[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D696-D697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page D696]]




                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Measures Introduced: 39 public bills, H.R. 2516-2553; 1 private bill, 
H.R. 2554; and 11 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 223-225, and H. Res. 284-
291, were introduced.                                    
  Pages H5661-63
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages H5663-65
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 1276, to provide downpayment assistance under the HOME 
Investment Partnerships Act, amended (H. Rept. 108-164);
  H.R. 1614, to reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of 
severely distressed public housing and to provide financial assistance 
under such program for main street revitalization or redevelopment 
projects in smaller communities to support the development of 
affordable housing for low-income families in connection with such 
projects, amended (H. Rept. 108-165);
  H.R. 272, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain 
land to Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to 
convey certain land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as 
cemeteries, amended (H. Rept. 108-166); and
  H.R. 2086, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy, 
amended (H. Rept. 108-167 Part 1).                       
Pages H5660-61
Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Bob 
Warren, Pastor, Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church of Arlington 
Heights, Illinois.                                           
  Page H5553
Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act: The House passed H.R. 
1528, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to protect taxpayers 
and ensure accountability of the Internal Revenue Service by recorded 
vote of 252 ayes to 170 noes, Roll No. 293. The House also considered 
the bill on June 18.                                     
  Pages H5562-97
  Rejected the Visclosky of Indiana motion that sought to recommit the 
bill to the Committee on Ways and Means with instructions to report it 
back to the House forthwith with amendments that strike section 309, 
Health Insurance Costs of Eligible Individuals and insert the Health 
Care Tax Credit Enhancement section that decreases the age eligibility 
requirement, repeals the 3-month requirement of existing coverage; and 
revises the eligibility of spouses of individuals entitled to Medicare 
by recorded vote of 199 ayes to 226 noes, Roll No. 292. 
                                                         Pages H5595-97
  Rejected the McDermott amendment in the nature of a substitute 
printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-159 that sought to delete the Health 
Insurance Tax Credit Waiver; expand Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 
children; provide relief to families of astronauts and military 
members; limit EITC precertification program; address corporate tax 
shelters; and add protections to assist low and middle income tax 
payers by yea-and-nay vote of 196 yeas to 226 nays, Roll No. 291. 
                                                         Pages H5563-95
  H. Res. 282, the rule that provided for consideration of the bill was 
agreed to on June 18.
Small Business Health Fairness Act: The House passed H.R. 660, to amend 
title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to 
improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with 
respect to medical care for their employees by recorded vote of 262 
ayes to 162 noes, Roll No. 296.                       
  Pages H5597-H5638
  Rejected the McCarthy of New York motion that sought to recommit the 
bill to the Committee on Education and the Workforce with instructions 
to report it back to the House forthwith with an amendment that 
protects existing group health plan coverage for breast cancer 
screening, pregnancy and childbirth, well child care, and direct access 
to obstetric or gynecological services by recorded vote of 192 ayes to 
230 noes, Roll No. 295.                                  
Pages H5636-37
  Pursuant to the rule the amendment recommended by the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill (H. Rept. 108-156) 
was considered as adopted.                                   
Page H5605
  Rejected the Kind amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in 
H. Rept. 108-160 that sought to establish the Small Employer Health 
Benefits Plan, similar to the Federal employees Health Benefits Plan, 
provide premium assistance to businesses and employees, require the 
Department of Labor to annually contract with state licensed health 
insurers to offer health insurance coverage in a state, and require all 
participating insurers to offer benefits equivalent to or greater than 
the options offered to Federal employees by yea-and-nay vote of 183 
yeas to 238 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 294. 
                                                         Pages H5624-36
  H. Res. 283, the rule that provided for consideration of the bill was 
agreed to by recorded vote of 224 ayes to 199 noes, Roll No. 290. 
Earlier agreed to order the previous question by yea-and-nay vote of 
224 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 289.                      
Pages H5555-62

[[Page D697]]

Late Report: The Committee on Appropriations received permission to 
have until midnight on Monday, June 23 to file a privileged report 
making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.                       
  Page H5638
Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act: The House passed S. 1276, to improve 
the manner in which the Corporation for National and Community Service 
approves, and records obligations relating to, national service 
positions--clearing the measure for the President.       
  Pages H5638-39
Legislative Program: The Majority Leader announced the Legislative 
Program for the week of June 23.                         
  Pages H5639-42
Meeting Hour--Monday, June 23: Agreed that when the House adjourns 
today, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23 for morning-
hour debate.                                                 
  Page H5642
Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday 
business of Wednesday, June 25.                              
  Page H5642
Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Putnam wherein 
he announced his resignation from the Committee on Resources. 
                                                             Page H5642
Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 284 electing 
Representative Neugebauer to the Committees on Agriculture, Resources, 
and Science and Representative McCotter to the Committee on Small 
Business.                                                    
  Page H5643
Honoring the Celebration of Lou Gehrig's 100th Birthday and his Legacy 
in the Search for a Cure for ALS: H. Res. 278, recognizing the 
contributions Lou Gehrig and his legacy have made in the fight against 
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.                           
  Pages H5643-44
Congratulating the San Antonio Spurs on Winning the NBA Championship: 
H. Res. 279, Congratulating the San Antonio Spurs for winning the 2003 
NBA Championship.                                        
  Pages H5644-46
Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate appears on page 
H5553.
Referral: S. 1276 was held at the desk.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages 
H5560-61, H5561-62, H5594-95, H5596-97, H5597, H5635-36, H5637, and 
H5637-38. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:47 p.m.