Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 107SMART Act of 2009: To reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 852Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009: On Feb. 4, 2009: Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010. H.R.6843: Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Title I: Middle Class Tax Relief Made Permanent.

Client expense: $185,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Railroad Retirement Board, SENATE, Surface Transportation Board (STB), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

H.R. 3636 - Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act; Issues Related to NTIA Funding and Policies H.R. 3677 - Financial Services Appropriations Act; Issues Related to FCC Funding and Policies H.R.5850 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011/Issues Related to Wireless Services in Public Transit

Client expense: $2,380,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 146 & HR 233Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. HR 272Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 407Release of any Reversionary Interest of the United States in and to Certain Lands in Reno, Nevada: Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced this bill on Jan. 9, 2009. The bill would release any reversionary interest in railroad lands within the City of Reno, Nevada, that were originally granted to the Union Pacific Railroad under the provisions of the Act of July 1, 1862, commonly known as the Union Pacific Railroad Act. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. S 461 & HR 1132Extend and Modify the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the allowable amount of the railroad track maintenance tax credit; (2) revise the types of expenditures eligible for such credit; and (3) extend such credit through 2012. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.146 Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. S.2889 Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009 Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Increases Board membership from three to five members. Removes the Board from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish it as an independent U.S. agency. S.3047 Tax Code Termination Act: Tax Code Termination Act - Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for taxable years beginning after 2013, except provisions of such Code relating to social security taxation (i.e., taxes on wage, self-employment, and railroad retirement income). S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. H.R.5377 Title: To require Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service on certain long distance routes that operate at a loss.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 107SMART Act of 2009: To reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 852Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009: On Feb. 4, 2009: Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 779 Tax Free Tips Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt tips from the income tax, social security and railroad retirement taxes, unemployment taxes, and tax withholding. Defines "tips" as any gratuity provided to a salaried employee by a customer or client of the employer's business. S 268Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act: A bill to provide funding for a Green Job Corps program, YouthBuild Build Green Grants, and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants, and for other purposes. Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to expand the Job Corps program. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010. S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. S.2768 National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2010 Reauthorizes appropriations to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for FY2011 and FY2012. H.R.2847 Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act Title I: Incentives for Hiring and Retaining Unemployed Workers - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt for-profit and nonprofit employers, including public institutions of higher education, from social security and railroad retirement taxes in 2010 (except for the first calendar quarter of such year) for new employees who are hired after February 3, 2010, and before January 1, 2011, and who certify that they have not worked more than 40 hours during the last 60 days; and (2) allow an increase in the general business tax credit for the retention of such employees for at least one year at specified wage levels. Prohibits any carryback of unused business tax credit amounts. H.R.5377 Title: To require Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service on certain long distance routes that operate at a loss. H.R.4213 Title: American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 - Title I: Extension of Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Energy - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010: (1) the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for hybrid vehicles that are medium and heavy trucks; (2) tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel; (3) tax credits for producing electricity from open-loop biomass facilities and from refined coal facilities; (4) tax credits for the production of low sulfur diesel fuel and the production of fuel from coke or coke gas; (5) the tax credit for new energy efficient home expenditures; (6) excise tax credits and payments for alternative fuels; (7) tax deferral rules for sales or dispositions by a qualified electric utility; and (8) the suspension of the taxable income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and gas from marginal wells.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 146 & HR 233Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. HR 272Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 407Release of any Reversionary Interest of the United States in and to Certain Lands in Reno, Nevada: Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced this bill on Jan. 9, 2009. The bill would release any reversionary interest in railroad lands within the City of Reno, Nevada, that were originally granted to the Union Pacific Railroad under the provisions of the Act of July 1, 1862, commonly known as the Union Pacific Railroad Act. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. S 461 & HR 1132Extend and Modify the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the allowable amount of the railroad track maintenance tax credit; (2) revise the types of expenditures eligible for such credit; and (3) extend such credit through 2012. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.146 Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. S.2889 Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009 Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Increases Board membership from three to five members. Removes the Board from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish it as an independent U.S. agency. S.3047 Tax Code Termination Act: Tax Code Termination Act - Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for taxable years beginning after 2013, except provisions of such Code relating to social security taxation (i.e., taxes on wage, self-employment, and railroad retirement income). S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. H.R.5377 Title: To require Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service on certain long distance routes that operate at a loss.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 779 Tax Free Tips Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt tips from the income tax, social security and railroad retirement taxes, unemployment taxes, and tax withholding. Defines "tips" as any gratuity provided to a salaried employee by a customer or client of the employer's business. S 268Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act: A bill to provide funding for a Green Job Corps program, YouthBuild Build Green Grants, and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants, and for other purposes. Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to expand the Job Corps program. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010. S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. S.2768 National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2010 Reauthorizes appropriations to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for FY2011 and FY2012. H.R.2847 Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act Title I: Incentives for Hiring and Retaining Unemployed Workers - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt for-profit and nonprofit employers, including public institutions of higher education, from social security and railroad retirement taxes in 2010 (except for the first calendar quarter of such year) for new employees who are hired after February 3, 2010, and before January 1, 2011, and who certify that they have not worked more than 40 hours during the last 60 days; and (2) allow an increase in the general business tax credit for the retention of such employees for at least one year at specified wage levels. Prohibits any carryback of unused business tax credit amounts. H.R.5377 Title: To require Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service on certain long distance routes that operate at a loss. H.R.4213 Title: American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 - Title I: Extension of Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Energy - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010: (1) the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for hybrid vehicles that are medium and heavy trucks; (2) tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel; (3) tax credits for producing electricity from open-loop biomass facilities and from refined coal facilities; (4) tax credits for the production of low sulfur diesel fuel and the production of fuel from coke or coke gas; (5) the tax credit for new energy efficient home expenditures; (6) excise tax credits and payments for alternative fuels; (7) tax deferral rules for sales or dispositions by a qualified electric utility; and (8) the suspension of the taxable income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and gas from marginal wells.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 107SMART Act of 2009: To reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 852Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009: On Feb. 4, 2009: Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010.

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes." H.R. 4429, Restoring the Social Security COLA Act - Discussed the implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 - Advocated for the adoption of the Sanders Amendment (S.AMDT.3353) to provide an emergency benefit of $250 to seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in 2010 to compensate for the lact of cost-of-living adjustment for such year. Reviewed and discussed draft legislation to create a new Consumer Price Index to be used to calculate future Social Security COLAs. (no bill) Discussed draft language of latest Senate version of Automatic Individual Retirement Account (Auto-IRA) legislation. (no bill) Discussed draft legislation to establish a Senior Bill of Rights, particularly language to express the sense of Congress on the importance of Social Security. (no bill) Discussed draft legislation to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Social Security. (no bill) H.R. 5001, the BASIC Act - Reviewed legislation to prorate Social Security benefits for a surviving spouse for the month a beneficiary passes away and to adjust the lump sum death payment. Discussed draft legislation to exempt withdrawals from an individual's retirement account from the 10% penalty during times of high unemployment. (no bill)

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes." H.R. 4429, Restoring the Social Security COLA Act - Discussed the implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 - Advocated for the adoption of the Sanders Amendment (S.AMDT.3353) to provide an emergency benefit of $250 to seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in 2010 to compensate for the lact of cost-of-living adjustment for such year. Reviewed and discussed draft legislation to create a new Consumer Price Index to be used to calculate future Social Security COLAs. (no bill) Discussed draft language of latest Senate version of Automatic Individual Retirement Account (Auto-IRA) legislation. (no bill) Discussed draft legislation to establish a Senior Bill of Rights, particularly language to express the sense of Congress on the importance of Social Security. (no bill) Discussed draft legislation to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Social Security. (no bill) H.R. 5001, the BASIC Act - Reviewed legislation to prorate Social Security benefits for a surviving spouse for the month a beneficiary passes away and to adjust the lump sum death payment. Discussed draft legislation to exempt withdrawals from an individual's retirement account from the 10% penalty during times of high unemployment. (no bill)

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes." H.R. 4429, Restoring the Social Security COLA Act - Discussed the implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 - Advocated for the adoption of the Sanders Amendment (S.AMDT.3353) to provide an emergency benefit of $250 to seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in 2010 to compensate for the lact of cost-of-living adjustment for such year. Reviewed and discussed draft legislation to create a new Consumer Price Index to be used to calculate future Social Security COLAs. (no bill) Discussed draft language of latest Senate version of Automatic Individual Retirement Account (Auto-IRA) legislation. (no bill)

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes." H.R. 4429, Restoring the Social Security COLA Act - Discussed the implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 - Advocated for the adoption of the Sanders Amendment (S.AMDT.3353) to provide an emergency benefit of $250 to seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in 2010 to compensate for the lact of cost-of-living adjustment for such year. Reviewed and discussed draft legislation to create a new Consumer Price Index to be used to calculate future Social Security COLAs. (no bill) Discussed draft language of latest Senate version of Automatic Individual Retirement Account (Auto-IRA) legislation. (no bill)

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 779 Tax Free Tips Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt tips from the income tax, social security and railroad retirement taxes, unemployment taxes, and tax withholding. Defines "tips" as any gratuity provided to a salaried employee by a customer or client of the employer's business. S 268Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act: A bill to provide funding for a Green Job Corps program, YouthBuild Build Green Grants, and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants, and for other purposes. Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to expand the Job Corps program. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010. S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 146 & HR 233Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. HR 272Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 407Release of any Reversionary Interest of the United States in and to Certain Lands in Reno, Nevada: Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced this bill on Jan. 9, 2009. The bill would release any reversionary interest in railroad lands within the City of Reno, Nevada, that were originally granted to the Union Pacific Railroad under the provisions of the Act of July 1, 1862, commonly known as the Union Pacific Railroad Act. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. S 461 & HR 1132Extend and Modify the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the allowable amount of the railroad track maintenance tax credit; (2) revise the types of expenditures eligible for such credit; and (3) extend such credit through 2012. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.146 Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). S.3015 Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. S.2889 Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009 Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Increases Board membership from three to five members. Removes the Board from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish it as an independent U.S. agency. S.3047 Tax Code Termination Act: Tax Code Termination Act - Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for taxable years beginning after 2013, except provisions of such Code relating to social security taxation (i.e., taxes on wage, self-employment, and railroad retirement income). S.1134 Responsible Use of Coal Act of 2009: Requires the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to advance carbon capture and storage and coal power generation technologies. Requires such program to include a large-scale commercial demonstration program to evaluate the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies and research and development programs for carbon capture technologies, carbon dioxide storage, and advanced clean coal power generation technologies. H.R.3505 American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 107SMART Act of 2009: To reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 852Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009: On Feb. 4, 2009: Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Sets forth legislative language on health care reform and investing in education submitted to the House Budget Committee by the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee pursuant to reconciliation instructions of Section 202 of S. Con. Res. 13, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010.

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes."

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. (no bill number) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3810, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 2926 Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, providing Social Security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for 2010 and converting from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.R. 4126, the Retirement Fairness Act of 2009 - Reviewed and discussed legislation "to prevent the overstatement of benefits payable to non-highly compensated employees under qualified plans, and for other purposes."

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 107SMART Act of 2009: To reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 852Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009: On Feb. 4, 2009: Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 5Cleaner, Greener, and Smarter Act of 2009: A bill to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. HR 779 Tax Free Tips Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt tips from the income tax, social security and railroad retirement taxes, unemployment taxes, and tax withholding. Defines "tips" as any gratuity provided to a salaried employee by a customer or client of the employer's business. S 268Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act: A bill to provide funding for a Green Job Corps program, YouthBuild Build Green Grants, and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants, and for other purposes. Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to expand the Job Corps program. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 2454-American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009: To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Sets forth provisions concerning clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, transitioning to a clean energy economy, and providing for agriculture and forestry related offsets. Includes provisions: (1) creating a combined energy efficiency and renewable electricity standard and requiring retail electricity suppliers to meet 20% of their demand through renewable electricity and electricity savings by 2020; (2) setting a goal of, and requiring a strategic plan for, improving overall U.S. energy productivity by at least 2.5% per year by 2012 and maintaining that improvement rate through 2030; and (3) establishing a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting goals for reducing such emissions from covered sources by 83% of 2005 levels by 2050. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications.

AMTRAKBudget And Appropriation For FY 2010: On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed HR 1105 which was the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This bill concluded the appropriations from the 110th Congress that were not completed before the end of 2008. As a result of this bill Amtrak received a total of $1.453 billion for fiscal year 2009. In addition Amtrak received $114 million for the last installment of the Amtrak workers backpay. Congress must now turn to the FY 2010 budget. S 146 & HR 233Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. HR 243Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2009: On Jan. 7, 2009, Rep. Gene Green introduced HR 243 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. HR 250Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act: To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line. HR 272Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. HR 407Release of any Reversionary Interest of the United States in and to Certain Lands in Reno, Nevada: Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced this bill on Jan. 9, 2009. The bill would release any reversionary interest in railroad lands within the City of Reno, Nevada, that were originally granted to the Union Pacific Railroad under the provisions of the Act of July 1, 1862, commonly known as the Union Pacific Railroad Act. S 238Build America Bond Act of 2009: A bill to provide $50,000,000,000 in new transportation infrastructure funding through bonding to empower States and local governments to complete significant infrastructure projects across all modes of transportation, including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways, and for other purposes. HR 651Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act: Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. HR 693Designation of Corridor for Inter-Suburban Commuter Rail: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail. S 461 & HR 1132Extend and Modify the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the allowable amount of the railroad track maintenance tax credit; (2) revise the types of expenditures eligible for such credit; and (3) extend such credit through 2012. S 560 & HR 1409Employee Free Choice Act: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during the organizing efforts, and for other purposes. HR 1789Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. H.R. 2847-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes substituting the "Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010" as Division A of the Act and the "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009" as Division B. The report of the House Rules Committee on H.Res. 976 (H.Rept. 111-380, p. 5) summarized the matter included in Division A of the Act concerning the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); infrastructure, employment, and public investment programs; unemployment insurance; COBRA; small business loans; the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage; the child tax credit; surface transportation; and certain civil rights claims. H.R. 3200-America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Sets forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including: (1) exempting grandfathered health insurance coverage from requirements of this Act; (2) prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions; (3) providing for guaranteed coverage to all individuals and employers and automatic renewal of coverage; (4) prohibiting premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; and (5) prohibiting rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud. S.1796 America's Healthy Future Act of 2009: An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Insurance Coverage) to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and essential health benefits coverage. H.R. 3404 Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. To amend the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits and the temporary availability of further additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. H.R. 3677 Save Our Seniors' Social Security Act of 2009 To provide relief payments to recipients of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, and for other purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $280 payment to each individual who, for any of the months of December 2009, January 2010, or February 2010, is entitled to a Social Security or railroad retirement benefit payment. H.R. 3789 Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act: To permit Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their checked baggage. Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. S. 1132 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as federal law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms; and (2) revise requirements for certifying retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms, including reducing the years of service required for such officers from 15 to 10 years and setting forth requirements relating to mental health certifications. S.146 Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009: A bill to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010.

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with Democratic Policy Counsel staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed preferred Social Security options. (no bill) Discussed implications of no Social Security COLA.(no bill) Discussed disability backlog process and administration issues, including participation on SSA Advisory Future Systems Technology Panel (Nancy LeaMond, panelist). Advocated for retirement security for family caregivers. H.R. 3536, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act -Discussed implications of legislation responding to the lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010. H.R. 3557- To provide an emergency cost-of-living increase for Social Security Benefits for 2010. Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R.3572, COLA Assistance Act of 2009-Discussed implications on legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. S. 1685/H.R.3597, Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lact of a Cocial Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3691, Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3672, Social Security COLA Fix for 2010 Act - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010. H.R. 3677, Save Our Seniors Social Security Act of 2009 - Discussed implications of legislation introduced to respond to the lack of a Social Security COLA for 2010.