Sponsored Legislation
I use six principles to guide me when deciding how to vote on legislation. I carry a card around that lists the six principles so that I always have them with me. They include:
1. Less Government - Does the bill tend to reduce government regulations, size of government, or eliminate entitlements or unnecessary programs?
2. Lower Taxes -Does the bill promote individual responsibility in spending, or reduce taxes or fees?
3. Personal Responsibility -Does the bill encourage responsible behavior by individuals and families and encourage them to provide for their own health, safety, education, moral fortitude, or general welfare?
4. Individual Freedom -Does the bill increase opportunities for individuals or families to decide, without hindrance or coercion from the government, how to conduct their lives and make personal choices?
5. Stronger Families -Does the bill enhance the traditional American family and its power to rear children without excessive interference from the government?
6. Domestic Tranquility, National Defense - Does the bill enhance American security without unduly burdening civil liberty?
Legislation that I am currently championing:
VOTE Act, Verifying the Outcome of Tomorrow’s Elections Act of 2008
Concerns among American citizens about the legitimacy of election results as well as the efficiency of the system are of great importance. Our democratic voting system reflects the essence of the fundamental freedoms our country was founded upon. The need to preserve its integrity deserves serious attention and should be regarded as an important issue by Congress.
Voter fraud continues to plague our nation’s federal elections, diluting and canceling out Americans’ lawful votes. Congress began to address the problem of voter fraud when it passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002, but much work is still necessary to protect the election process from those who would undermine our democracy.
The Vote Act that I've sponsored requires production of a permanent, individually verifiable paper record of each vote cast.
It also:
· Requires voluntary voting system guidelines to ensure the security of any data transmitted or received electronically by voting systems.
· Requires each state to conduct regular tests of the equipment used to tabulate votes in voting systems to ensure that a system meets specified error rate standards, and that the equipment works correctly.
More info on the Vote Act H.R. 879 HERE
Catastrophe Savings Accounts (H.R. 1787)
As someone from a state that is often threatened or has been hit by a natural disaster, I understand the need to prepare and save for future disasters. Catastrophe Savings Accounts will empower homeowners to put money aside to prepare for the financial impact of a major catastrophe. Structured in the same manner as HSAs, a catastrophe tax-free savings account could be opened to cover current and future catastrophe-related expenses. The earnings from the money deposited will be tax-free. Unused balances would roll over from year-to-year.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create catastrophe savings accounts (CSAs). Allows pre-tax contributions to CSAs to pay for qualified expenses resulting from a presidential declared natural disaster.
· Limits CSA balances to:
(1)$2,000 (for individuals with homeowner insurance deductibles of not more than $1,000); and
(2) twice a homeowner's insurance deductible not to exceed a $15,000 balance at any one time (for individuals with deductibles of more than $1,000)
More info on Catastrophe Savings Accounts HERE
The SAVE ACT - Bipartisan Bill with Heath Shuler (D-NC) to address illegal immigration by securing America's borders and providing employers with the tools they need to verify work eligibility.
We have over 110 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. Now, we have a bipartisan bill that secures America's borders, strengthens employer verification, and hopefully restores the American people's trust in their leaders. I want to thank Rep. Shuler for his leadership on this critical issue and hope that Speaker Pelosi will listen to the will of the people and quickly move this bill to the House floor for a vote.
The SAVE Act offers a three-point plan to stop illegal immigration:
Title I Secure America's Borders
Title II Make Work Authorization Verification Mandatory
Title III Reduce Illegal Immigration Through Interior Enforcement
More info on the SAVE Act HERE
RACE DAY (H.Res. 931) Expressing support for designation of February 17, 2008, as "Race Day in America" and highlighting the 50th running of the Daytona 500
More info on RACE DAY HERE
THE COMPETE Act (H.R. 5405) to reduce the burdens of the implementation of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and restore America's lead in world capital markets.
More info on the COMPETE ACT HERE
FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act (H.R. 2139)
· Amends the National Housing Act with respect to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) housing loan insurance for manufactured homes.
More Info HERE
Reaffirmation of American Independence Resolution (H.RES.372) -- Judicial determinations regarding the meaning of the Constitution of the United States should not be based on judgments, laws, or pronouncements of foreign institutions unless such foreign judgments, laws, or pronouncements inform an understanding of the original meaning of the Constitution of the United States.
More info on Reaffirming American Independence Resolution HERE
H.R. 324 Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building
· Legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 321 Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs, Florida, as the "Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building".
H.R. 4148 - to designate the information center at Canaveral National Seashore as the "T.C. Wilder, Jr., Canaveral National Seashore Information Center"
· Legislation to have the Visitor Center at the Canaveral National Sea Shore renamed.
Revise the boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Ponce Inlet Unit P08 (H.R. 520) More info HERE
Sentencing Fairness and Equity Restoration Act of 2007 (H.R. 993) --Amends the federal criminal code to require: (1) federal courts to impose sentences for crimes at no less than the minimum of the range prescribed by U.S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines up to the statutory maximum; and (2) appellate de novo review of any sentence imposed below the minimum of the range in applicable sentencing guidelines Directs the Attorney General to create and implement a new policy for the filing of motions for reducing a criminal sentence for substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another individual. Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) exempt sentencing courts from the requirement of filing a written report with the U.S. Sentencing Commission for certain petty crimes for which there are no applicable sentencing guidelines; and (2) prohibit the delegation of certain judicial duties relating to sentencing to the executive branch.
More info HERE on the Sentencing Fairness and Equity Restoration ActClick HERE for More of my Sponsored Legislation and
HERE for legislation that I've cosponsored
