Congressman Platts Cosponsors Legislation on Port Security
Prior to the recent announcement that Dubai Ports (DP) World would divest itself from operations at six U.S. ports, Congressman Todd Platts cosponsored two measures related to the DP World deal and port security in general. The first was introduced by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (H.R. 4807) and the second by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (H.R. 4881).
H.R. 4807 would prevent DP World from acquiring U.S. ports until a more extensive review of the proposal could be conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). H.R. 4807 would also require Congressional approval for the original proposal to move forward. The second bill would require that any company which owns "critical infrastructure" in the United States (including port terminals) be majority-owned by Americans. Both H.R. 4807 and H.R. 4881 are currently pending in committee.
Budget Reform, Public Integrity Legislation Introduced
Several bills related to budget reform and House ethics rules have been introduced recently. Congressman Todd Platts is a cosponsor of two proposals in particular.
The Legislative Line Item Veto Act (H.R. 4890) would provide the President with enhanced authority to rescind spending on specific line items within appropriations bills. The President's rescissions would have to be considered and approved by Congress with a simple majority vote under an expedited legislative process. Previous line item veto legislation introduced by Congressman Platts (see the October 2005 E-Newsletter) would require a two-thirds vote to override the President's veto, but this previously introduced legislation-unlike the Legislative Line Item Veto Act-would require a constitutional amendment to be enacted.
A second bill (H.R. 4799) would establish an outside, non-partisan Office of Public Integrity to examine ethics complaints about members of Congress. The Office would possess the authority to dismiss frivolous ethics complaints and investigate potentially serious ones. Findings of any investigations would be presented to the House Ethics Committee.
H.R. 4890 is currently pending in the House Budget Committee, and H.R. 4799 is currently pending in the House Administration Committee. Congressman Platts said the enactment of the above bills would be important steps towards greater accountability in Congress.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Service Academy Night Announced for April 20th
Congressman Todd Platts will be hosting a "Service Academy Night" for students from Adams, Cumberland, and York Counties who are interested in applying for admission to one of the United States Service Academies in 2007. Details may be found on the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa19_platts/academy06.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 February of 2006:
Lobbyist Access to House Floor (H. Res. 648)
The House voted 379-50 to bar former lawmakers who are lobbyists from the House floor and gym. Congressman Platts voted in favor of H. Res. 648. The Committee on House Administration is currently drafting additional measures related to lobbying reform that are expected to be voted on by the full House in the near future.
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