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Judy's Legislative AccomplishmentsA listing of Judy's legislative achievements during the 106-109th Congresses.Cyber Tipline (106th Congress – 1999) Sponsored H.R. 2708 – Bill to amend Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, which was incorporated in H.R. 3194 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2000 Details: Requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report all incidences of child pornography to one central clearinghouse, the CyberTipline, which was created by Congress in 1997, is run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Status: H.R. 3194 signed into law on November 29, 1999 – Public Law No: 106-113. Biggert language retained.
Club Drugs (106th Congress – 2000) Sponsored H.R. 4553 – Club Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000, which was incorporated into H.R. 4365 – Children's Health Act of 2000 Details: Would increase penalties for the trafficking of ecstasy and related drugs so that they mirror the severity of the penalties associated with methamphetamine trafficking. In addition, it authorized $10 million for a school- and community-based information campaign on Ecstasy and related drugs, and for abuse and addiction prevention programs. Status: H.R. 4365 was signed into law on October 17, 2000 – Public Law No: 106-310. Biggert language retained.
Breast Cancer (106th Congress – 2000) Secured funding for DuPage County breast cancer study included in H.R. 4577 – Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001. Details: $92, 000 appropriated for DuPage County breast cancer study* Status: H.R. 4577 was signed into law on December 21, 2000 – Public Law No: 106-554. Biggert language retained. *Funding later returned to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for a number of reasons, including a hiring freeze by Govs. Ryan and later Blagojevich. Prevented DuPage for ever hiring staff to utilize the grant.
Office of Science and Argonne National Laboratory (106th through 109th Congress – 1999 to Present*) Secured funding increases for basic science research. *Multiple bills Biggert sponsored bills: H.R. 5270 – Energy and Science Research Investment Act (107th Congress) H.R. 34 – Energy and Science Research Investment Act (108th Congress); Provisions incorporated into H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2003. H.R. 610 – Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005 (109th Congress); Incorporated into H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005, which became P.L. 109-58. H.R, 5656 – Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006 (109th Congress); passed Science Committee, revised and reintroduced as H.R. 6203, passed the House of Representatives September 29, 2006 H.R. 6203 – Alternative Energy Research and Development Act (109th Congress); Revised version of H.R. 5656, passed the House of Representatives September 29, 2006 Details: DOE’s Office of Science, the nation’s primary supporter of research in the physical sciences, has spent over $600 million annually in Illinois in recent years, approximately $550 million of which has gone to Argonne and Fermilab. Approximately half of the federal investment in research and development in Illinois comes from the Department of Energy and is spent at Argonne and Fermilab. Only California receives more money from the DOE Office of Science. Women’s Caucus (106th through 109th Congress – 1999 to Present) 107th CongressRepublican Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues (1999-2000). 109th Congress Republican Co-Chair of the Women in Business Task Force of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (2005-present).
Pro-Choice Caucus (106th through 109th Congress – 1999 to Present) 109th Congress Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus (2005-present) Other 109th Co-Chairs: Reps. Rob Simmons (R-CT), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Homeless Education (107th Congress – 2001) Sponsored H.R. 623 – McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act of 2001, which was incorporated in H.R. 1 – No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Status: H.R. 1 signed into law on January 8, 2002 – Public Law No: 107-110. Biggert bill language retained.
Unaccompanied Youth Amendment (109th Congress – 2006) Biggert unaccompanied youth floor amendment included in H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005 (Higher Education Reauthorization bill). Details: Amendment would give homeless youth access to student aid as other students. Biggert’s amendment addresses existing barriers by allowing unaccompanied homeless youth to be considered “independent students” upon verification of their living situation by a McKinney-Vento Act school district liaison, a shelter director, or a financial aid administrator. As an independent student, an unaccompanied homeless youth also would not be required to provide parental income information or a parent signature on their FAFSA form. Status: H.R. 609 passed the House on March 30, 2006 by a vote of 221-199.
Welfare Reform – Child Care (107th and 108th Congress – 2002 through 2003) Helped to secure $2 billion for state child care block grants in H.R. 4737, the Work, Opportunity, and Responsibility for Kids Act of 2002 (WORK) and H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone Act Details: Biggert and a number of other women Members of Congress worked to secure an additional $2 billion for state child care block grants, bringing the total, five-year investment in child care block grants to $28 billion in both H.R. 4737, the Work, Opportunity, and Responsibility for Kids Act of 2002 (WORK) in the 107th Congress and H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone Act in the 108th Congress. Status: H.R. 4737 passed the House by a vote of 229 – 197 on May 16, 2002. Never moved in Senate; H.R. 4 passed the House by a vote of 230-192 on February 13, 2003. Senate failed to invoke cloture, 51-47, on April 1, 2004.
Corporate Accountability (107th Congress – 2002) Two Biggert provisions included in H.R. 3763, the Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act – the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Details: The two Biggert provisions provide for: 1) disgorgement: corporate executives must give back ill-gotten gains, including stock profits or bonuses based on earnings that later are restated; and 2) disbarment: those who engage in wrongdoing on one corporate board must never serve on another corporate board. Status: H.R. 3763 signed into law on July 30, 2002 – P.L. 107-204. Biggert provisions retained.
Math and Science Education Teacher Training (107th through 109th Congress – 2001 to Present) Biggert worked to authorize $450 million ($50 million per year) included in H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act, for enhanced math and science teacher training. Increases in funding included in subsequent fiscal years at Biggert’s request. Status: H.R. 1 signed into law on January 8, 2002 – Public Law No: 107-110. Biggert language retained.
Chicago Marine Safety Station (107th through 109th Congress – 2001 to 2005) Secured authorization and funding for federal contribution to renovation of the old Coast Guard station across from Navy Pier. Before 9/11, Biggert advocated the Coast Guard’s return to Lake Michigan. Coast Guard Marine Rescue Station on the Chicago lakefront opened October 2005. *Multiple bills
Asian Carp Barrier (107th through 109th Congress – 2002 to Present) Secured funding and authorization language for original demonstration barrier and construction of new permanent barrier to keep Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. *Multiple bills Details: Most recently, authorization included in Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to operate both barriers at full federal expense, saving State of Illinois money. At Biggert’s request, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee included language in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2005 (Section 3051 of H.R. 2864) that would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to upgrade and make permanent the original dispersal barrier on the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal to keep the Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes, and to operate the upgraded original barrier and the new permanent barrier as a system at full federal expense. The Senate WRDA bill contains a similar provision (Section 5005 of S. 728); it passed the Senate on July 16, 2006. The House appointed Conferees on September 14, 2006.
U.S. – Chile Free Trade (108th Congress – 2003) Lead Republican Whip for H.R. 2738 – United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Details: The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement immediately eliminated Chile's six percent tariff on more than 85 percent of U.S. exports to that country. Tariffs on the remaining products will be phased out over four to twelve years. Status: H.R. 2738 was signed into law on September 3, 2003 – Public Law No: 108-77
Research and Development Caucus (108th through 109th Congress – 2003 to Present) Founder and Co-Chair of the Research and Development Caucus with Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) (108th – 2003) Sponsored H.R. 2990 – Financial Literacy Education Commission bill (FLEC) Language from H.R. 2990 was incorporated in H.R. 2622 – Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). Details: A bill to establish a Commission to Educate our Nation's Teachers and Students on Financial Literacy Skills. Commission named Financial Literacy Education Commission (FLEC). and Biggert “Reconciling and Resolving” amendment in the Financial Services Committee (full committee) Amendment agreed to by voice vote Details: As drafted, the bill would have required credit reporting agencies to notify a person requesting a credit report of any address discrepancy and would have imposed the new burden of requiring the credit reporting agency to reconcile that discrepancy within thirty days. It was offered and withdrawn at the subcommittee level. The amendment was modified before the full committee mark up. Biggert offered the modified version at the full committee. and Biggert “Police Report” amendment Details: As drafted, the bill would have prohibited a furnisher from providing information to a consumer reporting agency if the furnisher knows, or “has reasonable cause to believe” the information is the result of identity theft. The Biggert “Police Report” amendment would have required a police report to be provided as the reasonable cause. The amendment was filed but not offered at the subcommittee level. The language was included in the manager’s amendment before the full committee mark-up. Status: H.R. 2622 (FACTA) signed into law on December 4, 2003 – Public Law No: 108-159. FLEC language retained.
ChicagoFIRST – Financial Preparedness (108th Congress – 2004) Biggert amendment included in H.R. 10 – 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act Details: Amendment recognizes the importance of disaster preparedness within the financial services industry and commends the Treasury Department for working closely on response initiatives with state and local governments and regional and public-private partnerships, such as ChicagoFIRST. ChicagoFIRST as an innovative coalition of members of the Chicago financial services sector focused on emergency preparedness and response, the first partnership of its kind. Status: H.R. 10 signed into law on December 17, 2004 – Public Law 108-458. Biggert amendment retained.
Congressional Caucus on the Judicial Branch (108th and 109th Congress – 2004 to Present) Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on the Judicial Branch with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Supercomputing Bill (108th Congress – 2004) Sponsored H.R. 4516 – Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 Details: A bill to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by revitalizing domestic computing capabilities and supporting the development of the world's fastest supercomputers. Bill established a research and development (R&D) program within the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop new, record-breaking computing capabilities and also authorized DOE to establish supercomputer user facilities that will provide U.S. researchers access to some of the world's most advanced computers on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. Status: H.R. 4516 signed into law on November 30, 2004 – Public Law No: 108-423
Church Pension Bill (108th Congress – 2004) Sponsored H.R. 1533 – Amends the securities laws to permit church pension plans to be invested in collective trusts. Details: Amended a provision in the securities law that prohibits thousands of church pension plans from participating in collective trusts. Collective trusts will allow pension plans to pool their assets to share risk and transaction costs with other plans. Status: H.R. 1533 signed into law on October 25, 2004 – Public Law No: 108-359
UNIFEM (108th Congress – 2004) Secured funding for UNIFEM and UNIFEM Trust Fund. Doubled funding for UNIFEM from $1 million to $2 million and appropriated $1 million for the UNIFEM Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. Funding included in H.R. 4818 – Consolidated Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2005 Status: H.R. 4818 signed into law on December 8, 2004 – Public Law No: 108-447
Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (108th Congress – 2003) Biggert amendment H.AMDT.103 to H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. Biggert amendment agreed to in House by voice vote on May 1, 2003 Details: States that the World Bank, or the IBID, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is the trustee for contributions made by sovereign nations; and expresses the sense of Congress that the President should conduct an outreach campaign to inform the public of the existence of the Global Fund and encourage private contributions to the Global Fund by establishing and operating an Internet website and making public service announcements. Status: H.R. 1298 signed into law on May 27, 2003 –Public Law No: 108-25. Biggert amendment retained.
International Development Assistance (108th Congress – 2003) H.AMDT.311 to H.R. 2800, the Fiscal Year 2004 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Biggert amendment agreed to by voice vote on July 23, 2003. Details: Allows for the continued U.S. participation in and contributions to the World Bank's International Development Association, the Asian Development Fund and the African Development Fund and includes detailed provisions to expand and deepen the U.S. transparency agenda with regard to multinational banks. The money had been appropriated but not authorized. Status: H.R. 2673 rolled into FY04 Omnibus Appropriations package, H.R. 2673, which was signed into law on January 23, 2004 – Public Law No: 108-199. Biggert amendment retained
IDEA (108th Congress – 2004) Biggert amendment to H.R. 1350, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) Amendment adopted by voice vote in Education Reform Subcommittee on April 2, 2003. Details: Amendment required schools to develop plans for students with disabilities who do not have permanent addresses due to homelessness Status: H.R. 1350 was signed into law on December 3, 2004 – Public Law No: 108-446. Biggert amendment retained.
Pledge Protection (108th and 109th Congress – 2004 and 2006) Biggert offered amendment to H.R. 2028, the Pledge Protection Act of 2004. Rules accepted identical amendment H.AMDT.775 offered by Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) Watt amendment failed in the House by a vote of 202-217 on September 23, 2004. Details: Amendment would restore to the bill the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over questions related to the Pledge of Allegiance. Status: Biggert voted against H.R. 2028, which passed the House by a vote of 247-173 on September 23, 2004. It never moved in the Senate.
Local Transportation Funding (109th Congress – 2005) Secured $12.828 million for 13th District transportation projects in H.R. 3, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) Details: The highlight was $4.4 million for I–55 widening/interchange construction. Status: H.R. 3 was signed into law on August 10, 2005 – Public Law No: 109-59
VAWA Reauthorization (109th Congress – 2005 and 2006) Authored provision included in H.R. 2876 –Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005 Details: Biggert provision requires an analysis of gender-specific services for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency, including the types of such services available and the need for such services. Status: H.R. 2876 was included in the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act for FY 2006 through 2009, which was signed into law on January 5, 2006 – Public Law No: 109-162.
Energy Research and Development (109th Congress – 2005 to present*) * Multiple bills Biggert sponsored bills: H.R. 610 – Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005 incorporated as Title IX (R&D Title) of H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005 Details: Research and Development (R&D) title of H.R. 6. Title IX supports the research and deployment of next-generation energy technologies and the basic research underpinning those technologies. Status: H.R. 6 signed into law on August 8, 2005 – Public Law No: 109-58. Biggert title IX language retained. H.R.5656 – Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006 Details: H.R. 5656 supports the development of: biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks, or feedstocks other than corn; technologies for hydrogen storage onboard vehicles; and new materials to enable the widespread use of solar and wind power. H.R. 5656 also supports energy efficient building incentives; deployment of solar cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which can go 20 to 40 miles without using gasoline; recycling nuclear waste into fuel and demonstrating clean coal technologies; and creating a “cooperative extension” program to encourage the use of new energy technologies. Status: Passed by the Science Committee June 27, 2006; Revised and reintroduced as H.R. 6203, which passed the House of Representatives September 29, 2006 H.R. 6203 – Alternative Energy Research and Development Act Details: A revised version of H.R. 5656, H.R. 6203 supports the development of: biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks, or feedstocks other than corn; technologies for hydrogen storage onboard vehicles; and new materials to enable the widespread use of solar and wind power. H.R. 6203 also supports energy efficient building incentives; deployment of solar cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which can go 20 to 40 miles without using gasoline; a cooperative extension program for energy and efficiency technologies, patterned after the successful agricultural extension programs that aided farmers in incorporating advanced technologies in food production; energy technology and energy efficiency education and outreach programs; research on coal methanation, or converting coal into pipeline quality gaseous fuels; development of materials that can be added to biobased fuels and ultra low sulfur diesel fuels to make them more compatible with existing fuel storage and delivery infrastructure; research on using biomass to make bioplastics and other products. Status: Passed by the House of Representatives September 29, 2006.
Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus (109th Congress – 2005) Founder and Co-Chair of Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus with Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) Currently has 78 bipartisan members.
Afghan Women (108th Congress – 2003) Secured funding in H.J.Res. 2 – Consolidated Appropriations Resolution for Fiscal Year 2003 for Afghan women’s centers. Details: Biggert led the effort to secure $5 million in federal funds for women’s centers throughout Afghanistan where women can receive health care, education and job training assistance. Status: H.J.Res. 2 signed into law on February 20, 2003 – Public Law No: 108-7. Funding retained.
Sponsored H. Res. 393 – Women’s rights in new Constitution of Afghanistan Details: Commended Afghan women for their participation in Afghan government and civil society, encouraged the inclusion of Afghan women in the political and economic life of Afghanistan, and advocated the protection of Afghan women's human rights in the Afghanistan Constitution. Status: Passed the House by a vote of 414 – 1 on November 11, 2003.
Life Insurance Awareness Month (108th and 109th Congress) Sponsored H.Con.Res. 461 (108th Congress 2004), H.Con.Res. 181 (109th Congress 2005) and H.Res. 912 (109th Congress 2006) – Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month (September 2004, 2005, 2006) Status: H. Con. Res 461 passed the House by voice vote on September 28, 2004. No action taken in Senate. H.Con.Res.181 passed the House by 377-4 on July 25, 2005. No action taken in the Senate. H. Res. 912 passed the House by voice vote on September 6, 2006. Similar legislation passed the Senate on September 6, 2006.
Financial Literacy Month (108th and 109th Congress – 2004 and 2005) Sponsored H.Res. 578 (108th Congress 2004), H.Res. 148 (109th Congress 2005), H.Res. 737 (109th Congress 2006) – Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Financial Literacy Month (April 2004, 2005, 2006) Details: H.Res. 578 passed the House by a vote of 391-0 on April 27, 2004. H.Res. 148 passed House by vote of 409-2 on April 6, 2005. H.Res. 737 passed the House by a vote of 423 to 1 on April 6, 2006.
Head Start Reauthorization (109th Congress – 2005) Biggert amendment to H.R. 2123, the School Readiness Act of 2005 (Head Start reauthorization) Adopted in Ed-Workforce Committee by voice vote on May 18, 2005. Details: Amendment would give Head Start Centers the flexibility to use open slots for the Early Head Start Program, which would allow them to meet more infant childcare needs and reduce waiting lists for Early Start programs. Status: H.R. 2123 passed the House by a vote of 231-184 on September 22, 2005. Currently in Senate.
Job Training Improvement Act (109th Congress – 2005) Biggert language included in text of H.R. 27, the Job Training Improvement Act of 2005. Details: Biggert language would encourage states to designate as eligible training providers those who offer participants a certification, certificate, or mastery. She also got report language included that encourages states to examine whether providers of training offer the opportunity to obtain an industry-developed and maintained certification or credential. Status: H.R. 27 passed the House by a vote of 224-200 on March 2, 2005. Bill remains in Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
GSE Bright Line (109th Congress – 2005) Negotiated “bright line” language in H.R. 1461, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005 Details: “Bright line” language preserved the legality of Government Sponsored Enterprises’ automated underwriting systems, which contain algorithms that streamline the home loan approval process for consumers, loan originators, and the GSEs. Status: H.R. 1461 passed the House by a vote of 331 to 90 on October 26, 2005. Bill remains in Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Emergency FLEC Meeting (109th Congress – 2005) Biggert authored an emergency letter to Treasury Secretary Snow after Hurricane Katrina. Letter sent in September 2005. Details: Biggert letter was sent with signatures from 29 other Members of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus to request that Secretary Snow convene an emergency meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) to help hurricane victims become financially stable. The letter resulted in Treasury convening an emergency FLEC meeting, organizing 20 federal agencies’ efforts, providing FEMA with support, and hurricane victims with (1) counselors on-location and via phone and (2) paper and electronic financial recovery information. Status: Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) met on September 20, 2005, identifying needs met and further action required.
Excellence in Economic Education (EEE) (109th Congress – 2005) Secured $1.4732 million for the Excellence in Economic Education (EEE) program. in H.R. 3010, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006. Status: H.R. 3010 signed into law on December 30, 2005 – Public Law No: 109-149
No School Voucher Program (109th Congress – 2006) Biggert strongly opposed the Family Education Reimbursement Act (FERA), which would have created the first national school voucher program. Biggert promoted the use of existing, time-tested programs to help children affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. Biggert helped defeat FERA in the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Details: FERA would have used the disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a backdoor to creating the first national school voucher program. FERA would have sidestepped existing programs and time tested delivery mechanisms such as the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program and IDEA’s Equitable Participation mechanism which could quickly and easily address the current crisis for both public and private schools. Instead FERA would have created an untested, unprecedented, and unneeded no-bid voucher system. Status: FERA failed in committee and as a result was not included in H.R. 4241, the House version of the Deficit Reduction Act.
Regulatory Relief (109th Congress – 2006) Succeeded in securing Section 209 of the House regulatory relief bill. The section states that agents selling bank products of entities that are regulated by the OTS are not required to be registered and regulated by state securities regulators as well. Status: H.R. 3505 passed the House by a vote of 415-2 on March 28, 2006. Section 209 was not included in a scaled down version that passed the Senate and ultimately passed the House without change.
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