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H.R. 1378 American LIFE Fund for the Uninsured

Inspired by an actual case in Virginia's Fifth District, I have introduced legislation, which is known as the American Life Fund for the Medical Treatment of the Uninsured Act.

The American Life Fund is modeled after Virginia's Uninsured Medical Catastrophe Fund, which was enacted by the General Assembly a few years ago. Two Fifth District residents, Sarah Terry and Ken Woodley, provided the impetus that prompted the General Assembly to enact its legislation. They learned of the plight of a lady from Danville, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer but had not been treated for more than a year after the diagnosis because she was uninsured.

Under my legislation, any individual who has overpaid his or her federal taxes may voluntarily contribute any portion of the overpayment to the fund by using a check-off box on the tax return. The fund will only apply to refunds, and the IRS will not collect any additional money from taxpayers.

The money contributed by taxpayers to the fund shall be available to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to carry out a program that provides health coverage for catastrophic illnesses and injuries of some of the millions of Americans without health insurance. Regulations will prevent insured individuals who have already been diagnosed from canceling their insurance to defraud the system.

Many Americans without health insurance face catastrophic illnesses and need immediate treatment. This bill provides American taxpayers with a great opportunity to make this assistance for the uninsured who face catastrophic illness a reality.

Support for English as the Official Language of the US

Congressman Goode supports establishing English as the official language of the United States. He is cosponsoring H.R. 769, to declare English as the official language of the United States and H. J. Res 19, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to establish English as the official language of the United States.

English should be the official language of the United States. In countries where there is a lack of common unifying language, there is more discord and often efforts to split up the country. Having one common language can be a significant unifying force. We need only to look to the north to Canada. Canada has had three elections over the past couple of decades in an effort to split French speaking Quebec off from the rest of the English speaking Canada. I am fearful that we will have efforts in the country in a few years to split up part of the United States. There are some from Mexico who are already saying that the Mexican War was wrong and that the United States should be split in the Southwest.

Having English as our official language is not new. The issue has been before Congress for several years. America has been a great melting pot and country for persons of different backgrounds. We need to ensure that we have a common unifying thread of a language through these diverse backgrounds. Having a common language for a country will make that country stronger and more unified in my opinion.

Recent Votes in Congress by Virgil Goode

For Week Ending 10/5/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Financial Bailout

Voting 263 for and 171 against, the House on Oct. 3 sent President Bush a bill (HR 1424) authorizing the Treasury to spend up to $700 billion to relieve troubled financial firms of their weakest assets. Additionally, the bill would increase the national debt limit by 1.2 trillion dollars, which would be the largest increase in history. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

263-171
No

Failed Rescue Plan

Voting 205 for and 228 against, the House on Sept. 29 defeated a bill (HR 3997) that authorized a taxpayer bailout of financial firms costing up to $700 billion. Four days later, the House approved essentially the same bailout (HR 1424, above) after the Senate had sweetened it with a deposit-insurance increase to $250,000 per person and $150 billion in tax relief for various entities. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

205-228
No

 

For Week Ending 9/27/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

2009 Military Budget

Voting 392 for and 39 against, the House on Sept. 24 joined the Senate in authorizing $612.5 billion in military spending for 2009. The bill (S 3001) sets a 3.9 percent military pay raise, bars permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq , bans premium increases for the health plan known as TRICARE. A yes vote was to pass the bill

392-39
Yes

For Week Ending 8/1/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

FDA Tobacco Regulation

Voting 326 for and 102 against, the House sent the Senate a bill (HR 1108) to begin Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products. The bill empowers the FDA to regulate cigarette content, require disclosure of product ingredients, ban cigarette marketing to children and require more prominent health warnings. The bill would pre-empt state tobacco laws and impose fees on cigarette manufacturers and importers to pay the cost of FDA tobacco regulation. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

326-102
No

Oil-market Speculation

Voting 276 for and 151 against, the House failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill (HR 6604) directing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to curb “excessive speculation” in the oil-futures market, in part by setting higher margin requirements, limiting investment positions and requiring more public disclosure. The bill was aimed at pure speculators rather than companies such as transportation firms that trade in oil futures as a business decision. A yes vote was to advance the bill.

 

276-151
Yes

Product Safety Commission

Voting 424 for and one against, the House approved the conference report on a bill (HR 4040) to expand powers of the Consumer Product Safety Commission while beefing up its staff and testing capabilities. The bill would ban lead and chemicals known as phthalates from children's products; require new toy-safety standards, and empower state attorneys general to file injunctions to ban the sale of unsafe products and require the commission to certify overseas testing facilities in countries such as China. A yes vote was to approve the conference report.

424-1
Yes

Higher Education Act

Voting 380 for and 49 against, the House approved the conference report on a bill (HR 4137) renewing the Higher Education Act. The bill would expand federal aid to minorities, veterans, military families and the disabled, use city to hold schools publicly accountable for their overall costs and tuition increases; induce publishers to rein in textbook costs, and make Pell Grants for poor students available for year-round attendance. The bill would require simplified forms for applying for student loans; police conflicts of interest and corrupt practices between schools and lending institutions and encourage schools to adopt more efficient energy practices and make greater use of renewable fuels. A yes vote was to approve the conference report.

380-49
Yes

Earmark Elimination Amendment

The House failed to adopt the Flake Amendment to end all earmarks in the Veterans Administration Military Construction Appropriations Bill. A yes vote was to end the earmarks.

63-350
Yes

 

 

For Week Ending 7/26/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Global AIDS funding

Voting 303 for and 115 against, the House passed a bill (HR 5501) authorizing $50 billion over five years for the U.S. support of international programs to combat HIV.AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The bill earmarks 80 percent of its AIDS funds for treatment programs such as the distribution of anti-viral drugs and ends a mandate that one-third of AIDS spending be allocated to abstinence programs. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

303-115
No

Strategic petroleum reserve

Voting 268 for and 157 against, the House failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill (HR 6578) requiring President Bush to gradually diminish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by 10 percent over the next several months, adding about 500,000 barrels of oil daily to the world market. The drawdown would reduce the quantity of taxpayer-owned oil in the SPR's Gulf Coast salt caverns from about 700 million barrels to 630 million barrels. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

268-157
Yes

Housing Bailout

Voting 272 for 152 against, the House sent the Senate a bill (HR 3221) that authorizes a standby taxpayer bailout of the private companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, allows up to 400,000 troubled mortgages to be reworked into government-backed loans and grants $4 billion to help communities and non-profits acquire and market vacant foreclosed properties. Additionally, the bill raises the national debt limit from $9.8 trillion to $10.6 trillion; approves $11 billion in tax-exempt bonds that communities would use to refinance troubled mortgages and provide affordable rental housing. The standby bailout, projected to cost taxpayers up to $25 billion if invoked, authorizes the Treasury to use means such as stock purchases, cash infusions and favorable lending to shore up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own or insure more than $5 trillion in mortgages, more than 40 percent of the nation's total. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

272-152
No

For Week Ending 7/19/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

The Drill Bill:

Voting 244 for and 173 against, the House on July 17 failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill (HR 6515) giving oil companies a “use it or lose it” mandate to either drill on federal land they have leased or leases covering 68 million acres, including 33 million offshore acres. The bill also required expanded drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and called upon President Bush to gradually put on the market 10 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's 700 million barrels. The bill also urged the President to expedite construction of a proposed pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 states. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

244-173
Yes

Bush Medicare veto

Voting 383 for and 41 against, the House on July 15 overrode President Bush's veto of a bill (HR 6331) that would cancel the 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors that stemmed from Clinton's BBA measure. The bill would increase doctor payments by 1.1 percent in January, require equal copayment rates under Medicare for mental and physical coverage and delay a competitive-bidding process for durable medical equipment among the provisions. A yes vote was to override the veto.

383-41
Yes

For Week Ending 6/28/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Medicare health care provider payments

Voting 355 for and 59 against, the House on June 24 passed a bill (HR 6331) that would avert a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments on July 1, 2008. The bill would increase Medicare payments to doctors and providers by 1.1 percent in January. The bill also would lower the copayment rate for mental health coverage from 50 percent to 20 percent, the same rate as for physical care. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

355-59
Yes

Oil-market speculation

Voting 402 for and 19 against, the House on June 26 sent the Senate a bill (HR 6377) directing the Commodity Future Trading Commission to root out “excessive speculation” in the oil-futures market. The agency has authority under existing law to determine whether market prices for commodities accurately reflect supply and demand, and the bill would hopefully encourage the CFTC to continue its investigation about the prices of oil futures. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

402-19
Yes

 

For Week Ending 6/22/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Farm bill vote

Members overrode, 317-109, President Bush's veto of a $289 billion, five-year farm bill that renews subsidies for major crops such as cotton, corn and wheat while funding food stamps and providing for a number of earmarks. A yes vote was to enact HR 6124.

317-109
No

For Week Ending 6/15/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Extended jobless benefits

Voting 274 for and 137 against, the House on June 12 passed a bill (HR 5749) providing 13 additional weeks of jobless checks for those who have used up their initial allotments. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

274-137
Yes

Drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf

The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee rejected an amendment to end the moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf. A yes vote was to end the moratorium against drilling.

6-9
Yes

For Week Ending 6/8/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

2009-13 Budget:

Members passed, 214-210, the final version of a five-year Democratic budget (SCR 70) that for 2009 sets $3.1 trillion in spending, $216.8 billion in interest on U.S. debt and a $340.4 billion deficit. A yes vote backed a plan to greatly increase taxes Beginning in 2011.

 

214-210
No

Chesapeake Bay watershed:

Members passed, 321-86, a bill renewing for five years a federal-state program that promotes citizen involvement in restoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem in six Eastern states. A yes vote backed a bill (HR 5540) budgeting $1 million per year for the program.

321-86
Yes

For Week Ending 5/24/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

2009 Military Budget

Voting 384 for and 23 against, the House on May 22 authorized a $601 billion military budget for fiscal 2009, including $70 billion to fund war in Iraq and Afghanistan for part of the year. The bill (HR 5658) sets a 3.9 percent military pay raise; bars permanent US military bases in Iraq; declares Afghanistan as the primary front in US overseas combat; requires detailed reports on Iran's nuclear capability and Pakistan's national stability, and bans premium or co-pay increases in TRICARE, the military health plan. Cuts in half the Administration's request for training Iraqi security forces; trims the Administration's funding request to establish a missile defense system in eastern Europe, and increases by 7.5 percent funding of the program to dismantle the former Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal. The bill also authorizes $5.9 billion for special operations and other counter-terrorism initiatives, establishes an Air Force Cyber Command; authorizes $10.2 billion for the National Missile Defense. A yes vote backed the bill.

384-23
Yes

Suits Against OPEC

The House on May 20 passed, 324 for and 84 against, a bill (HR 6074) authorizing the U.S. attorney general to sue the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries under US antitrust laws for its monopolistic practices. The 13 OPEC members are Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.The bill is now before the Senate. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

324-84
Yes

Interrogation videotapes

Voting 218 for and 192 against, the House on May 22 amended HR 5658 to require the Department of Defense to make and retain videotapes of its prisoner interrogations. A yes vote backed the amendment.

218-192
No

For Week Ending 5/16/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

War Funding Defeat:

Members defeated, 141-149, an amendment to HR 2642 that sought to appropriate $162.5 billion for additional war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many GOP members voted present to protest being frozen out of deliberations. A yes vote was to approve the war funding.

141-149
Present

Iraq Troop Withdrawals:

Members adopted, 227-196, an amendment to HR 2642 requiring the Administration to start withdrawing troops from Iraq within 30 days of enactment. A yes vote backed a bill that also bans any CIA torture of prisoners.

227-196
No

3 rd Amendment for the Supplemental Appropriations:

Members established, 256-166, a GI Bill to pay post-9/11 veterans' college costs and voted 10 billion dollars in foreign aid and 650 million for more refugees and immigrants to come into the USA. A yes vote was to approve these and other new spending measures. (HR 2642)

256-166
No

Strategic Oil Reserve:

Members voted, 385-25, to require the Administration to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the rest of the year or until the price of crude oil drops below $75 per barrel, in hopes this would edge gasoline prices lower. A yes vote was to pass HR 6022.

385-25
Yes

New Farm Bill:

Members passed, 318-106, the conference report on a five-year, $289 billion farm bill that renews subsidies for major crops such as cotton, corn, wheat and rice while increasing funding for foodstamps and providing funding for several earmarks. A yes vote was to pass HR 2419.

316-106
No

For Week Ending 5/11/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Mortgage Refinancing:

Members authorized a new program, the Federal Housing Administration's backing of home loans in order to induce mortgage firms to voluntarily rework up to 500,000 loans and putting U.S. taxpayers behind the program up to $300 billion dollars. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the program would cost taxpayers $2.7 billion over five years, based on the projected failure of the reworked loans. A yes vote backed the plan as part of a housing-relief package. (HR 3221)

266-154
No

Homeowners Tax Breaks:

Members adopted, 322-94, a measure that authorizes $7,500 tax credits for first-time home purchases and allows taxpayers who do not itemize to treat $700 of their 2008 property taxes as a federal tax deduction. A yes vote backed these provisions.

322-94
Yes

For Week Ending 5/4/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Gene-Testing Bias:

Voting 414-1, members sent President Bush a bill making it illegal for employers and insurance firms to penalize individuals on the basis of genetic- testing results. The bill also would prohibit employers from requiring employees to take genetics tests. A yes vote backed HR 493.

414-1
Yes

Highway, Transit Spending:

The House voted, 358-51, to send President Bush a bill (HR 1195) that would expedite the release of billions of dollars previously authorized for highway and transportation projects. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

358-51
Yes

For Week Ending 4/18/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Motion to Recommit on H.R. 5719

The House failed on a tie vote to deny tax exempt status to states or counties or cities that allow illegals to stay in these jurisdictions with immunity from apprehension by the local law enforcement and to direct the Secretary of Treasury to increase the efforts of the Internal Revenue Service to ensure that illegal aliens cannot claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. For a motion to be adopted, a majority vote was needed. A tie vote killed this effort to block sanctuary cities and to block the EITC for illegal aliens.

210-210
Yes

For Week Ending 4/13/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

U.S.-Colombia Free Trade:

The House voted, 224-195 to delay action on a U.S.-Colombia free-trade pact that President Bush sent to Congress for a final vote within 90 days. H.Res.1092 removed the deadline for a House vote on the agreement. A yes vote was to delay the pact indefinitely.

224-195
Yes

H.Res. 1077 413-1 Yes

Calling on the government of the People's Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and enter intoa substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans, and for other purposes.

413-1
Yes

For Week Ending 3/14/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Community Service Expansion

Members voted 277-140, to increase authorized spending levels to 6.2 billion over the next five years for community-service programs such as The National Civilian Community Corps, Volunteers in Service to America, Senior Corps and AmeriCorps. A yes vote was to pass H.R. 5563.

227-140
No

New Spy Bill

Members extended, 213-197, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through 2009. The bill (HR 3773) relates to rules about foreign spying. A yes vote was to block the bipartisan Senate bill and to subject telecommunication firms that helped the United States after 9/11 to civil liability for foreign spying.

213-197
No

2009-13 Budget

Members passed, 212-207, a five-year Democratic budget (HCR 312) that for 2009 projects $3.06 trillion in spending, a $340.4 billion deficit and $216.8 billion in interest on U.S. debt. A yes vote backed a budget that would increase many taxes.

212-207
No

Alternative Budget

Members rejected, 157-263, a budget that differed from the Democrat's plan (HCR 312, above) by making President Bush's tax cuts permanent and cutting unnamed domestic programs by $800 billion over five years but that was still 240 billion dollars in deficit and did not reduce foreign aid spending.

157-263
No

 

For Week Ending 3/9/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Mental Disorders Mandates

Members voted, 268-148, the same benefits for mental and physical illness in group plans that cover mental illness. The bill exempts firms with fewer than 51 workers, covers substance abuse and mandates coverage for disorders such as incest, jet lag, gender identity disorder, necrophilia, transvestite fetishes, and pedophilia. A yes vote was to pass HR 1424

268-148
No

Mental Health Parity

Members defeated, 196-221, an alternative proposal to replace HR 1424 (above) with a milder Senate bill that did not contain the incest, jet lag, Transvestite fetishes, and other similar mandates. A yes vote supported a mental-health parity bill that provided discretion rather than mandates for determining mental conditions to be covered.

196-221
Yes

For Week Ending 3/2/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Energy Tax Increases

Members voted, 236-182, to raise taxes on certain energy companies by 17 billion dollars, resulting in increased prices for gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc and also provided for the extension of tax credits for alternatives such as wind and solar and for biodiesel and other renewable fuels.

236-182
No

Alternative Energy Plan

Members defeated, 197-222, an alternative to HR 5351 (above) that differed, in part, by stripping the bill of its tax increases and its approval of tax-exempt bonds for initiatives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and maintaining the tax credits and encouragement for wind, solar, biodiesel, and other alternatives. The measures focuses on competition instead of higher taxes and increasing gasoline and diesel prices.

197-222
Yes

For Week Ending 2/17/08

Description of Legislation

Votes in the Congress

Vote of Congressman Goode

Foreign Intelligence Act

Voting 191 for and 229 against, the House defeated a 21-day renewal (HR 5349) of a version of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act enacted last August. That temporary measure then expired as House leaders refused to accept a Senate bill (S 2248) to extend FISA for six years. There was general agreement that the government's electronic spying on terrorists would continue as before under other laws and also under long-term FISA warrants still in effect. A yes vote backed a 21-day FISA extension and most no voters wanted the 6-year extension.

191-229
No

For Week Ending 2/2/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

$146 billion economic stimulus

Voting 385 for and 25 against, the House passed a $146 billion so-called stimulus package, which would provide $100 billion within months in rebates to 117 million U.S. households that file federal income tax returns. The bill provided no offsets, such as reducing aid to foreign countries, and as a result the United States would have to borrow all the money to pay the rebates. The bill would provide rebates of $200 per individual, or $600 per couple, to filers with at least $3,000 in earned income who pay no income tax. For those paying taxes, it would deliver rebates of $600 to individuals earning up to $75,000 and $1,200 to couples earning up to $150,000. Numbers USA estimates that 3 million illegal aliens would be eligible for the rebates. In addition all the legal guest workers from foreign countries who file a tax return would also be eligible for the rebates. Seniors and the disabled were excluded unless they met the earned income minimums. All tax filers would receive an additional rebate of $300 per dependent child. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

385-35
No

For Week Ending 1/18/08

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Alternative Mine Safety Bill

Voting 188 for and 229 against, the House defeated a Republican bid to include provisions in the mine bill to implement mandatory drug testing of miners; authorize studies to improve the safety of deep-mining and pillar-removal techniques; require the Bureau of Land Management to regularly share information from its mine inspections with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and give the MSHA sole control over the release of information to the public during mining disasters. A yes vote backed the GOP substitute.

188-229
Yes

Public Housing

Voting 271 for and 130 against, the House passed a bill (HR 3524) to extend the HOPE VI public housing program through fiscal 2015 at a budget of up to $800 million annually. The program provides municipal housing authorities with grants for purposes such as rehabilitating or demolishing units, building new units and issuing vouchers to enable residents to move to private rental housing. The bill, which awaits Senate action, requires demolished units to be replaced on a one-for-one basis amid mixed-income housing. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

271-130
No

Public Housing Demolition

Voting 186 for and 221 against, the House refused to strip HR 3524 of its requirement that each unit of public housing demolished under the HOPE VI program be replaced by one new unit. The amendment sought to remove the bill's ban on demolition-only grants. A yes vote backed the amendment.

186-221
Yes

For Week Ending 12/23/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Energy Bill

Voting 314 for and 100 against, the House on Dec. 18 sent President Bush a bill (HR 6) that would raise vehicle mileage requirements by 40 percent by 2020; boost residential and industrial energy-efficiency standards; phase out the incandescent light bulbs now used in most U.S. homes; and increase production of ethanol and other biofuels sixfold by 2022. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

314-100
Yes

Alternative Minimum Tax

Voting 352 for and 64 against, the House sent President Bush a bill (HR 3996) to exempt about 21 million middle-income households from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) this year. The AMT, which sets a minimum rate, was enacted in 1969 to prevent a small number of wealthy filers from using deductions, exemptions and shelters to avoid income taxes. Not indexed for inflation, the AMT has crept into middle-income brackets, and even with this fix it will add a projected $2,000 per return to the tax bills of four million middle-income households.

352-64
Yes

Vote on Omnibus Spending Bill

Voting 253 for and 154 against, the House adopted a Senate amendment adding 10 appropriations measures to the Foreign Operations bill providing a total of 515 billion in spending, including over 32 billion for foreign aid.

253-154
No

 

 

For Week Ending 12/16/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

2008 Intelligence Budget

Voting 222 for and 199 against, the House on Dec. 13 approved the conference report on an estimated $48 billion fiscal 2008 budget (HR 2082) for the 16 U.S. Intelligence agencies. The bill requires civilian as well as military interrogators to obey the Army Field Manual's ban on torture of prisoners and the United States to adhere to Geneva Conventions rules for handling prisoners of war. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

222-199
No

2008 Defense Budget

Voting 370 for and 49 against, the House on Dec. 12 approved the conference report on a bill (HR 1585) authorizing a $696.3 billion military budget for fiscal 2008, including nearly $190 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to moving Iraqis to the top of the priority list for the 70,000 refugee visa category, it created 25,000 special visas over five years for Iraqi nationals who have aided the U.S. mission in Iraq. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

370-49
No

For Week Ending 11/18/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

War Funds, Iraq Pullout

Members passed, 218-203, a bill that pairs $50 Billion in war spending with a call to pull most U.S. troops from Iraq by Dec. 15, 2008. A yes vote backed the bill.

218-203
No

 

For Week Ending 10/28/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Native Hawaiian sovereignty

Voting 261 for and 153 against, the House on Oct. 24 sent the Senate a bill (HR 505) empowering Native Hawaiians to form a sovereign government comparable to the native American and Native Alaskan nations in the United States. If certified by the Secretary of the Interior, the Hawaiian entity would have standing to negotiate for the control of land and other assets that once belonged to indigenous Hawaiians. The bill sets up a U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Relations in the Interior Department and creates a commission to determine which persons have sufficient native ancestry to be included in the sovereign nation. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

261-153
No

 

For Week Ending 10/21/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Children's health-insurance veto

Voting 273 for and 156 against, the House on Oct. 18 failed to reach a two-thirds marjority needed to over- ride President Bush's veto of a bill (HR 976) that expands State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for five years at a cost of $60 billion, up $35 billion from current levels. The bill would raise federal tobacco taxes from 39 cents per pack to $1.00 per pack to pay for the expansion. SCHIP is designed mainly to provide private insurance for children of low-income families that are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. The SCHIP bill expands coverage from families making $41,000 per year to families making $61,000 per year and weakens the current citizenship requirement at a cost of $3.7 billion over the next 10 years. A yes vote was to override the veto.

273-156
No

Internet tax ban

Voting 405 for and two against, the House on Oct. 16 passed a bill (HR 3678) extending until November 2011 the federal ban on state and local taxation of services that provide access to the Internet. The bill awaits Senate action. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

405-2
Yes

 

For Week Ending 10/7/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Iraq Withdrawal Reports

Voting 377 for and 46 against, the House on Oct. 2 sent the Senate a bill (HR 3087) requiring the Administration to report quarterly to Congress on it military plan for pulling U.S. combat forces out of Iraq. Although the bill requires detailed reporting in such areas as troop numbers, equipment inventories and transportation modes, it did not set any deadlines for troop withdrawals. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

377-46
Yes

Foreign Contractor

Voting 389 for and 30 against, the House on Oct. 4 sent the Senate a bill (HR 2740) extending U.S. criminal jurisdiction to all of the government's private contractors overseas, not just those working for the military. Under this expansion of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, State Department contractors would have to answer to the U.S. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

389-30
Yes

Foreclosure Tax Relief

Voting 386 for and 27 against, the House on Oct. 4 sent the Senate a bill (HR 3648) providing tax relief for those losing their homes in foreclosures. The bill would end IRS taxation on the cancelled debt. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

386-27
Yes

For Week Ending 9/30/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

H. Res. 590, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

McCarthy, D-NY, motion to suspend the rules and adopt the Resolution that would support the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and express the sense that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States

395-0
Yes

H.J. Es 52, Fiscal 2008 Continuing Resolution/Recommit

Lewis, R-Calif., motion to recommit the bill to the Appropriations Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with the language expressing the sense of the House that it recognizes and honors the service of Gen. David H. Petraeus and the U.S. Armed Forces, condemns the advocacy group MoveOn.org for the attack advertisement against him, and commits to judge his sworn testimony and any further debate on a supplemental funding request or policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq without personal bias.

341-79
Yes

H.J. Res 52, Fiscal 2008 Continuing Resolution/Passage

Passage of the joint resolution that would provide continuing appropriations at fiscal 2007 levels through Nov. 16 for all federal departments and agencies whose fiscal 2008 appropriations bills are not enacted by Sept. 20. It would provide $5.2 billion in emergency funds for mine resistant ambush protected vehicles to shield soldiers from roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

404-14
Yes

For Week Ending 9/21/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Home mortgages

Voting 348 for and 72 against the House on Sept. 18 granted the Federal Housing Administration new authority including allowing the FHA to cover loans on which the borrower has made no downpayment. It also allows certain lenders to use FHA without meeting audit and net worth requirements. The National Taxpayers Union opposed the bill.

348-72
No

 

For Week Ending 9/8/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Tribal Housing Funds:

Members approved, 333-75, $2.2 billion between 2008-12 for a program to provide housing for Native Americans living on tribal grounds. A yes vote was to send the Senate a bill that also funds housing for certain Native Hawaiians and Native Alaskans. (HR 2786)

333-75
No

Patent Law:

Members passed, 220-175, a bill revamping U.S. patent law in a way that makes it easier for companies to learn about patents pending and to utilize more international rules on patents. A member of U.S. manufacturers opposed the bill.

220-175
No

 

For Week Ending 9/15/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

9/11 remembrance

Members on Sept. 10 adopted, 334 for and one against, a resolution (H Res 643) remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks, honoring U.S. military and emergency personnel and vowing U.S. victory over terrorists. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, cast the sole negative vote, and 98 members were absent. No member spoke against the measure. A yes vote was to adopt the resolution.

334-1
Yes

 

For Week Ending 7/27/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Iraq bases ban

The House on July 25 passed, 399 to 24 against, a bill (HR 2929) to prohibit the U.S. from establishing permanent military bases in Iraq or exerting economic control of the Iraq oil industry. The bill waits Senate action.

399-24
Yes

Five-year farm bill

Voting 231 for and 191 against, the House on July 27 passed a five-year farm bill (HR 2419) that extends the current system of payments and subsidies for growers of major crops such as cotton, corn, rice, wheat and soybeans. Renews and expands Food Stamps with a projected cost of nearly $300 billion over five years. A yes vote was to pass the House bill.

231-191
No

Stearns Amendment to CJS

The House by a vote 202 yes 212 no rejected an amendment to block the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from instituting suits against employers who required employees to speak English while engaged in work.

202-212
Yes

Capito Amendment to CJS

The House by a vote 243 yes 186 no agreed on an amendment to increase appropriations for the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs, and to reduce appropriations for the National Science Foundation operations and award management program by $10 million.

243-186
Yes

Hunter Amendment to Transportation Budget

The House voted 362-63 no to prohibit the use of funds by the Administration on a working group to promote the Security and Prosperity Partnership promoting a union with the United States, Canada and Mexico.

362-63
Yes

For Week Ending 7/15/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Iraq withdrawal mandate

Voting 223 for and 201 against, the House on July 12 sent the Senate a bill (HR 2956) requiring the Administration to begin reducing U.S. troop levels in Iraq and have the troops removed by April 2008. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

223-201
No

Federal housing vouchers

Voting 333 for and 83 against, the House on July 12 sent the Senate a bill (HR 1851) revamping the Section 8 housing and expanding the program by 100,000 vouchers over five years with at least a $16 billion annual budget. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

333-83
No

For Week Ending 7/22/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Police, Firefighter Unions

Members granted, 314-97, certain union rights to deputies,police, firefighters, corrections officer and other public-safety personnel in all states. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 980) that authorizers bargaining over wages and benefits and overrides state laws on these matters.

314-97
No

Abortion Dispute

Members refused, 189-231, to block taxpayer funds for Planned Parenthood in the Health and Human Services Budget (HR 3043). The group is the largest provider of abortions in the United States.

189-231
Yes

Gingrey Amendment

None of the funds appropriated by the Labor Education Bill may be used by the Commissioner of Social Security orthe Social Security Administration to administer Social Security benefit payments, under any agreement between the U.S. and Mexico establishing totalization arrangements between the two countries' Social Security systems.

254-168
Yes

Westmoreland English OnlyAmendment

To prohibit funds in the Labor Education bill from being used by the Department of Education to publish or process the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in a language other than English.

181-249
Yes

Jindal Nurse Amendment

To direct the Health Resources and Services Administration to spend an additional $37.2 million in order to double funding for nurse education and retention.

207-217
Yes

For Week Ending 6/30/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Congressional Pay Raise

The House affirmed, 244-181, a pay increase for members of Congress set for January 2008. This cleared the way for an approximately 2.7 percent raise. A yes vote affirmed members' pay raise. (HR 2829)

244-181
No

Offshore Drilling Ban

Members refused, 196-233, to end the 26-year old ban on Atlantic and Pacific offshore energy drilling. While the measure allowed drilling for natural gas at least 25 miles at sea, critics said it would lead to offshore oil drilling as well. A yes vote was to repeal the ban. (HR 2643)

196-233
Yes

Fairness Doctrine

Members blocked, 209-115, federal spending in 2008 to revive the Fairness Doctrine. Before its repeal in 1987, the FCC rule required broadcasters to air competing views. A yes vote backed the amendment to HR 2829.

309-115
Yes

 

For Week Ending 6/24/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

Foreign Affairs Budget Members approved, 241-178, a $34.2 billion foreign operations budget for fiscal 2008, up 8 percent from 2007. A yes vote backed a bill (HR 2764) that provided billions for Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and other areas and countries around the world.

241-178
No

Contraceptives

Members voted, 223-201 to allow U.S. donations of contraceptives to organizations overseas that provide or advocate abortions. A yes vote backed the policy over arguments it undercuts the government's 23-year-old ban on U.S. aid for foreign abortions.

223-201
No

 

For Week Ending 6/16/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

H.R. 2642

Funding for veterans appropriations, which Included a significant increase in funding for VA Healthcare and for processing claims of veterans

409-2
Yes

Amendment to add $22 million to Veterans'Healthcare for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Funding

The increase was offset by decreasing a 1990 BRAC Round appropriation.

154-260
Yes

Local Immigration Enforcement

Voting 286 for and 127 against, the House on June 15 increased by $9.1 million the fiscal 2008 budget for a voluntary program in which state and local police agencies enforce federal immigration laws. The funds were added to H.R. 2638. The $9.1 million was taken from an account for relocating Department of Homeland Security headquarters to a more secure location in Washington. While backers said the program has proved successful in several communities, opponents said it was disliked by local police departments.

286-127
Yes

For Week Ending 6/10/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research that does not kill embryos

Voting 180 for and 242 against, the House on June 7 defeated a Republican bid to replace S.5 with a bill authorizing federally backed stem-cell research that does not use human embryos. Democrats opposed the measure because they favor killing embryos. A yes vote backed the GOP motion.

180-242
Yes

William Jefferson Indictment

Voting 387 for and 10 against, the House on June 5 Changed its operating rules to require automatic ethics investigations of indicted members. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct would have 30 days to either start a probe or state its reasons for not doing so. The new rule (H Res 451) was sparked by the indictment of Rep. William Jefferson, D-LA, on corruption, racketeering and bribery charges. The House also approved a Republican measure requiring the Ethics Committee to probe Jefferson. A yes vote backed the new ethics rule.

387-10
Yes

For Week Ending 5/27/07

Description of Legislation
Vote in the Congress
Congressman Goode's Vote

Gasoline Prices

Voting 284 for and 141 against, the House passed a bill (HR 1252) giving the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general added tools for prosecuting energy companies suspected of charging unconscionably excessive” wholesale or retail prices. The bill defines what it terms “price gouging” and directs the FTC to establish pricing transparency in wholesale markets. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

284-141
Yes

U.S. Attorney Appointments

Voting 306-114, the House on May 22 sent President Bush a bill (S214) to repeal a year-old USA Patriot Act provision used by the Administration to appoint U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation. The bill would restore previous limits on the department's authority to make interim appointments and give Congress and federal judges a greater role in such Appointments. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

306-114
Yes

For Week Ending 5/19/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the Congress
Vote of Congressman Goode

2008 Defense Budget

Voting 397 for and 27 against, the House on May 17th approved a $645.6 billion military budget (HR 1585) for fiscal 2008. The bill authorizes $141.8 billion for 12 months' war in Iraq and Afghanistan, sets a 3.5 percent military pay raise, and orders the most thorough re-evaluation since 1947 of the military's core mission. Additionally, the bill bans fee increases for the military's TRICARE health care program; creates the office of Inspector General to audit U.S. reconstruction spending in Afghanistan; provides $4.1 billion for developing blast-resistant combat vehicles; restores collective bargaining rights to certain Defense Department employees; adds 9,000 Marines and 36,000 active duty Army personnel; and provides at least $8.1 billion for the National Missile Defense. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

397-27
Yes

Interrogation videotapes

Voting 199 for and 229 against, the House on May 17 rejected an amendment to require the U.S. military's prisoner interrogations to be videotaped and guarantee that prisoners in U.S. custody have access to international humanitarian authorities. A yes vote backed the amendment.

199-229
No

H.R. 1684-Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act

Manager's Amendment to remove or significantly weaken several provisions on: Maritime alien smuggling, Student & Exchange Visitor Program, Biometric identification of illegal aliens, Immigration enforcement and Secret Service Authorization

216-209
No

For Week Ending 5/4/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Iraq Veto

Members failed, 222-203, to reach a two-thirds majority for overriding President Bush's veto of bill (HR 1591) requiring the withdrawal of most U.S. troops from Iraq to start by Oct. 1, 2007. A yes vote was to override the President's veto of a bill funding war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

222-203
No

Hate Crimes

Members voted, 237-180, to pass a bill to expand the federal law against hate crimes to cover offenses based on sexual orientation, thereby extending special privileges and rights to homosexuals.

237-180
No

Social Security

Members defeated, 190-216, a motion concerning Social Security and the Advanced Technology Program that funds research by corporate-academic partnerships. A yes vote was to block ATP budget increases if they are paid for by surplus Social Security funds.

190-216
Yes

 

For Week Ending 4/28/07

Description of Legislation
Votes in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

War funding, withdrawal

Requires the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by set deadlines. The bill provides funding for our troops and veterans. Additionally the bill provides nearly $25 billion for non-war programs, projects, and pork.

218-208
No

Wild horses, burros

Voting 277 for and 137 against, the House on April 26 sent the Senate a bill (HR 249) to prohibit the Bureau of Land Management from selling or transferring wild horses or burros or their remains for commercial processing. The bill would repeal a 2004 law under which the government has sold thousands of the wild animals for slaughter and then human consumption abroad. There are about 31,000 wild burros and horses on federal lands. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

277-137
Yes

 

For Week Ending 4/21/2007

Description of Legislation
Votes in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Iraq troop withdrawals:

Voting 215 for and 199 against, the House on April 19 upheld a previous vote that mandates a March 1, 2008, start for the withdrawing of U.S. forces from Iraq.

215-199
No

D.C. congressional seat:

The House on April 19 voted 241 for and 177 against to expand the House of Representatives from 435 to 437 seats by establishing the District of Columbia as a Congressional district and awarding Utah a fourth Congressional district.

241-177
No

Small business disaster aid:

Voting 267 for and 158 against, the House on April 18 sent the Senate a bill (HR 361) that would spend $562 million over six years to make the Small Business administration more responsive to companies harmed by natural disasters. In part, the bill requires the SBA to provide initial relief to qualified recipients within 36 hours of the disaster.

267-158
No

 

For Week Ending 3/31/2007

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Soldiers' Outpatient Care

Voting 426 for and none against, the House on March 28 passed a bill (HR 1538) requiring the military to improve its handling of wounded veterans by steps such as upgrading outpatient care facilities and smoothing the transfer of patients from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Now awaiting Senate action, the bill is a response to recent news stories about sub-standard military outpatient and long-term care.

426-0
Yes

Rail, Mass-transit Security

Voting 299 for and 124 against, the House on March 27 th passed a bill (HR 1401) to better protect mass- transit and inter-city rail and bus systems against terrorist attacks.

299-124
Yes

U.S. Attorneys Dispute

Members repealed, 329-78, a USA Patriot Act Provision used by the Administration to appoint U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation. A Yes vote was to close a loophole central to the ongoing dispute over the administration's firing of U.S. attorneys. (HR 580)

329-78
No

2008-2012 Federal Budget

Voting 216 for and 210 against, the House on March 29 th approved a five-year Democratic Budget (H Con Res 99) that for 2008 projects $2.9 trillion in spending; a $213 billion deficit; increased discretionary domestic spending over previous Republican levels.; also will result in the largest tax increase in United States history by increasing marginal tax rates, reinstating a marriage penalty, reducing the child tax credit, increasing the death tax, and increasing taxes on capital gains and dividends.

216-210
No

Immunity for Reporting Suspicious Behavior

Congress voted 304 to 121 to provide immunity to passengers and employees of surface transportation systems who, in good faith, report suspicious behavior to authorized federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It also provides immunity to the carriers who respond to the reports. Finally, it allows these individuals to recover attorney fees and associated costs if they are named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit.

 

304-121
Yes

For Week Ending 3/24/2007

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Gulf Coast Recovery

Members voted, 302-125 to ease federal housing rules and authorize funds to speed the Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricane Katrina 19 months ago. A yes vote backed a bill to provide more housing money for former Gulf Coast residents seeking to return. (HR 1227)

302-125
No

Matching Funds

Members refused, 98-333, to strip HR 1227 (above) of a waiver allowing New Orleans to use U.S. community development grants as matching funds for obtaining the release of Federal Emergency Management Agency allocations. New Orleans would be getting a waiver while other communities would not be so treated. A yes vote was to remove the waiver.

98-333
Yes

War Funding, Withdrawal

Members voted, 218-212, to appropriate approximately $100 billion for funding for troops and for veterans' needs and an additional $24 billion for non-war programs, such as spinach, foreign aid for Liberia, and other earmarks. Also included were strict timelines for the reduction and removal of U.S. Forces from Iraq.

218-212
No

 

For Week Ending 3/17/2007

Description of Legislation
Vote in the House
Vote of Congressman Goode

Whistle-blower Protections

Members voted 331-94, to extend Whistle-blower protections to civil servants at national security agencies, employees of government contractors and federal workers who expose the distortion of scientific data for political purposes. A yes vote was to pass H.R. 985

331-94
Yes

Science Whistle-blowing

Members defeated 159-271 an amendment to strip H.R. 985 (above) of whistle-blower protections for federal workers who disclose that their superiors are suppressing or distorting scientific research for political reasons. A yes vote backed the amendment

159-271
Yes

Contracts Oversight

Members voted 347-73 to tighten federal contracting rules with a focus on the sole-source awards that have figured into allegedly fraudulent contracts for work in Iraq. A yes vote backed a bill (H.R. 1362) to limit the award of sole-source, noncompetitive contracts.

347-73
Yes

Campus Military Recruiting

Members voted 309-114 to add language to H.R. 1362 (above) prohibiting the award of federal contracts to colleges or universities that ban or impede on-campus military recruiting. A yes vote was to add the prohibition to a bill tightening contracting rules.

309-114
Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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