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Year-End Report
H.R. 4231 Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004
Posted by on September 30, 2004
H.R.4231 Vote: 411-1 Burgess voted Yes Title:To provide for a pilot program in the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve recruitment and retention of nurses, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Simmons, Rob [CT-2] (introduced 4/28/2004) Cosponsors: 2 Committees: House Veterans' Affairs House Reports: 108-538 Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Received in the Senate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 6/9/2004--Reported to House, amended. (There is 1 other summary) Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify and use private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department health-care facilities. Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate. Mandates that, for otherwise qualifying individuals, the lack of a baccalaureate degree in nursing shall not be a bar to appointment. Includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and blind rehabilitation specialists within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments. Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to States to assist State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes. Limits payment amounts. Requires, from each State home receiving such assistance, an annual report to the Secretary on the use of such funds. Removes the requirement that the Department's Under Secretary for Health be a doctor of medicine.
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H.J.Res. 106 Federal Marriage Amendment
Posted by on September 30, 2004
H.J.RES.106 Vote: 227-186 Burgess voted Yes Title:Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. Sponsor: Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] (introduced 9/23/2004) Cosponsors: 121 Committees: House Judiciary Related Bills: H.RES.801 Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 227 - 186 (Roll no. 484). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 9/23/2004--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon any union other than that of a man and a woman.
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H.Con. Res. 501 Honoring the life and work of Duke Ellington, recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and supporting the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.
Posted by on September 30, 2004
H.CON.RES.501 Vote: 391-0 Burgess voted Yes Title:Honoring the life and work of Duke Ellington, recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and supporting the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. Sponsor: Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] (introduced 9/28/2004) Cosponsors: 2 Committees: House Education and the Workforce Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Received in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 9/28/2004--Introduced. Declares that Congress: (1) honors the life and work of Duke Ellington and his immortal contributions to American and world music; (2) recognizes the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and (3) supports the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival to be held in Washington, D.C., beginning in 2005.
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H. Res. 792 Honoring the United Negro College Fund on the occasion of the Fund's 60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging dedication to enhancing top quality college opportunities to millions of students.
Posted by on September 30, 2004
H.RES.792 Vote: 386-0 Burgess voted Yes Title:Honoring the United Negro College Fund on the occasion of the Fund's 60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging dedication to enhancing top quality college opportunities to millions of students. Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 9/22/2004) Cosponsors: 47 Committees: House Education and the Workforce Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 0 (Roll no. 486). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 9/22/2004--Introduced. Declares that the House of Representatives recognizes the United Negro College Fund, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, for its outstanding commitment towards providing a quality education for minority and low-income students and towards strengthening our communities.
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Burgess Tackles National Security Legislation During Committee Mark-Ups
Posted by Michelle Stein on September 29, 2004
Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) juggled duties between two of his three committees during mark-ups of new legislation overhauling America’s security systems prompted by the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Aviation, transit and identity security management were at the forefront of the meetings. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee focused primarily on aviation and transit issues. Some key components of the aviation legislation, which passed by a voice vote, include the establishment of a common biometrics standard. This biometric standard would then be used to identify terrorists. Another aspect of the legislation addresses the need to expedite deployment of integrated, in-line explosive detection systems for checked baggage through the use of innovative, non-federal financing, such as leasing contracts. Both of these measures, utilized in tandem, will enhance safety on airplanes. “The 9/11 Commission report addresses a number of critical policy recommendations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),” stated Congressman Michael Burgess. “Most importantly, the report makes it very clear that TSA must improve the passenger screening process. We need to secure our skys by implementing more effective security screening procedures like biometric technologies.” Transit security was also addressed in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. The “Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention and Response Act of 2004,” approved by a voice vote, authorizes $3.5 billion over the next three years for public transportation security grants. The grants will be based on assessments of risk and vulnerability consistent with the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. “With some 14 million passengers a day utilizing America’s transit systems, almost eight times as many passengers as the U.S. aviation system, it is an area where we cannot afford to forget,” commented Burgess. Congressman Michael Burgess also participated in the Government Reform Committee’s mark-up. The committee addressed several of the 9/11 Commissions’ recommendations, namely, improving security identification. Improving security identification includes making it more difficult for terrorists to falsify documents to gain admission and remain in the country to plan and plot terrorist acts. The legislation would require all drivers' licenses and birth certificates to bear a set of standard characteristics thereby cutting down on forgeries. It also looks to reduce the black market for identification documents where terrorists make a living by providing bogus birth certificates and drivers' licenses. A final portion of identity security includes the standardization of entry requirements for all individuals coming into the United States. “Internationals traveling with the United States must show properly identification,” stated Congressman Burgess. “It is simply a matter of security. We must tighten and standardize our identification documents. This will enable us to weed-out those who seek to do us harm.” Congress is currently working on a comprehensive bill addressing the 9/11 Commission’s report. These concepts are among those being discussed for the final version of the bill.
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H.R. 3193 District of Columbia Personal Protection Act
Posted by on September 29, 2004
H.R.3193 Vote: 250-171 Burgess voted Yes Title:To restore second amendment rights in the District of Columbia. Sponsor: Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] (introduced 9/25/2003) Cosponsors: 230 Committees: House Government Reform Related Bills: H.RES.803 Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Received in the Senate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 9/25/2003--Introduced. District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Amends the District of Columbia Code to provide that the D.C. Council's regulatory authority regarding firearms, explosives, and weapons in the District shall not be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise permitted to possess firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor regulated by the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) prohibition on registration of pistols (handguns); (3) prohibition on possession of handgun ammunition; (4) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked; (5) related firearm registration requirements such as applicant qualifications and filing deadline. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends Federal law to eliminate criminal penalties for carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person.
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H.J.RES.107 Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2005, and for other purposes.
Posted by on September 29, 2004
H.J.RES.107 Vote: 389-32 Burgess voted Yes Title:Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2005, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Young, C. W. Bill [FL-10] (introduced 9/28/2004) Cosponsors: (none) Committees: House Appropriations; House Budget Related Bills: H.RES.802 Latest Major Action: 9/30/2004 Became Public Law No: 108-309 [Text, PDF] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 9/28/2004--Introduced. Makes continuing appropriations for FY 2005. Appropriates amounts for continuing, at the current rate of operations, projects or activities which were conducted in FY 2004 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in the: (1) Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004; (2) Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004; (3) District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2004; (4) Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004; (5) Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2004; (6) Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2004; (7) Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004; (8) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004; (9) Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004; (10) Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2004; (9) Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004; and (10) Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004. Provides funding under this resolution until the earliest of: (1) enactment of an appropriation for any project or activity provided for in this joint resolution; (2) enactment of the applicable appropriations Act without any provision for such project or activity; or (3) November 20, 2004. Authorizes continuation of other specified activities (including activities for entitlements and other mandatory payments) through such date.
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Hearing on 9/11 Recommendations
Posted by on September 29, 2004
 

Opening Statement

Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26)

Committee on Government Reform

September 29, 2004

Hearing on 9/11 Recommendations

First, I would like to thank Chairman Davis for supporting my appointment to the Government Reform Committee. This appointment gives me the opportunity to help protect the American people from future acts of terrorism by implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. I believe the 9/11 Commission has produced a historic document about the events leading up to the attacks of September 11th. Their recommendations warrant our full attention and scrutiny.

The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the innocent lives that were lost represent one of the greatest tragedies in American history. In the wake of that devastating attack, it became clear that our government was not prepared for this type of threat and that swift action is imperative in order to defend our nation.

We cannot let the weight of bureaucracy slow the implementation of nearly any program or project to a crawl. This cannot happen when dealing with our homeland defense. The federal government needs to have the ability to gather actionable intelligence quickly and accurately, and to implement plans that will protect the American people from future terrorist attacks.

The legislation that we will consider today makes important improvements to our national intelligence infrastructure that are necessary to ensure that Americans can go about their daily lives safe from terrorism.

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S. 2363 A bill to revise and extend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Posted by on September 28, 2004
S.2363 Vote: 374-19 Burgess voted Yes Title:A bill to revise and extend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 4/29/2004) Cosponsors: 48 Committees: Senate Judiciary; House Judiciary House Reports: 108-601 Latest Major Action: 9/29/2004 Cleared for White House. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 6/3/2004--Passed Senate, without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 to provide for the establishment of 300 additional Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Extends through FY 2010 the authority of the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice to make grants to the organization to establish such facilities. Modifies the grant application to include: (1) a long-term strategy to establish 1,500 (currently, 1,200) additional local Boys and Girls Clubs; and (2) a plan to ensure that there are at least 5,000 (currently, 4,000) of such facilities in operation by January 1, 2010, instead of January 1, 2007. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010.
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Speaker Appoints Burgess to Sit on Additional Committee: Government Reform
Posted by Michelle Stein on September 24, 2004
Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) was nominated by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (IL-14) and approved unanimously by the House Steering Committee to a seat on the coveted Committee on Government Reform. A unique honor, Congressman Burgess now sits on three separate committees of jurisdiction; Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Government Reform and presides as Chairman of the House Policy Subcommittee on Health. “Working on the Government Reform committee will be both challenging and rewarding,” stated Rep. Michael Burgess. "Representative Burgess is an articulate, dedicated Member of the House who is capable of handling the responsibilities of three separate committees," stated Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL-14) about his decision to appoint Rep. Burgess. "Dr. Burgess speaks frequently on the floor about winning the war on terrorism and brings the Government Reform committee a fresh perspective to establish swift, yet sensible legislation to keep America safe." Rep. Michael Burgess’ new position as a Member of the Government Reform team adds greater responsibility and scope to his congressional schedule. The Committee on Government Reform has the specific responsibility to oversee whether laws and programs are being implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of Congress. The Government Reform Committee determines if the laws and programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated. Additionally, the Committee may also, at any time, conduct investigations of any matter regardless of whether another standing committee has jurisdiction over the matter. “Within the next few weeks, we will be working on the legislation that has arisen as a result of the 9/11 Commissioner’s Report. We have seen some activity in the transportation committee on this issue, and I look forward to now contributing on the Government Reform committee.” “Congressman Burgess has traveled with the Government Reform committee to Iraq and Afghanistan twice in the last year,” stated Chairman Tom Davis (VA-11). “His intellect and attention to detail will clearly be an asset to the committee as we move forward on delicate legislation connected to our nation’s security.”
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