Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Rep. Speier’s First Week:  Help for Taxpayers, Students

Washington, DC – Freshly elected 12th District Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D- San Francisco/San Mateo) jumped right into her new job by casting votes on important legislation to ease burdens on American taxpayers, crack down on wasteful government spending and help safeguard student loans.

Less than 48 hours after winning the April 8 special election to fill the vacancy left by Congressman Tom Lantos’ death, Speier was sworn into Congress by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D- San Francisco) and moments later cast her first votes.

HR 5719 bans the use of private contractors to collect IRS debts, a program that since 2006 has cost the government $36 million more than it brought in.  “This is a prime example of what happens when we privatize government services without staying vigilant to the actual cost to taxpayers,” Speier said.

The bill also cracked down on foreign-based subsidiaries of American companies that dodge Social Security and employment taxes while performing U.S. government contracts.  The provision was inspired by Kellogg Brown Root, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, which used the loophole with its contracts in Iraq.

H.R. 5715, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act, guarantees that federal student loans will be available even if there is further turmoil in the financial markets.  “This important bill increases the amount students can borrow to reflect the rising cost of tuition and gives parents more time to pay off the loans,” Speier said.  “It also takes into account the current mortgage crisis by guaranteeing that a student’s loan will be safe in the extent that his or her parents become delinquent on their home loans.”

Congresswoman Speier also added her name as a co-sponsor to the following bills:

• Armenia Genocide Resolution (H Res 106) – Affirms the US record on the 1915 killing of 1.5 million Armenians.
• Alice Paul (HR 406) – Supports the posthumous presentation of a congressional gold medal in commemoration of Alice Paul, recognizing her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women.
• “Michelle’s Law” (HR 2851) – Allows students to take up to 12 months medical leave and remain eligible for insurance coverage.
• Communist Chinese Olympic Accountability Act (HR 5668) – Prohibits the use of taxpayer funds by a federal government official to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, except for an individual who is a member of the U.S. Olympic Team or who is serving in a medical or security capacity on behalf of the Team.
• Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 (HR 5057) - Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for DNA analysis grants through FY2014.
• Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act (HR 1038) – Provides for the licensing of comparable and interchangeable biological products, known as bio-generics and bio-pharmaceuticals.
• Call Center Consumer’s Right to Know Act (HR 1776) – Requires call center employees to indicate their location at the beginning of every telephone call they make or receive.
• Condemning China’s Business Practices (H Res 925) – Holds China accountable for its unacceptable business practices, including the manufacture and exportation of unsafe products, casual disregard for the environment and exploitative employment practices.
• Supporting National train Day (H Res 1085) – Celebrates the 139th anniversary of the “golden spike” marking the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
• Cell Tax Fairness Act (HR 5793) – Calling for a 5-year hiatus on any new discriminatory wireless tax or fee.

###