May 18, 2007

Recent Votes

This week, the House considered H.R. 1700: the COPS Reauthorization Act. This legislation strengthens the successful COPS program by authorizing $1.15 billion a year for six years, including $600 million annually in grants to communities to hire police officers. The bill also authorizes funding to localities for additional community prosecutors and for upgrading law enforcement technology. The COPS program was created in 1994 by President Clinton. Over the years this initiative has helped communities hire an additional 117,000 police officers. In recent years, under a Republican-led Congress and White House, funding for COPS hiring grants diminished dramatically and was virtually eliminated in the last couple of years. This legislation demonstrates the new Congress' determination to reverse that decline and makes the COPS program a priority. I voted YES. The entire vote is recorded below:

The House also considered H.R. 1585: the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This legislation authorizes $503.8 billion for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy's national security programs as well as $141 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although there are a number of provisions that I do support in this legislation, I could not vote for this bill because it authorizes continued funding for the war without any restrictions and without requiring plans for troop redeployment or withdrawal. I voted NO. The entire vote is recorded below:

On Thursday the House considered S.Con.Res. 21: the Fiscal Year 2008 Concurrent Budget Resolution. The budget resolution establishes the framework through which the FY 2008 appropriations bills will be drafted and sets priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. This conference report balances the federal budget without raising taxes, projecting a surplus of $41 billion in 2012. It also protects middle class tax payers by extending the marriage penalty relief and the child tax credit. It provides crucial funding for important domestic priorities like children's health care, education and veterans' care. It provides $21 billion more than the President requested in his budget for domestic priorities like homeland security, scientific research, social services and education. These funds will be used to begin to address the shortfalls of the past several years. I voted YES. The entire vote is recorded below:

Community Health Centers

I recently introduced the ÒProtecting Every Health Center Act of 2007Ó which extends Federal Tort Claims (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage to health care entities that are known as Federally Qualified Health Center ÒLook-AlikeÓ facilities. These health centers provide vital health care services to medically underserved and uninsured Americans and assist all patients regardless of ability to pay. They are similar to federally qualified health centers in most ways, but because they do not receive federal grant funds, they are not currently eligible for FTCA coverage. My legislation will allow look-alikes to receive malpractice coverage under FTCA, provided that the facility meets the same strict risk management and provider training requirements that other health centers under FTCA must meet. This is a simple technical adjustment that will translate into more money for tangible patient benefits and improved access to care in many underserved communities.

What's Up Next

Next week, the House is expected to consider the Supplemental Conference Report for Iraq war funding.