PITTS, JOSEPH R. (a Representative from Pennsylvania)
Amendments
Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs (H.R. 1947), H3933 [20JN]
Appointments
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, H6916 [30OC]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abortion: prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex (see H.R. 447), H315 [1FE]
——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (see H.R. 7), H2602 [14MY]
——— protect lives of born and unborn persons (see H.R. 1091), H4214 [8JY]
——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (see H.R. 1797), H2392 [26AP]
Appropriations: making continuing (see H.J. Res. 62), H5547 [12SE]
Arab countries: call for protection of religious minority rights and freedoms and urge repeal of blasphemy laws (see H. Res. 106), H2605 [14MY]
Armed Forces: award Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment known as the Borinqueneers (see H.R. 1726), H7508 [4DE]
——— prohibit Federal funding for use against Syria absent express prior statutory authorization from Congress or an attack or imminent attack on the U.S. (see H.J. Res. 58), H5513 [11SE]
Black Ribbon Day: designate to recognize victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes (see H. Res. 302), H7358 [21NO]
Blue Star Mothers of America Month: designate (see H. Res. 293), H4371 [10JY]
Boys Town (organization): mint coins in commemoration of anniversary (see H.R. 2866), H7111 [14NO]
Budget: constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget and that each agency and department’s funding is justified (see H.J. Res. 36), H1427 [14MR]
——— require that, if the President’s budget does not achieve balance in the budget’s covered year, the President shall submit a supplemental unified budget by a certain date (see H.R. 444), H372 [5FE]
Burma: call for an end to the persecution of the Rohingya people and respect of internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups (see H. Res. 418), H7187 [18NO]
C.W. Bill Young Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bay Pines, FL: designate (see H.R. 3302), H6674 [22OC]
China: call for an end to organ harvesting from prisoners, investigate organ transplant practices, end persecution of the Falun Gong, and issue warnings to U.S. citizens about organ transplant practices (see H. Res. 281), H4827 [19JY]
Christmas Day: express that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected for use by those who celebrate Christmas (see H. Res. 448), H8126 [19DE]
Civil rights: award a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley honoring the 50th anniversary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing (see H.R. 360), H1720 [20MR]
Committee To Investigate and Report on the Attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya (House, Select): establish (see H. Res. 36), H2656 [15MY]
Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (see H.R. 3), H1547 [15MR]
Contraceptives: prohibit Federal family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions (see H.R. 217), H52 [4JA]
Contracts: preserve open competition and neutrality towards the labor relations of Federal contractors on Federal and federally funded construction projects (see H.R. 436), H5402 [2AU]
——— repeal wage rate requirements applicable to laborers and mechanics employed on Federal-aid highway and public transportation construction projects (see H.R. 711), H545 [14FE]
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA: designate (see H.R. 454), H550 [14FE]
Credit: modify the definitions of a mortgage originator and a high-cost mortgage to preserve access to manufactured housing (see H.R. 1779), H4858 [22JY]
Dept. of Agriculture: repeal a duplicative inspection and grading program for catfish (see H.R. 1313), H2535 [8MY]
Dept. of Defense: declare the attack at Fort Hood, TX, a terrorist attack and ensure victims of such attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those killed or wounded in overseas combat zones (see H.R. 3111), H5587 [17SE]
Dept. of Energy: enhance the energy security of U.S. allies by approving exports of natural gas to NATO countries, Japan, or any country found that such exports would enhance U.S. national security (see H.R. 580), H7357 [21NO]
Dept. of HHS: award competitive grants to public and private entities to provide qualified sexual risk avoidance education to youth and their parents (see H.R. 718), H1430 [14MR]
——— ensure women who access federally funded family planning services are given pregnancy option counseling including professional adoption counseling (see H.R. 3539), H7357 [21NO]
——— require certain family planning projects and programs to provide pamphlets containing adoption center contact information (see H.R. 3062), H5399 [2AU]
Dept. of Homeland Security: secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic pulses (see H.R. 3410), H7312 [20NO]
Dept. of State: establish Special Envoy To Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (see H.R. 301), H170 [15JA]
——— list Vietnam as a ‘‘Country of Particular Concern’’ relative to religious freedom (see H. Res. 218), H2717 [16MY]
——— prioritize fight against human trafficking according to congressional intent in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act without increasing the size of the Federal Government (see H.R. 2283), H4309 [9JY]
——— submit report on the designation of the Libyan faction of Ansar al-Sharia as a foreign terrorist organization (see H.R. 3082), H5512 [11SE]
Dept. of the Interior: issue an oil and gas leasing program under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for 2016–2020 (see H.R. 2265), H3929 [19JN]
Dept. of the Treasury: prohibit from enforcing health care reform (see H.R. 2009), H2804 [20MY]
Diplomatic Security Act: revise provisions relative to Accountability Review Board personnel recommendations (see H.R. 925), H1993 [12AP]
Doolittle Tokyo Raiders: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 1209), H7508 [4DE]
Economy: provide for fiscal gap and generational accounting analysis in the legislative process, the President’s budget, and annual long-term fiscal outlook reports (see H.R. 2967), H5436 [9SE]
Egypt: support fundamental rights of all citizens, equal access to justice and due process of law, and transparent and accountable governance (see H. Res. 329), H5399 [2AU]
EPA: eliminate certain requirements under the renewable fuel program and prohibit approval of gasoline that contains greater than a certain percentage of ethanol (see H.R. 1462), H1908 [10AP]
——— exempt components used in manufacture of hunting and recreational shooting ammunition and fishing tackle from regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (see H.R. 322), H176 [18JA]
——— prohibit awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or financial assistance under the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity to occur outside the U.S. (see H.R. 959), H2125 [17AP]
——— repeal renewable fuel standard program (see H.R. 1461), H5435 [9SE]
——— withdraw proposed order pertaining to the pesticide sulfuryl fluoride (see H.R. 1496), H2959 [23MY]
European Union: support closer ties with Eastern Partnership countries, respect sovereign rights of states relative to international partnerships, and commend democratic reforms (see H. Res. 402), H7253 [19NO]
Families and domestic relations: constitutional amendment on parental rights (see H.J. Res. 50), H3759 [18JN]
——— constitutional amendment relative to definition of marriage (see H.J. Res. 51), H4175 [28JN]
——— prevent adverse treatment of any person on the basis of views held with respect to marriage (see H.R. 3133), H5765 [19SE]
FDA: reauthorize user fee programs relating to generic new animal drugs (see H.R. 1408), H1856 [9AP]
——— reauthorize user fee programs relating to new animal drugs (see H.R. 1407), H1856 [9AP]
——— strengthen regulation of human drug compounding and drug supply chain security (see H.R. 3204), H5921 [27SE]
Federal agencies and departments: include language in certain educational and advertising materials indicating that such materials are produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense (see H.R. 3308), H6829 [28OC]
——— repeal prohibition on the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels (see H.R. 2478), H7111 [14NO]
Federal employees: terminate any Federal employee who refuses to answer questions or gives false testimony in a congressional hearing (see H.R. 2458), H4485 [11JY]
Financial institutions: allow use of prize-linked savings accounts to encourage personal savings (see H.R. 3374), H7357 [21NO]
Foreign trade: clarify that countervailing duties may be imposed to address subsidies relative to a fundamentally undervalued foreign currency (see H.R. 1276), H7357 [21NO]
FRS: improve functioning and transparency of the Board of Governors and the Federal Open Market Committee (see H.R. 1174), H1426 [14MR]
Health: repeal mandate that new employees of certain employers be automatically enrolled in the employer’s health benefits plan (see H.R. 1254), H3654 [14JN]
Holland, Milton M.: posthumously restore promotion to Army captain that was rescinded due to his race (see H.R. 3364), H7188 [18NO]
Horse Protection Act: designate additional unlawful acts, strengthen penalties for violations, and improve Dept. of Agriculture enforcement (see H.R. 1518), H1956 [11AP]
Internet: affirm U.S. policy to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model (see H.R. 1580), H2065 [16AP]
Iran: call for release of Saeed Abedini and condemn persecution of religious minorities (see H. Res. 147), H1909 [10AP]
——— condemn persecution of Baha’is and continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights, impose sanctions for such violations, and call for release of religious prisoners (see H. Res. 109), H3689 [17JN]
——— impose additional human rights and economic and financial sanctions to compel Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons (see H.R. 850), H1958 [11AP]
——— prohibit the gaining of nuclear weapons capability and maximize U.S. diplomatic influence to achieve a negotiated settlement regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons program (see H.R. 3292), H6902 [29OC]
IRS: prevent discriminatory misconduct against taxpayers by IRS officers and employees (see H.R. 1950), H2656 [15MY]
——— terminate employment of employees who take certain official actions for political purposes (see H.R. 2565), H4310 [9JY]
Israel: strengthen strategic alliance with the U.S. (see H.R. 938), H1993 [12AP]
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of: improve enforcement of sanctions (see H.R. 1771), H4827 [19JY]
Labor unions: prohibit preemption from State identity theft laws (see H.R. 2473), H3989 [20JN]
——— prohibit preemption from State stalking laws (see H.R. 2472), H3989 [20JN]
——— protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see H.R. 3485), H7109 [14NO]
Local Radio Freedom Act: support (see H. Con. Res. 16), H1861 [9AP]
Mandela, Nelson R.: tribute (see H. Res. 434), H7689 [11DE]
Medicare: reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians (see H.R. 2810), H5049 [24JY]
National Desert Storm Memorial Association: authorize to establish National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial in the District of Columbia (see H.R. 503), H7357 [21NO]
National Emancipation Day: observance (see H. Res. 38), H177 [18JA]
National security: prohibit use of drones to kill U.S. citizens within the U.S. (see H.R. 1242), H1721 [20MR]
Navy: encourage commissioning of U.S.S. Somerset (LPD–25) in Philadelphia, PA (see H. Res. 125), H1568 [18MR]
NLRB: declare certain agency actions have no force or effect until final resolution of pending lawsuits relative to recess appointments of certain members and prohibit further actions (see H.R. 976), H1430 [14MR]
——— prevent certain appointees from receiving salaries and a quorum of the Board from taking agency actions until final resolution of pending lawsuits relative to recess appointments (see H.R. 557), H455 [12FE]
Oaths: require congressional approval prior to changes in oaths for military enlistment, civil service or uniformed services appointments, and appointment as a cadet or midshipman at military service academy (see H.R. 3416), H7053 [13NO]
OMB: rescind certain unobligated discretionary appropriations (see H.R. 828), H1911 [10AP]
Palestinians: restrict funds for the Palestinian Authority (see H.R. 1337), H1822 [21MR]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current individual health insurance coverage in satisfaction of individual health insurance mandate (see H.R. 3350), H6827 [28OC]
——— delay implementation (see H.J. Res. 62), H5547 [12SE]
——— exempt emergency services volunteers from employer health insurance mandate (see H.R. 3685), H7627 [10DE]
——— express that health insurance mandate violates the clause of the Constitution requiring that bills for raising revenue originate in the House of Representatives (see H. Res. 153), H1992 [12AP]
——— modify definition of full-time employee relative to employer health insurance mandate (see H.R. 2575), H4173 [28JN]
——— repeal certain limitations on health care benefits (see H.R. 1248), H1629 [19MR]
Pennsylvania State University: tribute to IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital Four Diamonds Fund (see H. Res. 103), H1320 [6MR]
Power resources: protect the bulk-power system and electric infrastructure critical to the defense and well-being of the U.S. against natural and manmade electromagnetic pulse threats and vulnerabilities (see H.R. 2417), H3758 [18JN]
Public debt: prioritize obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt ceiling is reached (see H.R. 807), H984 [5MR]
Schools: express support for prayer at school board meetings (see H. Res. 250), H3251 [6JN]
Senate: impose additional human rights and economic and financial sanctions to compel Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons (see H. Res. 431), H7566 [5DE]
Special days and holidays: provide that Washington’s Birthday be observed on February 22, rather than the third Monday in February of each year (see H.R. 681), H629 [25FE]
Sudan: develop strategy to end human rights violations, create incentives for governments and persons to end support, and reinvigorate peace efforts (see H.R. 1692), H4827 [19JY]
Syria: establish a Syrian war crimes tribunal (see H. Con. Res. 51), H5434 [9SE]
——— restrict funds relative to escalating U.S. military involvement in Syria (see H.R. 2507), H4078 [26JN]
Taxation: allow a credit against tax for qualified elementary and secondary education tuition (see H.R. 1381), H1824 [21MR]
——— allow transfer of required minimum distributions from a retirement plan to a health savings account (see H.R. 1552), H2438 [6MY]
——— clarify eligibility for the child tax credit (see H.R. 2778), H4856 [22JY]
——— constitutional amendment to limit congressional power to impose a tax on failure to purchase goods or services (see H.J. Res. 28), H1431 [14MR]
——— express that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the economy (see H. Con. Res. 24), H1427 [14MR]
——— extend and modify the railroad track maintenance credit (see H.R. 721), H5767 [19SE]
——— make members of health care sharing ministries eligible to establish health savings accounts (see H.R. 207), H52 [4JA]
——— make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions (see H.R. 2807), H5049 [24JY]
——— permit churches and other houses of worship to engage in political campaigns (see H.R. 127), H5833 [25SE]
——— provide a credit dependent on enactment of State qualified scholarship tax credits and allowed against Federal income tax for charitable contributions to certain education investment organizations (see H.R. 422), H416 [6FE]
——— provide for taxpayers making donations with their income tax returns to the Federal Government to pay down the public debt (see H.R. 1571), H2025 [15AP]
——— repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (see H.R. 2429), H3991 [20JN]
——— repeal estate and gift taxes (see H.R. 483), H504 [13FE]
——— repeal excise tax on medical devices (see H.R. 523), H410 [6FE]
——— repeal the individual and employer health insurance mandates (see H.R. 582), H629 [25FE]
——— require individuals to include their Social Security numbers on the income tax return as a condition of claiming the refundable portion of the child tax credit (see H.R. 556), H1720 [20MR]
——— terminate Internal Revenue Code (see H.R. 352), H278 [23JA]
Telephones: restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property (see H.R. 2309), H3286 [11JN]
U.N. Arms Trade Treaty: oppose (see H. Con. Res. 23), H1911 [10AP]
Unemployment: include discouraged and marginally attached workers in official measure of national unemployment (see H.R. 484), H342 [4FE]
Voting: permit States to require voter registration applicants who use the Federal mail voter registration application form to provide additional information as a condition of acceptance of the form (see H.R. 2403), H3929 [19JN]
World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to the First Special Service Force (see H.R. 324), H1632 [19MR]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs (H.R. 2642), call on conferees to restore Dept. of Agriculture authority to manage sugar supplies throughout the year (see H. Res. 378), H6545 [11OC]
——— reform sugar price support program (see H.R. 693), H545 [14FE]
Dept. of Education: increase percentage of Federal education tax dollars spent in classrooms (see H.R. 2963), H5344 [1AU]
Dept. of HHS: reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (see H.R. 297), H170 [15JA]
——— transfer Prevention and Public Health Fund funds to extend the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan and eliminate uninsured time requirement for the Plan (see H.R. 1549), H2024 [15AP]
Families and domestic relations: recognize contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, support responsible fatherhood, and encourage greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children (see H. Res. 263), H3653 [14JN]
India: praise religious diversity and commitment to tolerance and equality, and reaffirm need to protect the rights and freedoms of religious minorities (see H. Res. 417), H7187 [18NO]
Investments: establish and provide for the treatment of Individual Development Accounts (see H.R. 2964), H5344 [1AU]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund (see H.R. 1099), H1357 [12MR]
Sports: improve integrity and safety of interstate horseracing (see H.R. 2012), H2716 [16MY]
Taxation: allow nontaxable employer matching contributions to section 529 college savings plans (see H.R. 2965), H5344 [1AU]
White Clay Creek: designate additional segments and tributaries as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System (see H.R. 869), H701 [27FE]
Constitutional authority statements
Agriculture: reform sugar price support program (H.R. 693), H548 [14FE]
Dept. of Education: increase percentage of Federal education tax dollars spent in classrooms (H.R. 2963), H5347 [1AU]
Dept. of HHS: reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (H.R. 297), H172 [15JA]
——— transfer Prevention and Public Health Fund funds to extend the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan and eliminate uninsured time requirement for the Plan (H.R. 1549), H2026 [15AP]
Investments: establish and provide for the treatment of Individual Development Accounts (H.R. 2964), H5347 [1AU]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund (H.R. 1099), H1359 [12MR]
Sports: improve integrity and safety of interstate horseracing (H.R. 2012), H2718 [16MY]
Taxation: allow nontaxable employer matching contributions to section 529 college savings plans (H.R. 2965), H5347 [1AU]
White Clay Creek: designate additional segments and tributaries as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System (H.R. 869), H702 [27FE]
Cost Estimates
National Pediatric Research Network Act (H.R. 225): CBO, H324 [4FE]
Letters
Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act: Tom McClusky, Family Research Council, H470 [13FE]
HIV Organ Policy Equity Act: Representative Goodlatte, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H6970 [12NO]
——— Representative Upton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H6970 [12NO]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act advertising campaign by ProgressNow Colorado (organization): Julie Welch, E1853• [12DE]
U.S. policy in Egypt: American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, E1095• [18JY]
Remarks
Agriculture: reauthorize certain programs (H.R. 1947), H3934, H3937 [20JN]
——— reauthorize certain programs (H.R. 2642), call on conferees to restore Dept. of Agriculture authority to manage sugar supplies throughout the year (H. Res. 378), H6520, H6527 [11OC]
——— reauthorize certain programs (H.R. 2642), call on conferees to restore Dept. of Agriculture authority to manage sugar supplies throughout the year (H. Res. 378), consideration (H. Res. 380), H6506 [11OC]
——— reform sugar price support program, H3934, H3937 [20JN], H6527 [11OC]
Appropriations: making continuing (H.J. Res. 59), Senate amendment, H8081, H8082 [12DE]
Armed Forces: appropriate funds necessary to ensure that members and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay for active service during a Government shutdown, H5844 [26SE]
——— appropriate funds necessary to ensure that members and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay for active service during a Government shutdown (H.R. 3210), H6426 [9OC]
——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (H.J. Res. 91), H6426 [9OC]
Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2013–2023, H8081, H8082 [12DE]
Burma: human rights violations, H3027 [4JN]
——— U.S. policy, E1903• [19DE]
Dept. of HHS: establish a National Pediatric Research Network, H6964 [12NO]
——— establish a National Pediatric Research Network (H.R. 225), H322, H324 [4FE]
——— establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative, H4149 [28JN]
——— establish safeguards and standards of quality for research and transplantation of organs infected with HIV (S. 330), H6969, H6970 [12NO]
——— reauthorize certain programs to protect against pandemics and attacks from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons (H.R. 307), H187, H197, H199 [22JA]
——— reauthorize certain programs to protect against pandemics and attacks from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons (H.R. 307), Senate amendment, H823, H832, H835 [4MR]
——— reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (H.R. 297), H319 [4FE]
——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 252), H6964 [12NO]
Disasters: clarify that houses of worship are eligible for certain disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities (H.R. 592), H470 [13FE]
Economy: impact of budget sequestration, H639 [26FE]
Egypt: U.S. policy, E1094• [18JY]
FDA: making continuing appropriations (H.J. Res. 77), H6328 [7OC]
——— reauthorize user fee programs relating to new animal drugs and generic new animal drugs (S. 622), H2992 [3JN]
——— strengthen and secure the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain to protect consumers from counterfeit pharmaceuticals, H5961 [28SE]
——— strengthen and secure the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain to protect consumers from counterfeit pharmaceuticals (H.R. 1919), H2980 [3JN]
——— strengthen regulation of compounding drugs by pharmacies, H5961 [28SE]
——— strengthen regulation of human drug compounding and drug supply chain security (H.R. 3204), H5961 [28SE]
Gosnell, Kermit: trial of women’s health clinic doctor for murder and violation of State law forbidding late term abortions, H1936 [11AP]
Government: shutdown relative to budget process, H6328 [7OC], H6426 [9OC]
Health: protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services and prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities (H.R. 940), H3348 [12JN]
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act: repeal health-care related provisions (H.R. 45), H2683 [16MY]
Insurance: condition provision of health insurance premium and cost-sharing subsidies upon a certification that a program to verify household income and other qualifications for such subsidies is operational (H.R. 2775), H5518 [12SE]
Medicare: reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, H8081, H8082 [12DE]
Moldova: prevent escalation of conflict with Transnistria, protect European Union accession aspirations, and ensure peaceful reintegration, E1053• [11JY]
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: advertising campaign by ProgressNow Colorado (organization), H7698 [12DE], E1853• [12DE]
——— delay implementation of the employer health insurance mandate, H4179 [8JY]
——— delay implementation of the employer health insurance mandate (H.R. 2667), H4552 [17JY]
——— delay implementation of the individual health insurance mandate (H.R. 2668), H4552 [17JY]
——— impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, H1579 [19MR]
——— implementation, H4094 [27JN], H4319 [10JY], H4990 [24JY]
——— repeal (H.R. 45), H2683 [16MY]
Sein, Thein: U.S. visit by Burmese President, H3027 [4JN]
Veterans: making continuing appropriations for benefits (H.J. Res. 72), H6120 [2OC]
Tributes
Boggs, Temar, H4730 [19JY], E1105• [19JY]
Chen Guangcheng, H957 [5MR]