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Senate

February 6-19, 2005  

Thursday, February 17, 2005  

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2005 (S. 306)  

On February 17, 2005, the Senate passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2005 (S. 306; Full text of legislation) that would bar employers from using genetic information in hiring decisions and bar insurers from using such information to increase premiums or to deny coverage. The measure was approved on a 98-0 vote.  (To view how your senators voted visit: Vote 00011) 

Article: Senate passes ban on genetic discrimination  

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Confirmation Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, To Be Secretary of Homeland Security

Michael Chertoff, a federal judge, was confirmed on February 15, 2004, by the Senate as Secretary of Homeland Security.  Followed by weeks of delays by a key Democrat who questioned whether the former Justice Department official had been aware of tactics used to detain and interrogate terror suspects, the last seat of President Bush's second administration was confirmed on a 98-0 vote.   (To view how your senators voted visit: Vote 00010 )

Article: Chertoff OK'd as homeland secretary

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (S. 5)

The same number of Democrats joined most of the Republicans in the Senate to pass the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (S. 5; Full text of legislation) that will move class-action suits with plaintiffs in multiple states from the state courts into the federal system.  On February 10, 2005, the Senate passed the measure on a 72-26 vote.(To view how your senators voted visit: Vote 00009 )

Article: Tackling Tort Reform

Monday, February 7, 2005

The Senate agreed on Senate Resolution (S. Res. 38; Full text of Resolution) which was a resolution commending the people of Iraq on the January 30, 2005, national elections.  The resolution was approved on a 93-0 vote on February 7, 2005. (To view how your senators voted visit: Vote 00004 ).

 

House of Representatives

January 30 - February 19, 2005  

Thursday, February 17, 2005    

Class Action Fairness Act (S.5)  

On February  17, 2005,  the most sweeping federal tort reform measure in more than a decade was passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives — the Class Action Fairness Act (S.5; Full text of legislation) The measure passed on a 279-149 vote.   (To view how your representative voted visit: Vote 38 )  

Article: House approves class-action act

Wednesday, February 16, 2005    

Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act (H.R. 310)  

As a result of racy broadcasts such as Janet Jackson's infamous “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, the House on February 16, 2005, overwhelmingly passed H.R. 310  (Full text of legislation) authorizing for indecency unprecedented fines.  By a 389-38 vote, the measure was passed. (To view how your representative voted visit: Vote 35)

Article:  House Ups Indecency Fines  

Thursday, February 10, 2005    

Real ID Act (H.R. 418)    

The House of Representatives voted 261-161 in favor of making states verify that applicants are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants in an attempt to keep drivers licenses out of the hands of terrorists.

Despite protests from governors and state motor vehicle departments that it would be too costly and would require them to take on the role of immigration officers, Republicans pushed the measure (Full text of legislation; H.R. 418).

Also, the measure made it easier for judges to deport immigrants seeking political asylum if they believed the immigrants might be terrorists  (To view how your representative voted visit: Vote 31)  

Article: House OKs citizenship check for drivers licenses

Wednesday, February 2, 2005    

Commending the Palestinian People for Conducting a Free and Fair Presidential Election (H. Res. 56)  

The House of Representatives passed on a 415 to 1 vote House Resolution 56 (H. Res. 56; Full text of Resolution  ) commending the Palestinian people for conducting a free and fair presidential election on January 9, 2005, and for other purposes, on February 2, 2005.  (To view how your representative voted visit: Vote: 17 ).

Article:  Blunt Praises Democratic Elections; Successes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestinian Authority…  

What Can You Do?

If your representative or senators have reflected your views or not, let them know how you feel.

Contact Information:

US House of Representatives:

Capitol Hill Switchboard Numbers: 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121 (Those numbers will direct you to the Capitol Hill operator. Ask for representative's office.)

To go to your representative's website, find his E-mail or to find out who your representatives are...  

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html.

To electronically mail your U.S. House of Representative, go to http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep.  

Addressing Correspondence: 

The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative (last name):  

US Senate:  

Contact Information:  

To go to your senators' websites, find their E-mail or to find out who your senators are...  

 http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm      

Addressing Correspondence: 

The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510   

Dear Senator (last name):    

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