Health Care
Economy and Jobs
Fiscal Responsibility
Building Livable Communities
Crime and Law Enforcement
Defense
Education
Energy
Environment
Foreign Affairs
Labor
Pennsylvania Specific Issues
Seniors
Taxes
Veterans

Health Care

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, worked with my colleagues to draft and pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reform our nation’s health care system, bring down costs for the American people and federal government, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and provide access to quality affordable care for millions of Americans.

Worked to include the following key provisions in the final bill, which was signed into law in March 2010:

• Authored legislation to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, a provision that went into effect in September 2010. In the 13th Congressional District, there are as many as 37,000 children with pre-existing conditions that can now receive health coverage.
• Authored legislation to expand access to primary care doctors by providing new grant programs, better loan reimbursement, and training in outpatient settings to increase the number of medical students and residents who choose primary care.
• Included in primary care legislation a provision to eliminate co-payments for preventive services for all Americans, which includes mammograms, colonoscopies and vaccines. This provision went into effect for seniors in January 2011.
• Introduced legislation requiring insurance companies to use uniform definitions for terms in insurance plans and to establish a simple coverage of facts label for all policies. These provisions will ensure consumers are able to make informed decisions about which plan to choose and are able to understand the benefits and costs included in each policy.
• Proposed to Ways and Means Committee members a sliding scale tax credit approach for small businesses to help them afford coverage for their employees.
• Spearheaded a letter to leadership urging the inclusion of a provision allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s health insurance coverage until their 26th birthday, therefore bridging the gap in coverage between high school, college, and early employment. This provision went into effect in September 2010.
• Authored a provision to include a $1 billion new tax credit for small biotech firms that are on the cutting edge of innovative discoveries.

Led the congressional effort to include $19 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for investments in Health Information Technology (HIT) and interoperable medical records. Health IT helps saves lives and lower costs. It will improve quality of care, health outcomes, administration of health services, and data collection on the health of the country overall.

Introduced the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act in April 2010, which empowers nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and certified nurse midwives to order home health services for Medicare beneficiaries. Many seniors who see one of these medical professionals as their primary care doctor face delays in receiving home health services because a physician must sign off on the order. This bill brings Medicare policy in line with state laws and will mean more timely access to care for seniors.

Introduced the Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection Act, which was included as part of the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and was signed into law in July 2008. This legislation will require doctors to write their prescriptions electronically by January 1, 2011, helping to prevent hundreds of deaths and illnesses that are caused by illegible prescriptions.

Supported regulating the tobacco industry through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This new law means the FDA will oversee tobacco advertising, marketing and manufacturing so that we can stop tobacco companies from targeting our children.

Supported the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act to prohibit insurance companies and employees from discriminating against people on the basis of genetic testing. This important new law removes the fear many Americans face when undergoing testing necessary for early treatment and prevention.

Supported improving prescription drug safety by voting to reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration, which included a new program to monitor the safety of drugs that are already on the market and implement higher penalties for drug companies that violate safety standards. Supported mental health parity by voting for the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. This law ends discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses by prohibiting insurers and group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations when they offer mental health benefits that are more restrictive than those applied to medical and surgical services.

Economy and Jobs

Supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which expands opportunities for small business, and contains incentives for businesses of all sizes to invest in new plants and equipment. The legislation is helping to strengthen a broad range of industries, such as renewable energy, construction and manufacturing, and information technology, which are critical to creating jobs now, as well as transforming our economy for the 21st Century.

Supported the Jobs for Main Street Act to create or save jobs here at home by making targeted investments to rebuild highways and transit and expand small businesses so they can grow and hire. The legislation, which was passed by the House in December 2009, will also keep police and firefighters on the streets and teachers in the classroom, as well as supports job training for Americans to go back to work. The legislation redirects TARP funds from Wall Street to Main Street.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, worked with members to craft and pass the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, a bipartisan bill to create 300,000 jobs by providing tax incentives for businesses that hire unemployed Americans, unleashing tens of billions of dollars to rebuild our infrastructure and strengthening small businesses with tax credits and accelerated write-offs so they can expand and hire. This bill, which was signed into law by President Obama on March 18, 2010, is fully paid for and does not add to our national deficit.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, worked with members to craft and pass the Small Business and Infrastructure Act, which extends the successful Build America Bonds to help finance the rebuilding of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and rail lines. The legislation targets tax incentives to spur investment in small businesses for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business and extends aid to states to provide subsidies to employers who hire unemployed workers. This legislation, which was passed by the House in March 2010, is fully paid for and is on track to put over 160,000 Americans back to work.

Supported the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights, which ends the most abusive practices of the credit card industry and levels the playing field between cardholders and credit card companies. This landmark legislation, which was signed into law by President Obama in May 2009, protects cardholders against retroactive interest rate increases on existing balances and due date gimmicks; shields cardholders from misleading terms; empowers cardholders to set limits on their credit; protects vulnerable consumers from fee-heavy subprime cards; and requires Congress to provide better oversight of the credit card industry.

Supported the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 21, 2010. This comprehensive financial regulation reform bill will enact common sense reforms including ending bailouts by helping ensure taxpayers are never again on the hook for Wall Street’s risky behavior. This legislation also protects families’ retirement funds, college savings, homes and businesses’ financial futures, as well as protects consumers from predatory lending abuses, fine print, and industry gimmicks. Reforming Wall Street protects hard working families and businesses, helps grow our economy, and brings transparency and accountability to our financial system.

Fiscal Responsibility

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, voted to cut $51 billion in spending from the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.

Supports President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Proposal which cuts $1 trillion from the federal deficit and makes strategic investments in innovation, education and infrastructure to continue to strengthen America’s economic future.

As Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, supported President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget which made strategic investments to build a stronger economy for the future in areas like health care reform, education, and energy independence. The President’s budget reflected the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act legislation that provided relief to middle-income taxpayers, created jobs by investments in infrastructure and other key areas, and extended unemployment benefits for millions of Americans.

As Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, worked to pass the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go law that requires Congress to find a dollar of savings for every extra dollar it spends on entitlements or tax cuts, except for legislation responding to a legitimate emergency. This law requires smart, sensible budgeting and ensures that Congress is adhering to the same fiscal discipline that households across the country are using every day. Statutory Pay-Go was in place when the country moved from record deficits to record surpluses during the Clinton Administration-- and when this rule was abandoned in the 2000’s, we returned to record deficits that doubled the national debt.

Introduced the Save for Retirement Week resolution designating one week to acknowledging the virtues of saving for retirement. The resolution raises public awareness of various retirement vehicles available to increase personal financial responsibility and literacy. With less than two-thirds of workers saving for retirement, it is critical that we highlight the need for every family and individual to understand the importance of ensuring a financially stable future.

Supported the Savings for American Families Future Act of 2009, which changes the current tax credit that encourages low- and middle income families and individuals to save for retirement. Currently, some taxpayers who contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) or to an employer-sponsored plan are eligible to receive a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $1,000. This legislation, among other things, expands the number of families and individuals who would be able to use the full tax credit of 50 percent by more than doubling the existing income limits for the full credit.

Supported the Savings for Working Families Act of 2009, which allows certain individuals between the ages of 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs.

Building Livable Communities

Introduced the bipartisan Community Restoration and Revitalization Act, which modernizes the federal rehabilitation tax credit to allow for small scale projects to be used for rental housing, improve energy efficiency and establish a practical definition for older buildings. The rehabilitation tax credit has helped leverage $50 billion in private investment and has created 1.8 million jobs since its inception.

Introduced legislation to create a national initiative that would provide an economically sustainable solution to the problem of limited access to healthy foods in underserved communities. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) encourages supermarkets and other fresh food retailers to open new stores or expand their fresh food offerings in underserved rural, suburban and urban areas. The HFFI is based off the very successful Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which created over 5,000 jobs and helped open more than 85 new or improved fresh food stores throughout the state. President Obama’s FY2011 budget contained more than $400 million for the establishment of a HFFI to combat the epidemic of obesity and provide healthy food options for all Americans.

Introduced the bipartisan Green Communities Act, which provides technical assistance to 80 municipalities throughout the United States to help implement green infrastructure solutions to improve their economic development.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Worked with Republican colleague Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA) to pass a resolution condemning the naming of a street in St. Denis, France after cop-murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal who was convicted of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.

Supported the COPS program to put an additional 50,000 police officers on the streets across the country.

Supported the Officer Danny Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, which provides increased Pell Grants for children whose parents or guardian died as a result of performing law enforcement duties.

Co-sponsored the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which would give police officers the ability to collectively bargain.

Supported the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which gives law enforcement the resources they need to prevent and prosecute hate crimes against Americans because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, as well as race, color, religion or national origin.

Defense

Supported the IMPROVE Acquisition Act, which builds on an acquisition reform passed in 2009, creating a better accountability system, improving the management of the acquisition workforce, creating an auditable financial management system at DOD, and expanding and strengthening the industrial base to enhance competition and gain access to more technology. By continuing to clean up waste, fraud and abuse in the defense acquisition system, this legislation will not only save taxpayers an estimated $27 billion a year, but will also help expedite supplying necessary equipment to our brave troops.

Continually supports the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense including military construction and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. These funds provide our service men and women and their families with the pay, benefits and quality of life they need and deserve.

Supported the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 to improve management of the Department of Defense’s major defense acquisition programs. It requires the DOD to establish more realistic and achievable cost and performance estimates while tightening oversight requirements for programs experiencing cost growth. It also addresses many of the deficiencies in the oversight and management of contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq by requiring the issuance of specific guidance and regulations to govern the conduct of contractors and enhance the safety of contractor employees.

Education

Supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which makes strategic investments in education to help America become stronger, more productive and more competitive. The Recovery Act makes investments to modernize our schools, help states avoid teacher layoffs and other education cutbacks, and makes college more affordable for middle class families. This law will save or create more than 250,000 jobs in the education sector.

Makes college more affordable for families by increasing higher education tax credits from $1,800 to $2,500; increases the maximum Pell Grants by $500 making college more affordable for seven million students; and invests an additional $200 million in the Work Study Program, allowing an additional 133,000 students to participate in this vital program.

Invests in early childhood development by providing $2.1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start- programs that provide comprehensive development services to preschool children, infants and toddlers. Also provides $2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, providing child care services to 300,000 children while their parents go to work.

Establishes a $53 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which was vitally needed as states faced an unprecedented and massive fiscal crisis. Without the Recovery Act, school districts across the country would have to enact deep education cuts.

Invests in and provides tax credits for the modernization of schools across the country, which will create new construction jobs while ensuring students can learn in a safe, healthy, technologically up-to-date and energy-efficient learning environment.

Supported the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2009. The national service bill dramatically increases the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years, ensuring that young people continue to work to make their communities better.

Supported the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history--at no cost to taxpayers. The legislation reforms the system of federal student loans to save taxpayers $87 billion - and then invests $77 billion of those savings back into education, particularly by making college more affordable. It also increases the maximum Pell Grant from $5,350 in 2009 to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 in 2019 and keeps interest rates low on subsidized federal student loans. President Obama signed this bill into law on March 30, 2010 as part of the Reconciliation Act.

Supported the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which provides critical improvements to modernize, renovate and repair school facilities across the country, while encouraging energy efficiency and creating nearly 140,000 new jobs. This legislation was passed by the House in May 2009.

Energy

Introduced bipartisan legislation that will encourage the next generation of biofuels or fuels made from living things such as plants and algae. The GREEN JOB Act will create high quality jobs here in America, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, replace fossil energy sources, and bring economic benefits to rural and urban communities across the country. The legislation will provide a level playing field between algae-based fuels and cellulosic or plant based fuels by bringing the production tax credits between these two technologies closer together. It will also provide investment for both types of fuels by creating a 30 percent investment tax credit for bio-refineries that will give the biofuel industry equal treatment under the tax code.

Supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included the largest energy investment in history to create 500,000 jobs, accelerate development of smart grid technology, provide energy efficiency funds for the nation’s schools, offer support to states to tackle their energy challenges and establish a loan guarantee program to keep our transition to renewable energy on track.

Provides tax incentives to spur energy savings and green jobs ($20 billion over 10 years), including a production tax credit for renewable energy, energy efficient home tax credits, plug-in hybrid tax credits and investments in advance energy manufacturing.

Lowers energy costs ($10 billion) by making a historic investment in making federal buildings energy-efficient, working to save the taxpayers over one billion dollars by slashing energy costs by 25 percent.

Modernizes the nation’s electricity systems through the Smart Grid Investment Program to make it more efficient and reliable, giving consumers more choice in their energy consumption at home and spurring research and development. The Philadelphia Energy Company received a $200 million grant in October 2009 for PECO’s “Smart Future Greater Philadelphia” Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG), a project which will deliver the benefits of Smart Grid technologies to the more than five million residents of the Delaware Valley.

Invests in landmark energy savings at home ($5 billion) including saving middle income families on average $350 per year on heating and air conditioning bills, while creating 90,000 jobs.

Successfully passed into law a five year extension of the energy-efficient commercial buildings tax deduction. This bipartisan proposal will help incentivize the construction of new, energy efficient buildings that use 50 percent less energy than a base building.

Supported the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007, which raised fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and expanded the requirement for using renewable fuels to 36 billion gallons by 2022.

Successfully passed into law an amendment to the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006 requiring the Federal Trade Commission to investigate nationwide gasoline prices and determine if there had been any evidence of price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Environment

Co-authored the Delaware River Protection Act with Republican colleague Frank LoBiondo (NJ) after an oil tanker spilled 265,000 gallons of oil in to the Delaware River in November 2004—impeding trade, putting drinking water at risk and injuring and killing wildlife. The legislation was signed into law on July 11, 2006. This law helps protect the Delaware River and other waterways from future oil spills.

Successfully passed a proposal to study the impact of pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Worked with Reps. Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Carolyn McCarthy (NY) to secure a provision in the manager’s amendment to the Water Quality Investment Act, requiring the EPA to study the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water.

Secured a provision in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which requires the establishment of a national strategy for domestic biological carbon sequestration. This legislation addresses carbon pollution through natural carbon sinks such as forests, wetlands and open space.

Foreign Affairs

Named to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and will serve on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Appointed to serve with a select group of members in representing the United States to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, working to foster closer ties and friendships between the governments of the allied nations.

Appointed by then-Speaker Pelosi to serve on the House Democracy Assistance Commission to participate in the critical work of promoting and supporting the development of democratic governments around the world. Specifically, the commission works through peer-to-peer partnerships with emerging democratic legislatures to assist in the development of the fundamental building blocks of legislative government, including oversight, transparency, accountability, effective legislation and responsiveness to constituents.

Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Georgia Caucus to strengthen bilateral ties with this strong emerging democracy. As a result was recognized as a congressional point person on Georgia related issues.

Consistently supported aid to Israel. Israel and the United States share an unbreakable bond. As one of our most trusted and reliable allies, a steadfast U.S.-Israeli strategic partnership is in America’s national interest. Worked hard to maintain strong bilateral relations based on a number of factors including strong domestic U.S. support for Israel; shared strategic goals in the Middle East; shared democratic values; and historic ties dating from U.S. support for the creation of Israel in 1948. A member of the Democratic Israel Working Group and the U.S. Israel Security Caucus. Awarded the Golda Meir Award for political accomplishments by the National Jewish Democratic Coalition in April 2006.

Was an original co-sponsor of a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to propose a robust FY11 International Affairs Budget. The letter states that these investments are essential to strengthening our national security, building economic prosperity and protecting the health and safety of all Americans, while demonstrating our moral values and humanitarian principles.

Co-sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which would authorize state and local governments to divest from companies investing in Iran’s petroleum and natural gas sector and protects fund managers who divest from such companies from potential lawsuits. This bill was passed by the House on October 14, 2009.

Co-sponsored the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act to limit Iran’s ability to import and produce refined petroleum products by requiring the president to impose sanctions on companies helping Iran in these areas. The House passed this bill on December 15, 2009.

Labor

Original co-sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help close gender pay discrimination in the United States. Advocated for its passage and championed the bill to make it clear that gender discrimination should have no place in America’s workplaces. The legislation was signed into law in January 2009.

Original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act to establish fairness in the workplace by helping to expand health care, improve retirement security and raise the standard of living for America’s working families.

Supported needed investments in the Workforce Investment Act to provide job training and related services to unemployed and underemployed individuals. In addition, this legislation authorizes several job training programs including state formula grants for Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker Employment and Job Training Activities; Job Corps; the Native American Program; the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program; the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program; and Community-Based Job Training Grants.

Supported the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Communities (TAAC) program to extend and revise trade adjustment assistance provisions affecting various constituencies including trade impacted workers, farmers, firms and communities.

Pennsylvania Specific Issues

Secured $17.2 million for the development of a bicycle and pedestrian network that will provide new multi-modal transportation options for Southeastern Pennsylvania. This regional transportation network will be a unique asset to the Philadelphia area and will transform biking and pedestrian greenways in the region. This new greenway will have a significant impact on the economy, creating jobs in the metropolitan area and enhancing quality of life for our residents. The funds were provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s TIGER Discretionary Grant funding program.

Secured $3.2 million to make safety improvements to Roosevelt Boulevard by installing pedestrian crosswalk timers to help Northeast residents safely cross the Boulevard.

Successfully spearheaded the effort to have the Bo-Rit Asbestos Pile placed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List, ensuring that it will be remediated to protect the health and safety of local residents.

Responded to concerns of the local community by passing an amendment to the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 that prevented the use of the runway at Willow Grove for commercial aviation.

Supported Bryn Athyn’s application to have its historic district designated as a National Landmark by the Department of the Interior. Prevented the Mayfair Post Office in Northeast Philadelphia from being closed by writing a letter to the Postmaster General and demonstrating the significant impact that it has in the community.

Reinstated the Philadelphia Universal Feeding Pilot Program, which was slated for elimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The initiative studies the percentage of children in each school eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. If a high percentage of children in a particular school qualify for free or reduced-priced meals, the entire school receives universal service (i.e. free meals for all students). This eliminates cumbersome paperwork for administrators and parents and ensures that every child is able to receive meals at no cost.

Seniors

Introduced the Prevent SCAMS Act to deter Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from falsely advertising or promoting their plans. It also helps Medicare beneficiaries select the most appropriate drug coverage plan for their individual needs.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, worked with my colleagues to ensure that the health care reform law strengthened benefits for seniors including increasing the number of preventive care services covered by Medicare.

Included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act a provision to eliminate co-payments for Medicare beneficiaries for prevention services such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Spearheaded the effort to include a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for a 10 percent payment increase for primary care providers who serve Medicare beneficiaries.

Included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act a provision to establish a new annual wellness visit benefit for seniors so they can check in with their primary care providers each year if they choose.

Supported a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide seniors who fell into the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap – known as the donut hole – with a $250 check in 2010 to help pay for the cost of their medications. Beginning in January 2011, seniors are now eligible to receive 50 percent off brand name prescription drugs until the donut hole is permanently closed.

Taxes

Introduced legislation to help middle income families afford the rising cost of child care. The Support Working Parents Act will modernize and simplify the tax code to recognize the needs of today’s family, allowing all working parents to receive a 35 percent tax credit for the cost of their child care expenses. Under current law, families earning more than $43,000 a year – a figure well below the median national income for two wage earner families – receive a tax credit that phases out to just 20 percent of child care expenses. This proposal would eliminate this phase-out and allow all families, regardless of their income, to receive the full credit of 35 percent of their child care expenses.

Successfully spearheaded a tax credit program for small biotech companies with fewer than 250 employees to encourage investment in new therapies that treat diseases. This tax credit program will help small biotech companies across Pennsylvania.

Supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided 95 percent of Americans with the largest and fastest tax cut in history. These tax cuts helped jumpstart our economy, put money back into the pocket of American workers, and encouraged new job creating investments by businesses.

• The Making Work Pay Tax Cut provided immediate and sustained tax relief to 95 percent of American workers.
• The Child Tax Credit cut taxes for the families of more than 16 million children.
• The Earned Income Tax Credit provides tax relief to families with three or more children.
• The College Tax Credit helps more than four million students attend college with a new $2,500 tax credit.
• Provides tax incentives for businesses to create jobs and spur investment ($10 billion over 10 years).
• Provides tax incentives for renewable energy efficiency to spur energy savings and create green jobs ($20 billion over 10 years).
• Provides tax incentives for state and local economic development ($26 billion over 10 years).

Supported the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which included a first-time homebuyer tax credit to help strengthen the housing market. The bill provided a $7,500 credit for first-time homebuyers who purchased a home in 2008. The tax credit was later expanded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to an $8,000 tax credit for residences purchased in 2009.

Supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which provides small businesses with $40 billion in tax credits to help them offer employees quality, affordable health insurance coverage if they choose to do so. More than four million firms, or 60 percent of small employers, are now eligible for these credits. The law also creates Health Insurance Exchanges in 2014, or competitive marketplaces, where small businesses and their employees can purchase affordable coverage. For the first time, small businesses will be able to pool their buying power and have access to the same quality plans only available to large firms today.

Supported the S Corporation Modernization Act of 2009, which would modify any unreasonable penalties paid by “S corporations.” Currently S corporations are taxed twice on assets they sell within 10 years of converting to this tax classification – making the sale and reinvestment of these assets prohibitively expensive and hindering growth and job creation. In some states, the double-tax burden can reach as high as 70 percent. This legislation will bolster small business growth and investment by allowing S corporations to liquidate assets without the harsh double taxation penalties.

Supported H.R. 4770 to create thousands of jobs by expanding the Research and Development Tax Credit Act. This bill will increase the R&D tax credit, ensuring that we are investing in American innovation.

Veterans

Introduced a proposal in 2005 that gave businesses a tax credit for hiring recently discharged veterans. Signed into law in 2007, this tax credit was designed to help recently discharged veterans with a service-connected disability make the transition back into civilian life. In 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which recognized the 2005 proposal by expanding this benefit to all recently discharged unemployed veterans, regardless of their disability rating.

Supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included numerous provisions to address the needs of veterans. The bill included:

• Improvements to our aging military hospitals and ambulatory care centers;
• Assistance to military homeowners, including wounded warriors and surviving spouses;
• Improvements to troop and family housing;
• Expansion of child care for military families;
• Establishment of warrior transition complexes to provide services to wounded warriors returning from combat;
• Construction of new facilities to support National Guard units across the country; and
• Construction of extended care facilities for veterans.

Co-sponsored the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act to advance funding for veterans health care. This bill, which was signed into law by President Obama on October 22, 2009, provides funding for medical related accounts for the next fiscal year, one year in advance.

Supported the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which will expand and improve VA services for 1.8 million women veterans and provide educational sessions on how to be a better caregiver. The legislation requires the VA to provide medical care for newborn children of women veterans, establish a pilot program for child care services and enhance programs for veterans suffering from military sexual trauma and PTSD. It also increases information and outreach efforts for caregivers and makes counseling and mental health services available to family and non-family caregivers of veterans.

Supported the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act to require the VA to provide comprehensive services to prevent veteran homelessness and reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, which provides grants for job training, counseling, placement services and child care through 2014.

Original co-sponsor of the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act to protect first-time homebuyers serving in the military. The legislation ensures that certain payments under the Defense Housing Assistance Program (HAP) to assist military personnel selling a home that has declined in value are exempt from the tax. It also ensures service members would not have to repay the first-time homebuyer credit if they are forced to sell their home because of a deployment and would extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit deadline for one year for qualifying service members so those stationed overseas can take advantage of the credit.