TESTER, JON (a Senator from Montana)
Amendments
Budget: increase statutory limit on the public debt (H.J. Res. 45), S123 [21JA]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3454), S7753 [29SE]
Dept. of the Treasury: create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to make capital investments in eligible institutions to increase availability of credit for small businesses (H.R. 5297), S5625 [29JN], S5709, S5713 [30JN], S6116 [21JY]
FDA: improve capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety problems and the safety of imported food (S. 510), S8129 [19NO]
Financial institutions: improve accountability and transparency in the financial system, end ``too big to fail'', end bailouts, and protect consumers from abusive financial services practices (S. 3217), S2979, S2980 [29AP], S3149 [5MY], S3366 [6MY], S3480 [10MY], S3511, S3560 [11MY], S3575, S3645 [12MY], S3719 [13MY], S3839 [17MY], S3926 [18MY]
Native Americans: protect Indian arts and crafts through the improvement of applicable criminal proceedings (H.R. 725), S5365 [23JN]
Pharmaceuticals: provide for take-back disposal of controlled substances in certain instances (H.R. 5809), S10413 [16DE]
Taxation: extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 4213), S1189 [4MR], S1267, S1271 [8MR], S4888 [14JN]
U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): renewal, S10932 [21DE]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
American Diabetes Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 676), S7970 [17NO]
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: require renewable energy projects receiving stimulus funds to rely on domestic materials and to create and preserve jobs in the U.S. (see S. 3069), S1018 [3MR]
Appropriations: require Congress to establish a searchable database on a public Internet site for congressional earmarks (see S. 3335), S3717 [13MY]
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 S. 4023), S9023 [14DE]
———extend time period for submission of retroactive stop-loss special pay claims (see S. 3889), S7787 [29SE]
———extend TRICARE coverage to certain dependents under the age of 26 (see S. 3201), S2759 [28AP]
———include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay (see S. 831), S6025 [20JY]
———retain members of Reserve components on active duty for 45 days following extended deployments in homeland defense missions to support reintegration into civilian life (see S. 3748), S7268 [21SE]
Breuning, Walter: tribute (see S. Res. 636), S7267 [21SE]
Bureau of Reclamation: modify purposes and operation of certain facilities to implement water rights compact among Montana, the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, and the U.S. (see S. 3290), S2803 [29AP]
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act: approve renewal of import restrictions (see S.J. Res. 29), S4939 [15JN]
Business and industry: require employers to keep records on non-employees who perform labor or services for remuneration and provide a special penalty for employers who misclassify employees (see S. 3254), S5154 [18JN]
Byrd, Robert C.: tribute (see S. Res. 572), S5489 [28JN]
Children and youth: provide assistance to eradicate severe forms of trafficking in children in eligible countries through implementation of Child Protection Compacts (see S. 3184), S3908 [18MY]
Clean Air Act: modify definition of the term ``renewable biomass'' (see S. 3381), S3831 [17MY]
Consumers: require disclosure of terms of rental-purchase agreements (see S. 738), S2587 [22AP]
Corps of Engineers: conduct levee system evaluations and certifications on receipt of requests from non-Federal interests (see S. 3109), S1458 [11MR]
Crime: impose penalties for unauthorized recording or distribution of images produced using advanced imaging technology during airport screenings or upon entry to Federal buildings (see S. 4037), S10410 [16DE]
Dept. of Agriculture: allow Rural Utilities Service to finance natural gas infrastructure in rural communities (see S. 3439), S4528 [27MY]
———assist eligible schools and nonprofit entities to implement farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools (see S. 3123), S1813 [22MR]
———extend suspension of limitation on the period for which certain borrowers are eligible for Farm Service Agency guaranteed assistance (see S. 3221), S10304 [15DE]
Dept. of Defense: authorize long-term contracts for the purchase of liquid synthetic or biomass-derived aviation or aviation blend fuels (see S. 3807), S7205 [20SE]
Dept. of Energy: establish Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as the lead Federal agency for coordinating Federal, State, and local assistance to promote the energy retrofitting of schools (see S. 3364), S3716 [13MY]
———promote mapping and development of U.S. geothermal resources by establishing a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells (see S. 3586), S5850 [14JY]
Dept. of HHS: reauthorize special diabetes programs for type I diabetes and Indians (see S. 3058), S1312 [9MR]
Dept. of the Interior: authorize Indian tribes to enter into certain leases without prior express approval (see S. 3235), S2477 [20AP]
———establish a competitive leasing program for wind and solar energy development on Federal land (see S. 3587), S5850 [14JY]
Dept. of the Navy: redesignate as the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps (see S. 504), S3831 [17MY]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans (see S. 3325), S3908 [18MY]
———clarify level of health care that constitutes minimum essential coverage (see S. 3162), S2019 [24MR]
———exclude amounts received for service-related disabilities from consideration as income under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (see S. 3246), S4658 [8JN]
———improve the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (see S. 3447), S7035 [13SE]
———report on establishment of a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site in the northern Rockies or Dakotas (see S. 3035), S742 [24FE]
Developing countries: protect girls through prevention of child marriage (see S. 987), S3984 [19MY]
District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see S. 3265), S2708 [27AP]
Education for All Handicapped Children Act: anniversary (see S. Res. 684), S8063 [18NO]
Endangered species: remove certain portions of the distinct population segment of the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the list of threatened species or the list of endangered species (see S. 3864), S7618 [28SE]
Energy Policy Act: streamline Indian energy development, enhance programs to support Indian energy development and efficiency, and make technical corrections (see S. 3752), S6884 [5AU]
EPA: establish the Columbia Basin Restoration Program (see S. 3550), S5538 [29JN]
———reauthorize and modify the diesel emissions reduction program (see S. 3973), S8062 [18NO]
Executive Office of the President: establish the Office of the National Alzheimer's Project (see S. 3036), S797 [25FE]
Federal agencies and departments: require quarterly performance reviews of Federal policy and management priorities and establish Chief Operating Officers and Performance Improvement Officers and Council (see S. 3853), S8397 [2DE]
Federal employees: clarify disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices and require a statement of nondisclosure policies (see S. 372), S8298 [30NO]
Flags: ensure the right of an individual to display the Service flag on residential property not be abridged (see S. 3477), S4849 [10JN]
Foreign aid: prohibit application of restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations based on provision of certain health services (see S. 311), S5964 [15JY]
GAO: conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions (see S. 704), S2295 [14AP]
Glacier National Park: anniversary (see S. Res. 520), S3473 [10MY]
Haiti: tribute to general aviation pilots and industry for contributions made in response to earthquake relief efforts (see S. Con. Res. 61), S2708 [27AP]
Health: extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities (see S. 3709), S8064 [18NO]
Housing: ensure availability of loan guarantees for rural homeowners (see S. 3266), S3037 [3MY]
IRS: permit issuance of prospective guidance clarifying employment status of individuals for purposes of employment taxes and to prevent retroactive assessments relative to such clarifications (see S. 3786), S7620 [28SE]
Japan: support increased market access for exports of U.S. beef and beef products (see S. Res. 452), S3909 [18MY]
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of: condemn unprovoked military attack against South Korea and reaffirm alliance with South Korea (see S. Res. 693), S8397 [2DE]
Lobbyists: prevent former Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, increase restrictions on congressional staff from becoming lobbyists, and provide more transparency and accountability (see S. 3272), S3037 [3MY]
Mathias, Charles McC., Jr.: tribute (see S. Res. 397), S251 [26JA]
Medicare: recognize certain certified diabetes educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes self-management training services (see S. 3211), S5202 [21JN]
Montana: withdraw Federal land on North Fork watershed located in the vicinity of Flathead National Forest from location, entry, and patent under mining laws (see S. 3075), S1169 [4MR]
Murtha, John P.: tribute (see S. Res. 413), S536 [9FE]
Museum and Library Services Act: amend and extend (see S. 3984), S8600 [7DE]
National Affordable Housing Act: improve program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities (see S. 1481), S7206 [20SE]
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: observance (see S. Res. 689), S8128 [19NO]
National Asbestos Awareness Week: designate (see S. Res. 427), S857 [1MR]
National FFA Organization: mint coins in commemoration of founding (see S. 1553), S5964 [15JY]
National Principals Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 607), S6884 [5AU]
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 597), S6397 [28JY]
National Public Health Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 453), S1458 [11MR]
National Stuttering Awareness Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 524), S3716 [13MY]
Native Americans: improve access to capital, bonding authority, and job training and promote native community development financial institutions and small business opportunities (see S. 3471), S5320 [23JN]
Poland: express sympathy to citizens and surviving families of victims of airplane crash in Russia, solidarity with people and Polish-American communities, and support for restoration of leadership (see S. Res. 479), S2295 [14AP]
Political campaigns: prohibit foreign influence, prevent Federal contractors from making expenditures, and establish additional spending disclosure requirements relative to Federal elections (see S. 3295), S3006 [30AP]
———reform financing of Senate elections (see S. 752), S4442 [26MY]
Power resources: allow use of renewable energy bonds to finance clean energy infrastructure in rural communities (see S. 3438), S4528 [27MY]
Public utilities: establish a Federal renewable electricity standard for certain electric utilities (see S. 3813), S7509 [27SE]
Roads and highways: improve highway mobility in rural States (see S. 3485), S4938 [15JN]
Stevens, Ted: tribute (see S. Res. 617), S7000 [12AU]
Supreme Court: permit televising of proceedings (see S. 446), S7968 [17NO]
Taxation: accelerate income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti (see S. 2936), S123 [21JA]
———ensure health coverage provided by the Dept. of Defense is treated as minimum essential coverage (see S. 3148), S1874 [23MR]
———establish ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses of family members with disabilities (see S. 493), S7134 [15SE]
———modify rules relative to the treatment of individuals as independent contractors or employees (see S. 2882), S5202 [21JN]
———provide a credit to individuals who enter into agreements to protect the habitats of endangered and threatened species (see S. 3146), S1812 [22MR]
———reduce excise tax rate on beer produced domestically by certain small producers (see S. 3339), S5269 [22JN]
Terrorism: strike medals in commemoration of anniversary of terrorist attacks and establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center (see S. 3034), S5994 [19JY]
U.S. Marshals Service: mint coins in commemoration of anniversary (see S. 3572), S7790 [29SE]
Veterans: increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see S. 3107), S1458 [11MR]
———provide cost-of-living adjustments in disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for certain survivors (see S. 3359), S3716 [13MY]
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day: establish (see S. Res. 451), S1751 [18MR]
West Virginia: honor coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South, extend condolences to their families, and recognize efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster (see S. Res. 487), S2377 [15AP]
World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442d Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army (see S. 1055), S5112 [17JN]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Collector Car Appreciation Day: designate (see S. Res. 513), S3091 [4MY]
Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act: amend effective date of provisions relative to gift certificates, store gift cards, and other general use prepaid cards (see S. 3549), S5538 [29JN]
Dept. of Energy: improve geothermal energy technology and demonstrate use of geothermal energy in large scale thermal applications (see S. 3619), S6024 [20JY]
Dept. of HHS: provide for participation in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program of certain specialists needed to respond to environmental public health emergencies (see S. 3647), S6245 [26JY]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: exempt reimbursements of expenses for accident, theft, loss, or casualty loss from annual income determinations relative to veterans' pensions (see S. 3352), S3643 [12MY]
Diseases: improve prostate cancer screening and treatment, particularly in medically underserved communities (see S. 3775), S7089 [14SE]
Firearms: provide that certain firearms listed as curios or relics may be imported into the U.S. by a licensed importer without obtaining authorization from the Depts. of State or Defense (see S. 3942), S7899 [15NO]
Food industry: require tracing of meat and meat food products that are adulterated or contaminated by enteric foodborne pathogens to the source of the adulteration or contamination (see S. 3163), S2019 [24MR]
Forest Service: revise the Recreation Residence Program as it applies to units derived from public domain by implementing a procedure for determining cabin user fees (see S. 3929), S7788 [29SE]
Government: reduce barriers to entry in Federal contracting (see S. 3101), S1358 [10MR]
Mining and mineral resources: limit liability of a State performing reclamation work under an approved State abandoned mine reclamation plan (see S. 3252), S2587 [22AP]
Montana: sustain economic development and recreational use of National Forest System land and add certain land to the National Wilderness Preservation System (see S. 4049), S10693 [18DE]
Public Online Information Advisory Committee: establish (see S. 3321), S3358 [6MY]
Veterans: deem references to Operation Iraqi Freedom in provisions of Federal law providing benefits for service to include references to Operation New Dawn (see S. 3902), S7788 [29SE]
Cloture motions
Bernanke, Ben S.: nomination to be Federal Reserve Board Chair, S246 [26JA]
Brainard, Lael: nomination to be Under Sec. of the Treasury for International Affairs, S2413 [19AP]
Capitol Police: make technical corrections to laws affecting certain administrative authorities (H.R. 1299), House amendment, S726 [24FE], S773 [25FE]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3454), motion to proceed, S7159 [16SE], S7246 [21SE], S8683 [9DE]
Dept. of the Treasury: create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to make capital investments in eligible institutions to increase availability of credit for small businesses (H.R. 5297), S6293 [27JY], S6473 [29JY], S6973 [5AU], S7062 [14SE]
FDA: improve capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety problems and the safety of imported food (S. 510), motion to proceed, S7929 [17NO]
Financial institutions: improve accountability and transparency in the financial system, end ``too big to fail'', end bailouts, and protect consumers from abusive financial services practices (S. 3217), S3811 [17MY], S3964, S3974 [19MY], S4042 [20MY]
———improve accountability and transparency in the financial system, end ``too big to fail'', end bailouts, and protect consumers from abusive financial services practices (S. 3217), motion to proceed, S2629 [26AP]
Johnson, Martha N.: nomination to be GSA Administrator, S349 [28JA], S466 [4FE]
Smith, M. Patricia: nomination to be Dept. of Labor Solicitor, S349 [28JA], S386 [1FE]
Taxation: extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 4213), S1225 [5MR], S1292 [9MR], S1339 [10MR]
———extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 4213), House amendment, S4975 [16JN], S5096 [17JN]
Remarks
Agriculture: allow small farmers to be regulated by States, S8010 [18NO]
Appropriations: making omnibus appropriations, S10685 [18DE]
Big Sandy, MT: tribute to Big Sandy High School boys' basketball team, S1340 [10MR]
Budget: eliminate wasteful spending and provide for comprehensive budget reform, S8994 [14DE]
Bureau of Reclamation: modify purposes and operation of certain facilities to implement water rights compact among Montana, the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, and the U.S. (S. 3290), S2807 [29AP]
Carroll College: tribute to football team, S10731 [19DE]
Dept. of the Treasury: require any amounts repaid by financial institutions receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program assistance be used for debt reduction, S3512 [11MY]
Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 3082), House amendment, S10685 [18DE]
District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (S. 3265), S2710 [27AP]
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), conference report, S5811 [14JY]
FAA: extend Airport Improvement Program authority (H.R. 4853), House amendment, S8994 [14DE]
FDA: improve capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety problems and the safety of imported food (S. 510), motion to proceed, S8010 [18NO]
FDIC: amend the definition of the term ``assessment base'' to include a financial entity's total assets in determination of deposit insurance premiums, S3070, S3071 [4MY], S3149 [5MY], S3298 [6MY]
Financial institutions: improve accountability and transparency in the financial system, end ``too big to fail'', end bailouts, and protect consumers from abusive financial services practices (S. 3217), S2536 [22AP], S3070, S3071 [4MY], S3149 [5MY], S3298 [6MY], S3512 [11MY]
Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 3590), S1709 [18MR]
Montana: express condolences and support for people affected by flooding and tornadoes, S5242 [22JN]
———sustain economic development and recreational use of public lands, add lands to wilderness areas, release wilderness study areas, and designate new areas for recreation, S10685, S10686 [18DE]
———withdraw Federal land on North Fork watershed located in the vicinity of Flathead National Forest from location, entry, and patent under mining laws (S. 3075), S10509 [17DE]
Presidential appointments: Senate process for confirmation of judicial nominees, S2273 [14AP]
Punke, Michael W.: nomination to be Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, S1340 [10MR]
Taxation: extend funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (H.R. 4853), House amendment, S8994 [14DE]
———make certain middle class tax relief permanent, increase limits on small business expensing of certain depreciable assets, and extend alternative minimum tax relief, S8994 [14DE]
Votes: position on missed, S1607, S1613
Tributes
Alvarez, Faust, S4987
Byrd, Robert C., S5480 [28JN]