[edit] Education

• Educational Training
  • With a vote of 416-0 the House of Representative approved the Green Energy Education Act of 2007 (H.R. 1716) in June of 2007. The bill will allow the Secretary of Energy to contribute research and development funds to the National Science Foundation for the purpose of supporting graduate education that is related to energy technology. Representative Clyburn voted for this bill.
• Educational Funding
  • Representative Clyburn voted for the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362), which requires the National Science Foundation to increase its funding of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program with the goal of increasing the number of math and science teachers by up to 10,000 per year. The legislation passed with a vote of 389-22.
• Teaching Evolution/Intelligent Design
  • Nothing posted to date

[edit] Energy

• Energy Policy
  • Introduced on 5/15/2009 by Rep. Waxman and cosponsored by Rep. Markey, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) aims to create jobs, protect the environment, and increase American energy independence through new regulation of utilities and industry, as well as investment in an array of new technologies. Key provisions of this bill include: mandating that, by 2020, utilities meet 20% of their electricity demand through increased efficiency and/or renewable sources, implement new energy efficiency regulations for buildings and appliances, reduce carbon emissions from large US by more than 80% by 2050, as well as investing in new clean energy technologies and improving the energy efficiency of existing technology.
    
    Representative Clyburn voted for this bill.
• Fuel Economy Standards
  • See discussion of CLEAN Energy Act under Renewable Energy section.
• Nuclear Power
  • Template:Vote-EnergyDeptAppropriations2010House
  • Prior to the debate over energy in the House, Representative Clyburn issued support for the nuclear energy industry during a May 2007 forum hosted by the CASEnergy Coalition. During his speech, Clyburn stressed the importance of developing a "smorgasbord of energy choices,” adding that he believes "nuclear has to be a significant part — who knows, in some places it could be the centerpiece — of the smorgasbord.”^[1]
  • In 2006 he voted for an H. Amdt. 919 to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2007 (H. 5427) that prevented funds from the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management to be used to administer a promotional website for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste suppository titled "Yucca Mountain Youth Zone" featuring the fictional character Yucca Mountain Johnny.
• Offshore Drilling
  • On September 16, 2008 the House passed H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. This act allows oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area that are more than 50 miles from the coastline and establishes a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewable Reserve. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation. This legislation was passed with a vote of 236 to 189.
• Renewable Energy
  • See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
  • In January of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). This legislation is intended to address a royalties oversight that occurred when the Department of the Interior issued leases for off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 1999. Revenues generated from these provisions would be used for the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation, which passed with a vote of 264-163.
    
    During consideration of H.R. 6 in June of 2007, the Senate changed the focus of the legislation into developing a more comprehensive energy bill that focused on the development of renewable fuels, energy conservation, and increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The final version of the bill--which still included the CAFE standards but had lost many of the previous provisions--passed in the House with a vote of 314-100 and was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007. Representative Clyburn voted for this bill.

• • In August 2007, Representative Clyburn voted for the final passage of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 3221). The legislation would provide tax incentives to promote the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, including guaranteeing up to $1 billion in loans for the development of biorefineries and biofuel production facilities. The measure also would repeal tax deductions to income attributed to the domestic production of oil and natural gas. It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 241-172 and was sent to the Senate.
    
    A controversial amendment to the bill was H. Amdt. 748 sponsored by Representative Udall. This amendment would require retail electric suppliers to provide 15% of their electricity through a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020. Representative Clyburn voted for the amendment, which was adopted with a vote of 220 to 190.

[edit] Environment

• After the House failed to pass S. 22 under suspension of the rules (which requires 2/3 to vote for a provision, but does not allow any amendments), the Senate called an unrelated bill, (HR 146), to carry the omnibus land bill. The bill is a combination of over 150 public land bills and will designate over 2 million acres of land as wilderness, improve the management of currently protected land, establish new water projects, and more. Swapping the original legislation in HR 146 for the land bill was designed to make finalizing the bill in the House easy.
  
  When HR 146 was brought to the Senate, Sen. Coburn (R-OK) introduced several amendments, though only one passed:
  • Amendment 682: to make it less likely that casual stone collectors would run afoul of the criminal restrictions on taking paleontological fossils from federal land (passed)
  • Amendment 675: to stop federal officials from using the power of eminent domain to take land from citizens. Critics say this amendment was unnecessary as eminent domain would not be used in any lands included in the bill.
  • Amendment 677: to require an annual report on the total size and cost of federal property.
  • Amendment 679: to strike provisions that would block renewable-energy development on public land
  • Amendment 680: to bar new construction in national parks until the Interior secretary certifies that current sites are up to date, and
  • Amendment 683: to eliminate what Coburn considers to be "frivolous" projects

The bill passed the Senate on March 19, 2009. It passed the House by a vote of 285-140 on March 25, 2009. Representative Clyburn voted for this bill. It was then signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009.

[edit] Climate Change

• On Earth Day in 2007 (April 20th), Representative Clyburn released a statement on climate change, touting Democrats' work on the issue:

We can no longer dismiss the overwhelming evidence brought forth by scientists, environmentalists, community leaders, and the faith community regarding climate change. In order to maintain a livable earth for our children and our grandchildren, we must take strong steps to reduce harmful emissions, cease our dependence on foreign oil, and create alternative sources of renewable energy. Democrats have started with passing legislation that redirects subsidies for big oil into renewable and efficient energy resources. We have also launched a “greening the Capitol” initiative to make the people’s house carbon neutral, and we have established a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to address the critical energy issues that face our nation.^[2]

[edit] Health

• Template:Vote-HHRAndEducationAndAppropriations2010
• Introduced on March 3, 2009 by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256) aims to increase the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating tobacco in America. The legislation would empower the FDA to require larger warning labels on cigarette packaging, control nicotine levels, and regulate the advertising and marketing of cigarettes. During the 110th Congress, an identical bill had passed in the House in July of 2008 but was never considered in the Senate. The current bill passed in the House on April 2, 2009 by a vote of 298-112. Representative Clyburn voted for this bill. The Obama administration has released a statement in support of the bill and Senator Edward Kennedy stated that “the Senate will approve it expeditiously.”
• See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
• Healthcare
  • During the Summer 2009 debate on healthcare reform,Clyburn responded to the ongoing battle between political parties by saying that the White House should top efforts to reach a bipartisan bill, that due to the Democratic majority in Congress things would be better when "the White House decides it's time for us to put together our own bill." ^[3]
  • After being vetoed twice by President Bush in 2007, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) (H.R. 2) bill was reintroduced in the 111th Congress on January 13, 2009. SCHIP provides a subsidy for children’s insurance for families that cannot afford private insurance yet earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The cost of the program is funded by an increase in cigarette taxes of 62 cents per pack. The House of Representatives voted 289-139 to pass the bill on January 14, 2009. Representative Clyburn voted for this bill. The Senate also passed SCHIP, and it was signed into law by President Obama on February 4, 2009.
  • In late January, 2009, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), indicated that he does not expect a health reform bill to pass Congress in 2009. According to The Hill Rep. Clyburn "said he prefers to see the issue dealt with 'incrementally.'” ^[4]
  • In April of 2007, Representative Clyburn voted for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493) which got a final vote of 420-3. If enacted, GINA will prevent health insurance companies from adjusting premiums on the basis of genetic information and forbid requiring individuals to undergo genetic tests. The bill will also prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of genetic information. This legislation is currently awaiting action in the Senate.
  • On July 15, 2008, both Houses of Congress voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331), a bill to put off an almost 11% cut of payments to doctors who care for Medicare patients. The legislation offset putting off the payment cuts for doctors by reducing reimbursements to insurance companies that include Medicare patients in their managed-care programs.[1] The House voted 383 to 41 in favor of a veto override. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation.
  • In September 2007, Representative Clyburn voted for the final version of the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act” (H.R. 976) with a vote of 265-169, which would have increased funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $50 billion dollars over five years. On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, citing that the bill moved too many children towards federally funded healthcare. The House attempted to override the President’s veto, but the measure failed to pass with a vote count of 273-156. Representative Clyburn voted for the veto override.
  • Soon after the veto override, Representative Clyburn released a statement entitled "We Will Not Stop Until We Cover 10 Million Children" in which he asserted that House Democrats would once again try to override President Bush's veto of the SCHIP legislation. On December 29, 2007, President Bush signed the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S. 2499) which extends funding for SCHIP through March of 2009, but does not significantly increase the program. On January 23, 2008, the House once again failed with a vote of 260-152 to pass H.R. 3963 to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation.
• Embryonic Stem Cell Research
  • In April of 2007, Representative Clyburn voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), which would have overturned President Bush's ban on the use of federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 247-176 and the Senate with a vote of 63-34. President Bush vetoed both this legislation and an identical bill that was passed by Congress in 2006.
  • In a June 2007 response to President Bush's veto, Representative Clyburn evoked the Bible, saying:

    "Psalm 72 calls for us to ‘defend the afflicted among the people.’ Today with his veto pen, the President dashed the hope of millions of suffering Americans who deal daily with disease and affliction, such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Seventy-two percent of Americans support stem cell research, and the Congress crafted a bill with broad bipartisan support in both houses that creates a strong ethical framework in which to conduct that research. We understood the concerns of many in our communities, and put in place safeguards to ensure that this research would help people rather than harms life. I am disappointed in the President’s veto.”^[5]

• Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research
  • In December 2005, Representative Clyburn voted for the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 2520), which President Bush signed on December 20, 2005. The law "creates a new Federal program to collect and store cord blood, and expands the current bone marrow registry program to also include cord blood." The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 431-1 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
• Food
  • Template:Vote-FoodSafetyEnhancementAct2009House

[edit] Innovation

• Stimulus
  • On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). This stimulus bill contains over $30 billion for energy initiatives including the Smart Grid Investment Program and advanced battery systems; $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy for both businesses and homes; over $8 billion for augmenting energy efficiency in federal buildings and housing programs; and $7 billion to extend broadband service to underserved communities. The Act also gives the National Science Foundation $3 billion for research; the National Institutes of Health over $10 billion for research and renovations; NASA $1 billion, a portion of which to employ more scientists; and the Department Of Energy’s Office of Science $1.6 billion for energy research. Finally, it provides $19 billion for a modernized Health Information Technology (HIT) system; $87 billion to help fund Medicaid programs; $1 billion for health prevention programs; subsidies for temporary insurance; and $19 billion for clean water and environmental restoration programs. For a more complete listing of the bill’s provisions, click here.
    
    It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 246-183 on February 13th and passed the Senate on February 13th. Representative Clyburn did not vote on this bill.
• COMPETES Act
  • On August 9, 2007, President Bush signed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (H.R. 2272) into law. The law authorizes the doubling of funding for the National Science Foundation over the next seven years, increased funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and competitive grants for teachers and schools with the goal of strengthening the quality of education in science, math, and critical foreign languages. The bill was passed with unanimous consent in the Senate and was agreed to by a vote of 367-57 by the House after being reconciled in a conference committee. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation. The America COMPETES Act was not fully funded in 2008.

[edit] Research and Research Management

• Funding
  • See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
  • In May of 2007, Representative Clyburn voted for the final passage of the National Science Foundation Funding Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final vote count was 399 to 17.

[edit] Technology

• On March 18, 2009, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced the Electronic Waste Research and Development Act (HR 1580) which works to reduce the waste caused by dumping unwanted electronics and to boost awareness of how to recycle such products. The bill would fund increased research on how to separate out hazardous material from waste as well as fund grants to universities to create curriculums to help in the reduction of this waste. HR 1580 passed in the House by voice vote on April 22, 2009. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation.
• See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
• In the summer of 2008, the House met to consider the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 6304), which would give retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that wiretapped customers’ phones for the Bush administration shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The legislation also allows the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens for up to 7 days before obtaining court approval. The House passed the bill with a vote of 293 to 129, and the legislation was signed by President Bush on July 7, 2008. Representative Clyburn voted for this legislation.
• In 2006, Representative Clyburn voted against H. Amdt. 987 to ensure that network neutrality clauses be added to the Title VII of the Communication Act of 1934. The amendment required all broadband service provides to "operate its broadband network in a nondiscriminatory manner so that any person can offer or provide content, applications, and services through, or over, such broadband network with equivalent or better capability than the provider extends to itself or affiliated parties, and without the imposition of a charge for such nondiscriminatory network operation."^[6]

[edit] Endnotes

1. ↑ Geof Koss, "Clyburn Sees ‘Significant’ Role for Nuclear Power in Energy Debate." CongressNOW. May 15, 2007. http://www.cleansafeenergy.org/Environmentalgroupsreassessnuclearregardingcl/tabid/199/Default.aspx
2. ↑ Clyburn Statement On Earth Day. April 20, 2007. http://democraticwhip.house.gov/press_releases/2007/04/20/clyburn_statement_earth_day.html
3. ↑ Washington Post Aug. 19, 2009
4. ↑ Jeffrey Young, "Pelosi expects ‘major step’ on health reform in 2009," The Hill, January 26, 2009.
5. ↑ President Dashes Hope of Stem Cell Research with Veto Pen. June 20, 2007. http://democraticwhip.house.gov/press/2007/06/20/president_stem_cell_veto_pen/
6. ↑ H. Amdt. 987 to H.R. 5252. June 8, 2006. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2006_record&page=H3576&position=all