VITTER, DAVID (a Senator from Louisiana)
Amendments
Agriculture: continue certain programs (S. 3240), S3791, S3792 [6JN], S3904, S3905 [11JN], S3979, S3991, S3992 [12JN], S4152, S4153 [13JN], S4351 [20JN]
Congress: prohibit Members and employees from using nonpublic information derived from their official positions for personal benefit (S. 2038), S219 [31JA], S276 [1FE]
CPSC: designate drywall manufactured in China a banned hazardous product (H.R. 4212), S8372, S8377 [21DE]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3254), S7072, S7100 [28NO], S7150, S7177, S7248 [29NO], S7285, S7295 [30NO]
Eximbank: reauthorize (H.R. 2072), S3091, S3092 [10MY], S3150 [15MY]
FDA: revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices and establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars (S. 3187), S3290 [17MY], S3432, S3434 [22MY], S3520 [23MY]
FDIC: temporarily extend the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (S. 3637), S7746 [11DE]
GAO: study potential economic benefits enjoyed by ‘‘too big to fail’’ financial institutions (S. 3709), S8374, S8378 [21DE]
Power resources: eliminate unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy (S. 2204), S2104, S2110 [27MR], S2175, S2182 [28MR]
Roads and highways: extend Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other Highway Trust Fund-funded programs (S. 1813), S539, S543 [9FE], S570, S573 [13FE], S647, S654 [14FE], S700, S797 [15FE], S1505, S1515 [8MR]
Small business: increase job creation and economic growth by improving access to public capital markets for emerging growth companies (H.R. 3606), S1796, S1797 [19MR]
Taxation: provide a temporary income tax credit for increased payroll and extend bonus depreciation for certain business assets (S. 2237), S4894 [11JY], S4960 [12JY]
Violence Against Women Act: reauthorize (S. 1925), S2738 [25AP]
Appointments
Conferee: H.R. 4310, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction, S7972 [12DE]
——— H.R. 4348, highway programs reauthorization, TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline permitting approval, and Gulf Coast States resources and economy restoration, S2615 [24AP]
——— S. 3254, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction, S7392 [4DE]
Articles and editorials
China Gets Jump on U.S. for Brazil’s Oil—Two Export Pacts a Coup for Beijing, Kelly Hearn, Washington (DC) Times, S2194 [29MR]
End Flood Insurance Program Uncertainty, David Sampson and Maurice Veissi, Roll Call (publication), S2994 [9MY]
PetroChina Produced More Oil Than Industry Giant Exxon Mobil in 2011, Associated Press (news service), S2193 [29MR]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abdnor, James: tribute (see S. Res. 475), S3631 [24MY]
Abortion: protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (see S. 2103), S1734 [15MR]
Agriculture: provide for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens (see S. 3239), S3730 [5JN]
Aurora, CO: condemn movie theater shootings and express condolences for victims and gratitude to responders to the shootings (see S. Con. Res. 53), S5304 [24JY]
Budget: cut and cap Federal spending, enact balanced budget constitutional amendment, and replace sequester with other budget cuts (see S. 3482), S5976 [2AU]
——— modify discretionary spending limits to take into account savings resulting from the reduction in the number of Federal employees and extending the Federal employee pay freeze (see S. 2065), S615 [14FE]
——— require the President to provide a report detailing the sequester required by the Budget Control Act (see S. 3228), S3516 [23MY]
——— setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2022 (see S. Con. Res. 37), S2243 [29MR]
Bureau of the Census: make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions (see S. 3079), S3084 [10MY]
Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (see S. 2041), S163 [30JA] (see S. 3607), S6546 [20SE]
Consumers: require disclosure of terms of rental-purchase agreements (see S. 881), S2496 [18AP]
Crime: establish criminal offense for fraudulent claims about military service (see S. 1728), S5134 [18JY]
——— prohibit attendance of an animal fighting venture (see S. 1947), S262 [1FE]
Dept. of Energy: establish the Office of Federal Energy Production (see S. 3404), S5211 [19JY]
Dept. of HHS: ensure religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services (see S. 2043), S209 [31JA]
Dept. of Justice: prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property, cosponsorship withdrawn (see S. 968), S132 [26JA]
Dept. of Labor: prohibit finalization of certain proposed child labor rules relative to family farming (see S. 2221), S1932 [21MR]
Dept. of the Interior: install in the area of the World War II Memorial a suitable plaque or inscription with the words that Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed on D-Day, June 6, 1944 (see S. 3078), S3785 [6JN]
Diseases: raise awareness of, and educate breast cancer patients anticipating surgery regarding the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction, prostheses, and other options (see S. 3628), S6800 [14NO]
Endangered Species Act: establish a procedure for approval of certain settlements (see S. 3500), S5977 [2AU]
EPA: amend guidelines governing the handling of lead-based paint during remodeling or renovation activities (see S. 2148), S1194 [1MR]
——— exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from national pollutant discharge elimination system permitting requirements (see S. 1369), S495 [9FE]
——— require regional administrators to be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (see S. 3053), S3042 [9MY]
Equal Access to Justice Act: require disclosure of all payments made from the Judgment Fund (see S. 3415), S5212 [19JY]
Fair Labor Standards Act: preserve companionship services exemption for minimum wage and overtime pay (see S. 3280), S4300 [19JN]
Financial institutions: address fee disclosure requirements (see S. 3204), S5382 [25JY]
Firearms: permit States to provide reciprocal treatment for carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents (see S. 2213), S1847 [20MR]
FRS: treatment of information provided to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (see S. 2099), S851 [16FE]
Inouye, Daniel K.: tribute (see S. Res. 624), S8138 [18DE]
Internet: promote a global Internet free from government control and preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model currently in effect (see S. Con. Res. 50), S5213 [19JY]
Iran: close loopholes, increase transparency, and improve effectiveness of sanctions on trade in petroleum products (see S. 2058), S261 [1FE]
——— express importance of preventing acquisition of nuclear weapons capability and continue economic and diplomatic pressure to secure nonproliferation agreement (see S.J. Res. 41), S3631 [24MY] (see S. Res. 380), S850 [16FE]
——— support freedom and civil liberties, and free and fair elections, condemn human rights violations, and lift restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association, and expression (see S. Res. 386), S1194 [1MR]
IRS: make the Free File Program permanent (see S. 1796), S851 [16FE]
Israel: authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system (see S. 2325), S3175 [15MY]
——— commit to security as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and condemn rocket and missile attacks in Gaza by Hamas (see S. Res. 599), S6855 [15NO]
——— reaffirm strategic relationship with the U.S., direct the President to submit reports on U.S. actions to enhance this relationship, and assist in the defense of Israel (see S. 2165), S2656 [24AP]
ITC: develop and recommend legislation for temporarily suspending duties (see S. 1162), S2824 [26AP] (see S. 3292), S4151 [13JN]
Labor unions: protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see S. 2173), S1459 [7MR]
Libya: commend U.S. public servants who died in attack on U.S. consulate in Benghazi, express condolences to families of victims, condemn the attack, and call for perpetrators to be brought to justice (see S. Res. 551), S6270 [12SE] (see S. Res. 588), S6626 [21SE]
McGovern, George S.: tribute (see S. Res. 607), S7303 [30NO]
Medicare: ensure continued access of beneficiaries to diagnostic imaging services (see S. 2347), S2730 [25AP]
National Baseball Hall of Fame: mint coins in recognition and celebration (see S. 2036), S3280 [17MY]
National Charter Schools Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 447), S2968 [8MY]
National Travel and Tourism Week: observance (see S. Res. 451), S3042 [9MY]
National World War II Museum: recognize opening of U.S. Freedom Pavilion—The Boeing Center, public and private assistance to the museum, and role in educating about the War experience (see S. Res. 625), S8203 [19DE]
Newtown, CT: condemn shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, express condolences for victims, and commend school personnel and first responders who responded to shootings (see S. Res. 621), S8071 [17DE]
Nicklaus, Jack: award Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 3252), S3631 [24MY]
NLRB: disapprove rule relative to representation election procedures (see S.J. Res. 36), S850 [16FE]
——— permit employers to pay higher wages to their employees who are working under a union contract (see S. 2371), S2821 [26AP] (see S. 3221), S3422 [22MY]
North American Wetlands Conservation Act: extend authorization of appropriations for allocation to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects (see S. 2282), S2243 [29MR]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services (see S. 1467), S132 [26JA]
Pesticides: clarify congressional intent regarding regulation of use of pesticides in or near navigable waters (see S. 3605), S6546 [20SE]
Power resources: clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State (see S. 2248), S2166 [28MR]
——— facilitate domestic energy production to reduce energy costs and spur economic growth and job creation (see S. 3445), S5486 [26JY]
——— streamline criteria for storage and dispensing of fuels, provide liability protection for fuel retailers, and ensure retailers’ equipment is safe and compatible to sell new fuels (see S. 2264), S3281 [17MY]
Presidents of the U.S.: establish a moratorium on significant regulations imposed by a lame duck President (see S. 2368), S2731 [25AP]
Public debt: disapprove the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit (see S.J. Res. 34), S42 [23JA]
——— disapprove the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, cosponsorship withdrawn (see S.J. Res. 34), S77 [24JA]
——— establish a point of order to prohibit extension of the debt limit unless a concurrent budget resolution has been agreed to and is in effect (see S. 2040), S132 [26JA]
Public welfare programs: disapprove rule relative to waivers of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program work requirements (see S.J. Res. 50), S6107 [11SE]
——— prohibit waivers relative to compliance with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program work requirements (see S. 3397), S5305 [24JY]
Rudman, Warren: tribute (see S. Res. 604), S7215 [29NO]
Ships and vessels: establish uniform and environmentally sound standards governing discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel in the navigable waters of the U.S. (see S. 3332), S4417 [21JN]
Specter, Arlen: tribute (see S. Res. 612), S7703 [10DE]
Taxation: exclude from gross income any prizes or awards received by Olympic medal winners (see S. 3471), S5980 [2AU]
——— extend Bush administration tax cuts, provide alternative minimum tax relief, and repeal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see S. 3420), S5257 [23JY]
——— permanently extend the reduction in recognition period for built-in gains for S corporations (see S. 3223), S3978 [12JN]
——— repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (see S. 2242), S2166 [28MR]
Tobacco products: clarify FDA jurisdiction over certain tobacco products and protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of cigars (see S. 1461), S2969 [8MY]
U.N. Arms Trade Treaty: prohibit funding to negotiate if such treaty restricts the right to keep and bear arms (see S. 2205), S2969 [8MY]
Veterans: expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (see S. 344), S3900 [11JN]
Wallenberg, Raoul: award Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 1591), S1050 [27FE]
Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (see S. 2245), S2166 [28MR]
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day: designate (see S. 2255), S2656 [24AP]
World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (see S. 418), S1089 [28FE]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Abortion: prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex (see S. 3290), S4151 [13JN]
Animal Welfare Act: modify definition of ‘‘exhibitor’’ (see S. 3666), S7686 [6DE]
Catholic Schools Week: recognize goals and honor contributions of Catholic schools (see S. Res. 364), S208 [31JA]
Corps of Engineers: establish program to evaluate cost-effectiveness and efficiency of non-Federal sponsors as the lead project delivery team for civil works flood control and navigation construction projects (see S. 2138), S1147 [29FE]
Dept. of the Interior: replace President Obama’s proposed Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing program with a congressional plan that will conduct additional lease sales (see S. 3383), S4950 [12JY]
Disasters: provide tax relief relative to Hurricane Isaac disaster area (see S. 3601), S6546 [20SE]
EPA: reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (see S. 3264), S3729 [5JN]
FEMA: extend the National Flood Insurance Program (see S. 2344), S2655 [24AP] (see S. 3050, 3051), S3042 [9MY]
Financial institutions: exempt community banks from certain escrow requirements (see S. 2278), S2243 [29MR]
Financial Stability Oversight Council: repeal authority to designate certain non-bank financial institutions as systemically important financial institutions (see S. 3497), S5977 [2AU]
Fish and fishing: prohibit the sale of billfish (see S. 3422), S5257 [23JY] (see S. 3424), S5304 [24JY]
GAO: study potential economic benefits enjoyed by ‘‘too big to fail’’ financial institutions (see S. 3709), S8364 [21DE]
Immigration: make voting in a Federal election by an unlawfully present alien an aggravated felony (see S. 3579), S6545 [20SE]
Iran: condemn continued persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing of Youcef Nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy (see S. Res. 385), S1194 [1MR]
SEC: improve consideration of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders (see S. 2373), S2821 [26AP]
Strategic Petroleum Reserve: suspend sales of petroleum products until certain conditions are met (see S. 2100), S567 [13FE]
Taxation: oppose Federal efforts to establish a carbon tax on fuels for electricity and transportation (see S. Con. Res. 61), S7686 [6DE]
Letters
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program extension: several organizations, S2994 [9MY]
——— several Senators, S2769 [26AP]
——— SmarterSafer.org (organization), S2994 [9MY]
Privilege of the floor
Gejji, Sidd, S3048 [9MY]
Remarks
Agriculture: continue certain programs (S. 3240), S4353 [20JN]
Animals: ensure that extras in film and television who bring personal, domesticated household pets do not face unnecessary regulations, S4353 [20JN]
Catholic Schools Week: recognize goals and honor contributions of Catholic schools, S37• [23JA]
Coast Guard: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 2838), House amendment, S8355 [21DE]
——— provide administrative assistance to facilitate tonnage reduction modifications for the Aqueos Acadian (vessel), S8355 [21DE]
Congress: accomplishments of the 112th Congress, S6481 [20SE]
Corps of Engineers: establish program to evaluate cost-effectiveness and efficiency of non-Federal sponsors as the lead project delivery team for civil works flood control and navigation construction projects (S. 2138), S1149 [29FE]
Crime: prohibit attendance of an animal fighting venture, S4353 [20JN]
Dept. of the Interior: extend certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, S2144 [28MR]
——— reinstate Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, S1505 [8MR]
——— set clear rules for development of U.S. oil shale resources and promote shale technology research and development, S2145 [28MR]
EPA: reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (S. 3687), S8114 [18DE]
Eximbank: prohibit loans or financing of certain fossil fuel projects or manufacturing of renewable energy products in foreign countries if similar U.S. projects do not receive comparable funding, S3151, S3157 [15MY]
——— reauthorize (H.R. 2072), S3151, S3157 [15MY]
FDA: revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices and establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars (S. 3187), S3550, S3553 [24MY]
FEMA: extend the National Flood Insurance Program (S. 2344), S2768 [26AP], S2993–S2995 [9MY]
——— restore financial solvency of the National Flood Insurance Fund (S. 1940), S3479 [23MY]
FRS: reform monetary policy to promote economic growth, S3247 [17MY]
GAO: study potential economic benefits enjoyed by ‘‘too big to fail’’ financial institutions (S. 3709), S8265 [20DE]
Gulf of Mexico: anniversary of Deepwater Horizon oil spill, S2461 [18AP]
——— restore natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetland of Gulf Coast States, and provide Land and Water Conservation Fund funding, S1524, S1529 [8MR]
Hurwitz, Andrew D.: nomination to be circuit judge, S3888• [11JN]
——— suitability to be circuit judge relative to involvement in decisions on abortion as a law clerk, S3888• [11JN]
Lafayette, LA: Southern Living (publication) ‘‘South’s Tastiest Town’’ designee, S1790 [19MR]
Obama, President: evaluation of energy policies, S1836 [20MR], S6481 [20SE]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, S1162 [1MR]
——— Supreme Court decision on constitutionality, S4694 [28JN]
Petroleum: dependence on foreign sources, S1708 [15MR]
——— gasoline price levels, S2061 [27MR], S2193 [29MR]
Pharmaceuticals: allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada, S4849 [11JY]
——— prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market, S3553 [24MY]
Powell, Jerome H.: nomination to the FRS Board of Governors, S3247 [17MY]
Power resources: eliminate unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy (S. 2204), S1837 [20MR], S2061 [27MR], S2144, S2145 [28MR], S2193, S2194 [29MR]
——— eliminate unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy (S. 2204), unanimous-consent request, S2145 [28MR]
——— increase oil and gas production on Federal lands, S1708 [15MR]
——— national energy policy, S1708 [15MR], S2061 [27MR], S2193, S2194 [29MR]
Roads and highways: extend Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other Highway Trust Fund-funded programs (S. 1813), S1162 [1MR], S1505, S1524, S1529 [8MR]
South Sudan: call for the release of Elton (Mark) McCabe, S6929 [27NO]
Stein, Jeremy C.: nomination to the FRS Board of Governors, S3247 [17MY]
Taxation: clarify eligibility for the child tax credit (S. 577), S3397, S3398, S3399 [22MY]
——— clarify eligibility for the child tax credit (S. 577), unanimous-consent request, S3397 [22MY]
Tributes
Beauford, Gertrude Lorio, S2388• [17AP]
d’Aquin, Erica M., S258• [1FE]
Fos, Peter J., S6445• [19SE]
Segalla, Leo R., Sr., S6105• [11SE]
Shoemaker, Tommy, S7683• [6DE]
Smith, James E., S81 [26JA]