|
Christopher's
Votes - March, 2003
Arts,
Immigration, Social Services and other Domestic Issues
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(42) HRES111: Fred Rogers Tribute - Adoption
March 4, 2003 Murphy, R-Pa., motion to suspend the rules and
adopt the resolution that would honor the late Fred Rogers,
the host and creator of the children's television show, "Mr.
Rogers' Neighborhood." Motion agreed to 412-0.
VOTE: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(47) HR13: Museums and Libraries - Passage
March 6, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would authorize a
total of $245 million in fiscal 2004, and such sums as may
be necessary in fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2009, for the Office
of Library Services and the Office of Museum Services, which
are responsible for providing federal grants to libraries
and museums. The minimum state allotment for libraries would
be doubled, from $340,000 to $680,000. The bill also would
establish a single, consolidated library and museum advisory
board. Passed 416-2.
VOTE: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(54) HRES122: Ohio Bicentennial - Adoption
March 12, 2003 - Turner, R-Ohio, motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would recognize the 200th anniversary
of Ohio's admission into the Union. Motion agreed to 424-0.
VOTE: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(55) HCONRES85: Fire Safety - Adoption
March 12, 2003 - Turner, R-Ohio, motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would express regrets to the
families of those individuals killed in a nightclub fire in
Rhode Island on Feb. 20. It also would urge local government
officials and private owners of entertainment facilities to
review fire safety procedures to prevent future, similar accidents.
Motion agreed to 422-0.
VOTE: Yea
Budget, Taxes and the Economy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(78) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Blue
Dog Substitute
March 20, 2003 - Hill, D-Ind., amendment that would provide
a balanced budget by fiscal 2009. It would maintain the president's
spending levels including a $400 billion prescription drug
benefit but provide congressional flexibility in allocating
funds. It also would postpone future tax cuts for high income
individuals if the budget remains in a deficit because of
costs associated with a war on Iraq. Rejected 174-254
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(79) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Conservative
Alternative
March 20, 2003 - Toomey, R-Pa., amendment that would provide
a balanced budget by fiscal 2007. It would call for a 10-year,
$1.6 billion tax cut. It also would provide lower discretionary
spending levels. Rejected 80-342
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(80) H Con Res 95:Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Black
Caucus/Progressive Caucus Alternative March 20, 2003 -
Owens, D-N.Y., amendment that would provide a balanced budget
by fiscal 2008. It would repeal tax cuts for high income individuals
and call for additional breaks for low income families. It
also would provide additional funding in such areas as education,
health and child care, and housing. Rejected 85-340
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(81) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Democratic
Substitute
March 20, 2003 - Spratt, D-S.C., amendment that would provide
additional non-defense discretionary funding for fiscal 2004,
maintain mandatory spending at current levels, provide a $528
billion prescription drug benefit, and include a $136 billion
tax cut. Rejected 192-236
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(82) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Adoption
March 21, 2003 - Adoption of the concurrent resolution that
would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next
10 years. The resolution would call for $1.3 trillion in tax
cuts and $265 billion in mandatory spending reductions over
the next decade. It would call for $775.4 billion in discretionary
spending for fiscal 2004. Discretionary funding unrelated
to defense and homeland security would receive a one percent
reduction from the current level. It also sets up a $400 billion,
10-year reserve fund for Medicare overhaul and a prescription
drug benefit. Adopted 215-212
Vote: Yea
Business, Trade, and Consumer Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(45) HR1047: Various Tariff Reductions - Passage
March 5, 2003 - Crane, R-Ill., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would temporarily reduce or eliminate
tariffs and duties on over 300 chemical and other products
that are produced outside the United States. Most of the reductions
or suspensions would last through 2005. The bill would lift
import duties on hand-made rugs from such countries as Pakistan,
Egypt and Morocco. The bill also would allow the president
to lower tariffs on imports from Serbia and Montenegro and
allow the U.S. Customs Service to enter into an agreement
with Canada to strengthen border security. Motion agreed to
415-11.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(68) S23: HR 314: Mortgage Service Exemptions - Passage
March 19, 2003 - Royce, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would exempt from collection disclosure
requirements companies who both act as debt collectors and
service mortgage loans secured by first liens. Motion agreed
to 424-0:
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(71) HR 975: Bankruptcy Overhaul - Place of Corporate Filings
March 19, 2003 - Sherman, D-Calif., amendment that would require
a corporation to file for bankruptcy in the district court
with jurisdiction over the corporation's principal place of
business. Rejected 155-269
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(72) HR 975: Bankruptcy Overhaul - Democratic Substitute
March 19, 2003 - Nadler, D-N.Y., amendment that would make
changes to the means test and require a court to consider
an individual's reasonable and necessary expenses and income
when determining whether to convert a filing under Chapter
7 to one under Chapter 13. The court also would determine
whether an individual could repay 30 percent of unsecured
debt. It also would provide additional protections related
to health insurance, child support and alimony payments. Rejected
128-296
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(73) HR 975: Bankruptcy Overhaul - Recommit
March 19, 2003 - Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, motion to recommit
the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions
to include an amendment that would allow additional protections
for alimony and child support payments. Motion rejected 150-276
Vote: Nay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(74) HR 975: Bankruptcy Overhaul - Passage
March 19, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would require individuals
who are determined to have sufficient resources after the
application of a means test to reorganize their debts under
Chapter 13 instead of discharging more of their unpaid obligations
under Chapter 7. Under the test, individuals able to repay
$10,000 or 25 percent of their debts over five years would
be required to enter into a repayment plan. A debtor would
be limited to a total exemption of $125,000 in home equity
for residences purchased within 40 months of a bankruptcy
filing. The bill also would make permanent Chapter 12 bankruptcy
relief for farmers. Passed 315-113
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(94) HR 1166: Small Business Development - Passage
March 31, 2003 - Shuster, R-Pa., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would amend the Small Business Act
to expand the assistance provided by Small Business Development
Centers to Indian tribe members, native Alaskans, and native
Hawaiians. Motion agreed to 378-14
Vote: Yea
Congress and Federal Elections
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(52) HRES19: Dick Armey Tribute - Adoption
March 11, 2003 - Burgess, R-Texas, motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would pay tribute to former
House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas (1985-2003) by naming
room H-236 in the U.S. Capitol after him. Motion agreed to
406-0.
VOTE: Yea
Crime, Drugs and Judicial Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(77) H Res 132: Pledge of Allegiance - Adoption
March 20, 2003 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend
the rules and adopt the resolution that would express the
sense of the House that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled
inconsistently with the U.S. Constitution when it held in
Newdow v. U.S. Congress that having the words "one nation,
under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional
endorsement of religion. It also would reaffirm the wording
of the pledge. Motion agreed to 400-7
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(86) HR 1104: Protections for Children - Previous Question
March 26, 2003 - Myrick, R-N.C., motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on adoption of the resolution (H Res 160) to provide for House
floor consideration of the bill (HR 1104) that would appoint
a national coordinator for AMBER alerts, an alert system for
missing children, provide additional protections for children
and establish stricter punishments for sex offenders. Motion
agreed to 218-198
Vote: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(87) HR 1104: Protections for Children - Sentencing Limits
March 27, 2003 - Feeney, R-Fla., amendment that would allow
courts to vary from federal sentencing guidelines only on
specifically enumerated grounds. Courts would be required
to provide written, detailed reasons for varying from guidelines.
It also would make it easier for appellate courts to review
sentences issued by lower courts that differ from federal
guidelines. Courts would be required to have government agreement
to reduce a sentence because of "acceptance of responsibility."
It also would provide increased penalties for individuals
who possess child pornography that depicts violent conduct.
Adopted 357-58
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(88) HR 1104: Protections for Children - Virtual Pornography
March 27, 2003 - Smith, R-Texas, amendment that would narrow
the definition of child pornography in response to the U.S.
Supreme Court's decision in Ashcroft v. the Free Speech Coalition.
Under the definition, it would include digital and computer-generated
images that are indistinguishable from minors engaged in sexually-explicit
conduct. It would criminalize the pandering of visual depictions
as child pornography. It also would call for Justice Department
reports on its enforcement of record-keeping requirements
for the producers of adult material to certify that they are
not using minors.
Adopted 406-15
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(89) HR 1104: Protections for Children - Passage
March 27, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would appoint a
national coordinator for AMBER alerts, an alert system for
missing children, provide additional protections for children
and establish stricter punishments for sex offenders. Repeat
child sex offenders would be subject to mandatory life sentences.
It would increase maximum sentences for several specified
crimes against children and criminalize traveling into the
United States to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
It also would make it a crime for a U.S. citizen traveling
in foreign commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct with
a minor. The bill also would expand law enforcement's wiretap
and electronic surveillance capabilities for an expanded list
of crimes against children. Passed 410-14
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(90) H Res 153: Day of Prayer - Adoption
March 27, 2003 - Shays, R-Conn., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would express the sense of the
House urging President Bush to designate a day of prayer,
fasting and humility. It also would urge individuals to observe
the day and to seek guidance from God to understand their
failings and to find resolve to confront the nation's challenges.
Motion agreed to 346-49
Vote: Yea
Defense and National Security
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(46) HJRES27: Military Personnel Tribute - Passage
March 5, 2003 - Passage of the joint resolution that would
pay tribute to all U.S. military members who are fighting
the war on terrorism. Passed 426-0.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(76) HR 1307: Military and Assorted Tax Breaks - Passage
March 20, 2003 - Thomas, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would allow a total of $445 million
in tax benefits over five years for military personnel. Benefits
for military personnel would include an exemption from taxable
income of the full $6,000 cash payment given to survivors
of military members killed in the line of duty and a relaxation
of a residency requirement to take advantage of a capital
gains exclusion on the sale of a primary home. The bill would
exempt from military members' taxable income amounts received
under the Homeowners Assistance Program and would allow military
personnel serving in "contingency operations" a
temporary postponement on filing and paying taxes. Individuals
serving in the military reserves could take deductions for
travel expenses to meetings more than 100 miles from home.
Motion agreed to 422-0
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(83) H Con Res 104: Troop Support - Adoption
March 21, 2003 - Adoption of the resolution that would express
support and thanks to President Bush as commander-in-chief
for his leadership and action on military operations in Iraq
and to U.S. military personnel serving in Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Adopted 392-11
Vote: Yea
Education
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(40) HRES106: Lutheran Schools Tribute
March 4, 2003 Castle, R-Del., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would support the goals of National
Lutheran Schools Week and pay tribute to all those individuals
involved in Lutheran schools. Motion agreed to 407-0.
VOTE: Yea
Enviornment, Energy, Science and Technology
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(69) S23: HR 417: Walter's Camp - Passage
March 19, 2003 - Pombo, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize $3.5 million for an
Interior Department study of the Rathdrum Prairie/Spokane
Valley Aquifer. The study would be conducted in consultation
with the states of Washington and Idaho. Motion agreed to
414-6.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(70) S23: HR 699: Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Study - Passage
March 19, 2003 - Pombo, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize $3.5 million for an
Interior Department study of the Rathdrum Prairie/Spokane
Valley Aquifer. The study would be conducted in consultation
with the states of Washington and Idaho. Motion agreed to
414-6
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(84) House Vote 84 - HR 788: Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area - Passage
March 25, 2003 - Radanovich, R-Calif., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would authorize the exchange
of 370 acres of land in the Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area for 152 acres of private land and expand the recreational
area's acreage ceiling to 1.25 million acres. Motion agreed
to 423-0
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(85) HR 961: Mississippi River Monitoring - Passage
March 25, 2003 - Radanovich, R-Calif., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would authorize $6.25 million
annually for the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a network
to monitor nutrients and sediments in the upper Mississippi
River basin. It would require the agency to establish a computer
modeling program and to file annual monitoring reports to
Congress. The bill also would include an authorization of
$625,000 for a comprehensive water resources assessment of
the basin. Motion agreed to 411-13
Vote: Yea
Foreign Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(50) HR441: Observer Status for Taiwan - Passage
March 11, 2003 - Chabot, R-Ohio, motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize the secretary of State
to carry out a U.S. plan to obtain observer status for Taiwan
at the World Health Assembly summit in May 2003. Motion agreed
to 414-0.
VOTE: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(51) HCONRES77: Rescue of Bulgarian Jews - Adoption
March 11, 2003 - Chabot, R-Ohio, motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would commemorate the 60th anniversary
of the rescue of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust
and would reaffirm support for strong ties between the United
States and Bulgaria. Motion agreed to 418-0.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(65) H Con Res 26: Opposition to Stoning - Adoption
March 18, 2003 - Royce, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the concurrent resolution that would condemn some
governments' sanctioning of execution by stoning and urge
the international community to acknowledge the practice as
a human rights violation. Motion agreed to 417-0:
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(66) HR 868: Property in Nicaragua - Passage
March 18, 2003 - Ballenger, R-N.C., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would require U.S. citizens who
claim the Nicaraguan government improperly seized their property
between Jan. 1, 1956 and Jan. 9, 2002, to file such a claim
within 120 days after a notice is published in the Federal
Register in order for a prohibition against U.S. support for
international assistance to apply. Motion agreed to 414-7
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(67) H Res 109: Human Rights in North Korea - Adoption
March 18, 2003 - Smith, R-N.J., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would urge the secretary of
State to support at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights a
resolution addressing North Korean human rights abuses. Motion
agreed to 419-1
Vote: Yea
Health Care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(41) HCONRES54: Honoring Visiting Nurses - Adoption
March 4, 2003 Miller, R-Mich., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would express the sense of Congress
that the second week in May should be designated as "National
Visiting Nurse Association Week." Motion agreed to 411-0.
VOTE: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(56) HR659: Hospital Mortgage Insurance - Passage
March 12, 2003 - Miller, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would give the secretary of Housing
and Urban Development the authority to set up a process to
determine whether hospitals in non-certificate-of-need states
qualify for federal mortgage insurance. Motion agreed to 422-0.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(57) HR389: Access to Defibrillators - Passage
March 12, 2003 - Shimkus, R-Ill., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize state and local grants
from the Health and Human Services Department to be used to
set up clearinghouses of information to increase public access
to defibrillators in schools. Motion agreed to 415-0.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(58) HR342: Mosquito Control - Passage
March 12, 2003 - Tauzin, R-La., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize $100 million in fiscal
2003, and such sums as may be necessary through fiscal 2007,
for the Health and Human Services Department to award state
and local grants to establish and run mosquito control programs.
Up to $10,000 could be given to local governments to assess
mosquito problems and develop control plans. Up to $100,000
could be given to local governments to help them run their
mosquito control efforts but they would have to provide matching
funds of one-third of operation costs. Motion agreed to 416-9.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(59) HR399: Organ Donor Promotion - Passage
March 12, 2003 - Tauzin, R-La., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize $5 million annually
through fiscal 2008 to help pay travel costs of out-of-state
organ donors who earn less than $35,000. The bill also would
authorize $15 million in fiscal 2004, and such sums as may
be necessary through fiscal 2008, for state donor promotion
and awareness initiatives. Motion Agreed to 425-3.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(60) HR663: Medical Mistakes - Passage
March 12, 2003 - Bilirakis, R-Fla., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would allow the Health and Human
Services Department to set up and certify patient safety organizations
to collect and analyze confidential information on medical
mistakes by health care providers. Data provided to the organizations
would be voluntary and would not be released to the public.
A $10,000 fine could be levied against an individual who improperly
discloses confidential data. A $20,000 fine could be levied
against employers who retaliate against employees who submit
information on medical errors. Motion agreed to 418-6.
Vote: Yea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(61) HRES139: Medical Malpractice - Previous Question
March 13, 2003 - March 13, 2003 - Reynolds, R-N.Y., motion
to order the previous question (thus ending debate and the
possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 139)
to provide for House floor consideration of the bill (HR 5)
that would cap the awards that plaintiffs and their attorneys
could receive in medical malpractice cases. Motion agreed
to 225-201.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(62) HR5: Medical Malpractice - Rule
March 13, 2003 - Adoption of the rule (H Res 139) to provide
for House floor consideration of the bill that would cap the
awards that plaintiffs and their attorneys could receive in
medical malpractice cases. Adopted 225-201.
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(63) HR5: Medical Malpractice - Recommit
March 13, 2003 - Conyers, D-Mich., motion to recommit the
bill to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Energy
and Commerce Committee with instructions to include language
that would establish an independent advisory commission, and
require plaintiff attorneys in medical malpractice cases to
file a certificate of merit. Motion rejected 191-234.
Vote: Nay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(64) HR5: Medical Malpractice - Passage
March 13, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would cap the awards
that plaintiffs and their attorneys could receive in medical
malpractice cases. The bill would limit non-economic damages
to $250,000 and cap punitive damages to $250,000 or double
economic damages, whichever is greater. Punitive damages could
only be awarded if economic damages were found. A court would
be required to find "substantial probability" that
a plaintiff could be awarded punitive damages before a request
for such an award could be filed. Punitive damages would be
barred against makers and distributors of medical products
if those products were approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The bill would require all states to set damage caps but would
not pre-empt existing state statutory limits. The bill would
limit attorneys' contingency fees to 40 percent of the first
$50,000 in damages; 33.33 percent of the next $50,000; 25
percent of the next $500,000; and 15 percent of any amount
in excess of $600,000. Passed 229-196.
VOTE: Yea
Labor and Retirement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(44) HR743: Social Security Fraud - Passage
March 5, 2003 - Shaw, R-Fla., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would require the Social Security Administration
to re-issue benefits when a "representative payee"
misuses funds. Non-governmental organizations who act as representative
payees would be required to be bonded and licensed. Convicted
felons and fugitives would be prohibited from acting as representatives.
An individual who misuses benefit funds would be liable for
twice the amount of misused benefits and a fine of up to $5,000
per violation. Other anti-fraud provisions include the imposition
of fines on individuals who fail to notify the administration
of circumstances that could change the amount of Social Security
benefits that they are entitled to receive. Another provision
would require public employees to work in a public job that
pays into Social Security for five years before they could
qualify for an exemption under the Government Pension Offset.
Motion rejected 249-180.
VOTE: Yea
Transportation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(93) H Con Res 58: Fayetteville Festival of Flight - Adoption
March 31, 2003 - LaTourette, R-Ohio, motion to suspend the
rules and adopt the resolution that would honor Fayetteville,
N.C., and its partners for the Festival of Flight, a celebration
of the centennial of the Wright Brothers first controlled,
powered flight.
Motion agreed to 393-0
VOTE: Yea
War on Terror
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(91) H Con Res 118: Prisoners of War in Iraq - Adoption
March 27, 2003 - Bereuter, R-Neb., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the concurrent resolution that would condemn Iraqi
leaders for failing to treat prisoners of war in conformity
with the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners
of War and demand that authorities follow the tenets of the
international agreement. It also would warn Iraq that convention
violators will be treated as war criminals and prosecuted.
The resolution would support President Bush's efforts to swiftly
and safely repatriate prisoners of war. Motion agreed to 419-0
Vote: Yea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(92) HR 1463: Smallpox Vaccination Compensation Fund -
Passage
March 31, 2003 - Tauzin, R-La., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would establish a compensation fund
for health and emergency workers who become ill or die from
smallpox vaccinations. It would award a $262,000 lump sum
to survivors of individuals who died or were permanently disabled
from smallpox inoculations. Individuals who missed work because
of complications from the vaccine would be reimbursed two-thirds
of their salary, up to a $262,000 lifetime limit, for lost
pay beyond the first five days of work missed. If the worker
had dependents, that rate would rise to 75 percent of the
salary. Motion rejected 184-206
Vote: Yea
|
