111th Congress: Action on Criminal Justice & the Courts

During the 111th Congress, I have agreed to co-sponsor the following selected measures which deal with criminal justice issues and our nation's courts. This is not a comprehensive list of all the legislation I have co-sponsored related to crime and courts. You can view a comprehensive list at the Legislation Co-Sponsored Section of this site or through the Library of Congress Thomas site.

Legislation I have supported includes:

• S.J.Res 15, Flag Protection Amendment.  A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.  Introduced May 5, 2009.
• S. 168.  A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or 2 or more misdemeanors.  Introduced January 8, 2009.
• S. 371.  A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to allow citizens who have concealed carry permits from the State in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State that grants concealed carry permits, if the individual complies with the laws of the State. Introduced February 3, 2009.
• S. 437.  A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the deduction of attorney-advanced expenses and court costs in contingency fee cases.  Introduced February 13, 2009.
• S. 515. A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform.  Introduced March 3, 2009.
• S. 632. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that the payment of the manufacturers' excise tax on recreational equipment be paid quarterly.  Introduced March 18, 2009.
• S. 669.  A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.  Introduced March 23, 2009.
• S. 845.  A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to allow citizens who have concealed carry permits from the State in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State that grants concealed carry permits, if the individual complies with the laws of the State.  Introduced April 21, 2009.
• S. 941.  A bill to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, modernize firearm laws and regulations, protect the community from criminals, and for other purposes. Introduced April 30, 2009.
• An amendment during Budget Committee consideration of the FY 2010 budget which would protect the dedicated Crime Victims Fund from being raided for other purposes.  Approved in committee, March 26, 2009; dropped in conference.
  

Other actions I have taken to support efforts to keep Idaho communities and residents safe include:

• Led Idaho delegation effort to secure sufficient funding for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' Justice Center.  Click here to read the letter, dated June 5, 2009, sent to the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
• Led an effort in the U.S. Senate to make firearm regulations on public lands consistent.  Click here (PDF format) to read the letter, signed by 47 Senators to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.
• Supported funding requests for Idaho organizations to address public safey and community policing and improvement efforts. 

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