MARTINEZ, MEL (a Senator from Florida)
Addresses
Battle for Independence: Patrick Henry, S6376 [8JY]
Amendments
Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other domestic needs, and imposing certain Iraq policy restrictions (H.R. 2642), S4700 [21MY]
Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2008-2013 (S. Con. Res. 70), S1883, S1885 [11MR], S2000, S2018, S2021 [12MR], S2064, S2083, S2086, S2170, S2178 [13MR]
Commodity Exchange Act: prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities (S. 3268), S7346, S7353 [24JY]
CPSC: provide greater protection for children's products and improve screening of noncompliant consumer products and effectiveness of consumer product recall programs (S. 2663), S1602 [5MR]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3001), S6287 [26JN], S8250, S8277, S8294, S8317 [10SE], S8432 [11SE], S8858 [16SE]
Dept. of Justice: establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and improve investigation and prosecution of predators (S. 1738), S9535 [25SE]
Diseases: establish an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis registry (S. 1382), S9323 [23SE]
EPA: establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases (S. 3036), S5233, S5277 [5JN]
FAA: authorizing appropriations for aviation safety and capacity improvement and to provide stable cost-based funding for the national aviation system (H.R. 2881), S3608 [30AP], S3813 [6MY]
FEMA: restore financial solvency of National Flood Insurance Program (S. 2284), S3820, S3833 [6MY], S3910 [7MY]
Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 1200), S213 [23JA], S1014, S1015 [14FE]
Power resources: promote energy independence and security (H.R. 3221), S2499, S2515, S2524, S2551 [3AP], S2613 [4AP], S2649, S2658 [7AP], S2819 [9AP]
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users: technical corrections (H.R. 1195), S2980 [14AP], S3058, S3085 [16AP], S3166, S3168 [17AP]
Unemployment: provide for emergency unemployment compensation program (H.R. 6867), S10757 [20NO]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abortion: protect lives of born and unborn persons (see S. 3111), S5523 [11JN]
Africa: call on relevant governments, multilateral bodies, and non-state actors in Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudan to achieve and implement a negotiated resolution to national and regional conflicts (see S. Res. 470), S2947 [10AP]
———recognize strategic importance and welcome establishment of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (see S. Res. 480), S1999 [12MR]
Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud: condemn statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust and calling for all U.N. member States to do the same (see S. Res. 449), S919 [12FE]
Americans With Disabilities Act: restore intent and protections (see S. 3406), S7905 [31JY]
Appropriations: constitutional amendment on line-item veto (see S.J. Res. 27), S285 [24JA]
Armed Forces: commend efforts, military leadership, and strategic success of troop surge in Iraq (see S. Res. 636), S7905 [31JY]
———improve educational assistance for members and veterans to enhance recruitment and retention for the Armed Forces (see S. 2938), S3507 [29AP]
———mint coins in commemoration of the establishment of the U.S. Army and direct proceeds from sales of such coins to the establishment of the National Museum of the U.S. Army (see S. 2579), S1385 [28FE]
———mint coins in commemoration of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center (see S. 3356), S8949 [17SE]
———tribute to members killed in military action in Iraq and Afghanistan (see S. Res. 501), S2436 [3AP]
Aung San Suu Kyi: award a Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 2631), S970 [13FE]
Berkeley, CA: rescind funds appropriated for certain local entities and transfer such funds to the Marine Corps (see S. 2596), S920 [12FE]
Boy Scouts: mint coins in commemoration of centennial of establishment (see S. 3070), S4793 [22MY]
Buckley, William F., Jr.: tribute (see S. Res. 466), S1419 [29FE]
Budget: commit 4 percent of gross domestic product to a base defense budget (see S.J. Res. 26), S96 [22JA]
———establish a biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government (see S. 2627), S970 [13FE]
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act: approve renewal of import restrictions (see S.J. Res. 41), S5592 [12JN]
Capitol Building and Grounds: anniversary of deaths of John M. Gibson and Jacob J. Chestnut (see S. Res. 621), S7149 [23JY]
Capitol Police: tribute (see S. Res. 621), S7149 [23JY]
Colombia: welcome home Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves after being held hostage for over five years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) (see S. Res. 627), S7479 [25JY]
Congress: allow Members of Congress or authorized employees to lead tours of publicly accessible areas of the Capitol complex (see S. Con. Res. 107), S10946 [11DE]
Corp. for National and Community Service: recognize accomplishments of members and alumni and the contributions made to lives of the people of the U.S. (see S. Res. 548), S3743 [2MY]
Courts: appointment of additional Federal circuit and district judges (see S. 2774), S2818 [9AP]
Credit: create a national licensing system for residential mortgage loan originators and develop minimum standards of conduct to be enforced by State regulators (see S. 2595), S733 [6FE]
Crime: protect innocent Americans from violent crime in national parks (see S. 2619), S8132 [8SE]
———restore fairness relative to bail bond forfeitures (see S. 2495), S6328 [27JN]
Dept. of Defense: establish searchable database of names and citations of members of the Armed Forces and civilians awarded the Medal of Honor or other medals authorized for the military (see S. 2610), S784 [7FE]
Dept. of Justice: defend against child exploitation and pornography by improving the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, blocking illegal images, and eliminating release of certain sex offenders (see S. 3344), S8949 [17SE]
———establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and improve investigation and prosecution of predators (see S. 1738), S8948 [17SE]
———make annual grant to the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center to assist law enforcement agencies in the rapid recovery of missing children (see S. 2667), S6560 [10JY]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: remove certain limitations on the transfer of entitlement to basic educational assistance under Montgomery GI Bill (see S. 2575), S544 [31JA]
Disasters: ensure availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events (see S. 2310), S3027 [15AP]
Ecology and environment: facilitate development, demonstration, and implementation of technology for use in removing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere (see S. 2614), S1202 [26FE]
EPA: clarify circumstances under which permits for discharges from certain vessels may be required and conduct a study of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels (see S. 3298), S7030 [22JY]
Everglades National Park: adjust boundaries (see S. 2804), S2346 [2AP]
FBI: establish a Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator (see S. 3547), S9280 [23SE]
Financial Literacy Month: designate (see S. Res. 495), S2295 [1AP]
Foreign policy: build operational readiness in civilian agencies to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities in countries or regions in transition from conflict or civil strife (see S. 613), S2974 [14AP]
Gasoline: stabilize prices (see S. 3202), S6285 [26JN]
Georgia, Republic of: condemn statements and actions of Russia that undermine territorial integrity (see S. Res. 550), S3742 [2MY]
Global Youth Service Day: designate (see S. Res. 528), S3257 [22AP]
Greek Independence Day—A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: designate (see S. Res. 476), S1741 [7MR]
Helms, Jesse: tribute (see S. Res. 608), S6362 [7JY]
Hispanic Heritage Month: observance (see S. Res. 682), S9415 [24SE]
History: authorize the Preserve America Program and Save America's Treasures Program (see S. 2262), S971 [13FE]
Iran: authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with certain investments in Iran's energy sector (see S. 1430), S816 [8FE]
———respond to threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the U.S. by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony (see S. Res. 580), S5041 [4JN]
Israel: recognize independence anniversary and reaffirm bonds of close friendship and cooperation with the U.S. (see S. Res. 522), S3145 [17AP]
Johnson, Lyndon B.: tribute (see S. Res. 571), S4487 [20MY]
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act: provide specified civil penalties for violations (see S. 2878), S3144 [17AP]
Lantos, Tom: tribute (see S. Res. 446), S849 [11FE]
Medicare: exempt negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories from the competitive acquisition program until the clinical comparability of such products can be validated (see S. 3091), S5204 [5JN]
———increase caps on graduate medical education positions for States with a shortage of residents (see S. 588), S1201 [26FE]
Merchant marine industry: provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (see S. 961), S2134 [13MR]
Metzenbaum, Howard M.: tribute (see S. Res. 485), S2133 [13MR]
NASA: anniversary (see S. Res. 651), S8036 [1AU]
National Adoption Day: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 675), S9204 [22SE]
National Adoption Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 675), S9204 [22SE]
National Day of the American Cowboy: designate (see S. Res. 482), S2133 [13MR]
National Day of the Cowboy: designate (see S. Res. 450), S970 [13FE]
National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week: designate (see S. Res. 622), S7279 [24JY]
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month: observance (see S. Res. 693), S10004 [27SE]
National Hurricane Preparedness Week: designate (see S. Res. 579), S4793 [22MY]
National Safe Place Week: designate (see S. Res. 488), S2134 [13MR]
Native Americans: award Congressional Gold Medal to Code Talkers who served the U.S. during 20th Century foreign conflicts (see S. 2681), S3443 [28AP]
NATO: express strong support for invitations for membership to Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia (see S. Res. 459), S1598 [5MR]
Olympic games: tribute to U.S. swimming team for participation (see S. Res. 700), S10176 [30SE]
Paone, Martin P.: tribute (see S. Res. 420), S94 [22JA]
Paul, Alice: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see S. 826), S10579 [17NO]
Power resources: ensure parity between the temporary duty imposed on ethanol and tax credits provided on ethanol (see S. 3080), S7280 [24JY]
———facilitate participation of private capital and skills in development, commercialization, and market penetration of a diverse portfolio of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies (see S. 2730), S1703 [6MR]
Radio: tribute to ``Focus on the Family'' radio program for induction into National Radio Hall of Fame (see S. Res. 641), S7905 [31JY]
Real estate: diminish predatory lending by enhancing appraisal quality and standards, improve appraisal oversight, ensure mortgage appraiser independence, and provide for enhanced remedies and enforcement (see S. 2860), S3026 [15AP]
Red Ribbon Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 676), S9204 [22SE]
Rivers: provide for a National Research Council study to assess water management, needs, and conservation of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama (see S. 3152), S5753 [18JN]
Santa Fe, NM: mint coins in commemoration of quadricentennial (see S. 2498), S3509 [29AP]
Ships and vessels: make the embarkment and operation of stateless submersible or semi-submersible vessels subject to Federal prosecution (see S. 3526), S9206 [22SE] (see S. 3598), S9493 [25SE]
Sudan: support, enforce, and expand U.N. embargo on arms sales to belligerents and seek political solution to conflict in Darfur (see S. Res. 660), S8528 [15SE]
———urge international community to provide the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur region with tactical and utility helicopters (see S. Res. 432), S816 [8FE]
Tariff: footwear (see S. 2372), S3699 [1MY]
Taxation: allow carryback of certain net operating losses and suspend the alternative minimum tax limit on certain net operating losses (see S. 2650), S1054 [14FE]
———allow the purchase of health insurance with pre-tax dollars (see S. 2835), S2817 [9AP]
———extend alternative minimum tax relief, education deductions, State and local sales tax deduction, research and development credit, and renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives (see S. 3098), S5391 [9JN]
———modify treatment of qualified restaurant property as 15-year property for purposes of the depreciation deduction (see S. 2170), S1468 [3MR]
———provide a credit for certain home purchases (see S. 2566), S493 [30JA]
———provide a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums suffered by certain coastal homeowners resulting from hurricane events and for homeowner mitigation expenses for natural disasters (see S. 3427), S8035 [1AU]
———provide for the limited continuation of clean energy production incentives and incentives to improve energy efficiency (see S. 2821), S2435 [3AP]
———restore deduction for travel expenses of a taxpayer's spouse who accompanies the taxpayer on business travel (see S. 2792), S2295 [1AP]
———temporarily suspend excise tax on highway motor fuels (see S. 2890), S3144 [17AP]
———treatment of beer (see S. 1995), S1877 [11MR]
Telephones: require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services (see S. 2998), S3975 [8MY]
Terrorism: anniversary of terrorist attacks (see S. Res. 656), S8383 [11SE]
Veterans: mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces (see S. 2119), S1999 [12MR]
Voting: improve procedures for the collection and delivery of absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters (see S. 3073), S4793 [22MY]
Water pollution: address certain discharges incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel (see S. 2766), S5593 [12JN]
Wildlife: protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats on Federal lands through grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative species (see S. 3366), S7780 [30JY]
Zimbabwe: support people, condemn manipulation of electoral process, reject results of runoff election, tighten sanctions against human rights violators, and support political resolution of current crisis (see S. Res. 611), S6650 [14JY]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Air Force: tribute to members killed in 1996 terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers U.S. military housing compound near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (see S. Con. Res. 90), S5592 [12JN]
Armed Forces: authorize extended benefits for autistic dependents of certain retirees (see S. 3621), S9657 [26SE]
Biscet, Oscar E.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 2777), S2133 [13MR]
CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building, Fort Pierce, FL: designate (see S. 3241), S6560 [10JY]
Cuba Solidarity Day: observance (see S. Res. 573), S4621 [21MY]
Everglades National Park: provide for resolution of several land ownership and related issues relative to parcels of land (see S. 3340), S7526 [26JY]
Health care facilities: require that agreements to arbitrate nursing home disputes be made after the dispute has arisen (see S. 2838), S2817 [9AP]
Hispanic Americans: recognize efforts and contributions of Hispanic scientists (see S. Res. 669), S9204 [22SE]
Medicaid: require asset verification through access to information held by financial institutions to reduce fraud and abuse (see S. 2845), S2945 [10AP]
Medicare: increase civil and criminal penalties for acts involving fraud and abuse and amount of surety bond required for suppliers of durable medical equipment (see S. 2603), S784 [7FE]
———reduce fraud (see S. 3164), S5832 [19JN]
Michael Bilirakis Dept. of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center, Tampa, FL: designate (see S. 3161), S5832 [19JN]
Real estate: temporarily extend increases in certain home loan limits (see S. 13), S10742 [20NO]
Saffir, Herbert: tribute (see S. Res. 582), S5039 [4JN]
Senior citizens: encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the U.S. and authorize grants to organizations to find missing adults (see S. 3579), S9492 [25SE]
U.S. Marshals Service: anniversary (see S. Res. 679), S9415 [24SE]
Veterans: provide relief for veterans with a disability rated as total (see S. 2655), S1121 [25FE]
Cloture motions
Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), S4135 [14MY]
Letters
Encourage democratic reforms in Cuba: Oscar E. Biscet, S1934 [12MR]
U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement: several former commanders of the U.S. Southern Command, S3007 [15AP]
Remarks
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: oil and gas exploration, S3652 [1MY], S5476 [11JN]
Armed Forces Day: observance, S4373 [19MY]
Biscet, Oscar E.: award Congressional Gold Medal, S1933, S1934 [12MR]
CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building, Fort Pierce, FL: designate (S. 3241), S6602
Civil liberties: historical significance of the role the Declaration of Independence has played in individual personal freedoms, S6376, S6377 [8JY]
Colombia: reaction by neighboring countries to recent anti-terrorist operations along its borders, S1558-S1560 [5MR]
Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance: establish, S3854, S3881 [7MY]
Commodity Exchange Act: prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities (S. 3268), S7221 [24JY]
Courts: grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies in certain civil actions involving Presidentially authorized surveillance, S406 [29JA]
Credit: create a national licensing system for residential mortgage loan originators and develop minimum standards of conduct to be enforced by State regulators, S1362 [28FE], S2411 [3AP]
Democratic Party: national agenda, S3346 [24AP]
Dept. of the Treasury: establish a National Homeowners Insurance Stabilization Program, S3881 [7MY]
Economy: national objectives priority assignments, S8975 [18SE]
———proposed Government bailout of financial institutions, S9360 [24SE], S10244 [1OC]
———regulation of U.S. financial markets, S8975 [18SE], S9360 [24SE]
FEMA: provide for the National Flood Insurance Program to make available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms or floods, S3854 [7MY]
———restore financial solvency of National Flood Insurance Program (S. 2284), S3854, S3881 [7MY]
Florida: establish Regional Fugitive Task Force, S8976 [18SE]
———investigate transfer of funding from I-75 widening project to Coconut Road interchange project, S3111 [17AP]
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence (H.R. 3773), S1338 [28FE]
———modernize and streamline (S. 2248), S406 [29JA]
Gasoline: stabilize prices (S. 3202), S7221 [24JY]
Health care facilities: require that agreements to arbitrate nursing home disputes be made after the dispute has arisen (S. 2838), S2819 [9AP]
Housing: provide needed housing reform, S1359, S1362 [28FE], S2255 [1AP], S2411 [3AP], S2737 [8AP], S5798, S5799 [19JN]
———reform the regulation of the housing-related Government-sponsored enterprises, S2737 [8AP], S9360 [24SE]
Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 1200), S1026 [14FE]
Iraq: provide for the redeployment of U.S. forces (S. 2633), S1339 [28FE]
Israel: independence anniversary, S3945 [8MY]
Martinez, Ralph E.: nomination to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, S4440 [20MY]
Medicare/Medicaid: extend expiring provisions to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, enhance low-income benefit programs, and maintain access to care in rural areas (H.R. 6331), motion to proceed, S6487 [9JY]
Mental health: require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans (H.R. 1424), S10244 [1OC]
Motor vehicles: encourage purchase and use of hybrid vehicles for greater energy efficiency, S3652 [1MY]
National Catastrophe Risk Consortium: establish, S3881 [7MY]
Outer Continental Shelf: lift moratorium on oil and gas drilling, leasing, and exploration on certain portions, S3652 [1MY], S5476 [11JN], S7221 [24JY], S7811 [31JY]
Petroleum: gasoline price levels, S3346 [24AP], S3652 [1MY], S5476 [11JN]
Pope Benedict XVI: U.S. visit, S3006 [15AP]
Power resources: national energy policy, S3346 [24AP], S3652 [1MY], S7221 [24JY], S7811, S7812, S7813 [31JY]
———promote energy independence and security (H.R. 3221), S2411 [3AP], S2737 [8AP]
———promote energy independence and security (H.R. 3221), House amendments, S5798, S5799 [19JN]
———promote energy independence and security (H.R. 3221), motion to proceed, S1359, S1362 [28FE], S2255 [1AP]
———provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices (S. 3044), motion to proceed, S5476 [11JN]
Presidential appointments: Senate process for confirmation of judicial nominees, S9592 [26SE]
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users: technical corrections (H.R. 1195), S3111 [17AP]
Scriven, Mary Stenson: nomination to be district judge, S9592 [26SE]
Social Security: provide increased civil and criminal penalties for acts involving fraud and abuse under the Medicare system, S1026 [14FE]
Taxation: eliminate additional duty on ethanol, S7222 [24JY]
———provide a credit for certain home purchases, S1362 [28FE]
———temporarily suspend excise tax on highway motor fuels, S3111 [17AP]
Terrorism: anniversary of terrorist attacks, S8335 [11SE]
———require a report setting forth the U.S. global strategy to combat and defeat al-Qaeda (terrorist organization) and its affiliates (S. 2634), motion to proceed, S1338 [28FE]
U.S. Marshals Service: anniversary (S. Res. 679), S9401 [24SE]
U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement: ratification (S. 2830), S3007 [15AP], S3843 [7MY]
Texts of
S. 2777, award Congressional Gold Medal to Oscar E. Biscet, S2156 [13MR]
Tributes
Gilbert, Leigh Anne, S3501
Jacobs, Cheryl, S753 [7FE]
Little, John, S3233 [22AP]
McCain, Senator, S1558 [5MR]
McCrindle, James, S5200
Vazquez, Rafael, S1740