HART, MELISSA (a Representative from Pennsylvania)
Amendments
Courts: expand Federal diversity jurisdiction to allow consideration of certain interstate class actions and provide additional protections to plaintiff class members (H.R. 2341), H879, H880 [13MR]
Articles and editorials
At Last, the Bus Meets the Tank, Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette, E763
Bettis Salutes USA's Real Heroes, Jon Saraceno, USA Today, E763
NFL Goes Long on Promise To Donate Gear to Military, Kevin Dougherty, Stars and Stripes (publication), E764
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: appropriate State and tribal shares (see H. Con. Res. 425), H3927 [25JN]
Abortion: prohibit partial-birth abortions (see H.R. 4965), H3720 [19JN]
Agriculture: assist small farms with modernization to increase profitability and competitiveness (see H.R. 4479), H2512 [15MY]
Animals: establish a national research program on chronic wasting disease (see H.R. 4795), H3454 [11JN]
Armed Forces: authorize use against Iraq (see H.J. Res. 114), H7304 [8OC]
———encourage employers who employ members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve to provide a pay differential benefit and an extension of employee benefits to members on active duty (see H. Con. Res. 362), H3293 [6JN]
———restore the tax-exempt status of death gratuity payments (see H.R. 3973), H3292 [6JN]
Army: anniversary of the founding of the Special Forces and honor Aaron Bank for his role in the founding (see H. Con. Res. 364), H3161 [4JN]
Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced (see H.J. Res. 86), H1283 [11AP]
Business and industry: enhance penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies (see H.R. 5118), H4604 [15JY]
———protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to securities laws (see H.R. 3763), H523 [14FE]
Capitol Building and Grounds: tribute to District of Columbia National Guard, National Guard Bureau, and Dept. of Defense for assistance to Capitol Police and Congress after terrorist and anthrax attacks (see H. Con. Res. 378), H1533 [23AP]
———tribute to District of Columbia National Guard and Capitol Police for increased security after terrorist and anthrax attacks (see H. Con. Res. 371), H1200 [10AP]
Chicago, IL: expand aviation capacity (see H.R. 3479), H2356 [9MY]
Children and youth: prevent child abduction (see H.R. 5422), H6927 [1OC]
———prevent child abuse, neglect, and abandonment and family violence (see H.R. 3839), H686 [5MR]
Choctaw Code Talkers: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3439), H1674 [25AP]
Claims: liquidate blocked assets of terrorists and terrorist organizations in order to reimburse the Treasury for the compensation of terrorism victims (see H.R. 3698), H1338 [16AP]
Clean Air Act: ensure reasonable emissions standards for highway motorcycles (see H.R. 5433), H8546 [12NO]
Comanche Code Talkers: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3512), H1674 [25AP]
Community development: increase the expertise and capacity of community-based organizations involved in economic development activities and key community development programs (see H.R. 3974), H1338 [16AP]
Community service: provide incentives for communities and individuals to serve the poor and others in need and enhance ability of low-income individuals to build assets (H.R. 7), complete congressional action (see H. Res. 539), H6418 [19SE]
Computers: establish Internet domain for children that will promote positive experiences, provide safe online environment, and prevent exposure to harmful material (see H.R. 3833), H1155 [9AP]
———provide greater cybersecurity (see H.R. 3482), H79 [24JA]
Construction industries: tribute to role in providing economic stability and momentum to the U.S. economy (see H. Res. 418), H2512 [15MY]
Consumers: require disclosure of terms of rental-purchase agreements (see H.R. 1701), H3161 [4JN]
Corp. for National and Community Service: reauthorize and reform national service laws (see H.R. 4854), H3293 [6JN]
Courts: modify jurisdiction of Federal courts, inferior to the Supreme Court, over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance (see H.R. 5064), H4767 [16JY]
Crime: disapprove certain sentencing guideline amendments (see H.R. 4689), H2354 [9MY]
———prevent trafficking in child pornography, condemn activities relating to sexually explicit visual depictions of minors, and prevent the use of child pornography to facilitate crimes against children (see H.R. 4623), H1769 [30AP]
Dept. of Agriculture: clarify authority to establish performance standards for the reduction of pathogens in meat and poultry processed by establishments receiving inspection services (see H.R. 3956), H9025 [14NO]
Dept. of Defense: disclose information on projects that included testing of biological or chemical agents involving potential exposure of Armed Forces members to toxic agents (see H.R. 5060), H5195 [23JY]
Dept. of Homeland Security: establish (see H.R. 5005), H3859 [24JN]
Dept. of HUD: facilitate the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfields (see H.R. 2941), H737 [6MR]
———reauthorize the HOPE VI Program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing (see H.R. 5499), H6783 [30SE]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enhance authority to recruit and retain qualified nurses for the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 3017), H227 [7FE]
———provide guaranteed adequate level of funding for veterans health care (see H.R. 5250), H7738 [9OC]
———repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid as dependency and indemnity compensation (see H.R. 3183), H1090 [20MR]
Developing countries: increase assistance for the poorest people in developing countries under microenterprise assistance programs (see H.R. 4073), H1688 [29AP]
Diseases: expand and coordinate activities of NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relative to cancer survivorship research and programs (see H.R. 4963), H6374 [18SE]
District of Columbia: repeal law banning firearms (see H.R. 4642), H3038 [23MY]
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: allow tax relief to continue as scheduled (see H. Con. Res. 312), H141 [5FE]
———make marriage penalty relief provisions permanent (see H.R. 4019), H1338 [16AP]
Education: tribute to Catholic schools (see H. Res. 335), H78 [24JA]
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: clarify relative to rules of civil procedure (see H.R. 3533), H3230 [5JN]
Families and domestic relations: importance of prenatal care for women and children (see H. Res. 346), H230 [8FE]
Federal aid programs: provide housing assistance to domestic violence victims (see H.R. 3752), H366 [13FE]
Federal employees: ensure that those activated by the National Guard or Reserves shall receive pay equal to the basic pay such individual would otherwise be receiving (see H.R. 3337), H1155 [9AP]
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: amend relative to firefighter assistance (see H.R. 4548), H5791 [25JY]
Financial institutions: reform the Federal deposit insurance system (see H.R. 3717), H283 [12FE]
Firefighters: provide mortgage assistance (see H.R. 3358), H79 [24JA]
Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see H.R. 3968), H1201 [10AP]
Fort Presque Isle National Historic Site: establish (see H.R. 4681), H2235 [8MY]
Health: expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform or provide training in performing abortions (see H.R. 4691), H2946 [22MY]
———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see H.R. 4600), H3514 [12JN]
Height, Dorothy I.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 4531), H6303 [17SE]
Herbert Arlene Post Office Building, Philadelphia, PA: designate (see H.R. 3738), H365 [13FE]
Higher Education Act: incorporate results from the Fed Up Initiative which identifies outdated or burdensome regulations (see H.R. 4866), H3454 [11JN]
Home Investment Partnerships Act: support certain housing proposals including the downpayment assistance initiative (see H.R. 4446), H1337 [16AP]
House Rules: prohibit access to classified information by Members who do not have the required security clearance (see H. Res. 265), H285 [12FE]
Housing: amend and extend certain laws relating to housing and community opportunity (see H.R. 3995), H1002 [19MR]
Immigration: 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), H1338 [16AP]
INS: increase authority of the Attorney General to remove or discipline employees (see H.R. 4009), H1087 [20MR]
Iraq: adjudication and payment of certain claims against Iraq and priority for veterans filing such claims (see H.R. 4573), H1619 [24AP]
Iron and steel industry: facilitate consolidation and rationalization of the steel industry (see H.R. 4574), H1619 [24AP]
James R. Merry Post Office Building, Linesville, PA: designate (see H.R. 5586), H7737 [9OC] (see H.R. 5707), H8545 [12NO]
Korean War Veterans Association, Inc.: grant Federal charter (see H.R. 952), H6777 [26SE]
Medicaid: permit additional States to enter into long-term care partnerships in order to promote the use of long-term care insurance (see H.R. 1041), H1338 [16AP]
Medicare: coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see H.R. 3684), H141 [5FE]
———enhance access of beneficiaries who live in medically underserved areas to critical primary and preventive health care benefits and improve the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 4000), H1338 [16AP]
———reform the physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable growth rate payment update system (see H.R. 3882), H1620 [24AP]
———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see H.R. 3834), H1284 [11AP]
Middle East: prohibit U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority (see H.R. 3624), H142 [5FE]
National Fragile X Research Day: observance (see H. Res. 398), H5998 [26JY]
National security: provide for the sharing of homeland security information by Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies with State and local entities (see H.R. 3825), H1155 [9AP] (see H.R. 4598), H1673 [25AP]
NSF: authorizing appropriations (see H.R. 4664), H2512 [15MY]
Pensions: provide additional protection to participants in individual account plans, promote investment advice, and prohibit certain insider trades of securities (see H.R. 3762), H738 [6MR]
———provide additional protection to participants in individual account plans, promote investment advice, and prohibit certain insider trades of securities (H.R. 3762), complete congressional action (see H. Res. 540), H6419 [19SE]
Pledge of Allegiance: circuit court decision on inclusion of phrase ``under God'' (see H. Res. 459), H4069 [26JN]
PLO: impose certain travel and diplomatic sanctions on officials in the U.S., seize assets in the U.S., and require a report on any acts of terrorism until a peace plan is implemented (see H.R. 4693), H3293 [6JN]
Pornography: constitutional amendment on real and virtual child pornography (see H.J. Res. 106), H4872 [17JY]
———support vigorous enforcement of Federal obscenity laws (see H. Con. Res. 445), H6693 [25SE]
Public lands: establish time limits for completion of wilderness studies on Federal lands (see H.R. 4620), H3038 [23MY]
———provide consistent enforcement authority by Federal agencies that respond to violations of regulations governing public lands, and clarify the purpose of fines collected for violations (see H.R. 3808), H1091 [20MR]
Public safety officers: ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (see H.R. 5334), H6304 [17SE]
Public welfare programs: reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see H.R. 4090), H2165 [7MY]
———reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (H.R. 4737), complete congressional action (see H. Res. 525), H6303 [17SE]
———reauthorize Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program work-related provisions and Child Care and Development Block Grants (see H.R. 4092), H2356 [9MY]
Reagan, Ronald: tribute (see H.J. Res. 82), H141 [5FE]
Religion: defend the Ten Commandments (see H.R. 3895), H780 [7MR]
Rev. Leon Sullivan Post Office Building, Philadelphia, PA: designate (see H.R. 3739), H365 [13FE]
Robert A. Borski Post Office Building, Philadelphia, PA: designate (see H.R. 5280), H6560 [24SE]
SEC: authorizing appropriations (see H.R. 3764), H523 [14FE]
Sioux Code Talkers: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3250), H2356 [9MY]
Small business: suspend fines under certain circumstances for first-time paperwork violations (see H.R. 3605), H834 [12MR]
SMART Research and Development Compact: congressional consent (see H.R. 5473), H6775 [26SE]
Social Security: disregard State annuities paid to blind veterans in the determination of SSI benefits (see H.R. 3496), H3292 [6JN]
———guarantee the right of individuals to receive certain benefits in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment (see H.R. 3135), H1410 [17AP]
———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (see H.R. 4070), H2472 [14MY]
Somerset County, PA: authorize a national memorial to commemorate the heroism of the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 (see H.R. 3917), H1156 [9AP]
———tribute to rescue of coal miners (see H. Con. Res. 459), H6374 [18SE]
States: permit requirement of parental consent relative to purchase of prescription drugs or devices for minors (see H.R. 4783), H2734 [21MY]
Syria: halt support for terrorism, end occupation of Lebanon, stop development of weapons of mass destruction, and cease illegal importation of Iraqi oil (see H.R. 4483), H3230 [5JN]
Taxation: allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance (see H.R. 4604), H2101 [2MY]
———allow penalty-free withdrawals from individual retirement plans for adoption expenses (see H.R. 3713), H562 [26FE]
———allow tax credit for contributions for the benefit of elementary and secondary schools (see H.R. 5192), H5194 [23JY]
———clarify credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source (see H.R. 3352), H79 [24JA]
———clarify that the parsonage allowance exclusion is limited to the fair rental value of the property (see H.R. 4156), H1339 [16AP]
———constitutional amendment on tax limitations (see H.J. Res. 96), H3291 [6JN]
———constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds majority on the passage of legislation increasing taxes (see H.J. Res. 41), H907 [13MR]
———empower employees to control their retirement accounts through new diversification rights, disclosure requirements, and tax incentives for retirement education (see H.R. 3669), H562 [26FE]
———ensure that income averaging for farmers does not increase a farmer's liability for the alternative minimum tax (see H.R. 658), H230 [8FE]
———expand depreciation benefits available to small businesses for new business investment and equipment (see H.R. 4470), H1688 [29AP]
———extend benefits to services performed in a combat zone to services performed in response to terrorist attacks (see H.R. 4152), H1675 [25AP]
———improve retirement income by taxing annuities and certain life insurance payments at capital gains rates (see H.R. 3320), H2356 [9MY]
———make repeal of estate taxes permanent (see H.R. 2143), H3161 [4JN]
———make repeal of estate taxes permanent (H.R. 2143), complete congressional action (see H. Res. 524), H6303 [17SE]
———make the additional tax on early distributions from certain pension plans inapplicable for public safety employees (see H.R. 4796), H3230 [5JN]
———provide a credit for employers who allow their employees to participate in volunteer firefighter training (see H.R. 4839), H3563 [13JN]
———require child support delinquent parents to include their unpaid obligation in gross income, and allow custodial parents a deduction for unpaid child support (see H.R. 5130), H4765 [16JY]
———terminate Internal Revenue Code (see H.R. 2714), H1284 [11AP] (see H.R. 4716), H2470 [14MY]
———treatment of elementary and secondary education expenses (see H.R. 5193), H5194 [23JY]
———treatment of tips (see H.R. 1274), H3668 [18JN]
———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (see H.R. 4804), H3293 [6JN]
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century: provide highway infrastructure investment at the guaranteed funding level (see H.R. 3694), H367 [13FE]
Turkey: express appreciation for participation in military response to terrorist attacks (see H. Con. Res. 265), H1490 [22AP]
Twenty-First Century Water Policy Commission: establish (see H.R. 3561), H834 [12MR]
Unemployment: provide for a temporary enhanced unemployment benefits program (see H.R. 5587), H7737 [9OC]
Veterans: increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses (see H.R. 5403), H6373 [18SE]
Veterans Day: issue annual commemorative postage stamp (see H. Res. 429), H5454 [24JY]
Victor J. Saracini Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Horsham, PA: designate (see H.R. 5367), H6228 [11SE]
Vietnamese Conflict: require a study on the eligibility requirements for inclusion of veterans' names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and an alternative means to honor ineligible veterans (see H.R. 3443), H285 [12FE]
Water: authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds (see H.R. 3792), H634 [27FE] (see H.R. 3930), H3038 [23MY]
William V. Cibotti Post Office Building, Philadelphia, PA: designate (see H.R. 3740), H365 [13FE]
Williams, Serena: tribute (see H. Res. 94), H4767 [16JY]
Williams, Venus: tribute (see H. Res. 94), H4767 [16JY]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Army: establish an environmental assistance program for non-Federal interests in western Pennsylvania (see H.R. 3723), H284 [12FE]
Federal aid programs: consolidate all black lung benefit responsibility under a single official (see H.R. 5542), H7018 [3OC]
Immigration: improve procedures for processing visas for certain nonimmigrant artists (see H.R. 5618), H7893 [10OC]
OMB: require inclusion of certain outlying counties in metropolitan statistical areas (see H.R. 3722), H284 [12FE]
Pennsylvania: designate Route 60, and U.S. Routes 22 and 30, as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (see H.R. 4871), H3229 [5JN]
Political campaigns: disclosure of certain electioneering communications disbursements (see H.R. 3680), H140 [5FE]
Schools: prohibit funding to any State or local educational agency that distributes or provides postcoital emergency contraception (see H.R. 3805), H633 [27FE]
Taxation: allow employers a tax credit for increasing employment (see H.R. 3702), H227 [7FE]
Explanations
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Selected as One of the Top 10 Economic Development Groups: Site Selection (publication), E759
Remarks
Abortion: prohibit partial-birth abortions (H.R. 4965), H5358 [24JY]
Armed Forces: authorize use against Iraq (H.J. Res. 114), H7294 [8OC]
———performance of abortions at overseas military medical facilities, H2361 [9MY]
Bankruptcy: amend laws (H.R. 333), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 606), H8750 [14NO]
Beaver, PA: anniversary, E1630
Business and industry: enhance penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies (H.R. 5118), H4690 [16JY]
———protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to securities laws (H.R. 3763), H1549 [24AP]
———protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to securities laws (H.R. 3763), conference report, H5471 [25JY]
Children and youth: protect infants who are born alive (H.R. 2175), H795 [12MR]
Courts: expand Federal diversity jurisdiction to allow consideration of certain interstate class actions and provide additional protections to plaintiff class members (H.R. 2341), H880, H882 [13MR]
Crime: prohibit taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws requiring parental notification of abortions (H.R. 476), consideration (H. Res. 388), H1347 [17AP]
———prohibit unauthorized placement of a writing on or inside a consumer product (H.R. 2621), H3401 [11JN]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (H.R. 4546), H2361 [9MY]
Education: national policy to improve system, H2506, H2507, H2508, H2509 [15MY]
Enron Corp.: economic collapse, H1549 [24AP]
Federal aid programs: consolidate all black lung benefit responsibility under a single official (H.R. 5542), H7146 [7OC], E1763
Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.: anniversary, E210
Health: expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform or provide training in performing abortions (H.R. 4691), consideration (H. Res. 546), H6568 [25SE]
———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 4600), H6727 [26SE]
INS: replace with the Agency for Immigration Affairs (H.R. 3231), H1636 [25AP]
Insurance: ensure jury awards exceeding certain limits are used to reduce medical liability premiums for physicians, H6727 [26SE]
Iron and steel industry: respond to the surge of steel imports, H630 [27FE]
Judicial Conference of the U.S.: require report on class action settlements in Federal courts be submitted to Congress, H880, H882 [13MR]
Medicare: establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), H3655 [18JN]
———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), consideration (H. Res. 465), H4180 [27JN]
National Military Appreciation Month: observance, E763
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance: tribute, E759
Political campaigns: ethics reform and contribution limits (H.R. 2356), H375 [13FE]
Public welfare programs: reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (H.R. 4090), H1391 [17AP]
———reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (H.R. 4737), H2517 [16MY]
Research: computer and network security research and development and research fellowship programs funding (H.R. 3394), H214
Taxation: allow tax credit for contributions to local agencies and organizations for scholarships to attend elementary and secondary schools, upgrading school facilities, and certain technology expenses, H2506 [15MY]
———provide tax credit for educational expenses incurred in attending public or private elementary and secondary schools, H2508 [15MY]
Terrorism: anniversary of terrorist attacks (H. Con. Res. 464), H6205
Votes: position on missed, H4471
Women's History Month: observance, E398
Tributes
Anthony, Susan B., E398