House Passes Intelligence Reform
On October 7, 2004, the House voted 282-134 to pass legislation aimed at reorganizing the intelligence community (H.R. 10). Representative Todd Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
Currently, the intelligence community consists of 15 separate agencies. H.R 10 would establish a new National Intelligence Director (NID) to oversee all of these agencies and their various activities. In addition, the NID would provide budgetary guidance on intelligence agencies, be able to transfer funds between intelligence programs (with White House approval), and would make or have to concur in the appointment of agency heads within the intelligence community.
The Senate passed its version of an intelligence reorganization bill (S. 2845) on October 6, 2004. Differences between H.R. 10 and S. 2845 must now be resolved by a joint House-Senate conference committee.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Financial Accountability Legislation Clears the Senate
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Financial Accountability Act sponsored by Representative Platts applies important financial management laws to DHS (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa19_platts/DHSsenate.html).
Congressman Platts' statement on the House Government Reform Committee's passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
HR 3281, introduced by Representative Platts, passed out of Committee on September 29, 2004. Read Congressman Platts statement here (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/whistle2.html).
The Month in Review
The following is a list of some key votes taken by the United States House of Representatives during the month of September 2004:
House-Senate Conference Agreement on Middle-Class Tax Cuts (H.R. 1308)
The House voted 339-65 to temporarily extend certain middle-class tax relief which would otherwise expire at the end of the year, including the reduction in the 15% tax bracket to 10%, marriage penalty tax relief, and the $1,000 child tax credit. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation, and President George W. Bush signed it into law on October 4, 2004. (For more information on prior House consideration of these specific tax cuts, see the June 2004 E-Newsletter.)
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act (H.R. 1057)
The House voted 414-0 to make permanent a provision in the 2001 tax relief bill that increased the adoption tax credit from $5,000 to $10,000. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (H.R. 4571)
The House voted 229-174 to require courts to impose sanctions on parties who file lawsuits or motions that are determined to be frivolous. Since 1993, court rules have permitted—but not required—the imposition of such sanctions. H.R. 4571 would also eliminate a “free pass” provision that was added to court rules in 1993, allowing parties to avoid sanctions by withdrawing a filing within 21 days after it is challenged. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
The Marriage Protection Amendment (H.J. Res. 106)
The House voted 227-186 to define marriage in the U.S. Constitution as being “the union of a man and a woman.” Because the measure required a 2/3rds vote, however, it failed to pass. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
The Pledge Protection Act (H.R. 2028)
The House voted 247-173 to remove from the federal courts the authority to strike the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
The District of Columbia Personal Protection Act (H.R. 3193)
The House voted 250-171 to restore the right of residents of D.C. to own handguns within their own homes. Representative Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
The Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2449)
The House approved without objection a bill to establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission that would assist states, localities, and non-profit organizations like the Civil War Institute in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with the observance for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
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