FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS

Amendments

Children and youth: enhance operation of the AMBER Alert communications plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children (S. 2896), S8436 [10SE]

Courts: expand Federal diversity jurisdiction to allow consideration of certain interstate class actions and provide additional protections to plaintiff class members (H.R. 2341), H857, H859, H861, H863, H866, H868, H869, H874, H877, H879, H880 [13MR]

———expand Federal diversity jurisdiction to allow consideration of certain interstate class actions and provide additional protections to plaintiff class members (H.R. 2341), consideration (H. Res. 367), H845 [13MR]

Crime: provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 625), S5257 [7JN], S5272, S5289, S5292, S5293, S5294 [10JN], S5385, S5386 [11JN]

Dept. of the Interior: provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds (S. 198), S11599, S11639 [19NO]

National security: provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (H.R. 4598), H3945 [26JN]

Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), S2598 [11AP]

Analyses

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Programs Amendments (S. 2526), S4496 [16MY]

Federal Reformulated Fuels Act (S. 950): EPA, S482-S484 [7FE]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 3295, Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act, S3789 [1MY]

———H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act, H2599 [16MY]

Articles and editorials

Cleaning Up Elections, S10513 [16OC]

Enact Balloting Reforms, but Only if Money's Attached, S10513 [16OC]

Federal Election Reform, Finally—Florida's Problems Helped Congress Resolve Differences, S10514 [16OC]

Fixing Democracy's Machinery, S10513 [16OC]

Getting Over It, S10514 [16OC]

Good Reason To Cooperate, E699 [3MY]

Keep the Lights on, S2435 [10AP]

Nearly Two Years Later, Voting System Is Reformed, S10514 [16OC]

Score One for Sen. Dodd, S10512 [16OC]

Upgrading the Way We Vote, S10513 [16OC]

Voter Fraud Wanders Off the Reservation, S10494 [16OC]

Voting for Progress—Congressional Negotiators Agree on Election Reform, S10514 [16OC]

Bills and resolutions

Animals: establish a national research program on chronic wasting disease (see H.R. 4795), H2943 [22MY]

Arkansas: specify amount of Federal funds that may be expended for intake facilities for the benefit of Lonoke and White Counties, AR, as part of the Greers Ferry Lake, AR, flood control project (see S. 2243), S3303 [24AP]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: congressional disapproval of rule that lowers the Medicaid upper payment limit for non-State owned or operated hospitals (see S.J. Res. 37), S4330 [14MY] (see H.J. Res. 92), H2471 [14MY]

Chesapeake Bay: provide assistance for nutrient removal practices to States in the watershed (see H.R. 4666), H2163 [7MY]

Children and youth: enhance operation of the AMBER Alert communications plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children (see S. 2896), S8092 [3SE] (see H.R. 5317, 5326), H6059 [4SE]

———establish a Community Corps (see S. 2392), S3505 [29AP]

Crime: enhance national efforts to investigate, prosecute, and prevent crimes against children by increasing investigatory tools, criminal penalties, and resources and extending existing laws (see S. 2917), S8456 [10SE]

Dept. of Justice: establish a racial profiling education and awareness program and assist State and local law enforcement agencies in implementing such programs (see S. 2114), S2578 [11AP]

———provide funds to northern border States to reimburse county and municipal governments for costs associated with certain criminal activities (see H.R. 5697), H8035 [21OC]

Dept. of the Interior: authorize implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (see H.R. 4657), H2100 [2MY]

———grant Deschutes and Crook Counties in Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road (see S. 2482), S4064 [8MY] (see H.R. 4953), H3601 [17JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: amend programs (see S. 2526), S4492 [16MY]

———increase amounts available to State approving agencies to evaluate the qualifications of educational institutions to provide courses under department-administered education programs (see H.R. 3731), H365 [13FE]

Disabled: advance commitment to community integration by ensuring a stable, quality direct support workforce for individuals with developmental disablities (see S. Con. Res. 151), S10223 [9OC]

Disasters: modify terms of the community disaster loan program (see S. 3055), S9901 [3OC]

District of Columbia: allow direct billing and direct payment for water and sewer services furnished to Federal agencies (see H.R. 3778), H523 [14FE]

———eliminate congressional review of newly-passed District laws (see H.R. 4155), H1200 [10AP]

Drugs: respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines (see S. 2763), S7104 [19JY]

Drunken driving: increase penalties for individuals who operate motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol (see S. 3056), S9901 [3OC]

———increase penalties for individuals who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (see H.R. 4976), H3774 [20JN]

Education: assist States in establishing a universal prekindergarten program (see H.R. 3912), H780 [7MR]

———improve early learning opportunities and promote school preparedness (see S. 2566), S4839 [23MY]

———reduce paperwork for special education teachers and make mediation mandatory for all legal disputes relative to individualized education programs (see S. 2653), S5851 [20JN]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: permit certain States and local educational agencies to obtain waivers of student testing requirements (see S. 2954), S8753 [18SE]

Federal aid programs: reform administrative funding of unemployment and employment service programs and improve State administration and flexibility of such programs (see H.R. 5418), H6417 [19SE]

Federal employees: allow periods of certain service performed as an employee under certain cooperative Federal-State programs to be creditable for purposes of civil service retirement (see H.R. 5337), H6084 [5SE]

Firearms: assist State and local governments in conducting community gun buy back programs (see H.R. 4674), H2164 [7MY]

Firefighters: establish a scientific basis for new firefighting technology standards and improve coordination of training for and responding to terrorist attacks and other emergencies (see S. 2862), S7900 [1AU]

Hawaii: remove restrictions on land exchanges between the National Park Service and the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands (see H.R. 4724), H2470 [14MY]

Health: authorize formulation of State and regional emergency telehealth network testbeds and a telehealth task force within the Dept. of Defense (see S. 2748), S6947 [17JY]

———support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (see H. Res. 503), H5790 [25JY]

Home Investment Partnerships Act: repeal limitations on the funding percentages of the operating budgets of organizations receiving assistance (see H.R. 3963), H907 [13MR]

———support certain housing proposals including the downpayment assistance initiative (see S. 2584), S5041 [5JN] (see H.R. 4446), H1337 [16AP]

Housing: promote the production of affordable low-income housing (see S. 2967), S8918 [19SE]

Immigration: extend and modify reimbursement of State and local funds expended for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (see S. 3013), S9426 [26SE]

———prohibit Federal agencies from accepting State identification documents issued to nonimmigrant aliens that expire after the expiration of the aliens' nonimmigrant visas (see H.R. 4043), H1088 [20MR]

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: reduce paperwork for special education teachers (see H.R. 5591), H7737 [9OC]

Insurance: extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health insurance pools (see H.R. 5471), H6775 [26SE]

Joint Federal and State Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska: establish (see S. 2587), S5041 [5JN] (see H.R. 4587), H1619 [24AP]

Law enforcement: assess backlog in DNA analysis of rape kit samples and improve investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases with DNA evidence (see S. 2513), S4330 [14MY] (see H.R. 4746), H2511 [15MY] (see H.R. 5394), H6303 [17SE]

———make local governments eligible to apply for and receive grants under the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act (see H.R. 4480), H1410 [17AP]

———provide additional resources to States to eliminate the backlog of unanalyzed rape kits and ensure timely analysis of rape kits (see S. 2318), S3435 [25AP] (see H.R. 3961), H906 [13MR]

———provide incentives for State laws mandating the reporting of child abuse by certain individuals (see H.R. 5313), H5996 [26JY]

Medicaid: increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States (see S. 2110), S2577 [11AP] (see S. 2221), S3014 [22AP] (see S. 2570), S4839 [23MY]

———provide American Samoa with treatment similar to that provided to States (see H.R. 4631), H2018 [1MY]

Medicare: geographically adjust the amount of premiums based on the use of health care items and services in the State in which the beneficiary resides (see S. 2605), S5285 [10JN]

National Guard: authorize the appointment of officers as commanders of units composed of both active duty military personnel and members of the National Guard in non-Federal status (see H.R. 4886), H3291 [6JN]

National Guard Challenge Program: revise matching funds requirements for participating States (see H.R. 4595), H1673 [25AP]

National security: encourage the development of regional comprehensive emergency preparedness and coordination plans (see H.R. 5461), H6692 [25SE] (see H.R. 5483), H6776 [26SE]

———establish a Federal Liaison on Homeland Security in each State to provide coordination between the Dept. of Homeland Security and State and local first responders (see S. 2746), S6947 [17JY]

———make grants to State and local governments in order to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats (see S. 2077), S2412 [9AP]

———provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (see S. 2887), S7900 [1AU] (see H.R. 3825), H650 [28FE] (see H.R. 4598), H1673 [25AP]

———provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (H.R. 4598), consideration (see H. Res. 458), H3927 [25JN]

Nuclear energy: enhance security of transporting high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel (see S. 3162), S11079 [14NO]

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: clarify calculation of payments in lieu of taxes to counties relative to certain county projects funding (see S. 2930), S8565 [12SE] (see H.R. 5379), H6250 [12SE]

———modify full payment amount available to States (see S. 2864), S7900 [1AU]

Securities: allow Federal enforcement actions based on State enforcement actions against microcap securities fraud and broaden SEC regulation of rogue brokers (see S. 1985), S1536 [5MR]

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. 4017), H1087 [20MR]

Solid waste: limit receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste (see S. 2034), S2076 [19MR]

———State control over disposal of out-of-State solid waste (see H.R. 5159), H4930 [18JY]

Southeastern States: provide a framework for coordinating Federal, State, and local efforts to meet the special needs of the Southeast Crescent Region (see H.R. 3618), H36 [23JA]

Springfield, MO: facilitate the use of a portion of the former O'Reilly General Hospital by the Boys and Girls Club (see H.R. 5349), H6129 [9SE]

States: establish standards for programs for the issuance of drivers' licenses and identification cards (see H.R. 4633), H2018 [1MY]

———improve security of State-issued driver's licenses (see S. 3107), S10359 [10OC]

———permit requirement of parental consent relative to purchase of prescription drugs or devices for minors (see H.R. 4783), H2734 [21MY]

———provide incentives to apply certain waivers to use Federal funds to provide affordable employer-based health insurance coverage for uninsured small business workers (see H.R. 4021), H1087 [20MR]

———restore Federal remedies for violations of intellectual property rights by States (see S. 2031), S2076 [19MR]

Taxation: provide full funding for payment in lieu of taxes program and protect local jurisdictions against loss of property tax revenues when private lands are acquired by Federal land management agencies (see H.R. 5053), H4325 [27JN] (see H.R. 5081), H4424 [9JY]

Telecommunications: preserve State and local authority to regulate placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission facilities (see S. 3102), S10359 [10OC] (see H.R. 5632), H7894 [10OC]

———preserve State and local authority to regulate placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless services facilities (see S. 3103), S10359 [10OC] (see H.R. 5631), H7894 [10OC]

Transportation: empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for highway programs and mass transit programs (see S. 2861), S7899 [1AU]

Unemployment: provide a Federal payment, or reimbursement, to States for special unemployment assistance to individuals participating in qualified worker training programs (see H.R. 4994), H3825 [21JN]

Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), resolve disagreements between Senate and House of Representatives (see H. Con. Res. 508), H7894 [10OC]

Washington metropolitan area: tribute to law enforcement officials involved in sniper shooting spree investigation and express condolences to the snipers' victims and their families (see H. Con. Res. 515), H8545 [12NO] (see H. Res. 610), H8732 [13NO]

Water: provide assistance to States to support testing of private wells in areas of suspected contamination to limit or prevent human exposure to contaminated groundwater (see S. 3127), S10676 [17OC]

Cloture motions

Crime: provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 625), S5246 [7JN], S5335 [11JN]

Conference reports

Help America Vote Act (H.R. 3295), H7247-H7268 [8OC]

Cost Estimates

Federal Reformulated Fuels Act (S. 950): CBO (Private Sector Mandates), S484 [7FE]

Letters

Class Action Fairness Act: Joan Claybrook and Frank Clemente, Public Citizen (organization), H848 [13MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs programs amendments: Anthony J. Principi, Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S4495 [16MY]

Early Care and Education Act: Barry Zuckerman, Boston University, S4858 [23MY]

———Carol H. Rasco, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., S4857 [23MY]

———Charles E.M. Kolb, Committee for Economic Development, S4856 [23MY]

———Dorothy S. Strickland, Rutgers University, S4857 [23MY]

———Edward Zigler, Yale University, S4856 [23MY]

———Elizabeth J. Noyes, American Academy of Pediatrics, S4854 [23MY]

———Faith Wohl, Child Care Action Campaign (organization), S4855 [23MY]

———Frank Moore, Child Care Consortium, S4857 [23MY]

———Karen W. Ponder, North Carolina Partnership for Children, S4855 [23MY]

———Marie-Louise Ramsdale, First Steps (organization), S4858 [23MY]

———Marta T. Rosa, Child Care Resource Center, Inc., S4857 [23MY]

———Marta T. Rosa and Yasmina Vinci, National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, S4854 [23MY]

———Richard Robinson, Scholastic Inc., S4855 [23MY]

———Rob Reiner, California Children and Families Commission and I Am Your Child Foundation, S4856 [23MY]

———Susan S. Stepleton, Parents as Teachers National Center (organization), S4855 [23MY]

Electric power transmission system reliability organization: Elizabeth A. Moler, Exelon Corp., S1881 [14MR]

———John A. Anderson, Electricity Consumers Resource Council, S1880 [14MR]

———Lynne H. Church, Electric Power Supply Association, S1881 [14MR]

———Michael Kergin, S1878 [14MR]

———P.R.H. Landrieu, Mid-Atlantic Area Council, S1880 [14MR]

———Phillip G. Harris, PJM Interconnection, LLC, S1881 [14MR]

End Gridlock at Our Nation's Critical Airports Act: Representative Jackson, H4632 [15JY]

Federal Reformulated Fuels Act: Christine Todd Whitman, EPA, S482 [7FE]

Firefighting Research and Coordination Act: Philip C. Sittleburg, National Volunteer Fire Council, S7931 [1AU]

———several firefighting organizations, S7930 [1AU]

Grant program to eliminate the nationwide backlog of DNA analyses and obtain a DNA sample from every person convicted of a qualifying offense: several Representatives, H6748 [26SE]

Help America Vote Act: Alan Reuther, UAW, H7840 [10OC]

———Angela Z. Monson and Martin R. Stephens, National Conference of State Legislatures, S10417 [15OC], H7838 [10OC]

———Bernadette Franks-Ongoy, National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems, S10416 [15OC], H7841 [10OC]

———Brook Thompson, National Association of State Election Directors, S10417 [15OC], H7840 [10OC]

———Christopher Hansen, AARP, S10416 [15OC]

———Dan Gwadosky, National Association of Secretaries of State, S10417 [15OC], H7839 [10OC]

———Dorothy I. Height and Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, S10503 [16OC]

———Douglas K. Vollmer, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S10415 [15OC]

———Hilary O. Shelton, NAACP, S10415 [15OC], H7840 [10OC]

———James Gashel, National Federation of the Blind, S10415 [15OC], H7839 [10OC]

———Larry E. Naake, National Association of Counties, S10417 [15OC], H7839 [10OC]

———Laura W. Murphy and LaShawn Y. Warren, ACLU, S10502 [16OC]

———Patricia Sandusky, United Cerebral Palsy Association, S10416 [15OC], H7841 [10OC]

———Paul W. Schroeder, American Foundation for the Blind, S10416 [15OC], H7841 [10OC]

———R. Doug Lewis, Election Center (organization), H7839 [10OC]

———Ralph G. Neas and Stephenie Foster, People for the American Way (organization), S10503 [16OC]

———Raul Yzaguirre, National Council of La Raza, S10501 [16OC]

———William Samuel, AFL-CIO, S10415 [15OC], H7840 [10OC]

Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act: Dept. of Justice, S5274 [10JN]

Medicaid reimbursements to States: Carolyn Markey, Visiting Nurse Associations of America, S7293 [24JY]

———Paul E. Patton and Dirk Kempthorne, National Governors Association, S7296 [24JY]

———Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S7333 [25JY]

Microcap Fraud Prevention Act: Joseph P. Borg, North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., S1538 [5MR]

Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act: Senators Bingaman and Lincoln, S10058 [8OC]

———Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S9826 [2OC]

Office for National Capitol Region Coordination establishment within the Dept. of Homeland Security: Carol Schwartz, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, S8655 [17SE]

———Christopher Zimmerman, Washington Area Transit Authority, S8655 [17SE]

———John M. Derrick, Pepco Holdings, Inc., S8655 [17SE]

———Robert A. Peck, Greater Washington Board of Trade, S8655 [17SE]

Promote water conservation on agricultural land: Deb Callahan, League of Conservation Voters, S530 [8FE]

———several environmental and conservation organizations, S530, S531 [8FE]

Provide consumer protections and reliability in the provision of electric power: several organizations, S3242 [24AP]

———Steve Johnson, Washington Public Utility Districts Association, S3243 [24AP]

———Tony Ponticelli, National Alliance for Fair Competition, S3242 [24AP]

Sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities: Ben Hinson, American Ambulance Association, H5858 [26JY]

———William J. Johnson, National Association of Police Organizations, Inc., H5858 [26JY]

Strike Conservation Reserve Program water conservation program: Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation, S471 [7FE]

Study effects of hydraulic fracturing on underground drinking water sources: Carl M. Smith, Dept. of Energy, S1634 [7MR]

———Carol M. Browner, EPA, S1633 [7MR]

———Michel J. Paque, Ground Water Protection Council, S1637 [7MR]

Lists

Congressional staff involved in H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act, S9952 [4OC]

Cosponsors of S. 2896, National AMBER Alert Network Act, S8439 [10SE]

Major provisions of S. 2917, Comprehensive Child Protection Act, S8461 [10SE]

Organizations supporting H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act, S10494, S10512 [16OC]

Organizations supporting S. 724, Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act, S10061 [8OC]

Persons available to answer questions on S. 2566, Early Care and Education Act, S4859 [23MY]

States defining waste-to-energy systems as a renewable energy source, S3287 [24AP]

Supporters of Cantwell amendment to S. 517, national energy policy legislation, on consumer protections and reliability in the provision of electric power, S3242, S3250 [24AP]

Supporters of S. 2566, Early Care and Education Act, S4854 [23MY]

Motions

Courts: expand Federal diversity jurisdiction to allow consideration of certain interstate class actions and provide additional protections to plaintiff class members (H.R. 2341), H884 [13MR]

Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), H2596 [16MY], H3633 [18JN], H3677 [19JN], H4022 [26JN], H4337 [8JY], H4388 [9JY], H6286 [17SE], H6342 [18SE], H6532 [24SE], H6682 [25SE], H6948 [2OC]

Press releases

Election Reform Legislation in U.S. Congress—League Cautions—Legislation Is a Gamble, Implementation Key: League of Women Voters, S10501 [16OC]

Former Presidents Ford and Carter Welcome the Agreement Reached by Congress on Election Reform Legislation: National Commission on Federal Election Reform, S10415 [15OC], H7838 [10OC]

Regulations

Voting System Accuracy Requirements: FEC, H7841 [10OC]

Remarks in House

Animals: establish a national research program on chronic wasting disease, H4740, H4741 [16JY]

———establish a national research program on chronic wasting disease (H.R. 4795), H5092 [23JY]

Children and youth: enhance operation of the AMBER Alert communications plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children (H.R. 5317), H6063 [5SE]

———enhance operation of the AMBER Alert communications plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children (H.R. 5326), E1749 [4OC], E1809 [9OC], E1849 [11OC]

Courts: allow judges to whom certain multidistrict litigation cases are transferred to retain jurisdiction and provide for Federal jurisdiction of certain multiparty, multiforum civil actions (H.R. 860), H884 [13MR]

———disclosure of plaintiff attorney's fees in certain class action lawsuits, H864-H866 [13MR]

———ensure that class actions which are refused certification by a Federal court are remanded to the State court from which it was removed, H877-H879 [13MR]

———jurisdiction over certain class actions brought by local prosecutors or private attorneys general, H866-H868 [13MR]

———prohibit any knowing participant in a conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism from having a class action removed to Federal court, H884 [13MR]

———prohibit moving class action claims to district court if records or documents have been knowingly altered, destroyed, or misrepresented, H874-H877 [13MR]

———treatment of discovery orders in class action lawsuits when a party to the order withholds or destroys material, H861-H863 [13MR]

———treatment of foreign corporations that acquire domestic corporations in corporate repatriation transactions relative to State jurisdiction in class action lawsuits, H869-H871 [13MR]

Dept. of Justice: deputizing of State and local law enforcement officials to perform immigration office functions, E699 [3MY]

Dept. of the Interior: grant Deschutes and Crook Counties in Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road (H.R. 4953), H6499, H6500 [24SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: increase amounts available to State approving agencies to evaluate the qualifications of educational institutions to provide courses under department-administered education programs (H.R. 3731), H7124, H7125 [7OC], E153 [14FE]

District of Columbia: eliminate congressional review of newly-passed District laws (H.R. 4155), E486 [10AP]

Firearms: assist State and local governments in conducting community gun buy back programs (H.R. 4674), H2213 [8MY], E730 [7MY]

4-H Youth Development Program: centennial, H2145 [7MY], E1491 [4SE]

Government: responsibilities and duties, H3153-H3157 [4JN]

Grand Teton National Park: allow Wyoming to retrieve fair value for State lands placed in trust for school revenue purposes (S. 1105), H6520-H6523 [24SE], E1709 [30SE]

Hawaii: remove restrictions on land exchanges between the National Park Service and the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands (H.R. 4724), E798 [14MY]

Head Start Program: anniversary, E603 [23AP]

Health: support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (H. Res. 503), E1369 [25JY]

Help America Vote Act: compliance deadlines, H3677-H3681 [19JN]

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: ensure the preservation of State patient liability protections, H6741, H6742 [26SE]

Home Investment Partnerships Act: support certain housing proposals including the downpayment assistance initiative (H.R. 4446), E544 [16AP]

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: reduce paperwork for special education teachers (H.R. 5591), E1807 [9OC]

Judicial Conference of the U.S.: require report on class action settlements in Federal courts be submitted to Congress, H880-H882 [13MR]

Medicaid: congressional disapproval of rule that lowers the upper payment limit for non-State owned or operated hospitals, H4571 [12JY]

———provide American Samoa with treatment similar to that provided to States (H.R. 4631), E674 [2MY]

Monuments and memorials: prohibit extension or establishment of any national monument without an express act of Congress, H1195 [10AP]

———prohibit extension or establishment of any national monument without an express act of Congress (H.R. 2114), H3541 [13JN], H3725 [20JN]

National security: provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities, H5443, H5444 [24JY], H5858-H5861 [26JY]

———provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (H.R. 4598), H3936-H3948 [26JN], E843 [17MY]

———provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (H.R. 4598), consideration (H. Res. 458), H3934-H3936 [26JN]

———require the President to prescribe procedures which determine whether, how, and to what extent, information provided by whistleblowers should be disseminated, H3946, H3947 [26JN]

Region 10 (organization): anniversary, E629 [26AP]

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: clarify calculation of payments in lieu of taxes to counties relative to certain county projects funding (H.R. 5379), E1570 [12SE]

Solid waste: State and local control over the flow of municipal solid waste, E1340 [24JY]

Springfield, MO: facilitate the use of a portion of the former O'Reilly General Hospital by the Boys and Girls Club (H.R. 5349), H7861 [10OC]

Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), H6885 [1OC]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), conference report, H7836-H7854 [10OC], E1861, E1862 [11OC]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), conference report—unanimous-consent agreement, H7377 [9OC]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), motion to instruct conferees, H2596-H2599 [16MY], H3633 [18JN], H3677-H3681 [19JN], H4022 [26JN], H4337 [8JY], H4388-H4392 [9JY], H6342-H6348 [18SE], H6682-H6685 [25SE], H6948-H6951 [2OC], E1635 [23SE]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), resolve disagreements between Senate and House of Representatives (H. Con. Res. 508), H7854 [10OC]

Week of the Young Child: observance, E603 [23AP]

Western States: Federal land management, H997-H1000 [19MR]

Remarks in Senate

Alaska: facilitate construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, S1961, S1962 [15MR], S2235 [21MR]

———prohibit issuance of permits to construct a natural gas pipeline offshore via the Beaufort Sea, S1555-S1560, S1580-S1590 [6MR]

———protect jurisdiction over in-State distribution of natural gas and provide workforce training associated with natural gas pipeline construction, S1587 [6MR]

Bankruptcy: limit homestead property exemption, S2938 [18AP]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: congressional disapproval of rule that lowers the Medicaid upper payment limit for non-State owned or operated hospitals (S.J. Res. 37), S4333 [14MY]

Chesapeake Bay: provide assistance for nutrient removal practices to States in the watershed, S684 [13FE], S4010-S4012, S4019, S4020 [8MY]

Children and youth: enhance operation of the AMBER Alert communications plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children (S. 2896), S8094, S8095 [3SE], S8436-S8441 [10SE]

———establish a Community Corps (S. 2392), S3510 [29AP], S3556 [30AP]

Clean Air Act: allow State Governors to waive oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline, assist States in cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks, and phase out methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), S1695 [8MR], S2320 [22MR], S3409 [25AP], S5443-S5446 [12JN]

———allow State Governors to waive oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline, assist States in cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks, and phase out methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) (S. 950), S482 [7FE]

Conservation Reserve Program: promote water conservation on agricultural land, S528-S533, S540 [8FE], S604, S608, S609, S611 [12FE], S694, S695 [13FE]

———strike water conservation program, S469-S476 [7FE], S604, S605, S608 [12FE]

Crime: allow for possibility of death penalty in the prosecution of hate crimes, S5267-S5269, S5272-S5276 [10JN], S5327-S5330 [11JN]

———enhance national efforts to investigate, prosecute, and prevent crimes against children by increasing investigatory tools, criminal penalties, and resources and extending existing laws (S. 2917), S8458-S8462 [10SE]

———provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes, S1391 [1MR]

———provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 625), S22 [23JA], S134 [25JA], S174 [28JA], S223 [29JA], S281 [4FE], S342 [5FE], S424 [6FE], S480 [7FE], S542 [8FE], S586 [11FE], S653 [12FE], S731 [13FE], S850 [14FE], S897 [15FE], S998 [25FE], S1198 [26FE], S1249 [27FE], S1346 [28FE], S1419 [4MR], S1534 [5MR], S1595 [6MR], S1672 [7MR], S1702, S1704 [8MR], S1727 [11MR], S1776 [12MR], S1852 [13MR], S1929 [14MR], S1971 [15MR], S2070 [19MR], S2176 [20MR], S2243 [21MR], S2322 [22MR], S2481 [10AP], S2573 [11AP], S2630 [12AP], S2671 [15AP], S2720 [16AP], S2824 [17AP], S2939 [18AP], S3013 [22AP], S3161 [23AP], S3296 [24AP], S3427 [25AP], S3466 [26AP], S3501 [29AP], S3557 [30AP], S3622 [1MY], S3835 [2MY], S3898 [6MY], S3948 [7MY], S4057 [8MY], S4140 [9MY], S4269 [13MY], S4327 [14MY], S4382 [15MY], S4487 [16MY], S4525, S4526, S4533 [17MY], S4615 [21MY], S4697 [22MY], S4832 [23MY], S4883 [3JN], S4963 [4JN], S5033 [5JN], S5200 [6JN], S5246-S5248, S5251 [7JN], S5267-S5276, S5316 [10JN], S5325-S5337 [11JN], S5446, S5447 [12JN], S5530 [13JN], S5583 [14JN], S5629 [17JN], S5689 [18JN], S5767 [19JN], S5844 [20JN], S5895 [21JN], S5951 [24JN], S6009 [25JN], S6124 [26JN], S6236 [27JN], S6316 [28JN], S6354 [8JY], S6496 [9JY], S6568 [10JY], S6644 [11JY], S6706 [12JY], S6804 [15JY], S6861 [16JY], S6943 [17JY], S7029 [18JY], S7101 [19JY], S7159 [22JY], S7222 [23JY], S7306 [24JY], S7369 [25JY], S7422 [26JY], S7464 [29JY], S7572 [30JY], S7736 [31JY], S7865 [1AU], S8079 [3SE], S8195 [4SE], S8292 [5SE], S8369 [9SE], S8447 [10SE], S8505 [11SE], S8557 [12SE], S8617 [13SE], S8667 [17SE], S8747 [18SE], S8915 [19SE], S8979 [20SE], S9030 [23SE], S9110 [24SE], S9226 [25SE], S9414 [26SE], S9592 [30SE], S9707 [1OC], S9840 [2OC], S9898 [3OC], S9979 [4OC], S10037 [7OC], S10111 [8OC], S10218 [9OC], S10347 [10OC], S10434 [15OC], S10564 [16OC], S10653 [17OC], S10835 [12NO], S10879 [13NO], S11062 [14NO], S11204 [15NO], S11308 [18NO], S11551 [19NO], S11715 [20NO]

———provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 625), unanimous-consent agreement, S4818 [23MY], S5195 [6JN]

———provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 625), unanimous-consent request, S3454 [25AP], S4525 [17MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: establish a risk-based program that prioritizes and allocates Federal, State, and local resources for combating terrorism, S11450 [19NO]

———establish the Office for National Capitol Region Coordination, S8654 [17SE]

Dept. of Justice: establish a racial profiling education and awareness program and assist State and local law enforcement agencies in implementing such programs (S. 2114), S2584 [11AP]

Dept. of the Interior: authorize implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, S11647 [19NO]

———grant Deschutes and Crook Counties in Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road (H.R. 4953), S11654 [19NO]

———grant Deschutes and Crook Counties in Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road (S. 2482), S4074 [8MY]

———provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds (S. 198), S11639-S11641 [19NO]

Dept. of Transportation: establish policy linking immigration status with issuance of drivers' licenses, S5192 [6JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: amend programs (S. 2526), S4494 [16MY]

Disasters: extend deadline for submission of State recommendations of local governments to receive assistance of predisaster hazard mitigation and to provide additional repair assistance to individuals (S. 1632), S10472 [15OC]

Drugs: respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines (S. 2763), S7107-S7109 [19JY]

Drunken driving: increase penalties for individuals who operate motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol (S. 3056), S9911 [3OC]

Education: improve early learning opportunities and promote school preparedness (S. 2566), S4853-S4861 [23MY]

———reduce paperwork for special education teachers and make mediation mandatory for all legal disputes relative to individualized education programs (S. 2653), S5853 [20JN]

Electric power: provide consumer protections and reliability in the provision of electric power, S2430-S2438, S2448-S2450 [10AP], S2631 [12AP], S2672 [15AP], S3241-S3251 [24AP]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: permit certain States and local educational agencies to obtain waivers of student testing requirements (S. 2954), S8756 [18SE]

FBI: impact on State and local law enforcement resulting from shifting of criminal investigation agents to terrorism-related duties, S4946 [4JN]

———prohibit destruction of records from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, S2942 [18AP]

4-H Youth Development Program: centennial, S1348 [28FE], S2004 [18MR]

Government: role of the Federal Government, S5323-S5325 [11JN]

Grand Teton National Park: allow Wyoming to retrieve fair value for State lands placed in trust for school revenue purposes (S. 1105), S11649 [19NO]

Health: authorize formulation of State and regional emergency telehealth network testbeds and a telehealth task force within the Dept. of Defense (S. 2748), S6957 [17JY]

Home Investment Partnerships Act: support certain housing proposals including the downpayment assistance initiative (S. 2584), S5049 [5JN]

Housing: promote the production of affordable low-income housing (S. 2967), S8920 [19SE]

Immigration: extend and modify reimbursement of State and local funds expended for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (S. 3013), S9432 [26SE]

Joint Federal and State Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska: establish (S. 2587), S5051 [5JN]

Law enforcement: assess backlog in DNA analysis of rape kit samples and improve investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases with DNA evidence (S. 2513), S4331-S4333 [14MY], S8577, S8580 [12SE]

———prohibit racial profiling (S. 989), S1249 [27FE]

Medicaid: delay changes in regulations that modify upper payment limit for non-State government-owned or operated hospitals, S270 [4FE]

———increase Federal matching contributions to State programs, S164 [28JA], S204-S207, S216-S219 [29JA], S266 [4FE], S335 [5FE]

———increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States, S5111-S5113 [6JN], S7285-S7299 [24JY], S7328-S7336 [25JY]

———increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States (S. 2110), S2582, S2583 [11AP]

———increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States (S. 2221), S3018 [22AP]

———increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States (S. 2570), S4863, S4864 [23MY]

Medicare: geographically adjust the amount of premiums based on the use of health care items and services in the State in which the beneficiary resides (S. 2605), S5286 [10JN]

———reduce geographic disparities in payment rates, S8246-S8249 [5SE]

National security: establish a Federal Liaison on Homeland Security in each State to provide coordination between the Dept. of Homeland Security and State and local first responders (S. 2746), S6956 [17JY]

———establish Federal standards for State issued driver's license and identification cards, S1387 [1MR]

———make grants to State and local governments in order to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats (S. 2077), S2414 [9AP]

———provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (S. 2887), S7953 [1AU]

Nuclear energy: enhance security of transporting high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel (S. 3162), S11081-S11083 [14NO]

Political campaigns: prohibit State candidates from spending non-Federal money on advertisements that mention Federal candidates, S2142 [20MR]

Power resources: streamline siting process for energy pipelines and transmission lines, S2602 [11AP]

Public utilities: establish an organization to ensure the reliability of the electric power transmission system, S1873-S1882, S1884, S1890, S1895-S1897 [14MR]

Safe Drinking Water Act: study effects of hydraulic fracturing on underground drinking water sources, S1633-S1637, S1642 [7MR]

Securities: allow Federal enforcement actions based on State enforcement actions against microcap securities fraud and broaden SEC regulation of rogue brokers (S. 1985), S1537 [5MR]

Social Security: allow coverage of pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (S. 724), S9825-S9828 [2OC]

———allow coverage of pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (S. 724), unanimous-consent request, S10057-S10063 [8OC]

———restore Social Services Block Grant funding and the ability of States to transfer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to such block grant (S. 501), S2406 [9AP]

Solid waste: allow States to use municipal solid waste as a renewable energy source, S2235 [21MR]

———limit receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste (S. 2034), S2083 [19MR], S2175 [20MR]

———modify definitions of biomass and renewable energy to exclude municipal solid waste, S3149 [23AP], S3285-S3287 [24AP], S3415 [25AP]

Springfield, MO: facilitate the use of a portion of the former O'Reilly General Hospital by the Boys and Girls Club (H.R. 5349), S10960 [13NO]

States: improve security of State-issued driver's licenses (S. 3107), S10385-S10388 [10OC], S10560 [16OC]

———restore Federal remedies for violations of intellectual property rights by States (S. 2031), S2078-S2082 [19MR]

———submission of energy self-sufficiency plans, S1885-S1889 [14MR]

Taxation: prohibit States from imposing tax on income earned within that State by nonresidents, S209 [29JA]

Telecommunications: preserve State and local authority to regulate placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission facilities (S. 3102), S10380-S10383 [10OC]

———preserve State and local authority to regulate placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless services facilities (S. 3103), S10380-S10383 [10OC]

Transportation: empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for highway programs and mass transit programs (S. 2861), S7929 [1AU]

Voting: establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), S8441 [10SE], S9951-S9955 [4OC]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), conference report, S10412-S10424 [15OC], S10488-S10516 [16OC], S10606 [17OC]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), insert S. 565 language in lieu, S2543 [11AP]

———establish a grant program to provide assistance to States for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration (H.R. 3295), unanimous-consent agreement, S2543 [11AP]

———guarantee States a portion of grant program funds allocated for modernizing and enhancing voting procedures and administration, S988, S989 [25FE]

———statewide interactive voter registration lists, S2520, S2521 [11AP]

Water: provide assistance to States to support testing of private wells in areas of suspected contamination to limit or prevent human exposure to contaminated groundwater (S. 3127), S10678 [17OC]

Western States: Federal land management, S3157 [23AP]

Reports filed

Class Action Fairness Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 2341) (H. Rept. 107-370), H906 [13MR]

Consideration of H.R. 2341, Class Action Fairness Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 367) (H. Rept. 107-375), H832 [12MR]

Consideration of H.R. 4598, Homeland Security Information Sharing Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 458) (H. Rept. 107-535), H3927 [25JN]

Dept. of the Interior Granting to Deschutes and Crook Counties, OR, a Right-of-Way to West Butte Road: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 2482) (S. Rept. 107-277), S8564 [12SE]

———Committee on Resources (House) (H.R. 4953) (H. Rept. 107-637), H6058 [4SE]

Dept. of the Interior Implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 1768) (S. Rept. 107-171), S5956 [24JN]

DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 2513), S7033 [18JY]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 2513) (S. Rept. 107-334), S10843 [12NO]

Federal-Local Information Sharing Partnership Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1615), S8299 [5SE]

Firefighting Research and Coordination Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2862) (S. Rept. 107-344), S11315 [18NO]

Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act: Committee on Resources (House) (S. 1105) (H. Rept. 107-639), H6058 [4SE]

Harmful Nonnative Weed Control Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 198) (S. Rept. 107-281), S8671 [17SE]

———Committee on Resources (House) (H.R. 1462) (H. Rept. 107-451), H2354 [9MY]

Help America Vote Act: Committee of Conference (H.R. 3295) (H. Rept. 107-730), H7302 [8OC]

Homeland Security Information Sharing Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 4598) (H. Rept. 107-534), H3927 [25JN]

How Can the Federal Government Better Assist State and Local Governments in Preparing for a Biological, Chemical, or Nuclear Attack?: Committee on Government Reform (House) (H. Rept. 107-766), H8041 [24OC]

Joint Federal and State Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 2587), S10115 [8OC]

Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 625) (S. Rept. 107-147), S4145 [9MY]

Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 724) (S. Rept. 107-233), S7898 [1AU]

National AMBER Alert Network Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 2896), S8300 [5SE]

National Monument Fairness Act: Committee on Resources (House) (H.R. 2114) (H. Rept. 107-408), H1288 [15AP]

Older Workers' Rights Restoration Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 928) (S. Rept. 107-142), S2675 [15AP]

Provide Families of Disabled Children With the Opportunity To Purchase Medicaid Coverage: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 321) (S. Rept. 107-265), S8383 [9SE]

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Appropriations: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 862), S7033 [18JY]

Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act: Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senate) (S. 1850) (S. Rept. 107-316), S10570 [16OC]

White House Quadrennial Small Business Summit Act: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Senate) (S. 396) (S. Rept. 107-136), S487 [7FE]

Statements

Construction of Natural Gas Pipeline in Alaska: George N. Ahmaogak, S1581 [6MR]

Early Care and Education Act: Jack P. Shonkoff, S4858 [23MY]

Help America Vote Act: Representative Conyers, S9953 [4OC]

———Representative Corrine Brown, S9953 [4OC]

———Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, S9952 [4OC]

———Scott Harshbarger, Common Cause (organization), S10416 [15OC], H7840 [10OC]

Summaries

Affordable Housing Expansion Act (S. 2967), S8921 [19SE]

Comprehensive Child Protection Act (S. 2917), S8460 [10SE]

Intellectual Property Protection Restoration Act (S. 2031), S2081 [19MR]

National Energy Policy (S. 517): Daschle-Bingaman Substitute Amendment Provisions on Renewable Fuels Standards and MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether), S2321 [22MR]

Tables

Comparison of State Federal Medicaid assistance percentages and temporary health assistance under several economic stimulus proposals, S205 [29JA]

Federal land grants to States (1803-1984), S2816 [17AP]

Hate crimes prosecuted by State and local prosecutors where the death penalty was available, S5273 [10JN]

State energy production and consumption, S1888 [14MR]

Testimonies

Construction of Natural Gas Pipeline in Alaska: Tony Knowles, Governor of Alaska, S1557 [6MR]

End Gridlock at Our Nation's Critical Airports Act: Representative Jackson, H4635 [15JY]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 508, resolve disagreements between Senate and House of Representatives on H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act, H7854 [10OC]

H. Res. 367, consideration of H.R. 2341, Class Action Fairness Act, H838 [13MR]

H. Res. 458, consideration of H.R. 4598, Homeland Security Information Sharing Act, H3934 [26JN]

H.R. 2341, Class Action Fairness Act, H857-H859 [13MR]

H.R. 3731, increase amounts available to State approving agencies to evaluate the qualifications of educational institutions to provide courses under Dept. of Veterans Affairs department-administered education programs, H7124 [7OC]

H.R. 4953, grant Deschutes and Crook Counties in Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road, H6499 [24SE]

H.R. 5349, facilitate the use of a portion of the former O'Reilly General Hospital in Springfield, MO, by the Boys and Girls Club, H7861 [10OC]

S. 198, Harmful Nonnative Weed Control Act, S11639-S11641 [19NO]

S. 1105, Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act, S11649 [19NO], H6520 [24SE]

S. 1632, extend deadline for submission of State recommendations of local governments to receive assistance of predisaster hazard mitigation and to provide additional repair assistance to individuals, S10473 [15OC]

S. 2031, Intellectual Property Protection Restoration Act, S2080 [19MR]

S. 2034, Municipal Solid Waste Interstate Transportation and Local Authority Act, S2084-S2090 [19MR]

S. 2114, Racial Profiling Education and Awareness Act, S2584 [11AP]

S. 2513, DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act, S8577-S8580 [12SE]

S. 2526, Dept. of Veterans Affairs programs amendments, S4494 [16MY]

S. 2584, American Dream Downpayment Act, S5050 [5JN]

S. 2862, Firefighting Research and Coordination Act, S7931 [1AU]

S. 2917, Comprehensive Child Protection Act, S8459 [10SE]

S. 2954, Student Testing Flexibility Act, S8757 [18SE]

S. 2967, Affordable Housing Expansion Act, S8922-S8926 [19SE]

S. 3013, Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act, S9432 [26SE]

S. 3056, Higher-Risk Impaired Driver Act, S9911 [3OC]

S. 3102, Local Control of Broadcast Towers Act, S10380 [10OC]

S. 3103, Local Control of Cellular Towers Act, S10382 [10OC]

S. 3127, Private Well Testing Assistance Act, S10679 [17OC]

S. Con. Res. 151, Direct Support Professional Recognition Resolution, S10225 [9OC]