Dennis Kucinich: Legislative History in Congress

[tsipple]

Thomas, the official online database of Congressional records, has detailed information on Dennis Kucinich's legislative history during his entire House of Representatives service in Washington. Here are some interesting findings. Note that I searched only on legislation Kucinich sponsored (not co-sponsored), and I did not track the legislation beyond the House. (Bills then go to the Senate, may or may not pass, and then go to conference committee where they can be modified, pass or fail, and then get signed or vetoed. So passing out of the House is by no means a guarantee that something becomes law.)

In the 108th Congress (the current one), Rep. Kucinich has sponsored 24 pieces of legislation, including amendments. None have become law to date. Only two have come up for a vote: Amendment 2 to HR 4 (several changes to state block grants) failed by a vote of 124 to 300, and Amendment 194 to HR 2417 (trying to get telephone records between the CIA and the White House) failed by a vote of 76 to 347.

In the 107th Congress, Rep. Kucinich sponsored 38 pieces of legislation, including amendments. Five reached a vote and failed. An amendment increasing funding in the Department of Agriculture for biotechnology risk assessment passed. Another amendment passed which requires the Export-Import Bank to gather information related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. A third amendment passed which curtailed DoD funding until the DoD Inspector General submitted a report. And another amendment passed which exempted Federal Employees Health Benefits Program contracts from cost accounting standards.

In the 106th Congress, Kucinich sponsored 30 pieces of legislation, including amendments. An amendment in which Kucinich sought a "zero tolerance" policy for small businesses that make a first time mistake with federal paperwork was narrowly defeated. Curiously opposite, Kucinich also proposed an amendment which gave HUD grant applicants the ability to correct technical deficiencies within 7 days of notice, and that passed. Another amendment passed which helped states establish and maintain records of violent juveniles. An amendment which required Clinton's Secretary of State to submit a report outlining diplomatic initivates to resolve the Kosovo conflict passed. Kucinich also got passed an amendment that encourages teacher interest and involvement in "enterpreneurship education." An amendment prohibiting funding for cluster bombs failed. Another failed that would have blocked legal action under NAFTA. An amendment to divert $174 million from missile defense to defense health programs failed.

There's a real shocker in the 106th, though. Dennis tried to get an amendment (Amendment 1100 to HR 4811) passed that would have blocked funds for the Kosovo Protection Corps. (These are the forces that General Wesley Clark commanded under President Bill Clinton which stopped the slaughter in Kosovo.) The amendment failed.

The 105th Congress was even quieter, with 11 pieces of legislation. Kucinich got passed into law HR 4083 which made a videotape of a government television program available to the Ukrainian Museum. Kucinich first tried in the 105th to get "zero tolerance" penalties for small businesses that make first time paperwork violations, but that effort failed. He also introduced an amendment that would have allowed each state to pass laws in conflict with an international treaty (NAFTA) by denying funds for enforcement, but that failed, too.

That's it. From January, 1997, until now, 8 sponsored amendments to existing bills passed out of the House (not clear how many are law), and one sponsored bill (the video to the Ukrainian Museum).

[blm]

1. And for 11 years, Dean pushed for deregulating electricity in Vermont.

Good thing the legislature stopped him. Too bad Dean didn't have core Democratic principles that stopped him.

Legislative history matters ALOT. Campaign year rhetoric shouldn't matter at all. Too bad it does.

[genius]

3. I'm sure Enron and the energy giants love Dean

So what will be the difference if Dean gets in? If Dean gets the nomination, I'm writing in "Al Gore".

[Duder]

5. Since you brought up deregulation...

I've wondered about this:

For eight years Teresa maintained a close relationship with Ken Lay. Since 1995 Mr. Lay served as a trustee of the Heinz Center for Economics, Environment and Science which Teresa founded to memorialize her late husband. Teresa, as well Fred Krupp the executive director of Teresa's main environmental philanthropy Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), also served as trustees.

-- In 1998 EDF opposed a ballot initiative Proposition 9 that would have repealed utility deregulation in California. When the bill to deregulate California's energy market passed the legislature in 1996, EDF failed to voice opposition. Energy deregulation proved to be a gross catastrophe for California in terms of economics and the environment but was of great benefit to energy companies such as Enron. Teresa's close ties to Enron's Ken Lay raise the question of whether she was beguiled by Mr. Lay and his likely donations to the Heinz Center.

[blm]

7. And John Kerry was against deregulation.

And Dean was for it.

[Duder]

12. Kerry didn't marry Dean

http://www.nonprofitwatch.org/heinz/extended.html

[blm]

16. Kerry wasn't for deregulation - Dean WAS.

Notice that Kerry supporters don't attack other candidates' wives?

[tsipple]

6. Yes, Dean Favored Electric Deregulation

Vermont's state-run electricity monopoly entered into a long term, anti-consumer contract with Hydro-Quebec which meant some of the highest electricity rates. You bet Dean favored lowering electricity rates.

The way Vermont (and certain other states) went about opening up their electricity supply markets to competition was not how California went about it. You'll be happy to note that the lights stayed on in Vermont during the Great Northeast Blackout of 2003.

I'm interested in results not rhetoric.

[blm]

8. HAHAH...the result was the ratepayers got SCREWED

because Dean DID NOT FIGHT FOR THEM. I am amazed at all of you who swallowed the meme that Dean is a fighter FOR the people, when he didn't bother to fight while governor. He was a COMPROMISING CENTRIST with an aversion to fighting....for ELEVEN YEARS.

From the last paragraph here:

"Dean’s Department of Public Service agreed to let ratepayers be billed for more than 90 percent of what those excess costs are expected to be in the coming years. The extra costs will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars."


By David Gram

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MONTPELIER — When Gov. Howard Dean wanted to raise money for a possible presidential bid, he followed the example of a former governor of Texas and called on his friends in the energy industry.

>>>>>>>
“Administration actions going back some years betray an inappropriate coziness with the utilities,” said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Service Research Group. “I am not prepared to say it’s a result of contributions given. But these contributions present the appearance of impropriety or appearance of influence that it probably would have been better to avoid.”

Dean’s close relationship with utility representatives dates back to the day he became governor in 1991. A lobbyist for Green Mountain Power and a GMP employee were among the first people Dean called in to help his transition.

A list of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers includes Green Mountain Power Corp.’s chairman, two company board members and a vice president, all of whom made donations to the Fund For A Healthy America. It also includes two longtime utility lobbyists.

Over the years, the governor has sided with the utilities on many of the most pressing issues, including the push for deregulation of the electric industry, and later backing away from that as a goal. Among other major decisions:

— After years of pushing for the companies to absorb the excess costs of their expensive contract with Hydro-Quebec, Dean’s Department of Public Service agreed to let ratepayers be billed for more than 90 percent of what those excess costs are expected to be in the coming years. The extra costs will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
>>>>>>>

[tsipple]

14. Yup

That's what the monopoly electric utility is forced to do: pass all its costs onto consumers. Stinks, yes?

Precisely my point. Dean pushed for a system which would not leave ratepayers stuck with the Hydro-Quebec overcharges. In a competitive electric supply regime -- well run -- this stuff doesn't happen.

Dean was and is exactly right.

[blm]

17. Yeah...that's why the energy industry were his biggest donors.

If Dean was "exactly right" as you claim, then why did he thank the legislature for blocking his plan AFTER he saw what happened in California? Why would someone so right do that?

My beef is with his actual value system which is capitalist and Libertarian at its core. If he was a real democrat he would NEVER have been pushing deregulation.

[genius]

2. He also sponsored the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act

repealing the USA PATRIOT Act a few weeks ago and the Department of Peace earlier this year. A couple of weeks ago he co-sponsored a strengthening of the federal assault weapons ban. Perhaps you didn't turn up some of his more important bills because he got people to co-sponsor them. He got over fifty people to co-sponsor the Department of Peace.

Clearly, Dennis has been the busiest member of Congress in fighting for our rights.

[tsipple]

4. Looking at What Kucinich Accomplished

HR 1673, the Department of Peace, was sent to committee where it will die.

HR 3171 is the partial repeal of the Patriot Act, I believe. (It's a bit unclear from Congresional records.) That got sent to the Subcommittee on Education Reform ( :wtf: ) where obviously it will die.

[diamondsoul]

11. This post is pure unsubstantiated conjecture. n/t

[snoochie]

9. Thanks... forewarned is forarmed

But all this shows to me is how much corporate money has corrupted the entire process. Also the information is far from comprehensive, and I wonder if a full accounting of his other efforts (titles wouldn't be too much to ask?) might come across as more fair than describing only some of the bills/admendments. I mean, where the only ones that got to the floor was described, that makes sense, but then later it appears as if examples are picked at random.

Would I be overoptimistic to expect that since you're a Dean supporter, that you might also deliver such helpful information on Dean's 4 years in the Vermont House, and maybe even some of his records from his 5 years as Lt. Governor?

I mean, this is pretty detailed. I've checked Dean's website, and so far I can't seem to find anything like it. There are a couple of potential issues w/ DK's history, but compared to Dean's, I'll take it hands down. :7

[tsipple]

13. Asking the Question: "What Has Kucinich Accomplished?"

And trying to find a way to answer the question. Pretty simple, really.

[snoochie]

19. Yes, I see what's on the page...

But, being skeptical as to your true motives (i.e. trying to trash Kucinich vs. actually examining the backgrounds or 'accomplishments' of all candidates), I thought I would try to find out if you had a similar compilation of Dean's 'accomplishments'.

[LWolf]

20. It's great to see Dennis Kucinich

continually acting on his platform. Always working for us. Whether we have a democratic congress to get the stuff passed or not. Without Dennis Kucinich, most of our issues wouldn't exist as far as congress is concerned. They would never be mentioned. Historians couldn't use the congressional record to see that, once upon a time in American history, some Americans cared about issues like universal health care, defending the constitution, social skills among nations, etc.

As president, many of the bills in his platform will already be there, waiting for action. And, as president, his voice will definitely be heard by all.

In reality, evicting * is only the tip of the iceberg. If we don't take congress back, NONE OF THE CURRENT CROP OF DEMS are going to make significant changes.

[diamondsoul]

22. "What has Kucinich accomplished?"

That's an easy question to answer- He's brought up legislative issues the rest of the House Dems haven't had the balls to bring back up. He's done it in the face of heavy, organized opposition to Democratic principles, and he's been relentless about doing so.

He's established himself as a real, successful LEADER in spite of being in the minority party. He's proven that he's prepared to face opposition from the Repubs head on and without hesitation or weak-kneed concessions at every turn. Just so you know I don't consider it "compromise" when the Dem party does all the conceeding. It's only compromise when BOTH sides give up an ideal result. It seems to me Kucinich comprehends that where other Dems don't.

[diamondsoul]

10. "Legislative history in Congress" hm? Funny,

looks more like a very sad effort to bash Kucinich to me.

I'm still trying to figure out your point. That he's introduced legislation which is clearly unpopular with the Republicans and centrist (read Pink-tutu Democrats with my thanks to Mike Malloy!) Dems? So what? Has another legislator been more successful with sponsored bills? Which one and by what sort of margin? Over how many years in Congress? Do these more successful bills actually benefit the public or just corporate interests?

What's your point, and how is someone else a better candidate based on this information?

[alexwcovington]

15. Yeah

It sucks how progressive ideas get blocked in Republican-controlled congresses, eh?

I hope we win back the house so DK can become House Majority Leader.

[izzie]

18. Thank you I had heard of Thomas and had forgot about it.

I will have alot of fun with it.

[snoochie]

21. I won't be disengenuous: Dirt on Dean!

LOL!

Your picking and choosing your examples showed your hand, but thanks for playing!

And for my riposte, again, less attempt at trying to act like I'm just 'sharing information':

DIRT HERE!

Enjoy!

[FluxRostrum]

23. but Dean's done so much for us.

What has Dean been up to lately?

[snoochie]

24. Heh good luck getting an answer.

I tried that and it seems there's not too much to report on.

Which isn't surprising really. How many days did he actually bother to show up for work during his last term as gov?