H.R. 5877 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the “Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building” – This bill would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the “Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building.” Lance Corporal Arredondo, 20 years old, of Randolph, Massachusetts was killed on August 25, 2004 by a sniper in Najaf. YES – This bill passed 366-0.
H.Res. 771 – Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day – This bill supports the goals and ideals of Mesothelioma Awareness Day and urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States, Federal departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to annually observe a National Mesothelioma Awareness day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” YES – This bill passed 363-0.
Claims Resolution Act of 2010 – This bill contains approximately $5.4 billion of new entitlement spending and $7.6 billion reductions to direct spending over ten years. H.R. 4783 seeks to settle legal claims brought by American Indians and black farmers against the federal government. The settlements include $1.15 billion for black farmers (Pigford II) who reached a settlement with the DOJ after winning a lawsuit where they claimed to have suffered discrimination by loan administrators within the USDA. An additional $3.4 billion allocated under H.R. 4783 would be directed to cover a settlement (Cobell v Salazar) reached with Native American landowners who claimed they did not receive royalties from the DOI for oil, grass, grazing and timber and other rights. Of the $3.4 billion, $1.5 billion will be directed for payments to individuals to compensate for the class action settlement. The remaining $1.9 billion will be directed to allow the Department of Interior to purchase subdivided plots of land to be turned over to the respective tribes. Additionally, the Claims Act includes a one-year extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through September 30, 2011. NO – This bill passed 256-152.
H.Res. 1638 – Supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day – This resolution Supports the goals and ideals of a National GEAR UP Day and recognizes with gratitude the contributions of caring teachers, counselors, and program staff who encourage and prepare students for success in college. YES – This bill passed 405-0.
H.Res. 1576 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established – This resolution Recognizes the importance of honoring the Nation’s parents of special needs children and expresses its sense that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established to honor such parents. YES – This bill passed 412-0.
H.R. 6469 – To amend section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to include a condition of receipt of funds under the child and adult care food program – Make institutions ineligible for funds if they employ a child care staffer who refuses to consent to a criminal background check; makes a false statement in connection with such a check; is registered or is required to be registered on a state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry; or has been convicted of the felony (including homicide, child abuse or neglect, a crime against children including child pornography, spousal abuse, a crime involving rate of sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, or physical assault). YES – This bill passed 416-3.
Republican Motion to Recommit on the Child Nutrition Bill – This motion is calling for background checks on all child care providers participating in federally funded meal programs. This will help parents know the individuals caring for their children do not have a history of child abuse, violence, or other criminal activities. This will also eliminate a federal meal price mandate that will drive up the price working families pay for school meals. YES – This bill failed 232-180.
Passage of the Child Nutrition Bill – This bill would increase federal spending by $4.6 billion on school meal programs, expand the size of government by creating or expanding 17 programs, place onerous unfunded mandates on local school districts and state governments, increase prices for paying families, and allow federal bureaucrats to determine what foods children can and cannot be served at school. Currently, the federal government funds child nutrition programs through the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act. The 111th Congress has spent money on some of these programs already. The “stimulus” bill included $100 million for school food services and an extra $500 million for the WIC program. The government spends $20 billion annually already on child nutrition assistance. COST: S. 3307 will cost $4.65 billion over ten years. S. 3307 would use borrowed money from the student Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program in the stimulus to “pay for” the Senate bill. NO – This bill passed 230-174.
H.Res. 1313 – Expressing support for designation of May as “Child Advocacy Center Month” and commending the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on their 25th anniversary in 2010 – This resolution Supports the designation of `Child Advocacy Center Month’ and commends the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on their 25th anniversary.” YES – This resolution passed 413-0.
H.Res. 1735 - Condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010 - This resolution condemns North Korea’s violation of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and for killing civilians and calls on North Korea to immediately cease uranium enrichment. It also urges nations to fully implement the UN’s sanctions against North Korea. North Korea’s recent shelling of Yeonpyeong Island follows the torpedo attack against the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan on March 26, 2010, that killed 46 sailors. This resolution does not authorize any funds. YES – The resolution passed 403-2.
H.J.Res. 101, Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes – This bill continues funding for most non-security programs at FY2010 levels from December 3 through December 18. I voted against this bill because it does not address the immediate need to reduce non-security discretionary spending to the pre-binge level of FY 2008. Over the past three years, non-defense, non-homeland security, and non-veterans affairs, discretionary spending has increased by a staggering 88 percent. Additionally, this bill compromises national security by allowing potential transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the US. NO – The bill passed 239-178.
To concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment on H.R. 4853 – Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 – This bill would make permanent some of the tax relief provisions from the 2001 and 2003 tax laws, allow other existing tax cuts to expire–allowing the top rate to increase from 35% to 39.6%, the top capital gains tax rate to increase from 15% to 20%, and allowing the death tax to increase from 0% to 55%–and provide an AMT “patch” for 2010 and 2011. The legislation reduces tax revenues by $1.125 trillion over ten years (compared to current law), and increases spending by $380 billion over ten years (due to rebates above tax liability owed). With the nation’s unemployment rate nearing 10 percent and millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet, I oppose raising taxes on any Americans, because it would lead to weaker growth and job losses. Two million taxpayers with small business income would be hit by a tax increase on top earners, taking more money out of small businesses and putting more people out of work. I refuse to support any proposal that could kill jobs, slow down economic growth, and lower Americans’ standard of living. We should extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief provisions and keep the money where it belongs – in the hands of American consumers. NO – The bill passed 234-188.
