Recently in Washington

Simpson Supports Clean Transportation Energy Alternatives
Congressman Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 1835, the New Alterative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions, or NAT GAS, Act of 2009.  H.R. 1835 focuses on increasing the availability of natural gas-fueled vehicles in the United States.

“I have always been a strong proponent of using clean alternative fuels, including natural gas, as a part of any comprehensive plan to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” Simpson said.  “H.R. 1835 gives us the tools to move our transportation system away from the dangerous dependence on foreign oil and onto cleaner, domestically-produced energy sources.”

Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) technology is readily available in other areas of the world, and NGVs are manufactured by all domestic auto manufacturers for sale overseas.  Natural gas is the only viable clean alternative energy source for heavy trucks.  Yet the U.S. market for these vehicles is extremely limited. 

H.R. 1835 includes a number of tax incentives focused on encouraging the production and purchase of natural gas-fueled vehicles and provides grants for the development of light and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles and engines.

“The U.S. has an abundant supply of natural gas,” said Simpson.  “While we currently import nearly 70% of our oil, most of which is used for transportation, 98% of our natural gas comes from domestic sources.  I strongly believe that H.R. 1835 is an important step in achieving energy independence for our nation.”

H.R. 1835 was originally introduced by Representative Dan Boren (D-OK) and has 116 cosponsors.

House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
On Monday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. H.R. 3767 - The "W. Hazen Hillyard Post Office Building" Designation Act  (Sponsored by Rep. Bishop (UT) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2. S. 1825 - A bill to extend the authority for relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees (Sponsored by Sen. Lieberman / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. H.R. 3539 - The "Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post Office Building" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Sires / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4. H.R. 1506 - To provide that claims of the United States to certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances (Sponsored by Rep. Slaughter / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5. S. 1314 - The "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office" Designation Act (Sponsored by Sen. Wyden / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6. H.R. 1242 - To amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to provide for additional monitoring and accountability of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Sponsored by Rep. Maloney / Financial Services Committee)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (12 Bills):

1. H.R. 3618 - Clean Hull Act (Sponsored by Rep. Oberstar / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
2. H.Res. 841 - Expressing support for designation of November 29, 2009, as "Drive Safer Sunday" (Sponsored by Rep. Gerlach / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
3. H.R. 3360 - Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (Sponsored by Rep. Matsui / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
4. H.Res. 891 - Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of California on October 29, 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Loretta Sanchez / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
5. H.R. 3305 - The "H. Dale Cook Federal Building and United States Courthouse" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Sullivan / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
6. S. 1599 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to include in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership positions (Sponsored by Sen. Leahy / Judiciary Committee)
7. H.Res. 851 - Recognizing the 40th anniversary of SEARCH (Sponsored by Rep. Matsui / Judiciary Committee)
8. H.R. 1839 - To amend the Small Business Act to improve SCORE (Sponsored by Rep. Buchanan / Small Business Committee)
9. H.R. 3014 - Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act (Sponsored by Rep. Dahlkemper / Small Business Committee)
10. H.R. 1834 - Native American Business Development Enhancement Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kirkpatrick / Small Business Committee)
11. H.R. 1842 - Expanding Entrepreneurship Act (Sponsored by Rep. Luetkemeyer / Small Business Committee)
12. H.R. 3738 - Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act (Sponsored by Rep. Nye / Small Business Committee)

H.R. 2781 - To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Schrader / Natural Resources Committee)

H.R. 3791 - Fire Grants Reauthorization Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mitchell / Science and Technology Committee)

H.R. 3961 - Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Dingell / Energy and Commerce)

Possible Consideration of the Conference Report on H.R. 2847 - Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mollohan / Appropriations Committee)