Keeping Communities Safe
PUBLIC LAW 110-412: The PRICE of Homeland Security Act (Signed into law on October 14, 2008)
Dave introduced and passed legislation that would give state and local law enforcement officials the flexibility to use Homeland Security Grant Program funds for fusion center (WATCH: video about fusion centers here) analysts and hiring counterterrorism staff without limitations. This legislation would ensure intelligence analysis at the Washington State Joint Analytical Center is not cut.
PASSED HOUSE: H.R. 1695, Preventing Radicalism by Exploring and Vetting its Emergence as a National Threat (PREVENT) Act (Passed House 3/26/07)
Introduced legislation to establish a National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence. The purpose is to proactively get ahead of the radicalization problem before it becomes widespread within the United States.
SIGNED INTO LAW: H.Amdt.254 - Intelligence Funding (Passed House, 6/12/07, signed into law as part of The Consolidated Appropriations Act 12/26/07, PL 110-161)
During consideration of the FY2008 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, offered an amendment to add $10 million to the Analysis and Operations account within DHS to prevent cuts in intelligence support for border security and halting terrorist travel and human smuggling. The proposed cuts also would have severely impacted the ability to do nuclear and biological threat assessments.
SIGNED INTO LAW: H.Amdt.669 - Domestic Violence, Court Training and Improvements Program (Passed House 7/25/07, signed into law as part of The Consolidated Appropriations Act; increase reduced to $2.82M (12/26/07).
During consideration of the FY2008 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, offered an amendment to provide $5 million to fully fund the Court Training and Improvements Program. The Court Training and Improvements Program enhances our courts’ ability to keep victims of domestic and sexual abuse safe and to hold offenders accountable.
Honoring Our Veterans
SIGNED INTO LAW: H.R. 358, Veterans Grave Markers (Passed House 12/11/07 as part of the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007, Section 203, Public Law 110-157, (12/26/07).
Introduced measure to expand and make permanent the provision of government-furnished grave markers and headstones for veterans buried in private cemeteries, at no cost to their families. Endorsed by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
PASSED HOUSE: H.R. 1632, Improving Veterans’ Reemployment Act (Passed House 7/30/07 as part of H.R. 1315, Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act, Section 4)
Introduced measure requiring the agencies responsible for protecting veterans’ employment rights – the Departments of Defense, Labor, Justice, and the Office of Special Counsel – to coordinate their sharing of and reporting on complaint data filed by veterans facing difficulties being rehired. It also requires them to specifically track employment concerns caused by service-connected disabilities.
21st Century Health Care
PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE: H.R. 593, Children’s Health Insurance Promotion (CHIP) Act (Passed House 10/25/07, as part of H.R. 3963, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, Section 2113)
Introduced measure to provide $100 million in grants over the next two fiscal years to encourage states, schools, and community organizations to implement innovative outreach programs in order to cover more eligible, uninsured children in Medicaid and SCHIP. The legislation included a 10% set-aside for outreach to Native American children.
PASSED HOUSE: H.Amdt.513 - Emergency Medical Services for Children (Passed House 7/19/07)
During consideration of the FY2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill, offered an amendment to provide $2.5 million in additional resources for the Emergency Medical Services for Children program that provides grants to states and medical institutions to expand and improve emergency care for children who need treatment for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. (H.Amdt.513 to H.R. 3043, Voice Vote, 7/17/07)
PASSED HOUSE: H.Res.1106, Designating April as Autism Awareness Month (Passed House 5/21/08)
Designates April as National Autism Awareness Month; commends the parents of children with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for their special needs; supports devoting new resources to researching the root causes of autism; and recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained teachers necessary to teach, assist, and respond to special needs students.
Transportation
PASSED HOUSE: H.Amdt. 1105 – Commuter Bus Services (Passed House 6/26/08)
Authorizes funds that transit agencies can use for commuter bus lines like the Greater Eastside’s Park-and-Ride system to expand services and create new facilities. (H.Amdt.1105 to H.R. 6052, Voice Vote 6/26/08)
Education
PASSED HOUSE: H.Amdt. 1075 – Reducing School Class Sizes (Passed House 6/4/08)
Offered amendment authorizing grants to local education agencies for the construction, modernization, or repair of public kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools to reduce class sizes and promote the individualized instruction students need to excel. (H.Amdt.1075 to H.R. 3021, Voice Vote 6/4/08)
PASSED HOUSE: H.Res.1180, Recognizing Women in Science (Passed House 5/21/08)
Recognizes the contributions of women to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the health of many industries that have improved the nation's competitiveness and standard of living.
