|
H.Res. 591 Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions made by Americas community banks to the Nations economic well-being and prosperity and the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as Community Banking Month
Posted by on June 21, 2004
H.RES.591
Passed 364-0 Burgess voted YES
Title:Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions made by America's community banks to the Nation's economic well-being and prosperity and the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as "Community Banking Month".
Sponsor: Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] (introduced 3/31/2004) Cosponsors: 1
Committees: House Financial Services
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2004 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): 364 - 0 (Roll no. 276).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
3/31/2004--Introduced.
Declares that the House of Representatives expresses its gratitude for the contributions made by America's community banks to the Nation's economic well-being and prosperity.
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a Community Banking Month should be designated to raise public awareness of, and public appreciation for, the contributions of the helpful institutions that are our Nation's community banks.
H.R.4363 - Helping Hands for Homeownership Act of 2004
Posted by on June 21, 2004
H.R.4363
Passed 368-0 Burgess voted YES
Title:To facilitate self-help housing homeownership opportunities.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Mark [WI-8] (introduced 5/13/2004) Cosponsors: 38
Committees: House Financial Services; Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
House Reports: 108-546
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2004 Signed by President.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
7/14/2004--Passed Senate, without amendment. (There are 3 other summaries)
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 16, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Helping Hands for Homeownership Act of 2004 - Amends the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to permit a homeowner under the sweat equity model program to perform required construction time on more than one dwelling.
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to designate the (section 502) single family housing loan guarantee program of the Rural Housing Service as the Doug Bereuter Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Program.
Burgess – Still Fighting for Increased Homeland Security Funding for
Posted by Michelle Stein on June 18, 2004
Last night, the House defeated an amendment, introduced by Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), which would have drastically reformed the formula used to determine how Homeland Security funds are allocated to state and local governments. The amendment would include “risk of terrorism” as criteria for determining allocations. The current criteria depends too much on state population without factoring in potential targets of terrorism.
“With the number of high profile industrial, entertainment, historical and political venues scattered throughout Texas, I am disappointed that an amendment that would help protect Texans from terrorist acts did not pass,” said Rep. Michael Burgess.
Congressman Burgess had championed bringing the amendment to the House floor for a vote in early June when he gave the following statement during an Economic Development Subcommittee on Transportation meeting:
As our country continues to address the homeland security vulnerabilities it is prudent to periodically review how we prioritize threats and allocate funding to address these threats. Reorganizing thousands of federal employees and essential homeland security functions has not been easy, and there are sure to be additional bumps along the way.
A troubling example of how inequitable our current system of funding local homeland security priorities came to my attention recently. The Department of Homeland Security allocated $12 million to Dallas in December 2004, but sent nothing to Tarrant County and Fort Worth.
Working through the North Texas Council of Governments, Dallas has since made a much appreciated gesture by giving Fort Worth up to $350,000 of its own funds. Here is an instance when the City of Dallas recognizes that Fort Worth and Tarrant County are struggling to meet preparedness benchmarks, but the federal agency tasked with protecting our homeland has been lax in doing so.
Tarrant County and Fort Worth is home to Lockheed Martin, a military base, the Texas Motor Speedway and is considered a major metropolitan area. I am hopeful that by reevaluating how the Department of Homeland Security allocates homeland security dollars, that we are able to rectify this inequitable situation.
I believe that this legislation is a good first step to assist communities like Fort Worth, Texas.
Although the Sweeny amendment did not pass, today, the Congress was successful in passing the Homeland Security funding package -- a plan that provides first responders with the tools they need to protect the nation’s citizens, borders and communications systems. H.R. 4567 provides over $32 billion for Department operations and passed in the House by 400-5.
Highlights of the plan include:
Homeland Security Department FY2005 Appropriations bill
Posted by on June 18, 2004
H.R.4567
Passed 400-5 Burgess voted YES
Title:Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] (introduced 6/15/2004) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Appropriations
House Reports: 108-541
Related Bills: H.RES.675, S.2537
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2004 Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 588.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
6/15/2004--Reported to House, 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.)
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 - Title I: Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY 2005 for: (1) the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security and executive management; (2) the Office of the Under Secretary for Management; (3) the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (4) the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer; (5) the Office of the Chief Information Officer; (6) development and acquisition of information technology equipment, software, services, and related activities and for the costs of conversion to narrowband communications; and (7) the Office of Inspector General.
Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, including for development of the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology project; (2) customs and border protection, including for enforcement of laws relating to border security, immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections and regulatory activities related to plant and animal imports and for customs and border protection automated systems; (3) immigration and customs laws enforcement, including for Federal air marshals, the Federal Protective Service, and immigration and customs enforcement automated systems; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); (5) the Coast Guard; and (6) the Secret Service.
Title III: Preparedness and Recovery - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office for State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, including for grants to State and local governments for terrorism prevention activities (sets forth allocations for formula-based grants, law enforcement terrorism prevention grants, discretionary grants for the use in high-threat, high density urban areas and for rail and transit security, emergency management performance grants, and port security grants) and firefighter assistance grants; (2) reimbursement of Federal agencies for the costs of providing support to counter, investigate, or respond to unexpected threats or acts of terrorism; (3) emergency preparedness and response, including for the Office of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, the disaster assistance direct loan program, the Flood Map Modernization Fund, the National Flood Insurance Fund, the National Flood Mitigation Fund, the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, and an emergency food and shelter program. Limits the aggregate charges assessed during FY 2005 for the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program.
Title IV: Research and Development, Training, Assessments, and Services - Makes appropriations for: (1) citizenship and immigration services; (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; (3) information analysis and infrastructure protection, including for the immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection and the management and administration of programs and activities; and (4) the immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, management and administration of programs and activities, and science and technology research.
Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 505) Deems funds made available by this Act for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress during FY 2005 until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence activities for FY 2005.
(Sec. 506) Directs the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to establish an accrediting body to establish standards for measuring and assessing the quality and effectiveness of Federal law enforcement training programs, facilities, and instructors.
(Sec. 513) Directs the Secretary: (1) to research, develop, and procure certified systems to inspect and screen air cargo on passenger aircraft at the earliest date possible; (2) until such technology is procured and installed, to take actions to enhance the known shipper program to prohibit high-risk cargo from being transported on passenger aircraft; and (3) to amend security directives and programs in effect to at least double the percentage of cargo inspected on passenger aircraft.
(Sec. 514) Authorizes the Secretary to sell the Bolingbrook family housing area in Bolingbrook, Illinois, the Prairie View family housing area in Prairie View, Illinois, the Chapel Hill Rear Range Light in Leonardo, New Jersey, and the Richmond Heights housing complex in Miami, Florida.
(Sec. 515) Amends the Homeland Security Act to establish a Chief Procurement Officer for DHS. Requires the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer to report to the Secretary.
(Sec. 516) Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to provide to Congress each year, at the time that the President's budget is submitted, a list of approved but unfunded Coast Guard priorities in the same manner and with the same contents as the unfunded priorities lists submitted by he chiefs of other armed services.
(Sec. 517) Requires that unclaimed money recovered at any airport security checkpoint be retained and used by TSA for providing civil aviation security..
(Sec. 519) Directs that TSA's acquisition management system apply to the acquisition of services, as well as equipment, supplies, and materials.
(Sec. 520) Transfers the authority of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct personnel security and suitability background investigations of applicants for, or appointees in, competitive service positions within DHS to DHS.
(Sec. 521) Terminates the Homeland Security Institute five years after its establishment.
(Sec. 524) Prohibits the obligation of funds for deployment or implementation of the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II), on other than a test basis, until the Secretary has certified that specified requirements have been met and the General Accounting Office (GAO) has reviewed such certification. Directs that the Secretary's certification and GAO review explicitly include the efficacy and accuracy of any algorithms to predict the likelihood of a passenger's association with terrorists.
(Sec. 525) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated in this or any other Act from being used by the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, or OMB for the purpose of reviewing or altering any report related to DHS operations, programs, and activities directed to be submitted to the Appropriations Committees under this Act.
(Sec. 526) Modifies provisions of the Homeland Security Act regarding the prohibition on contracts with corporate expatriates to: (1) prohibit the Secretary from entering into any contract with any subsidiary of a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation; (2) apply such prohibition to entities that converted to an inverted domestic corporation before, on, or after (currently, after) November 25, 2002; (3) permit the Secretary to waive such prohibition in the interest of national security (currently, in the interest of homeland security); and (4) prohibit any order from being issued under a task and delivery order contract entered into by DHS before, on, or after the Act's enactment if the contractor is an inverted domestic corporation.
Congressman Burgess Wants Quick Action on Disaster Relief Funding for Counties Affected by Summer Storms
Posted by on June 17, 2004
Congressman Michael C. Burgess applauds the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) approval of Texas Governor Rick Perry’s request for disaster relief for 7 North Texas counties, including Tarrant and Denton County in the 26th District. Residents affected by the storms are eligible to apply for low-interest, SBA disaster loans. Gov. Perry’s submission was a result of severe thunderstorms and flooding that occurred June 6 through June 9. The declaration affects residents and businesses in Tarrant County and neighboring Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Parker and Wise counties.
"The damage to business and homes in Tarrant, Denton and parts of Wise counties was extensive," stated Rep. Michael Burgess. "I am glad that a first step in helping our victims is underway. I am hopeful that FEMA might declare the area a national disaster opening the door for more assistance."
Eligible homeowners will be able borrow up to $200,000 and businesses up to $1.5 million to repair or replace property damaged in the storms and resulting flooding. The loans are offered at interest rates as low as 2.75 percent for terms up to 30 years.
To apply for loans:
Contact the SBA toll-free at (800) 366-6303 or TDD at (817) 267-4688 for the hearing impaired.
Applications:
U.S. Small Business Administration Workshop
Friday, June 18th (1:00PM-6:00PM)
Saturday, June 19th (9:00AM-6:00PM)
White Settlement Chamber of Commerce
100 S. Las Vegas Trail, Suite B
White Settlement, Texas 76108
*Loan applications for physical damage as a result of this disaster may be filed until the close of business on Aug. 16, 2004. Those filing applications for economic injury have until the close of business on March 17, 2005, to apply.
For more information, please visit Small Business Administration - Disaster Recovery.
HR 4517 United States Refinery Revitalization Act
Posted by on June 17, 2004
H.R.4517
Passed 239-192
Burgess voted YES
Title:To provide incentives to increase refinery capacity in the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Barton, Joe [TX-6] (introduced 6/4/2004) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; Senate Environment and Public Works
Related Bills: H.RES.671
Latest Major Action: 6/17/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
6/16/2004--Passed House, 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.)
United States Refinery Revitalization Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate as a Refinery Revitalization Zone any area that: (1) has experienced mass layoffs at manufacturing facilities or contains an idle refinery; and (2) has an unemployment rate of at least 20 percent above the national average, as set forth at the time of designation as a Refinery Revitalization Zone.
(Sec. 5) Designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as Lead Agency for coordinating Federal authorizations and related environmental reviews of the facility upon request of an applicant for a Federal authorization related to the siting and operation of a refinery facility within a Refinery Revitalization Zone.
Instructs the Secretary to coordinate the Federal authorization and review process with any Indian Tribes and State and local agencies responsible for conducting any separate permitting and environmental reviews of the facility.
Directs DOE, as lead agency, to prepare a single environmental review document to be used as the basis for all decisions on the proposed project.
Sets forth an appeals process in the event the Federal authorization required for a refinery facility within a Refinery Revitalization Zone has been either denied, or an agency has failed to act by the deadline established by the Secretary.
Directs the Secretary and the appropriate heads of Federal agencies to enter into Memoranda of Understanding to ensure timely, coordinated review and permitting of refinery facilities within a Refinery Revitalization Zone.
Permits interested Indian Tribes and State and local agencies to enter into such Memoranda as well.
HR 4545 The Gasoline Price Reduction Act
Posted by on June 17, 2004
H.R.4545
Failed (on suspension) 236-194 Burgess voted YES
Title:To amend the Clean Air Act to reduce the proliferation of boutique fuels, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Blunt, Roy [MO-7] (introduced 6/14/2004) Cosponsors: 3
Committees: House Energy and Commerce
Latest Major Action: 6/16/2004 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 236 - 194 (Roll no. 247).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
6/14/2004--Introduced.
Gasoline Price Reduction Act of 2004 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive fuel or fuel additive provisions of applicable State implementation plans for national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards where necessary to address a significant fuel supply disruption in any area subject to a plan. Requires waivers to remain in effect for as long as the Administrator deems necessary. Prohibits enforcement actions against States or persons solely as the result of such waivers.
Authorizes the Administrator to give preference to the approval of State implementation plan provisions that require the use of either reformulated gasoline or gasoline having a specified Reid Vapor Pressure for the high ozone season. Declares that the Administrator shall have no authority, when considering State implementation plan revisions, to approve any fuel or fuel additives if such approval would increase the total number of fuels and fuel additives approved in all State plans nationwide prior to June 1, 2004.
Requires the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, to undertake a study of the effects on air quality, the number of fuel blends, fuel availability, and fuel costs associated with the State plan provisions regarding gasoline authorized by this Act and to submit the results of such study to Congress.
HR 4545 The Gasoline Price Reduction Act
Posted by on June 17, 2004
H.R.4545
Failed (on suspension) 236-194 Burgess voted YES
Title:To amend the Clean Air Act to reduce the proliferation of boutique fuels, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Blunt, Roy [MO-7] (introduced 6/14/2004) Cosponsors: 3
Committees: House Energy and Commerce
Latest Major Action: 6/16/2004 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 236 - 194 (Roll no. 247).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
6/14/2004--Introduced.
Gasoline Price Reduction Act of 2004 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive fuel or fuel additive provisions of applicable State implementation plans for national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards where necessary to address a significant fuel supply disruption in any area subject to a plan. Requires waivers to remain in effect for as long as the Administrator deems necessary. Prohibits enforcement actions against States or persons solely as the result of such waivers.
Authorizes the Administrator to give preference to the approval of State implementation plan provisions that require the use of either reformulated gasoline or gasoline having a specified Reid Vapor Pressure for the high ozone season. Declares that the Administrator shall have no authority, when considering State implementation plan revisions, to approve any fuel or fuel additives if such approval would increase the total number of fuels and fuel additives approved in all State plans nationwide prior to June 1, 2004.
Requires the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, to undertake a study of the effects on air quality, the number of fuel blends, fuel availability, and fuel costs associated with the State plan provisions regarding gasoline authorized by this Act and to submit the results of such study to Congress.
HR 4568 - Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes
Posted by on June 17, 2004
H.R.4568
Passed 334-68 Burgess voted YES
Slaughter of New York Amendments En Bloc, as Modified Approved 241-185 Burgess voted YES
Tancredo of Colorado Amendment Failed 112-313 Burgess voted NO
Hooley of Oregon Amendment Failed 186-241 Burgess voted NO
Sanders of Vermont Amendment Failed 199-227 Burgess voted NO
Rahall of West Virginia Amendment Failed 209-215 Burgess voted NO
Chabot of Ohio Approved 222-205 Burgess voted NO
Udall of New Mexico Amendment Failed 195-230 Burgess voted NO
Flake of Arizona Amendment Failed 94-332 Burgess voted YES
Hinchey of New York Amendment Failed 202-215 Burgess voted NO
Sanders of Vermont Amendment, as Modified Failed 152-267 Burgess voted NO
Holt of New Jersey Amendment Failed 198-224 Burgess voted NO
Title: Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Taylor, Charles H. [NC-11] (introduced 6/15/2004) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Appropriations; Senate Appropriations
House Reports: 108-542
Related Bills: H.RES.674
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
|
Latest from twitter
Get the most up to date news from me on Twitter.
Five things you need to know about the #COVID19 from @DrNancyM_CDC https://t.co/SOUwnXj9AB
Katherine Johnson was a pioneer and inspiration to young women around the world. Her legacy will live on for genera… https://t.co/FwAKIYXlPk
"Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the American economy and minority-owned businesses are no exception to that fa… https://t.co/g2ReRiewHm
. @CDCgov announced an initiative to help labs in rural communities improve diagnostic excellence through… https://t.co/rMDvYlPdkt
With the announcement of another confirmed #COVID19 case, I want to thank the over 300 U.S. Public Health Commissio… https://t.co/qf9ddh9nLN