Legislative Accomplishments in the 110th Congress

 

Immigration and Border Security

Tunnel Enforcement Act (H.R. 4326)

• Ensures that there are criminal penalties for using tunnels to smuggle illegal aliens, goods, controlled substances, weapons, or terrorists.
• Status:  Passed the House as a provision in the final FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764), on December 19, 2007, and was signed by the President on December 26, 2007.

Employee Verification Amendment Act (H.R. 6633)

• Reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Basic Pilot electronic employment eligibility verification program, also known as “E-Verify.”  Without congressional action, E-Verify will expire in November 2008. This legislation provides for a 5-year extension of this voluntary program for the electronic employment verification of employees.
• It also includes provisions that ensure DHS provides timely reimbursements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for E-Verify’s use of SSA resources. Government Accountability Office investigations into E-Verify’s impact on small businesses and its eligibility confirmation process are also authorized.
• Status: An extension of E-Verify through September 20, 2009 was included in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Funding

• This federal funding reimburses local law enforcement agencies for the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants.  It provides vital support to Border States such as Arizona, where we pay a disproportionately higher amount for the incarceration of illegal immigrants. 
• In FY 2009 and 2010, the President’s budget proposal eliminated SCAAP funding.  Congresswoman Giffords sent letters and testified to the House Budget Committee to successfully reinstate the funding. 
• She also worked with the Appropriations Committee to increase the funding to $420 million for FY 2009 and to $330 million for FY 2010.
• Status:  SCAAP funded at $420 million in the FY 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act.

 

Military/Veterans

Stop Arming Iran Act (H.R. 1441)

• Prohibits the Department of Defense from selling any parts for the F-14 fighter aircraft.
• Status:  Passed the House on December 12, 2007, in Section 1035 of the conference report for the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986), which was signed into law on January 28, 2008.

Combat Troops Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3808)

• Increases the Standard Tax Deduction by $1,000 for all members of the Armed Forces who are called up for active duty, and permanently fixes a flaw in the tax code that penalizes our soldiers for serving in combat zones. 
• This provision will allow soldiers to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Care Tax Credit—affecting as many as 10,000 soldiers currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Status:  The EITC provision passed the House as part of H.R. 3997, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act on November 6, 2007, and was signed into law as part of H.R. 6081 on June 16, 2008.
   

National Security Culture and Language Training Act (H.R. 6037)

• Would provide the Secretary of Defense with the authority to establish an incentive bonus to encourage individuals in officer training programs such as the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the service academies to engage in the study of “critical” foreign languages and cultural education.
• Status:  Important provisions were included in the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658).

 

Solar

Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2774)

• Creates a research and development program into thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power (CSP);
• Conducts a report regarding the integration of concentrating solar power plants and regional electricity transmission systems, including how to send electricity from high solar resource areas (such as Arizona) to areas with less solar power.
• Analyzes how to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems; andCreates a program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in order to ensure that current and future employees obtain the necessary skills to install, operate and maintain solar energy products.
• Status:  Passed the House in H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act on December 18, 2007 and was signed into law on December 19, 2007.
   

Renewable Energy Assistance Tax Act (H.R. 3807)

• Extends the 30% commercial solar property and residential investment tax credit for eight years;
• Extends the existing energy-efficient appliance credit and extend this credit for three years (through the end of 2010), and
• Extends the energy-efficient doors, windows, and insulation consumer tax credit for eight years.
• Status:  Provisions have passed the House four times: in H.R. 2776 on August 4, 2007; in H.R. 6 on December 6, 2007; in H.R. 5351 on February 27, 2008; and in H.R. 6049 on May 21, 2008.  The bill was finally included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act which became law on October 3, 2008.

 

Conservation/Natural Resources

The Levee-like Structures Consideration Act (H.R. 4050)

• Requires FEMA to create a process for considering the effects of levee-like structures when revising or updating flood maps.
• Status:  Passed the Committee on Financial Services on December 4, 2007, but the issue was resolved through negotiations with FEMA.

 

Health

Safe and Effective Drug Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 2592)

• Creates and funds public-private partnerships between the FDA and universities or non-profits to work on drug safety. 
• These partnerships expand the FDA’s ‘Critical Path Initiative’ by working to solve the problems facing drug safety and new drug development, and the research areas that provide the greatest opportunities for rapid improvement and public health benefits.  These partners will modernize the medical product development sciences, accelerate innovation and enhance safety.
• Status:  Adopted as an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (H.R. 3580) in the Energy and Commerce Committee on June 21, 2007.  It was signed into law by President Bush on September 27, 2007.
  
   

Other

Honor the International Year of Astronomy (H. CON. RES. 375)

• Honors the goal of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) to celebrate astronomical discoveries and encourages the public to participate in IYA celebrations and activities, and discover more about the Universe and the science of astronomy.
• he Resolution also applauds the efforts of the employees, centers, and laboratories of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in promoting public understanding of the astronomical sciences during the IYA celebration.
• Status: Unanimously passed the House on July 9, 2008.
  
   

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (H. Res. 339)

• Designates May as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" and encourages motorcycle riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, to never drink and ride, and to be properly licensed and trained. 
• It also serves as a reminder to all riders and motorists to always share the road respectfully.
• Status: Unanimously passed the House on May 21, 2008.
  
   

National Day of the Cowboy (H. Res. 984)

• Officially designates the “National Day of the Cowboy” on July 26, 2008, and encourages Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
• Status: Unanimously passed the House on July 14, 2008.