The Online Office of Congressman Jason Altmire

Accomplishments

Legislation
16 initiatives led by Altmire have been signed into law, including 6 dealing with veterans and military families:

• Treatment and screening of traumatic brain injury for returning veterans;

• Guaranteeing wounded military veterans can keep their enlistment bonuses;

• Expanding business opportunities for veterans who are small business owners;

• Tax relief to military families who are facing financial hardship due to multiple deployments;

• Extending FMLA benefits for all military guard and reserve families;

• Eliminating the late enrollment penalty on prescription drug coverage for low-income seniors;

• Ensuring seniors maintain access to critical medical equipment and supplies.

8 additional bills or Amendments authored by Altmire have been passed by the House, including:

• Expanding access to capital for small businesses;

• Making college more affordable for working families;

• Protecting the 2nd amendment rights of sportsmen on public lands.

In addition, the 110th Congress has made progress for the American people by enacting into law:

•    Largest veterans’ health care funding increase in history – over $12 billion;
•    New GI Bill to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans go to college;
•    Tax rebates to 130 million American families and $50 billion in small business tax cuts;
•    Tax cuts for 25 million middle-class families – including 60,000 in the Fourth Congressional District – facing the AMT;
•    Expansion of offshore drilling to increase domestic production of oil and help reduce gas prices;
•    Higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks – the first increase in 32 years;
•    Largest college aid expansion since the GI Bill in 1944;
•    Extended unemployment benefits for 3.5 million Americans;
•    First increase in the minimum wage in a decade;
•    Landmark lobbying and ethics reform.

Leadership

•    Appointed Chairman of Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation;
•    Helped prevent a proposed hospital budget cut that saved PA hospitals $74 million;
•    Convened a congressional field hearing to investigate SBA’s response to flooding in Aliquippa, the North Hills and the A-K Valley;
•    Appointed Co-Chair of a congressional task force on health care reform.

Funding for the District

Secured over $80 million for western PA projects, including funding for:
•    Emergency first responders;
•    Community hospitals;
•    Transportation and infrastructure improvements including the Ohio River locks and dams;
•    Research and development projects for Western PA companies.

Independent Voting Record

Altmire is rated by the non-partisan publications Congressional Quarterly and National Journal as having one of the most reliably moderate and centrist voting records in all of Congress.

Jason Altmire is one of only 2 members of the U.S. House of Representatives with perfect attendance, having made every vote during the 110th Session of Congress.