Jump with me...
I just got done reading Slinkerwink's diary about the double-cross Ben Nelson is preparing to unload on the Senate's delicate healthcare reform efforts. It seems this man is a total waste of space. (Which is really sad for America, and for the good people of Nebraska.)
Here are his most significant legislative accomplishments from his Senate website:
...
OK, no significant stuff. But there is a link to the Library of Congress's THOMAS site, where you can learn more.
So, what has Nelson sponsored? Here are some highlights:
- S.811 : A bill to amend title 36, United States Code to designate the oak tree as the national tree of the United States.
Status: Referred to Senate committee in May 2001. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.AMDT.533 to S.1 To promote and support mentoring programs to assist children with greatest need.
Status: Amendment was passed. This might actually be a somewhat significant accomplishment - helping kids. But looking at the language, this is mostly a technical amendment that defined what "greatest need" actually means - "a child at risk of educational failure, dropping out of school, or involvement in criminal or delinquent activities, or that has lack of strong positive adult role models".
OK, thanks Ben.
Next?
S.AMDT.769 to H.R.1836 To provide a circuit breaker for tax cuts if debt levels are not reduced as provided in the budget resolution for fiscal year 2002.
Wow. Thanks. You shouldn't have. So, basically, this kept the Bush-Hastert tax cuts of 2001, but at least paid some attention to making sure our debt didn't get too big. It was passed, May 23, 2001. Hmmm...
Here's a great one...
S.CON.RES.128 : A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of life insurance, and recognizing and supporting National Life Insurance Awareness Month.
Yippee!!! Let's honor insurance! Of course, it didn't go anywhere, but...
So, what else?
S.860 : A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the oak tree as the national tree of the United States.
What? This again? Seriously he proposed it again in the 108th Congress in 2004.
Come on, Ben. I'm trying here... there's got to be something...
S.AMDT.3241 to S.2400 To increase by $2,000,000 the amount authorized to be appropriated for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide activities, and make the increase available for neurotoxin mitigation research, and to provide an offset.
Well, this was actually passed in 2004. So, let's hear it for increased neurotoxin mitigation research.
Now, this next one is pretty impressive:
S.RES.10 : A resolution honoring the life of Johnny Carson.
Passed! January 25, 2005. Well done, Senator. (Johnny was a much better host than Jay Leno...)
S.RES.448 : A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of "National Life Insurance Awareness Month".
Passed again! Hey, these resolutions are pretty significant. And again, you really ought to have more life insurance.
S.AMDT.1430 to S.1042 To clarify certain authorities relating to adoptions by members of the Armed Forces.
This one passed too! Let's look closer...
Reimbursement for Adoption Expenses.--Section 1052(g)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or other source authorized to place children for adoption under State or local law'' after ``qualified adoption agency''
So, basically, you can get reimbursed by a non-qualifed adoption agency if it's authorized by state or local law, which is nice.
This guy had a very productive 2005-06. Here's more stuff that actually got passed:
S.AMDT.2272 to H.R.3010 To express the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Treasury should ensure that existing Federal employment preferences for disabled veterans and Federal policies promoting opportunities for other disabled persons are carried forward as a part of any tax collection contract program.
S.AMDT.2452 to S.1042 To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a uniform policy for the Armed Forces on parental leave and similar leave.
S.AMDT.2625 to S.2020 To require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a disability preference program for qualified tax collection contracts.
And we're on to 2007-08...
S.RES.393 : A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate to those affected by the tragic events of December 5, 2007, at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska.
I'm glad we remembered that event. The resolution passed. Here's what that was about:
And on we go...
S.RES.416 : A resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force as an independent military service.
PASSED! Yeah, independent Air Force! Nice resolution.
S.RES.599 : A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate to those affected by the tragic events following the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008.
That was really sad - I remember that day, actually.
And of course, you should remember that tragedy can strike at any time, so please be sure to buy more life insurance.
S.RES.657 : A resolution designating September 13, 2008, as "National Celiac Disease Awareness Day".
Passed ... on September 22, 2008. Better late than never.
S.AMDT.2160 to H.R.1585 To provide extended benefits under the TRICARE program for the primary caregivers of members of the uniformed services who incur a serious injury or illness on active duty.
Now, this is actually a wonderful piece of legislation. It insures that TRICARE will do a better job helping families of injured soldiers, and I'm truly grateful to Sen. Nelson for this one.
Oh, but wait... here's what it did:
The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations the individuals who shall be treated as the primary caregivers of a member of the uniformed services for purposes of this paragraph.
So, if the Secretary of Defense decides that a gay partner is not a primary caregiver? Oops. Too bad. You're on your own. (Nice work, Ben.)
S.AMDT.2161 to H.R.1585 To repeal the annual limit on the number of Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarships under the Army Reserve and Army National Guard fi
nancial assistance program.
Passed 9/27/2007. Allows even more than 416 cadets each year to get trained - which is much needed if we're going to fight two wars at the same time.
S.AMDT.2865 to H.R.1585 To authorize the Secretary of Defense to expand the persons eligible for continued health benefits coverage.
This one passed too.
S.AMDT.2866 to H.R.1585 To authorize demonstration projects on the provision of services to military dependent children with autism.
Good work - helping military families is a good thing.
S.AMDT.2867 to H.R.1585 To repeal the authority for payment of a uniform allowance to civilian employees of the Department of Defense.
That one passed too - no more wasteful spending on civilian employees of the Department of Defense. (Smart move - every little bit helps!)
S.AMDT.2868 to H.R.1585 To provide for a continuation of eligibility for TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Selected Reserve.
Passed again - basically a grandfather policy on the old version of the benefits eligibility.
S.AMDT.4212 to S.CON.RES.70 To create additional jobs and make a lasting investment in our national infrastructure by increasing Fiscal Year 2008 infrastructure stimulus funding by designating $3.5 billion in existing stimulus funding in the resolution as discretionary funding.
Basically, this one made more discretionary spending and less targeted spending. No idea how it worked out. But the amendment passed with the support of Biden and others.
And on to the current session of Congress!!!
S.RES.112 : A resolution designating February 8, 2010, as "Boy Scouts of America Day", in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the largest youth scouting organization in the United States.
And this one passed in October - have you made your Boy Scouts of America Day travel plans yet?
S.RES.228 : A resolution designating the week beginning September 14, 2009, as "National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week".
This one is pretty solid - by the way, a direct support professional is someone who works with children who have developmental disabilities. Maybe we shouldn't just give them a week, but help give them and their families better health insurance - you know, like a public option or something...
Nelson also proposed (and had passed) legislation that changed the pay scale for all members of Congress and support staff for Congress (e.g., the Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, etc.). Can't say I'm really willing to spend the time figuring out the differences between his Senate version and the one that passed the House.
S.AMDT.1555 to S.1390 To permit the extension of eligibility for enrollment in Department of Defense elementary and secondary schools to certain additional categories of dependents.
This amendment basically allowed members of foreign military services to attend US military schools for free.
S.AMDT.1600 to S.1390 To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit of assistance to local educational agencies for the education of dependent children of members of the Armed Forces.
OK...
S.AMDT.1601 to S.1390 To require a report on simplifying defense travel.
Does he want that in triplicate?
S.AMDT.2614 to H.R.3326 To make available from Operations and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, $15,000,000 for implementation of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act.
This is nice - helping overseas voters to get better access to voting.
And, yeah... that's about it.
He has proposed a lot of other bills and amendments that have never been seriously considered. But if you look at his body of work, you can see that there have been some nice things done for folks in the military and a lot of good stuff for Boy Scouts. And the life insurance industry.
And oak trees.