Media Alert: Downsize DC President Jim Babka will be the featured guest speaker on the ValYou.org teleconference, tonight, at 9 PM Eastern. We believe call details are made available to subscribers, and there’s a form to subscribe right there on the home page.
Quote of the Day: “Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” — Anthony Robbins
Subject: Asking the Right Questions About Making Congress Read THEIR Bills
Now that the concept of requiring Congress to read the bills has caught on, it’s being seriously debated.
Some are pretending that they have THE objection that demonstrates how “silly” it is to require members of Congress to pause and read their bills. They write things like,
“Would you also require the legislator to understand the bill? Or is mere reading, with no comprehension, enough? And if comprehension is required, how much comprehension is required, and how would you test that?”
This clever questioner is asking a question to which he already knows the answer. But it has nothing to do with a well-designed law to Read the Bills.
Would this questioner oppose the Constitution because…
* Politicians don’t like to be constrained by it?
* Incumbents have too much important work to do and that document gets in the way?
Sometimes people try to sound clever, and manage to do so, by half. But we should instead ask a better question.
Can we rely on the good nature and intelligence of persons handed the immense power to legislate the lives of others?
No, we can’t. This is not an attack against politicians. No human being can understand all the details they’re called upon to understand. Others will have to help them with details. So let’s ask an even better question:
“Should well-informed citizens be able to help Congress understand the bills, or should Congress only listen to lobbyists?”
Members of the media, watchdog groups, and YOU should be able to view the bill and see what they’re up to — before they get to vote.
DownsizeDC.org’s Read the Bills Act (RTBA) allows citizens to express not only their opinion on how Congress should vote on a bill, but why. RTBA requires . . .
1. A seven day waiting period before a bill is voted on
2. Posting the bill online for every Internet user to read
When it comes to posting the bill online, even significant chunks of Congress are making small, initial concessions. To be sure they’re still unwilling to see their power properly restricted and their work made appropriately transparent. But with the proposed 72-hour rule, they appear to be conceding the notion that public deserves a few days to read the bill and give their Congressperson feedback.
But 72 hours is not enough time for the people to read bills, inform each other, and contact Congress with their specific concerns. On the other hand, seven days will give them ample opportunity — and posting bills online prevents Congress from inserting corrupt provisions at the last minute.
Tell Congress that 72 hours isn’t enough. And tell them that they shouldn’t just listen to lobbyists, they should listen to YOU. Tell them to introduce and pass the Read the Bills Act.
We also invite you to add your website or blog to the Read the Bills Act Coalition. Joining is quick and easy, and will build public awareness about the Read the Bills Act. In return, your site will be listed on our mainpage and be listed in a Downsizer-Dispatch. You can join at the DownsizeDC.org website.
Finally, the House passed 60 bills totalling 923 pages from Labor Day through October 1. The Senate passed 32 bills and 888 pages from August 1 through September 1. You can read the list of bills below my signature.
Thank you for being a DC Downsizer
Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.
BILLS PASSED IN CONGRESS
The following are the bills the House and Senate passed from August 1 through September 1. The bills were passed by voice vote except where indicated. Roll call votes for the House are found here, and for the Senate here. The descriptions of bills are essentially taken verbatim from the Congressional Record Daily Digest.
Page numbers of bills are based on the pdf display of the latest version from the Government Printing Office.
SENATE 32 bills 888 pages
Cesar E. Chavez Post Office: Senate passed S. 748, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2777 Logan Avenue in San Diego, California, as the “Cesar E. Chavez Post Office”. 1 page
Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 1211, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 School Street, Orchard Park, New York, as the “Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building”. 1 page
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office: Senate passed S. 1314, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office”. 1 page
Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 774, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island City, New York, as the “Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 987, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the “John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 1271, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Florida, as the “Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Caroline O’Day Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 1397, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as the “Caroline O’Day Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Frederic Remington Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2090, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 431 State Street in Ogdensburg, New York, as the “Frederic Remington Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Herbert A Littleton Postal Station: Senate passed H.R. 2162, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa, Idaho, as the “Herbert A Littleton Postal Station”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Laredo Veterans Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2325, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 Matamoros Street in Laredo, Texas, as the “Laredo Veterans Post Office”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Kile G. West Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2422, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2300 Scenic Drive in Georgetown, Texas, as the “Kile G. West Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Lieutenant Commander Roy H. Boehm Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19190 Cochran Boulevard FRNT in Port Charlotte, Florida, as the “Lieutenant Commander Roy H. Boehm Post Office Building”, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food And Drug Administration Appropriations Act: By 80 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. 261), Senate passed H.R. 2997, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, as amended, 170 pages
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act: Senate passed S. 475, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency. 8 pages
FEMA Accountability Act: Senate passed S. 713, to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to quickly and fairly address the abundance of surplus manufactured housing units stored by the Federal Government around the country at taxpayer expense, after agreeing to the committee amendment. 4 pages
Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act: Senate passed H.R. 1275, to direct the exchange of certain land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, clearing the measure for the President. 7 pages
Hydroelectric Project: Senate passed H.R. 2938, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act–Referral Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 1547, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for collegiate housing and infrastructure grants, and the bill then be referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 18 pages
CAR Save Program Supplemental Appropriations Act: By 60 yeas to 37 nays (Vote No. 270), Senate passed H.R. 3435, making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program, 2 pages
Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act: Senate passed H.R. 1016, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropriations authority for certain accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, the text of S. 423, Senate companion measure, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 8 pages
WIPA and PABSS Reauthorization Act: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3325, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to reauthorize for 1 year the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Travel Promotion Act: By 79 yeas to 19 nays (Vote No. 272), Senate passed S. 1023, to establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United States, as amended, 27 pages
Congressional Gold Medal: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1243, to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 2 pages
Reserve Officers Association Modernization Act–Referral Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. 1599, to amend title 36, United States Code, to include in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws, and the bill then be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 4 pages
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010: Senate passed S. 1494, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, 258 pages
Defense Production Act of 1950: Senate passed S. 1677, to reauthorize the Defense Production Act of 1950. 44 pages
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act: By 73 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 287), Senate passed H.R. 3288, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, agreeing to the committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, 334 pages
Enhanced Partnership With Pakistan Act: Senate passed S. 1707, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people. 54 pages
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act: By 77 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 298), Senate passed H.R. 2996, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, agreeing to the committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 242 pages
Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 3607, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, clearing the measure for the President. 8 pages
Reserve Officers Association Modernization Act: Senate passed S. 1599, to amend title 36, United States Code, to include in the Federal charter of the D1085Reserve Officers Association leadership positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws. 4 pages
Military Officers Association of America: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. 832, to amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America, and the bill was then passed. 8 pages
Sidney M. Aronovitz United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2913, to designate the United States courthouse located at 301 Simonton Street in Key West, Florida, as the “Sidney M. Aronovitz United States Courthouse”, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Ralph Regula Federal Building and United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1687, to designate the federally occupied building located at McKinley Avenue and Third Street, SW., Canton, Ohio, as the “Ralph Regula Federal Building and United States Courthouse”, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Albert Armendariz, Sr., United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2053, to designate the United States courthouse located at 525 Magoffin Avenue in El Paso, Texas, as the “Albert Armendariz, Sr., United States Courthouse”, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
William O. Lipinski Federal Building: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2498, to designate the Federal building located at 844 North Rush Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the “William O. Lipinski Federal Building”, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 1 page
Galveston Historical Foundation: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2121, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in Galveston, Texas, to the Galveston Historical Foundation, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 2 pages
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1035, to amend the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to honor the legacy of Stewart L. Udall, and the bill was then passed, 2 pages
VA Medical Facility Leases: Senate passed S. 1717, to authorize major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010. 6 pages
Small Business Investment Act: Senate passed H.R. 3614, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 2 pages
Radio Free Asia Extension: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3593, to amend the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend by one year the operation of Radio Free Asia, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 4 pages
United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy Reauthorization: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2131, to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 4 pages
HOUSE 60 bills, 923 pages
Deafy Glade Land Exchange Act: H.R. 1043, amended, to provide for a land exchange involving D1002certain National Forest System lands in the Mendocino National Forest in the State of California; 4 pages
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act: H.R. 1287, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a partnership with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission regarding the use of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore; 4 pages
Providing for a boundary adjustment and land conveyances involving Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado: H.R. 1858, amended, to provide for a boundary adjustment and land conveyances involving Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado, to correct the effects of an erroneous land survey that resulted in approximately 7 acres of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision, Ninth Filing, encroaching on National Forest System land; 3 pages
Help To Access Land for the Education of Scouts: H.R. 310, to provide for the conveyance of approximately 140 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 388 yeas with none voting “nay” and 7 voting “present”, Roll No. 688; 4 pages
Akron Veterans Memorial Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 2004, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4282 Beach Street in Akron, Michigan, as the “Akron Veterans Memorial Post Office”; 1 pages
District of Columbia Hatch Act Reform Act of 2009: H.R. 1345, to amend title 5, United States Code, to eliminate the discriminatory treatment of the District of Columbia under the provisions of law commonly referred to as the “Hatch Act”; 3 pages
Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 2760, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1615 North Wilcox Avenue in Los Angeles, California, as the “Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building”. 1 page
Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009: H.R. 3165, amended, to provide for a program of wind energy research, development, and demonstration; 6 pages
Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009: H.R. 445, amended, to establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles; 10 pages
Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2009: H.R. 2664, to require annual oral testimony before the Financial Services Committee of the Chairperson or a designee of the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, relating to their efforts to promote transparency in financial reporting; 3 pages
Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2009: H.R. 2571, to streamline the regulation of nonadmitted insurance and reinsurance; 22 pages
Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act: H.R. 2097, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 419 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 691; 7 pages
William O. Lipinski Federal Building Designation Act: H.R. 2498, to designate the Federal building located at 844 North Rush Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the “William O. Lipinski Federal Building”, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 419 yeas with none voting “nay”, Roll No. 692; 1 page
Providing for the transfer of certain Federal property to the Galveston Historical Foundation: H.R. 2121, amended, to provide for the transfer of certain Federal property to the Galveston Historical Foundation; 3 pages
Albert Armendariz, Sr., United States Courthouse Designation Act: H.R. 2053, to designate the United States courthouse located at 525 Magoffin Avenue in El Paso, Texas, as the “Albert Armendariz, Sr., United States Courthouse”; 1 page
Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse Designation Act: H.R. 3193, to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse”; 1 page
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act: The House passed H.R. 965, to amend the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to provide for the continuing authorization of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, by a recorded vote of 311 ayes to 107 noes, Roll No. 695. 4 pages
United States Postal Service Financial Relief Act of 2009: H.R. 22, amended, to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the United States Postal Service to pay its share of contributions for annuitants’ health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 388 yeas to 32 nays, Roll No. 701; 4 pages
Amending title 39, United States Code, to provide clarification relating to the authority of the United States Postal Service to accept donations as an additional source of funding for commemorative plaques: H.R. 3137, to amend title 39, United States Code, to provide clarification relating to the authority of the United States Postal Service to accept donations as an additional source of funding for commemorative plaques, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 414 yeas with none voting “nay,” Roll No. 702; 3 page
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 3386, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1165 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, as the “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Post Office”; 1 page
Authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to terminate certain easements held by the Secretary on land owned by the Village of Caseyville, Illinois: H.R. 511, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to terminate certain easements held by the Secretary on land owned by the Village of Caseyville, Illinois, and to terminate associated contractual arrangements with the Village; 2 pages
Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Miami-Dade County certain federally owned land in Florida: H.R. 3175, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Miami-Dade County certain federally owned land in Florida; 5 pages
Providing for the conveyance of National Forest System land in the State of Louisiana: H.R. 940, to provide for the conveyance of National Forest System land in the State of Louisiana; 5 pages
Pisgah National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2009: H.R. 1002, to adjust the boundaries of Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County, North Carolina; 3 pages
21 Century FHA Housing Act of 2009: H.R. 3146, amended, to make improvements to the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; 14 pages
FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2009: H.R. 3527, amended, to increase the maximum mortgage amount limitations under the FHA mortgage insurance programs for multifamily housing projects with elevators and for extremely high-cost areas; 5 pages
Securities Law Technical Corrections Act of 2009: H.R. 2947, to amend the Federal securities laws to make technical corrections and to make conforming amendments related to the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; 10 pages
SIG TARP Small Business Awareness Act of 2009: H.R. 3179, amended, to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to require the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset D1040Relief Program to include the effect of the Troubled Asset Relief Program on small businesses in the oversight, audits, and reports provided by the Special Inspector General. 6 pages
Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009:The House passed H.R. 3246, to provide for a program of research, development, demonstration and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy, by a yea-and-nay vote of 312 yeas to 114 nays, Roll No. 709. 24 pages
Naming the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture in Lane, Oklahoma, and the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 310 North Perry Street in Bennington, Oklahoma, in honor of former Congressman Wesley “Wes” Watkins: H.R. 1713, to name the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture in Lane, Oklahoma, and the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 310 North Perry Street in Bennington, Oklahoma, in honor of former Congressman Wesley “Wes” Watkins. 4 pages
Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009: The House passed H.R. 3221, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, by a recorded vote of 253 ayes to 171 noes, Roll No. 719. Consideration of the measure began on Wednesday, September 16th. 210 pages
Medicare Premium Fairness Act: H.R. 3631, to amend title XVIII to provide for the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 2010, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 406 yeas to 18 nays, Roll No. 737. 4 pages
Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009: H.R. 860, amended, to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000; 40 pages
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2009: H.R. 1080, amended, to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; 36 pages
Providing for an extension of the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation: H.R. 2802, amended, to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in honor of former President John Adams and his legacy; 4 pages
Upper Elk River Wild and Scenic Study Act: H.R. 3113, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Elk River in the State of West Virginia for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; 4 pages
Magna Water District Water Reuse and Groundwater Recharge Act of 2009: H.R. 2265, 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; 4 pages
Raising the ceiling on the Federal share of the cost of the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project: H.R. 2522, to raise the ceiling on the Federal share of the cost of the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project; 4 pages
Amending the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act: H.R. 2741, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the City of Hermiston, Oregon, water recycling and reuse project; 4 pages
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 2971, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office”, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas with none voting “nay”, Roll No. 721; 1 page
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009: H.R. 3548, amended, to amend the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary availability of certain additional emergency unemployment compensation, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 331 yeas to 83 nays, Roll No. 722. 8 pages
Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009: S. 1677, to reauthorize the Defense Production Act of 1950; 44 pages
Providing for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958: H.R. 3614, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 726; 3 pages
Amending the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend by one year the operation of Radio Free Asia: H.R. 3593, to amend the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend by one year the operation of Radio Free Asia; 4 pages
Amending the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy: H.R. 2131, amended, to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; 4 pages
Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act: H.R. 3607, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program; 8 pages
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009: H.R. 3617, to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 335 yeas to 85 nays, Roll No. 731. 70 pages
John J. Shivnen Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 2215, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 140 Merriman Road in Garden City, Michigan, as the “John J. Shivnen Post Office Building”, by a 2/3 recorded vote of 423 ayes with none voting “no”, Roll No. 725. 4 pages
Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act: The House passed H.R. 324, to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, by a recorded vote of 281 ayes to 142 noes, Roll No. 728. 20 pages
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010–Conference Report: The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2918, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 739. 78 pages
United States Civil Rights Trail System Act of 2009: H.R. 685, amended, to require a study of the feasibility of establishing the United States Civil Rights Trail System; 6 pages
Directing the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District: H.R. 2950, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District; 4 pages
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009: H.R. 3123, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado; 4 pages
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act: H.R. 905, amended, to expand the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 286 yeas to 107 nays, Roll No. 740; 8 pages
Providing for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3614, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. 2 pages
Amending title XVIII of the Social Security Act to delay the date on which the accreditation requirement under the Medicare Program applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment that are pharmacies: H.R. 3663, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to delay the date on which the accreditation requirement under the Medicare Program applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment that are pharmacies; 4 pages
Foreign Evidence Request Efficiency Act of 2009: S. 1289, to improve title 18 of the United States Code; 8 pages
Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act of 2009: H.R. 1727, amended, to establish guidelines and incentives for States to establish criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registries and to require the Attorney General to establish a national criminal arsonist and criminal bomber registry program; 28 pages
Amending chapter 40 of title 18, United States Code, to exempt the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of explosive materials for delivery to a federally recognized Indian tribe or an agency of such a tribe from various Federal criminal prohibitions relating to explosives: H.R. 1333, amended, to amend chapter 40 of title 18, United States Code, to exempt the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of explosive materials for delivery to a federally recognized Indian tribe or an agency of such a tribe from various Federal criminal prohibitions relating to explosives; 4 pages
Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009: S. 1707, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people. 52 pages
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010–Conference Report: The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3183, making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 308 yeas to 114 nays, Roll No. 752. 84 pages