VITTER, DAVID (a Senator from Louisiana)
Amendments
Appropriations: making emergency supplemental for disaster relief, summer youth jobs programs, and SBA loans program, and rescind amounts from certain accounts (H.R. 4899), S4153 [24MY], S4230 [25MY], S4448, S4449, S4451, S4461, S4464, S4468 [26MY], S4504, S4505, S4531 [27MY]
Budget: increase statutory limit on the public debt (H.J. Res. 45), S28, S57 [20JA], S258 [26JA]
———reconciliation of the concurrent resolution relative to health care reform, student loan reform, school construction and renovation, and other education initiatives (H.R. 4872), S1815 [22MR], S1978, S2010, S2029, S2040, S2041, S2051 [24MR], S2075 [25MR]
Crime: prevent video depictions of animal cruelty (H.R. 5566), S7639 [28SE]
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), S5620 [29JN], S5706, S5708 [30JN], S5794, S5795 [13JY], S6261 [26JY]
Economy: making appropriations for jobs creation and retention (H.R. 2847), S629 [22FE]
FAA: extend Airport Improvement Program authority (H.R. 4853), S8806 [10DE]
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), S2816 [29AP], S3009, S3013, S3014 [30AP], S3040 [3MY], S3173, S3217, S3228, S3271, S3272 [5MY], S3328, S3361 [6MY], S3488, S3524 [11MY], S3651, S3660 [12MY], S3699, S3731, S3732 [13MY], S3802, S3832 [17MY], S3973 [19MY], S4031 [20MY]
Science, Depts. of Justice and Commerce, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2847), S629 [22FE]
Taxation: extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 4213), S860 [1MR], S1091, S1094, S1107 [3MR], S1222, S1223, S1230 [5MR], S4700 [8JN], S4739 [9JN], S4859, S4860 [10JN], S4943, S4944 [15JN], S5137 [17JN]
———extend funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (H.R. 4853), S8806 [10DE]
———impose a higher rate of tax on bonuses paid by businesses receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program funds (H.R. 1586), S1406 [10MR], S1429 [11MR], S1517 [15MR], S1598, S1620, S1628 [16MR], S1671 [17MR]
———retain estate tax with an immediate exemption increase and repeal new carryover basis rules (H.R. 4154), S803 [25FE]
U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): renewal, S10644 [17DE], S10737 [19DE]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed relative to pain experienced by the unborn child (see S. 14), S7786 [29SE]
———prohibit taxpayer funding of insurance plans or health care programs that cover abortion (see S. 3723), S6883 [5AU]
Animal Welfare Act: provide further protection for puppies (see S. 3424), S4212 [25MY]
Appropriations: making continuing (see S.J. Res. 42), S10410 [16DE]
Armed Forces: commend Navy SEALS, Matthew McCabe, Jonathan Keefe, and Julio Huertas for capturing alleged terrorist, Ahmed Hashim Abed, in Iraq and support members serving in harm's way (see S. Res. 439), S1229 [5MR]
Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced (see S.J. Res. 27), S482 [4FE]
Byrd, Robert C.: tribute (see S. Res. 572), S5489 [28JN]
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]
Crime: prevent video depictions of animal cruelty (see S. 3841), S7620 [28SE]
———provide assistance to Federal law enforcement agencies in investigating offenses involving child victims (see S. 2972), S392 [1FE]
Dept. of Defense: provide for interrogation and detention of enemy belligerents who commit hostile acts against the U.S. and establish certain limitations on prosecution (see S. 3081), S1169 [4MR] (see S. 3081), S2116 [25MR]
Dept. of HHS: amend and reauthorize the Controlled Substance Monitoring Program (see S. 3575), S5786 [13JY]
———make grants to eligible States to reduce the student-to-school nurse ratio in elementary and secondary schools and kindergarten (see S. 2750), S699 [23FE]
Dept. of Justice: compile, and make publicly available, certain data relating to the Equal Access to Justice Act (see S. 3122), S1618 [16MR]
———prohibit funding for prosecution in Article III courts of individuals involved in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (see S. 2977), S439 [2FE]
Dept. of the Interior: expedite review and appropriate approval of applications for shallow water drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico, Beaufort Sea, and Chukchi Sea (see S. Res. 608), S6884 [5AU]
Dept. of the Navy: redesignate as the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps (see S. 504), S4143 [24MY]
Dept. of the Treasury: establish a program to reunite bondholders with matured unredeemed U.S. savings bonds (see S. 827), S393 [1FE]
———terminate authority under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (see S. 2938), S51 [20JA]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (see S. 663), S52 [20JA]
———share information about use of controlled substances by veterans with State prescription monitoring programs to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines (see S. 3575), S5786 [13JY]
District of Columbia: prohibit issuance of a marriage license to any same-sex couple until a referendum or initiative can be held on the issue of same-sex marriage (see S. 2980), S440 [2FE]
Education for All Handicapped Children Act: anniversary (see S. Res. 684), S8063 [18NO]
EPA: delay implementation of certain final rules in States until accreditation classes are held in the States for a certain period (see S. 3296), S3091 [4MY]
———disapprove rule relative to endangerment findings and regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act (see S.J. Res. 26), S122 [21JA]
———finalize proposed rule to amend spill prevention, control, and countermeasure rule to tailor and streamline requirements for the dairy industry (see S. 3622), S6303 [27JY]
Families and domestic relations: constitutional amendment on parental rights (see S.J. Res. 16), S2519 [21AP]
FDA: improve capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety problems and the safety of imported food (see S. 510), S4529 [27MY]
Federal agencies and departments: provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law (see S. 3826), S7352 [22SE]
Federal Water Pollution Control Act: reauthorize the National Estuary Program (see S. 3540), S5488 [28JN]
Fish and fishing: mitigate the economic impact of transition to sustainable fisheries on fishing communities (see S. 3594), S6584 [2AU]
Food: strengthen Federal consumer product safety programs and activities relative to commercially-marketed seafood (see S. 3928), S7970 [17NO]
Gulf of Mexico: honor workers who died on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform and extend condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased crew members (see S. Res. 523), S3643 [12MY]
———recognize economic and environmental impacts of BP P.L.C., oil spill and urge BP to give all due consideration to offers of assistance, products, or services from States directly impacted (see S. Res. 582), S5850 [14JY] (see S. Res. 588), S6025 [20JY]
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund: ensure that amounts credited are used for harbor maintenance (see S. 3213), S2377 [15AP]
Hurricanes: observe anniversary of Hurricane Rita, support survivors, offer condolences to families of victims, recognize contributions of affected communities, and reaffirm commitment to rebuilding efforts (see S. Res. 641), S7421 [23SE]
Immigration: refuse or revoke visas to aliens if in U.S. security or foreign policy interests, review all visa applications before adjudication, and provide for immediate dissemination of visa revocation information (see S. 2944), S122 [21JA]
Iran: establish a program to support a transition to a freely elected, open democracy (see S. 3008), S797 [25FE]
———impose sanctions on those complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens or their families after the June 12, 2009, political processes (see S. 3022), S698 [23FE]
Israel: call for immediate and unconditional release of Gilad Shalit held captive by Hamas (see S. Res. 571), S5489 [28JN]
Mathias, Charles McC., Jr.: tribute (see S. Res. 397), S251 [26JA]
Medicaid: revise regulations implementing statutory reporting and auditing requirements for the disproportionate share hospital payment program to be consistent statutorily and avoid policy changes (see S. 2984), S481 [4FE]
Medicare: repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see S. 46), S3716 [13MY]
Members of Congress: eliminate automatic salary adjustments (see S. 3074), S1169 [4MR] (see S. 3244), S2587 [22AP]
Mining and mineral resources: reestablish competitive production industries, processing, refining, purification, metals production and alloying, and magnet production relative to domestic rare earths (see S. 3521), S5965 [15JY]
Motor vehicles: prevent drunk driving injuries and fatalities (see S. 3039), S2759 [28AP]
Murtha, John P.: tribute (see S. Res. 413), S536 [9FE]
National Charter Schools Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 514), S3164 [5MY]
National Environmental Policy Act: prohibit use to document, predict, or mitigate the climate effects of specific Federal actions (see S. 3230), S2477 [20AP]
National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week: designate (see S. Res. 595), S6302 [27JY]
National Mediation Board: disapprove rule on recognition of a labor union if a simple majority of workers who cast ballots approved organizing (see S.J. Res. 30), S3644 [12MY]
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 597), S6397 [28JY]
National Rice Month: anniversary (see S. Res. 651), S7508 [27SE]
National Small Business Week: observance (see S. Res. 540), S4442 [26MY]
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month: designate (see S. Res. 373), S54 [20JA]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: repeal (see S. 3152), S1873 [23MR]
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]
Ships and vessels: extend period during which the EPA and States are prohibited from requiring Federal Water Pollution Control Act permits for certain discharges incidental to normal operation (see S. 3372), S3716 [13MY]
Small business: repeal expansion of information reporting requirements for certain payments to corporations (see S. 3578), S5849 [14JY]
Small Business Development Center network: anniversary (see S. Res. 638), S7352 [22SE]
States: provide special standing for State government officials to challenge proposed regulations issued in conjunction with the implementation of Federal laws (see S. 4020), S10304 [15DE]
Stevens, Ted: tribute (see S. Res. 617), S7000 [12AU]
Taiwan: accord observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (see S. Con. Res. 63), S7509 [27SE]
Taxation: ensure health coverage provided by the Dept. of Defense is treated as minimum essential coverage (see S. 3148), S1874 [23MR]
———permanently extend Bush administration tax cuts and provide permanent alternative minimum tax and estate tax relief (see S. 3773), S7034 [13SE]
———permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, restaurant property, and retail improvement property (see S. 3510), S5745 [12JY]
———provide tax relief for persons affected by discharge of oil due to Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and sinking in Gulf of Mexico (see S. 3934), S7788 [29SE]
———provide tax relief for persons with investment losses due to fraud or embezzlement (see S. 3166), S2115 [25MR]
———reduce excise tax rate on beer produced domestically by certain small producers (see S. 3339), S7090 [14SE]
———terminate Internal Revenue Code (see S. 3047), S1170 [4MR]
Transportation: prevent imposition of unreasonable transportation terminal fees (see S. 1764), S1619 [16MR]
U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child: oppose ratification based on incompatibility with the U.S. Constitution, sovereignty, and the independence of families (see S. Res. 519), S5440 [24JN]
Victims of Crime Act: recognize anniversary and contributions to the Crime Victims Fund through criminal prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys' Financial Litigation Units (see S. Res. 391), S122 [21JA]
Water: prevent enforcement of certain national primary drinking water regulations unless sufficient funding is available or variance technology has been identified (see S. 3038), S795 [25FE]
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]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Air pollution: prohibit regulation of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. until China, India, and Russia implement similar reductions (see S. 3699), S6736 [4AU]
Aquaculture: implement a moratorium on offshore aquaculture for a period after submission of a report on its environmental and economic impact (see S. 3417), S4212 [25MY]
Catholic Schools Week: recognize goals and honor contributions of Catholic schools (see S. Res. 406), S440 [2FE]
Dept. of Justice: try Umar F. Abdulmutallab by a military tribunal and consult with appropriate officials prior to terminating interrogation of, or providing a civilian trial to, terrorist suspects (see S. Res. 403), S393 [1FE]
Dept. of the Interior: lift moratorium on deepwater drilling operations (see S. 3489), S4938 [15JN]
———limit moratorium on certain permitting and drilling activities (see S. 3588), S5850 [14JY]
FEMA: extend the National Flood Insurance Program (see S. 3203), S2295 [14AP] (see S. 3347), S3536 [11MY] (see S. 3814), S7267 [21SE]
———suspend flood insurance rate map updates in geographic areas in which certain levees are being repaired (see S. 3051), S857 [1MR]
Fish and fishing: prohibit trade in billfish (see S. 3812), S7267 [21SE]
Food: ensure the safety of imported seafood and seafood products (see S. 2934), S51 [20JA]
GAO: conduct a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection (see S. 3384), S3983 [19MY]
Government: reduce number of employees in Federal departments and agencies, freeze Federal employee compensation, and reduce funding to the White House and Congress (see S. 3999), S8348 [1DE]
Gulf of Mexico: create system to resolve claims of economic injury caused by the Deepwater Horizon incident and renegotiate lease relative to incident to increase existing liability limits (see S. 3410), S4211 [25MY] (see S. 3461), S4621 [7JN]
———restore coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (see S. 3792), S7134 [15SE]
International relations: reject creation of an international system of government bailouts for the financial sector or climate regulation that would negatively impact the U.S. economy and sovereignty (see S. Res. 461), S1750 [18MR]
NASA: establish, validate, and utilize an official set of data on historical temperature records ensure public access to such records (see S. 4015), S8641 [8DE]
New Orleans Saints (football team): tribute (see S. Res. 423), S796 [25FE]
Oil Pollution Act: increase limits on liability for economic damages resulting from an oil spill (see S. 3375), S3716 [13MY]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: repeal (see S. 3147), S1812 [22MR]
Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court: express the undermining of U.S. sovereignty, declare that the U.S. should not ratify, and discourage U.S. representation at review conference in Uganda (see S. Con. Res. 59), S2518 [21AP]
Schools: encourage growth and replication of successful charter school models (see S. 2932), S51 [20JA]
Letters
Allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles: Anthony Vavasis and Darien DeLorenzo, Mobile Health Clinics Network, S2011 [24MR]
———Jerry W. McLarty, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, S2011 [24MR]
Michael J. Walsh suitability to be major general relative to Corps of Engineers authorities: by, S2283, S2284 [14AP]
National Flood Insurance Program extension: several organizations, S5080 [17JN]
Motions
Budget: reconciliation of the concurrent resolution relative to health care reform, student loan reform, school construction and renovation, and other education initiatives (H.R. 4872), S2075 [25MR]
Taxation: impose a higher rate of tax on bonuses paid by businesses receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program funds (H.R. 1586), S1603 [16MR]
Remarks
Airport and Airway Trust Fund: extend funding and expenditure authority (H.R. 4853), House amendment, S10248 [15DE]
Budget: deficit, S2279 [14AP]
———increase statutory limit on the public debt (H.J. Res. 45), S75 [21JA]
———reconciliation of the concurrent resolution relative to health care reform, student loan reform, school construction and renovation, and other education initiatives (H.R. 4872), S1798, S1799 [22MR], S1978, S1979, S2004, S2011 [24MR]
Business and industry: tribute to the underwater operations industry, S480
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, S7115 [15SE]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3454), S7115 [15SE]
Dept. of the Interior: clarify Coastal Impact Assistance Program application requirements, S1428 [11MR], S1603 [16MR]
———lift moratorium on deepwater drilling operations, S10273 [15DE]
Dept. of the Treasury: terminate authority under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, S75 [21JA]
Domestic policy: temporarily extend certain programs (H.R. 4851), S2279, S2280 [14AP]
Economy: making appropriations for jobs creation and retention (H.R. 2847), House amendment, S681, S682 [23FE]
———making appropriations for jobs creation and retention (H.R. 2847), House amendment—unanimous-consent request, S682 [23FE]
FAA: extend Airport Improvement Program authority (H.R. 4853), House amendment, S10248 [15DE]
FEMA: extend the National Flood Insurance Program (H.R. 5569), unanimous-consent request, S5510 [29JN]
———extend the National Flood Insurance Program (S. 3203), S2280 [14AP]
———extend the National Flood Insurance Program (S. 3347), S4055 [20MY]
———extend the National Flood Insurance Program (S. 3347), unanimous-consent request, S4056 [20MY], S5080 [17JN]
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), S2437 [20AP], S3489, S3494 [11MY]
———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, S2723 [28AP]
FRS: reform manner in which GAO audits the FRS Board of Governors and the manner in which such audits are reported, S3489, S3494 [11MY]
———require GAO audit of the FRS Board of Governors and publication of information on financial assistance provided to various entities, S3489, S3494 [11MY]
Gulf of Mexico: create system to resolve claims of economic injury caused by the Deepwater Horizon incident and renegotiate lease relative to incident to increase existing liability limits (S. 3410), unanimous-consent request, S4179, S4180 [25MY]
———impact of response to oil leak caused by oil rig explosion on the environment and future offshore drilling policies, S3126 [5MY]
Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 3590), S1798, S1799 [22MR]
Immigration: cancel removal and adjust status of certain long-term resident alien students (S. 3992), S8362 [2DE]
———cancel removal and adjust status of certain long-term resident alien students (S. 3992), motion to proceed, S8668 [9DE]
Monroe, LA: tribute to Monroe Rotary Club military veterans, S4743
Oil Pollution Act: ensure any increase in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund be used for oil spill clean-up, S4645 [8JN], S4720 [9JN], S4924, S4925, S4927 [15JN]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: repeal, S1978, S1979, S2004 [24MR]
———suspend if OMB determines that the CBO deficit reduction targets are not being met, S2075 [25MR]
Power resources: establish and implement oil and gas leasing programs for the Outer Continental Shelf and the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and streamline regulation of other energy projects (S. 570), S681, S682 [23FE]
Ruston, LA: anniversary of Louisiana Peach Festival, S5153
Science, Depts. of Justice and Commerce, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2847), House amendment, S681, S682 [23FE]
———making appropriations (H.R. 2847), House amendment—unanimous-consent request, S682 [23FE]
Senate: legislative process, S681, S682 [23FE]
———legislative program, S1798 [22MR]
Stewart Enterprises, Inc.: anniversary, S2474
Taxation: allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles, S2011 [24MR]
———extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 4213), House amendment, S4645 [8JN], S4720 [9JN], S4924, S4925, S4927 [15JN], S5081 [17JN], S5510 [29JN]
———extend Gulf Opportunity Zone low-income housing tax credit, S10248 [15DE]
———impose a higher rate of tax on bonuses paid by businesses receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program funds (H.R. 1586), S1428 [11MR], S1603 [16MR]
———make certain middle class tax relief permanent, increase limits on small business expensing of certain depreciable assets, and extend alternative minimum tax relief, S10248 [15DE]
———modify rate of tax for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, S5081 [17JN]
U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): renewal, S10948 [22DE]
Walsh, Michael J.: nomination to be major general, S2461 [20AP], S2550, S2555 [22AP]
———nomination to be major general, unanimous-consent request, S2463 [20AP], S2550 [22AP]
———suitability to be major general relative to Corps of Engineers authorities, S2461, S2463 [20AP], S2550, S2555 [22AP]
Tributes
Daniel, J. David, S5959
Franklin, Alton (Red), S6197
Funk, Jim, S5959
Kelly, Robert M., S8116 [19NO]
Lee, Alvin B., S5959
Mangun, Gerald A., S5316
McCurry, S. Mark, S1515