Accomplishments of the 109th Congress – Second Session, So Far

Accomplishments of the 109th Congress - Second Session, So Far

With two-thirds of the year, as well as the second session of the 109th Congress behind us, it is an opportune time to examine what the U.S. House of Representatives has accomplished, so far, this year. The legislation I am writing about are all bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which I supported.

Strengthening National Security and Keeping the Homeland Safer: When I voted to approve the Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 5631), the Military Quality of Life-Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 5385), and the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5122), it keeps our nation safer, and also advances the important work being done at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. These bills each provide critical funding for the research being done at Wright-Patterson.

I voted for a resolution that declared the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror and the struggle to protect freedom from our terrorist adversaries (H. Res. 861). The debate reminded the country of what drew us together on 9/11 and that our enemies are terrorists that if given the chance will kill innocent civilians.

When America learned that a company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), received permission from an Executive Branch panel to gain operating control of several American seaports, the House moved to block the sale (H.R. 4939). Further, I introduced the Reciprocity and Fairness in Foreign Investment Act (H.R. 4959).

Improving the Economy: The Pension Protection Act (H.R. 4) and the Estate Tax and Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5638). The Pension Protection Act establishes new standards for employer-defined pension plans. American families who are investing in their employer's pension plans must have the economic security of knowing those funds will be there when they retire.

The Estate Tax and Tax Relief Act would offer relief from the "Death Tax." This tax is particularly burdensome for farmers and small businesses because most have the entire value of their businesses and farms in their estates. The threat of the Death Tax forced small-business owners to pay for expensive estate planning if they want to keep their business in the family. One such business is Ross Motor Cars, in Centerville. Jenell Ross, VP of the company, told her family's compelling story before a Senate panel recently. This bill would increase the amount that would not be subject to the Death Tax, but does not eliminate it completely.

Another major milestone was voting to raise the minimum wage for the first time in over nine years. We have been hearing that the minimum wage needed to be increased and I was proud to vote to raise it from $5.15 to $7.25 over the next several years. At a time when American families are struggling to make ends meet, the vote to increase the minimum wage was one of the most important of the year.

A Viable Comprehensive Energy Plan: America needs a comprehensive energy plan that allows responsible energy exploration and increases our supply, while encouraging conservation and increasing alternative and renewable energy sources. Recently, I voted for, and the House passed, a number of bills that accomplish these goals. Only by acting on each of these goals can the U.S. lower its dependence on Middle Eastern and other foreign sources of oil.

The Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (H.R. 4761) promotes responsible new oil and gas exploration off the nation's coasts. The states can decide whether or not they want to allow exploration, and will receive a significant share of revenues generated by the leases. This is an incentive for the states to permit exploration.

The American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act (H.R. 5429) would open up a small portion of the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to responsible energy exploration. The Energy Information Administration reports that ANWR could produce nearly 1.5 million barrels daily for approximately 30 years. For comparison, that is about the same amount of oil as the U.S. currently imports from Saudi Arabia.

A new refinery hasn't been built in the U.S. in over 30 years. The Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act (H.R. 5254) will help make the process easier for states that would like to build new refineries.

It is equally important to conserve energy and develop alternative and renewable sources of energy. The H-Prize Act (H.R. 5143) creates up to $40 million in government-awarded cash prizes for overcoming scientific and technical barriers associated with hydrogen energy, and advancing the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies.

The Expanding Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels Act (H.R. 5534) would help those developing alternative fuels. This legislation directs the Secretary of Energy to create a fund that uses the fines and other money collected from violations of the corporate average fuel economy program and grants them to programs designed to expand the infrastructure necessary to increase the availability of alternative fuels.

Space limitations prevent me from writing about more than just a handful of the legislation that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed in the first two-thirds of 2006. We have accomplished a great deal to move Ohio and America forward, to improve our economy, reduce our dependence on Middle-Eastern and other foreign oil, and keep our homeland safe.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/8.11.06.shtml