H.Res. 1311 --Expressing support for the designation of National Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Day– YES Congress created GEAR UP in 1998 to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. I voted in favor of this bill because of the great work the Program is doing. GEAR UP is currently providing essential college preparatory services to 640,000 students in more than 5,000 schools across 46 States. The resolution does not authorize expenditures.

H.Res.1202 --Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Guard Youth Challenge Day (5 minutes)– YES This bill is a well-deserved recognition of this Program, which has successfully helped thousands of high school dropouts. Since 1993, more than 77,100 students have successfully graduated from the program, of whom 80 percent earned their high school diploma or GED, 26 percent entered college, 18 percent entered the military, and 56 percent joined the workforce in career jobs. The resolution does not authorize expenditures.

H.R. 6578 --Consumer Energy Supply Act of 2008– NO Congress created the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a result of the Arab oil embargo in 1973. The SPR was not created to help adjust the price of gasoline, it was created to defend against a similar supply disruption in the future. I voted against this bill because it would drawdown from the SPR crude that is easier to refine and replace it with crude that is harder to refine. In the event of an oil supply shock, the heavy grade crude in the SPR, if released, would take longer (and thus be more costly) to refine, delaying the crisis-mitigating effects of the SPR. Cost: No score.

H.R. 6493 --Aviation Safety Enhancement Act – YES I supported this legislation because it requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a new office to investigate claims of safety violations made by FAA and air carrier employees. The bill also requires the FAA to modify certain internal initiatives with regard to the FAA’s treatment of air carriers.

H.Res.1202 --Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Guard Youth Challenge – YES The National Guard Youth Challenge has successfully helped thousands of high school dropouts to earn their high school diploma or GED. I supported this resolution which honors the goals and ideals of the National Guard Youth Challenge Day.

H.R. 6545 --National Energy Security Intelligence Act of 2008 – YES I supported this legislation that requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress an intelligence assessment on national and energy security issues relating to the rapidly rising cost of energy.

H.R. 6532 --To amend the Internal Revenue Cole of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance– YES This legislation is an account transfer of $8 billion from the general revenue fund to the Highway Trust Fund. $8 billion was moved from the Highway Trust Fund into the general revenue fund several years ago and this will move the funding back. If this isn’t passed, the Trust Fund will be bankrupt by the end of next year. I supported this legislation because if the account transfer is not passed, Texas stands to lose $859 million in highway funding next year. I support fixing in the Highway Trust fund, but that fix is more appropriate during next year’s transportation reauthorization bill and this money is needed for state transportation projects in the short term.

Childers Amendment -YES- I supported this amendment to the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act because it restricts funds in the bill from being used to hire illegal immigrants.

Passage H.R. 3999 --The National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act– NO This legislation authorizes $1 billion to expand the Federal Highway Bridge Program that replaces structurally deficient bridges. I voted against this bill because of the high cost and because on Wednesday I supported a transfer of $8 billion in highway funds that can be used to finance the replacement of deficient bridges.

H.Res. 1368 --Relating to the House procedures contained in section 803 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 – NO I voted against this resolution because it is fiscally irresponsible to allow Medicare to continue growing at an unsustainable rate. The Medicare trigger requires the President to submit, and Congress to consider, legislation when the Medicare trustees issue a warning that the program's spending from general revenue exceeds 45 percent over two years. 2008 is the first year Medicare runs a deficit, meaning it spends more money that it brings in. By 2019, the trust fund for Medicare will be exhausted. Congress needs to reform Medicare in its entirety, and by allowing this resolution to pass, Congress is abdicating its fiscal responsibility to the nation.