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H.R. 3199, USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act
Roll Call Vote #414.  Passed: 257-171.  7/21/2005.  Joe vote: YES.
The bill reauthorizes the PATRIOT Act, passed originally in 2001, which was designed to foster a more effective domestic War on Terror. The PATRIOT Act gave the FBI, federal prosecutors, and others the authority to go after terrorists with the same tools they have used for decades to successfully fight organized crime and drug dealers. The USA PATRIOT Act is a no-nonsense bill to fight an enemy intent on killing innocent people. It protects America without eroding civil liberties. It empowers anti-terror efforts without endangering the rights of law abiding citizens.

H. Res. 340, expressing the grave disapproval of the House of Representatives regarding the majority opinion of the Supreme Court in the case of Kelo et al. v. City of New London et al. 
Roll Call Vote #361.  Passed: 365-33, 18 present.  6/30/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
This resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress to a Supreme Court ruling that allows government entities to seize land for economic development purposes.  In this case, the government of the City of New London, CT argued it should be able to seize homes in an established community and sell them to a developer who would build shops, offices, and high-end housing that would bring in more tax revenue to the City.  The Supreme Court agreed with the City's justification in doing this.

H.J. Res. 10, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
Roll Call Vote #296. Passed: 286-130.  6/22/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
H.J. Res. 10 states: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States ." Once the measure is ratified, Congress would then consider implementing legislation in order to proscribe such conduct. The power of both the States and the Federal government to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag was unilaterally revoked in by the Supreme Court in 1989. In a 5-4 decision the Court held in Texas v. Johnson that the burning of an American flag is “speech” protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Congress responded by passing a Federal statute to outlaw such conduct while addressing the Supreme Court's concerns. However, the Supreme Court invalidated this Federal statute in 1990 in another 5-4 decision in United States v. Eichman. Congress was left with no alternative but to propose a constitutional amendment to remedy the problem. While this constitutional amendment has been approved by the House in the every Congress since the 104th (1995-1995), it has yet to pass the Senate. Recent media reports indicate there may be finally be enough votes to send the Amendment to the states.  H.J.Res. 10 has been supported by an overwhelming majority of the American public, and all fifty state legislatures have passed resolutions calling on Congress to approve this proposed constitutional amendment and send it to the states for ratification.

H.R. 2745, the Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005.
Roll Call Vote #282.  Passed 221-184.  6/17/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
The legislation, if enacted, would withhold 50 percent of the United States’ UN dues if the international body does not make certain reforms in the areas of accountability, peacekeeping, human rights, and others. 

H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006
Roll Call Vote #222. Passed: 390-39.  5/25/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
H.R. 1815 provides $500 billion for national security, including $49 billion for military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan .  Section 566 of H.R. 1815 directs the Department of Defense to establish the Combat Medevac Badge to be awarded to anyone who served in combat as a pilot or crew member of a helicopter medical evacuation ambulance since 1950.  This is an issue that Congressman Pitts has gotten involved in of late, cosponsoring legislation (H.R. 1308) and requesting action from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

H.R. 2520, Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act
Roll Call Vote #205.  Passed: 431-1.  05/24/2005.  Joe Voted: YES.
Stem cells taken from cord blood are already treating more than 67 diseases, including Osteoporosis and Lymphoma.  Published studies have show that cord blood stem cells have the capacity to change into other cell types, and thus have the potential to treat debilitating and terminal diseases including Parkinson’s, diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injury.  In addition to encouraging research, H.R. 2520 provides federal funding to increase the number of cord blood units available to match and treat patients who need them most.

H.R. 810, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
Roll Call Vote #204.  Passed: 238-194.  05/24/2005.  Joe voted: NO.
Congressman Pitts is a supporter of stem cell research, as evidenced above by his vote on H.R. 2520.  But he does not support research that involves the dissection of living human embryos. That's what H.R. 810 uses taxpayer dollars to do.  In theory, embryonic stem cells could one day be used to treat diseases.  In reality, they have treated none and have made very little progress in research done on animals.  In contrast, stem cells can be found without destroying human embryos.  Stem cells are currently being found in human tissue like: umbilical cord blood, fat, teeth, hair follicles, spleen, nasal cavity, bone marrow, and many others.  Adult stem cells are treating human patients today for the very diseases that some claim might hopefully one day be treated through the destruction of living human embryos.  This includes diabetes, Parkinson’s, leukemia, spinal cord injury, heart disease, stroke, liver damage, and others.  Supporters of H.R. 810 can not cite one single treatment developed with embryonic stem cell research.

H.R. 1279, Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act
Roll Call Vote #168.  Passed: 279-144.  5/11/2005.  Joe voted: NO.
H.R. 1279 creates a new program authorizing the Department of Justice to work with state and local authorities to investigate and prosecute criminal street gangs. The measure broadens current punishment and prohibition in federal law addressing criminal street gang activity and provides for the federal prosecution of juveniles 16 years of age and older who commit acts of violence  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of H.R. 1279 at approximately $370 million from 2006-2010, subject to appropriation. The CBO includes roughly $60 million to incarcerate individuals in the federal prison system for longer periods of time than they would serve under current law.  In addition to the new federal spending, the House Judiciary Committee estimates that lengthened sentencing requirements will eventually increase the prison population by approximately 900 prisoners.  If the increase in prison population is significantly higher than estimated, construction of a new federal prison might be required.  In a time of budget deficits, legislation like this, while admirable in its goals, creates unnecessary government spending and new regulation.

H.R. 366, Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act
Roll Call Vote #154.  Passed: 416-9.  5/4/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
H.R. 366 renews the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act – what we know as the Perkins Program.  The Perkins Program provides federal assistance for secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs at the high school level and at technical and community colleges.  Supporting vo-tech training is an important part of a balanced view of educating the workforce.  This legislation strengthens the Perkins programs by promoting academic achievement of vo-tech students obtain academic achievement and emphasizing innovative initiatives to help students advance and get the skills they need to enter the workforce.  One of the best reforms this legislation makes is giving more control back to states and counties.  Local officials know best how to target this aid, and Washington should get out of the way and let them do it.  That’s what this bill does.

H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)
Roll Call Vote #144.  Passed: 270-157.  4/27/2005.  Joe vote: YES.
In our nation a minor cannot take an aspirin at school or go on a field trip or get her ears pierced without a parent’s permission.  That’s because we respect the role of parents in the raising and protecting of their own children.  When it comes to abortion, it should be no different.  About 80 percent of the public favors parental notification laws, and over 30 states have enacted such laws.   However, as in the case of a constituent of mine who testified before Congress last month, these laws are often evaded by interstate transportation of minors.  In fact, abortion providers often use advertising to encourage circumventing state parental notification laws. This legislation reinforces state parental notification laws and penalizes those who seek to circumvent them.  CIANA would make it a Federal offense to transport a minor across state lines to circumvent that state’s abortion parental notification laws.  In addition, the bill requires that in a state without a parental notification requirement, abortion providers are required to notify a parent.  

H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005
Roll Call Vote #132.  Passed: 249-183.  4/21/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
For a long time America has been in need of a national energy policy to guide our energy production, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil, and increase our investment in alternative fuels and renewable energy.  Of particular importance: we need an energy plan that helps us decrease our dependence on foreign sources of oil and gas and we need to increase domestic production.  However, in doing this, we have to remember that we can not rely on fossil fuels forever.  The supply is limited and it is not good stewardship or good economics to ignore the fact that we will run out of supply if we stay on our current path of energy consumption. We need to conserve.  We need to invest in alternative fuels and renewable sources of energy.   Benefits of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 include:

• An estimated half a million new jobs;

• Increased oil and gas production here at home, at prices people can afford to pay;

• Mandatory electricity- transmission- reliability standards to prevent blackouts;

• Clean coal technology, and money for wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power and to develop hydrogen vehicles; and,

• New efficiency benchmarks for a host of household appliances.

S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act
Roll Call Vote #108.  Passed: 302-126.  04/14/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
America's bankruptcy laws need to be fixed.  S. 256 will eliminate the fraud and abuse that has cost our economy millions.  But it will also make sure that those who need to declare bankruptcy for a fresh start can do so.  Economic losses from bankruptcy cause higher prices for goods and services: everyone picks up the tab – consumers, small businesses, and the economy.  S. 256 promotes responsible borrowing and provides financial education to financially troubled consumers.

H.R. 8, The Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005
Roll Call Vote #102.  Passed: 272-162.  4/13/2005.  Joe voted: YES.
In 2001, Congress and President Bush phased out the death tax.  However, because of an arcane Senate budget rule, the death tax will come back to life in 2012.  H.R. 8, will remove the “sunset” provision of the death tax repeal. Death should not be a taxable event, said Congressman Pitts, “but because it is family-owned farms and small businesses suffer when they are passed down in the family.  Remember this is a tax on land and homes and equipment and savings – all things that have been taxed many times over.  That’s not right.  This tax needs to go for good.  Facts about the death tax :

• Family Businesses hardest hit.  The Death Tax is a leading cause of dissolution for thousands of family-run businesses, diverting resources available for investment and employment. (Joint Economic Committee – June 2003). 

• Hurts our economy.  The Heritage Foundation estimates that the Death Tax costs the economy up to 250,000 jobs annually.  The Joint Economic Committee estimates that it reduces stock in the economy by $497 billion, or 3.2 percent.

• Costs government money.  The Joint Economic Committee reports that “the enormous compliance costs associated with the estate tax are of the same general magnitude as the tax’s revenue yield, or about $22 billion in 2003.”  Additionally, the Heritage Foundation found that the Death Tax may cost the government and taxpayers more in overhead costs than it raises in revenue. 

• Does not redistribute wealth.  There is no empirical evidence that the Death Tax actually reduces wealth inequality. A large body research shows that inheritance is not a major source of inequality and that government policies aimed at taxing inheritance are likely to be ineffective (JEC, June 2003).

S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act of 2005
Roll Call Vote #38.  Passed: 279-149.  February, 17, 2005.  Joe voted: YES.
The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 does not affect any person’s right to seek redress or to obtain damages.  It does not limit damages and it does not impose stricter pleading requirements. Instead, it cuts down on forum shopping by kicking huge interstate class action cases to federal courts, while keeping truly local disputes in state courts.  For local small businesses the legislation puts an end to the practice of naming a local pharmacy or convenience store in a nationwide product liability suit in order to keep a case in a local “magnet” jurisdiction – or amending a complaint to add millions of dollars in claims after the deadline for removal to federal court.  S. 5 also establishes a “Consumer Class Action Bill of Rights,” which includes among other things requires, among other things, that judges carefully review settlements and limit attorneys’ fees to make sure class members do not end up losing money.  It also bans settlements that award some class members with a larger recovery because they live closer to the court. 

H.R. 310, Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005
Roll Call Vote #35.  Passed: 389-38.  February 16, 2005.  Joe voted: YES.
Currently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is permitted to impose fines of up to $32,500 against broadcasters.  This plan increases the amount of fines the FCC can impose to $500,000 for every airing of "obscene, indecent or profane material.  It does not change the standards or definitions of indecency that have been established in law and upheld in federal courts.

H.R. 418, Real ID Act
Roll Call Vote #31.  Passed: 261-161.  February 10, 2005.  Joe voted: YES.
The Real ID Act will boost U.S. border security by:

• Requiring ID applicants to provide proof they are in the country legally;

• Requiring identity documents to expire at the same time as the expiration of lawful entry status, preventing those who have illegally entered or are unlawfully present in the U.S. from having valid identification documents;

• Requiring the completion of the San Diego 14 mile border fence on the US-Mexican border; and

• Providing that any alien contributing funds to a terrorist organization would be deportable.