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Year-End Report
H.Res. 627 - Deploring the Abuse of Persons in United States Custody in Iraq
Posted by on May 6, 2004
H.RES.627 Title:Deploring the abuse of persons in United States custody in Iraq, regardless of the circumstances of their detention, urging the Secretary of the Army to bring to swift justice any member of the Armed Forces who has violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice, expressing the deep appreciation of the Nation to the courageous and honorable members of the Armed Forces who have selflessly served, or are currently serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] (introduced 5/5/2004) Cosponsors: (none) Committees: House Armed Services; House International Relations Related Bills: H.RES.628 Latest Major Action: 5/6/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 365 - 50 (Roll no. 150). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/6/2004--Passed House, without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Deplores and condemns the abuse of persons in U.S. custody in Iraq, regardless of the circumstances of their detention. Declares that the alleged crimes of a handful of individuals should not detract from the commendable sacrifices of over 300,000 members of the U.S. armed forces who have served, or are serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Reaffirms the American principle that any and all individuals under U.S. custody and care shall be afforded proper and humane treatment. Urges the Secretary of the Army: (1) to conduct a full and thorough investigation into any and all allegations of mistreatment or abuse of detainees in Iraq; (2) and appropriate military authorities to undertake corrective action to address command and systemic deficiencies identified in the incidents in question; and (3) to bring swift justice to any member of the Armed Forces who violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Reaffirms the need for Congress to be frequently updated on the status of efforts by the Department of Defense to address and resolve such issues. Expresses: (1) deep appreciation to the members of the Armed Forces who have selflessly served, or are so serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom; (2) the support and thanks of the Nation to the families and friends of such members; and (3) the continuing solidarity and support of the House of Representatives and the American people for the partnership of the United States with the Iraqi people in building a viable Iraqi government and a secure nation. Passed by a vote of 365-50 Burgess Voted Aye
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HR 4227 - Middle-Class Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act
Posted by on May 5, 2004
H.R.4227 Title:To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend to 2005 the alternative minimum tax relief available in 2003 and 2004 and to index such relief for inflation. Sponsor: Rep Simmons, Rob [CT-2] (introduced 4/28/2004) Cosponsors: 83 Committees: House Ways and Means Related Bills: H.RES.619 Latest Major Action: 5/7/2004 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 501. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/5/2004--Passed House, without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Middle-Class Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the increased alternative minimum tax exemption amounts for individual taxpayers to taxable year 2005 (currently available for 2003 and 2004). Provides for an inflation adjustment to such amounts for taxable year 2005. Passed by a vote of 333-89 Burgess Voted Aye Neal of Massachusetts Substitute Amendment Failed by a vote of 197-228 Burgess voted NO
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H.Res. 600 - Congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes.
Posted by on May 4, 2004
H.RES.600 Title:Congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] (introduced 4/21/2004) Cosponsors: 15 Committees: House Education and the Workforce Latest Major Action: 5/4/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 0, 3 Present (Roll no. 139). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 4/21/2004--Introduced. Acknowledges and commends charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our public school system. Supports the fifth annual National Charter Schools Week. Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to conduct appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to demonstrate support for charter schools during this week long celebration in communities throughout the United States. Passed by a vote of 396-0 Burgess Voted Aye
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HConRes 380 - Recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education
Posted by on May 4, 2004
H.CON.RES.380 Title:Recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education. Sponsor: Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] (introduced 3/10/2004) Cosponsors: 31 Committees: House Education and the Workforce; Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Major Action: 5/5/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 3/10/2004--Introduced. Declares the sense of the Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school. Recognizes the International Music Products Association for its efforts to designate a Music Education Month in order to highlight the important role that school music programs play in the academic and social development of children. Passed by a vote of 402-0 Burgess Voted Aye
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Design-Build Transportation
Posted by Michelle Stein on April 30, 2004
In a fiscal environment that requires Congress to maintain fiscal restraints it has become increasingly difficult to fund major transportation projects. However, the U.S. depends on a modern, comprehensive and interconnected nationwide surface transportation system. To combat this complex problem we need to promote the access to and use of innovative financing tools to get the job done. Innovative financing tools such as private activity bonds, state infrastructure banks, toll credits and streamlining of important engineering processes such as the design-build process are essential elements of a comprehensive approach to infrastructure improvement. In 2003, the Texas State Legislature approved pioneering transportation bill allowing for the creation of the Trans Texas Corridor, the future of transportation in Texas. To help underscore the need for the Trans Texas Corridor, it was essential that all stakeholders understood the state’s current transportation challenges. Between 2000 and 2025, the population of Texas will increase by almost 9 million people. Ninety percent, or almost 8 million of them, will live in major metropolitan areas. To address this explosive population growth, the State of Texas had three underlying issues it needed to address in order to achieve an efficient and effective transportation infrastructure system for the 21st Century: First, the current pay-as-you-go funding system only covers about a third of our needs. Second, the state’s population growth is putting additional strain on our aging roadways, and Third, it takes too long to get roads built. The solution to these problems was implementing the Trans Texas Corridor. Last year, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed into law House Bill 3588, the most significant transportation legislation in state history. The Trans Texas Corridor would separate car and truck lanes and significantly improve safety and reduce pollution by moving similar traffic more efficiently. The Corridor will also be designed to avoid building on existing roadways whenever possible so driver inconvenience will be minimized. Most importantly, the Corridor will go around – not through – urban areas which will provide traffic relief and support local air quality efforts. In July 2003, I introduced H.R. 2864, The Reforming, Accelerating, and Protecting Interstate Design Act of 2003, otherwise known as the RAPID Act. The bill allows large transportation systems to be built in less time and saves money by constructing roads incrementally, as they are needed. Among other things, the RAPID Act would streamline and expedite project delivery by allowing an environmental assessment to be prepared simultaneously for several different elements of a project. The current federal process adds unnecessary delays to project development, leading to extra costs and needless delays. The RAPID Act also expands a state's authority to collect tolls on interstate highways and expand the eligible uses of toll revenues collected on those facilities. Texas needs the authority to design and build roads concurrently, not sequentially. By allowing environmental studies to move ahead of a project, we will be able to have roads where they are needed, when they are needed. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, H.R. 3550, which includes three amendments to the design-build process established under TEA-21 to improve the operation of the design-build authority. Although the House bill does not include the exact design-build streamlining language I was hoping for, the House bill language allows us to continue negotiations on streamlining the design-build process during the upcoming conference committee. I am committed to working on TEA-21 reauthorization this year to address the long-term needs associated with innovative financing and streamlining the design-build process. The Congress continues to work to produce a bill that adequately provides for our economic security, creates and sustains jobs, enhances safety and continues to improve mobility for our nation’s citizens. I believe the innovative financing strategies and policies, developed in Texas and further addressed in the H.R. 3550, are steps in the right direction toward achieving the goal of an efficient and effective transportation system for all of America.
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H.R. 4219 Surface Transportation Extension Act, Part II
Posted by on April 28, 2004
H.R.4219 Passed by a vote of 410-0 Burgess Voted YES Title: To provide an extension of highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a law reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Sponsor: Rep Petri, Thomas E. [WI-6] (introduced 4/27/2004) Cosponsors: 3 Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Ways and Means; House Resources; House Science Latest Major Action: 4/30/2004 Presented to President.
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H.R. 4181 - Marriage Penalty Tax Bill
Posted by on April 28, 2004
H.R.4181 Passed by a vote of 323-95 Burgess Voted YES Rangel of New York Substitute Amendment Failed by a vote of 189-226 Burgess Voted NO Title:To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the marriage penalty relief provided under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Sponsor: Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] (introduced 4/21/2004) Cosponsors: 98 Committees: House Ways and Means Related Bills: H.RES.607 Latest Major Action: 4/29/2004 Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 4/28/2004--Passed House, amended. (There is 1 other summary) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend: (1) the increased standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns or for surviving spouses (twice the deduction for single taxpayers); (2) the increase in the taxable income level for qualifying married taxpayers filing joint returns or surviving spouses for the 15-percent tax bracket; and (3) the upper limit for the refundable earned-income tax credit for married taxpayers filing joint returns set under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
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Bush Will Sign Medical Liability Reform
Posted by on April 27, 2004
Please click here to watch the video.
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H.Res. 578 Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes
Posted by on April 27, 2004
H.RES.578 Passed by a vote of 391-0 Burgess Voted YES Title:Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] (introduced 3/25/2004) Cosponsors: 27 Committees: House Government Reform Latest Major Action: 4/27/2004 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): 391 - 0 (Roll no. 133). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 3/25/2004--Introduced. Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month; and (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities.
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North Texas Receives I-35 Funds
Posted by Michelle Stein on April 22, 2004
Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) is pleased to announce a grant totaling $115,978 for widening Interstate 35 East between FM 2181 and Lake Lewisville. “As the only Texas Republican Member of the House Transportation Committee, I am pleased that I have been able to bring these much needed transportation dollars back home,” stated Rep. Michael Burgess. “As a resident of Highland Village and a graduate of UNT, I understood the necessity of alleviating the congestion on I-35 E. These funds are the first step in the process.” Congressman Burgess is working to secure additional funding for this portion of Interstate 35 East to remedy the traffic congestion as soon as possible. This project has been reduced by the congressionally required 0.59 percent across-the-board rescission contained in the Fiscal Year 2004 Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Act, which strives to reduce spending at the federal level. The grant money comes from the Federal Highway Administration, which is currently operating under partial-year authorization under the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-202).
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