Conrad

4 hours ago, Brink said:

Mr. President, 

 

I move to amend Section 3 of this legislation as follows.

 

 

I am all for supporting small businesses and small minority businesses. I am especially in favor of this in this time of economic uncertainty. However, if you have a net worth of $2,000,000, you probably don't need federal government help with your business. However, many small, minority businesses with owners who make less than $250,000 could certainly use this help in business development in tough times like these.

 

I yield the floor.

The amendment having been made and seconded, shall go to a vote.

Judge I

The amendment having been made and properly seconded, shall go to a vote. There shall be 48 hours. Original bill can be found here.

Quote

 

SEC. 3. QUALIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS.

(a) Certification.—For purposes of the Program, the Director may certify as a qualified minority business any entity that satisfies each of the following:

(1) Not less than 51 percent of the entity is directly and unconditionally owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged individuals.

(2) Each officer or other individual who exercises control over the regular operations of the entity is a historically disadvantaged individual.

(3) The net worth of each principal of the entity is not greater than $2,000,000 $250,000. (The home equity of a disadvantaged owner in a primary personal residence shall be considered in excluded from this calculation.)

 

5 hours ago, Ashcroft said:

Mr. President,

 

I sympathize with the sentiments behind this bill and I applaud the effort to extend the promise of this great nation, the land of opportunity, to all citizens of republic. But I do have some questions for the sponsor, if he'll indulge me.

 

Why do we need a federal program for something like this? We all know just how inefficient and frustrating it is to be working with the federal government. Why aren't we deferring to states to let them manage such programs, if they think it's in their interest? 

 

Moreover, Mr. President, I would like to propose three amendments to ensure some oversight over where this money is going. I think all members of this chamber will agree that, at a time when an economic crisis is going to demand major spending from the federal government, we need to be watchful of every penny we spend.

 

First,

 

Secondly,

 

And thirdly,

 

I ask that these amendments be considered separately.

 

At a time when many Americans are struggling to get by, we need to make sure that this money is reaching those who are the most deserving. That means citizens, and upright, law-abiding citizens at that. My amendments will ensure that this money goes to the Americans who need it most. 

 

I yield.

The amendments having been made and seconded, they shall go to a vote.

Brabander I

Brabander II

Brabander III

The amendment having been made and properly seconded, there shall be 48 hours to vote. The clerk shall call the roll. Bill can be found here. 

Quote

 

To insert and renumber accordingly

SEC. 6. MANDATORY E-VERIFY.

(a) Businesses receiving assistance under this Act shall be required to determine the eligibility of all employees to legally work in the United States using the E-Verify platform.

And to insert in section 6 (now section 7) "Termination from the Program"
(6) Failure to verify immigration status of new hires pursuant to section 6.

 

The amendment having been made and properly seconded, there shall be 48 hours to vote. The clerk shall call the roll. Bill can be found here. 

Quote

 

To insert in section 3

(2) Each officer or other individual who exercises control over the regular operations of the entity is a historically disadvantaged individual and U.S. citizen.

 

The amendment having been made and properly seconded shall come to a vote now, for no longer than 48 hours. The clerk shall call the roll. 

Quote

 

To insert in section 3

(5) Each principal of the entity maintains good character in the determination of the Director, including, but not limited to, no record of felony convictions.

 

The motion to table, having been properly made and seconded, shall go to a vote. Please vote here. 

48 hours. 

9 hours ago, Jewell said:

If I may step in here real quick: the current bill numbering scheme is incorrect, as it doesn't take into account the many bills that have been moved to committee hoppers. At this time, I'd ask the PPT to renumber the bills that have been entered into the Senate, taking into account those that have already been moved to committee hoppers. (To do this in the easiest way possible, I'd recommend you temporarily move bills back to the Senate hopper, sort them by start date and number them, and then re-sort them back to their respective committee hopper.) @Conrad

I will be moving forward with a different system this time round. 

Senator Ross and his wife enter the ball room and begin mingling with other Senators and attended guests.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c5BAPfCiYQNSgNahZotEIiAU6-9KYjAiwMSkg7rmd7k/edit?usp=sharing

I will assign bills their numbers as they are brought to the floor for debate rather than assigning them as submitted to the hopper. 

Announcements from the PPT go here. 

*raps gavel* 

The Senate shall come to order to debate S. 2 Highway Investment Protection Act. Debate shall continue until such time that cloture is invoked. 

Quote

 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. Bennett (for himself and Mr. Michealson) introduced the following bill with thanks to Mr. Vitter;

A BILL

To temporarily protect the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

 

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Highway Investment Protection Act".

 

Section 2. Temporary protection of Highway Trust Fund solvency

(a) In general

From the amounts appropriated and remaining unobligated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. Law 111-5), the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall transfer to the Highway Trust Fund such sums as the Secretary of Transportation determines will be necessary to ensure that the Highway Trust Fund balance does not fall below the threshold that would require a change from monthly payments to weekly payments of expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund through September 30, 2010. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall report to each congressional committee the amounts so transferred within the jurisdiction of such committee.

(b) Conforming extension of expenditure authority

Subsections (b)(6), (c)(1), and (e)(3) of section 9503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are each amended by striking 2009 each place it appears and inserting 2010.

 

Section 3. Repayable Advances to Highway Trust Fund

 

(a) Repayable Advances.—Section 9503(f) is amended by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9) and by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraphs:

 

“(7) 2009 SHORTFALL ADVANCE.—Out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated—

“(A) $8,000,000,000 to the Highway Account (as defined in subsection (e)(5)(B)) in the Highway Trust Fund; and

 

“(B) $3,000,000,000 to the Mass Transit Account in the Highway Trust Fund.

 

“(8) OBLIGATION LIQUIDATION SMOOTHING.—Out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated—

“(A) $4,000,000,000 to the Highway Account (as defined in subsection (e)(5)(B)) in the Highway Trust Fund; and

 

“(B) $1,000,000,000 to the Mass Transit Account in the Highway Trust Fund.”.

 

(b) Repayment Of Advances.—Section 9503(c) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(6) TRANSFERS FROM HIGHWAY TRUST FUND FOR CERTAIN REPAYMENTS OF CERTAIN ADVANCES.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall pay from time to time from the Highway Trust Fund into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to amounts transferred to the Highway Trust Fund that are attributable to the operation of sections 4041(a)(4), 4041(m)(3), and 4081(a)(2)(E).

 

“(B) LIMITATION.—No amount shall be transferred under this paragraph after the aggregate amount transferred under subparagraph (A) equals $16,000,000,000.

 

“(C) TRANSFERS BASED ON ESTIMATES.—Transfers under subparagraph (A) shall be made on the basis of estimates by the Secretary, and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess or less than the amounts required to be transferred.

 

“(D) TRANSFERS MADE PROPORTIONALLY.—Transfers under subparagraph (A) shall be borne by the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account in proportion to the respective revenues transferred under paragraphs (7) and (8) of subsection (f) to the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account.”.

 

(c) Effective Dates.—

(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect one hundred-eighty days after the passage of this Act.

 

(2) Paragraph (8) of section 9503(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect sixty days after the passage of this Act.

 

Section 4. Increase in Fuels Taxes for Inflation

 

(a) Motor Fuel.—Paragraph (2) of section 4081(a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(E) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.—In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2009, the rates of tax in subparagraphs (A)(i) and (iii) and subparagraph (D) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—

“(i) such rate, multiplied by

 

“(ii) the cost of living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2014’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof.

Any increase under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 cents.”.

 

(b) Special Fuels.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4041(a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(4) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.—In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2009, the 7.3 cent rate of tax in paragraph (1)(C)(iii), the 24.3 cent rate of tax in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), and the 18.3 cent rate of tax contained in paragraph (3)(A) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—

“(A) such rate, multiplied by

 

“(B) the cost of living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2014’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof.

Any increase under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 cents.”.

 

(2) CERTAIN ALCOHOL FUELS.—Section 4041(m) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(3) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.—In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2009, the rates of tax in paragraph (1)(A) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—

“(A) such rate, multiplied by

 

“(B) the cost of living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2014’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof.

Any increase under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 cents.”.

 

(3) FUEL USED IN CERTAIN BUSES.—Section 6427(b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(5) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.—In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2009, the rate of tax in paragraph (2)(A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—

“(A) such rate, multiplied by

 

“(B) the cost of living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2014’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof.

Any increase under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 cents.”.

 

(c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to years beginning after December 31, 2009.

 

Section 5. Authorizations of Appropriations

(a) The following sums in this section are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated—

(1) $8,000,000,000 $51,900,000,000 to the Highway Account (as defined in subsection (e)(5)(B)) in the Highway Trust Fund; and

(2) $3,000,000,000 $18,100,000,000 to the Mass Transit Account in the Highway Trust Fund.

(b) Each amount designated in this section by the Congress shall be made available on March 2 of each fiscal year as appropriated.

 

Section 6. Failure By Congress to Fully Fund Highway Trust Fund

 

(a) Highway Fuels Excise Tax Increase To Fund 3-Year Shortfall Funding.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—If, before January 1, 2012, the Secretary of the Treasury determines that Congress has not fully funded the 3-year shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund, then effective on April 1, 2012, each of the specified rates of tax are hereby increased by the rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to result in the elimination of such shortfall over the 3-year shortfall period.

 

(2) 3-YEAR SHORTFALL.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “3-year shortfall” means the excess of—

(A) $50,400,000,000, over

 

(B) the dollar amount of funding made available by Act of Congress to the Highway Trust Fund for the 3-year shortfall period.

 

(3) 3-YEAR SHORTFALL PERIOD.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “3-year shortfall period” means the period beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending on December 31, 2014.

 

(b) Highway Fuels Excise Tax Increase To Fund 5-Year Shortfall Funding.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—If, before January 1, 2015, the Secretary of the Treasury determines that Congress has not fully funded the 5-year shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund, then, in addition to the increase in rates under subsection (a), effective April 1, 2015, each of the specified rates of tax are hereby further increased by the rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to result in the elimination of such shortfall over the 5-year shortfall period.

 

(2) 5-YEAR SHORTFALL.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “5-year shortfall” means the excess of—

(A) $89,000,000,000, over

 

(B) the dollar amount of funding made available by Act of Congress to the Highway Trust Fund for the 5-year shortfall period.

 

(3) 5-YEAR SHORTFALL PERIOD.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “5-year shortfall period” means the period beginning on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31, 2019.

 

(c) Specified Rates Of Tax.—For purposes of this section, the rates of tax specified in this paragraph are the rates of tax in the following sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986:

(1) Section 4081(a)(2)(A)(i).

 

(2) Section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii).

 

(3) Section 4081(a)(2)(D).

 

(4) Section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii).

 

(5) Section 4041(a)(2)(B)(ii).

 

(6) Section 4041(a)(3)(A).

 

(7) Section 4041(m)(1)(A).

(d) Rule Regarding Tax Rates.—In making determinations under this section relating to excise tax increases, the ratio that the amount of revenue raised by an excise tax specified in subsection (c) bears to the aggregate amount of revenue raised by excise taxes specified in subsection (c) shall remain the same.

 

(e) Effective Date.—The effective date of an increase in tax under this section shall be—

(1) January 1, 2012, in the case of an increase under subsection (a), and

 

(2) January 1, 2015, in the case of an increase under subsection (b).

Section 6. Highway Trust Fund Transparency and Accountability.

(a) In General -- Section 104 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:

"(g) Highway Trust Fund Transparency and Accountability Reports --

"(1) Compilation of data -- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Highway Investment Protection Act, the Secretary shall compile data in accordance with this subsection on the use of Federal-aid highway funds made available under this title.

"(2) Requirements -- The Secretary shall ensure that the reports required under this subsection are made available in a user-friendly manner on the public Internet website of the Department of Transportation and can be searched and downloaded by users of the website.

"(3) Contents of reports -- 

``(A) Apportioned and allocated programs.--On a semiannual basis, the Secretary shall make available a report on funding apportioned and allocated to the States under this title that describes--

``(i) the amount of funding obligated by each State, year-to-date, for the current fiscal year;

``(ii) the amount of funds remaining available for obligation by each State;

``(iii) changes in the obligated, unexpended balance for each State, year-to-date, during the current fiscal year, including the obligated, unexpended balance at the end of the preceding fiscal year and current fiscal year expenditures;

``(iv) the amount and program category of unobligated funding, year-to-date, available for expenditure at the discretion of the Secretary;

``(v) the rates of obligation on and off the National Highway System, year-to-date, for the current fiscal year of funds apportioned, allocated, or set aside under this section, according to--

``(I) program;

``(II) funding category or subcategory;

``(III) type of improvement;

``(IV) State; and

``(V) sub-State geographical area, including urbanized and rural areas, on the basis of the population of each such area; and

``(vi) the amount of funds transferred by each State, year-to-date, for the current fiscal year between programs under section 126.

``(B) Project data.--On an annual basis, the Secretary shall make available a report that provides, for any project funded under this title (excluding projects for which funds are transferred to agencies other than the Federal Highway Administration) with an estimated total cost as of the start of construction greater than $25,000,000, and to the maximum extent practicable, other projects funded under this title, project data describing--

``(i) the specific location of the project;

``(ii) the total cost of the project;

``(iii) the amount of Federal funding obligated for the project;

``(iv) the program or programs from which Federal funds have been obligated for the project;

``(v) the type of improvement being made, such as categorizing the project as--

``(I) a road reconstruction project;

``(II) a new road construction project;

``(III) a new bridge construction project;

``(IV) a bridge rehabilitation project; or

``(V) a bridge replacement project;

``(vi) the ownership of the highway or bridge;

``(vii) whether the project is located in an area of the State with a population of--

``(I) less than 5,000 individuals;

``(II) 5,000 or more individuals but less than 50,000 individuals;

``(III) 50,000 or more individuals but less than 200,000 individuals; or

``(IV) 200,000 or more individuals; and

``(viii) available information on the estimated cost of the project as of the start of project construction, or the revised cost estimate based on a description of revisions to the scope of work or other factors affecting project cost other than cost overruns.''.

Section 3. Plain English Summary

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to transfer remaining unobligated stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to ensure its solvency through FY2010. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the HTF through FY2010.

 

*raps gavel*

The Senate will come to order to debate S. 1 Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2009. Debate shall continue until such time that cloture is invoked. 

Quote

 

A BILL
To establish in the Department of Commerce the Minority Business Development Program to provide qualified minority businesses with technical assistance and contracting opportunities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2009”.

 

SEC. 2. MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

The Director of the Minority Business Development Agency shall establish the Minority Business Development Program (in this Act referred to as the “Program”) to assist qualified minority businesses. The Program shall provide to such businesses the following:

(1) Technical assistance.

(2) Contract procurement assistance.

 

SEC. 3. QUALIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS.

(a) Certification.—For purposes of the Program, the Director may certify as a qualified minority business any entity that satisfies each of the following:

(1) Not less than 51 percent of the entity is directly and unconditionally owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged individuals.

(2) Each officer or other individual who exercises control over the regular operations of the entity is a historically disadvantaged individual.

(3) The net worth of each principal of the entity is not greater than $2,000,000. (The equity of a disadvantaged owner in a primary personal residence shall be considered in this calculation.)

(4) The principal place of business of the entity is in the United States.

(5) Each principal of the entity maintains good character in the determination of the Director, including, but not limited to, no record of violent felony convictions.

(6) The entity engages in competitive and bona fide commercial business operations in not less than one sector of industry that has a North American Industry Classification System code.

(7) The entity submits reports to the Director at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Director may require.

(8) Any additional requirements that the Director determines appropriate.

(b) Term Of Certification.—A certification under this section shall be for a term of 5 years and may not be renewed.

 

SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General.—In carrying out the Program, the Director may provide to qualified minority businesses technical assistance with regard to the following:

(1) Writing business plans.

(2) Marketing.

(3) Management.

(4) Securing sufficient financing for business operations.

(b) Contract Authority.—The Director may enter into agreements with persons to provide technical assistance under this section.

(c) Authorization Of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 to the Director to carry out this section. Such sums shall remain available until expended.

 

SEC. 5. SET-ASIDE CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES.

(a) In General.—The Director may enter into agreements with the United States Government and any department, agency, or officer thereof having procurement powers for purposes of providing for the fulfillment of procurement contracts and providing opportunities for qualified minority businesses with regard to such contracts.

(b) Qualifications On Participation.—The Director shall by rule establish requirements for participation under this section by a qualified minority business in a contract.

(c) Annual Limit On Number Of Contracts Per Qualified Minority Business.—A qualified minority business may not participate under this section in contracts in an amount that exceeds $10,000,000 for goods and services each fiscal year.

(d) Limits On Contract Amounts.—

(1) GOODS AND SERVICES.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), a contract for goods and services under this section may not exceed $6,000,000.

(2) MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION.—A contract for manufacturing and construction services under this section may not exceed $10,000,000.

SEC. 6. MANDATORY E-VERIFY.

(a) Businesses receiving assistance under this Act shall be required to determine the eligibility of all employees to legally work in the United States using the E-Verify platform.

SEC. 7. TERMINATION FROM THE PROGRAM.

The Director may terminate a qualified minority business from the Program for any violation of a requirement of sections 3 through 5 of this Act by that qualified minority business, including the following:

(1) Conduct by a principal of the qualified minority business that indicates a lack of business integrity.

(2) Willful failure to comply with applicable labor standards and obligations.

(3) Consistent failure to tender adequate performance with regard to contracts under the Program.

(4) Failure to obtain and maintain relevant certifications.

(5) Failure to pay outstanding obligations owed to the Federal Government.

(6) Failure to verify immigration status of new hires pursuant to section 6.

SEC. 8. REPORTS.

(a) Report Of The Director.—Not later than October 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the activities of the Director during the preceding year with respect to the Program.

(b) Report Of The Secretary Of Commerce.—Not later than October 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the activities the Secretary engaged in during the preceding year to build wealth among historically disadvantaged individuals.

 

SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUAL.—The term “historically disadvantaged individual” means any individual who is a member of a group that is designated as eligible to receive assistance under section 1400.1 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2009.

(2) PRINCIPAL.—The term “principal” means any person that the Director determines exercises significant control over the regular operations of a business entity.

 

PES: 

Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of the Minority Business Development Agency to establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide qualified minority businesses with technical assistance and contract procurement assistance. Outlines minority business qualification requirements for the Program, including that: (1) not less than 51% of the entity be directly and unconditionally owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged individuals; and (2) each officer or other individual exercising control over regular operations is a historically disadvantaged individual. Outlines specific types of technical assistance authorized under the Program.

Authorizes the Director to enter into agreements for the fulfillment of federal procurement contracts by, and contracting opportunities for, qualified minority businesses. Provides contract limits.

Allows the Director to terminate a qualified minority business from the Program under specified circumstances.

 

Character name: Christopher Ross

Home State: Arkansas

Preference (HELP/ASFAJ/none): ASFAJ

Do you want to be chair?: Yes

Ross elected PPT

WASHINGTON - Senator Christopher Ross has been elected the President pro tempore of the United States Senates.

"I am absolutely elated to be elected as the presiding officer of the body. I am happy to say that I was elected with unanimity amongst my colleagues. Being the presiding officer of the greatest deliberative body in the world brings much joy to myself personally and also makes me feel proud that I will add my name to a long list of esteemed parliamentarians.

We need to work together this session for the good of the American people. They need so much good work done in regards to the economy, healthcare and many, many other areas. It is simply not the time for fighting amongst ourselves.

Reach out and let us talk to eachother. Get stuff done."

PPT masking/mods please.

Proud to be elected PPT of the Senate for this session. Hoping to get a lot of work done. 

CS

As admin both here and in VUSA, people always favored large summaries of their activited etc, but to be honest it is very tedious and takes up too much time. Option 2 is the best because it is easy to create but also easy to update etc based on what people have done. 

9 minutes ago, Elliot Davis said:

 

I second

I accept

Christopher Ross

US Senator for Arkansas

Democrat

President pro tempore of the United States Senate

Here

I will nominate myself.