerative Fuel Cell Back-up Power 1,200,000 Larson Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Remote Continuous Energetic Material Manufacturing for 1,600,000 McCrery Vitter
Pyrotechnic IR Decoys
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Repair of Massive Tissue Loss and Amputation through Composite 3,200,000 Cummings Cardin
Tissue Allotransplantation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Reparative Core Medicine 800,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Research Support for Nanoscale Research Facility 2,800,000 Stearns Martinez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N RFID TECH Program 800,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Rotor Blade Protection Against Sand and Water Erosion 800,000 Edwards (TX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sacrificial Film Laminates for Navy Helicopter Windscreens 960,000 Spratt Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Scalable Open Architecture Upgradeable Reliable Computing 3,000,000 Murray
Environment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sea Base Mobility and Interfaces 5,000,000 Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Self Healing Target System for Laser and Sniper Ranges 1,600,000 Porter Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Semi-Submersible UUV 1,600,000 Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sensor Integration Framework 1,200,000 Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sensorless Control of Linear Motors in EMALS 2,800,000 Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Ship Affordability Through Advanced Aluminum 2,000,000 Carter, Braley Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Shipboard Electronic Warfare Sustainment Training 3,200,000 Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Shipboard Production of Synthetic Aviation Fuel 1,000,000 Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Single Generator Operations Lithium Ion Battery 4,000,000 Lugar, Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N SKYBUS 80K and 130K LTA-UAS Multirole Technologies 2,000,000 Collins
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Smart Instrument Development for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory 7,000,000 Pearce, Wilson (NM) Bingaman, Domenici
(MRO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Smart Machinery Spaces System 2,400,000 Granger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Smart Valve 800,000 Allen Collins, Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N SOF Test Environment for Advanced Team Collaboration Missions 2,000,000 Hoyer Cardin, Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Solid Oxide Fuel Cell 800,000 Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Solid-State DC Protection System 1,200,000 Moore (WI), Bartlett, Murphy (CT) Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sonobouy Wave-Energy Module 3,000,000 Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Stabilized Laser Designation Capability 2,000,000 Thompson (CA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Standoff Explosive Detection System (SEDS) 1,200,000 Knollenberg Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Strategic/Tactical Resource Interoperability Kinetic Environment 1,120,000 Cochran
Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Strike Weapon Propulsion (SWEAP) 2,400,000 Barton, Doolittle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Automated Test and Re-Test (ATRT) 2,000,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Environment for Evaluation and Development 2,400,000 Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Fatline Vector Sensor Towed Array 800,000 Gilchrest, Bartlett, Courtney Dodd, Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Littoral Defense System 1,600,000 Langevin, Courtney, Kennedy Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Maintenance Automation and Communication System (SMACS) 1,600,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Submarine Panoramic Awareness System Program 1,600,000 Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Supply Chain Logistics Capability at the ABL NIROP 8,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22580]]
RDTE,N Supportability Training Services Infrastructure 1,600,000 Rehberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sure Trak Re-Architecture and Sensor Augmentation 2,000,000 Hoyer, Cummings, Ruppersberger, Cardin
Sarbanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Sustainability of AN/SPS-49 Common Signal Data Processor 2,800,000 Obey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Swimmer Detection Sonar Network for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard 3,200,000 Hodes, Shea-Porter Collins, Snowe, Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N System for Intelligent Task Assignment and Readiness (SITAR) 800,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Tactical E-Field Buoy Development 1,600,000 Hunter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Testing of Critical Components for Ocean Alternate Energy Options 2,000,000 Abercrombie
for the Department of the Navy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Texas Microfactory 3,000,000 Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Theater Undersea Warfare Initiative 2,400,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Thin Film Materials for Advanced Applications, Advanced IED and 3,000,000 Leahy
Anti-Personnel Sensors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Tomahawk Cost Reduction Initiatives 1,600,000 Bishop (UT) Bennett, Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Topical Hemostat Effectiveness Study 800,000 Coleman, Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Torpedo Composite Homing Array 1,600,000 Tsongas Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Total Ship Training System 1,040,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N TSG Technology Accreditation 2,400,000 Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N U.S. Navy Metrology and Calibration (METCAL) 2,800,000 Calvert
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N UAS Optimization Technologies 2,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Ultra-Wide Coverage Visible Near Infrared Sensor for Force 1,200,000 Bean
Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Underground Coordination of Managed Mesh-networks (UCOMM) 2,400,000 Moran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Undersea Launched Missile Study 3,200,000 Courtney, Kennedy, Langevin, Scott Dodd, Lieberman, Reed
(VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Undersea Weapons Enterprise Common Automated Test Equipment 3,200,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unique Identification of Tangible Items 3,000,000 Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Universal Description, Discovery and Integration 4,300,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fuel Cell Power Source with Hybrid 1,600,000 Higgins Schumer
Reforming
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unmanned Air Systems Tactical Control System 2,500,000 Hoyer, Porter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unmanned Force Augmentation System 2,400,000 Sessions, Burgess
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unmanned Ground Vehicle Mobility and Coordination in Joint Urban/ 1,200,000 Carney
Littoral Environments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Near Term Interim Capability 4,000,000 Kennedy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N US Navy Cancer Vaccine Program 2,400,000 Hunter, Jones (NC) Landrieu, Vitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N US Navy Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Program 1,600,000 McHugh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N USMC Electronic Warfare (EW) Training 2,400,000 Mica
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Validation of Lift Fan Engine Systems 2,000,000 Doolittle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Vet-Biz Initiative for National Sustainment (VINS-Navy) 1,600,000 Brown (SC), Clyburn, Salazar Allard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Video and Water Mist Technologies for Incipient Fire Detection on 3,200,000 DeLauro, Larson Dodd
Ships
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Virtual Onboard Analyst (VIRONA) for Multi-Sensor Mine Detection 1,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Water Security Program (Inland Water Quality and Desalination) 2,400,000 Bingaman, Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Water Space Management Navigation Decision Aid 2,400,000 Dicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Wave Energy PowerBuoy Generating System for the Department of the 1,600,000 Abercrombie
Navy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Wide Area Sensor for Force Protection Targeting 1,600,000 Bean
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Wireless Sensors for Navy Aircraft 2,400,000 Welch Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N Zero-Standoff HERO-compliant RFID Systems 1,600,000 Conrad, Dorgan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Anti-Sniper Infrared Targeting System 2,000,000 Rogers (KY) Bunning, McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Ballistic Helmet Development 1,200,000 King (NY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Battlefield Sensor Netting 2,400,000 Young (FL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation (GII) 1,520,000 Granger, Carter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Craft Integrated Electronic Suite (CIES) 2,880,000 Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Eye Safe Laser Warning Systems 2,000,000 Baird, Wu Smith, Wyden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Global Supply Chain Management 1,600,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Ground Warfare Acoustical Combat System of Netted Sensors 2,000,000 Sullivan, Boren Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) High Power, Ultra-Lightweight Zinc-Air Battery 2,500,000 Welch, Akin, Coble, Graves, Dole, Leahy
Kucinich, Ryan (OH), Sutton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Hybrid Capacitor Supercell for Marine Combat Vehicle 1,200,000 Altmire Casey, Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Logistics Technology Improvements 1,600,000 Bishop (GA) Chambliss, Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22581]]
RDTE,N (MC) M2C2 3,800,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Marine Air-Ground Task Force Situational Awareness 1,000,000 Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Marine Corps Shotgun Modernization Program 3,000,000 Hoyer Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad--Sensor Integrated, Modular 1,600,000 Rehberg Baucus, Tester
Protection, Combat Helmet (MERS-SIMP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Near Infrared Optical (NIRO) Augmentation System 800,000 Moran (VA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Urban Operations Laboratory 1,600,000 Boyda Brownback, Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) USMC Logistics Analysis and Optimization 2,400,000 Bishop (GA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RDTE,N (MC) Warfighter Rapid Awareness Processing Technology 4,000,000 Abercrombie, Hirono Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCN AGS Pallets 6,000,000 McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCN Large Harbor Tugs 11,800,000 Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WPN ABL Restoration Plan 38,000,000 Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A AB-FIST Gunnery Trainer Upgrades for the ID ARNG 1,000,000 Sali Crapo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A AB-FIST Gunnery Trainer Upgrades for TN ARNG 3,200,000 Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A AB-FIST Gunnery Trainers for TN ARNG 2,400,000 Alexander, Corker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A Arsenal Support Program Initiative--Rock Island 8,500,000 Braley, Hare Durbin, Grassley, Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A Arsenal Support Program Initiative--Watervliet 5,000,000 McNulty Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A Arsenal Support Program Initiative, Rock Island--Joint 4,200,000 Hare, Braley Durbin, Grassley, Harkin
Manufacturing and Technology Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A M1 Abrams Mobile Conduct of Fire Trainers Upgrades for the TN 3,000,000 Tanner Alexander
ARNG
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTCV,A Transmission Dynamometer 1,600,000 Boyda Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Project Amount Requester(s)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIO National Center for Critical Information Processing and $22,300,000 Thad Cochran
Storage, MS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Salaries and Expenses Containerized Cargo Inspection Demonstration Project 2,000,000 Henry Brown, Lindsey Graham
(Project SeaHawk), Port of Charleston, SC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Salaries and Expenses 2010 Olympics Coordination Center, WA 4,500,000 Patty Murray, Rick Larsen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Air and Marine Wireless Airport Surveillance Platform, NC 5,000,000 Bob Etheridge
Interdiction, Operations,
Maintenance, and Procurement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Advanced Training Center, WV 39,700,000 Robert Byrd
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Del Rio: Comstock, TX Station 25,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Detroit: Sandusky, OH Station 4,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Calexico, CA Station 34,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Indio, CA Station 18,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Sector HQ Vehicle Maintenance Facility, CA 18,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction EL Paso: Expanded Checkpoints, TX 1,513,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Marfa: Presidio, TX Station 3,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Blythe, CA Station 28,900,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Boulevard, CA Station 31,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Casa Grande, AZ Station 17,873,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Naco, AZ Station 47,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Sonoita, AZ Station 27,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Yuma, AZ Hangar, Maintenance & Admin 4,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction El Centro, CA Hangar, Maintenance & Admin 2,100,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction El Paso, TX Consolidation of facilities 1,500,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Laredo, TX Hangar, Maintenance & Admin 4,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Marfa, TX Hangar, Maintenance & Admin 3,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBP Construction Uvalde, TX Hangar, Maintenance & Admin 2,000,000 The President
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Operating Operations Systems Center, WV 3,600,000 Robert Byrd
Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, Sector Buffalo, NY 3,000,000 Brian Higgins
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, Rescue Swimmer Training Facility, NC 15,000,000 G.K. Butterfield
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, CG Air Station Cape Cod, MA 5,000,000 The President
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, Sector Delaware Bay, NJ 13,000,000 The President
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22582]]
Coast Guard Acquisition, Coast Guard Housing-Cordova, AK 11,600,000 The President
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, Coast Guard Academy-Chase Hall, CT 10,300,000 The President, Chris Dodd
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Acquisition, Station Montauk, NY 1,550,000 The President
Construction and
Improvements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Fourteen Mile Bridge, Mobile, AL 4,000,000 Robert Aderholt, Jo Bonner, Richard
Bridges Shelby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Galveston Causeway Bridge, Galveston, TX 4,000,000 John Culberson, Gene Green, Kay Bailey
Bridges Hutchison, Ron Paul, Ted Poe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern Railway Company Bridge, Morris, 2,000,000 Richard Durbin, Jerry Weller
Bridges IL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge, Burlington IA 2,000,000 Tom Harkin, David Loebsack
Bridges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Chelsea Street Bridge, Chelsea, MA 2,000,000 Edward Kennedy, John Kerry
Bridges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Alteration of Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge, La Crosse, WI 2,000,000 Herb Kohl
Bridges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secret Service Acquisition, Perimeter security and noise abatement study at the Rowley 250,000 Steny Hoyer
Construction, Improvements, training center, MD
and Related Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure Philadelphia Infrastructure monitoring, PA 2,000,000 Chaka Fattah
Protection and Information
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure Critical Underground Infrastructure in major urban areas 3,000,000 Peter King, Carolyn McCarthy, James
Protection and Information Walsh, Charles Schumer
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure Office of Bombing Prevention, IED-Geospatial Analysis Tool 1,000,000 John Murtha
Protection and Information Plus, PA
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure State and Local Cybersecurity Training, University of 3,500,000 Ciro Rodriguez
Protection and Information Texas, San Antonio, TX
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure Power and Cyber Systems Protection, Analysis, and Testing 4,000,000 Mike Simpson, Larry Craig
Protection and Information Program at Idaho National Laboratory, ID
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPPD Infrastructure National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, NM 20,000,000 The President, Pete Domenici
Protection and Information
Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Management and Impacts of Climate on Future Disasters, State of North 5,000,000 David Price
Administration Carolina
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Management and Flood Control and Hazard Mitigation Demonstration Program, 2,425,000 Harold Rogers
Administration Commonwealth of Kentucky
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Management and Pacific Region Homeland Security Center, HI 2,200,000 Daniel Inouye
Administration
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs National Domestic Preparedness Consortium The President, Rodney Alexander, Wayne
Allard, John Carter, John
National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, 23,000,000 Cornyn, Pete Domenici, Chet Edwards,
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, NM Charles Gonzalez, Kay
Bailey Hutchison, Daniel Inouye, Mary
Landrieu, Harry Reid, Ken
National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, 23,000,000 Salazar, John Salazar, David Vitter
Louisiana State University, LA
National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center, 23,000,000
Texas A&M University, TX
National Exercise, Test, and Training Center, Nevada Test 23,000,000
Site, NV
Transportation Technology Center, Incorporated, CO 5,000,000
National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, University 5,000,000
of Hawaii, HI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Center for Domestic Preparedness 62,500,000 The President, Richard Shelby, Robert
Aderholt, Mike Rogers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Counterterrorism and Cyber Crime Center, VT 1,700,000 Patrick Leahy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Tensas Parish Police Jury, LA 750,000 Rodney Alexander
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Rialto, CA 225,000 Joe Baca
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Village of Poynette, WI 1,000,000 Tammy Baldwin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Sebastian County, AR 750,000 John Boozman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Lake County, FL 1,000,000 Corrine Brown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Sarasota County, FL 1,000,000 Vern Buchanan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Northumberland County, 1,000,000 Christopher P. Carney
Department of Public Safety, PA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Detroit, MI 1,000,000 John Conyers, Carolyn Kilpatrick, Carl
Levin, Debbie Stabenow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, San Diego Unified School 400,000 Susan A. Davis
District, San Diego, CA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Half Moon Bay, CA 750,000 Anna G. Eshoo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Chesterfield County, VA 250,000 Randy Forbes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Spencer County Commissioners, 1,000,000 Baron P. Hill
Rockport, IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Gladstone, OR 60,000 Darlene Hooley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Coral Springs, FL 550,000 Ron Klein, Robert Wexler
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Snohomish County, WA 1,000,000 Rick Larsen, Maria Cantwell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, County of Atlantic, NJ 750,000 Frank LoBiondo, Frank Lautenberg, Robert
Menendez
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Rio Vista, CA 150,000 Daniel Lungren
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, American Red Cross, Sacramento 35,000 Doris Matsui
Sierra Chapter, CA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Village of Bellerose, NY 200,000 Carolyn McCarthy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Town of Pomona Park, FL 300,000 John Mica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, San Francisco Police 1,000,000 Nancy Pelosi
Department, CA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, North Carolina Department of 1,000,000 David Price
Crime Control and Public Safety, NC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Del Rio, TX 500,000 Ciro Rodriguez
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Bell Gardens, CA 175,000 Lucille Roybal-Allard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22583]]
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Cudahy, CA 50,000 Lucille Roybal-Allard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, The County of Cook, IL 1,000,000 Bobby Rush
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Douglas County, GA 500,000 David Scott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Richmond, Office of 750,000 Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott
Emergency Management, VA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Hudson County, NJ 1,000,000 Albio Sires, Frank Lautenberg, Robert
Menendez
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Marion County, FL 750,000 Cliff Stearns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, City of Miami Beach, FL 1,000,000 Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ilena Ros-
Lehtinen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Vermont Emergency Management 1,000,000 Peter Welch, Patrick Leahy
Agency, VT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA State and Local Programs Emergency Operations Center, Crittenden County, KY 750,000 Ed Whitfield
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Rainbow City, AL 1,000,000 Robert Aderholt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Municipality of Murrysville, PA 100,000 Jason Altmire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Bibb County, Emergency Management Agency, AL 750,000 Spencer Bachus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Wynne, AR 50,000 Marion Berry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of San Diego, CA 1,000,000 Brian Bilbray
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Pinellas County, FL 1,000,000 Gus Bilirakis, C.W. ``Bill'' Young, Kathy
Castor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Brigham City (Corporation), UT 650,000 Rob Bishop, Robert Bennett, Orrin Hatch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Coolidge, GA 80,000 Sanford Bishop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Drywood Township, Garland, KS 35,000 Nancy Boyda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Merced, CA 500,000 Dennis Cardoza
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Newark, DE 300,000 Michael Castle, Joseph Biden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Adjutant General's Office of Emergency Preparedness, SC 1,000,000 James E. Clyburn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Alabama Department of Homeland Security, for Jackson 90,000 Robert Cramer
County, AL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Harris County Flood Control District, TX 1,000,000 John Culberson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Tarrant County, TX 1,000,000 Kay Granger
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Chula Vista, CA 400,000 Bob Filner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation North West, MO Regional Council of Governments 300,000 Sam Graves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 300,000 Alcee Hastings, Tim Mahoney, Debbie
Wasserman Schultz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Kannapolis, NC 468,000 Robin Hayes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Town of Conklin, NY 330,000 Maurice Hinchey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation County of Hawaii, Civil Defense Agency, HI 400,000 Mazie Hirono
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Berlin, Public Health Department, NH 100,000 Paul Hodes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Trenton, NJ 500,000 Rush Holt, Christopher Smith, Frank
Lautenberg, Robert Menendez
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Santa Clara Water Valley District, San Jose, CA 790,000 Michael Honda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Houston, TX 200,000 Sheila Jackson-Lee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation West Jefferson Medical Center, Marrero, LA 400,000 William Jefferson, Mary Landrieu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Erie County, Sandusky, OH 399,000 Marcy Kaptur
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Wayne County, Detroit, MI 300,000 Carolyn Kilpatrick, Carl Levin, Debbie
Stabenow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation New York State Emergency Management Office, NY 1,000,000 Nita Lowey, Jose Serrano, Peter King
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Berkeley, CA 750,000 Barbara Lee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Taylorsville, KY 750,000 Ron Lewis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Westchester and Rockland Counties, NY 500,000 Nita Lowey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Town of Lake Placid, FL 500,000 Tim Mahoney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Tifton-Tift County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), GA 40,000 Jim Marshall
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Town of Pembroke Park, FL 400,000 Kendrick Meek
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Miami, FL 1,000,000 Kendrick Meek, Ilena Ros-Lehtinen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Mission Viejo, CA 850,000 Gary Miller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Yardley Borough, PA 500,000 Patrick Murphy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Clark County Emergency Management, WI 300,000 David Obey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation County of Essex, NJ 500,000 Donald Payne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Val Verde County, Del Rio, TX 500,000 Ciro Rodriguez
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation County of Los Angeles, CA 600,000 Lucille Roybal-Allard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Los Angeles, CA 500,000 Adam Schiff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of New Braunfels, TX 360,000 Lamar Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Brown Township Board of Trustees, Malvern, OH 247,728 Zachary Space
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22584]]
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Barberton, OH 200,000 Betty Sutton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Mississippi Homeland Security Office, MS 500,000 Bennie Thompson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Town of North Andover, MA 100,000 John Tierney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Cities of Lake Station and Hobart, IN 500,000 Peter Visclosky
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Owatonna, MN 400,000 Timothy Walz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation Putnam County, FL 450,000 John Mica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEMA Predisaster Mitigation City of Lake City, TN 418,000 Zack Wamp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLETC Acquisition, Artesia Construction, NM 3,000,000 Pete Domenici
Construction, Improvements,
and Related Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLETC Acquisition, Practical Application/Counterterrorism Operations Training 9,195,000 The President
Construction, Improvements, Facility, GA
and Related Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&T Research, Development, Southeast Region Research Initiative, TN 27,000,000 Lamar Alexander, Thad Cochran, Roger
Acquisition, and Operations Wicker
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&T Research, Development, Distributed Environment for Critical Infrastructure 3,000,000 Robert Bennett, Patrick Leahy, Joe
Acquisition, and Operations Decisionmaking Exercises, Multiple Locations Lieberman, George Voinovich, Rob Bishop,
Dean Heller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&T Research, Development, Naval Postgraduate School, CA 2,000,000 Sam Farr
Acquisition, and Operations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&T Research, Development, Homeland Security Research, Development, & Manufacturing 2,000,000 Steve Israel, Peter King, Charles Schumer
Acquisition, and Operations Pilot, Bay Shore, NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&T Research, Development, National Institute for Hometown Security, Community-Based 11,000,000 Harold Rogers
Acquisition, and Operations Infrastructure Protection Solutions, KY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Provision Mississippi Debris Removal Thad Cochran
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account State Location Project Amount Requester(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Powertrain Transmission Repair Facility $27,000,000 The President; Senator Sessions; Senator
Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Small Arms Repair Shop-Depot Level 18,000,000 The President; Senator Sessions; Senator
Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Alabama Fort McClellan Multipurpose Machine Gun Range 3,000,000 The President; Senator Sessions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alabama Maxwell AFB Air & Space Basic Course Combat Arms Trng 15,556,000 The President; Mr. Everett; Senator Sessions;
Fac Senator Shelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Lake Yard Railroad Interchange 1,400,000 Mr. Rogers, M. (AL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alabama Fort Rucker Chapel Center 6,800,000 Mr. Everett
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alabama Redstone Arsenal System Software Engineering Annex, Ph 3 16,500,000 Senator Sessions; Senator Shelby; Mr. Cramer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Richardson Child Development Center 15,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Barracks Complex 63,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Organizational Vehicle Parking 14,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility 21,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Training Aids Support Center 12,400,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB C-17 Restore Road 2,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22 Aerospace Ground Equip Shop 7,200,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22 Corrosion Ctrl/Lo Mx/Composite Repair 22,400,000 The President
Fac
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22 Flight Simulator 16,400,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22A 7 Bay Aircraft Shelter 20,400,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22A 8 Bay Aircraft Shelter 22,200,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22A Field Training Detachment 6,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F-22A Squadron Ops/AMU 6 Bay Hangar 41,100,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Alaska Fort Richardson Dental Clinic Addition/Alteration 6,300,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Pedestrian Access Bridge Training Area 2,950,000 Senator Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Alaska Bethel Armory Readiness Center 16,000,000 Senator Stevens; Senator Murkowski; Mr. Young,
D.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Alaska Fort Richardson Multipurpose Machine Gun Range 3,100,000 Senator Stevens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Arizona Fort Huachuca Unit Maintenance Facilities 11,200,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Arizona Yuma Raw Sewage Lagoon and Oxidation Pond 3,800,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Arizona Camp Navajo Readiness Center 13,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Arizona Florence Readiness Center 13,800,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Arizona Papago Military Res. Readiness Center 24,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Arizona Yuma Applied Instruction Facility (MAWTS) 19,490,000 The President; Senator Kyl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Arizona Luke AFB Repair Runway Pavement 1,755,000 Mr. Pastor; Senator Kyl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Arizona Fort Huachuca ATC Radar Operations Building 2,000,000 Ms. Giffords; Senator Kyl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Arizona Davis-Monthan AFB Fire/Crash Rescue Station 15,000,000 Senator Kyl; Ms. Giffords
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22585]]
Army NG Arkansas Cabot Readiness Center 10,868,000 Mr. Berry; Senator Lincoln; Senator Pryor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Arkansas Little Rock AFB Replace Engine Shop 4,000,000 Senator Lincoln; Senator Pryor; Mr. Snyder
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Arkansas Fort Chaffee Infantry Platoon Battle Course 204,000 Senator Lincoln; Senator Pryor; Mr. Boozman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army California Fort Irwin Barracks Complex 17,500,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army California Fort Irwin Military Operations Urban Terrain, Ph 3 22,100,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army California Presidio of Monterey General Instruction Building 15,000,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army California Sierra Army Depot Water Treatment Plant 12,400,000 The President; Senator Feinstein; Senator
Boxer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve California Fort Hunter Liggett Modified Record Fire Range 3,950,000 The President; Mr. Farr; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Barstow Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 7,830,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--41 Area 32,430,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--33 Area 30,300,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--43 Area 15,150,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--62 Area 25,920,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Area 13 33,320,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Area 14 32,350,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Chappo (22 Area) 48,640,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Del Mar (21 33,190,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Del Mar (21 33,440,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Horno (13 Area) 33,790,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Horno (53 Area) 40,660,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Las Pulgas Area 34,340,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Pico (24 Area) 32,870,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Pico (24 Area) 32,260,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--San Mateo Area 34,500,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Del Mar (21 34,120,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--San Mateo Area 32,550,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Margarita (33 31,170,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton BEQ--Armory, Training Facility, SOI (52 54,730,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Consolidated Comm/Elec Maintenance & Storage 10,050,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Corrosion Control Water Treatment Facility 52,520,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Indoor Fitness Center 12,230,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Infantry Training Center 11,500,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Operations Access Points, Red Beach 11,970,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Regimental Maintenance Complex (Phase 3) 33,620,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Camp Pendleton Special Operations Training Battle Course 22,250,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California El Centro Combined Child Care and Youth Center 8,900,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Miramar Combat Training Tank Complex 10,820,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Miramar Emergency Response Station 6,530,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Miramar In-Line Fueling Station Modification 22,930,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Miramar Military Working Dog Operations Center 4,800,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Miramar MV-22 Wash Rack 3,690,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California North Island Berthing Lima Conversion 38,992,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California North Island Child Development Center 14,270,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California San Clemente Island Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 34,020,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California San Diego Recruit Reconditioning Facility 16,790,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California San Diego Recruit Support Barracks 34,430,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Twentynine Palms Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,470,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Twentynine Palms Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,280,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Twentynine Palms BEQ and Parking Structure 51,800,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Twentynine Palms Combined Arms MOUT (Phase 2) 21,000,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Reserve California Lemoore Marine Corps Reserve Center 15,420,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force California Edwards AFB F-35 Ramp & Security Upgrade 3,100,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide California Coronado SOF Combat Crew Training Facility 9,800,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide California Tracy Depot Replace General Purpose Warehouse 41,000,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22586]]
Defense-Wide California Tracy Depot Replace Truck Entrance/Control Facility 9,300,000 The President; Senator Feinstein
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Monterey Education Facility 9,990,000 Mr. Farr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force California Edwards AFB Main Base Runway Ph 4 6,000,000 Mr. McKeon; Mr. McCarthy, K.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California North Island Training Pool Replacement 6,890,000 Ms. Davis, S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California Twentynine Palms Lifelong Learning Center Ph 1 9,760,000 Mr. Lewis, Jerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force California Travis AFB Large Crash Rescue Station 12,100,000 Senator Feinstein; Senator Boxer; Ms. Tauscher
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy California San Diego MCRD Recruit Barracks 43,200,000 House Committee on Appropriations \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Barracks & Dining Incr 1 94,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Battalion Complex 45,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Brigade/Battalion HQs 46,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Company Operations Facilities 93,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Infrastructure, BCT 69,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Physical Fitness Facility 28,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Unit Maintenance Facilities 15,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Colorado Fort Carson Vehicle Maintenance Shops 84,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chem Demil Colorado Pueblo Depot Ammunition Demilitarization Facility Incr 10 65,060,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Colorado Denver Readiness Center 9,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Colorado Grand Junction Readiness Center 9,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator
Salazar; Mr. Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Colorado U.S. Air Force Academy Upgrade Academic Facility, Ph V 18,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Colorado Buckley AFB Satellite Pharmacy 3,000,000 The President; Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Colorado Peterson AFB Land Acquisition--23 Acres 4,900,000 Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Colorado Buckley AFB Alert Crew Headquarters 4,200,000 Senator Allard; Senator Salazar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Connecticut Camp Rell Regional Training Institute 28,000,000 The President; Mr. Courtney; Senator Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Connecticut East Haven KD Range Add/Alt 13,800,000 The President; Senator Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Connecticut New London Pier 31 Replacement 46,060,000 The President; Mr. Courtney; Senator Dodd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Connecticut Bradley IAP TFI Upgrade Engine Shop 7,200,000 Ms. DeLauro; Mr. Courtney; Mr. Larson; Mr.
Murphy, C.; Mr. Shays
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Connecticut New London Indoor Small Arms Range 11,000,000 Senator Dodd; Senator Lieberman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Delaware New Castle Army Aviation Support Facility Add/Alt 28,000,000 The President; Senator Biden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Reserve Delaware Wilmington NOSC Portion, Armed Forces Reserve Center 11,530,000 The President; Senator Biden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Delaware Dover AFB ADAL Physical Fitness Center 19,000,000 The President; Senator Biden; Senator Carper;
Mr. Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Delaware New Castle County AP TFI--Info Ops Squadron (IOS) Facility 3,200,000 The President; Senator Biden; Senator Carper;
Mr. Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Delaware Dover AFB Alter Fuel Storage Tank 3,373,000 The President; Senator Biden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Delaware New Castle County AP Replace C-130 Aircraft Maintenance Shops 11,600,000 Senator Biden; Senator Carper; Mr. Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy District of Columbia Naval Research Lab Autonomous System Research Lab 24,220,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Florida Miami-Doral SOUTHCOM Headquarters, Incr 2 81,600,000 The President; Mr. Diaz-Balart, L.; Senator
Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Florida Camp Blanding Ammunition Supply Point 12,400,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Florida Jacksonville Child Development Center 12,890,000 The President; Mr. Crenshaw; Senator Martinez;
Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Florida Jacksonville P-8A Integrated Training Center 48,220,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Florida Mayport Alpha Wharf Improvements 14,900,000 The President; Mr. Crenshaw; Senator Martinez;
Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Florida Tampa Joint Communications Squadron Facility 29,000,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Florida Eglin AFB F-35 Student Dormitory (144 Room) 19,000,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Florida MacDill AFB SOCCENT Headquarters & Commandant Facility 21,000,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Florida Eglin AFB SOF Battalion Operations Complex 40,000,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Florida Hurlburt Field SOF Special Tactics Group Facility 8,900,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Florida MacDill AFB SOF Add/Alter 501B (HQ SOCOM) 10,500,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Florida Jacksonville Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 34,000,000 The President; Senator Martinez; Senator Bill
Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Florida Tyndall AFB 325 ACS Ops Training Complex 11,600,000 Mr. Boyd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Florida Camp Blanding Regional Training Institute Ph 4 20,907,000 Mr. Young, B.; Ms. Brown, C.; Mr. Stearns;
Senator Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Florida MacDill AFB Combat Training Facility 5,000,000 Ms. Castor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Florida Mayport Aircraft Refueling 3,380,000 Mr. Crenshaw
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Florida Cape Canaveral AS Satellite Operations Support Facility 8,000,000 Senator Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson; Mr.
Weldon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Automated Anti-Armor Range 8,800,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M-25M Firing Range 1 2,400,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22587]]
Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M-25M Firing Range 2 2,400,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M-25M Firing Range 3 2,350,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M-25M Firing Range 4 2,500,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M-25M Firing Range 5 2,500,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Digital Multipurpose Training Range 17,500,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Fire and Movement Range 2,450,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Maintenance Shop 42,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 1 4,900,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 2 4,900,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 3 4,500,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Range Access Road 9,100,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Reception Station Phase 2 39,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Stationary Tank Range 6,900,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility 10,800,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Tracked Vehicle Drivers Course 16,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Trainee Complex 32,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Training Area Infrastructure--Osut Area 16,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Training Area Infrastructure--Northern Area 13,800,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Benning Unit Maintenance Facilities 27,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Barracks & Dining, Incr 1 41,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Brigade Complex 30,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Brigade/Battalion HQs 36,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Child Development Center 20,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Company Operations Facilities 75,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Infrastructure 59,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Physical Fitness Facility 22,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Shoot House 2,300,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Vehicle Maintenance Shops 67,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Georgia Dobbins ARB Readiness Center 45,000,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Mr. Gingrey;
Senator Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Georgia Albany MCLB BEQ Replacement 15,320,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Reserve Georgia Marietta Marine Corps Reserve Center 7,560,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Georgia Robins AFB Aircraft Hangar 24,100,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Georgia Fort Benning Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic 3,900,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Georgia Augusta Regional Security Operations Center Incr IV 100,220,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Georgia Hunter AAF Replace Fuel Storage Tank 3,500,000 The President; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Georgia Savannah CRTC Troop Training Quarters 7,500,000 Mr. Barrow; Senator Chambliss; Senator Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Georgia Kings Bay Add to Limited Area Reaction Force Facility 6,130,000 Mr. Kingston; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Georgia Robins AFB Avionics Facility 5,250,000 Mr. Marshall; Senator Chambliss; Senator
Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Reserve Georgia Dobbins ARB Construct New Control Tower 6,450,000 Senator Chambliss; Senator Isakson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Georgia Fort Gordon AIT Complex, Phase 1 32,000,000 House Committee on Appropriations \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Barracks 42,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Battalion Complex 69,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Battalion Complex 27,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Brigade Complex 65,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Infrastructure Expansion 76,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Hawaii Wahiawa Wideband SATCOM Operations Center 40,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Hawaii Fort Shafter Army Reserve Center 19,199,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Barking Sands Advanced Radar Detection Laboratory 28,900,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Kaneohe Bay Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 28,200,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Child Development Center 29,300,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Fitness Center 45,000,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Joint Forces Deployment Staging Area FISC 5,990,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Sub Drive-In Magnetic Silencing Facility 41,088,000 The President; Senator Inouye
Incr 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Hawaii Pearl Harbor Replace Fuel Pipeline 27,700,000 The President; Senator Inouye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22588]]
Army Hawaii Pohakuloa TA Access Road, Ph 5 30,000,000 Senator Inouye; Mr. Abercrombie; Senator Akaka
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Idaho Orchard TA Live Fire Shoot House 1,850,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Idaho Hayden Lake Army Reserve Center/OMS/Unheated Storage 9,580,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Idaho Mountain Home AFB Logistics Readiness Center 1,800,000 Senator Craig; Senator Crapo; Mr. Simpson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Illinois Great Lakes RTC Special Programs Barracks 62,940,000 The President; Senator Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Illinois Scott AFB USTRANSCOM Joint Intel Operations Center 13,977,000 The President; Mr. Costello; Senator Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Illinois Greater Peoria RAP C-130 Squadron Operations Center 400,000 Mr. LaHood; Senator Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Illinois Urbana Armory Readiness Center 16,186,000 Senator Durbin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Indiana Camp Atterbury Multi Purpose Machine Gun Range 5,800,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Indiana Lawrence Readiness Center 21,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Indiana Muscatatuck Combined Arms Collective Training Facility 6,000,000 Mr. Visclosky; Mr. Hill; Senator Bayh; Senator
Ph 1 Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Indiana Fort Wayne IAP Aircraft Ready Shelters/Fuel Fill Stands 5,600,000 Mr. Souder
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Indiana Crane Army Ammo Act. Ready Service Magazine Complex 8,300,000 Senator Bayh; Senator Lugar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Iowa Camp Dodge MOUT Site Add/Alt 1,500,000 Mr. Boswell; Senator Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Iowa Davenport Readiness Center Add/Alt 1,550,000 Mr. Braley; Senator Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Iowa Fort Dodge Vehicle Maintenance & Comm. Training Complex 5,600,000 Senator Harkin; Senator Grassley; Mr. Latham;
Mr. Loebsack; Mr. King, S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Iowa Mount Pleasant Readiness Center Add/Alt 1,500,000 Mr. Loebsack; Senator Harkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Riley Battalion Complex 38,000,000 The President; Senator Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Riley Brigade Complex 79,000,000 The President; Senator Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Riley Commissary 23,000,000 The President; Senator Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Riley Rail Siding 15,000,000 The President; Senator Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Kansas Dodge City Army Reserve Center/Land 8,100,000 The President; Mr. Moran, Jerry; Senator
Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Leavenworth Chapel Complex Ph 2 4,200,000 Ms. Boyda; Senator Brownback
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kansas Fort Riley Fire Station 3,000,000 Ms. Boyda; Senator Brownback; Senator Roberts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Kansas McConnell AFB MXG Consolidation & Forward Logistics Center 6,800,000 Mr. Tiahrt; Senator Brownback
Ph 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Kansas Smoky Hill ANG Range Smoky Hill Range Support Facility 7,100,000 Senator Brownback; Mr. Moran, Jerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chem Demil Kentucky Blue Grass Depot Ammunition Demilitarization Facility Incr 9 67,218,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chem Demil Kentucky Blue Grass Depot Defense Access Road 12,000,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Battalion Complex 37,000,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Child Development Center 8,600,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Training Support Center 15,513,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Unit Maintenance Facilities 47,000,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell Medical/Dental Clinic 24,000,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell SOF Tactical Equipment Shop 15,000,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell New Elementary School 21,400,000 The President; Senator McConnell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell School Age Services Center 10,000,000 Senator McConnell; Senator Bunning; Senator
Alexander; Senator Corker; Mr. Wamp; Mr.
Tanner; Mr. Whitfield
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Kentucky London Aviation Operations Facility Ph III 7,191,000 Mr. Rogers, H.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Installation Chapel Center 630,000 Senator McConnell; Senator Bunning; Senator
Alexander; Senator Corker; Mr. Wamp; Mr.
Tanner; Mr. Whitfield
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Louisiana Fort Polk Unit Operations Facilities 29,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Louisiana Barksdale AFB Security Forces Complex 14,600,000 Senator Landrieu; Senator Vitter; Mr.
Alexander; Mr. McCrery
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Maine Bangor Regional Training Institute Ph 1 20,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maine Portsmouth NSY Dry Dock 3 Waterfront Support Facility 1,450,000 Mr. Allen; Ms. Shea-Porter; Senator Collins;
Senator Snowe; Senator Gregg; Senator Sununu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maine Portsmouth NSY Dry Dock 3 Waterfront Support Facility 20,660,000 Senator Collins; Senator Snowe; Senator Gregg;
Senator Sununu; Mr. Allen; Ms. Shea-Porter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maine Portsmouth NSY Consolidated Global Sub Component Ph 1 9,980,000 Ms. Shea-Porter; Senator Collins; Senator
Snowe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Maryland Edgewood Army Aviation Support Facility Add/Alt 28,000,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Maryland Salisbury Readiness Center Add/Alt 9,800,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Maryland Baltimore Army Reserve Center 11,600,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maryland Indian Head Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades 13,930,000 The President; Senator Cardin; Mr. Hoyer;
Senator Mikulski
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maryland Suitland National Maritime Intel Center Incr 12,439,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Maryland Andrews AFB Admin Facility Addition 28,000,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Maryland Andrews AFB NCR Relocation--Admin Facility 49,648,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Maryland Aberdeen PG USAMRICD Replacement, Incr I 23,750,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22589]]
Defense-Wide Maryland Fort Detrick USAMRIID Stage I, Incr III 209,000,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Maryland Fort Meade NSAW Campus Utility Chilled Water Backup 19,100,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Maryland Fort Meade NSAW South Campus Stormwater Management 11,900,000 The President; Senator Mikulski; Senator
System Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maryland Carderock RDTE Support Facility Ph I 6,980,000 Mr. Van Hollen; Senator Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Maryland Dundalk Readiness Center 579,000 Mr. Ruppersberger; Senator Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Maryland Indian Head Energetics Systems & Tech Lab Complex Ph I 12,050,000 Mr. Hoyer; Senator Mikulski; Senator Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Maryland Martin State Airport Replace Fire Station 7,900,000 Mr. Bartlett; Mr. Ruppersberger; Mr. Sarbanes;
Senator Cardin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Massachusetts Methuen Readiness Center Add/Alt (ADRS) 21,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Massachusetts Fort Devens Shoot House 1,900,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Massachusetts Otis ANGB TFI Digital Ground Station FOC Beddown 1,700,000 Mr. Delahunt; Mr. Olver; Senator Kennedy;
Senator Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Massachusetts Otis ANGB Digital Ground Station 14,300,000 Senator Kennedy; Senator Kerry; Mr. Delahunt;
Mr. Olver
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Reserve Massachusetts Westover ARB Joint Service Lodging Facility 943,000 Mr. Olver; Mr. Neal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Michigan Saginaw Army Reserve Center/Land 11,500,000 The President; Senator Levin; Senator Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Live Fire Shoot House 2,000,000 Mr. Knollenberg; Mr. Stupak; Senator Levin;
Senator Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Urban Assault Course 2,000,000 Mr. Knollenberg; Mr. Stupak; Senator Levin;
Senator Stabenow
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Infantry Squad Battle Course 2,000,000 Senator Levin; Senator Stabenow; Mr.
Knollenberg; Mr. Stupak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Barracks Replacement, Ph 1 16,943,000 Senator Levin; Senator Stabenow; Mr.
Knollenberg; Mr. Stupak
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Michigan Detroit Arsenal Access Control Point 6,100,000 Senator Levin; Senator Stabenow; Mr. Levin, S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Minnesota Arden Hills Readiness Center 15,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Minnesota Arden Hills Infrastructure Improvements 1,005,000 Ms. McCollum; Senator Coleman; Senator
Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Minnesota Duluth Replace Fuel Cell Hangar 4,500,000 Senator Coleman; Senator Klobuchar; Mr.
Oberstar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Minnesota Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Aircraft Deicing Apron 1,500,000 Mr. Ellison; Senator Coleman; Senator
Klobuchar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Mississippi Gulfport 25 Naval Construction Regiment HQ Facility 6,900,000 The President; Senator Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Mississippi Columbus AFB Child Development Center 8,100,000 The President; Senator Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Mississippi Gulfport Battalion Maintenance Facility 5,870,000 Mr. Taylor; Senator Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Mississippi Meridian NAS Fitness Center 6,340,000 Senator Cochran; Senator Wicker; Mr. Pickering
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Mississippi Keesler AFB Indoor Firing Range 6,600,000 Senator Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Mississippi Gulfport-Biloxi IAP Relocate Munitions Storage Complex 3,400,000 Senator Wicker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Training Support Center 18,500,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Urban Assault Course 2,350,000 The President; Senator Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Missouri Weldon Springs Army Reserve Center 11,700,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Primary Care Clinic Addition/Alteration 22,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Wastewater Treatment Plant 7,400,000 Mr. Skelton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Missouri Whiteman AFB Security Forces Animal Clinic 4,200,000 Mr. Skelton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Chapel Complex 3,500,000 Mr. Skelton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Mine Detection Training Facility and K-9 10,800,000 Senator Bond
Kennel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Soldier Readiness Processing Center 648,000 Senator Bond
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Montana Malmstrom AFB Upgrade Weapons Storage Area, Ph 1 10,000,000 Senator Baucus; Senator Tester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Nevada Las Vegas Army Reserve Center 33,900,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS 432 Wing HQ Mission Support Facility 7,000,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Dining Hall 9,000,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Flight Simulator & Academics Facility 9,800,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Main Gate/Sewer Transfer Facility/Infra. 6,500,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Operations Facility 16,200,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F-16 Aggressor Hangar/Aircraft Maintenance 30,800,000 The President; Senator Reid
Unit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F-16 Aggressor Squadron Ops/Infrastructure 17,500,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F-35 Airfield Pavements 5,000,000 The President; Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB Airfield Fire Rescue Station 9,800,000 Senator Reid; Senator Ensign
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Nevada Elko Readiness Center 11,375,000 Senator Reid; Senator Ensign; Mr. Heller
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Nevada Las Vegas Field Maintenance Shop 2,058,000 Senator Reid; Senator Ensign; Ms. Berkley
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Nevada N. Nevada Mil. Dept. Paint Booth 1,500,000 Senator Reid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve New Jersey Fort Dix Modified Record Fire Range 3,825,000 The President; Senator Lautenberg; Senator
Menendez; Mr. Saxton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy New Jersey Lakehurst Advanced Arresting Gear Test Site 15,440,000 The President; Senator Lautenberg; Senator
Menendez; Mr. Saxton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG New Jersey Atlantic City IAP Operations and Training Facility 8,400,000 Mr. LoBiondo; Senator Lautenberg; Senator
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22590]]
Air Force New Jersey McGuire AFB Security Forces Operations Facility Ph 1 7,200,000 Mr. Saxton; Senator Lautenberg; Senator
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New Jersey Picatinny Arsenal Ballistic Evaluation Facility Ph 1 9,900,000 Mr. Frelinghuysen; Senator Lautenberg; Senator
Menendez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy New Jersey Earle NWS Main Gate Security Improvements 8,160,000 Senator Lautenberg; Senator Menendez; Mr.
Smith, C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22 Alter Hangar for LO/CRF 14,500,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22A ADAL Aircraft Maintenance Unit 1,050,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22A ADAL Flight Simulator Facility 3,150,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22A ADAL Jet Engine Maintenance Shop 2,150,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22A Aerospace Ground Equipment Facility 4,600,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide New Mexico Cannon AFB SOF Maintenance Hangar 18,100,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici; Mr. Udall, T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide New Mexico Kirtland AFB Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 14,400,000 The President; Senator Bingaman; Senator
Domenici
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide New Mexico Cannon AFB CV-22 Flight Simulator Facility 8,300,000 Senator Domenici; Senator Bingaman; Mr. Udall,
T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F-22A Consolidated Munitions Maintenance 495,000 Senator Domenici; Senator Bingaman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New York Fort Drum Brigade Complex-Barracks 29,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New York Fort Drum Brigade Complex-Barracks 24,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New York Fort Drum Unit Maintenance Facilities 37,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New York U.S. Military Academy Science Facility, Ph 1 67,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG New York Fort Drum Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site Ph 3 11,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG New York Queensbury Field Maintenance Shop 5,900,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve New York Kingston Army Reserve Center/Land 13,494,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve New York Shoreham Add/Alt Army Reserve Center 15,031,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve New York Staten Island Army Reserve Center 18,550,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG New York Hancock Field TFI--Reaper IOC/FOC Beddown 5,000,000 The President; Mr. Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG New York Gabreski Airport Replace Pararescue Ops Facility Ph 2 7,500,000 Mr. Ackerman; Mr. Bishop, T.; Senator Clinton;
Mr. Israel; Mr. King, P.; Ms. McCarthy, C.;
Senator Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army New York Fort Drum Replace Fire Station 6,900,000 Mr. McHugh; Senator Schumer; Senator Clinton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Reserve New York Niagara Falls ARS Dining Facility/Community Center 9,000,000 Ms. Slaughter; Senator Schumer; Senator
Clinton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG New York Hancock Field Upgrade ASOS Facilities 5,400,000 Mr. Walsh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Access Roads Ph 1 13,200,000 The President; Senator Burr; Mr. Hayes; Mr.
McIntyre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Access Roads Ph 1 (Additional Funds) 8,600,000 Mr. Hayes; Mr. McIntyre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Training Support Center 20,500,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Utility Upgrade (Camp Mackall) 3,200,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve North Carolina Raleigh Army Reserve Center/Land 25,581,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Camp Johnson 38,230,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Camp Johnson 23,760,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--French Creek 33,960,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Hadnot Point 39,890,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Hadnot Point 39,320,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Courthouse Bay 35,890,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--Hadnot Point 42,950,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Child Development Center 13,960,000 The President; Senator Burr; Senator Dole
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Consolidated Mess Hall--Hadnot Point (200 25,000,000 The President
Area)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Infantry Platoon Battle Course--SR1 18,250,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Mess Hall--Hadnot Point (400 Area) 21,660,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Mod K-Ranges (Phase 2) 20,220,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Cherry Point 2nd MAW Command Operations Facility 30,480,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Cherry Point Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 30,100,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina Cherry Point Engineering Product Support Facility 16,840,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina New River Aircraft Parking Apron Addition 6,830,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,740,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters--MCAS 25,620,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy North Carolina New River Enlisted Dining Facility 17,090,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Expand Training Compound 14,200,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Headquarters Facility 14,600,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Security/Force Protection 4,150,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Training Facility 5,300,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22591]]
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Elementary School 28,170,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Intermediate School (Irwin) 27,945,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Middle School 22,356,000 The President; Mr. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG North Carolina Camp Butner Training Complex 1,376,000 Mr. Miller, B.; Senator Burr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Mass Casualty Facility 1,300,000 Mr. Etheridge
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Chapel 11,600,000 Mr. McIntyre
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force North Carolina Seymour Johnson AFB Consolidated Support Center 12,200,000 Senator Burr; Senator Dole; Mr. Butterfield
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide North Carolina Camp Lejeune Hospital Renovation & MRI addition 57,900,000 House Committee on Appropriations \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force North Dakota Grand Forks AFB Fire Station 13,000,000 Senator Dorgan; Senator Conrad; Mr. Pomeroy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG North Dakota Hector Field Combat Arms Training Simulator/Maintenance 1,500,000 Senator Dorgan; Senator Conrad
Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Ohio Camp Perry Barracks 2,000,000 Ms. Kaptur; Mr. Latta; Senator Brown; Senator
Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Ohio Ravenna Barracks 2,000,000 Mr. Ryan, T.; Ms. Sutton; Senator Brown;
Senator Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Ohio Springfield-Beckley ANGB Combat Communications Training Complex 1,100,000 Senator Brown; Senator Voinovich; Mr. Hobson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Ohio Springfield-Beckley ANGB Combat Communications Training Complex 12,800,000 Mr. Hobson; Senator Brown; Senator Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Ohio Wright-Patterson AFB Security Forces Operations Facility 14,000,000 Mr. Turner; Senator Brown; Senator Voinovich
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Ohio Rickenbacker ANGB Security Gate 1,600,000 Senator Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Ohio Youngstown ARS Joint Services Lodging Facility 900,000 Senator Brown; Senator Voinovich; Mr. Ryan, T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Oklahoma Fort Sill Training Complex Upgrade 63,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Oklahoma Tinker AFB Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 48,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Res Oklahoma Tinker AFB AFR Scheduled Maintenance Hangar 9,900,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Oklahoma Tinker AFB Medical/Dental Clinic Replacement 65,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Oklahoma Altus AFB Replace Fuel Storage Dikes 2,850,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Oklahoma McAlester AAP AP3 Connecting Rail 5,800,000 Mr. Boren; Senator Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Oklahoma Tinker AFB Realign Air Depot Street 5,400,000 Mr. Cole; Senator Inhofe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Oklahoma Altus AFB Consol Digital Airport Surveill Radar/Rapcon 10,200,000 Senator Inhofe
Fac.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Oregon The Dalles Readiness Center 682,000 Senator Wyden; Senator Smith; Mr. Walden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Oregon Dallas Armory Readiness Center 1,681,000 Senator Wyden; Senator Smith; Ms. Hooley
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Pennsylvania Carlisle Barracks Museum Support Facility 13,400,000 The President; Senator Casey; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Pennsylvania Tobyhanna Depot Electronics Maintenance Shop 15,000,000 The President; Senator Casey; Mr. Kanjorski;
Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Pennsylvania Letterkenny Depot Army Reserve Center 14,914,000 The President; Senator Casey; Mr. Shuster;
Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Pennsylvania Philadelphia Full Scale Electric Test Drive Facility 22,020,000 The President; Senator Casey; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Pennsylvania Philadelphia Convert Warehouse to Admin Space 1,200,000 The President; Senator Casey; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Pennsylvania Honesdale Readiness Center Add/Alt 6,117,000 Mr. Carney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Pennsylvania Honesdale Readiness Center Add/Alt 504,000 Mr. Carney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Combined Support Maintenance Shop 3,250,000 Mr. Murtha; Mr. Murphy, T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Pennsylvania Letterkenny Depot Upgrade Munition Igloos Phase 2 7,500,000 Senator Casey; Mr. Shuster; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Pennsylvania Fort Indiantown Gap Combat Vehicle Training Facility 620,000 Senator Casey; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Pennsylvania York Readiness Center 880,000 Senator Casey; Senator Specter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Rhode Island Newport Fitness Facility 29,900,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Rhode Island Newport Unmanned ASW Support Facility 9,900,000 Mr. Kennedy, P.; Senator Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Rhode Island Quonset State Airport Replace Control Tower 600,000 Mr. Langevin; Senator Reed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Rhode Island Quonset State Airport Construct Air Traffic Control Tower 7,700,000 Senator Reed; Mr. Langevin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Rhode Island North Kingstown Army Aviation Support Facility 5,000,000 Senator Reed; Mr. Langevin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Rhode Island Newport Submarine Payloads Integration Laboratory 750,000 Senator Reed; Mr. Kennedy, P.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army South Carolina Fort Jackson Training Complex Upgrade 30,000,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Carolina Anderson Readiness Center 12,000,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Carolina Beaufort Readiness Center 3,400,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Carolina Eastover Joint Forces Headquarters 28,000,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy South Carolina Beaufort MCAS EOD/Ordnance Operations Facility 5,940,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy South Carolina Parris Island Third Recruit Training Battalion (Phase 2) 36,400,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy South Carolina Parris Island Third Recruit Training Bn Complex (Phase 3) 28,350,000 The President; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force South Carolina Charleston AFB C-17 Flight Simulator Addition 4,500,000 The President; Mr. Brown; Senator Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Carolina Hemingway Field Maintenance Shop Ph 1 4,600,000 Mr. Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Carolina Sumter Readiness Center 382,000 Mr. Clyburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22592]]
Air Force South Carolina Shaw AFB Physical Fitness Center 9,900,000 Senator Graham; Mr. Spratt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Dakota Rapid City Armed Forces Reserve Center 29,000,000 The President; Senator Johnson; Senator Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG South Dakota Joe Foss Field Aircraft Ready Shelters/AMU 4,500,000 Ms. Herseth Sandlin; Senator Johnson; Senator
Thune
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force South Dakota Ellsworth AFB Base Entry and Perimeter Gates 11,000,000 Senator Johnson; Ms. Herseth Sandlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG South Dakota Rapid City Barracks/Dining/Admin and Parking Complex Ph 14,463,000 Senator Johnson; Senator Thune; Ms. Herseth
1 Sandlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG South Dakota Joe Foss Field Conventional Munitions Shop 1,900,000 Senator Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Tennessee Chattanooga Army Reserve Center 10,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Tennessee Tullahoma Readiness Center 10,372,000 Mr. Wamp; Mr. Davis, L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Tennessee Knoxville (McGhee-Tyson AP) Replace Squadron Operations 8,000,000 Senator Alexander; Senator Corker; Mr. Wamp;
Mr. Duncan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Corpus Christi Dynamic Component Rebuild Facility 39,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison; Mr. Ortiz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Barracks & Dining 148,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Barracks & Dining 148,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Battalion Complex 34,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Brigade/Battalion HQs 44,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Brigade/Battalion HQs 44,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Chapel 9,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Company Operations Facilities, BCT 90,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Company Operations Facilities, BCT1 90,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Digital Multipurpose Range Complex 42,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Infrastructure, IBCT1 98,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Infrastructure, IBCT2 100,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Training Support Center 12,600,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Unit Maintenance Facilities 10,200,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Vehicle Maintenance Shops 81,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Vehicle Maintenance Shops 81,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Hood Unit Maintenance Facilities 32,000,000 The President; Mr. Edwards; Senator Hutchison;
Mr. Carter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Sam Houston Trainee Barracks Complex 96,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison; Mr. Smith,
L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Red River Depot Manuever Systems Sustainment Center, Phase 1 6,900,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Texas Sinton Army Reserve Center 9,700,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Fort Hood TACP Joint Air Ground Center 10,800,000 The President; Mr. Edwards; Senator Hutchison;
Mr. Carter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Lackland AFB BMT Recruit Dormitory 75,515,000 The President; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Texas Fort Sam Houston Medical Instruction Facility 13,000,000 The President; Senator Hutchison; Mr. Smith,
L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Texas Bryan Army Reserve Center 920,000 Mr. Edwards
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Camp Bullis Live Fire Shoot House 4,200,000 Mr. Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Texas Ellington Field ASOS Facility 7,600,000 Mr. Lampson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Hood Chapel with Education Center 17,500,000 Mr. Edwards; Mr. Carter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Lackland AFB Security Forces Building Ph 1 900,000 Senator Cornyn; Mr. Gonzalez; Senator
Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Laughlin AFB Student Officer Quarters Ph 2 1,440,000 Mr. Rodriguez
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Randolph AFB Fire and Rescue Station 972,000 Senator Cornyn; Mr. Cuellar; Senator Hutchison
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Texas Corpus Christi Parking Apron Recapitalization Ph 1 3,500,000 Mr. Ortiz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Bliss Medical Parking Garage Ph 1 12,500,000 Mr. Reyes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Texas Fort Worth NAS JRB Security Forces Training Facility 5,000,000 Ms. Granger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Texas Kingsville Fitness Center 11,580,000 Mr. Ortiz
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Dyess AFB Multipurpose C-130 Maintenance Hangar 21,000,000 Senator Hutchison; Senator Cornyn; Mr.
Neugebauer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Sheppard AFB Centralized Administrative Processing Center 1,314,000 Senator Hutchison; Senator Cornyn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Texas Goodfellow AFB Joint Intelligence Technical Training 1,656,000 Senator Hutchison; Senator Cornyn
Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Texas Laredo Readiness Center Addition/Alteration 1,165,000 Mr. Cuellar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Texas Fort Sam Houston AIT Barracks 47,000,000 House Committee on Appropriations \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Texas Fort Bliss Hospital Replacement 52,835,000 House Committee on Appropriations \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Utah Camp Williams Ammunition Supply Point 17,500,000 The President; Senator Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Utah Hill AFB F-22A Heavy Maint. Fac. & Composite Back 36,000,000 The President; Senator Hatch
Shop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Utah Hill AFB Hydrant Fuel System 20,400,000 The President; Senator Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Utah Hill AFB Three-Bay Fire Station 5,400,000 Senator Bennett; Mr. Bishop, R.; Senator Hatch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Vermont Burlington IAP Security Forces and Communications Facility 6,600,000 The President; Senator Leahy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22593]]
Army NG Vermont Ethan Allen Range Readiness Center 323,000 Mr. Welch; Senator Leahy; Senator Sanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Vermont Ethan Allen Range Readiness Center 10,200,000 Senator Leahy; Senator Sanders; Mr. Welch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Vermont Westminster TS Westminster Zero Range 1,789,000 Senator Leahy; Senator Sanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Belvoir Emergency Services Center 7,200,000 The President; Mr. Moran, James; Senator
Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Eustis Unit Operations Facilities 14,400,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Lee Dining Facility 10,600,000 The President; Mr. Forbes; Senator Warner;
Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Lee Trainee Barracks Complex 90,000,000 The President; Mr. Forbes; Senator Warner;
Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Myer Barracks 14,000,000 The President; Mr. Moran, James; Senator
Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Virginia Arlington Arlington Hall Readiness Center PH2 15,500,000 The President; Mr. Moran, James; Senator
Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Virginia Fort Pickett Multi Purpose Machine Gun Range 2,950,000 The President; Mr. Forbes; Senator Warner;
Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Norfolk Child Development Center 10,500,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Norfolk Norfolk Harbor Channel Dredging 42,830,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, Type II 27,750,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Aircraft Parking Apron (Greenside) 36,280,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Infrastructure--Russell Road (Phase 1) 7,450,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Instruction Facility Addition--TBS 6,350,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Instruction Facility TBS (Phase 1) 25,200,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Mess Hall--OCS 13,750,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico Student Quarters--TBS (Phase 3) 27,530,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Reserve Virginia Norfolk EODMU 10 Operations Facility 8,170,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Reserve Virginia Williamsburg Ordnance Handling Cargo Ops Training Support 12,320,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Pentagon Pentagon Athletic Center Phase 2 6,967,000 The President; Mr. Moran, James; Senator
Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Pentagon PFPA HAZMAT Facility 16,401,000 The President; Mr. Moran, James; Senator
Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Pentagon Raven Rock West Power Plant 15,572,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Dam Neck SOF Operational Facility Incr II 31,000,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Fort Story SOF Small Arms Range 11,600,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Virginia Craney Island Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 39,900,000 The President; Senator Warner; Senator Webb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Virginia Fort Belvoir Readiness Center and NGB Conference Center 1,085,000 Mr. Moran, James
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Myer Hatfield Gate Expansion 300,000 Mr. Moran, James
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Eustis Vehicle Paint Facility 3,900,000 Mr. Scott, R.; Mr. Wittman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Norfolk NS Fire and Emergency Services Station 9,960,000 Ms. Drake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Norfolk NSY Industrial Access Improvements, Main Gate 15 9,990,000 Mr. Forbes; Mr. Scott, R.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Virginia Quantico OCS Headquarters Facility 5,980,000 Senator Warner; Senator Webb; Mr. Wittman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Virginia Fort Eustis Training Support Center, Ph 1 13,600,000 Senator Warner; Senator Webb; Mr. Scott, R.;
Mr. Wittman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Washington Fort Lewis Battalion Complex 54,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Washington Fort Lewis Battalion Complex 47,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Washington Fort Lewis Brigade Complex 30,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Washington Fort Lewis Brigade Complex, Incr 3 102,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Washington Fort Lewis Child Development Center 27,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Washington Fort Lewis Aviation Readiness Center 32,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Washington Seattle Army Reserve Center 37,500,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Washington Bangor Limited Area Production & Storage Complex 50,700,000 The President; Senator Murray
Incr V
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Washington Whidbey Island Hangar 5 Recapitalization (Incr) 34,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Washington McChord AFB C-17 ADAL Flight Simulator 5,500,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Washington Fort Lewis SOF Ranger Battalion Complex 38,000,000 The President; Senator Murray
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Washington Kitsap NB Saltwater Cooling & Fire Protection 5,110,000 Mr. Dicks
Improvements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Washington McChord AFB 262 Info Warfare Aggressor Squadron Facility 8,600,000 Senator Murray; Senator Cantwell; Mr. Smith,
A.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Washington Whidbey Island Firefighting Facility 6,160,000 Mr. Larsen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG Washington Fairchild AFB Hangar 1001 Improvement 766,000 Senator Murray; Senator Cantwell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Shoot House 2,000,000 Mr. Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Access Control Point 2,000,000 Mr. Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Multi-Purpose Building Ph 2 5,000,000 Mr. Mollohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG West Virginia Yeager AP, Charleston Fuel System/Corrosion Control Hangar 27,000,000 Senator Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army NG West Virginia Kenova Tri-State Armory Addition 2,000,000 Senator Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 22594]]
Air NG West Virginia Martinsburg AB C-5 Taxiway Upgrade 850,000 Senator Byrd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Reserve Wisconsin Fort McCoy Auto Qualification Training Range 4,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Wisconsin Truax Field Communications & Audio Visual Training 6,300,000 Senator Kohl
Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Wyoming F.E. Warren AFB Renovate Historic Dormitory 8,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air NG Wyoming Cheyenne MAP TFI--C-130 Squadron Operations Facility 7,000,000 The President; Ms. Cubin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Wyoming F.E. Warren AFB Missile Service Complex 810,000 Senator Enzi; Senator Barrasso; Ms. Cubin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Afghanistan Bagram AB Bulk Fuel Storage & Supply, Phase 8 26,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Afghanistan Bagram AB Bulk Fuel Storage & Supply, Phase 5 22,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Afghanistan Bagram AB SOF HQ Complex 19,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB C-130 Maintenance Hangar 27,400,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB Cargo Handling Area Expansion 8,800,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB Refueler Ramp 21,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Diego Garcia Diego Garcia Wharf Upgrade and Warehouse 35,060,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 12,830,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Aircraft Parking Apron 15,250,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Telcom Facility 3,330,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Germany Katterbach Aircraft/Vehicle Maintenance Complex 19,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Germany Wiesbaden Command and Battle Center, Increment I 59,500,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army FH Germany Wiesbaden Family Housing Replacement 32,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 10,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 32,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 27,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Germany Germersheim Logistics Distribution Center Europe 48,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Greece Souda Bay Fuel Storage Tanks and Pipeline Replacement 8,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Guam Andersen AFB Combat Communications Maintenance Facility 5,200,000 The President; Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Guam Guam NB Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, Main Base 62,360,000 The President; Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Guam Guam NB Kilo Wharf Extension 50,912,000 The President; Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Guam Guam NB Wastewater Collection System & Upgrade 26,070,000 The President; Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Guam Guam NH Central Utility Plant 30,000,000 The President; Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Guam Andersen AFB ISR/STF Realign Arc Light Boulevard 5,400,000 Ms. Bordallo
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Consolidated Fitness Complex 20,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Bargo Housing 21,435,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Granadillo Circle Housing 15,846,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Granadillo Point Housing 22,662,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Italy Vicenza Brigade Complex-Barracks/Community, Incr 2 15,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Italy Vicenza Brigade Complex-Operations Support Fac, Incr 15,000,000 The President
2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Japan Camp Zama Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility 2,350,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Japan Sagamihara Battle Command Training Center 17,500,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Korea Camp Humphreys Vehicle Maintenance Shop 20,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army FH Korea Camp Humphreys Family Housing New Construction 125,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Kyrgyzstan Manas AB Hot Cargo Pad 6,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Qatar Al Udeid SOF Training Range 9,200,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath Large Vehicle Inspection Station 7,400,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force FH United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath Replace Family Housing (182 Units) 71,828,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Worldwide Classified Special Evaluation Project 891,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Worldwide Unspecified UAS Field Training Unit Ops Complex 15,500,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Worldwide Unspecified UAS Field Training Unit Maintenance Complex 22,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Worldwide Unspecified STRATCOM Replacement Facility Design 10,000,000 Senator Ben Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Worldwide Unspecified BMDS-European Interceptor Site 42,600,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense-Wide Worldwide Unspecified BMDS-European Midcourse Radar Site 108,560,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Worldwide Unspecified Data Center 35,000,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy Worldwide Unspecified Joint Operations & Support Complex, Phase 1 17,800,000 The President
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force France Marnes-La-Coquette Lafayette Escadrille Memorial (Admin. 500,000 Senator Landrieu; Mr. Lewis, Jerry
Provision)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The House Committee on Appropriations learned through hearings, site visits, and Department of Defense briefings that trainee and recruit facilities and medical treatment facilities are
two high priority areas in great need of additional funds. The projects included were identified by the Department as projects of high priority and were not included at the request of
Members of Congress.
[[Page 22595]]
VETERANS AFFAIRS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account State Location Project Amount Requester(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Colorado Denver New Medical Facility $20,000,000 The President; Senator Allard;
Projects Senator Salazar; Mr.
Perlmutter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Florida Bay Pines Inpatient/Outpatient Improvements 17,430,000 The President; Senator
Projects Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Florida Lee County Outpatient Clinic 111,412,000 The President; Senator
Projects Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Florida Orlando New Medical Facility 120,000,000 The President; Senator
Projects Martinez; Senator Bill Nelson;
Ms. Brown, C.; Mr. Weldon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Massachusetts Massachusetts National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 20,500,000 The President; Senator Kennedy;
Projects Senator Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Missouri St. Louis Medical Facility Improvements and Cemetery Expansion 5,000,000 The President; Senator Bond
Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major New York Calverton National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 29,000,000 The President; Senator Clinton;
Projects Senator Schumer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Puerto Rico Puerto Rico National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 33,900,000 The President
Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Major Puerto Rico San Juan Seismic Corrections Building 64,400,000 The President
Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I wanted to take a moment to highlight a
provision in this continuing resolution that is before us to provide
mandatory funding for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing
Incentive Program, which we passed in last year's energy bill, EISA. As
one of the principal authors of the provision, I am happy to see the
program moving forward and particularly pleased to see the guidance in
the resolution that will press the Department of Energy to move forward
quickly to get the program up and running. There is great potential in
bringing these new advanced technology vehicles to market and we can't
let difficulties in obtaining financing for manufacturing facilities
derail our efforts.
As we conferred on the program almost a year ago, it was clear there
were credit problems for both the large manufacturers and the smaller
start-ups and component suppliers, particularly as it related to
getting financing for the most cutting edge technologies such as
batteries for electric-drive vehicles. Now that credit markets have
tightened further, the need is even more acute. I hope that with this
funding the Department can move quickly to produce regulations to
implement the program and particularly to move forward with loans to
component manufacturers, including battery manufacturers such as A123
Systems and other key suppliers that will be imperative to bringing
forward plug-in vehicles in the coming years. Several of these smaller,
important component suppliers have been participating in the Department
loan guarantee program but have yet to complete their journey through
that process. In fact, it was their difficulty in acquiring guarantees
for this critical enabling technology that was a significant motivation
for creating the loan program in last year's bill. I hope the
Department can apply some of the lessons learned in the loan guarantee
program, and perhaps some of the data submitted by these companies, to
move this loan program forward quickly and effectively.
Finally, I have been told there may be some confusion about the terms
of the loans as the provision creating the loan program references the
``activities'' that are the subject of a grant program also authorized
in the same section of EISA. The grant program is limited to 30 percent
of the costs of a facility. This is a fairly typical cost share for
grant programs. Some have raised a question as to whether this 30
percent cap should also apply to the loan program. That is not the way
I read the language of the law and was certainly not our intent in
writing the provision. Moreover, I would argue that it would
dramatically limit the effectiveness of the program as it would require
companies to go to tight credit markets for 70 percent of their
financing, precisely the problem we were seeking to remedy with the
creation of the loan program. While I don't expect the Department of
Energy to take this limited view of the program, I wanted to go on
record here to help alleviate any confusion that may exist. I look
forward to working with the Department to aid them in getting this
program up and running.
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I will vote against H.R. 2638, the
continuing resolution for fiscal year 2009. Congress needs to provide
funding to keep the Federal Government operating, and this bill
includes funding for a number of programs I support. I am particularly
pleased that this resolution includes money to help Wisconsinites
recover from the serious flooding the Midwest experienced earlier this
year. I joined a number of my colleagues in asking appropriators to
include this disaster relief, which will help Wisconsin families and
communities still dealing with the aftermath.
But wrapping three separate appropriations bills into one package,
with no opportunity for amendments, is irresponsible and unacceptable.
Moreover, this bill provides funding to continue the war in Iraq, when
we should be bringing that war to a close. And it allows Members of
Congress to receive a hefty $4700 pay raise, despite the massive
deficits we are running and the economic pain so many of our
constituents are feeling.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, we are about to vote on the continuing
resolution to enable the Federal Government to continue functioning
until March 6, 2009.
I had hoped, as I know Chairman Byrd and Senator Cochran had, that we
would have been permitted to debate and vote on the individual
appropriations bills that the Appropriations Committee has reported.
That was not to be, due to President Bush's insistence that he would
veto bills that exceed his arbitrary spending cap and to certain
Republican Senators who have made it virtually impossible to pass
anything here without the necessary 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
A continuing resolution will result in hardship for many Federal
agencies, and those hardships will be felt by the American people. But
as long as some here would prefer to be obstructionists rather than
legislators, this is the only course available to us.
Having said that, I commend Chairman Byrd and Senator Cochran for
what they have done because it is a bipartisan bill that reflects the
constructive efforts of the leaders of both parties to do their best
under difficult circumstances.
There are several items within the jurisdiction of the State and
Foreign Operations Subcommittee in this bill. Senator Gregg and I,
working with Congresswoman Lowey and Congressman Wolf, have ensured
that vital programs continue and that necessary adjustments are made.
For example, we have lifted the cap on administrative expenses for
the State Department's refugee and migration assistance programs. We
have reauthorized the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and we
have provided authority to the Treasury Department to contribute up to
$5 million to help Liberia extinguish its commercial debt.
The bill also includes supplemental aid for Georgia, and it
specifically prohibits the administration from transferring funds from
other vulnerable former Soviet and Eastern European countries. We also
provide funds to ensure continued Voice of America and Radio Free
Europe broadcasting to
[[Page 22596]]
Georgia, Russia, and the region during this time of heightened
tensions.
We provide additional funding to ensure the continued operations of
the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. And we
provide emergency assistance for Haiti and other Caribbean countries
that were severely damaged by the recent hurricanes.
We are all painfully aware that the 2008 hurricane season caused much
loss of life and destruction of property in communities along the gulf
coast of the United States. And while the Federal Government is trying
to help the victims of those disasters, including with additional
appropriations for disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Ike in this
bill, we sometimes forget that Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican
Republic, and other Caribbean countries suffered catastrophic
destruction from Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike.
In Haiti, the U.N. has reported that over 400 people have died due to
the storms or storm-related causes, over 800,000 were severely
affected, and some 150,000 were left homeless. Cuba reportedly suffered
damage estimated at $5 billion.
The U.S. Government has provided $30 million in emergency
humanitarian aid to Haiti, but no additional assistance was requested
by the administration. That was inexplicable, and I am pleased that the
Congress did not likewise decide to ignore that impoverished nation in
which we have already invested so much. This bill includes $100 million
in emergency supplemental aid for hurricane relief and reconstruction
for Haiti and other Caribbean countries.
This assistance was included to address both the short and longer
term needs that Haiti and its neighbors face. We not only want to
respond to immediate needs like potable water, food, shelter, and
medical care, we also want to rebuild infrastructure and stabilize
hillsides to avoid future washouts and mudslides that have caused so
much loss of life. The U.S. Agency for International Development should
use a portion of these funds to significantly enhance its efforts to
address environmental vulnerabilities in key Haitian watersheds.
We know that next year there will be more hurricanes. For once, let
us look beyond the immediate needs and help Haiti and its neighbors
strengthen basic infrastructure bridges and roads and help with
reforestation, so that damage from future storms is less severe.
We also know that Haiti was a destitute country before these latest
hurricanes. Its Government is fragile; its economy is in shambles.
These devastating storms are capable of reversing whatever economic and
social progress has been made in recent years and could trigger chaos
and panic and a repeat of the flotillas of fleeing desperate people
that we saw a few years ago.
Cuba also suffered widespread damage from the hurricanes, and I am
disappointed that the Cuban Government has not been willing to accept
offers of humanitarian aid from the United States. I also regret that
the administration's ill-conceived embargo against Cuba prevents the
American people from helping the Cuban people in this time of need.
This is an opportunity to cooperate with the Cuban Government for a
purely humanitarian purpose. We are long overdue for a new policy
toward Cuba, as this disaster so graphically illustrates.
I also want to mention the Reid-Byrd stimulus bill we voted on
yesterday, which would have provided urgently needed funding for a wide
range of domestic programs to help bolster this Nation's ailing
economy. These programs address critical needs of urban and rural
working class people across America.
Despite all the finger pointing and angry talk about how Washington
is broken often by those who did their utmost to game the system or who
have themselves been in Government for decades this is exactly what the
Congress should be doing.
I commend Chairman Byrd and Senator Reid for this initiative. After
inheriting the largest surplus in this Nation's history, President Bush
will leave a legacy of fiscal mismanagement and mile high deficits that
dwarf anything in my 34 years in the Senate. For an administration that
came into office piously claiming to be the guardians of responsible
fiscal conservatism, when it comes to the economic security of middle
class Americans this White House has proven to be incompetent,
unprincipled and unaccountable.
This administration's economic policies have been disastrous for the
people of this country who are most dependent on Federal funding for
schools, hospitals, police and fire departments, farms and businesses.
The stimulus items in S. 3604, none of which were requested by the
White House and which most of our Republican friends voted to defeat,
would have helped prevent an already precarious economic situation that
threatens the livelihoods and retirements of millions of Americans,
from becoming worse.
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am pleased that the appropriations
package which the Senate is now considering incorporates a trio of
security-related funding measures, including the fiscal year 2009
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
Appropriations bill.
This bill is important to the Nation's military forces and their
families and to the military veterans who have served their country so
valiantly. By passing this legislation, we will fulfill the promise we
have made to support our veterans and military families by providing
historic levels of funding for military construction and the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill totals a record
$119.6 billion dollars, of which $72.8 billion is discretionary
funding.
For the Department of Veterans Affairs, discretionary funding totals
$47.6 billion, $2.8 billion over the President's request and $4 billion
above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level. This is a landmark level of
funding which will greatly enhance the VA's ability to deliver
veterans' benefits in a timely manner and to provide first-rate medical
care in first-class medical facilities to veterans throughout the
country.
Within the VA budget, the funding for veterans health care also set a
new benchmark at nearly $41 billion, almost $2 billion above the
President's request. A key focus of this funding is medical research.
Not only does this bill flatly reject the cuts in research funding
proposed by the President, but it also provides a healthy increase over
last year's funding level. This is crucial to ensure that the VA is on
the forefront in providing innovative treatment for service-related
diseases and complex combat injuries, such as traumatic brain injury,
polytrauma injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
I am also pleased that the bill establishes a $250 million rural
health initiative targeted toward meeting the unique needs of veterans
who live in remote and rural areas. South Dakota is a prime example of
the need for this type of initiative. Many veterans in South Dakota are
scattered in sparsely populated rural areas, and many others live on
Native American reservations. These veterans must drive long distances
in many cases hundreds of miles--to access medical care.
Through the rural health care initiative, the VA can greatly expand
its current rural health outreach and devote more resources to such
programs as mobile clinics, telemedicine, community clinics, and shared
health care services. Significantly, the Department will be able to
implement targeted health care for rural areas without having to
compete for funding with urban hospitals and clinics.
For military construction, the bill provides $25 billion. This
funding will provide for the most critical construction needs of our
Nation's military, improving safety and security on our military bases
in the United States and abroad, and enhancing the living conditions of
our soldiers and their families.
Mr. President, it is vitally important that the Senate act quickly on
this spending package and see it signed into
[[Page 22597]]
law before the end of the fiscal year so that we may speed this funding
to the many programs that are essential to the health and well-being of
our military forces, their families, and our Nation's veterans.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, as our colleagues know, my State of Iowa
and other States across the Midwest were hit by devastating tornadoes,
floods, and heavy rains this past spring. These were natural disasters
of historic proportions, and they left tremendous damage and
destruction in their wake.
Three and a half months later, Iowans are making progress toward
recovery. But the harsh reality is that many flood victims are still
living in trailers or with relatives. Many businesses can't get the
low-interest Small Business Administration loans they need to rebuild
and recover. Cities are waiting for funding to restore damaged
infrastructure. We still face billions of dollars in unmet needs across
Iowa.
Within weeks of the flooding, Congress acted promptly to provide
assistance, passing a $2.65 billion disaster assistance bill. This was
intended to be only an initial injection of Federal aid--a downpayment
on the long recovery ahead.
I am very pleased that, in this continuing resolution before us
today, we have the second installment on disaster assistance. The bill
includes $23 billion in disaster aid, with a significant share of those
dollars destined for Iowa and other Midwestern states hit by floods and
tornadoes.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have
been working with other members of the committee, and with the House
Appropriations Committee; with other Senators from the disaster-
impacted States; as well as the Iowa House delegation for months to
secure these urgently needed funds. I am both gratified and grateful
that my colleagues on the Appropriation Committees recognized the
disaster recovery needs in my State of Iowa as a national priority.
The $23 billion provided in this bill is allocated in several areas.
The largest segment is $8 billion to replenish FEMA's available
funding, which is crucial. However, the amount that local governments
and individuals receive from FEMA is set by existing law.
One of the most important functions is mitigation funding equal to 20
percent of most of what FEMA spends in a State. Those funds are used to
reduce the chance of damage from future disasters. I am proud that, in
1993, I was the chief sponsor of legislation that sharply expanded this
program, similar to what it is today. We need not only to recover from
past disasters, but work to limit damage in the future.
The most significant component of relief funding in this bill is $6.5
billion for community development block grants. State and local
governments have considerable flexibility and leeway in how they use
these grants. They can be used for home repairs and buyouts, assistance
to businesses, repair of damaged public facilities, and additional
mitigation efforts to reduce damage from future disasters.
The amount of CDBG funding varies from time to time, as do the
specific rules. The language in this continuing resolution provides
more flexibility than has often been provided in the past.
Since passage of the initial flood relief in late June, the
Department of Housing and Urban Development has been very slow to
actually get CDBG funding out the door and to the people who need it.
There has been endless redtape and chronic delays. And this is
unacceptable at a time when so many people are hurting and so many
businesses are struggling to put people back to work.
To prevent a repeat of this poor performance, a provision was
included, which I proposed, requiring that HUD allocate at least one-
third of the CDBG money in this bill within 60 days of it being signed.
This will give us confidence that, by about December 1, a significant
portion of this CDBG money will be in the hands of individuals and
businesses that urgently need it. Needless to say, this ``one third''
requirement is a minimum. I hope that HUD will do better than that and
will release this new CDBG funding as expeditiously as possible.
This new disaster-relief package includes several other major
components.
It includes $7.9 billion for FEMA disaster relief, which helps pay
individuals affected by disasters nationally.
It includes $600 million for the social services block grant program
to provide urgently needed services to people in areas hit by
disasters. This funding can be used to purchase food, shelter, and
clothing, as well as health care and mental health services. States may
also use these funds for vital public health activities, such as
surveillance of water-borne or mosquito-borne diseases. Funds may also
be used to repair damaged health care and social services facilities,
such as child care centers.
In addition, the package includes $182 million for construction of
the new Cedar Rapids Courthouse. As many of my colleagues know, the
city of Cedar Rapids was devastated by the flooding in June. The Cedar
River crested at nearly 32 feet, inundating nearly 400 city blocks--
more than 9 square miles. The construction of this new Federal
courthouse will be an important symbol of the rebirth and rebuilding of
this proud city.
The package also includes important disaster relief for rural areas.
It includes: $59 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help
rebuild and repair single and multifamily homes in rural areas; $40
million for USDA to rebuild and repair rural community facilities,
including nonprofit facilities, everything from hospitals to day care
centers, in towns with populations under 20,000; $26 million for rural
utilities including water and wastewater, rural electric cooperatives,
electric and telephone repair, and reconstruction; $100 million for the
USDA Emergency Watershed Program for recovery from floods, storms, and
other natural disasters; $115 million for the USDA Emergency
Conservation Program; $850 million is made available for the repair of
State highways damaged by the storms across the country; and $20
million is made available for the repair of rail line and bridges of
small railroads that have suffered very considerable damage. These
funds are crucial to several small railroads that are very important to
many local shippers and receivers of rail goods. This funding is not
available to the large railroads.
In addition to the relief provisions in the continuing resolution, I
want to mention the good work of my senior colleague, Senator Grassley,
who played a lead role in moving a number of important tax provisions
in the separate tax extender bill that passed the Senate earlier this
week--tax provisions that will be of significant benefit to those
recovering from disasters. I was pleased to be the lead Democratic
sponsor of his disaster tax bill in this area that includes important
assistance for homeowners, for the building of new housing, and
assistance to rebuild and revitalize business.
The funding in the continuing resolution will bring a second infusion
of urgently needed resources to people in Iowa and across the Midwest.
No question, people in my State have suffered terrible damage, and
the road back is going to be long and difficult. But as I have
witnessed in recent months, Iowans are a tough, resilient people. And
they are also a generous people, pitching in to help neighbors and
strangers alike.
As I learned in the Navy, there are two responses to a disaster. It's
either ``every man for himself, abandon ship,'' or it's ``all hands on
deck, save the ship.'' Well, Iowans are an ``all hands on deck'' kind
of people. We will endure--and we will prevail.
Finally, let me say that the disaster funding in this bill is another
important, positive step on the path to full recovery. But additional
assistance will be needed.
The reality is that the funding levels for the disaster package were
set with only minimal information on the level of damage suffered by
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. When that data is set, I believe it will be
clear that additional assistance will be necessary for those accounts
that are allocated by the level of damage in each State or region
compared to all of the disaster areas.
[[Page 22598]]
Hopefully, early next year, by which time we should have a nearly
complete assessment of damages and needs, I will work with my
colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to include a third
installment of disaster relief on the omnibus appropriations bill for
fiscal year 2009.
I am grateful to my colleagues for providing this generous assistance
to people and businesses in Iowa and across the Midwest. And I urge
their support for this continuing resolution.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today the Senate is considering the
Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2009, along with a 6 month
continuing resolution and other matters. In regards to the Defense
portion of this bill, the Appropriations Committee examined the
President's request of $491.7 billion for funding under the
jurisdiction of the Defense Subcommittee. The amount that is contained
in this measure for the Department of Defense is $487.7 billion, $4
billion below the request and equal to the subcommittee's 302(b)
allocation.
Over the past 9 months the Appropriations Committee received
testimony from the leaders of the Department of Defense and
intelligence community, on all of the critical programs requested by
the Administration for the coming fiscal year. These hearings were
augmented by countless meetings and detailed review by the committee
staff. Senator Cochran, Senator Stevens, and I together worked in
formulating the recommendations that were reviewed and approved by the
Defense Subcommittee on September 10. Those recommendations form the
basis of the bill which is before the Senate today.
The highest priority for our committee is to support our men and
women in uniform. That means we strongly support and fully fund
programs to provide for the pay and allowances of our forces, to take
care of their families, and preserve the readiness of the force. In
this bill, our families are protected. Additional funds are provided to
fix hospitals and barracks, to serve our families through the Family
Advocacy Program, and to enhance our Defense Health Program.
To ensure our forces are prepared to serve in harm's way, the
recommendation provides for the purchase of essential equipment and
support to meet their needs. The measure approves and, in some cases,
increases funding above the budget request for key programs such as the
Future Combat System, unmanned aerial vehicles, F-18 aircraft, UH-60,
MH-60, and CH-47 helicopters among many others.
The recommendation includes funds to purchase 14 F-35 aircraft and
includes advance procurement to preserve the industrial base for the F-
22 aircraft and DDG-51 destroyer programs. It provides a $120 million
increase for our near-term missile defense programs and support for all
the major missile systems in the budget request. It includes $750
million in additional funds to support our National Guard and Reserve
equipment needs and $750 million to enhance our Nation's intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to support our warfighters
today. In addition, the needs of the intelligence community are
addressed in this measure and summarized in a classified annex.
The bill before the Senate, which was passed by the House on
Wednesday by a vote of 370 to 58, represents a compromise between the
views of the Senate and House Defense Subcommittees. Additional funding
above the amounts approved by the Senate Defense Subcommittee is
included for several initiatives including a down payment on the next
LPD-17 amphibious ship. It provides more funding for C-130 aircraft
than we had recommended and a higher level of funding for the
Presidential helicopter program. It also includes a cut of 5 percent in
funding to scale back contracting out in the Defense Department.
On balance we believe this is a very good bill. The budget allocation
requires us to make some difficult choices curtailing funding for
programs which are of interest to certain members, outside interest
groups, or the military departments. But the funds that are reduced are
for programs which are behind schedule or not sufficiently justified.
In reallocating funding from these programs, this bill provides for the
critical unmet needs of the military and intelligence community albeit
at a lower overall funding level.
Today is September 25. The fiscal year is rapidly coming to a close.
The Senate is using an unusual procedure to consider this bill. It is
not one that any of us is particularly pleased with, and some are
likely to be critical of it, but it is a procedure and probably the
only procedure which will allow for passage of this very important
measure before the end of the fiscal year. I can assure my colleagues
that we have worked closely with the House on a bipartisan basis to
ensure that the bill which has come before the Senate represents what
is needed for our Nation's defense and for the men, women, and their
families who serve her. I thank all my colleagues, and in particular
Senator Cochran and Senator Stevens, for their efforts in putting this
bill together. I urge my colleagues to join with me today and vote to
pass this measure.
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today at a time of significant
financial crisis in our Nation to discuss a program within this
continuing resolution that, in my opinion, is the wrong priority at the
wrong time.
Over the last 2 years, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee has brought before the Committee and this Senate legislation
to authorize bonus payments for Filipino veterans who fought in World
War II. Like my colleague and good friend, Senator Akaka, I respect and
honor the sacrifice of the Filipinos in that war, and I respect his
tenacity to pass what he believes is a remedy to a wrong.
This is where I unfortunately part with the Senator. After World War
II, the Philippines were not left destitute, with America turning a
blind eye to their sacrifice and efforts in the war. In fact, the
United States has spent millions upon millions of dollars on
infrastructure in the Philippines.
However, there are some who think that is not enough. There are some
who believe that Filipino veterans deserve to have all the benefits and
entitlements that American veterans are afforded. I disagree.
At a time when we have soldiers coming home broken from combat, this
bill would designate as an ``emergency'' $198 million to provide a
lump-sum payment of $9,000 to Filipino veterans currently living in the
Philippines and $15,000 for those Filipino veterans living in the
United States.
Mr. President, let me say that again: this would designate the
funding I just spoke of as an ``emergency.''
Now, I know how things work around here. Someone's emergency doesn't
always seem to be too urgent to other folks. But please, I would like
somebody to come to this floor and explain to me how giving Filipino
veterans a check for $9,000 or $15,000 can be seen as an emergency. Not
when we are debating landmark legislation to shore up our economy,
which is suffering so greatly. Not when we have Senators coming to this
floor repeatedly arguing that we have so badly underfunded the VA that
we need supplemental spending every year just to keep up. Not when
there are towns in Texas still cleaning up from the ravages of
Hurricane Ike. And not when we have a Forest Service that is broke and
must borrow and steal from other agencies to ensure that we can fight
against wildfires threatening thousands of people's homes.
Mr. President, I could go on for days talking about true emergencies
in our Nation. However, designating a fund for Filipino veterans as an
``emergency'' just doesn't pass the smell test. And this is not an
insignificant amount of money, Mr. President: we are talking about
almost $200 million that could be used for items that truly deserve to
be considered emergencies.
I know that we will pass this continuing resolution, and I praise the
work that was done on most of this bill. There are a lot of good
programs that will get funded because of this bill and the work that
was done on it.
Unfortunately, I could not stay silent when I saw that almost $200
million,
[[Page 22599]]
designated as emergency spending, was going to be spent on non-American
veterans for actions taken in the 1940s.
I hope that my colleagues today will take a serious look at the
authorization that will come before this Senate in the future to allow
this funding to be spent. It is my serious belief, as I hope I spelled
out clearly here today, that this funding should not be spent for its
intended purpose. Instead, Senators should look at this funding as a
way to pay for priorities, either within the VA or other agencies that
have been underfunded, that are true emergencies.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this consolidated appropriations bill
includes three important Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills, the
Homeland Security appropriations bill, the Military Construction and
Veterans appropriations bill, and the Defense appropriations bill. In
addition, this bill includes funding for a number of other important
programs, including nutrition and home energy assistance programs to
ensure those most vulnerable who rely on these programs do not lose
access to them.
Today many families are hurting from the current economic downturn
and the rising food and energy costs. This bill includes additional
funding for both the Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children, WIC,
program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, CSFP, which
provide assistance to children, low-income working families, and
seniors. It is of vital importance that we continue these food programs
for our Nation's least fortunate and most vulnerable.
I am pleased that the bill contains significant additional funding
for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. This bill
includes a total of $5.1 billion for LIHEAP, which is double the amount
of funding provided in fiscal year 2008 and will serve an additional 2
million households and increase the average amount available per
household. LIHEAP is a critically important program that was created to
help low-income families, elderly individuals on a fixed income, and
the unemployed pay their energy bills.
Even before recent and projected increases in energy prices,
Michigan--like other States--started off with less funding in the
current fiscal year than was required to meet the need. There have been
significant efforts over the last couple of years to provide full
funding for the LIHEAP program--consistent with that authorized by the
Energy Policy Act of 2005--but these efforts have been thwarted by an
administration unwilling to support this program at the necessary
level. Therefore, I am particularly pleased today that the
administration finally has joined the Congress in supporting this vital
lifeline for many Americans.
This additional funding for LIHEAP is critically needed particularly
as we head into the winter months. These funds need to be put quickly
and directly into the hands of individuals who need them the most,
which will both provide a vital safety net to these families and
seniors and provide a benefit to the economy. Studies have shown that
every LIHEAP dollar distributed generates up to 5 dollars of economic
activity, thus helping to stimulate the economy.
I am also pleased that this legislation includes a significant
increase in funding for the Department of Energy's weatherization
assistance programs, providing close to $500 million for this program
in fiscal year 2009. The Bush administration has consistently reduced
funding for weatherization assistance in previous years and even
proposed to eliminate it completely this year. But instead of
decimating the program as proposed by the administration with, the
increase provided in this bill, Congress will more than double the
assistance provided by the Federal Government and help to weatherize an
additional 100,000 homes.
Congress has changed eligibility rules under the Pell Grant Program
in order to afford more students larger grants. As a result, the Pell
Grant Program will require a funding boost from this year's funding to
ensure each student's 2009-2010 Pell grant award level. The bill
includes $2.5 billion above 2008 to prevent cuts in the Pell Grant
award to students midway through the year.
I am particularly pleased that this appropriations bill includes
funding to support up to $25 billion for loans to auto manufacturers
and suppliers for retooling of facilities to produce advanced
technology vehicles and their component parts. These loans were
authorized as part of the 2007 Energy bill to assist companies in
moving swiftly toward advanced technology. Since that time, the need
for access to capital has become increasingly urgent due to the state
of the economy and significantly changed market conditions.
In the midst of all the economic dark clouds that are in the sky,
this is a significant bright spot that will help domestic manufacturers
in moving forward with the advanced technology that we all want to see.
The U.S. automotive manufacturing industry is facing huge challenges.
They face a sputtering global economy, the economic downturn here at
home, the credit crisis here at home, and the challenge of meeting new
fuel economy standards that Congress enacted last year. The future
viability of the auto industry depends on whether they are able to
produce advanced technology vehicles that will reduce our consumption
of oil and greenhouse gas emissions, be affordable for the average
American, and ultimately save consumers money at the gas pump.
The funding that is part of this legislation will support loans that
will be fully repaid with interest to the Federal Government and will
not cost the taxpayers anything beyond the administrative costs. The
benefit to the American people is that it will help to bring these
advanced vehicle technologies more quickly into the marketplace and it
will ensure that these vehicles and components continue to be
manufactured in the United States by American workers for many years to
come. In the near term, the availability of these loans for auto
manufacturers and suppliers in my home State of Michigan and other auto
manufacturing States will help ensure that we maintain existing auto
and supplier jobs and stem the decline in American manufacturing.
Success in the area of advanced technology vehicles--such as hybrids,
clean diesel, and plug-in hybrids--is critical to the future of
Michigan-based auto manufacturers and suppliers and those in many other
States. Most of these technologies were invented by our companies here
in the United States, and we need to keep manufacturing them here and
continue to lead the world in automotive innovation. These loans will
help our companies stay competitive in the global marketplace. It is
important to note that the loan program is open to all automakers and
suppliers to retool their facilities to produce these vehicles and
components. Some may be more in need than others--but it is open to
everyone with a qualified technology. I want also to emphasize that
these loans are available to suppliers and component manufacturers
independently to develop and manufacture many of the technologies that
will be assembled into advanced technology vehicles--technologies such
as lightweight materials, batteries and battery systems, fuel cells,
and other components that offer tremendous potential to improve fuel
economy.
It is a significant accomplishment to have funding for these loans
included in this appropriations bill. The next step in this process is
for the Department of Energy to establish regulations to implement this
program, and it is essential that it happen quickly. We need these
regulations completed expeditiously in order to get money out the door
to the manufacturers that need it to move forward with advanced
technology vehicles and components.
The legislation significantly increases resources for border
security, including $30 million for border interoperability
demonstration projects. In 2007, I authored the legislation that
established the International Border Community Interoperable
Communications Demonstration Projects on the northern and southern
borders. These projects will address the interoperable communications
needs of police officers, firefighters, emergency medical
[[Page 22600]]
technicians, National Guard, and other emergency response providers at
our borders.
The bill also provides valuable funding for our first responders,
rail and transit security FIRE Act grants, and SAFER grants.
The Defense appropriations section of the bill supports the
operational needs of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and the ongoing
transformation of the military. Small and large businesses and
universities across State play a critical role in ensuring that our
Armed Forces are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Especially in the areas of vehicle technologies, robotics, energy and
manufacturing research and development, Michigan continues to lead the
way.
The bill includes approximately $354.1 million for Army research on
combat vehicle and automotive technologies. This includes work on
systems to protect Army vehicles against rocket-propelled grenades,
improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles;
advanced materials for combat and tactical vehicle armor; more
efficient engines; fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles; unmanned
ground vehicles; computer simulations for vehicle design and training
of Army personnel; and technology partnerships with the automotive
industry. This research is performed and managed by the Army Tank and
Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Command, TARDEC, and
its National Automotive Center, NAC, both located in Warren, MI. TARDEC
is the leading laboratory for research and development of advanced
military vehicle technologies for the Department of Defense, DOD.
The bill also includes funding for the programs of the Army's TACOM
Life Cycle Management Command, LCMC, in Warren. TACOM LCMC is the
Army's lead organization for the development and acquisition of ground
vehicle combat, automotive and armaments technologies and systems.
TACOM LCMC-managed systems include the Abrams main battle tank, Bradley
Fighting Vehicle, Stryker Armored Vehicle, Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected Vehicle, and all Army tactical vehicles, such as the HMMWV,
FMTVs, and the Army's next generation of combat vehicles, known as
Future Combat Systems.
There are nine military construction projects included in the
MILCONN/VA division of the bill for Michigan, including $68.5 million
for the Detroit Arsenal in Warren.
These funds are crucial for the needed construction and renovations
necessary to accommodate the more than 1,000 personnel who will be
transferred to the Detroit Arsenal. This bill will also provide much
needed improvements at Camp Grayling, the Army Reserve Center in
Saginaw, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I know none of my colleagues is happy that
today the Senate was forced to pass a continuing resolution. Continuing
resolutions are a sign that we failed to get our work done in a timely
manner. As a result, many departments will be frozen at last year's
funding levels and unable to begin new initiatives until next spring.
Congress was able to complete 3 of the 12 appropriations bills,
however, and those bills are the vehicle for the continuing resolution
before us. I am pleased that Congress was able to come together and
move the legislation most critical to our national defense including
the Defense, Military Construction, and Homeland Security
appropriations bills.
Unfortunately, one of the bills that is left behind is the
Agriculture appropriations bill, the bill I have responsibility for.
However, there are parts of the CR that deal with the Agriculture
Department, and I think it is important to spend a few moments going
over the details within my jurisdiction as chairman of the Subcommittee
on Agriculture Appropriations.
My staff worked diligently with their House counterparts to find a
responsible way to move forward under difficult circumstances. The
continuing resolution includes an addition of $150 million for the Food
and Drug Administration. The FDA has enormous responsibilities and I
have consistently been pressing for more rigorous work on food safety.
These additional funds will contribute to that effort.
The continuing resolution also includes resources to aid recovery
from recent hurricanes and flooding in the Midwest. An additional $100
million is provided for the Emergency Watershed Program. The Emergency
Conservation Program is slated for an increase of $115 million. Both of
these programs provide basic, essential support for storm cleanup.
The continuing resolution also includes substantial resources--$188
million for Rural Development. $38 million of these funds are
specifically set aside to continue recovery from hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. The balance of $150 million is aimed at aiding recovery from
natural disasters that occurred in 2008. They will augment efforts to
maintain rural housing for low income and elderly Americans affected by
these disasters. Without them, many needy Americans face very grim
housing circumstances. The funds will also help restore community
facilities, rural utilities and small businesses.
The CR also address some other priorities of mine. I am pleased that
this continuing resolution includes an addition of $2.5 billion for the
Pell Grant program, which is the largest grant program available to
help low-income families afford the rising cost of a college degree.
Pell grants are critical to ensure that all Americans can pursue a
higher education, and during these tough economic times, such grants
have become even more important to families. With college students
seeking financial aid in record numbers, the Department of Education
recently announced that the Pell Grant program could face a shortfall
of nearly $6 billion next year if more federal funds are not made
available. The additional funds provided in this bill are a crucial
first step toward ensuring the continued sustainability of the Pell
Grant program, and I am glad to see that this Congress continues to
make college affordability a top priority.
The continuing resolution also includes low-interest loans for U.S.
automakers. These loans will provide needed financing to allow GM, Ford
and Chrysler to retool their factories to produce fuel efficient cars
and trucks. In June of this year, GM announced it was closing its
Janesville, Wisconsin, plant because demand for the SUVs built there
was down. With these low-interest loans on the way, I am hopeful that
GM retools the Janesville plant. With a highly skilled workforce, the
Janesville plant stands ready to meet consumer demands for fuel
efficient vehicles that will keep good paying jobs in Wisconsin and
reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Passing a continuing resolution instead of finishing our work is
never something to be proud of, but this CR makes the best of a bad
situation. I look forward to finishing the appropriations bills next
year and putting our government on a more sustainable funding path.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss a matter of
critical importance to the security of our borders and our Nation.
It is estimated that at least 15 million people enter the United
States through the visa waiver program each year. Thousands of these
people overstay their authorized visit, and many just simply disappear
into the shadows.
This country cannot afford to continue this trend. The Department of
Homeland Security and its partners must have the tools they need to
protect Americans by tracking the millions who enter our country,
including some who may wish on us grievous harm and injury.
A biometric system is one of the best tools we have to protect us
from the use of fraudulent and stolen passports and other international
documents. We need to make sure people are who they claim to be.
Between January 2002 and June 2004, 28 foreign governments, including
visa waiver countries, reported 56,943 stolen blank foreign passports
to the State Department. And just this summer, a security van in London
was hijacked, resulting in the loss of 3,000 blank British passports
and visas that were destined for overseas embassies.
[[Page 22601]]
Clearly, DHS cannot continue to add new countries into the visa
waiver program without properly mitigating the security risks.
That is why Congress passed a provision in the 9/11 Commission
Recommendations Act just last year requiring the Department of Homeland
Security to implement a biometric air exit system. This biometric
system is required to be in place by June 30, 2009.
The intent of Congress was and remains clear: There must be in place
a fully operational biometric air exit system, or else the Secretary of
Homeland Security cannot admit new countries into the visa waiver
program.
Therefore, if such a biometric system is not implemented by June 30,
2009, the Secretary's authority to admit new countries with visa
refusal rates above 3 percent shall be suspended until a biometric exit
system is fully operational.
This is critical to ensuring the ability to track the arrivals and
departures of foreign nationals--not just through a paper trail, but
through fingerprints, photographs, and other fraud-proof biometric
identifiers.
The bill that we are considering today cuts off funding for the
biometric air exit system until reports are received by Congress on
pilot tests of the air exit solution.
We simply cannot afford to delay the execution of the biometric exit
system. Congress should not be restricting DHS's ability to protect our
borders and our people.
However, if the biometric system is delayed and the Department of
Homeland Security is unable to meet the statutory deadline of June 30,
2009, the visa waiver program should not be expanded.
That is the intent of the authorizing language and that is what's
best to protect the security of our Nation.
The biometric air exit system was mandated as a result of the
horrific events of 9/11. We are a different country today and we must
learn the lessons of September 11 and implement the recommendations of
the 9/11 Commission. We cannot afford to go backwards as a country and
Congress must do all that it can to protect our Nation and prevent
another tragedy like 9/11.
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for
the 2009 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing
Appropriations Act, a bill better known as the continuing resolution.
Keeping the government running, particularly as so many Americans are
struggling in these tough economic times, is vital. Besides ensuring
that basic services continue to be provided, we are also providing some
additional measures of assistance that will benefit millions of middle
class and working Americans. Now more than ever, we can't simply tell
Americans who are having a rough go of it, ``Tough luck, you're on your
own.'' It is important to responsibly offer a helping hand where we can
and help spur the economy.
As families face increasing energy bills that have stretched their
budgets thin, and as we head toward cold winter days and nights, we are
providing some relief. This resolution contains substantial low-income
energy assistance and weatherization assistance--programs that are
essential for seniors and low income families this upcoming winter.
The CR will also provide much-needed resources for families
struggling to keep up with increasing grocery bills and rising college
tuition fees. It will provide urgently needed disaster assistance to
those hit by recent hurricanes, substantial funding or veteran's health
care, and an important investment in Pell grants and emergency food
assistance.
As the author of the COAST Act, I am adamantly opposed to expanded
coastline drilling along eastern and western seaboards of the United
States, especially the Jersey shore. I want to continue the moratorium
that has protected our Outer Continental Shelf for over two decades.
Expanded OCS drilling is bad energy policy, bad environmental policy,
and it will do nothing to lower the prices at the pump, now or ever.
This country deserves a serious debate about energy and not just
election year posturing. Though this resolution does not extend the
moratorium on coastline drilling, it allows us to revisit this issue in
March, when we can have a serious policy discussion. In the meantime,
drilling would not commence between now and then--or for years into the
future--anyway. With a new Congress and a new administration I will
continue to stand up for the development of a real, comprehensive
energy policy that achieves our goals without endangering the Jersey
shore.
With this action today, we have avoided a shutdown of the Federal
Government, provided much-needed relief to middle-class and working
Americans struggling in this economy and allowed Congress to focus on
finding a bipartisan solution to the urgent financial crisis.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it is encouraging that Congress today
passed the Wartime Enforcement of Fraud Act of 2008 as part of the
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing
Appropriations Act. This is a modest but important commonsense measure
that will help restore accountability and deter fraud in the many
billions of dollars worth of contracts in connection with the two wars
we continue to fight.
The failed legacy of the Bush administration is clearer today than
ever before, as our Nation faces unprecedented crises at home and
abroad. The financial markets are in turmoil as a result of
mismanagement of the economy and neglect of the regulatory process that
helps maintain confidence in the market. Americans are losing their
homes to foreclosure at record rates. Our country remains mired in
Iraq, fighting a war that President Bush should never has started, that
continues to cost too many lives and billions of dollars each month,
with no end in sight.
As part of this legacy, the Bush administration has further failed to
meet one of its most important obligations during wartime--to protect
American taxpayers from losses due to fraud and corruption in war
contracting. Fraud and corruption in contracting are all too common in
times of war, and these problems have been particularly pervasive in
Iraq.
New reports just this week have confirmed that corruption and fraud
have robbed billions from the American taxpayers during the Iraq war.
The former chief investigator of the Iraqi Commission on Public
Integrity, Salam Adhoob, testified before Congress this week that $9
billion in U.S. taxpayer funds have been lost to corruption and fraud
in Iraq.
Mr. Adhoob described how senior Iraqi defense officials set up
fraudulent front companies that were supposed to buy airplanes, armored
vehicles, and guns with $1.7 billion in U.S. funds. But these companies
failed to deliver most of the military equipment, and what they did
provide was mostly junk, including defective ammunition and unsafe
bulletproof vests. These companies also overcharged for military
helicopters and aircraft, delivering useless decades-old equipment.
Most of the money ended up in German bank accounts controlled by these
Iraqi defense officials.
The Iraqi chief investigator prepared a full report based on this
investigation, and thousands of others, and submitted the documentation
to the Iraqi government, as well as to U.S. investigators. Yet so far,
neither the Bush administration nor the Iraqi government has taken
action in these cases. Instead, the Iraqi government has passed laws
giving immunity to many of its corrupt officials, and the U.S.
investigators have too often stalled trying to find witnesses and
review documents in the midst of a war zone.
These examples of fraud and corruption are not isolated, or new. Over
the past 2 years, I have chaired hearings in the Appropriations and
Judiciary Committees focused on the billions of dollars that have been
lost to contracting fraud, waste, and abuse during this war. The
testimony at those hearings has also exposed the Bush administration's
failure to take aggressive action to enforce and punish wartime fraud.
These hearings have shown how difficult it can be for investigators to
uncover and prosecute fraud amidst the chaotic environment of war.
[[Page 22602]]
These persistent problems have been made worse by the Bush
administration's use of ``no-bid'' and ``cost-plus'' contracts that
have been awarded with little, if any, oversight or accountability.
Billions in cash--physical, paper money--have been flown to Iraq and
handed out in paper bags, often without records of who received what,
and when. Billion-dollar contracts for training services cannot be
audited because the records are incomplete, lost, or in disarray. As a
result, time and time again, the government has paid for services that
were never needed or never provided and for equipment that was too
often substandard or actually defective.
But as we found again this week, too often we do not learn about
wartime fraud and corruption until years after the fact. What we do
know is that billions of dollars are unaccounted for, and likely lost
to war profiteers and corrupt officials. Fraud investigators from the
offices of several inspectors general, as well as the Special Inspector
General for Iraq Reconstruction and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, are working to figure out where the money has gone and
who has taken it. But they have told us it will take a long time, in
some cases years, to figure out exactly what has happened with the
billions of dollars in fraud related to war contracts.
In the meantime, the statute of limitations that bars Federal fraud
prosecutions after 5 years threatens to make this work meaningless and
essentially immunize those who are responsible. The wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan have gone on for far more than five years, and with each
passing day, we are losing the authority to prosecute fraud committed
early on in the wars. As time passes, we are effectively granting
immunity to these criminals and letting them get away with taxpayers'
money.
I introduced the Wartime Enforcement of Fraud Act of 2008 to correct
this problem once and for all. Passage of this legislation today is an
important step forward to make sure all those who have committed fraud
will be held to account. Put simply, this bill will give the government
more time to continue investigating these massive wartime frauds and,
in time, this provision should save American taxpayers untold millions
and help punish those responsible for the fraud.
Our country has faced this same problem in past wars and taken
similar action. During World War II, President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt spoke out against ``war millionaires'' who made excessive
profits exploiting the calamity of war. President Harry Truman, when he
served in the Senate, held historic public hearings to expose gross
fraud and waste by military contractors during the war.
In 1942, President Roosevelt signed the Wartime Suspension of
Limitations Act, which made it possible for criminal fraud offenses
against the United States to be prosecuted after the war was over.
President Truman made that law permanent in 1948.
Everyone understood then that it was unrealistic to believe that all
wartime fraud could be tracked down immediately in the midst of a war.
The law provided an extension of the statute of limitations until the
war was over. Congress supported this law overwhelmingly, as they had
with a similar provision during World War I. President Roosevelt wrote:
The crisis of war should not be used as a means of avoiding
just penalties for wrongdoing.
Unfortunately, this Roosevelt-era law does not appear to apply to the
ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Current law only applies
``when the United States is at war,'' but the military operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan were undertaken without formal declarations of
war. As a result, this law technically does not apply to these ongoing
conflicts.
This bill simply amends current law to make clear that extending the
statute of limitations during wartime applies to the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. In doing so, we will give investigators and auditors the
time necessary to continue their efforts to uncover the wartime frauds
and prosecute those who are responsible. Without this bill, fraudulent
conduct by war contractors and corrupt officials will go unpunished,
and the government will have no ability to recover taxpayer money lost
to these criminals.
The statute of limitations is an important check on the proper use of
government power, and we should suspend it only in extraordinary
circumstances. Wars provide exactly such circumstances, as Congress and
Presidents have recognized in the past. It would be wrong to exempt the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from this common sense law, and passage of
this bill will close that loophole for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,
as well as any future wars.
With passage of this bill today, Congress has taken action, as it has
in the past, to protect the American taxpayer and make sure the money
spent to support the troops is not wasted through fraud and corruption.
The President should now sign this bill to show the American people
that we will do all we can to investigate and prosecute those who would
undermine our troops and steal from the taxpayer during times of war.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is all time yielded back?
If all time is yielded back, the question is now on agreeing to the
motion to concur.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. BURR (When his name was called). On this vote, Senator Clinton is
absent. If she were present and voting, she would have voted ``yea.''
If I were at liberty to vote, I would vote ``nay.'' Therefore, I
withhold my vote.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden),
the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), the Senator from California
(Mrs. Feinstein), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy), the
Senator from Missouri (Mrs. McCaskill), the Senator from Washington
(Mrs. Murray), and the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Obama) are
necessarily absent.
I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from
California (Mrs. Feinstein) would vote ``aye.''
Mr. KYL. The following Senator is necessarily absent. The Senator
from Arizona (Mr. McCain).
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber
desiring to vote?
The result was announced--yeas 78, nays 12, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 208 Leg.]
YEAS--78
Akaka
Barrasso
Baucus
Bayh
Bennett
Bingaman
Bond
Brown
Brownback
Byrd
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Chambliss
Cochran
Coleman
Collins
Conrad
Corker
Cornyn
Craig
Dodd
Dole
Domenici
Dorgan
Durbin
Enzi
Grassley
Gregg
Hagel
Harkin
Hatch
Hutchison
Inhofe
Inouye
Isakson
Johnson
Kerry
Klobuchar
Kohl
Landrieu
Lautenberg
Leahy
Levin
Lieberman
Lincoln
Lugar
Martinez
McConnell
Menendez
Mikulski
Murkowski
Nelson (FL)
Nelson (NE)
Pryor
Reed
Reid
Roberts
Rockefeller
Salazar
Sanders
Schumer
Smith
Snowe
Specter
Stabenow
Stevens
Sununu
Tester
Thune
Vitter
Voinovich
Warner
Webb
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
NAYS-12
Alexander
Allard
Bunning
Coburn
Crapo
DeMint
Ensign
Feingold
Graham
Kyl
Sessions
Shelby
PRESENT AND GIVING A LIVE PAIR--1
Burr, against
NOT VOTING--9
Biden
Boxer
Clinton
Feinstein
Kennedy
McCain
McCaskill
Murray
Obama
The motion was agreed to.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, this is a great accomplishment for this
Congress. Of course, we have battled our
[[Page 22603]]
way through a lot of things, but this is an excellent piece of
legislation. We funded the troops in more ways than one. Not only have
we done the Defense appropriations bill, but we have done VA-HUD and
Homeland Security. I wish we could have done all the appropriations
bills, but we haven't done that. But we have funded the Government
until March 6. I appreciate the cooperation of the distinguished
Republican leader and all Senators because it took all Senators to get
to the point where we are. I appreciate it very much.
We are going to have no more votes today. We will let everyone know
as soon as we can as to what we are going to do on Monday. We are going
to be in session on Monday. The question is, What are we going to do on
Monday? We may have to have a vote on the Defense authorization bill.
We may have to have a vote on the Amtrak bill. I failed to mention one
thing to the Republican leader. I told him we had two things that were
absolutely necessary. I forgot to mention one of them. We have to do,
of course, the Defense authorization bill. We have to do Amtrak. We
have to do the nuclear treaty with India. I have indicated to them we
have a lands bill we are taking a look at, a package of bills. Each one
of these is something we could complete next week.
For people who are concerned about the Indian nuclear agreement--and
there are several Senators who have concerns--all we would be doing is
running out the statutory time. At the end of that time, Senators have
10 hours of debate time. Then we vote. So there are very few hurdles we
have to jump through on that other than running out the 30 days. We can
do that the easy way or the hard way. Time started running on September
8. Those are legislative days we are in session.
Those are the things we have to do before we leave. Of course, I
haven't mentioned the big one, which is the financial rescue plan. As I
said this morning, staff worked until early this morning. I had a
briefing an hour ago from my staff. Progress is still being made. They
only have a handful of issues, literally, maybe a handful and a half,
left that the Members of Congress who are part of this negotiation will
finalize, and they will bring them to the respective floor leaders.
Hopefully, we can bring it to the floor at a very early time.
As I indicated this morning, one of the things we want to do is have
an outline of an agreement by 6 o'clock on Sunday because that would
give recognition to the Asian markets opening. That is an important
message. We have to make sure the markets aren't volatile.
We tend to look at the Dow Jones, but as we have learned--as I have
learned--there are a lot of other financial indicators that are
extremely important, and this week they have been in big trouble. As we
have said, and will say, this is more than just a concern to Wall
Street. A lot of these things would have a dramatic, fast impact on
Main Street. That is what the negotiators are working on.
So no more votes today. We will let everyone know as soon as we can
what votes there will be on Monday. If we have a vote on Monday, it is
a very narrow window because of the holiday that starts at sundown on
Monday night. That vote would be between 11:30 and 12:30.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). The Republican leader is
recognized.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I did not hear all of my good friend's,
the majority leader's, remarks, but I did hear the end of them, and I
do want to underscore that he is entirely correct, that this crisis we
face in the financial markets is about Main Street.
A good example of that is a community of mine that wanted to issue
municipal revenue bonds the other day. These were highly rated bonds.
There was no buyer. This is going on all across the country. It
underscores the need to act responsibly and quickly, which we
anticipate doing on Monday.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR PETE DOMENICI
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, few Senators have meant more to this
body than Pete Domenici, and few are more deserving of that praise. I
am honored today to say a few words on the floor of the Senate about
the good and humble man we all know around here as ``Uncle Pete.''
Pete is a classic American story that reminds us why America is so
great. His parents were Italian immigrants who taught their five
children the importance of faith, the rewards of hard work, the
blessings of a big family, and an abiding love for their adopted
country.
As an only son, Pete grew up fast, working in his father's wholesale
grocery business, studying hard at St. Mary's High School in
Albuquerque, and developing a good enough fastball to become a star
pitcher at the University of New Mexico.
In a sign of his future success as a lawmaker, Pete put together an
impressive 14-3 record his senior year in college. He was such a good
pitcher, in fact, that he caught the attention of some major league
scouts and soon earned a spot in the starting rotation of the
Albuquerque Dukes.
Now, for most American boys growing up in the 1940s, being a minor
league pitcher would have been enough. But not for the son of Alda and
Cherubino Domenici. After earning his JD degree at the University of
Denver, Pete became a lawyer. From there, he had the tools he would
need to go to bat for the people of New Mexico for the next 5 decades.
Elected to the Albuquerque City Commission in 1966, he became mayor
of Albuquerque the following year at the age of 35. It was there in the
shadow of the Sandia Mountains that he got to know the needs and the
ambitions of his friends and neighbors and seemingly everyone else.
Today, there is almost no one in New Mexico--from the high plains in
the east, to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north, to the high
plateaus that cover much of the rest of the State--who does not offer a
smile of recognition at the familiar name of Pete Domenici.
Five years after becoming mayor, the people of New Mexico sent Pete
to Washington. It was one of the best decisions the voters of any State
have ever made.
In six terms, Pete has built a reputation for honesty that is second
to none. The undisputed leader on energy issues in the Senate for
nearly four decades, Pete saw the need to secure America's energy
future before it was cool, even writing a book on the promise of
nuclear energy.
Thanks largely to his efforts, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
received its first application last year for a nuclear powerplant in 29
years.
Pete is the only American to be awarded the French nuclear society's
highest award. He spearheaded efforts to pass the landmark Energy
Policy Act of 2005, a comprehensive bill that has spurred the growth of
renewable energy such as wind and solar and which has set America on a
path of increased energy efficiency.
Pete authored the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, a
bipartisan bill that opened new areas of the gulf to oil and natural
gas exploration. Long before people were calling on Congress to find
more and use less, Pete was showing us that it could be done.
Pete's tenure on the Budget Committee earned him a well-deserved
reputation as one of the strictest fiscal hawks in Congress. As
chairman or ranking member for nearly 23 years, he coauthored the
original Budget Reform Act of 1974, which started the modern budget
process and established the Congressional Budget Office. He authored
the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, leading to 4 straight years of
surpluses.
There is no greater friend of the disabled in this country than Pete
Domenici. A coauthor of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, he has
fought tirelessly to expand it ever since. And just this week, all that
hard work paid off when the Senate approved full mental health parity
as part of the tax extenders bill. After years of patient effort,
Pete's vision
[[Page 22604]]
for expanded benefits for millions of struggling Americans will--we
hope--soon be the law of the land.
Pete's contributions to his home State are literally legendary. He
helped protect and preserve New Mexico's breathtaking natural beauty by
working to create nearly 1 million acres of wilderness throughout the
State. In concert with the National Park Service, he authorized the
Route 66 initiative to help preserve the look and the feel of this
iconic American road.
He has helped bring water to rural communities through the water
supply bill. He secured funding for the only major western dam project
of the last decade. All of this is just part of Pete Domenici's legacy.
Fortunately, the people of New Mexico will be able to get the whole
story thanks to an effort that was recently announced at New Mexico
State University to study Pete's impact on public policy and
contributions to the State in 36 remarkable years of service in the
Senate.
The people of New Mexico are not the only ones who are grateful for
Pete's service. He may not know this, but Pete has a lot of fans in
Kentucky. Back in the late 1990s, when Kentuckians were beginning to
learn the extent of the environmental and health damage caused by the
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Pete offered a helping hand. Whether
it was appropriating funds for the cleanup, making sure workers were
screened for lung cancer, or compensating those who had been wrongfully
injured, Senator Domenici has been a reliable partner to me and a great
friend to the people of Paducah every step of the way, and we are
grateful for his help.
A record such as this is not easy to achieve in the Senate. It takes
vision, hard work, patience, and an ability to cooperate with Members
on both sides of the aisle. One mark of Pete's skills in working with
Members of both sides is the praise he has received not only from local
media but the national press as well. Here is what the New York Times
had to say about Pete in 2001:
If Mr. Domenici sounds like a serious man, he is. A
colleague once described him as having a case of terminal
responsibility. He is not cut from the same bolt as most
politicians.
Like most of us, Pete never could have done it alone. And he has not.
Around the same time the minor league scouts noticed Pete, Pete noticed
a young lady named Nancy Burk. And 50 years ago this year, Pete and
Nancy were married. Fifty years of marriage is a remarkable achievement
in itself, and it is well worth noting.
Apparently Pete and Nancy were both overachievers. Over the years,
they raised eight children, which, of course, makes all the other
accomplishments look a little less challenging.
They are a remarkable couple. They made the Senate a more friendly
place. And I know my wife Elaine has enjoyed getting to know Nancy and
working with her in the Senate Spouses Group.
The members of my staff are going to miss Uncle Pete a lot as well.
They will miss his frequent visits and his stories about the old days
and the way he lit up like a child whenever he talked about his faith,
his children, his grandkids, and his beloved wife Nancy who, thanks to
Pete's bragging, is known to everyone on my staff as a great cook.
They will miss his warmth, his good cheer, and his passion for the
issues of the day. They will miss the same things that his colleagues
will miss: an honest statesman and a good man who made all of us proud
to be Members of the same institution as him.
Whenever Pete is reminded of all that he has done for the people of
New Mexico and for our country, he always says the same thing: It is an
honor. Now we, his colleagues in the Senate, say the same thing about
the time we have spent working alongside this good man.
Senator Domenici, it has been an honor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
____________________
FAREWELL TO THE SENATE
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, first, I have to thank the distinguished
Republican leader for his kind remarks and equally as important for his
consideration of me ever since he has been our leader. It has been easy
for me to make suggestions and to know he would listen. It has been
easy for me, when he has asked me to do things, to do them because for
the most part he has been right on his ideas, he has been right on his
judgment. I very much appreciate his remarks here today.
I have worked with a number of leaders, as everyone knows, and they
are all wonderful people. Obviously, when you serve with people such as
the distinguished Senator Bob Dole, who was in your position, I say to
my good friend who just remarked on my behalf, and when you sit in the
same position as our good friend from Tennessee, who sat there for so
long, Howard Baker, you know you are in good company. And I know you
are in good company. But I would say to them, they are in good company
with you.
Now, I am supposed to say goodbye to the Senate and that is probably
what I am not going to do because I do not quite know how to do it. But
I am going to say something in my address today. It may be a little bit
broken up. But I do want to start by saying I want to thank my wife
first.
Frankly, to be honest, she should not have let me run for the Senate.
After I ran for city council and became mayor of Albuquerque, we
already had our children. We were not a moneyed family, and I guess you
all could guess we were pretty broke. Here I was in that condition
telling her that I want to run for something else. And the Lord blessed
me. I had a luck-out. I got a big lawsuit that settled. No, it did not.
It went to jury right about that time and made a lot of money. I was
able to at least tell my wife we were not going to go broke running for
the Senate, although there would not be much around for us to share.
The case was a good one, and it made us able to go on through that
campaign.
But anybody that has been from a family that is as large as ours
knows that for the head of the household to decide to run and serve as
a Senator, especially in a State like New Mexico--which is not
Republican at all, and which is, very big--for the lady of the
household to say yes, and then to live with it, has not been an easy
job.
She has probably had as hard a job--a much harder job--than I, and
she has never been anything but beautiful and decent and honest and
loving and caring. Obviously, she did not have enough time to do all
these things that I have done. She did some of them. But I can say,
wherever any of the Members and their wives met her, they had nothing
but good things to say because they could not say otherwise. She
deserves just that.
Let me say that these remarks about the Senate itself--I say to my
fellow retiree sitting here, John Warner--I could do this in 20 minutes
or 2 days because, obviously, there is so much to talk about. The time
in the Senate, when you look at it day by day, was wrenching and
difficult at times. It was so hard; but when you look at it over 36
years, it is like a storm. It blew by, and all of a sudden it is 36
years later, and you are gone. Nobody will experience the strange
feeling it is after 36 years in a place such as this to wake up of a
morning and say you are not going to be here anymore. I don't know what
I could offer the Senate to make it more pleasant for people who are
leaving, but for me it is time to say goodbye.
Having said that, I wish to move on to what makes a Senator succeed.
I have a list of the people who have worked for me in my Senate office
here, or in my Senate office in New Mexico, or on the Budget Committee,
or on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I will say I could
not have done what I have done without fantastic leadership from my
staff. My first recommendation to anybody coming here anew is don't let
anybody tell you that you can get by with just this person or that
person. You have to find people who are smart, people who are gifted,
people who are ambitious, and people who want to serve you, the
Senator, and make you achieve for your constituency. I have been
blessed
[[Page 22605]]
by an abundance of them. They are not all still here. They are all over
the place. Wherever they are, most are in high places doing
distinguished things.
The whole list I wish to mention will go in the Record shortly. There
are three or four people whom I want to recommend. First, Steve Bell,
who has been with me most all of my 36 years--all but 8. Those 8 years
he took off to go to Wall Street and make his own fortune. He did that.
Then he came back, and I caught him one day when he wasn't doing
anything. I asked him if he would like to work, and he wondered: Where?
I said: How does chief of staff sound? He didn't bother to say I have
to talk to my wife or anything. He said: I will take it. And he has
been here ever since.
A young man named Alex Flint, as well as another young man in my
office--a lawyer--Ed Hild, who shepherded the mental health parity bill
for 10 years. There are many other people. I am sorry I mentioned
three, because others are going to wonder why I didn't mention them. I
am compelled to mention two others. Bill Hoagland was the director of
the Budget Committee and is now known in the United States as the our
Nation's foremost expert on the budget of the United States. He has
written a white paper on the budget and it is incredible. Anybody who
wants to know the first 25-year history of the Budget Act should read
Bill Hoagland's white paper.
Then there is a lady named Carol McGuire who I got from one of the
other appropriations Senators. He was a Democrat. As he left, she came
to work for me more than 25 years ago. I can tell you with all honesty,
she became as if she were a New Mexican. She knows more about her
adopted State, which is my State, than any living public servant of any
category in anyplace in New Mexico, because she has served me there and
that means in every district she has been the principal person on
appropriations projects and activities.
Clearly, there are many others and they all have my greatest thanks
as I ask unanimous consent to have this list printed in the Record at
this time. As I go through and find a few more that I must put in, I
think the Senate will indulge me to add them.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Steve Bell, Ed Hild, Alex Flint, Bill Hoagland, Chris
Gallegos, Charles Gentry, Carol McGuire, Angela Raish, Lee
Rawls, Paul Gilmon, Denise Ramonas, George Ramonas, Darlene
Garcia, Peggy Mallow, Lisa Breeden, Susie Cordero, Ernest
Vigil, Joe Trujillo, Joyce Pullen, Poe and Nancy Corn, Lou
Gallegos, Cheryl Rodriguez, Clay Sell, Frank Macchiarola,
Scott O'Malia, Maggie Murray, Davie Schiappa.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, now I wish to say that I looked for a
little bit of history about myself to see what I said when I first came
to the Senate. In those days you waited a few months before speaking on
the floor, so I will tell you that I did not give a so-called maiden
speech, Mr. Leader, until I had been here 4 full months. I guess it was
because I was frightened. I thought this was such a mammoth
organization with such compelling things happening, I didn't know where
I should be or what I should do. I sat in that seat over there because
I was 99th in the Senate. Joe Biden was 100 when I came. Incidentally,
they parked him in my office, so there were two Senators in the same
office when I arrived because Joe had no place to stay and they put us
together. So it was Domenici and Biden in the same office.
But what I said, Mr. Leader, in my first speech--I will just read one
sentence, and I said this: ``Let us quit this self-serving struggle and
get on with the business of governing.''
Now, that was when the Senate didn't have time to legislate because
we were arguing about Richard Nixon. As a brand new Senator, I said
those words. Now, isn't it interesting that I could say those words
today. I wish we could quit partisan arguing and get more done. As I
leave the Senate, I must say there is no place like the Senate. I don't
think you could ever invent one. It has evolved out of our Constitution
and out of the rules, the Jeffersonian rules that were adopted, and
then the evolution occurred with this body trying to meet the
challenges of this fantastic, great country, from its infancy to the
growth that it has today. Believe it or not, we have passed over the
years one-sentence bills that were very meaningful that took a long
time. We have had complicated matters that probably we never thought
would be handled by the Senate or the House. One of those is before us
today.
It is so complex for this kind of a body to legislate this problem
that we are having in our financial markets that one wonders whether we
can do it. But I do wish to say that it is my feeling that we will
solve the problem. We will solve the financial problem which could
cause the ruination of our country, and it is because the Senate almost
always, if not always, finds somebody who will take the lead. Somebody
will rise up and be the leader. Somebody will take the reins and run
with it and others will follow, and you will get done what must be done
for America. There is no question that it is easy to play politics,
even with something as profound as our financial system and its
potential for bankruptcy. It is easy to play politics and hide when you
have something before you that says perhaps we are going to have a
depression if we don't act. But the Senate doesn't expect everybody to
agree.
I wish to address for a moment two things that are happening in the
Senate that I wish could be changed. I wish the filibuster--which I am
a staunch advocate of retaining--but I wish we could find a way to use
it less. The use of the filibuster so frequently is beginning to
distort this place. When you add it with a couple of other things such
as the filling of the tree activity, we are becoming more and more like
the House and less and less like a U.S. Senate. I don't know whether we
can do anything about that, but surely, surely we ought to be solving
more problems in a bipartisan way. I think the rules of our Senate are
more apt to operate well if Senators could work together rather than
being polarized. Again, I can't say anyone is wrong in doing it,
because we feel very strongly about the issues before us, and that is
why these things happen.
I did mention, at least in passing, in these few words about New
Mexico and the things I was privileged to do there. And, how they made
me what I am by letting me do for them what they needed. I do wish to
mention that there are great people in that State. As a matter of fact,
people don't know that those two giant national laboratories in the
State of New Mexico, the one called Los Alamos and the other one at
Sandia. Between the two of them, they provide more Ph.D.s and advanced
degrees in science, math and physics to that part of the United States
than any other part of the country. It is rather phenomenal what they
do and what they contribute. To be part of them has caused me to become
somewhat of an expert in nuclear power, and I am proud to tell my
colleagues that nuclear power is in a renaissance posture. I take a
little bit of credit for it because I spent 10 years working on it, and
finally, it came forward. We are going to have nuclear power. It will
take awhile, because it takes about 4 years to clear the permits, but
they are coming forward four at a time, four permits at a time. There
are about 26 of them, 1,000-megawatt units pending before the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission. Our distinguished leader mentioned one, because
one had to start it off, but we have many more now than one. Those
nuclear powerplants will begin to help America achieve what we have
always been best at: We will achieve with large operating machines that
are perfectly safe; we will achieve without any carbon dioxide to
bother the outer limits where we are worrying about climate change.
They have no emissions that have anything to do with that. What a big
achievement for us. I am proud to have had something to do with that.
There are many more things that are kind of matched between New
Mexicans telling me about them and my getting to work on them up here.
Because of my scientists and the expertise in nuclear matters, I was
encouraged after the two balanced budgets that I was privileged to put
forth and
[[Page 22606]]
manage--we did have two of them, John, even though we look back and
wonder when was it and will it ever come again, we had two in a row. I
was chairman of the Budget Committee. After that, my staff said: What
is next, Senator? I said, I don't know. We have to dream it up. We have
already balanced the budget and we all came up with let's work on
nuclear power, and we did. That is how it happened. One thing followed
another. One accomplishment begged out and asked for another. That was,
indeed, exciting. Many other things have happened in the field of
energy, in the field of nonproliferation.
I remember going to Russia when we finalized an agreement with the
Russians. President Clinton invited me because I was the one who led
the cause here to buy the remnants of 20,000 missiles that had been
taken apart in Russia and they had highly enriched uranium in
abundance. We bought it. It was my proposal: $350 million. The lights
in the leader's home and in people's homes today--10 percent of all of
the lights in America are being lit by that highly enriched uranium
that is still flowing from that agreement, which is about 14 years old.
Now we are going to enter into new agreements to use that material that
comes out of those nuclear rockets; 20,000 is what was dismantled for
what we bought, but there is much more there, and that is always
dangerous for America and for the world. So somebody will need to fill
this vacuum and work hard at it. I heard the Presidential candidates
speaking of it. I am not quite sure that either of them has been
involved enough to know what is going on, but I wish whichever one of
them wins well in that regard, because that is important. The
nonproliferation of nuclear materials is drastically important.
Now, I don't know whether I am going to be around here. My wife Nancy
and I haven't decided whether we are going to live here or in New
Mexico. If we live here, I won't be bugging anybody or bothering
anybody, but maybe some of you might bother me. Who knows, I might have
a cause that brings me to talk to you once in a while. But leaving will
be difficult for me. You all already know me. I don't take things
lightly. I get so worked up about this issue of the possible financial
problems of our country. I feel so personal about it. But, you must
take care of it after I leave. After a day of debating and arguing, I
feel so uptight about the fact that we didn't do something, that I
don't know how we can continue day after day, especially the leader,
waiting for these things to materialize.
I want them done yesterday when I see a problem as big as the one we
have in terms of our financial system. The first day I find out all
about them, I want to sit down and finish it, Leader. I guess you have
sensed that, have you not? I bother you a lot asking what is going on,
when are we going to do this, when are we going to do that.
If I don't have any of that around, I don't know what exactly I will
do or what kind of a person I may become. Maybe I will just fade away.
I hope not and I doubt it.
What I have learned in the Senate. I learned what I wish every
Senator would learn, every Republican Senator, just speaking to my own
party, I learned that the best way to solve a big problem is to do it
in a bipartisan manner.
That puts me looking over my left shoulder and seeing Senator
Bingaman. He is a Democrat. He has not been here as long. Almost as
long. The way he is going, he is probably going to pass my 36 years.
Although every time I tell him that, he nods no. I don't see what he is
going to do if he isn't in the Senate. He is so involved. He loves it.
I do wish to say the most successful piece of legislation in 36
years--I did budgets, but they are not legislated. I did reconciliation
bills, which I am going to talk about in a moment as my closing
remarks. But when it came to doing a major energy bill, we failed until
I made up my mind that I would not do it unless I did it in a
bipartisan manner.
I went to my fellow Senator, Senator Bingaman, and I said: Are you
willing to give it a try? We will do it in a bipartisan manner. I was
chairman for 3 years. And he said: It will be great. I can tell you it
was the best 2 years of legislating here that I have had, and I think
he would say the same. He recalls. He pushed me, and he knows I pushed
him. That means I took him as far as I could, and when I got to a
certain place, I said: I better agree with him, he doesn't want to do
this, because he is apt to quit, he is at the end of the rope. I don't
know how many times he did that to me, but that is how you do it. You
have to push and push, and then you have to give. That was a very
exciting thing and a lesson for all of us.
There are too many people who don't know what is in that bill and
they talk about it. But that bill is the reason why we are going to
have a rebirth of nuclear power. It is the reason we are moving ahead
as rapidly as we are in solar energy and wind energy, no question about
it. It is a bill that set the ground rules for improving the national
grid for electricity so we might have a day soon when we can say the
national grid will not break again. It will continue unabated. No
matter what you do to it, you will not knock the whole thing offline.
Those are the kinds of things that are in this bill, and much more, on
conservation and a host of other issues.
We did that bill in 2 years because we walked hand in hand,
Republican and Democrat. He had to, as it goes, because I was chairman,
take a lot less notoriety in New Mexico than I got. I never heard him
complain a bit. He should have probably told me every now and then: Why
don't you shut up for a week and let me talk about the bill so New
Mexicans will know I am working too. But he didn't do that. When we
finally finished, the President of the United States made sure he got
his credit because Senator Bingaman went for the signing of that bill.
The reason he got so much credit is because I put on a pair of glasses
to hide from the Sun. They were so big and bulky that people didn't
know who I was. They surely knew who he was because he was clear and
lucid and I had these glasses hiding me. So he got his just due.
My last comments have something to do internal to the Senate that I
have achieved with the help of some mighty fine people, with Steve Bell
and Bill Hoagland as leaders.
We passed a bill in 1974 called the Budget Impoundment Act of the
United States. That was done for two reasons. One, President Richard
Nixon got involved a little too much in impounding as a means of
cutting budgets. So he would impound ongoing projects, such as a water
project, I say to David sitting there.
I should comment that without David Schiappa and all his staff, we
cannot make it. This place needs the young, smart, dedicated and
honest.
Here is what happened in that law. That law was passed, and it was
bragged about that Senator Robert Byrd joined with those who put it
together and it will run and operate exactly as it was written and
there are no loopholes in that bill. Maybe there were not and maybe
there were, but early on, we found you could not get anything out of
the Budget Act by just adopting budget resolutions because there was no
way to make enforce anything other than points of order. So we found a
little section in there called reconciliation. That is a funny word. We
said: We are going to interpret reconciliation to mean our committee
can order another committee to do something and how. What they are
ordered to do is reconcile with the budget. We soon found we could
reconcile tax bills. We could reconcile entitlements. We could
reconcile direct spending.
Lo and behold, the committees had to do it or we would do it. They
said: You will never do it because you are not the committee chairman;
it is my committee. I said that is the perfect intent of this
provision. If you don't want me to do it, you better do it. We never
had to find out whether the chairman could because they always did it.
Why is that so important? Because reconciliation was provided to make
sure you could not delay matters of budget. It was not filibusterable,
let
[[Page 22607]]
me say. A matter in that budget, anything in that Budget Act that was
put forth before the Senate was not subject to filibuster.
Senator Byrd, the first or second time we used it, came to the floor
and said: That is not what we intended. And we said: Well, we think it
is. We had a vote. The Senate said it was.
If you wonder why almost all the major legislation of the U.S.
Government has been appearing with a funny name--it is usually called
something that says ``Budget and Reconciliation Act of'' such and such
a year. That is generally the major piece of legislation that we
passed--major tax changes, major Medicare changes, major Social
Security changes, if any. All of them will come out in that form. That
means every one of those bills became law because of that
interpretation of the Budget Act that we put on it called
reconciliation. That is how all the bills passed.
What does it tell you then? It tells you that a filibuster doesn't
work because to get the work of budgeting done, you abandon filibuster.
You send it to a temporary ash heap--not permanently--because if you
tried to do it permanently, everybody would die because they think the
filibuster would be abolished and maybe there would be a vote. But that
is not what happens in the Budget Act. You can read it in the act and
interpret it and say you cannot stop budgets indefinitely. There is no
reason to have a budget. If you stop the implementation indefinitely,
you kill the budget. Right? That is where it comes from.
I certainly took a lot more than 20 minutes, but I didn't take 2 days
to say goodbye and to tell you how I felt about this place. But it took
a long time. Some of you certainly could have gone a long time ago, but
out of courtesy to me, you have sat here, including you, Mr. Leader.
I do hope whoever reads the Record and whoever hears me today and
those of you who are on the floor, at least got out of this that I
worked pretty hard at being a Senator. I somehow got myself involved in
a lot of different things, and it was kind of fun that way. We got
things done. We didn't always make a lot of noise, although I am known
to make noise, if necessary. But those were not the areas I was
involved in.
I wish to close with one funny story about my wife, Senator Ted
Kennedy, and myself. One night I was over here and Senator Kennedy was
over there. My wife sometimes watches the TV to see what we do here on
the floor. It was between 7 and 9 in the evening. When I talk loud, you
notice my face gets red. I didn't talk very loud today, but you have
seen plenty of times late in the evening when I talk loud and my face
gets red. Some people say it is because you are yelling. I don't know
what it is. Maybe it is yelling, maybe it is just talking too loud.
I got a note. I was called to the cloakroom, so I went to the
cloakroom while Senator Kennedy held the floor. My wife had written a
note and said--my family nickname is Bocci, not Pete: Bocci, you don't
do any better when you yell and get red in the face than when you talk
low and you don't get red in the face. I love you.
I came back. I said to Senator Kennedy, when it finally got to be my
turn: Senator Kennedy, I want you to know I got a note from my wife.
He said: Oh, you mean Nancy.
I said: Yes, Nancy.
He said: What about it?
I said: She sent you a note. Really. So I read him the note with his
name in place of Bocci my name: Dear Senator Kennedy, you don't do any
better when you yell and get red in the face than you do when you talk
low and you don't get red in the face. I said: I don't know why my wife
said that to you, but she did. My wife would almost not let me in the
door that night. But we made our point and both of us tried from time
to time to yell a little less.
I hope he is getting well or feeling better. We finished a bill that
I did not mention--maybe I did in passing--but we did a bill together
over the past 8 years, which is a very important bill for the mentally
ill of our country. I have worked on the mentally illness issues for
about 25 years. The treatment of the mentally ill in the United States
is one of the most disgraceful ways of handling a social problem of
almost anything. We let them all out of dungeons and then provided no
physical facilities for them. We just thought it will happen, but it
didn't happen. That is the worst. We acted like it wasn't a disease,
even though it is. In the meantime, insurance companies decided not to
cover it. Even if they had an insurance policy that covered everything,
they would cover mentally ill less. This bill says that will not happen
anymore. Insurance companies would not be able to do that any more--the
bill is called parity, which means fairness, which means equality. We
are going to have fairness and equality of treatment by all insurance
companies for the mentally ill.
Senator Kennedy was as excited about that as I was. He is very sorry
he couldn't be here when you helped me, Mr. Leader, get that through
the other day. We called him and told him and sent him a letter saying
we couldn't have done it without him.
That bill will cover 113 million people who will no longer have the
threat of having less than full coverage for their mental illness, such
as they do for other diseases.
That seems like it is pretty close to the end of my time, my 36
years. It will soon actually be, literally, 36 years, but for now, I
will act as if it is and say this is my time to say thank you to the
Senate. To all those who have worked with me and with whom I have been
privileged to work.
What a magnificent opportunity I have had. Coming from Albuquerque,
my father never went to school. He got here at 13. He claimed he was
lucky. He didn't have to go to school because the law said if you are
13, you don't have to. He didn't know education was valuable, so he was
glad to go to work. He didn't want me to go to law school because he
was quite sure I had been overeducated. But when I explained it to him,
he paid for everything. He said: I want you to be a lawyer, which was
absolutely fantastic.
It has been an honor to serve my home state of New Mexico. With that,
I just want to say thank you and goodbye.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
MORNING BUSINESS
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to
10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR PETE DOMENICI
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, let me take a few moments to say what an
absolutely outstanding privilege it has been for me, for 10 of the 12
years I have served in the Senate, to serve on the Energy Committee
with Senator Domenici.
It is rare to see a person in public office who cares equally as
deeply about his family and his children and his work. Sometimes
families get pushed aside because of the work of men and women who
think the work they do is somehow more important than raising their
children. I have experienced struggling for that balance in my own
life, watching my father struggle with that balance. Sitting on the
committee watching Senator Domenici has been an inspiration to me, to
watch him handle some of the biggest issues of our time, truly, over 36
years. He spoke about some of them--the budgets of the entire Congress,
the nuclear renaissance in the country, major pieces of social
legislation he has shepherded and nurtured and loved. But in between
many of these discussions I have been
[[Page 22608]]
privileged to have with him, he will stop in the middle of a
conversation and talk about one of his children or one of his
grandchildren. He is the father of eight. I am one of nine and the
mother of two.
I just want to tell him, in these brief moments--and I am just going
to speak for 2 or 3 minutes--what an inspiration he has been to me as a
man who loves his wife and his children and his grandchildren so deeply
and has managed to serve his State with such passion and grace and love
for 36 years. And New Mexico is not a next-door kind of place. New
Mexico is a long way from Washington, DC, but it has never been long
from the Senator's heart.
The final thing I want to say is that, on behalf of the people of my
State, I want the Senator from New Mexico to know we will be forever
grateful for his leadership when it came to passing, for us, something
in the nature of the Declaration of Independence. And I don't mean to
belittle that document, but for the people of Louisiana, who for 60
years have struggled to try to find some way to preserve this great
coast of ours and to save our communities, our culture, and our
economic livelihood, this Senator stepped up, this Senator from New
Mexico--not much water there--and his heart was with the people of
Louisiana and the gulf coast. He and his wife flew over this great
expanse of land, which has been under water now for quite some time
with these storms in the last years, and he basically took the lead on
establishing for us something that had eluded us for 60 years--since
President Truman was the President of the United States. Senator
Domenici changed the fortunes of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and
Alabama by putting in a major piece of legislation that will establish
a way for us to secure this coast.
So, Senator, I could speak for a long time--many more hours--about
what you have done, but there are other Members much more senior to me
and in your own party who wish to speak. I just wanted to lay down for
the record the comment to you--and I will submit a more formal
statement for the Record--that the people of Louisiana whom I represent
will be forever grateful for your leadership.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I am sorry to see Pete Domenici leave the
Senate for a variety of reasons but one highly personal: He is reducing
by 25 percent the number of Senators now serving who served with my
father. Senator Byrd, Senator Kennedy, Senator Inouye, Senator Stevens,
and Senator Biden all served with my father, as did Senator Domenici.
Now, he has told me that my father was never quite able to pronounce
his name correctly, for which I apologize. I have learned how to do it
so that the Bennett family is relieved of that particular problem.
This demonstrates a degree of continuity and a degree of dedication
to the problems related to the West because New Mexico and Utah are
neighboring States. We touch at one tiny point. It is the only point in
the United States where four States come together. It is called the
Four Corners, where four States, in a straight divide, come and touch
each other. But New Mexico and Utah share many of the same problems,
and as I have come to the Senate with the problems of the West and had
to turn somewhere for a mentor to help guide me through those problems,
I have turned to Senator Domenici. His advice has always been good, his
help has always been available, and he has proven to be as good a
friend to his western neighbors as he has been to his New Mexican
constituents.
If the Senate seniority rule holds in place, I will succeed him as
the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the
Committee on Appropriations. These are very big shoes to fill. In true
Domenici style, instead of just waving goodbye and walking out the
door, he has tucked me under his arm and taken me around to all of the
national labs to make sure that these beloved institutions, which he
has tended and funded and guided so carefully, got introduced to me
under his tutelage and so that he made sure that I understood fully how
important they were. In very kind and subtle ways, he made it clear to
me that if I didn't stand up to the responsibility of keeping those
national treasures alive, he would haunt me in one way or another. Now,
I hope he does. I hope he is available for years to come for advice and
counsel.
The other thing that has been referred to here, on which I have been
delighted to join with him, is his crusade for insurance equality for
the mentally disturbed. He and I both have some experience with that
with members of our own families. We understand how important that is,
and it has been easy to be a foot soldier in the ranks, with Pete
Domenici leading the charge.
There is a phrase that has been used and vastly overused around these
halls in Washington for a long time, but it applies accurately to Pete
Domenici. He truly has been a national treasure, and we shall miss him
but wish him well.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Levin). The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, what a privilege it has been for myself
and many of my colleagues to sit here in the presence this afternoon to
not hear a goodbye to the Senate, because the Senate, Senator Domenici,
will always look up to you. You will be the model which young men and
women coming to the Senate will wish to follow.
I don't know whether anyone can do what you have done throughout the
Senate with greater feeling and sincerity. Mr. President, when Senator
Domenici greets and visits with you, he always finishes that with ``I
love you, brother'' or ``I love you, sister.''
God bless you and your family.
Mr. DOMENICI. Thank you.
Mr. WARNER. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN WARNER
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise also today to pay my respects to
another retiring Member of the Senate, the squire from Virginia, a
longtime colleague of the occupant of the chair, and a truly remarkable
man.
It is not a stretch to say that if most Americans were asked to
conjure up in their minds the image of a U.S. Senator, the man they
would see is the senior Senator from Virginia. To most people, John
Warner seems as though he were born to be a Member of this body, and in
a remarkable 30-year career, he has proven they were right. He has
matched the image with the skill and, though it certainly never was, he
made it look easy.
Virginians are very proud of their history. They are proud of their
traditions. And John Warner has lived up to the best of them. Like our
Nation's first President and Virginia's most famous son, he has always
been a patriot first.
The son of a World War I field surgeon, John first heard the call to
serve while still in high school, dropping his studies at age 17 and
enlisting in the Navy in the closing months of World War II. The call
to serve later led him to interrupt law school in order to join the
Marine Corps in the Korean war. After that, it led him to fulfill his
mother's dream by becoming Secretary of the Navy; to take charge of
America's bicentennial in 1976; and, for the last three decades, to
serve America and the people of the Old Dominion with distinction in
the Senate. These are the deeds that define John Warner. They are the
only things that can explain a career that has been as significant to
the strength of our Nation--and as beneficial to the people of his
State--as his.
John always balanced the interests of his State and the Nation
masterfully. Virginians have honored him for it, sending him back to
the Senate four times after that first election in 1978, and he has
repaid them time after time.
Over the years, John has earned a reputation as one of the most
knowledgeable, hardest working, respected Senators on Capitol Hill. He
has distinguished himself among his colleagues
[[Page 22609]]
on both sides of the aisle as a man of intelligence, deep humanity, and
courage. The people of Virginia can be proud of his many years of
service in the Senate. John's entire Senate career speaks of his skills
as a legislator and his love of Virginia and country.
But any list of his legislative accomplishments would have to begin
with the work he has done on behalf of the men and women in our
military. He has vastly improved the quality of life for military men
and women by fighting for substantial increases in pay, including
increases in separation, hardship duty, and imminent danger pay.
He has played a central role in improving benefits for widows and
survivors of fallen soldiers.
And many of us are not too young to recall John leading the fight for
the 1991 gulf war resolution.
He played a major role in ensuring that America's missile defense
system was built, and deployed.
On being named chairman of the Armed Services Committee from 1999 to
2001, and then for 5 more years from 2003 to 2007, he worked closely
with Democrats and Republicans to ensure that the interests of American
security and the interests of our servicemen and women were met.
As chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Warner saw an
emerging threat from radical terrorists that many others overlooked.
And he acted on it by creating a new Emerging Threats Subcommittee on
terrorism, chemical and biological warfare and cyberwarfare.
He pushed and succeeded in approving a major increase in the Nation's
submarine fleet.
He has guided the annual Defense authorization act through Congress
for years, using it in recent years to modernize our armed forces and
to meet current and emerging threats in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He has been a firm supporter and a trusted friend to the brave men
and women bravely serving the cause of freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Closer to home, Senator Warner secured major Federal funding to
rebuild the Woodrow Wilson Bridge that connects Alexandria to Maryland,
easing the commute for millions and improving the flow of commerce
along the I-95 corridor between Maryland, Virginia, and the DC area.
He has worked hard to improve the water quality and to restore
wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay. He has designated thousands of acres of
National Forest as wilderness, expanded Virginia's National Wildlife
Refuges and National Parks, and secured funds to demolish the Embrey
Dam.
He led a 3-year campaign to preserve the Newport News shipbuilding
shipyard in Hampton Roads--a show of grit and persistence that paid off
with thousands of jobs for southeastern Virginia.
Senator Warner has been unafraid, at times, to part ways with his
colleagues when he disagreed with them--but he has never lost their
trust, their confidence, their respect, or their deep admiration.
In everything, he has been the consummate Senator, and always a
gentleman. And the Senate will never be the same without John Warner.
On a more personal note, the entire Senate family shared John's
happiness when he married Jeanne, not least of all because we all enjoy
her company so much.
Elaine and I have valued their friendship over the past several
years.
John, I know, is a proud graduate of Washington and Lee.
The school's motto--``Not Unmindful of the Future''--is meant to
impress on graduates a sense of responsibility to the future, rooted in
the past.
In a long career of service to the current and future good of his
country, John William Warner has made that motto his own.
Virginia has produced some of America's greatest leaders. John
William Warner is one of them.
His colleagues in the Senate are deeply grateful for his service, his
friendship, and his many contributions to this body and to the Nation.
(Applause, Senators rising.)
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am deeply humbled like my dear friend,
Pete Domenici. I don't know if I am going to measure the courage to say
goodbye to the Senate, but that will wait until next week.
But I remember going back to a day when the Republican leader, then
Bob Dole, came to me. I adored him, as I do to this day. He said to me:
You need to do something for the Senate.
I said: What is that?
He said: I want you to give up your seat on the Rules Committee
because the Senate has been joined by a young man who I believe can
best serve the Senate--because of the complexities of the rules of the
Senate, because of the problems that face the Senate--if he were to
serve on this committee. Senator Dole said: I will assure you if you
wish to return you may do so without loss of seniority or otherwise.
So I said: Who is this man?
And he described him.
I said: Well, if that is for the best interests of the Senate, I will
step down.
I did, and you, Mitch McConnell, joined the Rules Committee. Not long
after that, Dole again expressed his appreciation to me, and he said:
You know, I predict that someday that man will become the Republican
leader of the Senate.
I was a bit taken aback. I hadn't been here that long, but that is
quite a prediction for someone to make.
Well, it has come true. It is almost as if the hand of Providence has
directed it because here, in these final hours, these final days that
my dear friend, Senator Domenici and I will serve in this institution,
we will be a part of making a decision, a decision with regard to the
future of America and our economy. It is a decision of a magnitude that
I am not sure any other Senate has made in its 218-year history, save
perhaps during the Civil War, a decision that this body will make
affecting every single American--every single American.
I just say in concluding, the Senate, the country is fortunate to
have you and others in the leadership role in this institution today,
on both sides of the aisle, to guide us through to make that decision.
That comes from my heart.
Good luck, God bless you, bless the leadership of the Senate and
every Member of this institution as we assemble within the coming days,
each of us in our seat, to cast this most important vote.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Colorado.
____________________
SENATOR PETE DOMENICI
Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, if I may, to Senator Domenici, with whom
I have worked on the Energy Committee since I came to the Senate, I
want to give him my accolades and also to wish him well in his days
ahead. When I arrived in the Senate some 3\1/2\ years ago, he was one
of the people who welcomed me here. He welcomed me here as the man from
the land of enchantment, la Tierra Encantada, as we say in Spanish in
New Mexico. He did so in large part because many of my family members
are from the State of New Mexico. My family helped found the city of
Santa Fe, the city of Holy Faith, now over 400 years ago.
During many times as I was growing up as a young man, and later on in
my professional life, traveling in New Mexico, I would hear about the
great Senator of New Mexico, the great Pete Domenici. Now, for the last
4 years it has been a tremendous privilege and personal honor for me to
be able to serve with him.
I want to make two comments about him--first, in terms of the
substance of the legislation that we have worked on together. We have
passed three significant pieces of bipartisan energy legislation with
him--in 2005, the Energy Policy Act of that year; again, we passed
another energy package in 2006; and again in 2007. In the passage of
those major pieces of legislation, it was Senator Domenici, working
closely with his good friend, Senator Bingaman, who said that we could
agree on things for the future of this country on this signature issue
that is so important to our national security and to our economic
prosperity. He brought us together to make sure that we would work on
those things that we all
[[Page 22610]]
agreed upon. That is why we were able to pass those very important
pieces of legislation. I very much appreciate what he has done in that
committee.
Second, as he and I have talked many times over the last several
years, there are issues that are unique to the West, the issues of
public lands, where much of our lands--for example, in my State of
Colorado, 33 percent is owned by the Federal Government. It takes an
understanding of those realities, of issues like payment in lieu of
taxes, or how we deal with the mining law in the West, or how we make
sure that the water issues of the West are protected, and how we
recognize the compacts of our States as being important. For all those
issues he has been a tremendous leader and an inspiration.
I will miss him dearly as a friend. He has been a dear friend. But I
also will miss his leadership because on so many issues he has worked
across the aisle. I appreciate his leadership as well in what he has
done for mental health parity for the United States of America.
There will be not hundreds of thousands, not millions, but hundreds
of millions of Americans who will come to benefit from his leadership
on the mental health parity issue. Also, the building blocks he has
laid for us to try to take the moon shot that will get us energy
independence. Those building blocks will remain in place for decades
and for generations to come.
So I appreciate his leadership, and I appreciate his service.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I want to thank my good friend, Senator
Salazar, from the State of Colorado. I don't know what brought us
together on our Energy Committee. Maybe it was a little bit of common
language--we both spoke a little Spanish to each other, and it made us
both understand and feel like we were friends. But we became that, we
became friends rather quickly in his short 4 years.
I obviously remember your very first 6 months when we became friends
and worked on many issues. I compliment you on your constant effort to
work in a bipartisan way on issues. It is tough around here. It is
going to have to move in that direction or we are going to continue to
have trouble getting things done. For that, I hope you will stand your
ground and at least keep trying.
I appreciate the kind words you said in my behalf. Let's hope we see
each other frequently, if not in your State, in New Mexico, the Land of
Enchantment.
Thank you very much, Senator.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, these are one of the periods of our lives
in the Senate we shall always remember. My good friend, the Senator
from New Mexico, steps down and departs the floor. But you will be a
Member of this decisionmaking body through the next few days, which
will be critical when your vast experience will be brought to bear on
this decision, as it will.
Mr. DOMENICI. Senator, I tell you, I said a little bit in my remarks
a while ago about it. I get very excited and anxious because it takes
too long. But that is the deliberative body. But we don't have a long
time to give the Secretary of the Treasury the kind of authority he
needs to fix a broken train.
We have had a wreck--lots of wrecks. All the freeways are clogged. We
have to take away the things that are clogging them. We could look at
it as a freeway with cracked-up cars, but actually the assets that are
piled up there are the toxic assets that have been accumulated by those
banks. If you don't get them out of the way, the line continues growing
because of the broken-down cars, the toxic assets. The running cars can
run no more. They are stopped in place. They contain everything that
has given us a decent life in America.
We have to fix that. I am going to be here. Let's hope our
negotiators will put something together that the executive branch tells
us will work and that the world accepts it with confidence. When we
come off this floor, when we vote that in--whatever it is, Monday or
whatever--we will join, you and I, with great confidence that we have
once again done something important.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I was present today in our group of
Senators. When you spoke, you inspired them. We have got to rebuild the
confidence in America. That is what underlies this decision. I also
wish to say a few words about our dear friend from Colorado. I cannot
altogether make these remarks without divulging I have a bias. I have
visited that beautiful State many times. But my daughter makes her home
there, together with my grandson, and the Senator from Colorado allowed
my grandson to be an intern in his office. He served as an intern
briefly in my office, both without pay to the taxpayers, I hasten to
say, when I make these remarks.
But he has been a great friend. We have worked together on many
things. He has dignity. But above all it is his enthusiasm and love for
this institution. There is not a day when he walks on this floor,
either to say to other Senators or to say it quietly to himself: How
fortunate I am to be a Senator, to come here to represent the people of
Colorado, to represent the people, as each Senator does, of the whole
of the United States.
So as I step down, and others, we do so with a sense of confidence,
behind us remain individuals like yourself and indeed the distinguished
Presiding Officer who for 30 years, he and I have served together on
the Armed Services Committee. He will remain on. The Senate will be in
good hands with you and our other colleagues to carry on and solve the
problems for this great Nation and indeed much of the world.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Colorado.
____________________
SENATOR JOHN WARNER
Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I want to make a few comments about my
good friend, Senator John Warner from Virginia. When you first come to
this body, you get to know people. Soon I got to know him as a
Senator's Senator, because he was one of those people who was always
trying to bring people together and take on the major issues that
confront our country.
I had the distinct honor of traveling to Iraq and other countries
with him and with the distinguished Presiding Officer. I admired the
relationship between Senator Levin and Senator Warner as a template for
how things should run in Washington, DC as we represent the 325 million
people of America. There are two people from two different parties who
work together to make sure that what we were doing was the very best
job that we could to protect America.
So you are, both the Presiding Officer as well as Senator Warner, two
of my most significant role models in this Chamber. I admire you both
for your service.
The Senator from Virginia was a member of pulling together the Gang
of 14. It was now some 2 years ago when we were debating whether there
would be a ``nuclear option'' and whether we would move forward in
saving some of the procedures and the very functioning of the
institution of the Senate. I remember working in awe with him as he and
Senator Byrd and others worked on that historic document at that time,
and on so many other occasions where he has been the person who has
been the glue to bring people together. So he is a Senator's Senator,
because he is such a proud American and such a wonderful leader for
Virginia and for the Senate.
But he also is a wonderful Senator because he has a very unique
ability of bringing people together. I would hope that all of us, the
100 Members of this Chamber, always continue to look to him for the
kind of inspiration and great example he has been.
I yield the floor.
Mr. WARNER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
[[Page 22611]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 15 minutes
as in morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
HELP FOR RURAL AMERICA
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I intend to speak for these next few
minutes, and then perhaps at least once or twice more as the day goes
on. As you know, yesterday, because of my initial insistence on a
potential rollcall vote that would require the Senate to come back, we
were able to at least secure the introduction, at least the
introduction of a bipartisan bill cosponsored by several leaders on the
Republican side in agriculture and several leaders on our side on
agriculture.
We voted to extend our Government operations until March. And
attached to that continuing resolution were four very important bills
to this country--Homeland Security, Defense appropriations, Homeland
Security appropriations, in which I had a hand, as all of us did, in
crafting. It has a disaster aid package, very specific, not a stimulus,
not a spending bill, but a disaster aid package of $22 billion that was
passed.
The aid package is going to be a great help for the States of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, particularly, that were hit so hard by
these last storms. That is Congress's responsibility, not to do it all,
but to step up in times of disaster and help States and cities and
counties through these major disasters.
I am starting to feel as if I am an expert on disasters, not
something I want to be or that I am happy to be, because there is
nothing happy about people losing their life savings, the only home
they have ever lived in, having to use up all of their savings that
they had for their retirement or their grandchildren or children's
college education, to try to keep their home together after everything
they have ever known is gone.
I have, unfortunately, in my short career here in the Senate, had to
be witness to too many of these kinds of disasters in the State I
represent. This Congress, particularly, I have to say, the Democratic
Congress, has been very generous to help the people of Louisiana and
Mississippi. I have been joined at times by Republican leaders who have
understood what we are going through.
But a few hours ago we passed a bill with some objections, and mine
was one, that said there was a glaring omission in all of these bills.
It looks as though unless something is done in the next few days this
Congress may leave here with $700 billion for Wall Street and zero for
farmers.
I represent large cities such as New Orleans, my hometown, and large
parishes such as Jefferson Parish, in my neighboring city; cities such
as our capital city, which is now the largest city in Louisiana because
of the damage done to New Orleans by Katrina.
But I also represent rural communities such as Delhi and Rayville,
and Cheneyville, and Dry Prong, and other places in between that have
suffered tremendously, not just from the levee breaches but from the
hurricanes and the rain from Fay that hit Florida, but dumped inches of
rain on our State, Ike and Gustav.
I have spent a good bit of the morning, and I wish to spend now,
reading into the Record the real description of this disaster and
continue to ask in public places such as this, on the floor of the
Senate, for the leaders to come together and do something before we
leave.
As I speak, the delegation from Louisiana on the House side is
gaining signatures from the legislators in Mississippi, the Congressmen
from Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas to join this effort, and
agriculture commissioners around the State, around the country, led by
Mike Strain, our commissioner, interestingly enough, who is a
Republican, I am a Democrat. This is not a partisan issue, this is an
issue of fairness and justice, to try to help get our farmers some help
before we send a $700 billion package or $350 billion package or $100
billion package, whether it is in one tranche or three tranches or
seven tranches, could there possibly be a tranche for middle America,
and particularly for our farmers and our rural communities?
I wish to read a portion of a beautifully written statement that was
delivered before my subcommittee earlier this week as we scrambled to
get our information and our data together. It is not as though we were
dillydallying or waiting to the last minute.
These storms, both Ike and Gustav, happened within the month. Ike
happened 2 weeks ago. The people of Galveston literally were allowed
back in the city I think 3 days ago to basically look, cry, and leave.
I have witnessed this before as people came back to look, cry, and
leave, all throughout the coast of Mississippi and Louisiana.
Well, my heart goes out to Galveston and to Houston. I committed to
their leaders and to all of them, I will do everything I can in the
time here to help them.
In the midst of all this, focused on levees and breakwaters and
rising tides, what the Congress has forgotten is that rains accompany a
lot of these storms. The rains fell and fell and fell and devastated
parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Of course, earlier in
the year, we had the great floods in the Midwest. Of course, even
earlier in the year, we had the great fires in California. I am not
here saying woe is us, we are the only ones who ever have disasters.
What I am saying is, this Congress should not leave trying to bail out
Wall Street and leave farmers holding soggy rice or sugarcane or rotten
sweet potatoes or cotton in their hands that cannot be harvested.
People are scratching their heads, asking me: Does anybody know we are
out here? Does anybody care?
I was privileged to have Wallace Ellender IV testify before our
Agriculture Committee this week. The interesting historical note is
that his grandfather was actually the chair of the Agriculture
Committee. We had the hearing in the same room that his grandfather
chaired, Senator Ellender from Louisiana, a great Senator and a man I
knew as a child. He chaired the Agriculture Committee.
I would like to read into the Record a portion of this testimony
because I thought it was beautifully written and so appropriate for the
time. Wallace Ellender writes not only as a sugarcane farmer himself
but as chairman of the National Legislative Committee of the American
Sugar Cane League.
He writes:
My brother and I are fifth-generation farmers who grow
sugarcane on two farms in the Raceland and Bourg communities
in southeast Louisiana, including the land that my ancestors
settled in 1853. As a child, I remember my grandfather
telling me a story about a stubborn dog that he had when he
was a kid on our farm. On one occasion, the family loaded up
everyone but the dog in a sailboat and sailed down the bayou
to the Gulf. That dog trotted down the bayou behind the boat
all the way down to the Gulf at Timballier Island. Other than
fording a couple of small streams, he went all the way on
foot. Today, that dog would have to swim 30 miles to reach
Timballier Island.
Where Timballier Island is, is washing away at an alarming rate. This
is the coast of Louisiana. Timballier Island would be right down in
this section. I wish to repeat:
That dog trotted down the bayou behind the boat all the way
to Timballier island. Other than fording a couple of small
streams, he went all the way on foot. Today that dog would
have to swim 30 miles to get to the island.
As I have said time and time again, if this Congress does not do
more--and this administration--to send urgent and direct help through
revenue sharing and some special disaster relief, there will not be any
farms in south Louisiana left.
He continues:
Gone are some of the barrier islands and most of the
wetlands that served as a natural buffer from the worst of
the storms that came in from the Gulf of Mexico. We are
losing coastal wetlands at a rate of 40 square miles each
year. Some experts predict that the shoreline will move
inland over 30 miles in the next 30 years.
I hope this gives you some perspective of the breadth of
the long-term problem our communities are facing when we look
to the south. I don't have to tell anyone who owns a TV or
computer about winds that demolish houses and flatten forests
and fields, or floods that overwhelm levees and shove aside
[[Page 22612]]
homes, but the ominous power of the sea when it surges 20-30
miles inland is something to behold. What the sea leaves
behind when it retreats can be bad, but what it leaves behind
when it stays in the fields is worse. Once breached, levees
that held back the tide will hold back the ebbing waters. We
tear holes in the levees when necessary to allow the sea to
retreat, but sea surges of the magnitude of Rita in 2005 and
Ike in 2008 flow over the levees and push vast volumes of
seawater to the lowest elevations in the fields. When the
tides turn, the storm-ravaged cane fields become salt lakes.
But sugarcane is a hearty plant and, with good weather and
time, the cane can rebound and produce a decent crop.
Harvesting it will be more difficult,and costly, but we can
still hope for a mild autumn and a good price to help offset
some of the additional costs we will incur in harvesting a
bent and broken crop. On the other hand, we may not have much
time to finish planting and harvesting before winter frosts
and freeze become a concern. Further complicating the matter,
sugarcane is a perennial crop and time will be needed to
determine whether fields holding surge water for extended
periods will recover next year.
He goes on to say:
According to Dr. Calvin Viator and his team of agricultural
consultants, the worst of the wind damage to sugarcane from
Gustav occurred in Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, and
parts of Lafourche, Ascension, Iberville, West Baton Rouge
and Point Coupee Parishes.
All these parishes are here, and this represents about 2 million
people in the southern part of the State.
He says:
The northeastern corner of the eye of the hurricane caused
the worst stalk breakage, but this damage occurred virtually
everywhere in the cane belt.
He writes:
Hurricane Ike's eye stayed to our south as it moved in on
Texas, but this meant that the counter-clockwise winds drove
the sea surge deep into Louisiana's cane belt in a manner
eerily familiar to those of us who experienced Hurricane Rita
in 2005.
I wish to stop here and say it is hard to describe the magnitude of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the largest natural disasters in the
history of the United States, flooding more than the land of Great
Britain, causing economic damage, up to $150 to $200 billion by
estimates from conservatives to liberals, estimates from some of the
greatest economic think tanks in the country. But all of that aside, to
have that happen 3 years ago and then have other storms, Gustav and
Ike, hit the same region again is more than I can possibly describe.
He goes on to describe the destruction that is occurring right now.
This is one of our most successful farmers. This farmer is a wealthy
farmer. Whether he and his family will be able to make it, I don't
know, but whether you are a wealthy farmer or a middle-income farmer or
barely scraping by, the Government has an obligation to respond to
disasters that are not of your making. Our leaders have been meeting
nonstop for 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and longer in other meetings, trying to
figure out a way to handle a disaster that was of our making. These
farmers in Louisiana and Mississippi and Arkansas and throughout the
country had no hand in this. It was a natural disaster. Yet we have to
put up $700 billion for a bailout for Wall Street and the financial
markets, and we can't seem to find $1 billion to help families.
I will submit this letter for the Record, but I will close with this
statement. I know some people listening to me might say: Senator
Landrieu, every time we see you, you are asking for help. Every time we
hear you, you are saying some other group needs help.
I wish to read, on behalf of sugarcane farmers, this sentence:
For the record, Louisiana sugarcane growers have received
agricultural disaster assistance [just] twice in 200 years of
production.
I wish to repeat that. We have received, for all the work that has
been done, disaster assistance twice in 200 years. Can I say, as their
Senator, I don't think that is too much to ask once every hundred
years. Some people come to this floor and can't wait until the ink is
dry on the tax bill before they come and ask for another loophole,
another deduction. They can't wait to take their taxes offshore so they
don't have to pay anything. Our farmers in Louisiana have gotten
disaster assistance twice in 200 years. I am here asking for them a
third time, and I don't think that is too much. They have nowhere to
go. They are literally between the sea and disaster. That is the
sugarcane farmers in south Louisiana and in north Louisiana.
I wish to put up a picture of the cotton crop and what it looks like
because it is up north. I wish to submit for the Record part of the
beautiful testimony written by Jay Hardwick.
I understand I have how much more time?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent for 3 more minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. LANDRIEU. This is beautiful testimony by Jay Hardwick, who is
vice chairman of the National Cotton Council. Jay is from Newellton,
LA, a small town up north. He is also director of the peanut board,
past president of the cotton producers, a man who works hard and knows
his business well. He farms 7,300 acres of cotton, corn, grain,
peanuts, soybean, and wheat. He is diversified.
He says:
Our producing mission is to achieve a viable and profitable
farm enterprise while providing a balance between habitat and
production resources with a minimum impact upon the farm
ecosystem. Emphasis is placed on conservation crop production
methods including no-till, crop rotation, residue
maintenance, erosion control and precision technologies to
apply and reduce pesticides and nutrient resources to help
restore and improve water, air, soil, wildlife habitat. . . .
He continues:
Plentiful fish, deer, turkey, neotropical birds, migratory
waterfowl, turtles, alligators, black bears, and increased
sightings of eagles and various cat family members inhabit
the property.
Our farmers are getting so smart and so good, and they have so much
respect from me, trying to use so many techniques to not just produce
the healthiest food and fiber in the Nation but to do it in an
economical and environmentally safe way. They were environmentalists
before the term was made cool in Washington. The farmers in America
were the first environmentalists and always will be. They continue to
apply techniques to minimize damage.
If the people on Wall Street took as much care in their business to
minimize damage as farmers in America do every day before 9 o'clock in
the morning, we would not be here this weekend. For this Congress to
leave without doing anything is a gross violation of our
responsibility. This is what the cotton crop looks like, not because
there was some ``fancy dancy'' paper taken out and it just turned it
bad.
A hurricane came through and rains fell and the farmers could not get
it out of the fields fast enough.
I see the leader. I thank the Senate, at least some Members, for
stepping up this morning--Thad Cochran and others--to sign on to a bill
that might provide some relief to the farmers, not only in Louisiana
but Texas and Mississippi, Alabama, and throughout. I will continue to
speak about this as time allows and continue to push the leaders on
both sides to come up with something that we can do before we leave.
Mr. REID. Don't forget Arkansas.
Ms. LANDRIEU. And Arkansas.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the
testimonies to which I referred.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
My name is Wallace Ellender IV, a Louisiana sugarcane
farmer and Chairman of the National Legislative Committee of
the American Sugar Cane League. I appreciate the opportunity
to speak to you today about the effectiveness of agricultural
disaster assistance. I speak as a farmer whose crop was
twisted and flattened by Gustav, then swamped in seawater by
Ike. A representative group of photos is attached to my
written testimony. I took some of those photos myself, three
days after Ike came through. Other photos came from the
Franklin area and the same scenes could be found all along
Highway 90, the road you'll see in one of the aerial photos.
Highway 90 is the east-west evacuation route and it runs
approximately 10 miles north of the Coast.
My brother and I are fifth-generation farmers who grow
sugarcane on two farms in the
[[Page 22613]]
Raceland and Bourg communities in southeast Louisiana,
including the land that my ancestors settled in 1853. As a
child, I remember my grandfather telling me a story about a
stubborn dog that he had when he was a kid on our farm. On
one occasion, the family loaded up everyone but the dog in a
sailboat and sailed down the bayou to the Gulf. That dog
trotted down the bayou behind the boat all the way down to
the Gulf at Timballier Island. Other than fording a couple of
small streams, he went all the way on foot. Today, that dog
would have to swim 30 miles to reach Timballier Island.
Gone are some of the barrier islands and most of the
wetlands that served as a natural buffer from the worst of
the storms that came in from the Gulf of Mexico. We are
losing coastal wetlands at a rate of 40 square miles each
year. Some experts predict that the shoreline will move
inland over 30 miles in the next 30 years.
I hope this gives you some perspective of the breadth of
the long-term problem our communities are facing when we look
to the south. I don't have to tell anyone who owns a TV or
computer about winds that demolish houses and flatten forests
and fields, or floods that overwhelm levees and shove aside
homes, but the ominous power of the sea when it surges 20-30
miles inland is something to behold. What the sea leaves
behind when it retreats can be bad, but what it leaves behind
when it stays in the fields is worse. Once breached, levees
that held back the tide will hold back the ebbing waters. We
tear holes in the levees when necessary to allow the sea to
retreat, but sea surges of the magnitude of Rita in 2005 and
Ike in 2008 flow over the levees and push vast volumes of
seawater to the lowest elevations in the fields. When the
tides turn, the storm-ravaged cane fields become salt lakes.
But sugarcane is a hearty plant and, with good weather and
time, the cane can rebound and produce a decent crop.
Harvesting it will be more difficult and costly, but we can
still hope for a mild autumn and a good price to help offset
some of the additional costs we will incur in harvesting a
bent and broken crop. On the other hand, we may not have much
time to finish planting and harvesting before winter frosts
and freeze become a concern. Further complicating the matter,
sugarcane is a perennial crop and time will be needed to
determine whether fields holding surge water for extended
periods will recover next year.
According to Dr. Calvin Viator and his team of agricultural
consultants, the worst of the wind damage to sugarcane from
Gustav occurred in Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, and
parts of Lafourche, Ascension, Iberville, West Baton Rouge
and Point Coupee parishes. The northeastern corner of the eye
of the hurricane caused the worst stalk breakage, but this
damage occurred virtually everywhere in the cane belt. The
cane varieties that tend to produce higher tonnage suffered
more breakage than lower-yielding varieties, and the
brittleness of the higher-yielding varieties will make
cutting the cane more problematic.
Hurricane Ike's eye stayed to our south as it moved in on
Texas, but this meant that its counter-clockwise winds drove
the sea surge deep into the Louisiana cane belt in a manner
eerily familiar to those of us who experienced Hurricane Rita
in 2005. In some areas, the damage was even worse than Rita.
From my farm in Bourg, across Terrebonne, St Mary's, Iberia
and Vermillion Parishes, levees were topped and standing
water remains.
As a general rule, we keep a field in production, using
existing root systems, for three years and, after harvesting
the third crop, let that ground stay fallow for nearly a year
before replanting. So I always have roughly 25 percent of my
fields lying fallow, except for that brief time each year
when we start harvesting mature cane for the purpose of
planting the fallow ground. This generally occurs in August
and September. But the rainy weeks before Gustav came left us
way behind in our planting, so there is less newly planted
cane to be lost to the surge. This may sound like good news,
but the delay in planting increases our risk of not being
able to plant some of the fields before winter sets in. This
delay also has the potential of pushing harvest deeper into
the winter months, when a heavy frost or hard freeze can
destroy whatever is left in the fields.
In order to increase our chances of getting new growth from
the damaged cane we will be planting over the next few weeks,
we will use more acres of our mature cane as seed for the
fallow fields. In my case, this will mean that I will use 260
acres of mature cane to plant 800 acres of fallow ground this
year. Typically, I would use only 160 acres to plant that
same acreage. Income from one hundred acres of sugarcane that
I would normally deliver to the processing facility will be
lost.
You have asked for my experience with crop insurance as a
disaster assistance tool. Our growers have traditionally had
access to only one type of crop insurance policy, the Actual
Production History (APH) program. The costs of APH buy-up
coverage have been prohibitively high, as USDA's Risk
Management Agency acknowledged this past year when it lowered
the APH rates in response to potential competition from a
farmer-developed Group Risk Program (GRP) policy. While the
rates are lower, the buy-up coverage has not been seen as
reducing our actual risks by a sufficient amount to make the
added expense worthwhile for most of our farmers.
Despite the destructive natural forces that are sometimes
unleashed against it, the sugarcane plant is a hearty
survivor and catastrophic production losses, meaning losses
of greater than 50 percent, are rare. Since 1995, when
Louisiana sugarcane participation in crop insurance went from
$2 million in liability to over $61 million, the cumulative
loss ratio has been approximately .17. Since nearly 90
percent of our policies are the basic catastrophic coverage,
which has been a prerequisite for disaster assistance
eligibility in the past, this loss ratio can conceal
significant losses to a farmer's bottom-line. The GRP policy
will be available in the coming year and we are hopeful that
the GRP program may be a more useful and affordable insurance
policy for our growers in the future. Initial modeling
suggests that it would be a significantly better risk
management product in hurricane years.
The new permanent disaster assistance program included in
the '08 Farm Bill has not been implemented and regulations
explaining how the Department will administer the program are
still under development. As I understand the Supplemental
Revenue Assistance Payment Program, or SURE, it provides
payments to producers in disaster counties based on the crop
insurance program. The revenue guarantee is equal to 115
percent of (payment rate x payment acres x payment yield).
The payment rate is the crop insurance price election level,
the payment acres are the insured planted acres and the
payment yield is the crop insurance coverage level selected
by the farmer times the crop insurance yield. The sum of this
equation is then subtracted by the revenues from the whole
farm (except that 85 percent of the direct government
payments that most program crop farmers receive are excluded
from this calculation) and multiplied by 60 percent.
If the goal is to provide a hand-up to farmers when they
most need it, before the natural disaster becomes a full-
fledged economic one, the SURE program's linkage to whole
farm revenue is problematic. For sugarcane farmers, this
requirement would mean that any SURE payment would come
approximately a year after the disaster occurs. Based on the
experience of many of our farmers who were hit hard in 2005,
the assistance can arrive too late to save the farm, even if
it does ameliorate some of the debt load after the fact. As a
farmer dealing with another spike in input costs, the
assistance is most helpful if it can be used to keep my
employees working; my diesel tanks filled, and my banker
hoping for the best.
Regrettably, we have been unable to find an accurate SURE
calculator for sugarcane to gain a better understanding of
the actual assistance that might be available to cane
farmers, but the poorly performing crop insurance program it
will be built upon would seem to reduce its effectiveness as
a hurricane assistance program.
Congress has developed a disaster assistance mechanism that
works. In response to the 2002 hurricanes, Congress developed
a delivery mechanism for ad hoc assistance to sugarcane
growers in Louisiana that is tailored to the types and levels
of damage associated with hurricanes and cane fields.--The
mechanism, as improved in the Emergency Agricultural Disaster
Assistance Act of 2006 (2006 Act), targeted a portion of the
overall package to address losses and costs from planted cane
that was lost to the hurricanes. Another portion of the
package was designated to offset some of the increased
planting costs and harvesting costs that we incurred. A final
portion was allocated to address yield losses and other
sector-wide losses. By apportioning the package in this way,
Congress was able to link the bulk of the assistance directly
to the specific losses or costs of the hardest-hit producers,
while reserving a portion to address the yield losses that
virtually every producer absorbed. In the current instance,
given the uncertainty about the eventual losses, the delivery
mechanism could be further refined to allow for quick release
of some funds to address the plant-cane losses and the higher
planting and harvesting costs, while reserving funds to
address the yield losses that become clear later in the year.
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Louisiana, along
with FSA's Economic Policy Analysis division in Washington,
DC, have developed invaluable experience in operating this
program and could, if provided sufficient resources, move
expeditiously to implement such a program now.
In conclusion, Louisiana has been growing sugarcane
commercially for well over 200 years. Our forbearers
harvested cane during the worst days of the Civil War and the
Great Depression. They survived the great flood of 1927 and
went back to fanning after the waters receded, just as I and
many of my friends have done twice in this decade. For the
record, Louisiana sugarcane growers have received
agricultural disaster assistance twice over our more than 200
years of production. The fact that both of those assistance
packages were made necessary by intense hurricanes in this
decade is a direct result of rampant coastal erosion. Unless
we Investment In energetic coastal restoration
[[Page 22614]]
efforts soon, my farm may be beachfront property in a few
short years before slipping quietly beneath the waves.
____
Wallace R. Ellender III, Bourg, LA 70343
EXPERIENCE
Ellender Farms, Inc., 1993-Present, president and farmer,
purchased family farm from my father, and increased it to
3200 acres. Manage an annual budget of 2 million dollars.
Hope Farm, Inc., 1977-1993, farmer, farmed 1200 acres of
sugar cane with my father and brothers.
American Sugar Cane League, 1977-Present, Chairman,
National Legislative Committee, 2006-Present, lobby for the
sugar industry, in process of writing sugar portion of the
Farm Bill, secured 40 million dollar disaster assistance to
Louisiana sugar industry. Representative, Barataria
Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), 2001-Present,
liaison for sugar industry to assure healthy agricultural
practices in the wetlands. Vice-Chairman, National
Legislative Committee, 2004-2006, assisted with CAFTA
opposition, testified before the US Senate Ag Committee on
Farm Bill legislation. Dedicated Research Committee, 2003-
2005, decided on the distribution of approximately \1/2\
million dollars to various sugar cane research programs.
Strategic Planning & Re-organization Committee, 2003-2005,
reviewed and revamped the by-laws, implemented the
restructuring of the League. Search Committee 2004 & 2006,
assisted in the search for a new General Manager, assisted in
the search for and hiring of a new lobbyist for the League.
Nominating Committee, 2001-2002, made nominations for new
League Board members.
National Agriculture Technical Advisory committee (ATAC),
2005-Present, participate in advising the USDA & the
Administration (USTR) on international trade policy regarding
sugar.
First South Farm Credit, 2003-Present, Regional Director,
assist in the review of the quarterly cooperative reports and
make recommendations as needed.
Vision Christian Center, 2005-Present, Men's Leader, teach
monthly Bible studies to men.
Bourg Recreation Center Board of Directors, 1990-2003,
Chairman, 1994-1998, created the annual fiscal budget, made
financial and staffing decisions for the Center.
Bayou Land YMCA Board of Directors, 1995-2001, President,
1998-2000, completed phase I of the basketball court.
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Committee, 1981-1990, approved conservation program
practices.
EDUCATION
B.S. Agriculture Economics, Louisiana State University,
Baton Rouge, LA, 1977.
LSU Ag. Leadership Program, Louisiana State University,
Baton Rouge, LA, 1996.
____
Testimony by Jay Hardwick, Vice Chairman on Behalf of the National
Cotton Council Before the United States Senate
The National Cotton Council is the central organization of
the United States cotton industry. Its members include
producers, ginners, cottonseed handlers, merchants,
cooperatives, warehousemen, and textile manufacturers. While
a majority of the industry is concentrated in 17 cotton-
producing states stretching from the Carolinas to California,
the downstream manufacturers of cotton apparel and home
furnishings are located in virtually every state.
The industry and its suppliers, together with the cotton
product manufacturers, account for more than 230,000 jobs in
the United States [U.S. Census of Agriculture]. Annual cotton
production is valued at more than $5.5 billion at the farm
gate, the point at which the producer sells his crop
[Economic Services, NCC]. In addition to the cotton fiber,
cottonseed products are used for livestock feed, and
cottonseed oil is used for food products ranging from
margarine to salad dressing. While cotton's farm-gate value
is significant, a more meaningful measure of cotton's value
to the U.S. economy is its overall economic impact. Taken
collectively, the annual economic activity generated by
cotton and its products in the U.S. is estimated to be in
excess of $120 billion [Economic Services, NCC].
Mr. Chairman, I am Jay Hardwick from Newellton, LA, and I
currently serve as Vice Chairman of the National Cotton
Council. I am also a Director on the National Peanut Board,
Vice Chairman of Cotton Inc., past President of the Louisiana
Cotton Producers Association, Vice President of the Louisiana
Cotton Warehouse Association, Vice President of Newellton Gin
Co., a Director of Farm and Livestock Credit, Inc., member of
the Louisiana Black Bear Management Program, and a Director
of the Tensas Concordia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Our family-operated farm includes 7,300 acres of cotton,
corn, grain sorghum, peanuts, soybeans, and wheat in
Northeast Louisiana adjacent to the Mississippi River. Our
production mission is to achieve a viable and profitable farm
enterprise while providing a balance between habitat and
production resources with a minimum impact upon the farm
ecosystem. Emphasis is placed on conservation crop production
methods including no-till, crop rotation, residue
maintenance, erosion control and precision technologies to
apply and reduce pesticides and nutrient resources to help
restore and improve water, air, soil, wildlife habitat and
crop production economics. Plentiful fish, deer, turkey,
neotropical birds, migratory waterfowl, turtles, alligators,
black bears, and increased sightings of eagles and various
cat family members inhabit the property.
Thank you for holding today's hearing and thank you for
allowing me to try to describe the devastating effects of
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Senator Landrieu, we sincerely
appreciated you taking time to tour some of the affected
areas last weekend.
While my comments will focus on cotton, it is important to
point out that no crop was spared damage. During Gustav our
family farm received over 20 inches of rain and ruined or
damaged essentially all of our crops. Much of the Louisiana
cotton crop was at an extremely vulnerable stage of
production. Many of the bolls were open on the plants as we
are rapidly approaching harvest. Due to the extreme amounts
of wind and rain much of the cotton that is still attached to
the plants will not be harvestable due to rot or if harvested
the quality of both lint and cottonseed will be significantly
below normal.
Extension specialists from Louisiana State University
estimate that revenue from the 2008 cotton crop will be
reduced by between $125 and $137 million--a 52-57 percent
decline in farm-gate value. Specialists also estimate that
over 80,000 acres of cotton will not be harvested. On the
remaining acres, yield losses will be dramatic. In many
parishes, crops that were expected to produce 3 bales per
acre are now projected to produce only 1 bale per acre. In
addition to the yield losses, the revenue from the harvested
cotton will be significantly less due to quality and grade
reductions.
The impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are being felt far
beyond the farm gate. Agriculture's infrastructure suffered
physical damages due to the high winds and excessive
rainfall. The economic losses extend beyond the physical
damage as cotton gins, warehouses, and grain elevators rely
on volume moving through their operations to cover their
fixed costs and maintain their labor force. Unfortunately,
many of our gins and warehouses will process significantly
reduced volume or no volume at all in 2008.
With some of the worst damage in history farmers will look
to crop insurance and the recently enacted permanent disaster
program for assistance. Unfortunately, for many cotton
farmers, the prospect of meaningful financial assistance from
these programs is uncertain at best. While almost all cotton
acres in Louisiana are insured at some level, more than half
of the state's acres (54 percent) are insured with only the
Catastrophic (CAT) level of coverage. This level of coverage
will provide minimal benefits and then only if the crop had
catastrophic losses. Some of the hardest hit parishes like
Catahoula and Concordia Parishes with over 37,000 acres of
cotton are only covered with CAT level policies. In addition,
the producers who purchased buy-up crop insurance did not
purchase the highest levels of coverage. Some may ask why so
many producers did not purchase higher levels of crop
insurance coverage. Historical experience has shown that in
most years the expected benefits do not outweigh the costs of
the higher coverage levels. Unfortunately, this year is not
typical of most years.
I applaud the effort and foresight of Members of Congress
for including a permanent disaster provision in the recently
enacted farm bill. Unfortunately, I am concerned that the
program will not be able to meet in a timely manner the needs
of farmers who have suffered devastating losses this year.
First, due to budget constraints, the permanent disaster
program was developed with only a fraction of the funding
compared to spending under previous ad hoc disaster programs.
Second, as currently written, the disaster program guarantee
is based on the level of the farm's crop insurance coverage.
This will do little to help those acres with CAT coverage.
And third, while USDA has made excellent strides in
implementing many of the provisions of the new farm law, we
have yet to see the details of the permanent disaster
provisions. It is also evident that the data required to
administer the whole-farm, revenue-based disaster program
will not be available for some time. This means any financial
assistance, in the absence of an advance payment, can not be
made available to farmers until the latter half of 2009. That
is simply too late for those that have suffered losses.
As you know, today's modern farming operations require
expensive inputs and investment. Input and technology costs
have escalated in 2008 with skyrocketing fuel and fertilizer
prices. We are experiencing these losses at the absolute
worst time because we incurred maximum costs of production as
the harvest approaches. We are now dealing both with the
impact of the lost revenue for this year's crops and trying
to finance next year's crops. Without timely assistance, many
Louisiana growers will be unable to settle this year's
outstanding debt or secure the necessary financing for next
year's crop. In short, without timely assistance, some
farmers will find themselves in a financial
[[Page 22615]]
situation that will make it difficult to continue farming.
Louisiana is not the only state with losses due to
Hurricane Gustav. USDA data indicate that approximately 470
thousand acres of cotton were planted in South Texas in 2008.
USDA's preliminary estimates of harvested area imply
approximately 400,000 will be harvested, leaving 70,000 acres
abandoned. In southeast Arkansas, losses might run 25%,
according an initial estimate by the Extension Service.
Damage also is being reported in Mississippi, mainly in the
south and central Delta counties where the heaviest rains
fell and some fields flooded.
The National Cotton Council recently joined with other
agricultural organizations in a letter to USDA's Risk
Management Agency requesting expedited appraisals for crop
insurance policy holders. This would help speed payments for
those covered by crop insurance. However, more needs to be
done. I encourage Congress to develop a plan that will
deliver financial assistance to producers in a timely manner.
Enhanced crop insurance coverage, timely ad hoc disaster
relief, supplemental payments delivered in the same manner as
direct payments, and enhancements to the provisions of the
permanent disaster programs should all be considered in order
to expedite assistance that is commensurate with the losses
that have been incurred. In addition, additional funding for
existing conservation program can be used as a means of
providing assistance for restoration of damaged fields.
Finally, I urge the Committee to consider providing some form
of financial assistance to gins, warehouses and other key
components of our infrastructure who will experience
significant financial losses due to sharply reduced volumes.
Mr. Chairman, the economic losses caused by the hurricanes
are dramatic and severe, and immediate assistance is needed.
Many farmers simply do not have the financial resources to
wait until 2009 for assistance.
Thank you for your consideration of our views and
recommendations and for giving me the opportunity to present
testimony.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.
____________________
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a
message from the House with respect to S. 3001, the Department of
Defense authorization bill.
The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message
from the House of Representatives:
S. 3001
Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 3001) entitled
``An Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for
military construction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes'', do
pass with an amendment.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the House
amendment to S. 3001, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2009. This bill was voted out of the Senate Armed Services
Committee by a unanimous vote back in April. Last week, the Senate
passed the bill by a vote of 88-8.
Over the last week, we have worked around the clock to reconcile the
Senate and House versions of the Defense authorization bill. The
compromise version of the bill--the House amendment to S. 3001--has now
been approved by the House by on overwhelming bipartisan vote of 392-
39.
The bill that we bring before the Senate today contains many
provisions that will improve the quality of life for our men and women
in uniform, give them the tools that they need to defend our nation,
and provide critical reforms to improve the operations of the Pentagon.
First and foremost, the bill would provide critical support to our
men and women in uniform. For example, it would increase military pay
by 3.9 percent--a half a percent more than the President requested;
provide continued authority for the payment of enlistment and
reenlistment bonuses, accession and retention bonuses for service
members with critical skills or assigned to high-priority units, and
other special bonuses and incentives needed to reward our troops and
ensure that we can recruit and retain the people that we need in our
military; authorize funds for military family housing and military
construction projects needed to ensure that our troops have the housing
that they deserve and our military has the facilities it needs for the
national defense; and protect members of the military, family members
and retirees from any increase in TRICARE fees, premiums, deductibles
and copays.
The bill would increase the end strength of the Army, the Marine
Corps, and the Army National Guard, to help reduce the incredible
stress on our troops. It would also establish and extend critical
authorities needed by the Department of Defense in our current
operations. For example, the bill would provide DOD the authority to
use funds for quick-turnaround construction projects needed to support
our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; extend DOD's authority to provide
``train and equip'' funds and ``stabilization and security assistance''
so essential to the well-being of our troops; provide $1.5 billion for
the Commanders' Emergency Response Program, CERP, which commanders on
the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan consider the highest priority for
protecting U.S. forces; and provide funding for critical initiatives,
including $2.2 billion for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat
Organization's, JIEDDO's, ongoing efforts to defeat the threat of
improvised explosive device, IEDs.
At a time when thousands of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
marines are deployed around the world and our all-volunteer military is
straining to meet the requirements of two ongoing conflicts while
remaining prepared for other contingencies, these are steps that we
simply must take. When our men and women in uniform are in harm's way,
there is nothing more important.
The bill also includes a number of measures to ensure the proper
stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
It would also ensure that the Iraqis use their own oil revenues
rather than U.S. tax dollars to pay for large infrastructure projects
and for the training and equipping of the Iraqi military. At the
beginning of the Iraq war, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz
testified that Iraq would be able to ``finance its own reconstruction''
through oil revenues. That has not proven to be true. To date, the U.S.
taxpayers have paid approximately $48 billion for stabilization and
reconstruction activities in Iraq. While the Iraqi government has
generated more than $100 billion in oil revenues since the war began,
it has spent only a small fraction of that amount on its own
reconstruction. The Iraqi government now has $80 billion at its
disposal to fund large scale reconstruction projects. Under these
circumstances, it is inexcusable for U.S. taxpayers to continue to foot
the bill for projects that Iraqis are fully capable of funding
themselves.
Other provisions of the bill would help improve the management of the
Department of Defense and protect taxpayer dollars. For example, the
bill would institute improved cost controls for the acquisition of
major weapon systems; require program managers to incorporate energy
efficiency requirements into the performance parameters for such
systems; establish new ethics standards to prevent personal conflicts
of interest by contractor employees who perform acquisition functions
on behalf of the Department of Defense; and establish a new database of
information regarding contractor integrity, ensuring that this
information is available to acquisition officials making key
contracting decisions.
I am disappointed that procedural obstacles in the Senate precluded
us from considering a package of more than a hundred amendments, which
would have taken further steps to support our troops and improve the
management of the Department of Defense. Where it was possible within
the scope of the House and Senate bills, we tried to include eleme nts
of these amendments. Unfortunately, many of these important amendments
were beyond the scope of the two bills and will have to be deferred
until next year.
I am also disappointed that we were unable to adopt provisions
addressing the administration's excessive reliance on contractors to
perform functions that should be performed by the uniformed military or
by civilian federal employees. For example, both the Senate bill and
the House bill included provisions that would have precluded the
[[Page 22616]]
use of contractor employees to perform inherently governmental
functions in an area of combat operations, or to conduct interrogations
of detainees. Unfortunately, these provisions drew a veto threat, so we
had to limit ourselves to a Sense of Congress expressing our views on
the issue.
When this bill was under consideration in the Senate, we spent a
great deal of time and effort discussing how best to provide public
visibility for our funding decisions, including earmarks of funds
authorized in the bill. Historically, our funding tables have been
included in report language, rather than in bill language. In Executive
Order 13457, the President stated his view that such funding decisions
should be ``included in the text of the bills voted upon by the
Congress and presented to the President.''
Unfortunately, the Government Printing Office informed us that
incorporating our funding tables into bill language would have added
three full days to the time required to prepare a bill for floor
consideration in the Senate and the House--even if GPO did not have
other high priority work to accomplish at the same time. This delay
would have been in addition to the day and a half it would have
required for the committee staff to prepare the funding tables in a
form that could be processed by GPO, and to ensure the accuracy of
GPO's work.
With only a few days left for the House and the Senate to consider
the bill before the end of this year's session of Congress, we
determined that placing the funding tables into bill language was not
an option that was available to us. Instead, we have incorporated the
tables into the bill by reference--an action that has the same legal
effect. To ensure public visibility of all of the funding decisions in
the tables, the tables have been posted on the websites of both the
Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.
This is in addition to the posting on these websites of separate
transparency tables which--as required by the Rules of the Senate and
the House of Representatives--provide information about each funding
item requested by a Senator or a Member of Congress.
As of today, almost 200,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
marines are deployed far from home, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and
other theaters of operations around the world. After more than 6 years
of war, our military, particularly our ground forces, are severely
stressed. Too many of our troops are worn out, their families are tired
of repeated deployments, and our equipment is being used up.
We need to enact this bill to improve the quality of life of our men
and women in uniform. We need to enact this bill to give them the tools
that they need to remain the most effective fighting force in the
world. Most important of all, we need to enact this bill to send an
important message that we, as a nation, stand behind them and
appreciate their service.
At a time when our men and women in uniform are sacrificing so much
for our country every day, it is surely not asking too much for our
colleagues to agree to enact this bill so we can provide our troops the
support that they need and deserve. I urge my colleagues to support the
House amendment to S. 3001--the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2009.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise to offer my sincere
congratulations to Chairman Levin, Senator Warner, the members of our
committee, and our House colleagues for their work on the fiscal year
2009 National Defense Authorization Act. With provisions that authorize
a considerable pay raise for all military personnel, increase Army and
Marine end-strength, improve the system that serves wounded veterans,
and help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in defense contracting and
procurement, this bill contains many important provisions that will
help support our national defense and, in particular, our servicemen
and women. However, this bill also contains other provisions that are
very problematic.
Before explaining my concerns with this bill, let me take a moment to
express my sincere gratitude to Senator Warner for his many years of
service to this Nation, not the least of which are 30 well-spent years
in the Senate where he has been a consistent and steadfast champion of
our men and women in uniform. Senator Warner has been instrumental in
providing needed oversight of the Department of Defense, and in
ensuring that our soldiers are well trained, well equipped, and that
they and their families are well provided for. I am particularly
grateful for his contributions during this Congress when he so
frequently stepped in on my behalf. Let me be clear that my concerns
with this year's bill reflect in no way on Senator Warner outstanding
efforts: He deserves much credit for the many exemplary provisions
contained in this bill.
Nonetheless, in this year's bill, and the accompanying report, there
are $5 billion in earmarks. Of that total amount, $2.1 billion arises
from a single provision that authorizes the procurement of six C-17
Globemaster aircraft that the Defense Department states we neither need
nor can afford. In my view, the massive pork spending in this bill
renders it a frontal assault on this body's purported commitment to
ethics and earmark reform and, in my view, results in a failure in our
obligation to the taxpayer.
Among the most egregious items in this bill are:
The Defense bill provides more than $2.1 billion for 6 C-17 cargo
aircraft. The Secretary of Defense wants to end production of C-17
aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. These aircraft are neither requested
nor required by the Department of Defense. In the fiscal year 2008
Defense supplemental appropriations, the Congress added another 15 C-17
aircraft that also were not requested nor required by DOD. Congress has
earmarked 31 C-17s above the mount that is necessary in various
Pentagon requirements studies over the last 2 years. C-17 aircraft cost
more than $300 million per plane. With this bill, the total number of
C-17s procured will rise to 211 total aircraft. This is a thinly veiled
effort to keep the C-17 production line open using taxpayer's dollars
to fund what is essentially a more than $2.1 billion corporate earmark
for the Boeing Corporation.
The Defense bill provides $140 million in advance procurement for
additional F-22s. The Air Force and contractors say that prohibiting
spending in this bill would cause second tier suppliers to shut down
and make it more expensive to restart the line if the next
administration wants to continue production, even though the Secretary
of Defense's position is that 183 F-22s is the full military
requirement. Advanced procurement funding for additional F-22 aircraft
is neither requested nor required. This earmark is being pursued by
Lockheed Martin and its supporters.
The Defense bill includes funding of $88 million for a VIP aircraft
to fly Air Force general officers. Scott AFB has served as headquarters
for numerous Air Force commands. Today, two 4-star Air Force generals
from the Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Transportation Command call
Scott AFB, home. Just as senior leadership in-transit comfort capsules,
SLICCs, created a stir several months ago when it was learned from Air
Force documents that Air Force Generals were trying to use GWOT money
to purchase ``first class'' seats and beds in ``flying pods'' so that
generals could travel in luxury when they fly overseas, it is egregious
to think that while the military--mostly privates, sergeants, and petty
officers--is engaged in the global war on terrorism in Iraq and
Afghanistan, we would be spending scarce defense dollars on VIP
aircraft for generals.
The Defense bill continues to fund the Presidential helicopter
program for next year at $1.1 billion. The VH-71A program is intended
to provide the replacement helicopter for the transportation of the
President and Vice President. The current program which would build 23
aircraft has had excessive delays and cost overruns of more than 70
percent. This level is well in excess of the percentages--in fact five
times as much--that would trigger a breach of the Nunn-McCurdy limits
for major acquisition programs. Several program managers have been
dismissed or reassigned in an effort to restructure this ailing
program. This program
[[Page 22617]]
should be cancelled. In the meantime the $1.1 billion to continue next
year's development of the Presidential helicopter should be halted and
the money withheld until the Navy and the contractor demonstrate more
transparency and accountability on this failing program.
The Defense bill includes a provision directing the Secretary of the
Navy to sell the ``yard floating drydock'', AFDL-23, to Gulf Copper
Ship Repair in Aransas Pass, TX. This provision would authorize the
Secretary of the Navy to sell the drydock; however, the provision
restricts the Secretary from recouping the full costs, approximately
$120-$190 million, because the Secretary is directed to consider the
amounts paid by, or due and owing from, the lessee--Gulf Copper Ship
Repair. This would essentially allow the rent paid by Gulf Copper Ship
Repair to be deducted from the total price of the drydock.
The Navy does not support this provision. The Navy is in the process
of determining whether the dock is excess to future Navy needs and, if
so, whether it would be required by other U.S. Government agencies or
activities when the current lease to Gulf Copper expires. Subsequent to
a determination that there are no additional U.S. Government needs, the
vessel would be struck from the Naval Vessel Register and designated
for disposal. This provision is an end-run of the normal process for
disposal or sale of government equipment and is not in the best
interest of the taxpayer.
The Defense bill includes a provision which is highly objectionable
and is strongly opposed by the administration which purports to
incorporate by reference into the bill most of the earmarks included in
the accompanying report--totaling more than $5 billion. The provision
is meant to thwart President Bush's Executive Order 13457 ``Protecting
American Taxpayers from Government Spending on Wasteful Earmarks.''
I had advocated a better approach of putting all the spending tables
into the actual bill language. By hiding/shielding the tables in the
report, the taxpayer does not have full transparency of Congress'
actions in adding corporate and Member earmarks which are not requested
or needed by the military services.
Again, while there is much in this year's Defense authorization bill
that is very worthwhile and helpful to providing for the national
defense, the provisions contained within it that move in the wrong
direction are too numerous, too large, and too costly for this Member
to ignore.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as a senior member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, I was pleased the Senate passed the House Amendment
to S. 3001, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2009, today by unanimous consent. This bill follows through on the
commitment that this Congress has made to our troops and their families
to provide them with the support that they need and deserve. This
includes a 3.9-percent across-the-board pay raise for all uniformed
personnel--a half a percent more than the President's request--and a
prohibition on increasing TRICARE beneficiary cost shares and pharmacy
copays. It also includes a number of provisions designed to improve the
readiness of our troops. For example, the bill fully funds Army and
Marine Corps readiness and depot maintenance programs which will help
ensure that the men and women in our armed services have the equipment
necessary for them to fulfill their mission requirements. It also adds
$15 million for the readiness and environmental protection initiative
to fund priority projects that benefit critical mission training sites
and directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive
technical and operational risk assessment for DOD installations,
facilities, and activities.
As the chairman of the Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on
Readiness and Management Support, I was pleased to work toward the
inclusion of a number of critically important management and
acquisition policy provisions which were included in this bill. These
include a provision to establish steering boards to review new
requirements that could increase the costs of major weapons systems,
language requiring business transformation offices for each military
department and a provision requiring the DOD to establish ethics
standards to prevent personal conflicts of interest by contractor
employees who perform acquisition functions on behalf of the DOD. I
applaud the inclusion of language that expresses the view of Congress
that private security contractors should not perform inherently
governmental functions in an area of combat operations and that
contractor employees should not conduct interrogations of detainees
during the aftermath of hostilities. However, I am disappointed that
due to a large extent to the Administration's objections and the
absolute need to pass this bill in an expeditious manner, we were not
able to incorporate this sense of the Congress into provisions that
have the force of law.
As chairman of the Veteran's Affairs Committee, I was very pleased to
have worked toward the inclusion of a number of provisions related to
the treatment of wounded warriors. This includes a clarification of the
requirement that DOD utilize the VA criteria in establishing
eligibility of retirement and disability. It also requires the
Secretaries of Defense and the VA to jointly establish a center of
excellence in the mitigation, treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic
extremity injuries and amputations as well as a center of excellence in
the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of
hearing loss. In addition, this bill includes a provision derived from
legislation that I introduced to extend senior-level oversight of
cooperative efforts between the Departments of Defense and Veterans
Affairs. The Senior Oversight Committee, SOC, was formed in the wake of
last year's Walter Reed scandal, to improve the efforts of DOD and VA
in managing the transition from military service to veteran status for
wounded servicemembers. The Senior Oversight Committee's
responsibilities are not complete as long as wounded warriors are still
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, therefore, I was pleased to be
able to include this language for the SOC to be able to continue its
important function.
Once again, I would like to thank Chairman Levin for his strong
leadership and dedication to ensuring that this bill was passed. I also
want to take this last opportunity to extend my warmest aloha to my
friend and colleague Senator Warner who managed this bill on the
minority side. In my many years of serving with Senator Warner on the
Armed Services Committee, I have never failed to be impressed by his
character, graciousness, and collegiality. Mahalo Nui Loa for your
friendship and for all that you have done for our nation and the
members of our armed services in particular.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
concur in the House amendment to the Senate bill, and that the motion
to reconsider be laid upon the table.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am very pleased to say there is no
objection on this side.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am overjoyed this has been done.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have said on many occasions--and I say it
again--this bill is a great piece of work.
Has the bill passed?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The request was agreed to. The bill has
passed.
Mr. REID. OK. Now, I said it before, and I will say it again: I so
admire and respect the two managers of this bill who have worked
together on this bill for 30 years. There was a time this year when we
thought this would be the first year in those 30 years that my friends
have worked on this bill that it would not pass. And it did. It is
done.
It is a great day for America. It is a great day for our troops. As I
have said to my two friends, I appreciate so much being able to work
with you. It is a great honor for me that the two distinguished senior
Senators, whom I
[[Page 22618]]
have so much respect and admiration for, would allow me to, being a
part of the Senate, come and offer this consent agreement. I am going
to talk on Monday about my friend from Virginia who is leaving. So I
will save those words for him. He already knows the knowledge I have of
our friendship.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished leader. I say to
him, as you referred to: Two Senators who worked on this,
coincidentally, it is the Presiding Officer, the Senator from Michigan,
Mr. Levin, who is in the chair to whom you were referring. We both
thank you, and we thank Senator McConnell and all Members of the Senate
for their support in passing this key piece of legislation.
Sometimes people are concerned that this institution does not quite
work in a manner in which is easily comprehensible. But this is an
effort that has been one that you and I and all the members of our
committee and the distinguished staff whom we have on the committee
have worked on throughout this year.
I say to the Presiding Officer, you are the chairman. I am now the
senior serving Republican on it, the former chairman, having served
with you. Senator McCain is the ranking member. By reason of necessity,
he is absent; otherwise, he would be standing here today in terms of
the bill.
This bill is not about us, though. It is about the men and women of
the Armed Forces and their families and their loved ones and their
friends. The Constitution provides very explicitly that the President
is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. To the legislative
branch--the Congress of the United States--is entrusted the care and
welfare and safety and, indeed, protection of the men and women of the
Armed Forces.
Now, I commend the distinguished Presiding Officer, the chairman of
the Armed Services Committee, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, with whom
I have worked these 30 years, side by side, on this committee. This is
a good bill. There were times when I think we could have made it
stronger. But given the rules of the Senate, which I respect, as does
the Presiding Officer, and all other Senators, we were not able to
quite achieve those goals. But that is the nature of the Senate. The
minority has a very respected and powerful voice in this Senate, and it
is right and just that it be heard.
So despite the fact this bill may not have all the features and
important provisions I and the Senator from Michigan and other members
of our committee and other Senators might have had incorporated in this
bill, it is still a very fine bill. It adequately--most adequately--
cares for the men and women of the Armed Forces.
Again, I commend the distinguished chairman, the Senator from
Michigan, my friend of these 30 years.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Landrieu. The Senator from Michigan.
Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, first, let me thank the Presiding
Officer.
This is a bittersweet moment for me. This will be the last time the
Senator from Virginia and I will be standing here and celebrating the
passage of a Defense authorization bill. We stood together in support
of these bills and the men and women of our Armed Forces for 30 years.
In this particular case--there have been previous examples of this, but
this is perhaps the most dramatic one--we would not be standing here
with a bill in hand now going to the White House but for the courage of
the Senator from Virginia.
I will not go into all the details as to how that came about, but it
is because of his commitment to the men and women in uniform that we
have a bill. We would not have a bill this year except that he took the
steps which he was determined to take as a Senator of this Nation--not
just of Virginia--to support the men and women in uniform.
So on behalf of 25 committee members, 45 committee staff members, 2.3
million Active Duty and Reserve members of the military and their
families, I offer a heartfelt thanks for them for a job always well
done by the Senator from Virginia.
I will have more to say about the Senator from Virginia also next
week. But for the time being, let me say this: In the future, when we
cannot seem to find our way out of the difficult situations that a bill
of this magnitude and complexity get us into, people will say: Well,
what would John Warner have done? That will be the question we will
ask. When we ask that question, the right answers will follow. I thank
my dear friend.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I thank my dear friend. If I could take
a moment. I wish to join the Senator in thanking our respective
leaders, Senator Reid, Senator McConnell and the members of the
committee and the staff, once again, and indeed the members of the
leadership staff and the floor staff who made possible this bill.
But I wish to tell a short personal story since this is my last bill.
I just walked through Senator Reid's office. He asked me to come in
and visit with him privately a minute. As I passed by, I looked up on
the wall, and there was a portrait of Harry Truman. I had the privilege
of serving in the Navy in World War II--the closing year of World War
II--as a young 17-year-old, 18-year-old sailor, and never dreaming I
would ever be a Senator--that was the furthest thing from my mind--a
17-year-old, 18-year-old sailor.
It was one of the darkest hours of the United States. Roosevelt was
then President. Truman was Vice President. It was the winter of 1945.
I, similar to so many young men at that time--and those women who
joined the military also--signed up and volunteered. We wanted to be a
part of this. The war had gone unexpectedly the wrong way in Europe for
a while when Hitler trapped our divisions and Allied divisions in the
Battle of the Bulge. Iwo Jima was underway. Okinawa, a terrific battle,
was on the horizon.
America was all together, and we were determined to establish our
freedom in the world. But I remember my first night--I had been on a
steam train for about 2 days, working its way up to the Great Lakes
Naval Training Station. It would stop at the station, and 17-, 18-year-
old guys would get on the train, and they would be in those old cars,
cold, shivering, with no food that I can remember to speak of. We
arrived at the Great Lakes at about 4 o'clock in the morning. We all
were herded off the train into a great big gymnasium. A fellow, a chief
petty officer--he was as big around as he was tall; I remember a very
big fellow--got up, and he had a bullhorn, and shouted at us. I
remember the words--here it was 65 years ago, 66 years ago--as if it
were this minute. He said: All you guys who can't read and write, raise
your hand.
Well, I had been in a wonderful home. My father provided well as a
medical doctor, with the best of schools, even though I left school to
join the Navy. I did not know people who did not know how to read and
write. Some of the other guys' hands were raised, and the fellow said,
through the bullhorn: All right, you smart guys, fill out the forms for
the others. So I and others went over to help those people fill out
their forms--put their X on it. The next day, we were in the training
camps side by side, all training.
Those men went on to different tasks in the military but important
tasks. There were many jobs in our military that did not require an
education, but they were as important a part of the force as those of
us, I guess, who felt we were a little smarter.
But why do I tell that story? I later served in the Marines. So I
look back over these 60 years. I have spent a great deal of my life
associated with the men and women of the Armed Forces. My Active
service is of no great consequence.
But the thing I have always remembered is that you and I, as a team,
I say to the Senator--all these years we have been working here, we
have been working to improve and make possible that the current
generation of young men going into the uniform, and women, have the
same advantages my generation had: The GI bill--working with Senator
Webb recently to get that through.
[[Page 22619]]
I always feel I am a Senator today because of all the military men
and women whom I have served with, who have trained me, who have
disciplined me, who have inspired me. They performed the same duty I
did that cold night in 1945. They have helped me fill out the forms. I
have learned from them, have had the wisdom to work with you and others
to put together these legislative measures for their benefit.
So I close my last words thanking all those in uniform who have so
generously given to me their wisdom, their friendship, their
inspiration, and their courage to do what little I have been able to do
as a Senator to help me fill out the forms and put my X on this my last
bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
Mr. LEVIN. Well, Madam President, the men and women of this Nation
would be grateful to John Warner if they knew him, had that honor of
knowing him. They have been benefited by him even though they will
never know him. Maybe as a 17-year-old sailor back in 1945, the last
thing in his mind was that he would ever be a Senator. There is
something about this Nation that makes it possible for men and women--
in this case a man such as John Warner--to rise to the very top of the
respect of his country men and women. It has been a true pleasure and
honor to serve with him.
I, again, will have more to say about that next week. But I, again,
wish to thank the Presiding Officer.
I yield the floor.
Mr. WARNER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. LEVIN). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
(The remarks of Ms. LANDRIEU pertaining to the introduction of S.
3647 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
____________________
HIGHER EDUCATION DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RELIEF LOAN PROGRAM
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, this past August the President signed
into law the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which reauthorized
programs for postsecondary and higher education. Contained within the
reauthorization is the Education Disaster and Emergency Relief Loan
Program. The bill established a loan program within the U.S. Department
of Education to provide critically needed low interest guaranteed loans
to institutions in the event of catastrophic natural or man-made
disasters.
The colleges and universities in Louisiana, particularly those in the
New Orleans area, remain in many ways financially crippled by Hurricane
Katrina. Three years after Katrina and Rita devastated Louisiana and
Mississippi these institutions still have nearly $700 million in
unrecovered losses. The estimates for Gustav and Ike are still not
finalized but at this stage the damage is purported to be at least $46
million to state colleges and universities alone.
Before Katrina, the 11 colleges and universities in the New Orleans
area educated 70,000 students. Today that number is only 50,000 but it
continues to slowly rebound. This growth comes despite the fact that
our institutions of higher education experienced more than $1 billion
in physical damages and operational losses due to the 2005 hurricanes
and have recovered less than half of those losses. Higher education
institutions are the largest employers in New Orleans both before and
after Katrina. The higher education industry in New Orleans continues
to attract millions of research dollars and supports industries as
diverse as biotechnology, aerospace and medicine. The work of each
institution in the city can be seen in every aspect of the region's
recovery, from the redesign of the city's troubled public schools to
coastal restoration and hurricane protection to the provision of health
care across the region. They engage in this important work even as they
continue to struggle with mounting revenue losses, buildings that
remain in disrepair due to flooding and the loss of key faculty and
staff.
I call today on the Secretary of Education to make the Education
Disaster Loan program a top regulatory priority. It is my understanding
that some Department of Education officials have said that they will
not promulgate regulations on any newly create programs in the Higher
Education Act until funds are appropriated. This simply is not
acceptable. This issue has become a major roadblock in the current
disaster funding process, and it is my hope that the Secretary and the
Department will move expeditiously to establish regulations so that the
program may provide crucial assistance to the colleges and universities
impacted by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and the Midwest
Floods.
This is a program I was proud to author, design, shepherd through the
last Congress to help all the colleges and universities that have been
so hard hit, and a portion of the community development block grant
loans that we have provided could possibly go to help our universities.
____________________
NEW ORLEANS REGION HOSPITAL DISASTER FUNDING
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise to highlight the continued and
critical need for post-Katrina health care recovery funding for those
hospitals that have struggled to this day to provide critical medical
services in the New Orleans region. The Congress has been extremely
helpful to the State of Louisiana in providing funding support for many
Katrina and Rita recovery purposes. However, minimal assistance has
been provided to enable the greater New Orleans area hospitals to
maintain adequate and required health care operations. The affected
hospitals, specifically East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Health
System, Touro Infirmary, Tulane Medical Center, University Hospital,
and West Jefferson Medical Center, provided over 90 percent of all
regional hospital-based health care, and are expected to do so for at
least the next five years. It is vitally important that this health
care base be maintained in order to preserve other recovery efforts
throughout the region.
Louisiana hospital executives have testified before Congress
concerning the post-Katrina health care funding crisis caused by
escalating expenses that significantly outpaced revenues, with no
immediate stabilization expected; post-Katrina labor expenses that
increased by $140 million; non-labor expenses--i.e. utilities,
insurance, interest, bad debts--that increased by $300 million; and
fewer skilled healthcare professionals. The regional hospitals are
experiencing reduced bond ratings--with defaults looming--increased
marketing and recruiting expenses, and even a loss of leadership. The
Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General--OIG--and the
General Accounting Office, through extensive and voluntary audits, have
objectively validated the magnitude of these post-Katrina financial
losses and the demonstrated need for New Orleans regional hospital
disaster assistance.
To stabilize critical health care services in the region, the New
Orleans area hospitals require a federal funding ``bridge'' as they
transition to a firmer economic base through adjusted wage indexes and
other revenue streams. The hospitals are at a critical tipping point in
financial losses, and each is determining the steps necessary to remain
medically and fiscally sound. Without funding support, the potential
reduction in health care services will impact the fragile recovery of
the entire New Orleans region.
In the pending appropriations bill now before this body, Social
Service Block Grant funding is provided to partially address health
care and other needs resulting from Katrina, Rita and other hurricanes
and natural disasters. I intend to work closely with the President, the
Secretary of Department of
[[Page 22620]]
Health and Human Services, and other Federal officials to ensure that
sufficient block grant funding is provided to the New Orleans regional
hospitals to ensure the stability of health care services in the
Katrina-affected regions.
Again, I was instrumental in crafting this program to help hospitals
that, with the electricity off and the city underwater, stayed open by
the sheer guts of their doctors and nurses. I can still see them in my
mind, struggling to keep those hospitals open with the city completely
underwater and a parish underwater. This is for Orleans and Jefferson.
They still have not been reimbursed for the work that they did during
Katrina.
For some reason, we can't get this Congress to understand the
importance of what those hospitals did during this great time of need.
So I wish to send this in for the Record.
____________________
DISASTER DECLARATION
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, finally, I wish to urge this
administration to provide a 100-percent disaster declaration for at
least these parishes. Our Governor has asked for 100 percent for all
the parishes--and I am going to put up that chart in a minute--but the
Governor believes the entire State deserves to have a 100-percent
reimbursement because Gustav went through our whole State, and then Ike
came up a few weeks later and flooded and did a tremendous amount of
wind damage.
We are not designated as a 100-percent cost share yet, which means
the Federal Government would step in and pick up 100 percent of some of
these parishes that are on their last leg. They have been through four
storms in the last couple years. Unfortunately, and I am not sure why,
but several counties in Texas have been granted the first 0 to 14 days
at 100 percent. Yet our parishes, which were hit equally as hard, have
not yet received that designation.
So I am asking, on their behalf and with the full support of our
Governor, our Lieutenant Governor, and others who are leading our
effort in the recovery, if the administration would please consider at
least giving equal treatment--100 percent, 0 to 14--for the parishes
that were as hard hit as the Texas counties were in this aerial.
But do not forget, as I close, that when Hurricane Gustav was in the
gulf, our Governor called for a mandatory evacuation, and 2 million
people, the largest evacuation in the country's history, left their
homes to move temporarily, for a couple days, and then came back. The
damage was very bad. It wasn't catastrophic such as Katrina, but it was
as bad as Hurricane Rita. But when they came home, the Federal
Government said: Well, thank you for evacuating, but there is virtually
no help for you or your counties.
It is expensive to evacuate. I know people don't understand, those
who have never had to go through it, but it costs hundreds of dollars
to fill your tank with gas, if you have a car; it costs hundreds of
dollars to stay at a hotel, even if it is just for a day or two; it
costs hundreds of dollars to drive down the road to pick up your
elderly aunt or your grandmother, who lives in another parish, to get
her to evacuate. I can't tell you the expense that people incur.
I don't think the Federal Government should pick up 100 percent of
the expense of mandatory evacuations, but I do think, for some period
in some parishes, particularly those that have been very hard hit, that
the Government, the Federal Government, if they can do it for some of
the counties in Texas, most certainly should consider the parishes in
Louisiana. So I am going to submit that as my last plea for the Record.
I know it has been a long day, but I feel as if we got some things
accomplished. I don't know what the schedule will be as the leaders
decide on how we bring this particular Congress to a close, but I have
to say the work of the recovery is still going on. It will go on for
many years. My heart goes out to my neighbors from Texas who are just
now discovering with awe and shock, shock and awe, what a hurricane can
mean. They haven't had one in 50 years, such as the one in Galveston,
and they had one last week. So I know what they are experiencing
because we have been through that. I will stand ready to work with them
in my committee, as chair of the Subcommittee on Disaster, when we
return. Whether it is floods in the Midwest or hurricanes in the gulf,
we will continue to, first, try to protect ourselves by better levees
and flood control; and then have a better system of aid and help that
is reliable and dependable for these people--for our people, our
constituents, and our citizens in need.
____________________
PATENT REFORM
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I rise today to comment on S. 3600, the
Patent Reform Act of 2008. This bill is based on, but makes a number of
changes to, S. 1145, a patent reform bill that was reported out of the
Judiciary Committee in 2007 but that was never considered by the full
Senate.
S. 1145 proposed several salutary and uncontroversial reforms to the
patent system, but also included provisions that would rewrite the
formula for awarding damages in patent cases and that would create new
administrative proceedings for challenging patents. These and other
provisions of that bill would have made it much more expensive to hold
and defend a patent, would have extended the time for recovering
damages for infringement, and would have substantially reduced the
amount that the patent holder would ultimately recover for
infringement. The changes proposed by S. 1145 went so far that under
that bill's regime, it may have proved cheaper in many cases to
infringe a patent and suffer the attenuated and reduced consequences of
doing so, rather than to pay a license to the holder of the patent.
Once such a line is crossed, the incentive to invest in research and
development and the commercialization of new technology in this country
would be greatly reduced. Such a change would do enormous harm to the
U.S. economy in the medium-to-long term. Reputable economists estimate
that historically, between 35 and 40 percent of U.S. productivity
growth has been the result of innovation.
My bill makes substantial changes to those sections of S. 1145 that
address damages, post grant review, venue and interlocutory appeals,
applicant quality submissions, and inequitable conduct. This bill will
not be considered in this Congress. I nevertheless thought that it
would be useful to propose alternative approaches to these issues now,
to allow Senators and interested parties the time to consider these
alternatives as we prepare for the patent reform debate in the next
Congress. I hope that my colleagues will work with me in a bipartisan
and deliberative manner to construct a bill that will be considered in
the next Congress. With those thoughts in mind, allow me to describe
the significant changes that this bill makes to S. 1145.
I believe that S. 1145 goes too far in restricting a patent owner's
right to recover reasonable royalty damages. On the other hand, I also
believe that there is room for improvement in current law. Some unsound
practices have crept into U.S. patent damages litigation. My staff and
I spent several months at the end of last year and the beginning of
this year discussing the current state of patent damages litigation
with a number of seasoned practitioners and even some professional
damages experts. I sought out people with deep experience in the field
who had not been retained to lobby on pending legislation.
A substantial number of the experts with whom I spoke said that there
is nothing wrong with current damages litigation and that Congress
should not change the law. Others, however, identified a number of
unsound practices that they believe have led to inflated damages awards
in a significant number of cases. Different attorneys and experts
repeatedly identified the same valuation methods and criteria as being
unsound, subject to manipulation, and leading to damages awards that
are far out of proportion to an invention's economic contribution to
the infringing product. Examples of problematic methodologies that were
identified to me include the so-called rule
[[Page 22621]]
of thumb, under which an infringed patent is presumptively entitled to
40 percent or some other standard portion of all of the profits on a
product, the use of the average license paid for patents in an industry
as a starting point for calculating the value of a particular patent,
and a formula attributed to IBM whereby every high-technology patent is
entitled to 1 percent of the revenues on a product. A number of experts
also criticized the use of comparables, whereby the value of a patent
is calculated by reference to the license paid for a supposedly
comparable patent.
The views of those experts who were critical of current damages law
find some support in the macro evidence. Data collected by
PricewaterhouseCoopers and FTI Consulting indicate that the majority of
the largest patent-damages awards and settlements of all time have been
entered only since 2002. Also, the inflation adjusted value of awards
entered since 2000 is more than 50 percent higher than it was during
the early 1990s. And it also appears that jury awards tend to be about
ten times higher than the average damages award entered by a judge, and
that results vary markedly by jurisdiction. These facts suggest that
the problems that sometimes lead to inflated damages awards are to some
extent systemic.
The task of reforming substantive damages standards presents a very
difficult legislative question. Damages calculation is an inherently
fact-intensive inquiry and requires legal flexibility so that the best
evidence of a patent's value may always be considered. Any proposed
changes to the law must be evaluated in light of the kaleidoscope of
factual scenarios presented by the calculation of damages for different
types of patents.
I have largely given up on the idea of developing a unified field
theory of damages law that solves all problems at once. I also oppose
proposals to require a prior-art subtraction in every case. Most
measures of a reasonable royalty, such as established royalties, costs
of design-arounds, comparisons to noninfringing alternatives, or cost
savings produced by use of the patented invention, already effectively
deduct the value of prior art out of their estimate of the patented
invention's value. To mandate prior-art subtraction when using such
measures would be to double count that deduction, effectively
subtracting the prior art twice and undervaluing the invention.
And for reasons mostly explained in my minority views to the
committee report for S. 1145, S. Rep. 110-259 at pages 64-65, I also
disagree with the argument that defendants should be allowed to revisit
validity questions, such as a patent's novelty or nonobviousness,
during the damages phase of litigation. To those comments I would
simply add that, if Congress were to desire that patents be defined
more specifically and narrowly, then it would need to provide express
guidance as to how to do so. Simply using adjectival phrases such as
``specific contribution'' or ``inventive features'' will not suffice.
These terms merely express a hope or objective. But legislation needs
to be about means, not ends, particularly if it is intended to achieve
its results by altering the practices and outcomes of litigation. I
should also add that although I have consulted with many neutral
experts in the field of patent damages, and many of those experts
described to me what they believed to be serious problems with patent
damages litigation, none of those experts told me that insufficiently
specific claim construction is causing excessive damages awards. If
overly broad claim constructions were a major source of problems with
damages litigation, I undoubtedly would have come across at least one
neutral expert who expressed that view.
Discussions that I have had with several proponents of S. 1145
indicated that they understand the principal evil of current damages
litigation to be the award of damages as a percentage or portion of the
full price of the infringing product. It also appears that some
proponents of S. 1145 believe that a statutory instruction to define
the invention more narrowly and clearly would prevent parties from
seeking damages based on the entire value of the infringing product.
The linkage between claim construction and the damages base is not
clear to me. Even a concededly limited invention could be fairly valued
by using the full product's price as the damages base, so long as the
rate applied to that base was appropriately small.
Many unjustified and excessive awards certainly do use the full value
of the infringing product as the damages base. Indeed, awards that are
derived from the rule of thumb almost always are based on the entire
value of the infringing product, as is the typical industry averages
award. Precluding or sharply limiting the use of net sales price as a
damages base certainly would block the path to many of the bad outcomes
that are produced by the use of these methodologies.
The problem with a rule that bars the use of net sales price as the
damages base when calculating a reasonable royalty is that in many
industrial sectors, net sales price is routinely used as the damages
base in voluntary licensing negotiations. It is favored as a damages
base because it is an objective and readily verifiable datum. The
parties to a licensing negotiation do not even argue about its use.
Instead, they fight over the rate that will be applied to that base.
Even if the net sales price of the product is very large and the
economic contribution made by the patented invention is small, net
sales price can still serve as the denominator of an appropriate
royalty if the numerator is made small.
Thus in these industries, the initials, NSP, appear frequently and
repeatedly in licensing contracts. A legal rule that precluded use of
net sales price as the damages base would effectively prevent
participants in these industries from making the same royalty
calculations in litigation that they would make in an arm's length
transaction. Such an outcome would be deeply disruptive to the
valuation of patents in these fields. Evidence and techniques whose use
is endorsed by the market via their regular use in voluntary
negotiations are likely to offer the best means of valuing a patent in
litigation. After all, what is an object in commerce worth, other than
what the market is willing to pay? We simply cannot enact a law that
bars patentees from using in litigation the same damages calculation
methods that they routinely employ in arm's length licensing
negotiations.
The bill that I have introduced today uses what I call an enhanced
gatekeeper to address problems with damages awards. The bill
strengthens judicial review of expert witness testimony, provides
greater guidance to juries, and allows for sequencing of the damages
and validity/infringement phases of a trial. The bill also codifies the
principle that all relevant factors can be considered when assessing
reasonable royalty damages, while adopting guidelines and rules that
favor the use of an economic analysis of the value of an invention over
rough or subjective methodologies such as the rule of thumb, industry
averages, or the use of comparables. Allow me to provide a subsection-
by-subsection summary of the bill's revisions to section 284, the basic
patent damages statute.
Subsection (a) of the bill's proposed section 284 copies and
recodifies all of current section 284, including its authorization of
treble damages and its admonition that compensatory damages shall ``in
no event be less than a reasonable royalty for the use made of the
invention.''
Subsection (b) codifies current Federal circuit precedent defining a
reasonable royalty as the amount that the infringer and patent owner
would have agreed to in a hypothetical negotiation at the time
infringement began. It tracks the language of the Rite-Hite case, 56
F.3d 1538 (Fed. Cir. 1995), and follow-on decisions. Some supporters of
S. 1145 are critical of the hypothetical negotiation construct and
believe that it leads to bad results. Not only is this test established
law, however, but it is also inherent in the concept of a ``reasonable
royalty.'' That standard requires the trier of fact to determine what
would have been--i.e., what the parties would have agreed to. As long
[[Page 22622]]
as the patent code requires a ``reasonable royalty,'' courts and juries
will need to engage in a hypothetical inquiry as to how the invention
reasonably would have been valued at the time of infringement. Indeed,
it is not apparent by what other means the factfinder might approach
the calculation of a reasonable royalty. And in any event, the source
of occasional bad results in damages trials is not the mental framework
used for approaching the question of a reasonable royalty, but rather
the particular evidence and methods used to value some inventions. It
would be a noteworthy omission to avoid mention of the hypothetical
negotiation concept in a bill that regulates damages analysis to the
degree that this one does. This subsection thus codifies the Federal
circuit's jurisprudence on the hypothetical negotiation.
Subsection (c) simply makes clear that, despite subsection (d), (e),
and (f)'s codification and modification of several of the Georgia-
Pacific factors, the rest of the Georgia-Pacific factors--as well as
any other appropriate factor--may be used as appropriate to calculate
the amount of a reasonable royalty.
Subsection (d) is probably the most important subsection in the
bill's revised section 284. It bars the use of industry averages, rule-
of-thumb profit splits, and other standardized measures to value a
patent except under particular circumstances. Standardized measures are
defined as those methods that, like rule of thumb and industry
averages, do not gauge the particular benefits and advantages of the
use of a patent. Instead, they are relatively crude, cookie-cutter
measures that purport to value all patents--or at least all patents in
a class--in the same way, without regard to a particular patent's
economic value. These back-of-the envelope methods are occasionally
used in arm's-length, voluntary licensing negotiations, as are things
such as gut instinct and intuition. But they are rough methods that can
produce wildly inaccurate results. Subsection (d) disfavors their use.
This subsection restricts the use of Georgia-Pacific factor 12, which
largely describes the rule of thumb. Subsection (d)'s general rule
cites the rule of thumb and industry averages as important and
illustrative examples of standardized measures. But it also expressly
applies to other methods that are ``not based on the particular
benefits and advantages'' of an invention, to ensure that variations on
these examples and other methods that consist of the same evil also are
brought within the scope of subsection (d)'s main rule.
An example of a standardized measure other than profit splits and
industry averages that is also currently in use and that also falls
within subsection (d)'s scope is the so-called IBM 1-percent-up-to-5
formula. This formula apparently was used by IBM in the past to license
its own portfolio of patents. Under this methodology, each patent
receives 1 percent of the revenues on a product until a 5 percent
ceiling is reached, at which point the whole portfolio of patents is
made available to the licensee.
I have heard more than one representative of a high-technology
company describe the use of this formula in litigation against his
company. Apparently, there exists a stable of plaintiff-side damages
expert witnesses who will testify that this formula is appropriate for
and is customarily used to calculate the value of any patent in the
computer or information-technologies sectors. These experts start at 1
percent and then adjust that number based on the other Georgia-Pacific
factors, supposedly to account for the particular aspects of the patent
in suit, though these adjustments almost always seem to push the number
higher.
Obviously, 1 percent of revenues or even profits is a grossly
inflated value for many high-technology patents. It is not uncommon for
high-technology products to be covered by thousands of different
patents, which are of greatly differing value. Not every one of those
patents can be worth 1 percent of revenues. Some patents inevitably
will be for features that are trivial, that are irrelevant to
consumers, or that could be reproduced by unpatented, off-the-shelf
noninfringing substitutes. One percent of the sales revenue from, for
example, a laptop computer is an enormous sum of money. Many patents
are worth nothing near that, and any methodology that starts at that
number is likely to produce a grossly inflated result in a large number
of cases.
It bears also mentioning some of those common methodologies that
clearly are not standardized measures. In addition to established
royalties, which are afforded an express exemption from this subsection
by paragraph (2), there are the methods of calculating the costs of
designing around a patent, drawing comparisons to the experience of
noninfringing alternatives, or calculating the costs savings produced
by use of the invention. All of these factors gauge the benefits and
advantages of the use of the invention and therefore are outside the
scope of subsection (d).
Paragraph (1) of subsection (d) allows parties to use a standardized
measure, such as a rule-of-thumb profit split, if that party can show
that the patented invention is the primary reason why consumers buy the
infringing product. If the patented invention is the primary reason why
people buy the product, then the patent effectively is the reason for
the commercial success of the product, and its owner is entitled to a
substantial share of the profits, minus business risk, marketing, and
other contributions made by the infringer.
Some have advocated a lower standard than ``primary reason'' for
allowing use of profit splits and other standardized measures--for
example, using a ``substantial basis'' standard. I rejected the use of
a lower standard because a profit split should basically award to the
patent owner all of the profits on the product minus those attributable
to business risk. Thus the test for allowing such profit splits must be
one that only one patent will meet per product, since the bulk of the
profits can only be awarded once. If the test were ``substantial
basis,'' for example, multiple patents could meet the standard and
multiple patent owners could demand all of the profits minus business
risk on the product.
Paragraph (2) of subsection (d) makes established royalties an
express exception to the bar on standardized measures. In earlier
drafts, I did not include this exception in the bill because I thought
it obvious that an established royalty is based on the benefits and
advantages of the use of the invention and is thus outside the scope of
the subsection (d) rule. Some parties who reviewed those earlier
drafts, however, found the bill ambiguous on this point, and in any
event the lack of an exception would have forced parties to litigate
the question whether an established royalty was, in fact, based on the
benefits and advantages of the use of the patent. Since established
royalties are widely considered to be the gold standard for valuing a
patent, we should avoid making it harder to use this method. It is thus
expressly placed outside the scope of subsection (d)'s restrictions by
paragraph (2).
Paragraph (3) of subsection (d) allows industry averages to continue
to be used to confirm that results produced by other, independently
allowable methods fall within a reasonable range. The paragraph speaks
of ``independently'' allowable methods in order to make clear that an
industry average cannot be used to confirm an estimate produced solely
by reference to a ``comparable'' patent. Subsection (e) requires that
comparables only be used in conjunction with or to confirm other
methods, and thus under this bill comparables are not a method whose
use is allowed ``independently'' of other methods.
A brief explanation is in order as to why this bill regards industry
averages as a potentially unreliable metric and restricts their use. An
industry average often will reflect a broad range of licensing rates
within a technological sector. Even a licensed patent whose value is
included in the calculation of such a range may fall at a far end of
that range, producing highly inaccurate results if that average is used
as a starting point for calculating the
[[Page 22623]]
value of that patent. Moreover, many existing patents, though valid and
infringed by a product, disclose trivial inventions that add little to
the value of the product. But the types of patents that typically are
licensed--and that therefore would be a source of available data for
calculating an industry average--are the ones that are substantial and
valuable. Trivial patents don't get licensed, and their value does not
enter into industry average calculations. Thus particularly in the case
of a minor patent that has never been and likely never would be
licensed, an industry average would provide an inflated estimate of the
patent's value. This is because the industry average is not the average
licensing rate of all patents in a field, but merely the average of
those that have been licensed and for which data is publicly available.
Paragraph (4) of subsection (d) creates a safety valve that allows
parties to use standardized measures if no other method is reasonably
available to calculate a reasonable royalty, and the standardized
method is otherwise shown to be appropriate for the patent. Over the
course of drafting this bill, I have consulted with a number of experts
with broad experience in patent damages calculation. Only a few
believed that they had ever seen a case where use of a standardized
measure was necessary--that is, where a more precise economic analysis
was not feasible. I thus anticipate that this safety valve may almost
never need to be used, but I nevertheless include it in the bill,
because it is impossible to say with certainty that no situation will
ever arise in the future where parties will be unable to calculate a
reasonable royalty without use of the rule of thumb or other
standardized measures. Suffice to say that if one party to a suit
presents appropriate evidence of a patent's value and that evidence
falls outside the scope of subsection (d) or within one of the other
exceptions, then that method is ``reasonably available'' and paragraph
(4) could not be invoked.
A word about the need for substantive standards: some critics of S.
1145 have made the argument to me that any problems with damages
litigation can be cured through procedural reforms, and that changes to
substantive legal standards such as those in subsections (d) through
(f) are unnecessary. These parties also have made the related, though
different argument that to the extent that litigants are using
unreliable evidence or methodologies, this problem should be addressed
through cross examination and advocacy.
Though I share these critics' displeasure with S. 1145, I do not
think that problems such as the overuse of rule of thumb and industry
averages will be completely solved through purely procedural reforms.
The most likely mechanism for excluding these methodologies would be
rule 702. But the use of some of these methods for valuing patents is
endorsed by multiple experts. These methods, while ultimately unsound,
represent a significant minority view that is backed by some published
commentary, albeit sometimes only commentary in journals that are
exclusively written by, subscribed to, and read by plaintiff-side
damages expert witnesses. In such circumstances, it is no sure thing
that a party will be able to exclude under Daubert the testimony of an
expert employing these methodologies. These metrics are sufficiently
entrenched that the only way to ensure that the courts will disallow
them when their use is not appropriate is for Congress to tell the
courts to disallow them.
As to the second point, it is true that it is the lawyer's duty to
identify the flaws in the other side's arguments and to debunk unsound
theories. But the reality is that because of the limited expertise and
experience of many jurors and the limited time allowed to argue a case
at trial, often the trier of fact will not divine the truth of the
matter. And some unsound damages methodologies are particularly likely
to be appealing to those untutored in the field. An industry average
analysis, for example, employs the one statistical concept that is
understood by virtually everyone, and this method's use may amount to
no more than a simple back-of-the-envelope calculation that requires
only one expert to give you the industry average licensing rate and
another to calculate the gross revenues on the product. When a complex
economic analysis that focuses on noninfringing alternatives to the
patented invention or the costs of a design-around is forced to compete
for the jury's favor with a simple average-rate-times-sales
calculation, many jurors may find the simpler and readily
understandable method more intuitively appealing, even if it is less
accurate. And of course, when two different and even slightly complex
damages calculations are presented to a jury, there always exists a
risk that the jury will resolve the dispute by splitting the difference
between the two methods. In a high-value case where the patent owner
uses an unsound method that produces a wildly inflated number, the risk
that the jury will pick the wrong method or even split the difference
may easily be unacceptable from a business perspective.
In the end, it is the premise of the rules of evidence that some
types of evidence are so unsound, so prejudicial, or so likely to
produce an unjust result that we do not require the other side's lawyer
to debunk this evidence, but rather we require the judge to bar it from
the courtroom altogether. If we find that particular methodologies
routinely produce inaccurate and unjust results, it is appropriate that
we amend the law to directly restrict the use of those methodologies.
Subsection (e) restricts and regulates the use of licenses paid for
supposedly comparable patents as a means of calculating the value of
the patent in suit. The use of comparables is authorized by Georgia-
Pacific factor two and can generate probative evidence of a patent's
value. Nevertheless, such use is regulated and restricted by this
subsection. Comparables are a valuation method that is often abused,
both to overvalue and to undervalue patents. When an infringer is sued
for infringing an important patent, he often will cite as evidence of a
reasonable royalty the license paid for a patent that is in the same
field but that is much less valuable than the patent in suit.
Similarly, a plaintiff patent owner asserting a trivial patent may cite
as ``comparable'' other patents in the same field that are much more
valuable than the plaintiff's patent. The fact that another patent is
licensed in the same industry should not alone be enough to allow its
use as a comparable in litigation.
Comparability is a subjective test. By definition, every patent is
unique and no two patents are truly comparable. Subsection (e) thus
requires that comparables be used only in conjunction with or to
confirm the results of other evidence, and that they only be drawn from
the same or an analogous technological field. I chose the latter term
rather than ``same industry'' because the term ``industry'' is too
broad. Parties might define ``industry'' so expansively that every
patent in the universe would fall into one of only two or three
``industries.''
Paragraph (2) of subsection (e) sets out guideposts for determining
whether a patent is economically comparable to another patent. It
suggests requiring a showing that the supposed comparable is of similar
significance to the licensed product as the patent in suit is to the
infringing product, and that the licensed and infringing products have
a similar profit margin. Obviously, a patent that makes only a trivial
contribution to a product cannot accurately be valued by reference to a
comparable that makes a critical and valuable contribution to its
licensed product, or vice versa. And similarity in the profitability of
the licensed and infringing products will also generally be important
to establishing the economic comparability of two patents. As an
economic reality, when the profits on a product are high, the
manufacturer will be more generous with the royalties that he pays for
the patented inventions that are used by the product. This economic
reality is undergirded by the fact that it will typically be the
patented inventions used by a product that make that product unique in
the
[[Page 22624]]
marketplace and allow it to earn higher profits. Even if two patents
are the principal patent on products in the same field, if one patent's
product has a 2-percent profit margin and the other's has a 20-percent
profit margin, that first patent evidently is doing less to distinguish
that product in its market and to generate consumer demand--and thus
has a lower economic value.
A thorough analysis of comparability, of course, likely will depend
in a given case on many factors beyond those listed here. Subparagraphs
(A) and (B) are simply guideposts that describe two factors that are
likely to be relevant to comparability. The bill only provides that
these two factors may be considered. It does not preclude consideration
of other factors, nor does it require that these two factors be
considered in every case. A party asserting the propriety of a
comparable may be able to show that one or even both of these factors
are not appropriate to establishing economic comparability in a given
case.
Subsection (f) bars parties from arguing that damages should be based
on the wealth or profitability of the defendant as of the time of
trial. Some lawyers have been known, after making their case for an
inflated royalty calculation, to emphasize how insignificant even that
inflated request is in light of the total revenues of the defendant
infringer. Such arguments do not assist the jury in gauging a
reasonable royalty. Rather, they serve to reduce the jury's sense of
responsibility to limit a reasonable royalty to the actual value of the
use made of the invention. This subsection does not bar all
consideration of the financial condition of the infringer. It may be
appropriate to consider the infringer's finances at the time of
infringement especially if there is some evidence that such information
is considered when licensing patents in the relevant industry. But in
no case should a court allow such information to be presented when the
evident purpose of doing is to tell the jury that the defendant has
deep pockets and will not be burdened by an inflated award.
Subsection (g) gives either party a presumptive right to demand that
validity and infringement be decided before the jury hears arguments
about damages. Currently, some plaintiffs will force a premature debate
over damages in order to color the jury's view of validity and
infringement. For example, in some cases, the same defense witness who
testifies as to validity and infringement will also know facts relevant
to the patent's value. This may allow the plaintiff's lawyer to
question that witness about damages, forcing the defendant to begin
arguing about the amount of his liability before the jury has even
heard all the arguments as to whether the patent is valid and
infringed. A defendant who is already arguing about what a patent is
worth will tend to look as if he has already conceded that he owes
something, and that the dispute is simply over the amount.
This tension also exists even when all validity and infringement
arguments are presented before damages are argued. Current law
routinely allows the defendant to be forced to argue in the alternative
to be made to argue in one breath that he is not liable and in the next
that if he is liable, then this is the amount for which he is liable. A
presumptive right to have one issue resolved before the other is
addressed would cure this tension. This subsection allows only
sequencing of the trial, not full bifurcation. It does not require the
use of a second jury, and allows all pretrial activity, including that
related to damages, to be completed before the validity and
infringement case is presented and decided. The jury would decide
validity and infringement and then proceed immediately to hear the
damages case, if still needed.
Subsection (h) requires an expert to provide to the opposing party
his written testimony and the data and other information on which his
conclusions and methods are based, and to also provide the written
testimony to the court. This subsection supplements current law,
codifying and enforcing the better interpretation of what is currently
required by the rules of procedure. It is necessary because those
current rules are sometimes not fully enforced, and experts sometimes
are allowed to testify, for example, as to what is customary in an
industry without providing the facts and figures or evidence of actual
events that are the basis for the expert's view that something is
customary. Rule 702 exists to ensure that expert witnesses are not
simply allowed to argue from authority. It allows opposing counsel to
challenge the expert's methods as unsound, but that right becomes
illusory if the expert is allowed to testify without ever disclosing an
objective foundation for his conclusions. Requiring the expert's
written testimony to also be provided to the judge should allow the
judge to prepare himself to consider motions regarding the relevance
and admissibility of the expert's testimony.
Subsection (i) codifies and reinforces current law allowing a party
to seek summary judgment or JMOL on damages issues. It also requires a
court to instruct the jury only on those issues supported by
substantial evidence, a requirement which, when appropriate motions
have been made, should prevent the court from simply reading the
laundry list of all 15 Georgia-Pacific factors to the jury. The court's
identification of those factors for which there is substantial evidence
not only will provide better guidance to the jury, but should also
clarify the record and give form to the factfinder's decision, thereby
providing a better foundation for an appeal.
Section 299A creates a patent-specific and expanded Daubert rule.
First, it makes Rule 702 specific to the Federal circuit and patent
law. Currently, rule 702 is regarded by the Federal circuit as a
procedural rule, and thus in each case the Federal Circuit simply
follows the Daubert jurisprudence of the regional circuit whence the
district court decision came. Since the regional courts of appeals do
not hear patent cases, this system retards the development of a rule
702 jurisprudence that thoroughly considers some of the unique issues
presented by patent law and particularly patent-damages law. The
current situation also requires the district courts to look only to
rule 702 precedent that is based only on nonpatent cases. By embedding
rule 702 in the patent code, section 299A will force the development of
more consistent and thorough jurisprudence regarding what kinds of
reasonable royalty damages calculation methodologies are reliable and
what kinds are not. Like subsection (h) above, this section supplements
rather than replaces current law.
Section 299A also codifies the four indicia of reliability that were
announced in the original Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals
decision, 509 U.S. 579 (1993), as well as two other indicia that are
not described in Daubert. These two additional reliability indicia, at
paragraphs (5) and (6), are based on standards announced in court of
appeals decisions that apply Daubert. These decisions are discussed in
footnote 30 of section 6266 of Wright and Miller's Federal Practice and
Procedure. The first new factor, whether a theory or technique has been
employed independently of litigation, should be useful in flushing out
methodologies that exist only in litigation expert witness' testimony
and are never employed in actual licensing negotiations. Use of this
reliability indicator should inject more honesty into the hypothetical
negotiation. It should force parties to use methodologies that actually
would have been used had the infringer and claimant negotiated a
license, rather than metrics that are only ever employed in an expert's
imaginary parallel universe.
The second new reliability indicator, whether the expert has
accounted for readily available alternative theories, should exclude
the expert who ignores precise and objective metrics of value in favor
of subjective and manipulable methodologies that allow him to produce
the result that happens to most favor his client. If there is clear
evidence, for example, of the market price of a noninfringing
alternative to the infringing product, of the costs of noninfringing
substitutes for the invention or the costs of a design-around,
[[Page 22625]]
or of the cost savings produced by use of the invention, an expert
witness should not be allowed to ignore that evidence. He must consider
that evidence or at least provide a persuasive account as to why it
should not be considered. One common sign of a bad or biased expert
witness is his disregard of readily available alternative theories or
techniques. Paragraph (6) will help to ensure that Federal courts
exercise their gatekeeper role and bar such witnesses from misleading
the jury.
Finally, subsection (c) of proposed section 299A requires district
courts and circuit courts to explain their Daubert determinations,
which should facilitate appeal of those decisions.
Section 5 of the bill authorizes the creation of post grant review
proceedings for challenging the validity of patents. It allows both
first- and second-window review of a patent, with procedural
restrictions that will limit the time and expense of these proceedings
and protect patent owners. The bill uses a procedural model that is
favored by PTO and is calculated to allow quick resolution of
petitions. Importantly, the bill also imposes procedural limits on when
a second-window proceeding may be sought after civil litigation has
commenced, and restricts duplicative or second and successive
proceedings, preventing infringers from using post grant review as a
litigation or delaying tactic.
Section 5(a) of the bill repeals the procedures for inter partes
reexam effective 1 year after the date of enactment of the bill, while
allowing requests for reexam that are filed before that effective date
to continue to be considered by the office. Director-initiated reexam
is also repealed, out of concern that in the future political pressure
may be brought to bear on PTO to attack patents that are a nuisance to
politically important businesses.
The bill's proposed section 321 authorizes two types of post grant
review proceedings, a first-period proceeding in which any invalidity
argument can be presented, and a second-period proceeding that is
limited to considering arguments of novelty and nonobviousness that are
based on patents or printed publications. The first-window proceeding
must be brought within 9 months after the patent is issued. The second
window is open for the life of the patent after the 9-month window has
lapsed or after any first-period proceeding has concluded.
The bill uses an oppositional model, which is favored by PTO as
allowing speedier adjudication of claims. Under a reexam system, the
burden is always on PTO to show that a claim is not patentable. Every
time that new information is presented, PTO must reassess whether its
burden has been met. This model has proven unworkable in inter partes
reexam, in which multiple parties can present information to PTO at
various stages of the proceeding, and which system has experienced
interminable delays. Under an oppositional system, by contrast, the
burden is always on the petitioner to show that a claim is not
patentable. Both parties present their evidence to the PTO, which then
simply decides whether the petitioner has met his burden.
If we expect post grant review proceedings to be completed within
particular deadlines, I think that it is obligatory that we consult
with the agency that is expected to administer the proceedings. In this
case, PTO has expressed a strong preference for an oppositional model,
and it believes that it can comply with reasonable deadlines if that
model is adopted. The bill's use of an oppositional system thus allows
proposed section 329(b)(1) to mandate that post grant review
proceedings be completed within one year after they are instituted,
with a possible 6-month extension for good cause shown or in the event
of second-window joinder.
Section 5 also imposes a number of procedural limitations on post
grant review proceedings. Proposed section 321 applies a standing
requirement that petitioners must have a substantial economic interest
adverse to the patent. This is a relatively low threshold that simply
requires a showing that some substantial economic activity of the
petitioner's is hindered by the express or implied threat of the
patent's monopoly. Nevertheless, the requirement does give patentees a
measure of control over when they might be forced to defend themselves
in a post grant review proceeding.
Proposed section 322 includes a number of provisions that are
designed to limit the use of post grant review proceedings as a
delaying tactic and to mitigate these proceedings' negative impact on
efforts to enforce a patent. Subsection (a) provides presumptive
immunity from post grant review proceedings to a patent that is
enforced in court within three months of its issue. A patent asserted
in court this early in its life likely is already the subject of a
well-developed commercial dispute. A delay in resolution of the case
under these circumstances probably would do unjustified and irreparable
harm to one or another party's market share. Such disputes should be
resolved as soon as possible, which means hearing all of the case in
the one forum capable of hearing all claims, the district court.
Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) bars a party that has filed a
declaratory-judgment action challenging the validity of a patent from
also challenging the patent in a post grant review proceeding. And
paragraph (2) requires a defendant in an infringement action who seeks
to open a second-window proceeding to do so within 3 months after his
answer to the complaint is due. I think that this is a better rule than
one requiring that a petition for a second-window proceeding be filed
before an infringement action is filed. Such a restriction might cause
parties who think that they may be sued but who are not otherwise
inclined to seek post grant review to file defensive petitions for
second-period review, lest they later be sued and lose the right to
request post grant review.
Subsection (c) of section 322 bars a party that has already sought a
post grant review proceeding against a patent from subsequently seeking
another post grant review or a reexam with regard to the same patent.
Subsection (d) of section 322 estops a party that has brought a post
grant review proceeding against a patent from raising in any subsequent
PTO or ITC proceeding or civil action any claim against that patent
that it did raise in a post grant proceeding or that it could have
raised in a second-window proceeding.
A word about privity: subsections (b)(2) and (d) of section 322 bar
second-window proceedings from being instituted or claims from being
raised if particular proceedings or claims were pursued by privies to
the party now seeking to start proceedings or raise claims. The concept
of privity, of course, is borrowed from the common law of judgments.
The doctrine's practical and equitable nature is emphasized in a recent
California Court of Appeals decision, California Physicians' Service v.
Aoki Diabetes Research Institute, 163 Cal.App.4th 1506 (Cal. App.
2008), which notes, at page 1521, citations omitted, that:
The word ``privy'' has acquired an expanded meaning. The
courts, in the interest of justice and to prevent expensive
litigation, are striving to give effect to judgments by
extending ``privies'' beyond the classical description. The
emphasis is not on a concept of identity of parties, but on
the practical situation. Privity is essentially a shorthand
statement that collateral estoppel is to be applied in a
given case; there is no universally applicable definition of
privity. The concept refers to a relationship between the
party to be estopped and the unsuccessful party in the prior
litigation which is sufficiently close so as to justify
application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel.
It bears noting that not all parties in privity with a would-be
petitioner for other purposes or by way of various contracts would also
be in privity with the petitioner for purposes of estoppel--that is,
for purposes of section 322. This limitation on estoppel privity is
usefully highlighted in a decision of the Federal circuit,
International Nutrition Co. v. Horphag Research, Ltd., 220 F.3d 1325
(Fed. Cir. 2000), which notes, at page 1329, that:
One situation in which parties have frequently been held to
be in privity is when they hold successive interests in the
same property. See, e.g., Litchfield v. Crane, 123 U.S. 549,
551, 8 S.Ct. 210, 31 L.Ed. 199 (1887) (defining privity to
include a ``mutual or successive relationship to the same
rights of
[[Page 22626]]
property''). Thus, a judgment with respect to a particular
property interest may be binding on a third party based on a
transfer of the property in issue to the third party after
judgment. See Restatement (Second) of Judgments Sec. 43
(1982) (``A judgment in an action that determines interests
in real or personal property . . . [h]as preclusive effects
upon a person who succeeds to the interest of a party to the
same extent as upon the party himself.''). A corollary of
that principle, however, is that when one party is a
successor in interest to another with respect to particular
property, the parties are in privity only with respect to an
adjudication of rights in the property that was transferred;
they are not in privity for other purposes, such as an
adjudication of rights in other property that was never
transferred between the two. See 18 Wright et al., supra,
Sec. 4462. Put another way, the transfer of a particular
piece of property does not have the effect of limiting rights
of the transferee that are unrelated to the transferred
property. See Munoz v. County of Imperial, 667 F.2d 811, 816
(9th Cir.1982) (concluding that non-parties were not in
privity with a party to litigation because ``[t]he right
which the [third parties] seek to litigate is not one which
they obtained through contractual relations with [a party to
the previous litigation]. It is a completely independent
right[.]'').
Proposed section 327 also imposes important limits on post grant
review proceedings. Its requirements are designed to protect both
patent owners and the PTO. Section 327 establishes a substantial
evidentiary threshold for bringing any post grant review proceeding,
and it imposes a further elevated threshold against the bringing of a
second-period proceeding for a patent that already has become the
subject of such a proceeding. Subsection (a) requires that any petition
present evidence that, if unrebutted, would show that a claim in the
patent is unpatentable. This threshold is designed, among other things,
to force a petitioner to present all of his best evidence against a
patent up front. His petition itself must present a full affirmative
case. It thus reinforces the front-loaded nature of an oppositional
system, which is critical to the efficient resolution of proceedings by
PTO. This threshold is considerably higher than ``significant new
question of patentability,'' and thus, particularly in combination with
the mandates of section 329(c), should provide the PTO with sufficient
discretion to protect itself against being overwhelmed by a deluge of
petitions.
Subsection (b) of section 327 is designed to allow parties to use
first-window proceedings to resolve important legal questions early in
the life of such controversies. Currently, for example, if there is
debate over whether a particular subject matter or thing is really
patentable, parties who disagree with PTO's conclusion that it is
patentable must wait until a patent is granted and an infringement
dispute arises before the question can be tested in court. In such a
situation, subsection (b) would allow parties with an economic interest
in the matter to raise the question early in its life. If PTO is wrong
and such a thing cannot be patented, subsection (b) creates an avenue
by which the question can be conclusively resolved by the Federal
circuit before a large number of improper patents are granted and
allowed to unjustifiably disrupt an industry. Obviously, subsection (a)
alone would not be enough to test the view that PTO has reached an
incorrect conclusion on an important legal question, because subsection
(a) requires the petitioner to persuade PTO that a claim appears to be
unpatentable, and PTO is unlikely to be so persuaded if it has already
decided the underlying legal question in favor of patentability.
Subsection (a) is directed only at individual instances of error that
PTO itself appreciates, while subsection (b) allows PTO to reconsider
an important legal question and to effectively certify it for Federal
circuit resolution when it appears that the question is worthy of early
conclusive resolution.
Subsection (c) of section 327 applies a successive-petition bar of
sorts to second or successive petitions for second-period review. It is
a rare patent that should be twice subjected to second-window
proceedings. Nevertheless, Congress ought not preclude such review
entirely. It is possible, for example, that a second-period proceeding
may be resolved in a way that suggests that there was some collusion
between the petitioner and the patent owner. And PTO may over time
identify other circumstances in which even a second or third second-
period proceeding is appropriate. Subsection (c) requires that such
latter circumstances be exceptional, however.
Lengthy and duplicative proceedings are one of the worst evils of
other systems of administrative review of patents. During the pendency
of such proceedings, a patent owner is effectively prevented from
enforcing his patent. Subsection (c) should ensure that second or
successive second-period proceedings are few and far between.
It would be desirable that, when the Director grants petitions, he
identify for the parties those issues that he found to be sufficiently
established and those that were not. Such a practice would help to
expedite proceedings in many cases, as it would limit the issues, and
it would also give the patent owner a sense of what issues are
important to the board and where he ought to focus his amendments.
Ultimately, though, I decided against requiring such practice in the
text of the bill. If a mandate were in the statute, it would create
problems for the board in the rare but inevitable case where the board
initially identifies one issue as the basis for granting the petition,
but it later becomes apparent that a different issue is really the
central issue in the case. It is better that these proceedings not
become as formal as is certiorari practice in the Supreme Court.
Nevertheless, it would be helpful to the process and to the parties if
the board were to adopt a practice in the ordinary case of identifying
the issues that formed the basis of its grant of the petition.
A few words about joinder: section 325 mandates that multiple first-
period proceedings be consolidated, and allows multiple second-period
proceedings to be so joined. There is no provision in the bill for
successive first-period proceedings, so any additional first-period
petition that is worthy of being instituted must be joined with the
first one. The threshold imposed by section 327, in combination with
the mandates of section 329(c), gives the Director the discretion to
reject additional first-period petitions that do not add anything new
to the case. This section is not intended to make first-period review
operate like a notice-and-comment proceeding, in which everyone gets
his say and the agency may be buried under an avalanche of repetitive
comments.
In the case of both first and second-period proceedings, additional
petitions can be joined only if, among other things, they are properly
filed. The words ``properly filed'' are a term of art that is also
employed in section 2244 of title 28 and that has been given content no
less than three times during this decade by the U.S. Supreme Court, see
Artuz v. Bennett, 531 U.S. 4 (2000), Pace v. DiGuglielmo, 544 U.S. 408,
and Allen v. Siebert, 128 S.Ct. 2 (2007). The gist of these decisions
is that a petition is properly filed when it is delivered and accepted
in compliance with applicable rules governing filings, though
particular claims within filings be barred on other procedural grounds,
and that time deadlines for filing petitions must be complied with in
all cases.
Where possible, I have sought to make the intended operation of these
provisions clear and evident on their face, but the interaction between
sections 325(b), 327, and 329(b)(2) requires some explanation. Under
329(b)(2), a request to join a second-period proceeding must be made
within a time period to be set by the Director. If the request is so
made, the additional second-period petition may be joined to a pending
proceeding at the discretion of the Director if he has determined that
the additional petition satisfies the threshold set in section 327(a).
If the 329(b)(2) deadline is not met, however, the additional second-
period petition can still be joined to a pending proceeding at the
discretion of the Director if he determines that the additional
petition satisfies the threshold set in section 327(c). Section 325(b)
requires that a petition be procedurally in order if it is to be
considered for joinder, but there is no time deadline that applies to
petitions for second-period proceedings, other than that they not be
[[Page 22627]]
filed before first-period proceedings are concluded. The deadline set
pursuant to 329(b)(2) applies only to the motion for joinder, not to
the filing of the additional petition itself, and 327(c) expressly
contemplates that successive petitions will be filed outside the
329(b)(2) deadline for seeking joinder. Thus a procedurally proper
successive petition for second-period review may be joined to a pending
proceeding at the discretion of the Director, even if the 329(b)(2)
deadline has not been met, so long as the Director determines that the
petition satisfies the threshold set in section 327(c).
This is by design. Such a rule encourages petitioners to seek timely
joinder to a pending second-period proceeding, but gives the Director
discretion to join petitions that meet the successive petition bar even
if the request for joinder is untimely. Since an additional petition
that satisfies 327(c) would be entitled to its own successive
proceeding in any event, it makes sense to allow the Director to join
that petition to the pending proceeding, even though joinder was not
timely sought.
Section 325(c) gives the PTO broad discretion to consolidate, stay,
or terminate any PTO proceeding involving a patent if that patent is
the subject of a postgrant review proceeding. It is anticipated, for
example, that if a second-period proceeding is instituted and reexam is
sought, the Director would be inclined to stay the postgrant review
during exhaustion of the reexam. On the other hand, if a postgrant
review is near completion, the Director may consolidate or terminate
any other PTO proceeding that is initiated with regard to that patent.
Section 329(a)(5) prescribes discovery standards for first-window
proceedings, and section 329(b)(3) sets standards for second-period
discovery. The standard for allowing second-period discovery is more
limited, out of recognition of the fact that the issues that can be
raised in that proceeding are few and thus the need for discovery is
less. Also, because a second-period proceeding can be instituted long
after the patent has issued, it is more burdensome for the patent
owner. Limiting second-window discovery limits that burden.
Subparagraph (A) of section 329(b)(3) thus allows depositions of
witnesses submitting statements, and subparagraph (B) allows further
discovery as necessary in the interest of justice. This latter standard
restricts additional discovery to particular limited situations, such
as minor discovery that PTO finds to be routinely useful, or to
discovery that is justified by the special circumstances of the case.
Given the time deadlines imposed on these proceedings, it is
anticipated that, regardless of the standards imposed in section 329,
PTO will be conservative in its grants of discovery.
Let me comment on two arguments and concerns with regard to second-
period review that are not addressed in the text of this bill. First,
many parties have made the case to me that any postgrant review of a
patent should be limited to a first window that can only be opened
within a limited period of time after the grant of a patent. There are
strong arguments to be made for this view. Any type of second-period
proceeding, whether an opposition or inter partes reexam, invariably
interferes with and delays litigation. There is simply no avoiding this
result. District judges, many of whom do not enjoy adjudicating patent
cases, almost always will stay litigation when a second window has been
opened and has the potential to terminate the patent.
I have decided, however, that it would be too radical a step to try
to repeal inter partes reexam and not offer any other type of second-
period review in its place. As a political and legislative reality,
this decision was made in 1999 and probably cannot be undone. To
address some of the concerns about a second window, this bill limits
such review to the issues that can be raised in inter partes reexam,
and includes provisions that are designed to preclude the kinds of
tactical and abusive uses of second-period proceedings that are
currently seen in inter partes reexam. Though it does not attempt to
put the second-period genie back in the bottle, the bill should be an
improvement over current law's inter partes reexam. I would welcome a
debate about the desirability of second-window review during the next
Congress.
Second, a number of parties have expressed concern to me about the
current could-have-raised estoppel standard, which I have carried over
to second-period proceedings in section 322(d)(2). It is arguable that
applying could-have-raised estoppel to the second window does not
actually protect the interests that it is designed to vindicate. This
estoppel standard's main purpose appears to be to force a party to
bring all of his claims in one forum--everything that he ``could have
raised''--and therefore to eliminate the need to press any claims in
other fora. In this bill, however, the issues that can be raised in the
second window are so sharply limited that the goal of flushing out all
claims is unattainable. Only 102 and 103 arguments based on patents and
printed publications can be raised in the second window. Accused
infringers inevitably will have other challenges and defenses that they
will want to bring, and those arguments can only be raised in district
court. Regardless of the estoppel standard that is applied, the patent
owner will almost always be forced to fight in two fora, and the
intended goal of could-have-raised estoppel will remain beyond reach.
The real reforms in this bill that would protect patent owners from
abusive and duplicative proceedings are the various restrictions
imposed in section 327 and in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section
322. These provisions, I think, would be more useful and valuable to
patent owners than could-have-raised estoppel. I welcome a broader
debate on this issue. At the very least, it would be helpful to me to
more clearly understand the interests that proponents and opponents
believe are protected or injured by could-have-raised estoppel.
Section 8 of the bill addresses venue. It adopts an activities-based
test for determining whether a particular district is an appropriate
locale for a patent-infringement suit. Under section 8's proposed
amendments to 28 U.S.C. section 1400, some significant activity
involving either the patent or the infringing product must take place
in the district in order for venue to be proper there. This section
aims to limit patent litigation to districts with some reasonable
connection to the patent, but without generating substantial
preliminary litigation over venue. Of course, any change to the venue
statute will result in a period of litigation over the new statute's
meaning. To the extent possible, section 8 uses terms of art that have
a settled meaning in the venue context.
Paragraph (2) and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (6) refer to
acts of infringement and to a product or process that embodies an
invention, events or facts whose existence likely will be the subject
of the litigation. I considered whether the word ``allegedly'' should
be added before ``infringement'' or ``embodies,'' since those facts
will not yet have been proven at the time when venue is being
determined. Current section 1400(b), however, refers simply to ``acts
of infringement.'' I am unaware of any courts that, when applying the
current law, have required the plaintiff to demonstrate that
infringement has in fact occurred before allowing themselves to be
persuaded that venue is proper. I would expect courts and litigants to
also use common sense when applying paragraphs (2) and (6), and to not
construe the language to require that the merits of the case be
litigated before a threshold question may be determined.
Paragraph (4) refers to the place where an invention was conceived.
This can, of course, be more than one place and can involve
collaborative activities.
Paragraphs (5) and (6)(A) refer to ``research and development.''
Other patent venue reforms that have been proposed in this Congress
have referred to research or development, treating the two words as if
they were separate concepts. In most circumstances, however, research
and development are treated as one thing and no effort is made to
distinguish research from development. Although theoretical
distinctions are
[[Page 22628]]
possible, they become very difficult to apply to actual practical
situations. Thus section 8 treats research and development as a unified
concept.
Paragraphs (5) and (6)(A) also refer to ``significant'' research and
development. This bill uses the word ``significant,'' rather than the
word ``substantial,'' which is a word that has been used in other
legislative proposals made in this Congress. Having reviewed judicial
constructions of both terms, it appears to me that ``significant''
means something like ``legitimate,'' and that the significance of an
activity can be evaluated on the face of that activity, without
reference to the whole of which it is a portion. The word
``substantial,'' on the other hand, appears to measure an activity in
light of the whole of which it is a part. Arguably, one cannot know
whether particular research-and-development activity is substantial
without knowing all of the research-and-development activity that has
taken place with regard to the patent in suit. Using the word
``substantial'' here or elsewhere in this section likely would in many
cases require discovery to determine just what is the whole of which
the activity in question is alleged to be a substantial part. Since the
last thing that I would want to be responsible for is a patent law that
made discovery and a 2-day evidentiary hearing a routine feature of
establishing venue in patent litigation, my bill uses the word
``significant'' rather than ``substantial.''
Paragraph (7) allows venue at the place where a nonprofit
organization managing inventions for colleges and universities,
including the patent in suit, is principally based. These organizations
manage inventions by, among other things, helping the schools to
commercialize them. Whether such an organization acts on behalf of a
university should not be construed to turn on whether there is an
agency relationship between the organization and school. Even an
independent contractor acts on behalf of the party that has retained
it.
A few words about interlocutory appeals: I expressed skepticism in
the committee report to S. 1145 about requiring the Federal circuit to
accept interlocutory appeals of claim constructions. I noted that such
a rule risked allowing a district judge who is insufficiently
enthusiastic about his duty to decide patent cases to rid himself of a
case by certifying an interlocutory appeal to the Federal circuit, in
the hope that the case would go away and never come back. Not only
would such an event waste the Federal circuit's resources, it would
also force that circuit to decide a claim construction on the basis of
what may be an inadequate evidentiary record. And no matter how thin
that record may be, once the claim construction was before the Federal
circuit and that court were forced to decide it, whatever came back to
the district court would be the law of the case. The Federal circuit's
claim construction could not be changed by the district court on
remand, no matter how obvious it later became in light of a more
complete record that the Federal circuit had gotten it wrong.
I have heard from more than one patent lawyer that claim construction
often is a rolling process. Even when a court holds a Markman hearing
and attempts to definitively construe a patent early in a trial,
frequently new information comes forward over the course of the trial
that sheds new light on claim terms, or it becomes clear that different
claim terms constitute the heart of the dispute and must be construed.
An interlocutory appeal would prove to be a large waste of time if it
later became clear that different claim terms formed the heart of the
dispute. And such an appeal could prove to be an utter disaster if the
Federal circuit were forced to construe the key claim terms without
having all of the necessary information before it and, as a result,
that court misconstrued those claims. Because of the great risk of such
undesirable outcomes, and the delay that interlocutory appeals would
inject into trials, I have not included a proposal to require
interlocutory appeals in this bill.
Section 10 of the bill addresses applicant quality submissions. PTO
believes that all applicants for a patent should be required to conduct
a search of prior art and a patentability analysis before they submit
their patent application. Such a requirement not only would improve the
quality of applications, it would also persuade many would-be
applicants not to file in the first place, since they would discover
that their invention already is disclosed in the prior art.
PTO presents a strong case that the patent system currently is
buckling under the volume of applications, and that if present trends
continue, in 10 years the system could be brought to the point of
collapse. Today, many applications provide little useful information to
examiners and are filed without any awareness of the prior art. Some
have suggested that PTO simply needs to hire and retain more examiners,
but there are natural limits to PTO's ability to hire, train, and
assimilate new examiners into the culture of PTO. Already PTO is hiring
a significant percentage of every year's graduating class in particular
fields of engineering. If something does not change, Congress may find
it necessary to mandate across-the-board search-and patentability
requirements in the future.
PTO urged the adoption of search-and-patentability requirements
during this Congress. The ability of such proposals to secure
acceptance from the relevant interests ultimately foundered, however,
on our inability to answer several key questions about how such a
system would function and how much it would cost. The types of searches
that PTO performs, for example, are rather specialized. Many patent
applicants would want to hire a search firm to conduct such searches
rather than learn how to conduct PTO searches themselves. Currently,
however, no market exists for such services and no firms exist that
offer to conduct searches that would meet PTO's specifications. It is
thus impossible at the moment to say with certainty how much patent
applicants can expect to pay to have a private firm conduct a search
that meets PTO's requirements.
It also is unclear exactly what kind of patentability analysis PTO
might want. It will probably be necessary for PTO to launch such a
system and to adjust it over a period of years before PTO itself
discovers what kinds of requirements produce information that is useful
to the Office.
And finally and most importantly, under the current system, in which
statements made by the applicant during prosecution are used to
construe the claims of the patent in district court, any requirement
that the applicant make additional statements about patentability
during prosecution would prove to be very expensive to the applicant.
Under the current litigation regime, applicants who can afford to do so
would be wise to hire expensive patent lawyers to think through how
every statement made to PTO during a patentability analysis might later
affect claim construction in an infringement suit. In other words, a
patentability analysis requirement likely would result in heavy legal
costs for patent applicants.
Rather than mandate that all applicants submit a search report and a
patentability analysis, section 10 of the bill authorizes PTO to offer
incentives to parties who do so, and it makes the prosecution record of
a patent that is secured through such a program inadmissible to
construe patent claims in later proceedings. This last requirement is
both an essential prerequisite to the palatability of a voluntary
search-and-patentability program, and is also expected to be a powerful
draw to applicants to participate in the program. By effectively
providing immunity in later litigation against all information that is
in the file wrapper of the patent's prosecution history, this provision
allows applicants to speak freely with examiners, without having to
constantly think through--or rather, have their lawyers think through--
how each statement might later affect claim scope in subsequent
litigation. I also anticipate that the prospect of being able to assert
a patent based solely on its claims, without having to litigate over
the meaning of every action and statement in the prosecution
[[Page 22629]]
record, will be a strong inducement to many patent applicants to try to
comply with the PTO's voluntary search-and-patentability program.
Proposed section 123(b) also authorizes PTO to issue regulations
identifying material submitted in an attempt to comply with the search-
and-patentability program that also shall receive file-wrapper
immunity. Such regulations should encourage applicants to try PTO's
system who might otherwise be deterred by fear that if they try to
comply with PTO's program and abort the attempt or are unsuccessful and
later secure the same patent by the conventional route, the possibly
substantial record produced during the failed attempt will later be
used in litigation to limit claim scope. And of course, even ultimately
successful users of the search-and-patentability program who are not
confident that they will complete the program likely would, in the
absence of the immunity tendered by such regulations, engage in the
very type of defensive and overlawyered discussions with the examiner
that the prospect of file-wrapper immunity is designed to prevent.
Proposed section 123(a) authorizes PTO to offer various other
incentives to parties who participate in a search-and-patentability
program. Subsection 10(b) of the bill is intended to preclude a
negative implication that because the bill authorizes PTO to offer such
incentives, PTO must currently lack the authority to offer incentives
to applicants who submit additional information. I should also note
that PTO may continue to offer incentives to applicants under existing
pilots and programs without issuing regulations.
Section 10 of the bill is designed to allow a substantial trial run
of a search-and-patentability program. It is my hope that if the
incentives offered are powerful enough and if PTO's search-and-
patentability demands are reasonable, eventually a major portion of all
patent applicants will choose to prosecute their patents under such a
system. A well-functioning and heavily used search-and-patentability
program not only would help PTO to process its backlog of applications,
it also would answer some of the questions that we were unable to
answer this year, such as how much would private prior-art searches
cost, and will file-wrapper immunity operate as intended in court?
I hope that the gathering patent-application storm that PTO perceives
will be diverted by the program authorized in this section and by the
reforms to the inequitable-conduct doctrine in section 11 of the bill,
both of which should encourage applicants to be more frank with PTO and
to provide information that is more useful to the Office. If present
filing trends continue for another decade, however, and Congress is
forced to consider applying search- and patentability-analysis
requirements across the board to all applications, it likely will have
proven useful to have had a substantial trial run of a search-and-
patentability program.
Section 11 of the bill addresses the doctrine of inequitable conduct.
Under current law, this doctrine allows an accused infringer to have an
entire patent declared unenforceable if he can demonstrate that when
the patent was prosecuted, the patent applicant intended to deceive the
examiner by misrepresenting information that the court deems material
under one of a variety of tests, such as whether the information would
be important to a reasonable patent examiner in deciding whether to
allow the application. See, e.g., Digital Control, Inc. v. Charles
Machine Works, 437 F.3d 1309, 1313-14 (Fed. Cir. 2006). This doctrine,
which is applied in the course of infringement litigation, is a court-
made doctrine that is designed to force patent applicants to be
forthcoming and to not mislead the PTO when prosecuting their patents.
In practice, however, the doctrine does not fulfill this purpose and
instead generates a variety of undesirable consequences.
There are two aspects of the current inequitable conduct doctrine
that I find particularly troubling. The first is that it is asserted in
a majority of all patent lawsuits. As much as one might think ill of
the ethics of particular industries, it is simply inconceivable that
fraud and other misconduct infects anything close to half of all of the
patents issued in this country.
One explanation that a number of lawyers have given to me for the
high rate at which inequitable conduct is asserted in litigation is
that the doctrine gives the accused infringer an opportunity to examine
the inventor--often in the jury's presence--and to paint him as
deceptive and dishonest. Even the most upright and honest inventor can
be made to look sly and shifty under aggressive examination as to why
exactly he chose not disclose particular facts or documents to the PTO.
And thus even an infringer who has no reasonable hope of prevailing on
an inequitable-conduct claim will assert the doctrine simply because it
offers an opportunity to cast the inventor and his work in a negative
light. This tactic tends to increase the odds that the jury will find
the invention obvious and to decrease the jury's estimate of the
damages to which the inventor is entitled.
The doctrine also carries high transaction costs. It typically is
grounds for exhaustive discovery of the inventor's files and for
depositions directed at his state of mind at the time of the
prosecution--for questioning him as to what did he know and when did he
know it, and what was his motive for not disclosing particular pieces
of information. The doctrine adds substantially to the expense of
litigation.
The other aspect of the current doctrine that I find problematic is
that it applies a draconian penalty to instances of misconduct whose
materiality often appears to be doubtful. Jon W. Dudas, the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, commented on this aspect of
the doctrine in his testimony before the Judiciary Committee on June 6,
2007:
Under existing case law, courts must hold all of a patent's
claims invalid if they find inequitable conduct in any aspect
of prosecuting a patent application even if the claims are
completely valid and/or the inequitable conduct was
irrelevant to prosecution of the claims. Thus, the only
remedy available is complete loss of the patent. Inequitable
conduct can be found if the applicant deliberately withholds
or inaccurately represents information material to patent
prosecution. Anything the court deems that a reasonable
examiner would find important can be material and the
evidence necessary to show intent varies according to the
nature of the omission. Accordingly, the inequitable conduct
standard is uncertain and the potential penalties severe. For
example, any misstatement in an affidavit, or even a failure
to disclose a possible source of bias, has been held to be
capable of rendering all claims of the patent unenforceable.
Because inequitable conduct is a court-enforced doctrine, the
assessment of what is material--of what would have been important to a
reasonable patent examiner--is made by a U.S. district judge. But
district judges very rarely have any firsthand knowledge of the patent-
prosecution process or the workings of the PTO and are not in a
position to accurately assess what information actually would have been
important to a reasonable examiner.
The Federal courts' sometimes hair-trigger assessments of materiality
are a substantial injustice to those patent owners who lose the right
to enforce what is an otherwise perfectly valid patent. This injustice
can be particularly acute when the current owner of the patent is a
good-faith purchaser who is not even alleged to have engaged in any
type of misconduct himself.
Judicial enforcement of the doctrine of inequitable conduct also has
led to consequences that are of a more general concern. The doctrine's
severe penalty, combined with the unpredictability of its application,
has led applicants to adopt extreme tactics that are designed to
eliminate the risk that their patent will ever be held unenforceable on
the ground of inequitable conduct. These tactics, while perhaps
effective at minimizing such risk, are inconsistent with sound
prosecution practice. They constitute the exact opposite of providing
PTO with the information that it needs in order to be able to assess
whether a claimed invention is patentable, and they make it harder for
PTO to do its job. Under Secretary Dudas commented on this phenomenon
[[Page 22630]]
in his June 6, 2007 Judiciary Committee testimony:
In some other cases, applicants or their attorneys fear
that the legal doctrines of inequitable conduct and
unenforceability may unfairly punish them with draconian
penalties for innocently omitting information. The theory is
that, if one does provide information, it must be perfect.
Otherwise, the consequence may be loss of the patent and/or
disciplinary action (for the applicant's attorney). By way of
contrast, failure to share or disclose information has
absolutely no adverse legal consequence.
* * * * *
While the risk of an inequitable conduct finding is low, it
is frequently alleged. When alleged, inequitable conduct
assertions add substantially to litigation costs and
malpractice claims. The ``all or nothing'' result of an
inequitable conduct finding understandably has a perverse
effect on the actions of applicants and their attorneys with
respect to ``risking'' a proper search in the first place. As
a result, the doctrine results in counterproductive behavior
before the USPTO. It discourages many applicants from
conducting a search and leads others to be indiscriminate in
the information they submit. In a review two years ago, we
found that over 50 percent of submitted applications
contained either no information disclosure statement or that
such submissions included more than 20 references.
The Under Secretary's testimony is consistent with what has been
described to me by a number of attorneys and patent applicants. The
current state of inequitable conduct enforcement leads applicants to
adopt one of two tactics: either they flood the Office with prior-art
references but offer no explanation of how the invention is
distinguished from that prior art or which prior art is most relevant,
since by providing the reference they cannot be accused of concealing
it, and by providing no explanation they cannot be accused of
misleading the Office or mischaracterizing the information, or
applicants provide no information at all with their applications, since
providing some information would inevitably mean not supplying other
information in the universe of existing information and thus could open
the applicant to charges of having concealed something in that universe
of information not provided. Both tactics impede the PTO's examination
of patent applications.
Professor John F. Duffy of George Washington University Law School
has made a persuasive case that inequitable conduct that occurs during
patent prosecution should be addressed in proceedings before the PTO
itself. He notes that the 1940s decisions that are viewed as giving the
Supreme Court's imprimatur to judicial enforcement of the doctrine are
much more limited in their rulings than the expansive approach to
inequitable conduct that has been developed by the Federal circuit. He
also points out that the patent system's use of civil litigation to
enforce good conduct in dealings with an agency is unique to the patent
system. In the case of every other Federal administrative agency, the
agency itself polices misconduct and fraud committed in agency
proceedings.
Professor Duffy also notes that in other administrative contexts, the
Federal courts themselves have predicted that judicial supervision of
agency proceedings would produce the very consequences that judicial
intervention has produced in the PTO. Though Buckman Co. v. Plaintiffs'
Legal Committee, 531 U.S. 341, 351 (2001), is a case about the FDA, it
might as well be describing the impact of the inequitable-conduct
doctrine on patent prosecutions:
[F]raud-on-the-[agency] claims inevitably conflict with the
[agency's] responsibility to police fraud consistently with
the Administration's judgment and objectives. As a practical
matter, complying with the [agency's] detailed regulatory
regime in the shadow of [the courts' varying fraud standards]
will dramatically increase the burdens facing potential
applicants * * *.
Conversely, fraud-on-the-[agency] claims would also cause
applicants to fear that their disclosures to the [agency],
although deemed appropriate by the Administration, will later
be judged insufficient in * * * court. Applicants would
then have an incentive to submit a deluge of information that
the Administration neither wants nor needs, resulting in
additional burdens on the [agency's] evaluation of an
application. As a result, the [agency certification] process
could encounter delays, which would, in turn, impede
competition * * * and delay [innovation].
Section 11 of the bill that I have introduced proposes a new approach
to addressing misconduct in proceedings before the PTO. It effectively
shifts enforcement of the doctrine of inequitable conduct from civil
litigation to administrative proceedings before the PTO. Under the
procedures authorized in proposed sections 298 and 299, PTO will
reissue patents if needed to remove any invalid claims, will assess the
culpability of any misconduct, and will impose sanctions on any parties
that have engaged in inequitable or fraudulent conduct before the
Office.
I believe that the administrative framework proposed in section 11 is
consistent with the principles outlined in the Supreme Court cases that
the Federal circuit relies on as the basis for its own inequitable
conduct jurisprudence, Precision Instrument Manufacturing Co. v.
Automotive Maintenance Machinery Co., 324 U.S. 806 (1945), and Hazel-
Atlas Glass Co. v. Hartford-Empire Co., 322 U.S. 238 (1944). Section
298 would require district courts to order patents that are infected by
fraud to go into reissue proceedings, where invalid claims would be
removed. Limiting patents to their proper scope serves important public
interests. As the court noted in Precision Instrument, at pages 815 to
816, citations omitted:
The possession and assertion of patent rights are issues of
great moment to the public. As recognized by the
Constitution, [a patent] is a special privilege designed to
serve the public purpose of promoting the ``Progress of
Science and useful Arts.'' At the same time, a patent is an
exception to the general rule against monopolies and to the
right to access to a free and open market. The far-reaching
social and economic consequences of a patent, therefore, give
the public a paramount interest in seeing that patent
monopolies spring from backgrounds free from fraud or other
inequitable conduct and that such monopolies are kept within
their legitimate scope.
Proposed section 299 would authorize procedures whereby the PTO can
receive and assess complaints about misconduct committed by parties to
its matters or proceedings, assess the materiality of the misconduct
and the mens rea of the malfeasant, and levy appropriate sanctions,
including civil fines and, in severe cases, unenforceability of the
patent. This section is animated by the principles expressed in
Precision Instrument, at page 818, where the court emphasized that:
Those who have applications pending with the Patent Office
or who are parties to Patent Office proceedings have an
uncompromising duty to report to it all facts concerning
possible fraud or inequitableness underlying the applications
in issue. * * * Public interest demands that all facts
relevant to such matters be submitted formally or informally
to the Patent Office, which can then pass upon the
sufficiency of the evidence.
A few provisions of proposed section 299 deserve some commentary and
explanation. Subsection (a) authorizes the PTO to issue regulations
accepting complaints from any source. It is anticipated, based on
preliminary discussions with the Office, that the PTO will accept
complaints from a broad range of parties, including those that are
third parties to any commercial disputes involving the patent. The
scope of such regulations, however, ultimately remains within the
Office's discretion, and PTO may later decide to limit who may file a
complaint should it discover that allegations of misconduct that
originate from particular types of sources are burdensomely voluminous
or otherwise unproductive.
Though any person may file an allegation of misconduct under section
299, that section only allows such complaints to be filed against
individual and entities that are parties to matters or proceedings
before the Office. This limitation excludes examiners and other PTO
personnel. Prosecutions occasionally become contentious, particularly
when examiners fail to appreciate an inventor's revolutionary genius.
If section 299 were not limited to complaints against parties, we would
run the risk that such proceedings might come to be regarded by a
subset of applicants as their final means of appealing an examiner's
rejection.
Section 299 is not limited, however, to entertaining complaints
against applicants and patentees. A party that engages in intentionally
deceptive and
[[Page 22631]]
material misconduct while challenging a patent during a postgrant
review proceeding, or even while requesting such a proceeding, also may
be sanctioned pursuant to section 299.
Some parties have criticized the fact that the proceedings authorized
by section 299 will be prosecuted by the PTO alone, without the
participation of parties adverse to the patent. PTO prefers it this
way. If misconduct has resulted in the grant of claims that are
invalid, that patent can still be challenged in court if its owner
attempts to enforce it. And to the extent that alleged misconduct has
not resulted in the grant of claims that are invalid, the interests
principally affected by any misconduct are those of PTO. The primary
injury in such a case is to PTO's interest in ensuring that parties are
honest and forthcoming in their dealings with the Office and its
general interest in the integrity of its proceedings. In such
circumstances, it is appropriate that PTO control the prosecution of
the misconduct.
Subsection (b)(3)(C) of section 299 permits PTO to sanction a patent
owner by rendering his patent unenforceable. That penalty, however, is
reserved by subparagraph (C) for particularly egregious misconduct that
was committed by the current beneficial owner of the patent.
This elevated standard is consistent with the standards for
unenforceability set in Precision Instrument and Hazel-Atlas Glass, the
foundational Supreme Court cases of the modern inequitable-conduct
doctrine. In Precision Instrument, an applicant ``gave false dates as
to the conception, disclosure, drawing, description and reduction to
practice of his invention.'' When his fraud was discovered by the other
party to an interference proceeding, the applicant colluded with that
other party to assign the false application to the party. The Supreme
Court held the patent unenforceable, concluding that ``[t]he history of
the patents and contracts in issue is steeped in perjury and
undisclosed knowledge of perjury'' and that ``inequitable conduct
impregnated [the patentee's] entire cause of action.'' Pages 809, 816,
and 819. Similarly, in Hazel-Atlas Glass, the court rendered a patent
unenforceable upon ``conclusive proof'' of a ``deliberately planned and
carefully executed scheme to defraud not only the Patent Office but the
Circuit Court of Appeals.'' The court also emphasized in that case that
``no equities have intervened through transfer of the fraudulently
procured patent or judgment to an innocent purchaser.'' Pages 245 and
246.
I should also comment on a few other significant changes that this
bill makes to S. 1145. My bill's proposed section 102(a)(1) amends the
novelty condition of patentability by eliminating public use and the
on-sale bar as independent bases of invalidity and instead imposes a
uniform test of whether art has been made available to the public. By
eliminating confidential sales and other secret activities as grounds
for invalidity and imposing a general standard of public availability,
this change will make the patent system simpler and more transparent.
Whether a patent is valid or not will be determined exclusively on the
basis of information that is available to the public. As a result, at
the outset of any dispute over a patent, the patentee and potential
infringer can develop a full and complete understanding of the
information that will determine the novelty and nonobviousness of the
claimed invention. This change not only will provide greater certainty
and predictability--it should also substantially reduce the need for
discovery in patent litigation, since defendants will no longer need to
uncover evidence of private sales or offers for sale or other nonpublic
information in order to determine whether the patent is valid.
It bears mention that the extent of what is deemed to be publicly
available is defined in important respects by the doctrine of
inherency. Under that doctrine, once a product is sold on the market,
any invention that is necessarily present or inherent to the product
and that would be recognized as such by a person skilled in the art is
itself deemed to be publicly available. Such an invention becomes
publicly available art and cannot be patented. See generally Rosco,
Inc. v. Mirror Lite Co., 304 F.3d 1373, 1380-81 (Fed. Cir. 2002).
To address the possible concern that a uniform available-to-the-
public standard might allow secret commercialization of a product
followed by belated patenting, I should note that a manufacturer who
embarked on such a course would run the risk that, under the first-to-
file system, someone else might patent the invention out from under
him. Perhaps for this reason, among others, industrialized countries
that currently employ this standard do not appear to have experienced
significant problems with manufacturers attempting secret
commercialization and late patenting of their products.
The bill also includes other provisions that would make the patent
system more objective and transparent. Section 3(c) eliminates current
law's best-mode requirement, and section 15 strikes several provisions
of title 35 that require inquiry into a patentee's subjective intent.
Any useful information that might be supplied by describing a patent's
best mode generally also will be provided while satisfying the written
description and enablement requirements. And because the best-mode
requirement turns on the patentee's subjective intent, rather than on
objective facts, it often becomes grounds for deposition of the
inventor and other discovery. Eliminating that requirement will make
patent litigation less burdensome.
My bill also strikes S. 1145's elimination of the exception to the
18-month publication requirement. Small-patent-owners' groups have
persuaded me that the current exception should be preserved. That
exception, although used only about 40,000 times annually, is invoked
heavily by small-business applicants. These smaller applicants believe
that the opt-out of 18-month publication allows them to preserve the
market advantage generated by their ingenuity, and prevents their
inventions' being appropriated in foreign countries, in the event that
their application is not granted or is only granted on a second
attempt. Under Secretary Jon Dudas, in his June 6, 2007, Judiciary
Committee testimony, also expressed doubt about the wisdom of
eliminating the current exception. He noted that serious concerns had
been expressed ``by independent inventors and small entities that large
entities and foreign interests may misappropriate their inventions upon
disclosure and prior to issuance of a patent.''
Sections 12 and 13 of the bill are carried over from S. 1145 as
reported by the Judiciary Committee. I have included additions to those
sections that I understand that their supporters had intended to adopt
and have also made an addition of my own to section 12. The new
subsection (c) in that section converts various day-based deadlines in
title 35 into month-based deadlines. Month-based deadlines are easier
to calculate. The use of months should make it easier to avoid the type
of ministerial mistake that apparently is the cause for section 12. It
should also save the patent system hundreds of billable hours over the
years.
Section 2(b) of the bill includes a minor modification to the CREATE
Act, Public Law 108-453. This change more closely aligns the text of
that act to the PTO's current and uncontested interpretation of that
act with regard to who must own the prior art that is regarded as
jointly owned by the parties to a joint research agreement pursuant to
the CREATE Act.
And last, but certainly not least, section 14 of the bill consists of
the Coburn amendment, which would create a revolving fund for PTO fees.
Under that amendment, all fees paid by patent and trademark applicants
and owners to the PTO would remain in the PTO and could not be diverted
to unrelated Government programs.
According to Senator Coburn, the fees collected by PTO are more than
adequate to pay for the costs of all patent examinations and other PTO
proceedings. But PTO is not allowed to keep those fees. Instead, the
fees are deposited into the U.S. Treasury, and PTO's operations are
funded by a congressional appropriation. It is that appropriation that
effectively determines
[[Page 22632]]
on an annual basis what portion of the fees that PTO has collected it
will be allowed to keep and use.
Since 1992, Congress has diverted over $750 million in PTO fees to
other governmental programs. As recently as 2004, over $100 million was
diverted from the PTO.
Fee diversion unquestionably has a negative impact on the patent
system. In recent years, it has hampered PTO's ability to hire an
adequate number of examiners. Multiple studies and multiple witnesses
at congressional hearings have concluded that fee diversion contributes
to the growing backlog and lengthening pendency of patent applications.
It currently takes nearly 3 years to get a patent, and 786,000
applications are pending. That means that large numbers of businesses,
universities, and other inventors are waiting to learn if they will
receive a patent for their invention.
Because of recent public outcry over lengthy patent-application
pendency periods, the administration and Congress have abstained from
diverting PTO fees since 2004. As a result, PTO has been able to hire a
record number of new examiners and begin to address its backlog of
applications. Unless the Coburn amendment is enacted into law, however,
Congress and the administration could easily begin diverting PTO fees
again in future years. Certainly, any bill that aspires to deserve the
title ``Patent Reform Act'' should include a revolving-fund provision.
I thank all of the individuals who have assisted my attempts to
understand and find answers to the difficult questions posed by efforts
to improve the patent system, and I look forward to next year's
congressional debate on patent reform legislation.
____________________
JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. Presdient, in July, the Senate Judiciary Committee
reported the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Reauthorization Act, an important bill designed to protect our
communities and particularly our most precious asset, our children. I
am disappointed that Republican objections continue to prevent this
vital bipartisan legislation from passing the Senate this year.
This bill seeks to not only keep our children safe and out of
trouble, but also to help ensure they have the opportunity to become
productive adult members of society. Senator Specter and Senator Kohl
have been leaders in this area of the law for decades, and I was
honored to join with them once again to introduce this important
initiative.
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act sets out Federal
policy and standards for the administration of juvenile justice in the
states. It authorizes key Federal resources for States to improve their
juvenile justice systems and for communities to develop programs to
prevent young people from getting into trouble. With the proposed
reauthorization of this important legislation, we recommit to these
important goals. We also push the law forward in key ways to better
serve our communities and our children.
The basic goals of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Act remain the same: keeping our communities safe by reducing juvenile
crime, advancing programs and policies that keep children out of the
criminal justice system, and encouraging States to implement policies
designed to steer those children who do enter the juvenile justice
system back onto a track to become contributing members of society.
The reauthorization that we consider today augments these goals in
several ways. First, this bill encourages states to move away from
keeping young people in adult jails. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention concluded late last year that children who are held in
adult prisons commit more crimes, and more serious crimes, when they
are released, than children with similar histories who are kept in
juvenile facilities. After years of pressure to send more and more
young people to adult prisons, it is time to seriously consider the
strong evidence that this policy is not working.
We must do this with ample consideration for the fiscal constraints
on States, particularly in these lean budget times, and with ample
deference to the traditional role of States in setting their own
criminal justice policy. We have done so here. But we also must work to
ensure that unless strong and considered reasons dictate otherwise, the
presumption must be that children will be kept with other children,
particularly before they have been convicted of any wrongdoing.
As a former prosecutor, I know well the importance of holding
criminals accountable for their crimes with strong sentences. But when
we are talking about children, we must also think about how best to
help them become responsible, contributing members of society as
adults. That keeps us all safer.
I am disturbed that children from minority communities continue to be
overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. This bill encourages
States to take new steps to identify the reasons for this serious and
continuing problem and to work together with the Federal Government and
with local communities to find ways to start solving it.
I am also concerned that too many runaway and homeless young people
are locked up for so-called status offenses, like truancy, without
having committed any crime. In a Judiciary Committee hearing earlier
this year on the reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act,
I was amazed by the plight of this vulnerable population, even in the
wealthiest country in the world, and inspired by the ability of so many
children in this desperate situation to rise above that adversity.
This reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice Act takes strong and
significant steps to move States away from detaining children from at-
risk populations for status offenses and requires States to phase out
the practice entirely in 3 years, but with a safety valve for those
States that are unable to move quite so quickly due to limited
resources.
As I have worked with experts on this legislation, it has become
abundantly clear that mental health and drug treatment are fundamental
to making real progress toward keeping juvenile offenders from
reoffending. Mental disorders are two to three times more common among
children in the juvenile justice system than in the general population,
and fully 80 percent of young people in the juvenile justice system
have been found by some studies to have a connection to substance
abuse. This bill takes new and important steps to prioritize and fund
mental health and drug treatment.
The bill tackles several other key facets of juvenile justice reform.
It emphasizes effective training of personnel who work with young
people in the juvenile justice system, both to encourage the use of
approaches that have been proven effective and to eliminate cruel and
unnecessary treatment of juveniles. The bill also creates incentives
for the use of programs that research and testing have shown to work
best.
Finally, the bill refocuses attention on prevention programs intended
to keep children from ever entering the criminal justice system. I was
struck when Chief Richard Miranda of Tucson, AZ, said in a December
hearing on this bill that we cannot arrest our way out of the problem.
I heard the same sentiment from Chief Anthony Bossi and others at the
Judiciary Committee's field hearing earlier this year on young people
and violent crime in Rutland, VT. When seasoned police officers from
Rutland, VT, to Tucson, AZ, tell me that prevention programs are
pivotal, I pay attention.
Just as this administration and recent Republican Congresses have
gutted programs that support State and local law enforcement, so they
have consistently cut and narrowed effective prevention programs,
creating a dangerous vacuum. We need to reverse this trend and help our
communities implement programs proven to help kids turn their lives
around.
I have long supported a strong Federal commitment to preventing youth
[[Page 22633]]
violence, and I have worked hard on past reauthorizations of this
legislation, as have Senators Specter and Kohl and others on the
Judiciary Committee. We have learned the importance of balancing strong
law enforcement with effective prevention programs. This
reauthorization pushes forward new ways to help children move out of
the criminal justice system, return to school, and become responsible,
hard-working members of our communities.
This legislation seeks to move the country in new directions to
protect our communities and give our children the chance they need to
grow up to be productive members of society. But we were careful to do
so with full respect for the discretion due to law enforcement and
judges, with deference to states, and with a regard for difficult
fiscal realities.
It is unfortunate that, despite the bipartisan nature of the
legislation and the careful consideration and consultation that went
into drafting it, Republican objections have prevented this important
bill from passing and helping to keep our children and our communities
safe. I hope, while there is still time, that all Senators will decide
to support and pass this vital reauthorization.
____________________
PUBLIC CORRUPTION PROSECUTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, more than a year ago, I introduced a bill
aimed at restoring Americans' faith in their elected officials. The
bipartisan Public Corruption Prosecutions Improvements Act would
complement the accomplishments this Congress has made in passing
important ethics and lobbying reforms by giving law enforcement
additional tools and resources to root out corrupt conduct. Although
the Judiciary Committee reported the bill last November, it has been
stalled on the Senate floor for nearly a year. In the waning days of
this Congress, we should take the opportunity to take up and promptly
pass this critical legislation.
Since the bill's introduction, we have seen repeated instances of
rampant and corrosive corruption at all levels of government, including
at key Federal agencies. Just this month, the Office of Inspector
General for the Department of the Interior documented numerous
instances where the ``royalty-in-kind'' program--a program that
collects billions of dollars from private companies that tap key energy
resources--was corrupted by Federal employees who accepted benefits
from energy companies ``with prodigious frequency.'' Investigators and
prosecutors must have the resources and tools they need to go after
this kind of corrupt conduct that compromises America's security. Too
often, though, strained budgets and loopholes in existing corruption
laws mean that corrupt conduct goes unchecked or simply cannot be
prosecuted.
Make no mistake: the stain of corruption has spread to all levels of
Government and has affected both major political parties. This is not a
Democratic or Republican problem--it is an American problem that
victimizes every single one of us by chipping away at the foundations
of our democracy. Congress must send a strong signal that it will not
tolerate public corruption by providing better tools for Federal
investigators and prosecutors to combat it. This bill will do exactly
that.
We are also just now learning the role of fraud and perhaps
corruption in the catastrophic unraveling of the financial markets and
the economy. Prosecutors must have every tool at their disposal to
restore accountability. This bill will strengthen the tools prosecutors
have to crack down on these insidious crimes.
The bill gives investigators and prosecutors more time and resources
to effectively enforce existing anti-corruption laws. Specifically, it
extends the statute of limitations from 5 to 6 years for the most
serious public corruption offenses. Public corruption cases are among
the most difficult and time-consuming cases to investigate and
prosecute. Bank fraud, arson and passport fraud, among other offenses,
all have 10-year statutes of limitations. Public corruption offenses
cut to the heart of our democracy, and a more modest increase to the
statute of limitations is a reasonable step to help our corruption
investigators and prosecutors do their jobs.
The bill would also provide significant and much-needed additional
funding for public corruption enforcement. Since September 11, 2001,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, resources have been shifted away
from the pursuit of white collar crime to counterterrorism. FBI
Director Mueller has said recently that public corruption is now among
the FBI's top investigative priorities, but a September 2005 report by
the Department of Justice inspector general found that, from 2000 to
2004, there was an overall reduction in public corruption matters
handled by the FBI. More recently, a study by the research group
Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse found that the prosecution
of all kinds of white collar crimes is down 27 percent since 2000, and
official corruption cases have dropped in the same period by 14
percent. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that the
investigation of a Federal elected official stalled for 6 months
because the investigating U.S. Attorney's Office could not afford to
replace the prosecutor who had previously handled the case.
We must reverse this trend and make sure that law enforcement has the
tools and the funding it needs to address serious and corrosive crimes
occurring right here at home. Efforts to combat terrorism and official
corruption are not mutually exclusive. A bribed customs official who
allows a terrorist to smuggle a dirty bomb into our country, or a
corrupt consular officer who illegally supplies U.S. entry visas to
would-be terrorists, can cause grave harm to our national security.
This bill goes further by amending several key statutes to broaden
their application in corruption and fraud contexts. This series of
fixes will prevent corrupt public officials and their accomplices from
evading or defeating prosecution based on existing legal ambiguities.
For example, the bill includes a fix to the gratuities statute that
makes clear that public officials may not accept anything of value,
other than what is permitted by existing regulations, given to them
because of their official position.
The bill also appropriately expands the definition of what it means
for a public official to perform an ``official act'' for the purposes
of the bribery statute and closes several other gaps in current law.
Finally, the bill raises the statutory maximum penalties for several
laws dealing with official misconduct, including theft of government
property and bribery. These increases reflect the serious and corrosive
nature of these crimes, and would harmonize the punishment for these
crimes with other similar statutes.
This bipartisan bill is supported by the Department of Justice and by
a wide array of public interest groups that have long advocated for
vigorous enforcement of our fraud and public corruption laws, including
the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of
Women Voters, Public Citizen, and U.S. PIRG.
If we are serious about addressing the kinds of egregious misconduct
that we have recently witnessed in high-profile public corruption
cases, Congress must enact meaningful legislation to give investigators
and prosecutors the tools and resources they need to enforce our laws.
Passing last year's ethics and lobbying reform bill was a step in the
right direction. But we must finish the job by strengthening the
criminal law to enable Federal investigators and prosecutors to bring
those who undermine the public trust to justice. I am disappointed that
Republican objections have prevented the full Senate from passing this
critical bill. I ask those Republicans Senators who are objecting to
proceeding to this anticorruption legislation and to passing it to
please reconsider before it is too late. Let us join together in taking
bipartisan action.
[[Page 22634]]
____________________
ECONOMIC STIMULUS
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, these are very difficult times for the
American economy and America's working families. For most of the past 2
weeks, the headlines have been dominated by news of Wall Street's
financial meltdown. But our Nation's economic woes stretch far beyond
financial institutions.
The American people are watching the fluctuations in the stock
market; they see investment banks failing and the values of their own
401(k) accounts and money market funds decline. Gas is still hovering
near $4 a gallon, their grocery and heating bills continue to
skyrocket, and yet their wages remain stagnant. Millions of families do
not know how they will make ends meet this winter. While they believe
that something must be done to fix the problems in the credit markets,
they need and expect us to help them too.
It has been a week since the President sent to Capitol Hill a three-
page bill asking for unprecedented authority to increase the American
people's debt even further--to $11.3 trillion--and to use that money
solely to purchase troubled assets from failing financial institutions,
while demanding no accountability from their executives. It is no
surprise that the American people have solidly rejected that plan.
Bewildered, they ask Congress, ``Where is the help for my family, for
my community?''
This week bipartisan efforts on the bailout continue in the Senate
and House. We are working to craft a responsible plan to guarantee
strong oversight of the system that created this disaster, limit
exorbitant executive compensation and bonuses on Wall Street, and
restore confidence in our markets. But we also recognize that much more
must be done.
Senate Majority Leader Reid and Appropriations Chairman Byrd have
developed a thoughtful, comprehensive package that will begin to help
our entire Nation recover. Regrettably, yesterday 42 Republicans
rejected efforts to provide help beyond Wall Street. By voting against
the motion to proceed, they denied the Senate the opportunity to even
debate a plan for Americans' personal economic recovery.
The most recent statistics on employment and inflation reveal why
their choice was wrong and why an immediate and forceful response is
needed.
The unemployment rate stands at 6.1 percent the highest rate since
September 2003. This bill would have extended unemployment benefits by
7 weeks for all States and by an additional 13 weeks in high
unemployment States, and it would have provided $300 million for
employment and training activities for dislocated workers. These funds
would have helped more than 79,000 people receive training, and job
search and career counseling.
Over the past 2 years, food costs have increased by nearly 15
percent. This bill would provide an additional $50 million for food
banks and $60 million for senior meals program, increase food stamp
benefits by 10 percent and add $450 million for the WIC Program.
Energy prices are up by nearly 40 percent in the past 2 years. This
bill would have added $5.1 billion for low-income home energy
assistance programs and $500 million to help make low-income homes for
energy efficient through weatherization.
The majority of State governments are in dire economic straits. My
home State of Maryland faces a $1 billion shortfall for the next fiscal
year, and cuts in programs and services are already being planned. This
bill would have boosted state coffers by providing a 4-percent increase
in Federal help for State health care programs and $1.2 billion extra
for the National Institutes of Health, NIH, headquartered in Bethesda,
MD. This bill would have allowed NIH to award 3,300 new research grants
to help discover new treatments and cures for devastating diseases.
Foreclosure rates are at the highest in our country's history and
home values are plummeting. This bill included $37.5 million for the
Legal Services Corporation to help families whose homes are in
foreclosure, $52 million for the FHA to bolster its staff and resources
to ensure that its mortgage fund remains solvent, $250 million to help
public housing agencies rehabilitate vacant rental units, and $200
million to help families in rental housing who are displaced by
foreclosure find safe, affordable places to live.
The Wall Street meltdown has vastly reduced the availability of
credit for our small businesses and endangered the survival of many
businesses. This bill would have provided $200 million to support
reduced-fee loans to small businesses and $5 million to support
microloans.
The defeat of the cloture vote today truly represents a missed
opportunity to answer Americans' call for aid. I want to commend
Majority Leader Reid and Chairman Byrd for their work in crafting this
much needed bill. I would hope that before this Congress adjourns, we
will have the opportunity to debate and pass this necessary measure.
____________________
RACIAL INTIMIDATION
Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to speak about a
recent act of hate and intimidation in my home State of Oregon.
On Tuesday morning, September 23, 2008, the custodial crew at George
Fox University found a life-size cardboard cutout of Senator Barack
Obama hung by fishing wire from a tree on the campus. Attached to the
cutout was a sign that read, ``Act Six reject.'' George Fox is a
Christian university of 1,800 undergraduate students in Newberg, OR. In
an effort to expand diversity on campus, George Fox instituted a
university scholarship program--Act Six--that provides full
scholarships to students chosen for their leadership potential from
Portland high schools. While not a requirement, many of the recipients
are from a minority group.
Sadly, this crude and incendiary act of racial intimidation
highlights our continued need to address the issue of civil rights in
our country as racism still lurks in many dark corners of our Nation.
Hate crimes and acts of racial intimidation seek to marginalize entire
groups of Americans--and it simply cannot be tolerated in a democratic
society.
The freedom and opportunities in the United States are the envy of
the world. And while our Nation has made significant strides in
protecting minority groups, the recent event at George Fox is a
reminder that the civil rights struggle remains far from finished.
I praise the actions of George Fox President Robin Baker for acting
quickly to unite the campus in expressing outrage to the act, and in
urging students to show that the incident has no place in our society.
____________________
IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH ENERGY PRICES
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with
me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded
by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are
heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting
every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this
purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be
easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious
attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only
detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have
suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to
tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask
unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Instead of getting out the state crying towel and airing a
lot of sob stories about how people are suffering from high
energy prices, why does not Congress start a meaningful
course toward reducing oil prices by doing the following:
1. Open some of the areas of known oil reserves that have
been placed ``off limits'' by irrational environmentalists
bent on destroying this nation's economy (it is working, by
the way) and encourage drilling in such places as the ANWAR,
the known oil and coal fields in southern Utah, drilling off
the western coast of California (let the bastards look at the
Sierra Nevadas for scenery
[[Page 22635]]
if they do not believe they'll like what they see with
national security pouring from offshore rigs);
2. Encourage and authorize the construction of more
refineries and decentralize them so that natural disasters
(like Katrina) will not do irreparable damage to the oil
supply system of this nation;
3. Hasten the construction of new nuclear reactors, even
breeder reactors, for the safe and clean production of
electricity. There are plenty of open, remote areas in Idaho,
Nevada, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon to place several high-
capacity nuclear reactors which would offer a significant
bolster to power production and release oil for gasoline and
diesel production instead of powering filthy gas-guzzling
electricity generation plants;
4. And lastly, but not least, trash the ill-conceived corn-
fed ethanol generation plan. What makes sense about using 1.2
gallons of energy to produce a single gallon of ethanol?
Which idiots in your no longer august institution bought into
that lunacy?
Robert.
____
It seems the Senate and Congress have done nothing to help
Americans when our way of life is being downgraded by high
fuel, taxes, groceries and many other things. It seems the
only thing they can pass is a pay raise for them, if their
work performance was what a pay raise was based on, they
would not have had one for decades. They would be fired at
any other job. There should not be one power plant in our
country using oil to make electricity. There should be a tax
credit and time limit on every household that heats with oil
to convert to electricity or something else. Why do we allow
the cost of natural gas and propane to climb along with oil
when we do have plenty of supplies? There are so many things
broken in our country while the Congress and Senate do
nothing that I wonder if there will be an America in 20
years.
Barry.
____
Hardest hit are Idahoans who have to drive to work every
day in order to pay their bills, provide for their families
and pay their taxes, and I feel sorry for them. Not far
behind are senior citizens trying to make ends meet. I worked
34 years with one company, for which I am paid a modest
monthly pension. That pension has not changed since my
retirement in 1980. And you know what has happened to the
cost of living since then. ``Skyrocketed'' would a close one-
word definition. I am fortunate that I do not have to drive
every day, but I do have to drive to the doctor's office, to
the grocery store, to the pharmacy. I have cut out all
pleasure travel to such favorites as Cascade, McCall and Sun
Valley. Can no longer afford air travel. I now pay three
times what I once paid for gasoline, and that increase has to
come from somewhere, right? It comes out of the grocery
money, prescription drug costs, and living expenses, which
are also on the rise.
I am sadly disappointed in our government for allowing the
U.S. to become dependent on Middle Eastern countries for our
most of our energy needs. Now we are at their mercy, and they
are not big on mercy, as we have found out. Everybody saw
this coming, but nobody did anything about it. Big food
distributors could have and should have decentralized long
ago. Instead of wasting money on ethanol, windmills, and
finger-pointing, our government should have been busy solving
its problems. It should have opened the way to real alternate
energy sources (including nuclear). It should have allowed,
even encouraged, more refineries. It should have allowed,
even encouraged, the tapping of our vast oil reserves. (If
the intent was to save it for a rainy day--that day is
unquestionably here.) And it should have pursued ways of
discouraging wasteful uses of energy.
I can remember the day when Japan copied our inventions.
Now Japan has taken the lead in research and development.
They are acting responsibly. They are on their way to mass
producing a vehicle that will run (really!) on nothing but
water. What ever happened to our Yankee ingenuity? Why did
not Detroit think of this first?
Willard, Boise.
____
Because of rising energy costs, we have been driving less,
biking more. We have started to implement changes to our
business whereby we will use less fossil fuel overall. (My
husband and I are artists who use a propane-fired furnace to
produce our work.) We are marketing our artwork more locally
instead of nationally because of high shipping costs. We are
considering building a greenhouse to grow some of our own
food and have joined a Community Supported Farm.
I do support diversifying our energy sources, especially
wind, and solar and some hydropower. I also support programs
that would encourage conservation and teach people about the
real costs (war and pollution, to name a few) of our energy
consumption. In addition, I would especially support any
programs that include public transportation as a priority;
yes, even in Idaho. We have public transportation over Teton
Pass and in Jackson, Wyoming, and it is widely used and
appreciated. There are also private shuttles that operate
bringing people from southeast Idaho to the Salt Lake City
airport. They are very reasonable and also widely used. I
also support any legislation which can encourage the
development and production of truly energy efficient
vehicles, some kind of tax break for those who buy them for
instance.
I do not support drilling for oil in some of our most
pristine areas which support rare wildlife. Once these areas
are destroyed or heavily impacted, they are gone forever. I
do not trust that mining in these areas would be done in an
environmentally conscious way. There is very little mining
that is done consciously.
I think the overall emphasis needs to be using less, rather
than finding more oil. It is, after all, a finite resource.
We have essentially been living on borrowed time with regards
to our consumption.
Mary, Driggs.
____
We seem to be worry about just the cost of gas, but it is
going to affect everything we do, buy and consume. I am a
single man and on a tight budget. I am aware of what things
cost. I have even been seeing the cost of groceries starting
to inch up. Eventually everything will go up in price and we
in the US are going to find ourselves not able to live as we
have for so many years. Spending will stop, businesses will
cut back or even close their doors, unemployment will go up
and we will be just like any Third World country with its
people literally starving to death. We the people of the
United States have a false hope that government will come to
the rescue. I would hope so but, Mr. Crapo, I do not think
you have the power any more to do so. I hope and pray that
Congress are on their knees humbling yourselves and getting
help and direction from above.
A concerned citizen,
Mac.
____
I do not support increasing gas supplies. If our
politicians weren't so short-sighted, we would have plenty
for our needs.
Why do you suppose that Idahoans drive so much? Because we
have no mass transit! If you really want to help your
constituents, get them out of their cars.
I have an 18-year-old son who is planning to attend BSU
next year. We live right here in Boise, and it is inexcusable
that he will not be able to rely on our bus system to get to
campus. What if he has a night class? What if he needs to be
on campus on Sunday for study? What if he has a date and they
would like to go out to the mall for a movie or to hang out
with friends?
Wake up, Mr. Crapo--Idaho needs smart leaders who will make
us energy independent and it can start with a real transit
system. Oh, and how about some real incentives to get us off
of oil? Like tax credits for solar so the average homeowner
could actually afford it? Like major incentives for
businesses that support telecommuting? How about tax cuts for
innovations like fuel cells and electric vehicles?
Susan.
____
The biggest group to blame about high energy prices, Mr.
Crapo, is you and your colleagues in the United States
Congress. Congress has put this country in a hole that it
quite possible can never dig itself out of. The unfriendly
energy legislation that has been passed over the years is
unbelievable. You (Congress) have put the U.S. in a great
security risk, with our dependence on foreign countries for
our energy needs. Shame on you all. France of all countries
gets roughly 80% of its power from nuclear energy. Germany
plans on building 27 new coal fire plants by 2020. Yet, due
to poor planning by the U.S. government, those types of
plants have absolutely no chance of getting built in the U.S.
today. The other powers in the world are just sitting back
and watching us crumble from within. The Energy policy or
lack there of is dandy; you push ethanol so now not only do
we pay high prices for gas; we pay high prices for food
products. When was the last time a refinery was built? The
headaches the U.S. government has put in place make it
impossible to build one. Why should an oil company build one
here when they can do it in another country for less hassle?
The average American is getting killed by high energy
prices and what has been done by Congress to help? Absolutely
nothing. You sit in Washington and bicker back and forth like
children. When will Congress realize that if you do not take
action soon it will be too late? You need to absolutely treat
this as a national security threat. Why aren't we pushing for
hydrogen technology? Car makers have cars ready but the
infrastructure is not in place. We will spend $100 billion in
Iraq, but that money is better spent in our own country
building our hydrogen infrastructure. Good job again boys!
When are you going to make our country the priority?
Obviously hydrogen technology is not the only answer. We need
legislation to promote energy independence not legislation
that hinders it.
Everyone can see what our future looks like under the
current trend. You are putting my children's future in
jeopardy with inaction. How does it feel knowing that your
generation is responsible for the destruction of the greatest
country in the history of the world?
Dan.
____
I lived in rural Idaho and enjoyed a wonderful place out in
the Lake Lowell area. We
[[Page 22636]]
had a park-like setting out in the country with farm fields
all around us. It was quiet and peaceful, a great place to
raise the kids. The drawbacks were becoming too detrimental
to overcome. Along with all the advantages to living out
there, the disadvantages started to add up. They were not
disadvantages until we got into a stupid war with the Middle
East. We have had one after another setback with the
refineries due to natural occurrences and ``scheduled
maintenance'' taking the refineries offline. I lived five
miles to the closest grocery store, so I would call my wife
every day before returning home to combine a trip. The kids
had to go seven miles one way to school (my wife does not
trust the bus companies since they do not offer seatbelts
(another hard thing to take--the seatbelt law). I rode the
commuter bus from Nampa into Boise. It was very inconvenient;
I had to drive a ways to catch any buses, and then they only
operate during a two-hour window in the AM and the PM.
I ended up selling my house, moving to Boise and
eliminating my commute. We rarely drive any more. It is not
that we cannot now afford it, but things are close enough to
reach by walking. It certainly is not because we improved our
public transportation situation. I still have to walk a
quarter-mile to the closest bus stop, and I live on Curtis
Road between Northview and Fairview. The problem with this
bus system is the lack of it. When I was commuting, I had
extensive contact with the management and people involved in
public transportation, trying to understand it. Literally,
nobody knew what was going on outside of the level they
worked, up or down, within any aspect of that operation. I
could go on and on the issues I raised with them, offering
ways to increase funding, ridership, the like. All shot down
with excuses. I had even contacted the County Commissioners,
the City Commissioners. Nothing but excuses. Idaho does not
want to fix it, and they will not. It will take a major
commitment by City, County, and State officials. They even
fought about who had the right to widen Ustick Road. The
County and the State fighting over territory (ridiculous).
My thoughts and comments may not appear too concise, but I
have fought this fight and met resistance and stupidity on
every level trying to make it better. I ask the questions and
get ridiculous answers. They forward my emails around
commenting to each other, ``I am glad this was not directed
at me!'' Very frustrating, but if you can do anything about
public transportation, [I would appreciate it].
James.
____
I would like to express my concerns regarding energy
prices. I live in a rural community in southeast Idaho where
everything is miles away. We have to drive a minimum of 20
miles each way to just get to the grocery store and back. As
there is no industry in our area, I also commute over 120
miles round trip to work every day. The housing market in
rural Idaho is also depressed, which precludes me from
selling to move closer to work. In addition, since the food
at the store needs to be trucked a long way; the cost of
diesel is being passed through as increased prices in the
store upping our food bill. The cost of our gas is up over
$100 per month compared to last year making a severe impact
on our family's budget, leaving little extra for other
purchases.
In addition to this, we have to heat with propane as that
and electricity is the only sources of heat available. Our
propane bill to heat our home this last winter was
approximately $2,800 as the price of propane has increased
dramatically. That is close to a $1,000 more than the
previous year, even with the thermostat set at 69 degrees. I
have considered purchasing electric heaters instead of using
my propane forced air furnace (which is only 5 years old and
quite efficient). However, with the loss of the BPA credit on
our power bills and the talk of 25-45% increases in
electricity cost, I am not sure this will help very much.
I would like to respectfully suggest that you as members of
the Senate look at ways to provide some relief to those of us
in the West where long distances prohibit other means of
getting around other than driving. I would respectfully
suggest that legislation be presented that would remove some
of the environmental restrictions so the oil companies can
increase their refining capabilities and be allowed to drill
in areas with known oil reserves which would increase supply,
reduce costs and dependence on foreign sources of oil. This
would be only a short-term fix and I would suggest that the
Senate also look at increasing funding for research or
incentives to encourage development of alternative sources of
energy that will reduce the need to rely on oil (i.e. nuclear
energy, wind and solar power, increasing hydro power
generation, hydrogen fuel cell technology, synthetic fuel
production from coal, methane generators utilizing the
methane from old landfills, etc.).
With the demand from China and other rapidly developing
countries continuing to climb which reduces supplies of oil
available for us, this problem is going to continue to
escalate exponentially. We are already behind the curve and,
even if we act quickly, the problem is still years away from
improving. The time for sitting on our hands is past. We need
to act quickly to protect our countries way of life, economy,
defense, and to make sure our kids have the energy resources
they need in the future.
Tom, Clifton.
____
I am not telling you something that you do not already
know. Our country, including Idaho, is very dependent on
transportation for survival. Most everything we sell needs to
move out of Idaho and everything we use needs to be brought
in, and we pay the freight both ways. When the transportation
system collapses due to high fuel costs, the economy will
collapse also. We need to get our act together and develop
our own oil reserves and refineries, if it is not too late.
We need to develop nuclear power, if it is not too late. Our
crisis is real, and it seems that Washington is just sitting
around waiting. Our food supply is a national security issue
and energy is the cornerstone of everything is enjoyed and
need.
Thanks for all you do,
Ralph, Island Park.
____
We are all affected because of the inaction or our elected
representatives. There have been no efforts to correct our
dependence on oil from others. The same with our drug
costs!!! We have been sold out to the chemicals Companies in
this country; there is no way that they should be so high. We
must go to Mexico, Canada and India to get our meds. Do
something please about these problems. Because of the greedy,
this country is going to socialism.
Marlin.
____
I have to put almost all of my gas purchases on my credit
cards because of the huge increase in costs. This has greatly
increased my credit card debt, and continues to increase my
payments on my credit cards, with no end in sight. I am not
getting any pay raises at work due to economy, and my wife
has taken extra jobs to help make ends meet yet we are still
falling behind. I owed next to zero on my credit cards a year
and a half ago; I now have over $12,000 related mostly to the
increase in cost of fuel. Why cannot we reintroduce 55 mph
speed limits? This would greatly cut down the demand for
fuel, which should decrease the cost.
Rex, Rigby.
____
Although we were warned in the early eighties, there was no
effort made to correct our path. We are seeing the
repercussions of past failures to act on this threat.
Although the cost of energy is a serious detriment to the
economic stability of America, I still believe that the
invasion of our country by Mexican nationals in the future
will prove to be a far more serious problem. Still our
Congress deals with the use of steroids and other trivial
matters, rather than dealing with immigration, Social
Security and national security. As today's youth would ask--
what is up with that?
Bill.
____________________
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
______
BOYER VALLEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Boyer Valley
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Boyer Valley Community School District received a 2002 Harkin
grant totaling $1 million which it used to help build an addition to
the school in Dow City to provide a multipurpose room that could be
used by the community as well as the school. The district
[[Page 22637]]
collaborated with the City of Dunlap to build an addition to the
middle/high school to house the community/school library. This school
is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational
ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the
kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. The
district also received a $25,000 fire safety grant.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in
the Boyer Valley Community School District. In particular, I would like
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Ken Dunham, Pat
Putnam, Julie Wood, Steve Puck, Paul Klein, Mark McAllister, and Randy
Mitchell, and former board members Roger Waderich, Theresa McAllister,
Ruth Sherwood, Sam Cogdill, Sam Head, and Jane Davie as well as
superintendent Thomas Vint and former superintendent Debra Johnsen. I
would also like to recognize the city of Dow City and mayor Ace
Ettleman, the city of Dunlap and treasurer Dwaine Hack and the late
mayor Giles Lacey and the committee that worked to pass the bond
referendum for the new schools.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Boyer Valley Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
COLUMBUS COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Columbus
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Columbus Community School District received a 2004 Harkin grant
totaling $500,000 which it used to help replace the heating and cooling
system with a geothermal system at the high school. Additionally, in
1998 and 1999, fire safety grants totaling $50,000 were used to update
the electrical wiring and the installation of new alarm systems and
fire doors at the middle and high schools. The Federal grants have made
it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for
their students.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in
the Columbus Community School District. In particular, I would like to
recognize the leadership of the board of education, Mike Braun, Marsha
Gerot, Ed Smith, Dan Peters, and Georgia Kost. I would also like to
recognize superintendent Richard Bridenstine and staff members
including Tanya Purdy, Todd Heck and Mike Jay, and the community
leadership of Mark Huston and Wade Edwards.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin School Grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Columbus Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
DAVENPORT COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Davenport
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Davenport Community School District received a 2000 Harkin grant
totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a gym addition and for
interior remodeling at Smart Intermediate School. A second Harkin Grant
was awarded to the district in 2003 for $399,000. Matching funds were
available through the passage of a Local Options Sales and Service Tax.
The remodeling of classrooms and improvements to the media center at
Harrison Elementary School were made possible by the combination of
these funds. Additionally, between 2000 and 2005, the Davenport
Community School District has received more than $900,000 in fire
safety grants. Early warning systems, fire alarms and emergency
lighting were installed in school buildings through the district to
assure the health and safety of students, teachers and staff. The
Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide
quality and safe schools for their students.
[[Page 22638]]
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in
the Davenport Community School District. In particular, I would like to
recognize the leadership of the current board of education including
Patt Zamora, Larry Roberson, Richard Clewell, Nikki DeFauw, Ralph
Johanson, Ken Krumwiede and Tim Tupper and former board members Denise
Hollonbeck, Jamie Howard, Steve Imming, Gary Kleinschmidt, Susan Low
and the late Jim Hester. I would also like to recognize superintendent
Julio Almanza, former superintendent Jim Blanche and several other
members of the administration and support staff, Christie Wallace
Noring, Linda Doran, Marsha Tangen, Tom Wagner, Howard Hunigan, Bill
Good, Donna Cooper, Kris Kleinsmith, Marti Timmerman, Rachael Mullins,
Tom Hunt, Karen Farley, Linda Smith Kortemeyer, the late Jane Grady and
the late David Lane; and the commitment of community leaders like Dan
Portes and Dave and Peggy Iglehart.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Davenport Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
STORM LAKE COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Storm Lake
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Storm Lake Community School District received several Harkin fire
safety grants totaling $221,274 which it used to upgrade fire alarm
systems at East Elementary and the Storm Lake High School; install fire
detection systems at West and North Elementary Schools; and bring
district facilities into fire inspection compliance through
installation of emergency lighting, electrical upgrades made necessary
due to expanding technology needs, and installation of fire safety
doors and stairwell separators. The Federal grants have made it
possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their
students.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute superintendent Paul Tedesco and the entire staff,
administration, and governance in the Storm Lake Community School
District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of
the board of education--Dan Douglas, Barb Seiler, Leslie Cutler, Ed
McKenna, and Todd Nicholson. Former superintendent Dr. Bill Kruse was
also instrumental in the application and implementation of the grants,
and public safety director Mark Prosser and Storm Lake fire chief Mike
Jones supported the district's efforts by assisting in the assessment
and identification of fire safety needs of the district.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Storm Lake Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
VAN BUREN COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Van Buren
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Van Buren Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant
totaling $837,000. These funds were used to build a school library
which is also available to the community, a lunchroom, an art and music
room and a meeting space at the Douds Elementary School. With a
financial commitment from the community through the passage of a local
option sales tax and a contribution from the Van Buren Foundation, the
Douds Elementary School created a safe and supportive learning
environment.
In 2003, a second Harkin grant for $500,000 was awarded to the Van
Buren School District. Matching funds came from a generous donation
from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation. The funds were
used for the remodeling of the art and music room at
[[Page 22639]]
Stockport Elementary School, and to add another pre-school classroom at
the Birmingham Early Childhood Center. These schools are the modern,
state-of-the-art facilities that befit the educational ambitions and
excellence of this school district. Indeed, they are the kind of
schools that every child in America deserves.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in
the Van Buren Community School District. In particular, I would like to
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Tony Huffman, Terry
Jester, Dick Hornberg, Sheila Parsons, Stan Whitten, Karen McEntee and
Brian Starnes and former board members Jon Finney, Dixie Daugherty,
Jean McIntosh, Monte Humble, Bill Shewmaker and Dr. Tim Blair. I would
also like to recognize superintendent Karen Stinson, former
superintendent Richard Barton and principal Charles Russell.
The projects would not have been possible without the financial
support of two local foundations and I would like to recognize the
board of directors of the Hoaglin Foundation; and the Van Buren
Foundation board of directors, whose members include Art Ovrom, Dean
Folker, Jon Finney, B.R. Poole, Steve Kisling, Rex Strait, Sandy
McLain, Davis Pollock, Rich Lytle, Jim Dorothy, Butch Gates, Matt
Manning, Jeanne Erickson, John O. Manning, Don VonSeggen, Pat Miller,
George Manning, Mary J. Smith, Allen Gunn and Crystal Cronk.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Van Buren Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
WEST DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the West Delaware
County Community School District, and to report on their participation
in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school
facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The West Delaware County Community School District received several
Harkin fire safety grants totaling $270,199 which it used to upgrade
the fire alarm system and improve emergency lighting and other items at
the high school and middle school as well as add fire rated doors and
smoke and heat detectors at Lambert Elementary School. The Federal
grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and
safe schools for their students.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the superintendent Bob Cue and the entire staff,
administration, and governance in the West Delaware County Community
School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the
leadership of the board of education--president Elwyn Curtis, Mike
Ryan, Steve Dudak, Cheryl Stufflebeam and Linda Bessey, as well as past
members former president Dan Zumbach, Mike Carr, Ilona Durey, Gary
Johnson, Jack Young, and Edith Fortmann-Comley.
Other dedicated district staff who were instrumental in the success
of the grant implementation whom I would also like to recognize are the
late superintendent Rick Hilbert, business manager Ron Goerdt, building
and grounds director Ron Swartz, and technology coordinator Ron
Struble.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the West Delaware County Community School District. There is no
question that a quality public education for every child is a top
priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very
successful new school year.
____________________
WOODBINE COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores
are among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Woodbine
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
The Woodbine Community School District received several Harkin grants
totaling $1,138,670 which it used to help build a new school, renovate
existing classrooms, and make fire safety repairs throughout the
district. This
[[Page 22640]]
school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the
educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed,
it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves.
To accomplish this comprehensive plan to modernize schools throughout
the district, the citizens in the school district passed a bond issue
for $5.1 million.
Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain.
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in
the Woodbine Community School District. In particular, I would like to
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Amy Sherer, Mike
Staben, Joanna Shaw, Todd Heistand, and Amber Nelson and former board
members Joe Ball, Ryan Sullivan, Randall Pryor, Cheryl Book, Alan Ronk,
Lynnette Lee, Patricia Skrain, and Alan Ahrenholtz. I would also like
to recognize superintendent Tom Vint, former superintendent Dr. Terry
Hazard, former high school principal Deb Johnsen, Jim Berg with BVH
Architects and the members of the steering committee responsible for
passage of the bond referendum.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in
the Woodbine Community School District. There is no question that a
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school
year.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO BOBBY HAYES
Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Bobby Hayes,
who has dedicated over 24 years of his life to public service. In
October of this year, when Bobby steps down as mayor of the city of
Pelham, AL, he will leave behind a legacy of leadership and service to
his community.
For 24 years, Bobby has served as the mayor of Pelham. Over those
years, Bobby has overseen many changes to the city. As a retired field
commander of the tactical operations unit of the Birmingham Police
Department, it was critical to Bobby that he provide local law
enforcement with the tools needed to do their jobs effectively. Bobby
successfully expanded the Pelham Police Department, adding a traffic
unit, tactical operation unit, school resource officers and installing
computers in all patrol cars.
It was also under his direction that Pelham erected four new fire
stations and a new public safety building to house the police
department and the municipal court. During his tenure, Mayor Hayes also
was instrumental in the building of the Pelham Civic Complex and Pelham
Senior Center. Bobby also ensured that the Pelham sewer system and new
sewer plant were completed and increased the city's water supply and
storage facilities.
A strong supporter of education and academics, Bobby oversaw the
expansion and renovation of the Pelham Public Library. Since then, it
has become one of only four public libraries in the State the Alabama
Library Association recognized for excellence in library service. In
2005, the library became the recipient of prestigious Blue Ribbon
Library status.
While many people think that the service Bobby contributes each day
as mayor of Pelham is enough, he thinks otherwise. An avid leader,
Bobby has been involved in many State committees and one national
committee. In 2004, he was elected vice-president of the Alabama League
of Municipalities and in 2005 he rose to serve as president. Bobby also
represents the mayors of the 6th Congressional District to the State of
Alabama Housing Finance Authority.
Additionally, Bobby has held memberships with organizations such as
the Alabama League Committee on State and Federal Legislation, National
League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee,
the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, and the Alabama City/
County Management Association.
Bobby is married to Judith Lance Hayes. Together, they have three
children and nine grandchildren.
As Bobby embarks on another phase in his life, he will be remembered
for his dedication and many contributions to the city of Pelham's
ongoing prosperity and advancement. I wish him much luck in his future
endeavors, and I ask this entire Senate to join me in recognizing and
honoring the life and career of my good friend Bobby Hayes.
____________________
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
______
ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
At 9:32 a.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has
signed the following enrolled bills:
H.R. 6890. An act to extend the waiver authority for the
Secretary of Education under section 105 of subtitle A of
title IV of division B of Public Law 109-148, relating to
elementary and secondary education hurricane recovery relief,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 6894. An act to extend and reauthorize the Defense
Production Act of 1950, and for other purposes.
The bills were subsequently signed by the President pro
tempore (Mr. Byrd).
____________________
ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
At 12:04 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mr. Zapata, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker
has signed the following enrolled bills:
S. 1046. An act to modify pay provisions relating to
certain senior-level positions in the Federal Government, and
for other purposes.
S. 2606. An act to reauthorize the United States Fire
Administration, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1343. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide additional authorization of appropriations for the
health centers program under section 330 of such Act, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 2851. An act to amend the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that dependent
students who take a medically necessary leave of absence do
not lose health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6092. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in
Bremen, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office
Building''.
H.R. 6370. An act to transfer excess Federal property
administered by the Coast Guard to the Confederated Tribes of
the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the
President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd).
____________________
ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
At 1:27 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives,
delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced
that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills:
S. 1382. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide for the establishment of an Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis Registry.
S. 1810. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
increase the provision of scientifically sound information
and support services to patients receiving a positive test
diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally and
postnatally diagnosed conditions.
S. 2932. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
reauthorize the poison center national toll-free number,
national media campaign, and grant program to provide
assistance for poison prevention, sustain the funding of
poison centers, and enhance the public health of people of
the United States.
S. 3009. An act to designate the Federal Bureau of
Investigation building under construction in Omaha, Nebraska,
as the ``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation
Building''.
[[Page 22641]]
H.R. 4120. An act to amend title 18, United States Code, to
provide for more effective prosecution of cases involving
child pornography, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5975. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in
Waterville, New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post
Office''.
H.R. 6437. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 200 North Texas Avenue in
Odessa, Texas; as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post
Office''.
The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the
President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd).
____
At 3:18 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mr. Zapata, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has
passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the
Senate:
H.R. 1283. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide for arthritis research and public health, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 6999. An act to restructure the Coast Guard Integrated
Deepwater Program, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7112. An act to impose sanctions with respect to Iran,
to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and
local governments and other entities, and to identify
locations of concern with respect to transshipment,
reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to
Iran.
The message also announced that the House has agreed to the following
bills, without amendment:
S. 2482. An act to repeal the provision of title 46, United
States Code, requiring a license for employment in the
business of salvaging the coast of Florida.
S. 2982. An act to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
to authorize appropriations, and for other purposes.
S. 3560. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security
Act to provide additional funds for the qualifying individual
(QI) program, and for other purposes.
The message further announced that the House concurrent resolutions,
in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate:
H. Con. Res. 239. Concurrent resolution recognizing and
acknowledging the important role of adoption, and commending
all parties involved, including birthparents, who carry out
an adoption plan, and adoptive families, adopted children.
H. Con. Res. 405. Concurrent resolution recognizing the
first full week of April as ``National Workplace Wellness
Week''.
H. Con. Res. 416. Concurrent resolution commending Barter
Theatre on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
The message also announced that the House agrees to the amendment of
the Senate to the bill (H.R. 3068) to prohibit the award of contracts
to provide guard services under the contract security guard program of
the Federal Protective Service to a business concern that is owned,
controlled, or operated by an individual who has been convicted of a
felony.
The message further announced that the House agrees to the amendment
of the Senate to the resolution (H.J. Res. 62) to honor the
achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United
States, and for other purposes.
____________________
MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME
The following bill was read the first time:
S. 3646. A bill to authorize and expedite lease sales
within the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes.
____________________
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
The following communications were laid before the Senate, together
with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as
indicated:
EC-8068. A communication from the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of an
amendment to the list of payment-in-kind projects required by
U.S. Army Europe; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-8069. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy (Installations and Environment), transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to the notification of the
initiation of a public-private competition for the laundry/
dry cleaning function being performed by twenty-one civilian
employees located at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris
Island, South Carolina; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-8070. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Addition of Certain Persons to
the Entity List; Removal of General Order from the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR)'' (RIN0694-AE46) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-8071. A communication from the Assistant to the Board,
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Transactions Between Member Banks and Their Affiliates:
Exemption for Certain Securities Financing Transactions
Between a Member Bank and an Affiliate'' ((Docket No. R-
1330)(12 CFR Part 223)) received on September 25, 2008; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8072. A communication from the Acting Secretary,
Division of Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange
Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Foreign Issuer Reporting Enhancements''
(RIN3235-AK03) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8073. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Division of Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange
Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Commission Guidance and Revisions to the
Cross-Border Tender Offer, Exchange Offer, Rights Offerings,
and Business Combination Rules and Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Rules for Certain Foreign Institutions'' (RIN3235-
AK10) received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8074. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,
Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
relative to the Navajo Electrification Demonstration Program;
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-8075. A communication from the Attorney, Office of
Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulatory Law,
Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Coordination of Federal
Authorizations for Electric Transmission Facilities''
(RIN1901-AB18) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-8076. A communication from the Acting Chief of
Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Department of
the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost
Recovery Fees'' (RIN1004-AE01) received on September 25,
2008; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
EC-8077. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the
actions taken by the Department in response to the program
recommendations of the Khartoum, Sudan Accountability Review
Board; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8078. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the review and
determination of International Atomic Energy Agency
activities in countries described in Section 307(a) of the
Foreign Assistance Act; to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
EC-8079. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the
proposed transfer of major defense equipment from the
Government of Turkey to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics with an
original acquisition cost of $100,000,000 (Transmittal No.
RSAT-06-08); to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8080. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Employment Standards, Department of Labor, transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to the fiscal year 2005
operations of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8081. A communication from the Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, transmitting, pursuant
to law, a report relative to the cost of response and
recovery efforts for FEMA-3289-EM in the State of Louisiana;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8082. A communication from the District of Columbia
Auditor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``Letter Report: Audit of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3G
for Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2008, as of March 31, 2008'';
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8083. A communication from the District of Columbia
Auditor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``Letter Report: Audit of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B
for Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2008, as of March 31, 2008'';
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8084. A communication from the Secretary of Homeland
Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to
the Department's strategic plan for fiscal years 2008-2013;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8085. A communication from the Chairman, Council of the
District of Columbia,
[[Page 22642]]
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 17-503,
``St. Martin Apartments Tax Exemption Temporary Act of 2008''
received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8086. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy, Office of Personnel
Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``National Security Personnel System''
(RIN3206-AL62) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8087. A communication from the Deputy Administrator,
Small Business Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of the designation of an acting officer for the
position of Administrator, received on September 25, 2008; to
the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
EC-8088. A communication from the Director of Regulation
Policy and Management, Veterans Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schedule of Rating
Disabilities; Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI)'' received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8089. A communication from Director of Agency Management
and Budget, Veterans Employment and Training, Department of
Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Annual Report From Federal Contractors'' (RIN1293-
AA12) received September 25, 2008; to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8090. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -
300, and -300ER Series Airplanes Approved for Extended-range
Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS)''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0673)) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8091. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 172, 175,
180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, and 303 Series Airplanes''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0471)) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8092. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No.FAA-2007-0081))
received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8093. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10,
DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, and MD-10-10F Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0015)) received on September 25,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8094. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Support Limited
Model Beagle B.121 Series 1, 2, and 3 Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-0248)) received on September 25,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8095. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff
Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous
Amendments'' ((14 CFR Part 97)(Docket No. 30604)) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8096. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary for Communications and Information, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Household Eligibility and Application Process
of the Coupon Program for Individuals Residing in Nursing
Homes, Intermediate Care Facilities, Assisted Living
Facilities and Households that Utilize Post Office Boxes''
(RIN0660-AA17) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8097. A communication from the Secretary of the Federal
Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Telemarketing Sales Rule'' (RIN3084-
AA98) received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8098. A communication from the Acting Director, Office
of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer
Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the State of
New York'' (RIN0648-XK19) received on September 25, 2008; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8099. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-
Water Species Fishery by Amendment 80 Vessels Subject to
Sideboard Limits in the Gulf of Alaska'' (RIN0648-XK43)
received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8100. A communication from the Acting Director, Office
of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska;
Shallow-Water Species by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf
of Alaska'' (RIN0648-XK44) received on September 25, 2008; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8101. A communication from the Secretary of the Federal
Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Telemarketing Sales Rule Fees''
(RIN3084-AA98) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8102. A communication from the Chief of Regulations and
Administrative Law, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland
Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Safety Zone Regulations (including 2 regulations
beginning with USCG-2008-0264)'' (RIN1625-AA00) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8103. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland
Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``2007 Annual Report to Congress on Transportation
Security''; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8104. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, Department of
the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Taxation of fringe benefits'' ((Rev. Rul.
2008-48)(26 CFR 1.61-21)) received on September 25, 2008; to
the Committee on Finance.
EC-8105. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, Department of
the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule relative to the treatment of taxpayers accepting certain
settlements of potential legal claims relating to auction
rate securities ((Rev. Proc. 2008-58)(26 CFR 601.601))
received on September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8106. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, Department of
the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Tax-exempt Money Market Funds--Temporary
Treasury Program to Support Money Market Funds--No Violation
of Restrictions Against Federal Guarantees of Tax-exempt
Bonds Under Section 149(b)'' (Notice 2008-81) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8107. A communication from the Program Manager of the
Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates,
Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1,
2009'' (RIN0938-AP00) received on September 25, 2008; to the
Committee on Finance.
EC-8108. A communication from the Program Manager of the
Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Medicare Program; Inpatient Hospital Deductible and
Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts for
Calendar Year 2009'' (RIN0938-AP03) received on September 25,
2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8109. A communication from the Program Manager of the
Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Medicare Program; Part A Premium for Calendar Year 2009 for
the Uninsured Aged and for Certain Disabled Individuals Who
Have Exhausted Other Entitlement'' (RIN0938-AP04) received on
September 25, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8110. A communication from the Program Manager of the
Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human
Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``State Parent Locator Service; Safeguarding Child
Support Information'' (RIN0970-AC01) received on September
25, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
[[Page 22643]]
____________________
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the
first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:
By Mr. KYL (for himself and Mr. Leahy):
S. 3641. A bill to authorize funding for the National Crime
Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime
under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of
the Victims of Crime Act of 1984; considered and passed.
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Corker, Mr. Kerry, and
Mrs. Murray):
S. 3642. A bill to enhance the capacity of the United
States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon
Water for the Poor Act of 2005 and to improve access to safe
drinking water and sanitation throughout the world; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Kerry, and Mrs.
Murray):
S. 3643. A bill to enhance the capacity of the United
States to undertake global development activities, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Cochran):
S. 3644. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to
provide crop disaster assistance to agricultural producers
that suffered qualifying quantity or quality losses for the
2008 crop year due to a natural disaster; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. HATCH:
S. 3645. A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Magna Water
District water reuse and groundwater recharge project, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources.
By Mr. DeMINT:
S. 3646. A bill to authorize and expedite lease sales
within the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes;
read the first time.
By Ms. LANDRIEU:
S. 3647. A bill to assist the State of Louisiana in flood
protection and coastal restoration projects, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Appropriations.
____________________
SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were
read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
By Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Smith):
S. Res. 690. A resolution expressing the sense of the
Senate concerning the conflict between Russia and Georgia;
considered and agreed to.
By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Cochran,
Mr. Durbin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Casey):
S. Res. 691. A resolution designating Thursday, November
20, 2008, as ``Feed America Day''; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. REID for Mr. Biden (for himself, Mrs. Clinton,
Mr. Dodd, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Casey, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Voinovich,
Mr. Rockefeller, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Obama, Ms.
Stabenow, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Durbin, Mr.
Bingaman, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Hagel, Mr.
Allard, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Tester, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs.
Feinstein, and Mr. Stevens):
S. Res. 692. A resolution designating the week of November
9 through November 15, 2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness
Week'' to emphasize the need to develop educational programs
regarding the contributions of veterans to the country;
considered and agreed to.
By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Martinez, Mrs.
Murray, Mr. Levin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Obama,
Mr. Menendez, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Bayh):
S. Res. 693. A resolution recognizing the month of November
2008 as ``National Homeless Youth Awareness Month'';
considered and agreed to.
By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Alexander,
Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Enzi,
Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Biden, Mr. Cornyn,
and Ms. Murkowski):
S. Res. 694. A resolution designating the week beginning
October 19, 2008, as ``National Character Counts Week'';
considered and agreed to.
____________________
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
S. 3530
At the request of Mr. Durbin, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
3530, a bill to establish the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal
for organ donors and the family of organ donors.
____________________
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. KYL (for himself and Mr. Leahy):
S. 3641. A bill to authorize funding for the National Crime Victim
Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime under Crime
Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of the Victims of Crime Act
of 1984; considered and passed.
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the
bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3641
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 103(b) of the Justice for All Act of 2004 (Public
Law 108-405; 118 Stat. 2264) is amended in paragraphs (1)
through (5) by striking ``2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and
2013''.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Corker, Mr. Kerry, and Mrs.
Murray):
S. 3642. A bill to enhance the capacity of the United States
Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor
Act of 2005 and to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation
throughout the world; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. DURBIN. My predecessor and friend, the late Senator Paul Simon,
championed the cause of water for the poor. Ten years ago he wrote an
important and foretelling book, Tapped Out, in which he described the
world's looming clean water crisis.
Senator Simon was ahead of the curve. He identified this challenge
long before many others, and urged the U.S. to lead on it. It is my
privilege to carry forward his vision in the United States Senate
today.
I take this responsibility seriously--not only to honor my friend and
mentor from Illinois--but more importantly to further this country's
leadership in making access to clean water and sanitation possible for
people in every part of the world.
In 2005, Congress passed the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor
Act to elevate the position of safe water and sanitation efforts in
U.S. foreign assistance.
We have made progress since then. Last year alone, the U.S. helped
provide nearly 2 million people with access to a better source of
drinking water for the first time. And we helped more than 1.5 million
people access better sanitation.
These are encouraging results, but our impact could be much greater.
Our current efforts are hindered by limited resources and lack of
overall strategy and coordination.
To strengthen U.S. leadership in this area, I am pleased to join with
Senators Corker, Kerry and Murray, and Representatives Blumenauer and
Payne to introduce new legislation that builds and improves upon the
2005 act.
The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008
will increase capacity at USAID and the State Department to implement
clean water and sanitation efforts.
It will strengthen local capacity by adding a corps of water experts
to USAID missions and by training local water and sanitation managers.
It will foster development of low-cost and sustainable clean water
and sanitation technologies for use in priority countries.
In short, it will put the U.S. again at the forefront of assuring
access to these most basic needs for millions around the world.
We will not be able to make a sustained difference on the ground with
good intentions alone. We need to back up the lofty goals in this bill
with resources--money and personnel.
We need to give our development experts the tools and support they
need to get the job done well. That is why
[[Page 22644]]
I've also led an effort in the Senate to increase the number of Foreign
Service Officers and to urge the placement of water experts in USAID
missions around the world.
This kind of development assistance, helping to build infrastructure
and alleviate poverty, is a crucial to our ability to lead and
influence other countries.
America's strength resonates not only from its military power but
from the power of American ideas and values, from our generosity and
diplomacy.
I fear we have lost a measure of that influence in recent years. Our
smart power has waned as we've focused our resources and attention
elsewhere.
Real leadership from the United States on water and sanitation will
help stave off one of the world's looming crises. It will reassert our
standing as a leader in the fight against global poverty.
And, once again, Paul Simon was ahead of his time. What element of
international development assistance could be more fundamental than
ensuring access to clean water and basic sanitation?
We often take water for granted in this country. Turn on the tap, and
out it comes--clean, inexpensive and plentiful. Occasionally we hear of
water shortages in a handful of states during times of drought. But for
the most part, we think little about this crucial resource.
Yet for many people in the world, access to clean water and
sanitation are out of reach--and the problem may only get worse.
In the past 20 years, 2 billion people have gained access to safe
drinking water and 600 million have gained access to basic sanitation
services. This is encouraging progress.
Yet nearly 900 million people still live without clean water, and
nearly 2 in 5 do not have access to proper sanitation.
In the past century, global demand for water has tripled, and is now
doubling every two decades. Rapid population growth, urbanization,
pollution and climate change will add even greater pressures to an
already strained system.
This scenario is troubling for a lot of reasons.
First, unsafe water is a serious threat to global health. The World
Health Organization estimates that water-related diseases account for
about one-tenth of the global disease burden. We lose nearly 5,000
children each day to these diseases, and over 2 million people each
year.
We recently expanded our efforts to fight global AIDS--an effort I
support--but antiretroviral therapy taken with unsafe water may do more
harm than good.
Lack of safe water threatens economic development and political
stability. A developing economy cannot grow if its population is too
sick to work or if its members are engaged in conflict over water
resources, as in Darfur, for example, or in parts of the Middle East.
Nor can an economy grow if its women and girls have to spend many
hours each day gathering water rather than engaging in more productive
pursuits. The UN estimates that women lose 40 billion working hours
each year to carrying water. The economic repercussions are clear.
Water scarcity has a serious impact on the environment, as well. The
strain on natural resources will continue as global warming causes
glaciers to melt and climate patterns to shift. We can expect key
sources of clean water to be altered or eliminated in the process.
So, this is a big problem. But the U.S. is in a position to make a
big difference in the lives of the world's poor with strong leadership
and investment in global safe water.
U.S. leadership can and will make a difference in this most
fundamental development challenge. I urge my colleagues to join with me
in supporting this effort to refocus our global clean water activities.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3642
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Senator Paul Simon Water for
the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-121)--
(A) makes access to safe water and sanitation for
developing countries a specific policy objective of United
States foreign assistance programs;
(B) requires the Secretary of State to--
(i) develop a strategy to elevate the role of water and
sanitation policy; and
(ii) improve the effectiveness of United States assistance
programs undertaken in support of that strategy;
(C) codifies Target 10 of the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals; and
(D) seeks to reduce the proportion of people who are unable
to reach or afford safe drinking water and basic sanitation
by 50 percent by 2015.
(2) On December 20, 2006, the United Nations General
Assembly, in GA Resolution 61/192, declared 2008 as the
International Year of Sanitation, in recognition of the
impact of sanitation on public health, poverty reduction,
economic and social development, and the environment.
(3) On August 1, 2008, Congress passed H. Con. Res. 318,
which--
(A) supports the goals and ideals of the International Year
of Sanitation; and
(B) recognizes the importance of sanitation on public
health, poverty reduction, economic and social development,
and the environment.
(4) While progress is being made on safe water and
sanitation efforts--
(A) more than 884,000,000 people throughout the world lack
access to safe drinking water; and
(B) 2 of every 5 people in the world do not have access to
basic sanitation services.
(5) The health consequences of unsafe drinking water and
poor sanitation are staggering, accounting for--
(A) nearly 10 percent of the global burden of disease; and
(B) more than 2,000,000 deaths each year.
(6) The effects of climate change are expected to produce
severe consequences for water availability and resource
management in the future, with 2,800,000,000 people in more
than 48 countries expected to face severe and chronic water
shortages by 2025.
(7) The impact of water scarcity on conflict and
instability is evident in many parts of the world, including
the Darfur region of Sudan, where demand for water resources
has contributed to armed conflict between nomadic ethnic
groups and local farming communities.
(8) In order to further the United States contribution to
safe water and sanitation efforts, it is necessary to--
(A) expand foreign assistance capacity to address the
challenges described in this section; and
(B) represent issues related to water and sanitation at the
highest levels of United States foreign assistance
deliberations, including deliberations related to issues of
global health, food security, the environment, global
warming, and maternal and child mortality.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to enhance the capacity of the
United States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul
Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121).
SEC. 4. DEVELOPING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CAPACITY.
Section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151h) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Office of Water.--
``(1) Establishment.--To carry out the purposes of
subsection (a), the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development shall establish the Office of
Water.
``(2) Leadership.--The Office of Water shall be headed by
an Assistant Administrator for Safe Water and Sanitation, who
shall report directly to the Administrator.
``(3) Duties.--The Assistant Administrator shall--
``(A) implement this section and the Senator Paul Simon
Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121); and
``(B) place primary emphasis on providing safe, affordable,
and sustainable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.
``(f) Bureau of International Water.--
``(1) Establishment.--To increase the capacity of the
Department of State to address international issues regarding
safe water, sanitation, and other international water
programs, the Secretary of State shall establish the Bureau
for International Water within the Office of the Under
Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs (referred to in
this subsection as the `Bureau').
``(2) Duties.--The Bureau shall--
``(A) oversee and coordinate the diplomatic policy of the
United States Government with respect to global freshwater
issues, including--
[[Page 22645]]
``(i) access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
``(ii) river basin and watershed management;
``(iii) transboundary conflict;
``(iv) agricultural and urban productivity of water
resources;
``(v) pollution mitigation; and
``(vi) adaptation to hydrologic change due to climate
variability; and
``(B) ensure that international freshwater issues are
represented--
``(i) within the United States Government; and
``(ii) in key diplomatic, development, and scientific
efforts with other nations and multilateral organizations.''.
SEC. 5. SAFE WATER AND SANITATION STRATEGY.
Section 6(e) of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor
Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) an assessment of the extent to which the United
States Government's efforts are reaching the goal described
in section 135(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2152h(a)(2)); and
``(8) recommendations on what the United States Government
would need to do to help achieve the goal referred to in
paragraph (7) if the United States Government's efforts were
proportional to its share of the world's economy.''.
SEC. 6. DEVELOPING LOCAL CAPACITY.
The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-121) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 9, 10, and 11 as sections 10,
11, and 12, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 8 the following:
``SEC. 9. WATER AND SANITATION MANAGERS TRAINING PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development shall establish, in every priority country, a
program to train local, in-country water and sanitation
managers, and other officials of countries that receive
assistance under section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 to promote the capacity of recipient governments to
provide affordable, equitable, and sustainable access to safe
drinking water and sanitation.
``(2) Coordination.--The program established under
subsection (a) shall be coordinated by the lead country water
manager designated in subsection (c)(2).
``(3) Expansion.--The Secretary and Administrator may
establish the program described in this section in additional
countries if the receipt of such training would be most
beneficial, with due consideration given to good governance.
``(b) Designation.--The United States Chief of Mission
within each country receiving a `high priority' designation
under section 6(f) shall--
``(1) designate safe drinking water and sanitation as a
strategic objective;
``(2) appoint an in-country water and sanitation manager
within the Mission to coordinate the in-country
implementation of this Act and section 135 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 with local water managers, local
government officials, the Department of State, and the Office
of Water of the United States Agency for International
Development; and
``(3) coordinate with the Development Credit Authority and
the Global Development Alliance to further the purposes of
this Act.''.
SEC. 7. GRANTS FOR LOW COST CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
TECHNOLOGIES.
Section 135(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C.
2152h(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end;
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) provide grants through the United States Agency for
International Development to foster the development of low
cost and sustainable technologies for providing clean water
and sanitation that are suitable for use in high priority
countries, particularly in places with limited resources and
infrastructure.''.
SEC. 8. UPDATED REPORT REGARDING WATER FOR PEACE AND
SECURITY.
Section 11(b) of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor
Act of 2005, as redesignated by section 6, is amended by
adding at the end the following: ``The report submitted under
this subsection shall include an assessment of current and
likely future political tensions over water sources and an
assessment of the expected impacts of global climate change
on water supplies in 10, 25, and 50 years.''.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year
2009 and each subsequent fiscal year such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by
this Act.
[SEC. 10. CONSTRUCTION.
This Act shall be implemented in a manner consistent with
the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public
Law 109-121). Nothing in this Act shall be construed in such
a way as to override or take precedence over the
implementation of that Act.]
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Kerry, and Mrs. Murray):
S. 3643. A bill to enhance the capacity of the United States to
undertake global development activities, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. DURBIN. Events of the last decade are stark reminders that
security in the U.S. is closely linked to the stability of far-flung
places beyond our borders. From food riots to failed states, we have
become more aware of how important it is to help the poorest around the
world live healthier, more productive, and stable lives.
Foreign assistance for development is not only the right thing to do;
it's in our national interest. In the U.S., the responsibility for such
development falls largely to the U.S. Agency for International
Development, or USAID.
USAID was founded by the Kennedy administration in 1961. It became
the first U.S. foreign assistance organization whose primary emphasis
was on long term economic and social development efforts overseas.
During its first decade, it had more than 5,000 dedicated Foreign
Service Officers serving all over the world, often in the most
difficult of conditions. They helped build clinics in Nepal, provide
clean water in Honduras, and boost the agricultural and industrial
sectors of Pakistan.
Today, when the U.S. needs to show its leadership overseas more than
ever, USAID operates with just 1,000 Foreign Service Officers.
Many people on both sides of the aisle agree that USAID is no longer
equipped to do its job effectively. We simply are not meeting the
international development goals of the United States.
USAID has not received adequate funding, staffing, or political
support--and America's efforts abroad have suffered as a result.
It is time to make a change.
We should be sending bright, talented public servants to help improve
child and maternal health, treat those with AIDS, TB and malaria,
provide clean water and sanitation for the world's poor, help farmers
and women start or improve their business, and assist reformers and
civic leaders to build stronger democratic institutions.
Today, along with Senator Kerry and Senator Murray, I am introducing
the Increasing America's Global Development Capacity Act of 2008 to
take the first step toward putting the Agency for International
Development on firmer footing.
The bill would authorize USAID to hire an additional 700 Foreign
Service Officers. This would basically double the current number of
development officers available to work in targeted countries. This is
fundamental to rebuilding the agency's capacity.
Senator Leahy, Chair of the Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee, shares a commitment to rebuilding USAID. I am heartened
by the Subcommittee's recommended increase in funding for USAID's
operating expenses for fiscal year 2009. This was a priority for me in
the bill, and Chairman Leahy has been very supportive.
My bill also would establish a goal of hiring an additional 1,300
Foreign Service Officers by 2011.
After three years, USAID would have more than 3,000 of talented,
committed Americans serving in the world's most difficult locations
helping to improve the lives of others. It won't be the 5,000 experts
of the 1960s, but it will be a big improvement from today.
Foreign development assistance is as important a foreign policy tool
as diplomacy and defense. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is perhaps
the most persuasive advocate for rebuilding our civilian development
capacity. He argues that we need to engage in nonmilitary ways to
pursue global development goals.
The civilian instruments of national security--diplomacy, development
assistance, sharing expertise on civil society--are becoming more and
more
[[Page 22646]]
important. Secretary Gates argues that these tools are good for the
world's poor, our national security, and our country.
I agree.
Let us take one concrete step to rebuild that important civilian
capacity, which would help improve our ability to help the world's
poorest countries and people.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3643
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing America's Global
Development Capacity Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) foreign development assistance is an important foreign
policy tool in addition to diplomacy and defense;
(2) development assistance is part of any comprehensive
United States response to regional conflicts, terrorist
threats, weapons proliferation, disease pandemics, and
persistent widespread poverty;
(3) in 2002 and 2006, the United States National Security
Strategy includes global development, along with defense and
diplomacy, as the 3 pillars of national security;
(4) in its early years, the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) had more than 5,000 full-
time Foreign Service Officers;
(5) as of 2008, USAID has slightly more than 1,000 full-
time Foreign Service Officers;
(6) the budget at USAID, calculated in real dollars, has
dropped 27 percent since 1985;
(7) this decline in personnel and operating budgets has
diminished the capacity of USAID to provide development
assistance and implement foreign assistance programs; and
(8) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
recommended increasing the amount to be appropriated for
USAID operating expenses for fiscal year 2009 by $171,000,000
compared to the amount appropriated for such expenses for
fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 3. HIRING OF ADDITIONAL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS AS
USAID EMPLOYEES.
(a) Initial Hirings.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of USAID
shall use additional amounts appropriated to USAID for fiscal
year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 to increase by not
less than 700 the total number of full-time Foreign Service
Officers employed by USAID compared to the number of such
officers employed by USAID on the date of the enactment of
this Act. These officers shall be used to enhance the ability
of USAID to--
(1) carry out development activities around the world by
providing USAID with additional human resources and expertise
needed to meet important development and humanitarian needs
around the world;
(2) strengthen its institutional capacity as the lead
development agency of the United States; and
(3) more effectively help developing nations to become more
stable, healthy, democratic, prosperous, and self-sufficient.
(b) Subsequent Hirings.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2),
during the 2-year period beginning 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of USAID shall
increase by not less than 1,300 the total number of full-time
Foreign Service Officers over the number of such Officers at
the beginning of such 2-year period to carry out the
activities described in subsection (a), contingent upon
sufficient appropriations.
(2) Reprogramming.--If the Administrator of USAID
determines that USAID has competing needs that are more
urgent than the hirings described in paragraph (1), the
Administrator may use amounts available for such hirings for
such competing needs if the Administrator submits to the
Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report describing such competing needs.
______
By Mr. HATCH:
S. 3645. A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
participate in the Magna Water District water reuse and groundwater
recharge project, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation that would
assist the Magna Water District of Utah to implement a water reuse and
groundwater recharge project. The district faces perchlorate-
contaminated wells due to decades of rocket motor production at a
Department of Defense site operated by Hercules, ATK launch Systems. To
address this, the water district has developed a bio-destruction
process which combines wastewater and desalination brine stream to
destroy perchlorate. This technology gives DOD what it needs to broadly
address perchlorate issues at multiple sites in a way that is quicker
and cheaper than existing technologies and processes.
This bill, would authorize a 25 percent Federal match for the total
cost of this project. In truth, the district has already invested a
significant amount of its own funds and is now seeking funds from the
federal government on a matching basis. It is critically important for
Magna to maintain high quality drinking water for irrigation and
preserve the community's valuable water resources while finding a
beneficial use of treated domestic and industrial wastewater to destroy
a harmful plume of the contaminate perchlorate, that threatens the
water resources of this community.
We have but a few days left in this session of the 110th Congress but
I feel it important to introduce this bill and ask my colleagues to
please review it. I plan on reintroducing this bill early in the 111th
Congress and will work on ensuring its passage next year.
______
By Ms. LANDRIEU:
S. 3647. A bill to assist the State of Louisiana in flood protection
and coastal restoration projects, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Appropriations.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I hope I am not wearing out my welcome.
I know that I have spoken more today than the other Members. I was
proud this morning to have achieved a small--but I think significant--
victory, as I pressed for a rollcall vote which would have required the
Senate to come back tomorrow, but in acquiescing on that, I was able to
introduce a bipartisan piece of legislation with key Members, including
Senator Cochran, Senator Hutchison, Senator Conrad, Senator Lincoln,
and Senator Pryor on a piece of very important legislation for farmers
and for the agricultural community and rural communities throughout the
Nation.
Hopefully, by this piece of legislation being filed today and the
work that can go on over the next few days before the lights go out in
this Chamber and we all leave to go home for the election, something
could be done to help rural America because the big bailout package, no
matter how it is structured, will not really reach to the problem
quickly enough and the regulations have not been written for the bill
that is in place to help them. So between the bill that doesn't have
regulations written and the bailout package, which has nothing at this
moment for them, we are trying to stand in the gap and provide some
sort of bridge assistance for the farmland of America and the rural
areas and to give our farmers some hope until we can come back and
address their needs. I am pleased to have at least accomplished that
today. While I am speaking, Members of the House--both Republicans and
Democrats--are putting a bill together and circulating letters so that,
hopefully, we can accomplish something before we leave.
I did have an option to hold up the Defense authorization bill, as
the Presiding Officer knows. It was a bill that the Presiding Officer
and Senator Warner spoke about. It passed in record time--in less than
a minute, as I recall--because I was standing right here when it did. I
could have exerted my ability as a Senator to object but, not only out
of respect for the Presiding Officer as well as the Senator from
Virginia but also out of respect for the men and women who wear a
uniform, I did not think that it was an appropriate vehicle to use to
make my point. I am certain the people of my State would agree with
that, and so I did not. That does not mean I won't continue over the
course of the next several days to use other vehicles, other
opportunities to press this case.
Leaving that subject for a moment, I wish to spend a moment to again
talk about the need for coastal protection
[[Page 22647]]
and restoration in Louisiana. I have spoken about this topic hundreds
of times and will for the next 15 minutes do it once again.
Louisiana's coast is literally washing away. Even if we didn't have
Katrina or Rita--the major storms that affected us in 2005--and even if
Gustav and Ike had never happened, the devastation along Louisiana's
coast is substantial. It affects a little bit of the Mississippi coast
as well and a small portion of east Texas. I am sorry I do not have
Texas on this map. Southeast Texas is very much like southwest
Louisiana in topography. So what I am saying affects them as well. Of
course, southwest Mississippi, our neighbor to the east, the
southwestern part of Mississippi is protected by this great wetlands,
but it is basically the Mississippi delta area.
One hundred years ago, the Mississippi River delta consisted of 7,000
square miles of coastal marshes and swamps, making it one of the sixth
or seventh largest delta complexes in the world. The delta's growth
depended on periodic flooding of the Mississippi River that drains 41
percent of the continental United States, with the river sediments
gradually settling in the surrounding wetlands. So as the sediment came
down the Mississippi River, this is how this area was built. Of course,
it took thousands and thousands of years, but that process still exists
to this day. The Mississippi River and the sediment come down and
overflow this great delta.
Portions of the State I represent have grown up on this delta. This
is New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles right here,
the four major cities in Louisiana. I don't have to explain to people--
even people who have never been to New Orleans or to the cities I
mentioned--how important and rich this land is, not just for
agriculture and forestry but also for fisheries, both commercial and
sports fishermen, as well as the great cities that call this area home.
We have been trying to stay high and dry and out of the water for
over 300 years. If we don't act more urgently in this Congress, it will
be a losing battle.
Since the early 1900s, this national ecological jewel has lost 2,000
square miles of coastal wetlands, with the expectation of another 500
square miles by 2050. Again, these hurricanes seem to be happening more
frequently and with more ferocity in the way they rush to our shore.
Their increased velocity and frequency are wreaking havoc on many parts
of the coast from Florida to the east coast, but particularly the State
I represent.
The construction of flood control and navigation levees along the
Mississippi River, which we had to do for the commercial activities of
our Nation, had the side effect--the unfortunate side effect--of
blocking deposits of the Mississippi River sediment into the
surrounding wetlands. Without these sediments, the coastal system has
slowly subsided, turning these wetlands into open waters.
I read a letter an hour ago about a farmer, Wallace Ellender, whose
father was a Senator. As a young girl, I remember Senator Ellender. He
testified in committee that his farm that used to sit close to the
shore, they now had to swim 30 miles in open water to the island on
which he used to picnic as a child. This is the largest loss of lands.
If the enemy was taking this much land, we would literally declare war
and attack them. That is how great is the land loss. The enemy is
water, rising tides, more frequent storms, and climate change.
I am not here only to complain. I am here to offer a solution, the
solution we have passed by this Congress--which I commended Senator
Domenici for this morning because without him, it never, ever would
have happened--that we have decided as a State to take President Truman
up on his offer that he made to us in 1949 to use a portion of our
offshore oil and gas revenues that come to the Treasury, $10 billion a
year. The people of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi, from the
offshore oil and gas off our coasts, contribute to the Federal Treasury
billions and billions of dollars. Since the year I was born, 50-plus
years ago, we have sent over $117 billion to the Federal Treasury to
fund all sorts of programs--domestic and international, including
supporting the wars that have been waged on behalf of this country. We
have contributed the second largest portion outside individual income
tax.
With Senator Domenici's help and with my leadership, we led an effort
to take President Truman up on an offer that we were too foolish to
accept at the time and passed the Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico
Energy Security Act. I am proud to add my name on that bill which will
redirect 37.5 percent of these revenues to the coast to secure these
wetlands, to build these levees, to protect not just New Orleans but
Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, to protect the Ellender farm,
to restore the culture and protect the great Cajun culture of south
Louisiana--many of the people still speak French, as the original
settlers to this area--and to preserve the culture of our fishermen and
oystermen.
Mr. President, you can appreciate that because being from Michigan,
you have quite a diversity of constituents you represent. I don't know
Michigan, of course, as well as I know Louisiana. I am certain you have
pockets of immigrants who have come to Michigan who have proven
themselves to be outstanding citizens.
I met with a very strong, strapping man who came to Louisiana
probably when he was a child, I imagine as a young teenager. He is now
pushing 50 to 60. He met with me not too long ago over a small table in
Plaquemine, LA. He had his sleeves rolled up. His arms were quite
large. He is an oyster fisherman. He came from Croatia. He had no money
in his pocket when he arrived, but he and his sons have been oyster
fishermen down in this area for decades.
He looked at me and he said: Senator, I could not love a country more
than I love America. I came here as a penniless child, he said, and I
have been trying to make a living fishing in the oyster beds in
Louisiana. His son was sitting right next to him. He said: But Senator,
if we don't do something, all that we have done for these decades will
be lost.
I share that story. I am sure Senator Mikulski could tell a story
about her fishermen from Maryland, and I am certain Senator Carper
could relay a similar story from Delaware, and I am certain, Mr.
President, that you have similar stories from people who came here, not
born in America, but came here looking for a chance and in their quest
to find that chance have provided so much wealth, more than you can
imagine, for themselves and their families and for all of us, as well
as people who were born in south Louisiana, who were born here, or
working side by side with those who came, looking for a new life
decades ago to preserve this great place. If we do not step it up, if
we do not expedite this effort, their work will have been for nought.
A couple of years ago, we passed a bill that will give us revenue
sharing to try to build the levees. We went actually after the storm--I
was so devastated after Katrina thinking where could we find help,
where could we find a plan. I traveled to the Netherlands, to Europe,
to look at the systems they have. I brought 40 elected officials, both
Republicans and Democrats, with me, laymen and engineers, to say: If
the Netherlands, which is a small country that can fit inside the State
of Louisiana--this is our State. The Netherlands is so small it could
fit inside Louisiana. It is a powerful nation but a small one. It has
the same problems as we do. If their levees break, they will lose their
entire country. So they don't fool around with it as we do in America.
They actually build levees that hold. They have great engineering. We
have great engineers here, but we are not giving the support or tools
they need to do this job. So our land continues to wash away while the
Netherlands has managed to save itself.
I learned a very interesting thing over in the Netherlands when I
went, and it was shocking to me. Netherlands has no system of insurance
such as we do. We have flood insurance here. It is a bill we actually
could not pass in the last few years, but we technically have flood
insurance. We have commercial
[[Page 22648]]
insurance. In the Netherlands, they don't have insurance because their
levees are built to withstand a storm once every 10,000 years.
I hate to be the one to be the bearer of bad news, but our levees are
not even built to withstand storms once in 100 years. The levees the
Netherlands build protect their people once every 10,000 years, so they
virtually never break. That little picture everybody might remember, at
least those of my age and older, of that little boy with the finger in
the dike, that is not how it is. They have the most extraordinary
investments and infrastructure you can imagine. They have gates that
open and close. They have diversion systems. I literally have people in
their living rooms with buckets trying to keep the water out.
I had elected officials come to my office this week with pictures of
everything that their town owned dumped out on the street because the
water comes in. And somehow in America we have lost either the
interest, the will, or the ability to use the resources we have and the
brains that God gave us to figure this out.
Although countries have done it--and I am sure the Netherlands is not
the only country that has done it--I am here to tell you America is a
long way from getting this right.
I came to the floor to introduce a bill--it is not going to
completely solve this problem, but I will send it to the desk because
it is going to take more than one bill to do it. In the supplemental
bill we passed, the emergency disaster bill, there is a portion in that
bill--it is a $1.5 billion portion--that is directed to only one
project in south Louisiana. This bill I am going to lay down will
suggest that the $1.5 billion that is directed to one project be given
to the State in a way that our Governor, who is not a Democrat but a
Republican--so I am not doing this with party. He is Republican and I
am working with him--to give him and his team an opportunity to use
those funds to cover the billions of dollars of projects we have
underway.
We have billions of dollars of projects underway. We have $1.5
billion in the bill. So instead of directing it to one particular
project, I thought it might be worth discussing the wisdom and the
benefit of trying to give it to our State, allowing them to use it in a
way that will most quickly benefit the most people.
I want to show the levee structure. We have passed since 1986 eight
WRDA bills, water resources development bills. This is the way Congress
builds levees all over the country. The red represents Federal levees
in Louisiana, the green represents local levees, and then the yellow is
boundaries separating our parishes. We don't have counties, we have
parishes. Here is St. Bernard Parish. This parish, by the way, with
67,000 people, was completely obliterated in Katrina--completely. Out
of 67,000 people, there were 5--5--homes that were not completely
inundated up to the roof with water. That is St. Bernard Parish.
Then we have Orleans, and we saw what happened when the levees broke:
70 percent of the city went underwater. What you didn't see was
Plaquemine Parish went underwater. This levee helped. This is the only
levee in our entire State, Golden Meadow, even though it held in
Katrina--you are going to have a hard time believing this, but this
little levee held down here in Golden Meadow. But since Katrina, I
can't seem to get a dollar to lift it a little higher because the Corps
of Engineers, for some reason, doesn't think this is a big priority. It
held again in Ike, and it held again in Gustav. They keep telling me
there is something wrong, we can't build a levee this way. I said:
Since this levee held and yours broke, maybe Golden Meadow knows
something about building levees. Nevertheless, we don't have money to
help them strengthen that levee, although it has been through four
hurricanes now.
In the last WRDA bill, we authorized $6.9 billion of projects, which
is the good news, and some of that money will be spent here. By the
way, there will be billions of dollars spent around the country on
levees such as this. We are only one of 50 States. I most certainly
don't think we should get all the money in Louisiana, although we have
a lot of the water. The Mississippi River probably deserves a little
extra because of that, and we do because it is a water bill, it is not
a desert bill. If it were a desert bill, New Mexico would get a good
portion of that money. It is a water bill. We have a lot of water, so
we get a lot of money.
We have $6 billion. However, in the actual appropriations bill, we
only have $1.5 billion. So the best way I can think to take that $1.5
billion, instead of dedicating it to one project, is give it to the
Governor and let him, with his team and the legislature, Democrats and
Republicans, figure out how to lay that money down on south Louisiana
to save as much as we can while we wait and work for the revenue-
sharing piece I talked about earlier, the portion of the offshore oil
and gas revenues. We are now going to get 37 percent of those revenues,
which are moneys that come to the Federal Treasury that if Louisiana
weren't willing to produce oil and gas, the country would not have.
They might own the resources off our coast, off our 9-mile boundary,
but they couldn't access those revenues without the people of Louisiana
agreeing.
Remember, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama are the only
States that allow drilling off their coasts, and Alaska, which is not
in the lower 48, of course. So because we allow drilling, because we
generate $10 billion, we thought instead of coming here hat in hand
every year, let us direct some of that money to help us build these
levees and then in the meantime, we can get occasionally some money in
the water resources bill or in an appropriations bill to add to that so
we can start protecting our people. We may not get to 1 in every 10,000
years' storm, but we most certainly need to get past 1 out of every 100
years. We have to move not from a category 3 protection but to a
category 5 protection, and we have to do it quickly. So I send this
bill to the desk and hope we can consider it at the earliest
convenience.
I wish to also send to the desk some more detailed information about
what I have spoken about, and I will conclude this portion by saying
that this is an urgent matter. I don't know how many storms we have to
endure on the gulf coast, America's energy coast, before this Congress
realizes this is an economic disaster, it is an emotional drain on
people who continue to watch everything they own flood time and time
again.
If I thought I could relocate 2 million people to another part--even
if I could get them to go, which I couldn't because this is their
home--it would be too expensive. Who would stay and run the river? Who
would keep these channels open? Who would drill for the oil and gas? We
haven't figured out how to do this from unmanned aerial platforms yet.
People actually have to go out into this coastline and work hard every
day in agriculture, in oil and gas and in fisheries. This operation
cannot be run from Kansas City or from Little Rock, AR. It has to be
run on the coast. And everybody who lives on a coast, whether you live
in Florida or Texas or South Carolina or North Carolina or Georgia
understands what I am talking about. We can't relocate everyone to
Denver. We have to protect our coasts, and we are doing a terrible job
of it in this country. I am one of the Senators who represents the most
challenged area in the Nation. Louisiana is not the only . . . .
____________________
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 690--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA
Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Smith) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 690
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) irrespective of the origins of the recent conflict in
Georgia, the disproportionate
[[Page 22649]]
military response by the Russian Federation on the sovereign,
internationally recognized territory of Georgia, including
the South Ossetian Autonomous Region (referred to in this
resolution as ``South Ossetia'') and the Autonomous Republic
of Abkhazia (referred to in this resolution as ``Abkhazia''),
is in violation of international law and commitments of the
Russian Federation;
(2) the actions undertaken by the Government of the Russian
Federation in Georgia have diminished its standing in the
international community and should lead to a review of
existing, developing, and proposed multilateral and bilateral
arrangements;
(3) the United States recognizes significant interests in
common with the Russian Federation, including combating the
proliferation of nuclear weapons and fighting terrorism, and
these interests can, over time, serve as the basis for
improved long-term relations;
(4) the Government of the Russian Federation should
immediately comply with the September 8, 2008, follow-on
agreement to the 6-point cease-fire agreement negotiated on
August 12, 2008;
(5) the Government of the Russian Federation and the
Government of Georgia should--
(A) refrain from the future use of force to resolve the
status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; and
(B) work with the United States, Europe, and other
concerned countries and through the United Nations Security
Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, and other international fora to identify a political
settlement that addresses the short-term and long-term status
of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in accordance with prior
United Nations Security Council resolutions;
(6) the United States should--
(A) provide humanitarian and economic assistance to
Georgia;
(B) seek to improve commercial relations with Georgia; and
(C) working in tandem with the international community,
continue to support the development of a strong, vibrant,
multiparty democracy in Georgia;
(7) the President should consult with Congress on future
security cooperation and assistance to Georgia, as
appropriate;
(8) the United States continues to support the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization declaration reached at the
Bucharest Summit on April 3, 2008; and
(9) the United States should work with the European Union,
Georgia, and its neighbors to ensure the free flow of energy
to Europe and the operation of key communication and trade
routes.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 691--DESIGNATING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008, AS
``FEED AMERICA DAY''
Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Durbin, Mr.
Brown, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Casey) submitted the following resolution;
which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 691
Whereas Thanksgiving Day celebrates the spirit of selfless
giving and an appreciation for family and friends;
Whereas the spirit of Thanksgiving Day is a virtue upon
which the Nation was founded;
Whereas, according to the Department of Agriculture,
roughly 35,000,000 people in the United States, including
12,000,000 children, continue to live in households that do
not have an adequate supply of food; and
Whereas selfless sacrifice breeds a genuine spirit of
thanksgiving, both affirming and restoring fundamental
principles in our society: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates Thursday, November 20, 2008, as ``Feed
America Day''; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to sacrifice
2 meals on Feed America Day and to donate the money that they
would have spent on food to a religious or charitable
organization of their choice for the purpose of feeding the
hungry.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 692--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9 THROUGH
NOVEMBER 15, 2008, AS ``NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK'' TO EMPHASIZE
THE NEED TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
VETERANS TO THE COUNTRY
Mr. REID (for Mr. Biden (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dodd, Mr.
Dorgan, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Kerry, Mr.
Whitehouse, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Rockefeller, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Obama,
Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Bingaman, Mr.
Bunning, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Allard, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Tester,
Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Stevens)) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 692
Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the
Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their
lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past
century;
Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and
women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in
maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the
people of the United States;
Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has
resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and
families who have had any personal connection with the Armed
Forces;
Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces
has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young
people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of
those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the
current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the veterans service organizations;
Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces
makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation
understand the history of military action and the
contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such
actions; and
Whereas in each of the years 2000 through 2007 the Senate
has recognized the need to increase the understanding of the
contributions of veterans among school-aged children by
approving a resolution recognizing the week containing
Veterans Day as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'': Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of November 9 through November 15,
2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' for the purpose
of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and
secondary school students concerning the contributions and
sacrifices of veterans; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational
activities.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 693--RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2008 AS
``NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH''
Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Levin,
Mr. Brown, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Obama, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Casey, and Mr.
Bayh) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. Res. 693
Whereas between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 children and teens
are homeless in the United States each year, with many
staying on the streets or in emergency shelters;
Whereas families with children are the fastest growing
segment of the homeless population and now make up
approximately \1/3\ of that population;
Whereas many homeless youth experience isolation and trauma
while residing on the streets or in precarious housing
situations and may eventually develop depression, anxiety,
and post-traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas homeless youth are typically too poor to secure
basic needs and are unable to access adequate medical or
mental health care;
Whereas many youth become homeless due to a lack of
financial and housing resources as they exit juvenile
corrections and foster care;
Whereas 12 to 36 percent of foster youth experience
homelessness at least once after exiting foster care;
Whereas homeless youth are most often expelled from their
homes by their guardians after physical, sexual, or emotional
abuse or separated from their parents through death or
divorce without adequate resources; and
Whereas awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and
its causes must be heightened so that greater support for
effective programs involving businesses, families, law
enforcement agencies, schools, and community and faith-based
organizations, aimed at helping youth remain off the streets
becomes a national priority: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the values and efforts of businesses,
organizations, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs
of homeless children and teens;
(2) applauds the initiatives of businesses, organizations,
and volunteers that employ time and resources to build
awareness of the homeless youth problem, its causes, and
potential solutions, and work to prevent homelessness among
children and teens; and
(3) should recognize the month of November 2008 as
``National Homeless Youth Awareness Month'' and encourages
these businesses, organizations, and volunteers to continue
to intensify their efforts during the month of November.
[[Page 22650]]
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 694--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 19, 2008,
AS ``NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK''
Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Rockefeller,
Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Voinovich, Mr.
Biden, Mr. Cornyn, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 694
Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that
the young people of the United States become an involved,
caring citizenry with good character;
Whereas the character education of children has become more
urgent as violence by and against youth increasingly
threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the
people of the United States;
Whereas more than ever, children need strong and
constructive guidance from their families and their
communities, including schools, youth organizations,
religious institutions, and civic groups;
Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the
character of its individual citizens;
Whereas the public good is advanced when young people are
taught the importance of good character and the positive
effects that good character can have in personal
relationships, in school, and in the workplace;
Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not
automatically develop good character and that, therefore,
conscientious efforts must be made by institutions and
individuals that influence youth to help young people develop
the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good
character;
Whereas, although character development is, first and
foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of faith
communities, schools, and youth, civic, and human service
organizations also play an important role in fostering and
promoting good character;
Whereas Congress encourages students, teachers, parents,
youth, and community leaders to recognize the importance of
character education in preparing young people to play a role
in determining the future of the United States;
Whereas effective character education is based on core
ethical values, which form the foundation of democratic
society;
Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
Whereas elements of character transcend cultural,
religious, and socioeconomic differences;
Whereas the character and conduct of our youth reflect the
character and conduct of society, and, therefore, every adult
has the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and
every social institution has the responsibility to promote
the development of good character;
Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations,
especially those who have an interest in the education and
training of the young people of the United States, to adopt
the elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of
individuals, communities, and society;
Whereas many schools in the United States recognize the
need, and have taken steps, to integrate the values of their
communities into their teaching activities; and
Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts
Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth
organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and
other organizations focus on character education, is of great
benefit to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week beginning October 19, 2008, as
``National Character Counts Week''; and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States and
interested groups--
(A) to embrace the elements of character identified by
local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship;
and
(B) to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities.
____________________
AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED
SA 5674. Mr. REID (for Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr.
Bennett) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 5159, to
establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the
Office of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by the Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to provide for the
effective management and administration of the Capitol
Visitor Center, and for other purposes.
SA 5675. Ms. LANDRIEU (for Mr. Nelson, of Florida (for
himself and Mr. Inhofe) proposed an amendment to the
resolution S. Res. 660, condemning ongoing sales of arms to
belligerents in Sudan, including the Government of Sudan, and
calling for both a cessation of such sales and an expansion
of the United Nations embargo on arms sales to Sudan.
SA 5676. Mr. COBURN (for himself and Mr. DeMint) submitted
an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R.
2638, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland
Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table.
SA 5677. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to the bill H.R.
2095, to amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent
railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials
releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety
Administration, and for other purposes.
SA 5678. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed to amendment SA 5677 proposed by Mr. Reid to the
bill H.R. 2095, supra.
____________________
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 5674. Mr. REID (for Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr. Bennett))
proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 5159, to establish the Office of
the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the
Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to
provide for the effective management and administration of the Capitol
Visitor Center, and for other purposes; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Capitol
Visitor Center Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
Sec. 101. Designation of facility as Capitol Visitor Center; purposes
of facility; treatment of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Sec. 102. Designation and naming within the Capitol Visitor Center.
Sec. 103. Use of the Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center.
TITLE II--OFFICE OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
Sec. 201. Establishment.
Sec. 202. Appointment and supervision of Chief Executive Officer for
Visitor Services.
Sec. 203. General duties of Chief Executive Officer.
Sec. 204. Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer.
Sec. 205. Gift shop.
Sec. 206. Food service operations.
TITLE III--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER REVOLVING FUND
Sec. 301. Establishment and accounts.
Sec. 302. Deposits in the Fund.
Sec. 303. Use of monies.
Sec. 304. Administration of Fund.
TITLE IV--CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
Subtitle A--Capitol Guide Service
Sec. 401. Transfer of Capitol Guide Service.
Sec. 402. Duties of employees of Capitol Guide Service.
Subtitle B--Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
Sec. 411. Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.
Sec. 412. Transfer from Capitol Guide Service.
Subtitle C--Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments
Sec. 421. Transfer date.
Sec. 422. Technical and conforming amendments.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 501. Jurisdictions unaffected.
Sec. 502. Student loan repayment authority.
Sec. 503. Acceptance of volunteer services.
Sec. 504. Coins treated as gifts.
Sec. 505. Flexible work schedule pilot program.
TITLE VI--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 601. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE I--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF FACILITY AS CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER;
PURPOSES OF FACILITY; TREATMENT OF THE CAPITOL
VISITOR CENTER.
(a) Designation.--The facility authorized for construction
under the heading ``Capitol visitor center'' under chapter 5
of title II of division B of the Omnibus Consolidated and
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law
105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-569) is designated as the Capitol
Visitor Center and is a part of the Capitol.
(b) Purposes of the Facility.--The Capitol Visitor Center
shall be used--
(1) to provide enhanced security for persons working in or
visiting the United States Capitol;
(2) to improve the visitor experience by providing a
structure that will afford improved visitor orientation and
enhance the educational experience of those who have come to
learn about the Congress and the Capitol; and
[[Page 22651]]
(3) for other purposes as determined by Congress or the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Treatment of the Capitol Visitor Center.--
(1) Oversight.--The Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives shall have oversight of the
Capitol Visitor Center.
(2) Treatment of expansion space of the senate and house of
representatives in the capitol visitor center.--
(A) Senate.--The expansion space of the Senate described as
unassigned space under the heading ``Capitol Visitor Center''
under the heading ``ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL'' under title II
of the Act entitled ``An Act making appropriations for the
Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2002, and for other purposes'', approved November 12, 2001
(Public Law 107-68; 115 Stat. 588) shall be part of the
Senate wing of the Capitol.
(B) House of representatives.--The expansion space of the
House of Representatives described as unassigned space under
the heading ``Capitol Visitor Center'' under the heading
``ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL'' under title II of the Act
entitled ``An Act making appropriations for the Legislative
Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for
other purposes'', approved November 12, 2001 (Public Law 107-
68; 115 Stat. 588) shall be part of the House of
Representatives wing of the Capitol.
(d) Treatment of Congressional Auditorium and Related
Adjacent Areas.--
(1) In general.--The Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives shall jointly prescribe
regulations for the assignment of the space in the Capitol
Visitor Center known as the Congressional Auditorium and the
related adjacent areas.
(2) Related adjacent areas.--The regulations under
paragraph (1) shall include a designation of the areas that
are related adjacent areas to the Congressional Auditorium.
(e) Visitor Center Space in the Capitol.--Section 301 of
the National Visitor Center Facilities Act of 1968 (2 U.S.C.
2165) is repealed.
(f) Exhibits for Displays.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Loan agreements.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Architect of the Capitol may enter into loan agreements to
place historical objects for display in the Exhibition Hall
of the Capitol Visitor Center.
(B) Consultation and approval.--The Architect of the
Capitol may exercise the authority under subparagraph (A)
with respect to each loan agreement--
(i) after consultation with--
(I) the Senate Commission on Art; and
(II) the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board; and
(ii) subject to the approval of--
(I) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate; and
(II) the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
December 3, 2008.
(2) Exhibition prohibition.--Section 1815 of the Revised
Statutes (2 U.S.C. 2134) is amended by inserting
``Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center,'' after
``Rotunda,''.
(3) Exceptions to exhibition prohibition.--Section 1815 of
the Revised Statutes (2 U.S.C. 2134) shall not apply to any
historical object placed within an exhibit in the Exhibition
Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center that--
(A)(i) is directly related to the purpose of the Capitol
Visitor Center under subsection (b)(2);
(ii) is the subject of a loan agreement entered into by the
Architect of the Capitol before December 2, 2008; and
(iii) has been approved by the Capitol Preservation
Commission; or
(B) is the subject of a loan agreement described under
paragraph (1)(A).
(4) Substitution of historical object.--A loan agreement
described under paragraph (3)(A)(ii) may provide for the
removal of an historical object from exhibition for
preservation purposes and the substitution of that object
with another historical object having a comparable
educational purpose.
SEC. 102. DESIGNATION AND NAMING WITHIN THE CAPITOL VISITOR
CENTER.
(a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
no part of the Capitol Visitor Center may be designated or
named without the approval of--
(1) not less than \3/4\ of all members on the Capitol
Preservation Commission who are members of the Democratic
party; and
(2) not less than \3/4\ of all members on the Capitol
Preservation Commission who are members of the Republican
party.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any room
or space under the jurisdiction of the Senate or the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 103. USE OF THE EMANCIPATION HALL OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR
CENTER.
The Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center may not
be used for any event, except upon the passage of a
resolution agreed to by both houses of Congress authorizing
the use of the Emancipation Hall for that event.
TITLE II--OFFICE OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established within the Office of the Architect of
the Capitol the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center (in this
Act referred to as the ``Office''), to be headed by the Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services (in this Act referred
to as the ``Chief Executive Officer'').
SEC. 202. APPOINTMENT AND SUPERVISION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER FOR VISITOR SERVICES.
(a) Appointment.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be
appointed by the Architect of the Capitol.
(b) Supervision and Oversight.--The Chief Executive Officer
shall report directly to the Architect of the Capitol and
shall be subject to oversight by the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives.
(c) Removal.--Upon removal of the Chief Executive Officer,
the Architect of the Capitol shall immediately provide notice
of the removal to the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the
House of Representatives, and the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate.
The notice shall include the reasons for the removal.
(d) Compensation.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be
paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate of pay
of the Deputy Architect of the Capitol.
(e) Transition for Current Chief Executive Officer for
Visitor Services.--
(1) Appointment.--The individual who serves as the Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services under section 6701 of
the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007 (2 U.S.C.
1806) as of the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
the first Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services
appointed by the Architect under this section.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 6701 of
the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007 (2 U.S.C.
1806) is repealed.
SEC. 203. GENERAL DUTIES OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
(a) Administration of Facilities, Services, and
Activities.--
(1) In general.--Except to the extent otherwise provided in
this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible
for--
(A) the operation, management, and budget preparation and
execution of the Capitol Visitor Center, including all long
term planning and daily operational services and activities
provided within the Capitol Visitor Center; and
(B) in accordance with sections 401 and 402, the management
of guided tours of the interior of the United States Capitol.
(2) Independent budget consideration.--
(A) In general.--The Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, shall submit
the proposed budget for the Office for a fiscal year in the
proposed budget for that year for the Office of the Architect
of the Capitol (as submitted by the Architect of the Capitol
to the President). The proposed budget for the Office shall
be considered independently from the other components of the
proposed budget for the Architect of the Capitol.
(B) Exclusion of costs of general maintenance and repair of
visitor center.--In preparing the proposed budget for the
Office under subparagraph (A), the Chief Executive Officer
shall exclude costs attributable to the activities and
services described under section 501(b) (relating to
continuing jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol for
the care and superintendence of the Capitol Visitor Center).
(b) Personnel, Disbursements, and Contracts.--In carrying
out this Act, the Architect of the Capitol shall have the
authority to, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer--
(1) appoint, hire, and fix the compensation of such
personnel as may be necessary for operations of the Office,
except that no employee may be paid at an annual rate in
excess of the maximum rate payable for level 15 of the
General Schedule;
(2) disburse funds as may be necessary and available for
the needs of the Office (consistent with the requirements of
section 303 in the case of amounts in the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund); and
(3) designate an employee of the Office to serve as
contracting officer for the Office, subject to subsection
(c).
(c) Requiring Approval of Certain Contracts.--The Architect
of the Capitol may not enter into a contract for the
operations of the Capitol Visitor Center for which the amount
involved exceeds $250,000 without the prior approval of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Semiannual Reports.--The Chief Executive Officer shall
submit a report to the Committee on Rules and Administration
of
[[Page 22652]]
the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the
House of Representatives not later than 45 days following the
close of each semiannual period ending on March 31 or
September 30 of each year on the financial and operational
status during the period of each function under the
jurisdiction of the Chief Executive Officer. Each such report
shall include financial statements and a description or
explanation of current operations, the implementation of new
policies and procedures, and future plans for each function.
SEC. 204. ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
(a) In General.--The Architect of the Capitol shall--
(1) upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer,
appoint an assistant who shall perform the responsibilities
of the Chief Executive Officer during the absence or
disability of the Chief Executive Officer, or during a
vacancy in the position of the Chief Executive Officer; and
(2) notwithstanding section 203(b)(1), fix the rate of
basic pay for the position of the assistant appointed under
subparagraph (A) at a rate not to exceed the highest total
rate of pay for the Senior Executive Service under subchapter
VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, for the
locality involved.
(b) Transition for Current Assistant Chief Executive
Officer.--
(1) Appointment.--The individual who serves as the
assistant under section 1309 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C. 1807) as of the date of
the enactment of this Act shall be the first Assistant Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services appointed by the
Architect under this section.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 1309 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C.
1807) is repealed.
SEC. 205. GIFT SHOP.
(a) Establishment.--The Architect of the Capitol, acting
through the Chief Executive Officer, shall establish a
Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop within the Capitol Visitor
Center for the purpose of providing for the sale of gift
items. All moneys received from sales and other services by
the Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop shall be deposited in
the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund established under
section 301 and shall be available for purposes of this
section.
(b) Exception to Prohibition of Sale or Solicitation on
Capitol Grounds.--Section 5104(c) of title 40, United States
Code, shall not apply to any activity carried out under this
section.
SEC. 206. FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS.
(a) Restaurant, Catering, and Vending.--The Architect of
the Capitol, acting through the Chief Executive Officer,
shall establish within the Capitol Visitor Center a
restaurant and other food service facilities, including
catering services and vending machines.
(b) Contract for Food Service Operations.--
(1) In general.--The Architect of the Capitol, acting
through the Chief Executive Officer, may enter into a
contract for food service operations within the Capitol
Visitor Center.
(2) Existing contract unaffected.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed to affect any contract for food service
operations within the Capitol Visitor Center in effect on the
date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Deposits.--All net profits from the food service
operations within the Capitol Visitor Center and all
commissions received from the contractor for such food
service operations shall be deposited in the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund established under section 301.
(d) Exception to Prohibition of Sale or Solicitation on
Capitol Grounds.--Section 5104(c) of title 40, United States
Code, shall not apply to any activity carried out under this
section.
TITLE III--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER REVOLVING FUND
SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT AND ACCOUNTS.
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a
revolving fund to be known as the Capitol Visitor Center
Revolving Fund (in this section referred to as the ``Fund''),
consisting of the following individual accounts:
(1) The Gift Shop Account.
(2) The Miscellaneous Receipts Account.
SEC. 302. DEPOSITS IN THE FUND.
(a) Gift Shop Account.--There shall be deposited in the
Gift Shop Account all monies received from sales and other
services by the gift shop established under section 205,
together with any interest accrued on balances in the
Account.
(b) Miscellaneous Receipts Account.--There shall be
deposited in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account each of the
following (together with any interest accrued on balances in
the Account):
(1) Any amounts deposited under section 206(c).
(2) Any other receipts received from the operation of the
Capitol Visitor Center.
(3) Any amounts described under section 504(d).
SEC. 303. USE OF MONIES.
(a) Gift Shop Account.--
(1) In general.--All monies in the Gift Shop Account shall
be available without fiscal year limitation for disbursement
by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer, in connection with the operation of
the gift shop under section 205, including supplies,
inventories, equipment, and other expenses. In addition, such
monies may be used by the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, to reimburse
any applicable appropriations account for amounts used from
such appropriations account to pay the salaries of employees
of the gift shops.
(2) Use of remaining funds.--To the extent monies in the
Gift Shop Account are available after disbursements and
reimbursements are made under paragraph (1), the Architect of
the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, may disburse such monies for the operation of the
Capitol Visitor Center, after consultation with--
(A) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate.
(b) Miscellaneous Receipts Account.--All monies in the
Miscellaneous Receipts Account shall be available without
fiscal year limitation for disbursement by the Architect of
the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, for the operations of the Capitol Visitor Center,
after consultation with--
(1) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate.
SEC. 304. ADMINISTRATION OF FUND.
(a) Disbursements.--Disbursements from the Fund may be made
by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Investment Authority.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall invest any portion of the Fund that, as determined by
the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer, is not required to meet current
expenses. Each investment shall be made in an interest-
bearing obligation of the United States or an obligation
guaranteed both as to principal and interest by the United
States that, as determined by the Architect of the Capitol,
upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, has a
maturity date suitable for the purposes of the Fund. The
Secretary of the Treasury shall credit interest earned on the
obligations to the Fund.
(c) Audit.--The Fund shall be subject to audit by the
Comptroller General at the discretion of the Comptroller
General.
TITLE IV--CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
Subtitle A--Capitol Guide Service
SEC. 401. TRANSFER OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.
(a) Transfer of Authorities and Personnel to Office of the
Capitol Visitor Center.--In accordance with the provisions of
this title, effective on the transfer date--
(1) the Capitol Guide Service shall be an office within the
Office;
(2) the contracts, liabilities, records, property,
appropriations, and other assets and interests of the Capitol
Guide Service, established under section 441 of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 2166), and
the employees of the Capitol Guide Service, are transferred
to the Office, except that the transfer of any amounts
appropriated to the Capitol Guide Service that remain
available as of the transfer date shall occur only upon the
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate; and
(3) the Capitol Guide Service shall be subject to the
direction of the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, in accordance
with this subtitle.
(b) Treatment of Employees of Capitol Guide Service at Time
of Transfer.--
(1) In general.--Any individual who is an employee of the
Capitol Guide Service on a non-temporary basis on the
transfer date who is transferred to the Office under
subsection (a) shall be subject to the authority of the
Architect of the Capitol under section 402(b), except that
the individual's grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other
benefits that apply with respect to the individual at the
time of transfer shall not be reduced while such individual
remains continuously so employed in the same position within
the Office, other than for cause.
(2) Eligibility for immediate retirement on basis of
involuntary separation.--For purposes of section 8336(d) and
section 8414(b) of title 5, United States Code, an individual
described in paragraph (1) who is separated from service with
the Office shall be considered to have separated from the
service involuntarily if, at the time the individual is
separated from service--
(A) the individual has completed 25 years of service under
such title; or
(B) the individual has completed 20 years of service under
such title and is 50 years of age or older.
(c) Exception for Congressional Special Services Office.--
This section does not
[[Page 22653]]
apply with respect to any employees, contracts, liabilities,
records, property, appropriations, and other assets and
interests of the Congressional Special Services Office of the
Capitol Guide Service that are transferred to the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services under subtitle B.
SEC. 402. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.
(a) Provision of Guided Tours.--
(1) Tours.--In accordance with this section, the Capitol
Guide Service shall provide without charge guided tours of
the interior of the United States Capitol, including the
Capitol Visitor Center, for the education and enlightenment
of the general public.
(2) Acceptance of fees prohibited.--An employee of the
Capitol Guide Service shall not charge or accept any fee, or
accept any gratuity, for or on account of the official
services of that employee.
(3) Regulations of the architect of the capitol.--All such
tours shall be conducted in compliance with regulations
approved by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation
of the Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Authority of the Architect of the Capitol.--In
providing for the direction, supervision, and control of the
Capitol Guide Service, the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, is authorized
to--
(1) subject to the availability of appropriations,
establish and revise such number of positions of Guide in the
Capitol Guide Service as the Architect of the Capitol
considers necessary to carry out effectively the activities
of the Capitol Guide Service;
(2) appoint, on a permanent basis without regard to
political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to
perform their duties, a Chief Guide and such deputies as the
Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate for the
effective administration of the Capitol Guide Service and, in
addition, such number of Guides as may be authorized;
(3) with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives, with respect
to the individuals appointed under paragraph (2)--
(A) prescribe the individual's duties and responsibilities;
and
(B) fix, and adjust from time to time, respective rates of
pay at single per annum (gross) rates;
(4) with respect to the individuals appointed under
paragraph (2), take appropriate disciplinary action,
including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty
without pay, reduction in pay, demotion, or termination of
employment with the Capitol Guide Service, against any
employee who violates any provision of this section or any
regulation prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol under
paragraph (8);
(5) prescribe a uniform dress, including appropriate
insignia, which shall be worn by personnel of the Capitol
Guide Service;
(6) from time to time and as may be necessary, procure and
furnish such uniforms to such personnel without charge to
such personnel;
(7) receive and consider advice and information from any
private historical or educational organization, association,
or society with respect to those operations of the Capitol
Guide Service which involve the furnishing of historical and
educational information to the general public; and
(8) with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives, prescribe
such regulations as the Architect of the Capitol considers
necessary and appropriate for the operation of the Capitol
Guide Service, including regulations with respect to tour
routes and hours of operation, number of visitors per guide,
staff-led tours, and non-law enforcement security and special
event related support.
(c) Provision of Accessible Tours in Coordination With
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.--The Chief
Executive Officer shall coordinate the provision of
accessible tours for individuals with disabilities with the
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services established
under subtitle B.
(d) Detail of Personnel.--The Architect of the Capitol
shall detail personnel of the Capitol Guide Service based on
a request from the Capitol Police Board to assist the United
States Capitol Police by providing ushering and informational
services, and other services not directly involving law
enforcement, in connection with--
(1) the inauguration of the President and Vice President of
the United States;
(2) the official reception of representatives of foreign
nations and other persons by the Senate or House of
Representatives; or
(3) other special or ceremonial occasions in the United
States Capitol or on the United States Capitol Grounds that--
(A) require the presence of additional Government
personnel; and
(B) cause the temporary suspension of the performance of
regular duties.
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the
transfer date.
Subtitle B--Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
SEC. 411. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Section 310 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) is amended to read
as follows:
``SEC. 310. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES.
``(a) Establishment of Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
legislative branch the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services, to be headed by the Director of Accessibility
Services.
``(2) Congressional accessibility services board.--
``(A) Establishment.--There is established the
Congressional Accessibility Services Board, which shall be
composed of--
``(i) the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;
``(ii) the Secretary of the Senate;
``(iii) the Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives;
``(iv) the Clerk of the House of Representatives; and
``(v) the Architect of the Capitol.
``(B) Direction of board.--The Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services shall be subject to the direction of
the Congressional Accessibility Services Board.
``(3) Mission and functions.--
``(A) In general.--The Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services shall--
``(i) provide and coordinate accessibility services for
individuals with disabilities, including Members of Congress,
officers and employees of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, and visitors, in the United States Capitol
Complex; and
``(ii) provide information regarding accessibility for
individuals with disabilities, as well as related training
and staff development, to Members of Congress and employees
of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
``(B) United states capitol complex defined.--In this
paragraph, the term `United States Capitol Complex' means the
Capitol buildings (as defined in section 5101 of title 40,
United States Code) and the United States Capitol Grounds (as
described in section 5102 of such title).
``(b) Director of Accessibility Services.--
``(1) Appointment, pay, and removal.--
``(A) Appointment and pay.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall be appointed by the Congressional
Accessibility Services Board and shall be paid at a rate of
pay determined by the Congressional Accessibility Services
Board.
``(B) Removal.--Upon removal of the Director of
Accessibility Services, the Congressional Accessibility
Services Board shall immediately provide notice of the
removal to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and Senate. The notice shall include
the reasons for the removal.
``(2) Personnel and other administrative functions.--
``(A) Personnel, disbursements, and contracts.--In carrying
out the functions of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services under subsection (a), the Director of
Accessibility Services shall have the authority to--
``(i) appoint, hire, and fix the compensation of such
personnel as may be necessary for operations of the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services, except that no employee
may be paid at an annual rate in excess of the annual rate of
pay for the Director of Accessibility Services;
``(ii) take appropriate disciplinary action, including,
when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay,
reduction in pay, demotion, or termination of employment with
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, against
any employee;
``(iii) disburse funds as may be necessary and available
for the needs of the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services; and
``(iv) serve as contracting officer for the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services.
``(B) Agreements with the office of the architect of the
capitol, with other legislative branch agencies, and with
offices of the senate and house of representatives.--Subject
to the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives, the Director of Accessibility
Services may place orders and enter into agreements with the
Office of the Architect of the Capitol, with other
legislative branch agencies, and with any office or other
entity of the Senate or House of Representatives for
procuring goods and providing financial and administrative
services on behalf of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services, or to otherwise assist the Director
in the administration and management of the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services.
``(3) Semiannual reports.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall submit a report to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives not later than
45 days following the close of each semiannual period ending
on March 31 or September 30 of each year on
[[Page 22654]]
the financial and operational status during the period of
each function under the jurisdiction of the Director. Each
such report shall include financial statements and a
description or explanation of current operations, the
implementation of new policies and procedures, and future
plans for each function.''.
(b) Specific Functions.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall submit to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives a list of the
specific functions that the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services will perform in carrying out this
subtitle with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives. The Director
of Accessibility Services shall submit the list not later
than 30 days after the transfer date.
(c) Transition for Current Director.--The individual who
serves as the head of the Congressional Special Services
Office as of the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
the first Director of Accessibility Services appointed by the
Congressional Accessibility Services Board under section 310
of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C.
130e) (as amended by this section).
SEC. 412. TRANSFER FROM CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.
(a) Transfer of Authorities and Personnel of Congressional
Special Services Office of Capitol Guide Service.--In
accordance with the provisions of this title, effective on
the transfer date--
(1) the contracts, liabilities, records, property,
appropriations, and other assets and interests of the
Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide
Service, and the employees of such Office, are transferred to
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
established under section 310(a) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended by
section 411 of this Act), except that the transfer of any
amounts appropriated to the Congressional Special Services
Office that remain available as of the transfer date shall
occur only upon the approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate;
and
(2) the employees of such Office shall be subject to the
direction, supervision, and control of the Director of
Accessibility Services.
(b) Treatment of Employees at Time of Transfer.--
(1) In general.--Any individual who is an employee of the
Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide
Service on a non-temporary basis on the transfer date who is
transferred under subsection (a) shall be subject to the
authority of the Director of Accessibility Services under
section 310(b) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended by section 411 of this Act),
except that the individual's grade, compensation, rate of
leave, or other benefits that apply with respect to the
individual at the time of transfer shall not be reduced while
such individual remains continuously so employed in the same
position within the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services established under section 310(a) of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended
by section 411 of this Act), other than for cause.
(2) Eligibility for immediate retirement on basis of
involuntary separation.--For purposes of section 8336(d) and
section 8414(b) of title 5, United States Code, an individual
described in paragraph (1) who is separated from service with
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services shall be
considered to have separated from the service involuntarily
if, at the time the individual is separated from service--
(A) the individual has completed 25 years of service under
such title; or
(B) the individual has completed 20 years of service under
such title and is 50 years of age or older.
(3) Prohibiting imposition of probationary period.--The
Director of Accessibility Services may not impose a period of
probation with respect to the transfer of any individual who
is transferred to the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services under subsection (a).
Subtitle C--Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments
SEC. 421. TRANSFER DATE.
In this title, the term ``transfer date'' means the date
occurring on the first day of the first pay period
(applicable to employees transferred under section 401)
occurring on or after 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 422. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Existing Authority of Capitol Guide Service.--Section
441 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C.
2166) is repealed.
(b) Coverage Under Congressional Accountability Act of
1995.--
(1) Treatment of employees as covered employees.--Section
101(3)(C) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2
U.S.C. 1301(3)(C)) is amended to read as follows:
``(C) the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services;''.
(2) Treatment of office as employing office.--Section
101(9)(D) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1301(9)(D)) is amended by
striking ``the Capitol Guide Board,'' and inserting ``the
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services,''.
(3) Rights and protections relating to public services and
accommodations.--Section 210(a)(4) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
1331(a)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
``(4) the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services;''.
(4) Periodic inspections for occupational safety and health
compliance.--Section 215(e)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
1341(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``the Capitol Guide
Service,'' and inserting ``the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services,''.
(c) Treatment as Congressional Employees for Retirement
Purposes.--Section 2107(9) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(9) an employee of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on the transfer date.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 501. JURISDICTIONS UNAFFECTED.
(a) Security Jurisdiction Unaffected.--Nothing in this Act
granting any authority to the Architect of the Capitol or
Chief Executive Officer shall be construed to affect the
exclusive jurisdiction of the Capitol Police, the Capitol
Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the
Senate, and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives to provide security for the Capitol,
including the Capitol Visitor Center.
(b) Architect of the Capitol Jurisdiction Unaffected.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act granting any authority
to the Chief Executive Officer shall be construed to affect
the exclusive jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol
for the care and superintendence of the Capitol Visitor
Center. All maintenance services, groundskeeping services,
improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs for the
Capitol Visitor Center shall be made under the direction and
supervision of the Architect, subject to the approval of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
House Office Building Commission as to matters of general
policy.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 1305 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C.
1825) is repealed.
SEC. 502. STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AUTHORITY.
Section 5379(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``, the Architect of the Capitol, the
Botanic Garden, and the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services'' after ``title''.
SEC. 503. ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.
Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States
Code, the Architect of the Capitol, upon the recommendation
of the Chief Executive Officer, may accept and use voluntary
and uncompensated services for the Capitol Visitor Center as
the Architect of the Capitol determines necessary. No person
shall be permitted to donate personal services under this
section unless such person has first agreed, in writing, to
waive any and all claims against the United States arising
out of or connection with such services, other than a claim
under the provisions of chapter 81 of title 5, United States
Code. No person donating personal services under this section
shall be considered an employee of the United States for any
purpose other than for purposes of chapter 81 of such title.
In no case shall the acceptance of personal services under
this subsection result in the reduction of pay or
displacement of any employee of the Office of the Architect
of the Capitol.
SEC. 504. COINS TREATED AS GIFTS.
(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered
grounds'' means--
(1) the grounds described under section 5102 of title 40,
United States Code;
(2) the Capitol Buildings defined under section 5101 of
title 40, United States Code, including the Capitol Visitor
Center; and
(3) the Library of Congress buildings and grounds described
under section 11 of the Act entitled ``An Act relating to the
policing of the buildings and grounds of the Library of
Congress'', approved August 4, 1950 (2 U.S.C. 167j).
(b) Treatment of Coins.--In the case of any coins in any
fountains on covered grounds--
(1) such coins shall be treated as gifts to the United
States; and
(2) the Architect of the Capitol shall--
(A) collect such coins at such times and in such manner as
the Architect determines appropriate; and
(B) except as provided under subsection (c), deposit the
collected coins in accordance with subsection (d).
(c) Cost Reimbursement.--Any amount collected under this
section shall first be used to reimburse the Architect of the
Capitol for any costs incurred in the collection and
processing of the coins. The amount of any such reimbursement
is appropriated to the account from which such costs were
paid and may be used for any authorized purpose of that
account.
(d) Deposit of Coins.--The Architect of the Capitol shall
deposit coins collected
[[Page 22655]]
under this section in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account of
the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund established under
section 301.
(e) Authorized Use and Availability.--Amounts deposited in
the Miscellaneous Receipts Account of the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund under this section shall be available
as provided under section 303(b).
SEC. 505. FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1302 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C. 1831 note; 121 Stat. 2242)
is amended in the third sentence by striking ``September 30,
2008'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made under subsection
(a) shall take effect as though enacted as part of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-
161; 121 Stat. 2218 et seq.).
TITLE VI--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
______
SA 5675. Ms. LANDRIEU (for Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself and Mr.
Inhofe)) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 660,
condemning ongoing sales of arms to belligerents in Sudan, including
the Government of Sudan, and calling for both a cessation of such sales
and an expansion of the United Nations embargo on arms sales to Sudan;
as follows:
Strike paragraphs (3) through (5) of the resolving clause
and insert the following:
(3) in light of the well-documented existence of arms in
Darfur that were transferred from China and Russia and the
insistence of the Government of Sudan that it will not abide
by the embargo, all United Nations member states should
immediately cease all arms sales to the Government of Sudan;
and
(4) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations should use the voice and vote of the United
States in the United Nations Security Council to seek an
appropriate expansion of the arms embargo imposed by Security
Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591.
______
SA 5676. Mr. COBURN (for himself and Mr. DeMint) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2638, making
appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Strike section 8006.
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
Sec. __. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by
this Act may be available for any Congressionally directed
spending item including projects listed in the tables titled
``Explanation of Project Level Adjustments'' in the
explanatory statement described in section 4: Provided, That
the amount made available for all corresponding programs,
projects, and activities in such tables is rescinded, and the
corresponding amounts be returned to the Treasury for debt
reduction.
______
SA 5677. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2095, to
amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, and
hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety
Administration, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end, insert the following:
The provisions of this Act shall become effective in 2 days
after enactment.
______
SA 5678. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 5677 proposed by Mr. Reid to the bill H.R. 2095, to amend
title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries,
and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad
Safety Administration, and for other purposes; as follows:
In the amendment, strike ``2'' and insert ``1.''
____________________
NOTICE OF INTENT TO OBJECT TO PROCEEDING
Mr. FEINGOLD, pursuant to the provisions of section 512 of Public Law
110-181, submitted his notice of intent to object to proceed to
consider the resolution (S. Res. 626) expressing the sense of the
Senate that the Supreme Court of the United States erroneously decided
Kennedy v. Louisiana, No. 07-343 (2008), and that the eighth amendment
to the Constitution of the United States allows the imposition of the
death penalty for the rape of a child, dated July 25, 2008, for the
following reasons:
It would be inappropriate for the U.S. Senate to express a view on
this case at this time and in this manner, as the United States Supreme
Court has asked the parties in this case and the Solicitor General of
the United States to submit supplemental briefs in response to a
Petition for Rehearing. The Senate should not intervene in this ongoing
legal proceeding. Senators are free to express their opinions on how
the Supreme Court should rule on the Petition through amicus briefs if
they wish.
____________________
PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Pete Evans,
a fellow in the office of Senator Domenici, and Peggy Mallow, a member
of his staff, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of the day.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
VETERANS' BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate
a message from the House of Representatives with respect to S. 3023.
The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message
from the House of Representatives:
S. 3023
Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 3023) entitled
``An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve
and enhance compensation and pension, housing, labor and
education, and insurance benefits for veterans, and for other
purposes'', do pass with an amendment.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
concur in the amendment of the House to the Senate bill and the motion
to reconsider be laid upon the table; further, that any statements be
printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate is acting on
S. 3023, as amended, the proposed Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of
2008, as passed by the House of Representatives earlier this week. The
bill, as it comes before the Senate, is a compromise agreement
developed with our counterparts on the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. I thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer of the House
committee for their cooperation on this legislation. I also thank my
good friend, the committee's ranking member, Senator Burr, for his
cooperation as we have developed this bill.
This omnibus veterans' benefits bill will provide much needed support
to our Nation's veterans. It contains provisions that are designed to
enhance compensation, claims processing, housing, labor and education
and insurance benefits for veterans. A full explanation of the Senate
and House negotiated agreement can be found in the Joint Explanatory
Statement, which I will ask appear in the Record at the conclusion of
my remarks.
I will highlight a few of the provisions that I have sponsored in the
legislation that is before us today.
This legislation would result in improved notices being sent to
veterans concerning their claims for VA benefits. Following a number of
decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, VA's notification letters to
veterans about the status of their claims have become increasingly
long, complex, and difficult to understand. These notification letters
must be simplified, as veterans, VA, veterans' advocates, and outside
review bodies have all recommended. The notices should focus on the
specific type of claim presented. They should use plain and ordinary
language rather than bureaucratic jargon. Veterans should not be
subjected to confusing information as they seek benefits.
To further improve the VA compensation system, this legislation would
end the prohibition on judicial review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit of matters concerning the VA rating schedule. VA
issues regulations which are used to assign ratings to veterans for
particular
[[Page 22656]]
disabilities. Under current law, actions concerning the rating schedule
are not subject to judicial review unless a constitutional challenge is
presented. This legislation would amend the law to treat actions
concerning the rating schedule in the same manner as all other actions
concerning VA regulations.
I expect VA to comply with all laws passed by Congress in developing
and revising the rating schedule. However, justice to our Nation's
veterans requires that actions concerning the rating schedule be
subject to the same judicial scrutiny as is available for the review of
actions involving other regulations.
VA's Home Loan Guaranty Program may exempt homeowners from having to
make a downpayment or secure private mortgage insurance, depending on
the size of the loan and the amount of the VA guaranty.
Public Law 108-454 increased VA's maximum guaranty amount to 25
percent of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit determined under
section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act for
a single-family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, Public Law 110-185, temporarily
reset the maximum limits on home loans that the Federal Housing
Administration may insure and that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may
purchase on the secondary market to 125 percent of metropolitan-area
median home prices but did so without reference to the VA home loan
program. This had the effect of raising the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac,
and FHA limits to nearly $730,000, in the highest cost areas, while
leaving the then-VA limit of $417,000 in place. On July 30, 2008, the
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was signed into law as Public
Law 110-289. That law provided a temporary increase in the maximum
guaranty amount for VA loans originated from July 30, 2008 through
December 31, 2008, to the same level as provided in the stimulus act.
The compromise agreement would extend the temporary increase in the
maximum guaranty amount until December 31, 2011. This would enable more
veterans to utilize their VA benefit to purchase more costly homes.
The compromise agreement would also increase the maximum guaranty
limit for refinance loans and increase the percentage of an existing
loan that VA will refinance under the VA home loan program.
Under current law, the maximum VA home loan guaranty limit for most
loans in excess of $144,000 is equal to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac
conforming loan limit for a single-family home. Public Law 110-289 set
this value at approximately $182,437 through the end of 2008. This
means lenders offering loans of up to $729,750 will receive up to a 25-
percent guaranty, which is typically required to place the loan on the
secondary market. Under current law, this does not include regular
refinance loans.
Current law limits to $36,000 the guaranty that can be used for a
regular refinance loan. This restriction means VA will not guarantee a
regular refinance loan over $144,000, essentially precluding a veteran
from using the VA program to refinance his or her existing FHA or
conventional loan in excess of that amount.
VA is also currently precluded from refinancing a loan if the
homeowner does not have at least 10 percent equity in his or her home.
The compromise agreement would remove the equity requirement for
refinancing from an FHA loan or conventional loan to a VA-guaranteed
loan. This would allow more veterans to use their VA benefit to
refinance their mortgages. Many veterans do not have 10 percent equity
and thus are precluded from refinancing with a VA-guaranteed home loan.
Given the anticipated number of non-VA-guaranteed adjustable rate
mortgages that are approaching the reset time when payments are likely
to increase, the committee believes that it is prudent to facilitate
veterans refinancing to VA-guaranteed loans. In light of today's
housing and home loan crises, additional refinancing options will help
some veterans bridge financial gaps and allow them to stay in their
homes and escape possible foreclosures. These provisions would allow
more qualified veterans to refinance their home loans under the VA
program.
This omnibus benefits bill would also make crucial updates to the
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which
protects service members' rights to return to their prior jobs with the
same wages and benefits. The provisions in the committee bill are
derived from S. 2471, the proposed USERRA Enforcement Improvement Act
of 2007, which Senator Kennedy and I introduced on December 13, 2007.
This legislation would ensure that Federal agencies assist service
members in a more effective manner by requiring the Department of Labor
to investigate and refer cases in a more timely manner and by requiring
reports from the Department of Labor on their compliance with the
deadlines.
The omnibus benefits bill includes a provision derived from S. 3000,
the proposed Native American Veterans Access Act of 2008, which I
introduced on May 8, 2008. This provision is intended improve VA's
ability to understand and respond to the needs of Native American
veterans. While Native Americans are more likely to serve in uniform
than the general population, many of them find cultural and
geographical barriers between themselves and the benefits they earned
through service. In addition, those returning to traditional homelands,
especially reservation communities, frequently come home to dismal job
opportunities and starved economies. The proposed bill would require a
study to help us understand the employment needs of Native American
veterans and how best to address them.
The compromise agreement also includes provisions derived from
legislation I introduced on April 25, 2007, S. 1215, which would update
the Special Unemployment Study required to be submitted by the
Secretary of Labor to the Congress by mandating that it cover veterans
of Post 9/11 global operations. It would also require the report to be
submitted on an annual, rather than a biennial, basis. By updating this
report, Congress will have more data available on more recent groups of
veterans--those who served and are serving in the Post-9/11 global
operations. This will help with assessments of the needs of current
veterans entering the work force and develop appropriate responses.
Before I close, I recognize and thank the individuals involved in
putting together this comprehensive measure. Specifically, I thank
Kimberly Ross, Brian Lawrence, Juan Lara, and Mike Brinck from the
House committee and Amanda Meredith, Mindi Walker, and Kevin Tewes from
the minority staff on the Senate Committee. I also thank the majority
staff who assisted me in developing the compromise agreement and all
the legislation that led up to it. Patrick McGreevy, Mary Ellen
McCarthy, Ted Pusey, Babette Polzer, and Dahlia Melendrez have worked
throughout the 110th Congress on many of the provisions included in
this legislation, and I am pleased that our collective efforts have led
to this compromise agreement becoming a reality.
I urge our colleagues to support this important legislation that
would benefit many of this Nation's nearly 24 million veterans and
their families.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have the Joint Explanatory
Statement, which was developed with our colleagues in the House,
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Joint Explanatory Statement on Amendment to Senate Bill, S.
3023, as Amended
S. 3023, as amended, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act
of 2008, reflects a Compromise Agreement reached by the House
and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs (the Committees)
on the following bills reported during the 110th Congress:
H.R. 674; H.R. 3681, as amended; H.R. 3889, as amended; H.R.
4255, as amended; H.R. 5664, as amended; H.R. 5892, as
amended; H.R. 6221, as amended; H.R. 6225, as amended, and
H.R. 6832 (House Bills); S. 1315, as amended; and S. 3023, as
amended (Senate Bills).
H.R. 674 passed the House on July 31, 2008; H.R. 3681, as
amended, passed the House on
[[Page 22657]]
May 20, 2008; H.R. 3889, as amended, passed the House on May
20, 2008; H.R. 4255, as amended, passed the House on July 31,
2008; H.R. 5664, as amended, passed the House on May 20,
2008; H.R. 5892, as amended, passed the House on July 30,
2008; H.R. 6221, as amended, passed the House on July 31,
2008; H.R. 6225, as amended, passed the House on July 31,
2008; H.R. 6832 passed the House on September 11, 2008; S.
1315, as amended, passed the Senate on April 24, 2008, and
passed the House, as amended, on September 22, 2008; and S.
3023, as amended, passed the Senate on September 16, 2008.
The Committees have prepared the following explanation of
S. 3023, as further amended, to reflect a Compromise
Agreement between the Committees. Differences between the
provisions contained in the Compromise Agreement and the
related provisions of the House Bills and the Senate Bills
are noted in this document, except for clerical corrections,
conforming changes made necessary by the Compromise
Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, and clarifying
changes.
Title I--Compensation and Pension Matters
REGULATIONS ON CONTENTS OF NOTICE TO BE PROVIDED CLAIMANTS BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGARDING THE SUBSTANTIATION OF CLAIMS
Current Law
Under current law, the Secretary has general authority to
issue regulations.
Senate Bill
Section 101 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend subsection
(a) of section 5103 of title 38, United States Code, to add a
new paragraph that would require the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to promulgate regulations specifying the content
of notices required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act
(VCAA). The regulations required by S. 3023 would provide
that the notice specify for each type of claim for benefits
the general information and evidence required to substantiate
the claim. The regulations would specify different content of
the notices depending on the type of claim concerned, whether
it be an original claim, a claim for reopening, or a claim
for increase in benefits. The Senate bill would provide
authority for additional or alternative content for notice if
appropriate to the particular benefit or services sought
under the claim. The regulations would also be required to
include in the notice the time period within which such
information and evidence must be submitted. The provision
would be applicable only to notices which would be sent on or
after the date the regulations are effective.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 101 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language.
The Committees note that the notice required by section
5103 applies to all types of applications for benefits and
services. While the Committees recognize that veterans
seeking service-connected compensation are most likely to
receive VCAA notices, the Compromise Agreement specifically
provides that the notice shall provide that the content of
notices be appropriate to the type of benefits or services
sought. The Committees intend that the Compromise Agreement
would require a notice involving a pension claim to have
different content than a notice concerning a clothing
allowance or a claim for specially adapted housing.
The Committees emphasize that VCAA notices are required
only in cases in which additional information or evidence is
needed to substantiate the claim. If the information and
evidence needed to substantiate the claim is submitted with
the application or contained in the claims file, no VCAA
notice is required. For example, claims for education, health
care, housing, vocational rehabilitation, and burial benefits
might contain sufficient information and evidence to
substantiate the claim without the necessity of a VCAA
notice.
In other respects, the Committees agree that Senate Report
110-148 contains a full explanation of the provision
contained in the Compromise Agreement.
JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADOPTION AND REVISION BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS OF THE SCHEDULE OF RATINGS FOR DISABILITIES OF VETERANS
Current Law
Under current law, section 502 of title 38, judicial review
of actions involving VA's rating schedule for disabilities is
prohibited.
Senate Bill
Section 102 of S. 3023, as amended, would authorize the
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to
review VA actions relating to the adoption or revision of the
VA disability rating schedule in the same manner as other
comparable actions of the Secretary are reviewed.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 102 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
CONFORMING AMENDMENT RELATING TO NON-DEDUCTIBILITY FROM VETERANS'
DISABILITY COMPENSATION OF DISABILITY SEVERANCE PAY FOR DISABILITIES
INCURRED BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN COMBAT ZONES
Current Law
Section 1212 of title 10 stipulates the amount of severance
pay available to members of the Armed Forces who separate due
to a disability incurred in the line of duty. Section 1646 of
the Wounded Warrior Act, title XVI of Public Law 110-181,
amended section 1212 to adjust the computation of the amount
of such severance pay and to eliminate the requirement that
severance pay received by servicemembers for a disability
incurred in a combat zone be deducted from VA compensation.
Section 1161 of title 38 stipulates that the deduction of
disability severance pay from disability compensation shall
be made at a monthly rate not in excess of the rate of
compensation to which the individual would be entitled based
on the individual's disability rating. Section 1161 makes
reference to subsection 1212(c) of title 10. However, Public
Law 110-181 did not include a conforming amendment to keep
section 1161 consistent with the changes made to section
1212.
Senate Bill
Section 104 of S. 3023, as amended, would make a conforming
amendment, so that section 1161 of title 38 will be
consistent with section 1212 of title 10. The amendment would
take effect on January 28, 2008, as if it had been included
in the Wounded Warrior Act. As a result, the amended section
1161 of title 38 would reflect the change to section 1212 of
title 10 eliminating the requirement that severance pay for a
disability incurred in a combat zone be deducted from
disability compensation from VA.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 103 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
REPORT ON PROGRESS OF THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN ADDRESSING
CAUSES FOR VARIANCES IN COMPENSATION PAYMENTS FOR VETERANS FOR SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
Senate Bill
Section 105 of S. 3023, as amended, would require VA to
submit a report to Congress describing the Department's
progress in addressing the causes for any unacceptable
variances in compensation payments to veterans.
Section 105 would require VA to submit a report to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House
of Representatives describing the Department's progress in
addressing the causes of unacceptable variances in
compensation payments to veterans for service-connected
disabilities. The report would be due to the Committees not
later than one year after the date of enactment of this
section.
Section 105 would require the report to include three
specific elements: (1) a description of the Veterans Benefits
Administration's efforts to coordinate with the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) to improve the quality of
disability examinations performed by VHA and contract
clinicians, including the use of standardized templates; (2)
an assessment of the current personnel requirements at each
regional office for each type of claims adjudication
position; and (3) a description of the differences, if any,
in current patterns of submittal rates for claims from
various segments of the veterans population, including
veterans from rural and highly rural areas, minority
veterans, veterans who served in the National Guard or
Reserve, and military retirees.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 104 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language. The Committees acknowledge that it is
unreasonable to expect states to have exactly the same
average compensation or percentage of veterans receiving
compensation. In determining whether differences are
unacceptable, the Committees expect that the Secretary would
identify those that do not result from such basis demographic
discrepancies.
EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS
Current Law
Public Law 104-275, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act
of 1996, authorized VA to carry out a pilot program of
contract disability examinations at ten VA regional offices
using amounts available for payment of compensation and
pensions. Public Law 108-183, the Veterans Benefits Act of
2003, provided additional authority to VA, on a time-limited
basis, to contract for disability examinations using
appropriated funds. This additional authority expires on
December 31, 2009.
Senate Bill
Section 604 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
704(c) of the Veterans Benefits
[[Page 22658]]
Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-183) by striking ``December 31,
2009'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012.'' This would extend
VA's authority, through December 31, 2012, to use
appropriated funds for the purpose of contracting with non-VA
providers to conduct disability examinations.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 105 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language except that the authority extends only until
December 31, 2010.
ADDITION OF OSTEOPOROSIS TO DISABILITIES PRESUMED TO BE SERVICE-
CONNECTED IN FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER
Current Law
Subsection 1112(b) of title 38 contains two lists of
diseases that are presumed to be related to an individual's
experience as a prisoner of war. The first presumptive list,
in paragraph (2) of section 1112(b), requires no minimum
internment period and includes diseases associated with
mental trauma or acute physical trauma which could plausibly
be caused by even a single day of captivity. The second
presumptive list, found under paragraph (3) of section
1112(b), has a 30-day minimum internment requirement.
Senate Bill
Section 601 of S. 1315, as amended, would add osteoporosis
in veterans whom the Secretary has previously determined have
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to the list of
disabilities presumed to be service-connected in former
prisoners of war found under paragraph (3) of section 1112(b)
of title 38.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 106 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
Title II--Modernization of Department of Veterans Affairs Disability
Compensation System
Subtitle A--Benefits Matters
AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY DISABILITY RATINGS
Current Law
Under current law, the Secretary has, under the Secretary's
general authority, issued regulations providing temporary
ratings for veterans with unstabilized medical conditions who
are recently discharged from active duty, hospitalized
veterans, veterans undergoing convalescent care, and veterans
who are discharged from active duty with a mental disorder
that develops as the result of a highly stressful event.
House Bill
Section 109 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would have provided
VA with authority to issue partial ratings and to act in a
more expeditious manner for claims presenting undisputed
severe and very severe injuries and in turn provide
compensation more quickly where the service-connection link
is indisputable. VA currently possesses the ability to issue
partial ratings, although this authority is not expressly
stated in statute. H.R. 5892, as amended, would expressly
grant VA that authority and require VA to issue a partial
rating in the instances where a veteran has sustained severe
injuries (50 percent or above) and very severe injuries (100
percent) that can be promptly rated, while deferring other
conditions that may not be ready to rate. VA and the
Department of Defense (DOD) have defined these conditions,
and they include limb amputations, paralysis, traumatic brain
injury (TBI), severe burns, blindness, deafness, along with
other radical injuries.
The House bill also further clarified the language so that
VA could rate the indisputable injuries based solely on the
Department of Defense medical records, which would be
extensive for these categories of injuries.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 211 of the Compromise Agreement would codify the
various provisions for temporary ratings contained in current
regulations. Specifically, the Committees intend to provide a
specific statutory basis for the regulations currently found
at sections 4.28, 4.29, 4.30 and 4.129 of title 38, Code of
Federal Regulations.
In addition to the authority currently contained in
regulations, the Compromise Agreement provides that veterans
discharged or released from active duty within 365 days of
application who have stabilized medical conditions would be
eligible to receive a temporary rating under certain
circumstances. In general, veterans with stabilized
disabilities would be eligible to receive a temporary rating
under conditions which are similar to those applied to
veterans with unstabilized conditions when a total rating is
not immediately assignable.
The Committees intend that, under this new authority, a
veteran who has a stabilized condition, such as a healed
amputation, but has one or more severe disabilities for which
a total rating is not immediately assignable under the
regular provisions of the rating schedule or on the basis of
Individual Unemployability, could qualify for a temporary
rating when employment was adversely impacted by such
disabilities. The Compromise Agreement would permit such a
veteran to be eligible to receive a temporary rating when
such veteran has severe disabilities that result in
substantially gainful employment not being feasible or
advisable or the veteran has unhealed or incompletely healed
wounds or injuries that make material impairment of
employability likely. The Committees intend that, in
considering eligibility for a temporary rating under this
section, both stabilized and unstabilized conditions could be
considered in determining the impact of such disabilities
upon employment.
The rating assigned under these conditions would be as
prescribed by the Secretary in regulations. The Committees
note that, where current regulations are adequate to address
the conditions for temporary ratings, as set forth in this
section, the Secretary would not be required to issue new
regulations.
SUBSTITUTION UPON DEATH OF CLAIMANT
Current Law
Currently, upon the death of a claimant with a claim or
appeal pending adjudication at the time of death, the
surviving spouse or other beneficiary is unable to take up
the claim where it is in the process and must refile the
claim separately as if submitting a new claim. Section 5121
of title 38 allows for survivors, in order of priority, to
refile this new claim for accrued benefits.
House Bill
Section 111 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would provide that,
in the event of the death of a veteran with a pending
disability claim, an eligible dependent as identified under
section 5121(a)(2) of title 38 would be authorized to
substitute for the deceased claimant rather than being forced
to re-file and restart the claim or appeal. This provision
would also allow an eligible survivor to submit additional
evidence for up to one year after the death of a veteran.
This provision further stipulates that only one person may be
treated as the claimant under this section. Additionally, if
the person who would be eligible to be a claimant under this
section certifies to the Secretary that he or she does not
want to be treated as the claimant for such purposes, he or
she may designate the person who could then be entitled to
receive the benefits under this section. The effective date
of this section would apply only to claims of veterans who
die on or after the date of enactment.
Senate Bill
The Senate bill contains no comparable provisions.
Compromise Agreement
Section 212 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House language. However, the Compromise Agreement
stipulates that, not later than one year after the date of
the death of the claimant, the individual who would be
eligible to receive accrued benefits under section 5121(a) of
title 38 must file a request to be substituted as the
claimant for the purpose of processing the claim to
completion. This is the same time period within which
claimants for accrued benefits are required to file an
application for accrued benefits must file such a claim under
current law. Under the Compromise Agreement, any person
seeking substitution shall present evidence of the right to
claim such status within the time period prescribed by the
Secretary in regulations.
REPORT ON COMPENSATION OF VETERANS FOR LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY AND
QUALITY OF LIFE AND ON LONG-TERM TRANSITION PAYMENTS TO VETERANS
UNDERGOING REHABILITATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES
Current Law
Under chapter 11 of title 38, VA pays compensation to
veterans who suffer disabilities as a result of an injury or
disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during
active duty. Section 1155 of title 38 requires VA to adopt
and apply a schedule of disability ratings, which is used to
determine the amount of compensation that will be provided.
That schedule is based on the average impairment of earning
capacity caused by a service-connected disability.
In July 2007, the President's Commission on Care for
America's Returning Wounded Warriors recommended that
Congress restructure VA disability payments to include
transition payments and that VA update the rating schedule to
reflect current injuries and the impact of disability on
quality of life. In 2008, the Secretary entered into a
contract to conduct studies on those issues. The studies
examined the appropriate level of disability compensation to
be paid to veterans to compensate for loss of earning
capacity and loss of quality of life as a result of service-
connected disabilities. The studies also examined the
feasibility and appropriate level of long-term transition
payments to veterans who are separated from the Armed Forces
due to a disability while
[[Page 22659]]
those veterans are undergoing a program of rehabilitation.
Senate Bill
Section 106 of S. 3023, as amended, would require the
Secretary to provide Congress with a report regarding the
results of studies examining the appropriate compensation to
be provided to veterans for loss of earning capacity and loss
of quality of life caused by service-connected disabilities
and examining long-term transition payments to veterans
undergoing rehabilitation for service-connected disabilities.
Section 106 also would require the Secretary to submit to
Congress a report including a comprehensive description of
the findings and recommendations of those studies; a
description of the actions proposed to be taken by the
Secretary in light of those findings and recommendations,
including a description of any proposed modifications to the
VA disability rating schedule or to other regulations or
policies; a schedule for the commencement and completion of
any actions proposed to be taken; and a description of any
legislative action required in order to authorize,
facilitate, or enhance any of the proposed actions. That
report would be due no later than 210 days after the date of
enactment.
House Bill
Section 102(a) of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to conduct a study on adjusting the schedule for
rating disabilities adopted and applied under section 1155 of
title 38. It would require VA to complete the study within
180 days after the date of enactment and would require VA,
within 60 days after completing the study, to submit to
Congress a report on the study. Not later than 120 days after
the Secretary submits the report, the Secretary would be
required to submit a plan for readjusting the rating
schedule.
Compromise Agreement
Section 213 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY COMPENSATION
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 102(d) of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to establish an 18-member Advisory Committee on
Disability Compensation. The Committee would consist of
individuals who have demonstrated civic or professional
achievement and who have experience in the provision of
disability compensation or have other relevant scientific or
medical expertise. The Secretary would determine the terms of
pay and service of such members, but their terms of service
would not exceed two years. The Secretary would be authorized
to reappoint members for subsequent terms.
Section 102 would require the Committee to be responsible
for providing advice to the Secretary with respect to the
maintenance and periodic adjustment of the rating schedule.
It would also require the Committee to submit annual
reports to the Secretary and require the Secretary to submit
reports and recommendations to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the House and Senate.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 214 of the Compromise Agreement contains the House
provision with modifications. The Committees intend that this
Committee provide medical and scientific advice to the
Secretary concerning the maintenance and readjustment of the
rating schedule. Therefore, the Compromise Agreement provides
that membership be limited to individuals with experience
with the provision of disability compensation by the
Department or individuals who are leading medical or
scientific experts in relevant fields. The Compromise
Agreement extends the term of service of such members to four
years and provides that the terms are to be staggered so as
to provide for continuity of membership on the Committee. The
Compromise Agreement provides that the Secretary shall
appoint a Chair of the Committee.
The Compromise Agreement specifically provides that the
Secretary shall ensure that appropriate personnel, funding,
and other resources are provided to the Committee to carry
out its responsibilities. The Compromise Agreement requires
the Committee to submit biennial reports to the Secretary.
The Compromise Agreement requires the Secretary to submit
such biennial reports to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House together with the recommendations of
the Committee and the Secretary.
Subtitle B--Assistance and Processing Matters
PILOT PROGRAMS ON EXPEDITED TREATMENT OF FULLY DEVELOPED CLAIMS AND
PROVISION OF CHECKLISTS TO INDIVIDUALS SUBMITTING CLAIMS
Current Law
Section 5103 of title 38 requires the Secretary to notify a
claimant of the information and medical or lay evidence
needed to substantiate the claimant's claim. Under section
5103A of title 38, the Secretary is required to assist the
claimant by making reasonable efforts to obtain evidence
necessary to substantiate the claimant's claim. In claims for
service-connection, this duty includes obtaining records held
by any Federal department or agency and by providing a
medical examination or opinion necessary to make a
determination on the claim. VA is required to comply with
these laws before issuing a decision on the claim.
House Bill
Section 107(a) of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to provide for the expeditious treatment of any
fully developed claim. A fully developed claim would be
defined as a claim for which the claimant received assistance
from a veterans service officer, a State or county veterans
service officer, an agent, an attorney or for which the
claimant submits with the claim an indication that the
claimant does not want to submit any additional information
and does not require assistance with respect to the claim.
The claimant would certify in writing that no additional
information is available or needed to be submitted in order
for the claim to be adjudicated. The Secretary would be
required to decide such claims within 90 days of submittal.
Section 107(b) of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to amend the notice required by section 5103 of
title 38 to require the creation of a detailed checklist for
claims for specific requests of additional information or
evidence.
The checklist would be required to be developed within 180
days of enactment.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 221 of the Compromise Agreement accepts the House
provision with an amendment that creates two pilot programs
to test the effectiveness of providing expedited treatment of
fully-developed claims and providing an additional checklist
that includes information or evidence required to be
submitted by the claimant to substantiate the claim. The
pilot program on expedited treatment of fully developed
claims would be carried out at 10 VA regional offices for a
period of one year beginning 60 days after the date of
enactment; the pilot program on the provision of checklists
to individuals submitting claims would be carried out at four
VA regional offices for a period of one year beginning 60
days after the date of enactment for original claims and for
a period of three years beginning 60 days after the date of
enactment for reopened claims and claims for increased
disability ratings. The Secretary would be required to
provide interim reports for each pilot authorized under this
section and final reports would be due to Congress upon
conclusion of the pilots.
The Compromise Agreement provides that such checklist be
construed as an addendum to the notice required by section
5103 of title 38 and shall not be considered as part of the
notice for purposes of reversal or remand of a decision of
the Secretary. As such, the Committees stress that these
checklists are intended to serve only as guidance for
claimants and that any errors in these checklists should not
be the basis for a remand of the claimant's claim.
The Committees expect that, in selecting locations for the
pilot projects, the Secretary shall ensure that regional
offices of various size and geographic location are included
in the pilot projects. The Committees encourage the Secretary
to locate the four pilot programs for the checklist at
locations selected for the expedited claims pilot projects.
OFFICE OF SURVIVORS ASSISTANCE
Current Law
There is no relevant provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 101 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require VA to
create an Office of Survivors Assistance (Office) within the
Veterans Benefits Administration that would provide policy
and program analysis and oversight regarding all benefits and
services delivered by the VA to survivors of deceased
veterans and servicemembers.
The Office would be responsible for ensuring that survivors
and dependents of deceased veterans and deceased members of
the Armed Forces have access to applicable benefits and
services provided under title 38. The Office would also be
responsible for regular and consistent monitoring of benefits
delivery to survivors and dependents and ensuring that
appropriate referrals are made with respect to various
administrations within the VA.
The Office would act as a primary advisor to the Secretary
on all matters related to the policies, programs, legislative
issues, and other initiatives affecting such survivors and
dependents.
The Secretary would be required to identify and include the
activities of the Office in the annual report to Congress
under section 529 of title 38.
In establishing the Office, the Secretary would have to
seek guidance from interested stakeholders, including
veterans service organizations and other service
organizations.
[[Page 22660]]
The Secretary would be required to ensure that appropriate
personnel, funding, and other resources are provided to the
Office to carry out its responsibilities.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provisions.
Compromise Agreement
Section 222 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language with modifications. In the Compromise Agreement, the
Office is established in the Department rather than in the
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Committees expect
that, by placing the Office under the Department, the full
spectrum of VA benefits and services for survivors would be
addressed.
The Compromise Agreement does not specify the duties of the
office in the legislation. However, the Committees intend
that the Office be responsible for ensuring that the
surviving spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans,
including deceased members of the Armed Forces, have access
to applicable benefits and services under title 38. The
Committees expect that programs carried out by the Department
for such survivors will be conducted in a manner that is
responsive to their specific needs. The Committees expect the
Office to conduct regular and consistent monitoring of the
delivery of benefits and services to this population. The
Committees expect the Office to ensure that policies and
procedures are such that such survivors will receive
appropriate referrals to the relevant administrations and
offices of the Department, so that such survivors may receive
all of the benefits and services for which they are eligible.
COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON ADEQUACY OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY
COMPENSATION TO MAINTAIN SURVIVORS OF VETERANS WHO DIE FROM SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES
Current Law
VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) is a benefit
that is paid to survivors of certain veterans. To be
eligible, the veteran's death must have resulted from: a
disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
or active duty for training; an injury incurred or aggravated
in the line of duty while on inactive duty training; or, a
service-connected disability or a condition directly related
to a service-connected disability.
DIC may also be paid to survivors of veterans who were
totally disabled from service-connected conditions at the
time of death, even if the death was not caused by their
service-connected disabilities. To be eligible for the
benefit under this circumstance, the veteran must have been
rated totally disabled for the ten years preceding death;
rated totally disabled from the date of military discharge
and for at least five years immediately preceding death; or,
a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999,
and who was rated totally disabled for at least one year
immediately preceding death.
Surviving spouses of veterans who died on or after January
1, 1993, receive a basic rate, plus additional amounts for
dependent children. Surviving spouses of veterans who died
prior to January 1, 1993, receive an amount based on the
deceased veteran's military pay grade, plus additional
amounts for dependents.
Senate Bill
Section 807 of S. 1315, as amended, would require the
Comptroller General to report on the adequacy of DIC to
maintain survivors of veterans who die from service-connected
disabilities. The Comptroller General would be required to
submit, to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate
and House of Representatives, a report regarding the adequacy
of the benefits to survivors in replacing the deceased
veteran's income. The Comptroller General would be required
to include a description of the current system of payment of
DIC to survivors, including a statement of DIC rates; an
assessment of the adequacy of DIC in replacing a deceased
veteran's income; and any recommendations that the
Comptroller General considers appropriate in order to improve
or enhance the effects of DIC in replacing the deceased
veteran's income. The Comptroller General would be required
to submit the report not later than ten months after the date
of enactment of the provision.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 223 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM
Current Law
Section 7731 of title 38 requires the Secretary to carry
out a quality assurance program within the Veterans Benefits
Administration. Under this provision, the Secretary has
elected to carry out a separate quality assurance program,
the Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR), for
measuring compensation and pension claims processing
accuracy.
House Bill
Section 106 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to contract with an independent third-party entity
for an annual quality assurance assessment. The assessment
would measure a statistically valid sample of VBA employees
and their work product to assess quality and accuracy. The
provision would also require the production of automated
categorizable data to help identify trends. Under this
provision, the Secretary would be required to use information
gathered through the annual assessment to develop an employee
certification as found in section 105 of H.R. 5892, as
amended.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no similar provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 224 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
bill with modifications. Under the Compromise Agreement, the
Secretary would enter into a contract with an independent
third-party entity to conduct a three-year assessment of the
quality assurance program. The Committees intend that this
provision would be applicable only to quality assurance
programs involving the adjudication of claims for
compensation and pension benefits. The Compromise Agreement
does not include language from section 106 of H.R. 5892, as
amended, which would have expressly required the Secretary to
ensure the accuracy and consistency across different regional
offices with the Department as an amendment to 7731, of title
38, United States Code. However, the Committees agree that
the Secretary should strive to reduce variances in ratings
for disability compensation between regional offices. The
Committees note that section 104 of the Compromise Agreement
requires a report from the Secretary in addressing
unacceptable variances in compensation payments.
The Compromise Agreement also contains provisions from the
House bill which would require the Secretary to retain,
monitor, and store in an accessible format certain data with
respect to claims for service-connected disability
compensation. The Committee recognizes that sex and race data
are not kept by the Department within the database utilized
by the Veterans Benefits Administration at this time and,
therefore, excluded those items from the data required to be
collected.
In other respects, the Compromise Agreement generally
follows the House bill. The Committees agree that House
Report 110-789 contains a full explanation of the House
provisions which were modified in the Compromise Agreement.
CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES OF THE VETERANS BENEFITS
ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS
Current Law
The Secretary has general authority to manage and provide
for certification of employees of the Department. There is no
specific applicable provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 105 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to develop a certification examination to test
appropriate VBA employees and managers who are responsible
for processing claims for benefits. The Secretary would be
required to develop such examinations in consultation with
specified stakeholders. The Secretary would be directed to
require such employees and managers to take a certification
examination. The Secretary would be prohibited from
satisfying the requirements of the bill through the use of
any certification examination or program that exists as of
the date of enactment of the bill.
The House provision would also require the Secretary to
contract with an outside entity to conduct an evaluation of
VBA's training and quality assurance programs within 180 days
of enactment and provide the results of such evaluation to
Congress.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 225 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language with modifications. The Compromise Agreement would
apply only to employees and managers who are responsible for
processing claims for compensation and pension benefits. By
using the general term ``compensation and pension'' benefits,
the Committees intend that the provision would apply to
employees and managers responsible for processing claims for
all monetary benefits paid to veterans and survivors,
including DIC, death compensation, death pension and benefits
paid to children under chapter 18 of title 38.
Under the Compromise Agreement, the Secretary is required
to consult with examination development experts, interested
stakeholders, and employee representatives and consider the
data produced under section 7731(c)(3) of title 38 as added
by section 224 of the bill.
The Compromise Agreement does not contain the prohibition
on use of certification examinations or programs that
currently exist as in H.R. 5892, as amended. However, the
Compromise Agreement requires the Secretary to develop an
updated certification examination no later than one year
[[Page 22661]]
after the date of enactment of this bill and to begin using
the updated examination within 90 days after the date on
which development of the updated examination is complete.
The Compromise Agreement does not include the House
provision requiring that VA contract for an evaluation.
However, it does require the Comptroller General of the
United States to evaluate the training programs administered
for employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and
submit a report on the findings of the evaluation to the
Committees.
STUDY OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE VETERANS
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 103 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to conduct a study of VBA's work credit system,
which is used to measure the work production of VBA
employees. This section of the House bill would require that
the Secretary consider the advisability of implementing:
performance standards and accountability measures; guidelines
and procedures for the prompt processing of claims that are
ready to rate upon submission; guidelines and procedures for
the processing of such claims submitted by severely injured
and very severely injured veterans; and requirements for
assessments of claims processing at each regional office for
the purposes of producing lessons learned and best practices.
A report on the study would be required no later than 180
days after the Secretary submits to Congress the report; and
the Secretary would be obligated to establish a new system
for evaluating work production. This section of H.R. 5892, as
amended, would prohibit the Secretary from awarding a work
credit to any employee of the Department if the Secretary has
not implemented a new system within the time specified.
Section 104 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to conduct a study on the work management system of
the Veterans Benefits Administration designed to improve
accountability, quality, and accuracy and reducing the time
for processing claims for benefits.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 226 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House language with modifications. Under the Compromise
Agreement, the Secretary would be required to conduct a study
on the effectiveness of the current employee work credit
system and the work management system of the Veterans
Benefits Administration which is used to measure and manage
the work production of employees of the Veterans Benefits
Administration who handle claims for compensation and pension
benefits. The Secretary would be required to report to
Congress on the work credit system and work management system
no later than October 31, 2009. The report would be required
to identify the components required to implement an updated
system for evaluating such VBA employees.
In addition, the Compromise Agreement requires that not
later than 210 days after the date on which the Secretary
submits to Congress the report required under this section,
the Secretary shall establish an updated system, based upon
the findings of the study, for evaluating the performance and
accountability of VBA employees who are responsible for
processing claims for compensation or pension benefits.
REVIEW AND ENHANCEMENT OF USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN VETERANS
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 110 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to conduct a review, no later than one year after
the date of enactment of this Act, on the use of information
technology within the Veterans Benefits Administration. It
also requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan
for use of such technology in processing claims for benefits
so as to reduce subjectivity, avoidable remands, and regional
office variances in disability ratings for specific
disabilities.
The House bill would also require that the comprehensive
plan include information technology upgrades including web
portals, rules-based expert systems, and decision support
software.
Under the House bill, a report on the progress of the
review and plan would be due to Congress by no later than
January 1, 2009.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 227 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House bill, except that it clarifies two of the
comprehensive plan requirements contained in section 110 of
H.R. 5892, as amended. The Compromise Agreement gives the
Secretary the discretion to include the following elements,
to the extent practicable: the ability for benefits'
claimants to view applications online and compliance with
security requirements as noted in section 227(b)(3)(B)(ii) of
the Compromise Agreement.
The Compromise Agreement also requires that the plan be
developed, not later than one year after date of enactment.
The Compromise Agreement requires, no later than April 1,
2010, a report to Congress on the review and the
comprehensive plan required under this section.
STUDY AND REPORT ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO MEDICAL ADVICE
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
House Bill
Section 108 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would require the
Secretary to conduct a study to evaluate the need of the
Veterans Benefits Administration to employ medical
professionals who are not physicians, to act as a medical
reference for employees of the Administration so that such
employees may accurately assess medical evidence submitted in
support of claims for benefits under laws administered by the
Secretary. The House bill would prohibit any medical
professionals of the Veterans Health Administration from
being employed to rate any disability or evaluate any claim.
It would require the Secretary to conduct a statistically
significant survey of VBA employees to ascertain whether,
how, and to what degree medical professionals could provide
assistance to such employee.
Section 108 would also require the Secretary to submit to
Congress a report, within 180 days of enactment of the bill,
to evaluate the need to employ such medical professionals. If
the Secretary hired medical professionals pursuant to this
study, the House bill would require that all employees of all
VBA regional offices have access to the medical
professionals.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 228 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House language with modifications. The Compromise
Agreement requires the Secretary to conduct a study to assess
the feasibility and advisability of various mechanisms to
improve communication between the Veterans Benefits
Administration and the Veterans Health Administration when
needed by Veterans Benefits Administration employees to carry
out their duties. The study is also required to evaluate
whether additional medical professionals are necessary to
provide access to relevant Veterans Benefits Administration
employees. The Compromise Agreement omits the requirement in
the House bill for a statistically significant study of
employees.
Title III--Labor and Education Matters
Subtitle A--Labor and Employment Matters
REFORM OF USERRA COMPLAINT PROCESS
Current Law
Chapter 43 of title 38 provides reemployment and employment
rights to servicemembers, veterans, and those who seek to
join a uniformed service through the Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Individuals
can privately enforce their rights by filing a complaint in
federal or state court, or, in the case of a complaint
against a federal employer, by submitting a complaint to the
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). In addition,
individuals can request assistance from the federal
government by filing a complaint with the Department of
Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS),
which investigates and attempts to resolve complaints, and,
if requested, will refer complaints for litigation. DOL VETS
refers complaints against federal agencies to the Office of
Special Counsel (OSC) and complaints against private sector
employers and state and local governments to the Attorney
General. The Special Counsel or Attorney General may
represent individuals before the MSPB or in federal court,
respectively.
Senate Bill
Section 302 of S. 3023, as amended, would create deadlines
for DOL VETS, OSC, and the Attorney General to provide
assistance to servicemembers who believe that their rights
under USERRA have been violated.
Within 5 days of receiving a USERRA complaint, DOL VETS
would be required to notify a complainant in writing about
his or her rights to receive governmental assistance,
including the right to request a referral and the relevant
deadlines that the federal agencies must meet and within 90
days of receiving the complaint, DOL VETS would be required
to complete its assistance and investigation and notify the
complainant of the results and his or her rights, including
the right to request a referral and the deadlines federal
agencies must meet. Within 48 days after receiving a request
for a referral, DOL would be required to refer a complaint to
OSC or the Attorney General. Within 60
[[Page 22662]]
days of receiving a referral, OSC or the Attorney General
would be required to determine whether to provide legal
representation to the complainant and notify the complainant
of that decision in writing.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 311 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
MODIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO
ENFORCEMENT OF USERRA
Current Law
Under current law, the Secretary of Labor must file an
annual report to Congress that includes the number of cases
reviewed by DOL VETS and the Department of Defense Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve, the number of cases
referred to OSC and the Attorney General, and the number of
complaints filed by the Attorney General.
Senate Bill
Section 303 of S. 3023, as amended, would expand the
reporting requirements regarding the federal government's
enforcement of USERRA by requiring data on the number of
individuals whose cases are reviewed by both the Department
of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (DOD
ESGR), DOL VETS, OSC, and the Attorney General that involve a
disability-related issue, and the number of cases that
involve a person with a service-connected disability. In
addition, the Senate bill would change the date on which the
report is required.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 312 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
TRAINING FOR EXECUTIVE BRANCH HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONNEL ON EMPLOYMENT
AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
Senate Bill
Section 304 of S. 3023, as amended, would add a new section
to chapter 43 of title 38 to require the head of each Federal
executive agency to provide training for human resources
personnel on the rights, benefits, and obligations of members
of the Armed Forces under USERRA and the administration of
USERRA by Federal executive agencies. It would require that
the training be developed and provided in consultation with
the Office of Personnel Management. The training would be
provided as often as specified by the Director of the Office
of Personnel Management in order to ensure that the human
resources personnel are kept fully and currently informed
about USERRA.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 313 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
report on the employment needs of native american veterans living on
tribal lands
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
Senate Bill
Section 305 of S. 3023, as amended, would require a report
by the Secretary of Labor on efforts to address the
employment needs of Native American veterans living on tribal
lands.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 314 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
equity powers
Current Law
Under section 4323(e) of title 38 courts may, in an action
brought against a State or private employer, use their full
equity powers to vindicate the rights or benefits of
individuals provided under USERRA.
House Bill
Section 2 of H.R. 6225, as amended, would amend section
4323(e) of title 38 to require that, in USERRA actions
brought against private or State employers, courts shall use
their equity powers in any case in which the court determines
it is appropriate.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 315 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language.
waiver of residency requirement for directors for veterans' employment
and training
Current Law
Section 4103(a)(2) of title 38 requires that each State
Director of Veterans' Employment and Training (SDVET) have
been, at the time of appointment, a bona fide resident of the
State for at least two years.
Senate Bill
Section 303 of S. 1315, as amended, would permit waiver of
a residency requirement for SDVETs.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 316 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
modification of special unemployment study to cover veterans of post 9/
11 global operations
Current Law
Section 4110A of title 38 requires the Secretary of Labor,
through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to submit a report
every two years on the employment and unemployment
experiences of Vietnam-era veterans, Vietnam-theater
veterans, special disabled veterans, and recently separated
veterans.
Senate Bill
Section 304 of S. 1315, as amended, would update this
special unemployment study to focus on veterans of the Post-
9/11 Global Operations period and require an annual report.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 317 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language, except that the report would be required
to include veterans of the Vietnam era, as well as veterans
of the Post-9/11 Global Operations period.
Subtitle B--Education Matters
modification of period of eligibility for survivors' and dependents'
educational assistance of certain spouses of individuals with service-
connected disabilities total and permanent in nature
Current Law
Under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
(DEA) program, VA provides up to 45 months of education
benefits to certain children or spouses of military
personnel. For instance, the spouse of a veteran or
servicemember may be eligible for benefits if the veteran
died, or is permanently and totally disabled, as the result
of a service-connected disability or if the veteran died from
any cause while a permanent and total service-connected
disability was in existence.
The spouse generally must use these education benefits
within ten years after the date on which the veteran dies or
is found to be permanently and totally disabled. However, if
the servicemember died while on active duty, the spouse may
use the education benefits during the twenty-year period
after the servicemember's death.
Senate Bill
Section 311 of S. 3023, as amended, would extend from ten
years to twenty years the time within which the spouses of
certain severely injured veterans have to use their DEA
benefits. Specifically, the twenty-year period would be
available to a spouse of a veteran who becomes permanently
and totally disabled within three years after discharge from
service, if the spouse remains married to the veteran.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 321 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
repeal of requirement for report to the secretary of veterans affairs
on prior training
Current Law
Under current law, State approving agencies approve, for VA
education benefits purposes, the application of educational
institutions providing non-accredited courses if the
institution and its courses meet certain criteria. Among
these is the requirement that the institution maintain a
written record of the previous education and training of the
eligible person and what credit for that training has been
given the individual. The institution must notify both VA and
the eligible person regarding the amount of credit the school
grants for previous training.
Senate Bill
Section 312 of S. 3023, as amended, would repeal the
requirement that an educational institution providing non-
accredited courses notify VA of the credit granted for prior
training of certain individuals.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 322 of the Compromise Agreement contains the Senate
provision.
modification of waiting period before affirmation of enrollment in a
correspondence course
Current Law
Under current law, in the case of courses offered through
correspondence, an enrollment agreement signed by a veteran,
spouse,
[[Page 22663]]
or surviving spouse will not be effective unless he or she,
after ten days from the date of signing the agreement,
submits a written and signed statement to VA affirming the
enrollment agreement. In the event the individual at any time
notifies the institution of his or her intention not to
affirm the agreement, the institution, without imposing any
penalty or charging any fee, shall promptly make a refund of
all amounts paid.
Senate Bill
Section 313 of S. 3023, as amended, would decrease to five
days the waiting period before affirmation of enrollment in a
correspondence course may be finalized for purposes of
receiving educational assistance from VA.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 323 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
change of programs of education at the same educational institution
Current Law
Under current law, a student who desires to initiate a
program of education must submit an application to VA in the
form prescribed by the Department. If the student decides a
different program is more advantageous to his or her needs,
that individual may change his or her program of study once.
However, additional changes require VA to determine that the
change is suitable to the individual's interests and
abilities. It is rare for VA to deny a change of program,
especially if the student is continuing in an approved
program at the same school.
Senate Bill
Section 314 of S. 3023, as amended, would repeal the
requirement that an individual notify VA when the individual
changes educational programs but remains enrolled at the same
educational institution.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 324 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
repeal of certification requirement with respect to applications for
approval of self-employment on-job training
Current Law
Under current law, all provisions of title 38 that apply to
VA's other on-job training (OJT) programs (except the
requirement that a training program has to be for at least
six months) apply to franchise-ownership OJT, including the
requirement that the trainee earn wages that are increased on
an incremental basis.
Senate Bill
Section 315 of S. 3023, as amended, would exempt on-the-job
training programs from the requirement to provide
participants with wages if the training program is offered in
connection with the purchase of a franchise.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 325 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
coordination of approval activities in the administration of education
benefits
Current Law
Under chapter 36 of title 38 VA contracts for the services
of State approving agencies (SAAs) for the purpose of
approving programs of education at institutions of higher
learning, apprenticeship programs, on-job training programs,
and other programs that are located within each SAA's State
of jurisdiction. Generally SAA approval of these programs is
required before beneficiaries may use their educational
assistance benefits to pay for them. The Departments of
Education and Labor also assess education and training
programs for various purposes, primarily for awarding student
aid and providing apprenticeship assistance.
Senate Bill
Section 301 of S. 1315, as amended, would amend section
3673 of title 38 to require VA to take appropriate actions to
ensure the coordination of approval activities performed by
SAAs and approval activities performed by the Department of
Labor, the Department of Education, and other entities in
order to reduce overlap and improve efficiency in the
performance of those activities.
House Bill
The House Bills have no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 326 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
Subtitle C--Vocational Rehabilitation Matters
Waiver of 24-MONTH LIMITATION ON PROGRAM OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
AND ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS WITH A SEVERE DISABILITY INCURRED IN THE
POST-9/11 GLOBAL OPERATIONS PERIOD
Current Law
Under chapter 31 of title 38 VA may provide services to
certain veterans with service-connected disabilities to help
them achieve maximum independence in daily living. Under
section 3105 of title 38 the general rule is that no more
than 24-months of these services may be provided to a
veteran. However, under section 3105(d) of title 38 the
period may be extended if ``the Secretary determines that a
longer period is necessary and likely to result in a
substantial increase in a veteran's level of independence in
daily living.''
Senate Bill
Section 301 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
3105(d) of title 38 to allow VA, without having to make such
a determination, to extend the 24-month cap on independent
living services for any veteran who served on active duty
during the Post-9/11 Global Operations period and incurred or
aggravated a severe disability during that service.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 331 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
INCREASE IN CAP OF NUMBER OF VETERANS PARTICIPATING IN INDEPENDENT
LIVING PROGRAM
Current Law
Section 3120(e) of title 38 authorizes VA to initiate a
program of independent living services for no more than 2,500
service-connected disabled veterans in each fiscal year.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contains no comparable provision.
House Bill
Section 301 of H.R. 6832 increases to 2,600 the number of
veterans who may initiate a program of independent living
services in any fiscal year.
Compromise Agreement
Section 332 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language.
REPORT ON MEASURES TO ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE VETERANS IN COMPLETING
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Current Law
Under chapter 31 of title 38, VA provides vocational
rehabilitation and employment services to veterans with
service-connected disabilities. In its July 2007 report, the
President's Commission on Care for America's Returning
Wounded Warriors found that, ``of the 65,000 who apply for
[VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program] each
year, at most 10,000 of all ages complete the employment
track in the program each year.'' The Commission also found
that ``the effectiveness of various vocational rehabilitation
programs is not well established, and the VA should undertake
an effort to determine which have the greatest long-term
success.'' In addition, the Commission recommended that ``VA
should develop financial incentives that would encourage
completion'' of vocational rehabilitation.
Senate Bill
Section 306 of S. 3023, as amended, would require VA to
conduct a study that would identify the various factors that
may prevent or preclude veterans from successfully completing
their vocational rehabilitation plans. It would also require
identification of actions that the Secretary may take to
address such factors. Not later than 270 days after beginning
the study, VA would be required to submit to the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report including the findings of the study
and any recommendations on actions that should be taken in
light of that study.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 333 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language, except that it includes language to
specify that the study is required only to the extent that it
does not duplicate elements of a VA study or report released
during the one-year period after the date of enactment.
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
Current Law
Under chapter 31 of title 38 VA provides vocational
rehabilitation and employment services for certain veterans
with service-connected disabilities. VA currently collects
data that does not accurately demonstrate the long-term
results of participation in, or completion of, VA's
vocational rehabilitation and employment program. Typically,
VA knows how long a veteran spends in the various phases in
long-term training and the costs related to that
participation. However, VA does not collect data on earnings,
promotions, and other long-term employment-related data
following completion of the program. VA also does not collect
data on those who may qualify for the program but do not
complete the track of the program appropriate to their
situation.
House Bill
Section 1 of H.R. 3889 would require VA, subject to the
availability of appropriated
[[Page 22664]]
funds, to conduct a longitudinal study, over a period of at
least 20 years, of a statistically valid sample of certain
groups of individuals who participate in VA's vocational
rehabilitation and employment program. The groups of
individuals would include those who begin participating in
the vocational rehabilitation program during fiscal year
2009, those individuals who begin participating in such a
program during fiscal year 2011, and those individuals who
begin participating in such a program during fiscal year
2014.
By not later than July 1 of each year covered by the study,
the Secretary would be required to submit to the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report on the study during the preceding
year. The Secretary would be required to include in the
report any data necessary to determine the long-term outcomes
of the individuals participating in the program. In addition,
each report would be required to contain (1) the number of
individuals participating in vocational rehabilitation
programs who suspended participation in such a program during
the year covered by the report; (2) the average number of
months such individuals served on active duty; (3) the
distribution of disability ratings of such individuals; (4)
the types of other benefits administered by the Secretary
received by such individuals; (5) the types of social
security benefits received by such individuals; (6) any
unemployment benefits received by such individuals; (7) the
average number of months such individuals were employed
during the year covered by the report; (8) the average annual
starting and ending salaries of such individuals who were
employed during the year covered by the report; (9) the
number of such individuals enrolled in an institution of
higher learning; (10) the average number of academic credit
hours, degrees, and certificates obtained by such individuals
during the year covered by the report; (11) the average
number of visits such individuals made to VA medical
facilities during the year covered by the report; (12) the
average number of visits such individuals made to non-VA
medical facilities during the year covered by the report;
(13) the average annual income of such individuals; (14) the
average total household income of such individuals for the
year covered by the report; (15) the percentage of such
individuals who own their principal residences; and (16) the
average number of dependents of each such veteran.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 334 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House language, except that study participants would be
selected from those individuals who begin participating in
VA's vocational rehabilitation program during fiscal years
2010, 2012, and 2014.
Title IV--Insurance Matters
REPORT ON INCLUSION OF SEVERE AND ACUTE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
AMONG CONDITIONS COVERED BY TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION COVERAGE UNDER
SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
Current Law
Section 1980A of title 38 provides traumatic injury
protection coverage under the Servicemembers Group Life
Insurance (SGLI) program. Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life
Insurance (TSGLI) provides coverage against qualifying losses
incurred as a result of a traumatic injury event. In the
event of a loss, VA will pay between $25,000 and $100,000
depending on the severity of the qualifying loss. At present,
active duty and reserve component servicemembers with any
amount of SGLI coverage are automatically covered under
TSGLI. A premium (currently $1 monthly) is collected from
covered members to meet peacetime program expenses; the DOD
is required to fund TSGLI program costs associated with the
extra hazards of military service.
Subsection (b)(1) of section 1980A lists some qualifying
losses for which injured servicemembers are covered under
TSGLI, including, among others, complete loss of vision,
complete loss of hearing, amputation of a hand or foot and
the inability to carry out the activities of daily living
resulting from injury to the brain. PTSD is not currently
among the conditions classified as qualifying a loss.
Senate Bill
Section 501 of S. 3023, as amended, would require VA, in
consultation with the Department of Defense, to submit a
report to Congress assessing the feasibility of and
advisability of including severe and acute PTSD among the
conditions covered by TSGLI. The report would be due to the
Committees not later than 180 days after enactment of this
bill.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 401 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
TREATMENT OF STILLBORN CHILDREN AS INSURABLE DEPENDENTS UNDER
SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
Current Law
In 2001, section 4 of the Veterans' Survivor Benefits
Improvements Act of 2001, Public Law 107-14, established a
program of family insurance coverage under SGLI through which
an SGLI-insured member's insurable dependents could also be
insured. Section 1965(10) of title 38 defines insurable
dependents as the member's spouse, and the member's child.
Section 101(4)(A) of title 38 defines the term child as a
person who is unmarried and under the age of 18 years; who
became permanently incapable of self support before attaining
the age of 18; or a dependent over the age of 18 that is
pursuing education or training at an approved institution.
Dependents over the age of 18 are considered a child until
they complete their education, or until they reach the age of
23. Under current law, stillborn children are not eligible
for coverage as insurable dependents under SGLI.
Senate Bill
Section 502 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
1965(10) of title 38, so as to cover a servicemember's
``stillborn child,'' as an insurable dependent under the SGLI
program. The Committees expect VA to issue regulations that
would define the term in a manner consistent with the 1992
recommended reporting requirements of the Model State Vital
Statistics Act and Regulations as drafted by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics. The Model Act recommends a state reporting
requirement of fetal deaths involving fetuses weighing 350
grams or more, if the weight is unknown, or 20 or more
completed weeks of gestation, calculated from the date last
normal menstrual began to the date of delivery.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 402 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
OTHER ENHANCEMENTS OF SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE
Current Law
SGLI is a VA-supervised life insurance program that
provides group coverage for members on active duty in the
uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard), members of the Commissioned Corps of the United
States Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Reserve and National Guard
members, Reserve Officer Training Corps members engaged in
authorized training, service academy cadets and midshipmen,
Ready Reserve and Retired Reserve members, and Individual
Ready Reserve members who are subject to involuntary recall
to active duty service. VA purchases a group policy on behalf
of participating members from a commercial provider. Since
the inception of the SGLI program in 1965, The Prudential
Insurance Company of America has been the provider. VA's FY
2009 budget submission projects that 2,342,000 individuals
will be covered under SGLI in FY 2009.
Full coverage under SGLI is provided automatically at the
maximum coverage amount when an individual begins covered
service. Partial coverage at prorated premium rates is
available for Reserve and National Guard members for active
and inactive duty training periods. To be covered in an
amount less than the maximum, or to decline coverage
altogether, a member must make a written election to that
effect. Coverage amounts may be reduced in multiples of
$10,000. A member may also name, at any time, one or more
beneficiaries of his or her choice. Decisions concerning
coverage amounts and designation of beneficiaries are made at
the sole discretion of members insured under SGLI.
The Veterans' Insurance Act of 1974, Public Law 93-289,
established a new program of post-separation insurance known
as Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Like SGLI, VGLI is
supervised by VA but administered by Prudential. VGLI
provides for the post-service conversion of SGLI to a
renewable term policy of insurance. Persons eligible for
full-time coverage include former servicemembers who were
insured full-time under SGLI and who were released from
active duty or the Reserves, Ready Reservists who have part-
time SGLI coverage and who incur certain disabilities during
periods of active or inactive duty training, and members of
the Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard.
Like SGLI, VGLI is issued in multiples of $10,000 up to the
maximum coverage amount, but in no case can VGLI coverage
exceed the amount of SGLI coverage a member had in force at
the time of separation from active duty service or the
Reserves.
Senate Bill
Section 503 of S. 3023, as amended, includes numerous
amendments to SGLI.
Subsection (a) of section 503 would extend full-time and
family SGLI coverage to Individual Ready Reservists (IRRs),
those individuals referred to in section 1965(5)(C) of title
38. This group of individuals volunteer for assignment to a
mobilization category in the Individual Ready Reserve, as
defined in section 12304(i)(1) of title 10. The Veterans'
[[Page 22665]]
Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2001, Public Law 107-14,
provided SGLI coverage for Ready Reservists, referred to in
section 1965(5)(B), but not to IRRs.
Subsection (b) of section 503 would provide that a
dependent's SGLI coverage would terminate 120 days after the
date of the member's separation or release from service,
rather than 120 days after the member's SGLI terminates.
Subsection (c) of section 503 would clarify that VA has the
authority to set premiums for SGLI coverage for the spouses
of Ready Reservists based on the spouse's age.
Subsection (d) of section 503 would clarify that any person
guilty of mutiny, treason, spying, or desertion, or who,
because of conscientious objections, refuses to perform
service in the Armed Forces or refuses to wear the uniform of
the Armed Forces, forfeits all rights to VGLI.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 403 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS' INSURANCE
Current Law
Under current law, the administrative costs of the Service-
Disabled Veterans Insurance program are paid for by the
Government from VA's General Operating Expenses account.
Senate Bill
Section 102 of S. 1315 would allow administrative costs for
the S-DVI program to be paid for by premiums, as is done with
all other National Service Life Insurance sub-funds. This
would allow administrative costs to be provided from Veterans
Insurance and Indemnities and not General Operating Expenses
in Function 700 of the Budget of the United States
Government.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 404 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
Title V--Housing Matters
TEMPORARY INCREASE IN MAXIMUM LOAN GUARANTY AMOUNT FOR CERTAIN HOUSING
LOANS GUARANTEED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Current Law
Section 3703 of title 38 stipulates the maximum loan
guaranty amounts that VA will provide to veterans under its
home loan guaranty program. Public Law 108-454 increased VA's
maximum guaranty amount to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac
conforming loan limit determined under section 305(a)(2) of
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act for a single
family residence, as adjusted for the year involved. The
Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Stimulus Act), Public Law 110-
185, temporarily reset the maximum limits on home loans that
the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) may insure and that
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may purchase on the secondary
market to 125 percent of metropolitan-area median home
prices, but did so without reference to the VA home loan
program. This had the effect of raising the Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac, and FHA limits to nearly $730,000, in the
highest cost areas, while leaving the then-VA limit of
$417,000 in place.
On July 30, 2008, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of
2008 was signed into law as Public Law 110-289. That law
provided a temporary increase in the maximum guaranty amount
for VA loans originated from July 30, 2008, through December
31, 2008, to the same level as provided in the Stimulus Act.
Senate Bill
Section 201 of S. 3023, as amended, in a freestanding
provision, would apply the temporary increase in the maximum
guaranty amount, enacted in Public Law 110-289, until
December 31, 2011.
House Bill
Section 203 of H.R. 6832 would amend section 2201 of Public
Law 110-289 by striking ``December 31, 2008'' and inserting
``December 31, 2011''.
Compromise Agreement
Section 501 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
REPORT ON IMPACT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES ON VETERANS
Current Law
There is no applicable provision in current law.
Senate Bill
Section 205 of S. 3023, as amended, would require VA to
report on the impact of the mortgage foreclosure crisis on
veterans and the adequacy of existing mechanisms available to
help veterans. The report would have to include four specific
elements: (1) a general assessment of the income of veterans
who have recently separated from the Armed Forces; (2) an
assessment of the effects of the length of the disability
adjudication process on the capacity of veterans to maintain
adequate or suitable housing; (3) a description of the extent
to which the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief
Act currently protect veterans from mortgage foreclosure; and
(4) a description and assessment of the adequacy of the VA
home loan guaranty program in preventing foreclosure for
recently separated veterans. The report would be due to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House
of Representatives no later than December 31, 2009.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provisions.
Compromise Agreement
Section 502 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
REQUIREMENT FOR REGULAR UPDATES TO HANDBOOK FOR DESIGN FURNISHED TO
VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE BY SECRETARY
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Current Law
Section 2103 of title 38 authorizes VA to provide, without
cost, model plans and specifications of suitable housing
units to disabled veterans eligible for specially adapted
housing under chapter 21 of title 38. Pursuant to this
authority, the VA published, in April 1978, Pamphlet 26-13,
``Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing.''
House Bill
Section 1 of H.R. 5664 would amend section 2103 of title 38
to direct the Secretary to update at least once every six
years the plans and specifications for specially adapted
housing furnished to veterans by VA.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 503 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language.
ENHANCEMENT OF REFINANCING OF HOME LOANS BY VETERANS
Current Law
Under section 3703(a)(1)(A)(i)(IV) of title 38, the maximum
VA home loan guaranty limit for most loans in excess of
$144,000 is equal to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac conforming
loan limit for a single family home. Public Law 110-289 set
this value at approximately $182,437 through the end of 2008.
This means lenders making loans up to $729,750 will receive
at least a 25 percent guaranty, which is typically required
to place the loan on the secondary market. Under current law,
this does not include regular refinance loans.
Section 3703(a)(1)(B) of title 38 limits to $36,000 the
guaranty that can be used for a regular refinance loan. This
restriction means a regular refinance over $144,000 will
result in a lender not receiving 25 percent backing from VA.
In this situation, the lender is less likely to make the loan
to the veteran. This situation essentially precludes a
veteran from being able to refinance his or her existing FHA
or conventional loan into a VA guaranteed loan if the loan is
greater than $144,000.
Under section 3710(b)(8) of title 38, VA is also precluded
from refinancing a loan if the homeowner does not have at
least ten percent equity in his or her home.
Senate Bill
Section 202 of S. 3023, as amended, would increase the
maximum guaranty limit for refinance loans to the same level
as conventional loans, which is 25 percent of the Freddie Mac
conforming loan limit for single family home. It would also
increase the percentage of an existing loan that VA will
refinance under the VA home loan program from 90 percent to
95 percent.
House Bill
Section 302 of H.R. 6832 contains identical language as the
Senate bill with respect to increasing the maximum guaranty
limit for refinance loans. In addition, section 302 would
increase the percentage of an existing loan that VA will
refinance from 90 percent to 100 percent.
Compromise Agreement
Section 504 of the Compromise Agreement includes the
language pertaining to the increase in the maximum guaranty
limit for refinance loans that appears in both the House and
the Senate bills and follows the House language with respect
to the equity requirement.
EXTENSION OF CERTAIN VETERANS HOME LOAN GUARANTY PROGRAMS
Current Law
Section 3707 of title 38 authorizes VA to conduct a
demonstration project that offers guaranties of adjustable
rate mortgages (ARMs), loans with interest rates that change,
and ``hybrid'' adjustable rate mortgages (hybrid ARMs), loans
that carry a fixed rate of interest for an initial period
followed by annual interest rate adjustments thereafter. VA
currently has authority to continue these demonstration
projects through the end of fiscal year 2008.
Senate Bill
Section 203(a) of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
3707 of title 38 to extend VA's ARM and hybrid ARM programs
through fiscal year 2012.
House Bill
Section 208 of H.R. 6832 contains identical language.
Compromise Agreement
Section 505 of the Compromise Agreement includes this
language.
[[Page 22666]]
Title VI--Court Matters
TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS
Current Law
Under current law, section 7253(a) of title 38, the United
States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) is limited
to seven active judges.
Senate Bill
Section 401 of S. 3023, as amended, would temporarily
increase the number of active judges on the CAVC from seven
to nine, effective December 31, 2009. Effective January 1,
2013, no appointment could be made to Court if that
appointment would result in there being more judges of the
Court than the authorized number of judges of the Court
specified in current law.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 601 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language. It is the Committees' expectation that the next
Administration will begin vetting candidates for the
additional judgeships as soon as practicable so that by the
effective date of this provision, December 31, 2009, Congress
might begin considering nominations to the Court.
PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AND SECURITY CONCERNS IN COURT RECORDS
Current Law
Current law, section 7268(a) of title 38, provides that
``all decisions of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
and all briefs, motions, documents, and exhibits received by
the Court. . . shall be public records open to the inspection
of the public.'' Section 7268(b)(1) provides that ``[t]he
Court may make any provision which is necessary to prevent
the disclosure of confidential information, including a
provision that any such document or information be placed
under seal to be opened only as directed by the Court.''
Senate Bill
Section 402 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
7268 of title 38, so as to require the Court to prescribe
rules, in accordance with section 7264(a) of title 38, to
protect privacy and security concerns relating to the filing
of documents, and the public availability of such documents,
that are retained by CAVC or filed electronically. The rules
prescribed by the Court would be required to be consistent,
to the extent practicable, with rules that address privacy
and security issues throughout the Federal courts.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provisions.
Compromise Agreement
Section 602 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
VETERANS CLAIMS
Current Law
Under section 7257 of title 38, retiring CAVC judges make
an election whether to be recall eligible. If a judge chooses
to be recall eligible, the Chief Judge of the CAVC has the
authority to involuntarily recall that judge for up to 90
days per calendar year or, with the consent of the judge, to
recall the judge for up to 180 days per calendar year. Under
section 7296 of title 38, a recall-eligible retired judge
receives annual pay equal to the annual salary of an active
judge (pay-of-the-office) and that salary level is not
impacted by how much recall service is performed during a
year.
Senate Bill
Section 403 of S. 3023, as amended, would modify the
authorities for the recall of retired judges and the
retirement pay structure. This section would repeal the 180-
day limit on how many days per calendar year a recall-
eligible retired judge may voluntarily serve in recall
status. In addition, for judges appointed on or after the
date of enactment, it would create a three-tiered retirement
pay structure. Specifically, pay-of-the-office would be
reserved for judges who are actively serving, either as a
judge of the Court or as a retired judge serving in recall
status. When not serving in recall status, a recall-eligible
retired judge would receive the rate of pay applicable to
that judge as of the date the judge retired, as increased by
periodic cost-of-living adjustments. A retired judge who is
not recall eligible would receive the rate of pay applicable
to that judge at the time of retirement. Finally, section 403
would exempt current and future recall-eligible retired
judges from involuntary recall once they have served an
aggregate of five years of recall service.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 603 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
ANNUAL REPORTS ON WORKLOAD OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
VETERANS CLAIMS
Current Law
Chapter 72 of title 38 establishes the organization,
jurisdiction, and procedures governing the CAVC. That chapter
does not require the Court to provide Congress with annual
reports on its workload.
Senate Bill
Section 404 of S. 3023, as amended, would add a section to
chapter 72 to establish an annual reporting requirement for
the CAVC. The CAVC would be required to submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives an annual report summarizing the workload of
the Court.
The information required to be in the report would include
the number of appeals, petitions, and applications for fees
under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) filed with the
Court. It would also include the total number of dispositions
by the Court as a whole, by the Clerk of the Court, by a
single judge, by multi-judge panels, and by the full Court
and the number of each type of disposition by the Court,
including settlement, affirmation, remand, vacation,
dismissal, reversal, grant, and denial. In addition, the
required information would include the median time from
filing an appeal to disposition by the Court as a whole, by
the Clerk of the Court, by a single judge, or by multiple
judges; the median time from the filing of a petition to
disposition by the Court; the median time from filing an EAJA
application to disposition by the Court; and the median time
from completion of the briefing requirements by the parties
to disposition by the Court. The report would also include
the number of oral arguments held by the Court; the number of
cases appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit; the number and status of appeals, petitions,
and EAJA applications pending at the end of the fiscal year;
the number of cases pending for more than 18 months at the
end of the fiscal year; and a summary of any service
performed by recalled retired judges during the fiscal year.
In addition, the Court would be required to provide an
assessment of the workload of each judge of the Court,
including consideration of the time required of each judge
for disposition of each type of case, the number of cases
reviewed by the Court, and the average workload of other
Federal judges.
House Bill
Section 201 of H.R. 5892, as amended, would add a section
to chapter 72 to establish an annual reporting requirement
for the CAVC. The CAVC would be required to submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives an annual report summarizing the workload of
the Court. The information required to be reported would
include the number of appeals filed; the number of petitions
filed; the number EAJA applications filed; the number and
type of dispositions; the median time from filing to
disposition; the number of oral arguments; the number and
status of pending appeals, petitions, and EAJA applications;
a summary of any service performed by recalled retired
judges; and the number of cases pending longer than 18
months.
Compromise Agreement
Section 604 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
ADDITIONAL DISCRETION IN IMPOSITION OF PRACTICE AND REGISTRATION FEES
Current Law
Under section 7285 of title 38, the CAVC is authorized to
impose a periodic registration fee on individuals admitted to
practice before the Court. The maximum amount of any such fee
is capped at $30 per year. That amount is significantly lower
than other Federal courts generally charge. The Court is also
authorized to impose a registration fee on the individuals
participating in the Court's judicial conference.
Senate Bill
Section 502 of S. 1315, as amended, would strike the $30
cap on the amount of registration fees that may be charged to
individuals admitted to practice before the Court. It also
would clarify that any registration fee charged by the Court,
either for those admitted to practice before the Court or
those participating in the judicial conference, must be
reasonable.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 605 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
Title VII--Assistance To United States Paralympic Integrated Adaptive
Sports Program
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO UNITED STATES
PARALYMPICS, INC. AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE OF NATIONAL
VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Current Law
Section 521 of title 38 authorizes the Secretary to assist
certain organizations in providing recreational activities
which would further the rehabilitation of disabled veterans.
[[Page 22667]]
House Bill
Section 3 of H.R. 4255, as amended, would authorize the
Secretary to provide assistance to the Paralympic Program of
the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
Section 4 of H.R. 4255, as amended, would establish the
Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans
Sports Programs and Special Events.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Title VII of the Compromise Agreement generally follows the
House language. It makes the authority to provide assistance
to the Paralympic Program of the USOC a four-year pilot
program instead of a permanent program and makes it clear
that the agreement entered into is between VA and United
States Paralympics, Inc. The Compromise Agreement makes it
clear that the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall
continue to seek private sponsorship and donors. It further
provides for the Comptroller General of the United States to
provide a report to the Congress after three years.
Title VIII--Others Matters
AUTHORITY FOR SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF CLAIMS OF THE UNITED STATES
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WHILE SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED
FORCES
Current Law
In January 2008, VA disclosed that, in an attempt to
collect debts owed to VA, the Department had contacted the
estates of twenty-two servicemembers who died while serving
in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Under the relevant law in effect at that time,
section 5302 of title 38, any veteran or active duty
servicemember indebted to VA due to the overpayment or
erroneous payment of benefits was able to apply for a waiver
from VA so as to remove the obligation to pay the debt.
However, under that law, VA was required to notify the
beneficiary, or his or her estate if the beneficiary was
deceased, when an outstanding debt arose and to provide
information on the right to apply for a waiver.
In an attempt to address this situation, the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-252, included a
provision that added a new section 5302A to title 38, which
prohibits VA from collecting all or any part of a debt owed
to VA by a servicemember or veteran who dies as the result of
an injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty while
serving in a theater of combat operations in a war or in
combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities
after September 11, 2001. The Secretary is required to
determine that termination of collection is in the best
interest of the United States.
Senate Bill
Section 601 of S. 3023, as amended, would amend section
3711 of title 31 so as to grant VA discretionary authority to
suspend or terminate the collection of debts owed to it by
individuals who die while serving on active duty in the Armed
Forces. The authority to suspend collection would cover all
individuals who die while serving on active duty as a member
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard
during a period when the Coast Guard is operating as a
service in the Navy.
Section 601 of S. 3023, as amended, also includes a
freestanding provision that would permit VA to provide an
equitable refund to any estate from which it collected a debt
that it otherwise would have waived had this provision been
in effect at the time. VA would have the discretion to
determine in which cases, if any, the use of this authority
would be appropriate.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 801 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT INCOME VERIFICATION
Current Law
Section 6103(l)(7)(D)(viii) of title 26 authorizes the
release of certain income information by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to
VA for the purposes of verifying the incomes of applicants
for VA needs-based benefits, including pensions for wartime
veterans and compensation for Individual Unemployability.
Section 5317(g) of title 38 provides VA with temporary
authority to obtain and use this information in order to
ensure that those receiving benefits under these income-
programs are not earning a greater annual income than the law
permits. This temporary authority will expire on September
30, 2008.
Senate Bill
Section 603 of S. 3023, as amended, would extend VA's
authority to obtain income information from the IRS or the
SSA until September 30, 2011.
House Bill
Section 206 of H.R. 6832 would extend VA's authority to
obtain income verification from the IRS or the SSA until
September 30, 2010.
Compromise Agreement
Section 802 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND AVAILABILITY FOR RESEARCH OF ASSETS OF AIR
FORCE HEALTH STUDY
Current Law
Legislation enacted as section 714 of the John Warner
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007,
Public Law 109-364, authorized the Air Force to transfer
custody of the data and biological specimens to the Medical
Follow-Up Agency (MFUA). There is no provision in current law
for the maintenance and management of the assets authorized
to be transferred.
Senate Bill
Section 805 of S. 1315, as amended, would ensure that the
assets from the Air Force Health Study (AFHS) transferred to
the MFUA are maintained, managed and made available to
researchers. In order to ensure that sufficient funds are
made available for this purpose, funding in the amount of
$1,200,000 would be made available from VA accounts available
for Medical and Prosthetic Research in each fiscal year from
2008 through 2011. In addition, funding from the same source
would be provided in the amount of $250,000 for each year to
conduct additional research using the assets of the AFHS.
Finally a report would be provided to the Congress by March
31, 2011, concerning the feasibility and advisability of
conducting additional research using these assets or
disposing of them.
In the late 1970's, Congress urged the DOD to conduct an
epidemiologic study of veterans of ``Operation Ranch Hand,''
the military units responsible for aerial spraying of
herbicides during the Vietnam War. In response, the AFHS was
initiated in 1982 to examine the effects of herbicide
exposure and health, mortality, and reproductive outcomes in
veterans of Operation Ranch Hand. The study is noteworthy for
the amount of data and biological specimens collected. It
cost over $143 million and was concluded in 2006.
The Senate bill would require VA to provide funding during
fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the purposes recommended
by IOM in the Disposition of the AFHS report.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 803 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY ON RISK OF DEVELOPING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AS A
RESULT OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN THE PERSIAN GULF WAR AND POST-9/11 GLOBAL
OPERATIONS THEATERS
Current Law
Under current law, veterans gain eligibility for disability
benefits by demonstrating a link between their disability and
their active military, naval, or air service. To establish
such a link, the veteran must show, generally, that his or
her disability resulted from an injury or disease that was
incurred or aggravated during the time of military service.
In addition to disabilities that can be directly linked to
service, certain diagnosed diseases are presumed, as a matter
of law, to be service-connected if they manifest under
conditions specified by statute. For example, section 1112,
title 38, provides a presumption for certain chronic diseases
if manifested to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more
within one year of separation from service, for certain
tropical diseases if manifested to a degree of disability of
10 percent or more, generally, within one year of separation
from service, and for active tuberculosis or Hansen's disease
if manifested to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more
within three years of separation from service.
In 1962, Public Law 87-645 extended the period of time
after separation from service that a diagnosis of multiple
sclerosis may be presumed to be service-connected from three
to seven years for veterans with wartime service.
Senate Bill
Section 806 of S. 1315, as amended, would require VA to
enter into a contract with the IOM to conduct a comprehensive
epidemiological study to identify any increased risk of
developing multiple sclerosis, and other diagnosed
neurological diseases, as a result of service in the
Southwest Asia theater of operations or in the Post 9/11
Global Operations theaters. The Southwest Asia theater of
operations is defined in section 3.3317 of title 38, Code of
Federal Regulations. The Post 9/11 Global Operations theater
is defined as Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater for
which the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is
awarded for service.
The mandated study would examine the incidence and
prevalence of diagnosed neurological diseases, including
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and brain cancers,
as well as central nervous abnormalities, in members of the
Armed Forces who served during the Persian Gulf War period
and Post-9/11 Global Operations period. The study would also
collect information on possible risk factors, such as
exposure to pesticides and other toxic substances. IOM would
be required to submit a final report to
[[Page 22668]]
VA and the appropriate committees of Congress by December 31,
2012.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 804 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language.
TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE
FOR CERTAIN SERVICEMEMBERS
Current Law
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), currently found
in the appendix to title 50, beginning at section 501, is
intended to provide for the temporary suspension of judicial
and administrative proceedings and transactions that may
adversely affect the civil rights of servicemembers during
their military service. Title III of the SCRA extends the
right to terminate real property leases to active duty
servicemembers on deployment orders of at least 90 days. It
also allows for the termination of automobile leases for use
by servicemembers and their dependents on military orders
outside the continental United States for a period of 180
days or more.
Senate Bill
Section 804 of S. 1315, as amended, would expand the SCRA
to allow for the termination or suspension, upon request, of
the cellular telephone contracts of servicemembers deployed
outside the United States.
House Bill
Section 4 of H.R. 6225, as amended, would extend the SCRA
protections to enable servicemembers with deployment orders
to terminate or suspend service contracts without fee or
penalty for such services as cellular phones, utilities,
cable television, or internet access.
Compromise Agreement
Section 805 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the Senate language, except that it also includes a provision
allowing servicemembers to suspend or terminate cellular
phone contracts if they receive orders for a permanent change
of duty station.
CONTRACTING GOALS AND PREFERENCES FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS
CONCERNS
Current Law
Section 502 and 503 of Public Law 109-461, the Veterans
Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of
2006, require VA to provide certain contracting preferences
to small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled
veterans.
House Bill
Section 2 of H.R. 6221, as amended, would amend section
8127 of title 38 to require the Secretary to include in each
contract the Secretary enters with an agent acting on VA's
behalf for the acquisition of goods and services a provision
that requires the agent to comply with the contracting goals
and preferences for small business concerns owned or
controlled by veterans set forth in sections 502 and 503 of
Public Law 109-461.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 806 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows
the House language except that it would apply, to the maximum
extent feasible, only to contracts entered into after
December 31, 2008.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF INTEREST RATE LIMITATION UNDER
SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT
Current Law
The SCRA provides that penalties under title 18 may be
imposed against anyone who knowingly takes part in or
attempts to violate certain applicable protections.
House Bill
Section 5 of H.R. 6225 would amend section 207 of the SCRA
by placing a fine of $5,000 and $10,000 on any individual or
organization, respectively, who knowingly violates certain
SCRA rights of a servicemember. It would further provide for
attorney fees and treble damages in certain cases.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 807 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language to add penalties in section 207 of the SCRA.
FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF SUNSET PROVISION FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS
Current Law
Section 544 of title 38 required the Secretary to establish
an Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Under section
544(e) of title 38, the Committee will cease to exist on
December 31, 2009.
House Bill
Section 1 of H.R. 674 would repeal the sunset date on the
Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 808 of the Compromise Agreement would extend the
sunset date on the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
for five years from the current date of expiration, until
December 31, 2014.
AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ADVERTISE TO PROMOTE
AWARENESS OF BENEFITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY
Current Law
The Anti-Deficiency Act, section 1341 of title 5, prohibits
the use of appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda
purposes. Section 404 of Public Law 110-161, the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2008, reinforced this prohibition
stating:
No part of any funds appropriated in this Act shall be used
by an agency of the executive branch, other than for normal
and recognized executive-legislative relationships, for
publicity or propaganda purposes, and for the preparation,
distribution or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet,
publication, radio, television, or film presentation designed
to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress,
except in presentation to Congress itself.
Although executive branch departments and agencies are
prohibited from using appropriated funds to engage in
``publicity or propaganda,'' there is no such prohibition
against disseminating information about current benefits,
policies, and activities. Military recruiting advertising
campaigns are a primary example of an acceptable use of
appropriated funds.
House Bill
Section 2 of H.R. 3681 would add a new section 532 to title
38 authorizing the Secretary to advertise in national media
to promote awareness of benefits under laws administered by
the Secretary.
Senate Bill
The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 809 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House
language.
MEMORIAL HEADSTONES AND MARKERS FOR DECEASED REMARRIED SURVIVING
SPOUSES OF VETERANS
Current Law
Section 2306(b)(4)(B) of title 38 authorizes VA to furnish
an appropriate memorial headstone or marker to commemorate
eligible individuals whose remains are unavailable.
Individuals currently eligible for memorial headstones or
markers include a veteran's surviving spouse, which is
defined to include ``an unremarried surviving spouse whose
subsequent remarriage was terminated by death or divorce.''
Thus, a surviving spouse who remarried after the veteran's
death is not eligible for a memorial headstone or marker
unless the remarriage was terminated by death or divorce
before the surviving spouse died. However, a surviving spouse
who remarried after the veteran's death is eligible for
burial in a VA national cemetery without regard to whether
any subsequent remarriage ended.
Senate Bill
Section 602 of S. 3023, as amended, would extend
eligibility for memorial headstones or markers to a deceased
veteran's remarried surviving spouse, without regard to
whether any subsequent remarriage ended.
House Bill
The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
Compromise Agreement
Section 810 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate
language.
Mr. BURR. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, I rise today to applaud the passage of S. 3023, the
Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. This veterans' benefits
omnibus bill, which is now on its way to the President, will make a
wide assortment of improvements to benefits programs for our Nation's
veterans and their families.
I want to commend the chairman of the Senate Committee of Veterans'
Affairs, Senator Akaka, and our colleagues on the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer, for their
efforts in crafting this compromise legislation. It reflects the
bipartisan work of dozens of Members of both the House and Senate. The
result of our work is an omnibus veterans' benefits bill with over 60
provisions that will allow more veterans to access VA-backed home
loans, will expand access to independent living services for severely
injured veterans, and will address VA's disability claims backlog,
among many other valuable provisions.
I am particularly pleased that the bill includes an education benefit
that draws its inspiration from a North Carolinian. Sarah Wade, spouse
of Ted
[[Page 22669]]
Wade, an Iraq War veteran who lost his right arm and has battled the
effects of severe traumatic brain injury after an explosive detonated
under his Humvee in 2004, has been at her husband's side as a primary
caregiver from the beginning. She quit her job to take care of Ted and
has doggedly ensured that he receives the highest quality of care. It
is likely that her intensive involvement in Ted's ongoing recovery will
last for several more years.
Sarah's effort on behalf of her husband leaves little time for
herself. Sarah would one day like to go to school. Although VA provides
an educational assistance benefit for the spouses of totally disabled
veterans and servicemembers, the law requires that the benefit be used
within 10 years of the date the veteran receives a total disability
rating. For a spouse like Sarah Wade, there is next to no time to take
advantage of this benefit within that timeframe. The recovery period
for a TBI-afflicted veteran--the very period that Ted needs Sarah the
most--simply precludes her from pursuing that option.
In recognition of hundreds of spouses like Sarah, the Veterans'
Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 would extend from 10 to 20 years the
period within which certain spouses of severely disabled veterans could
use their education benefits. That longer window will allow Sarah and
others to focus on their first priority, the care of their injured
spouses, while giving them some flexibility to pursue their educational
goals later on. This provision is simply the right thing to do for
those who have sacrificed so much.
Another provision I would like to mention would require human
resource specialists in the Federal executive branch to receive
training on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights
Act, or USERRA. This law provides a wide range of employment
protections to veterans, future and current members of the Armed
Forces, and Guard and Reserve members. For returning servicemembers, it
requires that they be given their jobs back when they return home. It
also requires that they receive all the benefits and seniority that
would have accumulated during their absence.
While every employer should strive to meet or exceed the requirements
of USERRA, Congress has stressed that ``the Federal Government should
be a model employer'' when it comes to complying with this law. In my
view, this means the Federal Government should make sure that not a
single returning servicemember is denied proper reinstatement to a
Federal job. But unfortunately, this is not happening yet. The Federal
Government often violates this law because Federal hiring managers
simply don't understand what it requires or how to apply it.
That is why I championed a provision to require the head of each
Federal executive agency to provide training for their human resources
personnel on the rights, benefits, and obligations under USERRA. My
hope is that this training will help prevent future violations of
USERRA before they ever occur, so our returning servicemembers will not
experience delays or frustrations in resuming their civilian jobs. In
short, this provision will move the Federal Government toward becoming
the ``model employer'' that it should be.
This bill also provides a number of enhancements to VA's Home Loan
Guaranty Program, which are particularly important in light of the
ongoing home loan crisis. For starters, the bill temporarily increases
the maximum amount of VA's home loan guaranty from just over $104,000
to more than $182,000, allowing veterans purchasing homes in higher
cost areas to benefit from a VA guaranty. Another key provision will
significantly increase the maximum amount of VA's guaranty for
refinance loans. This means veterans with large, high-interest
conventional loans may be able to switch to lower interest rate VA-
backed loans, helping them keep their homes by lowering their monthly
payments.
Also, the bill would decrease from 10 percent to 0 percent the amount
of equity required in order to refinance from a conventional loan to a
VA-backed loan. So, even veterans who have seen declining home values
may be able to benefit from these VA-guaranteed refinance loans.
Collectively, these changes will help more of our Nation's veterans
purchase their own homes or keep their existing homes.
Other very important provisions in this bill will expand access to
VA's independent living services program. This program helps veterans
with severe service-related disabilities improve their ability to
function more independently in their homes and communities and, in some
cases, it gives them hope for a productive life. These services are
more important than ever before, as veterans return home from Operation
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with catastrophic injuries
and as the overall veteran population ages. But VA is not authorized to
allow more than 2,500 disabled veterans to enter this program each
year, which may prevent or delay veterans from receiving these crucial
services.
Also, VA is generally precluded from providing more than 24 months of
independent living services to a disabled veteran. This may not be long
enough for a veteran suffering severe disabilities, such as traumatic
brain injuries, which can have lengthy, complex, and unpredictable
recovery periods. So, this bill will increase from 2,500 to 2,600 the
number of veterans who may enter the independent living services
program each year and will allow any severely disabled veteran of OIF/
OEF to receive more than 24 months of services. These changes will help
ensure that veterans who have suffered devastating injuries in service
to our Nation will have access to the services they need to lead
fulfilling, independent lives.
This bill also includes a provision that would require VA to provide
Congress with a plan for updating its disability rating schedule and a
timeline for when changes will be made. This rating schedule--which is
the cornerstone of the entire VA claims processing system--was
developed in the early 1900s, and about 35 percent of it has not been
updated since 1945. It is riddled with outdated criteria that do not
track with modern medicine, and it does not adequately compensate
young, severely disabled veterans; veterans with mental disabilities;
and veterans who are unemployable.
To address this situation, VA conducted studies on the appropriate
level of disability compensation to account for any loss of earning
capacity and any loss of quality of life caused by service-related
disabilities. To make sure these studies don't get put on a shelf to
collect dust--as has happened in the past--this bill would require VA
to submit to Congress a report outlining the findings and
recommendations of those studies, a list of the actions that VA plans
to take in response, and a timeline for when VA plans to take those
actions. My hope is that this will finally prompt the type of complete
update that is necessary to ensure the VA rating schedule is meeting
the needs of our injured veterans.
This bill would also help ensure that the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims consistently has the judicial resources it needs to
provide timely decisions to veterans and their families. In recent
years, the court has struggled in the face of a massive caseload, with
record levels of incoming cases and record levels of pending appeals.
To help the court deal with this workload, this bill will temporarily
increase the size of the court from seven judges to nine judges. This
temporary increase will provide the court with more judicial resources
in the near term. At the same time, it will allow Congress to gather
more information about the court's workload before deciding whether a
permanent expansion of the court is the best way to make sure veterans
receive timely decisions in the future. To that end, the bill would
require the court to provide annual reports to Congress with details
about who is actually doing the work, what type of work they are doing,
and where there are bottlenecks.
This temporary expansion to nine judges will also help with an
ongoing problem--the prospect of having multiple judicial vacancies
when judges retire. When the court was created in
[[Page 22670]]
1988, the terms of the judges were not staggered, so six judges retired
between 2000 and 2005, with four retirements in a single 11-month
period. This led to a serious disruption in service to veterans. To try
to avoid a similar disruption in service when the existing judges
retire, the terms of the judges appointed as a result of this expansion
would extend well beyond the retirement dates of all of the existing
judges.
In addition to all these good provisions, the bill includes some
commonsense reforms to the court's pay structure and the rules on
recalling retired judges. It would remove the current cap on the number
of days a retired judge may voluntarily serve in recall status each
year. It would create a three-tier payment structure for the judges,
which reserves the highest pay for judges actually serving either as
active judges or as recalled retired judges. It also would exempt
retired judges from being involuntarily recalled after they have served
at least 5 aggregate years as a recalled judge. These reforms should
create meaningful incentives for retired judges to come back to work
for longer or more frequent periods of time. With their experience and
expertise, the increased involvement of retired judges will be of
significant value to the veterans seeking justice from the court.
Mr. President, these are only a few of the over 60 items in this
comprehensive veterans' benefits bill. I am confident this bill will
improve the lives of veterans and their families, even if only in small
ways. I applaud the passage of this bill, and, again, I thank my
colleagues, Chairman Akaka, Chairman Filner, and Ranking Member Buyer.
____________________
VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate
a message from the House with respect to S. 2162.
The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message
from the House of Representatives:
Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 2162) entitled ``An Act
to improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and
substance use disorders, and for other purposes'', do pass with an
amendment.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur in the
amendment of the House to the Senate bill and the motion to reconsider
be laid upon the table; further, that any statements be printed at the
appropriate place in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to urge swift Senate passage
of S. 2162, the proposed Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care
Improvements Act of 2008, as amended. This is an omnibus health care
measure, which responds to the burgeoning mental health concerns of
veterans and their families. The bill, as it comes before the Senate,
is a compromise agreement developed with our counterparts on the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I thank Chairman Filner and Ranking
Member Buyer of the House committee for their cooperation in this
endeavor. I also thank my good friend, the committee's ranking member,
Senator Burr, for his great energy and cooperation as we have developed
this bill.
This compromise agreement is also focused on addressing homelessness
among veterans, increasing VA's efforts on pain management, promoting
excellence in VA's efforts relating to epilepsy, and improving access
to care in rural areas. It also includes a series of necessary
programmatic authorization extensions as well as major medical facility
construction authorizations.
The framework for this bill is my legislation, S. 2162 as originally
introduced. This bill represents a bipartisan approach and was
cosponsored early on by the ranking member, Senator Burr, along with
Senators Mikulski, Ensign, Rockefeller, Smith, Bingaman, Dole, Clinton,
Collins, Sessions, and Stevens.
Mr. President, I want to share how we began this process. The
legislation did not stem from a lobbyist or an interest group. It came
about because of one letter--a letter to me from the parents of Justin
Bailey--Mary Kaye and Tony Bailey.
Justin Bailey was a war veteran who survived Iraq only to die while
receiving care from VA for PTSD and substance use disorder. A week
after his death last year, Justin's parents were naturally heartbroken
by the death of their only son, but even more than that, they were
concerned that other veterans might share his fate if VA mental health
care did not improve.
In their own words, they asked, ``Everyone talks about the costs of
sending troops to Iraq--what about the cost of caring for their
injuries, both physical and psychological, when they return?''
From this first letter, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held
various hearings on the mental health needs of veterans. The media
carried so many stories of veterans who were suffering, and various
studies showed how prevalent mental health difficulties are in those
who return from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We worked with experts in the mental health field and others who were
advocating for veterans, including those at the Disabled American
Veterans, to craft a bill that responded to the problem. This
legislation responds to the concerns of the Baileys and many others who
have come to the committee to tell their stories, and does so with the
clear understanding that veterans care is a cost of war. If we neglect
to pay these costs when the service members first return from
deployment, we as a nation will suffer incalculable human costs that
can never be repaid.
Provisions included in this compromise agreement are drawn from
various bills which have all been reported favorably by the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, including S. 1233 as ordered reported
on August 29, 2007; S. 2004, S. 2142, S. 2160, S. 2162, as ordered
reported on November 14, 2007; and S. 2969, as ordered reported on June
26, 2008.
I will briefly outline some of the key provisions in the compromise
agreement.
This legislation would make comprehensive changes to VA mental health
treatment and research. Most notably, it would ensure a minimum level
of substance use disorder care for veterans who need such care. It
would also require VA to improve treatment of veterans with PTSD co-
occurring with substance use disorders. Additionally, in order to
determine if VA's residential mental health facilities are
appropriately staffed, this bill would mandate a review of such
facilities. It would also create a vital research program on PTSD and
substance use disorders, in cooperation with, and building on the work
of, the National Center for PTSD.
It is not uncommon for veterans with physical and mental wounds to
turn to drugs and alcohol to ease their pain. Many experts believe that
stress is the primary cause of drug abuse and of relapse to drug abuse.
Sixty to eighty percent of Vietnam veterans who have sought PTSD
treatment have alcohol use disorders. VA has long dealt with substance
abuse issues, but there is much more that can be done. This legislation
would provide a number of solutions to enhance substance use disorder
treatment, including an innovative approach to substance use treatment
via Internet-based programs.
Furthermore, the inclusion of families in mental health and substance
use disorder treatment is critical. To that end, the compromise
agreement would fully authorize VA to provide mental health services to
families of veterans and would set up a program to proactively help
veterans and their families to transition from deployment to civilian
life.
Beneficiary travel reimbursements are essential to improving access
to VA health care for veterans in rural areas. This legislation would
increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11
cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile and permanently set the
deductible to the 2007 amount of $3 each way. Senator Tester has been a
[[Page 22671]]
leader on this issue, and I thank him for that.
Too often, veterans suffer from lack of care not only because they
reside in rural areas but also because they are unaware of the services
available to them. This legislation would enhance outreach and
accessibility by creating a pilot program on the use of peers to help
reach out to veterans. It would also encourage improved accessibility
for mental health care in rural areas through coordination with
community-based resources. Mental Health America and Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America brought to the committee the concept of
using peers to help veterans, and I think it is a good one.
It is crucial that all veterans have access to emergency care. This
bill would make corrections to the procedure used by VA to reimburse
community hospitals for emergency care provided to eligible veterans to
ensure that both veterans and community hospitals are not unduly
burdened by emergency care costs. This provision is based on
legislation introduced by Senator Brown in response to a situation in
his own State of Ohio, where community hospitals were not being
reimbursed timely from VA.
The compromise agreement also addresses homelessness among veterans,
a far too prevalent problem. The bill would create targeted programs to
provide assistance for low-income veteran families. It would also
increase the total amount that VA is authorized to spend on its
successful Grant and Per Diem Program, which assists community-based
entities that serve homeless veterans. Finally, the bill would expand a
program to help formerly incarcerated veterans reintegrate into life
and ensure facilities are up to par for women veterans who are
homeless.
Epilepsy is often associated with traumatic brain injury. This
legislation would establish six VA epilepsy centers of excellence,
focused on research, education, and clinical care activities in the
diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. These centers would restore VA to
the position of leadership it once held in epilepsy research and
treatment. Senators Murray and Craig worked together to bring this
critical legislation to the forefront. I also add that the Epilepsy
Foundation of America and the American Academy of Neurology were very
helpful to the committee on this issue.
The medical community has made impressive advances in pain care and
management, but VA has lagged behind in implementing a standardized
policy. S. 2162 would establish a pain care program at all VA inpatient
facilities, to prevent long-term chronic pain disability. It also
provides for education for VA's health care workers on pain assessment
and treatment and would require VA to expand research on pain care. We
relied on the Pain Care Forum and their many organizations devoted to
the relief of pain, and I thank them for their efforts on behalf of
veterans.
Finally, S. 2162 contains extensions of authorities for VA to provide
some essential services to veterans, such as both institutional and
non-institutional long-term care and caregiver assistance. It would
also authorize a series of major medical facility construction projects
and clinic leases in California, Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida,
Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, South Carolina,
Ohio, Arizona, Georgia, and Illinois.
Mr. President, before I close, I recognize and thank the individuals
involved in putting together this comprehensive measure. Specifically,
I thank Cathy Wiblemo and Dolores Dunn from the House committee and Jon
Towers from the minority on the Senate committee. I also thank my own
staff who assisted me in forging this bill. Kim Lipsky and Alex
Sardegna heard the needs of veterans, sought creative solutions to some
very complex problems, and worked tirelessly to make this bill a
reality.
In closing, I thank Mary Kaye and Tony Bailey, who set aside their
own grief about Justin and fought for better mental health care for all
veterans. We all owe the Baileys a debt of gratitude for so many
reasons.
I urge all of my colleagues to support swift passage of S. 2162, as
amended. It would bring relief, support, and needed services to so many
veterans and their families across the country.
I ask unanimous consent to have the Joint Explanatory Statement
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Joint Explanatory Statement for S. 2162, Veterans' Mental Health and
Other Care Improvements Act of 2008
The ``Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements
Act of 2008'' reflects a compromise agreement that the Senate
and House of Representatives' Committees on Veterans' Affairs
reached on certain provisions of a number of bills considered
by the House and Senate during the 110th Congress, including:
S. 2162, to improve the treatment and services provided by
the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-
traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and
for other purposes, passed by the Senate on June 3, 2008
[hereinafter, ``Senate Bill'']; H.R. 5554, to expand and
improve health care services available to veterans from the
Department of Veterans Affairs for substance use disorders,
and for other purposes, passed by the House on May 20, 2008
[hereinafter, ``House Bill'']; S. 1233, to provide and
enhance intervention, rehabilitative treatment, and services
to veterans with traumatic brain injury, and for other
purposes, placed on the Senate calendar on August 29, 2007.
H.R. 1527, to conduct a pilot program to permit certain
highly rural veterans enrolled in the health system of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health
services through providers other than those of the
Department, passed by the House on September 10, 2008; H.R.
2623, to prohibit the collection of copayments for all
hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs,
passed by the House on July 30, 2007; H.R. 2818, to provide
for the establishment of epilepsy centers of excellence in
the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, passed by the House on June 24, 2008; H.R.
2874, to make certain improvements in the provision of health
care to veterans, and for other purposes, passed by the House
on July 30, 2007; S. 2969, to enhance the capacity of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses
and other critical health care professionals, and for other
purposes, placed on the Senate calendar on September 18,
2008.
H.R. 3819, to reimburse veterans receiving emergency
treatment in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities
for such treatment until such veterans are transferred to
Department facilities, and for other purposes, passed by the
House on May 21, 2008; H.R. 4264, to name the Department of
Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center in Tampa, Florida,
as the ``Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans Affairs
Spinal Cord Injury Center,'' passed by the House on June 26,
2008; H.R. 5729, to provide comprehensive health care to
children of Vietnam veterans born with Spina Bifida, and for
other purposes, passed by the House on May 20, 2008; H.R.
6445, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from
collecting certain copayments from veterans who are
catastrophically disabled, and for other purposes, passed by
the House on July 30, 2008; H.R. 6832, to authorize major
medical facility projects and major medical facility leases
for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2009,
to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes, passed by the House on
September 11, 2008; S. 2969, to enhance the capacity of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses
and other critical health care professionals and for other
purposes, which was placed on the Senate legislative calendar
on September 18, 2008.
The House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have
prepared the following explanation of the compromise bill, S.
2162 (hereinafter referred to as the ``Compromise
Agreement''). Differences between the provisions contained in
the Compromise Agreement and the related provisions in the
bills listed above are noted in this document, except for
clerical corrections and conforming changes made necessary by
the Compromise Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, and
clarifying changes.
Title I--Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Care
Tribute to Justin Bailey (sec. 101)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 306) to specify
that this title is enacted in tribute to Justin Bailey, who,
after returning to the United States from service as member
of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a
domiciliary facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs
while receiving care for post-traumatic stress disorder and a
substance use disorder.
Section 6 of the House bill contained the identical
provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains this provision.
Findings on substance use disorders and mental health (sec.
102)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 301) that would
express the sense of the Congress that:
[[Page 22672]]
(1) More than 1,500,000 members of the Armed Forces have
been deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom. The 2005 Department of Defense Survey of
Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Personnel reports
that 23 percent of members of the Armed Forces on active duty
acknowledge a significant problem with alcohol use, with
similar rates of acknowledged problems with alcohol use among
members of the National Guard.
(2) The effects of substance abuse are wide ranging,
including significantly increased risk of suicide,
exacerbation of mental and physical health disorders,
breakdown of family support, and increased risk of
unemployment and homelessness.
(3) While veterans suffering from mental health conditions,
chronic physical illness, and polytrauma may be at increased
risk for development of a substance use disorder, treatment
for these veterans is complicated by the need to address
adequately the physical and mental symptoms associated with
these conditions through appropriate medical intervention.
(4) While the Veterans Health Administration has
dramatically increased health services for veterans from 1996
through 2006, the number of veterans receiving specialized
substance abuse treatment services decreased 18 percent
during that time. No comparable decrease in the national rate
of substance abuse has been observed during that time.
(5) While some facilities of the Veterans Health
Administration provide exemplary substance use disorder
treatment services, the availability of such treatment
services throughout the health care system of the Veterans
Health Administration is inconsistent.
(6) According to the Government Accountability Office, the
Department of Veterans Affairs significantly reduced its
substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation services
between 1996 and 2006, and has made little progress since in
restoring these services to their pre-1996 levels.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision but
modifies finding (6) to include the year of the Government
Accountability report and cites the National Mental Health
Program Monitoring System report.
Expansion of substance use disorder treatment services
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (sec. 103)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 302) that would
require that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs ensure the
provision of services and treatment to each veteran enrolled
in the health care system of the Department who is in need of
services and treatments for a substance use disorder, and the
bill included a specific list of services. The Senate bill
would also authorize that the services and treatments may be
provided to a veteran: (1) at Department of Veterans Affairs
medical centers or clinics; (2) by referral to other
facilities of the Department that are accessible to such
veteran; or (3) by contract or fee-for-service payments with
community-based organizations for the provision of such
services and treatments.
The House bill contained a similar provision (sec. 2) that
would require the Secretary to provide a full continuum of
care for substance use disorders to veterans in need of such
care and included a specific list of services, including
three services not included in the Senate bill: marital and
family counseling, screening for substance use disorders, and
coordination with groups providing peer to peer counseling.
The House bill (sec. 3) would also require the Secretary to
ensure that the amounts made available for care, treatment,
and services are allocated evenly throughout the system,
including an annual reporting requirement.
The Compromise Agreement includes the listing of substance
use disorder services included in both the Senate and House
bills, and follows the Senate bill with respect to the
locations of where services would be provided. The Compromise
Agreement follows the House bill with respect to ensuring the
equitable distribution of resources for substance abuse
services but does not include the annual reporting
requirement.
Care for veterans with mental health and substance use
disorders (sec. 104)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 303) that would
ensure that if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides a
veteran inpatient or outpatient care for a substance use
disorder and a comorbid mental health disorder, that the
treatment for such disorders be provided concurrently: (1)
through a service provided by a clinician or health
professional who has training and expertise in treatment of
substance use disorders and mental health disorders; (2) by
separate substance use disorder and mental health disorder
treatment services when there is appropriate coordination,
collaboration, and care management between such treatment
services; or (3) by a team of clinicians with appropriate
expertise.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Pilot program for Internet-based substance use disorder
treatment for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom (sec. 105)
The House bill contained a provision (sec. 4) that would
express the sense of the Congress that:
(1) Stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental
health disorders has been demonstrated to prevent some
veterans from seeking such treatment at a medical facility
operated by the Department of Defense or the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(2) There is a significant incidence among veterans of
post-deployment mental health problems, especially among
members of a reserve component who return as veterans to
civilian life.
(3) Computer-based self-guided training has been
demonstrated to be an effective strategy for supplementing
the care of psychological conditions.
(4) Younger veterans, especially those who served in
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, are
comfortable with and proficient at computer-based technology.
(5) Veterans living in rural areas find access to treatment
for substance use disorder limited.
(6) Self-assessment and treatment options for substance use
disorders through an Internet website may reduce stigma and
provides additional access for individuals seeking care and
treatment for such disorders.
This provision would also require the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to carry out a pilot program to test the feasibility
and advisability of providing veterans who seek treatment for
substance use disorders access to a computer-based self-
assessment, education, and specified treatment program
through a secure Internet website operated by the Secretary.
The Senate bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Report on residential mental health care facilities of the
Veterans Health Administration (sec. 106)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 305) that would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the
Office of Mental Health Services of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, not later than six months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, conduct a review of all
residential mental health care facilities, including
domiciliary facilities, of the Veterans Health
Administration; and not later than two years after the date
of the completion of the first review conduct a follow-up
review of such facilities to evaluate any improvements made
or problems remaining since the first review was completed.
Not later than 90 days after the completion of the first
review, the Secretary would be required to submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on such review.
The House bill (sec. 5) contained a similar provision,
except there was no provision for a two-year follow-up
review, and the six month review would be carried out by the
Office of the Medical Inspector.
The Compromise Agreement includes the Senate provision
which specifies the two-year follow-up review, but would have
the Inspector General carry out the reviews.
Pilot program on peer outreach and support for veterans and
use of community mental health centers and Indian Health
Service facilities (sec. 107)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 401) that would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a
pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of
providing the following to veterans of OIF/OEF in at least
two Veterans Integrated Service Networks: (1) peer outreach
services; (2) peer support services provided by licensed
providers of peer support services or veterans who have
personal experience with mental illness; (3) readjustment
counseling services; and other mental health services.
Services would be provided through community mental health
centers or other entities under contracts or other agreements
and through the Indian Health Service pursuant to a
memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
Section 6 of H.R. 2874 required the Secretary to carry out
a program to provide peer outreach services, peer support
services, and readjustment and mental health services to
covered veterans. This provision was not a pilot program and
did not provide for the means to collaborate with the Indian
Health Service.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision with
an amendment that would authorize at least three pilot sites.
Title II--Mental Health Research
Research program on comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder
and substance use disorders (sec. 201)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 501) that would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a
program of research into comorbid post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder. This research
program shall be carried out by the National Center for
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In carrying out the program,
the Center shall: (1) develop protocols
[[Page 22673]]
and goals with respect to research under the program; and (2)
coordinate research, data collection, and data dissemination
under the program.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Extension of authorization for Special Committee on Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (sec. 202)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 502) that would
modify section 110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of
1984, P.L. 98-528, to extend the reporting requirement for
the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Currently, the reporting requirement is set to expire in
2008; this provision would extend it through 2012.
Section 209 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Title III--Assistance for Families of Veterans
Clarification of authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to provide mental health services to families of veterans
(sec. 301)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 601) that would
amend section 1701(5)(B) of title 38, United States Code, to
clarify the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
provide mental health services to families of veterans.
Section 3 of H.R. 6445 contained a provision that would
modify section 1782(b) of title 38 so as to eliminate the
requirement that family support services be initiated during
the veteran's hospitalization and deemed essential to permit
the veteran's discharge.
The Compromise Agreement follows the House bill with
respect to the provision eliminating the need for services to
be initiated during a veteran's hospitalization and essential
to the veteran's discharge, but follows the Senate bill with
respect to the provision to clarify the authority of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide mental health
services to families.
Pilot program on provision of readjustment and transition
assistance to veterans and their families in cooperation
with Vet Centers (sec. 302)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 402) that would
establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and
advisability of providing additional readjustment and
transition assistance to veterans and their families in
cooperation with Readjustment Counseling Centers. The pilot
would be similar to family assistance programs previously
conducted at ten Army facilities around the country.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision with
an amendment to begin the pilot program no later than 180
days after the enactment of the Act.
Title IV--Health Care Matters
Veterans beneficiary travel program (sec. 401)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 101) that would
direct the Secretary to reimburse qualifying veterans at the
rate authorized for Government employees under section
5707(b) of title 5. The Senate provision would also strike a
provision that allows the Secretary to raise or lower the
deductible for reimbursements in proportion to a change in
the mileage rate. Finally, the Senate provision would
reinstate the amount of the deductible for the beneficiary
travel reimbursement program to the amount in effect prior to
the Secretary's February 1, 2008, decision on beneficiary
travel.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Mandatory reimbursement of veterans receiving emergency
treatment in non-department of veterans affairs
facilities until transfer to department facilities (sec.
402)
The Senate bill contained a provision that would amend
section 1725 of title 38 in subsections (a)(1) and (f)(1).
Subsection (a)(1) would be amended by replacing ``may
reimburse'' with ``shall reimburse.'' This change would make
reimbursement for emergency care received at non-VA
facilities mandatory for eligible veterans, rather than at
the discretion of the Secretary. Subsection (f)(1) would be
amended to provide greater specificity regarding the
termination of VA's obligation to reimburse. The Senate bill
would also amend section 1728 of title 38 so as to make that
section, which relates to reimbursement for the emergency
treatment of service-connected conditions, consistent with
section 1725, as amended. Thus, reimbursement would also be
made mandatory under Section 1728. The existing criteria,
defining veteran eligibility for reimbursement for emergency
care services, would be carried over in the revised statutory
language. In addition, the Senate bill would further amend
section 1728 so as to strike the phrase ``care and services''
in current subsection (b) of section 1728, and replace that
phrase with ``emergency treatment.'' This proposed change is
designed to promote consistency between sections 1725 and
1728.
H.R. 3819 contained similar provisions.
The Compromise Agreement contains these provisions.
Pilot program of enhanced contract care authority for health
care needs of veterans in highly rural areas (sec. 403)
H.R. 1527 (sec. 2) would require the Secretary to conduct a
pilot program which permits highly rural veterans who are
enrolled in the system of patient enrollment established
under section 1705(a) of title 38, and who reside in Veterans
Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) 1, 15, 18, and 19, to
elect to receive covered health services for which such
veterans are eligible, through a non-Department health care
provider.
The Senate bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement follows the House bill, with an
amendment that specifies that the pilot program will be
carried out in 5 VISNs, four of which shall include at least
three highly rural counties (as determined by the Secretary
based upon the most recent census data), and one of which
shall include one highly rural county. All VISNs selected
must include an area within the borders of at least four
states, and not be already participating in Project HERO.
Eligibility for participation in the pilot program would be
limited to those veterans already enrolled in the VA health
care system at the time of commencement of the program, as
well as OIF/OEF veterans who are eligible for VA health care
under section 1710(e)(3)(C) of title 38.
Epilepsy centers of excellence (sec. 404)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 103) that would
require that the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the
Under Secretary for Health, to designate not less than six
Department health care facilities as locations for epilepsy
centers of excellence.
H.R. 2818 (sec. 2) would require the Secretary to designate
an epilepsy center of excellence at each of the 5 centers
designated under section 7327 of title 38 (Centers for
research, education, and clinical activities on complex
multi-trauma associated with combat injuries).
The Compromise Agreement specifies that Secretary shall
designate at least four but not more than six Department
health care facilities as locations for epilepsy centers of
excellence. Not less than two of these centers shall be
collocated with centers designated under 7327 of title 38.
Establishment of qualifications for peer specialist
appointees (sec. 405)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 104) that would
amend section 7402(b) of title 38 so as to define
qualifications for peer specialist positions employed by the
Veterans Health Administration. Specifically, in order to be
eligible to be appointed to a peer specialist position, a
person must be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering
from a mental health condition; and be certified by a not-
for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training by
having met such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for
a peer specialist position; or a State by having satisfied
relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position.
The Senate bill would also amend section 7402 of title 38 so
as to add a new subsection providing authority for the
Secretary to enter into contracts with not-for-profit
entities to provide peer specialist training to veterans and
certification for veterans.
The House bill contained no similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Establishment of consolidated patient accounting centers
(sec. 406)
Section 5 of H.R. 6445 contained a provision that would
amend chapter 17 of title 38 to insert a new section
mandating that not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this bill, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish not more than seven consolidated patient
accounting centers for conducting industry-modeled
regionalized billing and collection activities of the
Department.
The Senate bill contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Repeal of limitation on authority to conduct widespread HIV
testing program (sec. 407)
Section 217 of S. 2969 would repeal section 124 of Public
Law 100-322, which permits VA to test a patient for HIV
infection only if the veteran receives pre-test counseling
and provides written informed consent for such testing.
Eliminating this section from the law would bring VA's
statutory HIV testing requirements in line with current
guidelines issued by the Centers of Disease Control and
Prevention.
Section 6 of H.R. 6445 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Provision of comprehensive health care by Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to children of Vietnam veterans born
with spina bifida (sec. 408)
H.R. 5729 would amend section 1803(a) of title 38 so as to
expand the existing VA Spina Bifida Health Care Program and
provide a comprehensive health benefit to beneficiaries.
The Senate bill contained no comparable provision.
[[Page 22674]]
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Exemption from copayment requirement for veterans receiving
hospice care (sec. 409)
Section 309 of S. 1233 would amend section 1710 of title 38
so as to exempt hospice care provided in all settings from
the copayment requirement for VA long-term care. Under
current law, only hospice care provided in a VA nursing home
is exempted from copayment.
H.R. 2623 contained a similar provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Title V--Pain Care
Comprehensive policy on pain management (sec. 501)
The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 201) that would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and
implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain
experienced by veterans enrolled for VA health care services
no later than October 1, 2008.
The policy would be required to cover the following: the
Department-wide management of acute and chronic pain
experienced by veterans; the standard of care for pain
management to be used throughout the Department; the
consistent application of pain assessments to be used
throughout the Department; the assurance of prompt and
appropriate pain care treatment and management by the
Department, system-wide, when medically necessary; Department
programs of research related to acute and chronic pain
suffered by veterans, including pain attributable to central
and peripheral nervous system damage characteristic of
injuries incurred in modern warfare; Department programs of
pain care education and training for health care personnel of
the Department; and Department programs of patient education
for veterans suffering from acute or chronic pain and their
families.
Section 4 of H.R. 6445 contained identical provisions.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provisions, but would
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and
implement a comprehensive policy on pain management no later
than October 1, 2009.
Title VI--Homeless Veterans Matters
Increase in authorization of appropriations for the Homeless
Grant and Per Diem Program (sec. 601)
Section 506 of S. 2969 would amend section 2013 of title
38, to increase the authorization of appropriations for the
Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program from $130 million to $200
million.
The House bill contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision but
changes the authorization amount to $150 million.
Expansion and extension of authority for program of referral
and counseling services for at-risk veterans
transitioning from certain institutions (sec. 602)
Section 403 of S. 1233 would amend section 2023 of title 38
so as to extend and expand the authority for a program to aid
incarcerated veterans in their transition back to civilian
life. The program would be extended until September 30, 2011,
and would be expanded from six to twelve sites.
Section 7 of H.R. 2874 contained identical provisions.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision, but would
extend the program until September 30, 2012.
Permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless
veterans and enhancement of capacity of domiciliary care
programs for female veterans (sec. 603)
Section 405 of S. 1233 would amend section 2043 of title 38
to make permanent an existing authority to expand domiciliary
care for homeless women veterans.
Section 8 of H.R. 2874 contained identical provisions.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provisions.
Financial assistance for supportive services for very-low
income veteran families in permanent housing (sec. 604)
Section 406 of S. 1233 would amend title 38 so as to add a
new section 2044, relating to supportive services for very
low-income veterans and their families occupying permanent
housing. Proposed new section 2044 would direct VA to provide
grants to eligible entities to provide and coordinate the
provision of a comprehensive range of supportive services for
very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing,
including those transitioning from homelessness to such
housing.
Those families may be occupying permanent housing, moving
into permanent housing within 90 days, or moving from one
permanent residence to another to better suit their needs.
Entities eligible to receive grants under this provision are
public or private non-profit organizations which have
demonstrated the capacity and experience necessary to deliver
the services outlined in the proposed new section. Under the
provisions of the proposed new section 2044, grants would be
provided for a wide range of services, so as to give families
a broad set of tools to maintain a permanent residence. To
this end, providers could receive grants to furnish outreach,
case management, assistance in obtaining and coordinating VA
benefits, and assistance in obtaining and coordinating other
public benefits provided by federal, state, or local agencies
or organizations.
Section 9 of H.R. 2874 contained similar provisions but
provided a more expansive list of supportive services, and
authorized for appropriations a different funding level.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Title VII--Authorization of Medical Facility Projects and Major Medical
Facility Leases
Authorization for fiscal year 2009 major medical facility
projects (sec. 701)
Section 701 of S. 2969 would authorize: $54,000,000 to
construct a facility to replace a seismically unsafe acute
psychiatric inpatient building in Palo Alto, California;
$131,800,000 for an outpatient clinic in Lee County, Florida;
$225,900,000 to make seismic corrections at a VA Medical
Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and $66,000,000 to construct
a state-of-the-art polytrauma health care and rehabilitation
center in San Antonio, Texas.
Section 101 of H.R. 6832 contained the same provisions,
except for Lee County, Florida. Instead, H.R. 6832 authorizes
the Lee County project under a different section.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Modification of authorization amounts for certain major
medical facility construction projects previously
authorized (sec. 702)
Section 702 of S. 2969 would modify previous authorizations
by providing $625,000,000 for restoration, new construction,
or replacement of the medical care facility for the VA
Medical Center at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Section 102 of H.R. 6832 contained the same provisions and
the following additional provisions: $769,200,000 for the
replacement of the VA Medical Center at Denver, Colorado;
$131,800,000 for an outpatient clinic in Lee County, Florida;
$136,700,000 to correct patient privacy deficiencies at the
VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida; $600,400,000 to
build a new VA Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada;
$656,800,000 to build a new medical center in Orlando,
Florida; and $295,600,000 to consolidate the campuses at the
University Drive and H. John Heinz III Divisions in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision with
an amendment to provide $568,000,000 for the replacement of
the VA Medical Center at Denver, Colorado.
Authorization of fiscal year 2009 major medical facility
leases (sec. 703)
Section 703 of S. 2969 would authorize fiscal year 2009
major medical facility leases as follows: $4,326,000 for an
outpatient clinic in Brandon, Florida; $10,300,000 for a
community-based outpatient clinic in Colorado Springs,
Colorado; $5,826,000 for an outpatient clinic in Eugene,
Oregon;. $5,891,000 to expand an outpatient clinic Green Bay,
Wisconsin; $3,731,000 for an outpatient clinic in Greenville,
South Carolina; $2,212,000 for a community-based outpatient
clinic in Mansfield, Ohio; $6,276,000 for a satellite
outpatient clinic in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; $5,106,000 for a
community-based outpatient clinic in Southeast Phoenix, Mesa,
Arizona; $8,636,000 for interim research space in Palo Alto,
California; $3,168,000 to expand a community-based outpatient
clinic in Savannah, Georgia; $2,295,000 for a community-based
outpatient clinic in Northwest Phoenix, Sun City, Arizona;
and $8,652,000 for a primary care annex in Tampa, Florida.
Section 102 of H.R. 6832 included the same provisions,
except that it provided $3,995,000 for Colorado Springs.
The Compromise Agreement includes the Senate provisions.
Authorization of appropriations (sec. 704)
Section 704 of S. 2969 would authorize for appropriations:
$477,700,000 for the aforementioned list of major medical
facility projects authorized for fiscal year 2009.
$625,000,000 for the aforementioned list of major medical
facility construction projects previously authorized;
$66,419,000 for the aforementioned list of major facility
leases authorized for fiscal year 2009.
S. 2969 also identified funding sources which may be used
to carry out major medical facility projects authorized for
fiscal year 2009 and for those projects previously
authorized.
Section 105 of H.R. 6832 would authorize for
appropriations: $345,900,000 for the aforementioned list of
major medical facility projects authorized for fiscal year
2009; $1,694,295,000 for the aforementioned list of major
medical facility construction projects previously authorized;
$54,475,000 for the aforementioned list of major facility
leases authorized for fiscal year 2009.
The Compromise Agreement includes the House provision, with
amendments to provide $1,493,495,000 for major facility
construction projects previously authorized and $70,019,000
for major facility leases authorized for fiscal year 2009.
The Agreement also includes the provision in S. 2969 on
allowable funding sources to carry out major medical facility
projects.
[[Page 22675]]
Increase in threshold for major medical facility leases
requiring congressional approval (sec. 705)
Section 705 of S. 2969 would increase the threshold for
major medical facility leases requiring Congressional
approval from $600,000 to $1,000,000.
H.R. 6832 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Conveyance of certain non-Federal land by city of Aurora,
Colorado, to Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
construction of veterans medical facility (sec. 706)
Section 706 of S. 2969 would allow the city of Aurora to
donate non-Federal land for use by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs no later than 60 days after the enactment of this
section.
H.R. 6832 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the Senate provision.
Report on facilities administration (sec. 707)
Section 106 of H.R. 6832 would require the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to submit a report on facilities
administration no later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this section.
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement includes the House provision.
Annual report on outpatient clinics (sec. 708)
Section 107 of H.R. 6832 would require an annual report on
outpatient report no later than the date on which the budget
for the next fiscal year is submitted to the Congress under
section 1105 of title 31.
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement includes the House provision.
Name of Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury
center, Tampa, Florida (sec. 709)
H.R. 4264 would name the VA spinal cord injury center in
Tampa, Florida, ``Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans
Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center.''
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement includes the House provision.
Title VIII--Extension of Certain Authorities
Repeal of sunset on inclusion of non-institutional extended
care services in definition of medical services (sec.
801)
Section 201 of S. 2969 would amend section 1701 of title 38
to repeal the December 31, 2008, sunset on the inclusion of
non-institutional extended care services in the definition of
medical services.
Sec. 201 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Extension of recovery audit authority (sec. 802)
Section 202 of S. 2969 would amend section 1703(d)(4) of
title 38 to extend the recovery audit authority for fee-basis
contracts and other medical services contracts in non-VA
facilities from September 30, 2008, to September 30, 2013.
Sec. 202 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Permanent authority for provision of hospital care, medical
services, and nursing home care to veterans who
participated in certain chemical and biological testing
conducted by the Department of Defense (sec. 803)
Section 203 of S. 2969 would amend subsection (e)(3) of
section 1710 of title 38 to provide permanent authority for
the provision of hospital care, medical services, and nursing
home care to veterans who participated in certain chemical
and biological testing conducted by the Department of
Defense.
Section 203 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Extension of expiring collections authorities (sec. 804)
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
Section 204 of H.R. 6832 would extend the expiring
collections authorities for the following: a) amend section
1710(f)(2)(B) of title 38 to extend health care copayments
from September 30, 2008, under current law, to September 30,
2010; and b) amend section 1729 (a)(2)(E) of title 38 to
extend the medical care cost recovery from October 1, 2008,
to October 1, 2010.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Extension of nursing home care (sec. 805)
Section 202 of S. 2969 would amend 1710A(d) of title 38 to
provide nursing home care to veterans with service-connected
disability, which expires on December 31, 2008, to December
31, 2013.
Section 205 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Permanent authority to establish research corporations (sec.
806)
Section 607 of S. 2969 would strike section 7368 of title
38 to provide permanent authority to establish research
corporations.
Section 207 of H.R. 6832 contained an identical provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the provision.
Extension of requirement to submit annual report on the
committee on care of severely chronically mentally ill
veterans (sec. 807)
Section 210 of H.R. 6832 would amend section 7321(d)(2) of
title 38 to extend the requirement to submit an annual report
on the committee on care of severely chronically mentally ill
veterans through 2012.
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Permanent requirement for biannual report on women's advisory
committee (sec. 808)
Section 211 of H.R. 6832 would amend section 542(c)(1) of
title 38 to provide for a permanent requirement for a
biannual report by the women's advisory committee on the
needs of women veterans including compensation, health care,
rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs
administered by the VA.
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Extension of pilot program on improvement of caregiver
assistance services (sec. 809)
Section 222 of S. 2969 would extend the pilot program on
improvement of caregiver assistance services for a three-year
period through fiscal year 2009.
H.R. 6832 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement includes the Senate provision.
Title IX--Other Matters
Technical amendments (sec. 901)
Section 303 of H.R. 6832 would provide for technical
amendments for the following sections of title 38: 1712A;
2065(b)(3)(C); 4110(c)(1); 7458(b)(2); 8117(a)(1); 1708(d);
7314(f); 7320(j)(2); 7325(i)(2); and 7328(i)(2). It also
would provide for technical amendments to the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 36 and chapter 51, as
well as amend section 807(e) of the Veterans Benefits, Health
Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
461) to replace the phrase ``Medical Care'' with ``Medical
Facilities''.
S. 2969 contained no comparable provision.
The Compromise Agreement contains the House provision.
Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I rise today to speak briefly on legislation
that will make a tremendous difference in the lives of those who have
served our country in uniform. S. 2162, the Veterans' Mental Health and
Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, reflects a compromise reached
between the House and Senate on critical health care legislation. It is
comprised of over 40 provisions, authored by both my House and Senate
colleagues. The bill passed the House on Wednesday night and is now
pending before the Senate awaiting final passage to be sent to the
President.
S. 2162 includes needed improvements to health care services provided
to veterans who suffer from both mental illness and substance use
disorder. It ensures that veterans seeking treatment for both
conditions will receive quality, coordinated treatment. It would expand
the availability of treatment the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA,
offers for substance abuse, including detoxification and stabilization
services. It will strengthen VA's reimbursement of community hospitals
for emergency care that they provide to enrolled veterans; direct VA to
develop a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by
veterans; direct the establishment of epilepsy centers of excellence;
and make it easier for veterans with HIV/AIDS to be diagnosed and
treated.
Let me spend a few minutes discussing a few key provisions that I am
particularly proud to support. First, legislation I authored is
included in this bill that would authorize VA to make grants to private
and public groups so that they may provide supportive services to keep
low-income veterans, who are at risk of becoming homeless, in permanent
housing. We have all heard the old saying that ``an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure.'' This legislation will help those on the
verge of becoming homeless by getting them help from the community. It
is much easier to prevent homelessness than it is to bring someone out
of it. The supportive services that will be provided under the
legislation include greater access to housing assistance, physical and
mental health services, health insurance, and vocational and financial
counseling. North Carolina is home to over 770,000 veterans, and the VA
estimates that over 40,000 North Carolina veterans live in
[[Page 22676]]
poverty. We must do all we can to ensure that the men and women who've
served our Nation in the military do not suffer the indignity of going
to bed at night without a roof over their heads.
Second, to help service-disabled veterans cope with the high cost of
gasoline, S. 2162 would codify VA's new travel reimbursement rate for
veterans who drive to their medical appointments at VA, and would index
that rate so that future increases are automatic. The rate was
increased in January from 11 cents to 28.5 cents a mile by VA Secretary
James Peake. In addition, this bill will reverse the increase in the
deductible that was made in January.
Third, the legislation directs a 3-year pilot program on the
provision of contract care to veterans residing in highly rural areas
where no VA facilities exist. It makes no sense for veterans in rural
areas to travel hundreds of miles for their care when they could easily
seek care at their own local community health care facilities. Not only
will they be more likely to seek needed preventive care, they'll also
avoid the high cost of gas to get to a VA appointment. I am pleased
about the potential for this pilot program and look forward to it being
tested in rural States like North Carolina.
And fourth, I am pleased the legislation includes an expansion of a
concept that was tested and that proved successful at the Asheville VA
Medical Center. The concept was to consolidate VA's capability to bill
and collect from private insurance companies into one site rather than
retain that capability at multiple sites. The employees at the
Asheville VA Consolidated Patient Accounting Center have cultivated
their expertise, and I am pleased to say that the pilot has been a
success, generating millions of dollars in additional revenue. The
legislation would expand on that concept by directing VA to open seven
other centers around the country within the next 5 years. I am excited
at the prospect of enhancing VA's revenue collection so that additional
dollars can be invested in the health care delivery of our veterans.
These are just a few of the good provisions of this legislation. For
my colleagues interested in a fuller accounting of the bill's
provisions I would refer them to the Joint Explanatory Statement that
will be made part of the Record.
Before I conclude, I would like to personally thank the chairman of
the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Senator Akaka, for his
cooperation with me on this bill. The chairman has no equal when it
comes to handling negotiations with integrity and fairness. I would
also like to thank the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, Chairman Bob Filner, and ranking member Steve Buyer. Finally,
I would like to thank all of the staff members of the Veterans'
Committees who worked on this bill, as well as the hard-working staff
of the Senate and House Legislative Counsel's office who performed the
technical drafting.
This is a good bill. I am proud of the work the House and Senate have
done on it. And I ask my colleagues for their support.
____________________
BREAST CANCER AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH ACT OF 2007
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1157, which was received
from the House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 1157) to amend the Public Health Service Act
to authorize the Director of the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the
development and operation of research centers regarding
environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of
breast cancer.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times
and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no
intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 1157) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am pleased that both chambers of Congress
passed the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act this week.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of women in this country receive
the diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast cancer will strike approximately
1 in 8 American women in her lifetime, with a new case diagnosed every
2 minutes.
We have made remarkable progress in the area of breast cancer, but we
still do not know what causes breast cancer. Scientists have identified
some risk factors, but those factors help explain fewer than 30 percent
of cases.
The Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act would help to
establish a national strategy to study the potential links between the
environment and breast cancer and would authorize funding for such
research. The resulting discoveries could be critical to improving our
knowledge of this complex illness, which could lead to new treatments
and perhaps, one day, a cure.
Too many women have wanted too long for this legislation to become
law. Since former Senator Lincoln Chafee and I first introduced
legislation in 2000, it is estimated that 2 million women have been
diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 300,000 have died. One of these
women, a lifelong Nevadan named Deanna Jensen, championed this
legislation and stayed in regular contact with my staff, even while
enduring a grueling regimen of radiation and chemotherapy. Sadly,
Deanna Jensen lost her battle with cancer on January 7, 2007.
Last session, I had hoped that this legislation would finally become
a reality. It was reported out of the Senate HELP Committee, and
despite overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation, the
Republican majority would not schedule floor time to consider this
bill. On several occasions, I tried to pass this legislation by
unanimous consent, but with every attempt, one Senator objected and
prevented the Senate from passing this important legislation.
This year, thanks to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions--
HELP--Committee Chairman Kennedy's leadership and that of Senators
Clinton and Hatch, the Senate HELP Committee reported this bill
favorably. However, the minority continued to object to our efforts to
pass this legislation by unanimous consent. On more than one occasion,
I proposed that we consider this legislation under a time agreement
that would have permitted a reasonable number of germane amendments and
a recorded vote on the bill. Those offers were also rejected, in spite
of the fact that over two-thirds of the members of the Senate were
cosponsors of this bill.
Over the past several months, this legislation has been the focus of
negotiations between the bill sponsors in both chambers and those
members whose strong concerns have prevented this legislation from
advancing for so long. The resulting compromise is a strong step in the
right direction and will finally set us on the path towards obtaining a
better understanding of the relationship between the development of
breast cancer and the environment. I am pleased that we were able to
pass this legislation this week and hope the President will sign it
into law without further delay.
____________________
COMPREHENSIVE TUBERCULOSIS ELIMINATION ACT OF 2007
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1532, which was received
from the House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 1532) to amend the Public Health Service Act
with respect to making progress toward the goal of
eliminating tuberculosis, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
[[Page 22677]]
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times
and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no
intervening action or debate, and any statement related to the bill be
printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 1532) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION IN THE NET 911 IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the
immediate consideration of H.R. 6946, which was received from the
House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 6946) to make a technical correction in the
NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times
and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, with no
intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 6946) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
MEASURE READ THE FIRST TIME--S. 3646
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the
desk. I ask for its first reading.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title for
the first time.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3646) to authorize and expedite lease sales
within the Outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I now ask for a second reading. In order to place the
bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my
own request.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bill will be read for
the second time on the next legislative day.
____________________
SUDAN ARMS SALES
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 660 and
the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 660) condemning ongoing sales of arms
to belligerents in Sudan, including the Government of Sudan,
and calling for both a cessation of such sales and an
expansion of the United Nations embargo on arms sales to
Sudan.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed
to, the amendment which is at the desk be agreed to, the preamble be
agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that
any statements be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment (No. 5675) was agreed to, as follows:
(Purpose: To improve the resolution)
Strike paragraphs (3) through (5) of the resolving clause
and insert the following:
(3) in light of the well-documented existence of arms in
Darfur that were transferred from China and Russia and the
insistence of the Government of Sudan that it will not abide
by the embargo, all United Nations member states should
immediately cease all arms sales to the Government of Sudan;
and
(4) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations should use the voice and vote of the United
States in the United Nations Security Council to seek an
appropriate expansion of the arms embargo imposed by Security
Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591.
The resolution (S. Res. 660), as amended, was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, as amended, with its preamble, reads as follows:
(The resolution will be printed in a future edition of the Record).
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would ask my distinguished friend from
Louisiana, the senior Senator from Louisiana, to allow me to conduct
some business. It will take a couple of minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007
Mr. REID. I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a message from the
House with respect to H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety
Improvement Act.
The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message:
Resolved, That the House agree to the amendment of the
Senate to the bill, H.R. 2095, an Act to amend title 49,
United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries,
and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal
Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes, do
pass with a House amendment to the Senate amendment.
Cloture Motion
Mr. REID. I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate
amendment to H.R. 2095, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Cloture Motion
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to
concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.
2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act.
Richard Durbin, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kay Bailey
Hutchison, John Warner, Gordon H. Smith, Olympia J.
Snowe, Jim Webb, Jon Tester, Barbara Boxer, Dianne
Feinstein, Frank R. Lautenberg, Charles E. Schumer,
Thomas R. Carper, John D. Rockefeller, IV, Benjamin L.
Cardin, Byron L. Dorgan, Patty Murray, Daniel K.
Inouye.
Amendment No. 5677
Mr. REID. I now move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate
amendment to H.R. 2095 with an amendment which is at the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to concur in the
House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House
amendment with an amendment numbered 5677.
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment
be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
In the amendment, strike ``2'' and insert ``1''.
Mr. REID. I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Amendment No. 5678 to Amendment No. 5677
Mr. REID. I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment
numbered 5678 to amendment No. 5677.
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment
be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
At the end, insert the following:
The provisions of this Act shall become effective in 2 days
after enactment.
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that there be no motions to refer
in order during the pendency of this message.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
[[Page 22678]]
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the cloture
vote occur at 12:30 p.m. Monday, September 29, and that the mandatory
quorum be waived.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum
call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Casey). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
____________________
NATIONAL DYSPHAGIA AWARENESS MONTH
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP
Committee be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 195,
and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 195) expressing the
sense of the Congress that a National Dysphagia Awareness
Month should be established.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
concurrent resolution.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution
be agreed to; the preamble be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be
laid upon the table; and any statements relating to this measure be
printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 195) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
____________________
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--SENATE RESOLUTIONS
Ms. LANDRIEU. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to
en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions which were
submitted earlier today: S. Res. 690, S. Res. 691, S. Res. 692, S. Res.
693, and S. Res. 694.
I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to; the
preambles, where applicable, be agreed to; and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolutions en bloc.
____________________
CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA
The resolution (S. Res. 690) expressing the sense of the Senate
concerning the conflict between Russia and Georgia, was agreed to, as
follows:
S. Res. 690
That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) irrespective of the origins of the recent conflict in
Georgia, the disproportionate military response by the
Russian Federation on the sovereign, internationally
recognized territory of Georgia, including the South Ossetian
Autonomous Region (referred to in this resolution as ``South
Ossetia'') and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (referred
to in this resolution as ``Abkhazia''), is in violation of
international law and commitments of the Russian Federation;
(2) the actions undertaken by the Government of the Russian
Federation in Georgia have diminished its standing in the
international community and should lead to a review of
existing, developing, and proposed multilateral and bilateral
arrangements;
(3) the United States recognizes significant interests in
common with the Russian Federation, including combating the
proliferation of nuclear weapons and fighting terrorism, and
these interests can, over time, serve as the basis for
improved long-term relations;
(4) the Government of the Russian Federation should
immediately comply with the September 8, 2008, follow-on
agreement to the 6-point cease-fire agreement negotiated on
August 12, 2008;
(5) the Government of the Russian Federation and the
Government of Georgia should--
(A) refrain from the future use of force to resolve the
status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; and
(B) work with the United States, Europe, and other
concerned countries and through the United Nations Security
Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, and other international fora to identify a political
settlement that addresses the short-term and long-term status
of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in accordance with prior
United Nations Security Council resolutions;
(6) the United States should--
(A) provide humanitarian and economic assistance to
Georgia;
(B) seek to improve commercial relations with Georgia; and
(C) working in tandem with the international community,
continue to support the development of a strong, vibrant,
multiparty democracy in Georgia;
(7) the President should consult with Congress on future
security cooperation and assistance to Georgia, as
appropriate;
(8) the United States continues to support the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization declaration reached at the
Bucharest Summit on April 3, 2008; and
(9) the United States should work with the European Union,
Georgia, and its neighbors to ensure the free flow of energy
to Europe and the operation of key communication and trade
routes.
____________________
FEED AMERICA DAY
The resolution (S. Res. 691) designating Thursday, November 20, 2008,
as ``Feed America Day,'' was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 691
Whereas Thanksgiving Day celebrates the spirit of selfless
giving and an appreciation for family and friends;
Whereas the spirit of Thanksgiving Day is a virtue upon
which the Nation was founded;
Whereas, according to the Department of Agriculture,
roughly 35,000,000 people in the United States, including
12,000,000 children, continue to live in households that do
not have an adequate supply of food; and
Whereas selfless sacrifice breeds a genuine spirit of
thanksgiving, both affirming and restoring fundamental
principles in our society: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates Thursday, November 20, 2008, as ``Feed
America Day''; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to sacrifice
2 meals on Feed America Day and to donate the money that they
would have spent on food to a religious or charitable
organization of their choice for the purpose of feeding the
hungry.
____________________
NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK
The resolution (S. Res. 692) designating the week of November 9
through November 15, 2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' to
emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the
contributions of veterans to the country was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 692
Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the
Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their
lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past
century;
Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and
women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in
maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the
people of the United States;
Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has
resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and
families who have had any personal connection with the Armed
Forces;
Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces
has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young
people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of
those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the
current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the veterans service organizations;
Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces
makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation
understand the history of military action and the
contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such
actions; and
Whereas in each of the years 2000 through 2007 the Senate
has recognized the need to increase the understanding of the
contributions of veterans among school-aged children by
approving a resolution recognizing the week containing
Veterans Day as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'': Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of November 9 through November 15,
2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' for the purpose
of
[[Page 22679]]
emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and
secondary school students concerning the contributions and
sacrifices of veterans; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational
activities.
____________________
NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH
The resolution (S. Res. 693) recognizing the month of November 2008
as ``National Homeless Youth Awareness Month'' was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 693
Whereas between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 children and teens
are homeless in the United States each year, with many
staying on the streets or in emergency shelters;
Whereas families with children are the fastest growing
segment of the homeless population and now make up
approximately \1/3\ of that population;
Whereas many homeless youth experience isolation and trauma
while residing on the streets or in precarious housing
situations and may eventually develop depression, anxiety,
and post-traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas homeless youth are typically too poor to secure
basic needs and are unable to access adequate medical or
mental health care;
Whereas many youth become homeless due to a lack of
financial and housing resources as they exit juvenile
corrections and foster care;
Whereas 12 to 36 percent of foster youth experience
homelessness at least once after exiting foster care;
Whereas homeless youth are most often expelled from their
homes by their guardians after physical, sexual, or emotional
abuse or separated from their parents through death or
divorce without adequate resources; and
Whereas awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and
its causes must be heightened so that greater support for
effective programs involving businesses, families, law
enforcement agencies, schools, and community and faith-based
organizations, aimed at helping youth remain off the streets
becomes a national priority: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the values and efforts of businesses,
organizations, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs
of homeless children and teens;
(2) applauds the initiatives of businesses, organizations,
and volunteers that employ time and resources to build
awareness of the homeless youth problem, its causes, and
potential solutions, and work to prevent homelessness among
children and teens; and
(3) should recognize the month of November 2008 as
``National Homeless Youth Awareness Month'' and encourages
these businesses, organizations, and volunteers to continue
to intensify their efforts during the month of November.
____________________
NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK
The resolution (S. Res. 694) designating the week beginning October
19, 2008, as ``National Character Counts Week'' was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 694
Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that
the young people of the United States become an involved,
caring citizenry with good character;
Whereas the character education of children has become more
urgent as violence by and against youth increasingly
threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the
people of the United States;
Whereas more than ever, children need strong and
constructive guidance from their families and their
communities, including schools, youth organizations,
religious institutions, and civic groups;
Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the
character of its individual citizens;
Whereas the public good is advanced when young people are
taught the importance of good character and the positive
effects that good character can have in personal
relationships, in school, and in the workplace;
Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not
automatically develop good character and that, therefore,
conscientious efforts must be made by institutions and
individuals that influence youth to help young people develop
the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good
character;
Whereas, although character development is, first and
foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of faith
communities, schools, and youth, civic, and human service
organizations also play an important role in fostering and
promoting good character;
Whereas Congress encourages students, teachers, parents,
youth, and community leaders to recognize the importance of
character education in preparing young people to play a role
in determining the future of the United States;
Whereas effective character education is based on core
ethical values, which form the foundation of democratic
society;
Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
Whereas elements of character transcend cultural,
religious, and socioeconomic differences;
Whereas the character and conduct of our youth reflect the
character and conduct of society, and, therefore, every adult
has the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and
every social institution has the responsibility to promote
the development of good character;
Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations,
especially those who have an interest in the education and
training of the young people of the United States, to adopt
the elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of
individuals, communities, and society;
Whereas many schools in the United States recognize the
need, and have taken steps, to integrate the values of their
communities into their teaching activities; and
Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts
Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth
organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and
other organizations focus on character education, is of great
benefit to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week beginning October 19, 2008, as
``National Character Counts Week''; and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States and
interested groups--
(A) to embrace the elements of character identified by
local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship;
and
(B) to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities.
NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise in support of a resolution
expressing the sense of the Senate that the week including Veterans
Day--November 9-15, 2008--be designated as ``National Veterans
Awareness Week.'' This marks the ninth year I have introduced such as
resolution, which has been adopted unanimously by the Senate on all
previous occasions, and has been recognized by the President as an
important objective. With our military men and women continuing to be
on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is no doubt appropriate
that we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those who are
currently serving to protect our freedom, as well as those who have
served in the past.
The idea behind National Veterans Awareness Week actually came from a
Delaware student, Samuel I. Cashdollar. In 2000, as a 13-year-old
seventh grader at Lewes Middle School, Samuel won the Delaware VFW's
Youth Essay Contest with a powerful presentation titled ``How Should We
honor America's Veterans?'' Samuel's essay pointed out that we have
Nurses' Week, Secretaries' Week, and Teachers' Week to rightly
emphasize the importance of these occupations, but no comparable week
to encourage, and honor, service in the military. That is why, every
year since 2000, I have introduced a resolution designating National
Veterans Awareness Week to focus on educating our youth on the
contributions, heroism, and service of our veterans.
The reality is, during both World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam
conflicts, families were more likely to have a relative serving in the
military. That is not the case today; tremendous advances in military
technology, an all-volunteer force, and increases in productivity have
greatly reduced the number of families with relatives who are active
servicemembers or recent veteran. Coupled with the fact that the number
of veterans who served in major conflicts like World War II is
declining, it is more important than ever that we take the time to make
sure students comprehend and appreciate the service and sacrifice of
our veterans. National Veterans Awareness Week provides us with an
opportunity to do just that. Additionally, with soldiers returning from
the front lines with service-connected injuries, National Veterans
Awareness Week reminds us how important it is that we keep our promise
to veterans by providing them with the proper support and services they
need once they return home. This promise is the most
[[Page 22680]]
sacred obligation we have, and it is imperative that our children are
also aware of the debt we owe our veterans.
In closing, let me add that, although many of us will not have the
opportunity to serve our country in uniform, we must not forget our
responsibility as citizens to fulfill the obligations we owe, both
tangible and intangible, to those who have served and sacrificed on our
behalf. By passing along this shared responsibility and recognition to
future generations, our children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren will continue to appreciate and honor what our veterans
have accomplished in order to appropriately confront the many
challenges they are sure to encounter.
National Character Counts Week
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise in support of a resolution
designating the week of October 19 through 25 as the 2008 ``National
Character Counts Week.'' I would also like to recognize and thank my
colleague and good friend, Senator Chris Dodd, for his support of
Character Counts and his partnership on numerous legislative issues
throughout the years.
Our character is the foundation of who we are as people and how we
are perceived by the world. Every day our character and ethics are
tested through the decisions we make and the behavior we exhibit. The
National Character Counts program focuses on ``Six Pillars of
Character,'' which are promoted through school- and community-based
character education programs across the country. The six pillars are:
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and
citizenship.
I have supported Character Counts throughout the years because I
believe this program reaches out to all youth and adults, as the
Character Counts Coalition states, no matter the individual's race,
creed, politics, gender, or wealth. In my home State of New Mexico, we
have run many successful Character Counts programs throughout the
years. While many schools initiate Character Counts programs there are
also many other organizations that develop character-based programming.
As I prepare to leave the Senate, I would like to reflect upon some of
the tremendous accomplishments of this program and how it continues to
affect New Mexicans in a positive way.
This year, the New Mexico Character Education Program, funded by the
Partnership in Character Education Federal Grant, included 14 school
districts and five charter schools statewide, with 50,726 students
participating in 106 schools statewide. Through this program, the ``Six
Pillars of Character'' have become a common thread of communication for
students, teachers and parents across the State. In addition, 3,640
coaches, athletic directors and youth sports officials worked, in
conjunction with the New Mexico Activities Association, to incorporate
the goal of teaching the ``Pursuing Victory with Honor'' theme to
students participating in sports. I am thrilled that schools and
communities in New Mexico saw a marked increase in leadership role
participation and a change in the school climate: Eugene Field
Elementary School in Albuquerque, NM, has seen a decrease in discipline
referrals from five per day to five in the school year. All of the
organizations and schools who have been involved, including those not
mentioned here, are to be commended for their hard work in developing
these programs and spreading the message that character truly does
count.
In addition to these numbers, which show the remarkable affect
Character Counts is having on my home State of New Mexico, there are
many individual stories about how New Mexicans are affecting each
other's lives on a day to day basis as a result of this program. One
particularly touching story is that of 9-year-old Jacob Thomson, who
lives in Clovis, NM. Jacob has cystic fibrosis, and when he missed the
big basketball game to go to the hospital for treatment, the Clovis
High School basketball team went and visited him in the hospital,
bringing him a basketball, a shirt, and a smile. These athletes had
been involved with the Character Counts program and displayed what a
powerful impact this program has had and continues to have.
During the week of October 19, I hope everyone takes the time to
participate in a Character Counts event in their local area. I know in
New Mexico we will be having some special celebrations. On October 17,
a Character Counts Proclamation will be made at the Chaves County Court
House in Roswell, NM. On October 20, Hagerman Elementary School in
Hagerman, NM will be dedicating a Character Counts Mural. On October
21, a zoo tour and pillar presentation will be held at Spring River
Park for grades 3-5 in Roswell, NM.
I believe this program is making a difference in my home State and
across the country. I want to encourage more people to become involved
with the Character Counts program, but most of all I hope individuals
will take the time to reflect on what the ``Six Pillars of Character''
mean to them.
I hope all of my colleagues will support this effort.
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Domenici and I introduced a
resolution designating the third week of October as ``National
Character Counts Week.'' Senator Domenici and I have worked together
for many years on the issue of character education and hope that by
designating a special week to this cause, we may highlight the
importance of character building activities in schools not only this
week but all year long.
In 1994, Senator Domenici and I first established the Partnerships in
Character Education Pilot Project and have worked regularly since then
to commemorate National Character Counts Week. Character Counts was
founded on a simple notion: Our core ethical values aren't just
important to us as individuals--they form the very foundation of
democratic society. We know that we in order to face our challenges as
communities and as a Nation, we need our children to be both well-
educated and trained--and that begins with instilling character in our
children.
Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and
citizenship--these are the six pillars of character. Character
education provides students a context within which to learn those
values and integrate them into our daily lives. Indeed, if we view
education simply as the imparting of knowledge to our children, then we
not only miss an opportunity, but as also jeopardize our future.
Children want direction-- to be taught right from wrong. Young people
yearn for consistent adult involvement, and when they get it, we know
they are less inclined to use illegal drugs, to vandalize, or commit
suicide. The American public wants character education in our schools,
too. Studies show that approximately 90 percent of Americans support
schools teaching character education.
Character education programs work. Currently, there are character
education programs across all 50 States in rural, urban and suburban
areas at every grade level. Schools across the country that have
adopted strong character education programs report better student
performance, fewer discipline problems, and increased student
involvement within the community.
Support for character education crosses party lines. Indeed, there is
no stronger advocate for character education than my good friend,
Senator Pete Domenici. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with
him to ensure that all our children not only acquire strong math and
science skills, but also the skills they need to develop into good and
decent human beings.
Senator Domenici has worked tirelessly on behalf of our Nation's
children, and as he winds down his career in the Senate, I would like
to take a moment to thank him for his good work and friendship. He will
be sorely missed in the halls of this building, and we all wish his
wife, Nancy, and him the very best.
This renewed focus on character sends a wonderful message to
Americans and will help reinvigorate our efforts to get communities and
schools involved. With this resolution, it is my hope that even more
communities will make character education a part of
[[Page 22681]]
every child's life. I hope that my colleagues will support this
important effort.
____________________
ORDER FOR PRINTING OF SENATE DOCUMENT
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
tributes to retiring Senators that appear in the Congressional Record
be printed as a Senate document and that Senators be permitted to
submit such tributes for inclusion until Friday, November 21, 2008.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
S. RES. 660
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I wish to clarify, with respect to S.
Res. 660, the amendment, which was agreed to, was to the resolution;
the resolution, as amended, was agreed to, and the preamble was agreed
to.
____________________
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the
Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 11 a.m.
on Monday, September 29; that following the prayer and pledge, the
Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two
leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate
proceed to a period of morning business until 12 p.m., with Senators
permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally
divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees; that
at 12 noon, the Senate resume consideration of the House message to
accompany H.R. 2095, the Federal Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2007,
with the Republican leader controlling the time from 12 p.m. until
12:15 p.m., and the majority leader controlling the time from 12:15
p.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
PROGRAM
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, under a previous order, at 12:30 p.m.,
the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the
motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.
2095.
____________________
RECESS UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008, AT 11 A.M.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come
before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand in recess
under the previous order.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 5:28 p.m., recessed until
Monday, September 29, 2008, at 11 a.m.
[[Page 22682]]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Saturday, September 27, 2008
The House met at 10 a.m.
The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following
prayer:
All-Holy and All-Knowing God, as creation reveals Your desire for
wholeness and coordinated unity between all creatures and the human
family, so images of Your redeemed people give hope that hatred and
prejudice of any sort diminish as true justice and peace break forth
within the fabric of society and daily commerce.
Before You, Lord God, all human life is life in community.
Human wisdom confirms that each of us as a person is made for
friendship, community and participation in public life. So, now bind
this Nation as one. Let us stand together in compassion and the
discipline of law as representative government addresses the needs of
our time and searches out the path toward true human fulfillment and
national security.
Your love upholds all and therefore calls each one of us to be more
concerned for one another, both now and forever. Amen.
____________________
THE JOURNAL
The SPEAKER. The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day's
proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
____________________
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) come
forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
____________________
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
The SPEAKER. The Chair will entertain up to five 1-minute speeches on
each side of the aisle.
____________________
BAILING OUT WALL STREET
(Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. DeFAZIO. The problem with what Congress is trying to fix is that
Paulson's premise is wrong, that if we take and dump $700 billion into
Wall Street, buying up their bad assets, somehow the benefits will
trickle down to Main Street and prop up our struggling housing market.
As Mr. Isaac, the former head of the FDIC says, ``Having financial
institutions sell the loans to the government at inflated prices so the
government can turn around and sell the loans to well-healed investors
at lower prices strikes me as a very good deal for everyone but U.S.
taxpayers. Surely we can do better.'' He proposes a credible
alternative, similar to something done during the savings and loan
crisis.
There are many cheaper alternatives out there that don't put
taxpayers on the hook. But if we are going to go ahead with the Paulson
premise, then it should be paid for by Wall Street with a modest one-
quarter of 1 percent transfer tax on securities, something we had from
1914 until 1966. The Brits apply a one-half of 1 percent tax, and they
use that money just to fund their government. Here we would use it to
help Wall Street heal itself.
Some are saying, well, the initial payment is only going to be $250
billion now. $250 billion would double our investment in infrastructure
in the United States for 5 years.
____________________
PREDICTABLE AND AVOIDABLE
(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as we debate the beginning
of the financial crisis, it is important to cite a New York Times
article published on September 30, 1999, which highlights the dangers
of Fannie Mae easing credit requirements for loans it plans to
purchase.
According to the author, the decision by Fannie Mae was meant to
``spur banks to make more loans to people with less than stellar credit
ratings,'' and he forecasts that ``Fannie Mae is taking on
significantly more risk.'' They ``may run into trouble during an
economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the
savings and loan industry in the 1980s.''
These views were shared by Peter Wallison of the American Enterprise
Institute, who remarked that ``the government will have to step up and
bail them out.'' These are voices from the past predicting the problem
we face today.
Indeed, it was not the failings of the free market, but the failure
of those participating in the markets, as well as government
mishandling, that has led to this current dilemma.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget
September the 11th.
____________________
INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM BEING DESTROYED
(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, industrial capitalism can finally be
destroyed as we finish hollowing out our economy by substituting casino
socialism, where the only real product is debt, where hard work in
shaping raw materials into a product for a profit becomes ``so
yesterday'' and we lead Americans to the gaming tables. Work becomes
denigrated and wagering becomes the road to wealth.
As Steve Zarlenga of the American Monetary Institute observed, ``You
only have to make a fortune once.'' The top hedge manager in 2006 made
$1.7 billion, and in 2007 some $3.7 billion. Both paid a lower tax rate
for much of their earnings than people who clean the bedpans of the
sick. And, of course, with that nasty ``death tax'' under attack by
working families because almost 5 out of every 1,000 Americans pay it,
that wealth can go on forever, just like the landed families of England
and America maintain their economic status for hundreds of years.
Precious money needed to bring national health care,
reindustrialization of America, the repair of our infrastructure and
wider available of quality education becomes secondary to keeping this
artificial real estate bubble going. Speculators are winning, and this
is the system we are saving.
____________________
MEDIA BIAS IS A GREAT THREAT
(Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute.)
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, whether it is a financial crisis or
Presidential debate, the media just can't seem to help themselves. They
always show a bias against Republicans. That is no surprise, since they
make contributions to Senator Obama over Senator McCain by a 20-1
ratio.
The greatest threat our country faces is not an economic recession;
it is a partisan bias. The media should give the American people the
facts, not tell
[[Page 22683]]
them what to think. Otherwise, we will lose our democracy, which is a
greater danger than the economy.
The media is hurting its credibility for the future. They should
instead adhere to the highest standards of journalism and report the
news fairly and objectively.
____________________
SUPPORT THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ACT OF 2008
(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I support H. J. Res. 62, the Native American
Heritage Day Act of 2008, which I authored. This bill will help pay
tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United
States by encouraging all Americans to recognize the Friday after
Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
I thank Senator Daniel Inouye, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader
Steny Hoyer, Chairman George Miller, Representative Dale Kildee, and
the NIGA for their help on this bill.
I have been a strong advocate for Native Americans and have fought
hard to preserve their heritage for the past 8 years that I have served
in Congress and since my time in the California legislature.
It is important that we recognize the contributions of Native
Americans in all aspects of our society, including government, language
and history. We must not forget that Native Americans have fought with
valor in every American war, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
My bill encourages public schools to teach Native American history
and culture.
I also want to thank Tribal Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel
Tribe for helping us create this bill. This bill represents the first
time in history that Congress is recognizing the great achievements of
Native Americans in this manner.
I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation.
____________________
CONGRESS MUST KEEP TAXPAYER FIRST WHEN ASSISTING WALL STREET
(Mrs. BLACKBURN asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, it is becoming painfully clear to us and
now we know that Americans should not be forced to endure a prolonged
and painful economic downturn to pay for the sins of Fannie, Freddie or
discredited Wall Street executives. The question that is being asked by
many of our constituents is, all right, now what are we going to do?
So let me be clear. I do not support a bailout of Wall Street firms
funded by hundreds of billions of taxpayers dollars. There are smarter
ways for us to handle this.
The President and congressional leaders should set a timeline for
legislation, come to mark it up, and look at things from both the short
and the long-term. We have learned that the ad hoc approach to bailing
out companies in the past few weeks just has not worked. What we need
is a workout plan that leverages Wall Street's assets and ingenuity to
bring the economy back to health while protecting the American
taxpayer.
Any deal that comes forward should limit the cash available to
Secretary Paulson. We cannot write one man, no matter how experienced
or smart, a check for $700 billion of the taxpayers' money.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that we continue to work forward on this and keep
the American taxpayer first and foremost in our thoughts.
____________________
LETTING THE FOX GUARD THE HEN HOUSE
(Mr. PERLMUTTER asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration with its neocon
philosophy either cut back, opposed, ignored or choked off restraints
on the markets, especially those of Wall Street, while borrowing
billions of dollars from China and Saudi Arabia to finance tax cuts for
the wealthiest of Americans and while prosecuting the war in Iraq.
The borrow-and-spend approach and the party atmosphere cannot go on
forever, and the bailouts, takeovers and bankruptcies of the recent
weeks demonstrate that the party is over.
Bush's Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, is asking Congress for
hundreds of billions of dollars to compensate for market excesses and
wants the money within a week or two to restore confidence to the
financial markets. I will listen to Mr. Paulson and his plea on behalf
of the Bush administration about this immediate infusion of cash and
the purchase of billions and billions of dollars in bad loans to take
the burden of this bad debt out of the markets, but I must say I have
my doubts about the foxes guarding the hen house or giving the Bush
administration any more authority over anything. Thank goodness we did
not privatize Social Security.
____________________
MINORITIES NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ECONOMIC WOES OF WALL STREET
(Ms. HIRONO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am shocked that some in our community have
implied that minorities are somehow responsible for the financial
debacle our country is facing now.
Apparently, the argument is that minorities are getting loans through
the Community Reinvestment Act on the basis of race, and often little
else. I don't know what evidence there is for such a sentiment, but I
do know that the vast majority of subprime market loans were financed
by Wall Street, not by the commercial banks regulated under the
Community Reinvestment Act.
Trying to shift the focus from the lack of oversight by this
administration of our financial markets and the irresponsible behavior
of so many brokerage firms by scapegoating minority families who are
trying to realize the American Dream of homeownership is not only
insensitive, but insulting.
____________________
REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER AS COSPONSOR OF H. CON. RES. 421
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name
removed as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 421.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Holden). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
____________________
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
will postpone further proceedings today on the additional motion to
suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are
ordered or on which the vote is objected to under clause 6 of rule XX.
Any record vote on the postponed question will be taken later.
____________________
COMMENDING THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1224) commending the Tennessee Valley Authority
on its 75th anniversary.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1224
Whereas May 18, 2008, marks the 75th anniversary of the
Tennessee Valley Authority;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority was created by
Congress in 1933 to improve navigation along the Tennessee
River, reduce the risk of flood damage, provide electric
power, and promote agricultural and industrial development in
the region;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16
U.S.C. 831 et seq.) was signed
[[Page 22684]]
into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 18, 1933;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority continues to serve
the Tennessee Valley, providing reliable and affordable
electricity, managing the Tennessee River system, and
stimulating economic growth;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority provides more
electricity than any other public utility in the Nation and
has competitive rates and reliable transmission;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority is expanding its
environmental policy to increase its renewable energy
sources, improve energy efficiency, and provide clean energy
in the Tennessee Valley region;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority continues to reduce
power plant emissions and is working to further improve air
quality for the health of individuals in the Tennessee Valley
region;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority is a leader in the
nuclear power industry, with multi-site nuclear power
operations that provide approximately 30 percent of the
Tennessee Valley Authority's power supply;
Whereas as part of NuStart Energy Consortium, the Tennessee
Valley Authority submitted one of the first combined
operating license applications for a new nuclear power plant
in 30 years;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority's integrated
management of the Tennessee River system provides a wide
range of benefits that include providing electrical power,
reducing floods, facilitating freight transportation,
improving water quality and supply, enhancing recreation, and
protecting public land;
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority builds business and
community partnerships that foster economic prosperity,
helping companies and communities attract investments that
bring jobs to the Tennessee Valley region and keep them
there; and
Whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority no longer receives
appropriation to help fund its activities in navigation,
flood control, environmental research, and land management,
because the Tennessee Valley Authority pays for all its
activities through power sales and issuing bonds: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the Tennessee Valley Authority on its 75th
anniversary;
(2) recognizes the Tennessee Valley Authority for its long
and proud history of service in the areas of energy, the
environment, and economic development in a service area that
includes 7 States;
(3) honors the Board of Directors, retirees, staff, and
supporters of the Tennessee Valley Authority who were
instrumental during the Tennessee Valley Authority's first 75
years; and
(4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
transmit a copy of this resolution to the Chairman of the
Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Bill Sansom, and the
Chief Executive Officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority,
Tom Kilgore, for appropriate display.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 1224.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
{time} 1015
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I will leave it to the gentleman from Tennessee to carry the major
part of this legislation for which he is responsible, but I would just
like to reflect on it for a moment.
I think it's very telling that we are here to celebrate the 75th
anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority, something that was
created by Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the
Great Depression. They had a little different philosophy back then.
It wasn't shower money on Wall Street and hope things get better for
people on Main Street and around the country; it was invest in America,
invest in our infrastructure, build dams, roads, bridges, WPA projects.
My region is a tremendous beneficiary from something called the
Bonneville Power Administration, a wonderful gift that is still paying
dividends to the American people that was key in our World War II
effort and was there for the aluminum plants and for our nuclear
weapons development to end the war.
This is a different philosophy. Today, unfortunately, we seem to be
going down the path that the way to fix the economic problems on Main
Street in America is to shower money on Wall Street, buy up their bad
investments and hope maybe someday taxpayers get their money back.
What if we took the $250 billion they are talking about as an initial
down payment on this faulty plan and we doubled our investment in our
roads, bridges, highways and transit in America? Would that put more
people back to work? Would that instill more confidence in the American
economy? Would that maybe even drive up the value of stocks on Wall
Street? I think so.
I think it's incredibly appropriate that Mr. Cohen has brought this
bill here to the floor today, and I thank him for doing that.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, an independent government
corporation, was established in 1933 to aid in the development of the
Tennessee River Valley watershed through the proper use, conservation
and development of the region's natural resources. TVA is the Nation's
largest wholesale power producer and the fifth largest electric
utility. TVA supplies power to nearly 8 million people over an 80,000-
square-mile service area covering Tennessee and parts of Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.
In addition, TVA's nonpower program responsibilities include the
multipurpose management of land and water resources throughout the
Tennessee Valley and fostering economic development. Prior to 1959,
construction of the power projects was financed mainly by congressional
appropriations. The power program is now completely self-financed
through power revenues.
During the TVA's first 20 years, most of the power generated was
hydroelectric. By 1950, with increased power needs, TVA began building
coal-fired electric plants, and those plants now account for about 75
percent of TVA's power generation. TVA provides more electricity than
any other public utility in the Nation and has an unparalleled record
of reliability.
In addition, TVA is broadening its environmental stewardship
responsibilities by increasing its use of renewable resources,
improving energy efficiency, and working to improve air quality for the
millions who live in the Tennessee Valley watershed. TVA constructed
nuclear plants to supply additional power needs and just recently
returned an additional nuclear power unit in Alabama, Browns Ferry Unit
1, to service to meet expected future demand in energy.
The agency spent approximately $2 billion to recover the facility,
which became fully operational by May 2007. The Nuclear Regulatory
Commission has approved a 20-year license renewal for all three units
at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
For 75 years, the TVA programs of navigation, flood damage reduction
and power reduction have fostered economic development in an important
region in the Nation.
I urge all of my Members to support the resolution celebrating the
Tennessee Valley Authority's 75th anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1224, to
commend the Tennessee Valley Authority on its 75th anniversary. My
hometown of Memphis is the largest customer of the Tennessee Valley
Authority. It supplies us with our energy.
The Tennessee Valley Authority over the years has had many, many
great commissioners and has now a new form of administration. In the
past, one of our predecessors from this House and the State of
Tennessee, Bob Clement, served as a member of the board of directors of
the TVA; and also a gentleman named Johnny Hayes, who
[[Page 22685]]
passed away this past week, who was a great Tennessean and a great
supporter of our previous Vice President Al Gore and a dear friend of
mine.
The Tennessee Valley Authority was signed into law by Franklin Delano
Roosevelt on May 18, 1933. At that time America was in the midst of a
Great Depression, and the Tennessee Valley Authority was seen as a way
to lift the country out of economic recession.
The establishment of TVA by the Federal Government was a sign of
Congress' recognition of the importance of integrating regional and
national resource management strategies and issues affecting multiple
States. The TVA wove together Southeastern Conference members in a way
that hasn't been done since other than the conference. More
specifically, it was created to provide inland waterway navigation,
flood control, affordable electricity and to bolster economic
development in the Tennessee Valley region. TVA also helped farmers
improve crop yields, replant forests and improve fish and wildlife
habitation in the valley.
TVA's facilities now include 30 hydroelectric dams, 11 fossil fuel
powered plants and three nuclear power plants. It is the Nation's
largest public power company and provides reliable electricity to
nearly 8.5 million customers in the Tennessee Valley. Near my home is
Pickwick Dam, also a source of great opportunity for enjoyment and
pleasures for people wanting to boat and enjoy outdoor life.
Today, TVA continues to support navigation along the Tennessee River,
reduce the risk of flood damage to the surrounding area, and provide
reliable electric power to its many customers. It does so while
applying a unique problem-solving approach while fulfilling its mission
of integrated resource management.
TVA has proven that it remains committed to fulfilling the needs of
the region's businesses and citizens. This has been reflected in the
development of hydroelectric facilities in the 1940s to support the war
effort and the production of aluminum, to its present day development
of renewable power sources.
I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in supporting this
resolution and honor the Tennessee Valley Authority for helping to meet
the needs of our country for the past 75 years.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume to
my good friend, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) who is the
ranking member on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of
Transportation.
Mr. DUNCAN. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding me this
time. I rise in support of this resolution congratulating the Tennessee
Valley Authority on its 75th anniversary.
First, I want to commend my good friend the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Cramer) for bringing this resolution to the floor. He has served
with great distinction as chairman of the TVA Caucus in the Congress.
Since the Congress passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933,
TVA has played an important role, not only in the Tennessee Valley but
in the course of the history of this Nation as well. TVA carries out
its three-pronged mission of providing reliable electric power,
economic development, and stewardship of the Nation's fifth largest
river system by tapping into the talents of its 12,000 employees, many
of whom live in my district.
Right from the start, TVA tried to establish a problem-solving
approach to fulfilling its mission of resource management for power
production, navigation, flood control, malaria prevention,
reforestation, or erosion control, and each was studied in its broadest
context. TVA weighed each issue in relation to all the others.
Today the Tennessee Valley is one of the most beautiful and fertile
places in the Nation. With its beauty, hardworking people and abundant
natural resources, the Tennessee Valley would have developed in a good
and prosperous way without TVA, as did other areas of the South where
there was no TVA.
However, the establishment of the TVA led to the development of
cutting-edge fertilizers and improved farming techniques and helped to
revive the Tennessee Valley and forever changed its landscape. With the
completion of dams, TVA brought electricity and flood control to the
Tennessee Valley, providing stability and vital insect control programs
that helped drastically reduce deaths caused by mosquitos and increase
the quality of life.
By the end of the 1930s, the Tennessee Valley was probably the most
thoroughly mapped region in the country. Before long, however, TVA was
called upon to use this expertise to provide then-General Eisenhower
with the most detailed topographic maps of German-occupied France and,
later, Japan during World War II.
TVA played an important role in the Manhattan Project, the
development of our first atomic bomb. At a time when the enrichment of
uranium in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, consumed around 15 percent of the
electricity of the United States, TVA rose to the occasion and met
those power needs and helped end World War II.
I am proud to say that TVA is headquartered in my congressional
district. I am proud of TVA's president and CEO Tom Kilgore, and
Chairman Bill Sansom, two good friends of mine, and of the leadership
they provide to TVA in this challenging time for utilities across the
country.
I believe as we move into the future and look for more sustainable
sources of energy, that TVA will continue to provide the leadership to
help the valley become even stronger and more economically vibrant. I
can tell you that my region has become one of the most popular places
to move to in the entire country, and that is in no small part because
of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the role it plays in the lives of
our citizens.
The citizens of the Tennessee Valley have been better off because of
the work and historic mission of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield as much time as he
may consume to the gentleman who is the sponsor of this bill and
brought this to the Congress, a gentleman who is retiring, and was one
of the first people I had the opportunity to meet when I came up here.
He has been very kind to me in my first year.
I regret his leaving, but he has provided his service to this
Congress, and a gentleman whose district shares much with my district,
music, and many of the Memphis musicians fled to Muscle Shoals at one
time. We forgive him that; that was their choice. We wish him good luck
in the Alabama-Georgia game--Mr. Cramer of Alabama.
Mr. CRAMER. I thank my friends from Tennessee, and I thank the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where I spent so many
valuable years, the staff on both sides of the aisle. I have
appreciated what you have meant to my congressional district and what
you have meant to the Tennessee Valley Authority as well.
I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Tennessee
Valley Authority. I think it's only appropriate that we do this during
what we hope will be the last hours of this, the 110th Congress.
In the 110th Congress, I had the honor of serving as the cochair of
the congressional TVA Caucus, which has existed since I have been here,
before I was here. I have been here 18 years. I have cochaired this
caucus along with Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee, so we have
had a House-Senate partnership there.
There are 41 House and Senate Members that comprise this very
proactive Tennessee Valley Authority Caucus. As I look around the room
today, many of our House Members that have participated in that caucus
are here today.
My friends have talked about when TVA was created. Mr. Duncan, we
know that TVA is wonderfully headquartered up there in your
congressional district in Knoxville. When TVA was first chartered back
in 1933, it was headquartered in the Muscle Shoals area of north
Alabama, so we still reluctantly accept that you have the headquarters
there that we had
[[Page 22686]]
back when TVA was first chartered back in 1933.
Let's remember back to 1933. It was the Great Depression. At that
time the agriculture industry, which was the bread and butter of the
Tennessee Valley, had collapsed. Trying to make ends meet, the people
of the valley had overfarmed their land, leading to widespread erosion,
soil depletion and low crop yields.
As part of this New Deal program, President Franklin Roosevelt
envisioned TVA as a different kind of government agency that could be
backed by the power of the United States Government but also have the
``flexibility and initiative of a private enterprise.''
TVA was born, TVA has prospered, and TVA has done remarkable things
for our area. We are economically prosperous because of the presence of
TVA. They've built the dams, they've developed new fertilizers, they've
been the lifeblood of partnerships with local and State government over
economic development opportunities.
You can't drive through the Tennessee Valley area without looking
around and seeing a much different and much more prosperous area than
we ever would have been if TVA had not been the entity that it had
been.
Now the TVA of today is not the TVA of the thirties, forties and
fifties. We have a different board construct today. TVA is very
concerned about the environment. It's looking at its plants, making
sure that they are cleaner, more efficient than they ever were before.
{time} 1030
Reflect back, also. After the war, TVA built a 650-mile navigation
channel along the Tennessee River, allowing it to become one of the
longest transport systems in the country. When we make our pitches for
economic development opportunities, it is that navigational channel
that is our strength as we acquaint those prospective new industries
with what we have to offer.
In the 1990s, TVA began several energy efficiency and conservation
programs. These initiatives allowed TVA to cut their annual operating
costs by more than $800 million while still meeting the electricity
needs of the growing population of the Tennessee Valley.
In 1998, TVA started a new $5.8 billion clean air program that has
reduced their emissions by 70 to 80 percent. Additionally, TVA recently
began its Green Power Switch Program, designed to increase the
availability of energy derived from renewable resources such as solar
and wind for customers in the Tennessee Valley.
TVA is also leading the way to clean and safe nuclear power. In my
district, TVA is making great strides to increase our Nation's use of
nuclear energy. That is a reality we must confront.
So I believe the TVA today, under the leadership of Chairman Bill
Sansom and CEO Tom Kilgore, is ready and able to meet the growing
environmental and power demands while continuing to be a valuable
economic partner to the men and women of the Tennessee Valley.
Since I am leaving Congress, I want to thank my colleagues for
serving with me and making sure that our TVA area is the area that we
know it to be today, an efficient government entity, and that is not
something you can say very often.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, we certainly support this resolution and
thank Mr. Cramer for bringing it forward. We also thank him so much,
not only for this resolution but for his hard work in Congress in
general. Mr. Cramer has done an outstanding job and he is an individual
that will be missed by both sides, by Republicans and Democrats, and we
truly appreciate all that you have done, Bud, in serving your
constituents.
I yield such time as he would like to the gentleman from Tennessee
(Mr. Duncan).
Mr. DUNCAN. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding to me
one more brief time.
I rise to say it has been a privilege and honor for me to serve with
the gentleman from Alabama who unfortunately is leaving the Congress
this year. Bud Cramer and I have traveled many times together. We have
become, I think, very close friends. It is interesting to me that our
careers have been almost parallel. We were in law school at
approximately the same time. We practiced law. He became a prosecuting
attorney in his hometown of Huntsville when I was serving as a criminal
court judge in my hometown of Knoxville. He came to Congress shortly
after I did. He rose to become one of the senior members and one of the
most powerful and influential members on the Appropriations Committee
here in the Congress.
I can tell you that I have respect and admire Bud Cramer more than
almost anybody I know. He has been an outstanding public servant in
every way, and this Congress will certainly miss the gentleman from
Alabama when he leaves. I want to personally thank him for not only his
friendship to me, but more importantly his service to this Nation.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Does the gentleman have any more speakers?
Mr. COHEN. No, sir.
Mr. BOOZMAN. If the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I again join with my colleagues in expressing
the pleasure I have had serving with Mr. Cramer and my appreciation for
his service. We do share a lot. Sam Phillips was born in your district.
He came to Memphis, he gave birth to Elvis Presley and the rest is
history.
Thank you; you have been a true gentleman and I will miss you.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1224,
to commemorate the Tennessee Valley Authority (``TVA'') on its 75th
anniversary.
H. Res. 1224 recognizes the TVA for its long history of service in
the areas of energy, the environment, and economic development on a
service area that includes parts of seven States.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the legislation creating
the TVA on May 1, 1933. This Authority was a product of President
Roosevelt's New Deal plan to help the economy rise from the depths of
the Great Depression.
The establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority by the Federal
Government illustrated Congress's recognition of the importance of
integrating regional and national planning into problem solving
strategies that affect multiple States.
The TVA's mission areas were originally identified to reduce the risk
of flood damage, improve navigation on the Tennessee River, provide
electric power, and promote ``agricultural and industrial development''
in the region.
The TVA continues to manage its resources in an integrated fashion
for a wide range of benefits including electric power production, flood
control, waterborne commercial transportation, recreation, water
supply, and water quality.
Through the years, TVA has continued to adapt and evolve to reflect
the needs of the day. This evolution is reflected in its development of
hydroelectric facilities in the 1940s to support the war effort and
production of aluminum, to its present day development of renewable
power resources.
I applaud the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Cramer), for his strong advocacy of the Tennessee Valley Authority
during his 18 years in Congress. The gentleman has been a valuable
member of this Chamber, a distinguished alumnus of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and a dedicated champion for the
people of the 5th Congressional District. I wish him well in his future
endeavors.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to the
resolution.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1224.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
[[Page 22687]]
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced
that the Senate has passed with an amendment in which the concurrence
of the House is requested, a bill of the House of the following title:
H.R. 5159. An act to establish the Office of the Capitol
Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the
Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor
Services, to provide for the effective management and
administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other
purposes.
____________________
FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE GUARD CONTRACTING REFORM ACT OF 2008
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3068) to prohibit the award of
contracts to provide guard services under the contract security guard
program of the Federal Protective Service to a business concern that is
owned, controlled, or operated by an individual who has been convicted
of a felony.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Protective Service
Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE CONTRACTS.
(a) Prohibition on Award of Contracts to Any Business
Concern Owned, Controlled, or Operated by an Individual
Convicted of a Felony.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting
through the Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement--
(A) shall promulgate regulations establishing guidelines
for the prohibition of contract awards for the provision of
guard services under the contract security guard program of
the Federal Protective Service to any business concern that
is owned, controlled, or operated by an individual who has
been convicted of a felony; and
(B) may consider permanent or interim prohibitions when
promulgating the regulations.
(2) Contents.--The regulations under this subsection
shall--
(A) identify which serious felonies may prohibit a
contractor from being awarded a contract;
(B) require contractors to provide information regarding
any relevant felony convictions when submitting bids or
proposals; and
(C) provide guidelines for the contracting officer to
assess present responsibility, mitigating factors, and the
risk associated with the previous conviction, and allow the
contracting officer to award a contract under certain
circumstances.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue
regulations to carry out this section.
SEC. 3. REPORT ON GOVERNMENT-WIDE APPLICABILITY.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the
Act, the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall
submit a report on establishing similar guidelines
government-wide to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Boozman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 3068.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3068. The bill is
the result of two oversight hearings held by the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings and Emergency Management that examined the role of the
Federal Protective Service in providing security to our Nation's public
buildings.
There was evidence and serious allegations of wrongdoings, chaos and
irregularities in the contracting and employment of private security
guards who protect Federal employees and facilities. This legislation
intends to preserve the security of the country's most sensitive
buildings.
The Senate amendment supports the principles of the House bill and
authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to devise regulations
that prohibit contracts for the provision of guard services to any
business owned or controlled by a convicted felon. In addition, the
Senate amendment provides some limited flexibility for the contract
officer to identify serious felons and create guidelines for the
contracting officer to assess mitigating factors and the risks
associated with previous convictions.
I urge all Members to vote for the Senate amendment to H.R. 3068, the
Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2008.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might
consume.
H.R. 3068 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairwoman Norton last year,
and prohibits the Federal Protective Service from awarding contracts to
businesses owned, controlled or operated by convicted felons.
Specifically, the bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security
to promulgate regulations to implement this prohibition.
The Federal Protective Service, FPS, has a critical mission. FPS
serves as one of the first lines of defense for our Federal buildings.
It employs more than 1,000 trained personnel, and 15,000 contract
security guards. It is charged with securing nearly 9,000 federally
owned and leased buildings.
This legislation will help improve security at those buildings and
facilities and increase the standards of safety for Federal properties
across the country. H.R. 3068 passed the House last year and was
amended in the Senate. The Senate amendment provides additional
direction to the Secretary of Homeland Security on key issues that the
regulations should include. The Senate amendment also directs the
administrator for Federal procurement policy to issue a report to
Congress on establishing similar guidelines government-wide.
This legislation is important to ensure the integrity of the forces
protecting our Federal buildings and the employees and visitors that
work in and visit those buildings every day. I support this
legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, we very much appreciate that the House has
gotten to this bill before we adjourn. This bill arose from oversight,
and I think emphasizes the importance of oversight. Essentially it
eliminates proxy ownership of vital FPS contracting operations. As a
result of oversight and reports from workers and sometimes from unions,
we learned that there were unpaid contract guards. As a result of the
hearings, upon learning of these reports, we found that there was a
contractor who was a felon, had spent 5 years in jail for money
laundering and fraud.
What we discovered was sometimes there were unpaid guards working out
of, of all places, the Department of Homeland Security, and that at
other times the money had been received, as in the case of the proxy
ownership, and had not been paid.
Security guards have grown to overwhelm the Federal Protective
Service which is the official service that guards these buildings. The
decrease in the Federal Protective Service is itself a hazard. But with
15,000 Federal security guards, that means hundreds probably of
contractors, because many of them are small businesses. As the number
of security guards and therefore contractors has grown, it is important
that our vigilance of the contract operations also increases.
I was particularly concerned because these reports came in, from all
places, the Nation's capital and the national
[[Page 22688]]
capital region. This is the region at the top of the list of places
where we are always on the alert against terrorism.
We want to particularly compliment the workers who continued to work
even though they were unpaid. I want to give some credit to ICE because
in the hearings where we followed up to see that this matter was
corrected while this bill was pending, we worked closely with ICE which
had jurisdiction over the Federal Protective Service and now has an
ombudsman for security guard contracts; it centralized contracting
operations so that prompt payment and monitoring of the invoices can
occur. We gave them a deadline to cure that backlog, and they cured
that backlog by August of last year.
{time} 1045
What this bill does is to now shut the door with legislation that was
clearly required after the discovery of proxy ownership by a felon who
had, essentially, the responsibility for guards' guarding vital
buildings in the Nation's capital and perhaps elsewhere.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Norton for
bringing this legislation forward. It's something that we certainly
support.
We thank you for your hard work.
I yield back the balance of our time.
Ms. NORTON. I thank the gentleman, and I thank the entire committee
and subcommittee for the strong bipartisan support that this bill and
the work that uncovered it have had throughout.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment
to H.R. 3068. This bill, as amended by the Senate, represents an
important step in ensuring the safety of Federal employees and all
those who work in and visit our Federal buildings.
On April 18, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled ``Proposals
to Downsize the Federal Protective Service and Effects on the
Protection of Federal Buildings''. The hearing probed the Department of
Homeland Security's plans to cut the presence of Federal Protective
Service (``FPS'') officers nationally. The reliance on contract
security guards to protect Federal buildings is a troubling trend.
On October 2, 2007, the House passed H.R. 3068 to prohibit the
Secretary of Homeland Security from awarding security guard contracts
to businesses owned, controlled, or operated by convicted felons.
H.R. 3068, as amended by the Senate, continues to support the central
concept of the legislation as enacted by the House. The Senate
amendment authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish
guidelines that prohibit contracts for the provision of guard services
to any business owned or controlled by individuals convicted of serious
felonies, as determined by the Secretary. Further, the amendment allows
discretion to contracting officers assess mitigating factors and the
risks associated with a particular conviction.
This bill, as amended, offers a common sense way to ensure that
security contracts that provide an essential service are awarded only
to contractors who are, ``capable, responsible, and ethical'', as
required by the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
I support H.R. 3068, as amended, and urge its passage.
Finally, I insert in the Congressional Record an exchange of letters
between Chairman Henry Waxman, Chairman of the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform, and me.
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, September 25, 2008.
Hon. Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House
of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Waxman: I write to you regarding H.R. 3068,
the ``Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act
of 2007''.
I agree that provisions in H.R. 3068, as amended by the
Senate, are of jurisdictional interest to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform. I appreciate your
willingness to waive rights to further consideration of H.R.
3068, and I acknowledge that through this waiver, your
Committee is not relinquishing its jurisdiction over the
relevant provisions of H.R. 3068.
This exchange of letters will be placed in the
Congressional Record as part of the consideration of H.R.
3068, as amended by the Senate, in the House. Thank you for
the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding
this matter and others between our respective committees.
I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass
this important legislation.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar, M.C.,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and
Government reform,
Washington, DC, September 25, 2008.
Hon. James Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Oberstar: I am writing about H.R. 3068, the
``Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of
2008''.
I appreciate your effort to consult with the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform regarding those provisions of
H.R. 3068, as amended by the Senate, that fall within the
Oversight Committee's jurisdiction. In the interest of
expediting consideration of H.R. 3068, the Oversight
Committee will not separately consider relevant provisions of
this bill. Moreover, this letter should not be construed as a
waiver of the Oversight Committee's legislative jurisdiction
over subjects addressed in H.R. 3068 that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Oversight Committee.
Please include our exchange of letters on this matter in
the Congressional Record during consideration of this
legislation on the House floor.
Again, I appreciate your willingness to consult the
Committee on these matters.
Sincerely,
Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman.
Ms. NORTON, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R.
3068.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
REPEALING LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AS A SALVAGER ON THE COAST
OF FLORIDA
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 2482) to repeal the provision of title 46, United
States Code, requiring a license for employment in the business of
salvaging on the coast of Florida.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 2482
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT OF LICENSE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN
THE BUSINESS OF SALVAGING ON THE COAST OF
FLORIDA.
Chapter 801 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking section 80102; and
(2) in the table of sections at the beginning of the
chapter by striking the item relating to that section.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.
General Leave
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
on S. 2482.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, I rise today in strong support of S. 2482.
This legislation is very simple. It would repeal an antiquated law
that requires vessels and the captains of vessels conducting salvage
operations off the coast of Florida to obtain licenses from a United
States District Court. The law, which applies only to Florida, was
adopted in 1847. No license has been issued under this law since
approximately 1921, in large measure, because it seems to have been a
forgotten
[[Page 22689]]
requirement until the recent codification of title 46.
This law serves no purpose at this time. The measure before us would
repeal this provision and would eliminate a needless burden on salvors
working off the coast of Florida.
I applaud Senator Martinez for his leadership on this measure, and I
urge its adoption by the House.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2482, a bill to
repeal a provision in current law which requires licenses for
employment in the business of maritime salvaging in the State of
Florida.
S. 2482 is a companion bill to H.R. 4542, which was introduced by the
ranking member of our full committee, Congressman John Mica of Florida,
and which passed the House as part of H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation Act of 2008.
Sadly, even though Chairman Cummings has done a great job and even
though Mr. Oberstar has done a great job and we've tried to work
together on the Coast Guard reauthorization bill, our friends on the
other side of the Capitol haven't quite reached agreement with us.
The bill repeals section 80102 of title 46, United States Code, an
antiquated provision which dates back in various forms to the 1820s. It
requires Federal judges to issue licenses to wreckers working in the
State of Florida. Wreckers, now generally known as salvors, provided
assistance to ships in trouble in exchange for a portion of the
vessel's cargo. In the early 19th century, some argued that these
wreckers may have provided assistance that was not needed and then
demanded a portion of the vessel's cargo. It sounds a little bit like
piracy to me, but I'm not sure.
At that time, the primary Federal presence in Florida was the Federal
judiciary. Therefore, Federal judges were given licensing authority
over these wreckers. The licensing requirement fell out of use early in
the last century. Today, salvage vessels and their crews operating in
Florida are regulated under Coast Guard safety, inspection, crew
licensing, and environmental standards just like any other vessels
operating in United States waters.
The Justice Department has determined the provision is
unconstitutional, and S. 2482 repeals this anachronism. I support the
bill.
I reserve the balance of my time subject to the chairman.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Yes. I assume the gentleman, my minority ranking
member, has no further speakers.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. The gentleman is correct. If you have none, I am
prepared to yield back and would yield back.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2482, a
bill to repeal the provision of title 46, United States Code, requiring
a license for employment in the business of salvaging on the coast of
Florida.
In 1847, Congress enacted a law designed to prevent individuals from
luring ships on the beach with lanterns--and then salvaging these
wrecks. The law said that you cannot salvage a ship in Florida unless
you have a license issued by a U.S. District Court. At the time these
individuals were called wreckers. Today, they are called salvors.
Two years ago, Congress passed a recodification of all of the laws in
title 46 of the U.S. Code--titled ``Shipping''. It was only after that
recodification when the terms were updated from ``wreckers'' to
``salvors'', did the salvage industry realize that they needed a
license to do its work in Florida. This requirement is not imposed on
salvors in any other State of the United States.
S. 2482 repeals this archaic law outright. Today Florida attracts
tourists and cruise ships to its shores. It doesn't try to wreck them
on the rocks.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of S. 2482.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, we yield back the balance of our time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 2482.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD HIGHWAY
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4131) to designate a portion of California State Route 91
located in Los Angeles County, California, as the ``Juanita Millender-
McDonald Highway''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4131
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Juanita Millender-McDonald was born on September 7,
1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the Reverend Shelly and
Everlina Dortch Millender.
(2) Juanita Millender-McDonald earned her bachelor's degree
from the University of Redlands in 1981, and her master's
degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in
1987.
(3) Juanita Millender-McDonald was a true trailblazer,
entering public service in 1990 as a member of the Carson
City Council and becoming the first African-American woman to
serve on the Carson City Council.
(4) Continuing as a pioneer, Juanita Millender-McDonald
served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1996,
and in her first term, she became the first assembly member
to hold the position of chairwoman of two powerful California
State Assembly committees (Insurance and Revenue and
Taxation).
(5) Continuing to make history, Juanita Millender-McDonald
served in the United States House of Representatives from
1996-2007, becoming the first African-American woman to chair
any full House Committee when on December 19, 2006, she was
named Chairwoman of the House Committee on House
Administration.
(6) A leader among leaders, a University of California
study named Juanita Millender-McDonald one of the most
effective Members of Congress.
(7) As a Member of Congress, Juanita Millender-McDonald was
the first African-American woman to give the national
Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address.
(8) Juanita Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual
Memorial Day tribute to women in the military at the Women in
Military Service For America Memorial at Arlington National
Cemetery.
(9) As the founder of the Congressional Goods Movement
Caucus, Juanita Millender-McDonald was a leader in the
promotion of interstate commerce and a tireless advocate for
the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of Los Angeles.
(10) Juanita Millender-McDonald was instrumental in the
$2,500,000,000 project that created the Alameda Corridor, a
20-mile rail expressway that opened in April 2002 and is a
vital connection between the ports and America's rail system.
(11) As the founder and executive director of the League of
African-American Women, an organization responsible for the
annual ``AIDS Walk for Minority Women and Children'', the
legacy of Juanita Millender-McDonald as a humble, selfless
champion for women will endure for generations to come.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.
The portion of California State Route 91 located in Los
Angeles County, California, from post mile 10.4 to post mile
11.1 shall be known and designated as the ``Juanita
Millender-McDonald Highway''.
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the portion of
California State Route 91 referred to in section 2 shall be
deemed to be a reference to the ``Juanita Millender-McDonald
Highway''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Richardson) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Duncan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4131.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First and foremost, I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and
Ranking Member Mica for their help in
[[Page 22690]]
bringing this legislation to the floor. H.R. 4131 honors the legacy of
a woman who many of my colleagues on the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee already know--former Congresswoman Juanita
Millender-McDonald, a real trailblazer, my predecessor here in Congress
and, for many years, my mentor and my boss. Words cannot describe the
impact Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald had on so many lives,
but today, I will do my best to reflect on her work and on her
accomplishments.
Congresswoman McDonald was a real trailblazer in every sense of the
word. She came to Congress in 1996 and became the first African
American woman to chair any full House committee when, on December 19,
2006, she was named chairwoman of the House Committee on House
Administration, one spot our Madam Speaker often calls, really, the
House's mayor.
Likewise, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual
Memorial Day tribute to women in the military at the Women's Memorial
at Arlington National Cemetery. Some other firsts: Congresswoman
McDonald was the first African American woman to give the national
Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address. Also,
Congresswoman McDonald was the first assemblywoman to hold the position
of chairwoman on the Committee of Revenue and Taxation.
These accomplishments represent just a few of the many firsts that
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald achieved, a long list that dates back
to her days on the Carson City Council where she was the first African
American woman to serve on that body.
You know, it kind of makes me think back to a story that people in
the community talked about. Congresswoman McDonald didn't start off as
a person who was going to be an elected official. She was a parent; she
was a teacher; she was someone who worked for the second largest school
district in this Nation. I think back to one incident that a lot of her
constituents would smile about.
She lived not far from the Carson Mall, this mall that is in my
district. Traditionally, when we have Christmas, we have Santa, but
most people have a certain way of how we picture Santa looking. Ms.
McDonald, having her five children, thought that Santa should maybe
reflect our entire country, so she led this charge to have Santa be
reflective of our entire community, and so it was always kind of cute.
We used to refer to her as Mrs. Claus, and that's really how she got
her start at being active and in understanding that her community
needed to be represented and that her community needed to shine and
that it needed to be able to grow and to be successful.
Therefore, the naming of this portion of the 91 freeway is fitting
because the 91 freeway was a part of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's
district during her entire legislative career in the California
Assembly and here in Congress. The 91 freeway also runs adjacent to the
Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy, a facility in my and her
former district that she cherished dearly.
However, anyone who knew Congresswoman McDonald also knows that her
family came first. Her husband, James, was her backbone, the love of
her life. Together, they raised five beautiful children, and they
adored their five grandchildren. However, Congresswoman Millender-
McDonald's family includes more than her children, grandchildren,
nieces, and nephews. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's family also
includes a list of elected officials at the Federal, State and local
levels that she mentored in addition to me: Councilman Steve Bradford,
Carson Mayor Pro Tem Mike Gibson and soon to be Assemblyman Isadore
Hall.
Congresswoman McDonald was an effective Member of Congress who was
known for her bipartisan spirit and for her fiscal conservative
principles. I think you're going to hear from my colleagues today that
one of the things that Congresswoman McDonald valued was her
relationship on both sides of the aisle. Although she was concerned
about social programs, she knew that you couldn't do them unless you
could pay for them. That was really a strength and, I think, something
that her colleagues loved.
These are the lessons that Congresswoman Millender-McDonald taught me
when I was on her staff, and they have served as a guide throughout my
own legislative career. I can honestly say, but for Congresswoman
Millender-McDonald's willingness to take me under her wing and to hire
me, I would not have had the opportunity to master the Federal system.
She was my mentor, my political godmother and an inspiration to all
Americans.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First of all, I want to commend the gentlelady from California (Ms.
Richardson) for bringing this bill to the floor today. Certainly, it's
a very appropriate bill because of all of the firsts that the
gentlewoman from California has already mentioned and for many other
reasons.
I'm honored to support H.R. 4131. As has been stated, this bill would
designate a portion of California's State Route 91 in Los Angeles
County as the Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway. This is a very
fitting tribute to our former colleague Congresswoman Millender-
McDonald.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a member of the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee for over 10 years. Beginning when she was
first elected to Congress in April of 1996, she was a tireless advocate
for transportation issues impacting her district, including projects
related to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the Alameda
Corridor freight railroad project.
She was also a leader on national transportation issues. She took her
experience in dealing with freight mobility challenges in southern
California and founded the Congressional Goods Movement Caucus. Through
her position on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and in
her role with the Congressional Goods Movement Caucus, Congresswoman
Millender-McDonald promoted transportation projects necessary to
facilitate interstate commerce while protecting communities from the
adverse effects associated with freight movement.
She rose to the level of being a full committee chairwoman in this
Congress, and she was respected and admired on both sides of the aisle.
More importantly than all of this, than all of her work in Congress,
Juanita Millender-McDonald was just a good human being.
{time} 1100
She was a friend of mine, and I knew from discussions I had with her
how much she loved her family and her friends. She was beautiful in
appearance and was so dignified and professional in every way and set
such a good example for all of us. She served the people of her
district and this Nation well and with great honor and distinction.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill honoring a good
friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume
to our chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime, also a
member of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and more
importantly, a dear friend of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I
want to thank her for sponsoring this important bill, and I take a
moment to honor my friend, Congressman Millender-McDonald.
She and I had a special relationship because we sat beside each other
on the committee, and she had come to Washington in a special election
about a month before I came in a special election. So we had a certain
kinship.
But as I sat here and I was listening to Ms. Richardson and listening
to the minority, it's clear that all of us had a tremendous respect for
her. And I
[[Page 22691]]
thought about all of the kind things that Ms. Richardson said about
her. But one of the things that she said that stood out for me most was
that she was a mentor.
Around here, we come here, we do our work, we work hard, we give it
everything we've got; and I know Mr. Duncan knows what I'm talking
about. We give it everything we've got, and then we leave. And
sometimes I guess we wonder how much impact we have had. But I think
the greatest impact we can have is on other people.
The fact that Congresswoman Millender-McDonald took Congresswoman
Richardson under her wing as a young staff assistant and then worked
with her and considered her a friend, and then the next thing you know
we see this young lady that is Congresswoman Richardson now emerge as
just an outstanding Member of Congress says a lot about the
effectiveness not only about Ms. Millender-McDonald with regard to her
legislative life, that is what she did here on the Hill, but it also
says a lot about what she did in her district and how she affected
people.
The reason I mention that, Mr. Speaker, is because I think a lot of
people get very confused about what we do here. Some people think that
it's just the buildings that you have built and all of the things that
you may bring back to your district. But the thing that is truly
lasting is not all the buildings and all of the highways, but it's
about building people because that's what truly lasts.
I'm often reminded of a part of ``The Lion King,'' which I love so
much. My kids tease me about it, but I love it. There's one portion of
``The Lion King'' where the young lion cub says to his father, ``You
died, and I need you, and I need you to be here with me so that I can
talk to you and ask for advice and so that you can help my through my
difficult times.'' And he's saying, ``Where are you?'' And then a few
songs later, it says, ``He lives in you.''
I think what we're doing here right now today is a perfect example of
that.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, just like all of us, had to move on
and make a transition. But she was able to leave someone behind to
carry on her work. And she has left an impact not only on the
Democratic side, but our Republican brothers and sisters, so that we
can carry on that work.
I can never remember ever sitting down at a markup where Ms.
Millender-McDonald did not have something to say about her district.
Ever. I used to tease her. I used to say, ``You're getting all the
money, girl.'' She'd say, ``That's my job.''
So I just wanted to take a moment to honor her, and I just hope that
when we folks drive down Highway 91, somebody will ask the question,
``Who was she,'' some child who never got to know her, somebody who may
have not been informed about who their Congresswoman was, but hopefully
somebody would be there in their car to be able to tell them the story
of a great lady, a great lady who not only built bridges, but one who
also tore down walls, consistently tore down walls of separation, built
bridges of unity bringing people together as head of our House
Administration Committee, constantly reaching out.
One of the last letters I got before she passed away was a letter
about an issue that was very controversial, but she had resolved it,
and it was just before she died.
So to the very end--and that's what they told us at her funeral, by
the way, they said she was working until the day she died.
But then she did something very important. She passed on the baton to
a young lady now who turns around and says, ``You know what? I am not
going to let you be forgotten.''
And this Congress is not going to let her be forgotten because her
life is a shining example of what all our lives should be. I want to
thank again all sides for making this happen.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I didn't realize that we had any other
speakers, so I would like to either reclaim my time or request that the
gentlelady from California yield some time to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from
Tennessee reclaims his time.
There was no objection.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I then yield to the ranking member of the
House Administration Committee, my good friend, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), such time as he may consume.
Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank you for
the accommodation.
As soon as I discovered this issue was before us, I rushed to the
floor so that I could participate in this discussion.
I worked closely with Ms. Millender-McDonald for several years. When
I was Chair, she was ranking member, and when she was Chair, I was
ranking member.
The word that comes to mind the second I think about her is
``elegance.'' She was a very elegant person. I mean that in a very
positive sense. I'm not talking just about elegance in dress, elegance
in bearing, but to the core of her being she was an elegant, wonderful
human being.
I enjoyed working with her. We accomplished a lot together on the
committee. We obviously had our differences now and then, but we always
worked through them. And what always struck me as something really
wonderful about her and about our Nation, and to show how far we've
come, that a sharecropper's daughter could become the Chair of a major
committee in the Congress of the United States. That's amazing, but it
speaks very well of her in the way she comported herself, the way she
had taught herself, the accomplishments that she had made during her
life. Just a very remarkable person in every way.
The only regret I had was that she never shared with me anything
about her illness or the seriousness of her illness. I believe she felt
she had to carry that burden alone. And I would have been delighted and
honored had she shared with me more of the details so that I could help
her on this journey towards death, and that I could have been at her
side praying with her and comforting her.
But it's just a great delight to see this honor bestowed upon her. I
certainly hope this is an elegant highway that we're dedicating to her,
because it would be befitting of her and her accomplishments, and above
all, her presence as a human being, that this highway reflect her
greatness, her elegance, her ability, and her dedication to her people
and to this Nation.
I thank you.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no other speakers.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this very fitting tribute to a
great lady, our friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume
to our chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr.
Highways himself, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, there are many tributes one could
establish for former colleagues: statues and plaques and naming of
various facilities; but for Juanita Millender-McDonald, a
transportation artery is truly appropriate, fitting, and necessary.
From the time she set foot in this Chamber and won a seat on the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, she was ceaseless in
her devotion to transportation initiatives. If I heard the term
``Alameda Corridor'' once, I heard it a hundred times; if I heard the
Desmond Bridge once, I heard it 50 times; if I heard ``freight
transportation corridors'' once, I heard it a thousand times. It was
endless. And that was her passion, her devotion, her commitment.
There were many other causes that Juanita Millender-McDonald
championed. The gentlewoman from California, her successor, Ms.
Richardson, has already enumerated those. I will submit those in a
longer statement for the Record.
But I just want to take this moment, as we did in committee and here
on the floor, to pay tribute to a dear friend, a champion of
transportation causes, a
[[Page 22692]]
person with soul, with spirit, with grace, with elegance who served her
constituents and State and this Nation extraordinarily well. And it is
appropriate that we memorialize that service by this naming we are
undertaking today.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald
was known consistently for pulling off unexpected victories. As a
staffer and now as a Member, there are two things I cherish most: one,
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, as our chairman just said,
was committed to working and serving her constituents; number two,
something she used to say to me often, ``You can't throw the baby out
with the bath water.'' She had the unique ability to build, nurture,
and develop others, particularly young adults . . . and the least of
these.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Richardson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4131.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
INTEGRATED DEEPWATER PROGRAM REFORM ACT OF 2008
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6999) to restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater
Program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6999
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--INTEGRATED DEEPWATER PROGRAM
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Integrated Deepwater
Program Reform Act of 2008''.
SEC. 102. PROCUREMENT STRUCTURE.
(a) In General.--
(1) Use of lead systems integrator.--Except as provided in
subsection (b), the Secretary may not use a private sector
entity as a lead systems integrator for acquisitions under,
or in support of, the Integrated Deepwater Program after the
end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(2) Full and open competition.--The Secretary and the lead
systems integrator for the Integrated Deepwater Program shall
utilize full and open competition for any acquisition for
which an outside contractor is used under, or in support of,
the Integrated Deepwater Program after the date of enactment
of this Act, unless otherwise excepted in accordance with the
Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation.
(3) No effect on small business act.--Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to supersede or otherwise
affect the authorities provided by and under the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
(b) Exceptions.--
(1) Completion of acquisitions by lead systems
integrator.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary
may use a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator
for the Coast Guard--
(A) to complete any delivery order or task order that was
issued to the lead systems integrator on or before the date
that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act
without any change in the quantity of assets or the specific
type of assets covered by the order;
(B) for acquisitions after the date that is 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act of, or in support of, the
HC-130J aircraft, the HH-65 aircraft, and the C4ISR system if
the requirements of subsection (c) are met with respect to
such acquisitions;
(C) for acquisitions after the date that is 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act of, or in support of,
National Security Cutters or Maritime Patrol Aircraft under
contract or order for construction as of the date that is 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, if the
requirements of subsection (c) are met with respect to such
acquisitions; and
(D) for the acquisition, or in support, of additional
National Security Cutters or Maritime Patrol Aircraft if the
Secretary determines that--
(i) the acquisition is in accordance with the Competition
in Contracting Act of 1984 and the Federal Acquisition
Regulation;
(ii) the acquisition and the use of a private sector entity
as a lead systems integrator for the acquisition is in the
best interest of the Federal Government; and
(iii) the requirements of subsection (c) are met with
respect to such acquisition.
(2) Awards to tier 1 subcontractors.--The Secretary may
award to any Tier 1 subcontractor or subcontractor below the
Tier 1 level any acquisition that the Secretary could award
to a lead systems integrator under paragraph (1).
(3) Report on decision-making process.--If the Secretary
determines under paragraph (1)(B), (1)(C), or (1)(D) that the
Coast Guard will use a private sector lead systems integrator
for an acquisition, the Secretary shall notify in writing the
appropriate congressional committees of the Secretary's
determination and shall provide a detailed rationale for the
determination, at least 30 days before the award of a
contract, delivery order, or task order using a private
sector lead systems integrator, including a comparison of the
cost of the acquisition through the private sector lead
systems integrator with the expected cost if the acquisition
were awarded directly to the manufacturer or shipyard.
(c) Limitation on Lead Systems Integrators.--Neither an
entity performing lead systems integrator functions for an
acquisition under, or in support of, the Integrated Deepwater
Program, nor a Tier 1 subcontractor, for any acquisition
described in subsection (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), or (b)(1)(D)
may have a financial interest in a subcontractor below the
tier 1 subcontractor level unless--
(1) the subcontractor was selected by the Secretary through
full and open competition for such procurement;
(2) the procurement was awarded by the lead systems
integrator or a subcontractor through full and open
competition;
(3) the procurement was awarded by a subcontractor through
a process over which the lead systems integrator or a Tier 1
subcontractor exercised no control; or
(4) the Secretary has determined that the procurement was
awarded in a manner consistent with the Competition in
Contracting Act of 1984 and the Federal Acquisition
Regulation.
(d) Rule of Construction.--The limitation in subsection
(b)(1)(A) on the quantity and specific type of assets to
which subsection (b) applies shall not be construed to apply
to the modification of the number or type of any subsystems
or other components of a vessel or aircraft described in
subsection (b)(1)(B), (C), or (D).
(e) Termination Date for Exceptions.--Notwithstanding
subsection (b), the Secretary may not use a private sector
entity as a lead systems integrator for acquisitions under,
or in support of, the Integrated Deepwater Program after the
earlier of--
(1) September 30, 2011; or
(2) the date on which the Secretary certifies in writing to
the appropriate congressional committees that the Coast Guard
has available and can retain sufficient contracting personnel
and expertise within the Coast Guard, through an arrangement
with other Federal agencies, or through contracts or other
arrangements with private sector entities, to perform the
functions and responsibilities of the lead system integrator
in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
SEC. 103. REQUIRED CONTRACT TERMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that any
contract, delivery order, or task order for an acquisition
under, or in support of, the Integrated Deepwater Program
executed by the Secretary after the date of enactment of this
Act--
(1) provides that all certifications for Integrated
Deepwater Program procurements will be conducted by the
Secretary or an independent third party, and that self-
certification by the contractor or subcontractor is not
allowed;
(2) provides that the Commandant shall conduct a technical
review of all proposed designs, design changes, and
engineering changes and requires that the contractor address
all design and engineering concerns identified in the
technical reviews;
(3) requires that the Commandant shall maintain the
authority to establish, approve, and maintain technical
requirements;
(4) requires that any measurement of contractor and
subcontractor performance be based on the status of all work
performed, including the extent to which the work performed
met all cost, schedule, and mission performance requirements;
(5) specifies that, for the acquisition or upgrade of air,
surface, or shore assets for which compliance with TEMPEST
certification is a requirement, the standard for determining
such compliance will be the air, surface, or shore asset
standard then used by the Department of the Navy for that
type of asset; and
(6) for any contract issued to acquire an Offshore Patrol
Cutter, includes provisions specifying the service life,
fatigue life, and days underway in general Atlantic and North
[[Page 22693]]
Pacific Sea conditions, maximum range, and maximum speed the
cutter will be built to achieve.
(b) Prohibited Contract Provisions.--The Secretary shall
ensure that any contract, delivery order, or task order for
acquisition under, or in support of, the Integrated Deepwater
Program executed by the Secretary after the date of enactment
of this Act does not include--
(1) provisions that commit the Secretary without express
written approval by the Secretary; or
(2) any provision allowing for equitable adjustment that
differs from the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(c) Extension of Program.--Any contract, contract
modification, or award term extending the existing Integrated
Deepwater Program contract term, as signed in May 2006 and
modified in June 2007--
(1) shall not include any minimum requirements for the
purchase of a given or determinable number of specific
assets; and
(2) shall be reviewed by the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics through the Defense
Acquisition University and the results of that review shall
be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees at
least 60 days prior to the award of the contract, contract
modification, or award term.
SEC. 104. TESTING AND CERTIFICATION.
(a) Early Operational Assessment.--
(1) For any major asset type acquired for the Coast Guard
after the date of enactment of this Act other than the
National Security Cutter and the Maritime Patrol Aircraft,
the Secretary shall cause an early operational assessment to
be completed on the design for that asset type.
(2) The early operational assessment shall be conducted by
an independent third party with relevant expertise in
conducting early operational assessments on the asset type
for which the assessment is being performed or by the Coast
Guard acting in collaboration with an independent third party
with relevant expertise in conducting early operational
assessments on the asset type for which the assessment is
being performed.
(3) The result of this assessment shall be submitted to the
appropriate congressional committees at least 90 days prior
to the initiation of any construction activity utilizing the
proposed design.
(4) The Secretary shall also submit a report describing the
steps taken to mitigate the risks identified by the early
operational assessment conducted under this section in the
design on which construction is to begin at least 30 days
prior to the initiation of any construction utilizing the
proposed design.
(b) Assessment of Operational Capability.--
(1) The Secretary shall cause the first in class of a major
asset acquisition of a cutter or an aircraft by the Coast
Guard to be subjected to an assessment of operational
capability conducted by an independent third party with
relevant expertise in the asset type or by the Coast Guard in
collaboration with an independent third party with relevant
expertise in the asset type.
(2) The result of the assessment conducted under this
subsection shall be submitted to the appropriate
congressional committees at least 45 days prior to acceptance
of the asset.
(c) Cutter Classification.--The Secretary shall cause each
cutter, other than a National Security Cutter, acquired by
the Coast Guard and delivered after the date of enactment of
this Act to be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping,
before acceptance of delivery.
(d) Tempest Testing.--The Secretary shall cause all
electronics on all aircraft, surface, and shore assets that
require TEMPEST certification and that are delivered after
the date of enactment of this Act to be tested in accordance
with TEMPEST standards and communication security (COMSEC)
standards by an independent third party that is authorized by
the Federal Government to perform such testing and certify
that the asset meets all applicable TEMPEST requirements.
(e) National Security Cutter.--The Secretary shall cause
the design and construction of each National Security Cutter,
other than National Security Cutter 1 and 2, to be certified
by an independent third party with expertise in vessel design
and construction certification.
(f) Aircraft Airworthiness.--The Secretary shall cause all
aircraft and aircraft engines acquired by the Coast Guard and
delivered after the date of enactment of this Act to be
certified for airworthiness by an independent third party
with expertise in aircraft and aircraft engine certification,
before acceptance of delivery.
(g) Certifications.--
(1) After the date of enactment of this Act, a contract,
delivery order, or task order exceeding $10,000,000 for an
acquisition under, or in support of, the Coast Guard's
Integrated Deepwater Program may not be executed by the Coast
Guard until the Secretary certifies that--
(A) appropriate market research has been conducted prior to
technology development to reduce duplication of existing
technology and products;
(B) the technology has been demonstrated to the maximum
extent practicable in a relevant environment;
(C) the technology demonstrates a high likelihood of
accomplishing its intended mission;
(D) funding is available to execute the contract, delivery
order, or task order; and
(E) the technology complies with all relevant policies,
regulations, and directives of the Coast Guard.
(2) The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each
certification required under subsection (g) to the
appropriate congressional committees within 30 days after the
completion of the certification.
(h) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall prevent the
Secretary from executing contracts or issuing delivery orders
or task orders for research and development or technology
demonstrations under, or in support of, the Integrated
Deepwater Program.
SEC. 105. NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTER.
Not later than 90 days before the Coast Guard signs any
contract, delivery order, or task order to strengthen the
hull of either of National Security Cutter 1 or 2 to resolve
the structural design and performance issues identified in
the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's
report OIG-07-23 dated January 2007, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees all
results of an assessment of the proposed hull strengthening
design conducted by the Coast Guard, in conjunction with the
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, including--
(1) a description in detail of the extent to which the hull
strengthening measures to be implemented on those cutters
will enable the cutters to meet contract and performance
requirements;
(2) a cost benefit analysis of the proposed hull
strengthening measures for National Security Cutters 1 and 2;
and
(3) a description of any operational restrictions that
would have to be applied to either National Security Cutters
1 or 2 if the proposed hull strengthening measures were not
implemented on either cutter.
SEC. 106. IMPROVEMENTS IN COAST GUARD MANAGEMENT.
(a) Integrated Product Teams.--Integrated product teams,
and all teams that oversee integrated product teams, shall be
chaired by officers, members, or employees of the Coast
Guard.
(b) Deepwater Technical Authority.--The Commandant shall
maintain or designate the technical authority to establish,
approve, and maintain technical requirements for the
Integrated Deepwater Program. Any such designation shall be
given in writing and may not be delegated to the authority of
the Chief Acquisition Officer established by section 55 of
title 14, United States Code.
(c) Ensuring Adequate Personnel.--The Secretary shall
ensure that sufficient contracting officers, contracting
specialists, and technical and financial management
specialists (including earned value experts) are available to
execute each contract issued under the Integrated Deepwater
Program.
(d) Acquisitions Workforce Policy.--The Secretary shall
review all policies established for the Coast Guard's
acquisitions workforce to ensure that they are designed to
provide for the selection of the best qualified individual
for a position, consistent with other applicable law, and
promote the establishment and maintenance of a balanced
workforce in which women and members of racial and ethnic
minority groups are appropriately represented in Government
service.
(e) Career Paths.--The Secretary shall ensure that
appropriate career paths for civilian and military personnel
who wish to pursue careers in acquisitions are identified in
terms of the education, training, experience, and assignments
necessary for career progression of civilians and members of
the Coast Guard to the most senior acquisitions positions.
The Secretary shall make available published information on
such career paths.
(f) Balanced Workforce Policy.--In the development of
acquisition workforce policies with respect to any civilian
employees or applicants for employment, the Secretary shall,
consistent with the merit system principles set out in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2301(b) of title 5, United
States Code, promote a balanced workforce in which women and
members of racial and ethnic minority groups are
appropriately represented in Government service.
(g) Guidance on Tenure and Accountability of Program
Managers.--
(1) Issuance of guidance.--Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
issue guidance for major systems acquisition programs to
address the qualifications, resources, responsibilities,
tenure, and accountability of program managers for the
management of major systems acquisitions. The guidance issued
pursuant to this subsection shall address, at a minimum--
(A) the qualifications that shall be required of program
managers, including the number of years of acquisitions
experience and the professional training levels to be
required of those appointed to program management positions;
(B) authorities available to the program manager,
including, to the extent appropriate, the authority to object
to the addition of new program requirements that
[[Page 22694]]
would be inconsistent with the parameters established for an
acquisitions program; and
(C) the extent to which a program manager who initiates a
new program will continue in management of that program
without interruption until the delivery of the first
production units of the program.
(2) Strategy.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a
comprehensive strategy for enhancing the role of Coast Guard
program managers in developing and carrying out acquisition
programs.
(B) Matters to be addressed.--The strategy required by this
section shall address, at a minimum--
(i) the creation of a specific career path and career
opportunities for program managers, including the rotational
assignments that will be provided to program managers;
(ii) the provision of enhanced training and educational
opportunities for program managers;
(iii) the provision of mentoring support to current and
future program managers by experienced senior executives and
program managers within the Coast Guard, including through
rotational assignments to the Department of Defense;
(iv) the methods by which the Coast Guard will collect and
disseminate best practices and lessons learned on systems
acquisitions to enhance program management throughout the
Coast Guard;
(v) the templates and tools that will be used to support
improved data gathering and analysis for program management
and oversight purposes, including the metrics that will be
utilized to assess the effectiveness of Coast Guard program
managers in managing systems acquisitions efforts;
(vi) a description in detail of how the Coast Guard will
promote a balanced workforce in which women and members of
racial and ethnic minority groups are appropriately
represented in Government service; and
(vii) the methods by which the accountability of program
managers for the results of acquisition programs will be
increased.
(3) Report by comptroller general.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on the actions taken by the Secretary to
implement the requirements of this subsection, including the
strategies that are required to be developed by this
subsection.
SEC. 107. CHIEF ACQUISITION OFFICER.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 55. Chief Acquisition Officer
``(a) Establishment of Agency Chief Acquisition Officer.--
There shall be in the Coast Guard a Chief Acquisitions
Officer selected by the Commandant who shall be a Rear
Admiral or civilian from the Senior Executive Service (career
reserved) and who meets the qualifications set forth under
subsection (b). The Chief Acquisitions Officer shall serve at
the Assistant Commandant level and have acquisition
management as that individual's primary duty.
``(b) Qualifications.--The Chief Acquisition Officer shall
be a certified acquisition professional with a program
manager level III certification and must have at least 10
years experience in an acquisition position.
``(c) Authority and Functions of the Chief Acquisition
Officer.--The functions of the Chief Acquisition Officer
shall include--
``(1) monitoring the performance of programs on the basis
of applicable performance measurements and advising the
Commandant, through the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard,
regarding the appropriate business strategy to achieve the
missions of the Coast Guard;
``(2) increasing the use of full and open competition in
the acquisition of property and services by the Coast Guard
by establishing policies, procedures, and practices that
ensure that the Coast Guard receives a sufficient number of
sealed bids or competitive proposals from responsible sources
to fulfill the Government's requirements, including
performance and delivery schedules, at the lowest cost or
best value considering the nature of the property or service
procured;
``(3) making acquisition decisions in concurrence with the
technical authority of the Coast Guard, as designated by the
Commandant, and consistent with all other applicable laws and
decisions establishing procedures within the Coast Guard;
``(4) ensuring the use of detailed performance
specifications in instances in which performance based
contracting is used;
``(5) making acquisition decisions consistent with all
applicable laws and decision making procedures within the
Coast Guard;
``(6) managing the direction of acquisition policy for the
Coast Guard, including implementation of the unique
acquisition policies, regulations, and standards of the Coast
Guard;
``(7) developing and maintaining an acquisition career
management program in the Coast Guard to ensure that there is
an adequate professional work force; and
``(8) as part of the strategic planning and performance
evaluation process required under section 306 of title 5 and
sections 1105(a)(28), 1115, 1116, 10 and 9703 of title 31--
``(A) assessing the requirements established for Coast
Guard personnel regarding knowledge and skill in acquisition
resources and management and the adequacy of such
requirements for facilitating the achievement of the
performance goals established for acquisition management;
``(B) in order to rectify any deficiency in meeting such
requirements, developing strategies and specific plans for
hiring, training, and professional development; and
``(C) reporting to the Commandant, through the Vice
Commandant, on the progress made in improving acquisition
management capability.''.
(b) Application of Qualification Requirement.--Section
55(b) of title 46, United States Code, as amended by this
section, shall apply beginning October 1, 2011.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``55. Chief Acquisition Officer.''.
(d) Special Rate Supplements.--
(1) Requirement to establish.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act and in accordance with part
9701.333 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, the
Secretary shall establish special rate supplements that
provide higher pay levels for employees necessary to carry
out the amendment made by this section.
(2) Subject to appropriations.--The requirement under
paragraph (1) is subject to the availability of
appropriations.
SEC. 108. INTEGRATED DEEPWATER PROGRAM PLANS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Revised integrated deepwater program plans and
acquisition program.--The Secretary shall--
(A) revise and update the Integrated Deepwater Program's
project management plan within 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, in accordance with the requirements of
subsection (d);
(B) issue new or updated acquisition plans and acquisition
program baselines for each asset class under the Integrated
Deepwater Program, in accordance with the requirements of
subsection (e); and
(C) transmit copies thereof to the appropriate
congressional committees.
(2) Use of alternatives analysis.--The Secretary shall base
the revisions and plans on the February 2008 Integrated
Deepwater System Alternatives Analysis prepared for the
United States Coast Guard by an independent consulting
organization.
(b) Alternatives Analyses.--
(1) In general.--No acquisition of an experimental,
technically immature, or first-in-class major asset may be
made under the Integrated Deepwater Program unless an
alternatives analysis was conducted for such asset during the
concept and technology development phase. Such analyses shall
be conducted by a federally funded research and development
center, a qualified entity of the Department of Defense, or a
similar independent third party entity that has appropriate
acquisition expertise. Such alternatives analyses shall
include--
(A) an examination of capability, interoperability, and
other advantages and disadvantages;
(B) an evaluation of whether different quantities of
specific assets could meet the Coast Guard's overall
performance needs;
(C) a discussion of key assumptions and variables, and
sensitivity to changes in such assumptions and variables;
(D) an assessment of technology risk and maturity;
(E) an evaluation of relevant safety and performance
records;
(F) a calculation of costs, including life cycle costs;
(G) a business case of viable alternatives;
(H) an examination of likely research and development costs
and the levels of uncertainty associated with such estimated
costs;
(I) an examination of likely production and deployment
costs and the levels of uncertainty associated with such
estimated costs;
(J) an examination of likely operating and support costs
and the levels of uncertainty associated with such estimated
costs;
(K) if they are likely to be significant, an examination of
likely disposal costs and the levels of uncertainty
associated with such estimated costs;
(L) an analysis of the risks to production cost, schedule,
and life-cycle cost resulting from the experimental,
technically immature nature of the systems under
consideration; and
(M) such additional measures the Secretary determines to be
necessary for appropriate evaluation of the asset.
(c) Future Revisions.--The Secretary shall--
(1) notify each of the appropriate congressional committees
whenever an alternatives analysis or revision of an
alternatives analysis under the Integrated Deepwater Program
are initiated under this title;
(2) transmit a copy of the Integrated Deepwater Program's
project management plan, acquisition plans, or acquisition
program baselines to each of the appropriate congressional
committees whenever any such document is created or revised;
and
[[Page 22695]]
(3) maintain a historical file containing, and make
available to each of the appropriate congressional
committees, upon request, copies of each version of those
documents as they are revised.
(d) Project Management Plan.--The revised project
management plan required by subsection (a)(1) shall include
the following:
(1) An analysis and risk assessment of the technology risks
and level of maturity for major technologies used on all
classes of asset acquisitions under the Integrated Deepwater
Program, including the National Security Cutter, fast
response cutter, offshore patrol cutter, the vertical
unmanned aerial vehicle, maritime patrol aircraft, HC-130J
aircraft, and C4ISR systems.
(2) A description of how the Coast Guard plans to utilize
arrangements with the Department of Defense for support in
contracting and management of acquisitions under the
Integrated Deepwater Program and to seek opportunities to
leverage off of Department of Defense contracts, and
contracts of other appropriate agencies, to obtain the best
possible price for Integrated Deepwater Program assets.
(3) A life-cycle cost estimate for the Integrated Deepwater
Program which shall include asset acquisition and logistics
support decisions and planned operational tempo and
locations.
(4) Any other information the Secretary deems necessary.
(e) Acquisition Program Baseline.--
(1) In general.--The new acquisition program baselines
required by subsection (a)(1) shall include--
(A) a plan for the acquisition, and the schedule and costs
for delivery of such acquisitions;
(B) a lifecycle cost estimate that includes asset
acquisition and logistics support decisions and planned
operational tempo and locations; and
(C) such other information as the Secretary deems
necessary.
(2) Offshore patrol cutter.--When an acquisition program
baseline is completed for the offshore patrol cutter
following an alternatives analysis for that asset class, the
acquisition program baseline shall include a detailed
statement of the service life, fatigue life, maximum range,
maximum speed, and number of days underway under general
Atlantic and North Pacific Sea conditions the cutter will be
built to achieve. The offshore patrol cutter's acquisition
program baseline shall be completed and transmitted to each
of the appropriate congressional committees not less than 90
days before the Secretary issues a request for proposals for
construction of an offshore patrol cutter.
SEC. 109. REPORTS.
(a) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--Within 45 days after the end of each
fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit a comprehensive
annual report on the progress of the Integrated Deepwater
Program to the appropriate congressional committees.
(2) Scope.--At a minimum, the report shall include--
(A) an outline and description of all changes to the
Integrated Deepwater Program's project management plan during
the previous fiscal year;
(B) an outline and description of all changes to
acquisition plans and acquisition program baselines for all
Integrated Deepwater Program asset acquisitions during the
previous fiscal year, including all updates to life cycle
cost estimates, acquisition cost estimates, schedule changes,
and changes in asset performance requirements;
(C) a summary of findings of all alternatives analyses
completed or revised during the previous fiscal year under
the Integrated Deepwater Program;
(D) an updated development schedule for each asset and
asset class, including estimated annual costs until
development is completed;
(E) an updated acquisition schedule for each asset and
asset class, including estimated annual costs and units to be
procured until acquisition is completed;
(F) an updated projection of the remaining operational
lifespan of each legacy asset and projected costs for
sustaining such assets;
(G) a breakdown of the percentage of the total amount of
funds expended on acquisitions under the Integrated Deepwater
Program during the previous fiscal year that has been paid to
each of small businesses, socially and economically
disadvantaged small business concerns eligible for assistance
under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
637(a)), minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses,
and service disabled veteran-owned businesses;
(H) information on the status of agreements and progress of
other arrangements with the Department of Defense for support
in contracting and management of acquisitions under the
Integrated Deepwater Program required by section 110 of this
Act and the updated project management plan as required by
section 108(a) of this Act;
(I) an update on the Secretary's progress in meeting goals
for the development of the acquisition program described in
the Blueprint for Acquisition Reform, and required by this
title, including staffing levels and professional
development;
(J) a financial accounting of the Integrated Deepwater
Program as of the end of the fiscal year, which shall include
a balance sheet, statement of net cost, statement of changes
in net position, and statement of budgetary resources of the
Program;
(K) an update on the status of efforts to enhance the role
of Coast Guard program managers in developing and carrying
out acquisitions programs and efforts to promote a balanced
workforce in which women and members of racial and ethnic
minority groups are appropriately represented in Government
service; and
(L) such additional information as the Secretary deems
necessary for updating Congress on the progress of the
Integrated Deepwater Program.
(b) Cost Overruns and Delays.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees as soon as possible, but
not later than 30 days, after the Deepwater Program Executive
Officer becomes aware of the breach of an acquisition program
baseline under the Integrated Deepwater Program by--
(A) a likely cost overrun greater than 8 percent of the
acquisition program baseline total acquisition cost for that
individual asset or a class of assets;
(B) a likely delay of more than 180 days in the delivery
schedule for any individual asset or class of assets; or
(C) an anticipated failure for any individual asset or
class of assets to satisfy any key performance threshold or
parameter under the Integrated Deepwater Program acquisition
program baseline.
(2) Content.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include
(A) a detailed description of the breach and an explanation
of its cause;
(B) the projected impact to cost, schedule and performance;
(C) an updated total acquisition cost and the complete
history of changes to the original cost estimate described in
the plan submitted under section 108(e);
(D) the updated acquisition schedule and the complete
history of changes to the original schedule described in the
plan submitted under section 108(e);
(E) a full life-cycle cost analysis for the asset or class
of assets;
(F) a remediation plan identifying corrective actions and
any resulting issues or risks; and
(G) a description of how progress in the remediation plan
will be measured and monitored.
(3) Substantial variances in costs or schedule.--If a
likely cost overrun is greater than 20 percent or a likely
delay is greater than 12 months from the schedule and costs
described in the acquisition program baseline total
acquisition cost for that individual asset or class of
assets, the Secretary shall include in the report a written
certification, with a supporting explanation, that--
(A) the asset or asset class is essential to the
accomplishment of Coast Guard missions;
(B) there are no alternatives to such asset or asset class
which will provide equal or greater capability in both a more
cost-effective and timely manner;
(C) the new acquisition schedule and estimates for total
acquisition cost are reasonable; and
(D) the management structure for the acquisition program is
adequate to manage and control costs, schedule, and
performance.
(4) Certified assets and asset classes.--If the Secretary
certifies an asset or asset class under paragraph (3), the
requirements of this sub-section shall be met based on the
new estimates of cost and schedule contained in that
certification.
(c) Report on Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR.--
(1) Independent assessment.--Not later than 3 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter
into an arrangement with the National Research Council of the
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to assess the
Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR systems and
acquisition plans. This study shall include an examination
of--
(A) the Coast Guard's current and planned Integrated
Deepwater Program C4ISR capabilities and architecture;
(B) the adequacy of the Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR
acquisition's Information Technology requirements;
(C) whether the planned Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR
systems are sufficiently adaptable to meet the needs of the
Coast Guard's mission requirements;
(D) whether the planned Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR
systems facilitate future upgrades as C4ISR technology
advances; and
(E) the adequacy of the Coast Guard's organizational,
personnel, and training systems for acquiring, utilizing, and
sustaining Integrated Deepwater Program C4ISR systems.
(d) Patrol Boat Report.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report on how the
Coast Guard plans to manage the annual readiness gap of lost
time for 110-foot patrol boats from fiscal year 2009 through
fiscal year 2015. The report shall include--
(1) a description of the mission performance gap detailing
the geographic regions and Coast Guard capabilities affected;
[[Page 22696]]
(2) a summary of the patrol hours that will be lost due to
delays in replacing the 110-foot cutters and lost
capabilities of the 110-foot cutters that have been
converted;
(3) an analysis of factors affecting the mission
performance gap that are unrelated to the Integrated
Deepwater Program, including deployment of Coast Guard assets
overseas and continuous vessel shortages;
(4) an identification of assets that are being used or may
be used to alleviate the annual readiness gap of lost time
for such patrol boats, including any acquisition or lease
considered and the reasons they were not pursued;
(5) in cases where Coast Guard assets are used more heavily
to alleviate the readiness gap, an assessment of the
estimated additional maintenance costs incurred and asset
lifespan lost due to the increased use of such assets;
(6) a projection of the remaining operational lifespan of
the 110-foot patrol boat fleet;
(7) a description of how extending through fiscal year 2015
the transfer agreement between the Coast Guard and the United
States Navy for 3 Cyclone class 179-foot patrol coastal ships
would affect the annual readiness gap of lost time for 110-
foot patrol boats; and
(8) an estimate of the cost to extend the operational
lifespan of the 110-foot patrol boat fleet for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2015.
(e) Acquisitions Workforce Report.--Within 4 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report
on the development of the acquisitions office within the
Coast Guard, describing the specific staffing structure for
that directorate, including--
(1) identification of all acquisitions positions proposed
as part of the office, the functions that each managerial
position will fill, and the number of employees each manager
will supervise; and
(2) a formal organizational chart and identification of
when managerial positions are to be filled.
(f) Elevation of Disputes to the Chief Acquisition
Officer.--Within 30 days after the elevation to the Chief
Acquisition Officer of any design or other dispute regarding
the Integrated Deepwater Program contract or an item to be
acquired under that contract, the Secretary shall provide to
the appropriate congressional committees a detailed
description of the issue and the rationale underlying the
decision taken by the Chief Acquisition Officer to resolve
the issue.
(g) Amendment of 2006 Act.--Section 408(a) of the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (3); and
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (4) through (8) as
paragraphs (1) through (6), respectively.
SEC. 110. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONSULTATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make arrangements as
appropriate with the Secretary of Defense for support in
contracting and management of acquisitions under the
Integrated Deepwater Program. The Coast Guard shall also seek
opportunities to leverage off of Department of Defense
contracts, and contracts of other appropriate agencies, to
obtain the best possible price for Integrated Deepwater
Program assets.
(b) Inter-Service Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may
enter into a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of
agreement with the Secretary of the Navy to obtain the
assistance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, including
the Navy Systems Commands, with the oversight of Coast Guard
major acquisition programs. Such memorandum of understanding
or memorandum of agreement shall, at a minimum, provide for--
(1) the exchange of technical assistance and support that
the Coast Guard Chief Acquisition Officer, Coast Guard Chief
Engineer, and the Coast Guard Chief Information Officer may
identify;
(2) the use, as appropriate, of Navy technical expertise;
and
(3) the temporary assignment or exchange of personnel
between the Coast Guard and the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and
Acquisition, including Naval Systems Commands, to facilitate
the development of organic capabilities in the Coast Guard.
(c) Technical Authorities.--The technical authority
established under section 106(b) shall adopt, to the extent
practicable, procedures that are similar to those used by the
Navy Senior Acquisition Official to approve all technical
requirements.
(d) Assessment.--Within 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit
a report to the appropriate congressional committees that--
(1) contains an assessment of current Coast Guard
acquisition and management capabilities to manage
acquisitions under or in support of the Integrated Deepwater
Program;
(2) includes recommendations as to how the Coast Guard can
improve its acquisition management, either through internal
reforms or by seeking acquisition expertise from the
Department of Defense; and
(3) addresses specifically the question of whether the
Coast Guard can better leverage Department of Defense or
other agencies' contracts that would meet the needs of the
Integrated Deepwater Program in order to obtain the best
possible price.
SEC. 111. DEFINITIONS.
In this title, the following definitions apply:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committees
on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2) Integrated deepwater program.--The term ``Integrated
Deepwater Program'' means the Integrated Deepwater Systems
Program described by the Coast Guard in its Report to
Congress on Revised Deepwater Implementation Plan, dated
March 25, 2005, including any subsequent modifications,
revisions, or restatements of the Program. The Integrated
Deepwater Program includes the procurement, development,
production, sustainment, modification, conversion, and
missionization of C4ISR and of cutter and aviation assets
that operate more than 50 miles offshore.
(3) Life-cycle cost.--The term ``life-cycle cost'' means
all costs for development, procurement, construction, and
operations and support for a particular asset, without regard
to funding source or management control.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
SEC. 112. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES IN THE RECREATIONAL MARINE
INDUSTRY.
Section 2(3)(F) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 902(3)(F)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``, repair or dismantle''; and
(2) by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, or
individuals employed to repair any recreational vessel, or to
dismantle any part of a recreational vessel in connection
with the repair of such vessel;''.
TITLE II--SUBMERSIBLE VESSELS AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSELS
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Drug Trafficking Vessel
Interdiction Act of 2008''.
Subtitle A--Criminal Prohibition
SEC. 211. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.
Congress finds and declares that operating or embarking in
a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without
nationality and on an international voyage is a serious
international problem, facilitates transnational crime,
including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a
specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the
security of the United States.
SEC. 212. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 111 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``Sec. 2285. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality
``(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly operates, or attempts or
conspires to operate, by any means, or embarks in any
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is without
nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into,
through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the
territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of
that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with
the intent to evade detection, shall be fined under this
title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
``(b) Evidence of Intent to Evade Detection.--For purposes
of subsection (a), the presence of any of the indicia
described in paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G), or in
paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of section 70507(b) of title 46
may be considered, in the totality of the circumstances, to
be prima facie evidence of intent to evade detection.
``(c) Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.--There is
extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense under
this section, including an attempt or conspiracy to commit
such an offense.
``(d) Claim of Nationality or Registry.--A claim of
nationality or registry under this section includes only--
``(1) possession on board the vessel and production of
documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(2) flying its nation's ensign or flag; or
``(3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the
master or individual in charge of the vessel.
``(e) Affirmative Defenses.--
``(1) In general.--It is an affirmative defense to a
prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), which the
defendant has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel involved was, at the time of the offense--
``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
in a foreign nation as
[[Page 22697]]
claimed by the master or individual in charge of the vessel
when requested to make a claim by an officer of the United
States authorized to enforce applicable provisions of United
States law;
``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
of a classification society;
``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long
range identification and tracking system.
``(2) Production of documents.--The affirmative defenses
provided by this subsection are proved conclusively by the
production of--
``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense;
or
``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
regulation, or registration for commerce, research, or
exploration.
``(f) Federal Activities Excepted.--Nothing in this section
applies to lawfully authorized activities carried out by or
at the direction of the United States Government.
``(g) Applicability of Other Provisions.--Sections 70504
and 70505 of title 46 apply to offenses under this section in
the same manner as they apply to offenses under section 70503
of such title.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `submersible
vessel', `semi-submersible vessel', `vessel of the United
States', and `vessel without nationality' have the meaning
given those terms in section 70502 of title 46.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter
111 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2284 the following:
``2285. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
without nationality.''.
SEC. 213. SENTENCING GUIDELINES.
(a) In General.--Pursuant to its authority under section
994(p) of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance
with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission
shall promulgate sentencing guidelines (including policy
statements) or amend existing sentencing guidelines
(including policy statements) to provide adequate penalties
for persons convicted of knowingly operating by any means or
embarking in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel in violation of section 2285 of title 18, United
States Code.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the United
States Sentencing Commission shall--
(1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy
statements reflect the serious nature of the offense
described in section 2285 of title 18, United States Code,
and the need for deterrence to prevent such offenses;
(2) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances
that might justify exceptions, including--
(A) the use of a submersible vessels or semi-submersible
vessels described in section 2285 of title 18, United States
Code, to facilitate other felonies;
(B) the repeated use of a submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel described in section 2285 of title 18,
United States Code, to facilitate other felonies, including
whether such use is part of an ongoing criminal organization
or enterprise;
(C) whether the use of such a vessel involves a pattern of
continued and flagrant violations of section 2285 of title
18, United States Code;
(D) whether the persons operating or embarking in a
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel willfully
caused, attempted to cause, or permitted the destruction or
damage of such vessel or failed to heave to when directed by
law enforcement officers; and
(E) circumstances for which the sentencing guidelines (and
policy statements) provide sentencing enhancements;
(3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant
directives, other sentencing guidelines and policy
statements, and statutory provisions;
(4) make any necessary and conforming changes to the
sentencing guidelines and policy statements; and
(5) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy
statements adequately meet the purposes of sentencing set
forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code.
Subtitle B--Civil Prohibition
SEC. 221. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY.
(a) Finding and Declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and
(2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2)
operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality and on an
international voyage is a serious international problem,
facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking,
and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety
of maritime navigation and the security of the United
States.''.
SEC. 222. OPERATION PROHIBITED.
(a) In General.--Chapter 705 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
``Sec. 70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality
``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate by any
means or embark in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or
has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer
limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral
limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent
country, with the intent to evade detection.
``(b) Evidence of Intent to Evade Detection.--In any civil
enforcement proceeding for a violation of subsection (a), the
presence of any of the indicia described in paragraph (1)(A),
(E), (F), or (G), or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of
section 70507(b) may be considered, in the totality of the
circumstances, to be prima facie evidence of intent to evade
detection.
``(c) Defenses.--
``(1) In general.--It is a defense in any civil enforcement
proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) that the
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was,
at the time of the violation--
``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in
charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an
officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable
provisions of United States law;
``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
of a classification society;
``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long
range identification and tracking system.
``(2) Production of documents.--The defenses provided by
this subsection are proved conclusively by the production
of--
``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense;
or
``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
regulation, or registration for research or exploration.
``(d) Civil Penalty.--A person violating this section shall
be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not
more than $1,000,000.''
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 70507 the following:
``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
without nationality.''.
(2) Section 70504(b) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``or 70508'' after ``70503''.
(3) Section 70505 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``this title'' and inserting ``this
title, or against whom a civil enforcement proceeding is
brought under section 70508,''.
SEC. 223. SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL
DEFINED.
Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end thereof the following:
``(f) Semi-Submersible Vessel; Submersible Vessel.--In this
chapter:
``(1) Semi-submersible vessel.--The term `semi-submersible
vessel' means any watercraft constructed or adapted to be
capable of operating with most of its hull and bulk under the
surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned
watercraft.
``(2) Submersible vessel.--The term `submersible vessel'
means a vessel that is capable of operating completely below
the surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned
watercraft.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
General Leave
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
the pending bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, this legislation in a previous form passed
[[Page 22698]]
the House last year by a vote of 426-0. The Senate passed a comparable
bill by unanimous consent. The bill before us is a bipartisan
compromise between our Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
in the House and the Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
in the Senate.
It is a complicated piece of legislation that took a great deal of
time to work out. The objective of this legislation is to reform the
Coast Guard acquisition program.
{time} 1115
Stories began creeping out of mistakes and cost overruns and serious
problems within the Coast Guard's Deepwater Program. A closer look by
our committee investigative staff found that there were serious flaws
in the conduct of this program, and we began an extensive inquiry and
investigation into those flaws and into the consequences thereof, the
most serious of which was that the first article of the cutter
extension program went to sea and cracked in three places, predicted to
be problem areas by the chief naval architect of the Navy, in
consultation to a whistleblower within the Deepwater Program.
I need not go back and unravel all of the details that led up to
that. Suffice it to say that the core of the problem was a self-
certification initiative undertaken by the Coast Guard at the direction
of the Department of Homeland Security that led to serious flaws, not
only in the program but in the construction of these vessels and the
extension initiative. The result was that taxpayers have lost over $100
million, the Coast Guard has lost the service of some 49 cutters, and
frankly, I think there should have been criminal investigations
undertaken by the Justice Department of those engaged in these
practices.
Thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Maryland, the Chair of
the Coast Guard Subcommittee, Mr. Cummings, and the staff's relentless
pursuit of the facts of the causes of the problems, we held a hearing
that went till 11:30 at night, nearly 10 hours of investigative
hearing, drew fact after fact out and established causality problems
and led the way to solutions. It's not enough just to conduct
oversight, to find the flaws, to find the problems; it's important to
correct them.
And in that process, we had this blended participation with the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) who has proven himself to be a
devotee of the Coast Guard and mastered the issues of the Coast Guard
and of this particular contractual undertaking of the Coast Guard.
The result of those hearings was substantial reform of the Coast
Guard's acquisition program. The details of the program I will call on
the Chair of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Cummings), and ask him to explain the details and how we frankly intend
and are going to cure this problem for the future.
It took a great deal of negotiation with the other body and with the
Coast Guard to come to the resolution that we bring to the House today,
and for that progress, I thank the gentleman from Ohio and the ranking
member of the full committee, Mr. Mica, for their patience over many
weeks of negotiating out these terms and conditions that we bring to
the House today to cure this program, save the taxpayers money, put the
Coast Guard on a sound footing, and assure to the greatest extent that
we can that these problems don't extend into the future.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6999, as amended, the
``Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008''. I would like to
congratulate the distinguished Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation, Mr. Cummings, as well as Ranking
Member Mica and Subcommittee Ranking Member LaTourette for their work
on this landmark acquisition reform bill.
Last year, the House passed H.R. 2722, the ``Integrated Deepwater
Program Reform Act'', by a vote of 426-0. The Senate subsequently
passed its Deepwater Reform bill, S. 924, by unanimous consent. H.R.
6999 is the bipartisan compromise agreement of these two bills of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
The Integrated Deepwater Acquisition Program is a $24 billion program
to replace all Coast Guard aircraft and cutters that primarily operate
more than 50 miles offshore. The Coast Guard has never attempted to
replace its whole fleet under one long-term program. The Committee has
conducted numerous oversight hearings on this program to understand why
there have been cost-overruns and why the Coast Guard spent $100
million to renovate and replace eight of its 110-foot patrol boats--
only to have these renovated boats tied to the dock as unseaworthy.
As I have said many times, if I were adrift in the ocean, there is no
one I would want to save me but the U.S. Coast Guard. What they do at
sea to save lives is second to none. However, when it comes to managing
an acquisition program--the Coast Guard has serious challenges. Just
because you can fly an aircraft or drive a cutter, doesn't mean you
know how to manage an acquisition to buy that aircraft or cutter. As a
result, the Coast Guard's acquisition programs are hundreds of millions
of dollars over budget and years behind schedule--including the
Deepwater Acquisition program and the Rescue-21 program to install new
search and rescue communications systems.
In the past week, we have seen firsthand what happens on Wall Street
when there is a lack of oversight, accountability, and standards. But
Wall Street doesn't want to be regulated. Neither does the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard wants to have Congress continue to write the checks--
while they say ``trust us'' to spend the taxpayers' money wisely. While
I would trust them with my life at sea, I don't think we should
continue to write blank checks without demanding standards and
accountability.
H.R. 6999 reforms the Coast Guard acquisition program. Specifically,
the bill:
terminates the use of lead systems integrators beginning on October
1, 2011;
requires that the Commandant, and not the contractor, retain the
technical authority to determine when the contract specifications have
been met;
requires Early Operational Assessments to be made for all aircraft
and cutters after they are designed--but before they are built--to
ensure that they will meet the mission requirements of the Coast Guard;
requires all new cutters and aircraft and their engines to be
certified by an independent 3rd party to ensure they meet design and
performance requirements;
requires the development of workforce policies to ensure that the
best qualified individuals are assigned to the acquisition program;
requires the Commandant to establish career paths for military and
civilian personnel who wish to pursue careers in acquisition programs;
requires the Commandant to establish a balanced workforce policy to
promote a workforce in which women and members of racial and ethnic
minorities are appropriately represented in Government service;
establishes a Chief Acquisition Officer for the Coast Guard. The CAO
may be a civilian or military officer, but must have a level III
acquisition program manager certificate and 10 years of experience in
an acquisition position;
requires the Coast Guard to report to Congress when there are cost
overruns or program delays; and
requires the Coast Guard to use the Department of Defense's contract
management expertise and contracting, where appropriate, to obtain the
best possible price for Coast Guard assets.
H.R. 6999, as amended, also contains a provision that makes it
unlawful to operate a stateless submersible or submersible vessel on
the high seas. Use of submarines has become a new trend with the
international drug runners operating out of Columbia. When the Coast
Guard interdicts these vessels the smugglers pull a lever to flood and
sink the submarine--and then wait for the Coast Guard to ``rescue''
them. However, all of the drugs are on the bottom of the ocean and it
makes a prosecution more difficult. So Coast Guard personnel are
risking their lives to enter the sinking submarine to get some of the
cocaine as evidence. H.R. 6999 will obviate the need to enter the
submarine. The Coast Guard can arrest the smugglers and they can be
prosecuted for operating these pirate submarines.
Mr. Speaker, this is a landmark bill that will significantly improve
the management of the multi-billion dollar acquisition program of the
Coast Guard. It is the direct result of the Committee's in-depth
investigation of the Deepwater Program. Like H.R. 2722, it deserves the
support of every Member of the House.
I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6999, the
``Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008''.
Finally, I insert in the Congressional Record an exchange of letters
between
[[Page 22699]]
Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland
Security, and me.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2008.
Hon. James L. Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you regarding H.R. 6999,
Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008 introduced by
Mr. Cummings on September 23, 2008.
H.R. 6999 contains provisions that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. I
recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this bill to
the full House expeditiously. Accordingly, I will not seek a
sequential referral of the bill. However, this decision
should not be construed as the Committee on Homeland Security
waiving, altering, o diminishing its jurisdiction over this
legislation.
Additionally, the Committee on Homeland Security reserves
the right to seek the appointment of conferees during any
House-Senate conference convned on this legislation or on
provisions of this or a similar bill that are within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. I ask for
your commitment to support any such request by the Committee
on Homeland Security for the appointment of conferees on H.R.
6999 or similar legislation. Finally, I respectfully ask that
you place a copy of your letter and this letter in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 6999.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. I look
forward to working with you as we prepare to pass this
important legislation.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman.
____
Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2008.
Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thompson: Thank you for your September 26,
2008 letter regarding H.R. 6999, the ``Integrated Deepwater
Program Reform Act of 2008''.
I agree that provisions in H.R. 6999 are of jurisdictional
interest to the Committee on Homeland Security. I appreciate
your willingness to waive rights to further consideration of
H.R. 6999 to ensure the timely consideration of this
legislation, and I acknowledge that through this waiver, your
Committee is not relinquishing its jurisdiction.
This exchange of letters will be placed in the
Congressional Record as part of the consideration of H.R.
6999 in the House.
I value your cooperation and look forward to working with
you as we move ahead with this important Coast Guard
legislation.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar,
Chairman.
I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our chairman for yielding
and for all of his hard work and help in making this happen, this
legislation happen today.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, I rise today to urge the adoption of the Integrated
Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008, H.R. 6999, as amended. As
Chairman Oberstar has stated, this legislation is based on Deepwater
reform legislation, H.R. 2722, which passed the House by a vote of 426-
0 last year, and on S. 924, which passed the Senate by unanimous
consent.
The manager's amendment amends the underlying bill by making it a
crime to operate a submersible vehicle that is not registered in any
country. Such vessels are often used to smuggle illegal drugs into the
United States. In fact, just this month the Coast Guard worked with the
United States Navy to seize two such submersibles, carrying a combined
total of 14 tons of cocaine.
As a representative of the City of Baltimore, I know that every gram
of illegal drugs we keep off our Nation's streets is a gram that cannot
destroy a life or a community. Therefore, as smugglers develop new ways
to bring drugs to our shores, our laws must be updated to enable law
enforcement personnel to prosecute these new types of crimes, and this
bill does precisely that.
I recognize and I want to thank again Chairman Oberstar, chairman of
our full committee, and also thank the vice chairman of our
subcommittee, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Taylor for their hard work; and I
give special thanks, too, to Mr. Mica, to Mr. LaTourette, our ranking
member of our subcommittee; Chairman Thompson, the chairman of the
Homeland Security Committee, and certainly Representative King, who is
the ranking member of Homeland Security; Senators Inouye and Hutchison
and Senator Snow; and we want to give special thanks to Senator
Cantwell, who has worked very, very hard on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, since my appointment in January 2007 as chairman of the
Subcommittee on the Coast Guard, the subcommittee has exercised careful
oversight over the Coast Guard's $24 billion, 25-year Deepwater
procurements, through which the Coast Guard is replacing or
rehabilitating its cutters and aircraft. Senator Cantwell has been
leading a similar aggressive oversight effort on the Senate side.
Unfortunately, many of the acquisitions conducted under Deepwater
have miserably failed, including the nearly $100 million effort to
lengthen the 110-foot patrol boats, which yielded eight unseaworthy
vessels that have been removed from service.
The early Deepwater procurements failed because the Coast Guard did
not have the systems and personnel necessary to manage large
acquisitions. They failed because the Coast Guard left private sector
contractors to police themselves. And they failed because Congress did
not require of the Coast Guard full accountability for the billions,
the billions of taxpayer dollars appropriated to support such
acquisitions.
I'm very pleased that our committee and our subcommittee wrote H.R.
6999 to ensure that all Coast Guard acquisitions meet three key
requirements. One, in basic contract law, that we get what we bargain
for as a Nation. That we get what we bargain for. That was number one.
Number two, that the equipment that we buy would enable the Coast Guard
to fulfill its many missions to protect our homeland and to do all the
other things that they have to do. And number three, and very
interestingly, we wanted to make sure that the equipment that we were
purchasing with taxpayers dollars could not bring harm to our very
personnel. Those were the three principles that we wrote this
legislation on, and I was glad to see that our subcommittee and our
committee pretty much adopted them as we went through this legislation.
The Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen, has moved to
strengthen the service's ability to manage acquisitions, including
creating a new acquisitions directorate, and I applaud his efforts.
Under his leadership, the service has taken conditional delivery of
the first National Security Cutter, the Bertholf. Having joined the
Coast Guard in commissioning the Bertholf this summer, I know it is a
fine ship, and it will greatly enhance the service's mission
capabilities.
However, the Bertholf experienced significant cost overruns, and the
Coast Guard continues to face procurement challenges and not only
within Deepwater. For example, the Rescue 21 program, which is intended
to upgrade the systems the Coast Guard utilizes to locate those who are
distressed at sea, is now hundreds of millions of dollars over budget
and years behind schedule.
American taxpayers, who are now being asked to rescue our financial
system from the consequences of failed oversight, have already
shouldered the burden for the Coast Guard's earlier failed procurements
and for failed procurements throughout the Department of Homeland
Security, which according to a tally compiled by the Homeland Security
Committee have wasted approximately $15 billion.
As a representative elected by the citizens of Maryland's Seventh
Congressional District and as subcommittee chairman, I believe that one
of our most critical duties at this time is to implement every
available measure to ensure that Federal agencies are effective and
efficient stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. The legislation before us
today implements such measures with regard to the United States Coast
Guard.
Specifically, H.R. 6999 requires the Coast Guard to eliminate the use
of all
[[Page 22700]]
private-sector lead systems integrators by October 2011, the same date
on which their use is phased out in the Department of Defense.
This bill creates in statute the position of Chief Acquisitions
Officer. It requires that it be filled with a fully qualified
individual who can, at the Commandant's choosing, be a civilian member
of the senior executive service or a uniformed member of the Coast
Guard but who must have Level III Acquisitions qualification and 10
years of experience managing acquisition efforts.
The bill requires independent, third-party certification of assets
and requires that appropriate testing be performed on asset designs so
that problems can be identified before construction of an asset begins.
It also requires a regular submission of acquisition program reviews
to Congress, including notification of cost overruns and schedule
delays, so that Congress is aware of emerging issues before they become
crises.
In short, this bill brings commonsense oversight and management
reform measures, many of them based on current practices within the
DOD, to the Coast Guard. It also requires strict and appropriate
accountability from the service and demands that it be an effective and
efficient steward of our taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.
All of these measures are critical to ensure that through the
remaining Deepwater procurements, the nearly 42,000 men and women, who
I call our thin blue line at sea, will be equipped with state-of-the-
art assets equal to the missions they perform and the challenges they
will face in the 21st century.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6999, and I thank the minority
for their wonderful participation in making this happen. I thank all of
those, our staffs, who have worked so hard to make this happen.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First, Mr. Speaker, let me tell you what a pleasure it is to see you
on a Saturday morning, rather than Monday through Friday.
This is a good bill. It is an important bill. We have some
reservations that I'm going to talk about in a moment, but I think the
fact that you and I are here together with the full committee chairman
and subcommittee chairman on a Saturday morning--and I've been advised
we'll be here after 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon on a Sunday, certainly
a rare occurrence in the proceedings of the United States Congress. And
I was just talking to my colleague, Mr. Lungren from California, and we
wouldn't be here doing this important bill if we had permitted
Secretary Paulson and some Members of the other body to perform the bum
rush and get us to approve $700 billion of taxpayers' money to bail out
people that made bad decisions on Wall Street.
{time} 1130
So this is really what we call in Ohio a two-fer, in that we have the
opportunity to continue to negotiate in a bipartisan way to attempt to
resolve these differences. And, at least from my perspective, those
differences need to be resolved, that those who created the mess should
clean the mess up and private capital should recapitalize the markets
rather than the taxpayer. So hopefully those discussions--you know,
we're doing important work here today, but those are on a much higher
level, I'm sure.
But, you know, the interesting thing, from just a political
standpoint for me today, is there's a commercial running back in
northern Ohio--where I happen to be from--condemning me for wanting to
write a $700 billion check to Secretary Paulson in this matter. And
here, when I woke up this morning and I watched the news, the national
media and the national Democratic Party is condemning me and my
colleagues for standing in the way of giving $700 billion to the
Treasury. So I'm really at a loss for how these things work.
But I am glad to be here on this bill. And I'm glad that we're here
on a Saturday to get this bill done. I have run out of superlatives to
talk about the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Oberstar, and I
would add to that the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Cummings. It is
beyond a pleasure to work with these gentlemen.
And I think this piece of legislation is an example of why the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is far and above better
than any other committee in the United States Congress, because I don't
love everything in this bill, I'm sure that the chairmen don't love
every piece of this bill, but they have always and consistently
approached negotiations on legislation in a way that I think that we
would be better served if we practiced in all legislation, and that is,
they have their ideas, and as the majority party they are certainly in
the position to have more of their ideas than we're permitted to have
our ideas, but they welcome our ideas.
And the negotiations on this bill not only began as the hearings that
Mr. Oberstar detailed and Mr. Cummings detailed, but we were
negotiating this bill, this final product, just a couple days ago
because they are still willing to listen to suggestions, and I think
that that's a credit to the leadership of Mr. Oberstar and Mr.
Cummings. And if, in fact, more committees operated like that, we would
be a better place.
As I indicated, Mr. Speaker, I support many of the provisions in this
bill, H.R. 6999, the Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008.
This bill will make significant changes to the Coast Guard's Deepwater
program and the way the Coast Guard oversees, manages and carries out
the program as the service takes on the lead systems integrator
responsibilities.
I do have some concerns, as I mentioned, relative to the requirement
over the lead system integrator responsibilities being assumed by the
Coast Guard within 180 days of enactment. But I'm going to tell you
that that really was the last piece of our negotiations. And again, as
for the chairman of the full committee and the chairman of the
subcommittee, we could have gone to that meeting and they could have
said, that's nice that you have concerns, but too bad. And they
acquiesced in doubling that time from 90 days to 180 days, and I am
more than grateful for that. With the help of Chairman Oberstar and
Chairman Cummings, H.R. 6999 will provide more time for the Coast Guard
to build up its own staff, resources, and capabilities than was
proposed under the Senate bill.
I fully support the inclusion of the language that would give the
Coast Guard enhanced authorities to interdict stateless submersibles
and semi-submersibles at sea. And a little bit later we're going to
hear from our colleague from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren) who has
been a champion of this issue for a number of years.
In recent years, the Coast Guard has been highly successful in
stopping the importation of drugs by sea. I think last year they had a
record year. These successes have forced the drug cartels to look at
better ways for them to avoid Coast Guard assets on their way to the
United States.
Recently, the Coast Guard has witnessed a sudden and dramatic
increase in the use of submersibles and semi-submersibles by would-be
drug importers. This language will allow the Coast Guard to apprehend
and prosecute these individuals without forcing Coast Guardsmen to risk
their lives to pull out the bales of illegal drugs from a sinking
submarine, as is the case now.
And that's a lot of fancy language, but basically, Mr. Speaker,
what's going on is these drug dealers are towing submersibles behind
boats that have no flag, that have no certification. And when the Coast
Guard is about to close in, they pull the plugs, basically, sink the
submarine to the bottom of the Earth, and the way that our laws are
currently written is the only way you can prosecute these drug dealers
that want to poison our society with cocaine and other drugs is for the
Coast Guardsmen to jump on board the sinking submarine and try and pull
out a little cocaine so that we can prosecute them. This language--and
you will hear from some of the champions of this bill in a minute--is
important, and I'm glad it's in the bill today.
[[Page 22701]]
Lastly, I do want to note that the Coast Guard has concerns that the
independent review requirements may lead to increased costs and delays
in the delivery of some deepwater assets. I know that we will continue
to work with the majority to closely oversee the impacts of the bill on
the Coast Guard and acquisitions as we move forward next year and
beyond.
I support this bill and, with the comments that I've made, ask all
Members to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the gentleman for those very thoughtful comments.
I was listening with great interest as he moved from deepwater to
deep finance and was worried that he was going to suggest that the
powers on high give that problem to our committee. Well, we'll build a
fence around it, we'll build a bridge over it, we'll build a tunnel
through it, we will encapsulate it and subject it to the funding out of
the highway trust fund and the problem will be behind us. I think in
the end we would have a solution to that problem that everybody could
sign onto, but that's not our domain.
And of course we both have reservations about the legislation before
us in similar spirit, but I think we go forward with this legislation,
hope that the other body moves it through without further--how shall I
say? I'll be kind about it--without further changes, and that the bill
will move on to enactment, and that someday soon the Lorain Shipyard
will build vessels for the Coast Guard. It will be good for the Great
Lakes, it will be good for Lorain, Ohio, it will be good for the
gentleman from Ohio, and it will be good for the country.
The Lorain Shipyard is one of the great assets of this Nation, built
extraordinarily successful vessels that are still plying the lakes
today, the thousand-footers that carry iron ore from northern Minnesota
in my district to the lower lake steel mills, and that have borne the
brunt of the forces of nature on the Great Lakes. It was a great
shipyard, I've been there several times. It built the Mesabi Miner, by
the way, a thousand-footer that is still active, carrying 60,000 tons
of iron ore. But, unfortunately, that vessel, if I may digress a
moment, and others have had to go out 7,000 tons light because of the
drought in the Great Lakes and the failure of the Corps of Engineers to
dredge the harbors and the channels of the Great Lakes, meaning that
our lakers have to travel three or four extra voyages a year to meet
the tonnage requirements, raising the cost of tactonite, and therefore
raising the cost of steel production in lower lake steel mills, and why
passage of our Water Resources Development Act of last year and the
veto override is so critically important and why funding of those
projects is so critical. And I'm delighted that the stimulus
legislation we passed yesterday has some $5 billion for the Corps of
Engineers to undertake projects that can be underway within 90 days.
And we all know very well that there are dredging projects all
throughout the Great Lakes--and the lower lake harbors, particularly--
that could benefit from that investment.
As Mr. Cummings said moments ago, we didn't get here on our own. Our
staffs on both sides of the aisle have worked rigorously in shaping in
legislation and in laying the groundwork for the investigation. Clay
Foushee, who led the investigative team on our side. And Lucinda
Lessley, on Mr. Cummings' committee staff, who championed both the
oversight hearings and the legislative hearings. And our chief council
on the Coast Guard Maritime Subcommittee, John Cullather--for my money,
the finest mind in maritime legislation in the country. And John
Rayfield, who is a storehouse of knowledge on the subject, and Eric
Nagel on the minority side, all deserve our appreciation and gratitude
for the many hours of labor invested in bringing us to this point of
the legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume before I yield to the gentleman from California just to say
that the chairman has hit the nail on the head when it comes to Great
Lakes shipping. And he, again, deserves great credit for, after 7
years, moving the Water Resources Development Act.
And I would just add to that, the gentleman from Michigan sitting
behind me and to my right, Vern Ehlers, and the chairman's work on the
Great Lakes Legacy Act, which has the opportunity to clean up the
contaminated hotspots within the Great Lakes. And as a result of that--
and I'm not trying to be a pig about it or anything--but as a result of
that, one of the first major cleanups was in the Ashtabula Harbor; $53
million, and the Ashtabula Harbor was dredged for the first time in
over 35 years.
So when the chairman talks about shallow drafts and the cost that it
increases to shipping and having to make three trips instead of one
trip, the chairman is exactly right. And I look forward to continuing
to work with him in a bipartisan way to move this along.
It is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to one of our experts on
submersibles, the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for
yielding. I feel like I am intruding on a legislative committee
lovefest here, but I understand the camaraderie that surrounds your
committee, and I appreciate the work that you are doing on this issue,
particularly making sure that the Deepwater program works and works
well.
I would just like to take a moment to comment on the portion of the
legislation referred to earlier relating to the semi-submersible
vessels. Language addressing this issue has passed this House on two
occasions, in connection with the Coast Guard authorization, as well as
a freestanding bill on suspension.
Congressman Ted Poe of Texas and I sought to enact criminal penalties
for the use of these stateless vessels which, as you examine them, have
no legitimate use other than to transport illegal vessels and perhaps
other threats to our national security.
The only substantive difference in the language before us today is
that it also includes a Senate provision which would provide the option
of civil penalties of up to $1 million, which would give the Federal
prosecutors additional flexibility to end this illicit commerce.
Let's understand what we're talking about. Self-propelled
submersibles and semi-submersibles are watercraft of unorthodox
construction capable of putting much of their bulk under the surface of
the water, which makes them very difficult to detect. The self-
propelled submersible and semi-submersible vessels are typically less
than 100 feet in length, usually carry between five and six tons of
illicit cargo. Now, we found that they carry drugs, guns and people,
but we also should be concerned that they could potentially be vessels
to carry weapons of mass destruction.
The range of these vessels is astonishing; it's sufficient to reach
the southeastern United States from the north coast of South America
without refueling. According to recent press reports, in order to cover
even longer distances, some of these vessels have been caught while
being towed by larger ships with the idea that they would be released
for the final approach to the shores of California or off the northeast
coast of the United States. In the last 2 weeks alone, the Coast Guard
has seized two of these vessels carrying over 14 tons of cocaine. Now,
to put that in perspective, the value of one of these loads was nearly
$200 million.
Mr. Speaker, it's time to shut down these new seaborne threats to our
Nation's communities and to our overall national security. And I would
urge support of this bill for many reasons, but particularly for this
as well.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my pleasure to yield
3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, a member of the subcommittee,
Mr. Poe.
{time} 1145
Mr. POE. I want to thank the ranking member for yielding and thank
the
[[Page 22702]]
chairman for bringing this legislation to the floor, and also my good
friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lungren) who has been
helping relentlessly to get some legislation passed to stop this
criminal endeavor into the United States.
Mr. Speaker, the drug dealers find new ways to bring this cancer,
cocaine, into the United States. And now what they're doing in the
hills and jungles of Colombia is they build these fiberglass boats,
submarines, that are about 100-foot long that can bring in several
hundred million dollars worth of cocaine into the United States. They
float them down the river into the Pacific Ocean. Here is one of these
vessels here. It is about 100 feet long. It's fiberglass.
These vessels can go all the way from Colombia to the United States
without refueling. They are built with stealth technology so they're
very difficult to find by our Navy and our Coast Guard. They go very
slowly so they can't create a wake. And they bring this stuff into the
United States.
The problem is that when our Navy and our Coast Guard find one of
these ships on the high seas, these ships have no flag, they're not
under any flag of any nation, the crew members on the ship, usually
five to six members, will scuttle the submarine. It will sink to the
bottom of the ocean, taking with it the cocaine. Then the five or six
crew members that are on this submarine have to be rescued by our Navy
and then taken back where they came from, usually Colombia or Guatemala
or whatever nation they came from. And they can't be prosecuted because
there is no crime of the high seas to have one of these in your
possession.
And what this legislation does is basically says ``no more.'' You
cannot be a crew member of one of these submersible subs and if you are
captured, whether the boat is captured or not, you have committed a
criminal offense, and now a civil penalty can be imposed on you as
well. The Coast Guard tells us that at any given time, Mr. Speaker,
there are 100 of these on the high seas working their way to the United
States. And it doesn't take much common sense to realize that these
same vessels that use and bring in cocaine can bring in other material
into this country, things that will do us harm, like explosive devices.
And they're so shallow they can go up our ports and our seaways and
cause damage. So this legislation is important for two reasons. It is a
national security issue. And second, it's a way of keeping that cancer,
cocaine, out of the United States. I applaud this legislation to make
it a criminal offense and a civil offense to be in possession of one of
these subs on the high seas.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas as well
as the gentleman from California.
At this time we are without additional speakers, and I would yield
back the balance of my time and urge passage of the bill.
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield myself the remaining time to thank the
gentleman from California, my colleague in the informal Hip Replacement
Caucus, for raising the issue of submersibles and for introducing the
bill that he champions that we are happy to incorporate, and which is
important to do in this legislation. Again I express my profound
respect, appreciation and admiration to the gentleman from Maryland for
his leadership of the Coast Guard subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio
for his superb management of the issues on the minority side of the
committee on this issue and for the constant communication that we've
had. As long as we keep the communications going, as we have done over
these 2 years and over the previous years, we will do good work for the
country and for the Congress.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask for a unanimous vote on this
legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6999, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
FURTHER MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A further message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks,
announced that the Senate has passed without amendment a bill of the
House of the following title:
H.R. 5001. An act to authorize the Administrator of General
Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post
Office Building located in the District of Columbia.
The message also announced that the Senate has passed with amendments
in which the concurrence of the House is requested, bills of the House
of the following titles:
H.R. 2631. An act to strengthen efforts in the Department
of Homeland Security to develop nuclear forensics
capabilities to permit attribution of the source of nuclear
material, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2963. An act to transfer certain land in Riverside
County, California, and San Diego County, California, from
the Bureau of Land Management to the United States to be held
in trust for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 5350. An act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to
sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 5618. An act to reauthorize and amend the National Sea
Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes.
The message also announced that the Senate has passed bills of the
following titles in which the concurrence of the House is requested:
S. 906 An act to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer,
and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
S. 1492. An act to improve the quality of Federal and State
data regarding the availability and quality of broadband
services and to promote the deployment of affordable
broadband services to all parts of the Nation.
S. 1582. An act to reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic
Services Improvement Act, and for other purposes.
S. 2913. An act to provide a limitation on judicial
remedies in copyright infringement cases involving orphan
works.
S. 3109. An act to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to
direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to establish a hazardous waste electronic manifest
system.
S. 3192. An act to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to
authorize the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians of Oregon, the
Coquille Tribe of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes of the
Siletz Reservation, Oregon, to obtain 99-year lease authority
for trust land, and to authorize the Morongo Band of Cahuilla
Mission Indians of the Morongo Reservation, California, to
obtain 50-year lease authority for trust land.
S. 3477. An act to amend title 44, United States Code, to
authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical
Excellence.
S. 3536. An act to amend section 5402 of title 39, United
States Code, to modify the authority relating to United
States Postal Service air transportation contracts, and for
other purposes.
The message also announced that the Senate agrees to the amendment of
the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 496) ``An Act to
reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Appalachian
Regional Development Act of 1965.''.
____________________
GREAT LAKES LEGACY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 6460) to amend the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment
contamination in areas of concern, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike section 3(f) and all that follows and insert the
following:
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 118(c)(12)(H)
of such Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(12)(H)) is amended--
(1) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
``(i) In general.--In addition to other amounts authorized
under this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this paragraph $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2004 through 2010.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Allocation of funds.--Not more than 20 percent of
the funds appropriated pursuant to clause (i) for a fiscal
year may be used to carry out subparagraph (F).''.
[[Page 22703]]
(g) Public Information Program.--Section 118(c)(13)(B) of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(13)(B)) is amended by striking
``2008'' and inserting ``2010''.
SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 106(b) of the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 (33
U.S.C. 1271a(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--In addition to any amounts authorized
under other provisions of law, there is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2004 through 2010.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
General Leave
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 6460.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Finally, we are here with essentially a conference
report on the Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008. This
great and extraordinary body of water, the Great Lakes, represents one-
fifth of all the fresh water, not frozen, on the face of the Earth and
is a treasure for all of America, not just for the nearly 40 million
people who reside on or near or within 100 miles of those Great Lakes.
It's a treasure for all of America and for the world. It is our
responsibility. And only us humans can protect that water.
Only Lake Baikal rivals the volume of water in Lake Superior. Lake
Baikal is deeper. It's almost 1 mile deep, not as much surface,
enormously deep water. Next is Lake Victoria in Africa. But all are
standing in line in significance, in volume and in quality of water to
the Great Lakes.
The gentleman from Michigan, for whom I have enormous admiration, Mr.
Ehlers, has been a relentless champion since entering the service of
Congress, bringing his splendid scientific mind to the challenges of
the Great Lakes, of invasive species, of water quality, of bottom
sediments in the 45 toxic hotspots of the Great Lakes, principally the
harbors throughout the lakes, the need to study, to understand the
causes, but then for the need to implement an action program to deal
with this. It is not enough just to verify in scientific test tubes
that pollution exists and invasive species are present, but to get to
the causes and then to roll back that pollution, to roll back those
invasive species and to prevent their further or future entry into this
waterway.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act gives us the opportunity to do that. It is
the culmination of a great deal of effort on both sides of the aisle in
both bodies of the Congress.
I must stop for a reflective moment and go back to 1955 when my
predecessor, John Blatnik, assumed the chairmanship of the Subcommittee
on Rivers and Harbors. John Blatnik was also a scientist, a biochemist.
He served in the OSS in World War II behind Nazi lines in northern
Yugoslavia in what is Slovenia today, rescuing American airmen shot
down on returning bombing runs over the Ploesti oil fields in Romania.
And John Blatnik started his service as an educator in the Civilian
Conservation Corps after graduating from college. There weren't any
jobs. He became camp educational adviser in the Superior National
Forest, later a chemistry teacher in our hometown of Chisholm, and then
later, as I mentioned a moment ago, with the OSS and working with the
junior chamber of commerce on resource use conservation.
When he came to Congress, he brought his scientific mind to bear on
the problems of the country. And in 1955 he took the chairmanship of
the Rivers and Harbors Subcommittee and traveled down the Mississippi
River to understand the work of the Corps of Engineers. What became
more important for him was to see, as he described it, the raw phenols,
the raw sewage that came in to the Mississippi River from its
tributaries and from the cities that lie along the banks of those 2,000
miles as the river courses from Upper Leech Lake down to the Gulf of
Mexico. He said that by the time we got to New Orleans, there were raw
phenols bubbling in the water. It was toxic. It was a soup of
chemicals. And he realized that more important than the locks and the
navigation channels was to clean up the Mississippi.
And then he turned his attention as well to the Great Lakes. These
were great reservoirs of clean water. And how could they be fouled? But
by that time, the lamprey had invaded the Great Lakes. And in 1953,
just 2 years before he took the chairmanship of that subcommittee, the
lake trout population plummeted from 3.5 million pounds of catch a year
to 350,000 pounds. The white fish population plummeted from 2.5 million
pounds to 250,000 pounds in just 1 year because the lamprey exploded
with violent force on the Great Lakes, this invasive species that came
in the ballast water of vessels probably from the Black Sea into the
fresh waters of the Great Lakes.
That led John Blatnik to launch legislation that he called the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1956, signed into law by
President Eisenhower, with three key provisions that are still the core
of the EPA program today, research to understand the causes of
pollution, funding to help cities build sewage treatment facilities and
enforcement program to bring communities and industries together to
clean up where they failed to do so voluntarily.
A great deal of progress has been made since 1956. Since 1968 when
the Cuyahoga River caught on fire and caught people's attention, from
later that year in 1968 when great mounds of suds were floating down
the Ohio River and endangering water quality of homeowners who would
turn on their faucets and instead of getting clean water, they would
get suds coming out. When just a little later, in 1969, Lake Erie was
declared a dead lake, a dead sea it was called.
There were many proposals for how to do this. One hare-brained scheme
was to punch a hole in the bottom of Lake Erie and let all the
sediments drain down 2,000 feet into some underground aquifer, which of
course Blatnik said was an absolute idiotic idea and would endanger far
more than the Great Lakes. But steadily with the funding that was
provided under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and later the
Clean Water Act of 1972, of which he was the principal author and I
served on the staff at the time, cities along the Great Lakes invested
some $10 billion, industry invested nearly $110 billion in cleanup, and
the toxics that once flowed into the Great Lakes began to recede and
Lake Erie began to regain its vibrancy step by step. And now we have a
vibrant fishery. We have the same on Lakes Michigan, Ontario, Huron and
Superior.
But the challenge is never over. Those toxic hotspots, those 45 areas
of concern, still have to be dealt with. And the Great Lakes Legacy
Act, which the gentleman from Michigan championed in 2002 which the
House passed, the Senate passed and got enacted, set the stage for
substantial investment that we included in our House-passed version,
$150 million a year through 2013.
Regrettably, when this measure got over to the Senate, as so often
happens in the other body, one person can shut down the Senate and can
shut down the country. In this case one objection held up Senate action
on the bill until funding for the program was cut. I'm just so
disappointed and so anguished over the failure of the Senate to provide
the funding. They didn't change anything else in the bill, just
implementing it, just funding it. That is cutting out the heart. That's
all right.
{time} 1200
Congress survives. We will come back next year. There will be a
different spirit in the White House, a different spirit in the
Congress. We will fix that. We will provide funding in years to come.
For now, it is important to move
[[Page 22704]]
ahead with this excellent piece of legislation, which will help us move
further ahead, laying the groundwork for creating the framework within
which we can undertake cleanup in those areas of concern.
I want to thank the gentleman from Arkansas, the ranking member of
the Water Resources Subcommittee, for his attention to detail. He has
really lent his best efforts to understanding the broad problems of
water quality, water resource development issues, the programs of the
Corps of Engineers, and I greatly appreciate his thoughtful, scholarly
consideration. And, of course, our Chair of the subcommittee, the
gentlewoman from Texas, Eddie Bernice Johnson, who has really been
vigorous in her pursuit of the water resources issues under the
jurisdiction of the committee.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first commend our colleague from Michigan, Dr.
Ehlers, for his years of work with stakeholders from the Great Lakes to
advance the Great Lakes Legacy Act. The Great Lakes are a vital
resource for both the United States and Canada. The Great Lakes system
provides a waterway to move goods, a water supply for drinking,
industrial and agricultural purposes, a source of hydroelectric power,
and swimming and other recreational activities.
But the industrialization and development of the Great Lakes Basin
over the past 200 years has had an adverse impact on the Great Lakes.
Although safe for drinking and swimming, in many places fish caught
from the Great Lakes are not safe to eat. Lake sediments contaminated
from the history of industrialization and development in the region are
one of the primary causes of the problem.
By treaty, the United States and Canada are developing cleanup plans
for the Great Lakes and for specific areas of concern. The Great Lakes
Legacy, Act passed in 2002, has helped citizens restore the water
quality of the Great Lakes by taking action to manage and clean up
contaminated sediments and to prevent further contamination.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act authorized the Environmental Protection
Agency, the EPA, to carry out qualified sediment remediation projects
and conduct research and development of innovative approaches and
techniques for the remediation of contaminated sediment in the Great
Lakes. Legacy Act funding must be matched with at least a 35 percent
non-Federal share, encouraging local investment. By encouraging
cooperative efforts with State and local governments and through
public-private partnerships, the Great Lakes Legacy Act has provided a
better way to address the problem of contaminated sediments.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act does not try to presume any particular
type of cleanup option. Rather, it simply encourages stakeholders to
take action and make sure that the action they take will make a real
improvement to human health and the environment. The Great Lakes Legacy
Act reflects a consensus approach to addressing sediment contamination,
and it is strongly supported by both environmental groups and business
groups in the Great Lakes region.
The House passed H.R. 6460 earlier this month, and now the Senate has
returned it to us in modified form. As the authorization for the Great
Lakes Legacy Act expires this year, it is important that we move this
legislation today. It is a compromise bill that keeps this important
program working.
The earlier House-passed version would triple the authorization level
by raising it to $150 million per year. I am pleased to see a more
realistic spending level associated with the bill before us today. This
current bill maintains the authorization level in existing law. The act
is being funded at a level between $22 million and $35 million per
year, still far short of the existing $50 million annual authorization
level.
While we might like to see more money invested in cleaning up the
Great Lakes, it is hard to justify tripling the authorization when
Congress has not been willing to appropriate anything close to its
current authorization levels. Again, I think that this is something
that we need to work on to get the authorization level met by our
appropriators.
I remain skeptical of including habitat restoration as one of the
authorized purposes for the funds. By expanding this program to cover
other purposes, there will be less money for the act's primary purpose
of getting pollution out of the water. Nevertheless, by all means, the
Great Lakes Legacy Act has been a successful program, and I support its
reauthorization.
I want to congratulate Dr. Ehlers for his hard work in bringing the
legislation to the floor. He has been a tireless champion for the Great
Lakes.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate his
comments. I especially appreciate his support of this bill. I also
commend the gentleman from Minnesota for his thorough discussion of the
history of the Great Lakes pollution problems and the solutions that we
have developed. I certainly appreciate his support for this bill.
I rise today in strong support of the reauthorization of one of, if
not the most, effective Federal environmental cleanup programs ever
developed. Those are not my words, those are the words I have heard
from many individuals about the Great Lakes Legacy Act which we put in
effect a few years ago. This bill today will continue that act.
In 2002, I authored the original Great Lakes Legacy Act, which was
passed into law with broad bipartisan support. The Great Lakes Legacy
Act provides Federal funding to clean up contaminated sediments in the
tributaries of our Great Lakes. These contaminated sediments are a
legacy of our industrial past, and the longer we wait to clean them up,
the greater the likelihood that they will be transported into the open
waters of the Great Lakes, where cleanup is virtually impossible.
Just to give one example, the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been
renowned for years for the paper plants which developed high quality
paper using the forests of Michigan. When PCBs were discovered, that
seemed like an ideal thing to include in the composition of the
coatings on the paper. No one realized their poisonous, toxic nature,
and today the Kalamazoo River bottom is littered with remnants of that
time with considerable amounts of PCBs.
Earlier this year, Congressman Oberstar and I introduced H.R. 6460 to
reauthorize and expand the Great Lakes Legacy Act. In addition to
making a number of improvements to the original law, our bill also
dramatically increased the authorization for Great Lakes cleanup from
$50 million per year to $150 million per year. If fully appropriated,
this funding level has the potential to clean up all of the known toxic
hot spots within 10 years, which will save a considerable amount of
money over the cost which will be incurred if we do not clean it up and
those toxic materials get into the Great Lakes.
On September 18, the House passed the Great Lakes Legacy Act by an
overwhelming majority of 371-20. Unfortunately, the Senate was unable
to overcome the objections of a few Senators who did not appreciate the
necessity to authorize enough money to clean up all of the contaminated
sediments within the next decade. Because the Legacy Act expires on
September 30th, which is rapidly approaching, supporters in the Senate,
most notably Senator Levin and Senator Voinovich, worked hard to draft
a compromise amendment that ensures this vital cleanup program
continues.
The Senate approved the amended Legacy Act by unanimous consent on
September 25. That is the bill which is before us. It is not what I had
hoped to have. It is not what I think we should have. But the Senate
amendment, although it decreases the $150 million per year
authorization, does continue the
[[Page 22705]]
current $50 million per year authorization, plus $4 million per year
for ancillary activities.
The amendment also decreases the authorization from 5 years to 2
years. This is not because we want to shorten the period of time this
bill is in effect, but because the Senators wanted to reintroduce the
bill with us next year and put in place a longer bill with greater
authorization.
Although I am disappointed that this funding authority has been
decreased, I am pleased with for the broad support this program has
garnered. Congressman Oberstar has mentioned some of that broad
support. I especially appreciate the commitment of Chairman Oberstar to
revisit this authorization in the 111th Congress.
I once again want to thank Chairman Oberstar, Chairwoman Johnson, and
especially Ranking Members Mica and Boozman for their hard work and for
moving this bill so expeditiously. It is not always easy for
individuals from other parts of the country to appreciate the
importance of the Great Lakes and the importance of cleaning up the
toxic materials. I personally want to thank Chairman Boozman for his
very diligent work in examining this issue, fully understanding it, and
getting the bill through the process.
I also want to thank all the members of the Great Lakes Task Force,
and there are many, who have joined in cosponsoring this particular
bill.
I ask my colleagues to once again join me in supporting H.R. 6460.
Let's immediately get this bill on the President's desk for his
signature, so that this important work can continue unabated.
Mr. BOOZMAN. I have another speaker, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. OBERSTAR. We have no further speakers on our side. I welcome the
gentleman to recognize other speakers.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Altmire). The Chair recognizes the
gentleman from Arkansas.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am from Arkansas, and because
of people like Dr. Ehlers' hard work, because of our chairman Mr.
Oberstar's hard work, they really have educated us to help us
understand the importance of this body of water. So I commend you all
for your due diligence in that regard.
I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Kirk).
Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Boozman, who
helped bring this bill forward and has developed an expertise on Great
Lakes harbors, and then our leaders on these issues, the chairman of
the Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar.
We all should tell many of our fellow colleagues who don't represent
the Great Lakes that quite obviously our region is studded with
industrial cities which helped build the United States. But as our
economy changed, many of these communities were left with bankrupt
hulks occupying much of the most valuable resources and real estate in
America.
In 2001, I joined with Chairman Ehlers to begin this new program, the
Great Lakes Legacy Act. This program was designed to clean up these
Midwestern harbors, like Waukegan, Illinois, that suffered from George
Soros' Outboard Marine Corp that polluted our harbor before Soros then
looted and bankrupt the company.
The funding for this program also resulted from a unique story.
Congressman Rahm Emanuel and I, as newer Members of Congress, were
invited by the President of the United States on Air Force One. We
decided jointly that in the corridor of that aircraft we would
buttonhole the President, and me, somewhat more softly, and Rahm,
somewhat more forcefully, urged the President to support the Great
Lakes Legacy Act. Finally, the President relented and said, Okay, Mark,
Rahm, I get it. Clean up Great Lakes harbors. So appropriations were
found, even in the President's budget.
This program now has cleaned up five areas of concern, with 31 to go.
The success of cleaning up harbors no longer can be doubted, especially
in my area, because we are all now seeing what is happening in Kenosha
and Racine, Wisconsin, recognized now as tremendous economic successes.
{time} 1215
When we clean up Waukegan Harbor, in all likelihood, probably using a
more traditional Superfund authority, we expect to see an $800 million
economic boom in eastern Lake County.
Now Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Boozman have rightly backed
this bill, which underscores a key point that environmental cleanup and
economic development go hand in hand in the Great Lakes. We did run
into a snag in the Senate, Senator Coburn, who set certain conditions
on the passage of this bill.
I wish they could have visited some of these communities. I wish he
could have seen how much economic development has already been
fostered. I wish he could have seen the new entrepreneurs and
businesses created. But, for now, here in the House, we rightly join
together as Republicans and Democrats to build a success upon a success
to keep this program on track.
I thank the authors of this legislation and commend their work and
urge their quick adoption of this legislation.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. I am
prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close on his side.
Mr. BOOZMAN. I want to thank Mr. Oberstar for his leadership, Dr.
Ehlers for his years and years of being so aggressive and bringing this
before Congress. This is an important bill. It's something that we very
much support.
Also, I appreciate Mr. Mica's hard work in this area and, of course,
the chairlady of our subcommittee, Eddie Bernice Johnson and her staff,
for all of their hard work, and then my staff. I look forward to
working with Mr. Oberstar and Eddie Bernice in the sense of trying to
get our appropriators working with them.
Mr. Speaker, we do have an authorization level that we haven't been
able to meet thus far. I hope that we can work with them in the rest of
this Congress and certainly the next Congress to get that level up to
the maximum that we can with what we have dealt with.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Again, I want to express great appreciation to our
colleagues on the committee on the Republican side who have worked
without party barriers or banners to deal with a common issue of
importance to all of us on the Great Lakes, and that is to address
these issues, these areas of concern.
I also want to express great appreciation to Senators Levin and
Voinovich, George Voinovich of Ohio, Carl Levin of Michigan, who both
have been champions for the Great Lakes. I have known both men for
many, many years, Senator Voinovich, particularly, going back to his
years as mayor of Cleveland and Governor of Ohio. We worked together on
so many issues.
We worked on economic development of the Great Lakes, water quality,
trade between Canada and the United States, on the Asian carp issue,
supporting funding for the barrier to the Chicago rivers, to prevent
the Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes; and then the second
barrier that is authorized in the Water Resources Development Act south
of the Twin Cities, to prevent Asian carp from going up the Mississippi
into the inland waters of the State of Minnesota and into the upper
Midwest. While there is occasionally obstruction from the other body,
there are people of goodwill, good intentions and good bipartisan
spirit who deserve recognition.
In the Duluth Harbor, with the Corps of Engineers and the EPA, we
have had a remarkable success story in dredging bottom sediments with
suction dredging and other technologies that avoid reintroduction into
the water column of the removal of bottom sediments and putting them
into a contained disposal facility. The Erie Pier in the Duluth-
Superior Harbor has maybe 2 million cubic feet of bottom sediments that
have been dredged from the harbor, deposited in the facility, with the
sand filtration barrier that has allowed the water to filter back into
the lake
[[Page 22706]]
relatively clean, not quite drinkable, but without the toxics, without
the PCBs, without the mercury and cadmium and lead and other toxic
metals that have been found in those bottom sediments.
What the Corps learned in this project was that the most complicated
issue is that of grease, fuel oil, gasoline, other hydrocarbons that
mix with the sand and the clay in the harbor bottom and become
extremely difficult to extract in the cleanup process.
Attacking that issue, this is a typical issue, we had a steel mill in
Duluth for nearly 100 years. Its discharges went into the harbor, and
that's typical of many communities along the lower lakes that have to
deal with these problems of bottom sediments. We learned a great deal
from Duluth. We now need to apply those lessons to the other harbors on
the Great Lakes.
It's somewhat of an embarrassment to us in the United States that
Canada has cleaned up two of its three principal areas of concern and
we have not done as well in the United States. This legislation sets
the framework for us to move in that direction, $150 million would have
provided the funding we need to go in that direction, but we will deal
with that in the next Congress.
Again, I thank all who have participated. I am pleased that the
gentleman from Illinois mentioned Mr. Emanuel from Chicago. Rahm
Emanuel has certainly been a champion on the issue on our side as well,
along with a great list of Members.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and ask for a
unanimous vote in support of the Great Lakes Legacy Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the
rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 6460.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________
TAKING RESPONSIBLE ACTION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY ACT
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6707) to require Surface Transportation Board consideration
of the impacts of certain railroad transactions on local communities,
and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6707
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taking Responsible Action
for Community Safety Act''.
SEC. 2. EFFECT OF MERGERS ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND RAIL
PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION.
Section 11324 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking the last sentence and inserting ``The Board
shall hold public hearings on the proposed transaction,
including public hearings in the affected communities, unless
the Board determines that public hearings are not necessary
in the public interest.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``which involves the merger or control of
at least two Class I railroads,'' and inserting ``with
respect to a transaction that involves at least one Class I
railroad,'';
(B) by inserting ``the effect on the public interest,
including'' after ``the Board shall consider'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``on the public
interest'';
(D) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
(E) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(F) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(6) the safety and environmental effects of the proposed
transaction, including the effects on local communities, such
as public safety, grade crossing safety, hazardous materials
transportation safety, emergency response time, noise, and
socioeconomic impacts; and
``(7) the effect of the proposed transaction on intercity
rail passenger transportation and commuter rail passenger
transportation, as defined by section 24102 of this title.'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as
subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) and inserting a new
subsection (c) as follows:
``(c) The Board shall approve and authorize a transaction
under this section when it finds the transaction is
consistent with the public interest. The Board shall not
approve a transaction described in subsection (b) if it finds
that the transaction's impacts on safety and on all affected
communities, as defined under subsection (b), outweigh the
transportation benefits of the transaction. The Board may
impose conditions governing a transaction under this section,
including conditions to mitigate the effects of the
transaction on local communities.'';
(4) in subsection (d), as redesignated, by striking ``The
Board shall approve'' and all that follows through ``the
transaction, including'' and inserting ``The conditions the
Board may impose under this section include''; and
(5) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by striking ``the
merger or control of at least two Class I railroads, as
defined by the Board'' and inserting ``a transaction
described in subsection (b)''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made in this Act shall be applied to all
transactions that have not been approved by the Board as of
August 1, 2008.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Shuster) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
General Leave
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
on the bill, H.R. 6707, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This bill before us arises out of long-standing concerns of
communities along the routes of the Nation's freight rail system,
particularly in cases where there is dramatic change, where a merger
has occurred or is about to occur, and the result of which will be to
change their quality of life.
The period of the Interstate Commerce Commission, from the 1880s
until the Staggers Act of 1980, was a period of regulation necessary in
the public interest but of increasing burdensome regulation that
inhibited the productivity of the Nation's railroads. Many would argue
that the result of deregulation was too little representation of the
public interest in our freight rail system.
There are so many instances where the freight railroads have
dismissed or been dismissive of or not paid sufficient attention to the
concerns of communities and people that live along the railroad, the
tracks that go through their cities and by their homes. There are, of
course, those cases where some railroads have been very attentive and
very responsive.
But the core problem is that of the Surface Transportation Board. As
we looked into the issues of concerns raised by many communities along
class 2 or class 3 railroads, who are about to be absorbed into a
larger class 1 railroad, I find questions of the actions of the Surface
Transportation Board defending the public interest.
This bill will assure that the Surface Transportation Board will have
the legal authority and policy direction it needs to deal with mergers,
which have potential to cause serious safety, environmental and other
quality-of-life problems for the people in the communities along the
route of the proposed merger.
The bill does not require the STB, Surface Transportation Board, to
approve or disapprove any particular merger. It is not merger specific.
It seeks only to ensure that when the STB considers mergers, it will
have the authority to disapprove any merger in which the benefits from
the merger are outweighed by the adverse effects on communities or
safety.
It will vest in the board authority and give the board direction to
fully evaluate rate crossing safety, hazardous materials transportation
safety, public safety, noise, job losses, adverse economic impact. It
will also, and our
[[Page 22707]]
anticipation is, that the board will fully evaluate the benefits of a
merger. There are clearly, in most of these mergers, benefits for one
community that unfortunately are accompanied by adverse effects on
other communities, or at least perceived adverse effects.
Now, the problem that we found in the course of the hearing and in
evaluating issues leading up to the hearing in the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure is that the action of the board in
dealing with mergers of two class 1 railroads are different authorities
than are available to the board in evaluating the proposed merger of a
class 1 and a class 2 or class 3 railroad.
This legislation will assure or make it clear that the board has the
same authority to deal with mergers of class 1 with class 2 and class 3
railroads as it does in mergers of class 1 to other class 1 railroads.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1230
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill, and I
yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am very, very disappointed to be here today speaking on this bill.
The TRACS Act is much too controversial to be considered under
suspension. I wrongly believed that we had an understanding with the
majority that we would continue to work in a bipartisan manner to
improve this bill before we brought it to the floor. That is very
unlike, very uncharacteristic of the T&I Committee. We did have one
hearing. We had no subcommittee hearings. As I said, that is not
characteristic of the Transportation Committee and how it works. So it
is disappointing to me to bring this bill here under those
circumstances.
I oppose H.R. 6707 because I am concerned that changing the Surface
Transportation Board's merger and acquisition review process could have
unintended consequences of hampering the growth of our Nation's
railroad industry. I know that the folks who serve on the committee
know how important it is that we expand the capacity of the railroad
industry in this country.
One of the ways to do that is through mergers and acquisitions. It is
an important part of how the industry has to grow and needs to grow
because it allows railroads to invest in underutilized trackage around
the country.
Some on the other side have complained that the class 1 railroads
have given up track around the country. I believe they have, and they
did it because they were not profitable. But here we have a situation
where they are trying to use trackage that will be important to
increasing capacity in this country.
This bill is likely to have a chilling effect on rail transactions.
We are living in an increasingly difficult economic climate, and the
last think that we want to do is discourage investment that will
improve capacity, and especially in Chicago. Anybody that ships across
this country knows that Chicago is the most congested area in the
country. It is a bottleneck and it is not only a bottleneck in the
upper Midwest, it is a bottleneck to the entire system because so much
of our freight goes through Chicago.
The port of Seattle, 70 percent of what comes into the port of
Seattle flows through to Chicago. So I think Americans need to realize
how important Chicago is to the shipment of goods in this country.
In the next 20 to 25 years, we expect rail demand to increase 90
percent over today's level, and the industry will need to invest $135
billion in infrastructure just to keep pace with this unprecedented
growth. We cannot afford to discourage this investment, and I believe
the TRACS Act will do just that.
It is also very troubling that this legislation will be retroactive
because we are creating a new standard of review for deals reached
years ago. This type of retroactive congressional action can, and I
believe will, undermine confidence in our regulatory system and
deserves much more scrutiny than we have given it.
This bill was introduced to kill a single merger, and this has
generated significant controversy in the Chicago area, which as I said,
is one of the most congested areas in the country. But it will also
affect, I believe, all future rail mergers in this country.
I am unconvinced that this bill will even accomplish the goals of the
Chicago community, to stop CN purchasing the EJ&E line. I understand
that CN will spend an astounding $25 million to review the
environmental impacts of their acquisition of the EJ&E line. They are
offering at least $40 million to offset negative impacts of an increase
in train traffic in that area and on that line.
But there is nothing in the bill that would prevent the current
owner, EJ&E, from running additional trains over those tracks. If the
CN deal falls through, the increase in traffic may very well happen.
And the $40 million that CN is offering to mitigate the effects, will
be off the table. If that turns out, that the $45 million is off the
table, that CN is not going to put that the money into the deal, it
would be very troubling for those communities.
But the STB today has the authority to increase from $40 million to
$45 million, to mitigate those problems that they believe will occur.
But if it goes too high, it also likely will kill the deal.
I am sympathetic to the needs of the communities that are affected by
the deal. There are two sides, and I am sorry that we haven't heard
much more from the communities that will be affected in a positive way.
We hear from the suburbs, the wealthy and upper middle-class suburbs of
Chicago that are fighting this, but we haven't heard from the inner
city of Chicago where low-income folks will see train traffic decrease
so they won't have to deal with the freight trains as much as they do
today.
I am not in a position to judge whether this transaction should go
forward. That is not Congress's job. It is the STB's job. The STB was
not brought into this process in drafting the bill. The chairman of the
STB and his staff have warned of serious concerns about the affects of
this. We need more involvement and input from the STB before we change
the rules of the game.
Again, I am very disappointed we are here today. I hope we can defeat
this and go back to committee and produce a bill that has broad,
bipartisan agreement.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
I want to remind the gentleman that we incorporated all of the
requests of the minority as we moved to create the manager's amendment
to the bill, including spelling out what benefits should be considered,
along with adverse impacts. We announced the hearing and invited all
parties to the merger referenced by the gentleman, and welcomed all
communities to participate in the hearing. Those who chose not to did
so of their own accord. They were not excluded. We had a very extensive
hearing in which all were welcome to participate in, and we explored
fully all of the issues involved in this issue.
Now I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois
(Ms. Bean).
Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for his
leadership on this important bill. I rise in strong support of H.R.
6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act.
I got involved in reviewing the STB's mission and decision-making
process because of a proposed local transaction that would have
negatively impacted communities in my district, across suburban
Illinois, Indiana and other parts of the country. However, unless the
STB review is clarified, communities and districts across the country
could face similar challenges.
The current process has historically put the interests of industry
over those of American families and taxpayers. This doesn't have to be
the case. As noted by the board's most recent decision, the STB has the
ability to deny an acquisition and/or mitigate on environmental
grounds.
The TRACS Act clarifies their obligation as a Federal agency to
protect
[[Page 22708]]
the interests of those taxpayers who fund them. This bill will clearly
require that public impact concerns are given equal consideration to
those of commerce. And while the impacts on a local shipper may be
important, they shouldn't outweigh the impact on communities and the
citizens who live there.
The STB would be required to consider public impact on communities,
including public safety, grade crossing safety, hazardous materials
transportation, emergency response, noise pollution, socioeconomic
impacts, and commuter rail. After review, if the adverse impacts on
communities are significant or outweigh the potential benefits to
commerce, then the STB would be required to disapprove or mitigate
accordingly.
This is not about a particular transaction. And contrary to concerns
expressed by some, it should not have a chilling effect on the ability
to increase necessary rail capacity across this country. It also
shouldn't adversely affect traditional rail mergers or acquisitions
which don't significantly change traffic levels or community impact and
are only changing a parent company.
But in those rare cases where there are drastic increases in freight
traffic that can have negative impacts, the TRACS Act is a commonsense
clarification to ensure the STB's balanced consideration of the
railroad's commercial goals with the communities and American taxpayers
whom we serve.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield).
Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Oberstar has been a
great leader in the transportation issues of our country, and certainly
one of the leaders in rail transportation policy, but I would just like
to say on this bill that one of the goals of the rail transportation
policy of the United States is to ensure the development of a sound
rail system to meet the needs of shippers and the consuming public.
I am genuinely concerned that H.R. 6707 may actually have an adverse
impact on our rail system, particularly as it relates to rural
communities. In rural areas of our country, at one time we had strong
railroad service which contributed a great deal to the economic
development in rural America. I am very much concerned that this
legislation, while it has every good intention of protecting local
communities, will actually be a chill to continued rail service in a
lot of small communities.
The Rail Transportation Safety Board already is required to look, on
rail mergers and acquisitions, to look at the public interest standard
and must evaluate that. I am just concerned that this additional
requirement will really be a chilling effect and will adversely impact
rail service in rural America which will have an adverse impact on all
of us, particularly at this time when energy prices, being as high as
they are, we know that we can transport goods by rail cheaper which
makes us more competitive in the global marketplace. For that reason, I
would respectfully oppose this legislation.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the Chair of the water resources
appropriations subcommittee.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. I thank the chairman for yielding, and I truly want to
thank Mr. Oberstar for his leadership and for what he is trying to do
today.
What I would like to do with my time is first of all to respond to a
couple of the observations made by my good friend from Pennsylvania on
this legislation.
I would agree, I believe the chairman would agree, that the industry
has to continue to evolve. It has to continue to grow. But today, the
industry is here and the people of the United States are here. What Mr.
Oberstar, what the chairman is trying to do is to make sure as the
industry evolves and becomes more efficient and more profitable, which
we all want, that people are considered equally.
Secondly, he mentions that this is simply a fight about one
transaction and one community, the City of Chicago. He is incorrect in
his assertion. The fact is there is a transaction pending. It
highlights the need for this legislation. While he suggests the
congestion of Chicago, I would point out that every one of those trains
in Chicago happens to go through Lake and Porter counties, Indiana,
which I represent.
The gentleman also suggested that there might be some costs attached
to the industry if this act passed, $25 million here, $40 million here.
The fact is we voted in this Chamber to the auto industry $25 billion.
We voted within the week to give the battery industry a couple of
billion dollars. People are tripping over themselves in this place,
tripping over themselves in this place, to give millions of brokers and
bankers $700 billion. What about people? What about the people of this
country? That's what Mr. Oberstar is trying to say, instead of the
railroads and the people, let's have some equity as far as these future
considerations.
I would simply point out this is somewhat personal to me. In 1977, my
mother was hit by a train. She survived the experience. But more
pertinent to this debate, the Surface Transportation Board indicated
that railroads historically have not paid more than a small share for
grade separation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman's time has expired.
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield an additional minute.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Five to 10 percent of grade separation because grade
separations, and this is the STB, primarily benefit the community and
not the railroad.
Well, in northwest Indiana on July 8, three people died in a crossing
accident in Gary, Indiana. On July 25, in northwest Indiana in the
community of Griffith, there was a rail accident where three additional
people were injured. In Portage, Indiana, this month, on September 3,
another woman was killed in Porter County. There is one person getting
killed at a train accident in the 1st Congressional District every 21
days since July 8.
I support the chairman's legislation that says let's think about
people for a change. Let's have some equity in this so that people and
communities are protected, just like the railroads are.
[From the Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times, July 8, 2008]
Three Dead in Car-Train Crash
(By Dan Hinkel)
Gary.--Three people died when a freight train blasted
through a car that drove around crossing gates Monday
afternoon in Gary's Miller neighborhood, police said.
The victims were Marvin Alvarez, 20, of Gary, and Nicole
Thomas, 21, and Rosie Godines, 18, both of Hobart, according
to a spokeswoman from the Lake County coroner's office.
The busy scene at Miller Avenue and Lake Street devolved
into turmoil in the hours following the 5 p.m. wreck. Irate
mourners scuffled with police officers and attacked cameramen
from television news crews. An officer appeared to fire a
Taser on a sobbing, shrieking man who joined a group of
people fighting with a man who appeared to be a police
detective.
All three died at the scene after the southbound Ford
Taurus pulled around the gates into an eastbound CSX train's
path, police said. None of the victims wore seat belts, and
two of them were thrown from the car, said Gary police Cpl.
Agnes Roberts. The bodies were covered with sheets near the
car as firefighters cut the third body from the vehicle's
wreckage in front of witnesses and bystanders gathered along
the commercial strip.
``I still can't believe it and I'm standing right here
looking,'' said Sandra Mays, of Gary.
Mays drove the first northbound vehicle in line behind the
gates before the wreck. She was prepared for a long wait
before the Taurus came ``out of nowhere'' around the gates,
Mays said. She called 911 after the train plowed into the
car's passenger side and pushed it about 50 feet east down
the tracks. Mays said she could see that all the victims were
dead.
``It happened so fast, like something you see on TV,'' she
said.
Shirley Taylor, of Merrillville, was in the nearby Chase
bank when she heard the train's horns blowing and its brakes
screeching, she said. The bank manager ran outside to help,
but he returned with shock on his face, Taylor said.
``He came over and told everyone there was nothing he could
do,'' Taylor said.
[[Page 22709]]
The victims' relatives descended on the scene about 6 p.m.
A small group of furious men alternated between sobbing
inconsolably and bellowing profane threats at police,
firefighters, clergy, bystanders and news reporters. A man
who identified himself as Alvarez's brother struggled with
officers. A man threw a rock at a television cameraman.
Another man was arrested after a fight in the Chase bank
parking lot. He was handcuffed and apparently stunned with a
Taser. Gary police were not available Monday night to comment
on the fights after the crash.
The train's nine cars and two locomotives were headed from
Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, said CSX spokesman Gary Sease. No
one on the train was hurt, Sease said.
____
[From the Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times, July 26, 2008]
Train Hits Truck, Injures Three
(By Vanessa Renderman)
Griffith.--Three people suffered minor injuries Friday when
a train hit a tractor-trailer, knocking a 20-ton piece of
construction equipment off the truck bed and forcing the
truck into two occupied vehicles.
``I've never seen anything like this,'' Griffith Cpl. Ryan
Bottiger said.
The accident occurred early in the afternoon at the
intersection of Main Street and Wiggs Avenue.
The front of an eastbound Canadian National train struck
the back end of a Grimmer Construction tractor-trailer that
was crossing the tracks. The crossing has no gates, but the
lights were working, Bottiger said.
A westbound train on parallel tracks had just gone through
the crossing.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, who declined to give his
name, said the car in front of him crossed the tracks, and he
started to cross. Because of the angle, he didn't see the
eastbound train coming. By the time he did, it was too late,
and the back end of his truck got clipped, he said. The
driver suffered an abrasion to his chin.
The force shook loose a 20-ton piece of construction
equipment that was chained to the rear of the tractor-
trailer. The equipment rolled, gouging chunks of asphalt from
the street. It landed on a grassy residential corner and
leaked diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid, which crews cleaned
up, Bottiger said.
The tractor-trailer hit two vehicles that were in the
oncoming lane, including the gray Mercury Montego that
Merrillville resident John Holliday was driving.
Holliday said he was waiting for a westbound train to pass.
When it did, a vehicle in the oncoming lane crossed the
tracks. Holliday then heard a train whistle and saw the
tractor-trailer cross the tracks and get hit, before
barreling toward his car.
``At that point, all I could see was a truck coming head
first, straight on,'' he said. ``It's kind of a bad feeling,
seeing a truck coming right at you.''
Holliday's car was hit on the front passenger side. The
airbag deployed, which burned his hand. He saw the 20-ton
piece of construction equipment roll off the truck.
``It looked like out of a movie,'' he said.
Although Holliday was alone in his car, the other vehicle
that was struck had four occupants, three of whom were
children. The driver was transported to a hospital with
nonlife-threatening injuries and a relative picked up the
children, Bottiger said.
Bottiger said Friday afternoon he didn't know whether any
citations would be issued.
____
[From the Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune, Sept. 4, 2008]
Portage Woman, 43, Dies When Hit by Train
Portage.--Police are continuing to investigate the death of
a Portage woman who was killed Tuesday night when a train hit
her.
Linda Evola, 43, of 5075 Lincoln St., was declared dead at
11:04 p.m. Tuesday from massive blunt force trauma, Porter
County Coroner Victoria Deppe said.
Evola was hit by an eastbound CSX train near Don's Motel,
5500 U.S. 20, around 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Portage
Police Department release.
Sgt. Keith Hughes said two engineers on the train saw Evola
walking west on the tracks and sounded the train's horn. The
engineers said Evola looked up, Hughes said, but she did not
move off the tracks.
``At this time it's still unknown whether she intended to
do it,'' Hughes said.
Deppe said that right now her office is ruling the death an
accident.
``She did live near the train,'' Deppe said. ``That was a
place people cut through.''
She also said that it does not appear drugs or alcohol
played a part, although her office is running toxicology
tests.
{time} 1245
Mr. SHUSTER. May I inquire as to how much time I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 13\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. SHUSTER. I would like to yield myself 30 seconds just to respond
to what the gentleman mentioned about the automotive industry and the
$25 billion loan they want and about the $700 billion.
Well, the good news in this debate today about the railroad industry
is that the railroad doesn't need it. The railroad industry is
successful, and we need to make sure that they continue to be
successful and that they don't require any kind of assistance from the
Federal Government. They're the only freight rail system in the world
that doesn't require the Federal Government's propping it up. So that's
a good news story here today, and that's what we want to keep doing.
I would also like to submit for the Record a letter from the
Association of American Railroads and the short lines in this country
that are directly affected by this legislation, and they are opposed to
it.
Association of American Railroads,
Washington, DC, September 27, 2008.
Dear Representative: The House may consider H.R. 6707 on
the suspension calendar today. The Association of American
Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional
Railroad Association (ASLRRA) strongly oppose H.R. 6707--
Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act.
Under current law, the Surface Transportation Board (STB)
must evaluate the merits of a railroad merger transaction
under a ``public interest'' standard if it involves two Class
I railroads. The STB's evaluation takes into account and
weighs all issues relevant to the public interest including
efficiencies, productivity gains, capacity improvements, and
environmental benefits that the transaction will realize.
H.R. 6707 would distort that standard and STB evaluation
process by requiring the STB to specifically weigh the
adverse impacts on safety and local communities against the
transportation benefits of a merger.
The bill's mandate for the STB's evaluation to
specificallly focus on the impact on local communities as a
counterweight to the overall transportation benefits that a
merger would otherwise realize can result in the disapproval
of mergers with significant benefits to the public and to the
nation solely because of ``nimby''ism. This would clearly be
at odds with rail transportation policy at 49 USC 10101 which
has as a goal the development sound transportation system to
meet the needs of the public.
The bill's requirement for a specific STB focus on local
impacts creates an additional regulatory burden and imposes
potentially conflicting regulatory requirements. The costs
and uncertainties arising from the proposed regulatory
process will further discourage parties from entering into
transactions that could otherwise bring significant
transportation and other public benefits,
For all of the above reasons we strongly urge a no vote on
H.R. 8707.
Edward R. Hamberger,
President & Chief Executive Officer, Association of
American Railroads.
Richard Timmons,
President & Treasurer, American Short Line & Regional
Railroad Association.
Mr. SHUSTER. I would like to now yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the TRACS Act
legislation being presented here.
I thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Oberstar, for all of the
work that he has done on this bill, and I'm really very proud to be an
original cosponsor on it.
I really believe in the rail system. I believe in our transportation
system, and I think that we have always put our railroads in a very
high context as far as being able to move our goods across this country
and being able to ship at a reasonable rate. A situation has come up,
something that, I think, is very unfair, and I think it is what this
legislation will address.
In considering a merger, the STB is required to look at how it
affects Congress. If there is just one major rail, just one--a class
A--then they don't have the same requirements that other mergers have.
If it's a class 1 and more than a class 1, then the STB, the Surface
Transportation Board, is required to consider the safety and
environmental effect of the proposed transaction, including the effects
on local communities: the traffic congestion, the grade crossing, the
public safety, the socioeconomic impact, and the traffic congestion--
commuter rail and Amtrak.
The clarification that we want to make is, if there is just one of
the class 1 rails, then they need to take these same things into
consideration.
[[Page 22710]]
Mr. Whitfield of Kentucky talked about the rural area. I think we're
really looking at congested areas, when a merger is to take place that
will affect an area of densely populated areas such as the suburbs of
our great cities. It's not just one area that's going to be affected.
Mark my words that these types of merger requirements will affect so
many more than just the Chicago area, as was suggested by the chairman
of the subcommittee.
I don't think that our purpose here today is to kill any merger. It
is to clarify and to make sure that there is fairness in what the
Surface Transportation Board will look at. Will they look at just the
commerce and competitiveness of two rail lines and how it will affect
all of the competition between all of the rails or will they also take
into account the effect on the public interest and on the communities
that are involved?
Now, in the area that we've been talking about in Chicago, I have to
say that this is an area that has grown up around the railroads. It has
increased to such a dense population that socioeconomic issues are
affected, that public safety is affected and that traffic congestion is
affected. All we want is to clarify that the Surface Transportation
Board can take that into account.
I have just one other clarification about mitigation. I didn't want
to get into specifics, but in this issue, the mitigation would be $30
million. Now, I have in my community a rail crossing that is being put
underground, and it has nothing to do with this other line. The cost of
that is $53 million to have a separate grade crossing. So, when we talk
about $30 million that would affect at least 40 communities and at
least 141 rail crossings, I think this is something to consider.
So it's just a clarification, and I would urge my colleagues to vote
for it.
I thank the chairman so much for bringing this up and for having a
hearing which, I think, was very open.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on both sides?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Minnesota has 9 minutes
remaining. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 10 minutes remaining.
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Foster).
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6707, the
Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act.
I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar, who has displayed exemplary
leadership on an issue of great importance to so many American
communities.
The need for this legislation came to my attention as a result of a
specific situation spanning several districts in Illinois and in
Indiana, but the issue it addresses is national. Let me explain.
For several months, families and businesses in my district and in
nearby districts have overwhelmingly declared their opposition to
Canadian National's potential acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and
Eastern Railway, which is currently pending before the Surface
Transportation Board. I have heard from many of my constituents in
public forums, on the phone and in private meetings. They've held
rallies and have petitioned the STB in writing, but their voices have
gone unheard. At this point, the only criterion the STB must consider
in evaluating this deal is whether the proposed transaction would have
an adverse effect on competition among the rail carriers in the
affected region.
Sadly, the public interest has been largely left out of this process
even though the public stands to lose the most in this transaction.
There will be no improvement in the quality of life in the region and
no economic upside. The recently released draft of the STB's
environmental impact statement estimates the acquisition will lead to a
loss of 300 jobs in the region. It will also unreasonably saddle local
taxpayers with the cost of the mitigation of this project. The study
provided, at best, a vague and incomplete study of the 133 grade
crossings in the area and, from this, recommended that Canadian
National pay only 5 to 10 percent of the mitigation cost. Grade
separations cost approximately $50 million each, and the STB apparently
expects local communities to shoulder most of this burden.
Let's see: Private profits, socialized bailout costs. Does that sound
familiar to anyone around here?
The deal also raises serious public safety concerns, many of which
are simply glossed over in the draft study. Increased traffic on the
EJ&E will raise the probability of train accidents by 28 percent.
Further, the ability of local police, fire and EMS services to respond
to emergencies in the affected communities will be hampered by blocked
intersections. Once again, Canadian National is not directed to help
fund projects that will mitigate this potentially life-threatening
problem.
Now, how does H.R. 6707 address this type of situation? Simply
speaking, H.R. 6707 would compel the STB to consider the public
interest as well as purely commercial considerations in its judgment of
a proposed railway merger. The legislation would require the STB to
determine a transaction's effect on public safety, on grade crossing
safety, on hazardous materials transportation, and on emergency
response time. Such a proposal would be approved when it is consistent
with the overall public interest and rejected when it is not.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman from Illinois has
expired.
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6707 is a much needed enhancement of
current statute. While this legislation is an immediate response to one
proposed acquisition, it will ultimately protect communities across the
country.
To be clear, I do not mean to oppose all railway transactions.
Railways are an extremely efficient means of transportation, and their
use can and should increase in response to rising fuel prices. However,
transactions like the EJ&E acquisition should only proceed when there
is an overall commercial and economic benefit. This is not the case
here. There is something seriously wrong with a process that leaves out
the public and that deflects the cost of these acquisitions and traffic
increases on to local communities. H.R. 6707 will help change this.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. SHUSTER. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Roskam).
Mr. ROSKAM. First of all, I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for his
leadership and for his willingness to listen and for his thoughtful
approach on this and for how he has brought, really, a bipartisan group
together in trying to drive towards a solution.
Since coming to Congress, I've noticed that, many times, what we need
to do is to spend time bringing statutes up to date, and this is just
one of those examples. We've been struggling over these past several
days with the financial markets and, in many cases, with a regulatory
environment that isn't regulating properly. Well, here is an
opportunity for us to be proactive and to bring a regulation up to date
to really deal with current needs. Giving the Surface Transportation
Board the authority to consider a couple of things, I think, is very
thoughtful and very wise and very measured. This is what this bill is
about.
It says that the Surface Transportation Board in these transactions
has to consider a couple of things. It has to consider the impact on
safety and the environment. It has to consider the impact of grade
crossings, of HAZMAT, of emergency response time, and of noise. In my
view, those are not unreasonable requests. It doesn't predetermine an
outcome. It doesn't say what they need to do with that information, but
it says, as a matter of record, that they have to consider that.
Now a word about Canadian National: Whether or not Canadian National
decided to show up at a hearing is really their prerogative. I just
confirmed with the chairman that they were welcomed to show up. This is
a pattern, frankly, that we've seen with
[[Page 22711]]
Canadian National in our community where we were told they would show
up at any time and at any place to talk to anyone, but when a forum was
created, they waived off of that.
Now let's just set that aside. Here we have a chance to create a
statute that says, if you're going to increase rail traffic through a
community, you've got to consider the cost, and you've got to consider
the cost on the community.
The gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) spoke a couple of minutes
ago about the cost of one of these rail crossings and of the cost of a
grade separation. They are a thing to behold, and they are incredibly
expensive. The fact that Canadian National in this particular case has
several tens of millions of dollars on the table doesn't anywhere near
answer the cost to local taxpayers who would be asked to bear the
burden with very little benefit.
So I think the chairman's approach on this--the way he has brought a
bipartisan group together around it and the thoughtfulness of it and,
really, the holistic way that this would be evaluated--is a very light
touch, in fact, and he is not coming down with a heavy hand. I am
strongly supportive of it.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time. I
just want to reinforce what the gentleman said, however, and I yield
myself 30 seconds.
The CEO of Canadian National Railway not only was invited to
participate--and I, actually, reached out to the railroad--but Hunter
Harrison, their CEO, testified in person.
I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have
remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 7\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. SHUSTER. I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Manzullo).
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, this bill is quite interesting because, if
you take a look at the Surface Transportation Board's weighing an
application for a merger, one would think that items such as the safety
of the people, the backup of traffic, incremental delays at crossings,
and hundreds of school bus crossings per day on impacted tracks would
have some type of a consideration.
{time} 1300
The problem is that under the present law, in an oversight made in
1995, whenever the Surface Transportation Board tries to weigh the
impacts on local communities, the only criteria that is used is whether
or not it violates antitrust laws. And ironically, issues of safety are
not taken into consideration. And that's shocking.
It's apparent that there is a big problem in this bill. The bill has
application across the country. It has particular application to
northern Illinois to tens of thousands of my constituents that have to
travel through the town of Barrington, which is in Congresswoman Bean's
district. To these folks, the backup of traffic is significant. The
inability to get to work on time; the fact that, from what we
understand, Canadian National plans on putting in trains that are 2
miles long clogging all three intersections in the village of
Barrington at the same time. And it's through that village that there
are 800 school bus crossings each day.
And it's amazing that this bill tries to correct something so
elementary as to say whenever there is a request to merge railroad
companies, that safety should be a consideration.
I'm here today to offer my unqualified support for the Taking
Responsible Action for Community Safety Act (H.R. 6707). This bill,
which I'm proud to co-sponsor, will help solve a left-over problem from
when Congress abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1995. The
Surface Transportation Board, STB, took over the functions of the ICC
with the missions of resolving railroad rate and service disputes and
reviewing proposed railroad mergers. Current law gives the STB
considerable discretion to disapprove transactions involving at least
two Class I rail carriers but allows much less flexibility to
disapprove transactions like CN's proposed acquisition of the EJ&E. In
fact, the law states that the STB ``shall'' approve the transaction
``unless'' the Board determines it will hurt competitiveness, restrain
trade, or fail to meet significant transportation needs. In plain
English, this means that the STB will not stop a transaction because of
local community concerns unrelated to anti-trust issues. This may seem
like semantics, but it's an important distinction that has long tipped
the scale toward privately owned rail carriers and away from the
communities who have to live with them.
In northern Illinois, the community of Barrington is unalterably
opposed to the proposed sale of the EJ&E line to the Canadian National,
CN, Railway, as evidenced by the thousands of people that showed up to
the STB scoping session last January and their formal hearing last
August. This is not because of a NIMBY syndrome--everyone understands
the need to improve the national rail transportation network and would
be willing to compromise. But having additional freight train traffic
traverse on the existing aging EJ&E track will not be just a simple
minor inconvenience--it will fundamentally alter the entire nature of
this picturesque town.
While I do not directly represent Barrington, Illinois, I am honored
to serve the thousands of commuters who live in southern McHenry County
who must travel through Barrington, either by car or rail, to get to
work or to perform daily errands. While I've been concerned about this
deal since day one, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement recently
relesed by the STB confirmed many of my worst fears about increased
accident risks, increased air pollution, increased exposure to
hazardous material, and increased traffic. The report also acknowledged
that railroads traditionally only contribute 5 to 10 percent of the
costs to mitigate these problems. That would leave taxpayers paying the
tab for a transaction that solely benefits a private company's bottom
line.
I say it's not about what's traditional. It's about what's fair. And
the people from the 16th District of Illinois, who I've had a plenty of
chances to talk with over the past few weeks, agree with me.
H.R. 6707 corrects an oversight made in 1995 and requires the STB to
weigh impacts on local communities more heavily when considering any
railroad transaction. In fact, the STB would have to reject a proposed
acquisition if it finds that transaction's impacts on the affected
communities outweigh the transportation benefits. Congress should learn
from this experience with this particular transaction and make sure
that no community in the Nation will ever have to go through what
Barrington is experiencing now.
In this particular case, I understand that this transaction could
have some macrobenefits, but CN accomplishes that goal primarily by
exporting the train congestion problems in downtown Chicago to outlying
suburban areas such as Barrington. Tens of thousands of motorists in
northern Illinois--especially those in McHenry County--travel through
Barrington on their way to work each day, crossing the EJ&E line at
Route 14, Route 59, and Lake-Cook Road. Approximately another 4,000
commuters from McHenry County ride Metra rail to work in the Chicago-
land area each day, crossing the EJ&E line in Barrington. All of these
people will be affected by additional CN freight traffic.
At the very least, they are going to encounter inconvenient delays
and increases in air pollution. At the worst, it could become a matter
of life and death. Not only could emergency responder vehicles become
trapped on all sides by a train, but school buses in the Barrington
school district cross the EJ&E lines about 800 times a day. Additional
freight trains could quadruple the safety risk of students who traverse
the crossings each day.
In closing, l'd like to express my appreciation to my friend Jim
Oberstar, the chairman of the Transportation Committee, for introducing
this piece of legislation and for working with me and others in the
suburban Chicago delegation in a bipartisan manner. I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 6707 today.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the gentleman if he has
any further speakers.
Mr. SHUSTER. We have none. I am prepared to close.
I have how much time left?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 5\1/2\ minutes.
Mr. SHUSTER. Again, I just want to reiterate the reasons that I
oppose this bill today. First and foremost, the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee is a committee that does its homework usually,
that works hard to understand the issues and come forth with something
that is good legislation, and it's also bipartisan. And I think that in
this situation, we're not able to reach that standard that we typically
do in the Transportation and
[[Page 22712]]
Infrastructure Committee. Not bringing in the STB to have them at the
table, the experts, to really understand how the nuts and bolts of this
legislation going forward is going to have a chilling effect, I
believe, on our rail industry.
We do have the most efficient, the safest railroad industry in the
world. It's the gold standard. Countries around the world look at our
rail industry and want to copy it, want to try to have that type of
freight industry in their countries.
But we in Congress sometimes do our best to try to make it extremely
difficult for them to operate, to cause them to put mandates on them
that I don't believe serve the best interests of not only communities,
but of the rail industry and of our economy.
As I said, we have the most efficient and safest rail industry of the
world, and we should continue to want to see that so that we don't,
down the road 10 years, 15 years, see the rail industry coming to
Congress asking them to bail them out.
As I said, I believe there are going to be unintended consequences of
this bill. There are going to be negative effects on the growth of the
railroad industry which we desperately need to see going forward as I
talked earlier about the increase and demand for rail. The retroactive
provision is going to undermine the confidence in our regulatory
system, and it's going to, as I said, have a chilling effect on
investments when rail companies in the future want to merge.
The CN and EJ&E deal, if it's killed, the increase in traffic can
still occur on those lines. The situation is going to be, though, that
the EJ&E is not going to have to put $40 million of money into
mitigating some of the problems and the increase in traffic. So I think
that's going to be bad for those communities.
And we can't forget the benefits that decreased congestion in Chicago
is going to have on America. And also, most importantly, as I said
earlier, we're not hearing from those low-income communities in Chicago
that have hundreds of trains going through their neighborhood every
week. They are going to see a decrease. That voice of those low-income
neighborhoods is not being heard, is not being addressed because that
is what is going to happen here. Those neighborhoods will benefit also
with a decrease in traffic if we are able to spread out trains to
decrease that bottleneck that's occurring in Chicago.
So I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this piece of legislation,
and I urge other members of the committee, let's go back to the
committee, let's work together and produce something that we can see
improvements to the STB that will be a positive for the communities as
well as the economy of this country.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Minnesota has 4\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of our time.
This is not a retroactive measure. It does not undo any transaction
in the works or already concluded. It sets standards for all railroads,
for all considerations of acquisition by class 1 or class 2 or class 3
railroads, sets up standards, reinforces authority that the Surface
Transportation Board chairman has said they thought they had authority
over environmental review but they've never exercised it. They're
concerned that if they did, they might have some legal difficulties.
We're clarifying that the board has authority to act on environmental
issues raised by communities.
We did hear from those inner city communities who testified in person
at the hearing at the request of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Lipinski). I have heard railroads don't need help from the Federal
Government. Well, they shouldn't. The Federal Government gave the
railroads, between 1850 and 1871, 173 million acres of public land, 9
percent of the total surface area of the United States, for the public
use, convenience, necessity, and benefit of the Nation to own and
control the resources above and below ground: the timber resources as
well as the coal and, in many cases, oil and gas, and other minerals;
and the right to sell those properties. The railroads have sold
billions of dollars' worth of public land that were given to them for
the public trust. And they're not without their requests to the
Congress. They've spent a considerable amount of time, the Association
of American Railroads, lobbying the House and the Senate for a 25
percent investment tax credit to increase their capital investment. I'm
for it. I think that's a reasonable investment to make. I think we
ought to help railroads do that. I think we ought to ensure that they
use that tax credit for those capital investments. It's a reasonable
request, but they're not without their hand out to the Federal
Government
Why should the railroads take the position that they are above
review? When other forms of transportation are subject to public
scrutiny by the communities affected by road construction, bridge
construction, transit, light rail, commuter rail, all are subject to
citizen review. Railroads cannot take the position that they're above
review. They, too, take actions that affect the citizens and the
communities that reside along their lines. And all we're providing in
this legislation is a process within which those actions taken by
railroads would be subject--class 1 to class 1, and class 1 to class 2
and class 3 should be considered in the same way.
That's all this legislation does.
I ask for a very resounding ``aye'' vote for this long overdue
legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6707, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________
APPOINTMENT OF HON. STENY HOYER AND HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN TO ACT AS
SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE TO SIGN ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
THROUGH REMAINDER OF SECOND SESSION OF 110TH CONGRESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Speaker:
Washington, DC,
September 27, 2008.
I hereby appoint the Honorable Steny H. Hoyer and the
Honorable Chris Van Hollen to act as Speaker pro tempore to
sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the
remainder of the second session of the One Hundred Tenth
Congress.
Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the appointment is
approved.
There was no objection.
____________________
PROVIDING FOR THE PRINTING OF A REVISED EDITION OF THE RULES AND MANUAL
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 111TH CONGRESS
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution and ask
unanimous consent for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1513
Resolved, That a revised edition of the Rules and Manual of
the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Eleventh
Congress be printed as a House document, and that three
thousand additional copies shall be printed and bound for the
use of the House of Representatives, of which nine hundred
[[Page 22713]]
copies shall be bound in leather with thumb index and
delivered as may be directed by the Parliamentarian of the
House.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF EACH STANDING
COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE TO EXTEND REMARKS IN RECORD
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the chairman
and ranking minority member of each standing committee and each
subcommittee be permitted to extend their remarks in the Congressional
Record, up to and including the Record's last publication, and to
include a summary of the work of that committee or subcommittee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
____________________
GRANTING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE PRIVILEGE TO REVISE AND EXTEND REMARKS IN
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD UNTIL LAST EDITION IS PUBLISHED
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may
have until publication of the last edition of the Congressional Record
authorized for the Second Session of the 110th Congress by the Joint
Committee on Printing to revise and extend their remarks and to include
brief, related extraneous material on any matter occurring before the
adjournment of the Second Session sine die.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
____________________
ARTHRITIS PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND CURE ACT OF 2008
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the
bill (H.R. 1283) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for
arthritis research and public health, and for other purposes, and ask
for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1283
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Arthritis Prevention,
Control, and Cure Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are among the
most common chronic conditions in the United States. There
are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, which affect
joints, the tissues which surround the joint, and other
connective tissue. Two of the most common forms are
osteoarthritis, which affects approximately 21,000,000
Americans, and rheumatoid arthritis.
(2) Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases cause severe and
chronic pain, swollen tissue, ligament and joint destruction,
deformities, permanent disability, and death. Arthritis and
other rheumatic diseases erode patients' quality of life and
can diminish their mental health, impose significant
limitations on their daily activities, and disrupt the lives
of their family members and caregivers.
(3) One out of every 5 or 46 million adults in the United
States suffers from arthritis. The number of individuals in
the United States with arthritis will grow as the number of
older Americans continues to increase dramatically in the
next few decades.
(4) By 2030, nearly 67,000,000 or 25 percent of the
projected United States adult population will have arthritis,
and arthritis will limit the daily activities of nearly
25,000,000 individuals. These estimates may be conservative
as they do not account for the current trends in obesity,
which may contribute to future cases of osteoarthritis.
(5) According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the total costs attributable to arthritis and
other rheumatic conditions in the United States in 2003 was
approximately $128,000,000,000. This equaled 1.2 percent of
the 2003 United States gross domestic product.
$80,800,000,000 of such costs consisted of direct costs for
medical care, and $47,000,000,000 consisted of indirect costs
for lost earnings. National medical costs attributable to
arthritis grew by 24 percent between 1997 and 2003. This rise
in medical costs resulted from an increase in the number of
people with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
(6) Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases affect all types
of people of the United States, not just older individuals.
Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases disproportionately
affect women in the United States. 8,700,000 young adults
ages 18 through 44 have arthritis, and millions of others are
at risk for developing the disease.
(7) Nearly 300,000 children in the United States, or 3
children out of every 1,000, have some form of arthritis or
other rheumatic disease. It is the sense of the Congress that
the substantial morbidity associated with pediatric arthritis
warrants a greater Federal investment in research to identify
new and more effective treatments for these diseases.
(8) Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are the leading
cause of disability among adults in the United States. Over
40 percent, or nearly 19,000,000, adults with arthritis are
limited in their activities because of their arthritis. In
addition to activity limitations, 31 percent or 8,200,000 of
working age adults with arthritis report being limited in
work activities due to arthritis.
(9) Obese adults are up to 4 times more likely to develop
knee osteoarthritis than normal weight adults. Excess body
weight is also associated with worse progression of
arthritis, contributing to functional limitation, mobility
problems, and disability. About 35 percent of adults with
arthritis are obese compared to only 21 percent of those
without arthritis.
(10) Arthritis results in 744,000 hospitalizations and
36,500,000 outpatient care visits every year.
(11) In 1975, the National Arthritis Act of 1974 (Public
Law 93-640) was enacted to promote basic and clinical
arthritis research, establish multipurpose arthritis centers,
and expand clinical knowledge in the field of arthritis. The
Act was successfully implemented, and continued funding of
arthritis-related research has led to important advances in
arthritis control, treatment, and prevention.
(12) Early diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate management
of arthritis can control symptoms and improve quality of
life. Weight control and exercise can demonstrably lower
health risks from arthritis, as can other forms of patient
education, training, and self-management. The genetics of
arthritis are being actively investigated. New, innovative,
and increasingly effective drug therapies, joint
replacements, and other therapeutic options are being
developed.
(13) While research has identified many effective
interventions against arthritis, such interventions are
broadly underutilized. That underutilization leads to
unnecessary loss of life, health, and quality of life, as
well as avoidable or unnecessarily high health care costs.
Increasing physical activity, losing excess weight, and
participating in self-management education classes have been
shown to reduce pain, improve functional limitations and
mental health, and reduce disability among persons with
arthritis. Some self-management programs have been proven to
reduce arthritis pain by 20 percent and physician visits by
40 percent. Despite this fact, less than 1 percent of the
people in the United States with arthritis participate in
such programs, and self-management courses are not offered in
all areas of the United States.
(14) Rheumatologists are internists or pediatric sub-
specialists who are uniquely qualified by an additional 2 to
4 years of training and experience in the diagnosis and
treatment of rheumatic conditions. Typically, rheumatologists
act as consultants, but also often act as managers, relying
on the help of many skilled professionals, including nurses,
physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and
social workers. Many rheumatologists conduct research to
determine the cause and effective treatment of disabling and
sometimes fatal rheumatic diseases.
(15) Recognizing that the Nation requires a public health
approach to arthritis, the Department of Health and Human
Services established important national goals related to
arthritis in its Healthy People 2010 initiative. Moreover,
various Federal and non-Federal stakeholders have worked
cooperatively to develop a comprehensive National Arthritis
Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy.
(16) Greater efforts and commitments are needed from
Congress, the States, providers, and patients to achieve the
goals of Healthy People 2010, implement a national public
health strategy consistent with the National Arthritis Action
Plan, and lessen the burden of arthritis on citizens of the
United States.
SEC. 3. ENHANCING THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO
ARTHRITIS OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND PREVENTION THROUGH THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS
ACTION PLAN.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 314
the following:
[[Page 22714]]
``SEC. 315. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS ACTION
PLAN.
``The Secretary shall develop and implement a National
Arthritis Action Plan that consists of--
``(1) the Federal arthritis prevention and control
activities, as described in section 315A;
``(2) the State arthritis control and prevention programs,
as described in section 315B;
``(3) the comprehensive arthritis action grant program, as
described in section 315C; and
``(4) a national arthritis education and outreach program,
as described in section 315D.
``SEC. 315A. FEDERAL ARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL
ACTIVITIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall, directly, or through a grant to an eligible entity,
conduct, support, and promote the coordination of research,
investigations, demonstrations, training, and studies
relating to the control, prevention, and surveillance of
arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The activities of the Secretary
under subsection (a) shall include--
``(1) the collection, publication, and analysis of data on
the prevalence and incidence of arthritis and other rheumatic
diseases;
``(2) the development of uniform data sets for public
health surveillance and clinical quality improvement
activities;
``(3) the identification of evidence-based and cost-
effective best practices for the prevention, diagnosis,
management, and care of arthritis and other rheumatic
diseases;
``(4) research, including research on behavioral
interventions to prevent arthritis and on other evidence-
based best practices relating to arthritis prevention,
diagnosis, management, and care; and
``(5) demonstration projects, including community-based and
patient self-management programs of arthritis control,
prevention, and care, and similar collaborations with
academic institutions, hospitals, health insurers,
researchers, health professionals, and nonprofit
organizations.
``(c) Training and Technical Assistance.--With respect to
the planning, development, and operation of any activity
carried out under subsection (a), the Secretary may provide
training, technical assistance, supplies, equipment, or
services, and may assign any officer or employee of the
Department of Health and Human Services to a State or local
health agency, or to any public or nonprofit entity
designated by a State health agency, in lieu of providing
grant funds under this section.
``(d) Arthritis Prevention Research at the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Centers.--The Secretary shall
provide additional grant support for research projects at the
Centers for Prevention Research by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention to encourage the expansion of research
portfolios at the Centers for Prevention Research to include
arthritis-specific research activities related to the
prevention and management of arthritis.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2012.
``SEC. 315B. STATE ARTHRITIS CONTROL AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities to provide support for comprehensive
arthritis control and prevention programs and to enable such
entities to provide public health surveillance, prevention,
and control activities related to arthritis and other
rheumatic diseases.
``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a State or Indian tribe.
``(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may
require, including a comprehensive arthritis control and
prevention plan that--
``(1) is developed with the advice of stakeholders from the
public, private, and nonprofit sectors that have expertise
relating to arthritis control, prevention, and treatment that
increase the quality of life and decrease the level of
disability;
``(2) is intended to reduce the morbidity of arthritis,
with priority on preventing and controlling arthritis in at-
risk populations and reducing disparities in arthritis
prevention, diagnosis, management, and quality of care in
underserved populations;
``(3) describes the arthritis-related services and
activities to be undertaken or supported by the entity; and
``(4) is developed in a manner that is consistent with the
National Arthritis Action Plan or a subsequent strategic plan
designated by the Secretary.
``(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use amounts
received under a grant awarded under subsection (a) to
conduct, in a manner consistent with the comprehensive
arthritis control and prevention plan submitted by the entity
in the application under subsection (c)--
``(1) public health surveillance and epidemiological
activities relating to the prevalence of arthritis and
assessment of disparities in arthritis prevention, diagnosis,
management, and care;
``(2) public information and education programs; and
``(3) education, training, and clinical skills improvement
activities for health professionals, including allied health
personnel.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2012.
``SEC. 315C. COMPREHENSIVE ARTHRITIS ACTION GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants on a
competitive basis to eligible entities to enable such
eligible entities to assist in the implementation of a
national strategy for arthritis control and prevention.
``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a national public or private
nonprofit entity.
``(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may
require, including a description of how funds received under
a grant awarded under this section will--
``(1) supplement or fulfill unmet needs identified in the
comprehensive arthritis control and prevention plan of a
State or Indian tribe; and
``(2) otherwise help achieve the goals of the National
Arthritis Action Plan or a subsequent strategic plan
designated by the Secretary.
``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities submitting
applications proposing to carry out programs for controlling
and preventing arthritis in at-risk populations or reducing
disparities in underserved populations.
``(e) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use amounts
received under a grant awarded under subsection (a) for 1 or
more of the following purposes:
``(1) To expand the availability of physical activity
programs designed specifically for people with arthritis.
``(2) To provide awareness education to patients, family
members, and health care providers, to help such individuals
recognize the signs and symptoms of arthritis, and to address
the control and prevention of arthritis.
``(3) To decrease long-term consequences of arthritis by
making information available to individuals with regard to
the self-management of arthritis.
``(4) To provide information on nutrition education
programs with regard to preventing or mitigating the impact
of arthritis.
``(f) Evaluation.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an
evaluation of the operations and activities carried out under
such grant that includes an analysis of increased utilization
and benefit of public health programs relevant to the
activities described in the appropriate provisions of
subsection (e).
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2012.
``SEC. 315D. NATIONAL ARTHRITIS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall coordinate a
national education and outreach program to support, develop,
and implement education initiatives and outreach strategies
appropriate for arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
``(b) Initiatives and Strategies.--Initiatives and
strategies implemented under the program described in
subsection (a) may include public awareness campaigns, public
service announcements, and community partnership workshops,
as well as programs targeted at businesses and employers,
managed care organizations, and health care providers.
``(c) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary--
``(1) may emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, and
appropriate management of arthritis, and opportunities for
effective patient self-management; and
``(2) shall give priority to reaching high-risk or
underserved populations.
``(d) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall consult and collaborate with stake-holders
from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors with
expertise relating to arthritis control, prevention, and
treatment.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2012.''.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO
RESEARCH ON ARTHRITIS.
Title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 439 the
following:
``SEC. 439A. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATIC DISEASES INTERAGENCY
COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
``(a) In General.--
[[Page 22715]]
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an
Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Interagency Coordinating
Committee (referred to in this section as the `Coordinating
Committee').
``(2) Duties.--The coordinating committee established under
paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) provide for the improved coordination of the research
activities of all the national research institutes relating
to arthritis and rheumatic diseases; and
``(B) provide for full and regular communication and
exchange of information necessary to maintain adequate
coordination across all Federal health programs and
activities related to arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
``(b) Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Interagency
Coordinating Committee.--
``(1) Composition.--The Coordinating Committee shall
consist of members, appointed by the Secretary, of which--
``(A) \2/3\ of such members shall represent governmental
agencies, including--
``(i) the directors of each of the national research
institutes and divisions involved in research regarding
arthritis and rheumatic diseases (or the directors'
respective designees); and
``(ii) representatives of other Federal departments and
agencies (as determined appropriate by the Secretary) whose
programs involve health functions or responsibilities
relevant to arthritis and rheumatic diseases, including the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health
Resources and Services Administration, and the Food and Drug
Administration; and
``(B) \1/3\ of such members shall be public members,
including a broad cross section of persons affected by
arthritis, researchers, clinicians, and representatives of
voluntary health agencies, who--
``(i) shall serve for a term of 3 years; and
``(ii) may serve for an unlimited number of terms if
reappointed.
``(2) Chairperson.--
``(A) Appointment.--The Chairperson of the Coordinating
Committee (referred to in this subsection as the
`Chairperson') shall be appointed by and be directly
responsible to the Secretary.
``(B) Duties.--The Chairperson shall--
``(i) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary, the
Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Director of NIH on
matters relating to arthritis and rheumatic diseases; and
``(ii) provide advice to the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the Commissioner of Food and
Drugs, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, on
matters relating to arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
``(3) Administrative support; meetings.--
``(A) Administrative support.--The Secretary shall provide
necessary and appropriate administrative support to the
Coordinating Committee.
``(B) Meetings.--The Coordinating Committee shall meet on a
regular basis as determined by the Secretary, in consultation
with the Chairperson.
``(c) Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Summit.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act
of 2007, the Coordinating Committee shall convene a summit of
researchers, public health professionals, representatives of
voluntary health agencies, representatives of academic
institutions, and Federal and State policymakers, to provide
a detailed overview of current research activities at the
National Institutes of Health, as well as to discuss and
solicit input related to potential areas of collaboration
between the National Institutes of Health and other Federal
health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, and the Health Resources and Services
Administration, related to research, prevention, and
treatment of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
``(2) Summit details.--The summit developed under paragraph
(1) shall focus on--
``(A) a broad range of research activities relating to
biomedical, epidemiological, psychosocial, and rehabilitative
issues, including studies of the impact of the diseases
described in paragraph (1) in rural and underserved
communities;
``(B) clinical research for the development and evaluation
of new treatments, including new biological agents;
``(C) translational research on evidence-based and cost-
effective best practices in the treatment, prevention, and
management of the disease;
``(D) information and education programs for health care
professionals and the public;
``(E) priorities among the programs and activities of the
various Federal agencies regarding such diseases; and
``(F) challenges and opportunities for scientists,
clinicians, patients, and voluntary organizations.
``(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after
the convening of the Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Summit
under subsection (c)(1), the Director of NIH shall prepare
and submit a report to Congress that includes proceedings
from the summit and a description of arthritis research,
education, and other activities that are conducted or
supported through the national research institutes.
``(e) Public Information.--The Coordinating Committee shall
make readily available to the public information about the
research, education, and other activities relating to
arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, conducted or
supported by the National Institutes of Health.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this
section.''.
SEC. 5. EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND INNOVATION OF
RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES RELATED
TO JUVENILE ARTHRITIS.
(a) Juvenile Arthritis Initiative Through the Director of
the National Institutes of Health.--Part A of title IV of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 404I. JUVENILE ARTHRITIS INITIATIVE THROUGH THE
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
``(a) Expansion and Intensification of Activities.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH, in coordination
with the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the directors of the
other national research institutes, as appropriate, shall
expand and intensify programs of the National Institutes of
Health with respect to research and related activities
concerning various forms of juvenile arthritis.
``(2) Coordination.--The directors referred to in paragraph
(1) shall jointly coordinate the programs referred to in such
paragraph and consult with additional Federal officials,
voluntary health associations, medical professional
societies, and private entities as appropriate.
``(b) Planning Grants and Contracts for Innovative Research
in Juvenile Arthritis.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a)(1) the
Director of NIH shall award planning grants or contracts for
the establishment of new research programs, or enhancement of
existing research programs, that focus on juvenile arthritis.
``(2) Research.--
``(A) Types of research.--In carrying out this subsection,
the Secretary shall encourage research that focuses on
genetics, on the development of biomarkers, and on
pharmacological and other therapies.
``(B) Priority.--In awarding planning grants or contracts
under paragraph (1), the Director of NIH may give priority to
collaborative partnerships, which may include academic health
centers, private sector entities, and nonprofit
organizations.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this
section. Such authorization shall be in addition to any
authorization of appropriations under any other provision of
law to carry out juvenile arthritis activities or other
arthritis-related research.''.
(b) Public Health and Surveillance Activities Related to
Juvenile Arthritis at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.--Part B of title III of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 320A the following:
``SEC. 320B. SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH REGARDING JUVENILE
ARTHRITIS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
may award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements
with public or nonprofit private entities for the collection,
analysis, and reporting of data on juvenile arthritis.
``(b) Technical Assistance.--In awarding grants and
entering into agreements under subsection (a), the Secretary
may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.
``(c) Coordination With NIH.--The Secretary shall ensure
that epidemiological and other types of information obtained
under subsection (a) is made available to the National
Institutes of Health.
``(d) Creation of a National Juvenile Arthritis Patient
Registry.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in
collaboration with a national voluntary health organization
with experience serving the juvenile arthritis population as
well as the full spectrum of arthritis-related conditions,
shall support the development of a National Juvenile
Arthritis Patient Registry to collect specific data for
follow-up studies regarding the prevalence and incidence of
juvenile arthritis, as well as capturing information on
evidence-based health outcomes related to specific therapies
and interventions.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 6. INVESTMENT IN TOMORROW'S PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGISTS.
(a) In General.--Part Q of title III of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280h et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
[[Page 22716]]
``SEC. 399Z-1. INVESTMENT IN TOMORROW'S PEDIATRIC
RHEUMATOLOGISTS.
``(a) Enhanced Support.--In order to ensure an adequate
future supply of pediatric rheumatologists, the Secretary, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Health Resources
and Services Administration, shall support activities that
provide for--
``(1) an increase in the number and size of institutional
training grants awarded to institutions to support pediatric
rheumatology training; and
``(2) an expansion of public-private partnerships to
encourage academic institutions, private sector entities, and
health agencies to promote educational training and
fellowship opportunities for pediatric rheumatologists.
``(b) Authorization.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.''.
(b) Pediatric Loan Repayment Program.--Part Q of title III
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280h et seq.), as
amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 399Z-2. PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of the Health Resources and Services
Administration, may establish a pediatric rheumatology loan
repayment program.
``(b) Program Administration.--Through the program
established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) enter into contracts with qualified health
professionals who are pediatric rheumatologists under which--
``(A) such professionals agree to provide health care in an
area with a shortage of pediatric rheumatologists; and
``(B) the Federal Government agrees to repay, for each year
of such service, not more than $25,000 of the principal and
interest of the educational loans of such professionals; and
``(2) in addition to making payments under paragraph (1) on
behalf of an individual, make payments to the individual for
the purpose of providing reimbursement for tax liability
resulting from the payments made under paragraph (1), in an
amount equal to 39 percent of the total amount of the
payments made for the taxable year involved.
``(c) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this
section, the Secretary may reserve, from amounts appropriated
for the Health Resources and Services Administration for the
fiscal year involved, such amounts as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(2) Availability of funds.--Amounts made available to
carry out this section shall remain available until the
expiration of the second fiscal year beginning after the
fiscal year for which such amounts were made available.''.
SEC. 7. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS IN PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY.
Part G of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 288 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second section 487F (relating to a
pediatric research loan repayment program) as section 487G;
(2) by inserting after section 487G (as so redesignated)
the following:
``SEC. 487H. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS IN PEDIATRIC
RHEUMATOLOGY.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of NIH, may establish a program to increase the
number of career development awards for health professionals
who intend to build careers in clinical and translational
research relating to pediatric rheumatology.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 8. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE STUDY OF ARTHRITIS AND THE
WORKPLACE.
(a) Study and Report.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a study on the economic impact of
arthritis in the workplace, and submit a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress containing the results of
the study.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Pallone
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment in the nature of a
substitute at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Arthritis Prevention,
Control, and Cure Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCING THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO
ARTHRITIS OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND PREVENTION THROUGH THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS
ACTION PLAN.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 314
the following:
``SEC. 315. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS ACTION
PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary may develop
and implement a National Arthritis Action Program (in this
section referred to as the `Program') consistent with this
section.
``(b) Control, Prevention, and Surveillance.--
``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary, acting
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, may, directly or through competitive grants to
eligible entities, conduct, support, and promote the
coordination of research, investigations, demonstrations,
training, and studies relating to the control, prevention,
and surveillance of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
``(2) Training and technical assistance.--With respect to
the planning, development, and operation of any activity
carried out under paragraph (1), the Secretary may provide
training, technical assistance, supplies, equipment, or
services, and may assign any officer or employee of the
Department of Health and Human Services to a State or local
health agency, or to any public or nonprofit entity
designated by a State health agency, in lieu of providing
grant funds under this subsection.
``(3) Arthritis prevention research at the centers for
disease control and prevention centers.--The Secretary may
provide additional grant support under this subsection to
encourage the expansion of research related to the prevention
and management of arthritis at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
``(4) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term `eligible entity' means a national public or private
nonprofit entity that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
Secretary, in the application described in subsection (e),
the ability of the entity to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
``(c) Education and Outreach.--
``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary may
coordinate and carry out national education and outreach
activities, directly or through the provision of grants to
eligible entities, to support, develop, and implement
education initiatives and outreach strategies appropriate for
arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
``(2) Initiatives and strategies.--Initiatives and
strategies implemented under paragraph (1) may include public
awareness campaigns, public service announcements, and
community partnership workshops, as well as programs targeted
at businesses and employers, managed care organizations, and
health care providers.
``(3) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary--
``(A) may emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, and
appropriate management of arthritis, and opportunities for
effective patient self-management; and
``(B) may give priority to reaching high-risk or
underserved populations.
``(4) Collaboration.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall consult and collaborate with stake-holders
from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors with
expertise relating to arthritis control, prevention, and
treatment.
``(5) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term `eligible entity' means a national public or private
nonprofit entity that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
Secretary, in the application described in subsection (e),
the ability of the entity to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
``(d) Comprehensive State Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary may
award grants to eligible entities to provide support for
comprehensive arthritis control and prevention programs and
to enable such entities to provide public health
surveillance, prevention, and control activities related to
arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, an entity shall be a State or Indian tribe.
``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may
require, including a comprehensive arthritis control and
prevention plan that--
``(A) is developed with the advice of stakeholders from the
public, private, and nonprofit sectors that have expertise
relating to arthritis control, prevention, and treatment that
increase the quality of life and decrease the level of
disability;
``(B) is intended to reduce the morbidity of arthritis,
with priority on preventing and controlling arthritis in at-
risk populations and reducing disparities in arthritis
prevention, diagnosis, management, and quality of care in
underserved populations;
``(C) describes the arthritis-related services and
activities to be undertaken or supported by the entity; and
``(D) demonstrates the relationship the entity has with the
community and local entities and how the entity plans to
involve such
[[Page 22717]]
community and local entities in carrying out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
``(4) Use of funds.--An eligible entity may use amounts
received under a grant awarded under this subsection to
conduct, in a manner consistent with the comprehensive
arthritis control and prevention plan submitted by the entity
in the application under paragraph (3)--
``(A) public health surveillance and epidemiological
activities relating to the prevalence of arthritis and
assessment of disparities in arthritis prevention, diagnosis,
management, and care;
``(B) public information and education programs; and
``(C) education, training, and clinical skills improvement
activities for health professionals, including allied health
personnel.
``(e) General Application.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under this section, except under subsection (d), an
entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such agreements,
assurances, and information as the Secretary may require,
including a description of how funds received under a grant
awarded under this section will supplement or fulfill unmet
needs identified in a comprehensive arthritis control and
prevention plan of the entity.
``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the
meaning given such term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b(e)).
``(2) State.--The term `State' means any State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and
the Northern Mariana Islands.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) for fiscal year 2009, $32,000,000;
``(2) for fiscal year 2010, $34,000,000;
``(3) for fiscal year 2011, $36,000,000;
``(4) for fiscal year 2012, $38,000,000; and
``(5) for fiscal year 2013, $40,000,000.''.
SEC. 3. ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND
RELATED CONDITIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, in coordination with the Director of the National
Institutes of Health, may expand and intensify programs of
the National Institutes of Health with respect to research
and related activities concerning various forms of juvenile
arthritis and related conditions.
(b) Coordination.--The Director of the National Institutes
of Health may coordinate the programs referred to in
subsection (a) and consult with additional Federal officials,
voluntary health associations, medical professional
societies, and private entities as appropriate.
SEC. 4. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO
JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE
CONTROL AND PREVENTION.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
320A the following:
``SEC. 320B. SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH REGARDING JUVENILE
ARTHRITIS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
may award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements
with public or nonprofit private entities for the collection,
analysis, and reporting of data on juvenile arthritis.
``(b) Technical Assistance.--In awarding grants and
entering into agreements under subsection (a), the Secretary
may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.
``(c) Coordination With NIH.--The Secretary shall ensure
that epidemiological and other types of information obtained
under subsection (a) is made available to the National
Institutes of Health.
``(d) Creation of a National Juvenile Arthritis Population-
Based Database.--The Secretary, acting through the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in
collaboration with a national voluntary health organization
with experience serving the juvenile arthritis population as
well as the full spectrum of arthritis-related conditions,
may support the development of a national juvenile arthritis
population-based database to collect specific data for
follow-up studies regarding the prevalence and incidence of
juvenile arthritis, as well as capturing information on
evidence-based health outcomes related to specific therapies
and interventions.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of
carrying out this section, there is authorized to be
appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009
through 2013.''
SEC. 5. INVESTMENT IN TOMORROW'S PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGISTS.
(a) Enhanced Support.--
(1) In general.--In order to ensure an adequate future
supply of pediatric rheumatologists, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, in consultation with the Administrator of
the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall
support activities that provide for--
(A) an increase in the number and size of institutional
training grants awarded to institutions to support pediatric
rheumatology training; and
(B) an expansion of public-private partnerships to
encourage academic institutions, private sector entities, and
health agencies to promote educational training and
fellowship opportunities for pediatric rheumatologists.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $3,750,000
for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
(b) Pediatric Loan Repayment Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the
Health Resources and Services Administration, shall establish
and, subject to the determination under paragraph (3), carry
out a pediatric rheumatology loan repayment program.
(2) Program administration.--Through the program
established under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(A) enter into contracts with qualified health
professionals who are pediatric rheumatologists under which--
(i) such professionals agree to provide health care in an
area with a shortage of pediatric rheumatologists and that
has the capacity to support pediatric rheumatology, as
determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and
(ii) the Federal Government agrees to repay, for each year
of such service, not more than $25,000 of the principal and
interest of the educational loans of such professionals; and
(B) in addition to making payments under paragraph (1) on
behalf of an individual, make payments to the individual for
the purpose of providing reimbursement for tax liability
resulting from the payments made under paragraph (1), in an
amount equal to 39 percent of the total amount of the
payments made for the taxable year involved.
(3) Determination of shortage areas.--For purposes of this
subsection, an area shall be determined to be an area with a
shortage of pediatric rheumatologists based on the ratio of
the number of children who reside in such area who are in
need of services of a pediatric rheumatologist to the number
of pediatric rheumatologists who furnish services within 100
miles of the area.
(4) Periodic assessments.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall periodically assess--
(i) the extent to which the loan repayment program under
this section is needed; and
(ii) the extent to which the program is effective in
increasing the number of pediatric rheumatologists nationally
and the number of pediatric rheumatologists in areas with a
shortage of pediatric rheumatologists.
In the case that the Secretary determines, pursuant to an
assessment under this subparagraph, that there is no longer a
need for the loan repayment program, such program shall be
terminated as of a date specified by the Secretary.
(B) Annual reports.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall annually report to Congress on the periodic
assessments conducted under subparagraph (A).
(5) Funding.--
(A) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this
subsection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may
reserve, from amounts appropriated for the Health Resources
and Services Administration for the fiscal year involved,
such amounts as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(B) Availability of funds.--Amounts made available to carry
out this section shall remain available until the expiration
of the second fiscal year beginning after the fiscal year for
which such amounts were made available.
Mr. PALLONE (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The amendment was agreed to.
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my
legislation, H.R. 1283, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure
Act. I have fought long and hard for this bill, along with the
Arthritis Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology, and the
thousands of advocates across the country that understand the need for
this legislation.
With 1 out of 5 adults suffering from arthritis, this debilitating
condition is the most common cause of disability in the United States.
More than 300,000 children suffer from juvenile arthritis--more than
the number of children with juvenile diabetes yet we have a severe
shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in our country with only 239
nationwide and 11 states without even one. Early diagnosis for this
disease is crucial and without it, thousands of children go undiagnosed
because they don't have access to the right doctor.
This bill addresses the shortage through loan reimbursements for
doctors who go into pediatric rheumatology, an increase in research of
juvenile arthritis, and State grants
[[Page 22718]]
for comprehensive arthritis programs and public health outreach.
I'm very proud to see the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act
on the floor today and I look forward to seeing the Senate companion,
sponsored by my dear friend Senator Kennedy, pass the other body as
well.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
{time} 1315
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill just passed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
____________________
RE-REFERRAL OF S. 3560 TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE AND
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the bill, S.
3560, be re-referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and, in
addition, to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
____________________
QI PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING ACT OF 2008
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3560) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to
provide additional funds for the qualifying individual (QI) program,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3560
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``QI Program Supplemental
Funding Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FUNDING FOR THE QUALIFYING INDIVIDUAL (QI) PROGRAM.
Section 1933(g)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396u-3(g)(2)), as amended by section 111(b) of the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (Public
Law 110-275), is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``$300,000,000'' and
inserting ``$315,000,000''; and
(2) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``$100,000,000'' and
inserting ``$130,000,000''.
SEC. 3. MANDATORY USE OF STATE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REPORTING
INFORMATION SYSTEM (PARIS) PROJECT.
(a) In General.--Section 1903(r) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396b(r)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``, in addition to meeting the requirements
of paragraph (3),'' after ``a State must''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) In order to meet the requirements of this paragraph,
a State must have in operation an eligibility determination
system which provides for data matching through the Public
Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) facilitated
by the Secretary (or any successor system), including
matching with medical assistance programs operated by other
States.''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on October 1,
2009.
(2) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.--
In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) which the Secretary of
Health and Human Services determines requires State
legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional
requirements imposed by the amendments made by subsection
(a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to
comply with the requirements of such title solely on the
basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements
before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning
after the close of the first regular session of the State
legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this
Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a
State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the
session is considered to be a separate regular session of the
State legislature.
SEC. 4. INCENTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF, AND ACCESS TO,
CERTAIN ANTIBIOTICS.
(a) In General.--Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(v) Antibiotic Drugs Submitted Before November 21,
1997.--
``(1) Antibiotic drugs approved before november 21, 1997.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of the
Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 or any
other provision of law, a sponsor of a drug that is the
subject of an application described in subparagraph (B)(i)
shall be eligible for, with respect to the drug, the 3-year
exclusivity period referred to under clauses (iii) and (iv)
of subsection (c)(3)(E) and under clauses (iii) and (iv) of
subsection (j)(5)(F), subject to the requirements of such
clauses, as applicable.
``(B) Application; antibiotic drug described.--
``(i) Application.--An application described in this clause
is an application for marketing submitted under this section
after the date of the enactment of this subsection in which
the drug that is the subject of the application contains an
antibiotic drug described in clause (ii).
``(ii) Antibiotic drug.--An antibiotic drug described in
this clause is an antibiotic drug that was the subject of an
application approved by the Secretary under section 507 of
this Act (as in effect before November 21, 1997).
``(2) Antibiotic drugs submitted before november 21, 1997,
but not approved.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of the
Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 or any
other provision of law, a sponsor of a drug that is the
subject of an application described in subparagraph (B)(i)
may elect to be eligible for, with respect to the drug--
``(i)(I) the 3-year exclusivity period referred to under
clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (c)(3)(E) and under
clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (j)(5)(F), subject to
the requirements of such clauses, as applicable; and
``(II) the 5-year exclusivity period referred to under
clause (ii) of subsection (c)(3)(E) and under clause (ii) of
subsection (j)(5)(F), subject to the requirements of such
clauses, as applicable; or
``(ii) a patent term extension under section 156 of title
35, United States Code, subject to the requirements of such
section.
``(B) Application; antibiotic drug described.--
``(i) Application.--An application described in this clause
is an application for marketing submitted under this section
after the date of the enactment of this subsection in which
the drug that is the subject of the application contains an
antibiotic drug described in clause (ii).
``(ii) Antibiotic drug.--An antibiotic drug described in
this clause is an antibiotic drug that was the subject of 1
or more applications received by the Secretary under section
507 of this Act (as in effect before November 21, 1997), none
of which was approved by the Secretary under such section.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Exclusivities and extensions.--Paragraphs (1)(A) and
(2)(A) shall not be construed to entitle a drug that is the
subject of an approved application described in subparagraphs
(1)(B)(i) or (2)(B)(i), as applicable, to any market
exclusivities or patent extensions other than those
exclusivities or extensions described in paragraph (1)(A) or
(2)(A).
``(B) Conditions of use.--Paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A)(i)
shall not apply to any condition of use for which the drug
referred to in subparagraph (1)(B)(i) or (2)(B)(i), as
applicable, was approved before the date of the enactment of
this subsection.
``(4) Application of certain provisions.--Notwithstanding
section 125, or any other provision, of the Food and Drug
Administration Modernization Act of 1997, or any other
provision of law, and subject to the limitations in
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the provisions of the Drug
Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984
shall apply to any drug subject to paragraph (1) or any drug
with respect to which an election is made under paragraph
(2)(A).''.
(b) Transitional Rules.--
(1) With respect to a patent issued on or before the date
of the enactment of this Act, any patent information required
to be filed with the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under subsection (b)(1) or (c)(2) of section 505 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) to be
listed on a drug to which subsection (v)(1) of such section
505 (as added by this section) applies shall be filed with
the Secretary not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) With respect to any patent information referred to in
paragraph (1) of this subsection that is filed with the
Secretary within the 60-day period after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish such
information in the electronic version of the list referred to
at section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C.
[[Page 22719]]
355(j)(7)) as soon as it is received, but in no event later
than the date that is 90 days after the enactment of this
Act.
(3) With respect to any patent information referred to in
paragraph (1) that is filed with the Secretary within the 60-
day period after the date of enactment of this Act, each
applicant that, not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, amends an application that is, on or
before the date of the enactment of this Act, a substantially
complete application (as defined in paragraph (5)(B)(iv) of
section 505(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 355(j))) to contain a certification described in
paragraph (2)(A)(vii)(IV) of such section 505(j) with respect
to that patent shall be deemed to be a first applicant (as
defined in paragraph (5)(B)(iv) of such section 505(j)).
SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR USE OF MEDICAID
INTEGRITY PROGRAM FUNDS.
(a) Clarification of Authority for Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Section 1936 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396u-6) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``Education of'' and
inserting ``Education or training, including at such
national, State, or regional conferences as the Secretary may
establish, of State or local officers, employees, or
independent contractors responsible for the administration or
the supervision of the administration of the State plan under
this title,''; and
(B) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Availability; authority for use of funds.--
``(A) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
``(B) Authority for use of funds for transportation and
travel expenses for attendees at education, training, or
consultative activities.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary may use amounts
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) to pay for
transportation and the travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business, of individuals described in subsection (b)(4) who
attend education, training, or consultative activities
conducted under the authority of that subsection.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section
1936 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 6034(a)
of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171).
(b) Public Disclosure.--
(1) In general.--Section 1936(e)(2)(B) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396u-6(e)(2)(B)), as added by subsection (a) of this
section, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Public disclosure.--The Secretary shall make
available on a website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services that is accessible to the public--
``(I) the total amount of funds expended for each
conference conducted under the authority of subsection
(b)(4); and
``(II) the amount of funds expended for each such
conference that were for transportation and for travel
expenses.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall apply to conferences conducted under the authority of
section 1936(b)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396u-6(b)(4)) after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. FUNDING FOR THE MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``$2,220,000,000'' and
inserting ``$2,290,000,000''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3560, the QI Program
Supplemental Funding Act of 2008, introduced by my Senate colleague,
Senator Max Baucus.
Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a number of technical, but important,
changes that will improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This
legislation also contains an important provision that will help
incentivize the development of new antibiotics.
Earlier this summer, Congress passed H.R. 6331, the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which extended the
Qualifying Individual, or QI, program to December of 2009. The QI
program provides important financial assistance to low-income Medicare
beneficiaries.
Unfortunately, when we passed H.R. 6331, we did not include enough
money in the QI program to fully cover the level of need. We need an
additional $45 million in order to fully cover the cost of the program
through the end of next year. Otherwise, vulnerable Medicare
beneficiaries may be disenrolled and lose access to important health
services, and we certainly can't allow this to happen.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation also contains a provision that would
encourage and incentivize drug manufacturers to research and develop
antibiotics. Presently, there's too little research being done to
develop new and innovative antibiotics therapies. That is particularly
troubling at a time when antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.
According to the Infectious Disease Society of America, about 2
million people acquire bacterial infections in U.S. hospitals each
year, and 90,000 die as a result. Approximately 70 percent of these
infections are resistant to at least one drug.
Mr. Speaker, the R&D pipeline for antibiotics is drying up. Major
pharmaceutical companies simply are not investing in the development of
new antibiotics because it's not as profitable as drugs that treat
chronic conditions. This is an important provision that I believe will
help reverse that trend and lead to new breakthroughs and help protect
the public health.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to these two provisions, the bill before us
contains several other technical changes that would improve the
Medicare and Medicaid programs and generate savings.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this
legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3560. The bill is
designed to make technical corrections to policies we enacted in this
and previous Congresses.
Specifically, this bill, at its core, corrects a technical error in
the funding level for the extension of the QI-1 program that was passed
earlier this year as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and
Providers Act of 2008. The QI-1 program provides for the government's
payment of Medicare part B premiums for certain low-income
beneficiaries through the State Medicaid program.
In addition, this bill provides an important correction in FDA policy
regarding the development of antibiotics. This provision would have
been in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act that we passed
last year; however, it was dropped at the last minute because of PAYGO
reasons.
Finally, this bill provides the Secretary with additional authority
to perform education and outreach activities as part of the Medicaid
Integrity Program established by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
This bill is fully paid for, with some money left over to spare. The
offset for this bill is the use of the State Public Assistance
Reporting Information System. This system provides States with a tool
to improve program integrity and go after fraud and abuse in the
administration of public and medical assistance programs. This system
does this by matching program enrollment data, such as Medicaid
enrollment data, with data from other States which determine possible
duplicate payments.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation. However, I
do want to remind Members that the need for a technical bill might not
have arisen if the majority would have involved the minority in the
crafting of the Medicare bill passed in July. The majority should have
provided the minority time to review the legislation and offer a motion
to recommit.
I support this legislation, but I hope moving forward the majority
will include the minority when writing major legislation.
I yield as much time as the gentleman may consume to my friend from
Michigan, Dave Camp.
[[Page 22720]]
Mr. CAMP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding, and I'm also pleased to rise in support of this legislation,
which will make important changes to the Qualified Individual program.
This program helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for their
Medicare premiums. While the QI program was extended under the Medicare
Improvement for Patients and Providers Act enacted in July, some States
were still facing shortfalls.
The bill we are debating today provides $45 million to ensure States
like Alabama and South Carolina have sufficient funds to maintain
Medicare enrollment for their low-income seniors. Importantly, this
bill is fully paid for by requiring State Medicaid programs to
electronically submit eligibility determinations to the Public
Assistance Reporting Information System.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical to the health of low-income seniors that
we enact this legislation promptly, and I urge the House to support
this bill.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California, the chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, Mr.
Stark.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, my remarks shall be brief, because the
distinguished ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health on the
Committee on Ways and Means was participating and is so adequately up
on this bill that he just said it all. I would associate myself with
the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Michigan.
I rise in support of the QI Program Supplemental Funding Act, S.
3560.
At nearly $100 a month, the Part B premium can be a real hardship for
seniors living on low incomes.
This bill is necessary to ensure that low-income Medicare
beneficiaries with annual incomes between $12,000-$14,000 are able to
continue receiving financial assistance for the cost of their Medicare
premiums.
I support extending this vital program. If this bill doesn't pass,
States will drop poor seniors from the program.
My only complaint is that we should be doing more than this today. We
have technical corrections from the Medicare legislation we passed
earlier this year which should be before us as part of this
legislation. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to reach agreement to
incorporate those needed provisions in this bill.
There is much we need to do to maintain our commitment to Medicare
and Medicaid. This bill is a tiny part of that work. I look forward to
continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle--and
on both sides of the Capitol--to do much more.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia,
Congressman Wolf, as much time as he may consume.
Mr. WOLF. I was watching this meeting and resolution in my office
today, and I support it. I think it's a good issue, but I want to say
to the gentleman from New Jersey, I don't understand why you've boxed
up for months and years the bill that Congressman Chris Smith has that
deals with Lyme disease.
I was at a national Lyme disease conference this week. Lyme disease
is spreading through our Nation. Lyme disease is spreading through my
congressional district. Lyme disease is spreading through New Jersey,
spreading through the gentleman's district, spreading through Mr.
Smith's district, and if I could get the gentleman's attention, rather
than whispering back and forth, I would like to know, if we are going
to do resolutions like this and take them out of the committee, why Mr.
Smith's bill, which has been pending in your committee for a long time,
cannot be considered?
If you watched the movie the other day, the number of people that
have been impacted by Lyme disease is very serious. This is spreading.
It's in Pennsylvania, I would tell the person who's chairing the House.
It is spreading throughout the United States, and yet the bill is boxed
up, locked up in your committee, and I want to know, because I've had
enough of seeing this thing and seeing it go time after time after
time, and you're keeping the bill from coming out.
So if I could yield to the gentleman to tell me, what do you plan on
doing about Lyme disease? Why won't you get that bill out? What is the
status of it? And what would we tell somebody who happens to have Lyme
disease today to know that the bill is pending in the committee?
I yield to the gentleman.
Mr. PALLONE. Well, as I've discussed with the gentleman, because we
have actually talked about this on several occasions, I believe we are
now doing what we call consent bills, in other words, bills that have
the consent, meaning are basically agreed to not only by the Democrats
and Republicans, but also by the members of the subcommittee and the
Members of the House in general, because as you know, you have to have
a two-thirds vote to pass these bills or do them by unanimous consent.
We do not have anything near consensus on that legislation. It would
have to go through regular order, have a hearing, go through
subcommittee. The problem is that many, probably the majority, but I
won't venture to say whether it's majority or minority, but many people
do not agree with the protocol, if you will, that is suggested, if not
mandated, by that legislation.
In other words, right now, the majority of the doctors treat Lyme
disease, you know, in a certain fashion. Those who advocate for that
legislation suggest a different protocol, and frankly, I have tried
very hard as chairman of the Health Subcommittee not to mandate or make
decisions for physicians as to what kind of protocols they use. In this
case, the protocol is very different from the overwhelming majority of
the doctors, and so it's a very controversial issue that needs to have
a lot of debate.
So there's absolutely no way that we could do something like that on
a consent calendar because many of the Members simply don't support it.
Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, why hasn't the gentleman had hearings
on it?
Mr. PALLONE. Well, we could certainly have hearings on it, and as I
discussed with the gentleman, I would like to have hearings not only on
that bill but on the issue of Lyme disease, research and treatment, and
we will certainly do that in the next session. But we're obviously not
doing this today in the context of a consent calendar.
Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, I will take you at your word that
you're going to have hearings, is that accurate, early in the year?
Mr. PALLONE. What I said is I would like to have hearings on the
issue related to Lyme. We can certainly take up the issues that are
raised in that legislation in the context of that, but as I would say
to the gentleman again, the protocol in that legislation is very
controversial. It's certainly one of the many things that we would have
to consider in the context of research and treatment of Lyme disease.
Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, we're not going to let this issue go
away, I want to tell the gentleman from New Jersey, even if I have to
come up into New Jersey and go throughout to say that this bill is
being boxed up.
Just so Members know, instances of Lyme disease are rapidly rising in
Virginia, not only in my congressional district but across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1993
to 2007, reported cases of Lyme in Virginia have risen 990 percent, and
this committee has done nothing. In the same time frame, reported cases
are up 235 percent nationwide.
Lyme disease is frightening, keeps the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
from camping during summer months or children playing in the backyard
or joggers on bike paths through tree-lined neighborhoods, sharing the
outdoors with a minute insect that can bring monumental health
problems.
Congress needs to get serious. I was watching this and I think you
have boxed it up. You know, when the gentleman was speaking--if you
could look at me, I would just appreciate it. I want to tell the
gentleman that we're going to hold you to this with regard to hearings.
I will come and testify, but if this issue is boxed up next year, we're
going to deal with it in many ways.
[[Page 22721]]
{time} 1330
I would ask unanimous consent--if you want to say something, I'll
wait.
Mr. PALLONE. Well, I would just say this: You know, it does bother me
because the gentleman is sort of suggesting that you and I haven't had
conversations about this. We've actually had many conversations about
this. I've told you the same thing I've just said here on the floor.
And I really don't understand why the gentleman is giving the
impression that somehow we haven't discussed this because we have.
Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, I never said--we've discussed it twice.
What I'm saying is that you've boxed the bill up, you've boxed Chris
Smith's bill up. You've held no hearings. And there are a lot of people
around the country that are suffering with Lyme disease. And you appear
to be the rail block. And so what we're asking for is hearings, and
give us an opportunity for all people of all sides to be heard.
Mr. PALLONE. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. WOLF. I would yield.
Mr. PALLONE. First of all, I resent the fact that the gentleman is
suggesting that we ``boxed this up.'' I would point out to the
gentleman that the problem of Lyme disease has been around for many
years. And the gentleman and his committee, Appropriations Committee,
were in the majority for, what, at least 12 years before the last 2
years that the Democrats have been in the majority? Certainly, the
gentleman had plenty of opportunity, and still does, to do something
about this himself.
Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, I was going to offer the Chris Smith
amendment to the appropriations bill. The Appropriations Committee
hasn't met and had any hearings for months. Your side has prohibited
any amendments from being offered. But I will tell the gentleman, next
year, if you don't move this bill, I am going to offer it to the Labor-
H bill next year and we will have to deal with it on the floor.
I believe we have a responsibility to address an issue that is
wreaking havoc in my district and across the country. That's the rapid
rise in Lyme disease and there is a bill pending in the Energy and
Commerce Health Subcommittee that could go a long way towards helping
raise awareness about the threat of Lyme.
Just this week I went to a briefing sponsored by the National Capital
Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association. People are suffering from
Bell's palsy, meningitis and other manifestations from Lyme disease.
There are people in my district whose entire nuclear family suffers
from chronic Lyme: Young men and women who have had to take medical
leave from their college studies to battle severe joint pain and
bleeding ulcers, once healthy people unable to dress themselves or tie
their shoes; and folks hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt just
trying to get some quality of life back for their loved ones.
Americans need to learn about Lyme and press their Federal legislator
to act. It is unacceptable--an outrage--for Congress to ignore this
issue.
This past August I held a Lyme disease awareness forum in my district
in Loudoun County, Virginia, to help my constituents learn how to
prevent Lyme disease from touching their families. Three medical
doctors, including two county health departments, volunteered their
time to share their expertise in Lyme-related issues.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria that are transmitted to
people by the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as the
deer tick, which is comparable in size to the tip of a ball point pen.
With all of the natural beauty and outdoor activities in many of the
congressional districts we represent, it's important we work to educate
our constituents about this debilitating disease.
Speaking as a father of five and grandfather of 13, I worry about
deer, mice, and even family pets transporting ticks and transmitting
Lyme.
Incidents of Lyme disease are rising rapidly in Virginia and across
the country. According to the Centers for disease Control and
Prevention, from 1993 to 2007 reported cases of Lyme in Virginia have
risen 909 percent. In that same time frame, reported cases are up 235
percent nationwide.
Lyme disease is frightening. Picture Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
camping during the summer months or children playing in the backyard,
or joggers on bike paths through tree-lined neighborhoods--sharing the
outdoors with a minute insect that can bring monumental health
problems.
This Congress needs to get serious about stepping up to the plate,
and making sure people in high risk areas are aware of this threat.
H.R. 741--The Lyme and Tick-Borne disease Prevention, Education, and
Research Act--legislation introduced by Chris Smith with a host of
original cosponsors from New York, Connecticut, Arizona, Illinois,
Rhode Island, Washington, among others, now has collected well over 100
bipartisan cosponsors.
The bill, which would expand Federal efforts with respect to
prevention, education, and research activities, will go a long way
toward getting the word out about Lyme disease and the precautions
people can take to ensure that they never have to suffer the
consequences of chronic Lyme.
``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'' could not be a
more appropriate adage for Lyme disease. Failure to recognize Lyme
disease early in its course can result in the development of difficult
to treat infections in the brain, eyes, joints, heart, and elsewhere in
the body.
As public servants, we have given our word to do everything we can to
protect the public interest. We are sorely lacking in Federal efforts
to increase awareness and education about Lyme disease. Every year
since 1998, legislation similar to H.R. 741 has been introduced in the
House, and we have failed to act.
I urge every member to educate themselves on the Lyme statistics in
their home state and take a close look at H.R. 741.
For those Members who sit on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on
Health, I urge you to step forward and act to see that this bill is
reported out of committee before the House completes its legislative
business for the 110th Congress.
For the House leadership, I urge that this bill be placed on the
calendar now for action. If we can spend time loading up the suspension
calendar and voting on commemorative anniversaries and naming post
offices, we surely can find time to address legislation that can make a
difference in the lives of Americans.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would just point out that on this and so many other issues it is
amazing to me that the gentleman, who was in the majority for so many
years and had so many opportunities to raise this and other issues, is
somehow now suggesting that the Democrats are boxing it up. You know,
Lyme has been around for a long time. The people concerned about this
issue have been trying to address it for a long time. The bottom line,
as the gentleman knows, it's a very controversial issue. We will
certainly raise it, but he had ample opportunity, the many years that
he was in the majority, to raise it and it just didn't happen.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is
remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oklahoma has 8\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume
to Mr. Wolf.
Mr. WOLF. This is a growing issue. It is becoming a more important
issue and a new issue. If you look at the statistics, it is growing
around the Nation, it is now becoming an epidemic. And so, when I now
see an epidemic taking place in my congressional district, in your
congressional district, through New Jersey, through Connecticut--if you
talk to Senator Dodd, he will tell you--through Massachusetts, all up
and down the east coast, it is time to do something. And so I think it
is time to deal with it.
And I see the gentleman from New Jersey here. You have blocked this
bill
[[Page 22722]]
for a long period of time. And I will tell you, I will not permit you
to block it. And next year, I will offer amendment after amendment
after amendment and do whatever I can to make sure that people who are
impacted by this, to make sure that people who do not even know what
may very well be threatening them will not be threatened.
I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey to also make some comments
about this.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Mr. Wolf for raising this.
I didn't know he was going to be doing it; I just saw him on the
television.
Mr. WOLF. I didn't know I was going to be doing it until I saw the
gentleman, Mr. Pallone, standing up and taking this up on suspension.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. So I appreciate the gentleman yielding.
Let me just say, to clarify the record, this legislation, which would
seek to lay bare the science about Lyme disease, the fact that I
believe we do have an epidemic, the fact that Lyme often go
misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed. It is called ``the great pretender''
because so many people have it and don't know it. It often masquerades
as other kinds of anomalies manifesting in a person's body. And it is
not until it gets to a chronic state--very often causing severe
disability, including neurological damage--that people finally realize
that they have Lyme disease.
There has been, unfortunately, a significant, I believe, cover up of
the fact that chronic Lyme exists. The gentleman knows, we have asked
him repeatedly, the gentleman from New Jersey, my good friend, Mr.
Pallone, this legislation has been pending in his subcommittee. He told
Pat Smith--no relation to me--who runs a Lyme disease association, that
this would get a hearing and would be marked up. It has not been marked
up. And meanwhile, this epidemic is growing--it is exploding.
Now, let me just say for the enlightenment of my colleagues; the
Infectious Disease Society of America, which creates--and often does a
very laudable job--the definitions, the parameters of what constitutes
a certain disease, has looked at Lyme and said that chronic Lyme does
not exist. Many of us have raised serious concerns about that because
of what we believe to be conflicts of interest on the part of the panel
members that made up the Lyme panel.
I would note parenthetically that Chris Dodd is the prime sponsor of
the comparison legislation that I've introduced on the House side. We
have worked cooperatively on the legislation, so we have a companion
bill on the Senate side. The legislation has over 110--I think it's
112--cosponsors, totally bipartisan, Democrats and Republicans alike
rallying around this legislation.
The problem with the Infectious Disease Society of America is that
these conflicts of interest, we believe, resulted in the conclusion
that chronic Lyme doesn't exist. We don't know absolutely if that's the
truth, but Attorney General Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut finally
took a look at this and came back with a scathing insightful report
that there were conflicts of interest. The red flag should go up
everywhere.
What does my legislation do? As Mr. Pallone knows, the legislation
does not prescribe a protocol, as he has suggested. It simply calls for
an advisory committee that would take a good, long look at Lyme disease
and determine what is fact and fiction, and finally, for the sake of
all of those who are suffering immensely from this disease and their
families, say what we need to be doing to mitigate and hopefully stop
the spread of Lyme, whether it be long-term and very heavy antibiotic
treatment--which I believe probably is the case based on clinical
practitioners who have suggested that to be the case--but we want an
honest look.
As Mr. Pallone knows, we did not get an honest look from the
Infectious Disease Society of America. And I find that appalling.
Conflict of interest with insurance companies has no place in modern
medicine. And regrettably, and it has been--again, the full weight of
the Attorney General's report clearly suggests, Richard Blumenthal of
Connecticut, that there were significant conflicts of interest on the
part of the panel members.
Our legislation says let's go where the science takes us. If the
science says chronic Lyme exists, then all those patients and the
insurance companies which need to be providing the coverage, to get the
medicines and the like, like antibiotics--because what has happened, as
my friend knows, because of this exclusion of chronic Lyme due to a
problem in definition, the insurance companies say we don't have to
pay. So when a patient presents with a bill of $100,000 or some
excessive amount of money, the insurance companies say, not us, tough
luck, we're not going to pay for it. And they go right back to what I
believe to be a false definition that precludes chronic Lyme as a
condition.
Now, you might think that chronic Lyme doesn't exist, I say to my
friend, the chairman, but let's go where the science takes us. We need
this advisory committee and we need it now. All points of view, as our
legislation clearly suggests, has to be a part of this group. We want a
robust debate, not something that is engineered by insurance companies.
Finally, the legislation would authorize $100 million over 5 years,
$20 million each year. Frankly, if that drops off due to opposition to
new authorization, and is only an authorization, I would like to see it
go forward nevertheless, know this however, we're not spending enough
on Lyme.
And Lyme is, as Mr. Wolf said so aptly, growing exponentially. CDC
admits we are missing most of the cases. As many as 90 percent of the
cases go unreported. Our state, Mr. Pallone, as you know, is number
three in prevalence according to CDC numbers, and even that is probably
very much understated in terms of the actual prevalence of Lyme
disease.
So I would make the appeal again, as I have made to my friend from
New Jersey, as I have made to Mr. Dingell, as I have made to Mr. Barton
and everyone else, this legislation ought to be on this floor and it
ought to be on the floor today. It is truly bipartisan. There ought to
be a consensus to go where the science takes us. And again, an advisory
committee, a Blue Ribbon panel that would be configured under this
legislation would finally end, hopefully, this contentious debate and
tell us what it is and what it is not.
I have known dozens of people who have had chronic Lyme. Now, you
might say it doesn't exist, the Infectious Disease Society says it
doesn't exist. These victims suffer from the spirochete, and have
suffered neurological damage, severe joint damage, and many, many other
problems.
There is a new book called ``Cure Unknown'' that I would recommend to
the House. I read it in one sitting because it is so incisive in
finally breaking through the fog on this disease. People are walking
around with Lyme and they don't even know it.
We need to bring the forces to bear of the U.S. Government that an
advisory committee of this kind would do a Blue Ribbon panel, a 9/11-
type panel of scientists, of the best people we can put together to
say, put aside the egregiously flawed Infectious Diseases Society of
America's finding, which Blumenthal said was riddled with conflict of
interest--and I urge Members to read Blumenthal's opinion, I will put
it in the Record so Members can read it--his findings were,
``atrocious, conflict of interest everywhere.''
This legislation ought to be on the floor and it ought to be on the
floor today.
Office of the Attorney General,
Hartford, Connecticut, May 1, 2008.
Attorney General's Investigation Reveals Flawed Lyme Disease Guideline
Process, IDSA Agrees To Reassess Guidelines, Install Independent
Arbiter
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that
his antitrust investigation has uncovered serious flaws in
the Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) process
for writing its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and the IDSA has
agreed to reassess them with the assistance of an outside
arbiter.
The IDSA guidelines have sweeping and significant impacts
on Lyme disease medical care. They are commonly applied by
nsurance companies in restricting coverage
[[Page 22723]]
for long-term antibiotic treatment or other medical care and
also strongly influence physician treatment decisions.
Insurance companies have denied coverage for long-term
antibiotic treatment relying on these guidelines as
justification. The guidelines are also widely cited for
conclusions that chronic Lyme disease is nonexistent.
``This agreement vindicates my investigation--finding
undisclosed financial interests and forcing a reassessment of
IDSA guidelines,'' Blumenthal said. ``My office uncovered
undisclosed financial interests held by several of the most
powerful IDSA panelists. The IDSA's guideline panel
improperly ignored or minimized consideration of alternative
medical opinion and evidence regarding chronic Lyme disease,
potentially raising serious questions about whether the
recommendations reflected all relevant science.
``The IDSA's Lyme guideline process lacked important
procedural safeguards requiring complete reevaluation of the
2006 Lyme disease guidelines--in effect a comprehensive
reassessment through a new panel. The new panel will accept
and analyze all evidence, including divergent opinion. An
independent neutral ombudsman--expert in medical ethics and
conflicts of interest, selected by both the IDSA and my
office--will assess the new panel for conflicts of interests
and ensure its integrity.''
Blumenthal's findings include the following: The IDSA
failed to conduct a conflicts of interest review for any of
the panelists prior to their appointment to the 2006 Lyme
disease guideline panel;
Subsequent disclosures demonstrate that several of the 2006
Lyme disease panelists had conflicts of interest;
The IDSA failed to follow its own procedures for appointing
the 2006 panel chairman and members, enabling the chairman,
who held a bias regarding the existence of chronic Lyme, to
handpick a likeminded panel without scrutiny by or formal
approval of the IDSA's oversight committee;
The IDSA's 2000 and 2006 Lyme disease panels refused to
accept or meaningfully consider information regarding the
existence of chronic Lyme disease, once removing a panelist
from the 2000 panel who dissented from the group's position
on chronic Lyme disease to achieve ``consensus'';
The IDSA blocked appointment of scientists and physicians
with divergent views on chronic Lyme who sought to serve on
the 2006 guidelines panel by informing them that the panel
was fully staffed, even though it was later expanded;
The IDSA portrayed another medical association's Lyme
disease guidelines as corroborating its own when it knew that
the two panels shared several authors, including the chairmen
of both groups, and were working on guidelines at the same
time. In allowing its panelists to serve on both groups at
the same time, IDSA violated its own conflicts of interest
policy.
IDSA has reached an agreement with Blumenthal's office
calling for creation of a review panel to thoroughly
scrutinize the 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and update or
revise them if necessary. The panel--comprised of individuals
without conflicts of interest--will comprehensively review
medical and scientific evidence and hold a scientific hearing
to provide a forum for additional evidence. It will then
determine whether each recommendation in 2006 Lyme disease
guidelines is justified by the evidence or needs revision or
updating.
Blumenthal added, ``The IDSA's 2006 Lyme disease guideline
panel undercut its credibility by allowing individuals with
financial interests--in drug companies, Lyme disease
diagnostic tests, patents and consulting arrangements with
insurance companies--to exclude divergent medical evidence
and opinion. In today's healthcare system, clinical practice
guidelines have tremendous influence on the marketing of
medical services and products, insurance reimbursements and
treatment decisions. As a result, medical societies that
publish such guidelines have a legal and moral duty to use
exacting safeguards and scientific standards.
``Our investigation was always about the IDSA's guidelines
process--not the science. IDSA should be recognized for its
cooperation and agreement to address the serious concerns
raised by my office. Our agreement with IDSA ensures that a
new, conflicts-free panel will collect and review all
pertinent information, reassess each recommendation and make
necessary changes.
``This Action Plan--incorporating a conflicts screen by an
independent neutral expert and a public hearing to receive
additional evidence--can serve as a model for all medical
organizations and societies that publish medical guidelines.
This review should strengthen the public's confidence in such
critical standards.''
THE GUIDELINE REVIEW PROCESS
Under its agreement with the Attorney General's Office, the
IDSA will create a review panel of eight to 12 members, none
of who served on the 2006 IDSA guideline panel. The IDSA must
conduct an open application process and consider all
applicants.
The agreement calls for the ombudsman selected by
Blumenthal's office and the IDSA to ensure that the review
panel and its chairperson are free of conflicts of interest.
Blumenthal and IDSA agreed to appoint Dr. Howard A. Brody
as the ombudsman. Dr. Brody is a recognized expert and author
on medical ethics and conflicts of interest and the director
of the Institute for Medical Humanities at the University of
Texas Medical Branch. Brody authored the book, ``Hooked:
Ethics, the Medical Profession and the Pharmaceutical
Industry.''
To assure that the review panel obtains divergent
information, the panel will conduct an open scientific
hearing at which it will hear scientific and medical
presentations from interested parties. The agreement requires
the hearing to be broadcast live to the public on the
Internet via the IDSA's website. The Attorney General's
Office, Dr. Brody and the review panel will together finalize
the list of presenters at the hearing.
Once it has collected information from its review and open
hearing, the panel will assess the information and determine
whether the data and evidence supports each of the
recommendations in the 2006 Lyme disease guidelines.
The panel will then vote on each recommendation in the
IDSA's 2006 Lyme disease guidelines on whether it is
supported by the scientific evidence. At least 75 percent of
panel members must vote to sustain each recommendation or it
will be revised.
Once the panel has acted on each recommendation, it will
have three options: make no changes, modify the guidelines in
part or replace them entirely.
The panel's final report will be published on the IDSA's
website.
ADDITIONAL FINDINGS OF BLUMENTHAL'S INVESTIGATION
IDSA convened panels in 2000 and 2006 to research and
publish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme
disease. Blumenthal's office found that the IDSA disregarded
a 2000 panel member who argued that chronic and persistent
Lyme disease exists. The 2000 panel pressured the panelist to
conform to the group consensus and removed him as an author
when he refused.
IDSA sought to portray a second set of Lyme disease
guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
as independently corroborating its findings. In fact, IDSA
knew that the two panels shared key members, including the
respective panel chairmen and were working on both sets of
guidelines at the same time--a violation of IDSA's conflicts
of interest policy.
The resulting IDSA and AAN guidelines not only reached the
same conclusions regarding the non-existence of chronic Lyme
disease, their reasoning at times used strikingly similar
language. Both entities, for example, dubbed symptoms
persisting after treatment ``Post-Lyme Syndrome'' and defined
it the same way.
When IDSA learned of the improper links between its panel
and the AAN's panel, instead of enforcing its conflict of
interest policy, it aggressively sought the AAN's endorsement
to ``strengthen'' its guidelines' impact. The AAN panel--
particularly members who also served on the IDSA panel--
worked equally hard to win AAN's backing of IDSA's
conclusions.
The two entities sought to portray each other's guidelines
as separate and independent when the facts call into question
that contention.
The IDSA subsequently cited AAN's supposed independent
corroboration of its findings as part of its attempts to
defeat federal legislation to create a Lyme disease advisory
committee and state legislation supporting antibiotic therapy
for chronic Lyme disease.
In a step that the British Medical Journal deemed
``unusual,'' the IDSA included in its Lyme guidelines a
statement calling them ``voluntary'' with ``the ultimate
determination of their application to be made by the
physician in light of each patient's individual
circumstances.'' In fact, United Healthcare, Health Net, Blue
Cross of California, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and other
insurers have used the guidelines as justification to deny
reimbursement for long-term antibiotic treatment.
Blumenthal thanked members of his office who worked on the
investigation--Assistant Attorney General Thomas Ryan, former
Assistant Attorney General Steven Rutstein and Paralegal
Lorraine Measer under the direction of Assistant Attorney
General Michael Cole, Chief of the Attorney General's
Antitrust Department.
Congress of the United States,
Washington, DC, May 18, 2007.
Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr.,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy
and Commerce, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Pallone: As co-chairs of the congressional
L.yme Disease Caucus, we are writing to respectfully request
that you mark-up and report H.R. 741 or find a suitable
legislative vehicle to attach significant provisions of this
desperately needed legislation.
H.R. 741, the ``Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention,
Education, and Research Act of 2007,'' would work toward
goals for the prevention, accurate diagnosis, and effective
treatment of Lyme disease and would authorize an increase in
total research and education funding of $20 million per year
over 5 years. The bill contains numerous measures to help
ensure that resources are expended
[[Page 22724]]
effectively to provide the most benefit to people with Lyme
and other tick-borne diseases.
Introduced in January, this legislation currently has 77
bipartisan co-sponsors. It is supported by more than 60 Lyme
disease organizations across the country. This legislation
holds the promise to significantly improve the lives of the
large numbers of Americans living with Lyme, as well as other
tick-borne diseases, and their families and friends.
Lyme is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the
United States today. More than 220,000 Americans develop Lyme
each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention (CDC), only 10 percent of cases that meet its
surveillance criteria are reported. Cases that fall outside
the surveillance criteria are not even considered anywhere
statistically.
If not diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease can lead
to chronic illness and can affect every system in the body,
including the central nervous system and cardiac systems.
Later symptoms of Lyme disease include arthritis,
neurological problems, such as facial paralysis,
encephalopathy, memory problems, weakness of the extremities,
seizures, heart block and inflammation of the heart muscle,
and even blindness.
In recent years, Lyme disease has continued an upward trend
in endemic areas and also has expanded into more areas.
Reported Lyme cases increase, by 100 percent from 1992 to
2004 according to CDC. Currently, all states except Montana
have reported cases of Lyme disease. It even has been
reported that Montana residents have gone outside of the
State and tested positive for Lyme). It is far more common
than all other insect-borne diseases. Now other diseases are
being carried by the same ticks: babesiosis, naplasmosis,
encephalitis, perhaps bartonelliosis.
While the emergence of Lyme disease in the Northeastern and
mid-Atlantic states has been linked to reforestation, climate
change also is an infuencing factor. According to a November
2005 report by the Center for Health and the Global
Environment at the Harvard Medical School, ``Climate Change
Futures: Health Ecological and Economic Dimensions,'' Lyme
disease is spreading in North America and Europe as winters
warm, . . ..'' In areas where Lyme disease is already
present, warming temperatures may increase the density of
ticks by increasing off-host survival.
Over the past decade and with the increase in Lyme cases,
problems with diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease have
become much more visible--affecting larger numbers of people
over longer periods of time. We have become increasing
concerned with reports of patients who go long periods of
time before getting a definitive diagnosis due to the lack of
a gold standard diagnostic test and who received delayed or
inappropriate treatment because of the lack of treating
physicians nationwide and lack of physician education. Many
patients lose their jobs and must apply for disability.
In consideration of these conditions the Federal investment
in Lyme is surprisingly small--$5.4 million at CDC and $24
million at NIH in FY 2006, actual reductions at both agencies
since 2004. While funding levels are a means to an end, the
ultimate goal is to put an end to patients having their
illnesses and disabilities greatly exacerbated by the lack of
accurate diagnostics and effective treatments. H.R. 741
addresses this goal by directing HHS to work toward
development of a sensitive and accurate diagnostic test
improved surveillance and prevention and clinical outcomes
research to determine the long-term course of illness and the
effectiveness of treatments. In addition, the bill would
establish a Tick-Borne Disease Advisory Committee to ensure
communication and coordination among federal agencies,
medical professionals, and patients/patient advocates. The
Lyme conmunity has been seeking this voice for a decade.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we know
that you share our commitment to significantly improve the
health outlook for all citizens of this country, including
the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have experienced
or will experience the too common occurrence of being bitten
by Ivodes scapularis, the deer tick or black legged tick, and
contracting Lyme disease. Now Amblvomma americanum, the lone
star tick, is rapidly spreading throughout the country from
its former more southern habitat, and states in the northeast
are beginning to feel its impact as it spreads STARI, a Lyme
like illness with the same symptoms as Lyme disease. It also
carries Ehrliehiosis or tularemia. Scientists are saying that
this lone star is aggressive and will pursue people from 30
feet away, not like the deer tick which wants for its prey
sitting on vegetation.
To enure that these necessary goals are not lost, we
respectfully request that you shcedule for a mark-up the Lyme
and tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research
Act of 2007 H.R. 741. If you have any questions on this
matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Christopher H. Smith,
Member of Congress.
Tim Holden,
Member of Congress.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time from the gentleman from Oklahoma
has expired.
The gentleman from New Jersey has 16 minutes remaining.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might
consume.
First of all, I want to say to the gentleman from New Jersey, he has
made a lot of statements about my views on this subject which are
simply not true, and I do not appreciate them.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no intention of yielding to the
gentleman because of the disrespect that he has shown.
Now, secondly, let me also say this: I do appreciate the fact that
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has, on several occasions, come
up to me in the last few months and talked to me about this
legislation. And we've had very reasoned conversations about the
legislation. But I will also point out that the gentleman from New
Jersey has not. The gentleman from New Jersey has not spoken to me at
all about this legislation, and certainly not, in my recollection, in
the last year. So if he felt it was so important, the way the gentleman
from Virginia did, and has, he certainly had many opportunities to come
up to me and talk to me about it. He has not. And I see the gentleman
from New Jersey all the time--on the floor, at home, on various
occasions. He has not spoken to me.
So I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia for at least saying
that he has taken the time, had some reasoned discussions about it.
That is not true of my colleague from New Jersey, which is why I deeply
resent the fact that he's on the floor here today talking about it
because it is the first time I recollect him ever talking to me about
it.
Now, let me say a few other things. First of all, as far as the
science is concerned, the science is in the Infectious Diseases Society
and the CDC, not with the Attorney General and some political
grandstanding that he's doing in Connecticut, nor with my colleague
from New Jersey who is grandstanding here today.
I am very concerned about Lyme disease. I have been working with the
CDC to address the issue. We are awaiting answers from the agency on
how best to address this. I have, in fact, talked to many of my
constituents about this, even though my own colleague hasn't talked to
me about it from New Jersey.
And I also would like to say this: As far as the Infectious Diseases
Association, they basically are the majority opinion. Many doctors,
including my neighbors who are physicians in my hometown, very much
agree with the Infectious Diseases Society and don't think that this
should be treated with these antibiotics for a long period of time
because they're concerned about the impact on people and whether they
would be seriously injured or even die from the antibiotics.
There is a lot of controversy that involves this issue. It is very
involved and it is very controversial. It shouldn't be considered today
on a consent calendar. And that was the only point I was trying to make
for my colleague from Virginia, that we need to have hearings. And we
will have hearings on the issue in general, and we can include this
bill as part of that in the next session. But to bring this up today on
the consent calendar when they know very well that there is not
agreement on this and we couldn't possibly get a UC or have this on the
suspension calendar, it's really very upsetting, and particularly
coming from my colleague from New Jersey, who has never talked to me
about this at all.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I support S. 3560, the ``QI Supplemental
Funding Act of 2008''. The Qualified Individuals Program (QI) is a
program within Medicaid that helps low-income seniors and individuals
with disabilities pay their Medicare Part B premium. The Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 extended the
funding for the QI program through December 2009.
Projections, however, regarding the amount of funding necessary to
ensure continuation of this program through next year were incorrect.
Without Congressional action to add an additional $45 million to the QI
program, seniors
[[Page 22725]]
and individuals with disabilities who have an income as low as $12,500
will be in jeopardy of losing this needed assistance.
The cost of this provision is fully offset with a provision that
requires States to improve their Medicaid eligibility determinations by
using the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS)
interstate match. PARIS helps States share information regarding public
assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF), Food Stamps, and Medicaid, to identify individuals or families
who may be receiving benefit payments in more than one State.
Similarly, S. 3560 includes a clarification to ensure that the
Medicaid Integrity Program created in the Deficit Reduction Act of
2005, to operate as intended. The Medicaid Integrity Program performs
audits and educates providers, Federal and State employees, and others
on payment integrity and quality of care initiatives. The provision
would allow for Federal reimbursement of state employees for these
program integrity initiatives.
Finally, this package includes a provision which states that any
antibiotic that was the subject of an application submitted to the Food
and Drug Administration, but was not approved, can get the three-year
and/or five-year ``Hatch/Waxman exclusivity'' or a patent term
extension.
I urge all my colleagues in the House to vote in favor of S. 3560.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 3560.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
{time} 1345
PAUL D. WELLSTONE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH,
AND EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 2008
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5265) to amend the Public Health Service
Act to provide for research with respect to various forms of muscular
dystrophy, including Becker, congenital, distal, Duchenne, Emery-
Dreifuss facioscapulohumeral, limb-girdle, myotonic, and
oculopharyngeal, muscular dystrophies, with a Senate amendment thereto,
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
Motion Offered by Mr. Pallone
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Pallone of New Jersey moves that the House concur in
the Senate amendment to H.R. 5265.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Muscular
Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education
Amendments of 2008''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND COORDINATION OF
ACTIVITIES OF NIH WITH RESPECT TO RESEARCH ON
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY.
(a) Technical Correction.--Section 404E of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 283g) is amended by striking
subsection (f) (relating to reports to Congress) and
redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f).
(b) Amendments.--Section 404E of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 283g) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,'' after ``the Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development,'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end of the
following: ``Such centers of excellence shall be known as the
`Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research
Centers'.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Clinical Research.--The Coordinating Committee may
evaluate the potential need to enhance the clinical research
infrastructure required to test emerging therapies for the
various forms of muscular dystrophy by prioritizing the
achievement of the goals related to this topic in the plan
under subsection (e)(1).''.
SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES OF CDC WITH
RESPECT TO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON MUSCULAR
DYSTROPHY.
Section 317Q of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
247b-18) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Data.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
may ensure that any data on patients that is collected as
part of the Muscular Dystrophy STARnet (under a grant under
this section) is regularly updated to reflect changes in
patient condition over time.
``(e) Reports and Study.--
``(1) Annual report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular
Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education
Amendments of 2008, and annually thereafter, the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall submit
to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report--
``(A) concerning the activities carried out by MD STARnet
site funded under this section during the year for which the
report is prepared;
``(B) containing the data collected and findings derived
from the MD STARnet sites each fiscal year (as funded under a
grant under this section during fiscal years 2008 through
2012); and
``(C) that every 2 years outlines prospective data
collection objectives and strategies.
``(2) Tracking health outcomes.--The Secretary may provide
health outcome data on the health and survival of people with
muscular dystrophy.''.
SEC. 4. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
Section 5 of the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance,
Research and Education Amendments of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 247b-19)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may--
``(1) partner with leaders in the muscular dystrophy
patient community;
``(2) cooperate with professional organizations and the
patient community in the development and issuance of care
considerations for Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy, and
other forms of muscular dystrophy, and in periodic review and
updates, as appropriate; and
``(3) widely disseminate the Duchenne-Becker muscular
dystrophy and other forms of muscular dystrophy care
considerations as broadly as possible, including through
partnership opportunities with the muscular dystrophy patient
community.''.
The motion was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill just passed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
____________________
AMERICAN PHARMACISTS MONTH
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the
resolution (H. Res. 1437) expressing support for designation of the
month of October as ``American Pharmacists Month'' and expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that all people in the United
States should join in celebrating our Nation's pharmacists for their
contributions to the health and well-being of our citizens, and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1437
Whereas the United States is recognized globally as a hub
of medical research and advances, where many diseases once
correctly considered fatal now can be treated through
sophisticated medical interventions including powerful
medications;
Whereas we are at an unprecedented period in our history, a
period when medication therapy is the treatment of choice for
an ever-growing range of medical conditions, and the use of
medication as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive
medical procedures is becoming a major force in moderating
overall health care costs;
Whereas many chronic health conditions can be managed so
that individuals are able to lead more vital, productive, and
satisfying lives;
Whereas with the complexity of medication therapy, it is
critically important that all users of prescription and
nonprescription
[[Page 22726]]
medications, or their caregivers, be knowledgeable about and
share responsibility for their own medication therapy;
Whereas more individuals are using powerful prescription
medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products along with
dietary supplements, herbals, and other products requiring
patients to have a partner on their health care team to help
navigate the complexities of using medications safely and
effectively;
Whereas pharmacists, the medication experts on the health
care team, are working collaboratively with patients,
caregivers, and other health professionals to improve
medication use and advance patient care in a myriad of
settings;
Whereas pharmacists are improving health care in community
pharmacies, hospitals and health systems, nursing homes and
hospice centers, health plans, and in patient's own homes, as
well as in the uniformed services, the government, and in
research and academic settings;
Whereas while many people in the United States are
concerned about the costs of their medications, the most
expensive medication is the one that does not work as
intended or is taken incorrectly, and billions of health care
dollars are lost each year due to ineffective use of
medications;
Whereas pharmacy is one of the oldest of the health
professions concerned with the health and well-being of all
people, and today, there are more than 254,000 licensed
pharmacists in the United States providing services to assure
the rational and safe use of all medications; and
Whereas as medication therapy management improves the
health outcomes of millions of people in the United States
each year, the role of the pharmacist only strengthens in
importance, and by consulting with physicians and other
prescribers, providing proper medications, and helping
patients understand their medications, pharmacists improve
our health care system and save lives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``American Pharmacists
Month'' with the theme ``Know Your Medicine/Know Your
Pharmacist'', encouraging people in the United States to
identify a pharmacist as their own, to introduce themselves
to that pharmacist, and to open a dialogue by asking
questions;
(2) urges all citizens to celebrate America's pharmacists
for their contributions to the health and well-being of our
citizens and hereby support the designation of ``American
Pharmacists Month''; and
(3) urges all citizens to acknowledge the valuable
contributions made by pharmacists in providing safe,
affordable, and beneficial medication therapy management
services and products to the people of this Nation.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill just passed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
____________________
MERCURY EXPORT BAN ACT OF 2008
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 906) to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and
export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 906
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mercury Export Ban Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) mercury is highly toxic to humans, ecosystems, and
wildlife;
(2) as many as 10 percent of women in the United States of
childbearing age have mercury in the blood at a level that
could put a baby at risk;
(3) as many as 630,000 children born annually in the United
States are at risk of neurological problems related to
mercury;
(4) the most significant source of mercury exposure to
people in the United States is ingestion of mercury-
contaminated fish;
(5) the Environmental Protection Agency reports that, as of
2004--
(A) 44 States have fish advisories covering over 13,000,000
lake acres and over 750,000 river miles;
(B) in 21 States the freshwater advisories are statewide;
and
(C) in 12 States the coastal advisories are statewide;
(6) the long-term solution to mercury pollution is to
minimize global mercury use and releases to eventually
achieve reduced contamination levels in the environment,
rather than reducing fish consumption since uncontaminated
fish represents a critical and healthy source of nutrition
worldwide;
(7) mercury pollution is a transboundary pollutant,
depositing locally, regionally, and globally, and affecting
water bodies near industrial sources (including the Great
Lakes) and remote areas (including the Arctic Circle);
(8) the free trade of elemental mercury on the world
market, at relatively low prices and in ready supply,
encourages the continued use of elemental mercury outside of
the United States, often involving highly dispersive
activities such as artisinal gold mining;
(9) the intentional use of mercury is declining in the
United States as a consequence of process changes to
manufactured products (including batteries, paints, switches,
and measuring devices), but those uses remain substantial in
the developing world where releases from the products are
extremely likely due to the limited pollution control and
waste management infrastructures in those countries;
(10) the member countries of the European Union
collectively are the largest source of elemental mercury
exports globally;
(11) the European Commission has proposed to the European
Parliament and to the Council of the European Union a
regulation to ban exports of elemental mercury from the
European Union by 2011;
(12) the United States is a net exporter of elemental
mercury and, according to the United States Geological
Survey, exported 506 metric tons of elemental mercury more
than the United States imported during the period of 2000
through 2004; and
(13) banning exports of elemental mercury from the United
States will have a notable effect on the market availability
of elemental mercury and switching to affordable mercury
alternatives in the developing world.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON SALE, DISTRIBUTION, OR TRANSFER OF
ELEMENTAL MERCURY.
Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2605) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Mercury.--
``(1) Prohibition on sale, distribution, or transfer of
elemental mercury by federal agencies.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), effective beginning on the date of enactment
of this subsection, no Federal agency shall convey, sell, or
distribute to any other Federal agency, any State or local
government agency, or any private individual or entity any
elemental mercury under the control or jurisdiction of the
Federal agency.
``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
``(A) a transfer between Federal agencies of elemental
mercury for the sole purpose of facilitating storage of
mercury to carry out this Act; or
``(B) a conveyance, sale, distribution, or transfer of
coal.
``(3) Leases of federal coal.--Nothing in this subsection
prohibits the leasing of coal.''.
SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON EXPORT OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY.
Section 12 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2611) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``subsection (b)'' and
inserting ``subsections (b) and (c)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Prohibition on Export of Elemental Mercury.--
``(1) Prohibition.--Effective January 1, 2013, the export
of elemental mercury from the United States is prohibited.
``(2) Inapplicability of subsection (a).--Subsection (a)
shall not apply to this subsection.
``(3) Report to congress on mercury compounds.--
``(A) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, the
Administrator shall publish and submit to Congress a report
on mercuric chloride, mercurous chloride or calomel, mercuric
oxide, and other mercury compounds, if any, that may
currently be used in significant quantities in products or
processes. Such report shall include an analysis of--
``(i) the sources and amounts of each of the mercury
compounds imported into the United States or manufactured in
the United States annually;
``(ii) the purposes for which each of these compounds are
used domestically, the amount of these compounds currently
consumed annually for each purpose, and the estimated amounts
to be consumed for each purpose in 2010 and beyond;
``(iii) the sources and amounts of each mercury compound
exported from the United States annually in each of the last
three years;
[[Page 22727]]
``(iv) the potential for these compounds to be processed
into elemental mercury after export from the United States;
and
``(v) other relevant information that Congress should
consider in determining whether to extend the export
prohibition to include one or more of these mercury
compounds.
``(B) Procedure.--For the purpose of preparing the report
under this paragraph, the Administrator may utilize the
information gathering authorities of this title, including
sections 10 and 11.
``(4) Essential use exemption.--(A) Any person residing in
the United States may petition the Administrator for an
exemption from the prohibition in paragraph (1), and the
Administrator may grant by rule, after notice and opportunity
for comment, an exemption for a specified use at an
identified foreign facility if the Administrator finds that--
``(i) nonmercury alternatives for the specified use are not
available in the country where the facility is located;
``(ii) there is no other source of elemental mercury
available from domestic supplies (not including new mercury
mines) in the country where the elemental mercury will be
used;
``(iii) the country where the elemental mercury will be
used certifies its support for the exemption;
``(iv) the export will be conducted in such a manner as to
ensure the elemental mercury will be used at the identified
facility as described in the petition, and not otherwise
diverted for other uses for any reason;
``(v) the elemental mercury will be used in a manner that
will protect human health and the environment, taking into
account local, regional, and global human health and
environmental impacts;
``(vi) the elemental mercury will be handled and managed in
a manner that will protect human health and the environment,
taking into account local, regional, and global human health
and environmental impacts; and
``(vii) the export of elemental mercury for the specified
use is consistent with international obligations of the
United States intended to reduce global mercury supply, use,
and pollution.
``(B) Each exemption issued by the Administrator pursuant
to this paragraph shall contain such terms and conditions as
are necessary to minimize the export of elemental mercury and
ensure that the conditions for granting the exemption will be
fully met, and shall contain such other terms and conditions
as the Administrator may prescribe. No exemption granted
pursuant to this paragraph shall exceed three years in
duration and no such exemption shall exceed 10 metric tons of
elemental mercury.
``(C) The Administrator may by order suspend or cancel an
exemption under this paragraph in the case of a violation
described in subparagraph (D).
``(D) A violation of this subsection or the terms and
conditions of an exemption, or the submission of false
information in connection therewith, shall be considered a
prohibited act under section 15, and shall be subject to
penalties under section 16, injunctive relief under section
17, and citizen suits under section 20.
``(5) Consistency with trade obligations.--Nothing in this
subsection affects, replaces, or amends prior law relating to
the need for consistency with international trade
obligations.
``(6) Export of coal.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to prohibit the export of coal.''.
SEC. 5. LONG-TERM STORAGE.
(a) Designation of Facility.--
(1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2010, the
Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the
``Secretary'') shall designate a facility or facilities of
the Department of Energy, which shall not include the Y-12
National Security Complex or any other portion or facility of
the Oak Ridge Reservation of the Department of Energy, for
the purpose of long-term management and storage of elemental
mercury generated within the United States.
(2) Operation of facility.--Not later than January 1, 2013,
the facility designated in paragraph (1) shall be operational
and shall accept custody, for the purpose of long-term
management and storage, of elemental mercury generated within
the United States and delivered to such facility.
(b) Fees.--
(1) In general.--After consultation with persons who are
likely to deliver elemental mercury to a designated facility
for long-term management and storage under the program
prescribed in subsection (a), and with other interested
persons, the Secretary shall assess and collect a fee at the
time of delivery for providing such management and storage,
based on the pro rata cost of long-term management and
storage of elemental mercury delivered to the facility. The
amount of such fees--
(A) shall be made publically available not later than
October 1, 2012;
(B) may be adjusted annually; and
(C) shall be set in an amount sufficient to cover the costs
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Costs.--The costs referred to in paragraph (1)(C) are
the costs to the Department of Energy of providing such
management and storage, including facility operation and
maintenance, security, monitoring, reporting, personnel,
administration, inspections, training, fire suppression,
closure, and other costs required for compliance with
applicable law. Such costs shall not include costs associated
with land acquisition or permitting of a designated facility
under the Solid Waste Disposal Act or other applicable law.
Building design and building construction costs shall only be
included to the extent that the Secretary finds that the
management and storage of elemental mercury accepted under
the program under this section cannot be accomplished without
construction of a new building or buildings.
(c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the end of each
Federal fiscal year, the Secretary shall transmit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate a report on all of the costs incurred in
the previous fiscal year associated with the long-term
management and storage of elemental mercury. Such report
shall set forth separately the costs associated with
activities taken under this section.
(d) Management Standards for a Facility.--
(1) Guidance.--Not later than October 1, 2009, the
Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency and all appropriate State
agencies in affected States, shall make available, including
to potential users of the long-term management and storage
program established under subsection (a), guidance that
establishes procedures and standards for the receipt,
management, and long-term storage of elemental mercury at a
designated facility or facilities, including requirements to
ensure appropriate use of flasks or other suitable shipping
containers. Such procedures and standards shall be protective
of human health and the environment and shall ensure that the
elemental mercury is stored in a safe, secure, and effective
manner. In addition to such procedures and standards,
elemental mercury managed and stored under this section at a
designated facility shall be subject to the requirements of
the Solid Waste Disposal Act, including the requirements of
subtitle C of that Act, except as provided in subsection
(g)(2) of this section. A designated facility in existence on
or before January 1, 2013, is authorized to operate under
interim status pursuant to section 3005(e) of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act until a final decision on a permit application
is made pursuant to section 3005(c) of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act. Not later than January 1, 2015, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (or an
authorized State) shall issue a final decision on the permit
application.
(2) Training.--The Secretary shall conduct operational
training and emergency training for all staff that have
responsibilities related to elemental mercury management,
transfer, storage, monitoring, or response.
(3) Equipment.--The Secretary shall ensure that each
designated facility has all equipment necessary for routine
operations, emergencies, monitoring, checking inventory,
loading, and storing elemental mercury at the facility.
(4) Fire detection and suppression systems.--The Secretary
shall--
(A) ensure the installation of fire detection systems at
each designated facility, including smoke detectors and heat
detectors; and
(B) ensure the installation of a permanent fire suppression
system, unless the Secretary determines that a permanent fire
suppression system is not necessary to protect human health
and the environment.
(e) Indemnification of Persons Delivering Elemental
Mercury.--
(1) In general.--(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B)
and subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall hold
harmless, defend, and indemnify in full any person who
delivers elemental mercury to a designated facility under the
program established under subsection (a) from and against any
suit, claim, demand or action, liability, judgment, cost, or
other fee arising out of any claim for personal injury or
property damage (including death, illness, or loss of or
damage to property or economic loss) that results from, or is
in any manner predicated upon, the release or threatened
release of elemental mercury as a result of acts or omissions
occurring after such mercury is delivered to a designated
facility described in subsection (a).
(B) To the extent that a person described in subparagraph
(A) contributed to any such release or threatened release,
subparagraph (A) shall not apply.
(2) Conditions.--No indemnification may be afforded under
this subsection unless the person seeking indemnification--
(A) notifies the Secretary in writing within 30 days after
receiving written notice of the claim for which
indemnification is sought;
(B) furnishes to the Secretary copies of pertinent papers
the person receives;
(C) furnishes evidence or proof of any claim, loss, or
damage covered by this subsection; and
(D) provides, upon request by the Secretary, access to the
records and personnel of the person for purposes of defending
or settling the claim or action.
[[Page 22728]]
(3) Authority of secretary.--(A) In any case in which the
Secretary determines that the Department of Energy may be
required to make indemnification payments to a person under
this subsection for any suit, claim, demand or action,
liability, judgment, cost, or other fee arising out of any
claim for personal injury or property damage referred to in
paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may settle or defend, on
behalf of that person, the claim for personal injury or
property damage.
(B) In any case described in subparagraph (A), if the
person to whom the Department of Energy may be required to
make indemnification payments does not allow the Secretary to
settle or defend the claim, the person may not be afforded
indemnification with respect to that claim under this
subsection.
(f) Terms, Conditions, and Procedures.--The Secretary is
authorized to establish such terms, conditions, and
procedures as are necessary to carry out this section.
(g) Effect on Other Law.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
nothing in this section changes or affects any Federal,
State, or local law or the obligation of any person to comply
with such law.
(2) Exception.--(A) Elemental mercury that the Secretary is
storing on a long-term basis shall not be subject to the
storage prohibition of section 3004(j) of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6924(j)). For the purposes of section
3004(j) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, a generator
accumulating elemental mercury destined for a facility
designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for 90 days
or less shall be deemed to be accumulating the mercury to
facilitate proper treatment, recovery, or disposal.
(B) Elemental mercury may be stored at a facility with
respect to which any permit has been issued under section
3005(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6925(c)),
and shall not be subject to the storage prohibition of
section 3004(j) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C.
6924(j)) if--
(i) the Secretary is unable to accept the mercury at a
facility designated by the Secretary under subsection (a) for
reasons beyond the control of the owner or operator of the
permitted facility;
(ii) the owner or operator of the permitted facility
certifies in writing to the Secretary that it will ship the
mercury to the designated facility when the Secretary is able
to accept the mercury; and
(iii) the owner or operator of the permitted facility
certifies in writing to the Secretary that it will not sell,
or otherwise place into commerce, the mercury.
This subparagraph shall not apply to mercury with respect to
which the owner or operator of the permitted facility fails
to comply with a certification provided under clause (ii) or
(iii).
(h) Study.--Not later than July 1, 2014, the Secretary
shall transmit to the Congress the results of a study,
conducted in consultation with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, that--
(1) determines the impact of the long-term storage program
under this section on mercury recycling; and
(2) includes proposals, if necessary, to mitigate any
negative impact identified under paragraph (1).
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
At least 3 years after the effective date of the
prohibition on export of elemental mercury under section
12(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2611(c)), as added by section 4 of this Act, but not later
than January 1, 2017, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall transmit to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a
report on the global supply and trade of elemental mercury,
including but not limited to the amount of elemental mercury
traded globally that originates from primary mining, where
such primary mining is conducted, and whether additional
primary mining has occurred as a consequence of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Maine (Mr. Allen) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) will
each control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maine.
General Leave
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Maine?
There was no objection.
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 906, the Senate companion to my
legislation, the Mercury Export Ban of 2008.
This bill includes several changes that represent a compromise with
the Senate, but at its heart is my legislation that passed with strong
bipartisan support in the Energy and Commerce Committee and by voice
vote on the floor of the House last November.
I want to thank Chairman Dingell, former Chairman Wynn, Ranking
Member Barton and Mr. Shimkus for the work they have done on this
legislation. I also want to express my gratitude to Senators Obama and
Murkowski for introducing this legislation on the Senate side and to
Senator Boxer for her efforts. I would also like to thank Jim Bradley
of my staff for all his hard work on this bill. Upon its passage today,
this bill will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
It is a well-established fact that mercury is a powerful neurotoxin,
harmful at even low levels of exposure. Mercury is harmful whether it
is inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Once exposed to
water, elemental mercury is transformed to methylmercury, which is
highly toxic and which has a tendency to bio-accumulate in both fish
and humans who eat the fish.
Very young children with developing nervous systems are particularly
at risk. In addition, pregnant mothers who are exposed to mercury
pollution can transmit mercury to their unborn children, increasing the
chances of miscarriage and birth defects. Mercury can also be found in
high concentrations in women's breast milk.
My bill seeks to combat a large source of mercury pollution
worldwide, namely, the export of elemental mercury from the United
States to developing countries. This mercury is used largely for our
artisanal mining. Exposure occurs when miners handle the mercury. It
enters the water when miners pan for gold and gets into the air through
the smelting process which emits mercury vapor.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme,
approximately 15 million people worldwide, including 4.5 million women
and 1 million children, engage in artisanal mining with mercury,
exposing them to the poisons that mercury produces. Some of this
mercury is exported from the United States. That should be unacceptable
to us.
The export of mercury for artisanal mining harms Americans who are
exposed through the global air transport of mercury pollution or
through the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that as of 2004, 44
States, including my State of Maine, have fish advisories that cover 13
million acres of water and over 75,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Scientists have estimated that up to one-third of U.S. mercury air
pollution has traveled to the U.S. from Asia where mercury pollution is
extensive, including pollution from mercury exported for artisanal
mining.
Much of the fish we eat, including tuna, is imported from off the
coasts of Asian and South American countries where the use of mercury
in artisanal mining is widespread.
The Departments of Defense and Energy are the two largest holders of
mercury in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency has
urged DOE and DOD not to sell its mercury stockpiles due to the serious
human health and environmental risks associated with mercury. DOD and
DOE have agreed. However, that ban is not in law, which is why my bill
prohibits the Federal Government from exporting mercury. In addition,
private companies may still export this poisonous and hazardous
material, which is why this legislation is vital.
The Mercury Export Ban Act before us today is the result of a months-
long stakeholder process on House side that worked to develop a
consensus product. Stakeholders included the Natural Resources Defense
Council, the Environmental Council of the States, the American
Chemistry Council, the Chlorine Institute and the National Mining
Association. There are not many pieces of legislation that move through
this Congress supported by such a diverse group.
The bill prohibits the export of elemental mercury from the United
States and requires DOE to designate a long-term storage facility to
accept mercury from private sector sources,
[[Page 22729]]
particularly the chlor-alkali industry and the mining industry, when
the export ban in the bill takes effect on January 1, 2013. The bill
does not require that all excess mercury be transferred to DOE, rather
it gives the private sector the option of placing mercury into storage
at DOE. If there is a more practical or more cost-effective private
sector solution, the affected industries are more than welcome to
pursue that option.
DOE will be allowed to charge a fee to recoup the government's cost
of storing this waste. In addition, all applicable and appropriate
environmental laws apply with respect to this facility.
The legislation will allow the chlor-alkali industry to place into
safe storage the roughly 1,500 tons of mercury stockpiled at aging
plants. It will also allow the mining industry to store the
approximately 50 to 100 tons of mercury it generates annually as a
byproduct of our air filtration systems.
The process used to develop this legislation can be a modeled. On a
bipartisan basis, we sat down together. We worked out our differences
and brought interested and affected parties to the table to hammer out
a compromise.
I also want to thank a number of staff on the Energy and Commerce
Committee, including Dick Frandsen, Caroline Ahearn from the majority
staff, along with Ann Strickland, who has now left, as well as Dave
McCarthy and Jerry Couri from the minority staff and Mo Zilly, formerly
of Mr. Shimkus' staff, for their hard work as well.
Mr. Speaker, this is good legislation, and I urge all Members to
support its passage.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, thank you for yielding me the time in
supporting this legislation to reduce mercury exports from the United
States.
I am pleased that this bill has come back to us from the Senate and
want to congratulate all the people who have worked so hard to make
this legislation a reality. This bill is proof that people of all
political stripes can come together for the common good. It is a
shining example of how our process in Congress can work and work well
if given the chance.
Elemental mercury presents a serious American health concern even
when it is mishandled in distant countries. Specifically, this form of
mercury converts into neurotoxic methylmercury that comes back to the
United States in the form of tainted fish and polluted air.
This legislation attempts to break the global transport cycle of
mercury by banning the export of elemental mercury in 2010. It does not
cover coal exports and is not intended to cover fly ash exports from
coal combustion or elemental mercury in manufactured consumer products.
This bill also assures that domestic stocks of elemental mercury,
which are a valuable commodity, have someplace to go. Under the
consensus language we are considering, a safe domestic storage option
will open when the ban commences. Further, the legislation does not
preclude private storage solutions. I am glad that this bill allows
enterprising folks to facilitate good environmental policy.
In addition, I am pleased this bill recognizes that we should not
punish people who do the right thing. Private entities who want to take
advantage of the government-sponsored storage option must pay their
fair share, but they will be indemnified against any environmental
damage after the government takes possession of their mercury. This is
commonsense policy and a key feature of ensuring that the proper
handling and the safe, long-term storage of elemental mercury occurs.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the compromise, bipartisan
legislation. It represents the serious give and take by both parties. I
hope that efforts like this will continue to be more the norm than the
exception throughout this Congress and future ones as well.
I urge my colleagues to support S. 906.
And I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Jersey to address another concern.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I rise in strong support of S. 906, the
Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007.
Mr. Speaker, again, I didn't get a chance when Mr. Pallone was here
to correct the Record. I--we--did contact Congressman Frank Pallone and
Nathan Deal by way of letter on May 18, 2007, and wrote at the time as
cochairs of the Congressional Lyme and Disease Caucus, ``we are writing
to respectfully request that you mark up and report H.R. 741.
``H.R. 741, the `Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education
and Research Act of 2007' would work toward goals for the prevention,
accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment of Lyme disease.''
Then we went on to explain the bill. We pointed out that at the time
we had 77 cosponsors. That is now 112 and it is totally bipartisan and
includes majority leader Steny Hoyer. We also pointed out that Lyme is
the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States today.
More than 220,000 Americans develop Lyme each year. According to the
CDC, only 10 percent of the cases that meet its surveillance criteria
are reported. Cases that fall outside of the surveillance criteria are
not even considered anywhere statistically.
If not diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease can lead to chronic
illness and can affect every system in the body, including the central
nervous system and cardiac system. Later symptoms of Lyme disease
include arthritis, neurological problems such as facial paralysis,
memory problems, extreme weaknesses of the extremities, seizures, heart
block and inflammation and even blindness.
So we sent that back in May 18, 2007. And I say that with respect to
my colleague.
Let me also point out, and I just will read a very small portion of
the statement of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, the attorney
general of Connecticut. And this is his statement.
``Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced,'' and this is
May 1, 2008, ``that his antitrust investigation has uncovered serious
flaws in the Infectious Disease Society of America's process for
writing its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and the IDSA has agreed to
reassess them with the assistance of an outside arbiter.''
``The IDSA guidelines have sweeping,'' this is Blumenthal speaking,
``have sweeping and significant impacts on Lyme disease medical care.
They are commonly applied by insurance companies in restricting
coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment or other medical care and
also strongly influence treatment decisions by physicians.
{time} 1400
``Insurance companies have denied coverage for long-term antibiotic
treatment, relying on those guidelines as justification. The guidelines
are also widely cited for conclusions that chronic Lyme disease is
nonexistent.''
Blumenthal goes on to say: ``This agreement vindicates my
investigation finding undisclosed financial interests and forcing a
reassessment of IDSA's guidelines.''
Blumenthal said: ``My office uncovered undisclosed financial
interests held by several,'' several, ``of the most powerful IDSA
panelists. The IDSA's guideline panel improperly ignored or minimized
consideration of alternative medical opinion and evidence regarding
chronic Lyme disease, potentially raising serious questions about
whether the recommendations reflected all relevant science. The IDSA's
Lyme disease guideline process lacked important procedural safeguards
requiring complete reevaluation of its 06 Lyme disease guideline, in
effect a comprehensive reassessment through a new panel.''
Blumenthal, and I will put this in the Record, talks about the
conflicts of interest with the insurance companies. Again, I would
think this Congress would want to get to the science, find out does
chronic Lyme exists, and whether or not this is indeed a coverup.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Hall) will now control the remainder of the time for the gentleman
from Oklahoma.
[[Page 22730]]
There was no objection.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add to my other remarks about
S. 906, the ``Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008.'' The prohibitions
pertaining to conveyances, sales, or distribution by Federal agencies
contained in Section 3 and the prohibition on exports in Section 4 of
S. 906 apply to ``elemental mercury.'' As the principal sponsor of this
legislation in the House of Representatives I wish to reaffirm the
legislative history and my clear intent that the term ``elemental
mercury'' as used in the bill does not apply to articles, manufactured
consumer products, or other products that contain elemental mercury.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 906.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 6063) to authorize the
programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2009.
TITLE II--EARTH SCIENCE
Sec. 201. Goal.
Sec. 202. Governance of United States Earth Observations activities.
Sec. 203. Decadal survey missions.
Sec. 204. Transitioning experimental research into operational
services.
Sec. 205. Landsat thermal infrared data continuity.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of Glory Mission.
Sec. 207. Plan for disposition of Deep Space Climate Observatory.
Sec. 208. Tornadoes and other severe storms.
TITLE III--AERONAUTICS
Sec. 301. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 302. Environmentally friendly aircraft research and development
initiative.
Sec. 303. Research alignment.
Sec. 304. Research program to determine perceived impact of sonic
booms.
Sec. 305. External review of NASA's aviation safety-related research
programs.
Sec. 306. Aviation weather research plan.
Sec. 307. Funding for research and development activities in support of
other mission directorates.
Sec. 308. Enhancement of grant program on establishment of university-
based centers for research on aviation training.
TITLE IV--EXPLORATION INITIATIVE
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. Reaffirmation of exploration policy.
Sec. 403. Stepping stone approach to exploration.
Sec. 404. Lunar outpost.
Sec. 405. Exploration technology development.
Sec. 406. Exploration risk mitigation plan.
Sec. 407. Exploration crew rescue.
Sec. 408. Participatory exploration.
Sec. 409. Science and exploration.
Sec. 410. Congressional Budget Office report update.
TITLE V--SPACE SCIENCE
Sec. 501. Technology development.
Sec. 502. Provision for future servicing of observatory-class
scientific spacecraft.
Sec. 503. Mars exploration.
Sec. 504. Importance of a balanced science program.
Sec. 505. Suborbital research activities.
Sec. 506. Restoration of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material
production.
Sec. 507. Assessment of impediments to interagency cooperation on space
and Earth science missions.
Sec. 508. Assessment of cost growth.
Sec. 509. Outer planets exploration.
TITLE VI--SPACE OPERATIONS
Subtitle A--International Space Station
Sec. 601. Plan to support operation and utilization of the ISS beyond
fiscal year 2015.
Sec. 602. International Space Station National Laboratory Advisory
Committee.
Sec. 603. Contingency plan for cargo resupply.
Sec. 604. Sense of Congress on use of Space Life Sciences Laboratory at
Kennedy Space Center.
Subtitle B--Space Shuttle
Sec. 611. Space Shuttle flight requirements.
Sec. 612. United States commercial cargo capability status.
Sec. 613. Space Shuttle transition.
Sec. 614. Aerospace skills retention and investment reutilization
report.
Sec. 615. Temporary continuation of coverage of health benefits.
Sec. 616. Accounting report.
Subtitle C--Launch Services
Sec. 621. Launch services strategy.
TITLE VII--EDUCATION
Sec. 701. Response to review.
Sec. 702. External review of explorer schools program.
Sec. 703. Sense of Congress on EarthKAM and robotics competitions.
Sec. 704. Enhancement of educational role of NASA.
TITLE VIII--NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS
Sec. 801. Reaffirmation of policy.
Sec. 802. Findings.
Sec. 803. Requests for information.
Sec. 804. Establishment of policy with respect to threats posed by
near-earth objects.
Sec. 805. Planetary radar capability.
Sec. 806. Arecibo observatory.
Sec. 807. International resources.
TITLE IX--COMMERCIAL INITIATIVES
Sec. 901. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 902. Commercial crew initiative.
TITLE X--REVITALIZATION OF NASA INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES
Sec. 1001. Review of information security controls.
Sec. 1002. Maintenance and upgrade of Center facilities.
Sec. 1003. Assessment of NASA laboratory capabilities.
Sec. 1004. Study and report on project assignment and work allocation
of field centers.
TITLE XI--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 1101. Space weather.
Sec. 1102. Initiation of discussions on development of framework for
space traffic management.
Sec. 1103. Astronaut health care.
Sec. 1104. National Academies decadal surveys.
Sec. 1105. Innovation prizes.
Sec. 1106. Commercial space launch range study.
Sec. 1107. NASA outreach program.
Sec. 1108. Reduction-in-force moratorium.
Sec. 1109. Protection of scientific credibility, integrity, and
communication within NASA.
Sec. 1110. Sense of Congress regarding the need for a robust workforce.
Sec. 1111. Methane inventory.
Sec. 1112. Exception to alternative fuel procurement requirement.
Sec. 1113. Sense of Congress on the importance of the NASA Office of
Program Analysis and Evaluation.
Sec. 1114. Sense of Congress on elevating the importance of space and
aeronautics within the Executive Office of the President.
Sec. 1115. Study on leasing practices of field centers.
Sec. 1116. Cooperative unmanned aerial vehicle activities.
Sec. 1117. Development of enhanced-use lease policy.
Sec. 1118. Sense of Congress with respect to the Michoud Assembly
Facility and NASA's other centers and facilities.
Sec. 1119. Report on U.S. industrial base for launch vehicle engines.
Sec. 1120. Sense of Congress on precursor International Space Station
research.
Sec. 1121. Limitation on funding for conferences.
Sec. 1122. Report on NASA efficiency and performance.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds, on this, the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the following:
(1) NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a
balanced and robust set of core
[[Page 22731]]
missions in science, aeronautics, and human space flight and
exploration.
(2) Investment in NASA's programs will promote innovation
through research and development, and will improve the
competitiveness of the United States.
(3) Investment in NASA's programs, like investments in
other Federal science and technology activities, is an
investment in our future.
(4) Properly structured, NASA's activities can contribute
to an improved quality of life, economic vitality, United
States leadership in peaceful cooperation with other nations
on challenging undertakings in science and technology,
national security, and the advancement of knowledge.
(5) NASA should assume a leadership role in a cooperative
international Earth observations and research effort to
address key research issues associated with climate change
and its impacts on the Earth system.
(6) NASA should undertake a program of aeronautical
research, development, and where appropriate demonstration
activities with the overarching goals of--
(A) ensuring that the Nation's future air transportation
system can handle up to 3 times the current travel demand and
incorporate new vehicle types with no degradation in safety
or adverse environmental impact on local communities;
(B) protecting the environment;
(C) promoting the security of the Nation; and
(D) retaining the leadership of the United States in global
aviation.
(7) Human and robotic exploration of the solar system will
be a significant long-term undertaking of humanity in the
21st century and beyond, and it is in the national interest
that the United States should assume a leadership role in a
cooperative international exploration initiative.
(8) Developing United States human space flight
capabilities to allow independent American access to the
International Space Station, and to explore beyond low Earth
orbit, is a strategically important national imperative, and
all prudent steps should thus be taken to bring the Orion
Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle to
full operational capability as soon as possible and to ensure
the effective development of a United States heavy lift
launch capability for missions beyond low Earth orbit.
(9) NASA's scientific research activities have contributed
much to the advancement of knowledge, provided societal
benefits, and helped train the next generation of scientists
and engineers, and those activities should continue to be an
important priority.
(10) NASA should make a sustained commitment to a robust
long-term technology development activity. Such investments
represent the critically important ``seed corn'' on which
NASA's ability to carry out challenging and productive
missions in the future will depend.
(11) NASA, through its pursuit of challenging and relevant
activities, can provide an important stimulus to the next
generation to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
(12) Commercial activities have substantially contributed
to the strength of both the United States space program and
the national economy, and the development of a healthy and
robust United States commercial space sector should continue
to be encouraged.
(13) It is in the national interest for the United States
to have an export control policy that protects the national
security while also enabling the United States aerospace
industry to compete effectively in the global market place
and the United States to undertake cooperative programs in
science and human space flight in an effective and efficient
manner.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of NASA.
(2) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
(3) NOAA.--The term ``NOAA'' means the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
(4) OSTP.--The term ``OSTP'' means the Office of Science
and Technology Policy.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2009.
There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for fiscal
year 2009 $20,210,000,000, as follows:
(1) For Science, $4,932,200,000, of which--
(A) $1,518,000,000 shall be for Earth Science, including
$29,200,000 for suborbital activities and $2,500,000 for
carrying out section 313 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law
109-155);
(B) $1,483,000,000 shall be for Planetary Science,
including $486,500,000 for the Mars Exploration program,
$2,000,000 to continue planetary radar operations at the
Arecibo Observatory in support of the Near-Earth Object
program, and $5,000,000 for radioisotope material production,
to remain available until expended;
(C) $1,290,400,000 shall be for Astrophysics, including
$27,300,000 for suborbital activities;
(D) $640,800,000 shall be for Heliophysics, including
$50,000,000 for suborbital activities; and
(E) $75,000,000 shall be for Intra-Science Mission
Directorate Technology Development, to be taken on a
proportional basis from the funding subtotals under
subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D).
(2) For Aeronautics, $853,400,000, of which $406,900,000
shall be for system-level research, development, and
demonstration activities related to--
(A) aviation safety;
(B) environmental impact mitigation, including noise,
energy efficiency, and emissions;
(C) support of the Next Generation Air Transportation
System initiative; and
(D) investigation of new vehicle concepts and flight
regimes.
(3) For Exploration, $4,886,000,000, of which--
(A) $3,886,000,000 shall be for baseline exploration
activities, of which $100,000,000 shall be for the activities
under sections 902(a)(4) and 902(d), such funds to remain
available until expended; no less than $1,101,400,000 shall
be for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle; no less than
$1,018,500,000 shall be for Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle; and
$737,800,000 shall be for Advanced Capabilities, including
$106,300,000 for the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (of
which $30,000,000 shall be for the lunar lander mission),
$276,500,000 shall be for International Space Station-related
research and development activities, and $355,000,000 shall
be for research and development activities not related to the
International Space Station; and
(B) $1,000,000,000 shall be available to be used to
accelerate the initial operating capability of the Orion Crew
Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, to
remain available until expended.
(4) For Education, $128,300,000, of which $14,200,000 shall
be for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research and $32,000,000 shall be for the Space Grant
program.
(5) For Space Operations, $6,074,700,000, of which--
(A) $150,000,000 shall be for an additional Space Shuttle
flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the
International Space Station;
(B) $100,000,000 shall be to augment funding for research
utilization of the International Space Station National
Laboratory, to remain available until expended; and
(C) $50,000,000 shall be to augment funding for Space
Operations Mission Directorate reserves and Shuttle
Transition and Retirement activities.
(6) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,299,900,000, of
which $4,000,000 shall be for the program established under
section 1107(a), to remain available until expended.
(7) For Inspector General, $35,500,000.
TITLE II--EARTH SCIENCE
SEC. 201. GOAL.
The goal for NASA's Earth Science program shall be to
pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and
applications activities to better understand the Earth, how
it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability
to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, NASA's Earth
Science program shall ensure that securing practical benefits
for society will be an important measure of its success in
addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth system and
climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, NASA shall,
together with NOAA and other relevant agencies, provide
United States leadership in developing and carrying out a
cooperative international Earth observations-based research
program.
SEC. 202. GOVERNANCE OF UNITED STATES EARTH OBSERVATIONS
ACTIVITIES.
(a) Study.--The Director of OSTP shall consult with NASA,
NOAA, and other relevant agencies with an interest in Earth
observations and enter into an arrangement with the National
Academies for a study to determine the most appropriate
governance structure for United States Earth Observations
programs in order to meet evolving United States Earth
information needs and facilitate United States participation
in global Earth Observations initiatives.
(b) Report.--The Director shall transmit the study to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, and shall provide OSTP's
plan for implementing the study's recommendations not later
than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 203. DECADAL SURVEY MISSIONS.
(a) In General.--The missions recommended in the National
Academies' decadal survey ``Earth Science and Applications
from Space'' provide the basis for a compelling and relevant
program of research and applications, and the Administrator
should work to establish an international cooperative effort
to pursue those missions.
(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall consult with all
agencies referenced in the survey as responsible for
spacecraft missions and prepare a plan for submission to
Congress not later than 270 days after the date of enactment
of this Act that shall describe how NASA intends to implement
the missions recommended for NASA to conduct as described in
subsection (a), whether by means of dedicated NASA missions,
multi-agency missions, international cooperative missions,
data sharing, or commercial data buys, or by means of long-
term technology development to determine whether specific
missions would be executable at a reasonable cost and within
a reasonable schedule.
SEC. 204. TRANSITIONING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INTO
OPERATIONAL SERVICES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that experimental NASA sensors and missions that have the
potential to benefit society if transitioned into operational
monitoring systems be transitioned into operational status
whenever possible.
[[Page 22732]]
(b) Interagency Process.--The Director of OSTP, in
consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of
NOAA, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop a
process to transition, when appropriate, NASA Earth science
and space weather missions or sensors into operational
status. The process shall include coordination of annual
agency budget requests as required to execute the
transitions.
(c) Responsible Agency Official.--The Administrator and the
Administrator of NOAA shall each designate an agency official
who shall have the responsibility for and authority to lead
NASA's and NOAA's transition activities and interagency
coordination.
(d) Plan.--For each mission or sensor that is determined to
be appropriate for transition under subsection (b), NASA and
NOAA shall transmit to Congress a joint plan for conducting
the transition. The plan shall include the strategy,
milestones, and budget required to execute the transition.
The transition plan shall be transmitted to Congress not
later than 60 days after the successful completion of the
mission or sensor critical design review.
SEC. 205. LANDSAT THERMAL INFRARED DATA CONTINUITY.
(a) Plan.--In view of the importance of Landsat thermal
infrared data for both scientific research and water
management applications, the Administrator shall prepare a
plan for ensuring the continuity of Landsat thermal infrared
data or its equivalent, including allocation of costs and
responsibility for the collection and distribution of the
data, and a budget plan. As part of the plan, the
Administrator shall provide an option for developing a
thermal infrared sensor at minimum cost to be flown on the
Landsat Data Continuity Mission with minimum delay to the
schedule of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.
(b) Deadline.--The plan shall be provided to Congress not
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 206. REAUTHORIZATION OF GLORY MISSION.
(a) Reauthorization.--Congress reauthorizes NASA to
continue with development of the Glory Mission, which will
examine how aerosols and solar energy affect the Earth's
climate.
(b) Baseline Report.--Pursuant to the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public
Law 109-155), not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a new
baseline report consistent with section 103(b)(2) of such
Act. The report shall include an analysis of the factors
contributing to cost growth and the steps taken to address
them.
SEC. 207. PLAN FOR DISPOSITION OF DEEP SPACE CLIMATE
OBSERVATORY.
(a) Plan.--NASA shall develop a plan for the Deep Space
Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), including such options as using
the parts of the spacecraft in the development and assembly
of other science missions, transferring the spacecraft to
another agency, reconfiguring the spacecraft for another
Earth science mission, establishing a public-private
partnership for the mission, and entering into an
international cooperative partnership to use the spacecraft
for its primary or other purposes. The plan shall include an
estimate of budgetary resources and schedules required to
implement each of the options.
(b) Consultation.--NASA shall consult, as necessary, with
NOAA and other Federal agencies, industry, academic
institutions, and international space agencies in developing
the plan.
(c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan
required under subsection (a) to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 208. TORNADOES AND OTHER SEVERE STORMS.
The Administrator shall ensure that NASA gives high
priority to those parts of its existing cooperative
activities with NOAA that are related to the study of
tornadoes and other severe storms, tornado-force winds, and
other factors determined to influence the development of
tornadoes and other severe storms, with the goal of improving
the Nation's ability to predict tornados and other severe
storms. Further, the Administrator shall examine whether
there are additional cooperative activities with NOAA that
should be undertaken in the area of tornado and severe storm
research.
TITLE III--AERONAUTICS
SEC. 301. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) aeronautics research continues to be an important core
element of NASA's mission and should be supported;
(2) NASA aeronautics research should be guided by and
consistent with the national policy to guide aeronautics
research and development programs of the United States
developed in accordance with section 101(c) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611); and
(3) technologies developed by NASA as described in
paragraph (2) would help to secure the leadership role of the
United States in global aviation and greatly enhance
competitiveness of the United States in aeronautics in the
future.
SEC. 302. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
The Administrator shall establish an initiative involving
NASA, universities, industry, and other research
organizations as appropriate, of research, development, and
demonstration, in a relevant environment, of technologies to
enable the following commercial aircraft performance
characteristics:
(1) Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and
landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the
absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from
which such commercial aircraft would normally operate,
without increasing energy consumption or nitrogen oxide
emissions compared to aircraft in commercial service as of
the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
compared to aircraft in commercial services as of the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 303. RESEARCH ALIGNMENT.
In addition to pursuing the research and development
initiative described in section 302, the Administrator shall,
to the maximum extent practicable within available funding,
align the fundamental aeronautics research program to address
high priority technology challenges of the National
Academies' Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, and shall
work to increase the degree of involvement of external
organizations, and especially of universities, in the
fundamental aeronautics research program.
SEC. 304. RESEARCH PROGRAM TO DETERMINE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF
SONIC BOOMS.
(a) In General.--The ability to fly commercial aircraft
over land at supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the
environment or on local communities would open new markets
and enable new transportation capabilities. In order to have
the basis for establishing appropriate sonic boom standards
for such flight operations, a research program is needed to
assess the impact in a relevant environment of commercial
supersonic flight operations.
(b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a
cooperative research program with industry, including the
conduct of flight demonstrations in a relevant environment,
to collect data on the perceived impact of sonic booms. The
data could enable the promulgation of appropriate standards
for overland commercial supersonic flight operations.
(c) Coordination.--The Administrator shall ensure that
sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and as
appropriate make use of the expertise of the Partnership for
Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction Center of
Excellence sponsored by NASA and the Federal Aviation
Administration.
SEC. 305. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF NASA'S AVIATION SAFETY-RELATED
RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
(a) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council for an
independent review of NASA's aviation safety-related research
programs. The review shall assess whether--
(1) the programs have well-defined, prioritized, and
appropriate research objectives;
(2) the programs are properly coordinated with the safety
research programs of the Federal Aviation Administration and
other relevant Federal agencies;
(3) the programs have allocated appropriate resources to
each of the research objectives; and
(4) suitable mechanisms exist for transitioning the
research results from the programs into operational
technologies and procedures and certification activities in a
timely manner.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the
review required in subsection (a).
SEC. 306. AVIATION WEATHER RESEARCH PLAN.
The Administrator and the Administrator of NOAA shall
develop a collaborative research plan on convective weather
events. The goal of the research is to significantly improve
the reliability of 2-hour to 6-hour aviation weather
forecasts. Within 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator and the Administrator of NOAA
shall submit this plan to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 307. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN
SUPPORT OF OTHER MISSION DIRECTORATES.
Research and development activities performed by the
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate with the primary
objective of assisting in the development of a flight project
in another Mission Directorate shall be funded by the Mission
Directorate seeking assistance.
SEC. 308. ENHANCEMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM ON ESTABLISHMENT OF
UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON
AVIATION TRAINING.
Section 427(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155)
is amended by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall''.
TITLE IV--EXPLORATION INITIATIVE
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the President of the
United States should invite America's friends and allies to
participate in a long-term international initiative under the
leadership of the United States to expand human and robotic
presence into the solar system, including the exploration and
utilization of the Moon, near Earth asteroids, Lagrangian
points, and eventually Mars and its moons, among other
exploration and utilization goals. When appropriate, the
United States should lead confidence building measures that
advance the long-term initiative for international
cooperation.
[[Page 22733]]
SEC. 402. REAFFIRMATION OF EXPLORATION POLICY.
Congress hereby affirms its support for--
(1) the broad goals of the space exploration policy of the
United States, including the eventual return to and
exploration of the Moon and other destinations in the solar
system and the important national imperative of independent
access to space;
(2) the development of technologies and operational
approaches that will enable a sustainable long-term program
of human and robotic exploration of the solar system;
(3) activity related to Mars exploration, particularly for
the development and testing of technologies and mission
concepts needed for eventual consideration of optional
mission architectures, pursuant to future authority to
proceed with the consideration and implementation of such
architectures; and
(4) international participation and cooperation, as well as
commercial involvement in space exploration activities.
SEC. 403. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION.
In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-
term exploration and utilization activities of the United
States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps,
including engaging international partners, to ensure that
activities in its lunar exploration program shall be designed
and implemented in a manner that gives strong consideration
to how those activities might also help meet the requirements
of future exploration and utilization activities beyond the
Moon. The timetable of the lunar phase of the long-term
international exploration initiative shall be determined by
the availability of funding. However, once an exploration-
related project enters its development phase, the
Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable,
to complete that project without undue delays.
SEC. 404. LUNAR OUTPOST.
(a) Establishment.--As NASA works toward the establishment
of a lunar outpost, NASA shall make no plans that would
require a lunar outpost to be occupied to maintain its
viability. Any such outpost shall be operable as a human-
tended facility capable of remote or autonomous operation for
extended periods.
(b) Designation.--The United States portion of the first
human-tended outpost established on the surface of the Moon
shall be designated the ``Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost''.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
NASA should make use of commercial services to the maximum
extent practicable in support of its lunar outpost
activities.
SEC. 405. EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--A robust program of long-term exploration-
related technology research and development will be essential
for the success and sustainability of any enduring initiative
of human and robotic exploration of the solar system.
(b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall carry out a
program of long-term exploration-related technology research
and development, including such things as in-space
propulsion, power systems, life support, and advanced
avionics, that is not tied to specific flight projects. The
program shall have the funding goal of ensuring that the
technology research and development can be completed in a
timely manner in order to support the safe, successful, and
sustainable exploration of the solar system. In addition, in
order to ensure that the broadest range of innovative
concepts and technologies are captured, the long-term
technology program shall have the goal of having a
significant portion of its funding available for external
grants and contracts with universities, research
institutions, and industry.
SEC. 406. EXPLORATION RISK MITIGATION PLAN.
(a) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan that
identifies and prioritizes the human and technical risks that
will need to be addressed in carrying out human exploration
beyond low Earth orbit and the research and development
activities required to address those risks. The plan shall
address the role of the International Space Station in
exploration risk mitigation and include a detailed
description of the specific steps being taken to utilize the
International Space Station for that purpose.
(b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate the plan described in subsection
(a) not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 407. EXPLORATION CREW RESCUE.
In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts whose
space vehicles have become disabled, the Administrator shall
enter into discussions with the appropriate representatives
of spacefaring nations who have or plan to have crew
transportation systems capable of orbital flight or flight
beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of agreeing on a
common docking system standard.
SEC. 408. PARTICIPATORY EXPLORATION.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall develop a
technology plan to enable dissemination of information to the
public to allow the public to experience missions to the
Moon, Mars, or other bodies within our solar system by
leveraging advanced exploration technologies. The plan shall
identify opportunities to leverage technologies in NASA's
Constellation systems that deliver a rich, multi-media
experience to the public, and that facilitate participation
by the public, the private sector, nongovernmental
organizations, and international partners. Technologies for
collecting high-definition video, 3-dimensional images, and
scientific data, along with the means to rapidly deliver this
content through extended high bandwidth communications
networks, shall be considered as part of this plan. It shall
include a review of high bandwidth radio and laser
communications, high-definition video, stereo imagery, 3-
dimensional scene cameras, and Internet routers in space,
from orbit, and on the lunar surface. The plan shall also
consider secondary cargo capability for technology validation
and science mission opportunities. In addition, the plan
shall identify opportunities to develop and demonstrate these
technologies on the International Space Station and robotic
missions to the Moon, Mars, and other solar system bodies. As
part of the technology plan, the Administrator shall examine
the feasibility of having NASA enter into contracts and other
agreements with appropriate public, private sector, and
international partners to broadcast electronically, including
via the Internet, images and multimedia records delivered
from its missions in space to the public, and shall identify
issues associated with such contracts and other agreements.
In any such contracts and other agreements, NASA shall adhere
to a transparent bidding process to award such contracts and
other agreements, pursuant to United States law. As part of
this plan, the Administrator shall include estimates of
associated costs.
(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the
plan to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 409. SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION.
It is the sense of Congress that NASA's scientific and
human exploration activities are synergistic; science enables
exploration and human exploration enables science. The
Congress encourages the Administrator to coordinate, where
practical, NASA's science and exploration activities with the
goal of maximizing the success of human exploration
initiatives and furthering our understanding of the Universe
that we explore.
SEC. 410. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE REPORT UPDATE.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Congressional Budget Office shall update its report
from 2004 on the budgetary analysis of NASA's Vision for the
Nation's Space Exploration Program, including new estimates
for Project Constellation, NASA's new generation of
spacecraft designed for human space flight that will replace
the Space Shuttle program.
TITLE V--SPACE SCIENCE
SEC. 501. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.
The Administrator shall establish an intra-Directorate
long-term technology development program for space and Earth
science within the Science Mission Directorate for the
development of new technology. The program shall be
independent of the flight projects under development. NASA
shall have a goal of funding the intra-Directorate technology
development program at a level of 5 percent of the total
Science Mission Directorate annual budget. The program shall
be structured to include competitively awarded grants and
contracts.
SEC. 502. PROVISION FOR FUTURE SERVICING OF OBSERVATORY-CLASS
SCIENTIFIC SPACECRAFT.
The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to ensure
that provision is made in the design and construction of all
future observatory-class scientific spacecraft intended to be
deployed in Earth orbit or at a Lagrangian point in space for
robotic or human servicing and repair to the extent
practicable and appropriate.
SEC. 503. MARS EXPLORATION.
Congress reaffirms its support for a systematic, integrated
program of exploration of the Martian surface to examine the
planet whose surface is most like Earth's, to search for
evidence of past or present life, and to examine Mars for
future habitability and as a long-term goal for future human
exploration. To the extent affordable and practical, the
program should pursue the goal of launches at every Mars
launch opportunity, leading to an eventual robotic sample
return.
SEC. 504. IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED SCIENCE PROGRAM.
It is the sense of Congress that a balanced and adequately
funded set of activities, consisting of NASA's research and
analysis grants programs, technology development, small-,
medium-, and large-sized space science missions, and
suborbital research activities, contributes to a robust and
productive science program and serves as a catalyst for
innovation.
SEC. 505. SUBORBITAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
suborbital flight activities, including the use of sounding
rockets, aircraft, and high-altitude balloons, and suborbital
reusable launch vehicles, offer valuable opportunities to
advance science, train the next generation of scientists and
engineers, and provide opportunities for participants in the
programs to acquire skills in systems engineering and systems
integration that are critical to maintaining the Nation's
leadership in space programs. The Congress believes that it
is in the national interest to expand the size of NASA's
suborbital research program. It is further the sense of
Congress that funding for suborbital research activities
should be considered part of the contribution of NASA to
United States competitive and educational enhancement and
should represent increased
[[Page 22734]]
funding as contemplated in section 2001 of the America
COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16611(a)).
(b) Review of Suborbital Mission Capabilities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Academies to conduct a review
of the suborbital mission capabilities of NASA.
(2) Matters reviewed.--The review required by paragraph (1)
shall include a review of the following:
(A) Existing programs that make use of suborbital flights.
(B) The status, capability, and availability of suborbital
platforms, and the infrastructure and workforce necessary to
support them.
(C) Existing or planned launch facilities for suborbital
missions.
(D) Opportunities for scientific research, training, and
educational collaboration in the conduct of suborbital
missions by NASA, especially as they relate to the findings
and recommendations of the National Academies decadal surveys
and report on ``Building a Better NASA Workforce: Meeting the
Workforce Needs for the National Vision for Space
Exploration''.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 15 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the review required
by this subsection.
(B) Contents.--The report required by this paragraph shall
include a summary of the review; the findings of the
Administrator with respect to such review; recommendations
regarding the growth of suborbital launch programs conducted
by NASA; and the steps necessary to ensure such programs are
conducted using domestic launch facilities to the maximum
extent practicable, including any rationale and justification
for using non-domestic facilities for such missions.
SEC. 506. RESTORATION OF RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC
GENERATOR MATERIAL PRODUCTION.
(a) Plan.--The Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for
restarting and sustaining the domestic production of
radioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep space
and other space science missions.
(b) Report.--The plan developed under subsection (a) shall
be transmitted to Congress not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 507. ASSESSMENT OF IMPEDIMENTS TO INTERAGENCY
COOPERATION ON SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCE
MISSIONS.
(a) Assessments.--The Administrator, in consultation with
other agencies with space science programs, shall enter into
an arrangement with the National Academies to assess
impediments, including cost growth, to the successful conduct
of interagency cooperation on space science missions, to
provide lessons learned and best practices, and to recommend
steps to help facilitate successful interagency
collaborations on space science missions. As part of the same
arrangement with the National Academies, the Administrator,
in consultation with NOAA and other agencies with civil Earth
observation systems, shall have the National Academies assess
impediments, including cost growth, to the successful conduct
of interagency cooperation on Earth science missions, to
provide lessons learned and best practices, and to recommend
steps to help facilitate successful interagency
collaborations on Earth science missions.
(b) Report.--The report of the assessments carried out
under subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Committee on
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate not later than 15 months after the date of enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 508. ASSESSMENT OF COST GROWTH.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement for an independent external assessment to
identify the primary causes of cost growth in the large-,
medium-, and small-sized space and Earth science spacecraft
mission classes, and make recommendations as to what changes,
if any, should be made to contain costs and ensure frequent
mission opportunities in NASA's science spacecraft mission
programs.
(b) Report.--The report of the assessment conducted under
subsection (a) shall be submitted to Congress not later than
15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 509. OUTER PLANETS EXPLORATION.
It is the sense of Congress that the outer solar system
planets and their satellites can offer important knowledge
about the formation and evolution of the solar system, the
nature and diversity of these solar system bodies, and the
potential for conditions conducive to life beyond Earth. NASA
should move forward with plans for an Outer Planets flagship
mission to the Europa-Jupiter system or the Titan-Saturn
system as soon as practicable within a balanced Planetary
Science program.
TITLE VI--SPACE OPERATIONS
Subtitle A--International Space Station
SEC. 601. PLAN TO SUPPORT OPERATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE
ISS BEYOND FISCAL YEAR 2015.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall take all necessary
steps to ensure that the International Space Station remains
a viable and productive facility capable of potential United
States utilization through at least 2020 and shall take no
steps that would preclude its continued operation and
utilization by the United States after 2015.
(b) Plan To Support Operations and Utilization of the
International Space Station Beyond Fiscal Year 2015.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a plan to support the operations
and utilization of the International Space Station beyond
fiscal year 2015 for a period of not less than 5 years. The
plan shall be an update and expansion of the operation plan
of the International Space Station National Laboratory
submitted to Congress in May 2007 under section 507 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16767).
(2) Content.--
(A) Requirements to support operation and utilization of
the iss beyond fiscal year 2015.--As part of the plan
required in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall provide
each of the following:
(i) A list of critical hardware necessary to support
International Space Station operations through the year 2020.
(ii) Specific known or anticipated maintenance actions that
would need to be performed to support International Space
Station operations and research through the year 2020.
(iii) Annual upmass and downmass requirements, including
potential vehicles that will deliver such upmass and
downmass, to support the International Space Station after
the retirement of the Space Shuttle Orbiter and through the
year 2020.
(B) ISS national laboratory research management plan.--As
part of the plan required in paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall develop a Research Management Plan for the
International Space Station. Such Plan shall include a
process for selecting and prioritizing research activities
(including fundamental, applied, commercial, and other
research) for flight on the International Space Station. Such
Plan shall be used to prioritize resources such as crew time,
racks and equipment, and United States access to
international research facilities and equipment. Such Plan
shall also identify the organization to be responsible for
managing United States research on the International Space
Station, including a description of the relationship of the
management institution with NASA (e.g., internal NASA office,
contract, cooperative agreement, or grant), the estimated
length of time for the arrangement, and the budget required
to support the management institution. Such Plan shall be
developed in consultation with other Federal agencies,
academia, industry, and other relevant stakeholders. The
Administrator may request the support of the National Academy
of Sciences or other appropriate independent entity,
including an external consultant, in developing the Plan.
(C) Establishment of process for access to national
laboratory.--As part of the plan required in paragraph (1),
the Administrator shall--
(i) establish a process by which to support International
Space Station National Laboratory users in identifying their
requirements for transportation of research supplies to and
from the International Space Station, and for communicating
those requirements to NASA and International Space Station
transportation services providers; and
(ii) develop an estimate of the transportation requirements
needed to support users of the International Space Station
National Laboratory and develop a plan for satisfying those
requirements by dedicating a portion of volume on NASA supply
missions to the International Space Station.
(D) Assessment of equipment to support research.--As part
of the plan required in paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall--
(i) provide a list of critical hardware that is anticipated
to be necessary to support nonexploration-related and
exploration-related research through the year 2020;
(ii) identify existing research equipment and racks and
support equipment that are manifested for flight; and
(iii) provide a detailed description of the status of
research equipment and facilities that were completed or in
development prior to being cancelled, and provide the budget
and milestones for completing and preparing the equipment for
flight on the International Space Station.
(E) Budget plan.--As part of the plan required in paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall provide a budget plan that
reflects the anticipated use of such activities and the
projected amounts to be required for fiscal years 2010
through 2020 to accomplish the objectives of the activities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
SEC. 602. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION NATIONAL LABORATORY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish
under the Federal Advisory Committee Act a committee to be
known as the ``International Space Station National
Laboratory Advisory Committee'' (hereafter in this section
referred to as the ``Committee'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of
individuals representing organizations who have formal
agreements with NASA to
[[Page 22735]]
utilize the United States portion of the International Space
Station, including allocations within partner elements.
(2) Chair.--The Administrator shall appoint a chair from
among the members of the Committee, who shall serve for a 2-
year term.
(c) Duties of the Committee.--
(1) In general.--The Committee shall monitor, assess, and
make recommendations regarding effective utilization of the
International Space Station as a national laboratory and
platform for research.
(2) Annual report.--The Committee shall submit to the
Administrator, on an annual basis or more frequently as
considered necessary by a majority of the members of the
Committee, a report containing the assessments and
recommendations required by paragraph (1).
(d) Duration.--The Committee shall exist for the life of
the International Space Station.
SEC. 603. CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR CARGO RESUPPLY.
(a) In General.--The International Space Station represents
a significant investment of national resources, and it is a
facility that embodies a cooperative international approach
to the exploration and utilization of space. As such, it is
important that its continued viability and productivity be
ensured, to the maximum extent possible, after the Space
Shuttle is retired.
(b) Contingency Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a
contingency plan and arrangements, including use of
International Space Station international partner cargo
resupply capabilities, to ensure the continued viability and
productivity of the International Space Station in the event
that United States commercial cargo resupply services are not
available during any extended period after the date that the
Space Shuttle is retired. The plan shall be delivered to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate not later than one year after
the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 604. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON USE OF SPACE LIFE SCIENCES
LABORATORY AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
It is the sense of Congress that the Space Life Sciences
Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center represents a key
investment and asset in the International Space Station
National Laboratory capability. The laboratory is
specifically designed to provide pre-flight, in-flight, and
post-flight support services for International Space Station
end-users, and should be utilized in this manner when
appropriate.
Subtitle B--Space Shuttle
SEC. 611. SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Report on U.S. Human Spaceflight Capabilities.--Section
501(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16761(c)) is amended by
striking the matter before paragraph (1) and inserting the
following: ``Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2008, the Administrator
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the
lack of a United States human space flight system to replace
the Space Shuttle upon its planned retirement, currently
scheduled for 2010, and the ability of the United States to
uphold the policy described in subsection (a), including a
description of--''.
(b) Baseline Manifest.--In addition to the Space Shuttle
flights listed as part of the baseline flight manifest as of
January 1, 2008, the Utilization flights ULF-4 and ULF-5
shall be considered part of the Space Shuttle baseline flight
manifest and shall be flown prior to the retirement of the
Space Shuttle, currently scheduled for 2010.
(c) Additional Flight To Deliver the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer and Other Scientific Equipment and Payloads to
the International Space Station.--
(1) In general.--In addition to the flying of the baseline
manifest as described in subsection (b), the Administrator
shall take all necessary steps to fly one additional Space
Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and
other scientific equipment and payloads to the International
Space Station prior to the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
The purpose of the mission required to be planned under this
subsection shall be to ensure the active use of the United
States portion of the International Space Station as a
National Laboratory by the delivery of the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer, and to the extent practicable, the delivery of
flight-ready research experiments prepared under the
Memoranda of Understanding between NASA and other entities to
facilitate the utilization of the International Space Station
National Laboratory, as well as other fundamental and applied
life sciences and other microgravity research experiments to
the International Space Station as soon as the assembly of
the International Space Station is completed.
(2) Flight schedule.--If the Administrator, within 12
months before the scheduled date of the additional Space
Shuttle flight authorized by paragraph (1), determines that--
(A) NASA will be unable to meet that launch date before the
end of calendar year 2010, unless the President decides to
extend Shuttle operations beyond 2010, or
(B) implementation of the additional flight requirement
would, in and of itself, result in--
(i) significant increased costs to NASA over the cost
estimate of the additional flight as determined by the
Independent Program Assessment Office, or
(ii) unacceptable safety risks associated with making the
flight before termination of the Space Shuttle program,
the Administrator shall notify the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of
Representatives Committee on Science and Technology of the
determination, and provide a detailed explanation of the
basis for that determination. After the notification is
provided to the Committees, the Administrator shall remove
the flight from the Space Shuttle schedule unless the
Congress by law reauthorizes the flight or the President
certifies that it is in the national interest to fly the
mission.
(d) Termination or Suspension of Activities That Would
Preclude Continued Flight of Space Shuttle Prior To Review by
the Incoming 2009 Presidential Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall terminate or
suspend any activity of the Agency that, if continued between
the date of enactment of this Act and April 30, 2009, would
preclude the continued safe and effective flight of the Space
Shuttle after fiscal year 2010 if the first President
inaugurated on January 20, 2009, were to make a determination
to delay the Space Shuttle's scheduled retirement.
(2) Report on impact of compliance.--Within 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
provide a report to the Congress describing the expected
budgetary and programmatic impacts from compliance with
paragraph (1). The report shall include--
(A) a summary of the actions taken to ensure the option to
continue space shuttle flights beyond the end of fiscal year
2010 is not precluded before April 30, 2009;
(B) an estimate of additional costs incurred by each
specific action identified in the summary provided under
subparagraph (A);
(C) a description of the proposed plan for allocating those
costs among anticipated fiscal year 2009 appropriations or
existing budget authority;
(D) a description of any programmatic impacts within the
Space Operations Mission Directorate that would result from
reallocations of funds to meet the requirements of paragraph
(1);
(E) a description of any additional authority needed to
enable compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1); and
(F) a description of any potential disruption to the timely
progress of development milestones in the preparation of
infrastructure or work-force requirements for shuttle follow-
on launch systems.
(e) Report on Impacts of Space Shuttle Extension.--Within
120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall provide a report to the Congress
outlining options, impacts, and associated costs of ensuring
the safe and effective operation of the Space Shuttle at the
minimum rate necessary to support International Space Station
operations and resupply, including for both a near-term, 1-
to-2 year extension of Space Shuttle operations and for a
longer term, 3-to-6 year extension. The report shall include
an assessment of--
(1) annual fixed and marginal costs, including
identification and cost impacts of options for cost-sharing
with the Constellation program and including the impact of
those cost-sharing options on the Constellation program;
(2) the safety of continuing the use of the Space Shuttle
beyond 2010, including a probability risk assessment of a
catastrophic accident before completion of the extended Space
Shuttle flight program, the underlying assumptions used in
calculating that probability, and comparing the associated
safety risks with those of other existing and planned human-
rated launch systems, including the Soyuz and Constellation
vehicles;
(3) a description of the activities and an estimate of the
associated costs that would be needed to maintain or improve
Space Shuttle safety throughout the periods described in the
first sentence of this subsection were the President
inaugurated on January 20, 2009, to extend Space Shuttle
operations beyond 2010, the correctly anticipated date of
Space Shuttle retirement;
(4) the impacts on facilities, workforce, and resources for
the Constellation program and on the cost and schedule of
that program;
(5) assumptions regarding workforce, skill mix, launch and
processing infrastructure, training, ground support, orbiter
maintenance and vehicle utilization, and other relevant
factors, as appropriate, used in deriving the cost and
schedule estimates for the options studied;
(6) the extent to which program management, processes, and
workforce and contractor assignments can be integrated and
streamlined for maximum efficiency to support continued
shuttle flights while transitioning to the Constellation
program, including identification of associated cost impacts
on both the Space Shuttle and the Constellation program;
(7) the impact of a Space Shuttle flight program extention
on the United States' dependence on Russia for International
Space Station crew rescue services; and
(8) the potential for enhancements of International Space
Station research, logistics, and maintenance capabilities
resulting from extended Shuttle flight operations and the
costs associated with implementing any such enhancements.
SEC. 612. UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL CARGO CAPABILITY STATUS.
The Administrator shall determine the degree to which an
increase in the amounts authorized to be appropriated under
section 101(3) for the
[[Page 22736]]
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project to be used
by Phase One team members of such project in fiscal year 2009
would reasonably be expected to accelerate development of
Capabilities A, B, and C of such project to an effective
operations capability as close to 2010 as possible.
SEC. 613. SPACE SHUTTLE TRANSITION.
(a) Disposition of Shuttle-Related Assets.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
Congress a plan describing the process for the disposition of
the remaining Space Shuttle Orbiters and other Space Shuttle
program-related hardware after the retirement of the Space
Shuttle fleet.
(2) Plan requirements.--The plan submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of a process by which
educational institutions, science museums, and other
appropriate organizations may acquire, through loan or
disposal by the Federal Government, Space Shuttle program
hardware.
(3) Prohibition on disposition before completion of plan.--
The Administrator shall not dispose of any Space Shuttle
program hardware before the plan required by paragraph (1) is
submitted to Congress.
(b) Space Shuttle Transition Liaison Office.--
(1) Establishment.--The Administrator shall develop a plan
and establish a Space Shuttle Transition Liaison Office
within the Office of Human Capital Management of NASA to
assist local communities affected by the termination of the
Space Shuttle program in mitigating the negative impacts on
such communities caused by such termination. The plan shall
define the size of the affected local community that would
receive assistance described in paragraph (2).
(2) Manner of assistance.--In providing assistance under
paragraph (1), the office established under such paragraph
shall--
(A) offer nonfinancial, technical assistance to communities
described in such paragraph to assist in the mitigation
described in such paragraph; and
(B) serve as a clearinghouse to assist such communities in
identifying services available from other Federal, State, and
local agencies to assist in such mitigation.
(3) Termination of office.--The office established under
paragraph (1) shall terminate 2 years after the completion of
the last Space Shuttle flight.
(4) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, NASA shall provide a copy of the plan
required by paragraph (1) to the Congress.
SEC. 614. AEROSPACE SKILLS RETENTION AND INVESTMENT
REUTILIZATION REPORT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation
with other Federal agencies, as appropriate--
(1) carry out an analysis of the facilities and human
capital resources that will become available as a result of
the retirement of the Space Shuttle program; and
(2) identify on-going or future Federal programs and
projects that could use such facilities and resources.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report--
(1) on the analysis required by paragraph (1) of subsection
(a), including the findings of the Administrator with respect
to such analysis; and
(2) describing the programs and projects identified under
paragraph (2) of such subsection.
SEC. 615. TEMPORARY CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE OF HEALTH
BENEFITS.
(a) In General.--Section 8905a(d) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(6)(A) If the basis for continued coverage under this
section is, as a result of the termination of the Space
Shuttle Program, an involuntary separation from a position
due to a reduction-in-force or declination of a directed
reassignment or transfer of function, or a voluntary
separation from a surplus position in the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration--
``(i) the individual shall be liable for not more than the
employee contributions referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i);
and
``(ii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall pay the remaining portion of the amount required under
paragraph (1)(A).
``(B) This paragraph shall only apply with respect to
individuals whose continued coverage is based on a separation
occurring on or after the date of enactment of this paragraph
and before December 31, 2010.
``(C) For purposes of this paragraph, `surplus position'
means a position which is--
``(i) identified in pre-reduction-in-force planning as no
longer required, and which is expected to be eliminated under
formal reduction-in-force procedures as a result of the
termination of the Space Shuttle Program; or
``(ii) encumbered by an employee who has received official
certification from the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration consistent with the Administration's career
transition assistance program regulations that the position
is being abolished as a result of the termination of the
Space Shuttle Program.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (1)(A) of such
subsection (d) is amended by striking ``(4) and (5)'' and
inserting ``(4), (5), and (6)''.
SEC. 616. ACCOUNTING REPORT.
Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a report that will summarize any actions taken or
planned to be taken during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to
begin reductions in expenditures and activities related to
the Space Shuttle program. The report shall include a summary
of any actual or anticipated cost savings to the Space
Shuttle program relative to the FY 2008 and FY 2009 Space
Shuttle program budgets and runout projections as a result of
such actions, as well as a summary of any actual or
anticipated liens or budgetary challenges to the Space
Shuttle program during fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
Subtitle C--Launch Services
SEC. 621. LAUNCH SERVICES STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--In preparation for the award of contracts
to follow up on the current NASA Launch Services (NLS)
contracts, the Administrator shall develop a strategy for
providing domestic commercial launch services in support of
NASA's small and medium-sized Science, Space Operations, and
Exploration missions, consistent with current law and policy.
(b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report to
the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate describing the strategy
developed under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall provide,
at a minimum--
(1) the results of the Request for Information on small to
medium-sized launch services released on April 22, 2008;
(2) an analysis of possible alternatives to maintain small
and medium-sized lift capabilities after June 30, 2010,
including the use of the Department of Defense's Evolved
Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV);
(3) the recommended alternatives, and associated 5-year
budget plans starting in October 2010 that would enable their
implementation; and
(4) a contingency plan in the event the recommended
alternatives described in paragraph (3) are not available
when needed.
TITLE VII--EDUCATION
SEC. 701. RESPONSE TO REVIEW.
(a) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan
identifying actions taken or planned in response to the
recommendations of the National Academies report, ``NASA's
Elementary and Secondary Education Program: Review and
Critique''. For those actions that have not been implemented,
the plan shall include a schedule and budget required to
support the actions.
(b) Report.--The plan prepared under subsection (a) shall
be transmitted to the Committee on Science and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 702. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF EXPLORER SCHOOLS PROGRAM.
(a) Review.--The Administrator shall make arrangements for
an independent external review of the Explorer Schools
program to evaluate its goals, status, plans, and
accomplishments.
(b) Report.--The report of the independent external review
shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 703. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON EARTHKAM AND ROBOTICS
COMPETITIONS.
It is the sense of Congress that NASA's educational
programs are important sources of inspiration and hands-on
learning for the next generation of engineers and scientists
and should be supported. In that regard, programs such as
EarthKAM, which brings NASA directly into American classrooms
by enabling students to talk directly with astronauts aboard
the International Space Station and to take photographs of
Earth from space, and NASA involvement in robotics
competitions for students of all levels, are particularly
worthy undertakings and NASA should support them and look for
additional opportunities to engage students through NASA's
space and aeronautics activities.
SEC. 704. ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ROLE OF NASA.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the International Space Station offers a unique opportunity
for Federal agencies to engage students in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Congress
encourages NASA to include other Federal agencies in its
planning efforts to use the International Space Station
National Laboratory for science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics educational activities.
(b) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research.--In order to ensure that research expertise and
talent throughout the Nation is developed and engaged in NASA
research and education activities, NASA shall, as part of its
annual budget submission, detail additional steps that can be
taken to further integrate the participating EPSCoR States in
both existing and new or emerging NASA research programs and
center activities.
[[Page 22737]]
(c) National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.--
NASA shall continue its emphasis on the importance of
education to expand opportunities for Americans to understand
and participate in NASA's aeronautics and space projects by
supporting and enhancing science and engineering education,
research, and public outreach efforts.
TITLE VIII--NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS
SEC. 801. REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.
(a) Reaffirmation of Policy on Surveying Near-Earth
Asteroids and Comets.--Congress reaffirms the policy set
forth in section 102(g) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451(g)) (relating to surveying near-
Earth asteroids and comets).
(b) Sense of Congress on Benefits of Near-Earth Object
Program Activities.--It is the sense of Congress that the
near-Earth object program activities of NASA will provide
benefits to the scientific and exploration activities of
NASA.
SEC. 802. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Near-Earth objects pose a serious and credible threat
to humankind, as many scientists believe that a major
asteroid or comet was responsible for the mass extinction of
the majority of the Earth's species, including the dinosaurs,
nearly 65,000,000 years ago.
(2) Several such near-Earth objects have only been
discovered within days of the objects' closest approach to
Earth and recent discoveries of such large objects indicate
that many large near-Earth objects remain undiscovered.
(3) Asteroid and comet collisions rank as one of the most
costly natural disasters that can occur.
(4) The time needed to eliminate or mitigate the threat of
a collision of a potentially hazardous near-Earth object with
Earth is measured in decades.
(5) Unlike earthquakes and hurricanes, asteroids and comets
can provide adequate collision information, enabling the
United States to include both asteroid-collision and comet-
collision disaster recovery and disaster avoidance in its
public-safety structure.
(6) Basic information is needed for technical and policy
decisionmaking for the United States to create a
comprehensive program in order to be ready to eliminate and
mitigate the serious and credible threats to humankind posed
by potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids and comets.
(7) As a first step to eliminate and to mitigate the risk
of such collisions, situation and decision analysis
processes, as well as procedures and system resources, must
be in place well before a collision threat becomes known.
SEC. 803. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.
The Administrator shall issue requests for information on--
(1) a low-cost space mission with the purpose of
rendezvousing with, attaching a tracking device, and
characterizing the Apophis asteroid; and
(2) a medium-sized space mission with the purpose of
detecting near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140
meters in diameter.
SEC. 804. ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO THREATS
POSED BY NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.
Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Director of the OSTP shall--
(1) develop a policy for notifying Federal agencies and
relevant emergency response institutions of an impending
near-Earth object threat, if near-term public safety is at
risk; and
(2) recommend a Federal agency or agencies to be
responsible for--
(A) protecting the United States from a near-Earth object
that is expected to collide with Earth; and
(B) implementing a deflection campaign, in consultation
with international bodies, should one be necessary.
SEC. 805. PLANETARY RADAR CAPABILITY.
The Administrator shall maintain a planetary radar that is
comparable to the capability provided through the Deep Space
Network Goldstone facility of NASA.
SEC. 806. ARECIBO OBSERVATORY.
Congress reiterates its support for the use of the Arecibo
Observatory for NASA-funded near-Earth object-related
activities. The Administrator, using funds authorized in
section 101(a)(1)(B), shall ensure the availability of the
Arecibo Observatory's planetary radar to support these
activities until the National Academies' review of NASA's
approach for the survey and deflection of near-Earth objects,
including a determination of the role of Arecibo, that was
directed to be undertaken by the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus
Appropriations Act, is completed.
SEC. 807. INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES.
It is the sense of Congress that, since an estimated 25,000
asteroids of concern have yet to be discovered and monitored,
the United States should seek to obtain commitments for
cooperation from other nations with significant resources for
contributing to a thorough and timely search for such objects
and an identification of their characteristics.
TITLE IX--COMMERCIAL INITIATIVES
SEC. 901. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that a healthy and robust
commercial sector can make significant contributions to the
successful conduct of NASA's space exploration program. While
some activities are inherently governmental in nature, there
are many other activities, such as routine supply of water,
fuel, and other consumables to low Earth orbit or to
destinations beyond low Earth orbit, and provision of power
or communications services to lunar outposts, that
potentially could be carried out effectively and efficiently
by the commercial sector at some point in the future.
Congress encourages NASA to look for such service
opportunities and, to the maximum extent practicable, make
use of the commercial sector to provide those services. It is
further the sense of Congress that United States
entrepreneurial space companies have the potential to develop
and deliver innovative technology solutions at affordable
costs. NASA is encouraged to use United States
entrepreneurial space companies to conduct appropriate
research and development activities. NASA is further
encouraged to seek ways to ensure that firms that rely on
fixed-price proposals are not disadvantaged when NASA seeks
to procure technology development.
SEC. 902. COMMERCIAL CREW INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In order to stimulate commercial use of
space, help maximize the utility and productivity of the
International Space Station, and enable a commercial means of
providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the
International Space Station, NASA shall--
(1) make use of United States commercially provided
International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue
services to the maximum extent practicable, if those
commercial services have demonstrated the capability to meet
NASA-specified ascent, entry, and International Space Station
proximity operations safety requirements;
(2) limit, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of
the Crew Exploration Vehicle to missions carrying astronauts
beyond low Earth orbit once commercial crew transfer and crew
rescue services that meet safety requirements become
operational;
(3) facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the
transfer of NASA-developed technologies to potential United
States commercial crew transfer and rescue service providers,
consistent with United States law; and
(4) issue a notice of intent, not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, to enter into a funded,
competitively awarded Space Act Agreement with 2 or more
commercial entities for a Phase 1 Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services crewed vehicle demonstration program.
(b) Congressional Intent.--It is the intent of Congress
that funding for the program described in subsection (a)(4)
shall not come at the expense of full funding of the amounts
authorized under section 101(3)(A), and for future fiscal
years, for Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle development, Ares I
Crew Launch Vehicle development, or International Space
Station cargo delivery.
(c) Additional Technologies.--NASA shall make International
Space Station-compatible docking adaptors and other relevant
technologies available to the commercial crew providers
selected to service the International Space Station.
(d) Crew Transfer and Crew Rescue Services Contract.--If a
commercial provider demonstrates the capability to provide
International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue
services and to satisfy NASA ascent, entry, and International
Space Station proximity operations safety requirements, NASA
shall enter into an International Space Station crew transfer
and crew rescue services contract with that commercial
provider for a portion of NASA's anticipated International
Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue requirements from
the time the commercial provider commences operations under
contract with NASA through calendar year 2016, with an option
to extend the period of performance through calendar year
2020.
TITLE X--REVITALIZATION OF NASA INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES
SEC. 1001. REVIEW OF INFORMATION SECURITY CONTROLS.
(a) Report on Controls.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall
transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review of
information security controls that protect NASA's information
technology resources and information from inadvertent or
deliberate misuse, fraudulent use, disclosure, modification,
or destruction. The review shall focus on networks servicing
NASA's mission directorates. In assessing these controls, the
review shall evaluate--
(1) the network's ability to limit, detect, and monitor
access to resources and information, thereby safeguarding and
protecting them from unauthorized access;
(2) the physical access to network resources; and
(3) the extent to which sensitive research and mission data
is encrypted.
(b) Restricted Report on Intrusions.--Not later than one
year after the date of enactment of this Act, and in
conjunction with the report described in subsection (a), the
Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a restricted report detailing results of vulnerability
assessments conducted by the Government Accountability Office
on NASA's network resources. Intrusion attempts during such
vulnerability assessments shall be divulged to NASA senior
management prior to their application. The report shall put
vulnerability assessment results in the context of
unauthorized accesses or attempts during the prior two years
and the corrective actions, recent or ongoing, that NASA has
implemented in
[[Page 22738]]
conjunction with other Federal authorities to prevent such
intrusions.
SEC. 1002. MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADE OF CENTER FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--In order to sustain healthy Centers that
are capable of carrying out NASA's missions, the
Administrator shall ensure that adequate maintenance and
upgrading of those Center facilities is performed on a
regular basis.
(b) Review.--The Administrator shall determine and
prioritize the maintenance and upgrade backlog at each of
NASA's Centers and associated facilities, and shall develop a
strategy and budget plan to reduce that maintenance and
upgrade backlog by 50 percent over the next five years.
(c) Report.--The Administrator shall deliver a report to
Congress on the results of the activities undertaken in
subsection (b) concurrently with the delivery of the fiscal
year 2011 budget request.
SEC. 1003. ASSESSMENT OF NASA LABORATORY CAPABILITIES.
(a) In General.--NASA's laboratories are a critical
component of NASA's research capabilities, and the
Administrator shall ensure that those laboratories remain
productive.
(b) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement for an independent external review of NASA's
laboratories, including laboratory equipment, facilities, and
support services, to determine whether they are equipped and
maintained at a level adequate to support NASA's research
activities. The assessment shall also include an assessment
of the relative quality of NASA's in-house laboratory
equipment and facilities compared to comparable laboratories
elsewhere. The results of the review shall be provided to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1004. STUDY AND REPORT ON PROJECT ASSIGNMENT AND WORK
ALLOCATION OF FIELD CENTERS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall complete a
study of all field centers of NASA, including the Michoud
Assembly Facility.
(2) Matters studied.--The study required by paragraph (1)
shall include the mission and future roles and
responsibilities of the field centers, including the Michoud
Assembly Facility, described in paragraph (1).
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the study
required by subsection (a)(1).
(2) Content.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A comprehensive analysis of the work allocation of all
field centers of NASA, including the Michoud Assembly
Facility.
(B) A description of the program and project roles,
functions, and activities assigned to each field center,
including the Michoud Assembly Facility.
(C) Details on how field centers, including the Michoud
Assembly Facility, are selected and designated for lead and
support role work assignments (including program and contract
management assignments).
TITLE XI--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 1101. SPACE WEATHER.
(a) Plan for Replacement of Advanced Composition Explorer
at L-1 Lagrangian Point.--
(1) Plan.--The Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for
sustaining space-based measurements of solar wind from the L-
1 Lagrangian point in space and for the dissemination of the
data for operational purposes. OSTP shall consult with NASA,
NOAA, and other Federal agencies, and with industry, in
developing the plan.
(2) Report.--The Director shall transmit the plan to
Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act.
(b) Assessment of the Impact of Space Weather on
Aviation.--
(1) Study.--The Director of OSTP shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council for a study of
the impacts of space weather on the current and future United
States aviation industry, and in particular to examine the
risks for Over-The-Pole (OTP) and Ultra-Long-Range (ULR)
operations. The study shall--
(A) examine space weather impacts on, at a minimum,
communications, navigation, avionics, and human health in
flight;
(B) assess the benefits of space weather information and
services to reduce aviation costs and maintain safety; and
(C) provide recommendations on how NOAA, the National
Science Foundation, and other relevant agencies, can most
effectively carry out research and monitoring activities
related to space weather and aviation.
(2) Report.--A report containing the results of the study
shall be provided to the Committee on Science and Technology
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1102. INITIATION OF DISCUSSIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF
FRAMEWORK FOR SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that as more countries acquire
the capability for launching payloads into outer space, there
is an increasing need for a framework under which information
intended to promote safe access into outer space, operations
in outer space, and return from outer space to Earth free
from physical or radio-frequency interference can be shared
among those countries.
(b) Discussions.--The Administrator shall, in consultation
with such other agencies of the Federal Government as the
Administrator considers appropriate, initiate discussions
with the appropriate representatives of other space-faring
countries to determine an appropriate frame-work under which
information intended to promote safe access into outer space,
operations in outer space, and return from outer space to
Earth free from physical or radio-frequency interference can
be shared among those nations.
SEC. 1103. ASTRONAUT HEALTH CARE.
(a) Survey.--The Administrator shall administer an
anonymous survey of astronauts and flight surgeons to
evaluate communication, relationships, and the effectiveness
of policies. The survey questions and the analysis of results
shall be evaluated by experts independent of NASA. The survey
shall be administered on at least a biennial basis.
(b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report of
the results of the survey to Congress not later than 90 days
following completion of the survey.
SEC. 1104. NATIONAL ACADEMIES DECADAL SURVEYS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall enter into
agreements on a periodic basis with the National Academies
for independent assessments, also known as decadal surveys,
to take stock of the status and opportunities for Earth and
space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and
to recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas
over the next decade.
(b) Independent Cost Estimates.--The agreements described
in subsection(a) shall include independent estimates of the
life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed
in the decadal surveys whenever possible.
(c) Reexamination.--The Administrator shall request that
each National Academies decadal survey committee identify any
conditions or events, such as significant cost growth or
scientific or technological advances, that would warrant NASA
asking the National Academies to reexamine the priorities
that the decadal survey had established.
SEC. 1105. INNOVATION PRIZES.
(a) In General.--Prizes can play a useful role in
encouraging innovation in the development of technologies and
products that can assist NASA in its aeronautics and space
activities, and the use of such prizes by NASA should be
encouraged.
(b) Amendments.--Section 314 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Act of 1958 is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Topics.--In selecting topics for prize competitions,
the Administrator shall consult widely both within and
outside the Federal Government, and may empanel advisory
committees. The Administrator shall give consideration to
prize goals such as the demonstration of the ability to
provide energy to the lunar surface from space-based solar
power systems, demonstration of innovative near-Earth object
survey and deflection strategies, and innovative approaches
to improving the safety and efficiency of aviation
systems.''; and
(2) in subsection (i)(4) by striking ``$10,000,000'' and
inserting ``$50,000,000''.
SEC. 1106. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH RANGE STUDY.
(a) Study by Interagency Committee.--The Director of OSTP
shall work with other appropriate Federal agencies to
establish an interagency committee to conduct a study to--
(1) identify the issues and challenges associated with
establishing space launch ranges and facilities that are
fully dedicated to commercial space missions in close
proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal
facilities; and
(2) develop a coordinating mechanism such that States
seeking to establish such commercial space launch ranges will
be able to effectively and efficiently interface with the
Federal Government concerning issues related to the
establishment of such commercial launch ranges in close
proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal
facilities.
(b) Report.--The Director shall, not later than May 31,
2010, submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the
results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 1107. NASA OUTREACH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--NASA shall competitively select an
organization to partner with NASA centers, aerospace
contractors, and academic institutions to carry out a program
to help promote the competitiveness of small, minority-owned,
and women-owned businesses in communities across the United
States through enhanced insight into the technologies of
NASA's space and aeronautics programs. The program shall
support the mission of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program
with its emphasis on joint partnerships with industry,
academia, government agencies, and national laboratories.
(b) Program Structure.--In carrying out the program
described in subsection (a), the organization shall support
the mission of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program by
undertaking the following activities:
[[Page 22739]]
(1) Facilitating the enhanced insight of the private sector
into NASA's technologies in order to increase the
competitiveness of the private sector in producing viable
commercial products.
(2) Creating a network of academic institutions, aerospace
contractors, and NASA centers that will commit to donating
appropriate technical assistance to small businesses, giving
preference to socially and economically disadvantaged small
business concerns, small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small
business concerns. This paragraph shall not apply to any
contracting actions entered into or taken by NASA.
(3) Creating a network of economic development
organizations to increase the awareness and enhance the
effectiveness of the program nationwide.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate describing the efforts and accomplishments of the
program established under subsection (a) in support of NASA's
Innovative Partnerships Program. As part of the report, the
Administrator shall provide--
(1) data on the number of small businesses receiving
assistance, jobs created and retained, and volunteer hours
donated by NASA, contractors, and academic institutions
nationwide;
(2) an estimate of the total dollar value of the economic
impact made by small businesses that received technical
assistance through the program; and
(3) an accounting of the use of funds appropriated for the
program.
SEC. 1108. REDUCTION-IN-FORCE MORATORIUM.
NASA shall not initiate or implement a reduction-in-force,
or conduct any other involuntary separations of permanent,
non-Senior Executive Service, civil servant employees before
December 31, 2010, except for cause on charges of misconduct,
delinquency, or inefficiency.
SEC. 1109. PROTECTION OF SCIENTIFIC CREDIBILITY, INTEGRITY,
AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN NASA.
(a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that NASA should not dilute, distort, suppress, or impede
scientific research or the dissemination thereof.
(b) Study.--Within 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall--
(1) initiate a study to be completed within 270 days to
determine whether the regulations set forth in part 1213 of
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, are being implemented
in a clear and consistent manner by NASA to ensure the
dissemination of research; and
(2) transmit a report to the Congress setting forth the
Comptroller General's findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
(c) Research.--The Administrator shall work to ensure that
NASA's policies on the sharing of climate related data
respond to the recommendations of the Government
Accountability Office's report on climate change research and
data-sharing policies and to the recommendations on the
processing, distribution, and archiving of data by the
National Academies Earth Science Decadal Survey, ``Earth
Science and Applications from Space'', and other relevant
National Academies reports, to enhance and facilitate their
availability and widest possible use to ensure public access
to accurate and current data on global warming.
SEC. 1110. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEED FOR A ROBUST
WORKFORCE.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) a robust and highly skilled workforce is critical to
the success of NASA's programs;
(2) voluntary attrition, the retirement of many senior
workers, and difficulties in recruiting could leave NASA
without access to the intellectual capital necessary to
compete with its global competitors; and
(3) NASA should work cooperatively with other agencies of
the United States Government responsible for programs related
to space and the aerospace industry to develop and implement
policies, including those with an emphasis on improving
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
at all levels, to sustain and expand the diverse workforce
available to NASA.
SEC. 1111. METHANE INVENTORY.
Within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of OSTP, in conjunction with the Administrator,
the Administrator of NOAA, and other appropriate Federal
agencies and academic institutions, shall develop a plan,
including a cost estimate and timetable, and initiate an
inventory of natural methane stocks and fluxes in the polar
region of the United States.
SEC. 1112. EXCEPTION TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROCUREMENT
REQUIREMENT.
Section 526(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17142(a)) does not prohibit NASA from
entering into a contract to purchase a generally available
fuel that is not an alternative or synthetic fuel or
predominantly produced from a nonconventional petroleum
source, if--
(1) the contract does not specifically require the
contractor to provide an alternative or synthetic fuel or
fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source;
(2) the purpose of the contract is not to obtain an
alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional
petroleum source; and
(3) the contract does not provide incentives for a refinery
upgrade or expansion to allow a refinery to use or increase
its use of fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source.
SEC. 1113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NASA
OFFICE OF PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.
(a) Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation.--It is the
sense of Congress that it is important for NASA to maintain
an Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation that has as its
mission:
(1) To develop strategic plans for NASA in accordance with
section 306 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) To develop annual performance plans for NASA in
accordance with section 1115 of title 31, United States Code.
(3) To provide analysis and recommendations to the
Administrator on matters relating to the planning and
programming phases of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting,
and Execution system of NASA.
(4) To provide analysis and recommendations to the
Administrator on matters relating to acquisition management
and program oversight, including cost-estimating processes,
contractor cost reporting processes, and contract performance
assessments.
(b) Objectives.--It is further the sense of Congress that
in performing those functions, the objectives of the Office
should be the following:
(1) To align NASA's mission, strategic plan, budget, and
performance plan with strategic goals and institutional
requirements of NASA.
(2) To provide objective analysis of programs and
institutions of NASA--
(A) to generate investment options for NASA; and
(B) to inform strategic decision making in NASA.
(3) To enable cost-effective, strategically aligned
execution of programs and projects by NASA.
(4) To perform independent cost estimation in support of
NASA decision making and establishment of standards for
agency cost analysis.
(5) To ensure that budget formulation and execution are
consistent with strategic investment decisions of NASA.
(6) To provide independent program and project reviews that
address the credibility of technical, cost, schedule, risk,
and management approaches with respect to available
resources.
(7) To facilitate progress by NASA toward meeting the
commitments of NASA.
SEC. 1114. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ELEVATING THE IMPORTANCE OF
SPACE AND AERONAUTICS WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should
elevate the importance of space and aeronautics within the
Executive Office of the President by organizing the
interagency focus on space and aeronautics matters in as
effective a manner as possible, such as by means of the
National Space Council authorized by section 501 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act, Fiscal Year 1989 (42 U.S.C. 2471) or other appropriate
mechanisms.
SEC. 1115. STUDY ON LEASING PRACTICES OF FIELD CENTERS.
(a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall complete a
study on the leasing practices of all field centers of NASA,
including the Michoud Assembly Facility. Such study shall
include the following:
(1) The method by which overhead maintenance expenses are
distributed among tenants of such field centers.
(2) Identification of the impacts of such method on
attracting businesses and partnerships to such field centers.
(3) Identification of the steps that can be taken to
mitigate any adverse impacts identified under paragraph (2).
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the study required
by subsection (a), including the following:
(1) The findings of the Administrator with respect to such
study.
(2) A description of the impacts identified under
subsection (a)(2).
(3) The steps identified under subsection (a)(3).
SEC. 1116. COOPERATIVE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE ACTIVITIES.
The Administrator, in cooperation with the Administrator of
NOAA and in coordination with other agencies that have
existing civil capabilities, shall continue to utilize the
capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles as appropriate in
support of NASA and interagency cooperative missions. The
Administrator may enter into cooperative agreements with
universities with unmanned aerial vehicle programs and
related assets to conduct collaborative research and
development activities, including development of appropriate
applications of small unmanned aerial vehicle technologies
and systems in remote areas.
SEC. 1117. DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED-USE LEASE POLICY.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall develop an agency-
wide enhanced-use lease policy that--
(1) is based upon sound business practices and lessons
learned from the demonstration centers; and
(2) establishes controls and procedures to ensure
accountability and protect the interests of the Government.
[[Page 22740]]
(b) Contents.--The policy required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) Criteria for determining whether enhanced-use lease
provides better economic value to the Government than other
options, such as--
(A) Federal financing through appropriations; or
(B) sale of the property.
(2) Requirement for the identification of proposed physical
and procedural changes needed to ensure security and restrict
access to specified areas, coordination of proposed changes
with existing site tenants, and development of estimated
costs of such changes.
(3) Measures of effectiveness for the enhanced-use lease
program.
(4) Accounting controls and procedures to ensure
accountability, such as an audit trail and documentation to
readily support financial transactions.
(c) Annual Report.--Section 315(f) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C.
2459j(f)) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Reporting Requirements.--The Administrator shall
submit an annual report by January 31st of each year. Such
report shall include the following:
``(1) Information that identifies and quantifies the value
of the arrangements and expenditures of revenues received
under this section.
``(2) The availability and use of funds received under this
section for the Agency's operating plan.''.
(d) Distribution of Cash Consideration Received.--
(1) In general.--Section 315(b)(3)(B) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 2459j(b)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) Of any amounts of cash consideration received under
this subsection that are not utilized in accordance with
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) 35 percent shall be deposited in a capital asset
account to be established by the Administrator, shall be
available for maintenance, capital revitalization, and
improvements of the real property assets and related personal
property under the jurisdiction of the Administrator, and
shall remain available until expended; and
``(ii) the remaining 65 percent shall be available to the
respective center or facility of the Administration engaged
in the lease of nonexcess real property, and shall remain
available until expended for maintenance, capital
revitalization, and improvements of the real property assets
and related personal property at the respective center or
facility subject to the concurrence of the Administrator.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 533 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub1ic Law 110-161; 121 Stat. 1931)
is amended--
(A) by amending subsection (b)(4) to read as follows:
``(4) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by paragraph (3) of
this subsection, by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
`` `(C) Amounts utilized under subparagraph (B) may not be
utilized for daily operating costs.'.''; and
(B) in subsection (d)--
(i) by striking ``the following new subsection (f)'' and
inserting ``the following new subsection''; and
(ii) in the quoted matter, by redesignating subsection (f)
as subsection (g).
SEC. 1118. SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO THE MICHOUD
ASSEMBLY FACILITY AND NASA'S OTHER CENTERS AND
FACILITIES.
It is the sense of Congress that the Michoud Assembly
Facility represents a unique resource in the facilitation of
the Nation's exploration programs and that every effort
should be made to ensure the effective utilization of that
resource, as well as NASA's other centers and facilities.
SEC. 1119. REPORT ON U.S. INDUSTRIAL BASE FOR LAUNCH VEHICLE
ENGINES.
Not later than 180 days after the date of Enactment of this
Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the
assessment of the Director as to the capacity of the United
States industrial base for development and production of
engines to meet United States Government and commercial
requirements for space launch vehicles. The Report required
by this section shall include information regarding existing,
pending, and planned engine developments across a broad
spectrum of thrust capabilities, including propulsion for
sub-orbital, small, medium, and heavy-lift space launch
vehicles.
SEC. 1120. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PRECURSOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION RESEARCH.
It is the Sense of Congress that NASA is taking positive
steps to utilize the Space Shuttle as a platform for
precursor International Space Station research by maximizing
to the extent practicable the use of middeck accommodations,
including soft stowage, for near-term scientific and
commercial applications on remaining Space Shuttle flights,
and the Administrator is strongly encouraged to continue to
promote the effective utilization of the Space Shuttle for
precursor research within the constraints of the
International Space Station assembly requirements.
SEC. 1121. LIMITATION ON FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
not more than $5,000,000 for any expenses related to
conferences, including conference programs, travel costs, and
related expenses. No funds authorized under this Act may be
used to support a Space Flight Awareness Launch Honoree Event
conference. The total amount of the funds available under
this Act for other Space Flight Awareness Honoree-related
activities in fiscal year 2009 may not exceed \1/2\ of the
total amount of funds from all sources obligated or expended
on such activities in fiscal year 2008.
(b) Quarterly Reports.--The Administrator shall submit
quarterly reports to the Inspector General of NASA regarding
the costs and contracting procedures relating to each
conference held by NASA during fiscal year 2009 for which the
cost to the Government is more than $20,000. Each report
shall include, for each conference described in that
subsection held during the applicable quarter--
(1) a description of the subject of and number of
participants attending, the conference, including the number
of NASA employees attending and the number of contractors
attending at agency expense;
(2) a detailed statement of the costs to the Government
relating to the conference, including--
(A) the cost of any food or beverages;
(B) the cost of any audio-visual services; and
(C) a discussion of the methodology used to determine which
costs relate to the conference; and
D) cost of any room, board, travel, and per diem expenses;
and
(3) a description of the contracting procedures relating to
the conference, including--
(A) whether contracts were awarded on a competitive basis
for that conference; and
(B) a discussion of any cost comparison conducted by NASA
in evaluating potential contractors for that conference.
SEC. 1122. REPORT ON NASA EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to Congress a report that contains a
review of NASA programs and associated activities with an
annual funding level of more than $50,000,000 that appear to
be similar in scope and purpose to other activities within
the Federal government, that includes--
(1) a brief description of each NASA program reviewed and
its subordinate activities;
(2) the annual and cumulative appropriation amounts
expended for each program reviewed and its subordinate
activities since fiscal year 2005;
(3) a brief description of each Federal program and its
subordinate activities that appears to have a similar scope
and purpose to a NASA program; and
(4) a review of the formal and informal processes by which
NASA coordinates with other Federal agencies to ensure that
its programs and activities are not duplicative of similar
efforts within the Federal government and that the programs
and activities meet the core mission of NASA, and the degree
of transparency and accountability afforded by those
processes.
(b) Duplicative Programs.--If the Comptroller General
determines, under subsection (a)(4), that any deficiency
exists in the NASA procedures intended to avoid or eliminate
conflict or duplication with other Federal agency activities,
the Comptroller General shall include a recommendation as to
how such procedures should be modified to ensure similar
programs and associated activities can be consolidated,
eliminated, or streamlined within NASA or within other
Federal agencies to improve efficiency.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 6063, the bill now
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of H.R. 6063,
the NASA Authorization Act of 2008, as amended by the Senate. As you
know, the House first passed H.R. 6063 on June 18 by an overwhelming
vote of 409-15. After receiving this strong bipartisan mandate, we
worked with our counterparts in the Senate over the summer to ensure
that the legislation before us today would continue to reflect the
priorities and policies endorsed by this body.
I believe that we succeeded in that effort, and I want to express my
appreciation to the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chair, Mr. Mark
Udall, for his leadership in introducing this bill and successfully
shepherding it through the legislative process.
I also want to thank my friends on the minority, Ranking Member Ralph
[[Page 22741]]
Hall and subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Feeney for their constructive
participation in the development of this legislation. Of course, I want
to express my appreciation to Senators Bill Nelson and David Vitter for
their efforts in helping to forge the bipartisan compromise that we
will be voting on today.
Finally, I want to thank the House and Senate staff on both sides of
the aisle who tirelessly supported our efforts to get this legislation
developed and enacted. In that regard I want to specifically recognize
Dick Obermann, the staff director of the Space and Aeronautics
Subcommittee; Pam Whitney, Allen Li, Devin Bryant, John Piazza and
Wendy Adams of the committee's majority staff; as well as Ed Feddeman,
Ken Monroe, Lee Arnold and Katy Crooks of the committee's minority
staff.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the characterization of H.R. 6063 that I
gave back in June is still very valid. The legislation before us today
retains the key provisions and principles of that earlier version of
the bill. As a result, I will not spend our limited time today
describing the provisions of H.R. 6063 in detail. Instead, I would
simply like to make the following points.
H.R. 6063 is a fiscally responsible measure that sends a strong
message to the next administration that Congress believes that
investing in a balanced NASA program of science, aeronautics and human
space flight and exploration is important and worthy of our Nation's
support. I think that it is a valuable message for this Congress to
send, especially as we witness the emergence of other spacefaring
nations in the world who clearly recognize the value of such
investments.
This bill contains a number of provisions to ensure that NASA has
properly structured human space flight, science and exploration
programs that can deliver significant technological, scientific and
geopolitical benefits to this Nation.
H.R. 6063 also demonstrates that NASA's capabilities and programs are
relevant to meeting our needs back here on Earth and that properly
utilized, those capabilities and programs can deliver a significant
societal economic return to our investment in NASA.
This legislation includes provisions to ensure the future health of
the Nation's aviation system and to develop the tools needed to better
understand and respond to the challenges of climate change and the
contribution to achievement of our Nation's innovative agenda
The bill before us today is not identical to the one we passed in
June, although it certainly retains the key provisions of the earlier
version of this legislation. For example, it did not prove possible to
retain the OSTP study of the impact of current export policies on
commercial and civil space activities. I think it is very important
that such a review occur, and I am disappointed that the provisions had
to be dropped. But I am encouraged that there is likely to be movement
on this issue once the next administration takes office.
In terms of additions to the earlier versions of H.R. 6063, this bill
contains a prohibition against NASA taking any steps prior to April
30th of next year that would preclude the President from being able to
continue to fly the Space Shuttle past 2010. That provision should not
be construed as a congressional endorsement of extending the life of
the shuttle program beyond the additional flight added by this bill to
deliver the AMS to the International Space Station. Rather, it reflects
our common belief that the decision of whether or not to extend the
shuttle past its planned 2010 retirement date should be left to the
next President and Congress, especially since both of the Presidential
candidates have asked for that flexibility to make that decision.
In addition, NASA has indicated that delaying the shuttle shutdown
activities until at least April 30 of next year will not impose
additional costs on the agency. So, on balance, I believe this is a
reasonable provision to include in this amended version of H.R. 6063.
Mr. Speaker, the House-passed version of H.R. 6063 was endorsed by a
host of organizations, ranging from the Association of American
Universities to the National Association of Manufacturers. I believe
that they would agree that H.R. 6063, as amended by the Senate, is
equally worthy of that support.
As I mentioned earlier, we have worked hard to retain the key
features of the House-passed bill, and I believe we are were successful
in that effort.
Mr. Speaker, next Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the day
that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration officially
opened for business. I can think of no more fitting birthday present
that Congress could bestow than this legislation, the NASA
Authorization Act of 2008, because it provides direction and support
for the agency that will enable NASA during the next 50 years to be as
productive and exciting as it was in the last 50 years.
With that, I urge my colleagues to vote to suspend the rules and pass
H.R. 6063 by an overwhelming margin so that we can send it on to the
President for his signature.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I honor Chairman Gordon for pointing out that this year marks the
50th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
We refer to it as NASA. It is a good time to reflect on really how far
our Nation has come in a half century, but it is also an opportunity to
reaffirm our commitment to space flight and innovation.
H.R. 6063 authorizes NASA for fiscal year 2009. It is the product of
close bipartisan and bicameral consultation and cooperation, and I urge
its support.
H.R. 6063 is a 1-year authorization. The intent of the bill is to
keep NASA on its current path towards completing the International
Space Station, transitioning between the Space Shuttle and the next
crew vehicle, and maintaining a balanced set of science and aeronautics
research programs. It also reaffirms Congress' long-standing commitment
to NASA and to its programs.
But by being a 1-year bill, H.R. 6063 is designed to give the next
President an opportunity to work with the next Congress in order to
fashion a long-term strategy that is consistent with the
administration's desires, as well as Congress.
H.R. 6063 contains a number of important provisions. It authorizes
$20.2 billion for NASA for FY 2009, including $1 billion to accelerate
development of the new Constellation crew vehicle launch system as a
replacement for the space shuttle. This new launch system will provide
our country with a modern, more robust and safer manned space flight
capability that will enable our astronauts to fly out of low Earth
orbit, an ability we haven't had since the retirements of Apollo over
30 years ago.
As we are debating the bill today, China has three men in orbit and
the scheduled space walk took place earlier today. They are fast
accelerating their space capabilities, and if we are to remain the
leader in space exploration, we must continue to innovate and
accelerate our programs.
As most of you are aware, there is currently a substantial gap, as
much as 5 years, between retiring the shuttle and bringing the next
crew launch system online. During this gap, our Nation will be in the
untenable position of relying on Russia to assure a U.S. presence on
the international space station. I find this unacceptable. Therefore, I
am pleased that this bill authorizes extra funding for the new launch
system, thereby taking a step toward closing the gap and reducing our
dependence on foreign partners.
As this is only a 1-year bill, I look forward to working with the
next administration to find further solutions to close the gap and
preserve our own human space flight capabilities.
The bill also includes a number of provisions to encourage NASA,
working with the private sector, to foster development of domestic
commercial cargo launch capability primarily designed to take supplies
to the Space
[[Page 22742]]
Station. In addition, H.R. 6063 includes language directing NASA to
solicit for commercial crew launch capability. Both of these provisions
confirm our commitment to advancing American space capabilities rather
than relying on foreign nations.
In addition to human space flight, the bill also advances a balanced
and robust space science, Earth science and aeronautics program. It
embraces a number of recommendations that were put forth by witnesses
from government, from industry, and I could name them, who testified at
hearings before our committee over the previous 18 months.
These are sensible provisions designed to strengthen aeronautics,
space science and Earth science research programs, encourage technology
risk reduction policies and activities, foster efficient technology
transfer from NASA to other Federal agencies and to the private sector,
detect and mitigate the threat of near-Earth objects and research and
monitor the effect of space weather on satellites.
The list is not exhaustive, but I want to mention these few examples
to emphasize to all Members the breadth of this bill and how it
improves upon many of NASA's activities and programs. Suffice it to say
that NASA is one of the most exciting and innovative Federal agencies,
and it serves as a huge inspiration to our young people to take a
serious interest in math and science education.
{time} 1415
It also continues to inspire Americans, and it draws the admiration
of nations worldwide.
On the fiftieth anniversary of NASA, we should all be proud of what
our Nation has accomplished in the last half century. We should boldly
push forward with the excitement, support and anticipation for what the
next 50 years hold. I am convinced that our greatest accomplishment
lies in the frontiers ahead.
I want to thank Chairman Gordon and his staff. I want to thank my
staff, Ed Feddeman and Ken Monroe. They worked closely with Dick
Obermann.
I also want to acknowledge the work of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
and her capable staff. It's a good organization, and I appreciate all
of them.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend
from Colorado (Mr. Udall) the chairman of the subcommittee and thank
him for his good work on this legislation.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I support the passage of H.R.
6063, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2008, as amended by the Senate.
H.R. 6063 provides important direction and ensures the leadership of
the United States civil space programs and provides the next president
with congressional priorities for America's future in aeronautics and
civil space activities.
I am very proud that this legislation has been a bipartisan effort
every step of the way. Our bill passed quickly through the committee
process, and on June 18 of this year, H.R. 6063 passed the House by the
overwhelming margin of 409-15.
Since that House passage, we have worked with our colleagues in the
Senate to craft a final version that reflects the concerns and
interests of Members in both Chambers of Congress. I am pleased that
the Senate yesterday passed H.R. 6063, as amended, by unanimous
consent.
I would like to thank Chairman Gordon, Ranking Member Hall and
subcommittee Ranking Member Feeney for their support and hard work on
this bill.
I think a special acknowledgment is due Congressman Lampson, who
represents the great City of Houston, and who has been tireless in his
support of NASA.
I also wanted to point out, I think, the great model that Congressman
Hall and Congressman Gordon present us here in our House, where they
work together in a bipartisan fashion to make sure that NASA thrives,
and is nurtured, and is in a position to excel in the years in front of
us.
I also want to also take a minute and thank the excellent staff on
both the majority and minority side for their outstanding work. On the
Democratic side of the aisle, Dick Obermann, Pam Whitney, Allen Li, and
Devin Bryant have all been instrumental in moving this bill forward, as
has Wendy Adams on my personal staff.
I want to make special mention of Wendy. I know she is here on a
Saturday, giving the extra effort that always characterizes her work on
behalf of the committee and, in particular, the subcommittee.
I also wanted to take another bit of time and mention Dick Obermann
and tell him how much I respect him and how much I have enjoyed working
with him on all my years on the committee. He is, as everybody knows in
this House, the epitome of professionalism. The House, the aerospace
community, and I would say our country is fortunate to have his talents
and intelligence and work ethic deployed on behalf of all of us. Dick,
I will miss you and look forward to working with you wherever I am next
year.
On the minority side, I want to thank Ed Feddeman, Kim Monroe and Lee
Arnold for their efforts as well. We have truly worked together in a
bipartisan fashion.
Now while the amended bill leaves out a set of House-passed
provisions, I am confident that H.R. 6063, as amended, remains a good
bill and puts NASA in the civil space program on a path that will help
ensure our leadership in aerospace and aeronautics.
This year, as has been mentioned, we celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the U.S. space program and the creation of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration. NASA has achieved remarkable accomplishments
over the past decades in science and aeronautics and human space
flight. All of us here want to ensure that the next 50 years of our
space program are equally bright.
This is a very good bill. I urge my colleagues to pass it, as
amended, to ensure continued United States leadership in NASA's
science, aeronautics and human space flight and exploration programs.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I might add on to the gentleman's
statement about Mr. Obermann. I think I am the one that employed him.
When I switched to be a Republican, I was going to try to make a
Republican out of him, but I don't think I would have been able to do
that.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the NASA
Authorization Act, H.R. 6063. I would like to salute Chairman Bart
Gordon and Ranking Member Ralph Hall and Subcommittee Chairman Udall
and Ranking Member Feeney.
They have done a terrific job this year. There has been no better
example of bipartisan cooperation and a spirit of goodwill that I have
ever found in this Congress than what I have found in these last 2
years on this committee. I salute all those who are involved, and I am
very proud to be part of this team.
Space-based assets have become such a part of our way of life that
quite often they are taken for granted. Just recently, when we
experienced hurricanes and noted the damage that was done by these
great natural catastrophes, sometimes people forget how much worse it
would have been had we not been tracking these hurricanes as they
headed towards populated areas.
We were able to save many thousands of lives and save many billions
of dollars in damage because we have had space-based assets that
permitted us to be able to make that contribution to our fellow human
beings, saving their lives and property in the face of an oncoming
storm by giving them adequate warning.
We also know that today our telephone calls are cheap, and they are
clear. But this is dramatically different than what it was before we
had space-based assets up there taking care of our communications.
The fact is that space-based assets have permitted people to take
time and to communicate with their loved ones.
[[Page 22743]]
We talk about our country when we talk about life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness, talking to your grandfather, or letting your
children talk to their grandparents on the phone.
When I was a kid, it cost maybe $5 or $6, and you could barely hear
on the phone. You could barely hear. It was so expensive, you called
once a month at the most. Now people can talk to their loved ones.
Space-based assets have done this, have increased our happiness, our
level of happiness in this world.
Again, those communications satellites also have brought down the
cost of entertainment, as we know. The fact is, the competition the
space-based assets have given to the cable industry have brought down
that cost.
GPS guides us to our locations, whether we are talking about jets or
talking about automobiles, or even where farmers will plant their
crops. Space-based assets are making such a difference in our lives.
Of course, space-based assets are making America much safer. When we
meet adversaries overseas, our people have that advantage. It's keeping
us free, it's keeping us safe.
Of course, when you talk about safety, I have been particularly
interested in ensuring that we pay attention to the potential threat
posed by near-Earth objects. NASA, of course, has tracked and
catalogued over 90 percent of those objects in space that could destroy
the human race, and we are very grateful for that job. But that leaves,
of course, thousands of space objects that could cause horrendous
damage and loss of life that still need to be tracked.
This bill authorizes $2 million to keep the Arecibo telescope
functioning. That Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico is essential to this
element of safety that we are providing by tracking near-Earth objects.
As I say, without the telescope, there may be, perhaps, something, if
we learned early enough that we could deflect that might come here and
kill millions of people. We are paying attention to this. This NASA
authorization takes a step in the right direction there in keeping the
Arecibo telescope alive.
We should be cooperating in space. All of these things cost money,
and other countries have benefited by our research. We need to
cooperate with Europe, Japan, Russia, and other countries to make sure
that we can accomplish what we can do more by joining them than if we
were alone in this.
However, that cooperation does not mean that we should not continue
to be the leaders in space activity. We will no longer be the leading
power on the Earth unless we are the leading power in space.
This is the 50th anniversary of NASA, and it is fitting that we set
our sights on continuing to be the world's leading power in space. We
can lead humankind into a better era. We have done that in the cause of
human freedom. We will do that in the cause of technology and human
development.
I stand here with pride and join my colleagues. I salute them for all
the hard work they have done and in asking my colleagues to join me in
authorizing NASA in this legislation.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me first thank my friend from California
for his great contribution to our committee. As a former chairman of
this subcommittee, he is both knowledgeable and always very helpful.
I would like to now yield 3 minutes to a very enthusiastic supporter
of NASA from Houston, Texas, the chairman of the Energy subcommittee,
Mr. Lampson.
Mr. LAMPSON. Thank you, Chairman Gordon, for giving me the time and
also for the good work that you have done, not just in this bill, but
in guiding this committee, this Science Committee, for a long period of
time and the great successes, also, to Chairman Udall in working with
you on this committee; Ranking Members Hall and Feeney for the work
that you all have done and staff, obviously, in putting together, not
just a good bill here, but making it a pleasure to work on the Science
Committee for the last 2 years.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this NASA Authorization
Act. The $20 billion authorization demonstrates Congress' real
commitment to a NASA that can fully address exploration and scientific
discovery.
I just read an article about the Chinese cheering as astronauts made
their first space walk last night. It reminded me of what we have done
over the last many decades, five decades, to be fairly precise, and how
we seem to have lost some of the commitment, because we have seen the
budget of NASA decline in the last many years from about 6 percent of
our Nation's budget to about six-tenths of a percent of our Nation's
budget.
When you recognize that NASA inspires children to study math,
science, and engineering and see that we have slipped in relation to
other places in the world, some say because of that, maybe we really
need another crisis. We need another Sputnik to inspire us to recommit
ourselves to what we can learn in space and what we can do in
exploration and science in space.
Well, I maintain that we have those beeps that some of us heard from
Sputnik in 1957, that every time something occurs like China's having
its own space walker now, or another nation launching some special
craft or accomplishing some other task, each one of those events is,
indeed, a beep of that Sputnik that we heard in 1957. We need to make
NASA a priority again in this country, because it has such an impact on
our standing in the world, our knowledge and inspiration for children
and certainly our own standard of living.
I would mention two other programs that are included in this bill.
One is called the Space Technical Alliance Outreach Program authorized
in this bill. It helps small businesses grow, it creates jobs,
contributes to our economy, as do many other things in the bill; as
well as a little bitty program like allowing children in their own
schools here on Earth to be able to take pictures from space that
ultimately inspire them to want to study, and do study, more on those
areas of math and science and engineering.
I encourage each of my colleagues to vote positively on this bill and
send a strong signal that we are committed to space and exploration.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend
from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
Mr. KUCINICH. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6063, the NASA
Authorization Act of 2008.
I want to thank the committee chairman, Bart Gordon, and the
subcommittee chairman, Mark Udall, for putting together this effective
package and my friends on the other side of the aisle for their support
of it as well.
{time} 1430
This bill authorizes funds and specifies policy guidance that will
keep NASA's centers, which are the heart of the agency, healthy and
financially strong.
H.R. 6063 provides $1 billion to accelerate the completion of the
next generation of manned vehicles that will replace the Space Shuttle.
I am proud to say the world class facility at the NASA Glenn Research
Center in my district will play a lead role in maintaining key aspects
of tomorrow's space program.
NASA Glenn also specializes in aeronautics basic research. This bill
continues the record of excellence by providing $853 million for
aeronautics, a 35 percent increase over fiscal year 2008.
But the reason for NASA's historical and continued successes are its
workers. They have brought NASA unparalleled repute around the world,
turning it into an icon of intelligence and innovation. That is why
this bill's most important provisions are those that protect workers.
I want to thank the chairman of the Federal Workforce Subcommittee,
Danny Davis, for working with me on two critical workforce provisions
that are included in this bill. The most important provision is an
extension of a
[[Page 22744]]
ban on layoffs until at least 2011. Since announcing the ambitious
vision for space exploration, the administration has, unfortunately,
underfunded NASA. But with equal consistency in a bipartisan way,
Congress has rejected these cuts and layoffs.
Layoffs undermine not only workers' lives and mission of the agency,
but also the regional economy. According to researchers at Cleveland
State University, NASA Glenn in Brook Park generated a demand for
products and services of $955 million and was responsible for over
6,000 jobs in northeast Ohio in 2006.
This bill will also temporarily extend health care benefits for
employees in transition. The sudden loss of health care coverage is a
major factor currently discouraging employees from taking a buyout. The
provision would be helpful in fostering a respectful workforce
transition plan during this time at NASA.
Again, this is a bipartisan bill. I want to thank the Ohio delegation
for supporting our establishment as well as this Congress for the work
that they have done on this.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I will quickly conclude by
saying that just because we have all talked nice here today and been
civil and we have a bipartisan bill, doesn't mean that this was not a
difficult bill to put together. A lot of work went into this, a lot of
respectful collaboration on a bipartisan way. We have a good bill. I
thank my friends for helping.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 6063.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
HONORING AND SUPPORTING THE HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of H.
Res. 875 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Lampson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 875
Whereas Mr. William A. Hadley, a high school teacher who
lost his vision at the age of 55, and ophthalmologist Dr.
E.V.L. Brown first welcomed students to the Hadley School for
the Blind in 1920;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind's mission is to
promote independent living through lifelong, distance
education programs for blind people, their families and
blindness service providers;
Whereas over the past 87 years, the Hadley School has grown
to have an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students
from all 50 states and 100 countries;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind has a high school
degree program, an adult continuing study program, and in
2008 will be launching the Hadley School for Professional
Studies;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind offers a wide range
of distance education courses for blind or visually impaired
individuals who are at least 14 years of age, relatives of
blind or visually impaired children, family members of blind
or visually impaired adults, and professionals in the
blindness field;
Whereas there are more than 90 courses offered in Braille,
large print, audiocassette, and online and students study in
their own homes, at their own pace, completely free of
charge; and
Whereas student Christine Gilson is bridging cultural
boundaries by teaching visually impaired Chinese students
English online: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the important and positive impact the Hadley
School for the Blind has had on the lives of thousands of
visually impaired people across the globe; and
(2) supports their mission to promote independent living
through lifelong, distance education programs for blind
people, their families and blindness service providers.
The resolution was agreed to.
Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Altmire
Mr. ALTMIRE. I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Altmire:
Strike the preamble and insert the following:
Whereas Mr. William A. Hadley, a high school teacher who
lost his vision at the age of 55, and ophthalmologist Dr.
E.V.L. Brown first welcomed students to the Hadley School for
the Blind in 1920;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind's mission is to
promote independent living through lifelong, distance
education programs for blind people, their families and
blindness service providers;
Whereas over the past 87 years, the Hadley School has grown
to have an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students
from all 50 states and 100 countries;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind has a high school
degree program, an adult continuing study program, and in
2008 will be launching the Hadley School for Professional
Studies;
Whereas the Hadley School for the Blind offers a wide range
of distance education courses for blind or visually impaired
individuals who are at least 14 years of age, relatives of
blind or visually impaired children, family members of blind
or visually impaired adults, and professionals in the
blindness field;
Whereas there are more than 90 courses offered in Braille,
large print, audiocassette, and online and students study in
their own homes, at their own pace, completely free of
charge; and
Whereas student Christie Gilson is bridging cultural
boundaries by teaching visually impaired Chinese students
English online: Now, therefore, be it
Mr. ALTMIRE (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH
Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Education and Labor be discharged from further consideration of the
resolution (H. Res. 1440) expressing support for designation of the
month of October as ``National Work and Family Month,'' and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1440
Whereas according to the report by WorldatWork titled
``Attraction and Retention'', the quality of workers' jobs
and the supportiveness of their workplaces are key predictors
of job productivity, job satisfaction, commitment to
employers, and retention;
Whereas employees who have more access to flexible work
arrangements enabling employees to balance family and work
are significantly more satisfied with their jobs, are more
satisfied with their lives, and experience less interference
between their jobs and family lives than those employees who
have less access to flexible work arrangements, according to
the Families and Work Institute 2002 National Study of the
Changing Workforce;
Whereas according to the 2004 report ``Overwork in
America'', employees who are able to effectively balance
family and work responsibilities are less likely to report
making mistakes, or feel resentment toward employers and
coworkers;
Whereas employees who are able to effectively balance
family and work responsibilities tend to feel more successful
in their relationships with their spouses, children, and
friends, and tend to feel healthier;
Whereas 85 percent of United States wage and salaried
workers have immediate, day-to-day family responsibilities
outside of their jobs;
Whereas research by the Radcliffe Public Policy Center in
2000 revealed that men in their 20s and 30s, and women in
their 20s, 30s,
[[Page 22745]]
and 40s, identified the most important job characteristic as
being a work schedule that allows them to spend time with
their families;
Whereas according to the 2006 American Community Survey, 47
percent of wage and salaried workers are parents with
children under the age of 18 who live with them at least
half-time;
Whereas job flexibility often allows parents to be more
involved in their children's lives, and research reveals that
parental involvement is associated with children's higher
achievement in language and mathematics, improved behavior,
greater academic persistence, and lower dropout rates;
Whereas the 2000 Urban Working Families study revealed that
a lack of job flexibility for working parents negatively
affects children's health in ways that range from children
being unable to make needed doctors' appointments, to
children receiving inadequate early care, leading to more
severe and prolonged illness;
Whereas according to a Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) report, breastfeeding is the most beneficial
form of infant nutrition, and the greater the duration of
breastfeeding, the lower the odds of pediatric overweight and
obesity;
Whereas according to the CDC less than half of mothers who
work full time exclusively breastfeed their newborns;
Whereas according to the CDC, support for lactation at work
benefits individual families as well as employers via
improved productivity and staff loyalty, enhanced public
image of the employer, and decreased absenteeism, health care
costs, and employee turnover;
Whereas studies show that one-third of children and
adolescents in the United States are obese or overweight and
healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and
physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and
developing related diseases;
Whereas studies report that family rituals, such as sitting
down to dinner together and sharing activities on weekends
and holidays, positively influence children's health and
development, and that children who ate dinner with their
family every day consumed nearly a full serving more of
fruits and vegetables per day than those who never ate family
dinners or only did so occasionally;
Whereas furthermore, unpaid family caregivers will likely
continue to be the largest source of long-term care services
in the United States for elderly United States citizens and
are estimated by the Department of Health and Human Service
to reach 37,000,000 caregivers by 2050, an increase of 85
percent from 2000, as an increasing number of baby boomers
reach retirement age in record numbers; and
Whereas the month of October would be an appropriate month
to designate as ``National Work and Family Month'': Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``National Work and Family
Month'';
(2) recognizes the importance of balancing work and family
to job productivity and healthy families;
(3) recognizes that an important job characteristic is a
work schedule that allows employees to spend time with
families;
(4) supports the goals and ideas of ``National Family and
Work Month'', and urges public officials, employers,
employees, and the general public to work together to achieve
more balance between work and family; and
(5) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States to observe
``National Work and Family Month'' with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
The resolution was agreed to.
Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Altmire
Mr. ALTMIRE. I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Altmire:
In the preamble, strike the tenth through fourteenth
Whereas clauses, and insert the following:
Whereas according to a Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) report, less than half of mothers who work
full time exclusively breastfeed their newborns, although
support for lactation at work benefits individual families as
well as employers via improved productivity and staff
loyalty, and decreased absenteeism and employee turnover;
Whereas according to the CDC, breastfeeding is the most
beneficial form of infant nutrition, and the greater the
duration of breastfeeding, the lower the odds of pediatric
obesity;
Whereas studies report that family rituals, such as sitting
down to dinner together, positively influence children's
health and development, and that healthy lifestyle habits,
including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the
risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases;
Mr. ALTMIRE (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to insert extraneous material into the Record on the matters that
were just considered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
____________________
CHARITY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2008
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 7083) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
enhance charitable giving and improve disclosure and tax
administration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7083
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Charity
Enhancement Act of 2008''.
(b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is
expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered
to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title, etc.
Sec. 2. Funds advised by certain public charities and governmental
entities not treated as donor advised funds.
Sec. 3. Certain scholarship distributions from donor advised funds not
treated as taxable distributions.
Sec. 4. Repeal of special written acknowledgment requirement for
charitable contributions to donor advised funds.
Sec. 5. Reasonable compensation paid by supporting organizations to
substantial contributors not treated as an excess
benefit.
Sec. 6. Exception from holdings and payout requirements for
longstanding, fully funded type III supporting
organizations.
Sec. 7. Contributions by Indian tribal governments treated same as
contributions by States.
Sec. 8. Electronic filing of exempt organization annual returns.
Sec. 9. Expansion of bad check penalty to electronic payments, etc.
SEC. 2. FUNDS ADVISED BY CERTAIN PUBLIC CHARITIES AND
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES NOT TREATED AS DONOR
ADVISED FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 4966(d)(2) is
amended by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i), by
striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting
``, or'', and by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) if all contributions to such fund or account have
been made, and all advisory privileges referred to in
subparagraph (A)(iii) with respect to such fund or account
have been exercised, by either--
``(I) one or more organizations described in clause (i),
(ii), (iii), (iv), or (vi) of section 170(b)(1)(A) or section
509(a)(2), or
``(II) one or more entities described in section
170(c)(1).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. CERTAIN SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS FROM DONOR ADVISED
FUNDS NOT TREATED AS TAXABLE DISTRIBUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 4966 is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Exception for certain scholarship distributions.--
``(A) In general.--The term `taxable distribution' shall
not include any qualified scholarship distribution from a
qualified scholarship fund.
[[Page 22746]]
``(B) Qualified scholarship distribution.--The term
`qualified scholarship distribution' means any grant to a
natural person for travel, study, or other similar purposes
made from a donor advised fund if all such grants meet the
requirements of subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii)(III).
``(C) Qualified scholarship fund.--The term `qualified
scholarship fund' means any donor advised fund if--
``(i) the advisory privileges referred to in subsection
(d)(2)(A)(iii) with respect to such fund are exercised solely
by an organization described in paragraph (4) of section
501(c) and exempt from tax under section 501(a), and
``(ii) substantially all of the distributions from such
fund are qualified scholarship distributions.''.
(b) Application of Tax on Prohibited Benefits to Qualified
Scholarship Distributions.--Subsection (c) of section 4967 is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Qualified scholarship funds.--Each substantial
contributor (as defined in section 4958(c)(3)(C)) to a
qualified scholarship fund and each family member (within the
meaning of section 4958(f)(4)) of such person shall be
treated as a person described in subsection (d) with respect
to such fund.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to distributions made after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REPEAL OF SPECIAL WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT REQUIREMENT
FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO DONOR ADVISED
FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (18) of section 170(f) is
amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (B),
(2) by striking ``if--'' and all that follows through ``the
sponsoring organization (as defined in section 4966(d)(1))''
and inserting ``if the sponsoring organization (as defined in
section 4966(d)(1)))'', and
(3) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph
(A) (as in effect before amendment by paragraph (2)) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B) and by moving such subparagraphs 2
ems to the left.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. REASONABLE COMPENSATION PAID BY SUPPORTING
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTORS NOT
TREATED AS AN EXCESS BENEFIT.
(a) In General.--Clause (ii) of section 4958(c)(3)(A) is
amended to read as follows:
``(ii) the term `excess benefit' includes, with respect to
any transaction described in clause (i)--
``(I) in the case of any grant, loan, or similar payment,
the amount of such grant, loan, or similar payment, and
``(II) in the case of any compensation or similar payment,
the amount by which the value of the economic benefit
provided exceeds the value of the consideration (including
the performance of services) received for providing such
benefit.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section
shall apply to amounts paid pursuant to transactions entered
into after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. EXCEPTION FROM HOLDINGS AND PAYOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR
LONGSTANDING, FULLY FUNDED TYPE III SUPPORTING
ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Holdings Requirements.--Subsection (f) of section 4943
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) Exception for certain longstanding fully funded type
iii supporting organizations.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply
to any organization if--
``(A) the organization was established before January 1,
1970,
``(B) the organization has not accepted any substantial
contributions after December 31, 1970,
``(C) no donor to the organization was alive on August 17,
2006, and
``(D) no family member (within the meaning of section
4958(f)(4)) of any donor is an organization manager (as
defined in section 4958(f)(2)).''.
(b) Payout Requirements.--Section 1241(d)(1) of the Pension
Protection Act of 2006 shall not apply to any organization
described in section 4943(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as added by this section.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. CONTRIBUTIONS BY INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TREATED
SAME AS CONTRIBUTIONS BY STATES.
(a) In General.--Section 7871(a) (relating to Indian tribal
governments treated as States for certain purposes) is
amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6), by
striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and inserting
``; and'', and by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(8) for purposes of--
``(A) determining support of an organization described in
section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), and
``(B) determining whether an organization is described in
paragraph (1) or (2) of section 509(a) for purposes of
section 509(a)(3).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to--
(1) support received on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and
(2) the determination of the status of any organization
with respect to any taxable year beginning after such date of
enactment.
SEC. 8. ELECTRONIC FILING OF EXEMPT ORGANIZATION ANNUAL
RETURNS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 6104 (relating
to public inspection of certain annual returns, reports,
applications for exemption, and notices of status) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating the paragraph relating to disclosure
of reports by Internal Revenue Service as paragraph (7),
(2) by redesignating the paragraph relating to application
to nonexempt charitable trusts and nonexempt private
foundations as paragraph (8), and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(9) Returns required on magnetic media, etc.--Any
organization (other than an organization exempt from tax
under section 527(a)) which--
``(A) is required to make available information for
inspection under paragraph (1)(A), and
``(B) would be required to file returns on magnetic media
or in other machine-readable form under subsection (e) of
section 6011 if such subsection were applied by substituting
`at least 5 returns' for `at least 250 returns' in paragraph
(2)(A) thereof,
shall file the information referred to in clauses (i) and
(ii) of paragraph (1)(A) on such magnetic media or in other
machine-readable form.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to returns required to be filed for taxable years
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 9. EXPANSION OF BAD CHECK PENALTY TO ELECTRONIC
PAYMENTS, ETC.
(a) In General.--Section 6657 (relating to bad checks) is
amended by adding at the end the following: ``Except as
otherwise provided by the Secretary, any authorization of a
payment by commercially acceptable means (within the meaning
of section 6311) shall be treated for purposes of this
section in the same manner as a check.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply to authorizations of payments made after December
31, 2005.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Altmire). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) and the gentleman from Minnesota
(Mr. Ramstad) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
on the bill, H.R. 7083.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7083, the Charity Enhancement
Act of 2008.
This bill responds to hundreds of pages of written comments that were
submitted by charities to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.
This bill contains a number of important provisions to help charities
continue their good work.
Charities play such an important role in our country. Charities and
foundations make up the very fabric of our communities. They know the
deepest human needs of our friends and neighbors, and they know the
solutions that work. Often, at critical times, charities and
foundations are the leaders that show government the way to care for
our citizens. Their services touch every corner of life in our
communities--education, the arts, and medical research.
They also serve those who need our help the most by feeding the
hungry, caring for the sick and lifting up those who live in poverty.
This bill fixes some of the unintended effects of new charitable laws
that keep them from doing their good and necessary work.
First, the bill will promote scholarships by relaxing the rules
imposed on certain scholarship funds.
Second, the bill would improve disclosure to the public by increasing
the electronic filing of tax returns filed by charities and
foundations.
Third, the bill will provide relief to certain longstanding
supporting organizations created before 1970. Notably,
[[Page 22747]]
these are charities where the donors are deceased, so there is no
concern about misusing the charity for personal gain.
Historically, these charities have distributed significant amounts to
their communities over the past 38 years. Their contributions have been
used to fund scholarship and support charitable, scientific, and
educational activities.
Finally, this bill will allow charities to reimburse reasonable and
necessary expenses of volunteer board members.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our
charities and foundations and vote ``yes'' for H.R. 7083.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, tough economic times are especially tough for America's
charitable community. They face increasing demands for services from
people in need, and the investments that foundations make in order to
grow their endowments have eroded significantly due to market turmoil.
Last year on behalf of the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee,
Chairman Lewis requested comments on the implementation of charitable
reforms contained in the 2006 Pension Protection Act.
The bill before us responds to many of the concerns that were raised
by the charitable community. Specifically, the bill has seven
provisions aimed at relieving burdens on charities and on foundations:
Funds advised by certain public charities and government entities
would not be treated as donor advised funds.
Certain scholarships given from donor advised funds would not be
considered a taxable distribution.
Thirdly, a special written acknowledgment requirement for charitable
contributions to donor advised funds would be repealed.
Fourth, supporting organizations would be allowed to pay reasonable
compensation to substantial contributors for the services that they
perform without the payment being considered an excess benefit.
Also, certain long-standing Type III organizations with no recent
major or living donors would be exempt from payout and excess business
holding requirements.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, contributions from Indian tribal
governments would be treated the same as contributions from States for
purposes of determining whether an organization is a public charity or
a private foundation.
Finally, the IRS would be allowed to institute electronic filing for
charities that file at least five information returns each year.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor Chairman Lewis' legislation,
grateful for his leadership of the Oversight Subcommittee and his
friendship over the years. His leadership as chairman of our
subcommittee has been thoughtful and bipartisan inclusive. For that I
am very grateful. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7083, the
Charity Enhancement Act to provide relief to America's charitable
community.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), a member of the Ways and
Means Committee.
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr.
Lewis and Mr. Ramstad for their work on this very important bill, a
bill that I am proud to be the coauthor of, and I rise today in strong
support of this bill.
The provisions of this bill will play a vital role in allowing
charitable organizations to better serve our communities. In fact, the
two largest organizations representing charities, Independent Sector
and the Council on Foundations, have both endorsed this critical
legislation because it allows charities to better fulfill their
valuable mission.
To help explain the practical impact of this bill, I would like to
share the story of the Doyle Trust which benefits thousands of
hardworking families.
Doyle Trust was founded 59 years ago to serve the students of Santa
Rosa Junior College in Sonoma County, California. On Frank Doyle's
death, he established the Doyle Trust which he funded with his 51
percent share in the Exchange Bank. Doyle created his trust so that
dividends for his bank stock would go to a scholarship fund to help
students attending this junior college.
Last year alone, more than $5 million in scholarships for 5,500 Santa
Rosa Junior College students was donated by the Doyle Trust. It is not
unusual to find three generations of the same family who have benefited
from the Doyle Trust scholarships. The Doyle Trust is an institution in
Sonoma County, and its contribution to the community makes a real
difference in the lives of working families.
Without this legislation, the mission of the Doyle Trust may be
undermined because provisions of the Pension Protection Act could force
the trust to sell its assets.
{time} 1445
The unintended consequence of the Pension Protection Act would be to
end Doyle Trust's ability to continue providing scholarships to
thousands of students at Santa Rosa Junior College.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us pass this
bill to ensure that future generations of Sonoma County families can
benefit from the generosity of the Doyle Trust.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).
Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Mr. Lewis, and the
ranking member, Mr. Ramstad, for this work that is now embodied in H.R.
7083. I support the legislation, and thank them for their efforts to
move forward on what is a very important subject, and that is
encouraging Americans to participate in charitable giving.
The government has a partnership with the charitable sector. The
government relies on charities to reach out to populations in need, and
that is why the charitable sector receives tax-preferred treatment. We
want to incent charitable activity as much as we can because
government, by itself, cannot serve the needs of all of those Americans
who work very hard but who sometimes fall upon bad times.
At the same time, we find that there are some charitable
organizations that are doing tremendous work while others are not, and
I believe this is the beginning of a major effort on the part of
Congress to try to really focus our attention on the charitable sector
to make sure that we are receiving everything Americans expect through
that tax-deferred treatment that these charities and nonprofit
organizations receive.
One example in this bill of how we are doing good is through the
tribal charities provision in this legislation. Tribal charities,
charities that are within the jurisdiction of the tribal governments of
this country, are a good example of nonprofits that recognize the
overwhelming need of a people, in this case, people in Indian country.
Tribal charities play a crucial role in serving the needs of members of
these many tribes throughout America.
We know that close to 25 percent of Native Americans today live in
poverty. It's even higher for Native American children. Some 31 percent
live in households that live in poverty. That compares to 11 percent of
American children who are non-Native American. We also know that close
to 20 percent of Native American seniors today still live in poverty,
far greater than we see outside of Indian country. Fewer than 15
percent of Native Americans today go on to receive a bachelor's degree
or higher. We need to change that.
So these tribal charities that we find are making every effort to try
to reach out to communities throughout Indian country to make it
possible for young kids, for adults who work and for seniors to have a
chance to benefit from all we can.
Tribal charities under this legislation will be treated the way any
other State government or local government is treated when it comes to
dealing with charities, the same type of tax treatment. That will give
tribes an opportunity to really enhance the ability
[[Page 22748]]
of tribal charities to do the most good for a larger population. This
legislation will go a long way in correcting some of the mistakes that
we've made and in correcting some of the omissions that have been there
in the past.
Once again, I believe, as I said before, that under the leadership of
Chairman Lewis and with the good help of Mr. Ramstad that we're moving
forward to make sure that we have a charitable tax deduction that works
for everyone and that is optimal in its efforts to try to do public
good.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of Mr. Ramstad
whether he has any additional speakers?
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill, and I
want to thank my good friend Mr. Ramstad for all of his hard work and
for his great work in helping to bring this needed bill before us
today.
Given the terrible state of the economy, we need to do all we can to
support our charities. We need to promote scholarships, to promote
charitable giving and to enhance public disclosure.
I fully support H.R. 7083. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle to support our charities and to vote ``yes'' for the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 7083.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
INMATE TAX FRAUD PREVENTION ACT OF 2008
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 7082) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
permit the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose certain prisoner
return information to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7082
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention
Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE OF PRISONER RETURN INFORMATION TO FEDERAL
BUREAU OF PRISONS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (k) of section 6103 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to disclosure of
certain return and return information for tax administration
purposes) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(10) Disclosure of certain return information of
prisoners to federal bureau of prisons.--
``(A) In general.--Under such procedures as the Secretary
may prescribe, the Secretary may disclose to the head of the
Federal Bureau of Prisons any return information with respect
to individuals incarcerated in Federal prison whom the
Secretary has determined may have filed or facilitated the
filing of a false return to the extent that the Secretary
determines that such disclosure is necessary to permit
effective Federal tax administration.
``(B) Restriction on redisclosure.--Notwithstanding
subsection (n), the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons may
not disclose any information obtained under subparagraph (A)
to any person other than an officer or employee of such
Bureau.
``(C) Restriction on use of disclosed information.--Return
information received under this paragraph shall be used only
for purposes of and to the extent necessary in taking
administrative action to prevent the filing of false and
fraudulent returns, including administrative actions to
address possible violations of administrative rules and
regulations of the prison facility.
``(D) Termination.--No disclosure may be made under this
paragraph after December 31, 2011.''.
(b) Recordkeeping.--Paragraph (4) of section 6103(p) of
such Code is amended by striking ``(k)(8)'' both places it
appears and inserting ``(k)(8) or (10)''.
(c) Evaluation by Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration.--Paragraph (3) of section 7803(d) of such
Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (B) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at
the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) not later than December 31, 2010, submit a written
report to Congress on the implementation of section
6103(k)(10).''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to disclosures made after December 31, 2008.
(e) Annual Reports.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
annually submit to Congress and make publicly available a
report on the filing of false and fraudulent returns by
individuals incarcerated in Federal and State prisons. Such
report shall include statistics on the number of false and
fraudulent returns associated with each Federal and State
prison.
SEC. 3. RESTORATION OF CERTAIN JUDICIAL SURVIVORS' ANNUITIES.
(a) In General.--Section 376 of title 28, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(x) In the case of a widow or widower whose annuity under
clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (h)(1) is terminated because
of remarriage before attaining 55 years of age, the annuity
shall be restored at the same rate commencing on the day the
remarriage is dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment, if--
``(1) the widow or widower elects to receive this annuity
instead of any other survivor annuity to which such widow or
widower may be entitled, under this chapter or under another
retirement system for Government employees, by reason of the
remarriage; and
``(2) any payment made to such widow or widower under
subsection (o) or (p) on termination of the annuity is
returned to the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 376(h)(2) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``, subject to subsection (x).''.
(c) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--This section and the amendments made by
this section shall take effect on the first day of the first
month beginning at least 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act and shall apply in the case of a
remarriage which is dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment
on or after such first day.
(2) Limited retroactive effect.--
(A) In general.--In the case of a remarriage which is
dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment within the 4-year
period ending on the day before the effective date of this
section, the amendments made by this section shall apply only
if the widow or widower satisfies the requirements of
paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 376(x) of title 28, United
States Code (as amended by this section) before--
(i) the end of the 1-year period beginning on the effective
date of this section; or
(ii) such later date as Director of the Administrative
Office of the United States Courts may by regulation
prescribe.
(B) Restoration.--If the requirements of paragraph (1) are
satisfied, the survivor annuity shall be restored, commencing
on the date the remarriage was dissolved by death, annulment,
or divorce, at the rate which was in effect when the annuity
was terminated.
(C) Lump-sum payment.--Any amounts becoming payable to the
widow or widower under this subsection for the period
beginning on the date on which the annuity was terminated and
ending on the date on which periodic annuity payments resume
shall be payable in a lump-sum payment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Lewis) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to give
all Members 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on
House bill 7082, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for bringing House bill 7082,
the Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act of 2008, to the House.
Mr. Ramstad has served at my side on the Oversight Subcommittee for
years. He has been a wonderful friend, a good friend. We call ourselves
brothers. He will be missed when he retires this year. He has worked to
make our taxes fair and to protect taxpayers. This bill is a great and
shining example of his good effort.
Jim, I want to thank you again for all of your great work, for
working so hard, for hanging in there, for never
[[Page 22749]]
giving up, and for never giving in. Thank you so much.
The Oversight Subcommittee found that thousands of false returns were
being filed by prisoners. However, the Internal Revenue Service could
not disclose the information to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This
bill was developed to correct this problem. This bill will stop the
abuse of our tax system.
I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in
favor of House bill 7082.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I first want to thank my friend, my brother and my chairman--Mr.
Lewis--who represents the absolute best in public service and who is
truly the conscience of the Congress. I'm just grateful for his
friendship and for the privilege of working with him for the past 18
years.
Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us addresses a very serious
situation in America's prisons--rampant tax fraud. I'm deeply grateful
to Chairman Lewis for being an original cosponsor of this legislation
and for helping me get this crucial legislation on the suspension
calendar and here to the floor today.
When I chaired the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee in the last
Congress, Mr. Speaker, we held a hearing that featured an inmate from
our Federal prison system. He was known as inmate Dole, a prisoner from
South Carolina who single-handedly swindled taxpayers out of $3.5
million by filing fraudulent tax returns. That's right, Mr. Speaker,
$3.5 million of outrageous tax fraud committed by a prisoner while he
was behind bars, while incarcerated in a Federal prison.
The hearing revealed that this was no isolated incident. There is
massive tax fraud going on within the walls of our Nation's prisons. In
fact, the IRS reports that 15 percent of all tax fraud committed in
America is committed by prison inmates, 15 percent.
As we all agree here, tax fraud in any form is unacceptable and
illegal, obviously, but it's particularly outrageous when it's
committed by prison inmates who are supposed to be paying their debt to
society and not bilking taxpayers. While the IRS is able to catch some
of it, far too much inmate tax fraud falls through the cracks.
Unfortunately, the IRS is prohibited by law from sharing information
with prison officials, information that would allow them to take action
to punish and to stop this fraud from going on in their prison
facilities right under their noses. So, in other words, Mr. Speaker,
Federal law enforcement is effectively blocked from pursuing these
cases because of the ban on information sharing.
Well, this legislation that I have introduced and have brought here
today, the Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act, would allow the IRS to
reveal information on tax fraud to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and to
compile statistics on tax fraud in each and every Federal and State
prison. The authority for the IRS to disclose tax fraud information
sunsets in 3 years, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration will issue a report, so in 3 years, Congress can
determine whether the program should be renewed and whether other
changes should be implemented.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, let me just say that it's obviously time
to protect honest taxpayers from this blatant, outrageous fraud that's
being committed by prison inmates. I urge my colleagues to protect this
commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will protect the taxpayers.
Support the Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act because the taxpayers of
America deserve nothing less.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire as to
whether Mr. Ramstad has any additional speakers.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I am prepared to close, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I would be
happy to yield back my time, and I look forward to Mr. Lewis' closing.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my friend
from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) for his good and great work for bringing
this bill before us today. The Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act is an
important bill, and I urge its passage. I fully support House bill
7082, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 7082, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to
disclose certain prisoner return information to the Federal Bureau of
Prisons, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
MEDICARE IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION ACT OF 2008
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6600) to amend title II of the Social Security Act to
prohibit the inclusion of Social Security account numbers on Medicare
cards, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6600
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Identity Theft
Prevention Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF INCLUSION OF SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT
NUMBERS ON MEDICARE CARDS.
(a) In General.--Section 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)) is amended by adding at
the end the following new clause:
``(x) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall
establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a social
security account number (or any derivative thereof) is not
displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to
an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of
title XVIII or enrolled under part B of title XVIII and that
any other identifier displayed on such card is easily
identifiable as not being the social security account number
(or a derivative thereof).''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to Medicare cards issued on and after an
effective date specified by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, but in no case shall such effective date be later
than the date that is 24 months after the date adequate
funding is provided pursuant to subsection (d)(2).
(2) Reissuance.--Subject to subsection (d)(2), in the case
of individuals who have been issued such cards before such
date, the Secretary of Health and Human Services--
(A) shall provide for the reissuance for such individuals
of such a card that complies with such amendment not later
than 3 years after the effective date specified under
paragraph (1); and
(B) may permit such individuals to apply for the reissuance
of such a card that complies with such amendment before the
date of reissuance otherwise provided under subparagraph (A)
in such exceptional circumstances as the Secretary may
specify.
(c) Outreach Program.--Subject to subsection (d)(2), the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with
the Commissioner of Social Security, shall conduct an
outreach program to Medicare beneficiaries and providers
about the new Medicare card provided under this section.
(d) Report to Congress and Limitations on Effective Date.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services and in consultation with the
Commissioner of Social Security, shall submit to Congress a
report that includes detailed options regarding the
implementation of this section, including line-item estimates
of and justifications for the costs associated with such
options and estimates of timeframes for each stage of
implementation. In recommending such options, the Secretary
shall take into consideration, among other factors, cost-
effectiveness and beneficiary outreach and education.
(2) Limitation; modification of deadlines.--With respect to
the amendment
[[Page 22750]]
made by subsection (a), and the requirements of subsections
(b) and (c)--
(A) such amendment and requirements shall not apply until
adequate funding is appropriated pursuant to paragraph (3) to
implement the provisions of this section, as determined by
Congress; and
(B) any deadlines otherwise established under this section
for such amendment and requirements are contingent upon the
receipt of adequate funding (as determined in subparagraph
(A)) for such implementation.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--In addition to any amounts made available
to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Program
Management Account of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services for administrative expenses and to the Commissioner
of Social Security for administrative expenses, and subject
to subparagraph (B), taking into consideration the report
submitted under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section, including section 205(c)(2)(C) of
the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a), for each
of the five fiscal years beginning after the date of
submittal of the report under paragraph (1).
(B) Limitation.--Such funds are not authorized to be
appropriated until after receipt of the report provided under
paragraph (1).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Doggett) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an all-Texas act this
afternoon, but it's about a measure that affects seniors and
individuals with disabilities all over this country.
General Leave
Mr. DOGGETT. Let me first ask unanimous consent that Members have 5
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to add
any extraneous material in the Record concerning H.R. 6600, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
There are 44 million seniors and individuals with disabilities who
carry in their wallets or in their purses something that makes them
unnecessarily more vulnerable to identity theft, and that is their
Medicare cards. Apart from the Social Security card, itself, the
Medicare card is the most frequently issued government document
displaying a Social Security number. This practice invites foul play.
To protect both the savings and the peace of mind of Medicare
beneficiaries, I've introduced with the assistance and the
encouragement of my colleague from Texas, the ranking member on the
Social Security Subcommittee, Mr. Johnson, the Medicare Identity Theft
Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation would require Medicare to
take the steps that private companies and that other government
agencies have already taken to protect the identities of our seniors.
Every time a senior or an individual with a disability hands over a
Medicare card, that person is handing over the keys of financial
security. With increasingly sophisticated thefts by identity thieves,
inaction is unacceptable. Seniors have saved and have built over their
lifetimes their financial security and their reputations.
{time} 1500
Their savings and their credit should not be put needlessly at risk
if someone steals their Medicare card. Just as a doctor swears an oath
to do no harm in practicing medicine, Medicare should make sure that it
does no harm to the financial security and credit rating of its
beneficiaries. The Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act will help to
ensure that the government better protects seniors from identity theft,
denying thieves access to this critical data.
The private sector and government agencies, including the Veterans
Administration and the Department of Defense, have begun to protect
Social Security numbers from identity thieves. But Medicare has not yet
taken appropriate steps to do this, hence this legislation.
Inaction jeopardizes the safety of millions of our seniors and
individuals with disabilities. This legislation has the support of the
Consumers Union, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and
Medicare, the National Silver-Haired Congress, and the Texas Silver-
Haired Legislature, as well as the Elder Justice Coalition.
Seniors confront many threats to their retirement security these
days. This bill is one way to prevent their falling victim to
swindlers. I urge the adoption of the bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill
H.R. 6600, the Medicare Identity Prevention Act. I thank Mr. Doggett
for bringing it up. Apparently we can't get any resolution on Social
Security so we need to do it one baby step at a time.
Americans are rightly worried about the security of their personal
information, including their Social Security number. Practically every
day we hear about another data breach in the private or public sector
where identity information of hundreds, if not thousands, of people is
stolen.
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, the total number of
known records that have been compromised since January 2005 is over 158
million. Even though Social Security numbers were created to track
earnings for determining benefit amounts under Social Security, these
numbers are now unfortunately widely used as personal identifiers.
According to the Government Accountability Office, Social Security
numbers have become the ``identifier of choice'' and are used for all
sorts of business transactions. In an April 2007 report, the
President's Identity Theft Task Force identified the Social Security
number as the most valuable commodity for an identity thief.
These thieves are hard at work. The Federal Trade Commission
estimates that about 5 percent of all of the adult population has been
victim of identity theft. Even worse, the true number of victims of
that crime is unknown since most victims don't report it.
We also know that this is a serious problem for illegal immigration.
During a recent hearing at the Social Security Subcommittee, we learned
that a credible set of fake identity documents costs about $350. With
those fake documents, illegal immigrants can get a job and even sneak
through the government's E-Verify system which is meant to verify
whether an employee is eligible to work in this country.
Congress must get to work on identity theft, and removing the Social
Security number from widespread circulation is an excellent place to
start. For years, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security
has been working on this problem in a bipartisan way. We have approved
bills to protect the privacy of Social Security numbers and prevent
identity theft since the 106th Congress when it first approved the
Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act. That
legislation was introduced on a bipartisan basis by then-Subcommittee
Chairman Clay Shaw and then-ranking member, the late Bob Matsui.
The Ways and Means Committee has begun working on this and so has the
Energy and Commerce Committee. Our two comprehensive bills are really
not that far apart, yet we are repeatedly met with opposition from
those groups which prefer to splash Social Security numbers on every
personal document they want. The comprehensive efforts of our two
committees are being met with the same resistance they met in previous
years until now.
I commend my colleague from Texas (Mr. Doggett) for working in a
bipartisan way and not giving up on the issue. Sometimes you just have
to take an issue one bite at a time.
The bill H.R. 6600, Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act, will take
the Social Security number off the Medicare card. It is completely
ridiculous that people are told not to carry their Social Security card
in order to protect their identity, but then every senior citizen is
told they must carry their Medicare card, which has their Social
Security number on it.
[[Page 22751]]
When the wallet of a senior citizen has been stolen, even a low-tech
crook can get the identity theft. It's not the card itself; it's a fact
that then every medical record at nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor
offices has a Social Security number written on it.
The wholesale amount of Social Security numbers that are available to
identity thieves is staggering and completely unnecessary. The Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services must change their tracking number
for Medicare purposes.
In just a few years, the first baby boomers are going to be turning
65 and become eligible for Medicare. Rather than a huge wave of
retirees being issued an ``identity theft kit'' when they receive a
Medicare card, that card should have a unique identifier. Private
insurance moved away from Social Security cards years ago. Medicare
needs to do that, too.
The problem of identity theft is not going to be addressed with one
single piece of legislation, but we must start somewhere, and starting
with Medicare cards before Boomers become eligible is a great place to
start.
Thank you, Mr. Doggett, for your support. I urge my colleagues to
support this bill as well.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as I might
consume in closing.
Mr. Speaker, I think our colleague from Texas. Mr. Johnson has done
an excellent job of outlining the scope of identity theft. It's
something we hear about every day and sometimes think it's about
someone else in some other place until it strikes a friend or loved
one.
We need to do a great deal to address identity theft. This is one
small measure to encourage the folks at Medicare to begin to phase in a
new type of identity marker for Medicare beneficiaries so that we will
eliminate this particular source of the problem of identity theft.
I want to acknowledge Kathleen Black on Mr. Johnson's staff, Jackie
Bender on mine, as well as our colleague, the chairman of the Social
Security Subcommittee, who will be completing his last term here, Mike
McNulty of New York, and also to acknowledge the great interest and
help from our colleague Representative Paul Hodes of New Hampshire who
filed similar legislation and then worked with us to get this
legislation approved. He's unable to be here today, but he's been very
concerned about the identity theft issue and has offered great help in
fashioning this legislation.
And with that, Mr. Speaker, I believe the problem is clear. The small
step we're taking through this legislation is clear, and I would move
adoption of the bill.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support
of H.R. 6600, the ``Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2008'' I
would like to thank my colleague Congressman Doggett and the Ways and
Means Committee.
This legislation today to require the federal government to remove
Social Security numbers from Medicare identification cards and
communications to Medicare beneficiaries.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which
administers the Medicare program, has fallen behind most other public
and private organizations in recognizing the danger of displaying
Social Security numbers. The Social Security Number Protection Act
ensures that the Social Security numbers of Medicare beneficiaries are
properly protected.
Every year, millions of Americans are victims of identity theft--many
after their Social Security numbers are stolen. Instead of leading by
example, the federal government is lagging behind private health
insurers and other public agencies in protecting Medicare recipients
from identity theft. CMS's continued use of Social Security numbers on
Medicare cards needlessly places people at risk.
This bill ensures that a premium is placed on security and that
personal information is protected. It makes no sense for a CMS to
continue exposing Medicare beneficiaries to the risk of identity theft.
We should pass this bill quickly and fix this problem once and for all.
I believe that this is one of those clear-cut problems that is easy
to fix. With identity theft on the rise, removing social security
numbers from Medicare beneficiary cards is the smart thing to do.
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation.
Nearly 8.4 million people were victims of identity theft last year
alone, and these crimes accounted for more than $49.3 billion in
fraudulent charges.
Nearly three years ago, Senator Durbin raised concerns about the use
of Social Security numbers on Medicare cards. Because of his efforts,
CMS issued a report to Congress hat outlined the steps that would be
required to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards, but has
failed to implement those changes.
In May 2008, the Inspector General of the Social Security
Administration issued a report which concluded that: ``Given the
millions of individuals at risk for identity the and OMB's directive to
eliminate unnecessary uses of Social Security numbers, we believe
immediate action is needed to address this significant vulnerability.
Today's legislation sets a timeframe for CMS to remove Social
Security numbers from Medicare cards and communications to
beneficiaries. The bill will:
Require the Health and Human Services Secretary to implement
procedures to eliminate the unnecessary collection, use, and display of
Social Security numbers of Medicare beneficiaries within three years;
Prohibit the display or the unencrypted electronic storage of Social
Security numbers on newly issued Medicare cards;
Prohibit the display or the unencrypted electronic storage of Social
Security numbers on all Medicare cards with five years of enactment;
and
Prohibit the display of Social Security numbers on written and
electronic communications to Medicare beneficiaries, unless essential
for the operation of the Medicare program.
I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will protect our elderly. I
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
Mr. DOGGETT. I yield back my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 6600, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
FURTHER MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A further message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks,
announced that the Senate has passed without amendment bills of the
House of the following titles:
H.R. 3229. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in commemoration of the legacy of the United
States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National
Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
H.R. 5872. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy
Scouts of America, and for other purposes:
The message also announced that the Senate has passed with an
amendment in which the concurrence of the House is requested, a bill of
the House of the following title:
H.R. 6098. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to improve the financial assistance provided to State,
local, and tribal governments for information sharing
activities, and for other purposes.
The message also announced that the Senate agreed to the amendment of
the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2638) ``An
Act making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.''.
The message also announced that the Senate has passed bills of the
following titles in which the concurrence of the House is requested:
S. 3569. An act to make improvements in the operation and
administration of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.
S. 3641. An act to authorize funding for the National Crime
Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime
under
[[Page 22752]]
Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of the
Victims of Crime Act of 1984.
____________________
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL RECORDS PRESERVATION ACT OF 2008
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3477) to amend title 44, United States Code, to
authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical Excellence.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3477
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Presidential Historical
Records Preservation Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2504 of title 44, United States Code, is amended
by--
(1) redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
(2) inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Grants for Presidential Centers of Historical
Excellence.--
``(1) In general.--The Archivist, with the recommendation
of the Commission, may make grants, on a competitive basis
and in accordance with this subsection, to eligible entities
to promote the historical preservation of, and public access
to, historical records and documents relating to any former
President who does not have a Presidential archival
depository currently managed and maintained by the Federal
Government pursuant to section 2112 (commonly known as the
`Presidential Libraries Act of 1955').
``(2) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, an
eligible entity is--
``(A) an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation
under section 501(a) of that Code; or
``(B) a State or local government of the United States.
``(3) Use of funds.--Amounts received by an eligible entity
under paragraph (1) shall be used to promote the historical
preservation of, and public access to, historical records or
historical documents relating to any former President covered
under paragraph (1).
``(4) Prohibition on use of funds.--Amounts received by an
eligible entity under paragraph (1) may not be used for the
maintenance, operating costs, or construction of any facility
to house the historical records or historical documents
relating to any former President covered under paragraph (1).
``(5) Application.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under
this subsection shall submit to the Commission an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied
by such information as the Commission may require, including
a description of the activities for which a grant under this
subsection is sought.
``(B) Approval of application.--The Commission shall not
consider or recommend a grant application submitted under
subparagraph (A) unless an eligible entity establishes that
such entity--
``(i) possesses, with respect to any former President
covered under paragraph (1), historical works and collections
of historical sources that the Commission considers
appropriate for preserving, publishing, or otherwise
recording at the public expense;
``(ii) has appropriate facilities and space for
preservation of, and public access to, the historical works
and collections of historical sources;
``(iii) shall ensure preservation of, and public access to,
such historical works and collections of historical sources
at no charge to the public;
``(iv) has educational programs that make the use of such
documents part of the mission of such entity;
``(v) has raised funds from non-Federal sources in support
of the efforts of the entity to promote the historical
preservation of, and public access to, such historical works
and collections of historical sources in an amount equal to
the amount of the grant the entity seeks under this
subsection;
``(vi) shall coordinate with any relevant Federal program
or activity, including programs and activities relating to
Presidential archival depositories;
``(vii) shall coordinate with any relevant non-Federal
program or activity, including programs and activities
conducted by State and local governments and private
educational historical entities; and
``(viii) has a workable plan for preserving and providing
public access to such historical works and collections of
historical sources.''.
SEC. 3. TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS; RECUSAL.
(a) Term Limits.--
(1) In general.--Section 2501(b)(1) of title 44, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) by inserting ``not more than 2'' after ``subsection (a)
shall be appointed for''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``a term'' and
inserting ``not more than 4 terms''.
(2) Effective date.--The restrictions on the terms of
members of the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission provided in the amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall apply to members serving on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(b) Recusal.--
(1) In general.--Section 2501 of title 44, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Recusal.--Members of the Commission shall recuse
themselves from voting on any matter that poses, or could
potentially pose, a conflict of interest, including a matter
that could benefit them or an entity they represent.''.
(2) Effective date.--The requirement of recusal provided in
the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to members of
the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
serving on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. ONLINE ACCESS OF FOUNDING FATHERS DOCUMENTS; TRANSFER
OF FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Title 44, United States Code, is amended
by inserting after section 2119 the following:
``Sec. 2120. Online access of founding fathers documents
``The Archivist may enter into a cooperative agreement to
provide online access to the published volumes of the papers
of--
``(1) George Washington;
``(2) Alexander Hamilton;
``(3) Thomas Jefferson;
``(4) Benjamin Franklin;
``(5) John Adams;
``(6) James Madison; and
``(7) other prominent historical figures, as determined
appropriate by the Archivist of the United States.''.
(b) Transfer of Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Archivist of the United States, in the
role as chairman of the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission may enter into cooperative agreements
pursuant to section 6305 of title 31, United States Code,
that involve the transfer of funds from the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission to State and
local governments, tribal governments, other public entities,
educational institutions, or private nonprofit organizations
for the public purpose of carrying out section 2120 of title
44, United States Codes.
(2) Report.--Not later than December 31st of each year, the
Archivist of the United States shall submit to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
House of Representatives a report on the provisions, amount,
and duration of each cooperative agreement entered into as
authorized by paragraph (1) during the preceding fiscal year.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended by adding after the item relating to section 2119 the
following:
``2120. Online access of founding fathers documents.''.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Archivist of the United States may
establish an advisory committee to--
(1) review the progress of the Founding Fathers editorial
projects funded by the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission;
(2) develop, in consultation with the various Founding
Fathers editorial projects, appropriate completion goals for
the projects described in paragraph (1);
(3) annually review such goals and report to the Archivist
on the progress of the various projects in meeting the goals;
and
(4) recommend to the Archivist measures that would aid or
encourage the projects in meeting such goals.
(b) Reports to the Advisory Committee.--Each of the
projects described in subsection (a)(1) shall provide
annually to the advisory committee established under
subsection (a) a report on the progress of the project toward
accomplishing the completion goals and any assistance needed
to achieve such goals, including the following:
(1) The proportion of total project funding for the funding
year in which the report is submitted from--
(A) Federal, State, and local government sources;
(B) the host institution for the project;
(C) private or public foundations; and
(D) individuals.
(2) Information on all activities carried out using
nongovernmental funding.
(3) Any and all information related to performance goals
for the funding year in which the report is submitted.
(c) Composition; Meetings; Report; Sunset; Action.--The
advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall--
(1) be comprised of 3 nationally recognized historians
appointed for not more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms;
[[Page 22753]]
(2) meet not less frequently than once a year;
(3) provide a report on the information obtained under
subsection (b) to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter;
(4) terminate on the date that is 8 years after the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(5) recommend legislative or executive action that would
facilitate completion of the performance goals for the
Founding Fathers editorial projects.
SEC. 6. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ARCHIVAL
DEPOSITORIES; REPORT.
(a) In General.--
(1) Provision of plan.--The Archivist of the United States
shall provide to the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives a 10-year capital improvement plan, in
accordance with paragraph (2), for all Presidential archival
depositories (as defined in section 2101 of title 44, United
States Code), which shall include--
(A) a prioritization of all capital projects at
Presidential archival depositories that cost more than
$1,000,000;
(B) the current estimate of the cost of each capital
project; and
(C) the basis upon which each cost estimate was developed.
(2) Provided to congress.--The capital improvement plan
shall be provided to the committees, as described in
paragraph (1), at the same time as the first Budget of the
United States Government after the date of enactment of this
Act is submitted to Congress.
(3) Annual updates and explanation of changes in cost
estimates.--The Archivist of the United States shall provide
to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives--
(A) annual updates to the capital improvement plan
described in paragraph (1) at the same time as each
subsequent Budget of the United States Government is
submitted to Congress; and
(B) an explanation for any changes in cost estimates.
(b) Amendment to Minimum Amount of Endowment.--Section
2112(g)(5)(B) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``40'' and inserting ``60''.
(c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States
shall provide a report to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives, that provides 1 or more alternative models
for presidential archival depositories that--
(1) reduce the financial burden on the Federal Government;
(2) improve the preservation of presidential records; and
(3) reduce the delay in public access to all presidential
records.
SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR RECORDS OF
SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND POST-CIVIL WAR
RECONSTRUCTION.
(a) In General.--The Archivist of the United States may
preserve relevant records and establish, as part of the
National Archives and Records Administration, an
electronically searchable national database consisting of
historic records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil
War reconstruction, including the Refugees, Freedman, and
Abandoned Land Records, Southern Claims Commission Records,
Records of the Freedmen's Bank, Slave Impressments Records,
Slave Payroll Records, Slave Manifest, and others, contained
within the agencies and departments of the Federal Government
to assist African Americans and others in conducting
genealogical and historical research.
(b) Maintenance.--Any database established under this
section shall be maintained by the National Archives and
Records Administration or an entity within the National
Archives and Records Administration designated by the
Archivist of the United States.
SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL DATABASES
FOR RECORDS OF SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND
POST-CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION.
(a) In General.--The Executive Director of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission of the
National Archives and Records Administration may make grants
to States, colleges and universities, museums, libraries, and
genealogical associations to preserve records and establish
electronically searchable databases consisting of local
records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War
reconstruction.
(b) Maintenance.--Any database established using a grant
under this section shall be maintained by appropriate
agencies or institutions designated by the Executive Director
of the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I stand to urge the passage of S. 3477. The National
Historical Publications and Records Commission is the grant-making arm
of the National Archives and Records Administration. The NHPRC makes
grants to help identify, preserve, and provide public access to
records, photographs, and other materials that document American
history. The grants go to State and local archives, colleges and
universities, libraries, historical societies, and other nonprofit
organizations throughout the country.
This legislation provides that the Archivist, with the
recommendations of the NHPRC, may grant money to eligible entities to
promote the historical preservation of, and public access to,
historical records and documents relating to any former President who
does not have a Presidential archival depository currently managed and
maintained under the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955.
This bill also includes provisions that limit the tenure of members
of the NHPRC and provides for their recusal from matters that pose, or
potentially pose, a conflict of interest.
The bill provides for online access to the Founding Fathers
documents, establishes an advisory committee for the NHPRC, and
requires that the Archivist develop a 10-year capital improvement plan
with annual updates to Congress.
Additionally, this legislation authorizes the Archivist to establish
an electronically searchable national database consisting of historic
records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War reconstruction,
including the Refugees, Freedman, and Abandoned Land Records, Southern
Claims Commission Records, Records of the Freedmen's Bank, Slave
Impressments Records, Slave Payroll Records, Slave Manifest, and others
contained within the agencies and departments of the Federal Government
to assist African Americans and others in conducting genealogical and
historical research.
None of the programs authorized in this act shall take precedent over
existing programs funded by the Commission unless there is an increase
in authorization of appropriations and an increase in appropriated
funds to fund these programs.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Like many of our Nation's Presidents, this bill has its roots in
Virginia. The important mission of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential
Library in Staunton, Virginia, and the determination of the individuals
there combined to move this legislation forward.
I want to thank Mr. Goodlatte for his hard work on this legislation.
He's really worked many years on this. I also want to recognize the
valuable contribution of its sponsor in the other body, Senator Warner,
and also recognize and acknowledge the important provisions added by
Senators Carper and Lieberman.
This bill modifies an existing program within the National Historical
Publications and Records Commission to ensure that grant funding is
available to preserve, and provide public access to, historical
documents of Presidents not currently covered under the Presidential
Libraries Act of 1955.
{time} 1515
The bill makes structural changes to the commission by placing 8-year
term
[[Page 22754]]
limits on members and requires members to recuse themselves from votes
that would lead to a conflict of interest.
In addition, it allows the Archivist to publish online the various
public cases funded by the commission of the Founding Fathers and any
other prominent historical figures.
Finally, the bill grants the Archivist the ability to establish a
database for Federal records of servitude, emancipation and post-Civil
War reconstruction and provides that the National Historic Publication
and Records Commission may make grants to preserve local records of
servitude, emancipation and post-Civil War reconstruction.
This bill has solid bipartisan support. I want to thank Chairman
Waxman for his support and also Mr. Clay for being here to usher this
through today. It has taken a lot of hard work behind the scenes on the
part of our staffs in order to increase the awareness and the
understanding of the life and principles and accomplishments of our
past Presidents. I just want to ask my colleagues to join me in
supporting this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve. I don't have any other
speakers.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. If I could yield to the bill's sponsor who has
really worked on this through the years and has really helped to
shepherd this through both bodies, the gentleman from Roanoke, Mr.
Goodlatte. I yield to him such time as he may consume.
Mr. GOODLATTE. I want to thank Ranking Member Davis, my colleague
from Virginia, for not only yielding me time but also for his
leadership in working so hard with Chairman Waxman, with Members of the
Senate and others who have been involved in pushing this legislation
forward, for helping to finally reach this day in which we have
legislation that concurs with legislation in the Senate.
I urge my colleagues to support the Presidential Historic Records
Preservation Act of 2008. I introduced similar legislation a few weeks
ago in the House, along with my colleagues in the Senate, Senators John
Warner and Jim Webb.
Mr. Speaker, the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission is a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives
and Records Administration. The NHPRC was established by Congress in
1934 to promote the preservation and use of America's documentary
heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and
culture.
Currently, the NHPRC is authorized to administer grants to promote
preservation and use of America's documentary heritage. The NHPRC
supports projects that preserve and make accessible records and
archives, and research and develop means to preserve authentic
electronic records. Unfortunately, the NHPRC does not preserve the
documents of all Presidents.
The Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008 would
allow NHPRC to make grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities
to promote the historic preservation of, and public access to,
historical records and documents relating to any President who does not
have a Presidential archival depository currently managed and
maintained by the Federal Government pursuant to the Presidential
Libraries Act of 1955.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation, in order to be eligible to receive
these grants, an entity must qualify as a 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code or be a State or local government. In order to maintain
the integrity of the grant program, the NHPRC may only approve grants
to those entities that possess historical works and collections of
historical sources that the commission considers appropriate for
preserving, publishing, or otherwise recording at the public expense.
The entity must also have appropriate facilities and space for
preservation of such historical works and ensure public access to these
collections.
Finally, to maintain the fiscal integrity of this act, the receiving
entity must have raised funds from non-Federal sources in support of
the grant efforts. In addition, grants may not be used for the
maintenance, operating costs, or construction of any facility to house
the historical records of any President who does not have a
Presidential archival depository currently managed by the Federal
Government. Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the focus of the bill is
preservation and access to documents, not constructing new buildings or
monuments.
I also commend my colleagues in the Senate for their improvements to
this bill by allowing the Archivist to provide greater online access to
historical documents of our Nation's Founding Fathers. With this
provision, future generations will have greater access to the stories
and journeys on the creation of our great country.
I want to thank my colleagues, Ranking Member Davis and Chairman
Waxman, for their help with this legislation. I would also like to
thank the staff at the Archives and Senators Warner and Webb for their
assistance, as well as the Senate Committee on Government Affairs and
Homeland Security in crafting this important bill.
Finally, I especially want to thank my constituents at the Woodrow
Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton, Virginia, for their assistance
and guidance as this bill has taken on many forms over the past few
years. The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library has preserved several
thousand documents, and it is my hope that these NHPRC grants will help
organizations like this serve the American public.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. I yield back the balance of my time and urge
my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, first before I close, I would like to commend
my two colleagues from Virginia, Mr. Goodlatte and Mr. Davis, as well
as their two U.S. Senators for introducing this important piece of
legislation and shepherding it through, and I urge my colleagues to
support this measure.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 3477.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
WAIVING CLAIMS TO CERTAIN DOCUMENTS RELATING TO FRANKLIN DELANO
ROOSEVELT
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 6669) to provide that claims of the United States to certain
documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as
waived and relinquished in certain circumstances.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6669
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TREATMENT OF OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT.
(a) In General.--If any person makes a gift of any property
described in subsection (b) to the National Archives and
Records Administration, then any claim of the United States
to such property shall be treated as having been waived and
relinquished on the day before the date of such gift.
(b) Property Described.--Property is described in this
subsection if such property is a part of the collection of
documents, papers, and memorabilia relating to Franklin
Delano Roosevelt, or any member of his family or staff, which
was originally in the possession of Grace Tully and retained
by her at the time of her death, and included in her estate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
[[Page 22755]]
There was no objection.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I rise today in support of H.R. 6669, which was introduced by
Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand on July 30, 2008.
This bill waives a government interest in certain records in order to
allow private owners of some personal papers of President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt to deliver these valuable papers, called the Tully
Collection, to the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York.
The owners of the collection currently want to donate the papers to
the FDR Library, but because the National Archives asserted a claim to
a portion of the collection, the owners would be ineligible for a
common tax deduction for the fair market value of the donation.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I will try to be brief.
Mr. Speaker, this is a simple bill with the limited purpose of
waiving certain claims of the United States to specific documents
relating to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The papers in question, known as the Tully Collection, are a very
important and valuable collection of materials relating to Roosevelt's
Presidency.
Grace Tully served on President Roosevelt's secretarial staff for
several decades and in 1941 became his personal secretary. After her
death, her collection of personal papers passed on through her niece
into the hands of private collectors, and finally, to the current
owner, Sun Times Media, which bought the collection for $8 million in
2001.
In 2004, the National Archives asserted a claim to a portion of the
documents. Sun Times Media would now like to donate the entire
collection to the FDR Presidential Library, but due to the Archives'
formal claim, Sun Times Media is prevented from receiving any type of
tax deduction for this, the donation.
This bill will address the legal barriers preventing the transfer of
this very important collection to President Roosevelt's library.
I understand this bill has the strong support of members of the New
York delegation. I would urge Members to support this legislation to
help complete this historical collection.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I will continue
to reserve.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. I yield back the balance of my time and urge
its adoption.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to support HR 6669, a
bill that will waive and relinquish claims by the United States to
certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This
legislation would allow the transfer of the Tully/Suckley papers from
the Sun Times Media to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library. These
papers shed a great deal of light on the FDR era and are the largest
collection of FDR documents and memorabilia in private hands.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt started his political career in New York
State by working vigorously for reform movements that would redefine
the role of government, and he never stopped. The programs that
epitomized the New Deal had their genesis in Albany. As governor,
Roosevelt implemented many of the innovative, progressive policies he
would later introduce to the Nation as President. He expanded state
assistance to social services and state agencies and eased the
hardships on New York's agricultural industry by encouraging tax cuts
for small farmers. Upon the onset of the Great Depression, he
authorized the New York State Unemployment Relief Act and the Temporary
Emergency Relief Administration.
In 1928, Roosevelt won the Democratic nomination for Governor at the
Naval Armory in my home city of Rochester, New York. While serving as
Governor, his successes elevated him to national prominence, and in
1932, he was elected President of the United States for the first of an
unprecedented--and never to be repeated--four terms in office.
Franklin Roosevelt embraced the unique capabilities of every
individual and worked tirelessly to ensure that all Americans would be
able to earn a living and build this great Nation. As a result of
initiatives like the PWA, the WPA, and the CCC, the unemployed got
jobs, people were able to support their families, and this Nation was
able to grow and prosper. I hope that, as public servants, my
colleagues will join me in following in his example by supporting
honest policies that work to better the lives of American people.
Franklin Roosevelt had great regard for public service, and served
with a sense of responsibility and honor. His respect for the American
people and the value he placed on their well-being and security drove
everything he did. President Roosevelt came to embody strength, hope
and resolve during some of the most difficult days in our Nation's
history. From the economic distress of the Great Depression to the
horrifying attack on Pearl Harbor that caused the Nation to enter World
War II, Roosevelt's steadfast leadership ignited an economic engine and
calmed a frightened nation.
The legacy of his policies will certainly outlast my lifetime and
will continue to benefit my children and grandchildren for years to
come. We owe him an unpayable debt of gratitude. And while only those
closest to him realized that he couldn't walk unaided, as former
Governor of New York, Mario Cuomo said, ``Franklin Roosevelt lifted
himself from his wheelchair to lift this nation from its knees.''
Today more than ever, we can learn from Franklin Roosevelt's
leadership. There is no better way to do this than to study his past.
By allowing the transfer of these documents, it will open up the life
of Franklin Roosevelt for everyone to enjoy. With the economic distress
that our nation is facing today, we would do well to follow President
Roosevelt's example. There is little doubt this nation could use some
lifting up right about now.
This bill makes sense, is non-controversial, and is for the good of
the United States. Please support this legislation that would allow
this transfer to the FDR Library. It would shed light on one of the
most important Presidents of the 20th Century and greatly consolidate
the legacy of the Roosevelt era. I am honored to rise today and support
this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge
my colleagues to support the legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 6669.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
AIR CARRIAGE OF INTERNATIONAL MAIL ACT
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3536) to amend section 5402 of title 39, United States
Code, to modify the authority relating to United States Postal Service
air transportation contracts, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3536
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Air Carriage of
International Mail Act''.
SEC. 2. AIR CARRIAGE OF INTERNATIONAL MAIL.
(a) Contracting Authority.--Section 5402 of title 39,
United States Code, is amended by striking subsections (b)
and (c) and inserting the following:
``(b) International Mail.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the
Postal Service may contract for the transportation of mail by
aircraft between any of the points in foreign air
transportation only with certificated air carriers. A
contract may be awarded to a certificated air carrier to
transport mail by air between any of the points in foreign
air transportation that the Secretary of Transportation
[[Page 22756]]
has authorized the carrier to serve either directly or
through a code-share relationship with one or more foreign
air carriers.
``(B) If the Postal Service has sought offers or proposals
from certificated air carriers to transport mail in foreign
air transportation between points, or pairs of points within
a geographic region or regions, and has not received offers
or proposals that meet Postal Service requirements at a fair
and reasonable price from at least 2 such carriers, the
Postal Service may seek offers or proposals from foreign air
carriers. Where service in foreign air transportation meeting
the Postal Service's requirements is unavailable at a fair
and reasonable price from at least 2 certificated air
carriers, either directly or through a code-share
relationship with one or more foreign air carriers, the
Postal Service may contract with foreign air carriers to
provide the service sought if, when the Postal Service seeks
offers or proposals from foreign air carriers, it also seeks
an offer or proposal to provide that service from any
certificated air carrier providing service between those
points, or pairs of points within a geographic region or
regions, on the same terms and conditions that are being
sought from foreign air carriers.
``(C) For purposes of this subsection, the Postal Service
shall use a methodology for determining fair and reasonable
prices for the Postal Service designated region or regions
developed in consultation with, and with the concurrence of,
certificated air carriers representing at least 51 percent of
available ton miles in the markets of interest.
``(D) For purposes of this subsection, ceiling prices
determined pursuant to the methodology used under
subparagraph (C) shall be presumed to be fair and reasonable
if they do not exceed the ceiling prices derived from--
``(i) a weighted average based on market rate data
furnished by the International Air Transport Association or a
subsidiary unit thereof; or
``(ii) if such data are not available from those sources,
such other neutral, regularly updated set of weighted average
market rates as the Postal Service, with the concurrence of
certificated air carriers representing at least 51 percent of
available ton miles in the markets of interest, may
designate.
``(E) If, for purposes of subparagraph (D)(ii), concurrence
cannot be attained, then the most recently available market
rate data described in this subparagraph shall continue to
apply for the relevant market or markets.
``(2) Contract process.--The Postal Service shall contract
for foreign air transportation as set forth in paragraph (1)
through an open procurement process that will provide--
``(A) potential offerors with timely notice of business
opportunities in sufficient detail to allow them to make a
proposal;
``(B) requirements, proposed terms and conditions, and
evaluation criteria to potential offerors; and
``(C) an opportunity for unsuccessful offerors to receive
prompt feedback upon request.
``(3) Emergency or unanticipated conditions; inadequate
lift space.--The Postal Service may enter into contracts to
transport mail by air in foreign air transportation with a
certificated air carrier or a foreign air carrier without
complying with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (2)
if--
``(A) emergency or unanticipated conditions exist that make
it impractical for the Postal Service to comply with such
requirements; or
``(B) its demand for lift exceeds the space available to it
under existing contracts and--
``(i) there is insufficient time available to seek
additional lift using procedures that comply with those
requirements without compromising the Postal Service's
service commitments to its own customers; and
``(ii) the Postal Service first offers any certificated air
carrier holding a contract to carry mail between the relevant
points the opportunity to carry such excess volumes under the
terms of its existing contract.
``(c) Good Faith Effort Required.--The Postal Service and
potential offerors shall put a good-faith effort into
resolving disputes concerning the award of contracts made
under subsection (b).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments to Title 49.--
(1) Section 41901(a) is amended by striking ``39.'' and
inserting ``39, and in foreign air transportation under
section 5402(b) and (c) of title 39.''.
(2) Section 41901(b)(1) is amended by striking ``in foreign
air transportation or''.
(3) Section 41902 is amended--
(A) by striking ``in foreign air transportation or'' in
subsection (a);
(B) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Statements on Places and Schedules.--Every air
carrier shall file with the United States Postal Service a
statement showing--
``(1) the places between which the carrier is authorized to
transport mail in Alaska;
``(2) every schedule of aircraft regularly operated by the
carrier between places described in paragraph (1) and every
change in each schedule; and
``(3) for each schedule, the places served by the carrier
and the time of arrival at, and departure from, each such
place.'';
(C) by striking ``subsection (b)(3)'' each place it appears
in subsections (c)(1) and (d) and inserting ``subsection
(b)(2)''; and
(D) by striking subsections (e) and (f).
(4) Section 41903 is amended by striking ``in foreign air
transportation or'' each place it appears.
(5) Section 41904 is amended--
(A) by striking ``to or in foreign countries'' in the
section heading;
(B) by striking ``to or in a foreign country'' and
inserting ``between two points outside the United States'';
and
(C) by inserting after ``transportation.'' the following:
``Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of the
Postal Service to make arrangements with noncitizens for the
carriage of mail in foreign air transportation under
subsections 5402(b) and (c) of title 39.''.
(6) Section 41910 is amended by striking the first sentence
and inserting ``The United States Postal Service may weigh
mail transported by aircraft between places in Alaska and
make statistical and -administrative computations necessary
in the interest of mail service.''.
(7) Chapter 419 is amended--
(A) by striking sections 41905, 41907, 41908, and 41911;
and
(B) redesignating sections 41906, 41909, 41910, and 49112
as sections 41905, 41906, 41907, and 41908, respectively.
(8) The chapter analysis for chapter 419 is amended by
redesignating the items relating to sections 41906, 41909,
41910, and 49112 as relating to sections 41905, 41906, 41907,
and 41908, respectively.
(9) Section 101(f) of title 39, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``mail and shall make a fair and
equitable distribution of mail business to carriers providing
similar modes of transportation services to the Postal
Service.'' and inserting ``mail.''.
(10) Subsections (b) and (c) of section 3401 of title 39,
United States Code, are amended--
(A) by striking ``at rates fixed and determined by the
Secretary of Transportation in accordance with section 41901
of title 49'' and inserting ``or, for carriage of mail in
foreign air transportation, other air carriers, air taxi
operators or foreign air carriers as permitted by section
5402 of this title'';
(B) by striking ``at rates not to exceed those so fixed and
determined for scheduled United States air carriers'';
(C) by striking ``scheduled'' each place it appears and
inserting ``certificated''; and
(D) by striking the last sentence in each such subsection.
(11) Section 5402(a) of title 39, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by inserting `` `foreign air carrier'.'' after ``
`interstate air transportation','' in paragraph (2);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (23) as
paragraphs (8) through (24) and inserting after paragraph (6)
the following:
``(7) the term `certificated air carrier' means an air
carrier that holds a certificate of public convenience and
necessity issued under section 41102(a) of title 49;'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (24), as
redesignated, as paragraphs (10) through (25), respectively,
and inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
``(9) the term `code-share relationship' means a
relationship pursuant to which any certificated air carrier
or foreign air carrier's designation code is used to identify
a flight operated by another air carrier or foreign air
carrier;''; and
(D) by inserting ``foreign air carrier,'' after ``terms''
in paragraph (2).
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2008.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
S. 3536 would eliminate the Department of Transportation's
international rate-setting authority and allow the Postal Service to
contract with U.S. air carriers for international mail transportation
rates and services.
The Postal Service currently spends well over $200 million annually
to transport international mail, at rates set by regulation, not the
marketplace. The current system for setting international mail air
transportation rates is almost 30 years old and does not accurately
reflect the cost of international mail carriage in today's highly
competitive markets.
Both the GAO and the Postal Service Office of Inspector General
support the
[[Page 22757]]
end of DOT's role in setting international mail rates. Indeed, the bill
has the support of the United States air carriers and the Postal
Service and reflects the collaborative efforts of both groups to
develop legislation they could embrace.
Allowing the Postal Service to negotiate and contract for the
international air transportation of mail at fair and reasonable prices
means approximately $50 million a year in savings. According to the
Postal Service, ``roughly half of that savings would be passed through
to the Department of Defense, which reimburses the Postal Service for
the transportation of international military mail.'' As such, S. 3536
also enjoys the support of the Department of Defense Military Postal
Service Agency and DOT.
I commend my colleague, Senator Carper, for his leadership on this
important legislation. I also commend Chairman Waxman and Ranking
Member Tom Davis for their strong support over the years to allow the
Postal Service to obtain savings for postal customers and secure much
more competitive mail rates.
{time} 1530
In closing, I support the passage of S. 3536.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, one of the many things we tried to accomplish during our
long effort to update the Postal Reorganization Act was to find a way
to save the U.S. Postal Service money by allowing it to competitively
award contracts to transport international mail between any of the
points in foreign air transportation.
Despite Chairman Waxman's and my best efforts, we failed to come to
an agreement on this issue before the Postal Reform bill passed in
2006. Over the past year, the Postal Service and the American airline
industry have worked on an agreement that I think both parties can
support, and that agreement is the legislation before us today.
This bill will allow the Postal Service to competitively award
contracts to U.S. airlines for the transportation of international mail
overseas. The legislation also would save money for the U.S. Department
of Defense, which reimburses the Postal Service for the transportation
of mail overseas. This bill enables the Postal Service to participate
in today's highly competitive market and secure much more competitive
mail rates, maximizing efficiency and providing better service for
postal customers.
It is well known that the Postal Service is under serious financial
strain and that this agreement will help, in part, to eliminate some of
that burden. It is estimated the Postal Service could save up to $50
million as a result of the enactment of this legislation.
It's disappointing to see that there is a thread of protectionism
running through this legislation in that non-American airlines are not
free to compete on an even footing with American-owned airlines. This
means the taxpayer won't always be getting the very best deal possible.
But Postal Service needs relief and postal customers deserve better
and more cost-effective service, and this bill advances that. This bill
seeks to accomplish this, and for this reason I support the bill and
ask my colleagues to do the same.
I want to thank, again, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Clay, Senator Carper on the
Senate side, along with Mrs. Collins of Maine for their support in
bringing this together.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would like to publicly say
what a pleasure it has been to serve with my friend from Virginia (Mr.
Davis). He was the former chairman of the Oversight and Government
Reform Committee and now the ranking member. But since I got here in
2000, he has been nothing but a friend to me, and I appreciate his
service. I know we're getting close to adjournment, but I'm sure this
won't be the last time we hear from Tom Davis.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Thank you very much.
Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, enclosed is an exchange of letters between
the Chairmen of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding
S. 3536 the ``Air Carriage of International Mail Act.''
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, September 27, 2008.
Hon. Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Waxman: I write to you regarding S. 3536, the
``Air Carriage of International Mail Act''.
S. 3536 contains provisions that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to
bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious
manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential
referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration
of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision
to forego a sequential referral of the bill does not waive,
reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure over S. 3536.
Please place a copy of this letter and your response
acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Congressional
Record during consideration of the measure on the House
Floor.
I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass
this important legislation.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar, M.C.,
Chairman.
____
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, September 27, 2008.
Hon. James Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Oberstar: I write to you regarding S. 3536,
the ``Air Carriage International Mail Act.''
I agree that provisions in S. 3536 are of jurisdictional
interest to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. I appreciate your willingness to waive rights
to further consideration of S. 3536, and I acknowledge that
through this waiver, your Committee is not relinquishing its
jurisdiction over the relevant provisions of S. 3536.
This exchange of letters will be placed in the
Congressional Record as part of the consideration of S. 3536
in the House.
I thank you for working with me to pass this important
legislation.
Sincerely,
Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 3536.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
LEO J. RYAN POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6982) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue in
San Mateo, California, as the ``Leo J. Ryan Post Office Building,'' and
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6982
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page 22758]]
SECTION 1. LEO J. RYAN POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue in San Mateo,
California, shall be known and designated as the ``Leo J.
Ryan Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Leo J. Ryan Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
CONGRATULATING THE WAIPIO LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE
2008 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Resolution 1436 and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1436
Whereas, on August 24, 2008, the Waipio Little League
baseball team from Waipio, Hawaii, defeated the Matamoros
Little League team of Tamaulipas, Mexico, by a score of 12 to
3, to become the 2008 Little League Champions in the 2008
Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pennsylvania;
Whereas the Waipio Little League team went undefeated
through the 2008 Little League World Series defeating--
(1) Shelton National Little League team of Shelton,
Connecticut, by 3 to 1;
(2) Citrus Park Little League team of Tampa, Florida, 10 to
2;
(3) Canyon Lake Little League team of Rapid City, South
Dakota, 6 to 4;
(4) Mill Creek Little League team of Mill Creek,
Washington, 9 to 4;
(5) South Lake Charles Little League team of Lake Charles,
Louisiana, 7 to 5; and
(6) Matamoros Little League team of Tamaulipas, Mexico, 12
to 3;
Whereas the first 12 runs scored by the Waipio Little
League team were the most by one team in a World Series title
game since 1998;
Whereas the winning margin by the Waipio Little League team
was the largest ever by a United States team over an
international opponent in the title game;
Whereas the 2008 Championship is the fourth World
Championship title in a row for the United States;
Whereas, on August 23, 2008, the Waipio Little League team
won the United States Championship in a come-from-behind
victory, scoring six runs in the sixth and final inning to
win by 7 to 5;
Whereas they displayed the perseverance, persistence,
determination, and never-give-up attitude of true champions
and set an example for men, women, and children all across
the United States;
Whereas the 2008 Waipio Little League World Champions are
Iolana Akau, Jedd Andrade, Christian Donahue, Caleb Duhay,
Ulumano Farm, Kainoa Fong, Trevor Ling, Keelen Obedoza, Khade
Paris, Tanner Tokunaga, Jordan Ulep, Pikai Winchester,
Matthew Yap, manager Timo Donahue, and coaches Kiha Akau and
Gregg Tsukawa;
Whereas the Waipio Little League team was successful
because of solid coaching and execution of fundamentals and
discipline;
Whereas the World Series victories of the Waipio Little
League baseball team exemplifies the sportsmanship, hard
work, and dedication of its players, coaches, and families;
and
Whereas the achievement of the Waipio Little League team is
the cause of enormous pride for the Nation, the State of
Hawaii, and the community of Waipio: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Waipio Little League baseball team on
being 2008 Little League World Champions;
(2) commends the team's families, coaches, and community
for their support and dedication to enabling the success of
the team on and off the field; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Clerk of the House
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the City and
County of Honolulu and to each player, manager, and coach of
the Waipio Little League baseball team for appropriate
display.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1436, a
resolution to congratulate the Waipio Little League Team from the State
of Hawaii for winning the 2008 Little League World Series.
On August 24, 2008, the Waipio Little League baseball team won the
Little League World Championship. Waipio defeated the Matamoros Little
League team of Tamaulipas, Mexico, 12-3. This is the most runs scored
by one team in a World Series title game since 1998. Waipio's victory
by nine runs is also the largest winning margin by a US team over an
international opponent in the title game,
To get to the Little League World Series, Wapio went undefeated
through the season. They went 3-0 in pool play, defeating teams from
Connecticut, Florida and South Dakota. On August 20, 2008, Waipio won
the United States Semifinal by defeating Mill Creek Little League, from
Mill Creek, Washington. Then on August 23, 2008, they won the United
States Championship by defeating South Lake Charles Little League, of
Lake Charles, Louisiana. During this game, the team was down 5-1, but
persevered and came back in the sixth and final inning by scoring six
runs, to win the game 7-5.
I would like to congratulate each member of the team and recognize
their spirit and determination that got them so far: Iolana Akau, Jedd
Andrade, Christian Donahue, Caleb Duhay, Ulumano Farm, Kainoa Fong,
Trevor Ling, Keelen Obedoza, Khade Paris, Tanner Tokunaga, Jordan Ulep,
Pikai Winchester, Matthew Yap, Manager Timo Donahue, Coach Kiha Akau,
and Coach Gregg Tsukawa.
Just as important, this resolution commends the team's families,
coaches, and community for their support and dedication to enabling the
success of the team on and off the field. Without this support, the
team could not have traveled such a tremendously triumphant road.
I would like to thank Chairman Henry Waxman and Ranking Member Tom
Davis for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's support in
advancing this resolution. I would also like to thank Representative
Mazie Hirono, Representative Eni Faleomavaega and Representative
Madeleine Bordallo for their unflagging support and also that of
Representative John Peterson, whose district hosts the Little League
WorId Series.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Waipio Little League
Baseball team and their accomplishments and ask for your support of H.
Res. 1436.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GORDON N. CHAN POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6558) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 1750 Lundy Avenue in San Jose,
California, as the ``Gordon N. Chan Post Office Building,'' and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6558
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. GORDON N. CHAN POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1750 Lundy Avenue in San Jose, California,
shall be known and designated as the ``Gordon N. Chan Post
Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Gordon N. Chan Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
CWO RICHARD R. LEE POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6834) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 4 South Main Street in
Wallingford, Connecticut, as the ``CWO Richard R. Lee Post Office
Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
[[Page 22759]]
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6834
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CWO RICHARD R. LEE POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 4 South Main Street in Wallingford,
Connecticut, shall be known and designated as the ``CWO
Richard R. Lee Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``CWO Richard R. Lee Post Office
Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
DR. WALTER CARL GORDON, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6859) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard in
Albany, Georgia, as the ``Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office
Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6859
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DR. WALTER CARL GORDON, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard in Albany,
Georgia, shall be known and designated as the ``Dr. Walter
Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office
Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1392) supporting the goals and
ideals of ``National Life Insurance Awareness Month,'' and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1392
Whereas life insurance is an essential part of a sound
financial plan;
Whereas life insurance provides financial security for
families by helping surviving members meet immediate and
long-term financial obligations and objectives in the event
of a premature death in their family;
Whereas approximately 68,000,000 United States citizens
lack the adequate level of life insurance coverage needed to
ensure a secure financial future for their loved ones;
Whereas life insurance products protect against the
uncertainties of life by enabling individuals and families to
manage the financial risks of premature death, disability,
and long-term care;
Whereas individuals, families, and businesses can benefit
from professional insurance and financial planning advice,
including an assessment of their life insurance needs; and
Whereas numerous groups supporting life insurance have
designated September 2008 as ``National Life Insurance
Awareness Month'' as a means to encourage consumers to--
(1) become more aware of their life insurance needs;
(2) seek professional advice regarding life insurance; and
(3) take the actions necessary to achieve financial
security for their loved ones: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Life
Insurance Awareness Month''; and
(2) calls on the Federal Government, States, localities,
schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the
citizens of the United States to observe the month with
appropriate programs and activities.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
REVEREND EARL ABEL POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the Senate bill (S. 3082) to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in
Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office
Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3082
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REVEREND EARL ABEL POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City,
Missouri, shall be known and designated as the ``Reverend
Earl Abel Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office
Building''.
The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the
third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
HONORING THE MEMORY OF ROBERT MONDAVI
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of Senate Concurrent Resolution 84 and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the Senate concurrent resolution is as follows:
S. Con. Res. 84
Whereas Robert Mondavi, a much-loved and admired man of
many talents, passed away on May 16, 2008, at the age of 94;
Whereas Robert Mondavi will be fondly and most famously
remembered for his work in producing and promoting California
wines on an international scale;
Whereas Robert Gerald Mondavi was born to Italian immigrant
parents, Cesare and Rosa, on June 18, 1913, in Virginia,
Minnesota, and his family later moved to Lodi, California,
where he attended Lodi High School;
Whereas after graduating from Stanford University in 1937
with a degree in economics and business administration,
Robert Mondavi joined his father and younger brother Peter in
running the Charles Krug Winery in the Napa Valley of
California;
Whereas Robert Mondavi left Krug Winery in 1965 to
establish his own winery in the Napa Valley, and, in 1966,
motivated by his vision that California could produce world-
class wines, he founded the first major winery built in Napa
Valley since Prohibition: the Robert Mondavi Winery;
Whereas in the late 1960s, the release of the Robert
Mondavi Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon opened the eyes of the
world to the potential of the Napa Valley region;
Whereas Robert Mondavi introduced new and innovative
techniques of wine production, such as the use of stainless
steel tanks to produce wines like his now-legendary Fume
Blanc;
Whereas as a tireless advocate for California wine and
food, and the Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi was convinced that
California wines could compete with established
[[Page 22760]]
European brands, and his confidence in the potential of Napa
Valley wines was confirmed in 1976 when California wines
defeated some well-known French vintages at the historic
Paris Wine Tasting, or ``Judgment of Paris'', wine
competition;
Whereas in the late 1970s, Robert Mondavi created the first
French-American wine venture when he joined with Baron
Philippe de Rothschild in creating the Opus One Winery in
Oakville, which produced its first vintage in 1979;
Whereas the success of the Robert Mondavi Winery, and the
many international ventures Robert Mondavi pursued, allowed
him to donate generously to various charitable causes,
including the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food
Science and Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the
Performing Arts, both affiliated with the University of
California, Davis, and the establishment of the American
Center for Wine, Food and the Arts;
Whereas those who knew Robert Mondavi recognized him as a
uniquely passionate and brilliant man who took pride in
promoting causes that he held close to his heart;
Whereas Robert Mondavi's work as an ambassador for wine
will be remembered fondly by all those whose lives he
touched; and
Whereas Robert Mondavi will be deeply missed in the Napa
Valley, in California, and throughout the world: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress honors the life of Robert Mondavi,
a true pioneer and a patriarch of the California wine
industry.
The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
CONGRATULATING NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376)
congratulating the 2007-2008 National Basketball Association World
Champions, the Boston Celtics, on an outstanding and historic season,
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 376
Whereas the Boston Celtics are one of the most successful
and respected franchises in the history of professional
sports;
Whereas prior to the 2007-2008 season, the Celtics had won
16 National Basketball Association (NBA) championships, more
than any other team in NBA history, with a cast of players
that, over the years, has included Hall of Famers such as
Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, John Havlicek, Dave
Cowens, JoJo White, and other Celtic stars, whose
accomplishments were captured from ``high above courtside''
by legendary Celtics sportscaster Johnny Most;
Whereas the Celtics' unmatched record of achievement on the
basketball court has been further enhanced by the team's
creation of an organizational culture, known as ``Celtic
Pride'', based on the values of teamwork, tenacity, and
loyalty, which was developed and encouraged by the legendary,
late Celtics' head coach and team executive, Arnold ``Red''
Auerbach;
Whereas the Celtics' performance last season, in which the
team finished with a record of 24-58, losing 18 games in a
row at one point during the season, was a stark departure
from the team's historically high caliber of play;
Whereas in the off-season, the Celtics' Executive Director
of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, with the support of the
team's owners, responded quickly and aggressively to the
disappointing season and acquired 2 NBA all-stars, power
forward Kevin Garnett and guard Ray Allen;
Whereas Garnett and Allen joined Celtics' all-star forward
Paul Pierce and formed a ``Big Three'' of outstanding players
reminiscent of the ``Big Three'' of past Celtic greats Larry
Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, who led the Celtics to
NBA championships in the 1980s;
Whereas the combination of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce
immediately sparked the most dramatic turnaround in NBA
history, as the Celtics started the 2007-2008 season with an
8-0 record and kept the momentum throughout the season,
achieving records of 20-2 and 40-9;
Whereas the Celtics finished the regular season with a
league-best record of 66-16;
Whereas the Celtics entered the NBA playoffs with home
court advantage as a result of the team's regular season
performance and defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern
Conference quarterfinals in 7 games;
Whereas the Celtics then faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in
the Eastern Conference semifinals, winning in 7 games, with
team captain Paul Pierce scoring 41 points in a 97-92 victory
in the deciding game;
Whereas the Celtics squared off against the Detroit Pistons
in the Eastern Conference finals, clinching the series in 6
games, thanks to the outstanding plays of Paul Pierce, James
Posey, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo;
Whereas the Celtics matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers in
the NBA finals represented a battle of league titans, as the
Celtics-Lakers rivalry spans decades, and either the Celtics
or the Lakers have won half of the NBA's 62 championships;
Whereas the Celtics won the first 2 games of the finals in
Boston, including a hard-fought Game 2 during which Leon
Powe, the Celtics' second-year power forward, scored 21
points in 15 minutes off the bench, propelling the Celtics to
a 108-102 victory;
Whereas although the Celtics lost Game 3 in Los Angeles by
a score of 87-81, the team overcame a 20-point deficit in the
third quarter of Game 4 to record one of the greatest
comebacks in NBA finals history, powered by active team
defense and a tremendous performance by Celtics' guard Ray
Allen, who played all 48 minutes of the game on the way to a
97-91 Celtics victory;
Whereas although the Celtics were unable to defeat the
Lakers in Game 5 despite a rally that fell just short, the
Celtics responded by clinching a record 17th NBA championship
in Game 6 on June 17, 2008, winning on the team's home court
in Boston on the storied parquet floor now graced with Red
Auerbach's signature by a score of 131-92, a 39-point margin
that is the largest gap ever for an NBA finals closeout game;
Whereas the Celtics' revival from a last place finish in
the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division last season to a
record 17th NBA Championship this season is the greatest
single-season turnaround in NBA history;
Whereas in addition to the contributions of superstars
Garnett, Allen, and Pierce, the strong, sustained efforts of
the entire Celtics team, including Kendrick Perkins and a
bench of tenacious and talented players such as Eddie House,
James Posey, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Tony Allen, Glen Davis,
and Brian Scalabrine enabled the Celtics to return to the
glory that has marked much of the franchise's history;
Whereas Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca, H.
Irving Grousbeck, and Bob Epstein, along with Executive
Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, Head Coach Doc
Rivers, and the entire Celtics roster and coaching staff have
earned a special place in Boston sports history; and
Whereas the Celtics have joined with the Boston Red Sox and
New England Patriots to transform Boston from ``Beantown'' to
``Titletown'', as the 3 teams have won a combined 6
championships in 6 years: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the 2007-2008 National Basketball Association (NBA)
World Champions, the Boston Celtics, are to be congratulated
for an outstanding and historic season;
(2) the Celtics, in winning a record 17th NBA World
Championship, capped a remarkable, unprecedented single-
season turnaround that captivated basketball fans across
America and around the world; and
(3) the hustle, team defense, and overall unselfish play of
the 2007-2008 Celtics are emblematic of the ``Celtic Pride''
tradition that has been a hallmark of the franchise for more
than half a century, and serves as a model for coaches and
players everywhere.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
NATIONAL ESTATE PLANNING AWARENESS WEEK
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1499) designating the third
week of October as ``National Estate Planning Awareness Week,'' and ask
for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1499
Whereas it is estimated that over 120,000,000 Americans do
not have up-to-date estate plans to protect themselves or
their families in the event of sickness, accidents, or
untimely death;
Whereas a 2004 Roper poll commissioned by the American
Institute for Certified Public
[[Page 22761]]
Accountants found that two-thirds of Americans over age 65
believe they lack the knowledge necessary to adequately plan
for retirement, and nearly one half of all Americans are
unfamiliar with basic retirement tools, such as a 401(k)
plan;
Whereas careful estate planning can greatly assist
Americans in preserving assets built over a lifetime for the
benefit of family, heirs, or charities;
Whereas estate planning involves many considerations,
including safekeeping of important documents, documentation
of assets, operation of law in the various States,
preparation of legal instruments, insurance, availability of
trust arrangements, charitable giving, inter vivos care of
the benefactor, and other important factors;
Whereas estate planning encourages timely decisions about
the method of holding title to certain assets, the
designation of beneficiaries, and the possible transfer of
assets during the life of the benefactor;
Whereas many Americans are unaware that lack of estate
planning and ``financial illiteracy'' may cause their assets
to be disposed of to unintended parties by default through
the complex process of probate;
Whereas alternatives to disposition of assets after death,
such as planned gift-giving, may accomplish a benefactor's
goal of providing for his or her family and favorite
charities;
Whereas careful planning can prevent family members or
other beneficiaries from being subjected to complex legal and
administrative processes requiring significant expenditure of
time, and greatly reduce confusion or even animosity among
family members or other heirs upon the death of a loved one;
Whereas important considerations as to donation of organs
and use of life support functions may be made through the
estate planning process;
Whereas the implementation of an estate plan starts with
sound education and planning, and then may require the proper
drafting and execution of appropriate legal documents,
including wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney for
health care;
Whereas the third week of October should be designated as
``National Estate Planning Awareness Week''; and
Whereas the National Association of Estate Planners and
Councils, representing over 28,000 estate planning
professionals, together with the Universal Press Syndicate,
the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world, are
prepared to provide such educational information to the
public in a focused manner during National Estate Planning
Awareness Week: Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) encourages the distribution of estate planning
information by professionals to all Americans; and
(2) supports the designation of a ``National Estate
Planning Awareness Week''.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
HARRY LEE POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 5932) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 2801 Manhattan Boulevard in
Harvey, Louisiana, as the ``Harry Lee Post Office Building,'' and ask
for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5932
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. HARRY LEE POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2801 Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey,
Louisiana, shall be known and designated as the ``Harry Lee
Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Harry Lee Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW DEAL
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 360)
recognizing the important social and economic contributions and
accomplishments of the New Deal to our Nation on the 75th anniversary
of legislation establishing the initial New Deal social and public
works programs, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 360
Whereas this year marks the 75th anniversary of the ``First
Hundred Days'', from March 4, 1933, to June 16, 1933, which
was an unprecedented period of legislative action that
engendered the programs that constituted the New Deal;
Whereas the New Deal was a set of programs and policies
with the purpose of promoting economic recovery, as well as
social and financial reform, during a time of severe economic
and social distress due to conditions created by the Great
Depression;
Whereas the New Deal established Federal programs to
address these issues, including the Civilian Conservation
Corps, Works Progress Administration, Public Works
Administration, Farm Securities Administration, National
Youth Administration, Home Owners Loan Corporation, Tennessee
Valley Authority, and the Rural Electric Administration;
Whereas these programs left behind a massive public works
and architectural legacy;
Whereas the United States continues to benefit from
infrastructure projects built as a result of the New Deal,
including numerous schools, hospitals, courthouses,
libraries, city halls, fire houses, housing, public health
facilities, roads, bridges, airports, sewer and water
systems, flood control projects, dams, trails, parks,
playgrounds, and zoos;
Whereas these infrastructure projects employed millions of
individuals who planted more than 3,000,000,000 trees and
constructed or repaired 650,000 miles of public roads,
125,000 public buildings, 75,000 bridges, 8,000 parks, 800
airports, and a number of sewage disposal plants;
Whereas the income from the millions of jobs created by the
New Deal lifted many people out of poverty and provided
stability to every sector of the American economy;
Whereas these programs built renowned structures and
facilities, including the Rincon Annex Post Office and
Alameda County Courthouse in California; the Timberline Lodge
in Mt. Hood, Oregon; the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington; the
Fort Peck Dam in Montana; the Norris Dam in Tennessee;
Greenbelt towns in Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin; Red Rocks
Ampitheatre in Colorado; Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of Virginia; and airports in New York City,
Chicago, and the District of Columbia;
Whereas the Federal programs of the New Deal included
projects for art, forest and soil conservation, distribution
of food and clothing, education, historical surveys, library
and book repair, music, recreation, writing, theater,
disaster assistance, and medical, dental, and nursing
programs;
Whereas the many cultural programs of the New Deal
catalogued and supported the development of distinctive
American art and oral histories, and further established the
arts as a central and beneficial element of American society;
Whereas the New Deal created important institutions,
including Social Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Securities Exchange Commission, and the
National Labor Relations Board;
Whereas the New Deal illustrates the ability of the Federal
Government to act as a positive and instrumental force for
change in addressing social and economic crises for the
benefit of all people in the United States;
Whereas the current economic crisis, growing income
inequality, and the degradation of infrastructure and the
environment elicit the need for programs similar to the New
Deal, both in spirit and substance; and
Whereas June 15, 2008, through June 21, 2008, would be an
appropriate week for the observance of National New Deal Week
to promote recognition and appreciation for the New Deal and
its legacy: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the important social and economic
contributions and accomplishments of the New Deal to our
Nation on the 75th anniversary of legislation establishing
the initial New Deal social and public works programs;
(2) acknowledges the inventiveness, resourcefulness, and
creativity of the administrators and workers of the many New
Deal programs; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National New Deal week.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
[[Page 22762]]
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
MALARIA AWARENESS DAY
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 389) supporting the goals and
ideals of Malaria Awareness Day, and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 389
Whereas, despite malaria being completely preventable and
treatable and the fact that malaria was eradicated from the
United States over 50 years ago, more than 40 percent of the
world's population is still at risk of contracting malaria;
Whereas more than one million people die from malaria each
year, the vast majority of whom are children under the age of
five in Africa;
Whereas 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria occur
annually;
Whereas every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, and
more than 3,000 children die from malaria every day;
Whereas 90 percent of deaths from malaria occur in Africa;
Whereas pregnant women living with malaria and their
children are particularly vulnerable: malaria is a major
cause of complications during delivery, anemia, and low birth
weights;
Whereas malaria costs African countries an estimated $12
billion in lost economic productivity each year;
Whereas heightened efforts to prevent and treat malaria are
currently saving lives;
Whereas funding for the control of malaria has increased
tenfold since 2000 in large part due to funding under the
President's Malaria Initiative (a United States Government
initiative designed to cut malaria deaths in half in target
countries in sub-Saharan Africa), the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank, and new
financing by other donors;
Whereas in just 18 months, the President's Malaria
Initiative has purchased over one million artemisinin-based
combination therapies (ACT), protected over three million
people through spraying campaigns, and distributed over one
million insecticide-treated bed nets; the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has distributed 18
million bed nets to protect families from malaria and
provided 5.3 million malaria patients with ACTs; and the
World Bank's Booster Program is scheduled to commit
approximately $500 million in International Development
Association funds for malaria control in Africa;
Whereas public and private partners are developing
effective and affordable drugs to treat malaria, with more
than 23 types of malaria vaccines in development;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, vector control, or the prevention of malaria
transmission via anopheles mosquitoes, which includes a
combination of methods such as insecticide-treated bed nets,
indoor residual spraying, and source reduction (larval
control), has been shown to reduce severe morbidity and
mortality due to malaria in endemic regions;
Whereas insecticide-treated bed nets have been shown to
reduce all-cause mortality by about 20 percent in community-
wide trials in several African settings;
Whereas in Africa, where 90 percent of malaria deaths
occur, many of those suffering most from malaria--the rural
poor--cannot afford even the modest cost ($5) of an
insecticide-treated bed net;
Whereas a malaria-free future will rely on a comprehensive
approach addressing the range of health, development, and
economic challenges facing developing countries; and
Whereas April 25 of each year is recognized internationally
as Africa Malaria Day and in the United States as Malaria
Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day;
and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe
this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities to raise awareness and support to save the lives
of those affected by malaria.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
JUDIE HAMMERSTAD POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6489) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego,
Oregon, as the ``Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building,'' and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6489
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. JUDIE HAMMERSTAD POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego, Oregon,
shall be known and designated as the ``Judie Hammerstad Post
Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
HELEN BERG POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6585) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 311 Southwest 2nd Street in
Corvallis, Oregon, as the ``Helen Berg Post Office Building,'' and ask
for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6585
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. HELEN BERG POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 311 Southwest 2nd Street in Corvallis,
Oregon, shall be known and designated as the ``Helen Berg
Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Helen Berg Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1494) recognizing the 100th
anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor newspaper, and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1494
Whereas on November 25, 1908, the 1st edition of The
Christian Science Monitor was printed in Boston's Back Bay;
Whereas just over 100 days before The Monitor's 1st
edition, its founder, Mary Baker Eddy, then 87 years old,
told officers of her church to ``start a daily newspaper at
once'';
Whereas Mrs. Eddy wanted The Monitor to blaze a path of
unselfish service through journalism;
Whereas Mrs. Eddy, who had been the subject of inaccurate
stories in the press, set as The Monitor's mission ``to
injure no man, but to bless all mankind'';
Whereas The Monitor followed the first editor's request
that the paper ``cover the
[[Page 22763]]
daily activities of the entire world'' and ``appeal to good
men and women everywhere who are interested in the betterment
of all human conditions'';
Whereas The Monitor's focus was never local or
denominational;
Whereas The Monitor is distributed to readers in all 50
States in print and online and has received worldwide respect
for its international news coverage;
Whereas Mrs. Eddy became the first American woman to launch
a lasting, general interest newspaper;
Whereas The Monitor has been honored with numerous major
awards including seven Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in
journalism; and
Whereas since 1966 The Monitor has sponsored 3,600
Washington newsmaker breakfasts, whose guests have included
countless cabinet officers and congressional leaders, four
presidents, and five vice presidents: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the
100th anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the 100th
anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor newspaper on November 25,
2008.
Thanks go to Congressman Mike Capuano (MA), who agreed to be an
original cosponsor of this bipartisan resolution and whose district
includes the Boston headquarters of The Christian Science Monitor. Rep.
Capuano's public service is appreciated by all those who know him.
I also want to thank Ranking Member Tom Davis (VA) of the Government
Reform Committee, who was an active supporter of this resolution. His
energy and knowledge will be missed, since he is retiring at the end of
this session.
Congressman Henry Waxman (CA), Chairman of the Oversight and
Government Reform Committee, offered his essential endorsement of this
resolution. Without his assistance, this resolution wouldn't be on the
floor today.
I happen to have a personal interest in commemorating the 100th
anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor because I worked at the
paper in Boston for two years shortly after graduating from college.
Starting out as a copyboy, I then became a clerk and eventually a
staff writer for the Business and Financial page.
So I was able to witness the high standards of journalistic integrity
maintained at The Christian Science Monitor, which has rightfully
gained a reputation for fair and objective news reporting. The Monitor
has earned that reputation because of its dedicated and committed
editors, reporters and staff.
This resolution highlights some of the ways in which The Monitor
serves as an exceptional newspaper.
Established by Mary Baker Eddy 100 years ago, The Monitor remains the
oldest surviving paper in the U.S. founded by a woman.
Its mission was and continues to be ``to injure no man, but to bless
all mankind.''
And the Monitor has won worldwide respect for its international news
coverage and been awarded seven Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in
journalism.
I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the 100th
anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this
resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Christian Science
Monitor.
One of the great American contributions to culture has been the
creation and growth of an independent and professional journalistic
tradition.
And within that tradition the Christian Science Monitor has stood as
a distinctive marker for excellence and service for one hundred years.
In 1908 Mary Baker Eddy, who herself had been subjected to inaccurate
press stories, instructed the officers of the Church of Christ,
Scientist to start a newspaper.
She could have made it clear that the paper was to provide the
church's perspective on the news of the day, but instead she directed
that the Monitor's mission would be ``to injure no man, but to bless
mankind.''
This one instruction to serve the entire nation by unselfishly
delivering the news, without vitriol or agenda, was a stroke of genius.
Within a few years the Christian Science Monitor became a trusted
arbiter of facts and events around the country.
Not being content with merely publishing a newspaper, the Christian
Science Monitor has sponsored 3,600 Washington newsmaker breakfasts--
becoming an institution in this city--where countless leaders have made
their cases and faced honest questions. In sponsoring these breakfasts
the Monitor has provided the government and this city an invaluable
service.
Throughout its history the Christian Science Monitor has worked hard
to make sure that it appeals ``to good men and women everywhere who are
interested in the betterment of all human conditions.''
For 100 years the Monitor has achieved this goal and there is little
doubt that we need an institution like the Christian Science Monitor in
this modern time more than ever before.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
STAFF SERGEANT NICHOLAS RAY CARNES POST OFFICE
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6902) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 513 6th Avenue in Dayton,
Kentucky, as the ``Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ray Carnes Post Office,''
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6902
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. STAFF SERGEANT NICHOLAS RAY CARNES POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 513 6th Avenue in Dayton, Kentucky, shall
be known and designated as the ``Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ray
Carnes Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ray Carnes Post
Office''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
DR. BERNARD DALY POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the Senate bill (S. 3015) to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 18 S. G Street, Lakeview,
Oregon, as the ``Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building,'' and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3015
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DR. BERNARD DALY POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 18 S. G Street in Lakeview, Oregon, as the
``Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building''.
The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the
third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
NATIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION MONTH
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1375) recognizing and
supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month,
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
[[Page 22764]]
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1375
Whereas the prevalence of runaway and homelessness among
youth is staggering, with studies suggesting that every year,
between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 youth live on the streets of
the United States;
Whereas running away from home is widespread, and youth
aged 12 to 17 are at a higher risk of homelessness than
adults;
Whereas runaway youth most often are youth who have been
expelled from their homes by their families; physically,
sexually, and emotionally abused at home; discharged by State
custodial systems without adequate transition plans;
separated from their parents by death and divorce; too poor
to secure their own basic needs; and ineligible or unable to
access adequate medical or mental health resources;
Whereas effective programs supporting runaway youth and
assisting youth and their families in remaining at home
succeed because of partnerships created among families,
community-based human service agencies, law enforcement
agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses;
Whereas preventing youth from running away from home and
supporting youth in high-risk situations is a family,
community, and national priority;
Whereas the future well-being of the Nation is dependent on
the opportunities provided for youth and families to acquire
the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for youth to
develop into safe, healthy, and productive adults;
Whereas the National Network for Youth and its members
advocate on behalf of runaway and homeless youth, and provide
an array of community-based support to address their critical
needs;
Whereas the National Runaway Switchboard provides crisis
intervention and referrals to reconnect runaway youth to
their families and link youth to local resources that provide
positive alternatives to running away from home; and
Whereas the National Network for Youth and National Runaway
Switchboard are cosponsoring National Runaway Prevention
Month in November to increase public awareness of the life
circumstances of youth in high-risk situations, and the need
for safe, healthy, and productive alternatives, resources,
and support for youth, families, and communities: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and
supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention
Month.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
{time} 1545
PICKWICK POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6197) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 7095 Highway 57 in Counce,
Tennessee, as the ``Pickwick Post Office Building'', and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6197
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PICKWICK POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 7095 Highway 57 in Counce, Tennessee,
shall be known and designated as the ``Pickwick Post Office
Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Pickwick Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES WINE INDUSTRY TO THE
AMERICAN ECONOMY
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 429 and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 429
Whereas the United States is one of the largest wine
producing countries in the world, with the United States
wine, grape, and grape products industry representing more
than 1 percent of the $13,800,000,000 American economy in
2007;
Whereas the wine and winegrape industry of Texas has an
economic impact of $1,000,000,000 on the economy of Texas;
Whereas since 2000, the wine and winegrape industry of
Texas has experienced tremendous growth, with nearly 90
percent of that growth resulting from an increase in the
number and revenue of small wineries producing less than
5,000 gallons of wine each year; and
Whereas in 2005, the wine and winegrape industry of Texas--
(1) included 113 wineries and 220 commercial growers of
winegrapes on 2,900 acres;
(2) produced over 626,000 cases of wine;
(3) provided the equivalent of 8,000 full-time jobs and
paid over $234,000,000 in wages to workers;
(4) generated revenue from wineries that produced an
economic impact of $91,500,000 on the economy of Texas;
(5) generated over $10,000,000 in revenue from vineyards in
Texas;
(6) attracted over 868,000 tourists to Texas, who spent
over $220,000,000; and
(7) generated over $69,000,000 in Federal, State, and local
taxes: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the importance of the United States wine,
winegrape, and grape products industry to the American
economy; and
(2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy
of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Texas
Department of Agriculture and the Texas Wine and Grape
Growers Association in Grapevine, Texas.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2008, AS LOUISA
SWAIN DAY
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 378 and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 378
Whereas the Wyoming Territorial Legislature passed, and
Governor John A. Campbell signed into law on December 10,
1869, a measure stating, ``That every woman of the age of
twenty-one years, residing in this territory, may, at every
election, to be holden under the law thereof, cast her
vote.'';
Whereas this Suffrage Act granted women in the Wyoming
Territory the right to vote with full civil and judicial
equality to men;
Whereas Louisa Swain, on September 6, 1870, became the
Nation's first woman voter under laws guaranteeing absolute
political equality to women;
Whereas she cast that vote as a 70 year-old woman in the
town of Laramie's municipal election;
Whereas, the Laramie Daily Sentinel wrote, ``It is
comforting to note that our first woman voter was really a
lady . . . of the highest social standing in the community,
universally beloved and respected. The scene was in the
highest degree interesting and impressive. There was too much
good sense in our community for any jeers or sneers to be
seen on such an occasion'';
Whereas this vote was inspirational to the women's suffrage
movement and to the cause of civil rights;
Whereas, Wyoming's statehood, in 1890, brought the
codification of this suffrage right through the ratification
of the new Wyoming State constitution under Article 6,
section 1;
Whereas, when the Congress threatened to withhold statehood
from Wyoming, territory legislators replied with a telegram
stating that Wyoming would remain out of the Union 100 years
rather than join without women's suffrage;
Whereas President Benjamin Harrison, on July 10, 1890,
signed into law a bill admitting Wyoming into the Union, and
recognizing it as the Nation's ``Equality State'';
[[Page 22765]]
Whereas these actions instigated a path to the passage of
the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution 50 years
after Louisa Swain's historical first vote; and
Whereas September 6, 2008, would be an appropriate date to
designate as Louisa Swain Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress supports the designation of a
Louisa Swain Day.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS IRVING JOSEPH SCHWARTZ POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. Clay. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the bill (H.R. 6837) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las
Vegas, Nevada, as the ``Private First Class Irving Joseph Schwartz Post
Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the
House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6837
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS IRVING JOSEPH SCHWARTZ POST
OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las Vegas,
Nevada, shall be known and designated as the ``Private First
Class Irving Joseph Schwartz Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Private First Class Irving Joseph
Schwartz Post Office Building''.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE RELIGIOUS AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL
OF DIWALI
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Resolution 245 and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 245
Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian
Americans and South Asian Americans, is celebrated annually
by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States;
Whereas there are nearly 2,000,000 Hindus in the United
States, of which approximately 1,250,000 are of Indian and
South Asian origin;
Whereas the word ``Diwali'' is a shortened version of the
Sanskrit term ``Deepavali'', which means ``a row of lamps'';
Whereas Diwali is a festival of lights, during which
celebrants light small oil lamps, place them around the home,
and pray for health, knowledge, and peace;
Whereas celebrants of Diwali believe that the rows of lamps
symbolize the light within the individual that rids the soul
of the darkness of ignorance;
Whereas Diwali, falling on the last day of the last month
in the lunar calendar, is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving
and the beginning of the new year for many Hindus;
Whereas for Hindus, Diwali is a celebration of the victory
of good over evil;
Whereas for Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day that the
sixth founding Sikh Guru, or revered teacher, Guru Hargobind,
was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir;
and
Whereas for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the
attainment of moksha or liberation by Mahavira, the last of
the Tirthankaras, who were the great teachers of Jain dharma,
at the end of his life in 527 B.C.: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the religious and historical significance of
the festival of Diwali; and
(2) requests the President to issue a proclamation
recognizing Diwali.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE SECRETARY
OF COMMERCE SHOULD USE ALL REASONABLE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT EVERY
PERSON IS COUNTED IN THE 2010 DECENNIAL CENSUS
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Resolution 1262 and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1262
Whereas the decennial census is described in article I,
section 2 of the Constitution, which calls for an actual
enumeration of the people every 10 years;
Whereas the decennial census is used to apportion seats in
the House of Representatives among the States;
Whereas the decennial census is crucial to Federal
policymakers who distribute billions of taxpayer dollars
among many Federal programs based on the results of those
enumerations;
Whereas the first official census was conducted in 1790
under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, who was then the
Secretary of State;
Whereas the 2010 decennial census will be the 23rd
decennial census;
Whereas an accurate census is one that counts, as of the
decennial census date, all persons living in the United
States, any territory or possession of the United States, or
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all Federal civilian and
military personnel serving abroad; and
Whereas an accurate 2010 decennial census is crucial for
our democracy and the equitable distribution of Federal
funds: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) the House of Representatives demands that the 2010
decennial census count every person living in the United
States, any territory or possession of the United States, or
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all Federal civilian and
military personnel serving abroad; and
(2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that,
in conducting the 2010 decennial census, the Secretary of
Commerce should use all reasonable means to count every
person living in the United States, any territory or
possession of the United States, or the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, and all Federal civilian and military personnel
serving abroad.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
RECOGNIZING ARMED FORCES DAY
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of House Resolution 1122 and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1122
Whereas Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 as a result of
the consolidation of the military services in the Department
of Defense;
Whereas the purpose of Armed Forces Day is to honor those
serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast
Guard;
Whereas Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third
Saturday in May, which this year is May 17, 2008;
Whereas United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
Marines have given tremendous service to the Nation;
Whereas the House of Representatives is committed to
supporting all members of the Armed Forces and their
families; and
Whereas all Americans express recognition and gratitude for
members of the Armed Forces at home and abroad: Now,
therefore, be it
[[Page 22766]]
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes
Armed Forces Day in appreciation of the members of the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the measures just considered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
____________________
NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION
REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2786) to
reauthorize the programs for housing assistance for Native Americans.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination
Reauthorization Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Congressional findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--BLOCK GRANTS AND GRANT REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 101. Block grants.
Sec. 102. Indian housing plans.
Sec. 103. Review of plans.
Sec. 104. Treatment of program income and labor standards.
Sec. 105. Regulations.
TITLE II--AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. National objectives and eligible families.
Sec. 202. Eligible affordable housing activities.
Sec. 203. Program requirements.
Sec. 204. Low-income requirement and income targeting.
Sec. 205. Availability of records.
Sec. 206. Self-determined housing activities for tribal communities
program.
TITLE III--ALLOCATION OF GRANT AMOUNTS
Sec. 301. Allocation formula.
TITLE IV--COMPLIANCE, AUDITS, AND REPORTS
Sec. 401. Remedies for noncompliance.
Sec. 402. Monitoring of compliance.
Sec. 403. Performance reports.
TITLE V--TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIAN TRIBES UNDER INCORPORATED
PROGRAMS
Sec. 501. Effect on Home Investment Partnerships Act.
TITLE VI--GUARANTEED LOANS TO FINANCE TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Sec. 601. Demonstration program for guaranteed loans to finance tribal
community and economic development activities.
TITLE VII--FUNDING
Sec. 701. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 801. Limitation on use for Cherokee Nation.
Sec. 802. Limitation on use of funds.
Sec. 803. GAO study of effectiveness of NAHASDA for tribes of different
sizes.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
Section 2 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101) is amended in
paragraphs (6) and (7) by striking ``should'' each place it
appears and inserting ``shall''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (22);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (21) as
paragraphs (9) through (22), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) Housing related community development.--
``(A) In general.--The term `housing related community
development' means any facility, community building,
business, activity, or infrastructure that--
``(i) is owned by an Indian tribe or a tribally designated
housing entity;
``(ii) is necessary to the provision of housing in an
Indian area; and
``(iii)(I) would help an Indian tribe or tribally
designated housing entity to reduce the cost of construction
of Indian housing;
``(II) would make housing more affordable, accessible, or
practicable in an Indian area; or
``(III) would otherwise advance the purposes of this Act.
``(B) Exclusion.--The term `housing and community
development' does not include any activity conducted by any
Indian tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).''.
TITLE I--BLOCK GRANTS AND GRANT REQUIREMENTS
SEC. 101. BLOCK GRANTS.
Section 101 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by striking ``For each'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--For each'';
(ii) by striking ``tribes to carry out affordable housing
activities.'' and inserting the following: ``tribes--
``(A) to carry out affordable housing activities under
subtitle A of title II; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) to carry out self-determined housing activities for
tribal communities programs under subtitle B of that
title.''; and
(C) in the second sentence, by striking ``Under'' and
inserting the following:
``(2) Provision of amounts.--Under'';
(2) in subsection (g), by inserting ``of this section and
subtitle B of title II'' after ``subsection (h)''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Federal Supply Sources.--For purposes of section 501
of title 40, United States Code, on election by the
applicable Indian tribe--
``(1) each Indian tribe or tribally designated housing
entity shall be considered to be an Executive agency in
carrying out any program, service, or other activity under
this Act; and
``(2) each Indian tribe or tribally designated housing
entity and each employee of the Indian tribe or tribally
designated housing entity shall have access to sources of
supply on the same basis as employees of an Executive agency.
``(k) Tribal Preference in Employment and Contracting.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to
any grant (or portion of a grant) made on behalf of an Indian
tribe under this Act that is intended to benefit 1 Indian
tribe, the tribal employment and contract preference laws
(including regulations and tribal ordinances ) adopted by the
Indian tribe that receives the benefit shall apply with
respect to the administration of the grant (or portion of a
grant).''.
SEC. 102. INDIAN HOUSING PLANS.
Section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4112) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``(1)(A) for'' and all that follows through
the end of subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(1)(A) for an Indian tribe to submit to the Secretary, by
not later than 75 days before the beginning of each tribal
program year, a 1-year housing plan for the Indian tribe;
or''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and
inserting ``subsection (c)'';
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the
following:
``(b) 1-Year Plan Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--A housing plan of an Indian tribe under
this section shall--
``(A) be in such form as the Secretary may prescribe; and
``(B) contain the information described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Required information.--A housing plan shall include
the following information with respect to the tribal program
year for which assistance under this Act is made available:
``(A) Description of planned activities.--A statement of
planned activities, including--
``(i) the types of household to receive assistance;
``(ii) the types and levels of assistance to be provided;
``(iii) the number of units planned to be produced;
``(iv)(I) a description of any housing to be demolished or
disposed of;
``(II) a timetable for the demolition or disposition; and
``(III) any other information required by the Secretary
with respect to the demolition or disposition;
``(v) a description of the manner in which the recipient
will protect and maintain the viability of housing owned and
operated by the recipient that was developed under a contract
between the Secretary and an Indian housing authority
pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437 et seq.); and
``(vi) outcomes anticipated to be achieved by the
recipient.
``(B) Statement of needs.--A statement of the housing needs
of the low-income Indian families residing in the
jurisdiction of the Indian tribe, and the means by which
those needs will be addressed during the applicable period,
including--
``(i) a description of the estimated housing needs and the
need for assistance for the low-income Indian families in the
jurisdiction, including a description of the manner in which
the geographical distribution of assistance is consistent
with the geographical needs and needs for various categories
of housing assistance; and
[[Page 22767]]
``(ii) a description of the estimated housing needs for all
Indian families in the jurisdiction.
``(C) Financial resources.--An operating budget for the
recipient, in such form as the Secretary may prescribe, that
includes--
``(i) an identification and description of the financial
resources reasonably available to the recipient to carry out
the purposes of this Act, including an explanation of the
manner in which amounts made available will leverage
additional resources; and
``(ii) the uses to which those resources will be committed,
including eligible and required affordable housing activities
under title II and administrative expenses.
``(D) Certification of compliance.--Evidence of compliance
with the requirements of this Act, including, as
appropriate--
``(i) a certification that, in carrying out this Act, the
recipient will comply with the applicable provisions of title
II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (25 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.)
and other applicable Federal laws and regulations;
``(ii) a certification that the recipient will maintain
adequate insurance coverage for housing units that are owned
and operated or assisted with grant amounts provided under
this Act, in compliance with such requirements as the
Secretary may establish;
``(iii) a certification that policies are in effect and are
available for review by the Secretary and the public
governing the eligibility, admission, and occupancy of
families for housing assisted with grant amounts provided
under this Act;
``(iv) a certification that policies are in effect and are
available for review by the Secretary and the public
governing rents and homebuyer payments charged, including the
methods by which the rents or homebuyer payments are
determined, for housing assisted with grant amounts provided
under this Act;
``(v) a certification that policies are in effect and are
available for review by the Secretary and the public
governing the management and maintenance of housing assisted
with grant amounts provided under this Act; and
``(vi) a certification that the recipient will comply with
section 104(b).'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as
subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and
(4) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (3)),
by striking ``subsection (d)'' and inserting ``subsection
(c)''.
SEC. 103. REVIEW OF PLANS.
Section 103 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4113) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by striking ``fiscal'' each place it appears and
inserting ``tribal program''; and
(ii) by striking ``(with respect to'' and all that follows
through ``section 102(c))''; and
(B) by striking the second sentence; and
(2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Self-Determined Activities Program.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of this section, the Secretary--
``(1) shall review the information included in an Indian
housing plan pursuant to subsections (b)(4) and (c)(7) only
to determine whether the information is included for purposes
of compliance with the requirement under section 232(b)(2);
and
``(2) may not approve or disapprove an Indian housing plan
based on the content of the particular benefits, activities,
or results included pursuant to subsections (b)(4) and
(c)(7).''.
SEC. 104. TREATMENT OF PROGRAM INCOME AND LABOR STANDARDS.
Section 104(a) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4114(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Exclusion from program income of regular developer's
fees for low-income housing tax credit projects.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any income
derived from a regular and customary developer's fee for any
project that receives a low-income housing tax credit under
section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and that is
initially funded using a grant provided under this Act, shall
not be considered to be program income if the developer's fee
is approved by the State housing credit agency.''.
SEC. 105. REGULATIONS.
Section 106(b)(2) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4116(b)(2)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``The Secretary''
and inserting ``Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008 and any other Act
to reauthorize this Act, the Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Subsequent negotiated rulemaking.--The Secretary
shall--
``(i) initiate a negotiated rulemaking in accordance with
this section by not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008 and any other Act
to reauthorize this Act; and
``(ii) promulgate regulations pursuant to this section by
not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination
Reauthorization Act of 2008 and any other Act to reauthorize
this Act.
``(D) Review.--Not less frequently than once every 7 years,
the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribes, shall
review the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section
in effect on the date on which the review is conducted.''.
TITLE II--AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.
Section 201(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4131(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and except with
respect to loan guarantees under the demonstration program
under title VI,'' after ``paragraphs (2) and (4),'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking the first sentence and inserting the
following:
``(A) Exception to requirement.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(1), a recipient may provide housing or housing assistance
through affordable housing activities for which a grant is
provided under this Act to any family that is not a low-
income family, to the extent that the Secretary approves the
activities due to a need for housing for those families that
cannot reasonably be met without that assistance.''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``The Secretary''
and inserting the following:
``(B) Limits.--The Secretary'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Non-indian''
and inserting ``Essential''; and
(B) by striking ``non-Indian family'' and inserting
``family''; and
(4) in paragraph (4)(A)(i), by inserting ``or other unit of
local government,'' after ``county,''.
SEC. 202. ELIGIBLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES.
Section 202 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4132) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``to
develop or to support'' and inserting ``to develop, operate,
maintain, or support'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``development of utilities'' and inserting
``development and rehabilitation of utilities, necessary
infrastructure,''; and
(B) by inserting ``mold remediation,'' after ``energy
efficiency,'';
(3) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``the costs of operation
and maintenance of units developed with funds provided under
this Act,'' after ``rental assistance,''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) Reserve accounts.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the deposit
of amounts, including grant amounts under section 101, in a
reserve account established for an Indian tribe only for the
purpose of accumulating amounts for administration and
planning relating to affordable housing activities under this
section, in accordance with the Indian housing plan of the
Indian tribe.
``(B) Maximum amount.--A reserve account established under
subparagraph (A) shall consist of not more than an amount
equal to \1/4\ of the 5-year average of the annual amount
used by a recipient for administration and planning under
paragraph (2).''.
SEC. 203. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
Section 203 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4133) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(f) Use of Grant Amounts Over Extended Periods.--
``(1) In general.--To the extent that the Indian housing
plan for an Indian tribe provides for the use of amounts of a
grant under section 101 for a period of more than 1 fiscal
year, or for affordable housing activities for which the
amounts will be committed for use or expended during a
subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall not require those
amounts to be used or committed for use at any time earlier
than otherwise provided for in the Indian housing plan.
``(2) Carryover.--Any amount of a grant provided to an
Indian tribe under section 101 for a fiscal year that is not
used by the Indian tribe during that fiscal year may be used
by the Indian tribe during any subsequent fiscal year.
``(g) De Minimis Exemption for Procurement of Goods and
Services.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
recipient shall not be required to act in accordance with any
otherwise applicable competitive procurement rule or
procedure with respect to the procurement, using a grant
provided under this Act, of goods and services the value of
which is less than $5,000.''.
SEC. 204. LOW-INCOME REQUIREMENT AND INCOME TARGETING.
Section 205 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4135) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Applicability.--The provisions of paragraph (2) of
subsection (a) regarding binding commitments for the
remaining useful life of property shall not apply to a family
or household member who subsequently takes ownership of a
homeownership unit.''.
SEC. 205. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.
Section 208(a) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4138(a)) is
amended by inserting ``applicants for employment, and of''
after ``records of''.
SEC. 206. SELF-DETERMINED HOUSING ACTIVITIES FOR TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Program.--Title II of the Native
American Housing Assistance and
[[Page 22768]]
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4131 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by inserting after the title designation and heading
the following:
``Subtitle A--General Block Grant Program'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle B--Self-Determined Housing Activities for Tribal Communities
``SEC. 231. PURPOSE.
``The purpose of this subtitle is to establish a program
for self-determined housing activities for the tribal
communities to provide Indian tribes with the flexibility to
use a portion of the grant amounts under section 101 for the
Indian tribe in manners that are wholly self-determined by
the Indian tribe for housing activities involving
construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, or infrastructure
relating to housing activities or housing that will benefit
the community served by the Indian tribe.
``SEC. 232. PROGRAM AUTHORITY.
``(a) Definition of Qualifying Indian Tribe.--In this
section, the term `qualifying Indian tribe' means, with
respect to a fiscal year, an Indian tribe or tribally
designated housing entity--
``(1) to or on behalf of which a grant is made under
section 101;
``(2) that has complied with the requirements of section
102(b)(6); and
``(3) that, during the preceding 3-fiscal-year period, has
no unresolved significant and material audit findings or
exceptions, as demonstrated in--
``(A) the annual audits of that period completed under
chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as
the `Single Audit Act'); or
``(B) an independent financial audit prepared in accordance
with generally accepted auditing principles.
``(b) Authority.--Under the program under this subtitle,
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, the recipient for
each qualifying Indian tribe may use the amounts specified in
subsection (c) in accordance with this subtitle.
``(c) Amounts.--With respect to a fiscal year and a
recipient, the amounts referred to in subsection (b) are
amounts from any grant provided under section 101 to the
recipient for the fiscal year, as determined by the
recipient, but in no case exceeding the lesser of--
``(1) an amount equal to 20 percent of the total grant
amount for the recipient for that fiscal year; and
``(2) $2,000,000.
``SEC. 233. USE OF AMOUNTS FOR HOUSING ACTIVITIES.
``(a) Eligible Housing Activities.--Any amounts made
available for use under this subtitle by a recipient for an
Indian tribe shall be used only for housing activities, as
selected at the discretion of the recipient and described in
the Indian housing plan for the Indian tribe pursuant to
section 102(b)(6), for the construction, acquisition, or
rehabilitation of housing or infrastructure in accordance
with section 202 to provide a benefit to families described
in section 201(b)(1).
``(b) Prohibition on Certain Activities.--Amounts made
available for use under this subtitle may not be used for
commercial or economic development.
``SEC. 234. INAPPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.
``(a) In General.--Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this Act, title I, subtitle A of title II, and
titles III through VIII shall not apply to--
``(1) the program under this subtitle; or
``(2) amounts made available in accordance with this
subtitle.
``(b) Applicable Provisions.--The following provisions of
titles I through VIII shall apply to the program under this
subtitle and amounts made available in accordance with this
subtitle:
``(1) Section 101(c) (relating to local cooperation
agreements).
``(2) Subsections (d) and (e) of section 101 (relating to
tax exemption).
``(3) Section 101(j) (relating to Federal supply sources).
``(4) Section 101(k) (relating to tribal preference in
employment and contracting).
``(5) Section 102(b)(4) (relating to certification of
compliance).
``(6) Section 104 (relating to treatment of program income
and labor standards).
``(7) Section 105 (relating to environmental review).
``(8) Section 201(b) (relating to eligible families).
``(9) Section 203(c) (relating to insurance coverage).
``(10) Section 203(g) (relating to a de minimis exemption
for procurement of goods and services).
``(11) Section 206 (relating to treatment of funds).
``(12) Section 209 (relating to noncompliance with
affordable housing requirement).
``(13) Section 401 (relating to remedies for
noncompliance).
``(14) Section 408 (relating to public availability of
information).
``(15) Section 702 (relating to 50-year leasehold interests
in trust or restricted lands for housing purposes).
``SEC. 235. REVIEW AND REPORT.
``(a) Review.--During calendar year 2011, the Secretary
shall conduct a review of the results achieved by the program
under this subtitle to determine--
``(1) the housing constructed, acquired, or rehabilitated
under the program;
``(2) the effects of the housing described in paragraph (1)
on costs to low-income families of affordable housing;
``(3) the effectiveness of each recipient in achieving the
results intended to be achieved, as described in the Indian
housing plan for the Indian tribe; and
``(4) the need for, and effectiveness of, extending the
duration of the program and increasing the amount of grants
under section 101 that may be used under the program.
``(b) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2011, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the
information obtained pursuant to the review under subsection
(a) (including any conclusions and recommendations of the
Secretary with respect to the program under this subtitle),
including--
``(1) recommendations regarding extension of the program
for subsequent fiscal years and increasing the amounts under
section 232(c) that may be used under the program; and
``(2) recommendations for--
``(A)(i) specific Indian tribes or recipients that should
be prohibited from participating in the program for failure
to achieve results; and
``(ii) the period for which such a prohibition should
remain in effect; or
``(B) standards and procedures by which Indian tribes or
recipients may be prohibited from participating in the
program for failure to achieve results.
``(c) Provision of Information to Secretary.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, recipients
participating in the program under this subtitle shall
provide such information to the Secretary as the Secretary
may request, in sufficient detail and in a timely manner
sufficient to ensure that the review and report required by
this section is accomplished in a timely manner.''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 note) is amended--
(1) by inserting after the item for title II the following:
``Subtitle A--General Block Grant Program'';
(2) by inserting after the item for section 205 the
following:
``Sec. 206. Treatment of funds.'';
and
(3) by inserting before the item for title III the
following:
``Subtitle B--Self-Determined Housing Activities for Tribal Communities
``Sec. 231. Purposes.
``Sec. 232. Program authority.
``Sec. 233. Use of amounts for housing activities.
``Sec. 234. Inapplicability of other provisions.
``Sec. 235. Review and report.''.
TITLE III--ALLOCATION OF GRANT AMOUNTS
SEC. 301. ALLOCATION FORMULA.
Section 302 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4152) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Study of need data.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a
contract with an organization with expertise in housing and
other demographic data collection methodologies under which
the organization, in consultation with Indian tribes and
Indian organizations, shall--
``(i) assess existing data sources, including alternatives
to the decennial census, for use in evaluating the factors
for determination of need described in subsection (b); and
``(ii) develop and recommend methodologies for collecting
data on any of those factors, including formula area, in any
case in which existing data is determined to be insufficient
or inadequate, or fails to satisfy the requirements of this
Act.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this section, to remain available until
expended.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(1)(A) The number of low-income housing dwelling units
developed under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437 et seq.), pursuant to a contract between an
Indian housing authority for the tribe and the Secretary,
that are owned or operated by a recipient on the October 1 of
the calendar year immediately preceding the year for which
funds are provided, subject to the condition that such a unit
shall not be considered to be a low-income housing dwelling
unit for purposes of this section if--
``(i) the recipient ceases to possess the legal right to
own, operate, or maintain the unit; or
``(ii) the unit is lost to the recipient by conveyance,
demolition, or other means.
``(B) If the unit is a homeownership unit not conveyed
within 25 years from the date of full availability, the
recipient shall not be considered to have lost the legal
right to own, operate, or maintain the unit if the unit has
not been conveyed to the homebuyer for reasons beyond the
control of the recipient.
``(C) If the unit is demolished and the recipient rebuilds
the unit within 1 year of demolition of the unit, the unit
may continue to be considered a low-income housing dwelling
unit for the purpose of this paragraph.
[[Page 22769]]
``(D) In this paragraph, the term `reasons beyond the
control of the recipient' means, after making reasonable
efforts, there remain--
``(i) delays in obtaining or the absence of title status
reports;
``(ii) incorrect or inadequate legal descriptions or other
legal documentation necessary for conveyance;
``(iii) clouds on title due to probate or intestacy or
other court proceedings; or
``(iv) any other legal impediment.
``(E) Subparagraphs (A) through (D) shall not apply to any
claim arising from a formula current assisted stock
calculation or count involving an Indian housing block grant
allocation for any fiscal year through fiscal year 2008, if a
civil action relating to the claim is filed by not later than
45 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph.''.
TITLE IV--COMPLIANCE, AUDITS, AND REPORTS
SEC. 401. REMEDIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
Section 401(a) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4161(a)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Substantial noncompliance.--The failure of a
recipient to comply with the requirements of section
302(b)(1) regarding the reporting of low-income dwelling
units shall not, in itself, be considered to be substantial
noncompliance for purposes of this title.''.
SEC. 402. MONITORING OF COMPLIANCE.
Section 403(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4163(b)) is
amended in the second sentence by inserting ``an appropriate
level of'' after ``shall include''.
SEC. 403. PERFORMANCE REPORTS.
Section 404(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4164(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``goals'' and inserting ``planned
activities''; and
(B) by adding ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' at the end and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking paragraph (4).
TITLE V--TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIAN TRIBES UNDER INCORPORATED
PROGRAMS
SEC. 501. EFFECT ON HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS ACT.
(a) In General.--Title V of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4181
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 509. EFFECT ON HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS ACT.
``Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act
prohibits or prevents any participating jurisdiction (within
the meaning of the HOME Investment Partnerships Act (42
U.S.C. 12721 et seq.)) from providing any amounts made
available to the participating jurisdiction under that Act
(42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.) to an Indian tribe or a tribally
designated housing entity for use in accordance with that Act
(42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 note) is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 508 the
following:
``Sec. 509. Effect on HOME Investment Partnerships Act.''.
TITLE VI--GUARANTEED LOANS TO FINANCE TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
SEC. 601. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR GUARANTEED LOANS TO
FINANCE TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--Title VI of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4191
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 606. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR GUARANTEED LOANS TO
FINANCE TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
``(a) Authority.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), to the extent
and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts,
subject to the requirements of this section, and in
accordance with such terms and conditions as the Secretary
may prescribe, the Secretary may guarantee and make
commitments to guarantee the notes and obligations issued by
Indian tribes or tribally designated housing entities with
tribal approval, for the purposes of financing activities
carried out on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas
that, under the first sentence of section 108(a) of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
5308), are eligible for financing with notes and other
obligations guaranteed pursuant to that section.
``(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may guarantee, or make
commitments to guarantee, under paragraph (1) the notes or
obligations of not more than 4 Indian tribes or tribally
designated housing entities located in each Department of
Housing and Urban Development Office of Native American
Programs region.
``(b) Low-Income Benefit Requirement.--Not less than 70
percent of the aggregate amount received by an Indian tribe
or tribally designated housing entity as a result of a
guarantee under this section shall be used for the support of
activities that benefit low-income families on Indian
reservations and other Indian areas.
``(c) Financial Soundness.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish
underwriting criteria for guarantees under this section,
including fees for the guarantees, as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to ensure that the program under
this section is financially sound.
``(2) Amounts of fees.--Fees for guarantees established
under paragraph (1) shall be established in amounts that are
sufficient, but do not exceed the minimum amounts necessary,
to maintain a negative credit subsidy for the program under
this section, as determined based on the risk to the Federal
Government under the underwriting requirements established
under paragraph (1).
``(d) Terms of Obligations.--
``(1) In general.--Each note or other obligation guaranteed
pursuant to this section shall be in such form and
denomination, have such maturity, and be subject to such
conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, by regulation.
``(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may not deny a guarantee
under this section on the basis of the proposed repayment
period for the note or other obligation, unless--
``(A) the period is more than 20 years; or
``(B) the Secretary determines that the period would cause
the guarantee to constitute an unacceptable financial risk.
``(e) Limitation on Percentage.--A guarantee made under
this section shall guarantee repayment of 95 percent of the
unpaid principal and interest due on the note or other
obligation guaranteed.
``(f) Security and Repayment.--
``(1) Requirements on issuer.--To ensure the repayment of
notes and other obligations and charges incurred under this
section and as a condition for receiving the guarantees, the
Secretary shall require the Indian tribe or housing entity
issuing the notes or obligations--
``(A) to enter into a contract, in a form acceptable to the
Secretary, for repayment of notes or other obligations
guaranteed under this section;
``(B) to demonstrate that the extent of each issuance and
guarantee under this section is within the financial capacity
of the Indian tribe; and
``(C) to furnish, at the discretion of the Secretary, such
security as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in
making the guarantees, including increments in local tax
receipts generated by the activities assisted by a guarantee
under this section or disposition proceeds from the sale of
land or rehabilitated property, except that the security may
not include any grant amounts received or for which the
issuer may be eligible under title I.
``(2) Full faith and credit.--
``(A) In general.--The full faith and credit of the United
States is pledged to the payment of all guarantees made under
this section.
``(B) Treatment of guarantees.--
``(i) In general.--Any guarantee made by the Secretary
under this section shall be conclusive evidence of the
eligibility of the obligations for the guarantee with respect
to principal and interest.
``(ii) Incontestable nature.--The validity of any such a
guarantee shall be incontestable in the hands of a holder of
the guaranteed obligations.
``(g) Training and Information.--The Secretary, in
cooperation with Indian tribes and tribally designated
housing entities, may carry out training and information
activities with respect to the guarantee program under this
section.
``(h) Limitations on Amount of Guarantees.--
``(1) Aggregate fiscal year limitation.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, subject only to the absence of
qualified applicants or proposed activities and to the
authority provided in this section, and to the extent
approved or provided for in appropriations Acts, the
Secretary may enter into commitments to guarantee notes and
obligations under this section with an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2009 through 2013.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations for credit subsidy.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to cover the costs
(as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a)) of guarantees under this section
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
``(3) Aggregate outstanding limitation.--The total amount
of outstanding obligations guaranteed on a cumulative basis
by the Secretary pursuant to this section shall not at any
time exceed $1,000,000,000 or such higher amount as may be
authorized to be appropriated for this section for any fiscal
year.
``(4) Fiscal year limitations on indian tribes.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall monitor the use of
guarantees under this section by Indian tribes.
``(B) Modifications.--If the Secretary determines that 50
percent of the aggregate guarantee authority under paragraph
(3) has been committed, the Secretary may--
``(i) impose limitations on the amount of guarantees
pursuant to this section that any single Indian tribe may
receive in any fiscal year of $25,000,000; or
``(ii) request the enactment of legislation increasing the
aggregate outstanding limitation on guarantees under this
section.
[[Page 22770]]
``(i) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report describing the use of the authority under
this section by Indian tribes and tribally designated housing
entities, including--
``(1) an identification of the extent of the use and the
types of projects and activities financed using that
authority; and
``(2) an analysis of the effectiveness of the use in
carrying out the purposes of this section.
``(j) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary under
this section to make new guarantees for notes and obligations
shall terminate on October 1, 2013.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 note) is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 605 the
following:
``Sec. 606. Demonstration program for guaranteed loans to finance
tribal community and economic development activities.''.
TITLE VII--FUNDING
SEC. 701. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Block Grants and Grant Requirements.--Section 108 of
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination
Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4117) is amended in the first sentence
by striking ``1998 through 2007'' and inserting ``2009
through 2013''.
(b) Federal Guarantees for Financing for Tribal Housing
Activities.--Section 605 of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
4195) is amended in subsections (a) and (b) by striking
``1997 through 2007'' each place it appears and inserting
``2009 through 2013''.
(c) Training and Technical Assistance.--Section 703 of the
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act
of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4212) is amended by striking ``1997
through 2007'' and inserting ``2009 through 2013''.
TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 801. LIMITATION ON USE FOR CHEROKEE NATION.
No funds authorized under this Act, or the amendments made
by this Act, or appropriated pursuant to an authorization
under this Act or such amendments, shall be expended for the
benefit of the Cherokee Nation; provided, that this
limitation shall not be effective if the Temporary Order and
Temporary Injunction issued on May 14, 2007, by the District
Court of the Cherokee Nation remains in effect during the
pendency of litigation or there is a settlement agreement
which effects the end of litigation among the adverse
parties.
SEC. 802. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.
No amounts made available pursuant to any authorization of
appropriations under this Act, or under the amendments made
by this Act, may be used to employ workers described in
section 274A(h)(3)) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3)).
SEC. 803. GAO STUDY OF EFFECTIVENESS OF NAHASDA FOR TRIBES OF
DIFFERENT SIZES.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of the
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act
of 1996 in achieving its purposes of meeting the needs for
affordable housing for low-income Indian families, as
compared to the programs for housing and community
development assistance for Indian tribes and families and
Indian housing authorities that were terminated under title V
of such Act and the amendments made by such title. The study
shall compare such effectiveness with respect to Indian
tribes of various sizes and types, and specifically with
respect to smaller tribes for which grants of lesser or
minimum amounts have been made under title I of such Act.
(b) Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 12-month
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate regarding the results and
conclusions of the study conducted pursuant to subsection
(a). Such report shall include recommendations regarding any
changes appropriate to the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to help ensure that the
purposes of such Act are achieved by all Indian tribes,
regardless of size or type.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. McCarthy) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs.
Capito) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous
material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time
as I may consume.
This legislation creates a new housing program that will allow tribes
to use funding in innovative ways. It directs the Secretary of HUD to
seek out an organization with expertise in collection of housing data
in identifying the housing needs in tribal areas. This bill gives more
freedom to tribes to determine how housing moneys may be used while
maintaining appropriate levels of oversight from HUD.
I want to thank Mr. Kildee, Mr. Watt and their staffs in their
efforts for crafting this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Kildee) as much time as he may consume.
Mr. KILDEE. I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2786 as amended by the
Senate, a bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act called ``NAHASDA.'' I'm happy to be the
chief sponsor of this very important legislation.
NAHASDA, enacted in 1996, was the first piece of comprehensive
housing legislation directed solely to Native American and Alaska
Native people. It has become the basic program aiding Native Americans
in tribal areas with affordable housing development including home
ownership, rehabilitation, infrastructure development and other
affordable housing assistance. The success of NAHASDA is clear.
Since its enactment, thousands of housing units have been constructed
or are in development. Despite this record, however, there is still a
substantial unmet need for housing units, a need that continues to grow
for one of the fastest growing population groups in the country.
More than 90,000 Indian families are homeless. Nearly 12 percent of
families living on Indian reservations lack plumbing, and 14 percent
lack electricity. Twelve percent of these families live without safe
and reliable water supply.
This bill, which is based largely upon the recommendations made by
the Native American Indian Housing Council, has bipartisan support. I
want to thank my colleagues, Chairman Barney Frank, Congresswoman
Maxine Waters and Congressman Mel Watt, as well as my Republican
colleagues for their support on this legislation. I also want to thank
Senator Dorgan, Senator Murkowski, Senator Dodd, and Senator Shelby for
all their hard work on this legislation.
Its primary objective is to improve housing conditions in Indian
country. Building upon the basic framework of NAHASDA, the bill will
give tribes greater flexibility in meeting the housing needs of their
tribal citizens. To that end, the bill creates a self-determination
program which authorizes tribes to set aside a portion of their annual
NAHASDA grant funding to better address their construction,
acquisition, rehabilitation and infrastructure needs.
A year before the next NAHASDA authorization, in 2013, HUD would
report to Congress the result of this new program. Among other
revisions, this bill will make certain that tribes can compete for HOME
Investment Partnerships Act funds, removes competitive procurement
rules and procedures for purchases and goods under $5,000, makes
Federal supply sources through the GSA more accessible to tribes,
recognizes tribal preference laws in hiring and contracting, allows
tribes to carry over NAHASDA funds to a subsequent grant year, and
permits tribes to establish a reserve account of the tribe's annual
NAHASDA grant.
Mr. Speaker, this reauthorization bill will build upon the success of
NAHASDA by providing more housing development on our Nation's Indian
reservations.
I would like to thank the staff, the Republican and Democratic staff
members who have worked so hard on this; in the House, Kimberly Teehee,
Dom McCoy, Cassandra Duhaney, Hilary West, Jeff Riley, Cindy Chetti,
Tallman Johnson, Aaron Sporck and Jonathan Harwitz; over in the Senate,
Allison Binney, Heidi Frechette, Jenn Fogel-Bublick, Mark Calabria,
David Mullon and Jim Hall.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
[[Page 22771]]
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2786 which would
reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act, NAHASDA.
This bill reflects a bipartisan effort led by Chairman Frank and
Representative Waters. I would also like to thank Representative Kildee
and Representative Steve Pearce in their efforts to reauthorize NAHASDA
which is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. I'm confident that the legislation being considered today
will go a long way to address the housing needs in Indian country.
This legislation being considered under suspension today is similar
to H.R. 2786 which passed the House on September 6 by a vote of 333 to
75. The major differences from the House bill passed include new
compromise language on the Cherokee Freedman issue, removal of the
reauthorization of the Native Hawaiian Housing program, and inclusion
of the House-passed immigration language and House-passed GAO study.
Native Americans in this country are facing serious housing problems.
Last year the Financial Services Committee held several hearings to
investigate these problems, which are the result of widespread poverty,
high unemployment, homelessness and lack of affordable housing on
Native American land. The reauthorization of NAHASDA is an important
step in addressing many of these issues.
Currently there are 562 federally recognized tribes in the United
States representing approximately 2.5 million Native Americans. Of that
2.5 million, about 750,000 Native Americans live on reservations or in
other tribal areas. According to Census data, the poverty rate for
Native Americans is approximately 26 percent. Twenty-six percent is
more than twice the average for all Americans. While 5.8 percent of the
general population of the United States is unemployed, the current
unemployment rate of the reservation workforce is 13.6 percent. In
tribal areas, 14.7 percent of homes are overcrowded, compared to just
5.7 percent of homes in the general U.S. population. On Native American
lands, 11.7 percent of residents lack complete plumbing facilities, and
6.9 percent lack, get this, telephone service. This, coupled with the
price of a new home and the lack of existing housing, has created a
dire situation on reservations in terms of availability and quality of
housing units.
The legislation before us today would provide greater autonomy to
Native Americans in using NAHASDA grant funds and would provide tribes
more resources and flexibility to meet their affordable housing needs.
This is good legislation that would help improve living conditions for
Native Americans in this country.
I urge its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my
colleague from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren).
Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Native
American Housing and Self-Determination Act.
I would like to thank the gentlelady for yielding time to me on this
important issue and give special thanks to Chairman Frank,
Representative Kildee and Representative Watt in the Financial Services
Committee for their hard work and dedication on this legislation.
Native American housing is an issue that is very important to me.
It's very important to the State of Oklahoma. My congressional district
is home to 17 of the 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma and
over 200,000 Native Americans.
In many places across Oklahoma, as well as the United States, the
lack of quality affordable housing has reached crisis proportions in
Native American communities.
Mr. Speaker, poor housing conditions are clear signs of poverty and
economic distress. In fact, the poverty rate for Native Americans is
nearly three times that of other Americans, which contributes to Native
people living in some of the worst housing conditions in our Nation.
These substandard housing conditions are worsened by overcrowding that
is three times more prevalent throughout tribal areas.
The legislation currently before the House has significant provisions
to assist in the restoration of older developments and the construction
of new housing for the benefit of low-income Native Americans. It's my
hope with these Federal dollars that we can begin to lift up and
improve the housing problems on our tribal lands. I am also pleased
that this legislation will give tribes the sovereign authority to make
many of their own business decisions with this funding.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank, again, my good
friends, Congressmen Mel Watt, Kildee and Frank and all other parties
who have worked closely with the issue regarding Freedmen membership
and the Cherokee Nation. We can all agree that this has been a very
contentious issue at times. However it has always been my belief that
we in Congress should let the courts finish their work on this matter
before interfering.
{time} 1600
I am pleased that all involved could come together in this effort and
move this important legislation forward in a bipartisan manner.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
After a year of negotiations with the Senate, I am pleased to rise in
support of H.R. 2786, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Reauthorization Act. I am pleased to be an original
cosponsor of this bill, and appreciate the hard work of Representative
Kildee, Chairman Frank, Chairwoman Waters, our colleague on the
Financial Services Committee, Mr. Watt, and Senators Shelby, Murkowski
and Dorgan for their diligence and efforts in the other Chamber.
Over the last year, we have worked hard to come together and maintain
Native American self-determination. I am pleased to have before us a
piece of legislation that provides immediate solutions to Native
American housing needs and includes important reforms to improve the
authorization under NAHASDA.
I firmly believe the tribes are best equipped to understand the needs
of their communities. They know where the worst housing and
infrastructure and economic disparities lie. Over the past 12 years,
NAHASDA has made tribal housing programs more flexible and given tribes
the ability to rely far less on the Federal Government. My constituents
who live on reservations and in pueblos tell me that this flexibility
is working. H.R. 2786 will give tribes even more flexibility and
autonomy to carry on their housing programs.
The legislation before us improves NAHASDA by streamlining oversight
and allowing tribes to exercise greater discretion over a portion of
their grant moneys for affordable housing activities.
Additionally, while this bill contains the practice of giving tribes
more flexibility to develop housing and manage their housing programs,
we need to continue to look ahead to address critical infrastructure
and economic development needs.
I am pleased that this bill preserves my demonstration program which
was included in the House-passed version last September. My program
will make NAHASDA dollars go even farther. The demonstration program
gives the tribes the same opportunities for economic development that
States, cities and other units of local government across the United
States already enjoy.
Currently, communities that receive direct funding from the Community
Development Block Grant Program, the CDBG program, may borrow or issue
bonded debt for up to five times their annual CDBG allocations. This is
the section 108 loan guarantee program, and it encourages economic
development, housing rehabilitation, public facilities and large-scale
physical development projects.
Title VI of NAHASDA is similar to the section 108 statute and allows
[[Page 22772]]
tribes to borrow or issue bonded debt up to five times their annual
NAHASDA allocation for housing purposes. Unfortunately, the title VI
program has been underutilized in part because the eligible projects
are limited to low-income activities that do not generate sufficient
income to pay back these loans. The demonstration program in H.R. 2786
fixes this by simply mirroring title VI activities to those activities
allowed under the section 108 statute.
My economic and infrastructure development program also ensures that
those who truly need economic support will get it first. I have done
this by requiring applicants to show that 70 percent of the benefit of
the proposed project will go to low income Indian families on Indian
reservations and other tribal areas.
Our rural and severely impoverished areas greatly benefit from the
loan guarantee program. These rural areas often lack basic
infrastructure, and many times the only catalyst to encourage private
companies to invest in poorer communities comes only after a poor rural
area has received one of these CDBG loans.
Harmonizing CDBG activities with title VI under NAHASDA will have a
lasting impression on tribal economic development. Better yet, it will
help employ and educate the lowest income individuals in the Indian
community.
NAHASDA isn't about big government offering handouts to Indian
Country. It is about handing up in order to maintain that special
relationship the Federal Government shares with the tribes. It is about
making sure Indian Country has the tools they need for a brighter
future. It is about creating jobs and opportunities for Indian Country,
and it is about ensuring and preserving the Native American way of
life.
The NAHASDA reauthorization is critical to addressing Native American
housing needs. Tribes need additional flexibility and autonomy to use
Indian Housing Block Grant dollars efficiently and in a manner that
makes the most sense for tribal members' specific housing projects.
Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the reauthorization of this program is
critical to addressing Native American housing needs in New Mexico and
across the United States. I would urge all of my colleagues to adopt
and support this bill.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to Mr. Kildee a
great thank you. He has been certainly a fighter for our American
Indians on the Education Committee, and I thank him for bringing forth
this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Snyder). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) that the House
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R.
2786.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings
will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed.
Votes will be taken in the following order:
H.R. 928, de novo;
H.R. 7081, by the yeas and nays;
H.R. 6707, by the yeas and nays.
The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
Remaining electronic votes will be conducted as 5-minute votes.
____________________
INSPECTOR GENERAL REFORM ACT OF 2008
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the question on
suspending the rules and concurring in the Senate amendment to the
bill, H.R. 928.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 928.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 414,
noes 0, not voting 19, as follows:
[Roll No. 661]
AYES--414
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Bachus
Baird
Baldwin
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Boyda (KS)
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Braley (IA)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson
Carter
Castle
Castor
Cazayoux
Chabot
Chandler
Childers
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Cohen
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Ellison
Ellsworth
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Everett
Fallin
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foster
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gillibrand
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Graves
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hobson
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Kagen
Kanjorski
Keller
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Lamborn
Lampson
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McNulty
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Nunes
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pearce
Pence
Perlmutter
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Richardson
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sali
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Saxton
Scalise
Schakowsky
[[Page 22773]]
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Sestak
Shadegg
Shays
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Sutton
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Towns
Tsongas
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Walz (MN)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Welch (VT)
Weldon (FL)
Westmoreland
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (OH)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--19
Blunt
Cubin
Doolittle
Emanuel
Frank (MA)
Hastings (WA)
Jefferson
Kaptur
Lynch
Murphy, Tim
Peterson (PA)
Pickering
Pryce (OH)
Rangel
Tierney
Walsh (NY)
Weiner
Weller
Wexler
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). Two minutes remain in the
vote.
{time} 1637
Ms. FALLIN changed her vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and
the Senate amendment was concurred in.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
UNITED STATES-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION APPROVAL AND NONPROLIFERATION
ENHANCEMENT ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7081, on which the
yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 7081.
This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 298,
nays 117, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 17, as follows:
[Roll No. 662]
YEAS--298
Ackerman
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bean
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burton (IN)
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carter
Castle
Castor
Cazayoux
Chabot
Chandler
Childers
Clay
Coble
Cohen
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Donnelly
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Ellsworth
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Fallin
Feeney
Ferguson
Flake
Forbes
Fossella
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gillibrand
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Graves
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Gutierrez
Hall (TX)
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hobson
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Honda
Hoyer
Hulshof
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jordan
Kanjorski
Keller
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Lamborn
Lampson
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Marchant
Matheson
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Nunes
Ortiz
Pallone
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Platts
Porter
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Royce
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sali
Sarbanes
Saxton
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schmidt
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shays
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sires
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Souder
Stearns
Sullivan
Sutton
Tancredo
Tanner
Terry
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Upton
Van Hollen
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Weldon (FL)
Westmoreland
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (OH)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--117
Abercrombie
Baird
Baldwin
Becerra
Berry
Blumenauer
Boswell
Boyda (KS)
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Burgess
Butterfield
Capps
Carson
Clarke
Cleaver
Clyburn
Conyers
Costello
Courtney
Cummings
Davis (CA)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Dingell
Doggett
Edwards (MD)
Ellison
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Fortenberry
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Hare
Harman
Hayes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Holt
Hooley
Hunter
Johnson (GA)
Jones (NC)
Kagen
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kucinich
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Lee
Lewis (GA)
Loebsack
Markey
Marshall
Matsui
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
McNulty
Michaud
Miller, George
Mitchell
Moore (WI)
Nadler
Napolitano
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Perlmutter
Pitts
Poe
Pomeroy
Richardson
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Schiff
Schwartz
Serrano
Sestak
Shea-Porter
Shuler
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Solis
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stupak
Tauscher
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tsongas
Udall (NM)
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz (MN)
Watson
Waxman
Welch (VT)
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--1
Foster
NOT VOTING--17
Aderholt
Buyer
Cubin
Doolittle
Franks (AZ)
Jefferson
Kaptur
Lynch
Murphy, Tim
Peterson (PA)
Pickering
Pryce (OH)
Tierney
Walsh (NY)
Weiner
Weller
Wexler
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). Two minutes remain on the
vote.
{time} 1644
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and
the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
TAKING RESPONSIBLE ACTION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6707, as amended,
on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6707, as amended.
This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 243,
nays 175, not voting 15, as follows:
[[Page 22774]]
[Roll No. 663]
YEAS--243
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd (FL)
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Butterfield
Campbell (CA)
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson
Castle
Castor
Cazayoux
Childers
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Cohen
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Cramer
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Tom
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doyle
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ellison
Ellsworth
Emerson
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Frank (MA)
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gillibrand
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Jones (NC)
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
Klein (FL)
Knollenberg
Kucinich
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Markey
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McIntyre
McNerney
McNulty
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mitchell
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Perlmutter
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (NC)
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Reyes
Richardson
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Roskam
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Saxton
Scalise
Schiff
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shimkus
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Snyder
Solis
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Sutton
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Towns
Tsongas
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz (MN)
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Welch (VT)
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (OH)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
NAYS--175
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Altmire
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boustany
Boyda (KS)
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Cannon
Cantor
Carter
Chabot
Chandler
Clyburn
Coble
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Costello
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Deal (GA)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Ehlers
Emanuel
English (PA)
Everett
Fallin
Feeney
Flake
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gingrey
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Gutierrez
Hall (TX)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jordan
Keller
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kline (MN)
Kuhl (NY)
Lamborn
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lucas
Mack
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul (TX)
McHenry
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Meek (FL)
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Mollohan
Moran (KS)
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Paul
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Sali
Schakowsky
Schmidt
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shays
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Souder
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Terry
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Watson
Weldon (FL)
Westmoreland
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--15
Blunt
Cubin
Doolittle
Jefferson
Kaptur
Lynch
Murphy, Tim
Peterson (PA)
Pickering
Pryce (OH)
Tierney
Walsh (NY)
Weiner
Weller
Wexler
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). There are 2 minutes
remaining on the vote.
{time} 1655
Messrs. KIRK, COSTELLO, and CHANDLER changed their vote from ``yea''
to ``nay.''
So (two-thirds not being in the affirmative) the motion was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
____________________
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules
on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or on which
the vote is objected to under clause 6 of rule XX.
Record votes on postponed questions will be taken tomorrow.
____________________
SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2008
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7175) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the section
7(a) lending program, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7175
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Small
Business Financing Improvements Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--7(A) LOAN PROGRAM
Sec. 101. Loan pooling.
Sec. 102. Alternative size standard.
TITLE II--504 CDC PROGRAM
Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Eligibility of development companies to be designated as
certified development companies.
Sec. 203. Definition of rural areas.
Sec. 204. Businesses in low-income areas.
Sec. 205. Combinations of certain goals.
Sec. 206. Refinancing.
Sec. 207. Additional equity injections.
Sec. 208. Loan liquidations.
Sec. 209. Closing costs.
Sec. 210. Uniform leasing policy.
TITLE III--SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANY PROGRAM
Sec. 301. Simplified maximum leverage limits.
Sec. 302. Simplified aggregate investment limitations.
TITLE I--7(A) LOAN PROGRAM
SEC. 101. LOAN POOLING.
Section 5(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
634(g)(1)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``The Administration'';
(2) by striking the colon and all that follows and
inserting a period; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) A trust certificate issued under subparagraph (A)
shall be based on, and backed by, a trust or pool approved by
the Administrator and composed solely of the guaranteed
portion of such loans.
``(C) The interest rate on a trust certificate issued under
subparagraph (A) shall be either--
``(i) the lowest interest rate on any individual loan in
the pool; or
``(ii) the weighted average interest rate of all loans in
the pool, subject to such limited variations in loan
characteristics as the Administrator determines appropriate
to enhance marketability of the pool certificates.''.
SEC. 102. ALTERNATIVE SIZE STANDARD.
Section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Optional size standard.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an
optional size standard for business loan applicants under
section 7(a) and development company loan applicants under
title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, which
uses maximum tangible net worth and average net income as an
alternative to the use of industry standards.
[[Page 22775]]
``(B) Interim rule.--Until the date on which the optional
size standards established under subparagraph (A) are in
effect, the alternative size standard in section 121.301(b)
of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
thereto, may be used by business loan applicants under
section 7(a) and development company loan applicants under
title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.''.
TITLE II--504 CDC PROGRAM
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.
Section 103(6) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 662(6)) is amended to read as follows:
``(6) the term `development company' means an entity
incorporated under State law with the authority to promote
and assist the growth and development of small-business
concerns in the areas in which it is authorized to operate by
the Administration, and the term `certified development
company' means a development company which the Administration
has determined meets the criteria of section 506;''.
SEC. 202. ELIGIBILITY OF DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES TO BE
DESIGNATED AS CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.
Section 506 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 697c) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 506. CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.
``(a) Authority To Issue Debentures.--A development company
may issue debentures pursuant to this Act if the
Administration certifies that the company meets the following
criteria:
``(1) Size.--The development company is required to be a
small concern with fewer than 500 employees and not under the
control of any entity which does not meet the
Administration's size standards as a small business, except
that any development company which was certified by the
Administration prior to December 31, 2005 may continue to
issue debentures.
``(2) Purpose.--The primary purpose of the development
company is to benefit the community by fostering economic
development to create and preserve jobs and stimulate private
investment.
``(3) Primary function.--The primary function of the
development company is to accomplish its purpose by providing
long term financing to small businesses by the utilization of
the Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan
Program. It may also provide or support such other local
economic development activities to assist the community.
``(4) Non-profit status.--The development company is a non-
profit corporation, except that a development company
certified by the Administration prior to January 1, 1987, may
retain its status as a for-profit corporation.
``(5) Good standing.--The development company is in good
standing in its State of incorporation and in any other State
in which it conducts business, and is in compliance with all
laws, including taxation requirements, in its State of
incorporation and in any other State in which it conducts
business.
``(6) Membership.--The development company should have at
least 25 members (or stockholders if the corporation is a
for-profit entity), none of whom may own or control more than
20 percent of the company's voting membership, consisting of
representation from each of the following groups (none of
which are in a position to control the development company):
--
``(A) Government organizations that are responsible for
economic development.
``(B) Financial institutions that provide commercial long
term fixed asset financing.
``(C) Community organizations that are dedicated to
economic development.
``(D) Businesses.
``(7) Board of directors.--The development company has a
board of directors that--
``(A) is elected from the membership by the members;
``(B) should represent at least 3 of the 4 groups
enumerated in subsection (a)(6) with no group is in a
position to control the company; and
``(C) meets on a regular basis to make policy decisions for
such company.
``(8) Professional management and staff.--The development
company has full-time professional management, including a
chief executive officer to manage daily operations, and a
full-time professional staff qualified to market the
Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan
Program and handle all aspects of loan approval and
servicing, including liquidation, if appropriate. The
development company is required to be independently managed
and operated to pursue its economic development mission and
to employ its chief executive officer directly, with the
following exceptions:
``(A) A development company may be an affiliate of another
local non-profit service corporation (specifically excluding
another development company) whose mission is to support
economic development in the area in which the development
company operates. In such a case:
``(i) The development company may satisfy the requirement
for full-time professional staff by contracting with a local
non-profit service corporation (or one of its non-profit
affiliates), or a governmental or quasi-governmental agency,
to provide the required staffing.
``(ii) The development company and the local non-profit
service corporation may have partially common boards of
directors.
``(B) A development company in a rural area (as defined in
section 501(f)) shall be deemed to have satisfied the
requirements of a full-time professional staff and
professional management ability if it contracts with another
certified development company which has such staff and
management ability and which is located in the same general
area to provide such services.
``(C) A development company that has been certified by the
Administration as of December 31, 2005, and that has
contracted with a for-profit company to provide services as
of such date may continue to do so.
``(b) Area of Operations.--The Administration shall specify
the area in which an applicant is certified to provide
assistance to small businesses under this title, which may
not initially exceed its State of incorporation unless it
proposes to operate in a local economic area which is
required to include part of its State of incorporation and
may include adjacent areas within several States. After a
development company has demonstrated its ability to provide
assistance in its area of operations, it may request the
Administration to be allowed to operate in one or more
additional States as a multi-state certified development
company if it satisfies the following criteria:
``(1) Each additional State is contiguous to the State of
incorporation, except the States of Alaska and Hawaii shall
be deemed to be contiguous to any State abutting the Pacific
ocean.
``(2) It demonstrates its proficiency in making and
servicing loans under the Certified Development Company
Economic Development Loan Program by--
``(A) requesting and receiving designation as an accredited
lender under section 507 or a premier certified lender under
section 508; and
``(B) meeting or exceeding performance standards
established by the Administration.
``(3) The development company adds to the membership of its
State of incorporation additional membership from each
additional State and the added membership meets the
requirements of subsection (a)(6).
``(4) The development company adds at least one member to
its board of directors in the State of incorporation,
providing that added member was selected by the membership of
the development company.
``(5) The company meets such other criteria or complies
with such conditions as the Administration deems appropriate.
``(c) Processing of Expansion Applications.--The
Administration shall respond to the request of a certified
development company for certification as a multi-state
company on an expedited basis within 30 days of receipt of a
completed application if the application demonstrates that
the development company meets the requirements of subsection
(b)(1) through (b)(4).
``(d) Use of Funds Limited to State Where Generated.--Any
funds generated by a not-for-profit development company from
making loans under the Certified Development Company Economic
Development Loan Program which remain after payment of staff,
operating and overhead expenses shall be retained by the
development company as a reserve for future operations, for
expanding its area of operations in a local economic area as
authorized by the Administration, or for investment in other
local economic development activity in the State from which
the funds were generated.
``(e) Ethical Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Certified development companies, their
officers, employees and other staff, shall at all times act
ethically and avoid activities which constitute a conflict of
interest or appear to constitute a conflict of interest. No
one may serve as an officer, director or chief executive
officer of more than one certified development company.
``(2) Prohibited conflict in project loans.--As part of a
project under the Certified Development Company Economic
Development Loan Program, no certified development company
may recommend or approve a guarantee of a debenture by the
Administration that is collateralized by a subordinated lien
position on the property being constructed or acquired and
also provide, or be affiliated with a corporation or other
entity, for-profit or non-profit, which provides, financing
collateralized by a prior lien on the same property. Upon
approval by the Administrator, abusiness development company
that was participating as a first mortgage lender, either
directly or through an affiliate, for the Certified
Development Company Economic Development Loan Program in
either fiscal years 2004 or 2005 may continue to do so.
``(3) Other economic development activities.--Operation of
multiple programs to assist small business concerns in order
for a certified development company to carry out its economic
development mission shall not be deemed a conflict of
interest, but notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
development company may accept funding from any source,
including but not limited to any department or agency of the
United States Government--
[[Page 22776]]
``(A) if such funding includes any conditions, priorities
or restrictions upon the types of small businesses to which
they may provide financial assistance under this title; or
``(B) if it includes any conditions or imposes any
requirements, directly or indirectly, upon any recipient of
assistance under this title unless the department or agency
also provides all of the financial assistance to be delivered
by the development company to the small business and such
conditions, priorities or restrictions are limited solely to
the financial assistance so provided.''.
SEC. 203. DEFINITION OF RURAL AREAS.
Section 501 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 695) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(f) As used in subsection (d)(3)(D), the term `rural'
shall include any area other than--
``(1) a city or town that has a population greater than
50,000 inhabitants; and
``(2) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a
city or town.''.
SEC. 204. BUSINESSES IN LOW-INCOME AREAS.
Section 501(d)(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of
1958 (15 U.S.C. 695(d)(3)) is amended by inserting after
``business district revitalization'' the following: ``or
expansion of businesses in low-income communities that would
be eligible for new market tax credit investments under
section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.
45D)''.
SEC. 205. COMBINATIONS OF CERTAIN GOALS.
Section 501(e) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 695(e)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) A small business concern that is unconditionally
owned by more than one individual, or a corporation whose
stock is owned by more than one individual, is deemed to
achieve a public policy goal under subsection (d)(3) if a
combined ownership share of at least 51 percent is held by
individuals who are in one of the groups listed as public
policy goals specified in subsection (d)(3)(C) or
(d)(3)(E).''.
SEC. 206. REFINANCING.
Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 696) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Permissible debt refinancing.--Any financing approved
under this title may also include a limited amount of debt
refinancing for debt that was not previously guaranteed by
the Administration. If the project involves expansion of a
small business which has existing indebtedness collateralized
by fixed assets, a limited amount may be refinanced and added
to the expansion cost, providing--
``(A) the proceeds of the indebtedness were used to acquire
land, including a building situated thereon, to construct a
building thereon or to purchase equipment;
``(B) the borrower has been current on all payments due on
the existing debt for at least the past year; and
``(C) the financing under the Certified Development Company
Economic Development Loan Program will provide better terms
or rate of interest than now exists on the debt.''.
SEC. 207. ADDITIONAL EQUITY INJECTIONS.
Clause (ii) of section 502(3)(B) of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 696(3)(B)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(ii) Funding from institutions.--
``(I) If a small business concern provides the minimum
contribution required under paragraph (C), not less than 50
percent of the total cost of any project financed pursuant to
clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (C) shall come
from the institutions described in subclauses (I), (II), and
(III) of clause (i).
``(II) If a small business concern provides more than the
minimum contribution required under paragraph (C), any excess
contribution may be used to reduce the amount required from
the institutions described in subclauses (I), (II), and (III)
of clause (i) except that the amount from such institutions
may not be reduced to an amount less than the amount of the
loan made by the Administration.''.
SEC. 208. LOAN LIQUIDATIONS.
Section 510 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 697g) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Participation.--
``(1) Mandatory.--Any certified development company which
elects not to apply for authority to foreclose and liquidate
defaulted loans under this section or which the
Administration determines to be ineligible for such authority
shall contract with a qualified third-party to perform
foreclosure and liquidation of defaulted loans in its
portfolio. The contract shall be contingent upon approval by
the Administration with respect to the qualifications of the
contractor, the terms and conditions of liquidation
activities, and the ability to reimburse such contractor.
``(2) Commencement.--The provisions of this subsection
shall not require any development company to liquidate
defaulted loans until the Administration has adopted and
implemented a program to compensate and reimburse development
companies as provided under subsection (f).
``(f) Compensation and Reimbursement.--
``(1) Reimbursement of expenses.--The Administration shall
reimburse each certified development company for all expenses
paid by such company as part of the foreclosure and
liquidation activities if the expenses--
``(A) were approved in advance by the Administration either
specifically or generally; or
``(B) were incurred by the company on an emergency basis
without Administration prior approval but which were
reasonable and appropriate.
``(2) Compensation for results.--The Administration shall
develop a schedule to compensate and provide an incentive to
qualified State or local development companies which
foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans. The schedule shall
be based on a percentage of the net amount recovered but
shall not exceed a maximum amount. The schedule shall not
apply to any foreclosure which is conducted pursuant to a
contract between a development company and a qualified third-
party to perform the foreclosure and liquidation.''.
SEC. 209. CLOSING COSTS.
Paragraph (4) of section 503(b) of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 697(b)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(4) the aggregate amount of such debenture does not
exceed the amount of loans to be made from the proceeds of
such debenture plus, at the election of the borrower under
the Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan
Program, other amounts attributable to the administrative and
closing costs of such loans, except for the borrower's
attorney fees;''.
SEC. 210. UNIFORM LEASING POLICY.
(a) In General.--Section 502 of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 696) is amended
(1) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the
following:
``(4) Limitation on leasing.--If the use of a loan under
this section includes the acquisition of a facility or the
construction of a new facility, the small business concern
assisted
``(A) shall permanently occupy and use not less than a
total of 50 percent of the space in the facility; and
``(B) may, on a temporary or permanent basis, lease to
others not more than 50 percent of the space in the
facility.''; and
(2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).
(b) Policy for 7(a) Loans.--Section 7(a)(28) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(28)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(28) Limitation on leasing.--If the use of a loan under
this subsection includes the acquisition of a facility or the
construction of a new facility, the small business concern
assisted
``(A) shall permanently occupy and use not less than a
total of 50 percent of the space in the facility; and
``(B) may, on a temporary or permanent basis, lease to
others not more than 50 percent of the space in the
facility.''.
TITLE III--SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANY PROGRAM
SEC. 301. SIMPLIFIED MAXIMUM LEVERAGE LIMITS.
Section 303(b) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 683(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Maximum leverage.--
``(A) In general.--The maximum amount of outstanding
leverage made available to any one company licensed under
section 301(c) of this Act may not exceed the lesser of--
``(i) 300 percent of such company's private capital; or
``(ii) $150,000,000.
``(B) Multiple licenses under common control.--The maximum
amount of outstanding leverage made available to two or more
companies licensed under section 301(c) of this Act that are
commonly controlled (as determined by the Administrator) and
not under capital impairment may not exceed $225,000,000.'';
and
(2) by striking paragraph (4).
SEC. 302. SIMPLIFIED AGGREGATE INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.
Section 306(a) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
(15 U.S.C. 686(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Percentage Limitation on Private Capital.--If any
small business investment company has obtained financing from
the Administration and such financing remains outstanding,
the aggregate amount of securities acquired and for which
commitments may be issued by such company under the
provisions of this title for any single enterprise shall not,
without the approval of the Administration, exceed 10 percent
of the sum of--
``(1) the private capital of such company; and
``(2) the total amount of leverage projected by the company
in the company's business plan that was approved by the
Administration at the time of the grant of the company's
license.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
[[Page 22777]]
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
{time} 1700
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill which would help
entrepreneurs gain access to vital capital. Even before the recent
troubles on Wall Street began, securing funding was an uphill battle
for small businesses. Today, it is even more challenging than ever.
The effects of the current lending slump have been taxing. Liquidity
challenges have caused lenders to cut lines of credit and recall loans
to small firms. As these crucial sources of investment dry up,
entrepreneurs have few places left to turn.
Venture capital investors, who have historically fueled the startup
community, are becoming more and more cautious in doing so. At the same
time, commercial banks have raised the bar for lending criteria on
interest rates.
While the Small Business Administration has historically helped
entrepreneurs during economic downturns, it is also failing to meet
funding needs. In fact, the Small Business Administration lending is
down 25 percent this year. Most small businesses rely on some form of
loans or credit in order to meet their daily needs. Not surprisingly,
the consequences of today's downturn in funding have had a crippling
effect on their community.
The Small Business Financing Improvement Act of 2008 will help in
small but important ways in part by enhancing the Small Business
Administration lending programs. For example, it will improve the
administration's 7(a) initiative, which is its most frequently used
line of small business credit. It would also ease the flow of
investments from venture capitalists. This will be particularly helpful
as venture capital funding has a history of sparking innovation.
Furthermore, the bill I am proposing today will encourage lending
from commercial banks. It will also do this by reducing the regulatory
burden for financiers looking to fund small firms. In light of their
current reluctance to make small business loans, this will be a
tremendous incentive for banks to assist entrepreneurs.
This act will help thousands of small firms maintain and grow their
companies. It will do this by allowing them to access the funds they
need to go about their daily business and do everything from meet
payroll to stock their shelves. Capital is the most basic and essential
building block for small business ownership. After all, it is what
allows entrepreneurs to start companies in the first place. For this
reason, the bill has won full approval from the Small Business
Administration.
I should also add that this provision has at one point or another
been passed in the House.
Small businesses employ half of this Nation's workforce, and entire
local economies depend on their success. The bill we're considering
here today will be an important first step in ensuring that America's
entrepreneurs can achieve their success. With this in mind, I urge my
colleagues to support its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Today I rise in support of H.R. 7175, the Small Business Lending
Improvements Act of 2008. I especially would like to thank Chairwoman
Velazquez for working in a cooperative and bipartisan manner to bring
this important bill to the House floor. Once again, she has done so.
She has been working in such a manner for the last 2 years. I commend
her for that.
All of us are aware of the recent turmoil in the financial markets.
These problems also directly impact America's small businesses.
Availability of credit is reduced thereby dampening the capacity of
small businesses to create much-needed jobs. Yet it's not just the
availability of credit that adversely impacts America's small business
owners. These people are also ordinary men and women with the same
concerns about the value of their homes, the safety of their
investments, the spiking interest rates, and the outlook for the future
of their children that every American has to be concerned about in
these uncertain times.
The bill before us today will not remedy all of these problems, but
it will make important improvements in the capacity of small businesses
to obtain needed capital without further adding to the potential
problems facing our financial sector.
Although the changes in the bill are modest, they include key
components of H.R. 1336 that the House overwhelmingly passed back in
2007. These modifications will increase the availability of credit for
small businesses and reduce unnecessary paperwork on lenders without
undermining the scrutiny provided by the Small Business Administration
of the lenders or borrowers.
Title I makes very modest changes to the operation of the SBA's core
7(a) lending program. Nevertheless, these changes will improve the
liquidity in the small business lending market while making the loans
available to more small businesses. It's important to note that nothing
in title I changes the standards under which the SBA guarantees the
issuance of loans or alters the fact that the program operates without
any taxpayer subsidy. I want to reiterate that: Operates without any
taxpayer subsidy.
I'm most proud of title II of H.R. 7175. It modifies and strengthens
the loan program operated pursuant to title V of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958. Certified development companies, or CDCs, are
vital to long-term economic and community development in my district
and throughout the country. CDCs operate to provide long-term fixed-
rate financing for small business concerns who find their financing
needs cannot be met due to the loan limits of the 7-day loan program.
And unlike many 7-day lenders, CDCs must be locally based so they have
a key understanding of the needs of the communities they serve.
The first thing that title II does is change the name of the program.
While this may sound minor, it will provide greater recognition to CDCs
and enable them to better promote their important mission of local
economic development.
Section 202 makes important technical changes to the definitions in
the CDC program, including, most importantly, defining the term
``certified development company.'' As a corollary, title II eliminates
the outdated term ``qualified state and local development company''
from the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
In my estimation, section 203 is the most important provision in the
bill. It statutorily establishes the procedures by which the SBA
designates entities as CDCs. The most important requirements of the
statutory procedures is the mandate that the CDC have local board
members familiar with the economic development needs of the community.
Even though the bill authorizes expansion only into neighboring states,
the CDC must have representatives that understand the local economic
development needs of the new state of operation.
Another very important aspect of the bill authorizes the CDCs to
perform their own liquidations. Under the current process, the SBA
performs liquidations and only receives about 20 cents on the dollar, a
wholly inadequate return on guarantees issued by the Federal
Government.
By having CDCs with their local expertise performing liquidations,
the taxpayers will receive a better return on their guarantee,
something essential given current conditions in the financial markets.
[[Page 22778]]
Title II also makes other changes providing greater financial
opportunities for small businesses under the CDC program and enhance
local economic development without placing any undue risk on the
taxpayer.
Finally, title III of H.R. 7175 makes some technical changes to the
operation of the small business investment company program. By making
it easier to calculate investment limits, SBICs will be better able to
manage their portfolios thereby increasing the overall value of their
portfolios without placing the Federal taxpayer at any increased risk.
Together, all of these changes made will spur economic development,
which is really one of the key things we need to do at this time.
For these reasons, I ask my colleagues to support passage of this.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
I reserve my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Burton).
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
This appears to be a pretty good bill, but we're not going to help
small business until we get an energy package that's going to lower the
price of energy, gasoline, and other forms of energy in this country.
We're sending $700 billion a year overseas that could be kept here in
America by drilling here in America and getting energy out of the
ground here in America creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. That's
not going to happen. That's not going to happen until we get a good
energy bill.
We're asked today to deal with a $700 billion piece of legislation
that will help keep this country's economy afloat. And I submit to my
colleagues tonight or today that even if we passed that and we solved
this problem temporarily, we're going to be right back here if we don't
deal with the energy crisis.
This energy crisis is taking money out of everybody's pockets: small
business, big business, homeowners. If a person has to pay exorbitant
prices to fill their gas tank to get their kids to and from school and
to and from work, it's going to hurt them. It's going to hurt them when
they have to buy groceries that are transported across this country by
diesel fuel and trucks. And because of that, people's cost of living is
going up and up and up. And if you don't think that's going to have an
impact on their ability to pay their home mortgages, you're just not
thinking straight.
We have to deal with the energy crisis so people can spend less on
energy, can have that money for food for their kids, and to get to and
from school and to and from work and to pay for their home mortgages.
I think we have to deal with the crisis that faces us right now. But
I think all of us ought to be aware that until we solve the energy
crisis, until we become energy independent or move rapidly in that
direction, we're going to continue to have problems in the future with
this economy. This economy cannot stand $4 a gallon gasoline. We just
can't. And it is going to impact every area of this economy now and in
the future.
Even if we pass this so-called bailout bill today or next week or
tomorrow, whenever we pass it, it's not going to solve the problem
until we deal with the energy crisis which is an integral part of the
problems facing America.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side,
and I'm prepared to close.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that small businesses are
the innovators in this country and that for the last 7 years, this
administration's failed policies have not provided the tools and
resources for small businesses to be part of the energy solution and
make this country energy independent.
We passed H.R. 6 last year. Let's get the White House and the
administration to implement those provisions that will allow for small
businesses to be part of innovation in relation to energy independence
in this country.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cazayoux). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7175.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
FURTHER MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A further message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks,
announced that the Senate agrees to the amendment of the House to the
bill (S. 3001) ``An Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes.''.
____________________
{time} 1715
RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MINORITY
AIDS INITIATIVE
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the
concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 426, and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 426
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative was established on
October 28, 1998, under the leadership of the Congressional
Black Caucus, during the Chairmanship of Congresswoman Maxine
Waters, to target funds for the awareness, prevention,
testing, and treatment of HIV/AIDS toward racial and ethnic
minority communities and toward community-based organizations
and health care providers serving these communities;
Whereas HIV/AIDS is a devastating epidemic that continues
to spread in communities throughout the United States;
Whereas there are more than 1,000,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS in the United States today;
Whereas there are more than 14,000 AIDS-related deaths
every year in the United States;
Whereas approximately 1 in 4 of the people living with HIV/
AIDS in the United States do not know they are infected;
Whereas all racial and ethnic minorities are
disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS;
Whereas African-Americans account for about half of new
AIDS cases, although approximately 13 percent of the
population as a whole is Black, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that African-Americans
accounted for 45 percent of new HIV infections in 2006;
Whereas Hispanic-Americans account for 19 percent of new
AIDS cases, although only 15 percent of the population as a
whole is Hispanic, and the CDC estimates that Hispanic-
Americans accounted for 17 percent of new HIV infections in
2006;
Whereas Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders account for 1
percent of new AIDS cases, and Native Americans and Alaskan
Natives account for up to 1 percent of new AIDS cases;
Whereas approximately 70 percent of new AIDS cases are
racial and ethnic minorities;
Whereas the CDC recently released new estimates of HIV
infection, which indicate that approximately 56,300 new HIV
infections occurred in the United States in 2006;
Whereas these new estimates are approximately 40 percent
higher than the CDC's previous estimates of 40,000 new
infections per year;
Whereas the CDC's data confirms that the most severe impact
continues to be among
[[Page 22779]]
gay and bisexual men of all races, and Black men and women;
Whereas the purpose of the Minority AIDS Initiative is to
enable community based organizations and health care
providers in minority communities to improve their capacity
to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS
care and services;
Whereas the establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative
was announced on October 28, 1998, during a ``roll-out''
event sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, which
featured the participation of President Bill Clinton,
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala,
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, members of the Congressional
Black Caucus, and representatives of HIV/AIDS service and
advocacy organizations;
Whereas it was announced at this ``roll-out'' that the
Minority AIDS Initiative would receive an initial
appropriation of $156,000,000 in fiscal year 1999;
Whereas concerned Members of Congress, including members of
the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and
the Congressional Hispanic Conference, continue to support
the Minority AIDS Initiative;
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative continues to provide
funding to community-based organizations, research
institutions, minority-serving colleges and universities,
health care organizations, State and local health
departments, correctional institutions, and other providers
of health information and services to help such entities
address the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the minority populations
they serve;
Whereas Congress codified the Minority AIDS Initiative
within the most recent reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE
Act;
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative fills gaps in HIV/AIDS
outreach, awareness, prevention, treatment, surveillance, and
infrastructure across communities of color; and
Whereas, October 28, 2008, is the 10th anniversary of the
establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes and commemorates the 10th anniversary of the
establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative;
(2) commends the efforts of community-based organizations
and health care providers in minority communities to deliver
culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS care and
services within the minority populations they serve;
(3) encourages racial and ethnic minorities to educate
themselves about the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and
reduce HIV related stigma; and
(4) supports the continued funding of the Minority AIDS
Initiative and other Federal programs to stop the spread of
HIV/AIDS and provide effective, compassionate treatment and
care to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Pallone
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone:
Amend page 4, line 3, through page 5, line 9, to read as
follows:
(1) recognizes and commemorates the 10th anniversary of the
establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative;
(2) commends the efforts of community-based organizations
and health care providers in minority communities to deliver
culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS care and
services within the minority populations they serve;
(3) encourages racial and ethnic minorities and all
Americans to educate themselves about the prevention and
treatment of HIV/AIDS and reduce HIV related stigma;
(4) encourages the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to appropriately address populations significantly
impacted by HIV/ AIDS not only through the Minority AIDS
Initiative, but through all available programs; and
(5) supports the continuing efforts of the Minority AIDS
Initiative to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and urges
effective, compassionate treatment and care to individuals
affected by HIV/AIDS.
The amendment was agreed to.
The concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Pallone
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the preamble at the
desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Pallone:
Amend the preamble to read as follows:
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative was established on
October 28, 1998, under the leadership of the Congressional
Black Caucus, to target funds for the awareness, prevention,
testing, and treatment of HIV/AIDS toward racial and ethnic
minority communities and toward community-based organizations
and health care providers serving these communities;
Whereas HIV/AIDS is a devastating epidemic that continues
to spread in communities throughout the United States;
Whereas there are more than 1,000,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS in the United States today;
Whereas there are more than 14,000 AIDS-related deaths
every year in the United States;
Whereas approximately 1 in 4 of the people living with HIV/
AIDS in the United States do not know they are infected;
Whereas racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately
impacted by HIV/AIDS;
Whereas African-Americans account for about half of new
AIDS cases, although approximately 13 percent of the
population as a whole is Black, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that African-Americans
accounted for 45 percent of new HIV infections in 2006;
Whereas Hispanic-Americans account for 19 percent of new
AIDS cases, although only 15 percent of the population as a
whole is Hispanic, and the CDC estimates that Hispanic-
Americans accounted for 17 percent of new HIV infections in
2006;
Whereas Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders account for 1
percent of new AIDS cases, and Native Americans and Alaskan
Natives account for up to 1 percent of new AIDS cases;
Whereas approximately 70 percent of new AIDS cases are
racial and ethnic minorities;
Whereas the CDC recently released new estimates of HIV
infection, which indicate that approximately 56,300 new HIV
infections occurred in the United States in 2006;
Whereas these new estimates are approximately 40 percent
higher than the CDC's previous estimates of 40,000 new
infections per year;
Whereas the CDC's data confirms that the most severe impact
continues to be among gay and bisexual men of all races, and
Black men and women;
Whereas the purpose of the Minority AIDS Initiative is to
enable community based organizations and health care
providers in minority communities to improve their capacity
to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS
care and services;
Whereas concerned Members of Congress, including members of
the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and
the Congressional Hispanic Conference, continue to support
the Minority AIDS Initiative;
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative continues to provide
funding to community-based organizations, research
institutions, minority-serving colleges and universities,
health care organizations, State and local health
departments, correctional institutions, and other providers
of health information and services to help such entities
address the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the minority populations
they serve;
Whereas Congress codified the Minority AIDS Initiative
within the most recent reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE
Act;
Whereas the Minority AIDS Initiative fills gaps in HIV/AIDS
outreach, awareness, prevention, treatment, surveillance, and
infrastructure across communities of color; and
Whereas, October 28, 2008, is the 10th anniversary of the
establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative: Now,
therefore, be it
Mr. PALLONE (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution just considered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
____________________
PRIORITIZING RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATION FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACT
OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3325) to enhance remedies for violations of
intellectual property laws, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3325
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page 22780]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the
``Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual
Property Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reference.
Sec. 3. Definition.
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENTS TO CIVIL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
Sec. 101. Registration of claim.
Sec. 102. Civil remedies for infringement.
Sec. 103. Treble damages in counterfeiting cases.
Sec. 104. Statutory damages in counterfeiting cases.
Sec. 105. Importation and exportation.
TITLE II--ENHANCEMENTS TO CRIMINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
Sec. 201. Criminal copyright infringement.
Sec. 202. Trafficking in counterfeit labels, illicit labels, or
counterfeit documentation or packaging for works that can
be copyrighted.
Sec. 203. Unauthorized fixation.
Sec. 204. Unauthorized recording of motion pictures.
Sec. 205. Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services.
Sec. 206. Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution.
Sec. 207. Forfeiture under Economic Espionage Act.
Sec. 208. Criminal infringement of a copyright.
Sec. 209. Technical and conforming amendments.
TITLE III--COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF FEDERAL EFFORT
AGAINST COUNTERFEITING AND INFRINGEMENT
Sec. 301. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.
Sec. 302. Definition.
Sec. 303. Joint strategic plan.
Sec. 304. Reporting.
Sec. 305. Savings and repeals.
Sec. 306. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
Sec. 401. Local law enforcement grants.
Sec. 402. Improved investigative and forensic resources for enforcement
of laws related to intellectual property crimes.
Sec. 403. Additional funding for resources to investigate and prosecute
intellectual property crimes and other criminal activity
involving computers.
Sec. 404. Annual reports.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 501. GAO study on protection of intellectual property of
manufacturers.
Sec. 502. GAO audit and report on nonduplication and efficiency.
Sec. 503. Sense of Congress.
SEC. 2. REFERENCE.
Any reference in this Act to the ``Trademark Act of 1946''
refers to the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the
registration of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the
provisions of certain international conventions, and for
other purposes'', approved July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et
seq.).
SEC. 3. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ``United States person'' means--
(1) any United States resident or national,
(2) any domestic concern (including any permanent domestic
establishment of any foreign concern), and
(3) any foreign subsidiary or affiliate (including any
permanent foreign establishment) of any domestic concern that
is controlled in fact by such domestic concern,
except that such term does not include an individual who
resides outside the United States and is employed by an
individual or entity other than an individual or entity
described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENTS TO CIVIL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
SEC. 101. REGISTRATION OF CLAIM.
(a) Limitation to Civil Actions; Harmless Error.--Section
411 of title 17, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``CIVIL'' before
``INFRINGEMENT'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ``no action'' and
inserting ``no civil action''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``an action'' and
inserting ``a civil action'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
(4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated by paragraph (3),
by striking ``506 and sections 509 and'' and inserting ``505
and section''; and
(5) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b)(1) A certificate of registration satisfies the
requirements of this section and section 412, regardless of
whether the certificate contains any inaccurate information,
unless--
``(A) the inaccurate information was included on the
application for copyright registration with knowledge that it
was inaccurate; and
``(B) the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would
have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse
registration.
``(2) In any case in which inaccurate information described
under paragraph (1) is alleged, the court shall request the
Register of Copyrights to advise the court whether the
inaccurate information, if known, would have caused the
Register of Copyrights to refuse registration.
``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall affect any rights,
obligations, or requirements of a person related to
information contained in a registration certificate, except
for the institution of and remedies in infringement actions
under this section and section 412.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 412 of title 17, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``411(b)'' and inserting ``411(c)''.
(2) The item relating to section 411 in the table of
sections for chapter 4 of title 17, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 411. Registration and civil infringement actions.''.
SEC. 102. CIVIL REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 503(a) of title 17, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a)(1) At any time while an action under this title is
pending, the court may order the impounding, on such terms as
it may deem reasonable--
``(A) of all copies or phonorecords claimed to have been
made or used in violation of the exclusive right of the
copyright owner;
``(B) of all plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, film
negatives, or other articles by means of which such copies of
phonorecords may be reproduced; and
``(C) of records documenting the manufacture, sale, or
receipt of things involved in any such violation, provided
that any records seized under this subparagraph shall be
taken into the custody of the court.
``(2) For impoundments of records ordered under paragraph
(1)(C), the court shall enter an appropriate protective order
with respect to discovery and use of any records or
information that has been impounded. The protective order
shall provide for appropriate procedures to ensure that
confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged information
contained in such records is not improperly disclosed or
used.
``(3) The relevant provisions of paragraphs (2) through
(11) of section 34(d) of the Trademark Act (15 U.S.C.
1116(d)(2) through (11)) shall extend to any impoundment of
records ordered under paragraph (1)(C) that is based upon an
ex parte application, notwithstanding the provisions of rule
65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Any references in
paragraphs (2) through (11) of section 34(d) of the Trademark
Act to section 32 of such Act shall be read as references to
section 501 of this title, and references to use of a
counterfeit mark in connection with the sale, offering for
sale, or distribution of goods or services shall be read as
references to infringement of a copyright.''.
(b) Protective Order for Seized Records.--Section 34(d)(7)
of the Trademark Act (15 U.S.C. 1116(d)(7)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(7) Any materials seized under this subsection shall be
taken into the custody of the court. For seizures made under
this section, the court shall enter an appropriate protective
order with respect to discovery and use of any records or
information that has been seized. The protective order shall
provide for appropriate procedures to ensure that
confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged information
contained in such records is not improperly disclosed or
used.''.
SEC. 103. TREBLE DAMAGES IN COUNTERFEITING CASES.
Section 35(b) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C.
1117(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) In assessing damages under subsection (a) for any
violation of section 32(1)(a) of this Act or section 220506
of title 36, United States Code, in a case involving use of a
counterfeit mark or designation (as defined in section 34(d)
of this Act), the court shall, unless the court finds
extenuating circumstances, enter judgment for three times
such profits or damages, whichever amount is greater,
together with a reasonable attorney's fee, if the violation
consists of--
``(1) intentionally using a mark or designation, knowing
such mark or designation is a counterfeit mark (as defined in
section 34(d) of this Act), in connection with the sale,
offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services; or
``(2) providing goods or services necessary to the
commission of a violation specified in paragraph (1), with
the intent that the recipient of the goods or services would
put the goods or services to use in committing the violation.
In such a case, the court may award prejudgment interest on
such amount at an annual interest rate established under
section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
beginning on the date of the service of the claimant's
pleadings setting forth the claim for such entry of judgment
and ending on the date such entry is made, or for such
shorter time as the court considers appropriate.''.
[[Page 22781]]
SEC. 104. STATUTORY DAMAGES IN COUNTERFEITING CASES.
Section 35(c) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1117)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``$500'' and inserting ``$1,000''; and
(B) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting ``$200,000'';
and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$1,000,000'' and
inserting ``$2,000,000''.
SEC. 105. IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION.
(a) In General.--The heading for chapter 6 of title 17,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``CHAPTER 6--MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS, IMPORTATION, AND
EXPORTATION''.
(b) Amendment on Exportation.--Section 602(a) of title 17,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving such
subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;
(2) by striking ``(a)'' and inserting ``(a) Infringing
Importation or Exportation.--
``(1) Importation.--'';
(3) by striking ``This subsection does not apply to--'' and
inserting the following:
``(2) Importation or exportation of infringing items.--
Importation into the United States or exportation from the
United States, without the authority of the owner of
copyright under this title, of copies or phonorecords, the
making of which either constituted an infringement of
copyright, or which would have constituted an infringement of
copyright if this title had been applicable, is an
infringement of the exclusive right to distribute copies or
phonorecords under section 106, actionable under sections 501
and 506.
``(3) Exceptions.--This subsection does not apply to--'';
(4) in paragraph (3)(A) (as redesignated by this
subsection) by inserting ``or exportation'' after
``importation''; and
(5) in paragraph (3)(B) (as redesignated by this
subsection)--
(A) by striking ``importation, for the private use of the
importer'' and inserting ``importation or exportation, for
the private use of the importer or exporter''; and
(B) by inserting ``or departing from the United States''
after ``United States''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 602 of title 17,
United States Code, is further amended--
(A) in the section heading, by inserting ``or exportation''
after ``importation''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``(b) In a case'' and inserting ``(b)
Import Prohibition.--In a case'';
(ii) by striking ``the United States Customs Service'' and
inserting ``United States Customs and Border Protection'';
and
(iii) by striking ``the Customs Service'' and inserting
``United States Customs and Border Protection''.
(2) Section 601(b)(2) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the United States Customs Service'' and
inserting ``United States Customs and Border Protection''.
(3) The item relating to chapter 6 in the table of chapters
for title 17, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``6. Manufacturing Requirements, Importation, and Exportation ........
601''.
TITLE II--ENHANCEMENTS TO CRIMINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
SEC. 201. CRIMINAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.
(a) Forfeiture and Destruction; Restitution.--Section
506(b) of title 17, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``(b) Forfeiture, Destruction, and Restitution.--
Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution relating to this
section shall be subject to section 2323 of title 18, to the
extent provided in that section, in addition to any other
similar remedies provided by law.''.
(b) Seizures and Forfeitures.--
(1) Repeal.--Section 509 of title 17, United States Code,
is repealed.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 5 of title 17, United States Code, is
amended by striking the item relating to section 509.
SEC. 202. TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT LABELS, ILLICIT LABELS,
OR COUNTERFEIT DOCUMENTATION OR PACKAGING FOR
WORKS THAT CAN BE COPYRIGHTED.
Section 2318 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (G) as
clauses (i) through (vii), respectively;
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and
(C) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting ``(1) Whoever'';
(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Forfeiture and Destruction of Property;
Restitution.--Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution
relating to this section shall be subject to section 2323, to
the extent provided in that section, in addition to any other
similar remedies provided by law.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (e) and redesignating subsection
(f) as subsection (e).
SEC. 203. UNAUTHORIZED FIXATION.
(a) Section 2319A(b) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Forfeiture and Destruction of Property;
Restitution.--Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution
relating to this section shall be subject to section 2323, to
the extent provided in that section, in addition to any other
similar remedies provided by law.''.
(b) Section 2319A(c) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by striking the second sentence and inserting: ``The
Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue regulations by
which any performer may, upon payment of a specified fee, be
entitled to notification by United States Customs and Border
Protection of the importation of copies or phonorecords that
appear to consist of unauthorized fixations of the sounds or
sounds and images of a live musical performance.''.
SEC. 204. UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING OF MOTION PICTURES.
Section 2319B(b) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Forfeiture and Destruction of Property;
Restitution.--Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution
relating to this section shall be subject to section 2323, to
the extent provided in that section, in addition to any other
similar remedies provided by law.''.
SEC. 205. TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT GOODS OR SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Section 2320 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting ``Offense.--''
``(1) In general.--Whoever;'';
(B) by moving the remaining text 2 ems to the right; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Serious bodily harm or death.--
``(A) Serious bodily harm.--If the offender knowingly or
recklessly causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury
from conduct in violation of paragraph (1), the penalty shall
be a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than
20 years, or both.
``(B) Death.--If the offender knowingly or recklessly
causes or attempts to cause death from conduct in violation
of paragraph (1), the penalty shall be a fine under this
title or imprisonment for any term of years or for life, or
both.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Transshipment and Exportation.--No goods or services,
the trafficking in of which is prohibited by this section,
shall be transshipped through or exported from the United
States. Any such transshipment or exportation shall be deemed
a violation of section 42 of an Act to provide for the
registration of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the
provisions of certain international conventions, and for
other purposes, approved July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to
as the `Trademark Act of 1946' or the `Lanham Act').''.
(b) Forfeiture and Destruction of Property; Restitution.--
Section 2320(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``(b) Forfeiture and Destruction of Property;
Restitution.--Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution
relating to this section shall be subject to section 2323, to
the extent provided in that section, in addition to any other
similar remedies provided by law.''.
SEC. 206. FORFEITURE, DESTRUCTION, AND RESTITUTION.
(a) In General.--Chapter 113 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 2323. FORFEITURE, DESTRUCTION, AND RESTITUTION.
``(a) Civil Forfeiture.--
``(1) Property subject to forfeiture.--The following
property is subject to forfeiture to the United States
Government:
``(A) Any article, the making or trafficking of which is,
prohibited under section 506 of title 17, or section 2318,
2319, 2319A, 2319B, or 2320, or chapter 90, of this title.
``(B) Any property used, or intended to be used, in any
manner or part to commit or facilitate the commission of an
offense referred to in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Any property constituting or derived from any
proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the
commission of an offense referred to in subparagraph (A).
``(2) Procedures.--The provisions of chapter 46 relating to
civil forfeitures shall extend to any seizure or civil
forfeiture under this section. For seizures made under this
section, the court shall enter an appropriate protective
order with respect to discovery and use of any records or
information that has been seized. The protective order shall
provide for appropriate procedures to ensure that
confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged information
contained in such records is not improperly disclosed or
used. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, unless
otherwise requested by an agency of the United States, the
court shall
[[Page 22782]]
order that any property forfeited under paragraph (1) be
destroyed, or otherwise disposed of according to law.
``(b) Criminal Forfeiture.--
``(1) Property subject to forfeiture.--The court, in
imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under
section 506 of title 17, or section 2318, 2319, 2319A, 2319B,
or 2320, or chapter 90, of this title, shall order, in
addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person
forfeit to the United States Government any property subject
to forfeiture under subsection (a) for that offense.
``(2) Procedures.--
``(A) In general.--The forfeiture of property under
paragraph (1), including any seizure and disposition of the
property and any related judicial or administrative
proceeding, shall be governed by the procedures set forth in
section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and
Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 853), other than subsection
(d) of that section.
``(B) Destruction.--At the conclusion of the forfeiture
proceedings, the court, unless otherwise requested by an
agency of the United States shall order that any--
``(i) forfeited article or component of an article bearing
or consisting of a counterfeit mark be destroyed or otherwise
disposed of according to law; and
``(ii) infringing items or other property described in
subsection (a)(1)(A) and forfeited under paragraph (1) of
this subsection be destroyed or otherwise disposed of
according to law.
``(c) Restitution.--When a person is convicted of an
offense under section 506 of title 17 or section 2318, 2319,
2319A, 2319B, or 2320, or chapter 90, of this title, the
court, pursuant to sections 3556, 3663A, and 3664 of this
title, shall order the person to pay restitution to any
victim of the offense as an offense against property referred
to in section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii) of this title.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 113 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2323. Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution.''.
SEC. 207. FORFEITURE UNDER ECONOMIC ESPIONAGE ACT.
Section 1834 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 1834. CRIMINAL FORFEITURE.
``Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution relating to this
chapter shall be subject to section 2323, to the extent
provided in that section, in addition to any other similar
remedies provided by law.''.
SEC. 208. CRIMINAL INFRINGEMENT OF A COPYRIGHT.
Section 2319 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``is a felony and'' after ``offense'' the
first place such term appears; and
(B) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``is a felony and'' after ``offense'' the
first place such term appears; and
(B) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)'';
(3) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) by inserting ``is a felony and'' after ``offense'' the
first place such term appears; and
(B) by inserting ``under subsection (a)'' before the
semicolon; and
(4) in subsection (d)(4), by inserting ``is a felony and''
after ``offense'' the first place such term appears.
SEC. 209. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Amendments to Title 17, United States Code.--
(1) Section 109 (b)(4) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``505, and 509'' and inserting ``and
505''.
(2) Section 111 of title 17, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``and 509'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and 509'';
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``sections 509 and 510''
and inserting ``section 510''; and
(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and section 509'';
and
(C) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``sections 509 and 510''
and inserting ``section 510''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and 509''.
(3) Section 115(c) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)(G)(i), by striking ``and 509''; and
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and 509''.
(4) Section 119(a) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking ``sections 509 and 510''
and inserting ``section 510'';
(B) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``and 509'';
(C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and 509''; and
(D) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and 509''.
(5) Section 122 of title 17, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (d), by striking ``and 509'';
(B) in subsection (e), by striking ``sections 509 and 510''
and inserting ``section 510''; and
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``and 509''.
(6) Section 411(b) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``sections 509 and 510'' and inserting
``section 510''.
(b) Other Amendments.--Section 596(c)(2)(c) of the Tariff
Act of 1950 (19 U.S.C. 1595a(c)(2)(c)) is amended by striking
``or 509''.
TITLE III--COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF FEDERAL EFFORT
AGAINST COUNTERFEITING AND INFRINGEMENT
SEC. 301. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT COORDINATOR.
(a) Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.--The
President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, an Intellectual Property Enforcement
Coordinator (in this title referred to as the ``IPEC'') to
serve within the Executive Office of the President. As an
exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, any
nomination of the IPEC submitted to the Senate for
confirmation, and referred to a committee, shall be referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
(b) Duties of IPEC.--
(1) In general.--The IPEC shall--
(A) chair the interagency intellectual property enforcement
advisory committee established under subsection (b)(3)(A);
(B) coordinate the development of the Joint Strategic Plan
against counterfeiting and infringement by the advisory
committee under section 303;
(C) assist, at the request of the departments and agencies
listed in subsection (b)(3)(A), in the implementation of the
Joint Strategic Plan;
(D) facilitate the issuance of policy guidance to
departments and agencies on basic issues of policy and
interpretation, to the extent necessary to assure the
coordination of intellectual property enforcement policy and
consistency with other law;
(E) report to the President and report to Congress, to the
extent consistent with law, regarding domestic and
international intellectual property enforcement programs;
(F) report to Congress, as provided in section 304, on the
implementation of the Joint Strategic Plan, and make
recommendations, if any and as appropriate, to Congress for
improvements in Federal intellectual property laws and
enforcement efforts; and
(G) carry out such other functions as the President may
direct.
(2) Limitation on authority.--The IPEC may not control or
direct any law enforcement agency, including the Department
of Justice, in the exercise of its investigative or
prosecutorial authority.
(3) Advisory committee.--
(A) Establishment.--There is established an interagency
intellectual property enforcement advisory committee composed
of the IPEC, who shall chair the committee, and the following
members:
(i) Senate-confirmed representatives of the following
departments and agencies who are involved in intellectual
property enforcement, and who are, or are appointed by, the
respective heads of those departments and agencies:
(I) The Office of Management and Budget.
(II) Relevant units within the Department of Justice,
including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
Criminal Division.
(III) The United States Patent and Trademark Office and
other relevant units of the Department of Commerce.
(IV) The Office of the United States Trade Representative.
(V) The Department of State, the United States Agency for
International Development, and the Bureau of International
Narcotics Law Enforcement.
(VI) The Department of Homeland Security, United States
Customs and Border Protection, and United States Immigration
and Customs Enforcement.
(VII) The Food and Drug Administration of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
(VIII) The Department of Agriculture.
(IX) Any such other agencies as the President determines to
be substantially involved in the efforts of the Federal
Government to combat counterfeiting and infringement.
(ii) The Register of Copyrights, or a senior representative
of the United States Copyright Office appointed by the
Register of Copyrights.
(B) Functions.--The advisory committee established under
subparagraph (A) shall develop the Joint Strategic Plan
against counterfeiting and infringement under section 303.
SEC. 302. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this title, the term ``intellectual
property enforcement'' means matters relating to the
enforcement of laws protecting copyrights, patents,
trademarks, other forms of intellectual property, and trade
secrets, both in the United States and abroad, including in
particular matters relating to combating counterfeit and
infringing goods.
SEC. 303. JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) Purpose.--The objectives of the Joint Strategic Plan
against counterfeiting and infringement that is referred to
in section 301(b)(1)(B) (in this section referred to as the
``joint strategic plan'') are the following:
[[Page 22783]]
(1) Reducing counterfeit and infringing goods in the
domestic and international supply chain.
(2) Identifying and addressing structural weaknesses,
systemic flaws, or other unjustified impediments to effective
enforcement action against the financing, production,
trafficking, or sale of counterfeit or infringing goods,
including identifying duplicative efforts to enforce,
investigate, and prosecute intellectual property crimes
across the Federal agencies and Departments that comprise the
Advisory Committee and recommending how such duplicative
efforts may be minimized. Such recommendations may include
recommendations on how to reduce duplication in personnel,
materials, technologies, and facilities utilized by the
agencies and Departments responsible for the enforcement,
investigation, or prosecution of intellectual property
crimes.
(3) Ensuring that information is identified and shared
among the relevant departments and agencies, to the extent
permitted by law, including requirements relating to
confidentiality and privacy, and to the extent that such
sharing of information is consistent with Department of
Justice and other law enforcement protocols for handling such
information, to aid in the objective of arresting and
prosecuting individuals and entities that are knowingly
involved in the financing, production, trafficking, or sale
of counterfeit or infringing goods.
(4) Disrupting and eliminating domestic and international
counterfeiting and infringement networks.
(5) Strengthening the capacity of other countries to
protect and enforce intellectual property rights, and
reducing the number of countries that fail to enforce laws
preventing the financing, production, trafficking, and sale
of counterfeit and infringing goods.
(6) Working with other countries to establish international
standards and policies for the effective protection and
enforcement of intellectual property rights.
(7) Protecting intellectual property rights overseas by--
(A) working with other countries and exchanging information
with appropriate law enforcement agencies in other countries
relating to individuals and entities involved in the
financing, production, trafficking, or sale of counterfeit
and infringing goods;
(B) ensuring that the information referred to in
subparagraph (A) is provided to appropriate United States law
enforcement agencies in order to assist, as warranted,
enforcement activities in cooperation with appropriate law
enforcement agencies in other countries; and
(C) building a formal process for consulting with
companies, industry associations, labor unions, and other
interested groups in other countries with respect to
intellectual property enforcement.
(b) Timing.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and not later than December 31 of
every third year thereafter, the IPEC shall submit the joint
strategic plan to the Committee on the Judiciary and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and to the
Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(c) Responsibility of the IPEC.--During the development of
the joint strategic plan, the IPEC--
(1) shall provide assistance to, and coordinate the
meetings and efforts of, the appropriate officers and
employees of departments and agencies represented on the
advisory committee appointed under section 301(b)(3) who are
involved in intellectual property enforcement; and
(2) may consult with private sector experts in intellectual
property enforcement in furtherance of providing assistance
to the members of the advisory committee appointed under
section 301(b)(3).
(d) Responsibilities of Other Departments and Agencies.--In
the development and implementation of the joint strategic
plan, the heads of the departments and agencies identified
under section 301(b)(3) shall--
(1) designate personnel with expertise and experience in
intellectual property enforcement matters to work with the
IPEC and other members of the advisory committee; and
(2) share relevant department or agency information with
the IPEC and other members of the advisory committee,
including statistical information on the enforcement
activities of the department or agency against counterfeiting
or infringement, and plans for addressing the joint strategic
plan, to the extent permitted by law, including requirements
relating to confidentiality and privacy, and to the extent
that such sharing of information is consistent with
Department of Justice and other law enforcement protocols for
handling such information.
(e) Contents of the Joint Strategic Plan.--Each joint
strategic plan shall include the following:
(1) A description of the priorities identified for carrying
out the objectives in the joint strategic plan, including
activities of the Federal Government relating to intellectual
property enforcement.
(2) A description of the means to be employed to achieve
the priorities, including the means for improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government's
enforcement efforts against counterfeiting and infringement.
(3) Estimates of the resources necessary to fulfill the
priorities identified under paragraph (1).
(4) The performance measures to be used to monitor results
under the joint strategic plan during the following year.
(5) An analysis of the threat posed by violations of
intellectual property rights, including the costs to the
economy of the United States resulting from violations of
intellectual property laws, and the threats to public health
and safety created by counterfeiting and infringement.
(6) An identification of the departments and agencies that
will be involved in implementing each priority under
paragraph (1).
(7) A strategy for ensuring coordination among the
departments and agencies identified under paragraph (6),
which will facilitate oversight by the executive branch of,
and accountability among, the departments and agencies
responsible for carrying out the strategy.
(8) Such other information as is necessary to convey the
costs imposed on the United States economy by, and the
threats to public health and safety created by,
counterfeiting and infringement, and those steps that the
Federal Government intends to take over the period covered by
the succeeding joint strategic plan to reduce those costs and
counter those threats.
(f) Enhancing Enforcement Efforts of Foreign Governments.--
The joint strategic plan shall include programs to provide
training and technical assistance to foreign governments for
the purpose of enhancing the efforts of such governments to
enforce laws against counterfeiting and infringement. With
respect to such programs, the joint strategic plan shall--
(1) seek to enhance the efficiency and consistency with
which Federal resources are expended, and seek to minimize
duplication, overlap, or inconsistency of efforts;
(2) identify and give priority to those countries where
programs of training and technical assistance can be carried
out most effectively and with the greatest benefit to
reducing counterfeit and infringing products in the United
States market, to protecting the intellectual property rights
of United States persons and their licensees, and to
protecting the interests of United States persons otherwise
harmed by violations of intellectual property rights in those
countries;
(3) in identifying the priorities under paragraph (2), be
guided by the list of countries identified by the United
States Trade Representative under section 182(a) of the Trade
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2242(a)); and
(4) develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the
Federal Government's efforts to improve the laws and
enforcement practices of foreign governments against
counterfeiting and infringement.
(g) Dissemination of the Joint Strategic Plan.--The joint
strategic plan shall be posted for public access on the
website of the White House, and shall be disseminated to the
public through such other means as the IPEC may identify.
SEC. 304. REPORTING.
(a) Annual Report.--Not later than December 31 of each
calendar year beginning in 2009, the IPEC shall submit a
report on the activities of the advisory committee during the
preceding fiscal year. The annual report shall be submitted
to Congress, and disseminated to the people of the United
States, in the manner specified in subsections (b) and (g) of
section 303.
(b) Contents.--The report required by this section shall
include the following:
(1) The progress made on implementing the strategic plan
and on the progress toward fulfillment of the priorities
identified under section 303(e)(1).
(2) The progress made in efforts to encourage Federal,
State, and local government departments and agencies to
accord higher priority to intellectual property enforcement.
(3) The progress made in working with foreign countries to
investigate, arrest, and prosecute entities and individuals
involved in the financing, production, trafficking, and sale
of counterfeit and infringing goods.
(4) The manner in which the relevant departments and
agencies are working together and sharing information to
strengthen intellectual property enforcement.
(5) An assessment of the successes and shortcomings of the
efforts of the Federal Government, including departments and
agencies represented on the committee established under
section 301(b)(3).
(6) Recommendations, if any and as appropriate, for any
changes in enforcement statutes, regulations, or funding
levels that the advisory committee considers would
significantly improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the
effort of the Federal Government to combat counterfeiting and
infringement and otherwise strengthen intellectual property
enforcement, including through the elimination or
consolidation of duplicative programs or initiatives.
(7) The progress made in strengthening the capacity of
countries to protect and enforce intellectual property
rights.
(8) The successes and challenges in sharing with other
countries information relating to intellectual property
enforcement.
[[Page 22784]]
(9) The progress made under trade agreements and treaties
to protect intellectual property rights of United States
persons and their licensees.
(10) The progress made in minimizing duplicative efforts,
materials, facilities, and procedures of the Federal agencies
and Departments responsible for the enforcement,
investigation, or prosecution of intellectual property
crimes.
(11) Recommendations, if any and as appropriate, on how to
enhance the efficiency and consistency with which Federal
funds and resources are expended to enforce, investigate, or
prosecute intellectual property crimes, including the extent
to which the agencies and Departments responsible for the
enforcement, investigation, or prosecution of intellectual
property crimes have utilized existing personnel, materials,
technologies, and facilities.
SEC. 305. SAVINGS AND REPEALS.
(a) Transition From NIPLECC to IPEC.--
(1) Repeal of niplecc.--Section 653 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 (15 U.S.C. 1128)
is repealed effective upon confirmation of the IPEC by the
Senate and publication of such appointment in the
Congressional Record.
(2) Continuity of performance of duties.--Upon confirmation
by the Senate, and notwithstanding paragraph (1), the IPEC
may use the services and personnel of the National
Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council,
for such time as is reasonable, to perform any functions or
duties which in the discretion of the IPEC are necessary to
facilitate the orderly transition of any functions or duties
transferred from the Council to the IPEC pursuant to any
provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act.
(b) Current Authorities Not Affected.--Except as provided
in subsection (a), nothing in this title shall alter the
authority of any department or agency of the United States
(including any independent agency) that relates to--
(1) the investigation and prosecution of violations of laws
that protect intellectual property rights;
(2) the administrative enforcement, at the borders of the
United States, of laws that protect intellectual property
rights; or
(3) the United States trade agreements program or
international trade.
(c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this title--
(1) shall derogate from the powers, duties, and functions
of any of the agencies, departments, or other entities listed
or included under section 301(b)(3)(A); and
(2) shall be construed to transfer authority regarding the
control, use, or allocation of law enforcement resources, or
the initiation or prosecution of individual cases or types of
cases, from the responsible law enforcement department or
agency.
SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry
out this title.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
SEC. 401. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
(a) Authorization.--Section 2 of the Computer Crime
Enforcement Act (42 U.S.C. 3713) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting after ``computer
crime'' each place it appears the following: ``, including
infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), relating to authorization of
appropriations, by striking ``fiscal years 2001 through
2004'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2009 through 2013''.
(b) Grants.--The Office of Justice Programs of the
Department of Justice may make grants to eligible State or
local law enforcement entities, including law enforcement
agencies of municipal governments and public educational
institutions, for training, prevention, enforcement, and
prosecution of intellectual property theft and infringement
crimes (in this subsection referred to as ``IP-TIC grants''),
in accordance with the following:
(1) Use of ip-tic grant amounts.--IP-TIC grants may be used
to establish and develop programs to do the following with
respect to the enforcement of State and local true name and
address laws and State and local criminal laws on anti-
infringement, anti-counterfeiting, and unlawful acts with
respect to goods by reason of their protection by a patent,
trademark, service mark, trade secret, or other intellectual
property right under State or Federal law:
(A) Assist State and local law enforcement agencies in
enforcing those laws, including by reimbursing State and
local entities for expenses incurred in performing
enforcement operations, such as overtime payments and storage
fees for seized evidence.
(B) Assist State and local law enforcement agencies in
educating the public to prevent, deter, and identify
violations of those laws.
(C) Educate and train State and local law enforcement
officers and prosecutors to conduct investigations and
forensic analyses of evidence and prosecutions in matters
involving those laws.
(D) Establish task forces that include personnel from State
or local law enforcement entities, or both, exclusively to
conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence and
prosecutions in matters involving those laws.
(E) Assist State and local law enforcement officers and
prosecutors in acquiring computer and other equipment to
conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence in
matters involving those laws.
(F) Facilitate and promote the sharing, with State and
local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, of the
expertise and information of Federal law enforcement agencies
about the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of matters
involving those laws and criminal infringement of copyrighted
works, including the use of multijurisdictional task forces.
(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an IP-TIC
grant, a State or local government entity shall provide to
the Attorney General, in addition to the information
regularly required to be provided under the Financial Guide
issued by the Office of Justice Programs and any other
information required of Department of Justice's grantees--
(A) assurances that the State in which the government
entity is located has in effect laws described in paragraph
(1);
(B) an assessment of the resource needs of the State or
local government entity applying for the grant, including
information on the need for reimbursements of base salaries
and overtime costs, storage fees, and other expenditures to
improve the investigation, prevention, or enforcement of laws
described in paragraph (1); and
(C) a plan for coordinating the programs funded under this
section with other federally funded technical assistance and
training programs, including directly funded local programs
such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
Program authorized by subpart 1 of part E of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3750 et seq.).
(3) Matching funds.--The Federal share of an IP-TIC grant
may not exceed 50 percent of the costs of the program or
proposal funded by the IP-TIC grant.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this subsection the sum of $25,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
(B) Limitation.--Of the amount made available to carry out
this subsection in any fiscal year, not more than 3 percent
may be used by the Attorney General for salaries and
administrative expenses.
SEC. 402. IMPROVED INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC RESOURCES FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS RELATED TO INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY CRIMES.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations to carry out this subsection, the Attorney
General, in consultation with the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, shall, with respect to crimes
related to the theft of intellectual property--
(1) ensure that there are at least 10 additional
operational agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
designated to support the Computer Crime and Intellectual
Property Section of the Criminal Division of the Department
of Justice in the investigation and coordination of
intellectual property crimes;
(2) ensure that any Computer Hacking and Intellectual
Property Crime Unit in the Department of Justice is supported
by at least 1 agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(in addition to any agent supporting such unit as of the date
of the enactment of this Act) to support such unit for the
purpose of investigating or prosecuting intellectual property
crimes;
(3) ensure that all Computer Hacking and Intellectual
Property Crime Units located at an office of a United States
Attorney are assigned at least 2 Assistant United States
Attorneys responsible for investigating and prosecuting
computer hacking or intellectual property crimes; and
(4) ensure the implementation of a regular and
comprehensive training program--
(A) the purpose of which is to train agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation in the investigation and prosecution
of such crimes and the enforcement of laws related to
intellectual property crimes; and
(B) that includes relevant forensic training related to
investigating and prosecuting intellectual property crimes.
(b) Organized Crime Plan.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations to carry out this subsection, and not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Attorney General, through the United States Attorneys'
Offices, the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property
section, and the Organized Crime and Racketeering section of
the Department of Justice, and in consultation with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and other Federal law
enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Homeland
Security, shall create and implement a comprehensive, long-
range plan to investigate and prosecute international
organized crime syndicates engaging in or supporting crimes
relating to the theft of intellectual property.
(c) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2009 through 2013.
[[Page 22785]]
SEC. 403. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE AND
PROSECUTE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIMES AND
OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY INVOLVING COMPUTERS.
(a) Additional Funding for Resources.--
(1) Authorization.--In addition to amounts otherwise
authorized for resources to investigate and prosecute
intellectual property crimes and other criminal activity
involving computers, there are authorized to be appropriated
for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013--
(A) $10,000,000 to the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation; and
(B) $10,000,000 to the Attorney General for the Criminal
Division of the Department of Justice.
(2) Availability.--Any amounts appropriated under paragraph
(1) shall remain available until expended.
(b) Use of Additional Funding.--Funds made available under
subsection (a) shall be used by the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General, for the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Division of
the Department of Justice, respectively, to--
(1) hire and train law enforcement officers to--
(A) investigate intellectual property crimes and other
crimes committed through the use of computers and other
information technology, including through the use of the
Internet; and
(B) assist in the prosecution of such crimes; and
(2) enable relevant units of the Department of Justice,
including units responsible for investigating computer
hacking or intellectual property crimes, to procure advanced
tools of forensic science and expert computer forensic
assistance, including from non-governmental entities, to
investigate, prosecute, and study such crimes.
SEC. 404. ANNUAL REPORTS.
(a) Report of the Attorney General.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to
Congress on actions taken to carry out this title. The
initial report required under this subsection shall be
submitted by May 1, 2009. All subsequent annual reports shall
be submitted by May 1st of each fiscal year thereafter. The
report required under this subsection may be submitted as
part of the annual performance report of the Department of
Justice, and shall include the following:
(1) With respect to grants issued under section 401, the
number and identity of State and local law enforcement grant
applicants, the number of grants issued, the dollar value of
each grant, including a break down of such value showing how
the recipient used the funds, the specific purpose of each
grant, and the reports from recipients of the grants on the
efficacy of the program supported by the grant. The
Department of Justice shall use the information provided by
the grant recipients to produce a statement for each
individual grant. Such statement shall state whether each
grantee has accomplished the purposes of the grant as
established in section 401(b). Those grantees not in
compliance with the requirements of this title shall be
subject, but not limited to, sanctions as described in the
Financial Guide issued by the Office of Justice Programs at
the Department of Justice.
(2) With respect to the additional agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation authorized under paragraphs (1) and
(2) of section 402(a), the number of investigations and
actions in which such agents were engaged, the type of each
action, the resolution of each action, and any penalties
imposed in each action.
(3) With respect to the training program authorized under
section 402(a)(4), the number of agents of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation participating in such program, the elements
of the training program, and the subject matters covered by
the program.
(4) With respect to the organized crime plan authorized
under section 402(b), the number of organized crime
investigations and prosecutions resulting from such plan.
(5) With respect to the authorizations under section 403--
(A) the number of law enforcement officers hired and the
number trained;
(B) the number and type of investigations and prosecutions
resulting from the hiring and training of such law
enforcement officers;
(C) the defendants involved in any such prosecutions;
(D) any penalties imposed in each such successful
prosecution;
(E) the advanced tools of forensic science procured to
investigate, prosecute, and study computer hacking or
intellectual property crimes; and
(F) the number and type of investigations and prosecutions
in such tools were used.
(6) Any other information that the Attorney General may
consider relevant to inform Congress on the effective use of
the resources authorized under sections 401, 402, and 403.
(7) A summary of the efforts, activities, and resources the
Department of Justice has allocated to the enforcement,
investigation, and prosecution of intellectual property
crimes, including--
(A) a review of the policies and efforts of the Department
of Justice related to the prevention and investigation of
intellectual property crimes, including efforts at the Office
of Justice Programs, the Criminal Division of the Department
of Justice, the Executive Office of United States Attorneys,
the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Deputy
Attorney General, the Office of Legal Policy, and any other
agency or bureau of the Department of Justice whose
activities relate to intellectual property;
(B) a summary of the overall successes and failures of such
policies and efforts;
(C) a review of the investigative and prosecution activity
of the Department of Justice with respect to intellectual
property crimes, including--
(i) the number of investigations initiated related to such
crimes;
(ii) the number of arrests related to such crimes; and
(iii) the number of prosecutions for such crimes,
including--
(I) the number of defendants involved in such prosecutions;
(II) whether the prosecution resulted in a conviction; and
(III) the sentence and the statutory maximum for such
crime, as well as the average sentence imposed for such
crime; and
(D) a Department-wide assessment of the staff, financial
resources, and other resources (such as time, technology, and
training) devoted to the enforcement, investigation, and
prosecution of intellectual property crimes, including the
number of investigators, prosecutors, and forensic
specialists dedicated to investigating and prosecuting
intellectual property crimes.
(8) A summary of the efforts, activities, and resources
that the Department of Justice has taken to--
(A) minimize duplicating the efforts, materials,
facilities, and procedures of any other Federal agency
responsible for the enforcement, investigation, or
prosecution of intellectual property crimes; and
(B) enhance the efficiency and consistency with which
Federal funds and resources are expended to enforce,
investigate, or prosecute intellectual property crimes,
including the extent to which the Department has utilized
existing personnel, materials, technologies, and facilities.
(b) Initial Report of the Attorney General.--The first
report required to be submitted by the Attorney General under
subsection (a) shall include a summary of the efforts,
activities, and resources the Department of Justice has
allocated in the 5 years prior to the date of enactment of
this Act, as well as the 1-year period following such date of
enactment, to the enforcement, investigation, and prosecution
of intellectual property crimes, including--
(1) a review of the policies and efforts of the Department
of Justice related to the prevention and investigation of
intellectual property crimes, including efforts at the Office
of Justice Programs, the Criminal Division of the Department
of Justice, the Executive Office of United States Attorneys,
the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Deputy
Attorney General, the Office of Legal Policy, and any other
agency or bureau of the Department of Justice whose
activities relate to intellectual property;
(2) a summary of the overall successes and failures of such
policies and efforts;
(3) a review of the investigative and prosecution activity
of the Department of Justice with respect to intellectual
property crimes, including--
(A) the number of investigations initiated related to such
crimes;
(B) the number of arrests related to such crimes; and
(C) the number of prosecutions for such crimes, including--
(i) the number of defendants involved in such prosecutions;
(ii) whether the prosecution resulted in a conviction; and
(iii) the sentence and the statutory maximum for such
crime, as well as the average sentence imposed for such
crime; and
(4) a Department-wide assessment of the staff, financial
resources, and other resources (such as time, technology, and
training) devoted to the enforcement, investigation, and
prosecution of intellectual property crimes, including the
number of investigators, prosecutors, and forensic
specialists dedicated to investigating and prosecuting
intellectual property crimes.
(c) Report of the FBI.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall
submit a report to Congress on actions taken to carry out
this title. The initial report required under this subsection
shall be submitted by May 1, 2009. All subsequent annual
reports shall be submitted by May 1st of each fiscal year
thereafter. The report required under this subsection may be
submitted as part of the annual performance report of the
Department of Justice, and shall include--
(1) a review of the policies and efforts of the Bureau
related to the prevention and investigation of intellectual
property crimes;
(2) a summary of the overall successes and failures of such
policies and efforts;
(3) a review of the investigative and prosecution activity
of the Bureau with respect to intellectual property crimes,
including--
[[Page 22786]]
(A) the number of investigations initiated related to such
crimes;
(B) the number of arrests related to such crimes; and
(C) the number of prosecutions for such crimes, including--
(i) the number of defendants involved in such prosecutions;
(ii) whether the prosecution resulted in a conviction; and
(iii) the sentence and the statutory maximum for such
crime, as well as the average sentence imposed for such
crime; and
(4) a Bureau-wide assessment of the staff, financial
resources, and other resources (such as time, technology, and
training) devoted to the enforcement, investigation, and
prosecution of intellectual property crimes, including the
number of investigators, prosecutors, and forensic
specialists dedicated to investigating and prosecuting
intellectual property crimes.
(d) Initial Report of the FBI.--The first report required
to be submitted by the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation under subsection (c) shall include a summary of
the efforts, activities, and resources the Federal Bureau of
Investigation has allocated in the 5 years prior to the date
of enactment of this Act, as well as the 1-year period
following such date of enactment to the enforcement,
investigation, and prosecution of intellectual property
crimes, including--
(1) a review of the policies and efforts of the Bureau
related to the prevention and investigation of intellectual
property crimes;
(2) a summary of the overall successes and failures of such
policies and efforts;
(3) a review of the investigative and prosecution activity
of the Bureau with respect to intellectual property crimes,
including--
(A) the number of investigations initiated related to such
crimes;
(B) the number of arrests related to such crimes; and
(C) the number of prosecutions for such crimes, including--
(i) the number of defendants involved in such prosecutions;
(ii) whether the prosecution resulted in a conviction; and
(iii) the sentence and the statutory maximum for such
crime, as well as the average sentence imposed for such
crime; and
(4) a Bureau-wide assessment of the staff, financial
resources, and other resources (such as time, technology, and
training) devoted to the enforcement, investigation, and
prosecution of intellectual property crimes, including the
number of investigators, prosecutors, and forensic
specialists dedicated to investigating and prosecuting
intellectual property crimes.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 501. GAO STUDY ON PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF
MANUFACTURERS.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study to help determine how the Federal
Government could better protect the intellectual property of
manufacturers by quantification of the impacts of imported
and domestic counterfeit goods on--
(1) the manufacturing industry in the United States; and
(2) the overall economy of the United States.
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study required under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall examine--
(1) the extent that counterfeit manufactured goods are
actively being trafficked in and imported into the United
States;
(2) the impacts on domestic manufacturers in the United
States of current law regarding defending intellectual
property, including patent, trademark, and copyright
protections;
(3) the nature and scope of current statutory law and case
law regarding protecting trade dress from being illegally
copied;
(4) the extent which such laws are being used to
investigate and prosecute acts of trafficking in counterfeit
manufactured goods;
(5) any effective practices or procedures that are
protecting all types of intellectual property; and
(6) any changes to current statutes or rules that would
need to be implemented to more effectively protect the
intellectual property rights of manufacturers.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to Congress a report on the results of the study required
under subsection (a).
SEC. 502. GAO AUDIT AND REPORT ON NONDUPLICATION AND
EFFICIENCY.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct an audit and
submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives on--
(1) the efforts, activities, and actions of the
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the
Attorney General in achieving the goals and purposes of this
Act, as well as in carrying out any responsibilities or
duties assigned to each such individual or agency under this
Act;
(2) any possible legislative, administrative, or regulatory
changes that Comptroller General recommends be taken by or on
behalf of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator
or the Attorney General to better achieve such goals and
purposes, and to more effectively carry out such
responsibilities and duties;
(3) the effectiveness of any actions taken and efforts made
by the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the
Attorney General to--
(A) minimize duplicating the efforts, materials,
facilities, and procedures of any other Federal agency
responsible for the enforcement, investigation, or
prosecution of intellectual property crimes; and
(B) enhance the efficiency and consistency with which
Federal funds and resources are expended to enforce,
investigate, or prosecute intellectual property crimes,
including whether the IPEC has utilized existing personnel,
materials, technologies, and facilities, such as the National
Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center established
at the Department of Homeland Security; and
(4) any actions or efforts that the Comptroller General
recommends be taken by or on behalf of the Intellectual
Property Enforcement Coordinator and the Attorney General to
reduce duplication of efforts and increase the efficiency and
consistency with which Federal funds and resources are
expended to enforce, investigate, or prosecute intellectual
property crimes.
SEC. 503. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States intellectual property industries have
created millions of high-skill, high-paying United States
jobs and pay billions of dollars in annual United States tax
revenues;
(2) the United States intellectual property industries
continue to represent a major source of creativity and
innovation, business start-ups, skilled job creation,
exports, economic growth, and competitiveness;
(3) counterfeiting and infringement results in billions of
dollars in lost revenue for United States companies each year
and even greater losses to the United States economy in terms
of reduced job growth, exports, and competitiveness;
(4) the growing number of willful violations of existing
Federal criminal laws involving counterfeiting and
infringement by actors in the United States and,
increasingly, by foreign-based individuals and entities is a
serious threat to the long-term vitality of the United States
economy and the future competitiveness of United States
industry;
(5) terrorists and organized crime utilize piracy,
counterfeiting, and infringement to fund some of their
activities;
(6) effective criminal enforcement of the intellectual
property laws against violations in all categories of works
should be among the highest priorities of the Attorney
General;
(7) with respect to all crimes related to the theft of
intellectual property, the Attorney General shall give
priority to cases with a nexus to terrorism and organized
crime; and
(8) with respect to criminal counterfeiting and
infringement of computer software, including those by
foreign-owned or foreign-controlled entities, the Attorney
General should give priority to cases--
(A) involving the willful theft of intellectual property
for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial
gain;
(B) where the theft of intellectual property is central to
the sustainability and viability of the commercial activity
of the enterprise (or subsidiary) involved in the violation;
(C) where the counterfeited or infringing goods or services
enables the enterprise to unfairly compete against the
legitimate rights holder; or
(D) where there is actual knowledge of the theft of
intellectual property by the directors or officers of the
enterprise.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
S. 3325 is an important bill that provides resources and enhanced
enforcement to combat intellectual property crimes.
On May 8 of this year, the House passed H.R. 4279, the PRO-IP Act, by
a vote of 410-11. The Senate has returned the bill and made
modifications.
I think this bill retains most of the most basic and fundamental
reforms that we accomplished, including changes to civil and criminal
IP laws
[[Page 22787]]
that will afford rights holders more protection and the enhancements in
penalties for IP violators who endanger public health and safety.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and
colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), a former chairman of the
Intellectual Property Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee and now
the ranking member of that subcommittee.
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Texas, and I doubt that I will use 5 minutes but I thank Mr. Smith.
I rise, Mr. Speaker, in support of S. 3325.
Every year our economy loses an excess of $200 billion to
counterfeiting. This has directly impacted many American businesses and
also cost our country countless jobs. Today, counterfeiting has grown
into a global and illicit black market trade.
S. 3325 will help our government address counterfeiting from two
perspectives. First, from an organizational perspective, it creates an
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the Executive Office
of the President to oversee interagency anticounterfeiting efforts.
This person will be responsible for making intellectual property rights
a priority for every arm of our government and ensuring that government
works efficiently to unearth counterfeit goods and apprehend
distributors.
Second, from an enforcement perspective, it authorizes funding for
State and local anticounterfeiting efforts and for the Justice
Department to create and implement a long range anticounterfeiting
enforcement plan and provides new resources for IP and computer-related
criminal prosecutions and investigations by the Department of Justice
and the FBI.
The version of the PRO-IP bill that was written by the House
Judiciary Committee and passed this body by an overwhelming bipartisan
vote of 410-11 in May contained a number of new initiatives and
authorities that I would have preferred to see included in this bill.
That said, the glass is by no means half empty. Its enactment will help
our law enforcement agencies better detect, prosecute, and deter
counterfeiters.
I cannot convey the full implications that counterfeit goods have had
on my congressional district, which is home to the furniture capital of
the world. We pride ourselves on workmanship and quality, but even the
furniture market is vulnerable to knockoffs and counterfeits.
The enactment of S. 3325 is an important step in our government
improving our response to this illicit trade. I thank the distinguished
gentleman from Texas, the ranking member; the distinguished gentleman
from California (Mr. Berman), who chairs the subcommittee; and our
chairman, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, for all the work
that they have devoted to this matter and for their tireless leadership
in leading the fight against counterfeiting in the Congress for many
years.
I urge all Members to support S. 3325, and I thank the Speaker and I
thank the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield Chairman Howard Berman from California as much
time as he may consume.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I very much thank the chairman for yielding
and for all the work that he has done to bring this bill to this point.
I rise in support of S. 3325, which is the Senate's companion bill to
the chairman's and a number of us, our bill, H.R. 4279, which passed
the House overwhelmingly by a 410-11 vote on May 6, 2008. S. 3325, like
H.R. 4279, makes necessary changes to our intellectual property laws,
improves coordination of our intellectual property enforcement efforts,
and devotes more resources to tackling the scourge of intellectual
property crime.
The proliferation of intellectual property crime has had a disastrous
impact on our economy and on public health and safety. Counterfeit and
pirated products may account for up to 10 percent of the world's trade,
and a significant portion of these are American products. Conservative
estimates indicate that U.S. business loses up to $250 billion a year--
I know these days $250 billion isn't that much, but it's a serious
amount--due to intellectual property theft.
This level of counterfeiting and piracy translates to job losses,
lower tax receipts, and greater trade deficits. Public health and
safety is threatened by inferior and dangerous knockoffs, such as
exploding batteries, toxic pharmaceuticals, and sawdust brake pads.
In response to the grave threat of intellectual property theft and
the threat that poses to the U.S. economy and the health and safety of
our citizens, the House passed the PRO-IP bill.
The bill strengthened our civil and criminal laws in ways that attack
the organizational structures intellectual property thieves use and
that reduce the economic incentives thieves have to engage in
commercial-scale counterfeiting and piracy. It devoted more resources
to investigating and prosecuting intellectual property crimes and to
working with other governments to improve intellectual property
enforcement aboard.
Following our lead, the Senate passed S. 3325, which provides many of
the same reforms called for in H.R. 4279.
I just want to close by thanking very much Chairman Conyers, his
staff, the subcommittee staff for all the work they put into it, the
minority staff, Mr. Coble, Mr. Smith, who is a great partnership, and
for working to develop and pass this bill, and to thank Senator Leahy
and his staff for their efforts and urge my colleagues to support this
important legislation.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Utah (Mr. Cannon), a former chairman of the Commercial and
Administrative Law Subcommittee and now the ranking member of that
subcommittee.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member.
I rise in opposition to this bill. A similar bill passed under
suspension by about a vote of 410-11, and I was one of the people that
voted for the bill at that time. The bill went over to the Senate. The
Senate has amended the bill.
The underlying bill I think is actually a very good bill. It's a very
important bill. We need to do something with it. But the bill that has
come back is dramatically different from the bill that went over to the
Senate.
My understanding is that the Senate has included in this bill the
power for Federal law enforcement agencies to seize equipment that may
be used in violation of the act. And what that means is, if you have
got a kid who downloads music improperly, your computer may be seized.
I'm not exactly sure what the scope of that seizure is, but that's in
part because this is a gerrymandered piece of this bill that was added
to an underlying bill that was coherent and integrated and would have
worked very, very well.
As it is, I have to rise in opposition to this, what I think of as an
extraordinary assertion of Federal authority over what we do with our
personal lives and our computers and our equipment.
That is not to condone, by any stretch of the imagination, the
improper use of copyrighting material, but to say, rather, that this
bill, in its current form, has gone too far in that regard.
And so I oppose the bill, and I ask that my colleagues take a look at
it and consider it and consider opposing this bill, along with me,
because of the overreach that has happened here.
I might note this seems like this happened about 8 years ago where
the Senate added a provision to one of the appropriations bills that
would have allowed the recording industry to spike, that is, to put a
virus on the computer of the user on which downloaded music resided.
{time} 1730
That was inappropriate. We worked on this side to stop that, and I
think we should stop that here with this bill now.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to
the chairwoman of the California delegation, Zoe Lofgren.
[[Page 22788]]
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to
this bill.
While we do need to focus our efforts to combat criminal activity
related to intellectual property, the unbounded forfeiture provision in
this bill isn't about going after criminals, it's about going after the
Internet.
The language in the House bill, the bill that we sent over, although
problematic in some ways, at least had some measures to ensure that
there was a meaningful connection between the property subject to
seizure and the underlying offense. This bill, back from the Senate,
strips away those assurances. It subjects to seizure ``any property
used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part to commit or
facilitate the commission of an offense.'' That unqualified language
means that virtually anything through which Internet traffic passes is
subject to seizure, no matter how incidental the connection to the
offense or how innocent the owner.
This provision shifts the liability for infringement--and thus
responsibility from enforcement--onto innocent intermediaries, whether
they are ISPs, businesses, schools, libraries, or consumers. We have
seen this before this year and will likely see it again as time goes
on. We saw the same type of provisions--although not as wildly
extravagant--in the Higher Education Act, even after colleges told us
it would divert resources from their primary mission of education.
We're seeing it in the secret negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting
Trade Agreement that apparently is going to, in some manner, require
ISPs to police the conduct of their users, potentially in violation of
their privacy rights.
I understand why the content industry pushes for these measures.
They're trying to protect an analog business model in the digital
environment, and that's difficult and expensive; and treating one's
customers like criminals is bad for PR. Accordingly, the content
industry has every incentive to make others do the work for it.
What I don't understand is why Congress goes along with these
proposals. With each successive Congress, copyright law and policy
becomes less of a balanced system of rights to promote creativity and
innovation and more of a set of tools by which certain corporate
interests protect themselves.
In our unbridled zeal for IP enforcement and utter indifference to
the rights of users and consumers, we are losing sight of the
underlying principles of our copyright system. This bill takes us
further away from those principles. And I would add that I can't think
of a single other circumstance where civil libertarians would even
consider the concept of seizing the property of innocent bystanders in
any other legal scheme, whether it was fraud or any other matter. We
wouldn't permit that, and we should not permit it in this case.
I urge that we defeat this bill. And although there are some
provisions in it that are meritorious, there is consensus for those, we
can certainly adopt them next year. I urge defeat and yield back to the
chairman with thanks.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the principal purpose of S. 3325, the Prioritizing
Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, or
PRO-IP Act, is to improve the government's response to the threats
posed by counterfeiting and piracy.
At the outset, I want to recognize Chairman Conyers, IP Subcommittee
Chairman Berman, and IP Subcommittee Ranking Member Coble, each of whom
helped to advance the House version of this legislation, H.R. 4279,
which passed the House in May by an overwhelming vote of 410-11.
I also want to say at this point that I happen to agree with the
concerns expressed by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) and
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren). And while I agree
with their concerns, particularly their objection to the provision that
was changed by the other body, I am still going to support this
legislation as it stands and hope to make a change in the future that
will address their concerns.
Over the past 25 years, perhaps no group of industries has been more
responsible for the sustained growth in our economy than those who rely
on strong patent, trademark and copyright protections. Today, our
technology, entertainment, and productivity-based enterprises stand as
pillars of our economic and export strength. They employ 18 million
Americans and account for 40 percent of our economic growth.
The successes of our IP rights-holders--family-owned small businesses
and Fortune 500 companies alike--make them prime targets for
international pirates and counterfeiters. According to the U.S.
Department of Justice, this criminal activity costs U.S. citizens up to
$250 billion every year, and has contributed to the loss of up to
750,000 jobs.
The PRO-IP Act is a measure that is designed to respond to these
challenges. The bill contains provisions that; one, strengthen our laws
against counterfeiting and piracy; two, provide new resources to key
agencies involved in the enforcement of IP rights; and three, require a
new and unprecedented level of coordination and leadership on IP
enforcement issues from the White House.
Mr. Speaker, while our government agencies are doing more today to
protect IP than ever before, the reality is that we must do even more
if we are to increase the cost of doing business for counterfeiters and
traffickers, some of whom are connected to organized crime.
With competing priorities and limited resources, our government
agencies must work in a cooperative and coordinated fashion to leverage
our IP enforcement efforts. By statutorily elevating these issues to
the White House level and requiring the continuous and systematic
development of an unprecedented national strategy to target IP theft,
the PRO-IP Act represents an important first step towards ensuring our
government agencies work efficiently and in concert to develop a joint
response to this pervasive threat.
Congress has a duty to ensure that IP enforcement is made a permanent
priority of every administration. This measure, while not containing
all of the provisions that were in the House measure, is a first step
towards achieving our goals.
By supporting S. 3325, the House will send a clear message to the
White House and future administrations that there is a bipartisan and
bicameral commitment to the protection of our vital national and
economic interests. So I urge my colleagues to support S. 3325.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support S.
3325, the ``Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual
Property (PRO-IP) Act of 2007.'' I was a co-sponsor of this legislation
when it was introduced before the House as H.R. 4789, and I urge my
colleagues to join me in voting in support of this legislation. I am
confident that this bill can address and strengthen criminal and civil
enforcement of United States intellectual property law.
The purpose of the Senate bill is to strengthen criminal and civil
enforcement of United States intellectual property law focusing, in
particular, on copyright violations (piracy) and trademark violations
(counterfeiting). In addition, the PRO-IP Act seeks to modernize and
improve U.S. government efforts for coordination and enforcement of our
nation's IP laws.
The knowledge and innovation of American citizens contributes
significantly to the economic strength of our nation. Intellectual
property law provides the principle incentives that are calculated to
lead to the creation and production of new works. This bill is needed
because the effect of piracy and counterfeiting on the economy is
devastating. Total global losses to United States companies from
counterfeiting and copyright piracy amount to $250 billion per year.
Every company in every industry is vulnerable.
Because these illegal activities represent a growing public health,
safety and law enforcement problem, S. 3325 provides additional
targeted resources for investigation, enforcement and prosecution;
requires the development and promulgation of a national Joint Strategic
Plan to combat counterfeiting and piracy; and
[[Page 22789]]
provides for enhanced Presidential level leadership and coordination
among federal agencies involved with preserving and protecting
intellectual property rights.
Title I of S. 3325 provides enhancements to civil intellectual
property laws. Specifically, Title I makes it clear that a certificate
of registration will satisfy registration requirements regardless of
whether there is any inaccurate information on the registration
application, unless the inaccurate information was included with
knowledge that it was inaccurate.
Title I also broadens the civil remedies for infringement by
broadening the scope of articles that may be ordered impounded by the
court upon a finding that the article was made or used in violation of
a copyright. This Title also directs the court to enter a protective
order to ensure that confidential information is not improperly
disclosed.
Title II provides enhancements to criminal intellectual property laws
by addressing repeat offender penalties for criminal acts contained
within the criminal copyright statute. Title II clarifies that a repeat
offender is a person that commits the same criminal act twice. The bill
clarifies that any property subject to forfeiture must be owned or
predominantly controlled by the violator in order to be seized and
directs the United States Sentencing Commission to consider whether the
sentencing guidelines should be expanded to include the export of
infringing items. There are enhanced maximum statutory penalties for
counterfeit offenses that endanger public health and safety.
Title III of S. 3325 provides greater coordination and strategic
planning of federal efforts against counterfeiting and piracy.
Specifically, this Title establishes within the Executive Office of the
President, the Office of the United States Intellectual Property
Enforcement Representative and, within that Office, the United States
Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative, appointed by the
President of the United States. Lastly, Titles IV and V provide
international enforcement, national, and local enforcement.
While I supported the House version of the bill and I support this
Senate version, I would like to consider ways to ensure diversity in
the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIPs) units that are
established by this bill. I would like to work to ensure that
minorities be represented in the hiring and that special recruitment
initiatives be launched at historically black colleges and universities
and other minority serving institutions. We should do all within our
efforts to guarantee that minorities receive the necessary training and
be recruited to help in the IP enforcement at the Executive, State, and
local levels.
Simply, Mr. Speaker, S. 3325 is a first step toward the promotion of
the American economy. It ensures that American innovation will remain
crucial to the United States economy and that American innovation will
allow the United States to remain a global economic power. Indeed, this
bill ensures that the United States IP laws are enforced and that the
American intellectual property system remains one of the best in the
world.
I urge all members to support this much needed and thoughtful
legislation.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for S.
3325, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual
Property Act of 2008. This critical legislation will not only provide
more resources for law enforcement to enforce existing copyright laws,
it will also promote better coordination of U.S. intellectual property
policy in the executive branch.
These are two important policy goals for my constituents in
Tennessee's 7th District. Tennessee's economic engine is built upon the
strength of the creative community's intellectual property, and
industries from auto manufacturing, film and entertainment, recording
arts, and live performance depend ont he Federal government enforcing
their property rights.
The music industry in Nashville and Memphis alone accounts for nearly
$7 billion in economic impact per year, and create than 20,000 jobs.
Film, television, and cable broadcasting account for bills more. In
2004, for example, the Oscar-winning film Walk the Line shot for over
45 days in Memphis and Nashville, generating between $18 and $20
million in economic impact for the local economy, and hundreds of high
paying jobs. And before Nissan moved its North American headquarters to
the Nashville area, Tennessee was already home to nearly 1000 auto-
related manufacturers, 159,000 jobs, and a payroll of over $6.6
billion.
These industries are based on the development, nourishment, and
incubation of intellectual ideas before they evolve into marketable
products. This process is not free, and instead dependent on an
implicit understanding that appropriate compensation will result from
investment and hard work.
Unfortunately, these industries are suffering from rampant theft of
their intellectual property online, and in marketplaces around the
world to the tune of $58 billion each year. The Institute for Policy
Innovation estimates intellectual property theft and copyright
infringement costs American workers 373,375 jobs per year, $16.3
billion in earnings, and $2.6 billion in tax revenue for governments at
every level.
These statistics are alarming and unacceptable, but demonstrate the
U.S. must continue a vigilant effort to increase enforcement efforts.
S. 3325 would provide the Federal government with new tools and
information sharing capabilities consistent with this important goal,
and I urge all my colleagues to support it.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 3325.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
KEEPING THE INTERNET DEVOID OF SEXUAL PREDATORS ACT OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the
Speaker's table the Senate bill (S. 431) to require convicted sex
offenders to register online identifiers, and for other purposes, and
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 431
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Keeping the Internet Devoid
of Sexual Predators Act of 2008'' or the ``KIDS Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. REGISTRATION OF ONLINE IDENTIFIERS OF SEX OFFENDERS.
(a) In General.--Section 114(a) of the Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16914(a)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as
paragraphs (5) through (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Any electronic mail address or other designation the
sex offender uses or will use for self-identification or
routing in Internet communication or posting.''.
(b) Updating of Information.--Section 113(c) of the Sex
Offender Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C.
16913(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``The Attorney General shall have the authority to specify
the time and manner for reporting of other changes in
registration information, including any addition or change of
an electronic mail address or other designation used for
self-identification or routing in Internet communication or
posting.''.
(c) Failure To Register Online Identifiers.--Section 2250
of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or (d)'' after
``subsection (a)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Knowing Failure To Register Online Identifiers.--
Whoever--
``(1) is required to register under the Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.);
and
``(2) uses an email address or any other designation used
for self-identification or routing in Internet communication
or posting which the individual knowingly failed to provide
for inclusion in a sex offender registry as required under
that Act;
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
10 years, or both.''.
(d) Conforming Amendment; Directive to United States
Sentencing Commission.--Section 141(b) of the Adam Walsh
Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law
[[Page 22790]]
109-248; 120 Stat. 602) is amended by striking ``offense
specified in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``offenses
specified in subsections (a) and (d) of section 2250 of title
18, United States Code''.
SEC. 3. CHECKING OF ONLINE IDENTIFIERS AGAINST SEX OFFENDER
REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
(a) Public Access.--Section 118(b) of the Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16918(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) any electronic mail address or designation used for
self-identification or routing in Internet communication or
posting; and''.
(b) Online Identifier Checking System for Social Networking
Websites.--Section 121 of the Sex Offender Registration and
Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16921) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(d) Checking System for Social Networking Websites.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall maintain a
system available to social networking websites that permits
the automated comparison of lists or databases of the
electronic mail addresses and other designations used for
self-identification or routing in Internet communication or
posting of the registered users of such websites, to the
corresponding information contained in or derived from sex
offender registries.
``(2) Qualification for use of system.--A social networking
website seeking to use the system established under paragraph
(1) shall submit an application to the Attorney General which
provides--
``(A) the name and legal status of the website;
``(B) the contact information for the website;
``(C) a description of the nature and operations of the
website;
``(D) a statement explaining why the website seeks to use
the system; and
``(E) such other information or attestations as the
Attorney General may require to ensure that the website will
use the system--
``(i) to protect the safety of the users of such website;
and
``(ii) not for any unlawful or improper purpose.
``(3) Searches against the system.--
``(A) In general.--A social networking website approved to
use the system established under paragraph (1) shall--
``(i) submit the information to be compared in a form
satisfying the technical requirements for searches against
the system; and
``(ii) pay any fee established by the Attorney General for
use of the system.
``(B) Frequency of use of the system.--A social networking
website approved by the Attorney General to use the system
established under paragraph (1) may conduct searches under
the system as frequently as the Attorney General may allow.
``(C) Authority of ag to suspend use.--The Attorney General
may deny, suspend, or terminate use of the system by a social
networking website that--
``(i) provides false information in its application for use
of the system; or
``(ii) may be using or seeks to use the system for any
unlawful or improper purpose.
``(4) Limitation on release of internet identifiers.--
``(A) No public release.--Neither the Attorney General nor
a social networking website approved to use the system
established under paragraph (1) may release to the public any
list of the e-mail addresses or other designations used for
self-identification or routing in Internet communication or
posting of sex offenders contained in the system.
``(B) Additional limitations.--The Attorney General shall
limit the release of information obtained through the use of
the system established under paragraph (1) by social
networking websites approved to use such system.
``(C) Strict adherence to limitation.--The use of the
system established under paragraph (1) by a social networking
website shall be conditioned on the website's agreement to
observe the limitations required under this paragraph.
``(D) Rule of construction.--This subsection shall not be
construed to limit the authority of the Attorney General
under any other provision of law to conduct or to allow
searches or checks against sex offender registration
information.
``(5) Limitation on liability.--
``(A) In general.--A civil claim against a social
networking website, including any director, officer,
employee, parent, or agent of that social networking website,
arising from the use by such website of the National Sex
Offender Registry, may not be brought in any Federal or State
court.
``(B) Intentional, reckless, or other misconduct.--
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a claim if the social
networking website, or a director, officer, employee, or
agent of that social networking website--
``(i) engaged in intentional misconduct; or
``(ii) acted, or failed to act--
``(I) with actual malice;
``(II) with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of
causing injury without legal justification; or
``(III) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any
responsibility or function described in paragraph (3).
``(C) Ordinary business activities.--Subsection (a) shall
not apply to an act or omission to act relating to an
ordinary business activity of any social networking website,
including to any acts related to the general administration
or operations of such website, the use of motor vehicles by
employees or agents of such website, or any personnel
management decisions of such websites.
``(D) Minimizing access.--A social networking website shall
minimize the number of employees that are provided access to
the list of electronic mail addresses, and other designations
used for self-identification or routing in Internet
communication or posting by persons in the National Sex
Offender Registry.
``(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing is this section shall
be construed to require any Internet website, including a
social networking website, to compare its database of
registered users with the list of electronic mail addresses
and other designations used for self-identification or
routing in Internet communication or posting by persons in
the National Sex Offender Registry, and no Federal or State
liability, or any other actionable adverse consequence, shall
be imposed on such website based on its decision not to
compare its database with such list.''.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
Section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and
Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16911) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(15) The term `social networking website' means an
Internet website that--
``(A) allows users, through the creation of web pages or
profiles or by other means, to provide information about
themselves that is available publicly or to other users; and
``(B) offers a mechanism for communication with other
users.
``(16) The term `Internet' has the meaning given that term
in section 1101 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C.
151 note).
``(17) The term `electronic mail address' has the meaning
given that term in section 3 of the Controlling the Assault
of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (15
U.S.C. 7702).''.
SEC. 5. CRIMINALIZATION OF AGE MISREPRESENTATION IN
CONNECTION WITH ONLINE SOLICITATION OF A MINOR.
Section 2422 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Misrepresentation of Age.--Whoever knowingly
misrepresents his or her age using the Internet or any other
facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce or the
mail, with the intent to further or facilitate a violation of
this section, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned
not more than 20 years. A sentence imposed under this
subsection shall be in addition and consecutive to any
sentence imposed for the offense the age misrepresentation
was intended to further or facilitate.''.
SEC. 6. KNOWINGLY ACCESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WITH THE INTENT
TO VIEW CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
(a) Materials Involving Sexual Exploitation of Minors.--
Section 2252(a)(4) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or knowingly
accesses with intent to view,'' after ``possesses''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, or knowingly
accesses with intent to view,'' after ``possesses''.
(b) Materials Constituting or Containing Child
Pornography.--Section 2252A(a)(5) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or knowingly
accesses with intent to view,'' after ``possesses''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, or knowingly
accesses with intent to view,'' after ``possesses''.
SEC. 7. CLARIFYING BAN OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 110 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in section 2251--
(A) in each of subsections (a), (b), and (d), by inserting
``using any means or facility of interstate or foreign
commerce or'' after ``be transported'';
(B) in each of subsections (a) and (b), by inserting
``using any means or facility of interstate or foreign
commerce or'' after ``been transported'';
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``computer'' each place
that term appears and inserting ``using any means or facility
of interstate or foreign commerce''; and
(D) in subsection (d), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``is
transported'';
(2) in section 2251A(c), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``or
transported'';
(3) in section 2252(a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after
``ships'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
[[Page 22791]]
(i) by inserting ``using any means or facility of
interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``distributes, any
visual depiction''; and
(ii) by inserting ``using any means or facility of
interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``depiction for
distribution'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by inserting ``using any means or facility of
interstate or foreign commerce'' after ``so shipped or
transported''; and
(ii) by striking ``by any means,''; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``has
been shipped or transported''; and
(4) in section 2252A(a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after
``ships'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce'' after ``mailed,
or'' each place it appears;
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after
``mails, or'' each place it appears;
(D) in each of paragraphs (4) and (5), by inserting ``using
any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce or''
after ``has been mailed, or shipped or transported''; and
(E) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``using any means or
facility of interstate or foreign commerce or'' after ``has
been mailed, shipped, or transported''.
(b) Affecting Interstate Commerce.--Chapter 110 of title
18, United States Code, is amended in each of sections 2251,
2251A, 2252, and 2252A, by striking ``in interstate'' each
place it appears and inserting ``in or affecting
interstate''.
(c) Certain Activities Relating to Material Involving the
Sexual Exploitation of Minors.--Section 2252(a)(3)(B) of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``,
shipped, or transported using any means or facility of
interstate or foreign commerce'' after ``that has been
mailed''.
(d) Certain Activities Relating to Material Constituting or
Containing Child Pornography.--Section 2252A(a)(6)(C) of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``or by
transmitting'' and all that follows through ``by computer,''
and inserting ``or any means or facility of interstate or
foreign commerce,''.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Conyers
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Conyers:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Keeping the Internet Devoid
of Sexual Predators Act of 2008'' or the ``KIDS Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. DIRECTION TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(a) Requirement That Sex Offenders Provide Certain Internet
Related Information to Sex Offender Registries.--The Attorney
General, using the authority provided in section 114(a)(7) of
the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, shall
require that each sex offender provide to the sex offender
registry those Internet identifiers the sex offender uses or
will use of any type that the Attorney General determines to
be appropriate under that Act. These records of Internet
identifiers shall be subject to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.
552a) to the same extent as the other records in the National
Sex Offender Registry.
(b) Timeliness of Reporting of Information.--The Attorney
General, using the authority provided in section 112(b) of
the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, shall
specify the time and manner for keeping current information
required to be provided under this section.
(c) Nondisclosure to General Public.--The Attorney General,
using the authority provided in section 118(b)(4) of the Sex
Offender Registration and Notification Act, shall exempt from
disclosure all information provided by a sex offender under
subsection (a).
(d) Notice to Sex Offenders of New Requirements.--The
Attorney General shall ensure that procedures are in place to
notify each sex offender of changes in requirements that
apply to that sex offender as a result of the implementation
of this section.
(e) Definitions.--
(1) Of ``social networking website''.--As used in this Act,
the term ``social networking website''--
(A) means an Internet website--
(i) that allows users, through the creation of web pages or
profiles or by other means, to provide information about
themselves that is available to the public or to other users;
and
(ii) that offers a mechanism for communication with other
users where such users are likely to include a substantial
number of minors; and
(iii) whose primary purpose is to facilitate online social
interactions; and
(B) includes any contractors or agents used by the website
to act on behalf of the website in carrying out the purposes
of this Act.
(2) Of ``internet identifiers''.--As used in this Act, the
term ``Internet identifiers'' means electronic mail addresses
and other designations used for self-identification or
routing in Internet communication or posting.
(3) Other terms.--A term defined for the purposes of the
Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act has the same
meaning in this Act.
SEC. 3. CHECKING SYSTEM FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES.
(a) In General.--
(1) Secure system for comparisons.--The Attorney General
shall establish and maintain a secure system that permits
social networking websites to compare the information
contained in the National Sex Offender Registry with the
Internet identifiers of users of the social networking
websites, and view only those Internet identifiers that
match. The system--
(A) shall not require or permit any social networking
website to transmit Internet identifiers of its users to the
operator of the system, and
(B) shall use secure procedures that preserve the secrecy
of the information made available by the Attorney General,
including protection measures that render the Internet
identifiers and other data elements indecipherable.
(2) Provision of information relating to identity.--Upon
receiving a matched Internet identifier, the social
networking website may make a request of the Attorney General
for, and the Attorney General shall provide promptly,
information related to the identity of the individual that
has registered the matched Internet identifier. This
information is limited to the name, sex, resident address,
photograph, and physical description.
(b) Qualification for Use of System.--A social networking
website seeking to use the system shall submit an application
to the Attorney General which provides--
(1) the name and legal status of the website;
(2) the contact information for the website;
(3) a description of the nature and operations of the
website;
(4) a statement explaining why the website seeks to use the
system;
(5) a description of policies and procedures to ensure
that--
(A) any individual who is denied access to that website on
the basis of information obtained through the system is
promptly notified of the basis for the denial and has the
ability to challenge the denial of access; and
(B) if the social networking website finds that information
is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified, the site
immediately notifies the appropriate State registry and the
Department of Justice, so that they may delete or correct
that information in the respective State and national
databases;
(6) the identity and address of, and contact information
for, any contractor that will be used by the social
networking website to use the system; and
(7) such other information or attestations as the Attorney
General may require to ensure that the website will use the
system--
(A) to protect the safety of the users of such website; and
(B) for the limited purpose of making the automated
comparison described in subsection (a).
(c) Searches Against the System.--
(1) Frequency of use of the system.--A social networking
website approved by the Attorney General to use the system
may conduct searches under the system as frequently as the
Attorney General may allow.
(2) Authority of attorney general to suspend use.--The
Attorney General may deny, suspend, or terminate use of the
system by a social networking website that--
(A) provides false information in its application for use
of the system;
(B) may be using or seeks to use the system for any
unlawful or improper purpose;
(C) fails to comply with the procedures required under
subsection (b)(5); or
(D) uses information obtained from the system in any way
that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Act.
(3) Limitation on release of internet identifiers.--
(A) No public release.--Neither the Attorney General nor a
social networking website approved to use the system may
release to the public any list of the Internet identifiers of
sex offenders contained in the system.
(B) Additional limitations.--The Attorney General shall
limit the release of information obtained through the use of
the system established under subsection (a) by social
networking websites approved to use such system.
(C) Strict adherence to limitation.--The use of the system
established under subsection (a) by a social networking
website shall be conditioned on the website's agreement to
observe the limitations required under this paragraph.
(D) Rule of construction.--This subsection shall not be
construed to limit the authority of the Attorney General
under any other provision of law to conduct or to allow
searches or checks against sex offender registration
information.
(4) Payment of fee.--A social networking website approved
to use the system shall pay any fee established by the
Attorney General for use of the system.
(5) Limitation on liability.--
[[Page 22792]]
(A) In general.--A civil claim against a social networking
website, including any director, officer, employee, parent,
contractor, or agent of that social networking website,
arising from the use by such website of the National Sex
Offender Registry, may not be brought in any Federal or State
court.
(B) Intentional, reckless, or other misconduct.--
Subparagraph (A) does not apply to a claim if the social
networking website, or a director, officer, employee, parent,
contractor, or agent of that social networking website--
(i) engaged in intentional misconduct; or
(ii) acted, or failed to act--
(I) with actual malice;
(II) with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of
causing injury without legal justification; or
(III) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any
responsibility or function described in paragraph (3).
(C) Minimizing access.--A social networking website shall
minimize the number of employees that are provided access to
the Internet identifiers for which a match has been found
through the system.
(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require any Internet website, including a social
networking website, to use the system, and no Federal or
State liability, or any other actionable adverse consequence,
shall be imposed on such website based on its decision not to
do so.
SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR
ELECTRONIC MONITORING UNITS USED IN SEXUAL
OFFENDER MONITORING PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (C) of section 621(a)(1) of
the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42
U.S.C. 16981(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(C) Minimum standards.--The electronic monitoring units
used in the pilot program shall at a minimum--
``(i) provide a tracking device for each offender that
contains a central processing unit with global positioning
system; and
``(ii) permit continuous monitoring of offenders 24 hours a
day.''.
(b) Effective Date.-- The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply to grants provided on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
Mr. CONYERS (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that the amendment be considered as read.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank my House and Senate
colleagues today for their ongoing leadership on this critical issue.
Today is another significant step in our effort to protect our Nation's
most precious asset--our children. Together with the PROTECT Act, which
the House considered earlier, we are sending a message to predators
that we will not let you get our children.
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, that we passed two
years ago and which increased national registration requirements and
penalties on sex offenders, was a much needed response to the growing
threats our Nation's children face each and every day.
However, the threat still exists and, in fact, continues to grow,
particularly as technology advances. Social Web sites such as MySpace
and Facebook give our kids new ways to interact. Yet, they also open
doors for sexual predators to target them--making it essential that our
laws keep up with technology.
The bills that we are considering today send the message that we will
not tolerate this disturbing trend. The Keeping the Internet Devoid of
Sexual Predators Act, or KIDS Act, of 2007, ensures that our laws and
the resources needed to catch and keep these criminals off the street
are as up-to-date as the technology that our kids are using.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 431, the
``Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007'' also
known as the KIDS Act. This important legislation takes a historic step
forward in updating and strengthening our laws to protect our kids from
sexual predators online.
At the beginning of this Congress, I introduced the House companion
to the KIDS Act with our dear departed friend, Rep. Paul Gillmor, a
true champion of protecting children from dangerous sexual predators
both online and offline. He spent much of his time in Congress fighting
to keep our kids safe, and I know that he would be very proud of the
passage of today's legislation.
When my own kids are online, I want to do everything possible to keep
them safe from online predators. Sex offenders have no business being
on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook and the hundreds
of other social networking sites that kids are on today. This
bipartisan compromise will make it easier for social networking sites
to find these offenders and kick these individuals off of their sites
so that they are not able to prey on our Nation's children.
Under current law, convicted sex offenders have to register where
they work, live, go to school, and provide any other information that
is required by the Attorney General, This act mandates that the
Attorney General use his authority to require convicted sex offenders
to register their Internet identifiers such as their email and instant
messaging addresses. Failure to register internet identifiers as
required will be treated as any other registration violation punishable
under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2250. The Department of Justice will then create a
system to share this information with social networking sites so that
these companies can keep registered sex offenders from using their
services.
According to a University of New Hampshire study, 1 in 7 children
receive unwanted sexual solicitations online. With nearly 90 percent of
our Nation's teenagers using the Internet everyday, it is now more
important than ever to pass legislation like this that updates our laws
to protect our kids from those who would exploit them online.
I would like to thank MySpace for their leadership in advancing this
legislation and for the proactive steps that they have already taken to
delete convicted registered sex offenders from their site. We hope this
legislation will encourage others to follow their lead.
I would also like to thank Chairman Scott, Chairman Conyers, Senator
Schumer and Representative Rahm Emanuel for their work on this issue. I
would specifically like to thank House Judiciary staff--Mark Dubester,
Ted Kalo, Bobby Vassar, Ameer Gopalani and Karen Wilkinson--for their
hard work in reaching a compromise on this issue. I look forward to
continuing to work with all of you to protect our children from the
threat of sex offenders on the Internet.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, child predators will stop at nothing
to prey on innocent children. The Internet affords them not only a
virtual world within which to lure children into meeting them but also
significantly hampers the ability of law enforcement to identify and
apprehend them.
The Internet is constantly evolving. A decade ago, email was the
revolution that connected people in the workplace, on college campuses,
and across the country. Today, chat rooms and social networking sites
boast users in the millions from around the world and attract young
children who may not be aware of the risks involved with sharing
personal information online.
We were all shocked to learn last year that over 20,000 registered
sex offenders were on commercial social networking sites. In response
to media attention, these sites removed the sex offenders and continue
to actively monitor their sites.
S. 431, the Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act or
KIDS Act of 2007, will help these sites and other Internet providers,
as well as law enforcement officials, to identify sex offenders lurking
on the Internet. The bill contains an important provision requiring sex
offenders to update their registration information to include their
electronic mail addresses, instant messaging addresses and other
similar Internet identifiers.
The KIDS Act also provides a mechanism to allow social networking
sites to check sex offender registries to prevent sex offenders from
accessing the site.
The House passed similar legislation, H.R. 719, last year. However,
many of these important provisions had been stripped from the bill
before it was brought to the floor. I am pleased that S. 431 reinstates
many of these provisions, most importantly, the requirement that sex
offenders report their email addresses and other Internet identifiers.
S. 431 also incorporates a provision originally introduced by my
colleague from Virginia, Congressman Randy Forbes, in H.R. 4094. This
provision amends the Adam Walsh Act to revise the minimum standards for
electronic monitoring of sex offenders. This important correction will
improve the use of these monitoring devices under the Adam Walsh Act
pilot program.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the
third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PILOT EXTENSION ACT OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the Senate
bill (S. 3605) to extend the pilot program for volunteer groups to
obtain
[[Page 22793]]
criminal history background checks, and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3605
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Criminal History Background
Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 108(a)(3)(A) of the PROTECT Act (42 U.S.C. 5119a
note) is amended by striking ``a 66-month'' and inserting ``a
78-month''.
The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the
third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the
table.
____________________
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN ACT OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 1738) to establish a Special Counsel for Child
Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the
Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer
forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability
of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute predators.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 1738
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Providing
Resources, Officers, and Technology To Eradicate Cyber
Threats to Our Children Act of 2008'' or the ``PROTECT Our
Children Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION PREVENTION AND
INTERDICTION
Sec. 101. Establishment of National Strategy for Child Exploitation
Prevention and Interdiction.
Sec. 102. Establishment of National ICAC Task Force Program.
Sec. 103. Purpose of ICAC task forces.
Sec. 104. Duties and functions of task forces.
Sec. 105. National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System.
Sec. 106. ICAC grant program.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO COMBAT CHILD EXPLOITATION
Sec. 201. Additional regional computer forensic labs.
TITLE III--EFFECTIVE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY PROSECUTION
Sec. 301. Prohibit the broadcast of live images of child abuse.
Sec. 302. Amendment to section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
Sec. 303. Amendment to section 2260 of title 18, United States Code.
Sec. 304. Prohibiting the adaptation or modification of an image of an
identifiable minor to produce child pornography.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE STUDY OF RISK FACTORS
Sec. 401. NIJ study of risk factors for assessing dangerousness.
TITLE V--SECURING ADOLESCENTS FROM ONLINE EXPLOITATION
Sec. 501. Reporting requirements of electronic communication service
providers and remote computing service providers.
Sec. 502. Reports.
Sec. 503. Severability.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Child exploitation.--The term ``child exploitation''
means any conduct, attempted conduct, or conspiracy to engage
in conduct involving a minor that violates section 1591,
chapter 109A, chapter 110, and chapter 117 of title 18,
United States Code, or any sexual activity involving a minor
for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.
(2) Child obscenity.--The term ``child obscenity'' means
any visual depiction proscribed by section 1466A of title 18,
United States Code.
(3) Minor.--The term ``minor'' means any person under the
age of 18 years.
(4) Sexually explicit conduct.--The term ``sexually
explicit conduct'' has the meaning given such term in section
2256 of title 18, United States Code.
TITLE I--NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION PREVENTION AND
INTERDICTION
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CHILD
EXPLOITATION PREVENTION AND INTERDICTION.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General of the United States
shall create and implement a National Strategy for Child
Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction.
(b) Timing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act and on February 1 of every second year
thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress the
National Strategy established under subsection (a).
(c) Required Contents of National Strategy.--The National
Strategy established under subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(1) Comprehensive long-range, goals for reducing child
exploitation.
(2) Annual measurable objectives and specific targets to
accomplish long-term, quantifiable goals that the Attorney
General determines may be achieved during each year beginning
on the date when the National Strategy is submitted.
(3) Annual budget priorities and Federal efforts dedicated
to combating child exploitation, including resources
dedicated to Internet Crimes Against Children task forces,
Project Safe Childhood, FBI Innocent Images Initiative, the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, regional
forensic computer labs, Internet Safety programs, and all
other entities whose goal or mission is to combat the
exploitation of children that receive Federal support.
(4) A 5-year projection for program and budget goals and
priorities.
(5) A review of the policies and work of the Department of
Justice related to the prevention and investigation of child
exploitation crimes, including efforts at the Office of
Justice Programs, the Criminal Division of the Department of
Justice, the Executive Office of United States Attorneys, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Attorney
General, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the
Office of Legal Policy, and any other agency or bureau of the
Department of Justice whose activities relate to child
exploitation.
(6) A description of the Department's efforts to coordinate
with international, State, local, tribal law enforcement, and
private sector entities on child exploitation prevention and
interdiction efforts.
(7) Plans for interagency coordination regarding the
prevention, investigation, and apprehension of individuals
exploiting children, including cooperation and collaboration
with--
(A) Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
(B) the United States Postal Inspection Service;
(C) the Department of State;
(D) the Department of Commerce;
(E) the Department of Education;
(F) the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(G) other appropriate Federal agencies.
(8) A review of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force Program, including--
(A) the number of ICAC task forces and location of each
ICAC task force;
(B) the number of trained personnel at each ICAC task
force;
(C) the amount of Federal grants awarded to each ICAC task
force;
(D) an assessment of the Federal, State, and local
cooperation in each task force, including--
(i) the number of arrests made by each task force;
(ii) the number of criminal referrals to United States
attorneys for prosecution;
(iii) the number of prosecutions and convictions from the
referrals made under clause (ii);
(iv) the number, if available, of local prosecutions and
convictions based on ICAC task force investigations; and
(v) any other information demonstrating the level of
Federal, State, and local coordination and cooperation, as
such information is to be determined by the Attorney General;
(E) an assessment of the training opportunities and
technical assistance available to support ICAC task force
grantees; and
(F) an assessment of the success of the Internet Crimes
Against Children Task Force Program at leveraging State and
local resources and matching funds.
(9) An assessment of the technical assistance and support
available for Federal, State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies, in the prevention, investigation, and
prosecution of child exploitation crimes.
(10) A review of the backlog of forensic analysis for child
exploitation cases at each FBI Regional Forensic lab and an
estimate of the backlog at State and local labs.
(11) Plans for reducing the forensic backlog described in
paragraph (10), if any, at Federal, State and local forensic
labs.
(12) A review of the Federal programs related to child
exploitation prevention and education, including those
related to Internet safety, including efforts by the private
sector and nonprofit entities, or any other
[[Page 22794]]
initiatives, that have proven successful in promoting child
safety and Internet safety.
(13) An assessment of the future trends, challenges, and
opportunities, including new technologies, that will impact
Federal, State, local, and tribal efforts to combat child
exploitation.
(14) Plans for liaisons with the judicial branches of the
Federal and State governments on matters relating to child
exploitation.
(15) An assessment of Federal investigative and prosecution
activity relating to reported incidents of child exploitation
crimes, which shall include a number of factors, including--
(A) the number of high-priority suspects (identified
because of the volume of suspected criminal activity or
because of the danger to the community or a potential victim)
who were investigated and prosecuted;
(B) the number of investigations, arrests, prosecutions and
convictions for a crime of child exploitation; and
(C) the average sentence imposed and statutory maximum for
each crime of child exploitation.
(16) A review of all available statistical data indicating
the overall magnitude of child pornography trafficking in the
United States and internationally, including--
(A) the number of computers or computer users, foreign and
domestic, observed engaging in, or suspected by law
enforcement agencies and other sources of engaging in, peer-
to-peer file sharing of child pornography;
(B) the number of computers or computer users, foreign and
domestic, observed engaging in, or suspected by law
enforcement agencies and other reporting sources of engaging
in, buying and selling, or other commercial activity related
to child pornography;
(C) the number of computers or computer users, foreign and
domestic, observed engaging in, or suspected by law
enforcement agencies and other sources of engaging in, all
other forms of activity related to child pornography;
(D) the number of tips or other statistical data from the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's
CyberTipline and other data indicating the magnitude of child
pornography trafficking; and
(E) any other statistical data indicating the type, nature,
and extent of child exploitation crime in the United States
and abroad.
(17) Copies of recent relevant research and studies related
to child exploitation, including--
(A) studies related to the link between possession or
trafficking of child pornography and actual abuse of a child;
(B) studies related to establishing a link between the
types of files being viewed or shared and the type of illegal
activity; and
(C) any other research, studies, and available information
related to child exploitation.
(18) A review of the extent of cooperation, coordination,
and mutual support between private sector and other entities
and organizations and Federal agencies, including the
involvement of States, local and tribal government agencies
to the extent Federal programs are involved.
(19) The results of the Project Safe Childhood Conference
or other conferences or meetings convened by the Department
of Justice related to combating child exploitation
(d) Appointment of High-Level Official.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall designate a
senior official at the Department of Justice to be
responsible for coordinating the development of the National
Strategy established under subsection (a).
(2) Duties.--The duties of the official designated under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) acting as a liaison with all Federal agencies regarding
the development of the National Strategy;
(B) working to ensure that there is proper coordination
among agencies in developing the National Strategy;
(C) being knowledgeable about budget priorities and
familiar with all efforts within the Department of Justice
and the FBI related to child exploitation prevention and
interdiction; and
(D) communicating the National Strategy to Congress and
being available to answer questions related to the strategy
at congressional hearings, if requested by committees of
appropriate jurisdictions, on the contents of the National
Strategy and progress of the Department of Justice in
implementing the National Strategy.
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ICAC TASK FORCE PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established within the Department
of Justice, under the general authority of the Attorney
General, a National Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force Program (hereinafter in this title referred to as the
``ICAC Task Force Program''), which shall consist of a
national program of State and local law enforcement task
forces dedicated to developing effective responses to online
enticement of children by sexual predators, child
exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases.
(2) Intent of congress.--It is the purpose and intent of
Congress that the ICAC Task Force Program established under
paragraph (1) is intended to continue the ICAC Task Force
Program authorized under title I of the Departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, and funded under title IV
of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of
1974.
(b) National Program.--
(1) State representation.--The ICAC Task Force Program
established under subsection (a) shall include at least 1
ICAC task force in each State.
(2) Capacity and continuity of investigations.--In order to
maintain established capacity and continuity of
investigations and prosecutions of child exploitation cases,
the Attorney General, shall, in establishing the ICAC Task
Force Program under subsection (a) consult with and consider
all 59 task forces in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act. The Attorney General shall include all existing
ICAC task forces in the ICAC Task Force Program, unless the
Attorney General makes a determination that an existing ICAC
does not have a proven track record of success.
(3) Ongoing review.--The Attorney General shall--
(A) conduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of each
ICAC task force established under this section; and
(B) have the discretion to establish a new task force if
the Attorney General determines that such decision will
enhance the effectiveness of combating child exploitation
provided that the Attorney General notifies Congress in
advance of any such decision and that each state maintains at
least 1 ICAC task force at all times.
(4) Training.--
(A) In general.--The Attorney General may establish
national training programs to support the mission of the ICAC
task forces, including the effective use of the National
Internet Crimes Against Children Data System.
(B) Limitation.--In establishing training courses under
this paragraph, the Attorney General may not award any one
entity other than a law enforcement agency more than
$2,000,000 annually to establish and conduct training courses
for ICAC task force members and other law enforcement
officials.
(C) Review.--The Attorney General shall--
(i) conduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of each
training session authorized by this paragraph; and
(ii) consider outside reports related to the effective use
of Federal funding in making future grant awards for
training.
SEC. 103. PURPOSE OF ICAC TASK FORCES.
The ICAC Task Force Program, and each State or local ICAC
task force that is part of the national program of task
forces, shall be dedicated toward--
(1) increasing the investigative capabilities of State and
local law enforcement officers in the detection,
investigation, and apprehension of Internet crimes against
children offenses or offenders, including technology-
facilitated child exploitation offenses;
(2) conducting proactive and reactive Internet crimes
against children investigations;
(3) providing training and technical assistance to ICAC
task forces and other Federal, State, and local law
enforcement agencies in the areas of investigations,
forensics, prosecution, community outreach, and capacity-
building, using recognized experts to assist in the
development and delivery of training programs;
(4) increasing the number of Internet crimes against
children offenses being investigated and prosecuted in both
Federal and State courts;
(5) creating a multiagency task force response to Internet
crimes against children offenses within each State;
(6) participating in the Department of Justice's Project
Safe Childhood initiative, the purpose of which is to combat
technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against
children;
(7) enhancing nationwide responses to Internet crimes
against children offenses, including assisting other ICAC
task forces, as well as other Federal, State, and local
agencies with Internet crimes against children investigations
and prosecutions;
(8) developing and delivering Internet crimes against
children public awareness and prevention programs; and
(9) participating in such other activities, both proactive
and reactive, that will enhance investigations and
prosecutions of Internet crimes against children.
SEC. 104. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF TASK FORCES.
Each State or local ICAC task force that is part of the
national program of task forces shall--
(1) consist of State and local investigators, prosecutors,
forensic specialists, and education specialists who are
dedicated to addressing the goals of such task force;
(2) work consistently toward achieving the purposes
described in section 103;
(3) engage in proactive investigations, forensic
examinations, and effective prosecutions of Internet crimes
against children;
(4) provide forensic, preventive, and investigative
assistance to parents, educators, prosecutors, law
enforcement, and others
[[Page 22795]]
concerned with Internet crimes against children;
(5) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency responses and
partnerships to Internet crimes against children offenses
through ongoing informational, administrative, and
technological support to other State and local law
enforcement agencies, as a means for such agencies to acquire
the necessary knowledge, personnel, and specialized equipment
to investigate and prosecute such offenses;
(6) participate in nationally coordinated investigations in
any case in which the Attorney General determines such
participation to be necessary, as permitted by the available
resources of such task force;
(7) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution
standards, consistent with established norms, to which such
task force shall comply;
(8) investigate, and seek prosecution on, tips related to
Internet crimes against children, including tips from
Operation Fairplay, the National Internet Crimes Against
Children Data System established in section 105, the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline,
ICAC task forces, and other Federal, State, and local
agencies, with priority being given to investigative leads
that indicate the possibility of identifying or rescuing
child victims, including investigative leads that indicate a
likelihood of seriousness of offense or dangerousness to the
community;
(9) develop procedures for handling seized evidence;
(10) maintain--
(A) such reports and records as are required under this
title; and
(B) such other reports and records as determined by the
Attorney General; and
(11) seek to comply with national standards regarding the
investigation and prosecution of Internet crimes against
children, as set forth by the Attorney General, to the extent
such standards are consistent with the law of the State where
the task force is located.
SEC. 105. NATIONAL INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN DATA
SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall establish,
consistent with all existing Federal laws relating to the
protection of privacy, a National Internet Crimes Against
Children Data System. The system shall not be used to search
for or obtain any information that does not involve the use
of the Internet to facilitate child exploitation.
(b) Intent of Congress.--It is the purpose and intent of
Congress that the National Internet Crimes Against Children
Data System established in subsection (a) is intended to
continue and build upon Operation Fairplay developed by the
Wyoming Attorney General's office, which has established a
secure, dynamic undercover infrastructure that has
facilitated online law enforcement investigations of child
exploitation, information sharing, and the capacity to
collect and aggregate data on the extent of the problems of
child exploitation.
(c) Purpose of System.--The National Internet Crimes
Against Children Data System established under subsection (a)
shall be dedicated to assisting and supporting credentialed
law enforcement agencies authorized to investigate child
exploitation in accordance with Federal, State, local, and
tribal laws, including by providing assistance and support
to--
(1) Federal agencies investigating and prosecuting child
exploitation;
(2) the ICAC Task Force Program established under section
102;
(3) State, local, and tribal agencies investigating and
prosecuting child exploitation; and
(4) foreign or international law enforcement agencies,
subject to approval by the Attorney General.
(d) Cyber Safe Deconfliction and Information Sharing.--The
National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System
established under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be housed and maintained within the Department of
Justice or a credentialed law enforcement agency;
(2) shall be made available for a nominal charge to support
credentialed law enforcement agencies in accordance with
subsection (c); and
(3) shall--
(A) allow Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies and
ICAC task forces investigating and prosecuting child
exploitation to contribute and access data for use in
resolving case conflicts;
(B) provide, directly or in partnership with a credentialed
law enforcement agency, a dynamic undercover infrastructure
to facilitate online law enforcement investigations of child
exploitation;
(C) facilitate the development of essential software and
network capability for law enforcement participants; and
(D) provide software or direct hosting and support for
online investigations of child exploitation activities, or,
in the alternative, provide users with a secure connection to
an alternative system that provides such capabilities,
provided that the system is hosted within a governmental
agency or a credentialed law enforcement agency.
(e) Collection and Reporting of Data.--
(1) In general.--The National Internet Crimes Against
Children Data System established under subsection (a) shall
ensure the following:
(A) Real-time reporting.--All child exploitation cases
involving local child victims that are reasonably detectable
using available software and data are, immediately upon their
detection, made available to participating law enforcement
agencies.
(B) High-priority suspects.--Every 30 days, at minimum, the
National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System shall--
(i) identify high-priority suspects, as such suspects are
determined by the volume of suspected criminal activity or
other indicators of seriousness of offense or dangerousness
to the community or a potential local victim; and
(ii) report all such identified high-priority suspects to
participating law enforcement agencies.
(C) Annual reports.--Any statistical data indicating the
overall magnitude of child pornography trafficking and child
exploitation in the United States and internationally is made
available and included in the National Strategy, as is
required under section 101(c)(16).
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall
be construed to limit the ability of participating law
enforcement agencies to disseminate investigative leads or
statistical information in accordance with State and local
laws.
(f) Mandatory Requirements of Network.--The National
Internet Crimes Against Children Data System established
under subsection (a) shall develop, deploy, and maintain an
integrated technology and training program that provides--
(1) a secure, online system for Federal law enforcement
agencies, ICAC task forces, and other State, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies for use in resolving case
conflicts, as provided in subsection (d);
(2) a secure system enabling online communication and
collaboration by Federal law enforcement agencies, ICAC task
forces, and other State, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies regarding ongoing investigations, investigatory
techniques, best practices, and any other relevant news and
professional information;
(3) a secure online data storage and analysis system for
use by Federal law enforcement agencies, ICAC task forces,
and other State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies;
(4) secure connections or interaction with State and local
law enforcement computer networks, consistent with reasonable
and established security protocols and guidelines;
(5) guidelines for use of the National Internet Crimes
Against Children Data System by Federal, State, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies and ICAC task forces; and
(6) training and technical assistance on the use of the
National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System by
Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies
and ICAC task forces.
(g) National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System
Steering Committee.--The Attorney General shall establish a
National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System
Steering Committee to provide guidance to the Network
relating to the program under subsection (f), and to assist
in the development of strategic plans for the System. The
Steering Committee shall consist of 10 members with expertise
in child exploitation prevention and interdiction
prosecution, investigation, or prevention, including--
(1) 3 representatives elected by the local directors of the
ICAC task forces, such representatives shall represent
different geographic regions of the country;
(2) 1 representative of the Department of Justice Office of
Information Services;
(3) 1 representative from Operation Fairplay, currently
hosted at the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General;
(4) 1 representative from the law enforcement agency having
primary responsibility for hosting and maintaining the
National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System;
(5) 1 representative of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation's Innocent Images National Initiative or
Regional Computer Forensic Lab program;
(6) 1 representative of the Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's Cyber Crimes Center;
(7) 1 representative of the United States Postal Inspection
Service; and
(8) 1 representative of the Department of Justice.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2016, $2,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this section.
SEC. 106. ICAC GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to
award grants to State and local ICAC task forces to assist in
carrying out the duties and functions described under section
104.
(2) Formula grants.--
(A) Development of formula.--At least 75 percent of the
total funds appropriated to carry out this section shall be
available to award or otherwise distribute grants pursuant to
a funding formula established by the
[[Page 22796]]
Attorney General in accordance with the requirements in
subparagraph (B).
(B) Formula requirements.--Any formula established by the
Attorney General under subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) ensure that each State or local ICAC task force shall,
at a minimum, receive an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the
funds available to award or otherwise distribute grants under
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) take into consideration the following factors:
(I) The population of each State, as determined by the most
recent decennial census performed by the Bureau of the
Census.
(II) The number of investigative leads within the
applicant's jurisdiction generated by Operation Fairplay, the
ICAC Data Network, the CyberTipline, and other sources.
(III) The number of criminal cases related to Internet
crimes against children referred to a task force for Federal,
State, or local prosecution.
(IV) The number of successful prosecutions of child
exploitation cases by a task force.
(V) The amount of training, technical assistance, and
public education or outreach by a task force related to the
prevention, investigation, or prosecution of child
exploitation offenses.
(VI) Such other criteria as the Attorney General determines
demonstrate the level of need for additional resources by a
task force.
(3) Distribution of remaining funds based on need.--
(A) In general.--Any funds remaining from the total funds
appropriated to carry out this section after funds have been
made available to award or otherwise distribute formula
grants under paragraph (2)(A) shall be distributed to State
and local ICAC task forces based upon need, as set forth by
criteria established by the Attorney General. Such criteria
shall include the factors under paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
(B) Matching requirement.--A State or local ICAC task force
shall contribute matching non-Federal funds in an amount
equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of funds
received by the State or local ICAC task force under
subparagraph (A). A State or local ICAC task force that is
not able or willing to contribute matching funds in
accordance with this subparagraph shall not be eligible for
funds under subparagraph (A).
(C) Waiver.--The Attorney General may waive, in whole or in
part, the matching requirement under subparagraph (B) if the
State or local ICAC task force demonstrates good cause or
financial hardship.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each State or local ICAC task force
seeking a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Attorney General at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Attorney
General may reasonably require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) describe the activities for which assistance under this
section is sought; and
(B) provide such additional assurances as the Attorney
General determines to be essential to ensure compliance with
the requirements of this title.
(c) Allowable Uses.--Grants awarded under this section may
be used to--
(1) hire personnel, investigators, prosecutors, education
specialists, and forensic specialists;
(2) establish and support forensic laboratories utilized in
Internet crimes against children investigations;
(3) support investigations and prosecutions of Internet
crimes against children;
(4) conduct and assist with education programs to help
children and parents protect themselves from Internet
predators;
(5) conduct and attend training sessions related to
successful investigations and prosecutions of Internet crimes
against children; and
(6) fund any other activities directly related to
preventing, investigating, or prosecuting Internet crimes
against children.
(d) Reporting Requirements.--
(1) ICAC reports.--To measure the results of the activities
funded by grants under this section, and to assist the
Attorney General in complying with the Government Performance
and Results Act (Public Law 103-62; 107 Stat. 285), each
State or local ICAC task force receiving a grant under this
section shall, on an annual basis, submit a report to the
Attorney General that sets forth the following:
(A) Staffing levels of the task force, including the number
of investigators, prosecutors, education specialists, and
forensic specialists dedicated to investigating and
prosecuting Internet crimes against children.
(B) Investigation and prosecution performance measures of
the task force, including--
(i) the number of investigations initiated related to
Internet crimes against children;
(ii) the number of arrests related to Internet crimes
against children; and
(iii) the number of prosecutions for Internet crimes
against children, including--
(I) whether the prosecution resulted in a conviction for
such crime; and
(II) the sentence and the statutory maximum for such crime
under State law.
(C) The number of referrals made by the task force to the
United States Attorneys office, including whether the
referral was accepted by the United States Attorney.
(D) Statistics that account for the disposition of
investigations that do not result in arrests or prosecutions,
such as referrals to other law enforcement.
(E) The number of investigative technical assistance
sessions that the task force provided to nonmember law
enforcement agencies.
(F) The number of computer forensic examinations that the
task force completed.
(G) The number of law enforcement agencies participating in
Internet crimes against children program standards
established by the task force.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall
submit a report to Congress on--
(A) the progress of the development of the ICAC Task Force
Program established under section 102; and
(B) the number of Federal and State investigations,
prosecutions, and convictions in the prior 12-month period
related to child exploitation.
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this title--
(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(3) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(4) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(5) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(b) Availability.--Funds appropriated under subsection (a)
shall remain available until expended.
TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO COMBAT CHILD EXPLOITATION
SEC. 201. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL COMPUTER FORENSIC LABS.
(a) Additional Resources.--The Attorney General shall
establish additional computer forensic capacity to address
the current backlog for computer forensics, including for
child exploitation investigations. The Attorney General may
utilize funds under this title to increase capacity at
existing regional forensic laboratories or to add
laboratories under the Regional Computer Forensic
Laboratories Program operated by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
(b) Purpose of New Resources.--The additional forensic
capacity established by resources provided under this section
shall be dedicated to assist Federal agencies, State and
local Internet Crimes Against Children task forces, and other
Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in
preventing, investigating, and prosecuting Internet crimes
against children.
(c) New Computer Forensic Labs.--If the Attorney General
determines that new regional computer forensic laboratories
are required under subsection (a) to best address existing
backlogs, such new laboratories shall be established pursuant
to subsection (d).
(d) Location of New Labs.--The location of any new regional
computer forensic laboratories under this section shall be
determined by the Attorney General, in consultation with the
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Regional
Computer Forensic Laboratory National Steering Committee, and
other relevant stakeholders.
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the
Attorney General shall submit a report to the Congress on how
the funds appropriated under this section were utilized.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal years 2009 through 2013,
$2,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this section.
TITLE III--EFFECTIVE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY PROSECUTION
SEC. 301. PROHIBIT THE BROADCAST OF LIVE IMAGES OF CHILD
ABUSE.
Section 2251 of title 18, United States Code is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by--
(A) inserting ``or for the purpose of transmitting a live
visual depiction of such conduct'' after ``for the purpose of
producing any visual depiction of such conduct'';
(B) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``if such person
knows or has reason to know that such visual depiction will
be transported'';
(C) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``if that visual
depiction was produced''; and
(D) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``has actually been
transported''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by--
(A) inserting ``or for the purpose of transmitting a live
visual depiction of such conduct'' after ``for the purpose of
producing any visual depiction of such conduct'';
(B) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``person knows or
has reason to know that such visual depiction will be
transported'';
(C) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``if that visual
depiction was produced''; and
(D) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``has actually been
transported''.
SEC. 302. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2256 OF TITLE 18, UNITED
STATES CODE.
Section 2256(5) of title 18, United States Code is amended
by--
[[Page 22797]]
(1) striking ``and'' before ``data'';
(2) after ``visual image'' by inserting ``, and data which
is capable of conversion into a visual image that has been
transmitted by any means, whether or not stored in a
permanent format''.
SEC. 303. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2260 OF TITLE 18, UNITED
STATES CODE.
Section 2260(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended
by--
(1) inserting ``or for the purpose of transmitting a live
visual depiction of such conduct'' after ``for the purpose of
producing any visual depiction of such conduct''; and
(2) inserting ``or transmitted'' after ``imported''.
SEC. 304. PROHIBITING THE ADAPTATION OR MODIFICATION OF AN
IMAGE OF AN IDENTIFIABLE MINOR TO PRODUCE CHILD
PORNOGRAPHY.
(a) Offense.--Subsection (a) of section 2252A of title 18,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; or'' at the end and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) knowingly produces with intent to distribute, or
distributes, by any means, including a computer, in or
affecting interstate or foreign commerce, child pornography
that is an adapted or modified depiction of an identifiable
minor.''.
(b) Punishment.--Subsection (b) of section 2252A of title
18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(3) Whoever violates, or attempts or conspires to
violate, subsection (a)(7) shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.''.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE STUDY OF RISK FACTORS
SEC. 401. NIJ STUDY OF RISK FACTORS FOR ASSESSING
DANGEROUSNESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Justice
shall prepare a report to identify investigative factors that
reliably indicate whether a subject of an online child
exploitation investigation poses a high risk of harm to
children. Such a report shall be prepared in consultation and
coordination with Federal law enforcement agencies, the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Operation
Fairplay at the Wyoming Attorney General's Office, the
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and other State
and local law enforcement.
(b) Contents of Analysis.--The report required by
subsection (a) shall include a thorough analysis of potential
investigative factors in on-line child exploitation cases and
an appropriate examination of investigative data from prior
prosecutions and case files of identified child victims.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute of
Justice shall submit a report to the House and Senate
Judiciary Committees that includes the findings of the study
required by this section and makes recommendations on
technological tools and law enforcement procedures to help
investigators prioritize scarce resources to those cases
where there is actual hands-on abuse by the suspect.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $500,000 to the National Institute of
Justice to conduct the study required under this section.
TITLE V--SECURING ADOLESCENTS FROM ONLINE EXPLOITATION
SEC. 501. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS AND REMOTE COMPUTING SERVICE
PROVIDERS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 110 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 2258 the
following:
``SEC. 2258A. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS AND REMOTE
COMPUTING SERVICE PROVIDERS.
``(a) Duty To Report.--
``(1) In general.--Whoever, while engaged in providing an
electronic communication service or a remote computing
service to the public through a facility or means of
interstate or foreign commerce, obtains actual knowledge of
any facts or circumstances described in paragraph (2) shall,
as soon as reasonably possible--
``(A) provide to the CyberTipline of the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children, or any successor to the
CyberTipline operated by such center, the mailing address,
telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address
of, and individual point of contact for, such electronic
communication service provider or remote computing service
provider; and
``(B) make a report of such facts or circumstances to the
CyberTipline, or any successor to the CyberTipline operated
by such center.
``(2) Facts or circumstances.--The facts or circumstances
described in this paragraph are any facts or circumstances
from which there is an apparent violation of--
``(A) section 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2252B, or 2260 that
involves child pornography; or
``(B) section 1466A.
``(b) Contents of Report.--To the extent the information is
within the custody or control of an electronic communication
service provider or a remote computing service provider, the
facts and circumstances included in each report under
subsection (a)(1) may include the following information:
``(1) Information about the involved individual.--
Information relating to the identity of any individual who
appears to have violated a Federal law described in
subsection (a)(2), which may, to the extent reasonably
practicable, include the electronic mail address, Internet
Protocol address, uniform resource locator, or any other
identifying information, including self-reported identifying
information.
``(2) Historical reference.--Information relating to when
and how a customer or subscriber of an electronic
communication service or a remote computing service uploaded,
transmitted, or received apparent child pornography or when
and how apparent child pornography was reported to, or
discovered by the electronic communication service provider
or remote computing service provider, including a date and
time stamp and time zone.
``(3) Geographic location information.--
``(A) In general.--Information relating to the geographic
location of the involved individual or website, which may
include the Internet Protocol address or verified billing
address, or, if not reasonably available, at least 1 form of
geographic identifying information, including area code or
zip code.
``(B) Inclusion.--The information described in subparagraph
(A) may also include any geographic information provided to
the electronic communication service or remote computing
service by the customer or subscriber.
``(4) Images of apparent child pornography.--Any image of
apparent child pornography relating to the incident such
report is regarding.
``(5) Complete communication.--The complete communication
containing any image of apparent child pornography,
including--
``(A) any data or information regarding the transmission of
the communication; and
``(B) any images, data, or other digital files contained
in, or attached to, the communication.
``(c) Forwarding of Report to Law Enforcement.--
``(1) In general.--The National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children shall forward each report made under
subsection (a)(1) to any appropriate law enforcement agency
designated by the Attorney General under subsection (d)(2).
``(2) State and local law enforcement.--The National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children may forward any report
made under subsection (a)(1) to an appropriate law
enforcement official of a State or political subdivision of a
State for the purpose of enforcing State criminal law.
``(3) Foreign law enforcement.--
``(A) In general.--The National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children may forward any report made under
subsection (a)(1) to any appropriate foreign law enforcement
agency designated by the Attorney General under subsection
(d)(3), subject to the conditions established by the Attorney
General under subsection (d)(3).
``(B) Transmittal to designated federal agencies.--If the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwards a
report to a foreign law enforcement agency under subparagraph
(A), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
shall concurrently provide a copy of the report and the
identity of the foreign law enforcement agency to--
``(i) the Attorney General; or
``(ii) the Federal law enforcement agency or agencies
designated by the Attorney General under subsection (d)(2).
``(d) Attorney General Responsibilities.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall enforce this
section.
``(2) Designation of federal agencies.--The Attorney
General shall designate promptly the Federal law enforcement
agency or agencies to which a report shall be forwarded under
subsection (c)(1).
``(3) Designation of foreign agencies.--The Attorney
General shall promptly--
``(A) in consultation with the Secretary of State,
designate the foreign law enforcement agencies to which a
report may be forwarded under subsection (c)(3);
``(B) establish the conditions under which such a report
may be forwarded to such agencies; and
``(C) develop a process for foreign law enforcement
agencies to request assistance from Federal law enforcement
agencies in obtaining evidence related to a report referred
under subsection (c)(3).
``(4) Reporting designated foreign agencies.--The Attorney
General shall maintain and make available to the Department
of State, the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, electronic communication service providers, remote
computing service providers, the Committee on the Judiciary
of the Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
House of Representatives a list of the foreign law
enforcement agencies designated under paragraph (3).
[[Page 22798]]
``(5) Sense of congress regarding designation of foreign
agencies.--It is the sense of Congress that--
``(A) combating the international manufacturing,
possession, and trade in online child pornography requires
cooperation with competent, qualified, and appropriately
trained foreign law enforcement agencies; and
``(B) the Attorney General, in cooperation with the
Secretary of State, should make a substantial effort to
expand the list of foreign agencies designated under
paragraph (3).
``(6) Notification to providers.--If an electronic
communication service provider or remote computing service
provider notifies the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children that the electronic communication service
provider or remote computing service provider is making a
report under this section as the result of a request by a
foreign law enforcement agency, the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children shall--
``(A) if the Center forwards the report to the requesting
foreign law enforcement agency or another agency in the same
country designated by the Attorney General under paragraph
(3), notify the electronic communication service provider or
remote computing service provider of--
``(i) the identity of the foreign law enforcement agency to
which the report was forwarded; and
``(ii) the date on which the report was forwarded; or
``(B) notify the electronic communication service provider
or remote computing service provider if the Center declines
to forward the report because the Center, in consultation
with the Attorney General, determines that no law enforcement
agency in the foreign country has been designated by the
Attorney General under paragraph (3).
``(e) Failure To Report.--An electronic communication
service provider or remote computing service provider that
knowingly and willfully fails to make a report required under
subsection (a)(1) shall be fined--
``(1) in the case of an initial knowing and willful failure
to make a report, not more than $150,000; and
``(2) in the case of any second or subsequent knowing and
willful failure to make a report, not more than $300,000.
``(f) Protection of Privacy.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to require an electronic communication service
provider or a remote computing service provider to--
``(1) monitor any user, subscriber, or customer of that
provider;
``(2) monitor the content of any communication of any
person described in paragraph (1); or
``(3) affirmatively seek facts or circumstances described
in sections (a) and (b).
``(g) Conditions of Disclosure Information Contained Within
Report.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
law enforcement agency that receives a report under
subsection (c) shall not disclose any information contained
in that report.
``(2) Permitted disclosures by law enforcement.--
``(A) In general.--A law enforcement agency may disclose
information in a report received under subsection (c)--
``(i) to an attorney for the government for use in the
performance of the official duties of that attorney;
``(ii) to such officers and employees of that law
enforcement agency, as may be necessary in the performance of
their investigative and recordkeeping functions;
``(iii) to such other government personnel (including
personnel of a State or subdivision of a State) as are
determined to be necessary by an attorney for the government
to assist the attorney in the performance of the official
duties of the attorney in enforcing Federal criminal law;
``(iv) if the report discloses a violation of State
criminal law, to an appropriate official of a State or
subdivision of a State for the purpose of enforcing such
State law;
``(v) to a defendant in a criminal case or the attorney for
that defendant, subject to the terms and limitations under
section 3509(m) or a similar State law, to the extent the
information relates to a criminal charge pending against that
defendant;
``(vi) subject to subparagraph (B), to an electronic
communication service provider or remote computing provider
if necessary to facilitate response to legal process issued
in connection to a criminal investigation, prosecution, or
post-conviction remedy relating to that report; and
``(vii) as ordered by a court upon a showing of good cause
and pursuant to any protective orders or other conditions
that the court may impose.
``(B) Limitations.--
``(i) Limitations on further disclosure.--The electronic
communication service provider or remote computing service
provider shall be prohibited from disclosing the contents of
a report provided under subparagraph (A)(vi) to any person,
except as necessary to respond to the legal process.
``(ii) Effect.--Nothing in subparagraph (A)(vi) authorizes
a law enforcement agency to provide child pornography images
to an electronic communications service provider or a remote
computing service.
``(3) Permitted disclosures by the national center for
missing and exploited children.--The National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children may disclose information
received in a report under subsection (a) only--
``(A) to any Federal law enforcement agency designated by
the Attorney General under subsection (d)(2);
``(B) to any State, local, or tribal law enforcement agency
involved in the investigation of child pornography, child
exploitation, kidnapping, or enticement crimes;
``(C) to any foreign law enforcement agency designated by
the Attorney General under subsection (d)(3); and
``(D) to an electronic communication service provider or
remote computing service provider as described in section
2258C.
``(h) Preservation.--
``(1) In general.--For the purposes of this section, the
notification to an electronic communication service provider
or a remote computing service provider by the CyberTipline of
receipt of a report under subsection (a)(1) shall be treated
as a request to preserve, as if such request was made
pursuant to section 2703(f).
``(2) Preservation of report.--Pursuant to paragraph (1),
an electronic communication service provider or a remote
computing service shall preserve the contents of the report
provided pursuant to subsection (b) for 90 days after such
notification by the CyberTipline.
``(3) Preservation of commingled images.--Pursuant to
paragraph (1), an electronic communication service provider
or a remote computing service shall preserve any images,
data, or other digital files that are commingled or
interspersed among the images of apparent child pornography
within a particular communication or user-created folder or
directory.
``(4) Protection of preserved materials.--An electronic
communications service or remote computing service preserving
materials under this section shall maintain the materials in
a secure location and take appropriate steps to limit access
by agents or employees of the service to the materials to
that access necessary to comply with the requirements of this
subsection.
``(5) Authorities and duties not affected.--Nothing in this
section shall be construed as replacing, amending, or
otherwise interfering with the authorities and duties under
section 2703.
``SEC. 2258B. LIMITED LIABILITY FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS, REMOTE COMPUTING SERVICE
PROVIDERS, OR DOMAIN NAME REGISTRAR.
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a
civil claim or criminal charge against an electronic
communication service provider, a remote computing service
provider, or domain name registrar, including any director,
officer, employee, or agent of such electronic communication
service provider, remote computing service provider, or
domain name registrar arising from the performance of the
reporting or preservation responsibilities of such electronic
communication service provider, remote computing service
provider, or domain name registrar under this section,
section 2258A, or section 2258C may not be brought in any
Federal or State court.
``(b) Intentional, Reckless, or Other Misconduct.--
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a claim if the electronic
communication service provider, remote computing service
provider, or domain name registrar, or a director, officer,
employee, or agent of that electronic communication service
provider, remote computing service provider, or domain name
registrar--
``(1) engaged in intentional misconduct; or
``(2) acted, or failed to act--
``(A) with actual malice;
``(B) with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of
causing physical injury without legal justification; or
``(C) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any
responsibility or function under this section, sections
2258A, 2258C, 2702, or 2703.
``(c) Minimizing Access.--An electronic communication
service provider, a remote computing service provider, and
domain name registrar shall--
``(1) minimize the number of employees that are provided
access to any image provided under section 2258A or 2258C;
and
``(2) ensure that any such image is permanently destroyed,
upon a request from a law enforcement agency to destroy the
image.
``SEC. 2258C. USE TO COMBAT CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OF TECHNICAL
ELEMENTS RELATING TO IMAGES REPORTED TO THE
CYBERTIPLINE.
``(a) Elements.--
``(1) In general.--The National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children may provide elements relating to any
apparent child pornography image of an identified child to an
electronic communication service provider or a remote
computing service provider for the sole and exclusive purpose
of permitting that electronic communication service provider
or remote computing service provider to stop the further
transmission of images.
``(2) Inclusions.--The elements authorized under paragraph
(1) may include hash values or other unique identifiers
associated with a specific image, Internet location of
images, and other technological elements that can be used to
identify and stop the transmission of child pornography.
[[Page 22799]]
``(3) Exclusion.--The elements authorized under paragraph
(1) may not include the actual images.
``(b) Use by Electronic Communication Service Providers and
Remote Computing Service Providers.--Any electronic
communication service provider or remote computing service
provider that receives elements relating to any apparent
child pornography image of an identified child from the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children under this
section may use such information only for the purposes
described in this section, provided that such use shall not
relieve that electronic communication service provider or
remote computing service provider from its reporting
obligations under section 2258A.
``(c) Limitations.--Nothing in subsections (a) or (b)
requires electronic communication service providers or remote
computing service providers receiving elements relating to
any apparent child pornography image of an identified child
from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
to use the elements to stop the further transmission of the
images.
``(d) Provision of Elements to Law Enforcement.--The
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children shall make
available to Federal, State, and local law enforcement
involved in the investigation of child pornography crimes
elements, including hash values, relating to any apparent
child pornography image of an identified child reported to
the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
``(e) Use by Law Enforcement.--Any Federal, State, or local
law enforcement agency that receives elements relating to any
apparent child pornography image of an identified child from
the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children under
section (d) may use such elements only in the performance of
the official duties of that agency to investigate child
pornography crimes.
``SEC. 2258D. LIMITED LIABILITY FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR
MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN.
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsections (b)
and (c), a civil claim or criminal charge against the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, including
any director, officer, employee, or agent of such center,
arising from the performance of the CyberTipline
responsibilities or functions of such center, as described in
this section, section 2258A or 2258C of this title, or
section 404 of the Missing Children's Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5773), or from the effort of such center to identify
child victims may not be brought in any Federal or State
court.
``(b) Intentional, Reckless, or Other Misconduct.--
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a claim or charge if the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or a
director, officer, employee, or agent of such center--
``(1) engaged in intentional misconduct; or
``(2) acted, or failed to act--
``(A) with actual malice;
``(B) with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of
causing injury without legal justification; or
``(C) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any
responsibility or function under this section, section 2258A
or 2258C of this title, or section 404 of the Missing
Children's Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5773).
``(c) Ordinary Business Activities.--Subsection (a) shall
not apply to an act or omission relating to an ordinary
business activity, including general administration or
operations, the use of motor vehicles, or personnel
management.
``(d) Minimizing Access.--The National Center for Missing
and Exploited Children shall--
``(1) minimize the number of employees that are provided
access to any image provided under section 2258A; and
``(2) ensure that any such image is permanently destroyed
upon notification from a law enforcement agency.
``SEC. 2258E. DEFINITIONS.
``In sections 2258A through 2258D--
``(1) the terms `attorney for the government' and `State'
have the meanings given those terms in rule 1 of the Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure;
``(2) the term `electronic communication service' has the
meaning given that term in section 2510;
``(3) the term `electronic mail address' has the meaning
given that term in section 3 of the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (15
U.S.C. 7702);
``(4) the term `Internet' has the meaning given that term
in section 1101 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C.
151 note);
``(5) the term `remote computing service' has the meaning
given that term in section 2711; and
``(6) the term `website' means any collection of material
placed in a computer server-based file archive so that it is
publicly accessible, over the Internet, using hypertext
transfer protocol or any successor protocol.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Repeal of superceded provision.--Section 227 of the
Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13032) is repealed.
(2) Technical corrections.--Section 2702 of title 18,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(6), by striking ``section 227 of the
Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13032)'' and
inserting ``section 2258A''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(5), by striking ``section 227 of the
Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13032)'' and
inserting ``section 2258A''.
(3) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter
110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2258 the following:
``2258A. Reporting requirements of electronic communication service
providers and remote computing service providers.
``2258B. Limited liability for electronic communication service
providers and remote computing service providers.
``2258C. Use to combat child pornography of technical elements relating
to images reported to the CyberTipline.
``2258D. Limited liability for the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children.
``2258E. Definitions.''.
SEC. 502. REPORTS.
(a) Attorney General Report on Implementation,
Investigative Methods and Information Sharing.--Not later
than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committee on
the Judiciary of Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives on--
(1) the structure established in this Act, including the
respective functions of the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children, Department of Justice, and other entities
that participate in information sharing under this Act;
(2) an assessment of the legal and constitutional
implications of such structure;
(3) the privacy safeguards contained in the reporting
requirements, including the training, qualifications,
recruitment and screening of all Federal and non-Federal
personnel implementing this Act; and
(4) information relating to the aggregate number of
incidents reported under section 2258A(b) of title 18, United
States Code, to Federal and State law enforcement agencies
based on the reporting requirements under this Act and the
aggregate number of times that elements are provided to
communication service providers under section 2258C of such
title.
(b) GAO Audit and Report on Efficiency and Effectiveness.--
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct an audit and
submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives on--
(1) the efforts, activities, and actions of the
CyberTipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, or any successor to the CyberTipline, and the
Attorney General in achieving the goals and purposes of this
Act, as well as in carrying out any responsibilities or
duties assigned to each such individual or agency under this
Act;
(2) any legislative, administrative, or regulatory changes
that the Comptroller General recommends be taken by or on
behalf of the Attorney General to better achieve such goals
and purposes, and to more effectively carry out such
responsibilities and duties;
(3) the effectiveness of any actions taken and efforts made
by the CyberTipline of the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children, or any successor to the CyberTipline and
the Attorney General to--
(A) minimize duplicating the efforts, materials,
facilities, and procedures of any other Federal agency
responsible for the enforcement, investigation, or
prosecution of child pornography crimes; and
(B) enhance the efficiency and consistency with which
Federal funds and resources are expended to enforce,
investigate, or prosecute child pornography crimes, including
the use of existing personnel, materials, technologies, and
facilities; and
(4) any actions or efforts that the Comptroller General
recommends be taken by the Attorney General to reduce
duplication of efforts and increase the efficiency and
consistency with which Federal funds and resources are
expended to enforce, investigate, or prosecute child
pornography crimes.
SEC. 503. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this title or amendment made by this
title is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the
provisions of this title or amendments made by this title--
(1) shall remain in full force and effect; and
(2) shall not be affected by the holding.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 days to revise and extend their
[[Page 22800]]
remarks and include extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Members, the PROTECT Our Children Act enhances the ability of Federal
and State law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute crimes
involving the use of the Internet to further the sexual exploitation of
children.
Our colleague, Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, is the author of
this amendment. It passed overwhelmingly last year. And I would yield
her as much time as she may consume.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my
colleagues to support Senate bill 1738, the PROTECT Our Children Act of
2008.
Mr. Speaker, I don't have to tell you that children today are growing
up in a completely different world than we did. Our children have
wonderful opportunities to learn in ways that we never had, but there
are also dangers our generation never had to consider.
The Internet has facilitated an exploding multibillion dollar market
for child pornography. Tragically, the demand for this criminal market
can only be supplied by graphic new images, and these images can only
be supplied through the sexual assault of more children.
This bill, like its House companion, H.R. 3845, that passed the House
overwhelmingly last November, addresses an issue that is central to the
goals and vision of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the New Direction
Congress, protecting our children.
The Internet is a truly wonderful tool. It has opened up the world
for our children, but it has also opened up our children to the world.
A year ago, in June, I visited with a very special group of parents
called the Surviving Parents Coalition, and I was not prepared for what
they had to tell me. They shared with me their own horrific stories of
how their children were abducted by sexual predators. As we all know,
some of these children will never come home.
As the mother of three young children myself, their stories broke my
heart. And as a Member of Congress, I felt compelled to act. What
surprised me most about these brave parents was their message; they
told me that if we wanted to prevent predators from hurting other
children like theirs, that the way to do it is to go back through the
Internet and get them.
A 2005 Justice Department study found that 80 percent of child
pornography possessors have images and videos of children being
sexually penetrated, another 21 percent possess images of bondage,
sadistic abuse, and torture.
The children depicted in these photos are very young. There are even
Web sites that provide live pay-per-view rates of very young children.
These images are crime scene photos created by a thriving industry that
uses children as sexual commodities.
Special Agent Flint Waters of the Wyoming State Police, a highly
respected child exploitation investigator, testified at a Judiciary
Committee hearing last year that there are nearly 500,000 identified
individuals in the United States trafficking child pornography on the
Internet. That's half a million people right here in the United States.
And law enforcement knows who they are and they know where they are.
But what shocked me the most and what compelled me to get involved in
this issue is that, due to a lack of resources, law enforcement is
investigating less than 2 percent of these known 500,000 individuals.
And make no mistake, law enforcement knows where they are, they just
don't have the resources to go get them.
Even more shocking is that it is estimated that if we were to
investigate these cases, we could actually rescue a child victim nearly
30 percent of the time.
{time} 1745
Think about that. That means there are thousands of children out
there in America just waiting to be rescued.
Alicia Kozakiewicz, whose testimony at last October's judiciary
hearing moved all of us, is a living, breathing reminder of the lives
that we can save. Alicia told us how over a period of months she was
groomed by a 40-year-old predator pretending to be a teenage girl. When
Alicia, who was 13 years old at the time, agreed to meet her cyber-
friend in real life, he kidnapped her from her suburban Pittsburgh
driveway and held her captive in his Virginia dungeon where he
performed unspeakable sexual acts upon her day after day and broadcast
it over the Internet. Just when Alicia told us that she had given up
all hope, she was rescued by FBI agents.
The FBI found her because the Virginia Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force, or ICAC, had the technology to lift the digital
fingerprints of this perpetrator's crimes and to discover the location
where he had held her captive chained to the floor.
The PROTECT Our Children Act will help provide the safety net that we
so desperately need by giving us the resources and the coordination we
need to bring these predators to justice. It will create statutory
authority for these highly successful ICAC Task Forces, which support
State and local law enforcement agencies. It will supplement this new
local effort with hundreds of new Federal agents who will be solely
dedicated to crimes against children. It will also provide desperately
needed forensic crime and computer labs so agents can uncover troves of
electronic evidence, locate these perpetrators and bring them to
justice.
At the October Judiciary Committee hearing, a representative from the
FBI told us two things that boggled my mind: First, that the number of
agents being exclusively assigned to these cases was actually
shrinking, and second, that they are giving millions of dollars that
Congress had appropriated to combat child pornography to programs that
have nothing to do with child protection.
This bill will set us on a new course by creating a National Strategy
for Child Exploitation Prevention. And although I preferred the special
counsel provision in the House bill, I am proud to support this measure
because this national strategy will ensure that the Federal
Government's efforts in this era are no longer disjointed or haphazard.
Instead, there will finally be a person in charge at the Department of
Justice who will report to Congress and be responsible for real
results.
I want to thank my House cosponsor, Ranking Member Joe Barton, for
his leadership, his concern, and his compassion for our children and
their safety. And thank you, Senator Biden, for your capable staff and
for your tireless work in the Senate. Your skilled negotiations helped
us arrive at this moment. Thank you to NCMEC President Ernie Allen and
my good friend and colleague from Houston, Congressman Nick Lampson,
for your improvements to the bill with the SAFE Act. And honestly,
thank you, Oprah Winfrey and all of your viewers for every letter,
every telephone call, every fax and every e-mail. You helped break the
Senate logjam and proved that Congress is responsive to the people.
Thank you, Erin Runnion, Ed Smart, Mary Kozakiewicz, names that are
far too familiar to Americans because of the travesty that happened to
their children, and to all the founding members of the Surviving
Parents Coalition. When this bill got mired in petty partisan politics,
they helped us remember what our effort was really about. It is about
Samantha, it is about Elizabeth, and it is about Alicia. It is making
sure we rescue every child we can and that we leave none behind. And
thank you to Flint Waters for developing the software to locate
predators and rescue children. Your work and the work of the ICAC Task
Force agents across this country from Broward County, Florida to
Wyoming, who wake up every morning, work long hours each day, only to
go home at night knowing they don't have the resources or staffing
power to rescue every child. The angst that must cause is unimaginable.
Last and certainly not least, I want to commend the inexhaustible
determination of Grier Weeks, Camille Cooper, David Keith and all our
friends
[[Page 22801]]
with the National Association to PROTECT Children. They kept our noses
to the grindstone and our eyes on the prize. And we would never be here
without their effort. They have shown us what we can do when Congress
comes together and puts partisan differences aside.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, credit goes to the gentlewoman from
Florida, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for introducing this bill in
the House and for advancing this piece of legislation to the point
where we are considering it today.
Child pornography is a reprehensible, yet profitable, global criminal
enterprise. And it is growing rapidly in technical sophistication in
response to efforts to detect and disrupt these criminal operations. It
is a despicable and vicious victimization of children.
The Internet is a virtual playground for sexual predators who satiate
their desire for child pornography with relative anonymity. Law
enforcement officials have identified nearly 500,000 individuals
trafficking in child pornography over the Internet. However, due to the
lack of resources at the Federal, State and local levels, law
enforcement officials are able to investigate only about 2 percent of
these child pornographers.
S. 1738, the Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2008, will assist
law enforcement officials with apprehending these dangerous predators.
This legislation combines two House bills, H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Our
Children Act and H.R. 3791, the SAFE Act, both of which passed the
House last year with overwhelming support.
This legislation establishes a national strategy for child
exploitation prevention and interdiction and provides additional
funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. These
multi-jurisdictional task forces are on the front-lines of combating
Internet child pornography. State and local agencies will now be given
much-needed resources to combat this growing problem.
S. 1738 also provides critical funding to expand computer forensic
capabilities for child exploitation cases at the Regional Computer
Forensic Labs across the country.
Finally, title V of S. 1738, which incorporates the provisions of the
SAFE Act, will strengthen the requirements on Internet service
providers to report violations of child pornography laws. It also
enhances the ability of the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children to collect and report suspected instances of child pornography
to law enforcement agencies across America and around the world.
The Internet has become a magnet for child exploitation and child
pornography. This legislation will help deter it.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased now to yield to our friend,
Nick Lampson, the gentleman from Texas, who has worked on this subject
for many years. And I am happy to yield him as much time as he may
consume.
Mr. LAMPSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to speak and
also for the good work that has been done on this bill and everything
that you and your committee has done.
Mr. Speaker, I do rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in
voting for S. 1738. This bill would authorize funds for Federal grants
and additional FBI agents to address the problem of online exploitation
of children as well as to establish a new anti-child-exploitation
office at the Department of Justice as well. And this has been combined
with the Securing Adolescents From Online-Exploitation Act of 2007.
The Lampson-Chabot bill, which passed this body last December,
modernizes and expands the reporting requirements relating to child
pornography and expands cooperation in combating child pornography.
Last year I joined one of my cochairs on the Congressional Caucus on
Missing and Exploited Children, Congressman Steve Chabot, in
introducing the Securing Adolescents From Exploitation-Online, the SAFE
Act of 2007.
The SAFE Act provides increased resources for law enforcement to
capture, prosecute and incarcerate these criminals. By expanding the
system to service providers to report child pornography found on their
systems, we improve child safety and prevent future atrocities.
Currently Internet service providers are mandated to report child
pornography to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Under the SAFE Act, all electronic service communications providers and
remote computing service providers will have to report child
pornography. For knowingly and willingly not filing a report after
being made aware of a child pornography image, these providers will be
subject to increased fines of $150,000 per image per day for the first
offense and up to $300,000 per day for any image found thereafter.
This bill will also increase the efficiency of the CyberTipline,
making it a better investigative tool for law enforcement by mandating
that all information submitted by providers is consistent. The process
outlined in this bill keeps law enforcement officials in the loop by
making information more readily accessible and requires providers to
retain key data that law enforcement agencies can use to investigate
and prosecute child predators.
Many of us have watched Dateline's popular series ``To Catch a
Predator'' and know of organizations that actively look for Internet
child predators. We need to become partners in this fight by talking to
our kids about the dangers of strangers online and making Internet use
a family activity. While parents should teach their children that the
Internet offers many different types of resources, from entertainment
to educational, it also poses many risks. Parents are the first line of
defense against online predators, and the SAFE Act will reinforce their
efforts.
Internet companies will need to do their part too. When we begin to
hold Web sites accountable for the images that they host, we've taken
the first step towards supporting parents in their efforts to protect
children. Our combined efforts will help make the Internet a safer
place.
I would like to extend a ``thank you'' to my colleague, Deborah
Wasserman Schultz, for introducing the House-passed version of Senate
bill 1738. I would also like to wish her a happy birthday. She has been
a tireless advocate for additional funding for Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Forces. I would also like to recognize my fellow caucus
cochair, Steve Chabot, for championing this legislation on his side of
the aisle and for helping to ensure that not only are Ohio's children
protected, but all of America's children are. It is because of their
persistent dedication to this cause that so many children and their
parents will sleep more safely at night.
Again I call on my colleagues to support Senate bill 1738.
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of the
``Protect our Children Act,'' a bill that will authorize funding for
law enforcement and the Department of Justice to fight the sexual
exploitation of children over the Internet.
This bill is the result of over two years of work in the House and
the Senate on the issues relating to child sexual exploitation. When I
was Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Committee
conducted a wide-ranging, comprehensive investigation of Internet child
pornography. We had nine hearings and interviewed numerous witnesses
involved in the fight against child sexual exploitation: Federal and
local law enforcement, Federal and local prosecutors, victims,
educators, Internet Service Providers, and financial institutions.
What we learned during that investigation was shocking. At that time,
three million images of child pornography were on the Internet. Even
more disturbing was that law enforcement officers told the Committee
that the images were becoming increasingly violent in nature, and that
the victims in the photos were getting younger, some as young as two
years old.
The children shown in those images suffer unspeakable pain and
suffering. While law enforcement is working to tackle the epidemic of
abuse that existed on the Internet, it was clear to us on the Committee
that they did not have
[[Page 22802]]
the resources to win that fight because child predators were working
just as diligently to continue flooding the Internet with images of
child sexual abuse.
I am proud to be the lead cosponsor of the House version of this
bill, H.R. 3845, with Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz. I would like to
thank her for her leadership on this issue and her work to get this
bill before us today before we adjourn. The Senate did make some
changes to the bill we passed last November. While I wish this bill had
increased the funding for the law enforcement agencies that work child
pornography cases--as our House bill did--this bill provides law
enforcement with tools it did not have before to fight those predators
who seek to exploit and abuse children, often for their own financial
gain.
The bill requires that the Department of Justice develop a national
strategy for investigating and prosecuting child exploitation cases. A
number of law enforcement agencies are involved in investigating these
cases: the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Postal
Service, and state law enforcement. With a national strategy, the
Justice Department must make sure that this fight is a priority, and
that everyone is on the same page so that valuable law enforcement
resources are not wasted when pursuing these criminals.
A national strategy doesn't work, though, if you don't give law
enforcement agents the resources they need. The Energy and Commerce
Committee investigation found that just as important as the Federal law
enforcement effort against child pornography is the effort of State and
local law enforcement Internet Crimes Against Children, or ``ICAC''
task forces. The vast majority of child sexual exploitation cases are
prosecuted at the state level, but the funding nowhere near matched the
needs of these state task forces. By authorizing $60 million per year
over the next five years, the Protect Our Children Act ensures that
state ICAC agents will finally receive the support they need.
Another key problem identified in our investigation was that law
enforcement's ability to find and prosecute those predators who create
and distribute child pornography was held up by a backlog at forensic
computer labs. This is unacceptable, when the price of that backlog is
continued child abuse. We address that problem in this bill by
authorizing $2 million per year over the next five years to increase
the capacity of these labs.
The Protect Our Children Act also includes a few provisions that
weren't part of our House bill, but I think they strengthen the bill
and the ability of law enforcement to prosecute these cases. The bill
makes it a crime to change a photo of a child to produce child
pornography. In addition, the bill makes clear that it is a crime to
transmit live, or streaming, images of child abuse over the Internet. I
think these provisions are just common sense, and I am glad they are
included in this bill.
The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of Internet Service
Providers when it comes to reporting child abuse images to the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Current law requires that
Internet Service Providers report to the National Center, but it wasn't
clear what information should be reported. This bill sets out what must
be included in the reports and what the providers are required to do.
This will ensure that law enforcement will have all the evidence the
providers have when they pursue child predators. I think this is
important, because our investigation showed that Internet child
pornography is not just a law enforcement problem. If we are to win the
war against child sexual exploitation, everyone must do his part, and
this includes the Internet Service Providers.
We are long overdue in authorizing the resources law enforcement
needs to fight the battle against the sexual exploitation of children
over the Internet. The children who have been abused by predators, and
who have seen images of that abuse spread over the Internet, cannot
wait one more day. We must ensure that the efforts of child predators
are more than matched by an aggressive law enforcement strategy to
bring these criminals to justice. Our children deserve nothing less. I
urge my colleagues to support the Protect Our Children Act.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 1738, the
PROTECT Act, and in particular those provisions taken from the Securing
Adolescents From Exploitation-Online Act of 2107, which passed the
House last December. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the
author of the SAFE Act, the distinguished gentleman from Texas, Mr.
Lampson. He and I have worked closely on several bills to strengthen
our child protection laws.
We don't have to look any farther than our homes and communities to
see that predators are threatening and victimizing our children with
one simple click. The Internet, while providing a world of opportunity
to our children, has also contributed to a worldwide expansion of child
pornography--enabling online predators to more easily abuse, exploit,
and prey on our children.
S. 1738 recognizes that a comprehensive strategy, one that mobilizes
the resources of the community as well as local, state, and federal law
enforcement, is necessary to crack down on these criminals. Moreover,
S. 1738 recognizes that by building on the investigative tools already
in place under the leadership of the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children, law enforcement officials and the public can
provide and receive valuable information needed for ongoing
investigations.
I would like to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for
recognizing that our laws and resources need to stay current with the
advances made in technology. Predators know no boundaries and have used
technology to their advantage. The PROTECT Act recognizes that a more
comprehensive approach is needed to ensure that investigators and
prosecutors have the tools to stay one click ahead of these criminals.
I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 1738.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers on this
bill, and I will yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield back the remaining time on this side.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 1738.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
DRUG TRAFFICKING VESSEL INTERDICTION ACT OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3598) to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code,
with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-
submersible vessels without nationality.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3598
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drug Trafficking Vessel
Interdiction Act of 2008''.
TITLE I--CRIMINAL PROHIBITION
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.
Congress finds and declares that operating or embarking in
a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without
nationality and on an international voyage is a serious
international problem, facilitates trans-national crime,
including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a
specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the
security of the United States.
SEC. 102. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 111 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
`` 2285. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY.
``(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly operates, or attempts or
conspires to operate, by any means, or embarks in any
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is without
nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into,
through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the
territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of
that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with
the intent to evade detection, shall be fined under this
title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--For purposes
of subsection (a), the presence of any of the indicia
described in paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G), or in
paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of section 70507(b) of title 46
may be considered, in the totality of the circumstances, to
be prima facie evidence of intent to evade detection.
``(c) Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.--There is
extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense under
this section, including an attempt or conspiracy to commit
such an offense.
``(d) Claim of Nationality or Registry.--A claim of
nationality or registry under this section includes only--
[[Page 22803]]
``(1) possession on board the vessel and production of
documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(2) flying its nation's ensign or flag; or
``(3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the
master or individual in charge of the vessel.
``(e) Affirmative Defenses.--
``(1) In general.--It is an affirmative defense to a
prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), which the
defendant has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel involved was, at the time of the offense--
``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in
charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an
officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable
provisions of United States law;
``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
of a classification society;
``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long
range identification and tracking system.
``(2) Production of documents.--The affirmative defenses
provided by this subsection are proved conclusively by the
production of--
``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense;
or
``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
regulation, or registration for commerce, research, or
exploration.
``(f) Federal Activities Excepted.--Nothing in this section
applies to lawfully authorized activities carried out by or
at the direction of the United States Government.
``(g) Applicability of Other Provisions.--Sections 70504
and 70505 of title 46 apply to offenses under this section in
the same manner as they apply to offenses under section 70503
of such title.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `submersible
vessel', `semi-submersible vessel', `vessel of the United
States', and `vessel without nationality' have the meaning
given those terms in section 70502 of title 46.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter
111 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2284 the following:
``2285. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
without nationality''.
SEC. 103. SENTENCING GUIDELINES.
(a) In General.--Pursuant to its authority under section
994(p) of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance
with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission
shall promulgate sentencing guidelines (including policy
statements) or amend existing sentencing guidelines
(including policy statements) to provide adequate penalties
for persons convicted of knowingly operating by any means or
embarking in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel in violation of section 2285 of title 18, United
States Code.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the United
States Sentencing Commission shall--
(1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy
statements reflect the serious nature of the offense
described in section 2285 of title 18, United States Code,
and the need for deterrence to prevent such offenses;
(2) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances
that might justify exceptions, including--
(A) the use of a submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel described in section 2285 of title 18, United States
Code, to facilitate other felonies;
(B) the repeated use of a submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel described in section 2285 of title 18,
United States Code, to facilitate other felonies, including
whether such use is part of an ongoing criminal organization
or enterprise;
(C) whether the use of such a vessel involves a pattern of
continued and flagrant violations of section 2285 of title
18, United States Code;
(D) whether the persons operating or embarking in a
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel willfully
caused, attempted to cause, or permitted the destruction or
damage of such vessel or failed to heave to when directed by
law enforcement officers; and
(E) circumstances for which the sentencing guidelines (and
policy statements) provide sentencing enhancements;
(3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant
directives, other sentencing guidelines and policy
statements, and statutory provisions;
(4) make any necessary and conforming changes to the
sentencing guidelines and policy statements; and
(5) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy
statements adequately meet the purposes of sentencing set
forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code.
TITLE II--CIVIL PROHIBITION
SEC. 201. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY.
(a) Finding and declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and
(2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2)
operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality and on an
international voyage is a serious international problem,
facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking,
and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety
of maritime navigation and the security of the United
States.''.
SEC. 202. OPERATION PROHIBITED.
(a) In General.--Chapter 705 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
`` 70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality
``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate by any
means or embark in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible
vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or
has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer
limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral
limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent
country, with the intent to evade detection.
``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--In any civil
enforcement proceeding for a violation of subsection (a), the
presence of any of the indicia described in paragraph (1)(A),
(E), (F), or (G), or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of
section 70507(b) may be considered, in the totality of the
circumstances, to be prima facie evidence of intent to evade
detection.
``(c) Defenses.--
``(1) In general.--It is a defense in any civil enforcement
proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) that the
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was,
at the time of the violation--
``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in
charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an
officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable
provisions of United States law;
``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
of a classification society;
``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long
range identification and tracking system.
``(2) Production of documents.--The defenses provided by
this subsection are proved conclusively by the production
of--
``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in
article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense;
or
``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
regulation, or registration for research or exploration.
``(d) Civil Penalty.--A person violating this section shall
be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not
more than $1,000,000.''
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 70507 the following:
``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
without nationality''.
(2) Section 70504(b) of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``or 70508'' after ``70503''.
(3) Section 70505 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``this title'' and inserting ``this
title, or against whom a civil enforcement proceeding is
brought under section 70508,''.
SEC. 203. SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL
DEFINED.
Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end thereof the following:
``(f) Semi-submersible Vessel; Submersible Vessel.--In this
chapter:
``(1) Semi-submersible vessel.--The term `semi-submersible
vessel' means any watercraft constructed or adapted to be
capable of operating with most of its hull and bulk under the
surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned
watercraft.
``(2) Submersible vessel.--The term `submersible vessel'
means a vessel that is capable of operating completely below
the surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned
watercraft.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page 22804]]
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the House has passed previously virtually
identical legislation, and accordingly I will place my statement in the
Record at this time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill addresses the growing national security threat
of illicit self-propelled submersible vessels. It makes operation of
one of these vessels with intent to avoid detection a felony, as well
as subject to civil fines.
In July, the House passed the part of this bill creating the felony.
This Senate version adds the civil penalty, to provide even greater
deterrence.
Smugglers are operating these vessels with increasing frequency,
knowing that there is no effective deterrent. They are designed so that
the crew members can readily sink them within scant minutes of being
spotted, thereby making efforts by authorities to intercept them
exceedingly difficult and highly risky.
And smugglers using these vessels are becoming increasingly violent.
Two weeks ago, a cocaine smuggler attempted to kill Coast Guard
officers who had boarded his vessel in the dark in the Pacific ocean.
This extreme risk to our brave Coast Guard officers would not have
been necessary if operating that vessel in this evasive manner were
itself a crime.
I commend the sponsor of the House bill, Dan Lungren of California,
for his leadership on this initiative.
I urge my colleagues to support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my colleague on
the Judiciary Committee, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, a
senior member of the Homeland Security Committee as well, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lungren).
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, this is a bill which Congressman Poe and I have worked
on to address a serious problem relating to the use of submersible and
semi-submersible vessels to transport drugs, people and potentially
weapons of mass destruction which pose a threat to our communities and
our cities. The drug dealers are always ingenious in their activities
to try and inject into the veins of our children the terrible illicit
drugs that are there. With respect to those who are in Central and
South America, because of the various efforts made by good men and
women working in law enforcement in this country, as well as those in
our military organizations, they have been forced, that is, the drug
dealers, have been forced to find new ways to try and bring this poison
to our shores.
That is what we're dealing with here today. The language in the bill
before us reflects the hard work of Senator Lautenberg, and it is also
similar to legislation which was introduced by Senator Biden. I would
like to take this opportunity to commend Chairman Conyers who has
played a critical role in the development of this legislation. And I
add that without the hard work of his counsel and the hours put into
this important bill by Carolyn Lynch on our staff, we would not be here
today.
Let me point out that it is probably not an exaggeration to suggest
that this is noncontroversial legislation. I don't know why anybody, a
single vote, would be against it. It has, in slightly different
iterations, already passed this body on two prior occasions. It passed
this body by a vote of 408-1 as an amendment to the Coast Guard
authorization, and it passed on suspension this past July 29 by a voice
vote.
What are these things? Well you're going to hear it, and you're going
to see some pictures presented to you by Congressman Ted Poe from
Texas. Let me just try to describe what it is that we are talking
about.
Semi-submersibles add a new dimension to the notion of ``submarine
warfare.''
{time} 1800
These vessels are watercraft of unorthodox construction capable of
putting much of their bulk under the surface of the water. Therefore,
they are extremely difficult to spot when they are out there in the
vastness of the ocean. They are built for stealth, designed to be
rapidly scuttled, typically less than 100 feet in length, and usually
carrying 5 to 6 tons of illicit cargo. They are stateless, that is,
they carry the flag of no country, and they have no legitimate use.
Although semi-submersibles are being used to evade detection and
prosecution for drug traffic, my own interest in this issue is a much
broader one. The potential that someone might seek to import a weapon
of mass destruction into the United States is perhaps of the greatest
concern for us and why we need an aggressive response to alter the
calculus of deterrence with respect to the use of these vehicles.
It is absolutely critical that our prosecutors be equipped with the
tools necessary to adapt to this new challenge facing law enforcement
authorities. As was the case in previous House versions of the bill
approved by this body, the proposal before us provides for criminal
fines and up to 15 years imprisonment. Furthermore, a new title of the
bill added in the Senate provides prosecutors with the additional
option of seeking civil penalties of up to $1 million for violations of
the new law.
Since we last visited this legislation on July 29, we have further
evidence of why it is so necessary. In the last 2 weeks alone, the
Coast Guard has seized two semi-submersible vehicles containing a total
of 14 tons of cocaine. Ominously, they found the vessels seized on
September 13th to be the most sophisticated of their type ever
detected, with electronic propulsion and steering, and exhaust systems
more advanced than earlier models. In terms of the larger picture, we
have witnessed 62 such seizures this year.
Why do we need this legislation? Why did the Coast Guard ask us for
it? Simply put, it is this: These are made to be scuttled easily. In
other words, when they are detected by the Coast Guard and the United
States Navy, sometimes hundreds of miles offshore, when they are
identified, when they are seen, they are scuttled, meaning that they
intentionally attempt to sink their own vehicles. Why? Because then we
can't have the evidence of the illicit cargo that they hold. And as
they do that, the two, three, four or five people aboard, the personnel
aboard these crafts jump into the water, and then we have to rescue
them. So our law enforcement and our Navy then is in the position of
rescuing the very people who are attempting to bring this poison into
our country, and we obviously do that, but then we can't prosecute
them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Childers). The gentleman's time has
expired.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from
California 1 additional minute.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. This law would simply make it
illegal to operate one of these vessels if it is unflagged, because
there is no other purpose for it than to try and put a dagger to the
hearts of our young people in this country by bringing this illicit
drug trade here.
Additionally, those concerned about illegal aliens entering this
country, this is also a means of doing that. But, most importantly and
most directly, I would say, think of the consequences of someone
introducing a weapon of mass destruction into this country. This is a
readily available vehicle to do that.
We need this legislation. I would hope that we would have a unanimous
vote for it.
I thank the gentleman from Texas for allowing me this time, and I
hope everybody understands how important and how timely this is.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lungren), as well as my colleague from Texas (Mr.
Poe), for championing this issue.
[[Page 22805]]
I now yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).
Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas for
yielding, the ranking member, and I also want to thank the chairman of
this committee for bringing this legislation before the House, and, of
course, my friend from California, the former Attorney General, Mr.
Lungren, for his passion about this issue.
As a former judge and prosecutor down in Texas, I don't like drug
dealers, and we see the effect of them throughout the United States.
This submersible vessel, this submarine we are talking about, Mr.
Speaker, here is a photograph of it right here. It is 100 feet long. It
is made out of fiberglass. It has stealth technology, so it is hard to
be detected. It is built so it goes barely below the surface. It
travels at a very low rate of speed so it cannot be detected by its
wake. And they are made in the jungles of Colombia.
What they do, they float these down the rivers in flood season to the
Pacific Ocean, and then this vessel is on its way. Mr. Speaker, it can
go all the way to the United States without refueling. It takes several
tons of cocaine with it, coming to the United States, bringing that
cancer for the profit of the Colombian drug dealers.
What happens is our Navy and other navies, even the Mexican Navy, the
Colombian Navy, they have seen these things on the high seas. They
carry no flag. They claim no nation. What happens when they are
encountered by the Navy or the Coast Guard, the five or six crew
members, they jump out the hatch over here and scuttle the submarine so
all the dope goes to the bottom of the ocean.
There have been two circumstances when the drug dealers that were on
these submarines weren't quick enough. The Navy, the Coast Guard, got
there quick enough to take some of the cocaine off, and they are being
prosecuted in Florida as we speak. But most of the time they scuttle
it, we capture, but really end up rescuing the crew, and then rather
than put them in jail, we have got to take them home where they came
from and let them go, because it is no crime to possess one of these
subs on the high seas.
This legislation makes it a Federal offense to have one of these subs
with no flag and sailing on the high seas. When the crew is captured,
they could be prosecuted in our Federal courts and go to the
penitentiary where they belong.
The U.S. Coast Guard tells us that at any given time, there are 100
of these things on the high seas, all coming to the United States
bringing drugs.
As my good friend Mr. Lungren from California has pointed out, that
is not just the problem, because they are so shallow, because they are
hard to detect, these things can bring in weapons of mass destruction,
explosives, and work their way up the riverways of our Nation, going to
our ports, like the Port of Houston and some of these other ports, and
cause tremendous damage. We want to capture these people on the high
seas before they get that opportunity.
Some have said, why don't we just shoot them out of the water as soon
as we see them? I guess we are too civilized for that. We want to
prosecute them instead.
This is important legislation. It will help our law enforcement guys,
the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, who are doing a tremendous job already
in tracking these people, with cooperation from other navies throughout
the world. It is time that we make this legislation law.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from
Texas again for his efforts on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, as we stand here today, dangerous drug traffickers are
surreptitiously moving tons of cocaine across our oceans and into
America. Cocaine traffickers operate with stealth and are virtually
undetectable thanks to their use of self-propelled submersible and
semi-submersible vessels or SPSS.
These submarine-like vessels have unusual construction. They are
typically less than 100 feet long with most of their bulk under water.
They can carry up to five crew and as much as 12 metric tons of cocaine
from the north coast of South America to the southeastern United States
without refueling.
The U.S. Coast Guard has successfully apprehended two SPSS vessels in
just the last few weeks. One carried seven tons of cocaine with a
street value of $187 million. The second vessel seized was carrying 295
bales of cocaine.
However, under current law, it is not illegal to operate one of these
vessels. Therefore, in order to successfully prosecute these criminals,
the Coast Guard must obtain evidence of drug trafficking or other
illicit conduct--a dangerous proposition on the high seas.
Coast Guard teams must physically board the SPSS, often in the dead
of night, while it is travelling at up to ten knots. The teams must
then risk their lives to apprehend the traffickers and seize the drugs
aboard the SPSS.
And the drug traffickers know the law. They know that the Coast Guard
must obtain evidence of drugs so they will often scuttle the vessel and
jump overboard--turning a criminal apprehension into a rescue mission.
This legislation removes this dangerous hurdle. By prohibiting the
possession of SPSS vessels without nationality, we protect the safety
of these Coast Guard teams while ensuring swift prosecution of the
cocaine traffickers.
I wish to commend my colleagues, Mr. Lungren and Mr. Poe, for
championing this important issue.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 3598.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
PROTECTING COURT OFFICIALS OFF SUPREME COURT GROUNDS
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3296) to extend the authority of the United States
Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court
Grounds and change the title of the Administrative Assistant to the
Chief Justice.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3296
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT POLICE AND COUNSELOR
TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
(a) Extension of Authority of the United States Supreme
Court Police To Protect Court Officials Off the Supreme Court
Grounds.--Section 6121(b)(2) of title 40, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2013''.
(b) Counselor to the Chief Justice.--
(1) Office of federal judicial administration.--Section
133(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``administrative assistant'' and inserting
``Counselor''.
(2) Judicial official.--Section 376(a) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(E), by striking ``an administrative
assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking ``an administrative
assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''.
(3) Administrative assistant to the chief justice.--
(A) In general.--Section 677 of title 28, United States
Code, is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking ``Administrative
Assistant'' and inserting ``Counselor'';
(ii) in subsection (a)--
(I) in the first sentence, by striking ``an Administrative
Assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''; and
(II) in the second and third sentences, by striking
``Administrative Assistant'' each
[[Page 22806]]
place that term appears and inserting ``Counselor''; and
(iii) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking
``Administrative Assistant'' each place that term appears and
inserting ``Counselor''.
(B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter
45 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 677 and inserting the following:
``677. Counselor to the Chief Justice.''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON ACCEPTANCE OF HONORARY CLUB
MEMBERSHIPS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Gift.--The term ``gift'' has the meaning given under
section 109(5) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5
U.S.C. App.).
(2) Judicial officer.--The term ``judicial officer'' has
the meaning given under section 109(10) of the Ethics in
Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
(b) Prohibition on Acceptance of Honorary Club
Memberships.--A judicial officer may not accept a gift of an
honorary club membership with a value of more than $50 in any
calendar year.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous
material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in this case, the title accurately describes the
contents of the bill. It attempts and proposes to extend the authority
of the United States Supreme Court Police to protect court officials
off the Supreme Court grounds and changes the title of the
Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice.
Congress has given the Supreme Court Police statutory recognition
since 1982, with authority to patrol the Supreme Court buildings and
grounds, make arrests, carry firearms, and protect the Chief Justice,
any Associate Justice, official guests, and employees of the Court
while performing official duties.
The Supreme Court Police are also authorized to protect the Justices
and employees of the Court while they are away from the Court building,
anywhere in the United States. We have extended this authority on
several occasions, and this bill does so again, so that it will not
expire at the end of this year.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, so that the Supreme
Court Police can continue to perform their critical mission
effectively.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is very similar to the legislation we
passed in the House a week ago, H.R. 6855.
The bill addresses an issue affecting the safety of the Justices and
other officials who work at the United States Supreme Court.
First, the legislation extends the authority of the U.S. Supreme
Court Police to protect Court officials off the Supreme Court grounds
through 2013. The current authorization expires on December 29, 2008.
This provision is necessary and noncontroversial. Congress created
the original authority in 1982 and has renewed it regularly. The last
authorization was 4 years ago.
Failure to extend the authority places the Justices and other Supreme
Court employees and officers at risk. In light of heightened security
threats, it is vital that the Supreme Court Police be empowered to
carry out this service without interruption. In fact, Justice Souter
was attacked off grounds while jogging in May 2004, the same year we
last extended the authority.
As with previous authorizations, it is contemplated that the
authority extends to the immediate area in the District and surrounding
environs. The Marshall Service would provide protection to the Justices
when they speak or travel out of the D.C.-Virginia-Maryland
metropolitan region.
Finally, the legislation prohibits Federal judges from accepting
honorary memberships to clubs that are valued in excess of $50. The
last item is the only distinction between S. 3296 and the House bill.
Mr. Speaker, S. 3296 acknowledges an unfortunate but realistic
problem: sometimes the Justices must be protected off Supreme Court
grounds. This is a legislative exercise that the Congress has regularly
undertaken on behalf of the Court since 1982.
I urge the Members to support the bill.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.
3296, a bill to extend the authority of the United States Supreme Court
Police to protect court officials of the Supreme Court grounds and
change the title of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice.
This bill makes sense and it should be supported. I urge my colleagues
to support this very important bill.
Four years ago, Supreme Court Justice David Souter was assaulted by
two men while jogging near his home. While this attack was deemed only
a random assault, this should serve as a wake-up call for us all. The
Supreme Court, like the Office of the President, is more important than
the person serving in the position. Protecting them, isn't just about
protecting the person, it's about protecting the sanctity of the court.
Edmund Burke said that ``Good order is the foundation of all
things.'' To keep this order, we much protect those who provide that
order. As this country becomes more and more partisan, we risk that the
more extreme factors in our society will lash out and circumvent the
system by focusing their anger at the officers of the court. Already
the court is coming under increased attack from both sides of the aisle
as being ``activist.''
This bill does something fundamental for the American way of life, it
protects it. The legacy of all those who came before us depends on
making sure that those who come after can do the job duty requires.
Nothing is more fundamentally American than protecting those who
protect our rights.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass this bill.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time as well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 3296.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
DEBBIE SMITH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5057) to reauthorize the Debbie
Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Debbie Smith Reauthorization
Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. GENERAL REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 2 of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of
2000 (42 U.S.C. 14135) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(3), by--
(A) striking subparagraphs (A) through (D);
(B) redesignating subparagraph (E) and subparagraph (A);
and
(C) inserting at the end the following:
``(B) For each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014, not
less than 40 percent of the grant amounts shall be awarded
for purposes under subsection (a)(2).''; and
(2) by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General for
grants under subsection (a) $151,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2009 through 2014.''.
SEC. 3. TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
Section 303(b) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of
2004 (42 U.S.C. 14136(b)) is amended by striking ``2005
through 2009'' and inserting ``2009 through 2014''.
SEC. 4. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM GRANTS.
Section 304(c) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of
2004 (42 U.S.C. 14136a(c)) is amended by striking ``2005
through 2009'' and inserting ``2009 through 2014''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page 22807]]
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding and for his extraordinary leadership on so many important
issues before this body, including the Debbie Smith Act, which I rise
today in strong support of, H.R. 5057, the Debbie Smith Reauthorization
Act that I introduced to ensure that the nationwide backlog of DNA
evidence is processed.
I want to thank the bill's supporters in the Senate, especially
Senators Biden, Leahy, Kyl and Specter, for their assistance in getting
this legislation through the Senate and back to the House before we
adjourn.
I also want to commend Chairman Conyers for his leadership, Ranking
Member Smith, Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Gohmert, along with
Anthony Weiner and so many of my colleagues for their support and
commitment to this issue.
Advocates have called the Debbie Smith Act one of the most important
anti-crime bills that has ever passed Congress and one of the most
important anti-violence against women and anti-rape pieces of
legislation ever.
I first introduced the grant program in 2001 after a rape victim
whose attacker was later identified through DNA analysis testified
before a hearing in Congress. The long, bipartisan effort to pass the
original legislation was made into a Lifetime movie entitled ``A Life
Interrupted: The Debbie Smith Story.'' I thank Lifetime and Oprah for
having championed the passage of this important legislation.
I have been working on this issue since 2001, when I organized a
hearing in the Government Reform and Oversight Committee to examine the
use of DNA to both convict and to exonerate. We reached out to many
victims to testify. Only one would come before Congress, Debbie Smith.
{time} 1815
She told her horrifying story, how an intruder broke into her
suburban home in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1989 and raped her
repeatedly in nearby woods while her police officer husband slept
upstairs. He rushed her to the police station. DNA was taken, but in
many ways her life was destroyed, as she believed he would come back as
he said he would and kill her if she had told anybody what happened.
Six years later, after an assailant was charged with her rape,
because DNA processing techniques had produced a cold hit with a State
prisoner's DNA sample, that match gave Debbie her first moment of
closure and security. Since then, Debbie and her husband, Robert, have
lobbied Congress, traveled the country and started a not-for-profit to
help victims of rape.
It was unconscionable that hundreds of thousands of rape kits with
DNA evidence already collected were gathering dust in police stations
and crime labs all over this country, and it is still unconscionable
that according to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are over
221,000 untested rape kits on shelves and evidence cabinets in States
across our country.
It was for Debbie and rape survivors like her that in 2001 I authored
the Debbie Smith Act to provide Federal funding to process the backlog
of DNA evidence. The bill helped standardize the evidence collection of
kits for sexual assaults, making it easier to enter the information
into State and national databases.
It also helped forensic labs process the data evidence and compare
the DNA samples with those taken from criminals. It funded the SANE
nurse program that taught them how to process and maintain the
information and to go into court to help the police with convictions.
The law also allows law enforcement greater leeway to indict John Doe
or an unnamed individual using their DNA profile.
The Justice for All Act accomplished several critical objectives,
including authorizing the necessary funding, $151 million in each
fiscal year from 2005 through 2009, to process the backlog of DNA
evidence through the creation of the State grant program.
Since 2004, millions of dollars in funding have been appropriated to
States across our country to attack this backlog grant program. Each
unprocessed kit represents an innocent life like Debbie Smith, and a
rapist who may commit multiple rapes before he is caught.
The FBI has characterized rape as the worst crime, preceded only by
murder in terms of the destruction to one's life. They have said that a
rapist, a sick person, will attack seven times. So at least, if you
process these kits, you can put people in jail and prevent innocent
victims from having the horror in their lives that Debbie experienced.
The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act extends the program through 2014
and also reauthorizes programs for training, education and sexual
assault forensic exam grants.
DNA is remarkable evidence. It doesn't forget, it can't be confused,
it is not intimidated, and it does not lie. While an eyewitness can
easily get mixed up about height, weight, hair color, DNA never changes
its story.
Debbie's bravery and dedication and working with me and others to
pass the Debbie Smith Act, which was a very difficult thing to
accomplish, has already made a tremendous impact on our justice system.
I also want to acknowledge the RAINN program for its steadfast
support of the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act and for its efforts on
behalf of sexual assault victims and survivors. Tragically, only 6
percent of rapists will ever spend any time in jail. Congress must
continue to support programs like the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant
Program and help to put to rapists in prison, reduce the violence
against women and solve other violent crimes.
I urge my colleagues to join me in important bipartisan, hopefully
unanimous support for this reauthorization.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation,
and I want to give credit to the gentlewoman from New York,
Congresswoman Maloney, for taking the initiative for introducing this
legislation and for advancing it to the point where we are considering
it here tonight.
Mr. Speaker, this is the second time that the House has considered
this bill. The House passed an earlier version last July. The Senate
recently passed this more streamlined version of H.R. 5057, which I
hope our colleagues will support once again.
As Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, I joined Chairman
Conyers as an original co-sponsor of this legislation, which was
introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
This bill reauthorizes a tremendously important program: the Debbie
Smith DNA Backlog Elimination Grant Program. H.R. 5057 reauthorizes the
grant program through fiscal year 2014 at $151 million per year.
The Debbie Smith Program provides grants to state and local
governments to reduce the DNA backlog of samples collected and entered
into the national DNA database. The program, originally authorized in
2000, expires at the end of fiscal year 2009.
DNA has become an invaluable tool in identifying and convicting
criminal suspects. At the same time, the increased use of DNA evidence
in criminal prosecutions has also increased DNA collection and
processing requests. The result is a substantial backlog in processing
DNA evidence across the country.
Since 2000, DNA backlog grants live assisted state and local
governments with the collection Of 2.5 million DNA samples from
convicted offenders and arrestees for inclusion in the national DNA
database. The backlog grants have also funded the testing of
approximately 104,000 DNA cases between 2004 and 2007.
While the Debbie Smith program has been successful in reducing the
backlog, there is
[[Page 22808]]
still work to do. A 2003 Department of Justice report indicated that a
backlog existed of 48,000 DNA samples. The current backlog is expected
to be just as high.
Congress has a responsibility to assist states with investigating,
prosecuting and punishing criminals and to provide justice for victims.
The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act protects victims by providing
Federal funding to process the DNA evidence needed to take violent
criminals off the streets.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important
legislation.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
5057, the ``Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008'' (reauthorizing
Title II of P.L. 108-405). This Act authorizes funding to eliminate the
large backlogs of DNA crime scene samples awaiting testing in State
forensic labs. I am in support of this bill.
In recent years, law enforcement agencies have realized the critical
value that DNA evidence has in quickly solving cases. Often, a DNA
sample result can scientifically link a perpetrator to a crime or prove
a defendant's innocence with virtual certainty. Many of the Nation's
Federal and State criminal forensics laboratories currently are
overwhelmed with innumerable samples awaiting DNA analysis.
Named for Debbie Smith, who was kidnapped in her Virginia home and
raped in nearby woods by a stranger, the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant
Program authorized grant money to states to collect samples from crime
seems and convicted persons, conduct DNA analyses, and enter these
results into a comprehensive national database. Debbie Smith's attacker
remained unidentified for over six years, until a DNA sample collected
from a convicted person serving time in a Virginia State prison
revealed his involvement in her rape. Although eventually identified,
the six years between crime and identification allowed Ms. Smith's
attacker to engage in more criminal activity.
Re-authorization of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program will
help law enforcement throughout the Nation. It will facilitate the
development of a comprehensive national data base against which samples
from current crime scenes can be compared. It will allow laboratories
to reduce the currently unacceptable delays in processing DNA samples.
Finally, it will provide law enforcement and prosecutors strong tools
to quickly identify and prosecute criminals, minimizing the costs of
investigation and prosecution, the possibility of prosecuting the wrong
person and the possibility of future heinous crimes.
Recognizing that the backlog of biological evidence that had to be
entered in State databases was preventing law enforcement officials
from solving many of the Nation's most heinous crimes, like the tragedy
that befell Debbie Smith, Congress passed the DNA ``Analysis Backlog
Elimination Act of 2000'' (P.L. 106-546). The bill authorized the
Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to collect DNA
samples from convicted individuals and crime scenes for inclusion in
the Federal DNA database, Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and to
increase the capacity of State crime laboratories. The Act required the
Bureau of Prisons and the military to collect DNA samples from
convicted individuals and forward these samples for analysis, and
required the FBI to expand its CODIS database to include the analyses
of these DNA samples.
The Act also amended the criminal code to require all defendants on
probation or supervised release to cooperate with the collection of a
DNA sample. The Act expressed the sense of Congress that State grants
should be conditioned upon the State's agreement to ensure post-
conviction DNA testing in appropriate cases; and that Congress should
work with the States to improve the quality of legal representation in
capital cases. Finally, the Act authorized an unspecified amount of
appropriations to the Attorney General to carry out the Act.
In 2004, DNA backlog elimination was incorporated into the Justice
for Act of 2004'', P.L. 108-405 and was renamed the Debbie Smith DNA
Backlog Grant Program, which became Title II of P.L. 108-405. While the
Act authorized $151 million for each fiscal year 2005-2009, Congress
did not appropriate any money until FY 2008, at which time it
appropriated $147-4 million.
The Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program expires at the end of FY
2009. H.R. 5057, the ``Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act,'' which has
strong bipartisan support, would renew the law and authorize $151
million for each fiscal year 2009-2014. H.R. 5057 specifies that not
less than 40% of the total amount awarded in grants must be used for
DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes, rape kits and other sexual
assault evidence, and in cases that do not have an identified suspect.
AMENDMENT
While I support this legislation, I offered an amendment that was
accepted and reported out of the House. However, now that the bill has
returned from the Senate, the bill is before the House again without my
original amendment. My amendment required the Attorney General to
evaluate the integrity and security of DNA collection and storage
practices and procedures at a sample of crime laboratories throughout
the country to determine the extent to which DNA samples are tampered
with or are otherwise contaminated in such laboratories. The sample
should be a representative sample and should include at least one lab
from each State. My amendment required the Attorney General to conduct
this evaluation annually and the Attorney General should be required to
submit the evaluation to Congress. This amendment was necessary and
critically important.
A district attorney in Harris County, Texas used evidence to
wrongfully convict persons based upon faulty evidence. An investigation
into the Houston Police Department's crime lab revealed that bad
management, under-trained staff, false documentation, and inaccurate
work cast doubt on thousands of DNA based convictions. Investigators
raised serious questions about the reliability of evidence in hundreds
cases they investigated and asked for further independent scrutiny and
new testing to determine the extent to which individuals were wrongly
convicted with faulty evidence.
My amendment would have ensured that Congress will exercise some
oversight of the program. It ensured the integrity and security of the
DNA collection and storage and procedures. It was my hope that my
amendment would minimize wrongful convictions and would make the DNA
storage and collection process more reliable.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 5057.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
MILITARY PERSONNEL CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING ACT
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 2840) to establish a liaison with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to
expedite naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed
Forces and to establish a deadline for processing such applications.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 2840
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Personnel
Citizenship Processing Act''.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF THE FBI LIAISON.
(a) Establishment.--Section 451 of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(g) Office of the FBI Liaison.--
``(1) In general.--There shall be an Office of the FBI
Liaison in the Department of Homeland Security.
``(2) Functions.--The Office of the FBI Liaison shall
monitor the progress of the functions of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation in the naturalization process to assist in
the expeditious completion of all such functions pertaining
to naturalization applications filed by, or on behalf of--
``(A) current or former members of the Armed Forces under
section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1439 and 1440);
``(B) current spouses of United States citizens who are
currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, who
qualify for naturalization under section 319(b) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430(b)), and
surviving spouses and children who qualify for naturalization
under section 319(d) of such Act; or
``(C) a deceased individual who is eligible for posthumous
citizenship under section 329A of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1).
[[Page 22809]]
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this subsection.''.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall
promulgate rules to carry out the amendment made by
subsection (a).
SEC. 3. DEADLINE FOR PROCESSING AND ADJUDICATING
NATURALIZATION APPLICATIONS FILED BY CURRENT OR
FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR
SPOUSES AND CHILDREN.
(a) In General.--Section 328 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(g) Not later than 6 months after receiving an
application for naturalization filed by a current member of
the Armed Forces under subsection (a), section 329(a), or
section 329A, by the spouse of such member under section
319(b), or by a surviving spouse or child under section
319(d), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
shall--
``(1) process and adjudicate the application, including
completing all required background checks to the satisfaction
of the Secretary of Homeland Security ; or
``(2) provide the applicant with--
``(A) an explanation for its inability to meet the
processing and adjudication deadline under this subsection;
and
``(B) an estimate of the date by which the application will
be processed and adjudicated.
``(h) The Director of United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services shall submit an annual report to the
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees
and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the Senate and
the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees,
Border Security, and International Law and the Subcommittee
on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives that
identifies every application filed under subsection (a),
subsection (b) or (d) of section 319, section 329(a), or
section 329A that is not processed and adjudicated within 1
year after it was filed due to delays in conducting required
background checks.''.
(b) GAO Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall
submit a report to Congress that contains the results of a
study regarding the average length of time taken by United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services to process and
adjudicate applications for naturalization filed by members
of the Armed Forces, deceased members of the Armed Forces,
and their spouses and children.
SEC. 4. SUNSET PROVISION.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act are repealed
on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, foreign-born soldiers serving in our Armed Forces are
eligible for expedited U.S. citizenship, yet they often face delays in
the processing of the FBI background check required for naturalization.
S. 2840 would address this backlog by creating an Office of the FBI
Liaison within the Department of Homeland Security. This office will
help expedite the processing of naturalization applications filed by
soldiers, veterans, and spouses and children of active duty soldiers.
The bill requires DHS to adjudicate these naturalization applications
within six months, or to inform the applicants of the reasons for the
delay and provide them with an estimated date of completion.
It promotes accountability by having the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Service (USCIS) report annually to Congress on how many
of these naturalization applications that remain pending a year after
filing due to delays in background checks.
Approximately 45,000 lawful permanent residents are currently serving
in our Armed Forces. More than 13,000 non-citizen military have applied
for U.S. citizenship since 2002.
S. 2480 is a good measure that will help ensure that our soldiers and
veterans do not face unreasonable hurdles to U.S. citizenship.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Ciro Rodriguez,
as much time as he may consume.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in Senate bill 2840, the Military Personnel
Citizenship Processing Act, sponsored by Senator Chuck Schumer of New
York. I was a sponsor on the House side. Senate bill 2840 would address
the growing backlog of citizenship applications of those men and women
that are serving our country and happen to be foreign born.
This bill addresses some of the holdups with the FBI backgrounds, not
only for the soldiers, sailors and airmen, but also ensuring that
dialogue occurs also with the Department of Defense and the military in
the applications.
It creates an office of FBI liaison with DHS and monitors the
communication gaps that exist between them at the present time. This
bill further requires that the agencies send notice out to the military
applicants explaining the delay and estimating the date of completion
for any application pending over 6 months.
This bill works in harmony with the recently passed Kendell Frederick
Act. While the Kendell Frederick Act will ensure prompt processing of
biometric data and timely adjudication after the FBI background checks
are completed, S. 2840 will ensure that the background checks
themselves are done expeditiously.
Taken together, this bill will be a one-two punch that's required and
needed in order for our military servicemen to be able to move forward
and become citizens.
Some 7,500 military applications are presently pending with
citizenship and immigration services. These men and women represent the
best of America, and they unquestionably deserve and are owed the full
rights of every citizen in this country.
The provisions on this bill allow it to hopefully expedite this to
occur.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself
with the remarks made by my Texas colleague, Mr. Rodriguez.
Mr. Speaker, the Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act
creates an Office of the FBI Liaison within U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS). This office will monitor the progress of
naturalization applications filed by veterans and military personnel.
It will also monitor the progress of naturalization applications
filed by spouses of active duty soldiers stationed abroad. And the
Liaison Office will track the naturalization process for the soldiers
and their spouses and children who are eligible for citizenship under
the provisions that grant posthumous citizenship to military personnel
who die in service to the country.
The intent behind the establishment of this Liaison Office is to
address the delays that often occur in the processing of the necessary
background checks for these categories of applicants.
The haste under which this bill was added to the suspension calendar
precludes any meaningful assessment of the need for such an office.
However, I do not object to measures that facilitate the processing of
naturalization applications of those who have honorably served our
country or their spouses and children.
This bill also requires USCIS to make a decision on these
applications within 6 months of filing or, in circumstances in which
that is not possible, to provide the reasons why. This is not an
onerous burden since USCIS will still have the flexibility needed to be
sure that all required security checks and eligibility criteria are met
before granting citizenship.
In this Congress, we have already passed legislation to ease the
processing of naturalization applications for our soldiers. The Kendall
Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act became law on June 26th of this
year. That law permits soldiers to use the fingerprints they provided
at the time of enlistment for their background checks.
That law also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the
Director of the FBI to take steps to ensure that soldiers'
naturalization applications are adjudicated within 180 days after the
background checks have been completed. This bill furthers those goals.
The bill provides, but does not require, an earlier target date of 6
months after the filing of the application. But in cases in which that
time frame cannot be met--even with the new FBI liaison office created
under this bill--USCIS will need to explain why.
[[Page 22810]]
I have no objection to these measures, which are intended to ensure
the timely adjudication of naturalization applications filed by those
who have served our Nation, and urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from California,
Zoe Lofgren, as much time as she may need.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I would certainly like to commend
Congressman Rodriguez and Senator Schumer. This is a measure that I
support.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to note there is another measure that
we have marked up in the Judiciary Committee that would broadly assist
our American soldiers and their families. I hope that in the same
spirit of collaboration we see this evening, we will be able to achieve
that wonderful advance for the fathers, mothers, wives, spouses, and
sons and daughters of our brave American soldiers.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 2840.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
PROHIBITING RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN DEFAMATION JUDGMENTS
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6146) to amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit
recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6146
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The first amendment of the Constitution of the United
States prohibits the abridgment of freedom of speech.
(2) Freedom of speech is fundamental to the values of
American democracy.
(3) In light of the constitutional protection our Nation
affords to freedom of speech, the Supreme Court has modified
the elements of the common law tort of defamation to provide
more protection for defendants than would be available at
common law, including providing special protections for
political speech.
(4) The courts of other countries, including those that
otherwise share our Nation's common law and due process
traditions, are not constrained by the first amendment and
thus may provide less protection to defamation defendants
than our Constitution requires.
(5) While our Nation's courts will generally enforce
foreign judgments as a matter of comity, comity does not
require that courts enforce foreign judgments that are
repugnant to our Nation's fundamental constitutional values,
in particular its strong protection of the right to freedom
of speech.
(6) Our Nation's courts should only enforce foreign
judgments as a matter of comity when such foreign judgments
are consistent with the right to freedom of speech.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to protect the
right to freedom of speech under the first amendment to the
Constitution of the United States from the potentially
weakening effects of foreign judgments concerning defamation.
SEC. 2. RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DEFAMATION JUDGMENTS.
(a) In General.--Part VI of title 28, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 181--FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
``Sec.
``4101. Recognition of foreign defamation judgments.
``Sec. 4101. Recognition of foreign defamation judgments
``(a) First Amendment Considerations.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of Federal or State law, a domestic court
shall not recognize or enforce a foreign judgment for
defamation that is based upon a publication concerning a
public figure or a matter of public concern unless the
domestic court determines that the foreign judgment is
consistent with the first amendment to the Constitution of
the United States.
``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Domestic court.--The term `domestic court' means a
State court or a Federal court.
``(2) Foreign court.--The term `foreign court' means a
court, administrative body, or other tribunal of a foreign
country.
``(3) Foreign judgment.--The term `foreign judgment' means
a final judgment rendered by a foreign court.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.-- The table of chapters for part VI
of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``181. Foreign Judgments....................................4101''.....
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill imposes a limited, but important, condition on
enforcement of foreign defamation judgments in our courts.
It prohibits a federal or state court from enforcing a defamation
judgment entered in another country for publication involving a matter
of public concern, unless the court first determines that the judgment
is consistent with the free-speech clause of our Constitution's First
Amendment.
H.R. 6146 responds to the problem of what is sometimes called ``libel
tourism.'' This is the disturbing practice of suing authors for
defamation in foreign countries rather than in the United States, so as
to avoid the speech-protective features of defamation law enshrined in
our Constitution.
A much-cited recent example is the lawsuit filed by a Saudi
billionaire against an American expert on terrorism, as a result of
statements about his activities she made in a book entitled Funding
Evil: How Terrorism Is Financed and How to Stop It.
The Saudi billionaire sued the American author not in the United
States, where the book was published, but in England, where a mere 23
copies of the book had been sold to on-line buyers.
He sued in England to avail himself of English libel law, which
denies authors the important free-speech protections of our First
Amendment. This kind of end-run on the Constitution poses an obvious
threat to free speech rights in our country.
H.R. 6146, which was introduced by our colleague, Steve Cohen of
Tennessee, would go a long way toward eliminating this threat. At the
same time, it would not interfere with the judicial systems of other
countries, or deprive plaintiffs of their choice of forum.
It would simply require that anyone who seeks to enforce this
specific type of defamation judgment in our courts to establish that
the judgment does not offend our First Amendment. Many U.S. courts
already impose this condition on the enforcement of foreign defamation
judgments.
I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the author of the measure, Steve Cohen, the
gentleman from Memphis, Tennessee, as much time as he may consume.
Mr. COHEN. I want to thank the chairman for his courtesies and the
ranking member in helping bring this bill to the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6146, which I introduced
with Congressman Issa of California. The bill is designed to address
the phenomenon of libel tourism, whereby plaintiffs seek judgments from
foreign courts from American authors and publishers for making
allegedly defamatory statements.
The fact is, these statements in these cases would not be considered
defamatory in American courts where the first
[[Page 22811]]
amendment gives our authors and people the protection of the first
amendment, but in certain jurisdictions, even countries that have
similar legal systems to ours, the first amendment is not recognized,
and the libel laws are much different, and plaintiffs have less burdens
to prove to get judgments against defendants.
This threatens to undermine our Nation's core free speech principles,
as embodied in the first amendment. U.S. law places this higher burden
on defamation plaintiffs to safeguard our first amendment and protect
our speech. We have seen problems with this, particularly in courts of
England. The State of New York has already acted to pass a bill to
protect authors and publishers in the first amendment, but there was a
need to have such on a national basis.
Thomas Jefferson is memorialized with the monument here in
Washington. My friend, Randy Wade, and I visited Thomas Jefferson
recently. Around the top of the monument is a statement Thomas
Jefferson is known for:
``I have sworn upon the altar of almighty God eternal hostility
against every form of tyranny over the minds of men.'' To infringe on
the opportunity for people to write books and publish, which is what
this does, is tyranny over the minds of men. I believe Jefferson would
join with us today in support of this proposal.
H.R. 6146 will codify the principle that while U.S. courts will
normally enforce judgments of foreign courts, they should not do so
when the foreign judgments undermine our Constitution, particularly our
precious first amendment.
Specifically, our bill prohibits U.S. courts from recognizing and
enforcing foreign defamation judgments that do not comport with the
first amendment. I believe that passage of this bill will dissuade
those who would seek to circumvent our first amendment by filing
actions in libel-friendly forums that do not share our protections and
then threaten our authors with judgments.
I thank, again, Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith for their
assistance in bringing this bill to the floor on suspension. I also
thank Congressman Issa for his help and Congressman Peter King.
Representative King had a different bill on the same subject. He has
shown leadership on this issue for his home State of New York, and he
joined with us in this particular bill to try to get it passed here in
this Congress.
Adam Cohen, no relation to me in any way whatsoever, opined in The
New York Times that this bill needed to become law immediately. We did
go into warp speed to get this to the floor.
{time} 1830
I am committed to working with Mr. King next year. I have talked to
Chairman Conyers, and he is in agreement that we should have a public
hearing next year on this legislation with Mr. King's ideas that go
further than this bill to discuss how far libel tourism should go. And
that hearing I think would satisfy Senator Specter's office and others
on the Senate side, to go deeper to protect our authors and the freedom
of speech.
I would also like to thank the Association of American Publishers,
particularly former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, the Media Law Resource
Center, and Professor Michael Brode of Emory University Law School for
their input on the bill.
I urge the bill's immediate passage. I thank my chairman from the
bottom of my heart who I am fortunate to serve with, and my ranking
member who has been so kind to me during my first term.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. First of all, I support this legislation and I
thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) for his persistent
efforts in promoting this legislation.
I yield 3 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Poe).
Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Conyers for pushing this
legislation and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) for sponsoring
this legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, there is a legal presumption in most countries, even
Third World countries, that if you accuse somebody of something, you
have to prove it, whether civil or criminal. The burden of proof is on
the accuser. But that is not so in all countries when it comes to libel
and slander.
Take Great Britain, for example. It goes back to when the King ruled
the day. If you criticized the King, even if you were right, off with
your head. One of the reasons that we formed our own country was the
idea of freedom of speech and freedom of press and that is why we put
those two fundamental principles first in our Constitution. I have a
pocket Constitution that most Members of Congress carry with them, and
the first amendment protects the right of a free press and freedom of
speech.
What has occurred, though, throughout the courts in Great Britain in
a libel case, in other words somebody writes something about somebody
else, if the person that is the subject matter doesn't like it, they
file a lawsuit in Great Britain, and the burden is on the person who
wrote the document to prove it is true. The burden is not on the
accuser like it would be in the United States. That applies not only in
libel cases but slander cases. And it has taken place especially in
books about Islamic terrorism throughout the world.
Writers critical of Islamic terrorists are being sued by wealthy
sheiks and Saudi billionaires, specifically Khalid bin Manfouz, who was
accused in ``Alms for Jihad'' of financing Islamic terrorists through
Muslim charities. What he did, he got mad about the Cambridge
University Press, and he threatened to sue Cambridge University Press.
What happened in England, which I hope never happens with our press,
they got so nervous about it that they started taking all of the books
off the shelves, and they started destroying the books. In fact, they
sent word throughout the world, if you have this book, ``Alms For
Jihad,'' destroy the book. Kind of like the burning of books during
World War II under the Nazis. So the Cambridge University Press gave in
because the libel laws are different than they are in the United
States.
It has also occurred here in the United States with a similar book
called, ``Funding Evil,'' written by Rachel Ehrenfeld. What she did was
write a book in the United States, published in the United States. But
some books, 23, worked their way to England. Here we go again. This
author was sued in the courts of England and had the burden of proof to
prove that her statements were true. Well, she filed suit against the
people who sued her, once again bin Manfouz, and that lawsuit is now
pending in our courts.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman's time has expired.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield 1 additional minute.
Mr. POE. So our courts are hearing this matter and it is all about
the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. That is a human right.
That is a universal right in this world, whether the courts in Great
Britain recognize it or not. And it is important that people be free to
write the truth and not suffer the consequences from it and certainly
not have to prove what they say is true just because somebody objects.
This legislation is good to protect the publishers and writers in the
United States that if they are sued in foreign courts, that those
judgments will not be upheld unless that law, that judgment would be
upheld in courts in the United States.
This is important legislation. I would like to put into the Record an
article from the San Francisco Chronicle talking about this entire
concept of libel tourism.
[From the San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 29, 2008]
Libel Tourism: Where Terrorism and Censorship Meet
(By Cinnamon Stillwell)
It has become popular for those with competing political
agendas to allege threats to free speech, whether real or
imagined. Yet, there is a very real threat to free speech
that has received little attention in the public sphere. It's
called libel tourism and it has become a major component in
the ideological arm of the war on terrorism.
At question is the publication of books and other writings
that seek to shed light on the
[[Page 22812]]
financing of Islamic terrorism. Increasingly, American
authors who dare enter this territory are finding themselves
at risk of being sued for libel in the much more plaintiff-
friendly British court system in what amounts to an attempt
to censor their work on an international level.
The latest case of libel tourism to rear its ugly head
involves the book ``Alms for Jihad,'', which was published by
Cambridge University Press in 2006. Co-written by former
State Department analyst and USAID relief coordinator for
Sudan J. Millard Burr and UC Santa Barbara professor emeritus
of history Robert O. Collins, ``Alms for Jihad'' delves into
the tangled web of international terrorist financing and,
chiefly, the misuse of Muslim charities for such purposes.
Among those the book fingers for involvement is Saudi
billionaire Khalid bin Mahfouz, the former chairman of Saudi
Arabia's largest bank, National Commercial Bank. Bin Mahfouz
has come under similar scrutiny on previous occasions,
including being named a defendant in a lawsuit filed by
family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
He even has a section of his Web site devoted to trying to
refute such charges.
With this in mind, Cambridge University Press lawyers
looked over the manuscript for ``Alms for Jihad'' carefully
before giving it the go-ahead. According to Collins, the
passages involving bin Mahfouz are, in fact, quite
``trivial'' compared to the wealth of information contained
in the book on how such funds are used to finance conflicts
around the globe.
Yet, it is bin Mahfouz's inclusion in ``Alms for Jihad''
that has proven to be the most problematic, for he soon
threatened Cambridge University Press with a libel lawsuit.
Before the suit could commence, Cambridge University Press
capitulated and announced in July that not only was it taking
the unprecedented step of pulping all unsold copies of ``Alms
for Jihad,'' but it was asking libraries all over the world
to remove the book from their shelves. Cambridge University
Press issued a formal apology to bin Mahfouz and posted a
public apology at its Web site. It also agreed to pay his
legal costs and unspecified damages, which, according to bin
Mahfouz, are to be donated to UNICEF.
Authors Burr and Collins, however, did not take part in the
apology, nor were they a party to the settlement, and they
continue to stand by their scholarship. As Collins put it,
``I'm not going to recant on something just from the threat
of a billionaire Saudi sheik . . . I think I'm a damn good
historian.'' The authors were aware that Cambridge University
Press's decision was based not so much on a lack of
confidence in the book as on a fear of incurring costly legal
expenses and getting involved in a lengthy trial. The British
court system is known as a welcoming environment for ``libel
tourists'' such as bin Mahfouz. The Weekly Standard
elaborates: ``Bin Mahfouz has a habit of using the English
tort regime to squelch any unwanted discussion of his record.
In America, the burden of proof in a libel suit lies with the
plaintiff. In Britain, it lies with the defendant, which can
make it terribly difficult and expensive to ward off a
defamation charge, even if the balance of evidence supports
the defendant.''
Bin Mahfouz has indeed availed himself of the British court
system on many occasions, having either sued or threatened
suit against Americans and others at least 36 times since
2002, according to Rachel Ehrenfeld, author and director of
the American Center for Democracy.
Ehrenfeld should know, as her own book, ``Funding Evil: How
Terrorism is Financed--And How to Stop It,'' was also
targeted by bin Mahfouz through the British court system. Bin
Mahfouz sued Ehrenfeld for libel in 2004, soon after her
book's publication in the United States, even though only 23
copies ever made it to the United Kingdom.
Ehrenfeld would not, as she put it in the New York Post,
``acknowledge a British court's jurisdiction over a book
published here'' and a trial was never held, but the court
ruled in favor of bin Mahfouz by default. It also awarded bin
Mahfouz $225,913 in damages and ordered Ehrenfeld to
apologize publicly and to destroy all unsold copies of the
book.
Instead, Ehrenfeld chose to fight back. No doubt aware of
the larger implications at work, she took her case to the
United States and, giving bin Mahfouz a taste of his own
medicine, sued him in a New York federal court on the basis
that ``his English default judgment is unenforceable in the
United States and repugnant to the First Amendment.''
Civil-liberties lawyer Harvey Silverglate has described her
case as ``one of the most important First Amendment cases in
the past 25 years'' and sure enough, in June of this year,
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that it deserved a
hearing. The court will begin hearing arguments this fall in
what could turn out to be a pivotal case involving the clash
between First Amendment rights and foreign libel rulings.
Ehrenfeld may indeed have a strong case. She maintains that
bin Mahfouz has a long history of involvement in terrorist
financing. The bulk of it, she wrote in 2005, revolves around
the now-defunct Muwafaq (Blessed Relief) Foundation, which
was founded by bin Mahfouz and ``identified by the U.S.
Treasury Department as providing logistical and financial
support to al Qaeda, HAMAS, and the Abu Sayyaf
organizations.'' Ehrenfeld recapped her concerns more
recently: ``The data in both Alms for Jihad and Funding Evil
is all well-documented by the media and the U.S. Congress,
courts, Treasury Department and other official statements.
Further corroboration comes from French intelligence
officials at the General Directorate of External Security
(DGSE), as reported in the French daily, Le Monde. For
example, the DGSE reported that, in 1998, it knew bin Mahfouz
to be an architect of the banking scheme built to benefit
Osama bin Laden, and that both U.S. and British intelligence
services knew it, too.''
For this reason, and also to create a precedent, Ehrenfeld
has been the only defendant so far not to settle with bin
Mahfouz. And she refuses to ``acknowledge the British Court
and its ruling'' to this day.
Ehrenfeld's success thus far countering bin Mahfouz mirrors
other indications that libel tourism may be backfiring. The
largely Internet-based furor over the attempt to squelch
``Alms for Jihad'' and what is widely seen as Cambridge
University Press' cave-in has caused the book's price to
skyrocket. A copy of the book sold on eBay this month for
$538. As noted at the blog Hot Air, ``By suing publisher
Cambridge University Press into submission, Khalid bin
Mahfouz has turned an obscure scholarly book on the financial
workings of terrorism into a prized, rare book.''
In addition, the American Library Association is rising to
the occasion. Rather than going along with the Cambridge
University Press settlement stipulation that American
libraries remove ``Alms for Jihad'' from their shelves, the
American Library Association's Office for Intellectual
Freedom issued the following statement earlier this month:
``Unless there is an order from a U.S. court, the British
settlement is unenforceable in the United States, and
libraries are under no legal obligation to return or destroy
the book. Libraries are considered to hold title to the
individual copy or copies, and it is the library's property
to do with as it pleases. Given the intense interest in the
book, and the desire of readers to learn about the
controversy first hand, we recommend that U.S. libraries keep
the book available for their users.''
Reportedly, Collins and Burr got the publishing rights to
the book back from Cambridge University Press and, according
to the Library Journal, have had ``several offers from U.S.
publishers.'' It appears the ``Alms for Jihad'' saga is far
from over and free speech may yet win the day.
In another victory for free speech, as well as an
instructive example of what such libel suits look like when
attempted in the United States, a recent case involving Yale
University Press proves useful. It involved a book written by
Matthew Levitt, the director of the Stein Program on
Terrorism, Intelligence and Policy at the Washington
Institute for Near East Policy, titled ``Hamas: Politics,
Charity, and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad.''
In his book, Levitt disputes the notion, popular among
Hamas apologists, that the group's terrorist and social
service pursuits can be seen as separate. In the process, he
implicates the Dallas charity KinderUSA, which allegedly
raises funds for Palestinian children, in terrorist
financing. The group has personnel connections to the now-
closed Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which
has been under investigation by federal authorities for
funding Hamas. KinderUSA has also come under investigation
and as a result, in 2005 suspended operations temporarily.
All of this information is available to the public and the
book was thoroughly fact-checked prior to publication.
Levitt, who is a witness in the ongoing trial of the Holy
Land Foundation, explained further that he ``conducted three
years of careful research for Hamas, and the book was the
subject of academic peer review.''
But this didn't stop KinderUSA and the chair of its board,
Dr. Laila AI-Marayati, from filing a libel suit in California
in April against Levitt, Yale University Press, and the
Washington Institute for Near East Policy. They disputed a
particular passage from the book, as well as alleging that
Yale University Press did not subject it to fact-checking.
But, in filing the suit in California, they were faced with a
formidable challenge: the state's anti-SLAPP statute.
According to Inside Higher Education: ``KinderUSA asked the
court for an injunction on its request that distribution of
the book be halted, and also sought $500,000 in damages. But
in July, Yale raised the stakes by filing what is known as an
``anti-SLAPP suit'' motion, seeking to quash the libel suit
and to receive legal fees. SLAPP is an acronym for
``strategic lawsuit against public participation,'' a
category of lawsuit viewed as an attempt not to win in court,
but to harass a nonprofit group or publication that is
raising issues of public concern. The fear of those sued is
that groups with more money can tie them up in court in ways
that would discourage them from exercising their
[[Page 22813]]
rights to free speech. Anti-SLAPP statutes, such as the one
in California with which Yale responded, are tools created in
some states to counter such suits.''
Not only did Yale University Press stand by its author,
but, in the end, its aggressive response to KinderUSA paid
off. It was announced this month that the libel suit has been
dropped and no changes to the book or payments to the
plaintiffs will be forthcoming. KinderUSA claims that it
dropped the suit because of the costs involved, but it's more
likely it felt that it could not win. If the case had been
brought in the United Kingdom, the outcome could have been
far different.
This is why Americans must be vigilant about protecting
their free speech rights, even when the threats at hand do
not fit into the politically correct playbook. Certainly not
all Muslim charities and Saudi businessmen are involved in
financing terrorism, but the overwhelming amount of evidence
pointing to existing links deserves attention, as do the
fervent attempts by interested parties to silence those
trying to bring the truth to light. It is crucial that they
not succeed.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my Texas colleague described the
merits of this legislation so well, I will simply make my prepared
statement a part of the Record.
Mr. Speaker, in the wake of 9-11, the American media has become
increasingly alarmed over a phenomenon called ``libel tourism.'' The
term refers to the subject of a critical news story suing the American
author or reporter of the story in a plaintiff-friendly overseas forum.
This mostly occurs in the United Kingdom, since English libel and
slander laws offer less protection to journalists compared to the U.S.
system that features the protection offered by the First Amendment.
Persons identified in news stories as terrorists or terrorist
sympathizers have brought some of the higher-profile suits. In fact,
H.R. 6146 is a legislative response to a New York case in which a Saudi
billionaire sued an American author in the UK for defamation, based on
the author's allegations that he had subsidized terrorist activities.
What is the legal hook that allowed a British court to claim
jurisdiction over the case? Twenty-three copies of the author's book
detailing the billionaire's activities were purchased online in Great
Britain.
The reporter chose not to appear before the court, which subsequently
found her liable and ordered her to pay $225,000 in damages, apologize
to the plaintiff, and destroy any remaining copies of the offending
book.
Such a result is doubly troublesome. First, an author must worry
about satisfying a judgment that would bankrupt most Americans. And
second, an author must contend with the fall-out of being shunned by
the publishing community.
This is not an imagined result. It is a real threat to anyone wishing
to earn a living by reporting and commenting on controversial subjects.
And it's an outcome incompatible with our constitutional history and
its commitment to the free-flow of ideas and to the robust debate
contemplated by the First Amendment.
H.R. 6146 combats libel tourism by proscribing enforcement of any
foreign defamation case if it is not ``consistent with the First
Amendment . . . .'' This proposal tracks U.S. case law, which holds
that a foreign judgment will not be enforced in an American court if
the foreign judgment is offensive to State or Federal law.
H.R. 6146 does not overreach. It constitutes a straightforward and
sensible response to the practical legal problems caused by libel
tourism by codifying a principle already reflected in U.S. law.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the primary authors of the bill, my colleagues
on the Judiciary Committee, Representatives Steve Cohen and Darrell
Issa, for their hard work and persistence in addressing this important
subject.
I also want to acknowledge our colleague, Representative Peter King,
the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, for his work on
the issue.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6146.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this bill, I
rise to urge its approval by the House.
The bill responds to as increasingly serious threat to freedom of
speech--the phenomenon often called ``libel tourism.''
That term is used to describe lawsuits brought in other countries--
especially the United Kingdom--by people claiming to have been defamed
by publications that would not be considered defamatory in the United
States.
As explained in a recent news article about the practice--
Britain is a legal refuge because of defamation standards
rooted in common law. They essentially assume that any
offending speech is false and the writer or author must prove
that it is in fact true to prevail against the charge. In the
United States, with its First Amendment protection for free
speech, the situation tilts in the opposite direction: To
succeed, libel plaintiffs must prove that the speech is false
and published with a reckless disregard for the truth.
A notable example involves the case of Rachel Ehrenfeld, an Israeli-
born writer living in the United States and her legal battle with a
billionaire Saudi entrepreneur, Khalid Salim bin Mahfouz over her 2003
book on terrorist financing, ``Funding Evil,'' which asserted that Bin
Mahfouz and his family provided financial support to Islamic terrorist
groups. The book was not sold in the United Kingdom, but Mr. Bin
Mahfouz's lawyers argued that more than 20 copies of her book had been
purchased there online and that therefore the British courts had
authority to hear his defamation complaint.
Ms. Ehrenfeld did not respond and because she offered no defense, the
judge ruled that she had to pay a judgment of $225,000, apologize for
false allegations, and destroy existing copies of the book. Mr. Bin
Mahfouz has not sought to collect on the judgment, but Ms. Ehrenfeld
says it has affected her ability to publish further books. And last
year Cambridge University Press agreed to destroy all copies of ``Arms
for Jihad'' and to write to 100 libraries around the world seeking to
add an explanatory sheet to archived books.
Evidently Mr. Bin Mahfouz has filed more than 24 lawsuits against
writers and authors, and his advisers have created a special Web site
tracking the legal suits and apologies issued by writers and
publishers.
The bill now before the House responds to this threat to free speech.
It would bar any U.S. court (State or Federal) from recognizing or
enforcing a foreign defamation judgment unless it determined that the
judgment ``is consistent with the First Amendment.'' Thus, someone who
had won a defamation judgment abroad would have to prove the case under
U.S. standards before it could be enforced here. This will provide
important protection for Americans and others who exercise the First
Amendment right of free speech in our country.
I urge approval of the bill.
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R.
6146, legislation that will prohibit the recognition and enforcement of
foreign defamation judgments based upon a publication that concerns a
public figure or a matter of public concern. This bill, like
legislation (Free Speech Protection Act) that I introduced earlier this
year attempts to deal with the issue of ``libel tourism'' that
threatens not only Americans' First Amendment freedom of speech but
also their ability to inform the general public about existential
threats; namely, who are the terrorists and who are their supporters.
As the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security I am
regularly briefed on dangers to the homeland and know how grave these
threats are. We cannot allow foreigners the opportunity to muzzle
Americans for speaking the truth about these dangers!
Libel tourism is a recent phenomenon in which certain individuals are
obstructing the free expression rights of Americans (and the vital
interest of the American people) by seeking out foreign jurisdictions
(``libel shopping'') that do not provide the full extent of free-speech
protection that is enshrined in our First Amendment. Some of these
actions are intended not only to suppress the free speech rights of
journalists and others but also to intimidate publishers and other
organizations from disseminating or supporting their work.
Unlike in the United States where the burden of proof is on the
plaintiff to show that the publication was not only false but also
malicious, in countries such as the United Kingdom it is the reverse:
The defendant is required to appear in court and prove what he has
written was 100 percent factual. And some of the ``tourists'' claims of
jurisdiction are tenuous at best. In many cases, not only are none of
the individuals (author, litigant, or publisher) associated with the
case living in the venue of jurisdiction, but neither are the books
published there. These ``tourists'' stretch the law by claiming a
handful of copies of the book were purchased over the internet in that
country. The author must then hire an attorney, travel to the foreign
country, and defend himself or likely face a default judgment against
him. Consequences include (but are not limited to) fines, public
apologies, pulping of books, and the removal of them from bookstores
and libraries.
We cannot change nor would we want to change other countries' (libel)
laws. We must respect their rule of law as they ought to respect ours.
However, we cannot allow foreign citizens to exploit these courts to
shield personal reputations when it directly contradicts Americans'
First Amendment protected
[[Page 22814]]
speech, especially when the subject matter is of such grave importance
as terrorism and those who finance it. We rely on a variety of sources
for intelligence and we cannot allow foreign litigants and foreign
courts to tell us who can write and who can publish what. That is a
dangerous path we do not want to follow.
Furthermore, the governments and courts of some foreign countries
have failed to curtail this practice, permitting lawsuits filed by
persons who are often not citizens of those countries, under
circumstances where there is often little or no basis for jurisdiction
over the Americans against whom such suits are brought.
Some of the plaintiffs bringing such suits are intentionally and
strategically refraining from filing their suits in the United States,
even though the speech at issue was published in the United States, to
avoid the Supreme Court's First Amendment jurisprudence and frustrate
the protections it affords Americans.
But this issue is also very troubling for the authors, journalists,
and even publishers who attempt to write on these subjects. Already we
have seen examples of authors having difficulty getting their articles
or books published because of publishing houses' fear of being sued
overseas. Some companies have even gone as far as to pay large
settlements to avoid having to go to court. So not only are authors
being injured for the works they have previously written but they and
their publishers are being intimidated from writing future works on
these important topics. The free expression and publication by
journalists, academics, commentators, experts, and others of the
information they uncover and develop through research and study is
essential to the formation of sound public policy and thus to the
security of Americans.
The Americans against whom such suits are brought must consequently
endure the prohibitive expense, inconvenience, and anxiety attendant to
being sued in foreign courts for conduct that is protected by the First
Amendment, or decline to answer such suits and risk the entry of costly
default judgments that may be executed in countries other than the
United States where those individuals travel or own property.
In turn, the American people are suffering concrete and profound harm
because they, their representatives, and other government policy-makers
rely on the free expression of information, ideas and opinions
developed by responsible journalists, academics, commentators, experts,
and others for the formulation of sound public policy, including
national security policy.
Having said that, the United States respects the sovereign right of
other countries to enact their own laws regarding speech, and seeks
only to protect the First Amendment rights of Americans in connection
with speech that occurs, in whole or part, in the United States.
That is why earlier this year I introduced the Free Speech Protection
Act, H.R. 5814, to defend U.S. persons who are sued for defamation in
foreign courts. This legislation allows U.S. persons to bring a Federal
cause of action against any person bringing a foreign libel suit if the
writing does not constitute defamation under U.S. law. It would also
bar enforcement of foreign libel judgments and provide other
appropriate injunctive relief by U.S. courts if a cause of action is
established. H.R. 5814 would award damages to the U.S. person who
brought the action in the amount of the foreign judgment, the costs
related to the foreign lawsuit, and the harm caused due to the
decreased opportunities to publish, conduct research, or generate
funding. Furthermore, it would award treble damages if the person
bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to
suppress First Amendment rights. It allows for the expedited discovery
if the court determines that the speech at issue in the foreign
defamation action is protected by the First Amendment. Finally, nothing
in this legislation would limit the rights of foreign litigants who
bring good faith defamation actions to prevail against journalists and
others who have failed to adhere to standards of professionalism by
publishing false information maliciously or recklessly. The Free Speech
Protection Act does, however, attempt to discourage those foreign libel
suits that aim to intimidate, threaten, and restrict the freedom of
speech of Americans. I am proud to have worked closely with Senators.
Arlen Specter and Joe Lieberman who have introduced companion
legislation in the Senate.
I support the passage of H.R. 6146, a Federal version of New York
State's ``Rachel's Law,'' which will provide protection to U.S.
authors, journalists, and publishers against the domestic enforcement
of defamation judgments from foreign countries with less free speech
protections than the U.S. The protection of free speech enshrined in
the First Amendment is one of America's most cherished rights, and it
is unacceptable that First Amendment rights of Americans can be
potentially undermined or restricted by foreign court judgments based
on lower free speech standards.
The impetus for a Federal ``Rachel's Law'' is the case of Dr. Rachel
Ehrenfeld, a U.S. citizen and Director of the American Center for
Democracy. Dr. Ehrenfeld's 2003 book, ``Funding Evil: How Terrorism is
Financed and How to Stop It,'' which was published solely in the United
States by a U.S. publisher, alleged that a Saudi Arabian subject and
his family financially supported al Qaeda in the years preceding the
attacks of September 11. He sued Dr. Ehrenfeld for libel in England
though because under English law, it is not necessary for a libel
plaintiff to prove falsity or actual malice as is required in the U.S.
After the English court entered a judgment against Dr. Ehrenfeld, she
sought to shield herself with a declaration from both Federal and State
courts that her book did not create liability under American law, but
jurisdictional barriers prevented both the Federal and New York State
courts from acting. Reacting to this problem, the Governor of New York,
on May 1, 2008, signed into law the ``Libel Terrorism Protection Act'',
commonly known as ``Rachel's Law.''
I support H.R. 6146 because it prohibits U.S. (domestic) courts from
enforcing these outrageous defamation suits. We must stand up to the
terrorists and their financers, supporters, and sympathizers. However,
this bill does not go far enough nor does it resolve the problem of
``libel tourism.'' Foreign litigants will still be allowed to file
these libel suits overseas without the worry of being countersued here
in the U.S. If this bill passes, they will never see a dime of those
hefty judgments they were awarded, but that's not what they are after
in the first place. They want the default judgment. They want the
publicity. They want the apology. And they want these books to
disappear. But most of all they want to intimidate. They want to make
sure people are afraid of writing anything about them. And it's
working. Journalists are even afraid of writing about this legislation!
That's their goal here. Not to collect the money. Many of them are
already wealthy, and if they really cared about collecting a monetary
judgment they would file these suits in the U.S. in the first place.
They choose not to, however, because they know they would never win in
a U.S. court.
Finally, I support H.R. 6146 because it is a first step in the right
direction. I am a cosponsor of this bill and thank Representatives
Steve Cohen and Darrell Issa for introducing it. H.R. 6146 is an
important and necessary part of any ``libel tourism'' bill.
Unfortunately, it doesn't put an end to the problem and doesn't provide
any deterrence from these suits being filed in the first place. But it
is my hope that during the 111th Congress we can have hearings on this
important issue and that Representatives Cohen and Issa, along with
Senators Specter and Lieberman and I, can sit down together and craft a
bill that we can all agree on and that will solve this problem once and
for all.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6146, a bill
to stifle the practice of libel tourism.
The right to free speech in the United States is of fundamental
importance. It is arguably the cornerstone of our democracy and the
hammer that keeps our government and its officials in check.
We must not take our right to free speech for granted, for our level
of freedom is not honored in many countries around the world. China is
an easy example of government-controlled speech, as demonstrated
recently by the restrictions placed on the international press during
the Olympic Games. But other countries are more of a surprise.
Our friend and ally, Great Britain, takes a much more liberal
position on libel laws than the United States. They allow judgments
against defendants that would not pass muster in our domestic courts,
and for this reason many plaintiffs in libel suits involving American
defendants seek redress in British courts.
For example, the book, ``Alms for Jihad'', written by a former State
Department analyst and a University of California Santa Barbara
professor, looked into the network of global finances aiding
international terrorism. The book mentioned a Saudi billionaire as
being involved at some level, a claim not without controversy, but also
not without legitimate research by the authors.
The threat of lawsuit by the billionaire in the British courts alone
caused Cambridge University Press to shred all unsold copies of ``Alms
for Jihad'' in addition to asking libraries the world over to pull the
book.
We cannot allow libel laws in other countries to censor the writings
of American authors when laws within the United States find the
writings legitimate. Doing so will erode our right to free speech in
the United States, an outcome I believe we all find abhorrent.
[[Page 22815]]
I cosponsored H.R. 6146 with Congressman Steve Cohen to help
eliminate this threat. The bill instructs courts within the United
States not to enforce libel judgments of foreign courts unless the
domestic court finds the judgment is consistent with the First
Amendment. This is a fairly simple mechanism, but one that we expect to
help control the threat of censorship arising from libel tourism.
Without the fear of foreign judgments against legitimate writings,
American authors should feel safe continue to promote national and
international discourse and debate.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Altmire). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6146, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
REPORT ON RESOLUTION WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII
WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (during debate on H.R. 6146), from the
Committee on Rules, submitted a privileged report (Rept. No. 110-897)
on the resolution (H. Res. 1514) waiving a requirement of clause 6(a)
of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions
reported from the Committee on Rules, which was referred to the House
Calendar and ordered to be printed.
____________________
EQUAL JUSTICE FOR OUR MILITARY ACT OF 2007
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3174) to amend titles 28 and 10, United States Code, to
allow for certiorari review of certain cases denied relief or review by
the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3174
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Justice for Our
Military Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) In General.--Section 1259 of title 28, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or denied'' after
``granted''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``or denied'' after
``granted''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 867a(a) of
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``The
Supreme Court may not review by a writ of certiorari under
this section any action of the Court of Appeals for the Armed
Forces in refusing to grant a petition for review.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Equal Justice for Our Military Act amends the
Federal judicial code to allow members of the United States Armed
Services to petition for review by the United States Supreme Court in
certain cases when they have been denied relief by the Court of Appeals
for the Armed Forces.
Many Americans would be shocked to learn that soldiers serving their
country in uniform are blocked from equal access to the Supreme Court.
But the truth is that current law provides virtually no avenue
through which active service members who have been convicted by court-
martial of certain serious offenses, or who face discharge or
dismissal, to ask our Nation's highest court to review their case.
Currently, the Supreme Court can only hear cases where the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the highest court of the military
justice system, has either conducted a review of a court-martial, or
has granted a service-member's petition for extraordinary relief.
What this means is that when the court of appeals denies review,
which it does nearly 90 percent of the time, the Supreme Court is
barred from reconsidering the case at the request of the servicemember.
Adding insult to injury, while a servicemember is not able to obtain
Supreme Court review if he or she loses at the court of appeals, if the
court of appeals rules against the government, the Government can seek
review in the Supreme Court.
And a former servicemember who is tried under the Military
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act in civilian court for crimes
committed while on active duty also has full right to petition for
Supreme Court review.
The Equal Justice for Our Military Act corrects this unfair one-
sidedness by allowing an active servicemember to file a writ of
certiorari to the Supreme Court in any case where the Court of Appeals
for the Armed Forces has denied review of a court-marital conviction or
has denied a petition for extraordinary relief.
I would like to commend the author of this bill, our colleague Susan
Davis of California, for her leadership in working to correct this
ongoing injustice, so that our active servicemembers have the same
fundamental protection that Americans take for granted.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from California (Mrs. Davis).
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our
troops by urging passage of H.R. 3174, the Equal Justice For Our
Military Act, a bill giving our servicemembers equal access to the
United States Supreme Court.
We all know when American men and women decide to serve their Nation
in the Armed Forces, they make many sacrifices, from lost time with
their families to irreplaceable loss of lives. Servicemembers also
sacrifice one of the fundamental legal rights that all civilian members
enjoy.
Members of the military convicted of offenses under the military
justice system do not have the legal right to appeal their cases to the
U.S. Supreme Court. After exhausting their appeals through the United
States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, they have no recourse. In
fact, the playing field is weighted in favor of the military, granting
the automatic right of Supreme Court review to the Department of
Defense when a servicemember wins a case. But servicemembers are denied
the same right in nearly every case the government wins against them.
It is unjust to deny the members of our Armed Forces access to our
system of justice as they fight for our freedom around the world. They
deserve better.
As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, a long
time advocate for servicemembers and a Representative from San Diego,
one of the largest military communities in the Nation, I feel an
obligation to fight to ensure that the members of our military are
treated fairly.
I introduced, along with Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, H.R.
3174 to correct this inequity. This bill has been endorsed by the
American Bar Association, the Military Officers Association of America,
and many other legal and military advocates. In addition, the
Congressional Budget Office has stated that this bill does not affect
direct spending.
It is fundamentally unjust, Mr. Speaker, to deny those who serve on
behalf of our country one of the basic rights afforded to all other
Americans. I hope that all of my colleagues will stand with me in
strong support of this legislation to attain equal treatment for those
who fight for us.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of servicemembers serve with
distinction and honor, and are never subjected to disciplinary action
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But when disciplinary
action is necessary, the UCMJ and the military justice system
[[Page 22816]]
provide a high degree of protection for the accused. In many cases,
these protections extend well beyond those provided by the civil
justice system.
But from time to time, policymakers ought to review and contemplate
proposals for change. I am told the particular section of the code this
bill would amend has not been altered or subjected to a congressional
review in a quarter of a century. And yet the bill before us proposes
far-reaching and significant changes in terms of expanded appellate
rights for servicemembers convicted of wrongdoing.
I would support consideration of this measure in the regular order.
But the regular order requires a review and consideration of the
relative merits of the legislation by subcommittee and committee
members with subject matter expertise; a hearing with witnesses who can
present expert testimony and offer guidance as to the necessity, effect
and scope of any proposals in the bill; a markup or markups after
notice to the public and the stakeholders most likely to be impacted by
changes; and a committee report that is written and made available to
the public and future Congresses that explains the intent and rationale
of the proposed changes.
Regrettably, the committee and House leadership have decided to
short-circuit the process and dispense with every single one of these
steps. This is despite the fact that the bill was introduced by its
sponsors and referred to the Courts Subcommittee, with no action, more
than a year ago.
The regular order did not fare any better in the other body where the
committee of jurisdiction took up the measure just 2 weeks ago and
reported it without a hearing, a report, or any other substantial
process or record.
Because of the haste with which this proposal is being considered,
one might infer there are no questions that ought to be addressed or
there are questions that might expose this bill as bad policy if
Congress wasn't rushing to judgment.
The truth is when a similar measure was introduced last Congress, the
general counsel of the Department of Defense raised major questions
about the wisdom and necessity of that bill, as well as its likely
impact on the department.
In a letter dated February 6, 2006, General Counsel William J.
Haynes, II, wrote that the Department of Defense ``opposes the proposed
legislation.''
He noted the department's view that ``there is demonstrable inequity
that needs to be rectified''; that ``opening this additional avenue of
Supreme Court appeal will require legal reviews and briefs from
numerous counsel on the military departments' Government and Defense
Appellate Divisions, the Department of Defense Office of General
Counsel, as well as within the Office of the Solicitor General and the
Supreme Court,'' and that the legislation provides no ``clear
safeguards'' to preclude the possible abuse by petitioners of this new
avenue for appellate review.
{time} 1845
I am particularly concerned by this last point as well as the fact
that the bill is written to permit an appellant to repeal the case to
the Supreme Court even when the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
has declined to review it on the merits, let alone to issue a final
decision.
Unfortunately, by refusing to permit the subcommittee and committee
members to study the issues and properly discharge their
responsibilities, the House leadership is forcing Members to make
assumptions without any evidence. Just as a court should not convict
someone of an offense without due process and evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt, Members of Congress should not be placed in the
position of changing long-standing policies without some formal process
and actual consideration of the evidence for and against the proposal.
The Democratic leadership increasingly has resorted to extraordinary
tactics to move legislation. In so doing, they do a disservice to the
Members of the House and of the people we represent.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, the unasked questions and lack of process
compel me for the time being to oppose this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3174.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
FURTHER MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A further message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks,
announced that the Senate has passed and agreed to without amendment
bills and a concurrent resolution of the House of the following titles:
H.R. 1157. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
authorize the director of the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the
development and operation of research centers regarding
environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of
breast cancer.
H.R. 1532. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act
with respect to making progress toward the goal of
eliminating tuberculosis, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6946. An act to make a technical correction in the NET
911 Improvement Act of 2008.
H. Con. Res. 195. Concurrent resolution expressing the
sense of the Congress that a National Dysphagia Awareness
Month should be established.
The message also announced that the Senate agreed to the amendment of
the House to the bill (S. 2162) ``An Act to improve the treatment and
services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans
with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and
for other purposes.''.
The message also announced that the Senate agreed to the amendment of
the House to the bill (S. 3023) ``An Act to amend title 38, United
States Code, to improve and enhance compensation and pension, housing,
labor and education, and insurance benefits for veterans, and for other
purposes.''.
____________________
NEED-BASED EDUCATIONAL AID ACT OF 2008
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1777) to
amend the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to make permanent the
favorable treatment of need-based educational aid under the antitrust
laws.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
On page 2, strike lines 5 and 6 and insert the following:
``Section 568(d) of the Improving America's Schools Act of
1994 (15 U.S.C. 1 note) is amended by striking `2008' and
inserting '2015'.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
The Need-Based Educational Aid Act, sponsored by our colleagues Bill
Delahunt of Massachusetts and Ranking Member Lamar Smith of Texas,
extends an antitrust exemption that permits colleges to agree to award
financial aid on a need-blind basis and to use common principles of
needs analysis in making their determinations. This exemption also
permits the use of a common aid application form in exchange
[[Page 22817]]
of student financial information through a third party.
In 1992, Congress passed the first exemption. It has expired several
times, and it is now set to expire in 4 days. We hope to avoid that by
passing this bipartisan legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
With the current antitrust exemption for need-based educational aid
expiring on September 30, our timely action is necessary. Congressman
Delahunt, the sponsor of this bill, has successfully guided it through
Congress, and without his efforts, we might not have extended this
extension before it expired.
I appreciate Mr. Delahunt's leadership because this issue has long
been of interest to me. I was a sponsor of the bill that extended the
exemption in 1997 and in 2001, and I am pleased to be a cosponsor of
this bill as well.
The bills in 1997 and 2001 were like the bill that passed the House
last April, a permanent extension of the moratorium. Both times, the
Senate amended those bills, as they did again this year, to a term of
years. This exemption originated because Congress disagreed with a suit
brought by the Department of Justice against nine colleges for their
efforts to use common criteria to assess each student's financial need.
Twenty-seven colleges and universities currently are members of the 568
Presidents' Group, which utilizes this antitrust exemption.
They include Amherst College, Boston College, Brown University,
Claremont McKenna College, Columbia University, Cornell University,
Dartmouth College, Davidson College, Duke University, Emory University,
Georgetown University, Grinnell College, Haverford College, MIT,
Middlebury College, Northwestern University, Pomona College, Rice
University, Swarthmore College, the University of Chicago, the
University of Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt
University, Wake Forest University, Wellesley College, Wesleyan
University, and Williams College.
Several other colleges, including Yale and Harvard, participate as
advisory members of this group.
To my knowledge, there are no complaints about the existing
exemption. In fact, a recent GAO study of the exemption found that
there has been no abuse of the exemption, and it stated that there has
not been an increase in the cost of tuition as a result of the
exemption.
This bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend the exemption for
another 7 years. It would not make any change to the substance of the
exemption. I had hoped that Congress would have been able to extend the
exemption permanently, but I'm aware that some in the Senate objected.
The need-based financial aid system serves a worthy goal that the
antitrust laws do not adequately address--making financial aid
available to the broadest number of students solely on the basis of
demonstrated need.
No students who are otherwise qualified should be denied the
opportunity to go to one of these schools because of the limited
financial means of their families. This bill helps protect need-based
aid and need-blind admissions. It has been noncontroversial in the
past, and it is supported by a number of higher educational groups. I
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, the exemption that we are
renewing today has worked well. It makes sure that schools don't have
to compete for the very top students, which could result in some
students, the top students, getting excess aid while the rest of the
applicant pool receives less or, in some cases, none at all.
As mentioned by Mr. Smith, it was sent back to us by the Senate. The
exemption is extended to 2015. Enacting this today protects need-based
aid and need-blind admissions, and it will help preserve the
opportunity for all students to attend one of the Nation's most
prestigious schools. As Mr. Smith has noted, we hope someday to have a
permanent extension, but for now, we need to pass this bill. I urge my
colleagues to support the legislation.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 1777, the ``Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2007.'' This bill is
co-sponsored by Representative Delahunt. This bill makes sense and it
should be supported. I urge my colleagues to support this very
important bill.
H.R. 1777 would make permanent an exemption to the antitrust laws
that permits the Ivy League schools to agree to award financial aid on
a need-blind basis and to use common principles of needs analysis in
making their determinations. The exemption also allows for agreement on
the use of a common aid application form and the exchange of the
student's financial information through a third party. Without this
legislation, the exemption will expire on September 30, 2008. I support
this bill.
Beginning in the mid-1950s, a number of prestigious private colleges
and universities agreed to award institutional financial aid, i.e., aid
from the school's own funds solely on the basis of demonstrated
financial need. These schools also agreed to use common principles to
assess each student's financial need and to give the same financial aid
award to students admitted to more than one member of the group. This
practice remained undisturbed until the late 1980s.
In 1989, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice brought
suit against the nine Ivy League schools to enjoin this practice. In
1991, the eight Ivy Leagues, except MIT, agreed to a consent decree
that ended this practice.
In 1992, Congress passed a temporary antitrust exemption to allow the
schools to agree to award financial aid on a need-blind basis and to
use common principles of needs analysis. This temporary exemption
prohibited any agreement as to the terms of a financial aid award to
any specific student. It was to expire on September 30, 1994.
In 1994, Congress passed another temporary exemption from the
antitrust laws. This exemption, similar to the 1992 exemption, allowed
agreements to provide aid on the basis of need only and to use common
principles of needs analysis. It also prohibited agreements on awards
to specific students. Unlike the 1992 exemption, it allowed agreement
on the use of a common aid application form and the exchange of the
student's financial information through a third party. The exemption
was to expire on September 30, 1997.
In 1997, Congress passed a law to extend the expiration date until
September 30, 2001. In 2001, the exemption was extended to September
30, 2008.
H.R. 1777, introduced by Representative Bill Delahunt and Ranking
Member Lamar Smith, would make the exemption passed in 1994 permanent.
It would not make any other change to the substance of the exemption.
This is a good bill because need-based financial aid serves social
goals that the antitrust laws do not adequately address, namely, making
financial aid available to the broadest number of students solely on
the basis of demonstrated need.
But for the existence of financial aid, and laws like this one, many
of us today in Congress and in America, generally, would not have
benefited from a post-secondary school education. We must pass this
bill today to ensure that Americans continue to benefit from need-based
financial aid at institutions of higher learning.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 1777.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT NONMINISTER RELIGIOUS WORKER PROGRAM ACT
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3606) to extend the special
immigrant nonminister religious worker program and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3606
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page 22818]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as ``Special Immigrant Nonminister
Religious Worker Program Act''.
SEC. 2. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT NONMINISTER RELIGIOUS WORKER
PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--Subclause (II) and subclause (III) of
section 101(a)(27)(C)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(C)(ii)) are amended by striking
``October 1, 2008,'' both places such term appears and
inserting ``March 6, 2009,''.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall--
(1) issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud
related to the granting of special immigrant status for
special immigrants described in subclause (II) or (III) of
section 101(a)(27)(C)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(C)(ii)); and
(2) submit a certification to Congress and publish notice
in the Federal Register that such regulations have been
issued and are in effect.
(c) Report.--Not later than March 6, 2009, the Inspector
General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit
to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the regulations
required by subsection (b)(1).
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date that the Secretary of Homeland
Security submits the certification described in subsection
(b)(2) stating that the final regulations required by
subsection (b)(1) have been issued and are in effect.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
S. 3606 reauthorizes the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious
Worker Program, which provides an avenue for nuns, monks and other
religious workers to come to the United States to do their important
work. If we do not act, this program will sunset in just 4 days.
On April 15 of this year, we passed H.R. 5570 to reauthorize the
program for 7 years. As sent over from the Senate, the bill allows the
program to expire on March 6, 2009. While this unfortunate limitation
will require Congress to revisit this issue promptly next year, I
believe the program is too important to let expire.
The 5,000 religious workers eligible for these visas each year are
called to a vocation or are in traditional religious occupations with
bona fide nonprofit religious organizations. They are missionaries,
counselors, religious instructors, and other pastoral care providers.
There is a bipartisan consensus around this program. It has been
extended four times since first enacted in 1990. We have worked with
Mr. Smith to craft provisions to guard against potential fraud. The
Senate bill incorporates those protections. I think this is a sound
bill, and I hope that we're able to pass it tonight.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am happy to have played a part in the creation of the Religious
Worker Immigrant Visa program in 1990. These visas enable American
religious denominations, large and small, to benefit from committed
religious workers from other countries.
Last April, the House passed legislation to extend the program for an
additional 7 years. Senator Specter introduced legislation in the
Senate to extend the program for 3 years. I support this bill today.
However, it only reauthorizes the religious worker visa program for
about 5 months.
Why such a short reauthorization?
Well, the reason is that some Democrats in the Senate are holding the
reauthorization of another vital immigration program hostage. The E-
Verify program provides tens of thousands of American employers who
want to do the right thing with an effective tool to ensure that they
are hiring a legal workforce.
The authorization for E-Verify expires in November, so the House
passed a 5-year reauthorization by the overwhelming vote of 407-2.
Unfortunately, Democrats in the Senate have refused to pass an
extension of E-Verify for longer than 5 months. They refuse to pass a
longer extension unless we accede to their demand to increase
immigration to the United States by about a half a million people.
Such a demand goes against the clear preference of the American
people who support current or reduced levels of immigration. It goes
against the interest of American workers who compete with foreign
workers for the same jobs, and it goes against the interest of American
employers who want to count on E-Verify's being available to them for
the long term.
This body is right to reject the demand of the Senate Democrats.
Unfortunately, since they will only extend E-Verify for 5 months, we
will only get a 5-month extension of the religious worker visa program.
So we will need to address this issue again after the 111th Congress
convenes next January.
I do appreciate the language in this bill that requires the
Department of Homeland Security to expeditiously issue needed
regulations to address fraud in the religious worker visa program. I
have long been concerned about the high level of fraud that has been
evident in this program. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I just want to comment
briefly on the March 6 date.
It is my understanding that two Republican Senators requested
dramatic changes to the E-Verify program extension that we were able to
pass here. When they were unable to get it, the Senate--or I should say
the other body--was able to agree on just an extension until March 6.
Then the issue was that nothing else was going to go past March 6.
So I think it's interesting to note that, even though we oftentimes
have very contentious disagreements on various immigration matters here
in the House, we were able to come to an agreement to extend the E-
Verify program for an extended period of time. They couldn't get that
together in the Senate, so we're going to, indeed, have to revisit this
as well as E-Verify early next year, and we will have to try and come
to an agreement that is bipartisan and bicameral. Certainly, we need to
approve this today so that religious workers can enrich the lives of
our communities. With that, I urge its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, S. 3606 is similar to a bill I authored, H.R. 5570,
which passed the House on April 15 of this year.
Both bills would reauthorize the Special Immigrant Non-Minister
Religious Worker Program, which allows non-minister religious workers
to obtain special immigrant status in the U.S. so that they may do the
work required of their faith.
The program is vitally important to religious organizations as it
provides in many!instances the only avenue for nuns, monks, and other
people of faith to come to the United States to fill a vocation or
other traditional religious occupation. Those who use the visas come
over to serve as missionaries, counselors, translators, religious
instructors, cantors, and other pastoral care providers.
Unfortunately, the program is currently set to expire in just a few
days.
H.R. 5570, the bill I authored, would have extended the program for
several years. But S. 3606, as sent back from the Senate, would extend
the program only through March 6, 2009. Although I strongly would have
preferred to extend the program for longer, the program is too
important to let expire. We should extend the program today to allow us
the additional time we need to work out a longer extension.
I also note tat the program was first enacted in 1990 and that
Congress has extended it four times, most recently in 2003. Working
with Lamar Smith, the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, we
made changes to the program for the first time to address potential
fraudulent uses of the program. The Senate bill includes those
protections.
I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan
legislation.
[[Page 22819]]
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 3606.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
{time} 1900
EXTENDING PROGRAM RELATING TO WAIVER OF FOREIGN COUNTRY RESIDENCE
REQUIREMENT WITH RESPECT TO INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5571) to
extend for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign
country residence requirement with respect to international medical
graduates, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
On page 2, line 5, strike ``June 1, 2013'' and insert
``March 6, 2009''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5571 reauthorizes a critically important
immigration program that helps medically underserved communities
attract highly skilled physicians. This program expired on June 1 of
this year. On May 21, the House passed this bill with a 5-year
reauthorization.
As sent back from the Senate, the bill allows the program to expire
again on March 6, 2009. While this unfortunate limitation will require
Congress to revisit this issue promptly next year, the program is too
important to let expire. The program helps States attract doctors who
have received their medical training in the United States and who agree
to work in medically underserved areas.
Its importance was demonstrated last year when a tornado utterly
destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kansas. That town would not have had
doctors without this program, and their presence helped tremendously in
the town's ability to keep casualties to a minimum.
We need to keep this program going so that the States can attract
medical talent and keep the doors open.
I commend Ranking Member Lamar Smith, as well as my colleague, Sheila
Jackson-Lee, for their efforts to bring this bill to the floor, and I
urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill extends a program that has successfully
brought doctors to medically underserved areas in the U.S. The Conrad
Program allows foreign doctors who have been here on exchange programs
to stay at the conclusion of their residencies if they agree to
practice medicine for at least 3 years in health professionals shortage
areas.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.
This bill extends a program that has successfully brought doctors to
medically underserved areas in the U.S. The ``Conrad'' program allows
foreign doctors who have been here on exchange programs to stay at the
conclusion of their residencies if they agree to practice medicine for
at least 3 years in health professional shortage areas.
In May the House passed legislation to extend the program for an
additional 5 years. And Senator Specter introduced legislation in the
Senate to also extend the program for 5 years. Our medically
underserved communities deserve a long-term reauthorization of this
program so that they can better plan for the future.
I support this bill today. However, it only reauthorizes the Conrad
program for about 5 months. Why such a short reauthorization? Well, the
reason is that the Democrats on the other side of the Capitol are
holding the reauthorization of another vital immigration program
hostage.
The E-Verify program provides tens of thousands of American employers
who want to do the right thing with an effective way to ensure that
they are hiring a legal workforce. The authorization for E-Verify
expires in November, so the House passed a 5 year reauthorization by
the overwhelming vote of 407 to 2.
Unfortunately, the Democrats in the Senate have refused to pass an
extension of E-Verify for longer than 5 months. They refuse to pass a
longer extension unless we accede to their demand to increase
immigration to the U.S. by over 500,000 persons.
Such a demand goes against the clear preference of the American
people who oppose an increase in immigration levels already at a record
high. It goes against the interests of American workers in these
unsettled economic times. And it goes against the interests of American
employers, who want to count on E-Verify being available to them for
the long term.
The House is right to reject the demand of the Senate Democrats.
Unfortunately, since they will only extend E-Verify for 5 months, we
will only get a five month extension of the Conrad program. Thus, we
will need to address this issue again after the 111th Congress convenes
next winter.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, today, we are preventing
a critically important immigration program from expiring.
No one disputes that there is a health care crisis in this country.
With our population aging, there is no doubt that the demand for health
care will only increase.
The problem is made worse by a shortage of medical professionals,
including doctors, in many communities across America. H.R. 5571 will
reauthorize a program--the Conrad 30 J Waiver Program--that has been
successful at helping medically underserved communities attract highly
skilled physicians.
The program allows States to recruit foreign doctors who have
received their medical training in the United States, so long as those
doctors work in medically underserved areas.
This program is critically important to underserved communities
across this country, but it unfortunately expired on June 1, 2008. The
House passed the bill on May 21, but the Senate did not act until just
yesterday, when it extended the program through March 6, 2009.
Although I would have strongly preferred to reauthorize this program
for 5 years, as the bill I introduced stated, this program is too
important to let expire as we continue to negotiate the length of time
this program should be extended. We must pass this bill today so that
we may have the additional time we need to further reauthorize the
Conrad 30 J Waiver Program.
I wish to thank Lamar Smith, the Ranking Member of the Judiciary
Committee, and Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee for their efforts in
helping me bring this bill to the floor.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I just further urge
support of this bill, and I yield back my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 5571.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
CAMPUS SAFETY ACT OF 2008
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6838) to establish and operate a National
Center for Campus Public Safety.
[[Page 22820]]
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6838
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Center to Advance, Monitor,
and Preserve University Security Safety Act of 2008'' or the
``CAMPUS Safety Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL CENTER FOR CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY.
Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following new part:
``PART LL--NATIONAL CENTER FOR CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY
``SEC. 3021. NATIONAL CENTER FOR CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY.
``(a) Authority To Establish and Operate Center.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services is authorized to establish and
operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety (referred
to in this section as the `Center').
``(2) Grant authority.--The Director of the Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services is authorized to award
grants to institutions of higher education and other
nonprofit organizations to asisst in carrying out the
functions of the Center required under subsection (b).
``(b) Functions of the Center.--The Center shall--
``(1) provide quality education and training for campus
public safety agencies of institutions of higher education
and the agencies' collaborative partners, including campus
mental health agencies;
``(2) foster quality research to strengthen the safety and
security of the institutions of higher education in the
United States;
``(3) serve as a clearinghouse for the identification and
dissemination of information, policies, procedures, and best
practices relevant to campus public safety, including off-
campus housing safety, the prevention of violence against
persons and property, and emergency response and evacuation
procedures;
``(4) develop protocols, in conjunction with the Attorney
General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of
Education, State, local, and tribal governments and law
enforcement agencies, private and nonprofit organizations and
associations, and other stakeholders, to prevent, protect
against, respond to, and recover from, natural and man-made
emergencies or dangerous situations involving an immediate
threat to the health or safety of the campus community;
``(5) promote the development and dissemination of
effective behavioral threat assessment and management models
to prevent campus violence;
``(6) coordinate campus safety information (including ways
to increase off-campus housing safety) and resources
available from the Department of Justice, the Department of
Homeland Security, the Department of Education, State, local,
and tribal governments and law enforcement agencies, and
private and nonprofit organizations and associations;
``(7) increase cooperation, collaboration, and consistency
in prevention, response, and problem-solving methods among
law enforcement, mental health, and other agencies and
jurisdictions serving institutions of higher education in the
United States;
``(8) develop standardized formats and models for mutual
aid agreements and memoranda of understanding between campus
security agencies and other public safety organizations and
mental health agencies; and
``(9) report annually to Congress and the Attorney General
on activities performed by the Center during the previous 12
months.
``(c) Coordination With Available Resources.--In
establishing the Center, the Director of the Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services shall--
``(1) consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the
Secretary of Education, and the Attorney General of each
State; and
``(2) coordinate the establishment and operation of the
Center with campus public safety resources that may be
available within the Department of Homeland Security and the
Department of Education.
``(d) Definition of Institution of Higher Education.--In
this section, the term `institution of higher education' has
the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, we have seen a number of tragic
incidents of violence at colleges and universities, including the
disastrous incidents at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University.
This bill will help schools to more effectively prevent such
incidents and to more effectively respond if such incidents do occur.
It creates a national center for campus public safety administered
through the Department of Justice. The center will train campus safety
agencies, promote research into improving campus safety, and be a
clearinghouse for campus safety information. The director at the center
will have the authority to award grants to institutions of higher
learning to help them meet their enhanced public safety goals.
I would like to thank and publicly acknowledge Crime Subcommittee
Chairman Bobby Scott of Virginia, as well as ranking member of that
subcommittee, Louie Gohmert of Texas, as well as Senator Leahy for
their bipartisan leadership on this initiative.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill.
I would like to associate myself with the remarks made by the
gentlewoman from California, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and I will
include my entire statement as part of the Record.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, teachers and students at Virginia
Tech gathered to mark the 1-year anniversary of the campus shooting
that killed 27 students and 5 faculty members. We now know that the
shooter was a mentally-disturbed young man who was able to purchase two
handguns. He brought those handguns to the campus and began a shooting
spree that spanned several hours and occurred in both dorms and
classrooms across campus.
Sadly, in February of this year, a gunman stormed a classroom at
Northern Illinois University and opened fire, killing 5 students and
wounding 16 others before killing himself.
In the wake of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern
Illinois University and a recent rash of violence in public schools
across the country, it is appropriate for Congress to act to provide
resources to schools and law enforcement officials to help protect our
schools.
School and college campuses should be safe environments for students
to learn. Today, campus security requires much more than ever before,
including campus police, emergency alert systems, and emergency
response plans.
H.R. 6838, the CAMPUS Safety Act, authorizes the Department of
Justice to establish a National Center for Campus Public Safety to
award grants to colleges and universities and other nonprofit
organizations, provide education and training for campus public safety
agencies, and promote research to improve the security of colleges and
universities.
The center may coordinate with other Federal agencies to prevent and
respond to natural disasters, incidents of campus violence, or other
emergencies. The center may also promote the development of an
effective behavioral health threat assessment to prevent campus
violence.
It is my hope that through this legislation and other programs across
the country, we can do our best to prevent violence on our college and
university campuses.
I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 6838.
I yield back my time.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 6838, ``Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University
Security Safety Act of 2008'', introduced by my colleague Congressman
Bobby Scott of Virginia.
Sadly, this legislation is in reaction to the numerous tragedies
occurring at colleges and universities, including the disastrous events
that occurred at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University. The
Virginia Tech shooting resulted in the slaying of over 30 members of
the Virginia Tech family and many others being wounded.
The shooting that occurred on the campus of Northern Illinois
University on February 14, 2008 also killed and injured several
individuals
[[Page 22821]]
on the campus. Unfortunately, because these events were the first of
their kind for the schools, they were not fully knowledgeable on how to
respond.
CAMPUS SAFETY ACT
This legislation will assist all institutions of higher education and
states receive the best information possible on campus safety.
This legislation establishes and organizes a National Center for
Campus Safety (Center) which will:
1. Provide quality education and training for campus public safety
agencies of institutions of higher education and the agencies'
collaborative partners, including campus mental health agencies;
2. Foster quality research to strengthen the safety and security of
the institutions of higher education in the United States;
3. Serve as a clearinghouse for the identification and dissemination
of information, policies, procedures, and best practices relevant to
campus public safety, including off-campus housing safety, the
prevention of violence against persons and property, and emergency
response and evacuation procedures;
4. Develop protocols, in conjunction with the Attorney General, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Education, State,
local, and tribal governments and law enforcement agencies, private and
nonprofit organizations and associations, and other stakeholders, to
prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from, natural and
man-made emergencies or dangerous situations involving an immediate
threat to the health or safety of the campus community;
5. Promote the development and dissemination of effective behavioral
threat assessment and management models to prevent campus violence;
6. Coordinate campus safety information (including ways to increase
off-campus housing safety) and resources available from the Department
of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of
Education, State, local, and tribal governments and law enforcement
agencies, and private and nonprofit organizations and associations;
7. Increase cooperation, collaboration, and consistency in
prevention, response, and problem-solving methods among law
enforcement, mental health, and other agencies and jurisdictions
servIng institutions of higher education in the United States;
8. Develop standardized formats and models for mutual aid agreements
and memoranda of understanding between campus security agencies and
other public safety organizations and mental health agencies; and
9. Report annually to Congress and the Attorney General on activities
performed by the Center during the previous 12 months.
The Center will train campus public safety agencies, encourage
research to strengthen college safety and security, and serve as a
clearinghouse for the dissemination of relevant campus public safety
information. By having this information, institutions of higher
education will be able to easily obtain the best information available
on ways to keep campuses safe and secure and how to respond in the
event of a campus emergency.
TEXAS
The good state of Texas has 214 institutions of higher learning
alone, with Texas Southern University, University of Houston, and Texas
Technical University to name just a few.
With so many institutions comes, so many different standards of
campus safety regulations.
CONCLUSION
This legislation would consolidate the information from the various
colleges and universities so that the standards for collaboration in
prevention, response, and problem-solving methods among law
enforcement, mental health, and other agencies is consistent throughout
the nation. What is done at Prairie View A&M University is also done at
UCLA, is done at New York University, and is done at the University of
Florida.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6838 and ensure that our
colleges and universities are safe places for our young people to study
and learn.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I simply urge adoption of
this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6838.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
MENTALLY ILL OFFENDER TREATMENT AND CRIME REDUCTION REAUTHORIZATION AND
IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the Senate bill (S. 2304) to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide grants for the improved mental
health treatment and services provided to offenders with mental
illnesses, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 2304
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Mentally
Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization
and Improvement Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Reauthorization of the Adult and Juvenile Collaboration Program
Grants.
Sec. 4. Law enforcement response to mentally ill offenders improvement
grants.
Sec. 5. Examination and report on prevalence of mentally ill offenders.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Communities nationwide are struggling to respond to the
high numbers of people with mental illnesses involved at all
points in the criminal justice system.
(2) A 1999 study by the Department of Justice estimated
that 16 percent of people incarcerated in prisons and jails
in the United States, which is more than 300,000 people,
suffer from mental illnesses.
(3) Los Angeles County Jail and New York's Rikers Island
jail complex hold more people with mental illnesses than the
largest psychiatric inpatient facilities in the United
States.
(4) State prisoners with a mental health problem are twice
as likely as those without a mental health problem to have
been homeless in the year before their arrest.
SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ADULT AND JUVENILE
COLLABORATION PROGRAM GRANTS.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations Through 2014.--Section
2991(h) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking at the end ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``for fiscal years 2006
through 2009.'' and inserting ``for each of the fiscal years
2006 and 2007; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2014.''.
(b) Allocation of Funding for Administrative Purposes.--
Section 2991(h) of such title is further amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) (as added
by subsection (a)(3)) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C),
respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2) by striking ``There are authorized'' and inserting
``(1) In general.--There are authorized''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Allocation of funding for administrative purposes.--
For fiscal year 2009 and each subsequent fiscal year, of the
amounts authorized under paragraph (1) for such fiscal year,
the Attorney General may obligate not more than 3 percent for
the administrative expenses of the Attorney General in
carrying out this section for such fiscal year.''.
(c) Additional Applications Receiving Priority.--Subsection
(c) of such section is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Priority.--The Attorney General, in awarding funds
under this section, shall give priority to applications
that--
``(1) promote effective strategies by law enforcement to
identify and to reduce risk of harm to mentally ill offenders
and public safety;
``(2) promote effective strategies for identification and
treatment of female mentally ill offenders;
``(3) promote effective strategies to expand the use of
mental health courts, including the use of pretrial services
and related treatment programs for offenders; or
``(4)(A) demonstrate the strongest commitment to ensuring
that such funds are used to promote both public health and
public safety;
``(B) demonstrate the active participation of each co-
applicant in the administration of the collaboration program;
``(C) document, in the case of an application for a grant
to be used in whole or in part to fund treatment services for
adults or juveniles during periods of incarceration or
detention, that treatment programs will be
[[Page 22822]]
available to provide transition and reentry services for such
individuals; and
``(D) have the support of both the Attorney General and the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 4. LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS
IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
Section 2991 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa) is amended by--
(1) redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Law Enforcement Response to Mentally Ill Offenders
Improvement Grants.--
``(1) Authorization.--The Attorney General is authorized to
make grants under this section to States, units of local
government, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations for the
following purposes:
``(A) Training programs.--To provide for programs that
offer law enforcement personnel specialized and comprehensive
training in procedures to identify and respond appropriately
to incidents in which the unique needs of individuals with
mental illnesses are involved.
``(B) Receiving centers.--To provide for the development of
specialized receiving centers to assess individuals in the
custody of law enforcement personnel for suicide risk and
mental health and substance abuse treatment needs.
``(C) Improved technology.--To provide for computerized
information systems (or to improve existing systems) to
provide timely information to law enforcement personnel and
criminal justice system personnel to improve the response of
such respective personnel to mentally ill offenders.
``(D) Cooperative programs.--To provide for the
establishment and expansion of cooperative efforts by
criminal and juvenile justice agencies and mental health
agencies to promote public safety through the use of
effective intervention with respect to mentally ill
offenders.
``(E) Campus security personnel training.--To provide for
programs that offer campus security personnel training in
procedures to identify and respond appropriately to incidents
in which the unique needs of individuals with mental
illnesses are involved.
``(2) BJA training models.--For purposes of paragraph
(1)(A), the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
shall develop training models for training law enforcement
personnel in procedures to identify and respond appropriately
to incidents in which the unique needs of individuals with
mental illnesses are involved, including suicide prevention.
``(3) Matching funds.--The Federal share of funds for a
program funded by a grant received under this subsection may
not exceed 50 percent of the costs of the program. The non-
Federal share of payments made for such a program may be made
in cash or in-kind fairly evaluated, including planned
equipment or services.''.
SEC. 5. EXAMINATION AND REPORT ON PREVALENCE OF MENTALLY ILL
OFFENDERS.
(a) In General.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall examine and
report on mental illness and the criminal justice system.
(2) Scope.--Congress encourages the Attorney General to
specifically examine the following:
(A) Populations.--The rate of occurrence of serious mental
illnesses in each of the following populations:
(i) Individuals, including juveniles, on probation.
(ii) Individuals, including juveniles, incarcerated in a
jail.
(iii) Individuals, including juveniles, incarcerated in a
prison.
(iv) Individuals, including juveniles, on parole.
(B) Benefits.--The percentage of individuals in each
population described in subparagraph (A) who have--
(i) a serious mental illness; and
(ii) received disability benefits under title II or title
XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq. and
1381 et seq.).
(b) Report.--Not later than 36 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to
Congress the report described in subsection (a).
(c) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``serious mental illness'' means that an
individual has, or at any time during the 1-year period
ending on the date of enactment of this Act had, a covered
mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder; and
(2) the term ``covered mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder''--
(A) means a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria
specified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, or the International
Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical
Modification equivalent of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition; and
(B) does not include a disorder that has a V code within
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition, a substance use disorder, or a developmental
disorder, unless that disorder cooccurs with another disorder
described in subparagraph (A) and causes functional
impairment which substantially interferes with or limits 1 or
more major life activities.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for
2009.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is similar to H.R. 3992, which was authored by
Crime Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Scott of Virginia which passed our
House in January.
The Senate bill focuses on expanding the allowable uses of funds in
existing programs that provide assistance to mentally ill offenders. It
reauthorizes the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction
Grant Program at the current level of $50 million. It expands the
permissible use of funds for mental health courts that will incorporate
pretrial services and assessments for alternatives to incarceration.
Funds under this bill can be used to assist law enforcement agencies
with identifying and reducing the risk of harm to mentally ill
offenders, while also maintaining public safety.
Finally, this bill will provide States and units of government with
funding to improve the treatment of female offenders with mental
illness.
Despite common misconceptions, the majority of mentally ill people
who are arrested and incarcerated are low- level, nonviolent offenders.
This legislation will help jurisdictions assist mentally ill people in
ways that help keep them out of our jails and prisons if that's not
where they belong.
This is a good bill, and I urge its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I don't know if I'd call it a habit,
but I find myself again agreeing with the gentlewoman from California,
Ms. Zoe Lofgren.
This is a bill that has already passed the House in a similar form, I
believe, last January.
I will include my entire statement in the Record.
I support S. 2304, the Mentally III 0ffender Treatment and Crime
Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act. The House passed
companion legislation, H.R. 3992, last January.
This important legislation addresses the unique challenges that
mentally ill offenders create for our criminal justice system. It is
estimated that 16 percent of the prison or jail population in the
country suffers from a serious mental illness.
More than one-fifth of jails have no access to any mental health
services at all. Many criminal justice agencies are unprepared to meet
the comprehensive treatment and needs of individuals with mental
illness.
Jails and prisons require extra staff resources for inmates with
mental illness. In addition, mentally ill offenders can be affected
psychologically by incarceration differently than general population
offenders.
H.R. 3992 reauthorizes the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime
Reduction Act; encourages early intervention for individuals with
mental illness; reauthorizes the mental health courts program; and
maximizes diversion opportunities for nonviolent offenders with mental
illness and co-occurring disorders.
The legislation also promotes training for treatment professionals on
criminal justice processes and mental health and substance abuse
issues; establishes State and local planning grants to address the
needs of mentally ill offenders; and facilitates communication,
collaboration, and the delivery of support services among justice
professionals, treatment and related service providers.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
[[Page 22823]]
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I would just say that at
a time when the majority of mental health treatment provided in this
country is provided in county jails, a measure such as this is
enormously important to divert individuals who are suffering from an
illness to appropriate treatment where their illness would be treated
and where their disruptive behavior will not bother others. I'm glad
that we are moving forward in a bipartisan manner to approve this.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2304.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3569) to make improvements in the
operation and administration of the Federal courts, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3569
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Judicial
Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Change in composition of divisions of western district of
Tennessee.
Sec. 3. Supplemental attendance fee for petit jurors serving on lengthy
trials.
Sec. 4. Authority of district courts as to a jury summons.
Sec. 5. Public drawing specifications for jury wheels.
Sec. 6. Assessment of court technology costs.
Sec. 7. Repeal of obsolete provision in the bankruptcy code relating to
certain dollar amounts.
Sec. 8. Investment of court registry funds.
Sec. 9. Magistrate judge participation at circuit conferences.
Sec. 10. Selection of chief pretrial services officers.
Sec. 11. Attorney case compensation maximum amounts.
Sec. 12. Expanded delegation authority for reviewing Criminal Justice
Act vouchers in excess of case compensation maximums.
Sec. 13. Repeal of obsolete cross-references to the Narcotic Addict
Rehabilitation Act.
Sec. 14. Conditions of probation and supervised release.
Sec. 15. Contracting for services for pretrial defendants and post-
conviction supervision offenders.
Sec. 16. Judge members of U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Sec. 17. Penalty for failure to appear for jury summons.
Sec. 18. Place of holding court for the District of Minnesota.
Sec. 19. Penalty for employers who retaliate against employees serving
on jury duty.
SEC. 2. CHANGE IN COMPOSITION OF DIVISIONS OF WESTERN
DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE.
(a) In General.--Section 123(c) of title 28, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``Dyer,'' after ``Decatur,''; and
(B) in the last sentence by inserting ``and Dyersburg''
after ``Jackson''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``Dyer,''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``and Dyersburg''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Pending cases not affected.--The amendments made by
this section shall not affect any action commenced before the
effective date of this section and pending in the United
States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
on such date.
(3) Juries not affected.--The amendments made by this
section shall not affect the composition, or preclude the
service, of any grand or petit jury summoned, impaneled, or
actually serving in the United States District Court for the
Western District of Tennessee on the effective date of this
section.
SEC. 3. SUPPLEMENTAL ATTENDANCE FEE FOR PETIT JURORS SERVING
ON LENGTHY TRIALS.
(a) In General.--Section 1871(b)(2) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``thirty'' in each place
it occurs and inserting ``ten''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2009.
SEC. 4. AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT COURTS AS TO A JURY SUMMONS.
Section 1866(g) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the first sentence--
(1) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
(2) by striking ``his''.
SEC. 5. PUBLIC DRAWING SPECIFICATIONS FOR JURY WHEELS.
(a) Drawing of Names From Jury Wheel.--Section 1864(a) of
title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``publicly''; and
(2) by inserting ``The clerk or jury commission shall post
a general notice for public review in the clerk's office and
on the court's website explaining the process by which names
are periodically and randomly drawn.'' after the first
sentence.
(b) Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels.--Section
1866(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the second sentence, by striking ``publicly''; and
(2) by inserting ``The clerk or jury commission shall post
a general notice for public review in the clerk's office and
on the court's website explaining the process by which names
are periodically and randomly drawn.'' after the second
sentence.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 1869 of
title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (j), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(2) by striking subsection (k); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (k).
SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT OF COURT TECHNOLOGY COSTS.
Section 1920 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``of the court reporter
for all or any part of the stenographic transcript'' and
inserting ``for printed or electronically recorded
transcripts''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``copies of papers'' and
inserting ``the costs of making copies of any materials where
the copies are''.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISION IN THE BANKRUPTCY CODE
RELATING TO CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
Section 104 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a);
(2) by redesignating subsection (b)(1) as subsection (a)
and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of that subsection as
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively;
(3) by redesignating subsection (b)(2) as subsection (b);
(4) by redesignating subsection (b)(3) as subsection (c);
and
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (4) of
this section), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)''.
SEC. 8. INVESTMENT OF COURT REGISTRY FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 129 of title 28, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 2044 the
following:
``Sec. 2045. Investment of court registry funds
``(a) The Director of the Administrative Office of the
United States Courts, or the Director's designee under
subsection (b), may request the Secretary of the Treasury to
invest funds received under section 2041 in public debt
securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the
funds, as determined by the Director or the Director's
designee, and bearing interest at a rate determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current
market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the
United States of comparable maturity.
``(b) The Director may designate the clerk of a court
described in section 610 to exercise the authority conferred
by subsection (a).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 129 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``2045. Investment of court registry funds.''.
[[Page 22824]]
SEC. 9. MAGISTRATE JUDGE PARTICIPATION AT CIRCUIT
CONFERENCES.
Section 333 of title 28, United States Code, is amended in
the first sentence by inserting ``magistrate,'' after
``district,''.
SEC. 10. SELECTION OF CHIEF PRETRIAL SERVICES OFFICERS.
Section 3152 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) The pretrial services established under subsection
(b) of this section shall be supervised by a chief pretrial
services officer appointed by the district court. The chief
pretrial services officer appointed under this subsection
shall be an individual other than one serving under authority
of section 3602 of this title.''.
SEC. 11. ATTORNEY CASE COMPENSATION MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.
Section 3006A(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding ``The compensation maximum amounts provided
in this paragraph shall increase simultaneously by the same
percentage, rounded to the nearest multiple of $100, as the
aggregate percentage increases in the maximum hourly
compensation rate paid pursuant to paragraph (1) for time
expended since the case maximum amounts were last adjusted.''
at the end.
SEC. 12. EXPANDED DELEGATION AUTHORITY FOR REVIEWING CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ACT VOUCHERS IN EXCESS OF CASE
COMPENSATION MAXIMUMS.
(a) Waiving Maximum Amounts.--Section 3006A(d)(3) of title
18, United States Code, is amended in the second sentence by
inserting ``or senior'' after ``active''.
(b) Services Other Than Counsel.--Section 3006A(e)(3) of
title 18, United States Code, is amended in the second
sentence by inserting ``or senior'' after ``active''.
(c) Counsel for Financially Unable Defendants.--Section
3599(g)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the
second sentence by inserting ``or senior'' after ``active''.
SEC. 13. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE CROSS-REFERENCES TO THE NARCOTIC
ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT.
Section 3161(h) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (J) as
subparagraphs (B) through (H), respectively;
(2) by striking paragraph (5); and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively.
SEC. 14. CONDITIONS OF PROBATION AND SUPERVISED RELEASE.
(a) Conditions of Probation.--Section 3563(a)(2) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``(b)(2),
(b)(3), or (b)(13),'' and inserting ``(b)(2) or (b)(12),
unless the court has imposed a fine under this chapter, or''.
(b) Supervised Release After Imprisonment.--Section 3583(d)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
``section 3563(b)(1)'' and all that follows through
``appropriate.'' and inserting ``section 3563(b) and any
other condition it considers to be appropriate, provided,
however that a condition set forth in subsection 3563(b)(10)
shall be imposed only for a violation of a condition of
supervised release in accordance with section 3583(e)(2) and
only when facilities are available.''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section
3563(b)(10) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or supervised release'' after ``probation''.
SEC. 15. CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES FOR PRETRIAL DEFENDANTS AND
POST-CONVICTION SUPERVISION OFFENDERS.
(a) Pretrial Service Functions.--Section 3154(4) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, and
contract with any appropriate public or private agency or
person, or expend funds, to monitor and provide treatment as
well as nontreatment services to any such persons released in
the community, including equipment and emergency housing,
corrective and preventative guidance and training, and other
services reasonably deemed necessary to protect the public
and ensure that such persons appear in court as required''
before the period.
(b) Duties of Director of Administrative Office of the
United States Courts.--Section 3672 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended in the seventh undesignated
paragraph--
(1) in the third sentence, by striking ``negotiate and
award such contracts'' and inserting ``negotiate and award
contracts identified in this paragraph''; and
(2) in the fourth sentence, by inserting ``to expend funds
or'' after ``He shall also have the authority''.
SEC. 16. JUDGE MEMBERS OF U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION.
Section 991(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the third sentence by striking ``Not more than'' and
inserting ``At least''.
SEC. 17. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR JURY SUMMONS.
(a) Section 1864 Summons.--Section 1864(b) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``$100 or
imprisoned not more than three days, or both.'' each place it
appears and inserting ``$1,000, imprisoned not more than
three days, ordered to perform community service, or any
combination thereof.''.
(b) Section 1866 Summons.--Section 1866(g) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``$100 or
imprisoned not more than three days, or both.'' and inserting
``$1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to
perform community service, or any combination thereof.''.
SEC. 18. PLACE OF HOLDING COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF
MINNESOTA.
Section 103(6) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the second sentence by inserting ``and Bemidji'' before
the period.
SEC. 19. PENALTY FOR EMPLOYERS WHO RETALIATE AGAINST
EMPLOYEES SERVING ON JURY DUTY.
Section 1875(b)(3) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``$1,000 for each violation as to each
employee.'' and inserting ``$5,000 for each violation as to
each employee, and may be ordered to perform community
service.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill contains what we believe are noncontroversial
measures proposed by the Judicial Conference to improve efficiency in
the Federal courts. Many have passed the House in a prior Congress in
similar forms.
The bill makes some realignments in the place of holding court within
specified judicial districts so as to better serve local communities.
It permits a chief pretrial services officer to be chosen locally by
the district court, just like the chief probation officer. It updates
the penalty for failure to appear for jury duty, or lying on a
questionnaire to avoid jury duty, by raising the maximum fine from $100
to $1,000, and by allowing the judge to impose community service.
The bill also increases the maximum penalty for employers who
retaliate against employees who are called to serve on jury duty.
Other updates include making electronically produced information
coverable in court costs, and adding magistrate judges to the list who
can be included in circuit Judicial Conferences.
I think this bill, while noncontroversial, is certainly important in
increasing the efficiency of our judicial branch, and I hope that we
will unanimously support it.
I would reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of S. 3569 is to implement noncontroversial
administrative provisions that the Judicial Conference and the House
Judiciary Committee believe are necessary to improve the operations of
the Federal judiciary. These provisions will provide justice for the
American people as well.
The Judicial Conference is the policy-making body of the Federal
judiciary, and through its committee system, it evaluates court
operations. The conference endorses all of the provisions in this bill,
which the other body passed by unanimous consent.
S. 3569 affects a wide range of judicial branch programs and
operations, including those pertaining to financial administration,
process improvements, and personnel administration.
The House has passed five of the bills' provisions in previous
Congresses.
The bill incorporates 18 separate items, including a section that
eliminates the noticing and public drawing requirements for selecting
names from jury wheels because the process is performed by computers; a
section that adds magistrate judges to the list of circuit, district,
and bankruptcy judges who may be summoned to attend circuit Judicial
Conferences; a section
[[Page 22825]]
that clarifies a court may bring individuals into court when they do
not respond to a jury summons, thus eliminating non-meritorious
challenges to an impaneled jury; a section that eliminates an obsolete
provision in the Bankruptcy Code relating to the calculation of uniform
percentage dollar adjustments; and a section that increases penalties
for employers who retaliate against employees serving on jury duty.
Mr. Speaker, S. 3569 is necessary to improve the functioning of the
U.S. courts which will ultimately benefit the country and the American
people. This is a noncontroversial bill, and I urge my colleagues to
support it.
I want to point out that for the third consecutive time now, I have
agreed with my colleague from California, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, in
supporting this piece of legislation, specifically S. 3569.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SMITH of Texas. I will be happy to yield to the gentlewoman.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I would just note this bill, while
perhaps boring to many Members, is important to us. And it is a measure
that we have adopted with so many of these Members in prior Congresses,
and yet because they have to do with down-in-the-weeds issues in the
Judiciary, they don't always get the attention that they should.
I'm hopeful, and I'm glad, that we have worked so collaboratively
together on these but that we can really work in partnership with our
other branch of government for some of these efficiency things. They're
not big policy issues, but they're things that will make the judiciary
more effective. They need our help in many cases to do that. And I
think this may be a marker that we're ready to really hold our hands
out in that effort.
And I do thank the gentleman for yielding.
{time} 1915
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I just want to reply and say that I
agree with the points made by the gentlewoman from California. They are
excellent ones, and we might also add that in a bill like this like, so
many bills that are considered by the House and that have been marked
up and approved by the Judiciary Committee, sometimes we're talking
about sort of arcane subject matter, and yet so much of what is
incorporated in this bill and so much of what is part of many other
bills do help the judicial process. They do help the American people
get better justice. They either save the American people time or they
make sure that there's a more ethical result as a result of the actions
of the court, and in this particular bill, as a result of the actions
of the juries themselves.
So bills like this may seem, at first glance, to either be somewhat
technical or somewhat even incomprehensible, but at the bottom line
they do improve the justice system of the United States, which can give
everybody, I think, a sense of confidence that not only does the system
work, but it works in this case in a bipartisan way since Members of
both parties do support this legislation which improves the justice
system.
I would be happy to yield to the gentlewoman from California again if
she would like.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
And as you and I both serve on the Courts and Intellectual Property
Subcommittee, and most of what we have done has been on the
intellectual property side of that, and important as that work is, this
is a measure that the court side also is important.
So, again, I look forward to next year. I think both you and I will
return and dig in on some of these issues.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Reclaiming my time, this being the end of the
congressional session, with the expectation that we might well adjourn
or go into recess tomorrow until next year, it's not often that we on
the House floor can recognize the towns of our colleagues. And I would
just like to say in this case that the gentlewoman from California,
while she mentioned the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, which
reminds me of her talents and her interests in high-tech issues, and
she does represent a good part of Silicon Valley, so she comes by her
talents and her expertise naturally.
But in addition to that, she was formerly, before coming to Congress,
an immigration attorney. She happens to be chairman of the Immigration
Subcommittee today, and so she brings to that subcommittee, as she does
the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, a number of talents and skills
that benefit the House as a whole and benefit the Judiciary Committee,
in particular.
So I would just like to thank her for her work these last few years
on those subjects and so many other subjects that she brings these
skills to and has helped promote both on the floor and in the Judiciary
Committee itself.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to
thank Mr. Smith for his enormously complimentary and gracious comments.
I look forward to working with him next year. I urge my colleagues to
support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 3569.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
EXTENDING FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 3597) to provide that funds allocated for community
food projects for fiscal year 2008 shall remain available until
September 30, 2009.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 3597
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.
(a) Technical Correction.--Section 4406(a)(7) of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-234; 122
Stat. 1902) is amended by striking ``Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008'' and inserting ``Food Stamp Act of 1977''.
(b) Allocation of Funds.--Funds allocated under section
25(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034(b)) for
fiscal year 2008 shall remain available until September 30,
2009, to fund proposals solicited in fiscal year 2008.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Baca) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
S. 3597.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3597. I thank my colleagues in
the Senate. I thank my colleague Mr. Goodlatte, as well as Mr. Harkin,
for introducing this legislation. I introduced its House counterpart,
H.R. 6981.
This bill is, quite simply, a technical fix of the 2008 farm bill.
I want to thank all of my colleagues for their cooperation in
bringing this technical fix to the floor. With its passage, we will
ensure the fiscal year 2008 funding for a very nutritional program, the
Community Food Projects.
Due to an unintended error in title IV of the farm bill, we
mistakenly limited USDA's authority to award grants under this program
in this fiscal year. This same fix was passed by unanimous consent in
the Senate, and CBO has scored this bill at zero.
[[Page 22826]]
Community Food Projects is a forward-thinking grant program that
encourages innovative local efforts to expand the availability of
affordable and healthful foods. This program is critical to those who
live in both urban and rural areas who may not have regular access to
nutritional foods needed to raise a healthy family.
I urge my colleagues to voice their support for healthy families and
vote ``yes'' on S. 3597.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank my colleague, the subcommittee chairman, as well as Chairman
Peterson, for their work, along with others on this side of the aisle,
and join them in supporting S. 3597.
This bill makes a technical correction to the Nutrition title of the
2008 farm bill. This measure will ensure funds allocated for Community
Food Projects in fiscal year 2008 remain available through fiscal year
2009. Without this correction, valuable grant funding will be lost.
S. 3597 will allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry this
funding forward to provide grants that help communities respond to
local nutrition issues.
Because of the importance of this funding and the value that
communities find in utilizing these funds to help people in need,
providing food for them, I urge my colleagues to support S. 3597.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to encourage support for the
Community Food Projects. This is a valuable grant. This is a technical
error that was done. I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Goodlatte) for his support in this bipartisan effort. This is a
correction of a technical error.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill, S. 3597.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 2816) to provide for the appointment of the Chief Human
Capital Officer of the Department of Homeland Security by the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 2816
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER BY
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
Section 103(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 113(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (3); and
(2) redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3)
and (4), respectively.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Daniel E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
General Leave
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2816.
This measure seeks to change how the Chief Human Capital Officer is
appointed by the Department of Homeland Security. It will bring DHS in
line with other Federal agencies who are able to choose whether they
have a Chief Human Capital Officer that is a career employee or a
political appointee. Granting this authority now is important to
transition to the next administration.
{time} 1930
The Chief Human Capital Officer serves as the Department's lead
executive for all matters relating to workforce management. Among the
responsibilities of the Chief Human Capital Officer are strategic
planning, training and development, recruitment, compensation,
benefits, and employee relations.
The task of serving as the CHCO at DHS is particularly challenging
when you consider that since DHS' inception, it has faced a series of
personnel challenges, including; merging 22 separate agencies into one
cabinet-level agency with a combined workforce of over 200,000 people;
promoting integration among employees and an appreciation of their role
within DHS; and confronting ongoing recruitment and retention
challenges.
Low employee morale has been a chronic issue for DHS since it was
established in 2003. In fact, in both its 2004 and 2006 workforce
surveys, the Office of Personnel Management found that DHS' employee
morale ranked among the lowest of any cabinet-level department.
In the 2006 OPM survey, the Department was rated ``dead last'' in job
satisfaction among its peers and received very low marks on leadership
and management capabilities.
Just last year, the Department's own internal Employee Survey
revealed that poor morale remained a major problem. Workers cited pay,
performance, and promotion practices as some of the sources of their
discontent.
Moreover, documented incidents reveal that the management within some
of the most prominent DHS components do not value diversity in their
operations. This, too, contributes to low morale. These results are
clearly unacceptable in our government. The next CHCO has to make it
``job-one'' to tackle the underlying causes of the discontent.
With the change in administration, the next CHCO has an enormous
opportunity to turn things around. The Department must properly address
employee dissatisfaction by focusing and implementing career
development for its employees. DHS should also ensure that its
employees receive proper training and adequate resources necessary to
get their jobs done.
DHS must recruit the best and the brightest because we're asking them
to do one of the most important jobs in the Federal Government, protect
this country. These efforts can only be achieved through an effective
Chief Human Capital Officer. Unfortunately, over the past 5\1/2\ years,
six people have held this office at DHS. That is a tremendous turnover.
Stable leadership will help DHS address the magnitude and multitude of
its workforce management challenges. This legislation will help provide
that stable leadership.
I stand in support of this legislation, and urge its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it's wonderful to be on the floor here this Saturday
evening with you and with my colleague on the full committee. And this
is one of several bills that we are bringing to the floor to finish up
the work of the Homeland Security Committee for this Congress.
I rise in support of S. 2816, this bill to provide the Secretary of
Homeland Security with the authority to appoint the Chief Human Capital
Officer at the Department of Homeland Security. The bill was introduced
by Senators Voinovich and Akaka, and it repeals a provision in the
Homeland Security Act that includes this official among DHS officials
to be appointed by the President.
This bill will provide uniformity by allowing DHS to operate under
the
[[Page 22827]]
same guidelines as other Federal agencies, where the head of the agency
has the authority to designate the director of human resources.
The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and
Oversight has held a number of hearings on personnel issues at DHS, and
we understand, all of us on the full committee, just how important this
bill is.
DHS Undersecretary for Management, Ms. Elaine Duke, has informed
Congress about the need for this legislation. Under Elaine Duke's
effective leadership and guidance, a number of significant improvements
have been made at DHS. She is now overseeing the transition of DHS to
the next administration, which is critical to the continued operations
of the Department and the security of our Nation.
As everyone in this Chamber knows, the creation of the Department of
Homeland Security was the greatest reorganization of the Federal
Government since the creation of the Defense Department. And it's had
its ups and downs, but I think now it is generally moving in the right
direction, and I believe the current Secretary of DHS is to be
commended for the tremendous work that he has done.
The Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for fiscal year
2008 included a number of provisions to strengthen personnel programs
and systems at DHS. We in the House passed that bill last year, but the
Senate did not. Unfortunately, the House did not act on a DHS
authorization bill in 2008. I would hope this would be a priority for
the 111th Congress early next year. Until then, I would urge passage of
the bill before us today.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, DHS has a lot of room for
improvement when it comes to managing its workforce, as we know in the
committee. This bill gives the Secretary the authority to put someone
into the position that has a career and workforce development in the
Federal Government. This is an important step.
I urge passage of this bill.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.
2816, a bill that will alter how the Chief Human Capital Officer is
appointed at the Department of Homeland Security.
This bill will give the Secretary of Homeland Security authority
similar to other Federal agencies where a determination is made to
place a careerist or a political appointee in the Chief Human Capital
Officer position. This authority is particularly important as DHS makes
its first transition to a new administration. Undoubtedly, there will
be numerous staffing challenges ahead and the DHS Secretary must have a
Chief Human Capital Officer to depend on to meet the Department's
goals.
The job of the Chief Human Capital Officer requires unique
qualifications. Not only must this individual develop and maintain a
cadre of national security personnel, but he or she must also ensure
integration throughout the new Department and its many components.
The men and women of the Department are some of the hardest working,
most selfless individuals in the Federal workforce. Their mission
contains little room for error. This is why it is so important that the
Department provide a positive workplace that puts employees first. Over
the past few years this has not always been the case and low employee
morale has plagued the Department and limited its effectiveness.
The 2006 Federal Human Capital Survey conducted by the Office of
Personnel Management found that DHS was rated ``dead last'' in job
satisfaction among its peers and received very low marks on leadership
and management capabilities. And in the recent DHS 2007 Employee
Survey, employees cited their dissatisfaction with the Department's
pay, performance and promotion practices. Moreover, there have been
numerous documented incidents regarding mismanagement within some of
the major DHS components. These factors contribute to a fractured
workforce and low morale.
These are problems that must be addressed by the next Chief Human
Capital Officer. Addressing employee concerns must be his or her first
priority.
One of the major sources of low morale is the MAX-HR system, a so-
called ``pay-for-performance'' system. MAX-HR and its proposed
``follow-on system'' have been repeatedly rejected by my Committee in
legislation and, many Members of Congress, for the past two years. The
damage that DHS's relentless pursuit of such a system has done to
morale is immeasurable.
The next Chief Human Capital Officer has the chance to make some
great strides and improvements at the Department. He or she must work
to address the employee concerns and dissatisfaction with a commitment
to providing proper training, career development and the tools
necessary for its employees to do their jobs. Also at the top of the
Chief Human Capital Officer's priority list should be recruiting the
best and brightest for DHS, including individuals with diverse
backgrounds and a patriotic spirit to fill its ranks.
Given the extensive investment we have made in developing TSA and its
workforce, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that the TSA
workforce does not have the same rights and protections that are
afforded to their colleagues at DHS. As the eyes and ears in our
airports, TSA workers need to have whistleblower protections and
collective bargaining rights to be able to report security concerns
without fear of losing their jobs. Moreover, granting basic employment
rights is critical to recruiting our Transportation Security workforce.
We know firsthand what low morale can do to the health, recruitment,
and retention of the DHS workforce.
It is clear from the Committee's record of work that more can be done
to support human capital efforts at the Department. And I am pleased to
say that this bill is one of those needed measures of support. I look
forward to working with my colleagues and the Department to continue to
build a strong workforce at DHS. And I also take this opportunity to
commend the men and women of the Department for their tireless work and
dedication to the mission.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2816.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
COMMENDING HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1429) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the employees of the Department of Homeland
Security, their partners at all levels of government, and the millions
of emergency response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide
should be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front
lines in the war against acts of terrorism.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1429
Whereas it has been 7 years since the horrific terrorist
attacks against the United States and its people on September
11, 2001;
Whereas terrorists around the world continue to plot and
plan attacks against the United States and its interests and
foreign allies;
Whereas, as evidenced by a suicide bomb attack in Jerusalem
that killed 22 people and wounded 140 on March 27, 2002, a
car bomb that exploded outside a Marriott Hotel in Jakarta,
Indonesia, on August 5, 2003, killing 10 people and wounding
150, 10 bombs that exploded on 4 commuter trains in Madrid on
March 11, 2004, killing 191 people, a major anti-terrorist
operation by British Police disrupts an alleged bomb plot
targeting multiple airplanes bound for the United States
flying through Heathrow Airport, near London on August 10,
2006, citizens across the country and in the world should
remain vigilant, prepared, and informed;
Whereas during the month of September, the Nation observes
National Preparedness Month which is sponsored by the
Department of Homeland Security, and encourages all citizens
to prepare themselves and their families for possible
emergencies by getting an emergency supply kit that will last
72 hours, making a family emergency plan, being informed, and
getting involved in the community in organizations such as
Citizen Corps, which actively involves citizens in making our
communities and our Nation safer, stronger, and better
prepared;
Whereas acts of terrorism can exact a tragic human toll,
resulting in significant numbers of casualties and disrupting
hundreds of thousands of lives, causing serious damage
[[Page 22828]]
to our Nation's critical infrastructure, and inflicting
billions of dollars of costs on both our public and private
sectors;
Whereas in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001,
and the continuing grave threat of terrorism, Congress
established the Department of Homeland Security in March
2003, bringing together 22 disparate Federal entities,
enhancing their capabilities with major new divisions
emphasizing terrorism-related information analysis,
infrastructure protection, and science and technology, and
focusing their employees on the critical mission of defending
our Nation against acts of terrorism;
Whereas since its creation, the employees of the Department
of Homeland Security have endeavored to carry out this
mission with commendable dedication, working with other
Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies and
partners at all levels of Government to help secure our
Nation's borders, airports, seaports, critical
infrastructure, and communities against terrorist attacks;
Whereas our Nation's firefighters, law enforcement
officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first
responders selflessly and repeatedly risk their lives to
fulfill their new mission of helping to prevent, protect
against, and prepare to respond to acts of terrorism, major
disasters, and other emergencies;
Whereas State, local, territorial, and tribal government
officials, the private sector, and ordinary citizens across
the country have been working in cooperation with the
Department of Homeland Security and other Federal Government
agencies to enhance our ability to prevent, deter, protect
against, and prepare to respond to acts of terrorism;
Whereas all people of the United States can assist in
promoting our Nation's overall terrorism and emergency
preparedness by remaining vigilant and alert, reporting
suspicious activity to proper authorities, and preparing
themselves and their families for potential terrorist
attacks; and
Whereas all people of the United States should take the
opportunity during National Preparedness Month in September
2008 to take steps at home, work, and school to enhance their
ability to assist in preventing, protecting against, and
preparing to respond to acts of terrorism: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the public servants of the Department of
Homeland Security and other Federal agencies for their
outstanding contributions to our Nation's homeland security;
(2) salutes the dedication of State, local, territorial,
and tribal government officials, the private sector, and
citizens across the country for their efforts to enhance the
Nation's ability to prevent, deter, protect against, and
prepare to respond to potential acts of terrorism;
(3) expresses the Nation's appreciation for the sacrifices
and commitment of our law enforcement and emergency response
personnel in preventing and preparing to respond to acts of
terrorism;
(4) supports the goals and ideals of National Preparedness
Month as they relate to the threat of terrorism; and
(5) urges the Federal Government, States, localities,
schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities,
and the people of the United States to observe National
Preparedness Month with appropriate events and activities
that promote citizen and community preparedness to respond to
acts of terrorism.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Daniel E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1429 was introduced by
Congresswoman Clarke of New York to recognize September as National
Preparedness Month.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Nation observed the somber
anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and we watched Hurricane
Gustav and Ike batter the gulf coast. Therefore, September is an
appropriate month to commend the men and women of the Department of
Homeland Security and the State and local first responders who form the
first line of defense against these and other threats. I have always
said that you can't have homeland security unless you are prepared to
have hometown security, and that preparedness starts a community at a
time.
This month is a good opportunity for every American to learn about
how they can prepare for all types of emergencies, whether it be a
terrorist attack or a natural disaster. We can start by taking four
little steps: Get an emergency kit; two, develop and communicate with
your family a plan for evacuation and shelter; three, be informed about
the types of emergencies that you are likely to face; and four; get
yourself and your community involved to be better prepared. Better
knowledge is power. We must all do our part to ensure that we learn
what to do before an emergency occurs.
So, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this House Resolution because I
know firsthand that it is best to be prepared, and not scared.
Let us be clear that the dedicated employees of the Department of
Homeland Security and other Federal agencies, together with State and
local officials and first responders, will do all they can to prepare
for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, natural disaster,
and other emergencies. But the American people can play a significant
role by understanding the simple steps they can take to provide for
themselves and their family.
Together, a prepared public and a resourceful and dedicated
Department of Homeland Security can truly anticipate how to respond to
different types of emergencies. In doing so, we will become a more
resilient Nation.
Before I close my remarks, though, I would like to thank
Congresswoman Clarke for introducing the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DANIEL LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1429, the resolution
commemorating the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11;
also promoting the month of September as National Preparedness Month,
and commending the employees of the Department of Homeland Security and
our Nation's emergency response providers and law enforcement agents.
This September, as we know, marks the fifth annual National
Preparedness Month and the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks
on September 11. H. Res. 1429 is a bipartisan resolution commemorating
this important anniversary in our Nation's history and reminding all
Americans of the importance of emergency preparedness.
While there has not been a terrorist attack on our U.S. soil since
September 11, 2001, it is important to remember that terrorists
continue to plan attacks against this Nation, its interests, and its
allies abroad. It is not by accident that we have not had such a
tragedy. It is, in fact, the result of tremendous work by men and women
in uniform, in our agencies, first responders, the coordination that's
taken place since then, the cooperation we've had with our allies in
many, many other countries.
But we must remain vigilant and ensure that all levels of government,
nonprofit organizations, the private sector, individuals, and
communities continue to prepare for terrorist attacks, natural
disasters, or other emergencies.
Each September, various Department of Homeland Security components,
along with other Federal, State and local agencies, nonprofit
organizations and the private sector take part in events to increase
public awareness and encourage individuals to prepare themselves, their
families, their businesses and their communities for emergencies.
The Ready Campaign, which is within the Office of Public Affairs at
the Department, along with the Citizen Corps Program within the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, helps educate individuals, families
and communities on the steps that they can take to protect their loves
ones in an emergency. For instance, individuals are encouraged to get
an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed
about different types of emergencies and the appropriate responses
thereto.
Since the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month were
initiated in 2004, the effort has received over $703 million in donated
media support. The www.ready.gov Web site has received over 2 billion
hits, with almost 30 million unique visitors to the site. And the
national 1-800 number has received 345,000 calls.
In addition, Ready has partnered with Scholastic to provide emergency
preparedness materials for the classroom to 400,000 teachers, and
recently
[[Page 22829]]
launched a partnership with Sesame Street to help educate preschool-age
children and their parents on the need to prepare for emergencies.
This resolution also commends the hard work and dedication of the
Federal, State and local government employees, first responders, the
private sector, and citizens across the country for their efforts to
enhance the Nation's ability to prepare for, protect against, and
respond to acts of terrorism and other emergencies.
Working together, we can continue to protect this country from
terrorists wishing us harm. I urge all Members to join in supporting
this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1945
General Leave
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, with that, I would like to yield 5
minutes to the gentlelady who is a sponsor of this resolution, Ms.
Clarke from New York.
Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution
1429, which recognizes September as National Emergency Preparedness
Month. I would like to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Etheridge) for managing this very important resolution.
This resolution applauds the public servants at the Department of
Homeland Security for their outstanding dedication to securing our
Nation. More importantly, the resolution also encourages citizens to
prepare themselves and their families to respond to emergencies,
whether it's an act of terrorism, a natural disaster or another crisis.
As the sole member of the Committee on Homeland Security who resides
in the City of New York, I am keenly aware that one of the most
important lessons from the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001 and
from Hurricane Katrina is that each and every American must be vigilant
about their preparedness for an emergency.
As we all know, with the recent bombing of the Marriott Hotel in
Pakistan, terrorism is alive and well and continues to be a very real
threat in this world. Likewise, this country has experienced widespread
wildfires in the West, numerous tornadoes in the Southeast,
overwhelming floods in the Midwest, and late this summer the Gulf
States were wracked by Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hannah and most recently
Ike.
The dedicated workers of the Department of Homeland Security and
other Federal agencies successfully coordinated with State and local
officials and the private sector to assist with the pre-positioning of
lifesaving equipment, evacuation efforts and search-and-rescue methods.
Similarly, we saw Members helping their fellow brothers and sisters in
their time of need.
This marks the fifth year that DHS has observed September as the
National Emergency Preparedness Month. In promoting this, DHS has
partnered with over 1,700 organizations, including the American Red
Cross, in its efforts to reach out to the public. Since this is
National Emergency Preparedness Month, this is an ideal time for all of
us to collectively prepare for all types emergencies. Among the
department's recommendations to help Americans prepare for emergencies
are: Number one, get a kit. Build a disaster supply kit that includes
enough supplies for each family member for 3 days and remember to check
the kit every 6 months. Number two, make a plan. Every family should
develop, communicate and practice their evacuation or other sheltering.
Number 3, be informed about the type of disasters or emergencies that
may occur where you live, work and/or play and how they can affect you,
your family and community. Number 4, get involved. After preparing
yourself and your family for possible emergencies by getting a kit,
making a plan and being informed, take the next step in getting
involved in preparing your community.
I ask my fellow colleagues to encourage their constituents to visit
the Federal government's Citizen Corps website at www.citizencorps.gov
to learn how we can bring key community figures together to plan for,
mitigate, respond to or recover from an emergency.
I am also happy to note that more than 2,200 State, local, tribal and
territorial governments in all States and U.S. territories have formed
Citizen Corps Councils, and that every day, new councils are formed in
communities around the country.
Before I close my remarks, I would like to thank and express my
gratitude to Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and Ranking
Member Peter King for their support for this resolution and their
leadership on preparedness issues.
Further, I want to thank the subcommittee chairman, Henry Cuellar of
the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response
for sponsoring H.R. 5890, the Citizen and Community Preparedness Act.
Mr. Cuellar has championed the authorization of Citizen Corps, and he,
too, encourages every citizen to get involved to improve their
individual and community's preparedness. Mr. Speaker, I also want to
thank my Republican colleagues for cosponsoring this resolution. After
all, preparedness is not a partisan matter.
In closing, I want to honor all of the sheroes and heroes who
dedicate their lives to keeping Americans safe. I urge the citizens of
this great Nation to visit the website, www.ready.gov so we can all
learn how to be vigilant, alert and prepared for an emergency.
I urge all my colleagues to adopt this resolution.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I would urge
support for this bill.
With that, I would yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, H.R. 1429 encourages citizens to
prepare themselves and their families on how to respond to emergencies,
whether it be an act of terror, a natural disaster or other crisis.
This is the fifth year the Department of Homeland Security has
partnered with over 1,700 organizations, including the American Red
Cross, to promote September as National Preparedness Month. With
continuing threats of terrorism and increased frequency and intensity
of natural disasters, Americans should prepare themselves, their
families and their communities.
Everyone should do the four things we talked about. Get an emergency
kit. Prepare and communicate to family and friends their evacuation and
shelter plans. Be informed about the type of emergencies, and get the
family and community involved.
Constituents should be encouraged to visit the following website. You
have heard it twice already, www.ready.gov or www.redcross.org.
In closing, H.R. 1429 enjoys broad bipartisan support. I encourage
the adoption of this resolution.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House
Resolution 1429 which applauds the public servants at Department of
Homeland Security for their outstanding dedication to securing our
Nation.
More importantly, House Resolution 1429 encourages citizens to
prepare themselves and their families to respond to emergencies--
whether it is an act of terror, natural disaster and other crisis.
The Department of Homeland Security has partnered with over 1,700
organizations, including the American Red Cross, to promote September
as the National Preparedness Month.
In fact, this is the 5th year that the Department of Homeland
Security has observed September as the National Emergency Preparedness
Month.
As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when
the public takes steps to prepare for the worst.
Likewise, as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I want
the people of this Nation to take the necessary steps to prepare
themselves in the event of an emergency.
[[Page 22830]]
Constituents should be encouraged to visit the following websites to
get information on how to be prepared for different types of
emergencies: www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org.
Among the Department's recommendations to help Americans prepare for
emergencies are:
1. Get a Kit--Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough
supplies for each family member for three days and remember to check
the kit every six months. Be sure that the kit includes water, food,
medicine, batteries, flashlights, hygiene materials, blankets, etc.
2. Make a Plan--Every family should develop and communicate with each
other their evacuation or sheltering plan. The plan should correspond
to the school, work and community of every member of the family. All
families are encouraged to practice this plan to ensure familiarity
with evacuation or meeting routes, have cell phones charged and have a
charger in the car.
It should be known that at times it may be easier to make a long-
distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact
may be in a better position to communicate among separated family
members.
Also every family should have a secure location of important
documents such as, insurance papers, etc.
3. Be informed about the type of disasters or emergencies that may
occur where you live, work and play and how they can affect you, your
family and community. In other words do you live in a place prone to
hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc? Every citizen should also
learn about what to do in the event of a biological, chemical,
explosive, nuclear or radiological attack.
It is important to identify how authorities will notify you and how
you will get important information.
You should learn what you can do to prepare for that emergency as
well as first aid, CPR and disaster training.
Consider sharing what you have learned with your family, neighbors
and friends.
4. Get Involved--After preparing yourself and your family for
possible emergencies by getting a kit, making a plan and being
informed, take the next step and get involved in preparing your
community. The American public should visit the www.citizencorps.com
website to learn about how Citizen Corps brings together community,
emergency and government leaders to involve community members in
emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.
More than 2,200 state, local, tribal and territorial governments in
all 56 states and U.S. territories have formed Citizen Corps Councils,
and every day new Councils are formed in communities around the
country.
These Councils assist with outreach and educational efforts to the
public; training and exercises that effectively integrate emergency
responders, volunteers with a response role, and the general public;
and volunteer programs that support emergency response services.
I conclude by asking my colleagues to adopt this resolution.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1429.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
NAVAL VESSEL TRANSFER ACT OF 2008
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7177) to authorize the transfer of naval vessels to certain
foreign recipients, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7177
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--NAVAL VESSEL TRANSFER
SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Naval Vessel Transfer Act
of 2008''.
SEC. 102. TRANSFER OF NAVAL VESSELS TO CERTAIN FOREIGN
RECIPIENTS.
(a) Transfers by Grant.--The President is authorized to
transfer the vessels specified in paragraphs (1), (3), and
(4) of section 501(a) of H.R. 5916 of the 110th Congress, as
passed the House of Representatives on May 15, 2008, to the
foreign recipients specified in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4)
of such section, respectively, on a grant basis under section
516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
(b) Grants Not Counted in Annual Total of Transferred
Excess Defense Articles.--The value of a vessel transferred
to a recipient on a grant basis pursuant to authority
provided by subsection (a) shall not be counted against the
aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred in any
fiscal year under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
(c) Costs of Transfers.--Any expense incurred by the United
States in connection with a transfer authorized by this
section shall be charged to the recipient (notwithstanding
section 516(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2321j(e))).
(d) Repair and Refurbishment in United States Shipyards.--
To the maximum extent practicable, the President shall
require, as a condition of the transfer of a vessel under
this section, that the recipient to which the vessel is
transferred have such repair or refurbishment of the vessel
as is needed, before the vessel joins the naval forces of the
recipient, performed at a shipyard located in the United
States, including a United States Navy shipyard.
(e) Expiration of Authority.--The authority to transfer a
vessel under this section shall expire at the end of the 2-
year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES ARMS EXPORTS
SEC. 201. ASSESSMENT OF ISRAEL'S QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE
OVER MILITARY THREATS.
(a) Assessment Required.--The President shall carry out an
empirical and qualitative assessment on an ongoing basis of
the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military
edge over military threats to Israel. The assessment required
under this subsection shall be sufficiently robust so as to
facilitate comparability of data over concurrent years.
(b) Use of Assessment.--The President shall ensure that the
assessment required under subsection (a) is used to inform
the review by the United States of applications to sell
defense articles and defense services under the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) to countries in the
Middle East.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than June 30, 2009, the
President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on the initial assessment required under
subsection (a).
(2) Quadrennial report.--Not later than four years after
the date on which the President transmits the initial report
under paragraph (1), and every four years thereafter, the
President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on the most recent assessment required
under subsection (a).
(d) Certification.--Section 36 of the Arms Export Control
Act (22 U.S.C. 2776) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(h) Certification Requirement Relating to Israel's
Qualitative Military Edge.--
``(1) In general.--Any certification relating to a proposed
sale or export of defense articles or defense services under
this section to any country in the Middle East other than
Israel shall include a determination that the sale or export
of the defense articles or defense services will not
adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge over
military threats to Israel.
``(2) Qualitative military edge defined.--In this
subsection, the term `qualitative military edge' means the
ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional
military threat from any individual state or possible
coalition of states or from non-state actors, while
sustaining minimal damages and casualties, through the use of
superior military means, possessed in sufficient quantity,
including weapons, command, control, communication,
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities
that in their technical characteristics are superior in
capability to those of such other individual or possible
coalition of states or non-state actors.''.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) Qualitative military edge.--The term ``qualitative
military edge'' has the meaning given the term in section
36(h) of the Arms Export Control Act, as added by subsection
(d) of this section.
SEC. 202. IMPLEMENTATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
ISRAEL.
(a) In General.--Of the amount made available for fiscal
year 2009 for assistance under the program authorized by
section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763)
(commonly referred to as the ``Foreign Military Financing
Program''), the amount specified in subsection (b) is
authorized to be made available on a grant basis for Israel.
(b) Computation of Amount.--The amount referred to in
subsection (a) is the amount equal to--
[[Page 22831]]
(1) the amount specified under the heading ``Foreign
Military Financing Program'' for Israel for fiscal year 2008;
plus
(2) $150,000,000.
(c) Other Authorities.--
(1) Availability of funds for advanced weapons systems.--To
the extent the Government of Israel requests the United
States to provide assistance for fiscal year 2009 for the
procurement of advanced weapons systems, amounts authorized
to be made available for Israel under this section shall, as
agreed to by Israel and the United States, be available for
such purposes, of which not less than $670,650,000 shall be
available for the procurement in Israel of defense articles
and defense services, including research and development.
(2) Disbursement of funds.--Amounts authorized to be made
available for Israel under this section shall be disbursed
not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of an
Act making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs for fiscal year
2009, or October 31, 2008, whichever occurs later.
SEC. 203. SECURITY COOPERATION WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Close and continuing defense cooperation between the
United States and the Republic of Korea continues to be in
the national security interest of the United States.
(2) The Republic of Korea was designated a major non-NATO
ally in 1987, the first such designation.
(3) The Republic of Korea has been a major purchaser of
United States defense articles and services through the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, totaling $6,900,000,000
in deliveries over the last 10 years.
(4) Purchases of United States defense articles, services,
and major defense equipment facilitate and increase the
interoperability of Republic of Korea military forces with
the United States Armed Forces.
(5) Congress has previously enacted important, special
defense cooperation arrangements for the Republic of Korea,
as in the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize the transfer of
items in the War Reserves Stockpile for Allies, Korea'',
approved December 30, 2005 (Public Law 109-159; 119 Stat.
2955), which authorized the President, notwithstanding
section 514 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2321h), to transfer to the Republic of Korea certain defense
items to be included in a war reserve stockpile for that
country.
(6) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with the
Republic of Korea is important to the national security of
the United States, including through creation of a status in
law for the Republic of Korea similar to the countries in the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, and New
Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign
military sales to the Republic of Korea.
(b) Special Foreign Military Sales Status for Republic of
Korea.--The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in sections 3(d)(2)(B), 3(d)(3)(A)(i), 3(d)(5),
21(e)(2)(A), 36(b), 36(c), 36(d)(2)(A), 62(c)(1), and
63(a)(2), by inserting ``the Republic of Korea,'' before ``or
New Zealand'' each place it appears;
(2) in section 3(b)(2), by inserting ``the Government of
the Republic of Korea,'' before ``or the Government of New
Zealand'';
(3) in section 21(h)(1)(A), by inserting ``the Republic of
Korea,'' before ``or Israel''; and
(4) in section 21(h)(2), by striking ``or to any member
government of that Organization if that Organization or
member government'' and inserting ``, to any member
government of that Organization, or to the Governments of the
Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel
if that Organization, member government, or the Governments
of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or
Israel''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Berman) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill reflects the bipartisan text agreed by the
other body that incorporates several provisions from H.R. 5916, the
Berman/Ros- Lehtinen/Sherman/Manzullo Security Assistance and Arms
Export Control Reform Act of 2008 that the House passed in May.
It authorizes the Department of the Navy to transfer surplus U.S.
Navy vessels to friendly countries which Congress does on an annual
basis. It strengthens the vital security relationship with our close
friends and allies, South Korea and Israel. Building on the work of
Representative Royce, U.S. law will now add South Korea to the list of
countries in the Arms Export Control in the same way as NATO,
Australia, New Zealand and Japan. This is a significant symbolic
recognition of the critical importance of South Korea to U.S. national
security and to peace and stability throughout East Asia.
It also requires the administration to empirically assess on an
ongoing basis the State of Israel's ``Qualitative Military Edge,'' we
call it QME, against conventional or nonconventional security threats,
to report that assessment to Congress every 4 years, and to use that
assessment when reviewing arms exports to other countries in the Middle
East.
Every President since Lyndon Johnson has affirmed the U.S. commitment
to Israel's Qualitative Military Edge against potential enemies. But
unfortunately it has become clear the administration uses subjective
judgment when evaluating Israel's QME. The State and Defense officials
have admitted there is no objective empirical method for evaluating
this critical measure of whether or not Israel maintains a qualitative
superiority over potential threats to its security.
It is also clear that by such subjective evaluations are performed
sale by sale and country by country without clear, overall
consideration of the balance of capabilities possessed throughout the
region that conceivably affect Israel's security.
This provision would remedy this glaring lack of a robust mechanism
to make security and export decisions that could undermine the security
of one of the most important friends and allies that we have in the
Middle East. The bill also authorizes security assistance to Israel,
including implementing the recent U.S.-Israel Memorandum of
Understanding Regarding Security Assistance.
It is fitting that on the 60th anniversary of Israel, the U.S. renews
and strengthens its relationship with a most important friend in the
region. It deserves all the support we can muster.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank my good friend, the
chairman of our committee, Howard Berman. It is a delight to work with
him in a bipartisan manner, and I appreciate the close cooperation that
we've enjoyed in these months.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7177, a measure to authorize
certain naval vessel transfers, to strengthen U.S. security assistance
to Israel and to upgrade the foreign military sale status of our allies
in the Republic of Korea. Mr. Speaker, this bill contains many
provisions identical or similar to those contained a bill previously
passed by this House this spring, H.R. 5916, the Security Assistance
and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008.
The bill before us strengthens the U.S. commitment to the security of
our dear friends in Israel by requiring an objective analysis of
Israel's military capability with respect to conventional and
unconventional threats while authorizing an increase in U.S. foreign
military financing that is consistent with the August 2007 U.S.-Israel
memorandum on military assistance. These provisions are of vital
importance because as we all know, Israel is surrounded by a number of
threats which threaten its very survival.
Thus, the provisions in this bill enhancing our relationship with
Israel are critical to Israel's security but also to our vital
interests in the region.
This legislation also upgrades the Foreign Military Sales status of
our staunch ally, the Republic of Korea. Elements of this provision
were included in H.R. 5443 which passed the House earlier this week.
This upgrade is an important symbol of a renewed and transformed U.S.-
ROK alliance. It reaffirms that South Korea continues
[[Page 22832]]
to be a close and a much-valued strategic ally of the United States in
a relationship that is, and must remain, a bedrock of stability in
Northeast Asia.
Mr. Speaker, our actions here tonight will help to advance a new
strategic framework for the alliance, not only for the purpose of
managing a range of North Korea contingencies, but also to cement a
common, democratic partnership for the 21st century.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the grant of surplus Navy
vessels. According to our Secretary of the Navy, these proposed
transfers would improve our political and military relationship with
these countries.
{time} 2000
The United States would also incur no cost in transferring these
vessels, as the recipients would be responsible for all costs
associated with the transfers.
I urge support for this important measure, Mr. Speaker.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I
simply want to express my deep appreciation to my ranking member. We
have been working together now for 7 or so months. We are not always
perfect in our dealings, but it is a lot more good than bad, and
getting better. I am grateful for her support and understanding of all
the different shifts in these kinds of things, and I am glad to have
her support for this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to reiterate the
warm friendship and great cooperation that we have gotten from our
chairman, both as Members and as members of our staff coordinate these
sometimes thorny bills, controversial measures, and we are able to
compromise and come to an agreement and understanding and help the
House develop a good foreign policy for this greatest nation in the
world, the United States of America. It is an honor for me to work with
Chairman Berman.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 7177.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
WEBCASTER SETTLEMENT ACT OF 2008
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7084) to amend section 114 of title 17, United States Code,
to provide for agreements for the reproduction and performance of sound
recordings by webcasters, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7084
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Webcaster Settlement Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF WEBCASTERS.
Section 114(f)(5) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``small commercial'' each place it appears
and inserting ``commercial'';
(B) by striking ``during the period beginning on October
28, 1998, and ending on December 31, 2004'' and inserting
``for a period of not more than 11 years beginning on January
1, 2005'';
(C) by striking ``a copyright arbitration royalty panel or
decision by the Librarian of Congress'' and inserting ``the
Copyright Royalty Judges''; and
(D) in the second sentence, by striking ``webcasters shall
include'' and inserting ``webcasters may include'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``small commercial''
and inserting ``commercial'';
(3) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) by striking ``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Copyright Royalty Judges'';
(B) by striking ``small webcasters'' and inserting
``webcasters''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ``This subparagraph
shall not apply to the extent that the receiving agent and a
webcaster that is party to an agreement entered into pursuant
to subparagraph (A) expressly authorize the submission of the
agreement in a proceeding under this subsection.'';
(4) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) by striking ``the Small Webcasters Settlement Act of
2002'' and inserting ``the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008''
; and
(B) by striking ``Librarian of Congress of July 8, 2002''
and inserting ``Copyright Royalty Judges of May 1, 2007'';
and
(5) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``December 15, 2002''
and all that follows through ``2003'' and inserting
``February 15, 2009''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Berman) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7084, the Webcasters
Settlement Act of 2008, which grants authority to relevant parties to
negotiate an alternative royalty rate for the use of music on Internet
radio stations under the existing government compulsory license.
This license gives webcasters the privilege of using copyrighted
recorded music at a government-mandated rate determined by the
Copyright Royalty Judges.
The recent government rate was determined on March 2, 2007. After
considering voluminous written submissions and 48 days of trial
testimony that filled 13,288 pages of transcript, the Copyright Royalty
Judges determined fair, marketplace-based rates, averaged over a 5-year
rate period. The judges followed their authorizing statute and carried
out their duties in a fair and impartial manner. Both sides were able
to present thorough cases and the judges came to a fair result based on
the evidence presented.
Since that determination, certain webcasters have requested that
copyright owners enter into negotiation to offer an alternative rate
for webcasters who meet unique conditions, and requested that the
Committee on the Judiciary facilitate such negotiations. These
negotiations have been proceeding in earnest over the past 2 months,
and the parties are making considerable progress.
Because the parties will not be able to finish their negotiations
before Congress recesses, however, and because authority by Congress is
required for a settlement to take effect under the government
compulsory license, we are pushing this legislation that will grant
such authority and hope the negotiations will continue in a positive
direction for both sides.
I might add that the issue of broadcasters who are doing or want to
do webcasting negotiations in that area also will be starting in the
immediate future.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman's time has expired.
Mr. BERMAN. I yield myself 1 additional minute.
It is an important principle that negotiations are more appropriate
before the copyright royalty proceeding. However, these conversations
that have taken place under the committee's auspices are occurring in
unique and extraordinary political and business circumstances and are
unlike typical marketplace negotiations.
This bill provides that any alternative private deal-making or any
private deal regarding an alternative rate would not be precedential,
unless, of course, the parties agreed that it should be. Some of the
rates that are being discussed represent a large discount, a huge
discount from what independent decisionmaking bodies have found to be
marketplace rates, and less than what I understand many webcasters have
been paying since the judges reached their decision.
Neither this deal nor this bill should be understood as a criticism
of the
[[Page 22833]]
judges' decision, and I would expect marketplace rates to be higher and
at least a reflection of what the judges decided absent the distinct
circumstances that apply here.
I hope this legislation will make it easier for more music to be
performed online by paying services, and also that there will be an
increase in compensation to creators.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7084, the Webcasting Settlement Act of 2008, grants
limited statutory authority to SoundExchange, the government designated
entity responsible for disbursing webcasting royalties. Specifically,
the bill gives SoundExchange the ability to enter into and negotiate
agreements with webcasters for the performance of sound recordings over
the Internet.
As background, the Copyright Royalty Board last year issued its final
rate determination in a webcasting proceeding. That decision, which was
the product of a lengthy and extensive adjudicatory process open to all
parties, has withstood all legal challenges in the D.C. Court of
Appeals.
In issuing its final ruling, the CRB established the market rates and
terms for the performance of statutorily licensed Internet streamed
music for a 5 year period that ends December 31, 2010.
Preferring voluntarily negotiated settlements to the continuation of
adversarial legal proceedings, SoundExchange and representatives from
both the commercial and noncommercial webcasting operators have been
attempting to craft a compromise that might end this litigation and
provide certainty to sound recording copyright owners and webcasters
alike.
While progress has reportedly been made, the law does not permit a
successfully negotiated agreement to be given effect after the CRB has
issued its final ruling. To provide the needed flexibility, the
Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 provides a limited window of time to
enable the parties to try and reach a voluntary accord.
In supporting this legislation and approach, I believe it is
particularly important that SoundExchange reach out and expand the
number of webcasting representatives with whom they have been meeting.
This will ensure all legitimate points of view are considered in
negotiating settlements. This authority will accomplish little in the
long run if the interests of the public and all significant
stakeholders are not carefully weighed and reflected in the final
agreements.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I note this proposal is similar to the
manner in which Congress resolved a webcasting royalty dispute in 2002.
While there are significant differences between H.R. 7084 and the
earlier law, this bill is needed at this time. If this authority is
utilized properly, it will benefit the public.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7084.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee), the author of this legislation.
The gentleman has been very focused on this issue since the time the
Copyright Royalty Board came down with what I view as a just decision,
but which others may have a different opinion of.
Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be here tonight to help
pass the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008. The reason is I really do
believe the upshot of this legislation will be the survival of
webcasting as we know it in the United States, to really allow our
consumers and our constituents to continue to enjoy tremendous
opportunities to listen to great music and great news over the
Internet, and allow the continued development of businesses around the
business model of webcasting.
I am very appreciative of Chairman Berman and his efforts to
facilitate discussions to help resolve this difficult issue and to the
ranking member, Mr. Smith, who is a cosponsor of this legislation. This
really is a bipartisan effort to find a resolution to a difficult
issue.
As Mr. Berman indicated, there is a wide divergence on what the right
royalty to pay is. Certainly a lot of businesses were jeopardized by
this decision. I just note one that led to this relief. Big R Radio, it
is actually in the State of Washington where I hail from, under the CRB
decision that gave rise to this issue, it would have caused Big R Radio
to exceed by 150 percent of their revenues what they would have to pay
in royalties.
{time} 2015
We have heard many businesses would be in that situation.
We have been engaged now for some period of time, discussions to try
to find a resolution and agreement between those who are webcasters,
who have big dreams, and providing tremendous music to allow them to
continue.
We hope that those will succeed. We think that we are close to a
successful resolution of those discussions. Mr. Berman has been very
helpful in that regard.
But to get there, we need to have this bill to make sure that when an
agreement is reached, that it has, in fact, the sanction of the United
States. This bill is really kind of simple. It just basically says that
the parties, if they can reach an agreement, Uncle Sam will not get in
the way. Certainly that makes sense from all standpoints on both sides
of the aisle.
I just want to note how important it is. I know many people have been
interested in this in the last few days to encourage Congress to pass
this legislation. Webcasting really has become a fabric of people's
daily lives.
I want to read one quote from Luis Jimenez, who is involved in
Live365 network. He is from Frederick, Maryland. This is a quote:
``Internet radio gave me the freedom to put together my own format
station without having to be a cookie-cutter station. Listeners and
musicians love it because of the variety of music and the fact local
and independent artists are played.'' That's a quote from the Frederick
News Post.
This is really why our constituents love this service. We want to
find a business model where webcasting can thrive, where consumers can
listen, and, at some point, terrestrial broadcasters who will be able
to simulcast under this the legislation, they will be able to access
the benefit of this legislation, and they will be involved in
negotiations to find a right, appropriate level.
I am delighted by the passage of this, and I thank all involved in
this effort.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the gentleman
from Washington (Mr. Inslee) for his comments.
I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague
on the Judiciary Committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) who is
now serving as the ranking member of the Administrative and Commercial
Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7084, the
Webcasters Settlement Act of 2008.
I want to thank my friend, Chairman Berman, for his tireless work on
this issue, as well as Mr. Inslee, Ms. Zoe Lofgren and the ranking
member of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Smith.
Since the CRB's ruling in March of 2007, the stakeholders, including
the Digital Media Association, NPR and RIAA, have been negotiating for
a lower rate to preserve the existence of Internet radio as we know it.
We know that the rates set by the CRB would have killed Internet
radio, and today we stand on the cusp of a major breakthrough after
months of difficult negotiations between the private parties. This bill
does nothing to affect the scope of performance rights or make any
other changes to the underlying copyright law. It clearly does not
affect broadcasters. They will not be bound by any settlement,
negotiated settlement or settlement agreement.
This bill simply clears the path for the private negotiations to
continue
[[Page 22834]]
while Congress is in recess. I have long opposed congressional mandates
and other government impositions on private parties.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. It simply gives the
webcasters and copyright holders the freedom to continue the
negotiation process.
Without this legislation, negotiation could not continue, and all
parties would be bound by the CRB decision.
Mr. Speaker, this is likely to be the last time I address the House,
at least for some time, and I would like to take a moment to thank the
Judiciary Committee staff, and the majority staff, and minority staff,
for their tireless work, and for the floor staff of both the majority
and minority parties who have been amazingly good at keeping things
moving here.
Finally, I would like to thank our wonderful clerical staff who keep
things moving and have made this such a pleasant and wonderful place to
do business. I think I should also like to add thanks to our security
for the floor for the wonderful support they have been.
Mr. BERMAN. I have great admiration and respect for the previous
speaker, Mr. Cannon, who will be moving on from this body soon.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a key person in all of this process
on webcasting rates, a member of our subcommittee, a very active member
of our subcommittee, the gentlelady from California, for as much time
as she may consume.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
Webcaster Settlement Act. Since the Copyright Royalty Board announced
its decision dramatically increasing royalty rates for webcasters,
Internet radio has really been in serious jeopardy. In some cases, fees
under the ruling actually exceeded the revenue, obviously a business
model that is impossible to sustain.
Because the demise of Internet radio is absolutely in no one's
interest, not in the stakeholders, Members of Congress have worked very
hard to reach a negotiated compromise that would supersede the CRB
decision and preserve the continued viability of Internet radio.
I particularly want to commend Representative Berman for his work in
bringing the parties together. They were very far apart, and his
personal attention to this has been a key element for this progress.
This act buys some time for the negotiations to continue, removes the
statutory impediment to implementation of a negotiated compromise, and
I am very hopeful that we will achieve what we wish.
The alternative to this legislation would be a court-imposed solution
that would drive many of the newest and most promising innovators like
Pandora, located in Alameda County, out of the marketplace. It's not
just the providers of content, it's the American public, indeed the
world, that is able to use the digital world for access to content. We
don't want, any of us, to stand in the way of that.
I just want to take a minute here, because this may be the last time
that I have an opportunity to work on a bill on this floor with
Congressman Cannon, who will not be returning to the 111th Congress.
I just want to say, if you look at Congressman Cannon's record and
mine, you will find very different records, one of the most
conservative Members of Congress, and I am not.
But I will say that working with Congressman Cannon is a tremendous
honor, because he is a very smart guy and he is very focused. There are
never any games working with him. It's always what can he see that's in
the public's interest. When you can work with someone like that, even
though it's a conservative and a nonconservative, you can make
progress.
It's just been an honor to work with Congressman Cannon. He has
served his district, his State and his country with tremendous
distinction. I just want to thank him for all he has done. I know he
will have many other things to contribute in the private sector, but
it's really been an honor to work with him.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. I too want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Cannon), my colleague on the Judiciary Committee, for his service to
this institution and to our country.
Chris Cannon has served, while he has been on the Judiciary
Committee, both as the chairman of the Commercial and Administrative
Law Subcommittee, and as ranking member, a position he holds right now.
The gentleman from Utah has brought to that position an incredible
knowledge and expertise and commitment to so many issues that impacts
so many Americans in this country today.
He has, in my judgment, that rare blend of a sense of humor and a
seriousness of purpose that make him an ideal Member of Congress. Those
talents and those skills and his dedication to Congress and to our
country will be missed, but we look forward to staying in touch with
him and wish him well in his next adventure.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. I am pleased to yield again to the sponsor of this bill
an additional minute.
Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I do also want to express my great respect
for the previous speaker, Representative Cannon. He is a fellow of such
great heart and cheerful countenance, it has been a pleasure to serve
with him. He and I now belong or shortly will belong to an elite group.
He will be joining the Former Members of Congress. I am also a member
of the Former Members of Congress.
I just want to relate to him that many of us who are not serving at
one time, it is a respectful and honorable position to be in. I want
his family to know how much we respect his service. We know he is going
to go on to do great things for his community and his family.
Congressman, I would like to tell you how much we respect you. Hope
you come by and say hello on occasion. Congratulations.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I just want to take a moment, the irony of both Mr. Smith and Mr.
Cannon being on the floor at the same time. For so many years, I was on
Ethics Committee with Mr. Smith as chairman during a big part of that
time, on the Immigration Committee with Mr. Smith being chairman for a
part of that time, and on Intellectual Property, when Mr. Smith was
chairman for a serious part of that time.
I hate to say this in front of the ranking member of the Judiciary
Committee, but with the gentleman from Utah, with whom I worked so
closely on so many different aspects of the immigration issue, I will
sorely miss you.
We didn't agree as much on all the intellectual property issues as we
did on the immigration issues. But the other side of the coin is, I
didn't agree with the ranking member of Judiciary on the immigration
issues as much as I did on the intellectual property issues.
But in both cases it has really been a delight to work with both of
you, and particularly you, Mr. Cannon, because at least for now you
won't be back here next year. I will miss both your person and your
work on these issues, and we shall prevail.
Mr. CANNON. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. BERMAN. I do.
Mr. CANNON. This is an amazing, actually, pass. Mr. Inslee and I, of
course, have worked on the Natural Resources Committee together and
differed sharply on many issues, but never unpleasantly.
This is an amazing pass where people of such divergent views are
together on the same issue. It's a nice send-off. I appreciate your
kind comments and those of the gentlelady from California and the
gentleman from Washington and the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to say that we have
before us legislation that is supported by the DMA association, the
Digital Media Association and the Sound Exchange, the collection
agency, as well as their component memberships, including the labels,
the performers, the musicians, the backup singers, National Public
Radio, the small
[[Page 22835]]
webcasters. I should report, based on the conversations and an
amendment that extends till February 15 the deadline, this bill does
not have the opposition of the National Association of Broadcasters.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make clear that no provision of H.R.
7084 should be construed to opine on what entity or entities can be
considered a ``receiving agent'' under 17 U.S.C. Section 114(g)(4). I
understand that there is ongoing litigation pertaining to the
qualifications of a receiving agent and I would not want H.R. 7084 to
influence a court's ultimate decision on this matter.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Webcaster
Settlement Act of 2008, and want to thank the gentleman from Washington
for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor.
H.R. 7084 is a simple yet critical legislative solution that allows
private sector actors to keep a negotiating process alive. Why? Because
Internet radio royalties operate under a government license, and
Congressional approval is necessary to allow a private sector agreement
to effectuate outside the government process.
This is a good thing. After all, if I have a choice between a
government mandated solution and a private sector agreement, I will
take the private sector agreement almost every time.
The Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 guarantees that our nation's
performing artists, musicians, record labels and webcasters can
continue copyright negotiations that are making slow but steady
progress. And a resolution to the issue is critical, so Internet radio
listeners can keep on listening and the people performing those songs
can be properly compensated.
The Copyright Royalty Board is small government body tasked with
determining royalty rates for the use of music over Internet radio. It
is obscure to some, but its decisions are critical to my constituents
in Tennessee and Internet radio users across the country.
Unfortunately, this body was tasked with the authority to adjudicate a
rate structure at the direction of Congress back in 2004. This proved
to be unwise, since the Board's decision announced in March of 2007
sparked a lengthy lobbying battle and an acrimonious relationship
between two important members of the music industry's family; the
copyright holder and the copyright deliverer.
We now understand that the parties are gradually coming together, and
growing closer to finding common ground. Congress should do everything
in its power to ensure the negotiations continue, and H.R. 7084 is the
vehicle to guarantee the talks will continue.
I urge my colleagues to support it, and yield the balance of my time.
Mr. BERMAN. I urge the passage of H.R. 7084 and yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 7084, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
SPECIAL ORDERS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 18, 2007, and under a previous order of the House, the
following Members will be recognized for 5 minutes each.
____________________
{time} 2030
HISTORIC MOMENT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, you know, people often come up and say we are
at an historic moment. Every moment is a part of history because at
some time what we are doing is going to be recorded but we really are
at another defining moment in American history here this week and this
weekend.
And the American people need to know that House Republicans are
fighting for the right values and for what 99 percent of Americans have
been telling us for the past week. I am also happy to report that most
House Republicans agreed with their constituents even before they began
hearing from their constituents, and that's a good thing for the
American people to know because that means our resolve is even stronger
than it would have been if some of our Members had been of a different
mind but changed their mind once they started hearing from their
constituents.
House Republicans are fighting to ensure that the rescue bill, the
economic rescue bill doesn't give a blank check to Wall Street at the
expense of taxpayers on Main Street. People have been calling me all
day today. I had a call just before I came on the floor asking me are
we all right. I am here to reassure the American people that from our
side of the aisle we are all right. We are doing fine, and we are
standing strong. And I think it is very important that we say that.
But I think also we need to say what some of the specific things we
are fighting for and we are fighting against. We are fighting to make
sure that we don't slide into socialism in this country. And we are
fighting against the special interests, the pork barrel and the very
groups that helped get us into the situation that we are in now. I want
to say that we are working hard to get out of any bill that is
presented here that has pork barrel provisions added by the Democrats,
that would reward the people who support them and give them all their
money.
Let me talk about three of those groups. Number one, the trial
lawyers. Believe it or not, the Democrats have figured out a way to put
into this economic recovery bill a great gift to the trial lawyers, and
that is something that is called around here a cram down provision.
It would allow people who don't think their mortgage rate is fair to
go to a bankruptcy judge and ask that bankruptcy judge to change the
conditions of their mortgage. That is an abomination. But what it would
do is give a lot of work to trial lawyers. We have said there is a
marker here, we will not vote for any economic recovery plan that is
going to do that because it would undermine the effectiveness of any
economic recovery effort by making it even harder to value these
securities.
There is another gift in the draft presented by the Democrats to big
labor. This gives Washington's powerful big labor bosses a big handout
by having them have ``say on pay'' or proxy access provisions that the
Democrats have added to this.
And then a group that people have asked me about ACORN. There is a
big gift in here to that group. It includes a giveaway that would force
taxpayers to bankroll a slush fund to a discredited ally of the
Democratic Party. ACORN's fraudulent voter registration activities on
behalf of Democratic candidates are well known.
This bill that the Democrats have presented would return any profits
made in the long term from the economic rescue package partly back to
ACORN. In fact, the first part of it would go to ACORN for their often-
illegal help in helping Democrats get elected.
I have, Mr. Speaker, a long list of their most recent scandals and
unlawful activities. Seven ACORN workers were charged with committing
the biggest voter registration fraud in Washington State history. That
was from the Seattle Times.
Another article from the Wall Street Journal, ``Late last year, a
handful of ACORN canvassers in Washington State admitted that they had
falsified voter registrations by illegally filling out hundreds of
forms with names such as Dennis Hastert, Leon Spinks and Fruito Boy
Crispila.''
I don't have time in the short time I have available to read all of
these excerpts from articles, but I would like to put them all in the
Record.
Mr. Speaker, I want the American people to know, Republicans are
fighting for you.
``ACORN is a long-time advocacy group with whom Obama was
once associated. Recently, though, ACORN workers in two
states have pleaded guilty to election fraud, an unlikely
recipient of federal largess.'' Fox News Report, 9/26/08.
``Seven ACORN workers were charged with `committing the
biggest voter-registration fraud in [Washington] state
history.' '' The Seattle Times, 7/26/07.
[[Page 22836]]
ACORN workers submitted ``just over 1,800 new voter
registration forms, but there was a problem. The names were
made up--all but six of the 1,800 submissions were fakes...
The ACORN workers told state investigators that they went to
the Seattle public library, sat at a table and filled out the
voter registration forms. They made up names, addresses, and
Social Security numbers and in some cases plucked names from
the phone book. One worker said it was a lot of hard work
making up all those names and another said he would sit at
home, smoke marijuana and fill out the forms.'' Fox News
Channel, 5/02/08.
``Late last year, a handful of ACORN canvassers in
Washington state admitted that they had falsified voter
registrations by illegally filling out hundreds of forms with
names such as Dennis Hastert, Leon Spinks and Fruito Boy
Crispila.'' Wall Street Journal, 7/31/08.
``Eight workers for a get-out-the-vote effort in St. Louis
city and county have pleaded guilty to federal election fraud
for submitting false registration cards for the 2006
election, authorities said today. The workers were employed
by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
(ACORN), gathering voter registrations.'' Associated Press,
4/02/08.
``Acorn has had a number of missteps. This month its
founder, Wade Rathke, resigned after news emerged that his
brother Dale had embezzled nearly $1 million from Acorn and
affiliated groups eight years ago--information the group kept
from law-enforcement authorities and most members. Dale
Rathke left the organization only last month.'' Wall Street
Journal, 7/31/08.
So how exactly will ACORN be rewarded if the Democrats get
their way? Very simple: behind closed doors, ACORN-friendly
language was slipped into the Democratic economic rescue
proposal by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-
CT) and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney
Frank (D-MA). Take a look:
Transfer of a percentage of profits.
1. Deposits. Not less than 20 percent of any profit
realized on the sale of each troubled asset purchased under
this Act shall be deposited as provided in paragraph (2).
2. Use of deposits. Of the amount referred to in paragraph
(1)
1. 65 percent shall be deposited into the Housing Trust
Fund established under section 1338 of the Federal Housing
Enterprises Regulatory Reform Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4568);
and
2. 35 percent shall be deposited into the Capital Magnet
Fund established under section 1339 of that Act (12 U.S.C.
4569).
Remainder deposited in the Treasury. All amounts remaining
after payments under paragraph (1) shall be paid into the
General Fund of the Treasury for reduction of the public
debt.
What does this mean? The Wall Street Journal breaks it down
in an editorial published today:
``What we have here essentially are a pair of government
slush funds created in July as part of the Economic Recovery
Act that pump tax dollars into the coffers of low-income
housing advocacy groups, such as Acorn.''
``Acorn, one of America's most militant left-wing
`community activist groups,' is spending $16 million this
year to register Democrats to vote in November. In the past
several years, Acorn's voter registration programs have come
under investigation in Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri and
Washington, while several of their employees have been
convicted of voter fraud...''
That's right. Rather than returning any profits made in the
long-term from the economic rescue package, Democrats want to
first reward their radical allies at ACORN for their help--
often illegal help--in getting Democrats elected to office.
Families, seniors, small businesses, and all American
taxpayers deserve better than what Democratic leaders are
attempting to jam down their throats.
The rescue package should not become a ``Christmas tree''
for the Democratic Majority's far-left wing political agenda
that seeks to shower taxpayer dollars upon groups like ACORN.
On behalf of beleaguered taxpayers across the nation, House
Republicans will continue to fight to remove the ACORN
payback and any other Democratic poison-pills from the
economic rescue package.
____________________
VACATING 5-MINUTE SPECIAL ORDER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the 5-minute Special
Order of the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) is vacated.
There was objection.
____________________
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 18, 2007, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor tonight to speak on a
subject that I have spoken on many, many times over the course of my
career in this Congress. This will be the last time I will be able to
address this body in a Special Order on this particular issue.
I am reminded of nearly a decade ago when I arrived in the House of
Representatives in 1999 and there was really no organized effort to
facilitate a discussion on the critical issue of immigration and
immigration reform. The task I felt at that time was to bring it to the
Nation's attention any way I could, being one Member of the House and
as a freshman, there are relatively few ways to accomplish that goal.
One way was to address the House through the Special Order process, and
I did that night after night after night.
I would sometimes walk away from here thinking it may have been a
futile gesture. I would leave here and it would be quite late walking
across to my office in Longworth, and I would look back at the Capitol
dome and I would see the light shining on it and I would think about
the importance of what I was trying to accomplish here. And at my
office, there were always lights on the phones, I could see people
calling and hear the fax machine going, and I knew there were people
out there who were listening to this discussion and who were responding
to it and that always gave me the energy to continue the discussion, to
come back the next night and do whatever I could to get people to focus
on what I considered to be and what I still consider to be one of the
most serious problems facing the Nation. Certainly it is one of the
most serious domestic problems facing the Nation.
Now we are talking about a financial crisis and it has sucked up all
of the energy in the room and all of the energy on Capitol Hill. All of
the oxygen has been sucked up by this discussion, and I understand why.
It is a crucial issue, crucial to our constituents and enormously
important throughout the world, as a matter of fact.
It is important I think also to recognize there is an aspect of this
discussion which does go back to the original issue of illegal
immigration into the country, and it is no small part of the problem
that we now face.
Several months ago in my own county, Jefferson County, Colorado, the
district attorney indicted several realtors and mortgage brokers for
fraudulently developing documents for people who were here illegally so
they could buy homes. By the way, it is not necessarily illegal in the
United States, as peculiar as this may sound, it is not illegal for
someone who is here illegally to purchase a home, but it is certainly
illegal to doctor the documents, to falsify the Social Security and tax
records. Now this is a tiny story. How does it relate to this issue.
One county in Colorado, three or four realtors, three or four
mortgage brokers, accounted for 250 homes being sold in just that
county in Colorado. Across the Nation, this phenomenon accounts for
hundreds of thousands of homes that have been sold to people who are
here illegally. There have been major industries, certainly major banks
in this country that were devoted to trying to identify illegal aliens
as a niche market to both make them loans, to identify them as
potential bank customers so they can get the mortgage.
We saw hundreds of millions, in fact hundreds of billions of dollars
flow into these mortgages. Now what has happened? The economy has gone
sour. Immigration reform efforts have gotten to the point where we
actually are now conducting raids at some of the major factories and
meat packing plants across the country. And also States have taken on
this responsibility themselves and have passed laws. Because the
Federal Government has been so lax, we have States taking up the burden
and passing laws to do something about illegal immigration in their
State, and local communities doing the same thing.
The result is lots of people are leaving, going home. To the extent
so much so that in Mexico, the president of Mexico issued an urgent
plea for us to do something to stop the flow of illegal
[[Page 22837]]
aliens back to Mexico because they couldn't handle it. They wanted us
to secure our border, maybe to build a fence. There were so many
returning that they could not handle the influx.
What does that mean for us and the issue of this mortgage problem
that we are having? It means that all of those people simply walked
away from those mortgages, those hundreds of thousands of homes that
were on the market. They walked away because of course they had nothing
at stake. They were given 100 percent loans, sometimes even more than
that. Their names were oftentimes falsified. They had nothing at stake,
were illegally in the country, so it was easy to walk away. They walked
away from the homes and we are stuck with the mortgages, and they are
now part of this huge bailout we are trying to focus on and deal with
as the Congress of the United States.
We haven't talked about that as an issue, but I suggest to you it is
an enormous issue. No one wants to talk about it, just like no one
wanted to talk about this issue for the last 10 years.
Only recently have we seen a bit of a change. In 1999, I founded the
Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, and six people agreed to join
initially. The task I felt again was something that I had to undertake.
It was one of those things that I decided to add to the repertoire, if
you will, of talking about it here at night, forming an immigration
reform caucus and trying to get people to pay attention.
{time} 2045
Well, there have been--I don't know--hundreds of speeches, literally
thousands of radio spots that I have done and interviews that I have
done on this particular issue, thousands of speeches that I have given
around the country.
Things have begun to change, and I am extremely happy about that. We
certainly have more members of the caucus now headed by Brian Bilbray,
over 100 members, both Republicans and Democrats, and a number of
things have happened around the country that are worthy of note.
The Minuteman Project showed the Nation how a few hundred concerned
citizens could shut down border traffic with lawn chairs and cell
phones, just doing what they could do in their spare time as American
citizens looking for a lawful way to address the issue of illegal
immigration. Thousands of people did it. It was a wonderful thing to
observe even though, by our own President, they were called vigilantes,
and of course, they were the people who were actually enforcing the law
as opposed to the President, who was ignoring it.
We've had governors of southern border States, Democrats and
Republicans alike, declare states of emergency in their individual
States because of the massive number of illegal immigrants who have
come across the borders. We've had small towns, communities all over
this country do what Mayor Barletta did in the small town of Hazleton,
Pennsylvania when he passed ordinances against hiring or renting to
illegal aliens. He earned national attention and a crucial battle with
the ACLU for that.
Of course, I mentioned earlier there are other States, States like
Arizona, Oklahoma, Georgia, that have taken up this issue themselves
because, again, they looked for help from the Federal Government and
could not find it, but they have passed wonderful bills to deal with
this, saying that employers in their respective States have to use the
E-Verify system to make sure that the people they have hired are here
legally.
Legislatively, we've seen other things that seemed impossible a while
back. In October of 2004, Speaker Hastert's H.R. 10, which came out of
the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act, was passed in the House,
and it substantially targeted immigration-related weaknesses related to
terrorist travel.
The following month, I used a rarely employed conference rule to
force a Republican Conference meeting and postpone a vote on the
Intelligence reform bills because immigration-related provisions had
been stripped from the conference report. The shutdown resulted in the
promise that became the Real ID Act, which became the law the following
year. It mandates standards for the issuance of driver's licenses that
would preclude the eligibility of illegal aliens.
In 2006, the Secure Fence Act became law, mandating the construction
of approximately 800 miles of fencing and infrastructure on the U.S.-
Mexico border. Three hundred miles of that fence have been completed.
The most important tool in forcing Congress to deal with immigration
is the amendment process that we have here. In 2003, I began offering
amendments to spending bills, seeking to enforce Federal laws that
prohibit sanctuary cities. This was a new strategy, and I began to
build a record for all of my colleagues. No longer could Members just
speak in platitudes about immigration. They had to put their money
where their mouths were and cast a vote up or down on these real
issues.
I brought amendments on the sanctuary policy's temporary protected
status by removing reimbursements for illegal alien health care, by
repealing food stamps for immigrants, by suspending the Visa Waiver
Program, by revoking visas for countries that refuse reparations.
As the votes began to pile up, the voting habits of my colleagues
began to change. The first sanctuary amendment I offered in 2003 got
102 votes. Now we regularly pass these amendments. The real catalyst
was President Bush's speech in 2004, which caused widespread outrage
with the amnesty proposal. Our constituents showing the vast disconnect
between themselves and the beltway elite started making their views
known with the benefits of high-paid lobbyists.
Like most Americans, I was delighted to watch the immigration
proposal go down to defeat in the U.S. Senate. First and foremost, it
demonstrated how widely unpopular the notion of granting amnesty to
illegal aliens is with the American people. More importantly, however,
Congress' rejection of the bill may have signified the high watermark
for advocates of ever increasing levels of immigration, both legal and
illegal, into the United States.
Supporters of the President's immigration plan were forced to even
change the rhetoric of the debate as they tried desperately to invent a
nonoffensive euphemism for amnesty. We heard it referred to as ``earned
legalization,'' as ``comprehensive reform'' and as ``regularization.''
Despite their efforts, however, Americans made it quite clear that they
opposed amnesty.
It's not surprising, but the amnesty proposal contained within the
bill isn't the only fuel that fueled the grassroots brush fire that
killed that bill. Dramatic increases in legal immigration levels proved
to be nearly as unpopular as amnesty, and it also contributed to the
demise of the legislation.
Public concerns about dramatically increased levels of legal
immigration helped to derail a similar Senate proposal in 2006 after
Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation analyzed how many foreigners
the bill would allow into the United States over the next 20 years,
some 60 million people. Sheer numbers began to transcend anecdotal
stories about friendly immigrant neighbors on the minds of the American
public.
Indeed, the protracted debate over immigration has voters
increasingly focused on what is a very reasonable question: What kind
of immigration policy serves our national interest? Not surprisingly,
few have stepped forward to defend the status quo or the massive
increases proposed by the Senate leadership or the President. Mr.
Rector penned a report applicable to that year's Senate concoction.
Despite all the talk about how critical low-skilled immigrants are to
economic growth, his study confirmed what many already knew, that low-
skilled legal and illegal immigrants are a net cost to taxpayers, not a
net gain, just as their native-born counterparts are.
The Senate bill would have cost our children and grandchildren $2.5
trillion
[[Page 22838]]
due to amnesty provisions and increased levels of legal immigration
authorized by the legislation. Again, it was Mr. Rector's analysis that
deeply shook the public's confidence in the Senate's credibility in
handling the issue. Once more, the question about legal immigration
became relevant in light of that information.
Now, I'm not saying that America is ready to install a ``no vacancy''
sign on the Statue of Liberty. At the same time, we cannot discount the
increasingly disconcerting public feeling that honoring our tradition
of immigration while decreasing the yearly total of immigrants to more
sustainable levels are not mutually exclusive goals. A significant
decrease similar to that one in the Commission on Immigration Reform
advocated in the mid-1990s would be a good first step toward creating a
more orderly and sustainable immigration policy in America, such as, by
the way, eliminating chain migration and the visa lottery. I continue
to believe that a return to traditional immigration levels as well as
stepped up enforcement can be won in a matter of months and years, not
decades.
For one reason I believe that this is what will happen in this
seminal legislative moment in my House tenure is that Mr.
Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, began the
process in late 2005 of crafting a comprehensive immigration reform
bill--the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration
Control Act. It passed 239 to 182. Not only did the enforcement bill
first receive broad bipartisan support on the final passage but so did
stand-alone amendments to build border fencing and to reduce legal
immigration by eliminating the Visa Diversity program.
Our immigration caucus played a vital role in making sure that not so
much as a sense of Congress was allowed to suggest that we needed guest
workers.
There is still, of course, much to do. I am proud of the
accomplishments of the caucus. I am proud of the accomplishments that
my colleagues and I, who have fought for immigration reform, have made
to this point in time.
Certainly, it is the reason, by the way, that I ran for the
Presidency of the United States, for the Republican nomination for the
Presidency of the United States. With little idea, in fact no idea,
that I would actually become the President of the United States in that
process, I was nonetheless inspired to do what I did and run for the
nomination for President in order to force the people who were on the
stage with me during that period of time to address this issue. There
was a reluctance in doing so. I know I started the process out in
February of last year and ended it in December, and between that time
that I started in February to December, there was a complete change in
the way each person who was running for that nomination addressed the
issue of immigration. Finally, every single person, including the
present nominee of the party, agreed that we had to secure the borders
first. We must do that. There was no longer ambiguity in their
statements about this. Our borders have to be secure.
Now, I hope of course that the rhetoric turns into action. I commend
to my colleagues here who will be returning next year that their task
will be ahead of them to make sure that that is what is done.
So we have done a great many things. There are still a lot of
concerns that most of us have about where we go from here. It is
imperative that we stay strong in our opposition to amnesty of any
kind. It is imperative that we push for a border fence and for one that
is, in fact, a real deterrent to the flow of illegal immigrants into
the country.
It is imperative that we never, ever do to anybody else what we've
done to Agents Ramos and Compean, who are still imprisoned for
essentially doing what they were hired to do in protecting our borders.
There are threats to our sovereignty like the Security and Prosperity
Partnership and the North American Union. They continue to exist in
some form or other. Legal immigration is still at an historical high.
The effects of our language and of our culture threaten not only what
kind of a nation we will be but whether we will be a nation at all.
This leads me to the next part of this discussion and, perhaps, even
to the more serious part that we must begin to work with as we have now
accomplished a number of goals that we have set and that I have set,
essentially, for myself here, which is one of the reasons why I chose
not to run again. I mean, when I look back at where I started in this
process and where we are now 10 years later, I feel like I have
accomplished many of the goals I set for myself in this body. There are
many people here who I can turn to now and hand the baton to and know
that they will take it up--it's wonderful--to Judge Poe and to Steve
King. I could go on and on with the number of people who are here today
who are committed to doing something about true immigration reform.
Hence, I feel very comfortable in taking my leave of this place at this
time, but I do so with this caveat:
We must never forget the real threat that exists as a result of
massive immigration, both legal and illegal, into this country when it
merges with what I have often called the cult of multiculturalism. It
permeates our society, this cult does. It is an emphasis on all of the
things that pull us apart as a society--an emphasis on creating
linguistic and cultural enclaves, on turning us into a cultural and
linguistic Tower of Babel. It is a focus on all of the negative aspects
of Western civilization and the United States' exemplification of
Western civilization's greatest attributes.
The colleges and institutions of higher education and certainly even
our high schools and our K-12 educational system is fraught with this
idea of this cult of multiculturalism and the attitude about America
and about the west. It permeates all of the textual materials of most
of the professors who are at these institutions, who always confront
the issue of America and the west and western society in the most
negative terms, who are always tearing us down--who we are, what we've
built, what we're all about. This is the cult of multiculturalism. When
millions of people come into this country, either legally or illegally,
who are also interested in ideas and who are interested in things other
than becoming an American, we become susceptible to a disease that
really will destroy us. It is a disease that works its way from within
the body politic in this country, and it is susceptible to an attack
from without.
We see what's happening today. We have been calling it a war on
terror. It is a misnomer. It is incorrect to label it that way. It is
not a war on terror that we face and that we are trying to advance. It
is a war against radical Islam. Terror is a tactic of radical
Islamists. It is not the entity with which we are at war.
Lao Tzu, of course, is a famous Chinese philosopher, and he has
stated and has been quoted over the years because of his insight into
both the nature of war and into the nature of human beings. He said at
one point that there are two things that are desperately needed in
order to be successful in any clash. One is the knowledge of who your
enemy really is. Who are they? What makes them tick? Why do they do the
things they are doing? The other is, he says, a knowledge of who you
are. We have to understand who it is we are fighting. Again, it is not
simply terrorists.
{time} 2100
It is radical Islam. Islam's hostility towards the West has nothing
to do with American troops in Muslim lands or America's support for
Israel or the plight of the Palestinians. The first thing we must
understand is that Muslims believe the Koran is the word of god as
dictated to Mohammed. It cannot be interpreted by man. This is
troubling because the book's passages call for the destruction of
opposing religions, the extermination of non-Muslims, and the
imposition of a worldwide caliphate.
Among other things, the Koran tells Muslims: those who disbelieve we
shall roast them in fire, they may feel the punishment. When you meet
the unbelievers, smite them, and when you have
[[Page 22839]]
caused a bloodbath among them, bind a bond firmly on them. Take the
infidels captive and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush.
They that reject faith, take not friends from their ranks and make them
flee in the way of Allah . . . seize them and kill them wherever you
find them and take no friends from their ranks. Fight them until there
is no dissension, and religion is entirely Allah's. Instill terror into
the hearts of the unbelievers. Prepare for disbelievers chains, yokes,
and a blazing fire. Cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve
and strike off their heads and fingertips.
This is Islam's instruction book, and the instructions are quite
clear.
So whether we want to admit it or not, the Western world is locked in
a struggle against this form of Islam--a religion whose practitioners
and adherents are inextricably linked to terrorism. And if we are to
successfully defend ourselves against the desire of our enemies to
impose a caliphate on the world, we must first be willing to openly
identify them, say who they are.
Politically correct politicians in the United States, Europe, and
elsewhere are quick to dispute notions that Islam is inherently
violent, and they flatly reject that Islam is engaged in a global
struggle to dominate the world. But a quick look around the globe tells
a different story.
While the most obvious clashes between Islam and the West are taking
place in the streets of Israel, in the mountains of Afghanistan, and in
the deserts of Iraq, Islam's foot soldiers are waging their war against
non-Muslims in all corners of the world.
In Sudan, the conflict between the north and the south was basically
a conflict between Arab Muslims and southern black Christians.
A visiting teacher from Denmark was jailed for insulting Islam after
she let her class name a teddy bear ``Mohammad.''
In Thailand, a nation of more than 60 million that is more than 95
percent Buddhist--a nation that is known worldwide for its friendly
people and enduring spirit of hospitality--some 3,000 Thais have been
killed in brutal uprisings by Muslims who are determined to replace
Thailand's democratic kingdom with an Islamic State.
Last week, Islamic militants in the southern Thai town of Pattani
shot a state official some 30 times with a machine gun as he arrived to
visit a school. After the attack, the gunman dragged his body out of
the truck and chopped off his head in front of the horrified students
and teachers.
In the Philippines--a former U.S. territory known more for its food
and cathedrals than for Islamic extremism--the government has also been
struggling with Islamic militants seeking to overthrow the democratic
system and ``return'' the country to its ``pre-Christian 'Moor'
national identity.''
This insurgency has gone on for decades and claimed more than 120,000
lives. Over the last few years, Filipino soldiers, priests, other
Christians, and non-Muslims have been routinely captured and beheaded.
In Indonesia--which is struggling to maintain a democratic system
amid calls for the imposition of Sharia law--dozens of demonstrators
recently attacked the local ``Playboy'' magazine office, injuring
police officers and damaging property. Keep in mind that the Indonesian
version of the magazine does not even contain nudity, and is primarily
dedicated to Western pop culture and fashion.
After the incident, it was not the militants, but Erwin Arnada--the
magazine's editor--who was arrested and forced to face charges of
violating the country's indecency laws and faces a long prison
sentence.
For more than 40 years, Malaysia--a former British colony--has
successfully balanced its democratic secular form of government with
the plurality of its citizens' Muslim roots. Slowly, however, these
roots are ripping up the fabric of freedom in this country.
In 2005, the country's Federal court system dismissed appeals by four
Muslims who were sentenced to 3 years in jail for wrongfully attempting
to convert from Islam. Despite the Malaysian constitution's guarantee
to all people the right to profess and practice one's own religion, the
court disregarded the Federal constitution and ceded jurisdiction of
the case to a Sharia court.
In 2007, over the objections of his Hindu wife and family, Emm
Moorthy--part of the first Malaysian team to climb Mount Everest and an
army commando--was declared a Muslim after his death and buried as one.
In another case, local authorities refused to recognize the
conversion of a Muslim woman to become a Catholic. In addition, the
local registrar refused her application for marriage to a Catholic man
because Islam prohibits Muslims from marrying non-Muslims.
Courageously, she filed suit, optimistic that the Malaysian
constitution's provisions for equal protection and freedom would win
the day. Unfortunately, amid Islamist protestors' shouts of ``Allah-o-
Akbar'' inside the courtroom, a judge dismissed her application finding
that ``ethnic Malays'' are constitutionally defined as ``Muslims,''
making conversion from Islam and her marriage to a Catholic man
illegal.
The judge went on to say that he could not allow her to change her
religion because granting her such an exemption would encourage future
converts.
That's part of the world that we seldom hear about but where actions
like this are everyday occurrences. These developments in Asia and
Africa are problematic, but the wave of Islam is also washing over
Europe's shores. While Islamists work to eliminate legal protections
for free speech and free association in Asia and Africa in order to
replace pluralism with Islam, they are using these freedoms and the
legal system in Europe in order to determine democratic institutions
and replace them with Sharia Law, undermining democratic institutions.
Sharia Law calls for brutal punishment, such as the stoning of women
who are accused of adultery or having children out of wedlock, cutting
off the hands of petty thieves, lashings for the casual consumption of
alcohol and a failure of women to wear a veil or head-scarf.
Muslims in the UK recently used a loophole in the Federal arbitration
law to make Islamic Sharia Law and the decisions of the Sharia court
legally binding in civil cases in the United Kingdom.
A recent poll conducted by the Centre for Social Cohesion in the
United Kingdom found that some 40 percent of Muslim students in the
United Kingdom support the introduction of Sharia law there, and 33
percent support the imposition of an Islamic Sharia-based government
worldwide. Another 32 percent of the British Muslim youth living
believe that killing for the religion is acceptable, while 20 percent
are unsure.
Just days after the London subway attack, Tariq Ali, a prominent
British Muslim activist, was quick to suggest that London residents
``paid the price'' for British support in the Iraqi campaign.
Another academic, George Hajjar, went even further proclaiming, ``I
hope every patriotic and Islamic Arab will participate in this war and
will shift the war not only to America but to . . . wherever America
may be.'' He added, ``There are no innocent people,'' and referred to
the victims of the attack as ``collateral casualties.''
In the Netherlands, the number of Muslims has grown from just 54 in
1909 to almost 1 million in 2004. These changes have not come without
costs.
2002, Pim Fortoon, a politician who expressed concern about the rapid
influx of Muslim immigration, was shot six times in the head as he
walked to his car. During his court appearance, the killer told the
judge in killing Fortoon he ``acted on behalf of the country's
Muslims.''
2004. Theo Van Gogh, Dutch filmmaker who had the temerity to make a
movie critical of Islam's treatment of women, was shot and killed by a
26-year old Dutch born Muslim in broad daylight in a busy Amsterdam
street. After shooting Van Gogh, the jihadist pinned a note to his body
threatening the co-author of the script. Then he began the task of
decapitating Mr. Van Gogh's lifeless body.
[[Page 22840]]
Another Dutch politician who has raised concerns about the danger of
Islam's rise in Holland, Geert Wilders, has received numerous death
threats and is forced to travel with 24-hour day security. According to
Mr. Wilders, the Dutch government has completely capitulated to
Islamists in the wake of these politically motivated murders.
He recently told the Hudson Institute, ``We have gone from calls by
one cabinet members to turn Muslim holidays into official state
holidays to statements by another cabinet member that Islam is part of
Dutch culture,'' to an affirmation by the Christian Democrat Attorney
General that he is willing to accept Sharia Law in the Netherlands. And
there is another majority.
We now have cabinet members who pass with passports from Morocco and
Turkey. More alarming still, one half of Dutch Muslims say they
understand the 9/11 attacks.
Before I go on, going back to the United Kingdom for a moment. The
largest mosque in the world is being built outside London. Recently
Archbishop of Canterbury said they should have two tracks, a two-track
system in England: one Sharia Law and one traditional English law.
Mohammed is now the most popular name in England for a child.
France is also gripped by the crisis. Muslim rioting gripped the
country for weeks last year resulting in death and unprecedented
destruction of private property. There are hundreds of areas inside
Paris and inside and around Paris where police do not go. They are
entirely Muslim areas, and the police are essentially afraid to go in
there.
The PEW Research Center reported that more than half of all French
Muslims loyal to Islam is greater than their loyalty to France, and one
in three do not object to suicide attacks.
The demographics, of course, are significant, and that is what is
causing a significant change in the entire attitude of Western Europe
about such things as Islam and the changing of Western laws.
That is the point of this, that all of this comes with a cost. There
is a challenge to western civilization. We have a system that was
established by the concept of the rule of law and many other things
that unite us as a Nation in the past and united the West in the past
are being threatened and destroyed.
Before liberals in America roll out the Islamic welcome mat any
farther, they ought to look closely at Europe. As I noted, many Muslims
in Europe openly expressed a desire to replace secular democracies
there with Islamic caliphates. Hardly surprising when you have an
immigration policy that allows for the importation of millions of
radical Muslims, you are also importing the radical ideology, an
ideology that is fundamentally hostile to the foundations of Western
democracy, such as gender equity, pluralism, and individual liberty.
These lessons are unfolding in plain sight across the Atlantic in
Europe, but what many Americans don't realize is that these same
problems are beginning to manifest themselves here in the United States
in parts of Michigan, New York, and Virginia. Yes, yet America's
political leaders remain asleep at the switch.
The PEW Research Center, for example, asked American Muslims between
the ages of 18 and 29, When are suicide bombings justified? Twenty-six
percent said that they were always justified. Another 15 percent said
they were often justified.
Another potential threat, settlement poses to the United States is
made worse by the fact of the sheer volume of both legal and illegal
immigration into our country. Combine that with the rise of culture
relativism, political correctness, and the lefts' obsession with
diversity, and you have a recipe for disaster as immigrants are
prevented from assimilating and separate ethnic cultural communities
spring up all over the United States.
We are again confronted with this situation, and we are made less
able to deal with it because of this, the political correctness that--
and this multicultural society that we are creating here. It makes us
weaker as a society to deal with this.
We are told constantly, as I said earlier, about the deficiencies of
the West and that we are not really a country at all, that the United
States isn't just a Nation of sovereign people, it is just a place on
the planet. Just a place on the continent.
It's called America, and if you live here, you're an American. There
are no other ties that should bind us, certainly not a linguistic tie,
certainly not the English language. That's what they say. I say it is
the imperative tie that must bind us. It is the glue that holds our
society together. It is the thing that allows us to communicate with
each other. And it is imperative that we have something because we have
so many things in this country that pull us apart, it is imperative
that we have something, anything, that pulls us together. Language is
that one thing.
Our people come from everywhere around the world from every different
kind of culture, religion, color, historical background, and language.
We have--something when they come here has got to begin the process of
assimilation because immigration without assimilation is creating a
phenomena that is like putting a gun to our heads.
Examples of this kind of political correctness go on and on. Los
Angeles Roosevelt High School. An 11th grade teacher told a nationally
syndicated radio program that she hates the textbooks that she's been
told to use and the State-mandated history curriculum because they
ignore students of Mexican ancestry. Because the students don't see
themselves in the curriculum, the teacher has chosen to ``modify the
curriculum'' by replacing it with activities like mural walks intended
to open the students' eyes to their indigenous culture.
A friend of the teacher invited to help with the mural walk went on
to tell the students, ``Your education has been one big lie after
another.''
In a textbook called, ``Across the Centuries,'' which is used widely
across America for the teaching of 7th grade history, the term
``jihad'' is defined as ``to do one's best to resist temptation and
overcome evil.''
{time} 2115
In 2002, the new guidelines for teaching history in the New Jersey
public schools failed to mention America's Founding Fathers, the
Pilgrims, or the Mayflower. After this became public, New Jersey
changed the guidelines.
In a Prentice Hall history textbook used by students in Palm Beach
County high schools, titled ``A World Conflict,'' the first five pages
of the World War II chapter cover such topics as discrimination against
women in the Armed Forces, racial segregation during the war, and
internment of Japanese Americans, far fewer than are dedicated to the
292,000 Americans who died in the conflict, fighting against
totalitarianism and genocide.
A Washington State teacher substituted the word ``winter'' for the
word ``Christmas'' in a carol to be sung at a school program so as not
to appear to be favoring one faith over another.
In a school district in New Mexico, the introduction to a textbook
called ``500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures'' states that it was
written ``in response to the Bicentennial celebration of the 1776
American Revolution and its lies.'' Its stated purpose was to
``celebrate our resistance to being colonized and absorbed by racist
empire builders.'' The chapter headings include ``Death to the
Invader,'' ``U.S. Conquest and Betrayal,'' ``We Are Now a U.S.
Colony,'' ``In Occupied America,'' and ``They Stole Our Land.'' This is
a textbook in a New Mexico school district.
Nicholas DeGenova, an assistant professor of anthropology at Columbia
University, told students that he wanted to see ``a million
Mogadishus''--a reference to an operation in Somalia in 1993 in which
elite U.S. Army personnel were pinned down in a fierce firefight.
Eighteen Americans were killed and 84 wounded. DeGenova added that,
``The only true heroes are those who find ways to help defeat the U.S.
military.'' Administrators at Columbia University expressed regret,
saying they were ``appalled by the statements,'' but took no
[[Page 22841]]
action to dismiss DeGenova, who is still teaching. Teaching, by the
way, is a liberal way to interpret his activity.
At Royal Oak Intermediate School in Covina, California, students in
Len Cesene's seventh grade history class fasted last week--this was
some time ago, last week was the quote from the article--last week to
celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. His letter to parents
explained that ``in an attempt to promote a greater understanding and
empathy towards the Muslim religion and toward other cultures, I am
encouraging students to participate in an extra credit assignment.
Students may choose to fast for one, two, or three days. During this
time, students may only drink water during daylight hours.''
A Federal judge in Brooklyn interpreted New York City policy on
holiday displays in public schools allow for the display of the Jewish
Menorah and the Muslim Crescent--but not the display of a Christian
Nativity scene. The judge based his decision on the notion that the
Muslim Crescent and Jewish Menorah are ``secular'' symbols, while the
Christian Nativity scene is not, and the list goes on and on.
Certainly, many people have heard about the professor from the
University of Colorado who claimed that all the people that were killed
in the Twin Towers deserved to be killed; they were little Eichmanns.
Again, it goes on and on.
And individually, these kinds of incidents may seem regrettable and
harmless. They are just examples of Americans' tolerance for diversity
and multiculturalism. Collectively, they will subject our Nation to
death by a thousand cuts.
Islamic leaders have seen the inability of our government
institutions to maintain cultural cohesion, and despite the mainstream
media's attempt to report it because of political correctness, they are
no longer shy about expressing their own intentions.
According to the Manifesto of the Muslim Brotherhood in America,
``Our work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and
destroying the Western civilization from within.''
According to Professor Hatem Bazian of the University of California
at Berkeley, ``It's about time that we have an intifada in this
country, that changes, fundamentally the political dynamics here.''
Yousef Khattab, of the U.S.-based Islamic Thinkers Society, recently
said in an interview that ``Islam will dominate, that's what it will
be. We want to see Sharia Law here, and it will be. The flag of Islam
will be, God willing, on the White House, if that's where we choose it
to be.''
According to a co-founder of the Council on American Islamic
Relation, CAIR, Abdul Rahman Alamoudi, ``We Muslims have a chance, in
America, to be the moral leadership in America. The problem is when? It
will happen, I have no doubt in my mind. It depends on me and you,
either we do it now or we do it after a hundred years, but this country
will become a Muslim country.''
The head of another Muslim group, Coordinating Council of Muslim
Organizations, Imam Johari Abdul Malik, told a crowd, ``Before Allah
closes our eyes for the last time you will see Islam move from being
the second largest religion in America--that's where we are now--to the
first religion in America.''
Muslim ``activist'' Abu Waleed told a crowd of reporters, ``We are
not Muslims . . . who are simply here to integrate and become part of
democracy and freedom and adopt these values. Rather, what we hope to
do is to engage with the . . . society to . . . one day implement the
Sharia over manmade law and sharia over . . . Washington, D.C.''
A Muslim man recently told CNN's Anderson Cooper, ``We are bound by
the rules of Islam. If a woman runs away, she must be killed.''
Our essentially ``open door'' policy of unlimited legal and illegal
immigration may seem like a harmless manifestation of our national
tradition of welcoming newcomers with open arms, but it is an
invitation to our destruction.
For example, the American left's dogmatic adherence to the idea of
``diversity'' and their tendency to elevate it above all other values
also led them to establish the visa lottery, or ``Diversity Visa''
program in 1990. Hundreds of thousands of people have come with these
kinds of programs throughout the United States, and we do this at our
peril.
We were a Nation that was identifiable. It was identifiable by the
kind of language that we spoke, the religion that we observed. Just an
example of what we were at one time and what we must think about as
what held us together, the ideas, the attitude, yes, the religion, yes,
the language. They were something that at one point in time held us
together as a Nation.
The Trinity Church case in 1892 said, ``If we pass beyond these
matters to a view of American life, as expressed by its law, its
business, its customs, and its society, we find everywhere a clear
recognition of the same truth . . . this is a Christian Nation.''
Justice Brewer.
``We are a Christian people, according to one another the equal right
of religious freedom and acknowledging with reverence the duty of
obedience to the will of God,'' Justice Sutherland, 1931, the Macintosh
case.
1983, ``To invoke divine guidance on a public body entrusted with
making the laws is not . . . a violation of the Establishment Clause;
it is simply a tolerable acknowledgment of beliefs widely held among
the people of this country.''
And then, of course, later decisions began to erode that concept of
religious similarity in this country.
Who we were, this is something that I want to read and will tell you
at the end who wrote this; although, probably the content of it will
let us know. It was written on June 6, 1944.
``Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon
a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion,
and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
``Lead them straight and true; give them strength to their arms,
stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
``They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For
the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come
with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know
that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will
triumph.
``They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until
the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's
souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
``For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight
not for the lust of consequence. They fight to end conquest. They fight
to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and
goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle,
for their return to the haven of home.
``Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them,
Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
``And for us at home--fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and
brothers of brave men overseas--whose thoughts and prayers are ever
with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed
faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
``Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of
special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I
ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we
rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of
prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
``Give us strength, too--strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the
contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our
Armed Forces.
``And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear
sorrow that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever
they may be.
``And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our
sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the
keenness of our spirit
[[Page 22842]]
ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal
matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our
unconquerable purpose.
``With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our
enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies.
Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into
a world unity that will spell a sure peace, a peace invulnerable to the
schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in
freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
``Thy will be done, Almighty God.
``Amen.''
That, of course, was the prayer of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as our
men embarked upon D Day. This prayer, I wonder if it could be said
today by the leader of this country. I wonder if the President of the
United States would have the courage to start off a prayer asking for
the Lord to help protect our religion, our civilization, our Republic,
and to set free a suffering humanity. Would we add the words ``our
civilization,'' ``our religion''? Could we? Do they mean anything? What
do they describe today to anyone? Or are we too afraid to mention this
for fear that it will be perceived by someone as narrow-minded?
And so, therefore, we do not discuss who we are or at least who we
were. But just as dangerous an event as D Day was and just as much as
we needed prayer to protect the men who were going across that channel,
we find ourselves in a world that's equally dangerous. We find
ourselves daily facing events that challenge us in so many ways and are
as dangerous and as threatening to our very existence as was the threat
posed by Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan.
They come from a different source, those threats. They are not
identifiable as a single nation. It makes it harder for us to deal with
it. But we as a country must do so.
And this is my parting thought for this Congress, for this Nation.
Pray for the same thing that Franklin Delano Roosevelt prayed for:
strength, courage to defeat an enemy that has every intention of
defeating us and destroying Western civilization. Do not walk quietly
into the night of a dark age. Know who we are. Know who the enemy is.
Hold up this Nation's flag. Take back our country.
____________________
VACATING 5-MINUTE SPECIAL ORDER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the 5-minute Special
Order of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) is vacated.
There was no objection.
____________________
CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED STATES
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 18, 2007, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) is
recognized for 60 minutes.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, we come to the floor tonight
to speak about an issue that has eclipsed all other issues, that has
been in the media and on the public's minds of recent date, and that,
of course, is the financial situation that the United States currently
finds itself in.
As we go through this evening, we will talk about deals or no deals,
the underlying fundamental problems that the situation has brought us
to this point, who and how we got here, what was the makeup of the
market and the Fed and the Treasury that may have helped to facilitate
the problems that we face today.
{time} 2130
And, finally, what are some of the solutions that are potentially out
there that can move us from where we are today to a more stronger and
safe economy?
I'll just start for a moment, before I yield to some of my colleagues
who have joined me, to suggest to the American public that tonight they
should be concerned, not just about what is occurring on Wall Street,
but what is occurring right here in Washington, D.C. as well.
With regard to the situation on Wall Street, although as difficult as
it may be, I have, deep down inside of me, the utmost faith in the
American people and the American worker and the America businessman
that, when faced with this challenge, that they will be able to
overcome it and to strive and make a stronger economy tomorrow that
will be beneficial for our farmers, for our families, for our
manufacturers, for our economy throughout the United States.
And yes, there may be some need, as we will discuss, for the
intervention by Washington, but the reason why I say that the American
citizen should be concerned tonight--not so much about Wall Street, but
about Washington--is what may come out in the form of legislation
tonight--or in the next day or the day after that. Because, you see, we
are being asked to sort of rush through this process, where as normally
we would come to this body and maybe spend hours upon hours debating
whether we should spend a million dollars on this bridge over in this
State or a million dollars in this program in that State.
And we will go through committee hearings and markups and
subcommittees and the like and then finally get to the floor of the
House and pass it here. And then it will go over to the Senate, and it
will go through the same arduous process of subcommittees and full
committees and markups, and then to the Senate floor, where they will
have debate on it infinitum. And maybe even then we'll go to conference
committee and come back here to the House where we will have to discuss
the issue all over again. And that may be only for a matter of only a
million dollars or two.
But what we are talking about here is potentially spending $700
billion, and we're being asked to basically decide that issue in a
matter of hours. Mind you, we may, hopefully--as the optimist as I
always am--get just the right answer. But the reason I say the American
citizen should be warned is that history does not indicate that. And
many times, in the rush to judgment, when we are pushed to make a
decision at the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of a
session when a crisis is looming over our heads, we are sometimes
pushed in the wrong direction.
And I would also ask the American citizen to consider this; you know,
the overwhelming calls to our offices I think across the board, across
both Democrats and Republicans as well, would say that they have been
opposed to spending $700 billion of the American taxpayers' dollars to
bail out, if you will, Wall Street. I would just advise the American
public, as a plan finally does come through the process and is passed
through this House and the Senate, I would advise them to look over it
very, very carefully when they are told that this is not the same
Paulson proposal, that the American taxpayer is not going to be on the
hook. I don't know what that proposal will be--as negotiations are
going on literally as we speak--but look at it very carefully to see
that the proverbial wool is not being pulled over all of our eyes, and
that we ultimately, and our future generations, our children and our
grandchildren, will be held responsible for paying the debt. I hope
that's not the case.
I remain optimistic that we can work out a solution. And the House
Republicans have actually proposed such a solution that would not put
the American taxpayer on the hook. And we are willing to work with our
Democrat colleagues across the aisle to make any changes or additions
or alterations to that so that it can be palatable to all parties in
both Houses to get through the process, but let's see how the final end
result is.
And with that, I yield as much time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
Mr. GOHMERT. I appreciate my friend, Mr. Garrett's, comments. I heard
him earlier tonight on Fox Business News. That's the first I had seen
that channel, and it was quite good. Perhaps if they had been on the
air longer, maybe we wouldn't be in this
[[Page 22843]]
problem, people would be watching that.
But I heard one lady comment that there is an adage that ``Europe was
formed by history and the United States was formed by philosophy.'' And
there really is something to that. We were founded on the basis of
people coming together. And of course at the Constitutional Convention
they couldn't come up with a constitution, the Articles of
Confederation had all fallen apart, no common currency, it just didn't
work, too loose of a web. And so they came together 4 years later,
1787, in the Constitutional Convention, and for merely 5 weeks couldn't
agree on anything. And that's when the very elderly Benjamin Franklin
gave his speech, that during the war in the early days, they never let
a day go by without prayer, and they saw prayer answered. And so he
made the motion that they begin each day with prayer, and that began.
And now, all of a sudden we're able to come together with all these
different philosophers through the ages and come up with what was the
Constitution. Amazing.
But they had seen the New Testament practice early in the church,
when they had everybody bring everything into a common storehouse and
gave out equally. And that eventually results, as it always has to,
when people see someone else is not working as hard as they are and
they're getting an equal share, then they quit working and everything
falls part. That led to the Apostle Paul coming around and saying, If
you don't work, you don't eat. At Jamestown, we saw where the pilgrims
tried the same thing. And then we saw in the Soviet Union--and you've
got to give it to the Soviet Union, they made it 70 years under that
premise, that you could bring everything into a common storehouse and
give out equally, and they made it 70 years. That's got to be a record
for that.
But here, they're wanting to take this government in the biggest
socialist step in the history of the western hemisphere, $700 billion;
and we're supposed to be comforted because our government may be able
to make a profit on the taxpayers' money. The trouble is, government
never makes the kind of profit that individuals could, and the
government is not supposed to be in the business of making a profit.
That is free enterprise. That's what we were founded on.
And, you know, I heard this quote years ago, I don't remember who
said it, if they were quoting someone else, but especially since I've
been in Congress I've found it to be true. And it may very well be true
in this situation, it sure seems to be, because we've got people on
Wall Street who are screaming, you have got to come in with this
infusion of $700 billion of taxpayer money to bail out the banks. What
is that going to do? As I understand it, it's going to buy mortgage-
based securities--at a rate above where they may even be marked down
to--and save those people that have stock in that bank, the officers
that got them in that trouble, and that will keep their stock from
being worthless. And the quote that I was alluding to is this, ``Hell
hath no fury like a vested interest masquerading as a moral
principle.'' And boy, have we been hearing that. ``You can't let the
country fall.'' ``You can't let this panic ensue.'' We were told
Friday, a week ago, 8 days ago, if we didn't have a deal by Monday,
then the banks were going to start falling and it would be a domino and
we would never get it back. It didn't happen. Some of us wanted to be
more cautious.
But anyway, as I heard the gentleman say earlier, if the majority, if
the Speaker wants to pass a bill, she sure doesn't need us. And I heard
Madam Speaker say just earlier today on the news that it was very
unpatriotic for the Republicans not rushing in sooner to be part of
this $700 billion bailout discussion. And that was really striking
because they didn't ask for our input when they ran in here and crammed
down a non-energy energy bill that didn't allow any amendments. They
didn't need our votes. They were going to cram it down the Nation's
throat and tell them we gave them energy when there was not a drop of
energy ever going to come from it. And then shortly thereafter the
majority leader said, oh, one of the first orders of business, we'll
put the moratorium back. So they don't need us, really, to pass a bill.
And another thing that I haven't heard talked about in these
mortgage-based securities is actually who those are. Now, at one end--
and people don't want to talk about this--but at one end you've got
people who thought if they could run in, get a no-money-down mortgage
on a house that was a lot more than they could afford--when it was $1
million or $2 million or half a million--more than they could afford
and they could hold it for a year, they could turn it, double their
money, they never had to make a payment, and wow, they just doubled the
value of the home and then came away with all this cash. When the house
didn't double, then they had been in the house for a year and hadn't
made a payment, didn't pay anything down--as the saying goes, ``no skin
in the game''--and now we're supposed to bail them out? That's at one
end.
In the middle, we have people who were really legitimately hurt, and
not so much of their own accord. They knew what kind of house they
wanted to look at. They were talked into, by bankers or realtors that
shouldn't have, into buying more than they could afford. They got a
mortgage that they really couldn't afford, thinking the house would
greatly be enhanced in value and they would come out ahead. And they're
truly suffering, and my heart goes out to them.
Then the other thing--and I haven't heard anybody talk about it on
the floor here--but as it turns out, there are apparently a lot of
illegal aliens who got mortgages. Because I know I had seen Bank of
America advertising that they wanted to help the aliens, and under
certain circumstances, gosh, we can get you a mortgage. So we're going
to bail out mortgages for illegal aliens.
Let me tell you, back in the eighties, when the FDIC and RTC had
taken over so many banks, what we saw was people come in and say, you
know, I've been making my payment every month, and I'd like to
negotiate a better deal. And they were told, well, heck no, you keep
making your payments. I mean, I did outside counsel work for the RTC
and FDIC. You would have some people come in later and say, okay, you
wouldn't work with me before when I was making my payment every month,
now I haven't paid for 6 months and they say, okay, now we'll work with
you. We're sending the wrong message. And it is so critical that we not
come out of this Chamber with a bill that hurts the America that we
know and love so much.
There have to be consequences. And it troubles me much that the
administration, the Secretary Treasurer has been forecasting this gloom
and doom; ``there's going to be widespread panic.'' ``If Washington
Mutual goes down it will be a domino and we will not stop the
depression.'' Normally, it's the administration saying, nobody panic,
we're going to get through this, this will all be okay, just stay with
us, let's have faith in each other. And instead, all we're hearing is
``you've got to do something immediately or it's all going to fall
apart.''
Well, it seems like, if you allow me to borrow from Kipling's poem
and paraphrase a little bit, if you can keep your head while all those
about you are losing theirs, you're probably the reason they're losing
theirs. And that's what we seem to be seeing around here.
I appreciate the time and Mr. Garrett yielding. And I will yield
back.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I thank the gentleman. And hopefully,
Members on both sides of the aisle will be keeping their heads as we go
through the debate and the seeking of a deal on this, and a deal that,
at the end of the day, is a benefit to the taxpayers of this country.
While we try to seek out that debate and try to seek out the
solution, one axiom that we should probably go by is ``Do not go back
to the same people who brought you this problem in the first place.''
And I will speak on that in a little more detail to take a look at
[[Page 22844]]
who it was actually that brought us to this problem. I know some people
are pointing their fingers exclusively at Wall Street on this, and
clearly they have some blame to lay there because, for various reasons,
executives and otherwise made truly imprudent decision making, maybe
it's in part because they really did not have the information on hand,
maybe it's because of lawsuits in the pasts when analysts were pushed
out of the Wall Street, out of the cell side of the equation, or maybe
it's because with all the Ph.D.s and what have you brought in and
brought in all the new modeling on Wall Street and what have you, that
made it almost impossible for the CEOs of these investment firms and
otherwise to really know what it was exactly that they were buying down
below.
Whatever the excuse, whatever the reason, there is some blame to be
laid at Wall Street, to be clear, but we also have to look to see where
some of that blame lays here in Washington, D.C. And that's why I said,
do not return to those who brought us here.
And if you want to look to a place where you can get a little bit of
information about how we got here, as we're all done here listening to
this program right now, our speakers here on the floor, I went to a
place earlier today--or somebody sent this to me as an e-mail, and it
was an e-mail for a YouTube site, and it's called ``Burning Down the
House.'' And it's a 9\1/2\ minute YouTube presentation done with music
and what have you that gives you a nutshell explanation of exactly how
did we get to where we are in the first place.
{time} 2145
So I recommend people to go to YouTube's ``Burning Down the House''
and they will be educated on it.
But right now we're going to be additionally educated by the young
lady from Minnesota.
I yield such time as she may consume to Mrs. Bachmann.
Mrs. BACHMANN. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his
leadership on this issue, which is perhaps the most important vote that
Members will take during their entire congressional career. I know for
me, this is my first term in Congress. This is the pivotal vote that I
will be taking. And my heart has been breaking. I have been despairing
over this vote that is coming before us not because I am afraid to take
the vote but because I am despairing over what could be the outcome
because I grieve over the fact that we may reject, for the first time
in the history of our country, in a wholesale manner, free markets,
free answers and free capitalism.
And what that means is freedom. And there is nothing more important
in this country than freedom. It's why a mom would put her 5-year-old
in an inner tube in Havana and brave the shark-infested waters for 90
miles to get to Florida so that she could see her son enjoy something
she never knew. And that is a concept called ``freedom.''
And what does that have to do with the bailout? It has everything to
do with the bailout because what this bailout represents is the
wholesale leap downward towards socialism, towards saying that we can
never have failure again. Nobody can ever have a bad day. Congress has
to jump in and make it right every time, because government has to take
up risk and back up everybody's risk.
I wrote something earlier this week that I would like to share in the
course of my remarks this evening. When Bear Stearns hit bottom in
March of this year in 2008, the credit crisis claimed the first big
Wall Street victim. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson said, we had to
bail out this bleeding financial giant at the cost to the taxpayers of
$29 billion. Even for Washington that is a lot of money. Secretary
Paulson said that would stabilize the markets. But it didn't.
Next, Treasury Paulson said that we had to bail out mortgage giants
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. All roads in this big fat mess go through
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is a monster of ugly proportions created
by the government. That should be our first lesson. Government should
never create a private business. But it created this private
monstrosity and then decided it would back up with a wink and a nod any
risky, hare-brained loan or mortgage-backed security that Fannie and
Freddie came up with.
The starting price of that bailout was $200 billion and climbing. And
that is on top of $300 billion that was passed by Congress only a month
or so earlier in another massive housing bailout bill. We were told
then that this would surely calm the markets. But it didn't.
Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke
then siphoned $85 billion from taxpayer coffers to save another private
company known as AIG from bankruptcy, and again with the stated purpose
of stabilizing the markets. Did it do the trick this time? No. Things
appear only to have gotten worse.
More than $600 billion into these market-calming bailouts, the market
turmoil has only ramped up. And it's continuing. In fact, it has now
grown to such an incredible crescendo that here we are tonight, and the
Treasury Secretary and the Federal Reserve Chair has told Congress, in
no uncertain terms by the way, that we must spend another $700 billion
in taxpayer funds. We are told we must do this now, without delay,
without deliberation, as Congressman Garrett has said, without answers
to most of our questions.
This would bring the bailout tally to well over $1 trillion, now that
is real money, even for Washington, approaching half the size of
America's entire budget.
In other words, every American who has played it safe and has played
it smart to avoid being in debt is now being asked to spend the rest of
his or her life paying off the debts of Washington and the debts of
some miscreants on Wall Street. We are well on our way to privatizing
profit but socializing risk. And we are well on our way to eliminating
moral hazard from economics altogether. This is antithetical not only
to the free-market basis of the United States economy, but also to the
rich heritage of liberty, that is called freedom, that we've long
enjoyed. It runs counter to the American Dream, to what we hold dear,
unless you're a fat cat that is rolling the dice with taxpayers' money.
Then who cares?
American taxpayers are chumps here in this equation because American
taxpayers are being asked to clean up a mess that the American taxpayer
didn't create. Congress must not rush to judgment on this matter. We
can't do that. It's a complicated issue. That is true. This isn't easy
for any of us to sort out. All Members of Congress, I think, are going
through a crash course in a Ph.D. in high finance all within less than
1 week's time. And the consequences could threaten generations with
lack of prosperity.
We can't just stick a $1 trillion Band-aid on that problem. We don't
have that kind of money in our back pocket, because after all, when
Uncle Sam opens his cash box this week, there are no greenbacks in
there. There are only feathers flying out that cash box.
We have to examine the root causes of this problem. And we have to
seek to address the core issues. It's real simple. Government got
involved where it shouldn't get involved. We spent more money than what
we had. It's not too tough to figure out. Otherwise it's only a matter
of time before we find ourselves right back where we were.
The recklessness of government is the primary culprit here. Once
again, just like on energy, it is Congress that created this problem.
For years Congress has been pushing banks to make risky subprime loans.
You heard me right. It wasn't the lenders on their own. Congress passed
laws that said we're going to fine you and we're going to file lawsuits
against you lenders if you don't make risky loans. And using the
authority of the Community Reinvestment Act, the big push for subprime
mortgages began in earnest during the Clinton administration.
Republicans aren't completely lily-white here with hands. The Clinton
administration however ramped this up. And banks that didn't play ball
were subjected to serious fines and lawsuits,
[[Page 22845]]
and regulatory obstacles were placed in their way.
Expanding access to the American Dream is a worthy goal. We all agree
with that. But by blindly pursuing that goal and allowing the end to
justify means, we put millions of Americans today at financial risk.
Although we question what that risk might be.
Because many of these home loans are backed by mammoth government-
sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and the Freddie Mac, kind of like
your weird uncle and weird aunt, Wall Street was more than happy to
trade on these egregious loans. The assumption, which was proven right,
was that Uncle Sam would guarantee them. Fannie and Freddie quickly
grew too big. And all calls to regulate them, made even in fact by this
administration, more closely to reform their structures were ignored,
ignored I would say by the current Chair of the House Financial
Services Committee of which I'm privileged to serve on.
In fact, leaders in Congress such as Representative Barney Frank,
chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, resisted reforming
Fannie and Freddie at every turn. When former Treasury Secretary John
Snow pleaded before Chairman Frank before his committee for Fannie and
Freddie reform, the chairman responded, ``Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
are not in a crisis. I think we see entities that are fundamentally
sound financially.'' O, that Barney Frank were right. But Treasury
Secretary Snow was right.
And millions of homes and a mountain of wealth were built on a
foundation of sand. And when the housing bubble burst, it all began to
collapse. And suddenly, the homeowners who took out loans that they
couldn't afford had homes that were worth less than when they bought
them. And stalwart financial giants were left holding on to billions in
securities that they just couldn't cash, what are called ``illiquid
assets'' that you read about in your morning paper. And without
liquidity and without the free flow of credit, the market ground to a
halt, and companies began to buckle.
Endless government bailouts will not prevent this crisis from
repeating itself. We need to remember that. It will further cement the
precedent that got us here in the first place. There are other options
to bringing much-needed liquidity to the market, including infusing the
market with new capital by suspending the business tax and the capital
gains tax.
Also Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to be dismantled and quick. Now
that the implicit taxpayer guarantee that they enjoyed for years has
been made permanent, we have to make a clean break with them.
Accounting that artificially devalued securities and other assets
could be temporarily suspended. And before Congress jumps to a full
trillion dollar plus bailout, it should explore these and other market
reforms. Congress should look for the best way to provide the greatest
stabilization in the markets with the least taxpayer exposure.
And that is where House Republicans come in. We do not want the
American taxpayer to bail out this $700 billion tab. It isn't about
Wall Street. It's about this street, Washington, D.C. The Congress
created this problem. For 2 years, the Democrat-controlled Congress,
while this head of steam has been building, has failed to dismantle
Freddie and Fannie. They have failed to dismantle the Community
Reinvestment Act.
But the real issue here is the forgotten man. That is the issue. It's
the forgotten man. It's the poor, beleaguered American taxpayer. Who is
going to be left to bail him out?
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I thank the gentlelady for your comments.
And your opening comments were quite instructive.
You say we have a problem today. That we all agree on. But we should
not be moving forward expeditiously without all the evidence before us
so we can make the right decision. It was just the other day that
during the course of this week I was in contact with a notable
economist who made that point to me as well, that we should have all
the data before us so that we can make a correct determination as to
what is the right reform in Washington to address the problem on Wall
Street. And he referred me to some data. And the data is not mine. It
is not his. It is published data from the Federal Reserve. I will just
spend 30 seconds on it to put it in perspective. We do know we have a
problem. If you talk to most people on Wall Street, they will tell you
there is a problem in the credit markets.
You have to put things in perspective with respect to where we stood
before. If you look at commercial and industrial loans, seasonally
adjusted, it goes from July of last year to September of this year, and
you will see that leading into this week, actually commercial and
industrial loans were at historic highs. And yes, on the other end of
the chart it just begins to tip down, the chart shows it goes down just
a little bit. And the latest data we have is from I think just 1 week
ago. The next data for this week will be coming out.
It's probably telling that we can't get this information, quite
honestly. I believe maybe only the Federal Reserve may have this
information. But for Congress really to act intelligently, it needs
information like this. This is why I threw the chart up, because the
gentlelady from Minnesota said we should have information.
Here is another chart. And I will end on this because charts are hard
to follow here. This is commercial paper here of nonfinancial
companies, again seasonally adjusted, again from the same time frame,
July of last year to September of this year. And you will see where we
are, on average at the 190 level, we were peaking just going into this.
Now it went down. But you see those spikes going down all the time.
On the very end of the chart, pointing over here, there is a little
bit of an uptick. I can't tell you what the actual data is
conclusively, whether that little uptick then goes up. I doubt it. It
probably begins to spike downwards again. It is that sort of
information that we would like to have specifically before us so we are
not relying on anecdotal evidence. And I don't discount that, or the
phone calls we receive from the street or the articles that we receive
as well. We do know there is a problem out there.
I'm just pointing out, as the gentlelady from Minnesota has said, it
would be a lot more beneficial before we start spending $700 billion,
or for that matter even $100 billion. Because we may see a so-called
``compromise'' piece of legislation come out that says, American
taxpayer, don't worry. We're not going to spend $700 billion to bail
out Wall Street. We are only going to spend $100 billion. And now you
should thank Washington for only spending $100 billion. So come on
board with that. Some of us still have a problem with spending $100
billion on a problem that is part Wall Street's but also part
Washington's.
If it were ever to again regain credibility with the American people,
Congress really has to address a fundamental problem and a fundamental
question, and that is to answer to the American public how come it was
that for so many years, when the evidence, true evidence, data
evidence, coming into Congress was showing us that this housing growth
model could not sustain itself, why Congress did not pass legislation
to rein it in, to reform the system, and to put into checks and
balances in the past?
Well again we can go into the details why Congress didn't do that.
But to get the credibility back before we move forward on new
legislation involving tens or hundreds of billions of dollars, we need
to answer that question.
{time} 2200
With that, I would like to yield the floor to the gentleman from
Michigan.
Mr. McCOTTER. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding. I
also wish to take this moment to thank him for his strength of
character and his depth of intellect and leadership on this issue.
It has been said if you don't know where you are going, any road will
take you there. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in such a situation,
as America finds itself amidst a potential economic meltdown of its
financial sector.
[[Page 22846]]
Right now, the U.S. Congress is being asked to vote upon the Paulson-
Bush-Obama-McConnell-Pelosi-Reid plan. I myself will be up front and
say I think it is a disastrous policy that House Republicans should
continue to resist. What we are asking Americans to do, quite simply,
is to send money to the very people who caused this problem and expect
them to fix it.
If I can put this in the simplest terms that even I could understand,
we have a liquidity crisis in our financial markets. That means that
private investors are standing on the sidelines. They do not want to
put their money into purchasing toxic assets. What they are now doing
is asking Congress to put your money into purchasing toxic assets, and,
if you do not, then these private investors have promised to wreak
havoc upon your personal savings, upon your credit ratings, upon your
financial existence. And for what sin? For not giving them $700 billion
to fix the problem that they caused.
House Republicans have stood against this. We have consistently tried
to keep ahead of the crisis atmosphere, and we have succeeded. What we
instead offered is a responsible position that protects the taxpayers,
that puts private recapitalization first, so that Wall Street can bail
itself out of its mess before going to the taxpayers, and putting an
appropriate backstop in place.
Now, we have been reviled for our principled opposition to what we
believe is an extortion of taxpayers' precious resources. For this we
have been condemned in the liberal media. For this we have been
condemned by the majority Democratic Party in this House. We have been
condemned by the Democratic majority in the Senate. We have been
condemned by our own Republican President and his Secretary of the
Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board Chairman.
In fact, I think we have recently reached the height of the
disapprobation heaped upon us when earlier the Speaker of the House, in
response to our refusal to spend $700 billion of taxpayer money on this
problem, we were labeled ``unpatriotic.'' I suppose this should not
surprise us the least bit. We had earlier heard from the Democratic
vice presidential nominee, Senator Biden, that Republicans, because we
would not raise your taxes, were also unpatriotic.
Now, there has been some debate whether there is a new Democratic
Party in America. If I may link these two statements to disprove that
notion, according to Senator Biden and Speaker Pelosi, if you do not
support raising the American people's taxes and spending $700 billion
of it on Wall Street, you are unpatriotic.
I disagree with this assessment, and I trust that the American people
do. In fact, in many ways it tends to point out the politics that are
being played here. The reality is, as has been shown so often in the
past, the Republican Party in Congress is the minority party. In the
House of Representatives especially, the minority has acute pangs,
because we do not have the power to obstruct a single thing the
majority wants to get done. Let me draw a quick comparison.
When we were debating increasing American energy production to help
our constituents and ease their pain at the pump by increasing supply,
we were denied a bipartisan vote on an all-of-the-above energy
strategy. Today, in the debate to bail out Wall Street, we see the
Speaker demanding a bipartisan vote to bail them out.
The dichotomy proves the point that if this Democratic majority truly
believes, as does their Speaker and Senator Obama and others, in
President Bush's plan, yes, I know that sounds dysfunctional, but these
are the times in which we live, they would then take it upon themselves
to do one of two things: They would run us over; or instead they would
choose the prudent course, to work with us.
Today they are beginning to show signs they may work with us. But,
unfortunately, the political games continue. We continue to hear now,
in addition to being unpatriotic and obstructive, which is impossible
as the minority party in the House, we continue to hear that if we
resist an arbitrary Sunday midnight deadline, we, who cannot stop this
bill from being passed, are going to cause the meltdown of the American
and the global economy.
We instead as House Republicans are going to do what you sent us here
to do, which is guard your money with which you have entrusted us. What
we are going to do is reject arbitrary deadlines, for two very critical
reasons important to the American people.
One is we will have no rush to misjudgment, whereby a bad bill is
passed for the sake of meeting an artificial deadline that winds up
being either passed into law or being forced into a no vote defeat in
this House, the result of which could be the very economic meltdown we
are trying to prevent.
The other alternative is if prudent consultation with Republicans and
Democrats continue and we pass the arbitrary deadline, if investors'
expectations are raised improperly and irresponsibly, if we do the
right thing and take a prudent course with this legislation towards a
pro-taxpayer outcome, the economic meltdown may still occur.
This is why House Republicans refuse to put a deadline on these
economic negotiations, which are of critical interest to the American
people, the same way we opposed putting artificial deadlines on our
troops in Iraq. One is dedicated to preserving the prosperity of the
American people, just as the other was dedicated to preserving the
liberty of the American people by expanding it to the Iraqis.
We have failed to do so in the past in our negotiations with the
Democratic Party to make it clear that we have learned our lesson. We
will not legislate defeat, either of our troops or of the American
taxpayer, and we will continue to stand strong in their defense.
Why is this critically important? If one looks at the lessons of
history, we see critical times where decisions are made that affect
future generations. This is such a time.
This is the first economic panic of the global economy. The precedent
that we set as your servants in Congress will be followed for decades
to come. If we are rushed into this by a market bent upon getting their
billions from taxpayers, we will set a precedent that we will rue. If
we take our time and have prudent, responsible progress towards a pro-
taxpayer result, such as embodied in the Cantor-Ryan plan, we will have
done our job, not only for the crisis of the present, but for future
generations to come.
This is why today I say I have never been more proud to be a House
Republican, because in many ways the more you are reviled for not
abandoning the hard-working, responsible American people, for not
abrogating their trust in you to protect their tax dollars and their
futures, we wear it as a badge of honor, because that is precisely what
we were elected to do as the party of Lincoln, as the party of Reagan.
And I have a history lesson as I conclude for the party of Andrew
Jackson. Andrew Jackson stood tall for the working people of America in
the face of every rich special interest that this Nation had. When they
demanded a Bank of the United States and got a servile Congress to pass
it for them, he vetoed it, not once but twice, because he knew that the
best way America could grow was from families, communities and
neighborhoods, not from a centralized Bank of the United States.
Today we face a centralized shadow bank of the United States on Wall
Street, and this is precisely the forces that we are standing up to for
the responsible, hard-working people of America. And when Andrew
Jackson for the second time vetoed a charter for the Bank of the United
States, he said something that I would ask every Democrat in this
Chamber to remember: ``There are no necessary evils in government.''
So that when this Democratic majority brings a bill to the floor,
make sure that you believe in it; because if you do not believe in it
and you do not vote for it, or you do, do not go home and tell your
constituents that this was a necessary evil to get through this time.
And we as Republicans on our part will
[[Page 22847]]
always remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: ``If one man plant
himself upon his convictions and then abide, the whole huge world will
come around to him.''
We will stand our ground, backed by principle and the American
people, and we will do our duty.
I yield back to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I thank the gentleman. We hopefully will
learn from our history that there are no necessary evils in government.
And it may well be if the unfortunate compromise comes about, that that
is the arguments that will be made by those who propose that, that you
just have to suffer a little bit in government expenditures on that;
that is a necessary evil.
That is when the actual question will come about probably, is when is
$700 billion not $700 billion. And the answer that may well be given,
well, it is not $700 billion when we pay it out over time; $100 billion
this month, $150 billion a couple months from now, $150 billion in
January, $200 billion after that; and as the numbers go up, eventually
to $700 billion, and maybe even more. Because that is where we stand
right now with the administration and the Democrat majority essentially
having originally said that there was a deal, and that means the
Democrats having signed on to or basically accepted the outline of the
original Paulson plan, the Bush administration plan, saying we should
spend $700 billion. Anything less than that from their perspective,
which we don't just do it at one time but do it over time, to the
American taxpayer should be seen as the exact same thing.
That is why I said in my opening comments, don't let anyone pull the
proverbial wool over your eyes by saying we have ratcheted this down
somehow by making a compromise that they are going to spend it in a
different manner, because to you and I it is the same thing. Also to
our children and our children's children, it will be the same thing,
inasmuch as the devastating impact it will have on future economies
with regard to inflation, inflation, one of the most onerous taxes of
all, as it steals from us without us even seeing it, as the value of
our dollar goes down and down and down as the American government
prints more and more money to do a bailout.
With that, once again I am pleased to be joined now by another leader
on this issue, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
Ms. FOXX. I want to thank Mr. Garrett, my colleague from New Jersey,
and say that I am happy to come and join him and my other colleagues in
this. I wish I were as eloquent as they have been tonight, because they
have certainly described the situation we face in very, very eloquent
terms.
I would put it in some very plain terms, I believe. We can act in
haste and repent at leisure. That is something I think the American
people understand as well as they have understood the wonderful things
said here.
We have been told again that we must act immediately or, as Speaker
Pelosi has said, we are being unpatriotic. I don't believe that. I
think we are being patriotic by taking our time and holding the Speaker
to the promises she made in 2006: All bills would go through regular
order, go through committee, come to the floor, be allowed to be
amended. It would be the most bipartisan Congress ever in the history
of the Congress. We have not seen that, and the taxpayers of this
country deserve that.
I want to say also again, this is not a failure of our markets. It is
a failure of our government, as has been said over and over and over
again.
As Congresswoman Bachmann has said, we have many options, contrary to
what Secretary Paulson has said when he presented this to us. And to
reiterate what Congressman McCotter from Michigan said, it is important
that the American people know the Democrats are in charge of this
Congress. They have 231 votes. It takes only 218 to pass a bill. If
they want to pass a bill, they can pass any bill they want to. They
have done it this whole 20 months without our help. They don't need
bipartisan support for this.
{time} 2215
I would like to speak about an article from the Wall Street journal
entitled ``A Mortgage Fable.''
I am not going to read this article tonight, but I do want to point
out some things again, some which my colleagues have already pointed
out, but just to hit some high spots. It talks about the problems, the
people and the agencies that have created the problems that we are
facing.
I will quote here, ``But Washington is as deeply implicated in this
meltdown as anyone on Wall Street or at Countrywide Financial. Going
back decades, but especially in the past 15 or so years, our
politicians have promoted housing and easy credit with a variety of
subsidies and policies that helped to create and feed the mania. Let us
take the role of political cause and financial effect.''
Again, I am going to hit the high spots here. ``The Federal Reserve.
The original sin of this crisis was easy money.
``Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Created by government, and able to
borrow at rates lower than fully private corporations because of the
implied backing from taxpayers, these firms turbocharged the credit
mania. They channeled far more liquidity in the market than would have
been the case otherwise.''
Fannie and Freddie's patrons on Capitol Hill didn't care about the
risks inherent in their combined trillion dollar plus mortgage
portfolios, so long as they help meet political goals on housing, even
after taxpayers have had to pick up a bailout tab that may grow as
large as $200 billion, House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank
still won't back a reduction in their mortgage portfolios.
``A credit-rating oligopoly. Thanks to Federal and State regulation,
a small handful of credit rating agencies pass judgment on the risk for
all debt securities in our markets. Many of these judgments turned out
to be wrong, and this goes to the root of the credit crisis: Assets
officially deemed rock solid by the Government's favored risk experts
have lately been recognized as nothing of the kind.''
``Banking regulators. In the Beltway fable, bank supervision all but
vanished in recent years. But the great irony is that the banks that
made some of the worst mortgage investments are the most highly
regulated.''
``Meanwhile, the least regulated firms--hedge funds and private
equity--have had the fewest problems, or have folded up their mistakes
with the least amount of trauma. All of this reaffirms the historical
truth that regulators almost always discover financial excesses only
after the fact.''
``The Community reinvestment Act. This 1977 law makes banks to make
loans to poor borrowers who often cannot repay them. Banks that failed
to make enough of these loans were often held hostage by activists when
they next sought some regulatory approval.''
``Our point here isn't to absolve Wall Street or to pretend there
weren't private excesses. But the investment mistakes would surely have
been less extreme, and ultimately their damage containable, if not for
the political support and subsidy for mortgage credit.''
Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record the article from
the Wall Street journal I just referred to, entitled ``A Mortgage
Fable.''
[From the Wall Street Journal, Sept. 22, 2008]
A Mortgage Fable
Once upon a time, in the land that FDR built, there was the
rule of ``regulation'' and all was right on Wall and Main
Streets. Wise 27-year-old bank examiners looked down upon the
banks and saw that they were sound. America's Hobbits lived
happily in homes financed by 30-year-mortgages that never
left their local banker's balance sheet, and nary a crisis
did we have.
Then, lo, came the evil Reagan marching from Mordor with
his horde of Orcs, short for ``market fundamentalists.''
Reagan's apprentice, Gramm of Texas and later of McCain,
unleashed the scourge of ``deregulation,'' and thus were
``greed,'' short-selling, securitization, McMansions, liar
loans and other horrors loosed upon the world of men.
Now, however, comes Obama of Illinois, Schumer of New York
and others in the fellowship of the Beltway to slay the Orcs
and
[[Page 22848]]
restore the rule of the regulator. So once more will the
Hobbits be able to sleep peacefully in the shire.
With apologies to Tolkien, or at least Peter Jackson,
something like this tale is now being sold to the American
people to explain the financial panic of the past year. It is
truly a fable from start to finish. Yet we are likely to hear
some version of it often in the coming months as the barons
of Congress try to absolve themselves of any responsibility
for the housing and mortgage meltdowns.
Yes, greed is ever with us, at least until Washington
transforms human nature. The wizards of Wall Street and
London became ever more inventive in finding ways to sell
mortgages and finance housing. Some of those peddling
subprime loans were crooks, as were some of the borrowers who
lied about their incomes. This is what happens in a credit
bubble that becomes a societal mania.
But Washington is as deeply implicated in this meltdown as
anyone on Wall Street or at Countrywide Financial. Going back
decades, but especially in the past 15 or so years, our
politicians have promoted housing and easy credit with a
variety of subsidies and policies that helped to create and
feed the mania. Let us take the roll of political cause and
financial effect:
The Federal Reserve. The original sin of this crisis was
easy money. For too long this decade, especially from 2003 to
2005, the Fed held interest rates below the level of expected
inflation, thus creating a vast subsidy for debt that both
households and financial firms exploited. The housing bubble
was a result, along with its financial counterparts, the
subprime loan and the mortgage SIV.
Fed Chairmen Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke prefer to
blame ``a global savings glut'' that began when the Cold War
ended. But Communism was dead for more than a decade before
the housing mania took off. The savings glut was in large
part a creation of the Fed, which flooded the world with too
many dollars that often found their way back into housing
markets in the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Created by government, and able
to borrow at rates lower than fully private corporations
because of the implied backing from taxpayers, these firms
turbocharged the credit mania. They channeled far more
liquidity into the market than would have been the case
otherwise, especially from the Chinese, who thought (rightly)
that they were investing in mortgage securities that were as
safe as Treasurys but with a higher yield.
These are the firms that bought the increasingly
questionable mortgages originated by Angelo Mozilo's
Countrywide and others. Even as the bubble was popping, they
dived into pools of subprime and Alt-A (``liar'') loans to
meet Congressional demand to finance ``affordable'' housing.
And they were both the cause and beneficiary of the great
interest-group army that lobbied for ever more housing
subsidies.
Fan and Fred's patrons on Capitol Hill didn't care about
the risks inherent in their combined trillion-dollar-plus
mortgage portfolios, so long as they helped meet political
goals on housing. Even after taxpayers have had to pick up a
bailout tab that may grow as large as $200 billion, House
Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank still won't back a
reduction in their mortgage portfolios.
A credit-rating oligopoly. Thanks to federal and state
regulation, a small handful of credit rating agencies pass
judgment on the risk for all debt securities in our markets.
Many of these judgments turned out to be wrong, and this goes
to the root of the credit crisis: Assets officially deemed
rock-solid by the government's favored risk experts have
lately been recognized as nothing of the kind.
When debt instruments are downgraded, banks must then
recognize a paper loss on these assets. In a bitter irony,
the losses cause the same credit raters whose judgments
allowed the banks to hold these dodgy assets to then lower
their ratings on the banks, requiring the banks to raise more
money, and pay more to raise it. The major government-
anointed credit raters--S&P, Moody's and Fitch--were as
asleep on mortgages as they were on Enron. Senator Richard
Shelby (R., Ala.) tried to weaken this government-created
oligopoly, but his reforms didn't begin to take effect until
2007, too late to stop the mania.
Banking regulators. In the Beltway fable, bank supervision
all but vanished in recent years. But the great irony is that
the banks that made some of the worst mortgage investments
are the most highly regulated. The Fed's regulators blessed,
or overlooked, Citigroup's off-balance-sheet SIVs, while the
SEC tolerated leverage of 3o or 4o to 1 by Lehman and Bear
Stearns.
The New York Sun reports that an SEC rule change that
allowed more leverage was made in 2004 under then Chairman
William Donaldson, one of the most aggressive regulators in
SEC history. Of course the SEC's task was only to protect the
investor assets at the broker-dealers, not the holding
companies themselves, which everyone thought were not too big
to fail. Now we know differently (see Bear Stearns below).
Meanwhile, the least regulated firms--hedge funds and
private-equity companies--have had the fewest problems, or
have folded up their mistakes with the least amount of
trauma. All of this reaffirms the historical truth that
regulators almost always discover financial excesses only
after the fact.
The Bear Stearns rescue. In retrospect, the Fed-Treasury
intervention only delayed a necessary day of reckoning for
Wall Street. While Bear was punished for its sins, the Fed
opened its discount window to the other big investment banks
and thus sent a signal that they would provide a creditor
safety net for bad debt.
Morgan Stanley, Lehman and Goldman Sachs all concluded that
they could ride out the panic without changing their business
models or reducing their leverage. John Thain at Merrill
Lynch was the only CEO willing to sell his bad mortgage
paper--at 22 cents on the dollar. Treasury and the Fed should
have followed the Bear trauma with more than additional
liquidity. Once they were on the taxpayer dime, the banks
needed a thorough scrubbing that might have avoided last
week's stampede.
The Community Reinvestment Act. This 1977 law compels banks
to make loans to poor borrowers who often cannot repay them.
Banks that failed to make enough of these loans were often
held hostage by activists when they next sought some
regulatory approval.
Robert Litan, an economist at the Brookings Institution,
told the Washington Post this year that banks ``had to show
they were making a conscious effort to make loans to subprime
borrowers.'' The much-maligned Phil Gramm fought to limit
these CRA requirements in the 1990s, albeit to little effect
and much political jeering.
We could cite other Washington policies, including the
political agitation for ``mark-to-market'' accounting that
has forced firms to record losses after ratings downgrades
even if the assets haven't been sold. But these are some of
the main lowlights.
Our point here isn't to absolve Wall Street or pretend
there weren't private excesses. But the investment mistakes
would surely have been less extreme, and ultimately their
damage more containable, if not for the enormous political
support and subsidy for mortgage credit. Beware politicians
who peddle fables that cast themselves as the heroes.
The last thing that I would like to say, because I want to give some
more time to my colleague to New Jersey, is that one of the areas that
I think has not been properly discussed in the last couple of days is
the fact that Republicans have put out a set of economic rescue
principles. They are on my Web site. I think they are on probably many
other people's Web sites. I am only going to highlight these very, very
quickly. These were put together by a working group, established by
Republican Leader Boehner and released earlier this week.
Again, I think it's very important to that the taxpayers know we have
put them first, not Wall Street. These are the three major components,
a commonsense plan to have Wall Street fund the recovery, not
taxpayers. You heard that first from Republicans. ``Have Private
Capital Injection to the Financial Markets, Not Tax Dollars.''
``Immediate Transparency, Oversight, and Market Reform.''
Mr. Speaker, I would submit Economic Rescue Principles for the
Record.
Economic Rescue Principles
Common Sense Plan to Have Wall Street Fund the Recovery, Not Taxpayers
Rather than providing taxpayer funded purchases of frozen
mortgage assets to solve this problem, we should adopt a plan
to insure mortgage back securities through payment of
insurance premiums.
Currently the federal government insures approximately half
of all mortgage backed securities. (MBS) We can insure the
rest of current outstanding MBS; however, rather than
taxpayers funding insurance, the holders of these assets
should pay for it. Treasury Department can design a system to
charge premiums to the holders of MBS to fully finance this
insurance.
Have Private Capital Injection to the Financial Markets, Not Tax
Dollars
Instead of injecting taxpayer capital into the market to
produce liquidity, private capital can be drawn into the
market by removing regulatory and tax barriers that are
currently blocking private capital formation. Too much
private capital is sitting on the sidelines during this
crisis.
Temporary tax relief provisions can help companies free up
capital to maintain operations, create jobs, and lend to one
another. In addition, we should allow for a temporary
suspension of dividend payments by financial institutions and
other regulatory measures to address the problems surrounding
private capital liquidity.
Immediate Transparency, Oversight, and Market Reform
Increase Transparency. Require participating firms to
disclose to Treasury the
[[Page 22849]]
value of their mortgage assets on their books, the value of
any private bids within the last year for such assets, and
their last audit report.
Limit Federal Exposure for High Risk Loans: Mandate that
the GSEs no longer securitize any unsound mortgages.
Call on the SEC to audit reports of failed companies to
ensure that the financial standing of these troubled
companies was accurately portrayed.
Wall Street Executives should not benefit from taxpayer
funding.
Call on the SEC to review the performance of the Credit
Rating Agencies and their ability to accurately reflect the
risks of these failed investment securities.
Create a blue ribbon panel with representatives of
Treasury, SEC, and the Fed to make recommendations to
Congress for reforms of the financial sector by January 1,
2009.
I thank my colleague from New Jersey for allowing me to do this. I
want to leave with a quote that our colleague, Trent Franks from
Arizona, gave me tonight, in an e-mail. ``If you love wealth better
than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of
freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch
down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly
upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.''
It's from Samuel Adams, and I say to those who want to support the
Paulson socialism plan, this is my message to you.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina
for joining us and also for your leadership on this crucial issue,
perhaps as others have said, one of the most crucial issues we in
Congress will ever vote on.
As the lady as said, as the speakers before have as well, we
recognize the severity of the problem on the U.S. economy, and the
global economy as well. We recognize that some action by Congress is
necessary, but we suggest that the proposal that has been proposed by
Secretary Paulson and ostensibly supported by the Democrat majority is
the wrong proposal. Therefore, we have stepped up to the plate and
suggested a House Republican proposal.
It is not simply us, we here in the House Republicans that suggest
that the Paulson-Pelosi proposal is not the way to go. In my hand here
is a list of, I think, several hundred economists, 192 economists from
around the country, who reviewed it and expressed their view and, very
briefly, they say we want to express to Congress our great concern for
the plan proposed by Treasury Secretary Paulson to deal with the
financial crisis.
``We see three fatal pitfalls in the current proposed plan. One, its
fairness, the plan is a subsidy to investors at taxpayer expense. Two,
its ambiguity, neither the mission of the new agency, nor its oversight
are clear; and, three, perhaps most important, it's long-term effects,
if the plan is enacted, its effects will be with us for a generation.''
I know the President heard those remarks, it was reported on ABC.
When he saw this, he said, ``I don't care what someone on some college
campus says,'' ABC reports. Instead he says he trusts his Treasury
secretary.
Well, quite candidly, as a representative of Congress, I trust what
my constituents are saying about this situation. They realize it's an
important matter. They realize it's a tightening of the credit markets.
They realize that something must be done, but they also realize, as the
economists do, that we should not be putting this on the backs of the
taxpayers, but, rather takes gentlelady from North Carolina suggests,
come up with an alternative proposal where the Wall Street players
would actually be underwriting the cost of the proposal.
As the gentlelady has put into the record and outlined it, in essence
what we are doing there is setting up a guaranteed fund, if you will,
or backing for those mortgage-backed securities.
I will just digress on how that would work for 30 seconds, think of
it this way. If you are confident in the way that Washington handles
your tax dollars today, if you are confident that the way the American
government, Washington, handled your tax dollars when it came to
Katrina, if you are confident with the way that Congress handles your
tax dollars when, year after year, we can't balance our budget like the
American family has to balance their budget. If you are confident in
the way that the American government in Washington handles your tax
dollars when we run deficits of $100 billion, $150 billion, then $200
billion and $300 billion, now over $400 billion. With this, of course,
on top of it, would be over a trillion dollars.
If you were confident with the management of the assets of the
American government over the past years, then you should be absolutely
confident that we would be able to set up an agency, either external to
the Treasury or within the Treasury, to be able to handle $700 billion
of mortgage-backed security, and that would mean, on the back side of
those, all the assets of those foreclosed properties that would
possibly come from that as well.
Somebody on a TV show earlier said well we did it with the RTC, and
Secretary of the Treasury Paulson said, well, this is not like the RTC.
But in a the way it is. We were handling those assets. At some point
along the line I had to remind the commentator on the program with the
RTC, it ended up costing the taxpayer around 127 to 147 billion
dollars, which in today's dollars is around $220 billion. Here we are
talking about $700 billion.
If you are confident the American government can do this better than
anyone else, then support either the initial Paulson-Pelosi proposal or
any hybrid or compromise from that that still involves that.
But if you are not so confident, if you have a question of the
ability of Washington adequately handling those dollars, and if you
have a question on how this may impact upon the economy and the
monetization of that debt and the rise in inflation that may have
followed it this year. But next year, if the production in this country
does not increase, then you should be looking for an alternative, and
that alternative is just what the lady from North Carolina has raised.
As I started my comment, I said, let us therefore not look to those
who have brought us to this point in the first place, whether it be the
Federal Reserve, with the loose lending policies that they have had for
years, or the Congress who refused to step in, as I said, when evidence
indicated that had there was a problem in the housing market, that a
bubble was coming, that there was a problem with the GSEs, that's
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac but Congress refused to act.
Let's not go back to those individuals who brought us to that
particular point for a solution, let's maybe think out of the box and
look for a solution.
Another economist recently was published on this matter, to address
more of the global issue, the larger issue. I will read from this, he
is Chicago economist Robert Schimer from the University of Chicago. He
States, as follows, ``Let me mention one other issue that I take very
seriously. I recognize that this might not matter much to my
Congressman, but in my view it may be the most important issue for
global welfare. The U.S. has long been a beacon of free markets. When
economic conditions turn sour in Argentina or Indonesia, we give very
clear instructions on what to do: balance the budget, cut government
employment, maintain free trade and the rule of law, and do not prop up
failing enterprises. Opponents of free markets argue that this advice
benefits international financiers, not the domestic market. I have
always believed (at least since I began to understand economics) that
the U.S. approach was correct. But when the U.S. ignores its own advice
in this situation, it reduces the credibility of this stance. Rewriting
the rules of the game at this stage will therefore have serious
ramifications not only for people in this country but for future of
global capitalism. The social cost of that is far, far greater than
$700 billion.
So I end where I began, the social cost of our adopting a program, on
this country, and our children and our future generation will be far,
far greater than anything we can imagine if we do not do it right.
[[Page 22850]]
____________________
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to:
Ms. Waters (at the request of Mr. Hoyer) for September 26 until 5:15
p.m.
____________________
SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED
By unanimous consent, permission to address the House, following the
legislative program and any special orders heretofore entered, was
granted to:
(The following Members (at the request of Mr. Tancredo) to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material:)
Mr. Burton of Indiana, for 5 minutes, today.
Mr. Poe, for 5 minutes, September 28.
Mr. Jones, for 5 minutes, September 28.
____________________
SENATE BILLS REFERRED
Bills of the Senate of the following titles were taken from the
Speaker's table and, under the rule, referred as follows:
S. 1492. An act to improve the quality of Federal and State
data regarding the availability and quality of broadband
services and to promote the deployment of affordable
broadband services to all parts of the Nation; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 2913. An act to provide a limitation on judicial
remedies in copyright infringement cases involving orphan
works; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S. 3109. An act to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to
direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to establish a hazardous waste electronic manifest
system; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 3192. An act to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to
authorize the Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians of Oregon, the
Coquille Tribe of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes of the
Siletz Reservation, Oregon, to obtain 99-year lease authority
for trust land, and to authorize the Morongo Band of Cahuilla
Mission Indians of the Morongo Reservation, California, to
obtain 50-year lease authority for trust land; to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
S. 3477. An act to amend title 44, United States Code, to
authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical
Excellence; to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
S. 3536. An act to amend section 5402 of title 39, United
States Code, to modify the authority relating to United
States Postal Service air transportation contracts, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
S. 3641. An act to authorize funding for the National Crime
Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime
under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of
the Victims of Crime Act of the 1984; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
____________________
ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION SIGNED
Ms. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly
enrolled bills and a joint resolution of the House of the following
titles, which were thereupon signed by the Speaker:
H.R. 1343. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the
health centers program under section 330 of such Act, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 2638. An act making appropriations for the Department
of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2008, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2851. An act to amend the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that dependent
students who take a medically necessary leave of absence do
not lose health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.
H.R. 3068. An act to prohibit the award of contracts to
provide guard services under the contract security guard
program of the Federal Protective Service to a business
concern that is owned, controlled, or operated by an
individual who has been convicted of a felony.
H.R. 4120. An act to amend title 18, United States Code, to
provide for more effective prosecution of cases involving
child pornography, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5001. An act to authorize the Administrator of General
Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post
Office Building located in the District of Columbia.
H.R. 5975. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in
Waterville, New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post
Office''.
H.R. 6092. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in
Bremen, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office
Building''.
H.R. 6370. An act to transfer excess Federal property
administered by the Coast Guard to the Confederated Tribes of
the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
H.R. 6437. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 200 North Texas Avenue in
Odessa, Texas, as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post
Office''.
H.J. Res. 62. Joint resolution to honor the achievements
and contributions of Native Americans to the United States,
and for other purposes.
____________________
SENATE ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
The Speaker announced her signature to enrolled bills of the Senate
of the following titles:
S. 496. An act to reauthorize and improve the program
authorized by the Apalachian Regional Development act of
1965.
S 1046. An act to modify pay provisions relating to certain
senior-level positions in the Federal Government, and for
other other purposes.
S. 1382--An act to amend the Public Health Service act to
provide for the establishment of an Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis Registry.
S. 1810--An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
increase the provision of scientifically sound information
and support services to patients receiving a positive test
diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally and
posnatally diagnosed conditions.
S. 2482--An act to repeal the provision of title 46, United
States Code, requiring a license for employment in the
business of salvaging on the coast of Florida.
S. 2606--An act to reauthorize the United States Fire
Administration, and for other purposes.
S. 2932--An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
reauthorize the poison center national toll-free number,
national media campaign, and grant program to provide
assistance for poison prevention, sustain the funding of
poison centers, and enhance the public health of people of
the United States.
S. 3009--An act to designate the Federal Bureau of
Investigation building under construction in Omaha, Nebraska,
as the ``J. James Exon Federal Bureau of Investigation
Building''.
S. 3560--To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to
provide additional funds for the qualifying individual (QI)
program, and for other purposes.
____________________
BILLS PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT
Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House reports that on September 26,
2008 she presented to the President of the United States, for his
approval, the following bills.
H.R. 923. To provide for the investigation of certain
unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1199. To extend the grant program for drug-endangered
children.
H.R. 3986. To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to
authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5834. To amend the North Korean Human Rights Act of
2004 to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of
the people of North Korea, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6889. to extend the authority of the Secretary of
Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an
additional year, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6893. To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social
Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers,
improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for
tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives
for adoption, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6984. To amend title 49, United States Code, to extend
authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and
expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund,
and for other purposes.
____________________
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 29 minutes
p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow,
Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 1 p.m.
____________________
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.
Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from
the Speaker's table and referred as follows:
8801. A letter from the U.S. House of Representatives,
Clerk, transmitting notification, pursuant to section
(1)(k)(2) of H.R. 895, that the board members and alternate
board
[[Page 22851]]
members of the Office of Congressional Ethics: Former
Congressman David Skaggs; Former Congressman Porter J. Goss;
Former Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke; Former House
Chief Administrative Officer Jay Eagen; Former Congresswoman
Karan English; Professor Allison Hayward; Former Congressman
Abner Mikva; and Former Congressman Bill Frenzel, have
individually signed an agreement to not be a candidate for
the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for purposes of the
Federal Elecion Campaign
8802. A letter from the Administrator, Risk Management
Agency, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Common Crop Insurance Regulations;
Dry Pea Crop Provisions (RIN: 0563-AC14) received September
26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
8803. A letter from the Under Secretary for Personnel and
Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on
the approved retirement of General Benjamin S. Griffin,
United States Army, and his advancement to the grade of
general on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
8804. A letter from the Under Secretary for Personnel and
Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on
the approved retirement of Lieutenant General John R. Wood,
United States Army, and his advancement to the grade of
lieutenant general on the retired list; to the Committee on
Armed Services.
8805. A letter from the Chief Counsel, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Final Flood Elevation Determinations -- received September
26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Financial Services.
8806. A letter from the Chief Counsel, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Suspension of Community Eligibility [Docket No. FEMA-8037]
received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services.
8807. A letter from the Acting Secretary, Securities and
Exchange Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule
-- FOREIGN ISSUER REPORTING ENHANCEMENTS [RELEASE NOS. 33-
8959; 34-58620; INTERNATIONAL SERIES RELEASE NO. 1310; File
No. S7-05-08] (RIN: 3235-AK03) received September 26, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Financial Services.
8808. A letter from the Director, Regulations Policy and
Mgmt. Staff, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting the Department's final rule -- Control of
Communicable Diseases; Restrictions on African Rodents,
Prairie Dogs, and Certain Other Animals [[Docket No. FDA-
2003-N-0427] (formerly Docket No. 2003N-0400)] received
September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8809. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule -- In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Castle Rock, Colorado) [MB Docket No.
08-106 RM-11447] received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8810. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule -- In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (Beeville, Christine, George West, and Tilden,
Texas) [MB Docket No. 07-78 RM-11366 RM-11383] received
September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8811. A letter from the Legal Advisor/Chief, Wireless
Telecomm. Bur., Federal Communications Commission,
transmitting the Commission's final rule -- In the Matter of
Amendment of the Commission's Rules Regarding Maritime
Automatic Identification Systems [WT Docket No. 04-344]
received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8812. A letter from the Associate Chief, Federal
Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's
final rule -- In the Matter of Amendment of Section
90.20(e)(6) of the Commission's Rules [WT Docket No. 06-142
RM-11135] received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8813. A letter from the Secretary, Federal Trade
Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule --
Telemarketing Sales Rule Fees (RIN: 3084-AA98) received
September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8814. A letter from the Secretary of the Commission,
Federal Trade Commission, transmitting the Commission's final
rule -- Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'') (RIN: 3084-AA98)
received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
8815. A letter from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting Copies of
international agreements, other than treaties, entered into
by the United States, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. 112b; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
8816. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary
Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Amendment to the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations: Registration Fee Change [Public
Notice ] (RIN: 1400-AC50) received September 26, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
8817. A letter from the Acting Chief Human Capital Officer,
Department of Energy, transmitting a report pursuant to the
Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
8818. A letter from the White House Liaison, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting a report pursuant to
the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
8819. A letter from the White House Liaison, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting a report pursuant to
the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
8820. A letter from the White House Liaison, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting a report pursuant to
the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
8821. A letter from the Deputy White House Liaison,
Department of Justice, transmitting a report pursuant to the
Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
8822. A letter from the Acting Director Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer
Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the State of
New York [Docket No. 071030625-7696-02] (RIN: 0648-XK19)
received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8823. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator For
Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States;
Monkfish Fishery; Framework Adjustment 6 to the Monkfish
Fishery Management Plan [Docket No. 080627793-81063-02] (RIN:
0648-AW81) received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8824. A letter from the Acting Director Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska;
Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area [Docket No. 071106673-8011-02] (RIN:
0648-XK38) received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8825. A letter from the Director Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska;
Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska [Docket
No. 071106671-8010-02] (RIN: 0648-XK29) received September
26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Natural Resources.
8826. A letter from the Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Fisheries (RIN: 0648-XJ69) received September 26, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Natural Resources.
8827. A letter from the Director Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the
Directed Butterfish Fishery [Docket No. 070717340-8451-02]
(RIN: 0648-XK16) received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8828. A letter from the Acting Director Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska;
Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in
the Gulf of Alaska [Docket No. 071106671-8010-02] (RIN: 0648-
XK24) received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8829. A letter from the Acting Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing
Operations; Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
Regulations [Docket No. 080509647-81084-02] (RIN:
[[Page 22852]]
0648-AW84) received September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
8830. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator For
Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast
Multispecies Fishery; Nomenclature Change to Rename the
``Haddock Rope Trawl'' the ``Ruhle Trawl''; Final Rule
[Docket No. 0808251151-81155-01] (RIN: 0648-AX18) received
September 26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
8831. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule -- Adjustment of Civil Penalties for
Inflation [NRC-2008-0412] (RIN: 3150-AI45) received September
26, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
8832. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Lexington, OK [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0003; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-1] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8833. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Altus AFB, OK
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0339; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-5]
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8834. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Salida, CO [Docket No.
FAA-2007-0293; Airspace Docket No. 07-ANM-18] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8835. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-
Route); Southwest Oregon [Docket No. FAA-2008-0038; Airspace
Docket No. 07-ANM-16] received September 19, 2008, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure.
8836. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Plains, TX [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0683; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-11] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8837. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; APEX Aircraft Model CAP 10 B
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0470 Directorate Identifier
2008-CE-026-AD; Amendment 39-15645; AD 2008-17-07] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8838. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C,
-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-
29174; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-125-AD; Amendment 39-
15641; AD 2008-17-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8839. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Model W-3A
Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0844; Directorate Identifier
2007-SW-23-AD; Amendment 39-15635; AD 2008-16-17] (RIN: 2120-
AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8840. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0406; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-196-AD;
Amendment 39-15640; AD 2008-17-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8841. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Airplanes
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0584; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
315-AD; Amendment 39-15639; AD 2008-17-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8842. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-
103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311,
and DHC-8-315 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0179;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-367-AD; Amendment 39-15572; AD
2008-13-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8843. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400,
747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0043;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-058-AD; Amendment 39-15632; AD
2008-16-14] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8844. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH
Model DA 42 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0685 Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-037-AD; Amendment 39-15638; AD 2008-16-20]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8845. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0626 Directorate Identifier
2008-CE-035-AD; Amendment 39-15637; AD 2008-16-19] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8846. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61,
DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F Airplanes
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0497; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
096-AD; Amendment 39-15629; AD 2008-16-11] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8847. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524 Series
Turbofan Engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-0036; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-22-AD; Amendment 39-15636; AD 2008-16-18]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8848. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0375; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-272-AD; Amendment 39-15627; AD 2008-16-09] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8849. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
(BHTC) Model 230 Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0450;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-39-AD; Amendment 39-15634; AD
2008-16-16] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8850. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Eclipse Aviation Corporation Model
EA500 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0837; Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-043-AD; Amendment 39-15633; AD 2008-16-15]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8851. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Dierctives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C,
-800, -900, and -900ER Series Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-
0413; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-003-AD; Amendment 39-
15631; AD 2008-16-13] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8852. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0520; Directorate Identifier
2008-NM-018-AD; Amendment 39-15630; AD 2008-16-12] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8853. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Removal of Class E5 Airspace; Madison, CT [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0665; Airspace Docket 08-ANE-100] received September 19,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8854. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Revision of Class E Airspace; Kivalina, AK [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0452; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-11] received September
19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
[[Page 22853]]
8855. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Pampa, TX [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0610; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-10] received September
19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8856. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Colored and VOR Federal Airways; Alaska
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0092; Airspace Docket No. 07-AAL-18]
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8857. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Emporium, PA [Docket No.
FAA-2007-0275; Airspace Docket No. 07-AEA-15] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8858. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Removal of Class E
Airspace; Roanoke Rapids, NC [Docket No. FAA-2008-0307;
Airspace Docket 08-AEA-18] received September 19, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
8859. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Fort Collins, CO [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0336; Airspace Docket No. 08-ANM-4] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8860. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0627; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-
033-AD; Amendment 39-15647; AD 2008-17-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8861. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB
Powered Sailplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0649; Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD; Amendment 39-15646; AD 2008-17-08]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8862. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Modification of Area Navigation Route Q-110 and Jet Route J-
73; Florida [Docket No. FAA-2008-0187; Airspace Docket No.
07-ASO-27] received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8863. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class D and E Airspace; Altus AFB, OK [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0339; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-5] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8864. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Factoryville, PA [Docket No.
FAA-2007-29361; Airspace Docket 07-AEA-5] received September
19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8865. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Rome, NY
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0550; Airspace Docket 08-AEA-21]
received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8866. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Revision of Class E Airspace; Red Dog, AK [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0457; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-16] received September
19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8867. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Modification of Class E Airspace; Rome, NY [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0308; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-19] received September
19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8868. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Black River Falls, WI [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0024; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-4] received
September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
8869. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model
390 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0353; Directorate
Identifier 2007-CE-101-AD; Amendment 39-15620; AD 2008-16-02]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
8870. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0541;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-063-AD; Amendment 39-15624; AD
2008-16-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 19, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
____________________
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to
the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as
follows:
Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. H.R. 4131. A bill to designate a portion of
California State Route 91 located in Los Angeles County,
California, as the ``Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway''
(Rept. 110-895). Referred to the House Calendar.
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania: Committee on House
Administration. H.R. 6589. A bill to provide financial
support for the operation of the law library of the Library
of Congress, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept.
110-896 Pt. 1). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union.
Ms. SLAUGHTER: Committee on Rules. House Resolution 1514.
Resolution waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII
with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported
from the Committee on Rules (Rept. 110-897). Referred to the
House Calendar.
discharge of committee
Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure discharged from further consideration. H.R. 6589
referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
____________________
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the
following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:
By Mrs. MALONEY of New York (for herself, Mr. Nadler,
Mr. Fossella, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Rangel, Mr.
Engel, Mr. Towns, Mr. Walsh of New York, Mr. Kuhl of
New York, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mrs.
Lowey, Mr. Hall of New York, Mr. McNulty, Mr.
Hinchey, Mr. Israel, Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Gillibrand,
Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Shays, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms.
Slaughter, Mr. Higgins, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Serrano, Mr.
Bishop of New York, Mr. Ackerman, and Mr. Garrett of
New Jersey):
H.R. 7174. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
extend and improve protections and services to individuals
directly impacted by the terrorist attack in New York City on
September 11, 2001, and for other purposes; to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce, 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.
By Ms. VELAZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. Chabot, Mr. David
Davis of Tennessee, Ms. Clarke, and Mr. Cuellar):
H.R. 7175. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to
improve the section 7(a) lending program, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Small Business.
By Mrs. BONO MACK (for herself, Mr. Barrow, and Mr.
Barton of Texas):
H.R. 7176. A bill to prohibit the installation on a
computer of certain ``peer-to-peer'' file sharing software
without first providing notice and obtaining consent from the
owner or authorized user of the computer; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. BERMAN (for himself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen):
H.R. 7177. A bill to authorize the transfer of naval
vessels to certain foreign recipients, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. considered and
passed.
By Mr. DAVIS of Alabama (for himself, Mr. Altmire, and
Mr. Walz of Minnesota):
H.R. 7178. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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
[[Page 22854]]
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Mr. TOWNS (for himself and Mr. Shays):
H.R. 7179. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide coordinated leadership in Federal efforts to prevent
and reduce obesity and to promote sound health and nutrition
among Americans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, 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.
By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, Mr. Payne, Mr.
Manzullo, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Shays, Mr.
George Miller of California, Mr. LaTourette, and Mr.
Jones of North Carolina):
H.R. 7180. A bill to enhance the capacity of the United
States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon
Water for the Poor Act of 2005 and to improve access to safe
drinking water and sanitation throughout the world; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, Mr. Kind, Mr.
McDermott, Mr. Fattah, Ms. Hooley, and Mr. Wu):
H.R. 7181. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social
Security Act to provide for coverage under the Medicare
Program for consultations regarding orders for life
sustaining treatment and to provide grants for the
development and expansion of programs for such orders; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the
Committee on 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.
By Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida:
H.R. 7182. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality
Act to include in the definition of the term ``aggravated
felony'' a criminal violation committed by an alien who
unlawfully entered the United States; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
By Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Mr. English of
Pennsylvania):
H.R. 7183. A bill to direct the Secretary of State to work
with the Government of Brazil and the governments of other
countries in the Western Hemisphere to develop partnerships
to strengthen diplomatic relations and energy security by
accelerating the development of biofuels production,
research, and infrastructure, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Financial 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.
By Mr. FLAKE:
H.R. 7184. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality
Act to authorize certain aliens who have earned a Ph.D.
degree from a United States institution of higher education
in a field of science, technology, engineering, or
mathematics to be admitted for permanent residence and to be
exempted from the numerical limitations on H-1B
nonimmigrants; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Ms. FOXX:
H.R. 7185. A bill to amend titles 23 and 49, United States
Code, to repeal wage requirements applicable to laborers and
mechanics employed on Federal-aid highway and public
transportation construction projects; to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Education and Labor, 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.
By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas:
H.R. 7186. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code,
with respect to the regulation of solid waste by the
Environmental Protection Agency; to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
By Mr. MATHESON:
H.R. 7187. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act with respect to nutrition labeling of food
offered for sale in food service establishments; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
By Mrs. McCARTHY of New York:
H.R. 7188. A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to
establish certain advertising and disclosure requirements
with respect to tax refund anticipation loans, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services.
By Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California:
H.R. 7189. A bill to ensure that any troubled assets relief
program of the Treasury provides for purchase of vacant
properties backing such troubled assets by regional public-
private partnerships to retain the value of such real estate,
stabilize communities, and minimize the fiscal impact on
taxpayers; to the Committee on Financial Services.
By Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California:
H.R. 7190. A bill to provide for the reform of fair value
accounting standards applicable to financial institutions; to
the Committee on Financial Services.
By Ms. SCHWARTZ:
H.R. 7191. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security
Act to encourage the use of certified health information
technology by providers in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
By Ms. SCHWARTZ:
H.R. 7192. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act
and the Social Security Act to increase the number of primary
care physicians and to improve patient access to primary care
services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the
Judiciary, Education and Labor, 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.
By Mr. SHERMAN (for himself and Mr. Royce):
H.R. 7193. A bill to require a report on business and
investment climates in foreign countries, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
By Ms. SOLIS:
H.R. 7194. A bill to distribute proceeds from greenhouse
gas emissions allowance auctions to low and moderate income
households, through refundable tax credits for wage earners
and senior citizens and monthly rebates to low-income
citizens, to offset any loss in purchasing power such
households may experience as a result of the regulation of
greenhouse gas emissions; to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and
Education and Labor, 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.
By Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky:
H.R. 7195. A bill to entitle affected participants under a
pension plan referred to in the USEC Privatization Act to
payment for benefit increases not received; to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
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.
By Mr. CAZAYOUX (for himself, Mr. Alexander, and Mr.
Melancon):
H.R. 7196. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture
to provide crop disaster assistance to agricultural producers
that suffered qualifying quantity or quality losses for the
2008 crop year due to a natural disaster; to the Committee on
Agriculture.
By Mr. LAMBORN (for himself and Mr. Wittman of
Virginia):
H. Con. Res. 437. Concurrent resolution recognizing and
congratulating the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the
new official site of the National Emergency Medical Services
Memorial Service and the ``Tree of Life'' National EMS
Memorial honoring emergency medical services personnel who
have died in the line of duty; to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
By Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Clarke, Mrs.
Christensen, Mr. Fattah, Ms. Watson, Ms. Norton, Mr.
Rush, Mr. Watt, Ms. Waters, Mr. Johnson of Georgia,
Mr. Cummings, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Ms. Moore of
Wisconsin, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Towns, Ms.
Jackson-Lee of Texas, Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Mr.
Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Meek of Florida,
Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Jefferson,
Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, and Mr. Bishop of
Georgia):
H. Con. Res. 438. Concurrent resolution expressing the
sense of Congress with regard to providing humanitarian
assistance to countries of the Caribbean devastated by
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna;
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
By Mr. HALL of Texas:
H. Res. 1512. A resolution expressing support for
designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America
Day'' in celebration of the 100th anniversary; to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
By Mr. FOSTER:
H. Res. 1513. A resolution providing for the printing of a
revised edition of the Rules and Manual of the House of
Representatives for the One Hundred Eleventh Congress;
considered and agreed to.
By Mr. SALI (for himself, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, and
Mr. Sessions):
H. Res. 1515. A resolution amending the Rules of the House
of Representatives to strengthen the point of order against
the consideration of congressional earmarks, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 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.
[[Page 22855]]
____________________
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added and resolutions as
follows:
H.R. 154: Mrs. Bono Mack.
H.R. 699: Mr. Kuhl of New York.
H.R. 741: Mr. McKeon.
H.R. 819: Mr. Castle.
H.R. 1074: Mr. Israel.
H.R. 1279: Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 1283: Mrs. Davis of California.
H.R. 1967: Mr. Carter.
H.R. 2045: Mrs. Bono Mack .
H.R. 2713: Mr. Souder.
H.R. 2870: Ms. Schakowsky.
H.R. 2965: Ms. Edwards of Maryland.
H.R. 3212: Mr. Smith of Washington and Mr. Baird
H.R. 3929: Ms. McCollum of Minnesota.
H.R. 4138: Mr. Courtney and Mr. Salazar.
H.R. 4236: Mr. Cazayoux.
H.R. 4294: Mr. Arcuri.
H.R. 5268: Ms. Roybal-Allard.
H.R. 5635: Mr. Carney and Mr. Whitfield of Kentucky.
H.R. 5673: Mr. Gingrey.
H.R. 5714: Mr. Castle, Mr. Fossella, Mr. Sam Johnson of
Texas, Mrs. Schmidt, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Bonner, Mr. Brady of
Texas, Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Rogers of
Alabama, Mr. Porter, Mr. Rehberg, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr.
Paul, Mr. Linder, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr.
Radanovich, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Hobson, Mr.
Simpson, Mr. Rogers of Michigan, Mr. Shuster, Mr. David Davis
of Tennessee, Mr. Sali, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Terry, Mr. Shimkus,
Mr. Stearns, Mr. Buyer, Ms. Harman, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Lee,
Mr. Michaud, Mr. Inglis of South Carolina, Mr. Baird, Mr.
Becerra, Mr. Berman, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Boswell, Mrs. Capps,
Mr. Chandler, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Cooper, Mr.
Costello, Mr. Donnelly, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Gene Green of Texas,
Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Ms. Herseth Sandlin,
Mr. Hill, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lipinski, Mr.
Matheson, Mr. Melancon, Mr. Mollohan, Mr. Neal of
Massachusetts, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms.
Waters, Mr. Wilson of Ohio, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Rush,
Mr. Salazar, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. King of New
York, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Barton of
Texas, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr.
McGovern, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Ms. Giffords, Ms. DeLauro,
Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Cohen, Mr.
Rahall, Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Hirono, Mr.
Walberg, Mr. Rothman, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. Knollenberg,
Mr. LaTourette, Mr. Foster, Mr. Petri, Mr. Kingston, and Mr.
Pascrell.
H. R. 5734: Mr. Roskam.
H. R. 5878: Mr. Holt and Ms. Roybal-Allard.
H. R. 6076: Mr. Nadler and Mr. Berman.
H. R. 6127: Mr. Latham and Mr. Platts.
H. R. 6160: Ms. Bordallo.
H. R. 6203: Mr. Serrano and Ms. Sutton.
H. R. 6259: Mr. Pascrell.
H. R. 6324: Mr. Engel.
H. R. 6407: Ms. Schakowsky.
H. R. 6562: Mr. McCotter and Mr. Mitchell.
H. R. 6643: Mr. Van Hollen.
H. R. 6749: Mr. Grijalva.
H. R. 6787: Mr. Baird.
H. R. 6869: Mr. Carney, Mr. Higgins, and Mr. Gonzalez.
H. R. 6873: Mr. Kucinich.
H. R. 6896: Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California and Mr.
English of Pennsylvania.
H. R. 6913: Ms. Waters.
H. R. 6939: Ms. Herseth Sandlin.
H.R. 6987: Mr. Pearce, and Mrs. Bachmann.
H.R. 7003: Mr. Bishop of New York.
H.R. 7013: Ms. Schakowsky.
H.R. 7032: Mrs. Bono Mack.
H.R. 7056: Ms. Schakowsky.
H.R. 7113: Mr. Ryan of Ohio.
H.R. 7119: Mr. McHugh.
H.R. 7122: Ms. Bordallo.
H.R. 7124: Mr. Akin and Mr. Cannon.
H.R. 7125: Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Sutton, and
Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 7162: Mr. Gonzalez.
H. Con. Res. 424: Mr. Towns, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Kildee, Mr. Ortiz, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Matsui, and Mr.
Hinche.
H. Con. Res. 426: Mr. Ellison.
H. Con. Res. 428: Mrs. Myrick and Mr. McCotter.
H. Res. 245: Mr. Davis of Kentucky and Mr. Pascrell.
H. Res. 373: Mr. Conyers.
H. Res. 1017: Ms. Hirono.
H. Res. 1437: Mrs. Bachmann.
H. Res. 1462: Mr. Cohen, Ms. Schakowsky, Mrs. Tauscher, Mr.
McDermott, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Tsongas, Mrs.
Capps, Mr. Pascrell, and Ms. Giffords.
H. Res. 1478: Mr. Regula, Mr. McCaul of Texas, and Ms.
Schakowsky.
H. Res. 1483: Mr. Crowley and Mr. Gallegly.
____________________
DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were deleted from public bills
and resolutions as follows:
H. Con. Res. 421: Mr. Lipinski.
[[Page 22856]]
EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SUE BOSTON
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Boston of
Marshalltown, Iowa as the recipient of the Governor's Volunteer Award
for her time spent volunteering in the Marshalltown Community School
District.
The Governor's Volunteer Award program was established to honor and
recognize volunteers for the commitment, service and time that they
contribute to Iowa's government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Sue has volunteered with the Marshalltown Community School District for
20 years, contributing her time and talents to improving the lives of
area students and the community as a whole.
I consider it a great honor to represent Sue Boston in the United
States Congress, and I wish her the best as she continues to provide a
positive impact on young people and her community in the years to come.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DR. STEVEN J. DeTERESA
______
HON. IKE SKELTON
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that Dr.
Steven J. DeTeresa will soon complete his detail to the Committee on
Armed Services of the United States House of Representatives.
Dr. DeTeresa was detailed from the Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (LLNL) to the Committee on June 1, 2005. He received his
Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Master of Science and
Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of
Massachusetts. Dr. DeTeresa worked as visiting scientist for the
Institute Donegani in Novara and the University of Naples, Italy; as a
research fellow for the University of Massachusetts; and in various
research and project management positions at LLNL for the past 20
years.
Dr. DeTeresa has over thirty-five years experience in leadership
positions and in conducting independent research and development
projects for defense and commercial applications of materials. He is an
expert in the mechanics of materials, structure-mechanical property
relationships, fundamental aspects of aging and long-term behavior,
process science, and failure analysis and modeling.
Dr. DeTeresa has made great contributions to the work of our
committee, the Armed Forces of the United States, and the American
people during the past three years. Dr. DeTeresa came to work for
Congress voluntarily to help his country during a time of war. During
his time here, he has been a scientific and technical advisor to the
Chairman and to the Committee on Armed Services. He has conducted
critically important work for the country on force protection issues
such as vehicle and body armor, counter-IED or improvised explosive
device technologies, and persistent surveillance technologies. He also
has been an essential member of our Oversight and Investigations
Subcommittee Staff.
On behalf of the House of Representatives and the Armed Services
Committee, let me personally thank Dr. DeTeresa for his service to the
Nation and to the men and women of our Armed Services. I wish the best
for him, his wife Patti, and their children Catherine and Peter.
____________________
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
______
HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, due to important business in my
district, I was unable to be in Washington, DC, on September 22 and the
morning of September 23.
Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes:
Monday, September 23, 2008--
Yes, H.R. 6685--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide
an annual grant to facilitate an iron working training program for
Native Americans (Rep. Lynch--Natural Resources).
Yes, H.R. 1907--Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Act
(Rep. Saxton--Natural Resources).
Yes, H.R. 6853--Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force Act of 2008
(Rep. Meek--Judiciary).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008--
Yes, Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R.
5244--The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 (H. Res.
1476).
Yes, H. Res. 1476--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5244--The
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008.
Yes, S.J. Res. 45--Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water
Resources Compact (Sen. Levin--Judiciary) Suspension bill.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO THE WINNEBAGO SCOUT RESERVATION
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Winnebago
Scout Reservation on its 50th anniversary. The Winnebago Scout
Reservation is located near Marble Rock, Iowa and serves over 4,500
people per year.
In 1954, the need for scouting programs exceeded the capacity of the
25 acre campsite, Camp Roosevelt, in Ventura, Iowa. The Winnebago Boy
Scout Council decided to build a new camp with three sites being
considered. With the promotion of the Marble Rock location by the local
scout leader and Executive board member, Arnold Staudt, the 450 acre
location in the Marble Rock area was selected as the new camp site.
The Winnebago Scout Reservation hosts many programs including Cub
Scouts, Polar Bear Hunt, Spring Fling, Shooting Sports Weekend, and
PALS. The camp also allows other public groups to reserve the grounds
for their use.
Over the last 50 years, the Winnebago Scout Reservation has thrived
at meeting the needs of area scouts and the surrounding community. I
congratulate the Winnebago Scout Reservation on this historic
anniversary. It is an honor to represent each scout member and the
council staff in the United States Congress, and I wish the Winnebago
Scout Reservation an equally storied future.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN LOUIS STOKES ON THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS
ELECTION TO CONGRESS
______
HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. I rise today to pay tribute to an
extraordinary man, former Congressman Louis Stokes on the 40th
anniversary of his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Congressman's achievements and legacy continue to be celebrated
through scholarship programs, building designations and many other
initiatives that bear his name. In 1998, Howard University recognized
Congressman Stokes with its designation of the Louis Stokes Health
Services Library. On September 28, 2008, colleagues and friends will
commemorate this important occasion at this state-of-the-art research
facility on the University's campus in Washington, DC.
[[Page 22857]]
Congressman Stokes' historic election in 1968 marked the beginning of
30 years of distinguished service to the state of Ohio and the nation.
His leadership as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus;
a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee; his
chairmanship on the Select Committee on Assassinations; chair of the
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; chair of the House
Ethics Committee; service on the Iran Contra panel; and the legislative
proposals that he successfully authored throughout his tenure in
Congress, earned Chairman Stokes the respect of his constituents and
the admiration of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
I have had the privilege of following in Congressman Stokes'
footsteps with my service on the House Appropriations Committee,
specifically the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, and
Education. On the Labor, Health and Education Subcommittee, Congressman
Stokes drafted the blueprint to end health disparities. Congressman
Stokes' pioneering efforts as the first African-American to serve on
the Appropriations Committee can be seen today in Jim Clyburn, Carolyn
Cheeks-Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, Sanford Bishop, Barbara Lee, and me.
Congressman Stokes, I congratulate you and thank you for your
leadership.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALLENWORTH, CALIFORNIA
______
HON. DEVIN NUNES
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize
the 100th Anniversary of Allensworth--a small town in Tulare County,
California, founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The
town was created in 1908 by Col. Allen Allensworth, a visionary man
with an extraordinary life.
Allen Allensworth was born a slave in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1842.
At the age of 12, he was sold for trying to learn to read and write. He
was taken to New Orleans and bought by a slaveholder to become a
jockey.
When the Civil War started and Union forces neared Louisville,
Allensworth seized the opportunity to gain his freedom by joining the
Navy. Prior to being discharged, he had achieved the rank of first
class petty officer. In 1871, he was ordained as a Baptist minister and
entered the Baptist Theological Institute at Nashville. While serving
at the Union Baptist Church in Cincinnati, he learned of the need for
African American chaplains in the armed services and got an appointment
as Chaplain of the 24th Infantry.
At the time of the Civil War, Allensworth saw many African Americans
move west to escape discrimination. With four other men with a similar
vision, he decided to establish a place where African Americans could
live and thrive without oppression. On June 30, 1908, they formed the
California Colony Home Promoting Association.
The town of Allensworth began with 20 acres in southwest Tulare
County, and later grew to more than 80 acres. By 1914, the little town
boasted 200 inhabitants.
That same year Allensworth became its own voting precinct, as well as
its own judicial district. Tragically, Col. Allensworth was killed on
September 14, 1914, when he was hit by a motorcycle while getting off a
streetcar in Monrovia. After a funeral at the Second Baptist Church in
Los Angeles, he was buried with full military honors.
Over the years, the population dwindled in the small town. In 1970,
there was an effort to save the town as an historic monument and park
dedicated to the memory of Col. Allensworth and the achievements and
contributions of African Americans to the history of California.
In 1974, California State Parks purchased land within the historical
town site of Allensworth, and it became Colonel Allensworth State
Historic Park. A collection of restored early 20th-century buildings--
including the Colonel's house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church,
and library--sit within the park.
Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the rich
history of Allensworth and its lasting legacy as an inspirational art
of the State of California.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. JO ANN EMERSON
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mrs. JO ANN EMERSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the February
2008 New Republican Earmark Standards Guidance, I submit the following:
Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: RDTE,N 14 0602782N Mine and Expedition Warfare Applied
Research.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and
Technology.
Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65409.
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,000,000 for
Detection and Neutralization of Electronically Initiated Improvised
Explosive Devices. It is my understanding that this funding will
provide $200,000 for Navy administrative costs, $900,000 for
instrumentation development, research and administrative costs with
Missouri S&T partner General Dynamics, $160,000 for faculty salary,
$80,000 for a technician, $135,000 for graduate students, $200,000 for
equipment (including: instrumentation to develop a fieldable prototype
to rapidly detect electronics associated IEDs, instrumentation to
develop a fieldable prototype to neutralize electronics associated with
IEDs, downmixing receivers, amplifiers, general lab supplies), $235,000
for overhead.
Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: RDTE, A 28 0602787A Medical Technology.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Missouri University of Science and
Technology.
Address of Requesting Entity: 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65409.
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $800,000 for Consortium
for Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration. It is my understanding
that Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University
of Missouri--Kansas City would use $175,000 in funding for major
equipment purchases including a digital x-ray machine; $625,000 for
research personnel and supplies.
Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Air Force RDT&E, Line 23, Electronic Combat Technology, PE
0603270F.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Brewer Science, Inc.
Address of Requesting Entity: 2401 Brewer Drive, Rolla, MO 65401.
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,600,000 to develop
Three-dimensional microstructures. Approximately, $1,120,000 (70
percent) is for engineering, design and simulation work required to
develop new 3-D microdevice manufacturing techniques for the
microelectronics industry, where two-dimensional device fabrication is
the norm; $160,000 (10 percent) for outside engineering support;
$320,000 (20 percent) for materials and supplies necessary for the
conduct of this development effort and for the construction of 3-D
devices.
Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Battelle Memorial Institute, Fort
Leonard Wood Operations.
Address of Requesting Entity: 571 VFW Memorial Drive, Ste. 5, St.
Robert, MO 65584.
Account: OSD--Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise, RDT&E, Defense-wide,
Line 40 PE 06030711D8Z Joint Robotics/Autonomous Systems.
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $800,000 in the FY 09
Defense Budget to complete the prototyping and demonstration of a
modeling, simulation and analysis capability for autonomous behaviors
of robotic systems in an operational environment. Approximately,
$128,000 [or 16 percent] is for improvement of systems within the
Maneuver Support Battle Laboratory; $672,000 [or 84 percent] for two
development teams working in the Government's Laboratory to develop the
necessary applications and interfaces as well as the development of the
Demonstration.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DENNIS OLEJNICZAK AND GENE SCHULTZ
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gene Schultz of
Lansing, Iowa and Dennis Olejniczak of Decorah, Iowa for their service
and dedication to their schools' baseball teams.
Together, their record is astounding: more than 2,500 wins, 12 state
championships and 24 tournament appearances in a combined 79 years of
high school baseball. But what is
[[Page 22858]]
more interesting and incredible is that Gene Schultz and Dennis
Olejniczak coach at rival high schools 35 miles apart.
Although Iowa has multiple seasons of high school baseball, which is
one of the reasons for the high numbers, it truly comes down to their
coaching philosophies. North Fayette's Dan Hovden, said this of Schultz
and Olejniczak, ``They both have a high regard for the game. They put
the team above themselves and obviously it shows up in the end.''
I thank and congratulate both Gene Schultz and Dennis Olejniczak for
their hard work and commitment to coaching high school baseball. It is
a great honor to represent Gene and Dennis in the United States
Congress, and I wish them the best.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. RALPH M. HALL
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican
Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following
information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding
earmarks I received as part of, H.R. 2638--The Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.
A. Rivet Joint ISR Networth Integration (0305207F 192 MANNED
RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS.) The entity to receive funding for this project
is L-3 Integrated Systems, located at 10001 Jack Finney Blvd.,
Greenville, TX 75402. The funding would be used to provide networking
upgrades that will enable it to fully collaborate with a variety of
Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) nodes so that more
effective projections of threat environments can be made.
B. PrePreg Thickness Variability Reduction Program (0603680F 29
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.) The entity to receive funding for
this project is Cytec Engineered Materials, located at 4300 Jackson
Street, Greenville, TX 78402. The funding would be used to reduce the
variability of prepreg thickness to +/-1 percent, which is a
substantial improvement over even foreign prepreg capabilities.
Reducing variation significantly complements and enhances the
advancements expected to be made in the areas of tooling and
manufacturing. These achievements are crucial for Cytec's military and
commercial partners.
C. Stryker Common Active Protection System (APS) Radar (0603653A 62
ADVANCED TANK ARMAMENT SYSTEMS (ATAS).) The entity to receive funding
for this project is Raytheon Network Centric Systems, located at 2501
West University, McKinney, TX 75070. APS is an externally mounted
vehicle protection system that identifies, discriminates and intercepts
RPGs, mortars, antitank guided missiles and artillery projectiles after
they are launched toward a combat vehicle. The system consists of the
Multi-Function Radio Frequency (MFRF) radar, launchers, fire control
processors and countermeasures.
Please see attached for financial plan of each project. Neither I nor
my spouse has any financial interest in these projects.
Finance Plan
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph M. Hall.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Air Force, RDT&E, Line 192, PE 0305207F, Manned
Reconnaissance Systems.
Project Name: Rivet Joint ISR Network Integration.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: L-3 Communications Integrated
Systems.
Address of Requesting Entity: 10001 Jack Finney Boulevard,
Greenville, TX 75403.
Anticipated sources of funding for the duration of the project:
Additional funding would be provided by the Air Force to procure this
capability after successful demonstration of the developmental
prototype, in their future years budget requests.
Percent and source of required matching funds: N/A, this program is
providing a good or service to the Department of Defense.
Justification for use of federal taxpayer dollars: The RIVET JOINT
will provide networking upgrades that will enable it to fully
collaborate with a variety of Intelligence Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) nodes so that more effective projections of threat
environments can ba made. Detailed analysis of RIVET JOINT operations
shows that full integration of networked capabilities will result in a
25 percent improvement in critical Threat Analysis Measures of
Effectiveness for priority dual-use commercial communication threat
environments. The specific threats that will be addressed by this
system upgrade are the highest priority threats to ongoing military
operations.
Detailed finance plan: $750,000 is for Non-Recurring Engineering
Design and Development; $750,000 is for Manufacture Design and
Production of Networked Speech, Geo-Location, and Reach-back Processing
and Data Base Access Applications; and $500,000 is for Labor,
Materials, and System Installation and Integration on one Rivet Joint
aircraft.
RECIPIENT REQUEST CERTIFICATION FORM
None of the funding requested will be used for a new building,
program, or project that has been named for a sitting Member of
Congress. If the building, program, or project is already named after a
sitting Member of Congress, please state when that naming occurred.
None of the funding requested will be used to secure funds for other
entities unless the use of funding is consistent with the specified
purpose of the earmark.
For requests where the receiving entity is not a unit of federal,
state or local government, or where the entity receiving the funding
will not be providing support to a Federal, state, or local government,
or will not be providing research, the requesting entity is to provide
matching funds including in-kind contributions of 5 percent or more
above statutory requirement.
Attachment of detailed finance plan must include: anticipated sources
of the funding for the duration of the project; percent and source of
required matching fund; and justification for use of federal taxpayer
dollars.
Name of person certifying: Steven C. Speak.
Title of person certifying: President.
Project name: Prepreg Thickness Variability Reduction Program.
Legal name of entity making request: Cytec Engineered Materials.
Address: 4300 Jackson Street, Greenville, TX 78420.
RECIPIENT REQUEST CERTIFICATION FORM--Detailed Finance Plan
Project Name: Prepreg Thickness Variability Reduction Program.
Requested by Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-4).
Total Requested funding FY09: $1.6 million.
Justification of the use of Federal funds: This program will reduce
the variability of Carbon fiber prepreg, the raw material that provides
the basis for strong durable, light-weight composite aircraft
structures. It is predominantly used by the Air Force, Navy, Marine
Corps and the airline industry to fabricate aircraft structures such as
wing skins. A major impediment to assembling composite aircraft
structural components is the dimensional mismatch of composite parts
which may produce rough edges, overlays, or gaps between parts. Much of
this mismatch is due to variations that occur in component
manufacturing. Funding has been applied to efforts to reduce variation
in component manufacturing by the Air Force and the prime contractors.
Unfortunately, funds have not been directed towards efforts to reduce
variation by refining the raw material--carbon fiber prepreg. Lower
prepreg variation will avoid the purchase of costly precision machining
equipment by program partners, estimated at $80 million, to mitigate
surface and component part deviations. Federal funding is justified in
this effort to reducing the variability of prepreg to help the Joint
Strike Fighter program and others meet the goal of reducing the overall
variability of composite parts. This is vital to reduce the weight of
aircraft, as well as to promote optimal stealth capabilities.
Detailed Budget for Variation Reduction Development Program
Materials:
Resin and prepreg production, production trials, feedstock
variations, customer shop trials, and packaging supplies: $100K.
Deliverables:
(1) Develop and demonstrate the necessary equipment and processes for
production.
(2) Document aerospace production control documents (PCD) for JSF
Program technical approval and signature.
Labor:
Scientist, technicians, mechanics, testing personnel, and production
operators: $160K.
Deliverables:
(1) Direct the work to be done, optimize process, execute plan scale
up work.
(2) Ensure best practice sharing of manufacturing engineering
development.
Testing:
Fiber testing, production of composites, and testing of the composite
coupons: $1130K.
Deliverables:
(1) Generate meaningful composite material data, demonstrating
alignment to heritage mechanical test data bases.
(2) Review data and correlate to end-use application.
Contract Administration: $30K.
Overhead and Contract Management: $100K.
Contingency/Miscellaneous Travel, part-time resources, contingent raw
material needs: $80K.
[[Page 22859]]
Total Budget: $1600K.
Stryker Common Active Protection System (APS) Radar
Bill Number and Account: H.R. 2638, RDT&E, Army, Line 62.
Name and Address of Recipient: Raytheon Company, 2501 West University
Drive, McKinney, TX, 75070.
Program Description/Use of FY09 Funding: Active Protection System
(APS) is an externally mounted vehicle protection system that
identifies, discriminates and intercepts rocket propelled grenades
(RPGs), mortars, antitank guided missiles and artillery projectiles
after they are launched toward a combat vehicle. The system consists of
the Multi-Function Radio Frequency (MFRF) radar, launchers, fire
control processors and countermeasures. In March, 2006, the Army
competitively awarded a contract with two options for APS. Option A for
the Short Range Countermeasure is in development and will integrate RPG
protection into current combat vehicles, beginning with Stryker. Option
B will address the longer range threats and is a sub-system to the Hit
Avoidance Suite for the Future Combat Systems (FCS) fleet of Manned
Ground Vehicles (MGV). In 2007, the Army accelerated the requirement
for Stryker by designating it a critical component of Spin Out 2, the
second increment of FCS technologies to be fielded to the Current Force
in the 2010-2012 timeframe. Due to budget constraints, the FY09
President's budget request does not contain funding to support APS
integration onto Stryker.
The additional FY09 funding of $1.6M will allow ruggedization of the
Environmental Control Unit (ECU) for tactical application (e.g.,
submergence) on Stryker, as well as software and hardware development
for system command and control, including the man-machine interface.
Anticipated Sources of Funding: APS development is funded under the
FCS MGV budget line, but there is no dedicated funding to support APS
development for Stryker in FY08 or FY09. The Army originally requested
funding in FY08 for Stryker APS but has since reallocated the funding
to support power management and the other upgrades Stryker needs to
accommodate FCS Spin Outs. Additional funding is anticipated through
future years' budgets, but details of the 10-15 POM are unknown at this
time.
Matching Funds: N/A.
Justification for Use of Taxpayer Dollars: This project aims to
accelerate delivery of a validated military need intended to enhance
protection of Army soldiers and vehicles. As a priority military
initiative, this program will be funded through Federal expenditures.
____________________
INTRODUCTION OF THE ACT TO SAVE AMERICA'S FORESTS
______
HON. ANNA G. ESHOO
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer the Act to Save
America's Forests.
Our forests are an extraordinary natural resource which must be
preserved. Unfortunately, aggressive logging practices on Federal land
have eliminated much of our Nation's remaining forests and their native
biological diversity. This is a sensible bill to limit aggressive
logging and protect our forests and our environment.
The Act to Save America's Forests bans clearcutting in all Federal
forests. It also ends logging in the last virgin forests, roadless
areas, and other core regions of the Federal forest system. The bill
allows for limited and ecologically sustainable logging in lands that
have already been logged outside of core forest areas.
An important provision of the bill transfers jurisdiction of the
Giant Sequoia National Monument from the Forest Service to the Park
Service to manage and protect this important ecological asset. The
Forest Service has continued to allow logging of the sequoias, which is
not acceptable, and the courts finally put a stop to this egregious
practice. My constituent, Martin Litton, has fought tirelessly for
decades to protect the magnificent giant sequoia trees and the
congressional action proposed in the Act to Save America's Forests will
ensure their long term protection.
This year, the bill includes a new provision for the Department of
Interior to conduct environmental surveys to identify ecosystems not
currently included in our national park system. These studies will
identify needs to ensure that our national parks will preserve as much
natural diversity as possible.
Preserving our forests not only ensures that we will maintain the
natural beauty of our Nation, it will help mitigate climate change by
reducing carbon emissions. Forests are an important carbon storage
medium and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that
deforestation accounts for 20-25 percent of annual greenhouse gas
emissions. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that
forests in the U.S. absorbed enough carbon dioxide to offset 11 percent
of our country's emissions. Logging reduces the capacity of our forests
to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so unless we act now to
prevent aggressive logging, we could lose 50-80 percent of our carbon
storage capacity and reduce our ability to mitigate the effects of
climate change.
The Act to Save America's Forests will ensure that future generations
of Americans will inherit and enjoy our Nation's irreplaceable natural
forest treasures.
I'm very proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with 70 cosponsors
and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in
supporting this important piece of legislation.
____________________
110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLD PRINT SHOP
______
HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 110th
anniversary of the Old Print Shop, an American and New York landmark
located at 150 Lexington Avenue in New York City.
The Old Print Shop celebrates 110 years under four generations of
Newman family.
Its headquarters for almost 75 of those years has been on Lexington
Avenue in an unpretentious brownstone with old wooden floors and
antique display cases. The shop has been described as having Old World
charm. At the helm are second and third generation Newman's who enjoy
what has been the hallmark of the shop, buying and selling fine prints,
maps, and books.
The Old Print Shop has supplied prints and paintings to many public
and private art collections including the Library of Congress, the
State Department, and the National Portrait Gallery. It strives to
present a friendly and helpful atmosphere to both experts and beginning
collectors. The comfortable interior encourages browsing through the
thousands of prints, which are organized by subject, artist, and size.
The shop has grown considerably since its humble beginnings as a
portrait gallery and now carries a broad selection of American graphic
arts from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries and a wide selection
of antique maps. The Old Print Shop has also expanded by taking over
the ground floor of the adjoining building at 152 Lexington Avenue,
where the focus is on art reference, illustrated, fine art, and color
plate books.
Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Harry Shaw Newman,
his son, Kenneth M. Newman, helped to build many collections of
American primitive art and to concentrate the attention of the public
on American printmakers, especially Currier & Ives and other publishers
from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
Robert K. Newman, Kenneth's elder son, and his younger son, Harry
Shaw Newman, share in their father's knowledge and love of prints,
paintings, and art history. In recent years, Robert K. Newman's son,
Brian has joined the shop as fourth generation in the business.
Madam Speaker, I ask that the House recognize this remarkable family
who have contributed so much toward the preservation and appreciation
of American history through their business acumen at the Old Print Shop
in New York City and their associated gallery, the Old Print Gallery in
Washington, DC.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DAVE GUTZ
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Gutz, of
Jefferson, Iowa who competed in the 100 yard dash and in golf at the
2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, PA.
Four years ago, Dave Gutz found out that his only kidney, the other
one was damaged at birth and was later removed, was failing and he was
immediately put on dialysis for twenty-five months. A year later, Dave
was placed on the transplant list and it took at least another eighteen
months before a kidney was available. Last September he received the
gift of life--the kidney he needed to survive.
[[Page 22860]]
Hosted by the National Kidney Foundation, the Transplant Games are an
Olympic-style event for athletes who have received lifesaving organ
transplants. It provides the athletes an opportunity to celebrate that
they survived and flourished. The Games have twelve different events
and the athletes have the opportunity to win either a gold, silver, and
bronze medal.
Dave Gutz's courage and perseverance is an inspiration to all of us.
I am honored to represent Dave Gutz in the United States Congress and I
know that my colleagues join me in congratulating him and wish him
success in the future.
____________________
CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE HONORING RAYMOND RIVERA, JR.
______
HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of
mine, Mr. Raymond Rivera, Jr., who was recently awarded the ``Regional
Hero'' award by the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Mr. Rivera, a member of the NALC's San Antonio Branch 421, was
honored this past week by the NALC for rescuing two little girls who
were being attacked by a pair of pit bulls in San Antonio. Heroically,
he grabbed one of the pit bulls by the face as it was biting a child.
With the help of another Good Samaritan, the two saved the children and
restrained the animals for 45 minutes until authorities arrived. One
child received more than 100 stitches after the accident, but without
Mr. Rivera, the incident could have very well been catastrophic.
San Antonio is grateful for everyday heroes such as Mr. Rivera who
are setting great examples for the rest of our community. I'm pleased
to recognize his actions and bravery of that day, and I'm honored to
call him a constituent.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GLOBAL STAFFING, INC., AND
WESTMORELAND, INC.
______
HON. MARK UDALL
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate
Westmoreland/GTG JV, a venture of Global Staffing, Inc., and
Westmoreland, Inc., on its recognition as a ``Top 100 Veteran Owned
Business in America'' and a ``Top 100 Disabled Owned Business in
America'' by Diversity Business Magazine. From what I have heard of
Westmoreland/GTGS JV, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business,
this recognition is well deserved.
I'm told that for the 17 years that Global Staffing has operated in
my district, it has provided quality service to commercial enterprises
and government agencies. Global Staffing has provided gainful
employment to thousands of my constituents and other citizens
nationwide. I understand that Global Staffing has demonstrated good
corporate citizenship, supporting the local community through
scholarships for at-risk children, food drives for the homeless, and
grants to domestic abuse support agencies.
Westmoreland, Inc. was founded by Dennis Westmoreland a service-
disabled veteran of two tours in Vietnam, who has for many years given
his time and energy to working with and supporting other veterans at VA
hospitals in Colorado.
I congratulate the management and staff of Global Staffing and
Westmoreland for this award and wish them continued success in the
future.
____________________
WHEN, IN HEARTS AS FOUND
______
HON. ZACH WAMP
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, this poem was written to honor a great
American patriot, Sue Downes of Claiborne County, Tennessee.
When, In Hearts As Found
When, In Hearts As Found! Such things as so astounds . . .
When all else fails, as when courage comes to crest . .
. when heard in ones heart such sounds! Beating . . .
beating all in ones chest so now . . . Are but all
those heroes, magnificent's who so wear that crown . .
.
That crown worn of Hero so now . . . Who must so rebuild
their lives, someway . . . somehow . . . Whose greats
hearts do so astound, as does so one so Susan Downes!
While, marching off to war . . . Leaving behind, all that she
so loved and adored . . . But for her family and sweet
country tis of thee, as was her burden bore . . . who
could but ask for more?
With her two strong legs so lost . . . Is that not what
heaven is for? Paying such a great price, such a cost .
. . this her albatross . . . As she came home, and her
courageously fine heart would not so be lost!
For in this war . . . Unlike, none before . . . women have
all given so much more! All at the ready . . . all out
in front ever steady while on the hunt, for our freedom
to so insure . . .
But, in life . . . There are new battles, and new wars . . .
Only won by heart's of gold so fine and pure, that
which so touch us all with their sacrifice all the more
. . . Building day by day, passing heartache's way . .
. lifting up her head . . . This Magnificent Force . .
.
In Susan Downes . . . In what was lost, we so see in life . .
. against all odds, what so can be found! When Courage
Crests, as her faith does us so bless . . . when but
the best of all heart's so astounds . . .
Could we, would we? Ever find the such strength to go off to
war, then come back home and fight one more? To rebuild
where none lies left, without arms or legs . . . not to
cry or beg, to so touch our Lord!
Some people, are put upon this earth . . . So sent down from
our Lord above, to but teach us all above faith's true
fine worth! To Teach Us To Reach Us, To So Touch All
Our Hearts . . . inside all of our souls here first!
Against all odds! When, all the chips are down . . . only
where heart's of faith so found . . . In such courage
now, do our hearts astound . . . all in Heroes like Sue
Downes! In Hearts As Found!
Susan Downes was a gunner in Afghanistan. She is an F4 in The United
States Army. She lost both her feet and part of her legs in an IED
explosion. She is from Tazewell, Tennessee, is married to her husband
Gabriel, and they have two wonderful children named Austin and Alexis.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO LTG JOHN R. WOOD
______
HON. IKE SKELTON
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that LTG John
R. Wood is retiring from the U.S. Army.
Lieutenant General Wood graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point in 1972. He has served in many posts, including as the
platoon leader to the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division
of the 8th U.S. Army--Republic of South Korea, as a National Security
Fellow to the White House, and as a commander at the U.S. Joint Forces
Command's Joint Experimentation Directorate.
Lieutenant General Wood has overseen the Joint Forces Command's
missions on training, experimentation and integration for the U.S.
military. Lieutenant General Wood is a highly decorated commander,
earning the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service
Medal, and many others. The General also holds advanced degrees from
the University of Chicago and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff
College.
Madam Speaker, LTG John R. Wood is a valuable member of his
community, but moreover, an honorable soldier. His dedication to the
Armed Forces should certainly be noted. I know the Members of the House
will join me in thanking Lieutenant General Wood for his service in the
U.S. military, and in wishing him and his family nothing but the best
in the many years to come.
____________________
INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 7063, THE U.S. AND THE WORLD EDUCATION ACT
______
HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7063, the U.S. and the World
Education Act, which I introduced in the House this week.
[[Page 22861]]
This bill addresses the need to improve student awareness of and
achievement in international education so they will be able to compete
in an information age world that is constantly shrinking due to rapid
technological advances.
This bill will create a grant program to fund international education
professional development for elementary and secondary teachers, and
related supplemental extracurricular activities for students. These
activities could include Model U.N., geography bees, and foreign
language clubs, among many others.
In addition, H.R. 7063 would establish an international education
research repository containing scientifically valid education research,
and promising and exemplary practices related to international
education and foreign language education. This repository would be
available to state and local educational agencies in order to
continually improve their international education curriculum and
teaching methods.
This bill supports improvements in the way international education is
taught in the classroom, and encourages students and teachers to engage
in life-long learning on the various topics involved in international
education, such as foreign languages, geography, world history,
international economics and international culture.
These days with just a simple computer mouse click, we can create
personal or professional relationships with anyone around the world. In
the workplace, American-based multinational corporations and small
businesses are increasingly in need of employees with knowledge of
foreign languages and cultures.
Future generations need to be equipped with a skill-set that will
help them be successful and meet the demands of a global workforce.
H.R. 7063, the U.S. and the World Education Act will help prepare our
students and our country for the global economy of the future.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO JOHN R. BLACKBURN, JR.
______
HON. BILL SHUSTER
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of John R.
Blackburn, Jr., Chairman of the UPMC Bedford Memorial Board of
Directors. Mr. Blackburn will be retiring after 53 years of service to
the UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital. During his tenure John, or Jack, as
he prefers to be known, has served in multiple leadership roles and has
been active in a variety of committees including the Finance Committee
and the Scholarship Committee. Jack helped form the Memorial Hospital
of Bedford County Foundation, worked on the Spring House Estates
project, and was a key player during the transition of the hospital to
the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Mr. Blackburn was born on December 19, 1922 and has been a life-long
resident of Bedford County. After graduating from Bedford High School
he enrolled and graduated from the prestigious Dartmouth College in New
Hampshire. Jack served in the Army Air Corps for 3 years and was 1st
Lieutenant in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was also one
of the select few who flew the B-32 bomber in the Philippines during
that conflict. After his military service Mr. Blackburn returned home
and became a partner of Blackburn Russell, a grocery distributor in
Bedford.
When Jack became a member of the Bedford Memorial Hospital Board of
Directors in 1955 he was following a path paved by his father, John
Blackburn, Sr., who has been one of the original Board members. Jack's
service to the hospital was anything but in his father's shadow. He
served on 12 different hospital committees administering everything
from the Buildings and Grounds Committee to the Congestive Heart
Failure Committee. He was elected Secretary of the Board in 1964 and
served in that role until he was elected Vice-President in 1976. Ten
years later Jack found himself elevated to the position of President of
the Board of Directors. His position was retitled in 1994 making him
Chairman of the Board. After 22 years of leading the Board, and 53
years of service overall, Jack made the decision to step down and enjoy
retirement.
Mr. Blackburn and his late wife, Elizabeth dedicated their lives to
improving their community. Jack has been an active member and leader in
the Bedford community for many years and is well respected. A life of
servitude to one's community is something to be proud of. It is also
not one that is easy to step away from, because in a man like Jack
Blackburn, the desire to help others and the community is something
that never truly disappears. I would like to wish Mr. Blackburn all the
best in his future endeavors. It is my pleasure to honor Mr. Blackburn
today for his many years of service to the Bedford Community, and I
hold him up as a model example of good citizenship.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO BOB AHRENS
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of a
local Ogden, Iowa mechanic, Bob Ahrens and to express my appreciation
for his dedication and commitment to his community.
For 41 years, Bob has been fixing cars for his friends, neighbors and
strangers in the Ogden area. He is known for doing quality car repairs
without costing a fortune to his customers. He also has performed many
jobs on cars where he did not bother to collect the money owed to him.
His long-time business has been a staple holding the community's
transportation needs together, and his services will be greatly missed.
Bob Ahrens selfless, hardworking Iowa mentality has set a lasting
standard for the people of the Ogden community. I know that my
colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Bob
Ahrens for his service. I consider it an honor to represent Bob in
Congress, and I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
____________________
IN MEMORY OF PETTY OFFICER JOSHUA T. HARRIS
______
HON. DUNCAN HUNTER
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to
the life and memory of former Petty Officer First Class Joshua T.
Harris, who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan last
week. Joshua was a native of Lexington, North Carolina, and was
deployed to Afghanistan from an assignment at the Naval Special Warfare
Development Group in Dam Neck, Virginia.
Joshua graduated from Lexington Senior High School where he
distinguished himself as an outstanding linebacker earning both all-
county and all-conference honors. He enrolled in Davison College in
Davison, North Carolina, where he studied studio art before pursuing
graduate studies in architecture at the University of North Carolina.
After enlisting in the Navy on August 23, 2000, Joshua attended Navy
SEAL training in California.
Joshua Harris is survived by his mother Evelyn, his father Sam, his
twin sister Mary-Maria Kirstin and his older brother, Sam Ranchor. He
will always be remembered by his family and friends as a competitive
athlete with a passion or art and design.
I would like to share with my colleges a poem penned by Albert Carey
Caswell in memory of Petty Officer First Class Joshua Harris,
recognizing his heroism and sacrifice to America. The poem titled
``Thou Art'' reads as follows:
Thou Art
A thing of Beauty . . .
A sheer work of art . . .
Can only come but from deep inside one's heart . . .
From only deep down inside one's soul . . .
All in the brush strokes of a lifetime so . . .
All on the canvass of a life behold . . .
To all hearts and minds, and souls . . .
A thing of faith and courage, so!
A thing of beauty . . .
A work of art . . .
To warm all hearts as we grow old . . .
As was your fine life Josh, so . . .
All in courage's quote . . .
All in the seeds of freedom you so sowed . . .
As left behind, to all hearts which spoke . . .
All upon your fine canvass of life as lies such hope . . .
Which but means the very most . . .
That so touches all of our hearts and souls . . .
Is but your fine portrait of life, that which you so wrote!
Painted, all there by your oh so magnificent heart of gold .
. .
All in this your Honor's Code . . .
Is but left a fine reflection of your very soul!
Bringing Light!
Bringing Hope!
As in the darkest days of war you fought . . .
Such a thing of beauty Joshua, as you Thou Art!
Are but the colors of your heart . . .
[[Page 22862]]
All in this your life's design!
Reminds us all, how against all odds your courage climbed . .
.
As against the darkest of all evil's you so shined . . .
All in your Seal of Honor burning bright . . .
To win that day, that night!
Shining, all in your most sacrificial light . . .
Burning bold, burning bright . . . blessing all of us here
this night!
For Joshua, how so you lived and died . . .
Brings such tears, even to The Angels eyes!
As so surely, it was but Heaven Joshua you'd find!
As we gaze upon this Masterpiece, all in the life you so left
behind!
Mount Up Seal . . . Your new battle has begun . . .
It's your new war to be won!
All as an Angel in The Army of Our Lord, my son!
Now with wings of courage full . . .
A thing of beauty . . .
A work of art . . .
Joshua, my most magnificent of all sons . . .
You are Thou Art!
Amen. . . .
____________________
INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION THE PATIENT ADVOCATE ACT
______
HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, access to quality, affordable
health care is critical to the well being of our citizens. With 46
million uninsured, including 9 million children, and many more
underinsured, we must focus on strengthening our existing system as we
continue to work to assure that quality health care is available to
all. The Patient Advocate Act will assist patients, particularly those
with a chronic illness, in successfully meeting the challenges brought
on by their illness.
Patients battling a life-threatening illness are generally ill-
equipped to negotiate with insurance companies, hospitals and other
medical providers. Advocates will be available to assist with job
retention and other debt crisis matters, while the patients are dealing
with the reality of their illness at the same time. The limited network
of existing patient advocate programs have proven their value and cost
effectiveness. It is in the best interest of the patient to have
someone available to advocate on their behalf while suffering from
chronic illness.
Madam Speaker, the Patient Advocate Act would establish a
demonstration grant program for State, local, tribal and non-profit
entities to develop and operate patient advocate programs. The programs
will assist patients in resolving health insurance, job retention, debt
crisis and other problems related to the patients' diagnosis and
illness. Specific services include negotiating pre-authorization
claims, expediting the appeals process on contested claims, resolving
billing errors and other bill issues, resolving debt crises, brokering
resources to supplement limits to insurance, gaining access to services
for the uninsured, and addressing other problems related to the
patient's illness, at no cost to the patient. The grants will be made
available to existing and new patient advocacy programs.
Madam Speaker, to ensure that patients facing serious illness are
able to effectively address the major issues that confront them during
their illness, it is vitally important that they have access to
professional case management services. The Patient Advocate Act will
provide communities with the ability to establish patient advocate
programs to assist patients as they negotiate the challenges of serious
illness. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO JERRY HOWELL
______
HON. TOM LATHAM
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of
Jerry Howell, organist at the Maxwell Church of the Brethren and Loring
United Methodist Church of Maxwell, Iowa, and to express my
appreciation for his dedication and commitment to his church and
community.
For the past 50 years, Jerry has contributed his time and talents to
his church community. He began piano lessons at the age of 11. In 1958,
the organist at Santiago Methodist Church in rural Mitchellville
retired, and at the age of 14, Jerry was called up to the organ bench.
In 1989, Jerry and his wife Opal transferred their church membership to
Loring United Methodist Church in rural Maxwell, Iowa. The organist at
Loring retired, and Jerry was back on the organ bench. For the past 10
years, he was the organist for both Loring and Maxwell Church of the
Brethren.
It is estimated that in the past 50 years, Jerry has played for 2,700
Sunday morning services, 120 funerals and 25 weddings. Unfortunately,
Jerry's career has been cut short with his diagnosis of age-related
macular degeneration that has caused blurry vision that makes reading
and playing the music difficult. Although he no longer plays the organ
at church, the memories of Jerry's musical contributions live on, and
he continues to be an active member of his community.
Beyond retiring from his service at church, Jerry also retired from
his job as an accounting technician at the Iowa Department of
Transportation a year and a half ago, and he has taken the opportunity
to travel around the country while his vision remains strong enough. I
consider it an honor to represent Jerry Howell in the United States
Congress, and I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement as he
continues to serve his community and travel around the country.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE RON LEWIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
______
HON. JO BONNER
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished
career of the Honorable Ron Lewis for his service to the people of
Kentucky and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman
Lewis has represented the 2nd Congressional District of the state of
Kentucky for the past 14 years.
Ron was born and raised in South Shore, Kentucky. He graduated from
McKell High School and worked his way through Morehead State University
before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where he received a
Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. Following
graduation, he worked as a salesman and then taught at a business
college in Louisiana. He returned to Morehead State and earned a Master
of Arts in Higher Education and then attended Southern Baptist Seminary
and became an ordained Baptist minister.
Ron has long been an ardent supporter of our national defense. In
2005, he and the entire Kentucky delegation successfully fought the
closing of Fort Knox, one of our nation's premier military
installations employing nearly 9,000 personnel. Due in large part to
Ron's leadership during this most recent round of base realignment,
Fort Knox was designated to remain open and to keep the majority of our
nation's gold reserves.
From his post on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Ron has been
a champion for farmers in his heartland district. He sponsored the
Rural Communities Investment Act, which provides tax incentives to make
interest income on farm real estate and certain rural housing loans
exempt from federal taxation. He has also worked to develop alternative
fuels made from crops grown in his district, sponsoring legislation to
promote increased use of ethanol and biodiesel, made from corn and
soybeans.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a
dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family,
his wife, Kayi; his two children, Ronald Brent and Allison Faye; and
his many friends and colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments
and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the
commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America.
Ron will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with
his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his
future endeavors.
____________________
HONORING MISS ALLISON SCHMITT UPON HER ACHIEVEMENT OF THE BRONZE MEDAL
IN THE 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS
______
HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge
Miss Allison Schmitt upon her achievement of the Bronze Medal in the
Women's 4x200 Meter Freestyle Relay in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Allison Schmitt was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1990.
At the age of 9, she began her swimming career with the Plymouth Canton
Cruiser in Canton, MI. Allison then went on to join the Ann Arbor Swim
[[Page 22863]]
Club at the age of 12. During her high school career, Allison swam
Varsity all four years she attended Canton High, and was also
acknowledged by her team as the MVP all four years. During her time at
Canton High School, Allison was named All-State a total of eight times,
two per year of attendance, and was named Michigan High School Swimmer
of the Year in 2006. In her senior year, Allison was Canton High's Swim
Team Captain. Allison is a ten time All-American athlete and holds two
Michigan State High School records.
In December of 2007, Allison began training with Club Wolverine's
High Performance Group, under Coach Bob Bowman. In January 2008,
Allison graduated from Canton High School to train for the Olympic
trials. On July 2, 2008, Allison made the USA Olympic team and
subsequently achieved a national age group record in the 200 meter
freestyle.
On August 14, 2008, the United States Women's 4x200 meter Freestyle
Relay team consisting of Allison Schmitt, Natalie Coughlin, Caroline
Burckle, and Katie Hoff broke the American record and swam the relay in
7:46.33, achieving a third place finish and a bronze medal.
Madam Speaker, today, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing
Allison every success as she attends the University of Georgia, where
she will continue her swimming career during the fall of 2008; and in
congratulating and thanking Miss Allison Schmitt upon her winning the
bronze medal as a member of the United States Women's 4x200 Freestyle
Relay Team for making us all so proud.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. J. RANDY FORBES
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, consistent with Republican earmark
standards, the following are detailed finance plans for each of my
requested projects in H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster
Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Homeland Security.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Chesterfield County, VA.
Address of Requesting Entity: 9901 Lori Road, Chesterfield, VA,
23832, USA.
Description of Request: Provide $250,000 to enhance perimeter
security at the Chesterfield, VA Emergency Operations Center to assure
the safety of personnel during response efforts, as well as the
protection of our emergency response critical infrastructure. The
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a highly sensitive public safety
agency. The function of the EOC is to provide information to public
safety providers and citizens on a range of items to include criminal
activity, terrorist activity or natural disasters. In the event of a
terrorist or an individual(s) who may want to hinder or interrupt the
public safety system in the County, the logical place to strike is the
EOC. In order to mitigate the risk of sabotage or criminal activity,
providing physical security to our facility is necessary.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Military Construction, Navy.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Address of Requesting Entity: Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA,
USA.
Description of Request: Provide $9,990,000 to make Industrial Access
Improvements at Main Gate 15 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Mandatory
vehicle access control at military installations is a Department of
Defense (DoD) requirement per DoD Directives 5200.8 and 5200.8R. Based
on a Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessment conducted in October
2006, the entrance and guardhouse configuration at Gate 15 are
inadequate for both industrial access and from a security/safety
standpoint and require upgrading. This project provides for industrial
access improvements of Gate 15 including the truck and private
automobile inspection area, Pass Office Renovations and counter
terrorism measures at Gate 15.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Military Construction, Army National Guard.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Pickett.
Address of Requesting Entity: Fort Pickett, VA, USA.
Description of Request: Provides $2,950,000 to be used to construct a
Multipurpose Machine Gun Range for training purposes with a variety of
firearms and weapons for the Virginia National Guard and other Army and
Guard units along the East Coast. Full budget documentation is a part
of the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Defense budget
request.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Military Construction, Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Lee.
Address of Requesting Entity: Fort Lee, VA, USA.
Description of Request: Provides $90,000,00 to construct a standard-
design training barracks complex for advanced initial training for Army
soldiers. This project supports the increase in trainee requirements at
Fort Lee as part of the increase in permanent end strength of the Army.
The estimated and intended use is 1200 soldiers. All existing adequate
facilities are being fully utilized to support current operations. If
this project is not provided, there will not be sufficient adequate
permanent facilities to support the Grow the Force initiative and
soldiers will continue to work out of temporary and/or relocatable
buildings which have limited operational capabilities and limited
useful life expectancies. Full budget documentation is a part of the
President's Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Defense budget request.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Military Construction, Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Fort Lee.
Address of Requesting Entity: Fort Lee, VA, USA.
Description of Request: Provides $10,300,000 to provide a dining
facility to support an increase in the number of soldiers who will
receive Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee. This project supports
the Grow the Force initiative. It will enable the Army to meet the
greater training throughput requirement that will result from the
increased size of the Army. All existing adequate facilities are being
fully utilized to support current operations as well as Army Modularity
and Global Defense Posture Realignment (GDPR) initiatives. If this
project is not provided, there will not be sufficient adequate dining
facilities to support the training requirement as a result of the Grow
the Force initiative. All physical security measures and antiterrorism
protection measures are included. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Army (Installations and Housing) certifies that this project has been
considered for joint use potential. Full budget documentation is a part
of the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Defense budget
request.
Requesting Member: Congressman J. Randy Forbes.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Virginia Modeling, Analysis and
Simulation Center.
Address of Requesting Entity: Virginia Modeling, Analysis and
Simulation Center, 1030 University Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23435, USA.
Description of Request: Provide $640,000 for research and development
effort that will bring together the Modeling and Simulation community
to define, implement, and utilize a set of standards that will guide
the development of M&S capability for the foreseeable future. Standards
will provide a more cost effective way to ensure simulation
compatibility and reuse among the Services and the many types of
simulations being developed to address their problems. This action
provides funding for the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation
Center at Old Dominion University to develop a set of modeling and
simulation standards that will guide all aspects of DoD modeling and
simulation design and development.
____________________
OFFICER RICKY ANTOINE
______
HON. TED POE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I recognize Port Arthur police officer,
Rickey Antoine for his commitment to law enforcement and traffic
safety.
On August 21, 2008, Officer Antoine was awarded 2008 Traffic Officer
of the Year by Texas Department of Transportation's Statewide
Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP) that offers grants for police
officers to target a specific area of enforcement during overtime. The
Texas Department of Transportation acknowledged Officer Antoine for his
``outstanding achievements and extraordinary efforts to save lives on
Texas streets and
[[Page 22864]]
highways.'' Being the first time a police department east of Houston
has been recognized for its efforts, this is a great accomplishment for
Officer Antoine and the Port Arthur Police Department.
Despite issuing traffic tickets not being pleasant for him and
hearing many complaints, Officer Antoine has dedicated his service to
enforcing the law. He has issued hundreds of traffic tickets in the two
years he has served on the Department's traffic unit. He has even
ticketed motorists driving 5 miles over the speed limit, which appears
to be absurd to violators, but Officer Antoine sticks by the law to
ensure traffic safety.
While Officer Antoine would rather not write traffic tickets, he
follows the principle that drivers must take responsibility for their
actions. Driving over the speed limit increases the risk of death in an
automobile accident. Officer Antoine has devoted his career to limiting
that risk for drivers by enforcing the speed limit to as many people
possible.
Before Officer Antoine came onto the area stretching across Ninth
Avenue, speed limits were almost always violated.
On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I
congratulate Officer Rickey Antoine for his accomplishments and applaud
his dedication to traffic safety and making Southeast Texas a better
place to drive.
And that's just the way it is.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. RALPH REGULA
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. REGULA. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the Republican rules on
earmarks, I wish to place these eight declarations in the Congressional
Record for earmarks secured in H.R. 2638--the Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Defense-Wide.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Seaman Corporation.
Address of Requesting Entity: 1000 Venture Blvd, Wooster, OH 44691.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $1.6 million to
develop and test improved collapsible urethane fuel storage tanks.
Specifically, the money will be spent on 16 tanks of varying sizes,
rental and site preparation of two test locations, site operations,
disposal and clean-up costs, and the rental cost of JP-8 fuel with
which to carry out the testing.
A wide range of critical military, national security, and natural
disaster response activities depend on collapsible storage tanks for
fuel and water distribution. In recent years, the Government has
purchased fuel tanks that have not consistently performed well. The
development and testing of better manufacturing processes will ensure
extended life and performance dependability to meet the increasing
fundamental infrastructure needs of all branches of our military
service and national security agencies.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Will-Burt Company.
Address of Requesting Entity: 169 Main St., Orrville, OH 44667.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark for $2,400,000 to
develop a rugged, telescoping, fast-erecting/retracting, and locking
mast for use in elevating heavy payloads on ground vehicles. Often,
mission requirements dictate a powered payload to be extended from a
vehicle in either the horizontal or vertical direction. LOS radio
communications, for example, are significantly enhanced by elevating
optical sensors and antennae above ground level. The development of
this mast technology will significantly enhance mission flexibility,
enable on-the-move engagement of urban and field targets above ground
level, and enhance manned and unmanned ground vehicle survivability by
allowing ``ahead'' vision/sensing of IEDs and enemy combatants.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: American Engineering &
Manufacturing.
Address of Requesting Entity: 4622 French Creek Road, Sheffield, OH
44054.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $2,400,000 for the
Advanced Materials & Processes for Armament Structures, AMPAS. This is
a public/private partnership that will leverage up to $50,000,000
private and $20,000,000 public investment with the goal of increasing
the availability of low cost titanium for government and commercial
manufacturing.
This program was initiated to provide significantly lighter
components for military equipment resulting in ease of use and
transport of equipment. This program implements research using native
Ohio titanium production facilities for low-cost titanium products used
in U.S. Army applications. The ability to successfully transfer
commercial developed metal-forming technologies to Federal agencies is
a key contributor to United States readiness and economic
competitiveness. As the U.S. Army undertakes transformation
implementation with lighter-weight equipment, the use of titanium in
armament and ground vehicles is becoming more and more important.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Contained Energy, Inc.
Address of Requesting Entity: c/o Wright Fuel Cell Group, 1819 E.
101st St., Cleveland, OH 44106.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $800,000 to continue
work on developing advanced applications of direct carbon fuel cells.
The Army spends $1 billion annually on energy, of which $750 million is
energy for facilities. Further development of fuel cell technologies
could significantly reduce the cost of energy for facilities, while
simultaneously reducing Army reliance on fossil fuels and increasing
the use of renewable energy.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Defense-Wide.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of Akron.
Address of Requesting Entity: 302 Buchtel Mall, Akron, OH 44325.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $800,000 to
establish the first undergraduate corrosion engineering program to
offer corrosion-specific, accredited engineering degrees at the
associate and baccalaureate levels. Specifically, the money will be
spent on curriculum development, student training, outreach and
recruiting efforts, and establishing a corrosion testing and teaching
laboratory.
The direct annual costs of corrosion for the Department of Defense
are estimated to be more than $20 billion. Preventing or slowing the
forces of corrosion could result in enormous cost savings for not only
the Department of Defense, but the government as a whole. Additionally,
the debilitating effects of corrosion have been documented to have a
significant impact on readiness and in-theater operability. A key
factor in combating corrosion is the availability of an educated
workforce that can integrate corrosion considerations at the earliest
stages of the acquisition process. This project will develop
appropriate curriculum that will result in a pipeline of qualified
corrosion engineers.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The Defense Metals Technology
Center.
Address of Requesting Entity: c/o Stark State College 6200 Frank Ave,
NW North Canton, OH 44720.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark for $3,000,000 to fund
an industry-based consortium to serve the needs of the Department of
Defense by facilitating research and development of innovative
technology and products for the defense materials and manufacturing
industry. Specifically, the money will be used for staffing, strategic
metals research and development, technology insertion, industrial base
risk analysis, local academic research grants, and cooperative
educational work programs.
The Center will serve the current industry needs, capture the
individual successes of each service, manage the needs of each service,
and look broadly to the expansion of the strategic metals industrial
base to serve both the military and commercial markets.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Honeywell International.
[[Page 22865]]
Address of Requesting Entity: 101 Constitution Ave, NW Suite 500 West
Washington, DC 20001.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $800,000 to fund
complete research, development, testing and evaluation of a redesigned
Accessory Gear Box (AGB) for the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. The
redesigned AGB will give the operator and maintainer of the CH-47F
Chinook fleet a 200 percent improvement in AGB reliability, which is
critical to mission readiness. The redesigned AGB will increase
reliability, durability, and safety. In addition to the Army's CH-47F,
the redesigned AGB will also be compatible with Special Operations MH-
47s, the Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR-X) aircraft, and our
allies' CH-47 helicopter fleets.
Requesting Member: Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16).
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bosch RexRoth Corporation.
Address of Requesting Entity: 1700 Old Mansfield Road Wooster, OH
44691.
Description of Request: To provide an earmark of $800,000 to address
the needs of the U.S. military's tactical wheeled fleets to
significantly reduce fuel consumption and improve vehicle performance
and mobility. Specifically, the money will be spent 60 perent on
salaries and labor, 20 percent on materials, and 20 percent on hybrid
system and vehicle testing.
This research and development will produce advanced Hydraulic Hybrid
Vehicle technology that will improve fuel economy by up to 60 percent
for the tactical wheeled fleet, reduce the required logistics support
footprint, and reduce maintenance and replacement costs due to a
reduction in brake wear. The benefits to the U.S. military are many,
including supporting the American warfighter, conserving energy,
improving cost-effectiveness, and reducing the Department of Defense's
dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.
____________________
DR. ED YOUNG
______
HON. TED POE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Jesus told the well-known parable of a
shepherd who owned 100 sheep, Luke 15:3-7. When the shepherd discovered
that one of his sheep was missing, he left the 99 secure and went back
to find the lost one. The point is that every sheep is important. ``The
Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish'', 2 Peter 3:9. Today,
I am proud to honor long time shepherd, Dr. Ed Young, and his ministry
as he celebrates 30 years with Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Young became the pastor of Second Baptist Church in 1978 and
continues to minister today. Under Dr. Young's leadership in 1979,
Second Baptist started its weekly broadcast of the church's worship
services on local television station, Channel 39. The purpose of the
weekly broadcast was to create interest in local residents and minister
inside and outside of the church network.
Dr. Young was elected President of The Southern Baptist Convention in
both 1992 and 1993. He has also authored a number of books, including
The Winning Walk: Outfitting for the Christian Adventure, The 10
Commandments of Parenting, and Total Heart Health.
Dr. Young is host of the broadcast radio show, The Winning Walk,
named after his first book. The Winning Walk television broadcast has
also emerged. Both programs and the Internet outreach have produced
national and international exposure.
Since his start, Second Baptist has grown from 2,000 members to more
than 48,000 members in five different campuses. Dr. Young and Second
Baptist's ministry has not only spread throughout Houston, but has
reached people worldwide.
Dr. Ed Young was born on August 11, 1936 in Laurel Mississippi. He
was inspired by his pastor's wife, Mrs. Gates, who led him to faith at
the age of 12.
Dr. Young attended University of Alabama for half a semester before
leaving. After being challenged about his faith by a dorm-mate at the
University, Dr. Young decided to seek out God's purpose in his life. He
transferred to Christian University, Mississippi College, where he
continued his education and prepared himself for his future ministry.
He later attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake
Forest, North Carolina and remained in the area, where he got his first
pastoral experience. After ministering in North and South Carolina for
a while, he and his wife, Jo Beth, moved to Houston, Texas.
On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I want to
congratulate my long time friend Dr. Ed Young for his 30 years at
Second Baptist Church and honor his ministries that have touched
numbers of people worldwide.
And that's just the way it is.
____________________