BLAGOJEVICH, ROD R. (a Representative from Illinois)

Amendments

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations (H.R. 3908), H1570 [29MR]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Africa: HIV/AIDS prevention programs funding for sub-Saharan Africa (see H.R. 2765), H342 [10FE]

Air pollution: reduce emissions from electric powerplants (see H.R. 2900), H2340 [13AP]

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association: tribute to individuals who are being awarded the Medal for Military Service (see H. Con. Res. 283), H1077 [15MR]

Animals: prohibit importation, sale, or manufacturing of products made with dog or cat fur (see H.R. 1622), H7578 [13SE]

———provide for a system of sanctuaries for chimpanzees that are no longer needed in research conducted by the Public Health Service (see H.R. 3514), H5656 [29JN]

Armed Forces: improve Montgomery GI Bill benefits by improving and expanding educational assistance programs (see H.R. 1071), H7991 [21SE]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 2966), H50 [27JA] (see H.R. 3573), H219 [7FE]

Belarus: human rights violations and democracy efforts (see H. Con. Res. 304), H2239 [12AP]

Birds: prohibit interstate movement of live birds, for the purpose of fighting, to States in which animal fighting is lawful (see H.R. 1275), H5656 [29JN]

Burma: recognize anniversary of free and fair elections and improve democratic and human rights (see H. Con. Res. 328), H5085 [23JN]

Census: conduct an interim census of Americans abroad and require such individuals to be included in future decennial censuses (see H.R. 3649), H373 [14FE]

Cesar Chavez Post Office, Chicago, IL: designate (see H.R. 4830), H7212 [27JY]

Citizenship: confer U.S. citizenship automatically and retroactively to foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens (see H.R. 2883), H255 [8FE]

Civil liberties: protect day laborers from unfair labor practices (see H.R. 5182), H7651 [14SE]

Coastal zones: use of offshore oil and gas revenues to fund State and local conservation programs of coastal States (see H.R. 701), H510 [16FE]

Community development: enhance availability of capital and credit for citizens and communities and ensure that community reinvestment keeps pace as financial service providers become affiliated (see H.R. 4893), H6599 [19JY]

Comprehensive AIDS Resources Act: revise and extend programs to provide access to health care and support services to individuals and families with HIV and AIDS (see H.R. 4807), H6471 [18JY]

Contracts: ensure public accountability, efficient delivery of services, reasonable cost savings, and prevention of unwarranted expenses (see H.R. 3766), H633 [1MR]

———require wages paid under Federal contracts to be above local poverty line (see H.R. 4353), H7211 [27JY]

Correctional institutions: prohibit operation by private contractors and require persons convicted of Federal offenses be housed in facilities managed and maintained by Federal employees (see H.R. 979), H342 [10FE]

Courts: restore the Federal civil rights remedy for victims of gender-motivated violence (see H.R. 5021), H7207 [27JY]

Customs Service: prohibit import of diamonds from certain conflict regions in Africa (see H.R. 5147), H11195 [25OC]

Dept. of Commerce: establish an Office of Community Economic Adjustment to coordinate the Federal response in regions and communities experiencing economic distress (see H.R. 4711), H4816 [21JN]

Dept. of Defense: return unclaimed military decorations subject to State escheatment to the proper military department for donation to museums and resource centers (see H.R. 5517), H10472 [19OC]

Dept. of Justice: create a record of lawful admission for permanent residence for certain aliens (see H.R. 4172), H4036 [7JN]

———establish the Violence Against Women Office (see H.R. 4848), H6778 [24JY]

Dept. of State: provide appropriate training and materials to all executive branch employees involved in responding to issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide (see H. Res. 398), H2412 [2MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: provide grants for toll-free telephone number to provide information and assistance to veterans (see H.R. 2736), H2512 [3MY]

———reaffirm and clarify duty of the Secretary to administer laws which assist claimants for benefits (see H.R. 4864), H6471 [18JY]

Education: establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (see H.R. 4271, 4272), H7003 [25JY]

———support teachers (see H. Res. 492), H2655 [8MY]

Everglades National Park: restoration plan (see H.R. 5121), H9505 [6OC]

FCC: prohibit from establishing rules authorizing the operation of new, low power FM radio stations (see H.R. 3439), H1285 [22MR]

Federal employees: health benefits coverage for hearing aids and examinations (see H.R. 2321), H5843 [11JY]

Federal firefighters: make mandatory separation age match requirement for Federal law enforcement officers (see H.R. 460), H3649 [23MY]

Firearms: enhance the enforcement of gun violence laws (see H.R. 4066), H1284 [22MR]

———improve safety of handguns (see H.R. 515), H1406 [23MR]

———provide grants for the purchase of firearms to States and units of local government that enforce certain rules designed to protect the public from the misuse of handguns (see H.R. 5472), H9900 [12OC]

Foreign aid: international family planning programs funding (see H.R. 3634), H2770 [9MY]

———prohibit application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental and multilateral organizations (see H.R. 4211), H2906 [10MY]

Foreign policy: improve relations with India and intensify bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism (see H. Res. 572), H7502 [12SE]

Foreign trade: eliminate disincentives to fair trade conditions (see H.R. 842), H9635 [10OC]

Forests: eliminate commercial logging on public lands and facilitate the economic recovery and diversification of communities dependent on the Federal logging program (see H.R. 1396), H10257 [18OC]

Frederick Douglass Gardens, Inc.: establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs (see H.R. 5331), H8468 [28SE]

Freedmen's Bureau: ensure preservation of records (see H.R. 5157), H8406 [27SE]

Health: minority health programs (see H.R. 3250), H4784 [20JN]

———prohibit health insurance and employment discrimination on the basis of genetic information (see H.R. 2457), H4817 [21JN]

———revise and extend organ procurement and transplantation programs (see H.R. 3885), H2411 [2MY]

Henry W. McGee Post Office Building, Chicago, IL: designate (see H.R. 3909), H1589 [29MR]

Higgins, Andrew Jackson and family: award Congressional Gold Medals (see H.R. 4384), H3926 [6JN]

Higgins Industries: award Congressional Gold Medal to World War II-era employees (see H.R. 4384), H3926 [6JN]

Hispanic Americans: prevent suicide among Latina adolescents (see H.R. 4439; H. Con. Res. 325), H2966 [11MY]

Hungary: anniversary of foundation as a state (see H. Con. Res. 297), H1852 [5AP]

Immigration: adjust status of certain Colombian and Peruvian nationals (see H.R. 2741), H2411 [2MY]

———ensure no alien is removed, denied benefits, or otherwise deprived of liberty, based on evidence that is kept secret from the alien (see H.R. 2121), H5036 [22JN]

———exempt certain elderly persons from certain naturalization requirements and permit certain other elderly persons to take the history and government examination in a language of their choice (see H.R. 2899), H255 [8FE]

———protection of battered immigrant women (see H.R. 3083), H511 [16FE]

———restore fairness to immigration law (see H.R. 4966), H10036 [17OC]

Indonesia: prohibit military assistance relative to free elections and human rights conditions in East Timor (see H.R. 4357), H4220 [12JN]

INS: replace with the National Immigration Bureau, separate functions and restructure fees relative to immigration enforcement and adjudication services, and restore status adjustment eligibility (see H.R. 2680), H278 [9FE]

Iron and steel industry: provide relief from injury caused by steel imports and request the ITC to commence an expedited investigation for positive adjustment (see H. Res. 635), H10036 [17OC]

King, Martin Luther, Jr.: mint coins in commemoration (see H.R. 3633), H2770 [9MY]

Korean War: anniversary (see H.J. Res. 86), H165 [1FE]

Law enforcement: facilitate exchange and collection of DNA identification information from violent offenders (see H.R. 2810), H1477 [28MR]

———improve the quality and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes (see H.R. 2340), H1764 [4AP]

———provide assistance to State and local forensic laboratories in analyzing DNA samples from convicted offenders (see H.R. 3087), H1406 [23MR]

Law enforcement officers: clarify procedures and conditions for the award of matching grants for the purchase of armor vests (see H.R. 4033), H1285 [22MR]

———ensure accountability, guarantee due process, establish standards for internal investigations and hearings, and require enactment of relevant State laws (see H.R. 3896), H2967 [11MY]

Medicaid: improve quality of care furnished in nursing homes (see H.R. 4949), H7002 [25JY]

———provide families and disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (see H.R. 4825), H7281 [6SE]

———provide State options to allow eligibility for legal immigrant pregnant women, children, and certain disabled individuals (see H.R. 1399), H454 [15FE]

Medicare: coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see H.R. 4770), H5240 [27JN]

———coverage of screening pap smears and pelvic exams (see H.R. 4571), H9505 [6OC]

———improve the manner in which new medical technologies are made available to beneficiaries (see H.R. 4395), H8062 [25SE]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (see H.R. 3580), H1285 [22MR]

Medicare/Medicaid: require certain staffing in nursing facilities (see H.R. 5166), H7577 [13SE]

Mental health: issue commemorative postage stamp to raise autism awareness (see H. Res. 458), H4592 [15JN]

Middle East: condemn current level of violence between Israelis and Palestinians (see H. Con. Res. 426), H10037 [17OC]

———prohibit U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority if a Palestinian state is declared unilaterally (see H.R. 4976), H7578 [13SE]

Motor vehicles: improve safety of car seats for children (see H.R. 4145), H1628 [30MR]

National Take Your Kids To Vote Day: support (see H. Con. Res. 389), H7210 [27JY]

NIH: biomedical research funding (see H. Res. 437), H1164 [21MR]

Northern Mariana Islands: prohibit use of the ``Made in USA'' label on products and deny such products duty-free and quota-free treatment (see H.R. 1621), H255 [8FE]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: waive applicability to employment performed in an employee's residence (see H.R. 3518), H2770 [9MY]

Petroleum: prohibit use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), provide flexibility within the EPA's oxygenate requirements, and promote the use of renewable ethanol (see H.R. 4011), H2122 [11AP]

———promote the use of reformulated gasoline, allow State and local regulation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and revise reformulated gasoline environmental regulations (see H. Con. Res. 256), H2341 [13AP]

Pope John Paul II: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3544), H2770 [9MY]

Postage and stamps: modify rates relative to reduced-rate mail matter (see H.R. 4636), H7578 [13SE]

Postal Service: amend pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for postmasters (see H.R. 3842), H9635 [10OC]

———issue a semipostal in order to afford the public a convenient way to contribute to funding for the establishment of the World War II Memorial (see H.R. 4492), H5037 [22JN]

———preserve, protect, and promote viability (see H.R. 2535), H632 [1MR]

President and Vice President: constitutional amendment on direct popular election (see H.J. Res. 23), H11842 [3NO]

Public welfare programs: improve onsite inspections of State food stamp programs and provide grants to develop community partnerships and innovative outreach strategies for food stamp and related programs (see H.R. 2738), H9505 [6OC]

———repeal certain restrictions on food stamp eligibility and increase Federal support for emergency food assistance programs (see H.R. 3192), H6354 [17JY]

Railroads: delay effective date for the implementation of regulations requiring audible warnings at highway-rail grade crossings (see H.R. 5059), H7208 [27JY]

Roberto Clemente Post Office, Chicago, IL: designate (see H.R. 4831), H7212 [27JY]

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument: establish (see H.R. 3676), H5036 [22JN]

Schulz, Charles M.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3642), H341 [10FE]

Sierra Leone: support Government in its peace-building efforts (see H. Con. Res. 323), H6600 [19JY]

Social Security: computation system for benefits relative to spouses' and surviving spouses' Government pensions (see H.R. 1217), H757 [8MR]

———earnings test for blind individuals (see H.R. 1601), H342 [10FE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (see H.R. 5324), H8406 [27SE] (see H.R. 5612), H11813 [2NO]

———provide choice between lump sum payments or an improved computation formula for certain workers who attain age 65 (see H.R. 568), H757 [8MR]

———restore Social Services Block Grant funding and the ability of States to transfer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to such block grant (see H.R. 4481), H7366 [7SE]

States: permit the option of coverage of legal immigrants under the Medicaid Program and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 4707), H8469 [28SE]

Taxation: allow deduction equal to fair market value for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor (see H.R. 3249), H6719 [20JY]

———allow tax credit to holders of qualified bonds issued by an intercity passenger rail carrier (see H.R. 3700), H2341 [13AP]

———encourage stronger mathematics and science programs at elementary and secondary schools (see H.R. 4273), H7003 [25JY]

———expand incentives for the construction and renovation of public schools (see H.R. 4094), H1476 [28MR]

———incentives to ensure timely and equitable access to the Internet over current and future generations of broadband capability (see H.R. 4728), H6719 [20JY]

———phase-out and repeal estate and gift taxes (see H.R. 8), H2340 [13AP]

———recycling and remanufacturing equipment credit (see H.R. 2953), H1120 [16MR]

———reduce estate and gift tax rates (see H.R. 5315), H10473 [19OC]

———require certain political organizations to report information to the IRS (see H.R. 4168), H1762 [4AP]

———treatment of computers provided to employees for personal use (see H.R. 4274), H7003 [25JY]

———treatment of contributions of computers to schools and public libraries (see H.R. 2308), H5656 [29JN]

———treatment of damages and back pay received on account of, and expenses incurred in asserting any claim of employment discrimination (see H.R. 1997), H90 [31JA] (see H.R. 4570), H3868 [25MY]

———treatment of flight training expenses reimbursed through certain veterans educational assistance allowances (see H.R. 2004), H2411 [2MY]

Tiger Woods Foundation: tribute (see H. Res. 654), H11194 [25OC]

Trucking industry: support freeze on longer combination vehicles and current Federal limitations on truck size and weight (see H. Con. Res. 306), H5843 [11JY]

Turkey: claim of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea (see H. Con. Res. 340), H3868 [25MY]

U.N.: promote full equality for Israel (see H.R. 3405), H2905 [10MY]

Veterans: improve benefits for World War II Filipino veterans (see H.R. 1594), H6719 [20JY]

———presumption of service connection for hepatitis C in certain veterans (see H.R. 1020), H2411 [2MY]

———recognize the importance of veterans to the U.S. and express support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day (see H. Con. Res. 58), H6600 [19JY]

———require employers to give employees who are members of reserve components leave of absence to participate in an honor guard for veterans' funerals (see H.R. 284), H8468 [28SE]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: place a plaque to honor those veterans who died after their service, but as a direct result of that service (see H.R. 3293), H342 [10FE]

Volunteer workers: extend appropriations for programs under the National and Community Service Act and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (see H.R. 4740), H5084 [23JN]

Water: prohibit use and provide for remediation of water contaminated by methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) (see H.R. 4303), H4337 [13JN]

Women: protection of reproductive rights (see H.R. 2624), H1285 [22MR]

———reauthorize Federal programs to prevent violence against women (see H.R. 1248), H7281 [6SE]

Woods, Tiger: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 4926), H7933 [20SE]

———tribute (see H. Res. 654), H11194 [25OC]

World War II: allow certain individuals of Japanese ancestry who were brought forcibly to the U.S. from Latin America and were interned in the U.S. to be provided restitution (see H.R. 4735), H7129 [26JY]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Firearms: prevent theft from commercial carriers (see H.R. 3563), H164 [1FE]

———prohibit possession or transfer of easily concealable pistols known as ``pocket rockets'' (see H.R. 4876), H6469 [18JY]

———require ballistics testing of all firearms manufactured and all in the custody of Federal agencies and add ballistics testing to existing enforcement strategies (see H.R. 4000), H1118 [16MR]

House Rules: amend to allow for the introduction of legislation redesignating Washington's Birthday in honor of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt (see H. Res. 427), H574 [29FE]

J.T. Weeker Service Center, Chicago, IL: designate (see H.R. 5016), H7206 [27JY]

Remarks

Agriculture, rural development, FDA, and related agencies programs: making appropriations (H.R. 4461), H5551 [29JN]

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations (H.R. 3908), H1570 [29MR]

CPSC: list of children's products subject to recall or corrective action, H4845 [21JN]

Cyprus: anniversary of Turkish occupation, H6363 [18JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: Asian Longhorned Beetle eradication funding, H5551 [29JN]

Dept. of Justice: transfer of appropriations from other Federal departments and agencies to fund litigation against tobacco industry, H4645 [19JN]

Dept. of Labor: job training programs funding, H4075, H4076 [8JN]

Depts. of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 4690), H4995 [22JN]

Depts. of Labor, HHS, and Education, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 4577), H4075, H4076 [8JN]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 4635), H4645 [19JN], H4845 [21JN]

Education: support teachers (H. Res. 492), H2729 [9MY]

Firearms: notify State and local law enforcement agencies and the BATF when an instant criminal background check determines a person is ineligible for a handgun, H4995 [22JN]

Foreign operations, export financing, and related programs: making appropriations (H.R. 4811), E1276 [19JY]

Illinois: tribute to American Dental Hygienists' Association members, E1857 [19OC]

India: allocation of foreign aid, E1276 [19JY]

Votes: position on missed, E141 [15FE]

Workforce Investment Act: youth activities funding, H1570 [29MR]