RAMSTAD, JIM (a Representative from Minnesota)
Articles and editorials
New Tools May Make Heart-Bypass Surgery Quicker and Less Risky, Ron Winslow, Wall Street Journal, E995
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Africa: efforts to reduce hunger in sub-Saharan Africa (see H. Con. Res. 102), H2999 [7JN]
Andean Trade Preference Act: extend and expand (see H.R. 3009), H8181 [14NO]
Appropriations: constitutional amendment on line-item veto (see H.J. Res. 23), H8421 [27NO]
Army: prohibit the purchasing, issuing, or wearing of berets as standard headgear until certification that the ammunition shortfall has been eliminated (see H.R. 1770), H2571 [22MY]
Aviation: improve security (see H.R. 2951), H6505 [10OC]
———provide assistance for employees who are separated from employment due to reductions in service by air carriers and airport closures caused by terrorist actions or security measures (see H.R. 2946), H6380 [4OC]
Birds: prohibit interstate movement of live birds, for the purpose of fighting, to States in which animal fighting is lawful (see H.R. 1155), H1861 [2MY]
Budget: establish 2-year cycle (see H.R. 981), H3203 [14JN]
Bush, President: address issues of neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime (see H. Res. 193), H4013 [16JY]
Capital punishment: ensure that defendants in capital cases have adequate counsel and allow those convicted to have a reasonable opportunity to present new evidence of innocence (see H.R. 912), H739 [7MR]
Columbia River: ensure salmon and steelhead preservation, maintain reasonably priced and reliable power, and conduct studies on the impact of dams on salmon and steelhead on the endangered species list (see H.R. 2573), H5340 [2AU]
Computers: regulate the transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail (see H.R. 718), H1717 [1MY]
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]
Courts: give U.S. district courts jurisdiction over competing State custody determinations (see H.R. 2688), H4948 [31JY]
Credit unions: limitations on certain member business loans (see H.R. 760), H3358 [20JN]
Cuba: lift trade embargo (see H.R. 798), H507 [28FE]
———make exception to trade embargo for food, medicines and medical supplies, instruments, or equipment, lift travel restrictions, and allow cash remittances to Cuban citizens (see H.R. 797), H507 [28FE]
———normal trade relations status (see H.R. 796), H507 [28FE]
Dept. of Agriculture: regulate loans to certain processors of sugarcane and sugar beets (see H.R. 2081), H2955 [6JN]
Dept. of HUD: grants to States to supplement assistance for the preservation of affordable housing for low-income families (see H.R. 425), H1488 [4AP]
Dept. of Labor: congressional disapproval of ergonomic regulations (see H.J. Res. 35), H740 [7MR]
Dept. of the Interior: establish the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site (see H.R. 400), H1116 [22MR]
———promote efforts to provide a scientific basis for the management of sediment and nutrient loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (see H.R. 3480), H10065 [13DE]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify compensation standards for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (see H.R. 612), H959 [19MR]
———recognize for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (see H. Res. 75), H8949 [5DE]
Diseases: expand research activities relative to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (see H.R. 717), H1489 [4AP]
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make tax benefits permanent (see H.R. 2316), H3807 [28JN]
FAA: relax maximum age requirements for certain pilots (see H.R. 448), H5405 [5SE]
FHA: prevent the premature shutdown of certain mortgage insurance programs (see H.R. 1481), H1926 [3MY]
Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 36), H876 [13MR]
Food Security Act: establish the Conservation Security Program (see H.R. 1949), H2570 [22MY]
———expand conservation reserve (see H.R. 1082), H1116 [22MR]
Foreign trade: amend trade laws to provide more fairness to U.S. industry (see H.R. 2770), H5335 [2AU]
———extend trade authorities procedures with respect to reciprocal trade agreements (see H.R. 2149), H3149 [13JN]
Gambling: expand and modernize the prohibition against interstate gambling (see H.R. 3215), H8564 [28NO]
———prohibit gambling on high school and college sports and the Olympic games (see H.R. 1110), H2890 [5JN]
Health: emphasize the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation, and support National Donor Day (see H. Con. Res. 31), H324 [13FE]
———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see H.R. 2315), H3618 [26JN]
———sustain access to vital emergency medical services in rural areas (see H.R. 1353), H3151 [13JN]
Higher Education Act: remove limits on Internet course offerings, modify treatment of non-standard term programs, and clarify incentive compensation requirements (see H.R. 1992), H6137 [2OC]
Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act: extend the deadlines for application and payment of fees (see H.R. 2690), H5407 [5SE]
Housing: provide affordability and ensure a competitive North American market for softwood lumber (see H. Con. Res. 45), H507 [28FE]
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: authorizing appropriations (see H.R. 737), H441 [27FE]
Insurance: coverage of long-term care services (see H. Con. Res. 37), H399 [14FE]
———provide equitable coverage of mental health, substance abuse, and chemical dependency treatment services under group and individual health coverage (see H.R. 162), H61 [6JA]
Investments: establish individual development accounts for certain individuals and families (see H.R. 2160), H3149 [13JN]
Iran and Libya Sanctions Act: extend authorities (see H.R. 1954), H2677 [23MY]
Iraq: U.N. mandated monitoring of weapons development (see H.J. Res. 75), H9240 [11DE]
Israel: relocate U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem (see H. Con. Res. 30), H324 [13FE]
Law enforcement: limit access to body armor by violent felons and facilitate the donation of Federal surplus body armor to State and local law enforcement agencies (see H.R. 1007), H876 [13MR]
Law enforcement officers: collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments (see H.R. 1475), H1486 (see H.R. 1475), H1496 [4AP]
———exempt from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns (see H.R. 218), H1717 [1MY]
———honor and recognize officers killed in the line of duty and daily risks and sacrifices of officers (see H. Res. 116), H2148 [14MY]
———increase amount paid to families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 1744), H5971 [24SE]
Local government: require adoption of a health standard establishing a legal presumption that heart, lung, and respiratory disease are occupational diseases for public safety officers (see H.R. 709), H624 [1MR]
Masaryk, Tomas G.: authorize the American Friends of the Czech Republic (organization) to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia (see H.R. 1161), H4428 [23JY]
McCarthy, Eugene J.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 1199), H1661 [26AP]
Medicaid: provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (see H.R. 600), H508 [28FE]
Medicare: coverage for surgical first assisting services of certified registered nurse first assistants (see H.R. 822), H2082 [9MY]
———coverage of oral anticancer drugs (see H.R. 1624), H5339 [2AU]
———delay the deadline for Medicare+Choice organizations to report plan information, including information on adjusted community rates (see H.R. 1993), H2710 [24MY]
———determination of payment amounts for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests (see H.R. 1798), H2140 [10MY]
———extend community nursing organization demonstration projects (see H.R. 3195), H7591 [31OC]
———improve payments and regulation under the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 3584), H10964 [20DE]
———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), H1346 [29MR]
———provide regulatory relief and contracting flexibility (see H.R. 2768), H5335 [2AU] (see H.R. 3391), H8842 [4DE]
———specify the update for physician fee schedule payments and conduct a study on replacing the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in such update (see H.R. 3351), H8843 [4DE]
———study anesthesia services and expand service arrangements for certified registered nurse anesthetists (see H.R. 716), H1660 [26AP]
Motor vehicles: provide for greater fairness in the motor vehicle franchise contract arbitration process (see H.R. 1296), H5339 [2AU]
National Center for Rural Law Enforcement: funding (see H.R. 1348), H1490 [4AP]
National Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government: establish (see H.R. 374), H1013 [20MR]
NIH: implement guidelines for research using human pluripotent stem cells (see H.R. 2747), H5334 [2AU]
Outer Continental Shelf: use of oil and gas production royalties to establish a fund for outdoor conservation and recreation needs (see H.R. 701), H955 [15MR]
Pensions: reform (see H.R. 10), H927 [14MR]
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. 608), H393 [14FE]
Pharmaceuticals: expand human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug tax credit (see H.R. 1298), H3619 [26JN]
Pipelines: require periodic inspections and improve safety (see H.R. 144), H2956 [6JN]
Political campaigns: ethics reform and contribution limits (see H.R. 380), H165 [31JA]
Postal Service: amend pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for postmasters (see H.R. 250), H650 [6MR]
Public lands: designate certain national parks, wild and scenic rivers, and wilderness areas in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming (see H.R. 488), H5125 [1AU]
Railroads: modernize financing of railroad retirement system and provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries (see H.R. 1140), H1558 [24AP]
Reagan, Ronald: tribute (see H.J. Res. 7), H166 [31JA]
Refugees: treatment programs funding for victims of torture (see H.R. 1405), H1718 [1MY]
Rivers: reduce sediment and nutrient loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (see H.R. 1800), H2998 [7JN]
Social Security: computation system for benefits relative to spouses' or surviving spouses' Government pensions (see H.R. 664), H2022 [8MY]
———earnings test for blind individuals (see H.R. 498), H400 [14FE]
———enhance privacy protections for individuals and prevent fraudulent misuse of account numbers (see H.R. 2036), H2847 [25MY]
———ensure solvency (see H. Con. Res. 214), H5456 [6SE]
———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]
Sports: make antitrust laws applicable to the elimination or relocation of Major League Baseball franchises (see H.R. 3288), H8181 [14NO]
St. Lawrence Seaway Corp.: establish (see H.R. 143), H741 [7MR]
Taxation: allow a tax credit for certain energy-efficient property (see H.R. 1275), H1490 [4AP]
———allow deduction equal to fair market value for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor (see H.R. 1598), H1657 [26AP]
———allow distilled spirits wholesalers a credit for their cost of carrying Federal excise taxes prior to the sale of the product bearing the tax (see H.R. 1987), H3358 [20JN]
———allow qualified technological equipment and computer software to be expensed (see H.R. 1411), H2335 [17MY]
———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), H1116 [22MR]
———clarify application of the excise tax imposed on bows and arrows (see H.R. 2001), H2710 [24MY]
———clarify exemption from the self-employment tax for termination payments received by former life insurance salesmen (see H.R. 1134), H1661 [26AP]
———clarify the exemption from tax for small property and casualty insurance companies (see H.R. 1908), H2334 [17MY]
———clarify treatment of incentive stock options and employee stock purchases (see H.R. 2695), H8732 [29NO]
———constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds majority on the passage of legislation increasing taxes (see H.J. Res. 41), H1115 [22MR]
———credit for rehabilitating historic homes or purchasing newly rehabilitated historic homes for use as principal residence (see H.R. 1172), H1112 [22MR]
———encourage and accelerate the nationwide production, retail sale, and consumer use of new motor vehicles that are powered by alternative fuels or other advanced motor vehicle technologies (see H.R. 1864), H2280 [16MY]
———exclusion from gross income for foster care payments relative to certain nongovernmental placement agencies (see H.R. 586), H323 [13FE]
———expand incentives for construction and renovation of public schools (see H.R. 1076), H954 [15MR]
———expand the Hope Scholarship credit for certain expenses and exempt certain Federal education grants when taking expenses into account (see H.R. 2219), H3258 [19JN]
———extend the work opportunity credit and the welfare-to-work credit (see H.R. 1238), H4780 [27JY]
———extension of the credit for producing electricity from biomass (see H.R. 1657), H1715 [1MY]
———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), H1658 [26AP]
———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), H1605 [25AP]
———permanently extend research credit and adjust the alternative incremental credit rates (see H.R. 41), H112 [30JA]
———permit consolidation of life insurance companies with other companies (see H.R. 909), H739 [7MR]
———permit cooperatives to pay dividends on preferred stock without reducing patronage dividends (see H.R. 2280), H3464 [21JN]
———provide a higher purchase price limitation applicable to mortgage subsidy bonds based on median family income (see H.R. 43), H26 [3JA]
———provide a shorter recovery period for the depreciation of certain leasehold improvements (see H.R. 1030), H928 [14MR]
———provide credits for constructing energy efficient homes or improving existing homes (see H.R. 2147), H3149 [13JN]
———provide Federal reimbursement to State and local governments for a limited tax holiday (see H.R. 3301), H8248 [15NO]
———provide Federal reimbursement to States for a limited tax holiday (see H.R. 3172), H7852 [6NO]
———provide relief for victims of the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H.R. 2884), H5615 [13SE]
———provide tax and other incentives to maintain a vibrant travel and tourism industry, to keep working people working, and to stimulate economic growth (see H.R. 3041), H6920 [16OC]
———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]
———reduce the per dose tax on vaccines (see H.R. 921), H1717 [1MY]
———repeal alternative minimum tax treatment of incentive stock options to change the taxable event from the exercise of the stock option to the stock sale (see H.R. 1487), H2083 [9MY] (see H.R. 2794), H6066 [28SE]
———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 excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see H.R. 236), H64 [6JA]
———repeal excise tax on the net investment income of tax-exempt foundations (see H.R. 804), H2680 [23MY]
———repeal limitation on the use of foreign tax credits under the alternative minimum tax (see H.R. 1600), H1658 [26AP]
———repeal limits on the deduction for interest on education loans and increase income threshold for the phase out of such deduction (see H.R. 436), H1190 [27MR]
———repeal motor fuel excise taxes which remain in the general fund of the Treasury on railroads and inland waterway transportation (see H.R. 1024), H2142 [10MY]
———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (see H.R. 122), H1717 [1MY]
———S corporation reform (see H.R. 2576), H9078 [6DE]
———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), H2022 [8MY]
———treatment of amounts received under qualified group legal services plans (see H.R. 1434), H7910 [7NO]
———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 certain medical savings accounts (see H.R. 1524), H1498 [4AP]
———treatment of charitable contributions to public charities for use in medical research (see H.R. 744), H2184 [15MY]
———treatment of charitable donation of food by businesses and farmers (see H.R. 990), H875 [13MR]
———treatment of contributions to funeral trusts (see H.R. 985), H1660 [26AP]
———treatment of damages and back pay received on account of, and expenses incurred in asserting any claim of employment discrimination (see H.R. 840), H1557 [24AP]
———treatment of depreciation of computer equipment (see H.R. 1895), H2333 [17MY]
———treatment of depreciation of computers and other technological equipment, software, and certain auction-acquired telecommunications licenses (see H.R. 2981), H6135 [2OC]
———treatment of distributions from publicly traded partnerships (see H.R. 1463), H1485 (see H.R. 1463), H1495 [4AP]
———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (see H.R. 831), H1557 [24AP]
———treatment of investments in Puerto Rico (see H.R. 2550), H4215 [18JY]
———treatment of policyholder dividends of mutual life insurance companies and policyholder surplus accounts (see H.R. 661), H395 [14FE]
———treatment of printed wiring boards and printed wiring assembly equipment (see H.R. 1934), H2570 [22MY]
———treatment of the sale of a principal residence by a member of the uniformed services or Foreign Service (see H.R. 1596), H3203 [14JN]
———treatment of timber sales by landowners (see H.R. 1341), H9239 [11DE]
———treatment of tips (see H.R. 1274), H1294 [28MR]
Terrorism: issue commemorative postage stamp to assist families of victims of attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (see H.R. 2907), H5928 [21SE]
———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), H6702 [11OC]
Turkey: express appreciation for participation in military response to terrorist attacks (see H. Con. Res. 265), H8843 [4DE]
University of Minnesota: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 140), H2570 [22MY]
Veterans: permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 303), H443 [27FE]
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: authorize design and construction of a temporary education center (see H.R. 510), H650 [6MR]
Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (see H.R. 3295), H8565 [28NO]
———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), H3863 [10JY]
———prohibit States from determining that a ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter was improperly or fraudulently cast unless the State finds clear and convincing evidence of fraud (see H.R. 159), H827 [8MR]
Water: authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds (see H.R. 668), H1660 [26AP]
Weapons: limit production of Trident II missiles (see H.R. 126), H59 [6JA]
Women: constitutional amendment to ensure equal rights (see H.J. Res. 40), H1114 [22MR]
World War II: preserve certain Federal court actions relative to Japanese companies compensating former prisoners of war used as slave labor (see H.R. 1198), H4009 [12JY]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Insurance: provide nondiscriminatory coverage of substance abuse treatment services under private group and individual health coverage (see H.R. 1194), H1114 [22MR]
Law enforcement officers: ensure accountability, guarantee due process, establish standards for internal investigations and hearings, and require enactment of relevant State laws (see H.R. 1626), H1659 [26AP]
Medicare: improve access to Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries by targeting enrollment and eliminating beneficiary lock-in and other administrative barriers (see H.R. 2709), H5125 [1AU]
———provide for expeditious coverage of new medical technology and establish an Office of Technology and Innovation within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (see H.R. 2973), H6135 [2OC]
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month: observance (see H. Con. Res. 190), H4428 [23JY]
Samuel Kelner Commission on Youth: establish (see H.R. 1625), H1659 [26AP]
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act: ensure coverage of National Guard troops mobilized for support services in the aftermath of terrorist attacks (see H.R. 3436), H9077 [6DE]
Tariff: Bronate Advanced (see H.R. 3517), H10355 [18DE]
———buctril (see H.R. 3518), H10355 [18DE]
Taxation: allow certain health benefits and dependent care assistance to be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year or to be included in gross income upon termination of such accounts and arrangements (see H.R. 1590), H1604 [25AP]
———prohibit treatment of certain games of chance as an unrelated trade or business expense (see H.R. 2237), H3259 [19JN]
———provide consistent treatment of survivor benefits for public safety officers killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 1727), H1924 [3MY]
———treatment of certain franchise operation property (see H.R. 1507), H1497 [4AP]
———treatment of certain reinvested gains by S corporations (see H.R. 3124), H6780 [12OC]
———treatment of expenses in connection with services as a member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (see H.R. 968), H827 [8MR]
Remarks
Agriculture: conservation programs funding, H6323
———continue certain programs (H.R. 2646), H6323
Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc.: anniversary, E1588
Aviation: Federal versus private employment status for aviation security personnel, H7208 [23OC], H7637 [1NO]
———improve security (H.R. 3150), H7208 [23OC], H7637 [1NO]
———preserve the continued viability of the U.S. air transportation system (H.R. 2926), consideration (H. Res. 244), H5885 [21SE]
China, Republic of: observance of National Day, E1844
———tribute for support following the hijacking and crashing of commercial aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA, E1844
Health: embryonic stem cell research funding, H4101 [17JY]
Lipelt, Roger: Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, E378
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month: observance (H. Con. Res. 190), H4809 [30JY], E1588
Pensions: reform (H.R. 10), H1786 [2MY]
Small business: preserve employee stock ownership plans for S corporation workers, H1786 [2MY]
St. Jude Medical Inc.: tribute on invention of sutureless bypass surgery device, E994
Taxation: provide consistent treatment of survivor benefits for public safety officers killed in the line of duty (H.R. 1727), H2164, H2166 [15MY]
———reduce marriage tax penalty by adjusting rate brackets, standard deductions, and the earned income tax credit and increase child credits (H.R. 6), H1315
Terrorism: condemn and respond to hijacking and crashing of commercial aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA, H5966 [24SE]
———condemn and respond to hijacking and crashing of commercial aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA (H.J. Res. 61), H5516 [11SE]
———economic impact of hijacking and crashing of commercial aircraft into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County, PA, H5885 [21SE]
Treaties and agreements: extend trade negotiating and trade agreement implementing authority (H.R. 3005), H9006 [6DE]
Votes: correction, H598
Remarks in House relative to
Leave of absence: granted, H1478 [4AP]
Special order: granted, H1551 [24AP], H4109 [17JY], H5330 [2AU], H5485 [10SE], H5968 [24SE], H7216 [23OC], H7331 [25OC]
Tributes
Burnett, Tom, Jr., H5966 [24SE]
Ford, James David, H5473 [10SE]
George, Bill, E767
Harris, Jean, E2320
Heinmiller, John, H1530 [24AP]
Jackson, C. Charles, Jr., E31
King, Harold G.S., E1049
Mikan, George, H1467 [4AP]
Stringer, Korey, H5325 [2AU]