SHUSTER, BILL (a Representative from Pennsylvania)
Amendments
Depts. of Transportation, the Treasury, and HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3058), H5364 [28JN], H5462 [29JN]
Appointments
Bipartisan Committee To Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (House, Select), H8233 [21SE]
Conferee: H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users, H4136 [26MY]
U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission, H2535 [26AP]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed relative to pain experienced by the unborn child (see H.R. 356), H195 [25JA]
American Jewish History Month: observance (see H. Con. Res. 315), H11654 [14DE]
Armed Forces: authorize members to assist the Dept. of Homeland Security in performance of border protection functions under certain circumstances (see H.R. 1986), H2736 [28AP]
———establish a combat badge for helicopter medical evacuation ambulance (Medevac) pilots and crews (see H.R. 1308), H3262 [12MY]
———provide postal benefits for personal correspondence and certain parcels sent to members serving on active military duty abroad (see H.R. 923), H8919 [18OC]
Bankruptcy: exempt from means testing certain National Guard and Reserve members (see H.R. 2060), H4073 [25MY]
Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid: establish (see H.R. 985), H1779 [5AP]
Braille, Louis: mint commemorative coins (see H.R. 2872), H11110 [6DE]
Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced (see H.J. Res. 58), H5801 [13JY]
———reform Federal budget procedures, impose spending safeguards, combat waste, fraud, and abuse, and account for accurate Government agency costs (see H.R. 2290), H4985 [22JN]
Capitol Building and Grounds: acceptance by Committee on the Library (Joint) of a bust of Sojourner Truth and display of the bust in the Capitol rotunda (see H.R. 4510), H12051 [16DE]
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: extend compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (see H.R. 3373), H6326 [21JY]
Children and youth: encourage savings, promote financial literacy, and expand opportunities for young adults by establishing KIDS Accounts (see H.R. 1767), H8644 [29SE]
———establish a grant program to provide comprehensive eye examinations (see H.R. 2238), H8735 [6OC]
China, People's Republic of: clarify actionability of exchange-rate manipulation under countervailing duty provisions and product-specific safeguard mechanisms of U.S. trade laws (see H.R. 1498), H10157 [10NO]
———require Dept. of the Treasury report on exchange rate policies and impose additional tariffs on products based on the rate of currency exchange manipulation (see H.R. 3004), H4895 [21JN]
Citizenship: restrict citizenship of individuals based solely on birth in the U.S. (see H.R. 698), H11220 [7DE]
Clayton J. Smith Memorial Post Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA: designate (see H.R. 3825), H8919 [18OC]
Congressman James Grove Fulton Memorial Post Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA: designate (see H.R. 3256), H6328 [21JY]
Construction industries: provide contractors with qualified immunity from liability for negligence when providing services or equipment on a volunteer basis in response to a declared emergency or disaster (see H.R. 3717), H8089 [15SE]
Courts: clarify jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance (see H.R. 2389), H3434 [17MY]
———limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act (see H.R. 1100), H1372 [10MR]
———prevent frivolous lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers of food or non-alcoholic beverage products that comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements (see H.R. 554), H1025 [8MR]
———provide protections of habeas corpus for certain incapacitated individuals whose life is in jeopardy (see H.R. 1151), H1372 [10MR]
Crime: prohibit taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws requiring parental notification of abortions (see H.R. 748), H581 [10FE]
Curtiss, Glenn H.: tribute (see H. Res. 374), H6328 [21JY]
Dallas, TX: eliminate certain restrictions on air transportation to and from Love Field (see H.R. 2646), H4723 [17JN]
———eliminate certain restrictions on air transportation to and from Love Field, cosponsorship withdrawn (see H.R. 2646), H4803 [20JN]
Dept. of Homeland Security: establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the U.S. (see H.R. 4312), H11110 [6DE]
Dept. of the Navy: redesignate as the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps (see H.R. 34), H1696 [17MR]
Disasters: improve ability of Depts. of Agriculture and the Interior to promptly implement recovery treatments in response to catastrophic events affecting forest lands (see H.R. 4200), H10146 [9NO]
Diseases: anniversary of development of Salk polio vaccine (see H. Res. 208), H1895 [12AP]
———support goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer (see H. Con. Res. 210), H9696 [4NO]
District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 1288), H1416 [14MR]
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make permanent enhanced educational savings provisions for qualified tuition programs (see H.R. 2386), H7613 [29JY]
———make repeal of estate taxes permanent (see H.R. 8), H790 [17FE]
Endangered Species Act: provide greater results conserving and recovering listed species (see H.R. 3824), H8389 [27SE]
English language: reaffirm as official language of U.S., establish uniform English language rule for naturalization, and avoid misconstructions of English language texts of U.S. laws (see H.R. 997), H845 [1MR]
FAA: repeal local participation in Essential Air Service Program (see H.R. 1119), H983 [3MR]
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act: extend contracts for national dairy market loss payments (see H.R. 859), H848 [1MR]
FDA: provide for uniform food safety warning notification requirements (see H.R. 4167), H9361 [27OC]
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.: eliminate Federal agency requirement to purchase products and require commercial competition for Federal contracts (see H.R. 2965), H4721 [17JN]
Financial institutions: prohibit financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities (see H.R. 111), H3262 [12MY]
Firearms: permit States to provide reciprocal treatment for carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents (see H.R. 1243), H4143 [26MY]
———prohibit lawsuits against weapons manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers (see H.R. 800), H627 [15FE]
———protect and enforce the right to obtain and use firearms for security, self-defense, and other legitimate purposes (see H.R. 47), H2106 [18AP]
———update certain procedures applicable to commerce and remove certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions (see H.R. 1384), H1970 [13AP]
Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 10), H287 [1FE]
Freedom of religion: constitutional amendment protecting religious freedom (see H.J. Res. 57), H5602 [30JN]
Gold Star Mothers Day: support goals and ideals (see H.J. Res. 61), H8163 [20SE]
Health: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see H.R. 5), H6651 [26JY] (see H.R. 534), H349 [2FE]
———make antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers in the same manner as collective bargaining by labor organizations (see H.R. 1671), H7820 [12SE]
———provide for arthritis research and public health (see H.R. 583), H8846 [17OC]
Housing: modernize the manufactured housing loan insurance program (see H.R. 2803), H7565 [28JY]
Hurricanes: express condolences to victims of Hurricane Katrina, commend resiliency of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and commit to relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts (see H. Res. 425), H7742 [7SE]
Immigration: enhance Federal, State, and local enforcement of immigration laws (see H.R. 3137), H7815 [8SE]
———strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security (see H.R. 4437), H11504 [13DE]
Indian Americans: recognize and honor contributions to economic innovation and society (see H. Res. 227), H2472 [21AP]
Insurance: promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational or transportation activities (see H.R. 2793), H5741 [12JY]
Iran: hold current regime accountable for its threatening behavior and support a transition to democracy (see H.R. 282), H5101 [23JN]
Japan: impose retaliatory economic measures if U.S. beef imports do not resume immediately (see H. Res. 137), H8644 [29SE]
Klebnikov, Paul: condemn murder of U.S. journalist in Russia and the murder of other members of the media (see H. Res. 499), H9963 [7NO]
Korean American Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 487), H10503 [16NO]
Little Rock, AR: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School (see H.R. 358), H942 [2MR]
Mayor Joseph S. Daddona Memorial Post Office, Allentown, PA: designate (see H.R. 2490), H3693 [19MY]
Medicare: allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (see H.R. 1333), H1620 [16MR]
———extend and improve protections for sole community hospitals (see H.R. 2961), H10145 [9NO]
———improve patient access to, and utilization of, the colorectal cancer screening benefit (see H.R. 1632), H6107 [19JY]
———reform the physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable growth rate payment update system (see H.R. 2356), H5915 [14JY]
———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see H.R. 916), H7743 [7SE]
———temporarily increase payment rates for home health services in rural areas (see H.R. 11), H1025 [8MR]
Mental health: combat autism through research, screening, intervention, and education (see H.R. 2421), H8342 [22SE]
Mining and mineral resources: reauthorize collection of reclamation fees, revise abandoned mine reclamation program, promote remining, and authorize Office of Surface Mining to collect black lung excise tax (see H.R. 2721), H4141 [26MY]
Motor vehicles: allow an operator of a commercial motor vehicle breaks in a daily tour of duty (see H.R. 623), H1025 [8MR]
National Advisory Council on Medical Rehabilitation: establish (see H.R. 3373), H6326 [21JY]
National Arson Awareness Week: support goals (see H. Res. 252), H3114 [10MY]
National Brain Injury Awareness Month: support (see H. Con. Res. 99), H1509 [15MR]
National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record: provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their families can register certain firearms (see H.R. 2088), H2976 [4MY]
National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (see H.R. 418), H235 [26JA]
Native Americans: acknowledgment of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina (see H.R. 21), H3695 [19MY]
Oklahoma City, OK: anniversary of bombing of Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building (see H. Res. 184), H1851 [8AP]
Outer Continental Shelf: terminate effect of laws prohibiting spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities (see H.R. 4318), H12051 [16DE]
Pledge of Allegiance: district court decision on inclusion of phrase ``under God'' (see H. Res. 453), H8162 [20SE]
Postal Service: reform postal laws (see H.R. 22), H3435 [17MY]
Power resources: provide disaster assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a privately-owned power transmission facility damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (see H.R. 4391), H11033 [18NO]
Real estate: prohibit economic development assistance to States or localities that use eminent domain to obtain property for private commercial development or fail to pay relocation costs to displaced persons (see H.R. 3405), H7815 [8SE]
———protect private property rights by limiting the power of eminent domain (see H.R. 3135), H7815 [8SE] (see H.R. 4128), H9436 [31OC]
San Francisco, CA: mint coins in commemoration of the San Francisco Old Mint (see H.R. 1953), H7613 [29JY]
SBA: establish vocational and technical entrepreneurship development demonstration program (see H.R. 527), H3695 [19MY]
Science: improve proficiency testing of clinical laboratories (see H.R. 4268), H11110 [6DE]
———prohibit the cloning of humans (see H.R. 1357), H1690 [17MR]
Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 517), H10502 [16NO]
Sigma Chi Fraternity: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 163), H3768 [23MY]
Small business: improve access and choice relative to employee health care (see H.R. 525), H1025 [8MR]
Social Security: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 147), H353 [2FE]
Space policy: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversaries of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (see H.R. 68), H524 [9FE]
States: establish a program to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of deficient dams (see H.R. 1105), H982 [3MR]
Syria: strengthen sanctions, establish a program to support a transition to a democratically elected Government, and restore sovereignty and democratic rule in Lebanon (see H.R. 1141), H10227 [15NO]
Tariff: impose tariff-rate quotas on certain casein and milk protein concentrates (see H.R. 521), H348 [2FE]
Taxation: allow a credit for owning certain commercial power takeoff vehicles (see H.R. 652), H411 [8FE]
———allow employers a tax credit for hiring military service personnel who served in a combat zone or hazardous duty area (see H.R. 1635), H2100 [14AP]
———allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums (see H.R. 994), H2738 [28AP]
———exclude from gross income certain hazard mitigation assistance (see H.R. 380), H413 [8FE]
———make individual income tax rates for capital gains and dividends permanent (see H.R. 809), H3436 [17MY]
———make permanent the 15-year depreciation recovery period for restaurant property improvements and extend to new restaurant construction (see H.R. 920), H4896 [21JN]
———provide a credit for teachers and principals who work in certain low income schools (see H.R. 986), H10227 [15NO]
———provide collegiate housing and infrastructure grants (see H.R. 1548), H2649 [27AP]
———provide for the proper tax treatment of certain disaster mitigation payments (see H.R. 1134), H988 [7MR]
———repeal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see H.R. 64), H73 [4JA]
———treatment of beer (see H.R. 1306), H5604 [30JN]
———treatment of certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers (see H.R. 2989), H10227 [15NO]
Transportation: Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs funding (see H.R. 3), H520 [9FE]
Trucking industry: postpone enforcement of new rules governing rest periods for truck drivers using sleeper berths (see H.R. 3943), H8810 [7OC]
U.N.: withhold U.S. contributions pending certification of U.N. cooperation in investigation of Oil-for-Food Program (see H.R. 1092), H981 [3MR]
Ukraine: normal trade relations status (see H.R. 1053), H11110 [6DE]
Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.: anniversary (see H. Res. 80), H523 [9FE]
William F. Clinger, Jr., Post Office Building, Warren, PA: designate (see H.R. 3549), H7558 [28JY]
World War II: recognize the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia (see H. Res. 195), H1846 [6AP]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (see H. Con. Res. 136), H2150 [19AP]
———authorizing use of Grounds for Special Olympics torch relay (see H. Con. Res. 135), H2150 [19AP]
———establish a memorial to commemorate the heroism of the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 (see H. Con. Res. 129), H1895 [12AP]
Disasters: establish special rules relative to certain disaster assistance provided for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (see H.R. 4438), H11109 [6DE]
———reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program (see H.R. 4324), H10225 [15NO]
GSA: modify requirements relative to authority to make repairs and lease space if the repair or lease is required as a result of damages from Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (see H.R. 4125), H9101 [25OC]
Health: ensure the continued commercial availability of respirators and establish rules governing product liability actions against manufacturers and sellers of respirators (see H.R. 2357), H3261 [12MY]
Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building, Newville, PA: designate (see H.R. 2062), H2879 [3MY]
Taxation: permit one-time, tax-free distributions from retirement plans to fund health savings accounts (see H.R. 2063), H2879 [3MY]
Letters
Sportfishing and boating safety programs funding: Representative Don Young, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House), H7825 [13SE]
———Representative Thomas, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H7825 [13SE]
Pledge of Allegiance
House of Representatives, H2153 [20AP]
Remarks
Amtrak: funding, H5392 [29JN]
Bedford (PA) Gazette: anniversary, E1860
Capitol Building and Grounds: establish a memorial to commemorate the heroism of the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 (S. Con. Res. 26), H7825, H7827 [13SE]
Congress: counting of electoral votes for President and Vice President, H126
———objection to counting of Ohio electoral votes for President and Vice President, H126
Crime: prohibit taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws requiring parental notification of abortions (H.R. 748), E831
DelGrosso, Paula: Blair County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission John Riley Human Relations Award recipient, E2093
Dept. of Homeland Security: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 1817), H3503 [18MY]
Depts. of Transportation, the Treasury, and HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3058), H5392, H5459, H5462, H5463 [29JN]
Disasters: reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program (H.R. 4324), H10991, H11025 [18NO]
FEMA: develop guidelines for payment of funeral-related assistance, H3503 [18MY]
Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (H.J. Res. 10), H4917
F&M Trust Co.: anniversary, E2510
Gallo, Richard: National Federation of Independent Business Pennsylvania Small Business Champion of the Year award recipient, E1268
GSA: Federal Buildings Fund funding, H5462, H5463 [29JN]
Harris, Martha: Alexander Hamilton Friends Association Citizenship Achievement Award recipient, E1406
Health: ensure the continued commercial availability of respirators and establish rules governing product liability actions against manufacturers and sellers of respirators (H.R. 2357), H8953 [19OC]
———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), H7006
Hurricanes: express condolences to victims of Hurricane Katrina, commend resiliency of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and commit to relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts (H. Res. 425), H7682 [7SE]
Immigration: require Federal action when local police report the arrest of illegal aliens, H7650 [6SE]
———strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security (H.R. 4437), H11806 [15DE]
Indiana, PA: anniversary of Jimmy Stewart Museum, E923
John Milton Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse, Jacksonville, FL: designate (H.R. 315), H360, H361 [8FE]
Justin W. Williams U.S. Attorney's Building, Alexandria, VA: designate (H.R. 1463), H1903 [13AP]
Maffey, Constant O.: Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross award recipient, E1513
National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (H.R. 418), H561
———provide faster and smarter funding for first responders (H.R. 1544), consideration (H. Res. 269), H3207 [12MY]
Northern Cambria, PA: tribute to Northern Cambria High School girls' volleyball team, E2440
Office of National Drug Control Policy: National Youth and Anti-Drug Media Campaign funding through reductions in GSA Federal Buildings Fund funding, H5459 [29JN]
Padilla, Miguel: murder case involving illegal alien, H7650 [6SE]
Point of order, H3389 [17MY]
Pope John Paul II: tribute (H. Res. 190), H1815
Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building, Newville, PA: designate (H.R. 2062), H8369
Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela U.S. Courthouse, Brownsville, TX: designate (H.R. 483), H1905 [13AP]
Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse, Sacramento, CA: designate (H.R. 787), H1907, H1909 [13AP]
Roberts, John G., Jr.: nomination to be Supreme Court Justice, E1609
Ruggery, Donald, Sr.: St. Francis University Small Business Development Center Small Business Person of the Year award recipient, E1369
Science: improve proficiency testing of clinical laboratories (H.R. 4568), H12062 [17DE]
Small business: improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 525), H6494
Somerset County, PA: tribute, E1569
Sports: ensure funding for sportfishing and boating safety programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund (H.R. 3649), H7823, H7824, H7825 [13SE]
Tony Hall Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Dayton, OH: designate (H.R. 548), H362 [8FE]
Transportation: Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs funding (H.R. 3), H1045 [9MR]
Truesdale, Matthew: Alexander Hamilton Friends Association Citizenship Achievement Award recipient, E1422
Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act: reauthorize and improve (H.R. 3199), H6245
Water: provide for conservation and development of water and related resources and authorize Dept. of the Army construction and improvement projects for rivers and harbors (H.R. 2864), H5823
Wilson, Alyssa: Alexander Hamilton Friends Association Citizenship Achievement Award recipient, E1388
Remarks in House relative to
Special order: granted, H2468 [21AP], H8916 [18OC]
Tributes
Brown, Edward, Jr., E1739
Butler, Joshua, E1999
DeLay, Representative, H2451 [21AP]
Flinn, George B., H2153 [20AP]
Guinn, William A., E471
Long, Raymond A., E176
Peoples, Thomas G., Jr., E1667
Quarry, Flash G., E58
Voelz, Kimberly Fahnestock, E786
Woy, Victor O., E55