TSONGAS, NIKI (a Representative from Massachusetts)
Addresses
Tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy: Bill Cox, E1363
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Adams Memorial Foundation: authorize establishment of a commemorative work in the District of Columbia to honor John Adams and family (see H.R. 2802), H9282 [31JY]
Afghanistan: promote empowerment of women (see H.R. 2214), H11713 [22OC]
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association: anniversary of Daughters of Penelope (see H. Res. 209), H2980 [4MR]
Animals: ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally (see H.R. 3907), H11711 [22OC]
———prohibit certain conduct relative to the use of horses for human consumption (see H.R. 503), H11868 [27OC]
Ann-Marie Blute Post Office, Shrewsbury, MA: designate (see H.R. 4017), H12364 [4NO]
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness (see H.R. 39), H8960 [28JY]
Armed Forces: enhance readiness by replacing current ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy concerning homosexuality with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (see H.R. 1283), H2924 [3MR]
———ensure those killed and wounded at Fort Hood, TX, are treated in the same manner as those killed or wounded in combat zones, terrorist attacks, or in a contingency operation (see H.R. 4088), H13521 [3DE]
———honor service and achievements of female members and veterans (see H. Res. 868), H11740 [23OC]
———honor service and achievements of female members and veterans, commend those currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ensure receipt of adequate combat training (see H. Res. 904), H13001 [16NO]
———provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the retired Reserve (see H.R. 270), H4999 [29AP]
———provide for treatment of autism under TRICARE (see H.R. 1600), H7250 [24JN]
———provide special pays and allowances to certain members and expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees (see H.R. 2990), H7251 [24JN]
———provide vouchers for postal benefits for personal correspondence and small parcels to members serving or hospitalized overseas, and make such vouchers transferable (see H.R. 707), H1159 [10FE]
———specify minimum time periods between deployment of units and members of the military to Iraq and Afghanistan (see H.R. 1052), H1519 [12FE] (see H.R. 3449), H9275 [31JY]
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: observance (see H. Res. 435), H5581 [13MY]
Budget: reinstitute and update the pay-as-you-go requirement of budget neutrality on new tax and mandatory spending legislation, enforced by the threat of annual, automatic sequestration (see H.R. 2920), H6971 [17JN]
Chicago, IL: encourage selection by the International Olympic Committee to host 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games (see H. Res. 538), H7087 [19JN]
Children and youth: provide for evidence-based and promising practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention (see H.R. 1064), H7706 [26JN]
Civil rights: improve remedies for discrimination in the payment of wages based on sex (see H.R. 12), H28 [6JA]
Clothing industry: improve accuracy of fur products labeling (see H.R. 2480), H13002 [16NO]
Colleges and universities: permit States to determine residency standards for higher education purposes and cancel removal and adjust status of certain long-term resident alien students (see H.R. 1751), H8960 [28JY]
Commission on Financial Crisis Accountability: establish (see H.R. 768), H923 [3FE]
Contracts: establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses (see H.R. 1020), H14877 [14DE]
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: ratification (see H. Res. 22), H163 [9JA]
Credit: establish a national consumer credit usury rate (see H.R. 1608), H9342 [8SE]
———provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan (see H.R. 627), H2886 [2MR]
Credit cards: establish a national usury rate for consumer accounts under open end consumer credit plans (see H.R. 4300), H14826 [11DE]
Cuba: lift travel restrictions (see H.R. 874), H5485 [12MY]
Defense of Marriage Act: repeal and ensure respect for State regulation of marriage (see H.R. 3567), H9548 [15SE]
Dept. of Defense: require emergency contraception to be available at all military health care treatment facilities (see H.R. 4386), H15501 [16DE]
———submit a report to Congress outlining the exit strategy for U.S. forces from Afghanistan (see H.R. 2404), H5663 [14MY]
Dept. of HHS: establish Offices of Women's Health (see H.R. 3242), H12142 [29OC]
———provide for osteoporosis and related bone disease education, research, and surveillance (see H.R. 3856), H11514 [20OC]
Dept. of HUD: promote and enhance local building code enforcement administration by establishing a competitive matching grant program (see H.R. 2246), H10457 [1OC]
———provide Federal grants to urban areas for the rehabilitation of critically needed recreational areas and facilities and development of improved recreation programs (see H.R. 3734), H11714 [22OC]
Dept. of Labor: establish the New Economy Grant Program (see H.R. 4290), H14826 [11DE]
Dept. of the Navy: redesignate as the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps (see H.R. 24), H5400 [7MY]
Dept. of Transportation: study and establish a motor vehicle safety standard that provides for a means of alerting blind and other pedestrians of motor vehicle operation (see H.R. 734), H11713 [22OC]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify presumptions relating to exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam (see H.R. 2254), H11868 [27OC]
———include certain active duty service in the Reserve components as qualifying service for purposes of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (see H.R. 3554), H9731 [17SE]
———provide two-fiscal year budget authority for certain medical care accounts (see H.R. 1016), H6266 [4JN]
———repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (see H.R. 775), H5096 [4MY]
Developing countries: authorize assistance for affordable housing and sustainable urban development in developing countries (see H.R. 1702), H9899 [23SE]
Disabled: help individuals with functional impairments to pay for services and supports needed to maximize independence and choices about community participation, education, and employment (see H.R. 1721), H11713 [22OC]
———protect the interests of each resident of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded in class action lawsuits on behalf of such resident (see H.R. 1255), H6415 [9JN]
Discrimination: clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the compensation decision or other practice (see H.R. 11), H27 [6JA]
Diseases: establish a comprehensive interagency response to reduce lung cancer mortality in a timely manner (see H.R. 2112), H14827 [11DE]
———increase awareness of risks of breast cancer in young women and provide support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer (see H.R. 1740), H4130 [30MR]
———reauthorize and enhance programs to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to gynecologic cancers (see H.R. 2941), H8410 [20JY]
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I: U.S. visit (see H. Res. 838), H11458 [15OC]
Employment: allow Americans to earn paid sick time to address their own health needs and the health needs of their families (see H.R. 2460), H15503 [16DE]
———prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (see H.R. 3017), H7249 [24JN]
Federal employees: provide benefits to domestic partners (see H.R. 2517), H8100 [14JY]
———require health benefits coverage for infertility treatment (see H.R. 697), H11868 [27OC]
Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 948), H4583 [21AP]
Federal Water Pollution Control Act: clarify that fill material cannot be comprised of waste (see H.R. 1310), H2979 [4MR]
Financial institutions: enhance availability of services, update community reinvestment requirements, and ensure such requirements keep pace as service providers become affiliates (see H.R. 1479), H5582 [13MY]
Foreign policy: ensure that U.S. policy reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity on human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (see H. Res. 252), H3527 [17MR]
Forest Service: protect certain roadless areas (see H.R. 3692), H10455 [1OC]
Girl Scouts: mint coins in commemoration of centennial of establishment (see H.R. 621), H8809 [24JY]
Government: ensure efficient performance of agency functions (see H.R. 2736), H6264 [4JN]
Grant, Johnny: tribute (see H. Res. 221), H3077 [6MR]
Greece: independence anniversary (see H.J. Res. 39), H3528 [17MR] (see H. Res. 273), H3705 [19MR]
———recognize and appreciate significance, heroism, and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commend the PanCretan Association of America (see H. Res. 227), H3105 [9MR]
———urge designation as a program country under the visa waiver program if certain requirements are satisfied (see H.R. 2261), H5486 [12MY]
Hazardous substances: phase out use of mercury in manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda (see H.R. 2190), H7146 [23JN]
Health: expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care (see H.R. 463), H194 [13JA]
———provide for health insurance coverage premium discounts for healthy behavior and improvements toward healthy behavior (see H.R. 3472), H10408 [30SE]
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.: anniversary of production of Louisville Slugger baseball bat (see H. Res. 314), H6077 [2JN]
History: mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' and the War of 1812 (see H.R. 2097), H8009 [10JY]
Home Safety Month: designate (see H. Res. 543), H6904 [16JN]
Immigration: allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their permanent partners for U.S. residence (see H.R. 1024), H1517 [12FE]
———reform detention procedures (see H.R. 1215), H9397 [9SE]
Insurance: establish standards for health insurance forms, quality, fair marketing, and honesty in out-of-network coverage, improve transparency and accountability, and establish Federal Office of Health Insurance Oversight (see H.R. 2427), H6807 [15JN]
———require coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see H.R. 1691), H3834 [24MR]
Investments: establish and provide for treatment of individual development accounts (see H.R. 2277), H5668 [14MY]
Iran: authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with certain investments in Iran's energy sector (see H.R. 1327), H9491 [14SE]
———expand economic sanctions against Iran to include importation of refined petroleum (see H.R. 2194), H10520 [6OC]
Labor unions: establish efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations and provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts (see H.R. 1409), H3144 [10MR]
``Laramie Project—10 Years Later'': tribute to participants in epilogue to play in remembrance of Matthew Shepard (see H. Res. 777), H11582 [21OC]
Macedonia: work within U.N. framework process with Greece to find a mutually-acceptable composite name, with a geographical qualifier and for all international uses for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (see H. Res. 486), H6013 [21MY]
Medicare: ensure access to quality home health services (see H.R. 3495), H11384 [14OC]
———improve access to, and increase utilization of, bone mass measurement benefits (see H.R. 1894), H4519 [2AP]
———provide beneficiaries greater choice with regard to accessing hearing health services and benefits (see H.R. 3024), H11740 [23OC]
Members of Congress: eliminate automatic salary adjustments (see H.R. 156), H33 [6JA] (see H.R. 4255), H15509 [23DE]
Mining and mineral resources: modify requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands (see H.R. 699), H601 [27JA]
Minute Man National Historical Park: anniversary (see H. Res. 599), H7705 [26JN]
Mitchell, George J.: support appointment as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace (see H. Res. 130), H2875 [26FE]
NASA: award Congressional Gold Medal to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Michael Collins, and John Glenn (see H.R. 2245), H8025 [13JY]
National Child Abuse Prevention Month: observance (see H. Res. 337), H4841 [27AP]
National Children and Families Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 534), H7707 [26JN]
National Dairy Month: support goals (see H. Res. 507), H6807 [15JN]
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 817), H11791 [26OC]
National Immunization Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 709), H9731 [17SE]
National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day: designate (see H. Res. 787), H11299 [13OC]
National Women's Health Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 120), H5307 [6MY]
New Hampshire: recognize State Senate as first statewide legislative body with a majority of women (see H. Res. 159), H5063 [30AP]
Nobel Prize: recognition of President Obama for peace (see H. Res. 864), H13002 [16NO]
Noncommissioned Officer Corps of the U.S. Army: recognize service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism (see H.J. Res. 44), H4999 [29AP]
Northwestern University: tribute to women's lacrosse team (see H. Res. 824), H11384 [14OC]
Oceans: establish a national ocean policy, strengthen NOAA, and establish a national and regional ocean governance structure (see H.R. 21), H6265 [4JN]
Olympic Day: observance (see H. Res. 538), H7087 [19JN]
Paul, Alice: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see H.R. 406), H11383 [14OC]
Political campaigns: reform financing of House of Representatives elections (see H.R. 1826), H10457 [1OC]
Postal Service: allow payment of share of contributions for annuitants' health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund (see H.R. 22), H5096 [4MY]
Poverty: provide for an improved method to measure poverty to enable a better assessment of the effects of certain programs (see H.R. 2909), H8495 [21JY]
Power resources: encourage energy efficiency and conservation and development of renewable energy sources for housing and other buildings, and create sustainable communities (see H.R. 2336), H5399 [7MY]
———prohibit issuance of oil or natural gas leases in any marine national monument or national marine sanctuary or in Georges Bank fishing area (see H.R. 790), H875 [2FE]
Presidential Commission on Women: establish (see H.R. 1887), H4519 [2AP]
Professional Social Work Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 240), H3401 [12MR]
Public lands: designate certain portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Deserts in Utah as wilderness (see H.R. 1925), H6415 [9JN]
Public Service Recognition Week: observance (see H. Res. 299), H4735 [23AP]
Puerto Rico: provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process (see H.R. 2499), H7838 [8JY]
Real estate: impose a moratorium on the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (see H.R. 3044), H9731 [17SE]
Roads and highways: inspect highway tunnels (see H.R. 2232), H5095 [4MY]
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 186), H9731 [17SE]
Social Security: extend and improve the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 2), H325 [14JA]
———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 235), H3835 [24MR]
SSI: disregard, for purposes of eligibility, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (see H.R. 2866), H11384 [14OC]
Sultana (vessel): anniversary of boiler explosion disaster (see H. Res. 329), H4689 [22AP]
Tariff: recreational performance outerwear (see H.R. 3168), H8007 [10JY]
Taxation: establish ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses of family members with disabilities (see H.R. 1205), H8356 [17JY]
———exclude from income and employment taxes real property tax abatements for seniors and disabled individuals in exchange for services (see H.R. 2208), H5061 [30AP]
———expand availability of saver's credit, make credit refundable, and make Federal matching contributions into the retirement savings of the taxpayer (see H.R. 1961), H9962 [24SE]
———expand the incentives for the rehabilitation of older buildings including owner-occupied residences (see H.R. 3670), H10520 [6OC]
———expand the rehabilitation credit for older buildings (see H.R. 3715), H10456 [1OC]
———extend and expand benefits for businesses operating in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or renewal communities (see H.R. 1677), H4525 [2AP]
———extend the new markets tax credit (see H.R. 2628), H9671 [16SE]
———extend the research credit and increase and make permanent the alternative simplified research credit (see H.R. 422), H6155 [3JN]
———make equitable the exclusion from gross income of parking and transportation fringe benefits and provide for a common cost-of-living adjustment (see H.R. 891), H3835 [24MR]
———make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions (see H.R. 1831), H10457 [1OC]
———make the credit for research activities permanent and provide an increase in such credit for taxpayers whose gross receipts are predominantly from domestic production activities (see H.R. 1545), H11384 [14OC]
———promote charitable donations of qualified vehicles (see H.R. 571), H7250 [24JN]
Telephones: facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on health and human services (see H.R. 211), H13266 [18NO]
Tiller, George: condemn murder, express condolences to family, and reject intolerance and the use of violence as a response to a difference in beliefs (see H. Res. 505), H6265 [4JN]
Transportation: ensure that all transportation system users can travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways (see H.R. 1443), H13002 [16NO]
Travel and tourism: establish a nonprofit corporation to communicate U.S. entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the U.S. (see H.R. 2935), H9207 [30JY]
Turkey: urge respect for the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (see H. Res. 236), H3338 [11MR]
U.S. Air Force Academy: anniversary of first graduating class (see H. Con. Res. 139), H6154 [3JN]
———establish a nonprofit corporation to support athletic program (see H.R. 2636), H6012 [21MY]
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: prohibit recommendations from being used to deny health insurance coverage of mammography services and other items or services (see H. Res. 971), H14981 [15DE]
Uganda: develop a strategy to support efforts to protect civilians and eliminate threat posed by the Lord's Resistance Army and authorize funds for relief, reconstruction, and transitional justice (see H.R. 2478), H8026 [13JY]
Veterans: expand authorized concurrent receipt of disability pay from the Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs to cover all veterans who have a combat-related disability (see H.R. 593), H381 [15JA]
White House Conference on Food and Nutrition: convene (see H.R. 1869), H13466 [2DE]
Women: constitutional amendment to ensure equal rights (see H.J. Res. 61), H8495 [21JY]
———improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women (see H.R. 1032), H1518 [12FE]
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP): award a Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 2014), H4580 [21AP]
World Pneumonia Day: observance (see H. Res. 863), H11739 [23OC]
World Social Work Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 240), H3401 [12MR]
Year of the Military Family: designate (see H. Con. Res. 64), H2874 [26FE]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Dept. of Defense: improve policies on body armor (see H.R. 2473), H5790 [19MY]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: carry out pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers on the mental health of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (see H.R. 785), H779 [28JA]
———submit quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in medical facilities (see H.R. 784), H779 [28JA]
Minute Man National Historical Park: expand boundary to include Barrett's Farm (see H.R. 351), H90 [8JA]
Designated Speaker pro tempore
House of Representatives, H93 [9JA]
Pledge of Allegiance
House of Representatives, H6541 [11JN]
Remarks
Appropriations: making supplemental appropriations for military and stabilization activities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and pandemic influenza response (H.R. 2346), H6417 [10JN]
Budget: deficit, H1063 [9FE]
———reinstitute and update the pay-as-you-go requirement of budget neutrality on new tax and mandatory spending legislation, enforced by the threat of annual, automatic sequestration (H.R. 2920), H6975 [18JN], H8532 [22JY]
———setting forth the Federal budget for 2009-2014 (H. Con. Res. 85), H4378 [1AP]
Bush, George W.: evaluation of economic policies, H1063 [9FE]
Civil rights: improve remedies for discrimination in the payment of wages based on sex (H.R. 12), H94 [9JA]
Credit: guarantee consumers same access to credit scores as lenders, H14675 [10DE]
Depts. of Labor, HHS, and Education, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3293), H8784
Discrimination: clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the compensation decision or other practice (H.R. 11), H94 [9JA]
Economy: provide financial regulatory reform, protect consumers and investors, enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, and regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets (H.R. 4173), H14675 [10DE]
Education: funding, H4378 [1AP]
Greece: independence anniversary (H. Res. 273), E804
Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 3200), H8073 [14JY], H8910 [28JY], H11810 [27OC]
———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 3962), H12221 [3NO]
———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 3962), consideration (H. Res. 903), H12601 [7NO]
Massachusetts: tribute to State legislature for passage of resolution committing to move toward using 100 percent clean electricity, E1370
Minute Man National Historical Park: anniversary (H. Res. 599), H9760
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.: prohibit Federal family planning funding, H8784
Power resources: create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy (H.R. 2454), H6542 [11JN]
POW/MIA Recognition Day: observance, E2323
Rice, Jim: National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, E149
Social Security: extend and improve the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 2), H260
Tyngsborough, MA: anniversary, E1234
Urban areas: economic conditions of cities, H1063 [9FE]
Violence Against Women Act: anniversary (H. Res. 738), E2277
Votes: position on missed, H11142
Yepez, Juan: SBA Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery recipient, E1204
Yepez, Luis: SBA Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery recipient, E1204
Remarks in House relative to
Leave of absence: granted, H12041 [28OC]
Tributes
Cox, Bill, E1363
Kennedy, Edward M., H10051 [29SE]
Kennedy, Senator, E1363
Sallet, Dan, E1005
Tewksbury, MA: anniversary, E1251