WATKINS, WES (a Representative from Oklahoma)

Amendments

Agriculture: continue certain programs (H.R. 2646), H6163 [2OC], H6270 [4OC]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Armed Forces: restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 179), H224 [7FE]

Bankruptcy: extend reenactment period for chapter 12 of the bankruptcy code relative to family farmers (see H.R. 256), H325 [13FE]

Chen Shui-bian: U.S. visit (see H. Con. Res. 135), H2184 [15MY]

Children and youth: improve academic and social outcomes for students by providing productive activities during after-school hours (see H.R. 1822), H5406 [5SE]

Computers: establish Internet domain for children that will promote positive experiences, provide safe online environment, and prevent exposure to harmful material (see H.R. 2417), H3961 [11JY]

———regulate the transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail (see H.R. 718), H955 [15MR]

Congress: hold joint session in New York, NY (see H. Con. Res. 249), H7960 [8NO]

Congressional Gold Medal: award posthumously to passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H.R. 2917), H8843 [4DE]

Consumers: require retailers of farm-raised fish to inform consumers of the country of origin (see H.R. 2439), H5406 [5SE]

Correctional institutions: prohibit use of Federal funds for certain amenities and personal comforts for inmates in Federal prisons (see H.R. 1031), H1191 [27MR]

Crime: life imprisonment for repeat offenders who commit sex offenses against children (see H.R. 2146), H3149 [13JN]

———penalties for the placing of sexually explicit photographs on the Internet without the permission of the persons photographed (see H.R. 1655), H1715 [1MY]

———protect unborn victims of violence (see H.R. 503), H325 [13FE]

———provide incentives for States to enact mandatory minimum sentences for certain firearms offenses (see H.R. 534), H2082 [9MY]

Davis-Bacon Act: waive requirements relative to contracts for school and library construction and repair (see H.R. 331), H2022 [8MY]

Dept. of Agriculture: provide emergency crop loss assistance to respond to economic losses incurred by crop producers, livestock and poultry producers, and greenhouse operators as a result of the increase in energy prices (see H.R. 396), H650 [6MR]

Dept. of Transportation: establish a grant program for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of railroad track (see H.R. 1020), H1557 [24AP]

Disasters: creation of protection funds by property and casualty insurance companies for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from future catastrophic events (see H.R. 785), H506 [28FE]

Diseases: expand research activities relative to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (see H.R. 717), H398 [14FE]

Drugs: extend and modify the Drug-Free Communities Support Program and authorize a National Community Antidrug Coalition Institute (see H.R. 2291), H3465 [21JN]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make tax benefits permanent (see H.R. 2316), H10910 [19DE]

Education: provide for a rural education development initiative (see H.R. 1096), H1489 [4AP]

———provide for teacher technology training (see H.R. 1703), H5488 [10SE]

Employment: provide effective training and education programs for displaced homemakers, single parents, and individuals entering nontraditional employment (see H.R. 2489), H4008 [12JY]

English language: declare as official language of U.S. (see H.R. 280), H1410 [3AP]

Firearms: prohibit lawsuits against weapons manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers (see H.R. 123), H3805 [28JN]

———protect and enforce the right to obtain and use firearms for security, self-defense, and other legitimate purposes (see H.R. 31), H1556 [24AP]

———protect manufacturers and sellers in the firearms and ammunition industry from restrictions on interstate or foreign commerce (see H.R. 2037), H3151 [13JN]

Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 36), H2956 [6JN]

———encourage displaying of the flag in response to hijacking and crashing of aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H. Con. Res. 225), H5616 [13SE]

Food Security Act: authorize enrollment of land in the Wetlands Reserve Program (see H.R. 1506), H1497 [4AP]

Foreign trade: extend trade authorities procedures with respect to reciprocal trade agreements (see H.R. 2149), H3149 [13JN]

Freedom of religion: constitutional amendment on protection (see H.J. Res. 81), H10966 [20DE]

Gambling: expand and modernize the prohibition against interstate gambling (see H.R. 3215), H8339 [16NO]

``God Bless America'': designate as the national hymn of the U.S. (see H.R. 3051), H6421 [5OC]

Health: assure coverage of emergency services under group health plans and health insurance (see H.R. 1674), H3863 [10JY]

———develop the field of health promotion and disease prevention and develop strategies to integrate health and lifestyle improvement programs into national policy (see H. Res. 115), H1487 (see H. Res. 115), H1499 [4AP]

———sustain access to vital emergency medical services in rural areas (see H.R. 1353), H5339 [2AU]

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: authorizing appropriations (see H.R. 737), H441 [27FE] (see H.R. 835), H1013 [20MR]

Information services: deregulate Internet and high speed data services (see H.R. 1542), H1554 [24AP]

Insurance: coverage of long-term care services (see H. Con. Res. 37), H399 [14FE]

Intermountain Dairy Compact: congressional consent (see H.R. 1827), H2147 [14MY]

Investments: establish individual development accounts for certain individuals and families (see H.R. 2160), H3149 [13JN]

Iraq: U.N. mandated monitoring of weapons development (see H.J. Res. 75), H9078 [6DE]

Israel: elections (see H. Res. 31), H223 [7FE]

Labor unions: protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see H.R. 1109), H1346 [29MR]

Law enforcement officers: exempt from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns (see H.R. 218), H6458 [9OC]

Medicaid: clarify that Native American women eligible for coverage under Indian health plans are eligible for optional breast and cervical cancer coverage (see H.R. 1383), H6260 [3OC]

———State funding for disproportionate share hospitals (see H.R. 1604), H2680 [23MY]

Medicare: adjust wages and wage-related costs for certain items and services furnished in geographically reclassified hospitals (see H.R. 1375), H1409 [3AP]

———coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases (see H.R. 2117), H9078 [6DE]

———coverage of oral anticancer drugs (see H.R. 1624), H1861 [2MY]

———provide guidance to health care providers attempting to properly submit claims and target truly fraudulent activity for enforcement of billing regulations rather than inadvertent errors (see H.R. 868), H877 [13MR]

———standardize payment amounts for inpatient hospital services (see H.R. 1609), H1861 [2MY]

National Day of Reconciliation: designate (see H. Con. Res. 184), H6920 [16OC]

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: amend (see H.R. 1287), H1861 [2MY]

National Writing Project: improve (see H.R. 1192), H1717 [1MY]

Native American Heritage Month: observance (see H. Con. Res. 270), H8421 [27NO]

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act: reauthorizing (see H.R. 1873), H3619 [26JN]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (see H.R. 1662), H1715 [1MY]

Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact: reauthorize (see H.R. 1827), H2147 [14MY]

Oklahoma: settle certain claims of Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Nations to the Arkansas Riverbed (see H.R. 3534), H10909 [19DE]

Oklahoma City, OK: authorize construction of a Native American Cultural Center and Museum (see H.R. 2742), H5334 [2AU]

Pacific Northwest Dairy Compact: congressional consent (see H.R. 1827), H2147 [14MY]

Pensions: reform (see H.R. 10), H927 [14MR]

Political campaigns: ethics reform and contribution limits (see H.R. 1444), H1484 (see H.R. 1444), H1494 [4AP]

Postal Service: amend pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for postmasters (see H.R. 250), H650 [6MR]

Power resources: establish and implement competitive, environmentally sound, and job creating oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain (see H.R. 39), H254 [8FE]

Railroads: modernize financing of railroad retirement system and provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries (see H.R. 1140), H1191 [27MR]

Reagan, Ronald: tribute (see H.J. Res. 7), H166 [31JA]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services (see H.R. 2157), H3149 [13JN]

Science: prohibit the cloning of humans (see H.R. 1644), H2680 [23MY]

Sharon, Ariel: commend election as Prime Minister of Israel, encourage end to Middle East violence, and reaffirm U.S. commitment to friendship (see H. Res. 34), H325 [13FE]

Small business: improve access and choice relative to employee health care (see H.R. 1774), H2081 [9MY]

Social Security: computation system for benefits relative to spouses' or surviving spouses' Government pensions (see H.R. 664), H395 [14FE]

———earnings test for blind individuals (see H.R. 498), H400 [14FE]

———eliminate benefit penalties to individuals receiving pensions from noncovered employment (see H.R. 848), H3863 [10JY]

———ensure solvency (see H. Con. Res. 214), H5338 [2AU]

———modify the deadline for compliance with certain regulations providing for the electronic exchange of health information (see H.R. 1975), H3863 [10JY]

———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. 956), H826 [8MR] (see H.R. 1470), H1485 (see H.R. 1470), H1495 [4AP]

Southern Dairy Compact: congressional consent (see H.R. 1827), H2147 [14MY]

Taxation: adjust for inflation the amount of agricultural labor wages that can be paid without being subject to Federal unemployment taxes (see H.R. 1003), H876 [13MR]

———allow a tax credit for incremental hydropower for additional generating capacity and increased efficiency at existing at FERC-licensed dams (see H.R. 1677), H4009 [12JY]

———allow deduction for charitable contributions to individuals who do not itemize other deductions (see H.R. 777), H505 [28FE]

———allow Farm and Ranch Risk Management Accounts (see H.R. 662), H1410 [3AP]

———allow tax credit to businesses who employ members of the military reserves and a comparable credit to self-employed military reserve participants (see H.R. 394), H218 [7FE]

———allow use of principal repayments to issue additional mortgages and modify price limitations under the mortgage revenue bond program and change income limit for housing credit program (see H.R. 951), H5406 [5SE]

———clarify application of the excise tax imposed on bows and arrows (see H.R. 2001), H2710 [24MY]

———clarify that certain small businesses are permitted to use the cash method of accounting (see H.R. 656), H8746 [30NO]

———credit for rehabilitating historic homes or purchasing newly rehabilitated historic homes for use as principal residence (see H.R. 1172), H1112 [22MR]

———encourage the development of a cost effective commercial space transportation industry (see H.R. 2177), H3466 [21JN]

———enhance domestic oil and gas production (see H.R. 805), H507 [28FE]

———exclusion from gross income for foster care payments relative to certain nongovernmental placement agencies (see H.R. 586), H323 [13FE]

———exclusion of gain from the sale of farmland (see H.R. 294), H624 [1MR]

———exempt deduction for charitable contributions from the phase-out of itemized deductions (see H.R. 776), H505 [28FE]

———expand child tax credit (see H.R. 539), H253 [8FE]

———extension of the credit for producing electricity from wind (see H.R. 876), H648 [6MR]

———facilitate electric cooperative participation in a competitive electric power industry (see H.R. 1601), H2142 [10MY]

———impose excise tax on persons who acquire structured settlement payments in factoring transactions (see H.R. 1514), H1498 [4AP]

———improve electric reliability, enhance transmission infrastructure, and facilitate access to the electric transmission grid (see H.R. 1459), H2083 [9MY]

———incentives for education (see H.R. 538, 549), H253 [8FE]

———incentives to assist small refiners to comply with new regulations on sulfur content in diesel fuel (see H.R. 2502), H4013 [16JY]

———incentives to ensure timely and equitable access to the Internet over current and future generations of broadband capability (see H.R. 267), H109 [30JA]

———permanently extend research credit and adjust the alternative incremental credit rates (see H.R. 41), H1295 [28MR]

———permit churches and other houses of worship to engage in political campaigns (see H.R. 2357), H4949 [31JY]

———permit consolidation of life insurance companies with other companies (see H.R. 909), H2334 [17MY]

———provide a shorter recovery period for the depreciation of certain leasehold improvements (see H.R. 1030), H928 [14MR]

———provide a shorter recovery period for the depreciation of certain restaurant buildings (see H.R. 826), H622 [1MR]

———provide additional retirement savings opportunities for small employers and self-employed individuals (see H.R. 738), H441 [27FE]

———provide consistent treatment of survivor benefits for public safety officers killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 1727), H2023 [8MY]

———provide credits for constructing energy efficient homes or improving existing homes (see H.R. 2147), H4113 [17JY]

———provide credits for the installation of certain wind energy property (see H.R. 2322), H3618 [26JN]

———provide relief for payment of asbestos-related claims (see H.R. 1412), H1482 (see H.R. 1412), H1492 [4AP]

———provide relief for victims of the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H.R. 2884), H5615 [13SE]

———rates (see H.R. 3), H650 [6MR]

———reduce marriage tax penalty by adjusting the income tax rate brackets, standard deduction amounts, and earned income tax credit and allow nonrefundable credits against certain tax liability (see H.R. 6), H952 [15MR]

———repeal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see H.R. 330), H163 [31JA]

———repeal estate and gift taxes (see H.R. 8), H926 [14MR]

———repeal limitation on the use of foreign tax credits under the alternative minimum tax (see H.R. 1600), H1658 [26AP]

———treat certain motor vehicle dealer transitional assistance as an involuntary conversion (see H.R. 2374), H8843 [4DE]

———treatment of active financing income earned overseas by financial services firms (see H.R. 1357), H1408 [3AP]

———treatment of adoption expenses (see H.R. 622), H2082 [9MY]

———treatment of Alaska Native settlement trusts (see H.R. 1692), H2571 [22MY]

———treatment of beer, wine, and distilled spirits (see H.R. 984), H875 [13MR]

———treatment of certain expenses of rural letter carriers relative to the business use of a personal vehicle (see H.R. 2350), H3712 [27JN]

———treatment of expenses in connection with services as a member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (see H.R. 968), H827 [8MR]

———treatment of forestry activities (see H.R. 1581), H2083 [9MY]

———treatment of individual retirement accounts relative to charitable contributions (see H.R. 774), H505 [28FE]

———treatment of natural gas gathering lines (see H.R. 276), H109 [30JA]

———treatment of policyholder dividends of mutual life insurance companies and policyholder surplus accounts (see H.R. 661), H395 [14FE]

———treatment of the sale of a principal residence by a member of the uniformed services or Foreign Service (see H.R. 1596), H1657 [26AP]

Telephones: prohibit telemarketers from interfering with a consumers caller identification service (see H.R. 90), H112 [30JA]

Terrorism: establish a coordinated program of science-based countermeasures to address threats of agricultural bioterrorism (see H.R. 3293), H8181 [14NO]

———tribute to passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H. Con. Res. 232), H6781 [12OC]

Transportation: provide assistance for the construction of certain air traffic control towers (see H.R. 1979), H4541 [24JY]

Veterans: allow certain veterans with service-connected disabilities to travel on military aircraft (see H.R. 440), H1925 [3MY]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 303), H325 [13FE]

Voting: guarantee the right of military personnel to vote when serving away from home and extend voter registration and absentee ballot protections for such personnel to State and local elections (see H.R. 1377), H3806 [28JN]

Water: authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds (see H.R. 668), H955 [15MR]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Choctaw Code Talkers: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3439), H9077 [6DE]

Medicare: eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas (see H.R. 975), H874 [13MR]

———reimbursement for chiropractic services (see H.R. 902), H649 [6MR]

Native Americans: amend laws relative to the lands of the Muscogee-Creek, Seminole, Cherokee, Chickasawa and Choctaw Nations, historically referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes (see H.R. 2880), H5592 [11SE]

Taxation: allow investments by certain retirement plans in principal residences of children and grandchildren of participants who are first-time homebuyers (see H.R. 2308), H3518 [25JN]

———allow low-income housing credit without regard to whether moderate rehabilitation assistance is provided for a building (see H.R. 2539), H4112 [17JY]

———exclude certain amounts received by power utilities from gross income as contributions to capital (see H.R. 2431), H3805 [28JN]

———permanently extend the Indian employment credit and the depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation (see H.R. 224), H63 [6JA]

———reduce depreciation recovery period for qualified technological equipment (see H.R. 3057), H6421 [5OC]

———simplify the excise tax on heavy truck tires (see H.R. 901), H649 [6MR]

———treatment of certain farmland sold with a principal residence (see H.R. 900), H649 [6MR]

Excerpts

Dependent Nation—How Federal Oil and Natural Gas Policy Is Eroding America's Economic Independence: Oil and Gas Compact Commission, E1231 [27JN]

Remarks

Agriculture: continue certain programs (H.R. 2646), H6270 [4OC]

Appropriations: making supplemental appropriations (H.R. 2216), H3303 [20JN]

Bankruptcy: extend reenactment period for chapter 12 of the bankruptcy code relative to family farmers, H6270 [4OC]

Bennington, OK: Harold Chitwood multipurpose cafetorium facility construction funding, H7934 [8NO]

Dept. of Energy: oil and natural gas research and development funding, E1231 [27JN]

Dept. of the Interior and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2217), E1231 [27JN]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), conference report, H7934 [8NO]

4-H Youth Development Program: centennial (H. Res. 112), E728 [4MY]

Ice storms: disaster assistance, H3303 [20JN]

Literacy: tribute to reading initiative programs, H7533 [31OC]

Native American Heritage Month: observance (H. Con. Res. 270), H8390 [27NO]

Oklahoma City, OK: authorize construction of a Native American Cultural Center and Museum (H.R. 2742), H9186 [11DE]

Oklahoma State University: tribute to individuals killed in plane crash associated with the men's basketball program, E83 [31JA]

Power resources: enhance energy conservation, research, and development and provide for security and diversity in the energy supply (H.R. 4), H5044 [1AU]

Stillwater, OK: tribute to Richmond Elementary School and Will Rogers Elementary School contributions to America's Fund for Afghan Children, H7913 [8NO]

Taxation: provide incentives for economic recovery (H.R. 3090), H7272 [24OC]

———provide incentives for economic recovery (H.R. 3529), H10855 [19DE]

———rates (H.R. 3), H795 [8MR]

———rates (H.R. 1836), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 153), H2831 [25MY]

———simplify the excise tax on heavy truck tires (H.R. 901), E289 [6MR]

Terrorism: condemn and respond to hijacking and crashing of commercial aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (H.J. Res. 61), H5584 [11SE]

Vietnam: normal trade relations status (H.J. Res. 51), H5433 [6SE]

Tributes

Sowell, Leslie Belcher, E993 [26MY]