H.R. 2729 - To authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy. This bill would authorize $175 million over a five year period for the seven National Environmental Research Parks (NERPs) at the Department of Energy (DOE) sites. NERPs are outdoor laboratories that provide opportunities for environmental studies on protected lands around DOE facilities. Their mission is to research a range of subjects including, wildlife biology, ecology, climate change effects, environmental remediation, and maintenance of freshwater ecosystems. The reauthorization allows the Secretary of Energy to enter into cooperative agreements with a university or consortium of universities with expertise in ecology and environmental science of the region in which the National Environmental Research Park is located. In addition, the bill now requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted at the park and to educate students at various levels in environmental science. COST: Authorizes $175 million over five years; CBO estimates the bill would cost the federal government $143 million over the FY 2010 – 2014 and $32 million after 2014. NO – The bill passed 330 – 96.

H.R. 3183 - Energy and Water Appropriations Act of FY 2010. The bill provides $33.3 billion in total funding. This is funding in addition to the $38.7 billion provided to the Department of Energy (DOE) in the “stimulus” bill. This bill provides DOE with $26.9 billion. The bill increases research and development for both renewable energy and nuclear power, while supporting clean coal initiatives and other clean technologies, such as geothermal, solar and wind power. The bill restores the Next Generation Nuclear Plant program, which will receive $245 million. The bill also includes additional funding for the Fusion Energy Sciences program within the Office of Science. The bill contains $196.8 million for the Yucca Mountain repository, which is a significant cut to the Yucca Mountain program, essentially terminating the program. $43 million is included in the bill to administer the Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, which funds investments in renewable and low-emissions energy. The bill provides $5.5 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers. This will help address water needs across this country, including flood and storm damage reduction, navigation projects, hydropower projects, and ecosystem restoration. The bill contains $1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation at the Department of Interior. This funding is intended to help manage, develop and protect our nation’s water resources. NO – The bill passed 320 – 97.

Berman Amendment to H.R. 2410 – the Foreign Relations Authorization Act - This manager’s amendment 1) Includes language stating that “Nothing in this section….shall be construed as affecting in any way existing statutory prohibitions against abortion or existing statutory prohibitions on the use of funds to engage in any activity or effort to alter the laws or policies in effect in any foreign country concerning the circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or prohibited.”  I am opposed to this language because it does nothing to correct the language in the underlying bill promoting oversees abortion.  2) Adds language regarding the death gratuity payment for surviving dependents if the FSO is killed by a terrorist act; 3) Adds a sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should appoint a coordinator to help implement the International Nuclear Fuel Bank to ensure countries have a supply of fuel for nuclear energy and do not have to enrich uranium.  The amendment establishes fines and imprisonment sentences for violations of this; 4) Requires a report on plans of agencies or departments to streamline US export controls; 5) Increases penalties for illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons to countries in the Western Hemisphere; 6) Authorizes the Secretary of State to develop and implement a system to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of US foreign assistance; and 7) Includes a statement of Congress on the 26-year conflict in Sri Lanka.  NO – The amendment passed 257-171.

Kratovil Amendment to H.R. 2352 - This amendment would establish a Rural Entrepreneurship Advisory Council comprised of a number of federal agencies and representatives from the academic, small business, agriculture, and high-tech communities.  The council is required to provide a report to Congress on how to provide advice and recommendations to foster rural entrepreneurship.  YES – The amendment passed 427-0.

H.R. 2101 - Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act of 2009.  This bill would make several changes to the acquisition procedures of how DOD acquires Major Defense Acquisition Programs. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary to appoint officials to report to Congress on the acquisition functions of cost estimation, systems engineering, and performance assessments. The legislation also sets mandates to establish additional reviews, recommendations, and notifications to Congress for programs that have cost overruns of 25% or more. According to the GAO, DOD has $296 billion of cost growth on 96 major weapons systems. It is anticipated by the bills authors that just a small improvement in limiting cost overruns would save taxpayers billions. YES – This bill passed 428 – 0. 

H.R. 1728 - Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act – I supported this bill because it prohibits many of the mortgage lending practices that marked the subprime lending boom. This bill seeks to curb abusive and predatory lending by requiring the licensing and registration of all mortgage lenders and by requiring that lenders establish that borrowers have a “reasonable ability” make payments both during any discount introductory period and after their rates rise to market levels. This bill includes language requiring refinanced loans to have a "net tangible benefit" for borrowers, and it applies legal liability to others who assume ownership of a mortgage, typically known as assignees. CBO estimates that H.R. 1728, as reported from the Financial Services Committee, would authorize appropriations of $419 million over the FY2009-FY2014 period. The bill would also increase mandatory spending by $13 million over five years. Lastly, the bill would increase revenues by $13 million over five years. YES – The bill passed 300-114.

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H.R. 1913 - Hate Crimes Legislation - I voted against this bill because to me, all violent crimes are, in effect, hate crimes. This legislation amends the federal criminal code to punish those who commit crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. While I agree that crimes engendered by racism and bigotry are detestable, I remain opposed to hate crimes legislation. As a practicing attorney, I simply cannot support any effort that would classify crimes against one class of individuals as more important or more egregious than those against another class.

H.Res. 273 - Recognizing the 188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy - This resolution costs nothing and extends best wishes to the people of Greece on the 188th anniversary of Greek independence. It expresses support for Greek democracy and notes the political importance of Greece in Europe. YES – The resolution passed unanimously.

S. 383 - Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act – This bill expands the authority of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Special Inspector General (SIG) that was established to oversee how TARP funds are spent. It would allow the SIG to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations on TARP. The legislation would also grant the SIG with authority to hire up to 25 retired inspectors general as auditors. S. 383 has no budgetary impact. YES –The bill passed unanimously.