NationStates

Jovuistan wrote:

The Orion Islands wrote:Senator Everitt Colbert (R-UT)
"Senator Martel, how will we ensure that these funds in this ROSE bill go towards the people of the United States, and not towards the Chinese Communist Party?"

"Senator... what? This bill is very clear about where the funds go: programs that help develop solar technologies in America. These funds will go to American programs, supporting American technologies, to be developed and worked by American businesses and workers. China has nothing to do with this bill, none of the funds go towards anything Chinese. I don't understand why the Senator insists on stretching the clear provisions of this bill to be to the benefit of China unless he wishes to turn this into a political stunt?"

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"And will these funds be buying American components, or Chinese Communist Party components? And what makes you the judge of political stunts?"

The Orion Islands wrote:

Jovuistan wrote:"Senator... what? This bill is very clear about where the funds go: programs that help develop solar technologies in America. These funds will go to American programs, supporting American technologies, to be developed and worked by American businesses and workers. China has nothing to do with this bill, none of the funds go towards anything Chinese. I don't understand why the Senator insists on stretching the clear provisions of this bill to be to the benefit of China unless he wishes to turn this into a political stunt?"

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"And will these funds be buying American components, or Chinese Communist Party components? And what makes you the judge of political stunts?"

"American components, Senator. China has nothing to do with this bill."

Jovuistan wrote:

The Orion Islands wrote:Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"And will these funds be buying American components, or Chinese Communist Party components? And what makes you the judge of political stunts?"

"American components, Senator. China has nothing to do with this bill."

CHS rose at this moment to address the chair. "Mr. Chairman?" she said, recalling rule 19.1.

Senate Floor

Seeing as no one was interested in asking questions, Carole spoke up, "Motion to end the questioning period."

Meretica wrote:

Jovuistan wrote:"American components, Senator. China has nothing to do with this bill."

CHS rose at this moment to address the chair. "Mr. Chairman?" she said, recalling rule 19.1.

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"The Senate is currently in a questioning period. All remarks are to be directed to the Senator from California."

Jovuistan wrote:Senate Floor

Seeing as no one was interested in asking questions, Carole spoke up, "Motion to end the questioning period."

Senator Everitt Colbert
"Forgive me, but I thought of a few more questions. What place does the Senator from California see for solar energy in the United States and her future?"

Seeing as how the PPT was too lazy and official to bother helping one of his own colleagues, Cassie decided to help Senator Martel in a different way.

"Senator, will you please state very plainly that this bill in no way, shape, or form would harm America in any way and thus assuage his fears so that we can move on and stop wasting the tax dollars of the American people because he wants to be a showoff?"

The Orion Islands wrote:

Jovuistan wrote:Senate Floor

Seeing as no one was interested in asking questions, Carole spoke up, "Motion to end the questioning period."

Senator Everitt Colbert
"Forgive me, but I thought of a few more questions. What place does the Senator from California see for solar energy in the United States and her future?"

"I see solar energy as part of a broader 21st Century era of American innovation. In the 20th Century, America became the world's largest economy and global superpower because Americans are innovators. We made the best products, led technological advances, and created millions of jobs out of new industries. Renewable energy is a massive untapped market. Not only would it help deter global warming, it has the potential to create millions of new jobs, and America can lead in technological innovation just like last century."

Meretica wrote:Seeing as how the PPT was too lazy and official to bother helping one of his own colleagues, Cassie decided to help Senator Martel in a different way.

"Senator, will you please state very plainly that this bill in no way, shape, or form would harm America in any way and thus assuage his fears so that we can move on and stop wasting the tax dollars of the American people because he wants to be a showoff?"

Carole resisted the urge to chuckle, "I can assure the Senate today that this bill will not harm America or the American people. This bill will lay the groundwork for America to lead the renewable energy revolution and put millions of Americans in new green collar jobs."

Jovuistan wrote:Senate Floor

Seeing as no one was interested in asking questions, Carole spoke up, "Motion to end the questioning period."

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"With no second, the motion fails."

Jovuistan wrote:

The Orion Islands wrote:Senator Everitt Colbert
"Forgive me, but I thought of a few more questions. What place does the Senator from California see for solar energy in the United States and her future?"

"I see solar energy as part of a broader 21st Century era of American innovation. In the 20th Century, America became the world's largest economy and global superpower because Americans are innovators. We made the best products, led technological advances, and created millions of jobs out of new industries. Renewable energy is a massive untapped market. Not only would it help deter global warming, it has the potential to create millions of new jobs, and America can lead in technological innovation just like last century."

Meretica wrote:Seeing as how the PPT was too lazy and official to bother helping one of his own colleagues, Cassie decided to help Senator Martel in a different way.

"Senator, will you please state very plainly that this bill in no way, shape, or form would harm America in any way and thus assuage his fears so that we can move on and stop wasting the tax dollars of the American people because he wants to be a showoff?"

Carole resisted the urge to chuckle, "I can assure the Senate today that this bill will not harm America or the American people. This bill will lay the groundwork for America to lead the renewable energy revolution and put millions of Americans in new green collar jobs."

"Senator, Wyoming depends on the production of coal, oil, and gas for most of its tax revenue. The revenue from these taxes pays for our school system and our highway system. How would solar energy generate enough taxes to pay for the state's budget?"

The Orion Islands wrote:

Jovuistan wrote:"I see solar energy as part of a broader 21st Century era of American innovation. In the 20th Century, America became the world's largest economy and global superpower because Americans are innovators. We made the best products, led technological advances, and created millions of jobs out of new industries. Renewable energy is a massive untapped market. Not only would it help deter global warming, it has the potential to create millions of new jobs, and America can lead in technological innovation just like last century."


Carole resisted the urge to chuckle, "I can assure the Senate today that this bill will not harm America or the American people. This bill will lay the groundwork for America to lead the renewable energy revolution and put millions of Americans in new green collar jobs."

"Senator, Wyoming depends on the production of coal, oil, and gas for most of its tax revenue. The revenue from these taxes pays for our school system and our highway system. How would solar energy generate enough taxes to pay for the state's budget?"

"Firstly, coal, oil, and gas will not suddenly vanish. A transition from non-renewable to renewable energy would be gradual over an extended period of time to protect the revenues and jobs traditional energies produce. Again, solar energy is part of a broad grouping of renewable energy technologies, which are being developed at a rapid pace to be more efficient and affordable. Production of solar and other renewable energies will create sufficient revenues to maintain the funding of public systems, in addition to creating potentially millions of jobs."

HOUSE FLOOR


Speaker Cragie: I am reopening the floor of the House of Representatives following to vote for Speaker.... The Docket has been reordered and we will proceed... The "Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007" now has the floor and Congressman Ryan Gaines is invited to lay out the bill.



TO Democrats: Whip is for the passage of the bill

House Majority Leader Ryan Gaines
Democrat from Oregon

Mr Speaker, I am proud to introduce the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. The bill would increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour, first to $5.85, and then $6.55 one year later, and $7.25 one year after that. The bill also makes separate provisions for the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

The American worker is crying out for a wage increase. The minimum wage has not increased in a decade: it was set at its current $5.15 mark in 1997. In the decade that America’s lowest paid workers’ pay has not increased one cent, CEO pay has increased by over a million dollars per year.

Because of our failings, all our failings, as legislators, to take further action, the minimum wage now stands at a 50 year low in purchasing power. A full time minimum wage worker earns a little over $10,000 a year, or barely two-thirds of the poverty line. We are not even paying poverty wages but sub-poverty wages.

Health care costs are rising, gas prices are rising, college tuition costs are rising. And yet, in the richest nation on Earth, the wages of those most in need of a pay increase are not rising. This isn’t an issue of abstract policy: this wage increase will pay out $4,400 a year per worker. That pays for more than a year of groceries, or two years of health care coverage.

An increase in the minimum wage will benefit 5 and a half million American workers directly and a further 7 and a half million indirectly. The minimum wage is a women’s issue: nearly 8 million of those workers are women. It is a family values issue: almost 4 million minimum wage workers are parents, over 6 million children would see their parents’ wages rise. It is a racial issue: nearly 5 million are people of color. It is an American issue.

HOUSE FLOOR


Speaker Cragie: House will proceed to a questioning period on the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007

Senate Floor: Cassandra Hepburn-Smith, R-VA
"Motion to end the questioning period."

Jack rose from his seat.

“Mr Speaker,” he began, “The Republican majority in the House passed a minimum wage bill in the last Congress. It had the exact same increase in schedule as this bill, and President Cush indicated he would sign it. The only reason that workers have not received a minimum wage increase is because the Democrats held up that bill for purely partisan reasons.

“The difference in the two bills is that the Republican version made allowance for small businesses. Yes, our lowest paid workers deserve a pay increase – there are many of us on both sides of the aisle who support that. But gains for our most vulnerable workers cannot come at the expense of our most vulnerable businesses. Just about every member of this Congress has at one time or another stood up and given a speech about how ‘small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy’. Perhaps it’s time we demonstrated that in law.

“By stripping out pro-business provisions and pushing a minimum wage hike with no accommodations for small businesses, the Democrats are guaranteeing that it is exactly those small businesses who will be hit by the wage hike. A low paid worker benefits from an increase in the minimum wage – but their situation is drastically worsened if they lose their job altogether, and that’s what’ll happen to millions of Americans if this bill goes through without taking into account the concerns of small business owners who simply will not be able to pay their workers at these rates and will be forced to downsize or be run out of business altogether.

“Mr Speaker, I move to recommit the bill so that Ways and Means can properly deliberate on its impact and consider measures to assist small businesses with its compliance.”

Jack took his seat again.

Jovuistan wrote:

The Orion Islands wrote:"Senator, Wyoming depends on the production of coal, oil, and gas for most of its tax revenue. The revenue from these taxes pays for our school system and our highway system. How would solar energy generate enough taxes to pay for the state's budget?"

"Firstly, coal, oil, and gas will not suddenly vanish. A transition from non-renewable to renewable energy would be gradual over an extended period of time to protect the revenues and jobs traditional energies produce. Again, solar energy is part of a broad grouping of renewable energy technologies, which are being developed at a rapid pace to be more efficient and affordable. Production of solar and other renewable energies will create sufficient revenues to maintain the funding of public systems, in addition to creating potentially millions of jobs."

"One final question. How will we ensure that all the funding from the ROSE Act doesn't go to California and New York?"

Kavanis wrote:Jack rose from his seat.

“Mr Speaker,” he began, “The Republican majority in the House passed a minimum wage bill in the last Congress. It had the exact same increase in schedule as this bill, and President Cush indicated he would sign it. The only reason that workers have not received a minimum wage increase is because the Democrats held up that bill for purely partisan reasons.

“The difference in the two bills is that the Republican version made allowance for small businesses. Yes, our lowest paid workers deserve a pay increase – there are many of us on both sides of the aisle who support that. But gains for our most vulnerable workers cannot come at the expense of our most vulnerable businesses. Just about every member of this Congress has at one time or another stood up and given a speech about how ‘small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy’. Perhaps it’s time we demonstrated that in law.

“By stripping out pro-business provisions and pushing a minimum wage hike with no accommodations for small businesses, the Democrats are guaranteeing that it is exactly those small businesses who will be hit by the wage hike. A low paid worker benefits from an increase in the minimum wage – but their situation is drastically worsened if they lose their job altogether, and that’s what’ll happen to millions of Americans if this bill goes through without taking into account the concerns of small business owners who simply will not be able to pay their workers at these rates and will be forced to downsize or be run out of business altogether.

“Mr Speaker, I move to recommit the bill so that Ways and Means can properly deliberate on its impact and consider measures to assist small businesses with its compliance.”

Jack took his seat again.

John Amos Mattox III, D-MA-8
"Mr. SPeaker, I object to the motion!"

Representative Thomas Volker (R-MO-8): “Seconded.”

Meretica wrote:Senate Floor: Cassandra Hepburn-Smith, R-VA
"Motion to end the questioning period."

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion."

The Orion Islands wrote:

Jovuistan wrote:"Firstly, coal, oil, and gas will not suddenly vanish. A transition from non-renewable to renewable energy would be gradual over an extended period of time to protect the revenues and jobs traditional energies produce. Again, solar energy is part of a broad grouping of renewable energy technologies, which are being developed at a rapid pace to be more efficient and affordable. Production of solar and other renewable energies will create sufficient revenues to maintain the funding of public systems, in addition to creating potentially millions of jobs."

"One final question. How will we ensure that all the funding from the ROSE Act doesn't go to California and New York?"

"I expect all fifty states will take advantage of the opportunity this bill provides for the advancement of renewable technology and green-collar jobs. The funding of this bill will be dispersed to every state and organization that qualifies, from California to Wyoming, from New York to Nebraska."

Meretica wrote:

Kavanis wrote:Jack rose from his seat.

“Mr Speaker,” he began, “The Republican majority in the House passed a minimum wage bill in the last Congress. It had the exact same increase in schedule as this bill, and President Cush indicated he would sign it. The only reason that workers have not received a minimum wage increase is because the Democrats held up that bill for purely partisan reasons.

“The difference in the two bills is that the Republican version made allowance for small businesses. Yes, our lowest paid workers deserve a pay increase – there are many of us on both sides of the aisle who support that. But gains for our most vulnerable workers cannot come at the expense of our most vulnerable businesses. Just about every member of this Congress has at one time or another stood up and given a speech about how ‘small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy’. Perhaps it’s time we demonstrated that in law.

“By stripping out pro-business provisions and pushing a minimum wage hike with no accommodations for small businesses, the Democrats are guaranteeing that it is exactly those small businesses who will be hit by the wage hike. A low paid worker benefits from an increase in the minimum wage – but their situation is drastically worsened if they lose their job altogether, and that’s what’ll happen to millions of Americans if this bill goes through without taking into account the concerns of small business owners who simply will not be able to pay their workers at these rates and will be forced to downsize or be run out of business altogether.

“Mr Speaker, I move to recommit the bill so that Ways and Means can properly deliberate on its impact and consider measures to assist small businesses with its compliance.”

Jack took his seat again.

John Amos Mattox III, D-MA-8
"Mr. SPeaker, I object to the motion!"

Speaker: The Motion fails, the floor is open.

John Amos Mattox III, D-MA-8
"Mr. Speaker, I move to vote on the bill."

Jack rose again.

“Naturally, Mr Speaker, I object.

“House Democrats giddy with the high of their newfound majority should remember that they do not enjoy a cloture-proof majority in the Senate, nor a veto-proof majority in either chamber. Attempts to ram through partisan fiats will end up with their legislation failing to advance even if it does pass the House, and I have no doubt that the Minority Leader in the Senate will not allow this bill to advance if it doesn’t take into account the legitimate concerns of the minority, and nor would President Cush sign such a bill without adequate provision for small businesses.

“I move to amend the bill:

SECTION 5. SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF.

Increases the maximum taxable income at the 15% corporate income tax rate to $100,000.

Creates a new 33% corporate income tax rate on maximum taxable income up to $1,000,000.

Extends by 1 year the increased expensing allowance for small businesses.

Extends by 1 year accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold and restaurant improvement property. Eliminates the requirement that improvements to restaurant property must be placed in service more than three years after the original building is placed in service.

Allows accelerated depreciation for qualified retail improvement property. Defines “qualified retail improvement property” as improvements to the interior portion of a nonresidential building used as a retail trade or business serving the general public. Excludes as an improvement the enlargement of the building, any elevator or escalator, common area structures, or the internal structural framework of the building.

Increases the limit on annual gross receipts for small businesses from the requirement of using the accrual method of accounting to $10 million. Indexes such gross receipts amount for inflation after 2008. Exempts such small businesses eligible to use a cash accounting method from the requirement to use inventories.
SECTION 6. SMALL BUSINESS CORPORATION CAPITAL GAINS TAX REFORM.

Excludes gain from the sale or exchange of stock or securities as an item of passive investment income for the purposes of S corporation revocation rules.

Excludes restricted bank director stock from treatment as S corporation stock.

“Mr Speaker, these amendments would create powerful tax incentives for small businesses, helping them to weather the impact of the increase in the minimum wage. I further move to amend:

SECTION 7. WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.

Extends by 5 years the combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit.

Establishes as a new targeted group under such credit designated community residents. Requires such residents to be between the ages of 18 and 40 and have a principal place of abode in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community.

Expands the eligibility of veterans for such credit to include veterans with service-connected disabilities incurred after September 10, 2001. Increases from $6,000 to $12,000 the amount of disabled veteran wages eligible for such credit.

“The combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit is our best means of making sure work pays more than welfare. Extending and expanding this credit will encourage businesses to hire despite having to pay more in wage costs.”

Kavanis wrote:Jack rose again.

“Naturally, Mr Speaker, I object.

“House Democrats giddy with the high of their newfound majority should remember that they do not enjoy a cloture-proof majority in the Senate, nor a veto-proof majority in either chamber. Attempts to ram through partisan fiats will end up with their legislation failing to advance even if it does pass the House, and I have no doubt that the Minority Leader in the Senate will not allow this bill to advance if it doesn’t take into account the legitimate concerns of the minority, and nor would President Cush sign such a bill without adequate provision for small businesses.

“I move to amend the bill:

SECTION 5. SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF.

Increases the maximum taxable income at the 15% corporate income tax rate to $100,000.

Creates a new 33% corporate income tax rate on maximum taxable income up to $1,000,000.

Extends by 1 year the increased expensing allowance for small businesses.

Extends by 1 year accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold and restaurant improvement property. Eliminates the requirement that improvements to restaurant property must be placed in service more than three years after the original building is placed in service.

Allows accelerated depreciation for qualified retail improvement property. Defines “qualified retail improvement property” as improvements to the interior portion of a nonresidential building used as a retail trade or business serving the general public. Excludes as an improvement the enlargement of the building, any elevator or escalator, common area structures, or the internal structural framework of the building.

Increases the limit on annual gross receipts for small businesses from the requirement of using the accrual method of accounting to $10 million. Indexes such gross receipts amount for inflation after 2008. Exempts such small businesses eligible to use a cash accounting method from the requirement to use inventories.
SECTION 6. SMALL BUSINESS CORPORATION CAPITAL GAINS TAX REFORM.

Excludes gain from the sale or exchange of stock or securities as an item of passive investment income for the purposes of S corporation revocation rules.

Excludes restricted bank director stock from treatment as S corporation stock.

“Mr Speaker, these amendments would create powerful tax incentives for small businesses, helping them to weather the impact of the increase in the minimum wage. I further move to amend:

SECTION 7. WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.

Extends by 5 years the combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit.

Establishes as a new targeted group under such credit designated community residents. Requires such residents to be between the ages of 18 and 40 and have a principal place of abode in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community.

Expands the eligibility of veterans for such credit to include veterans with service-connected disabilities incurred after September 10, 2001. Increases from $6,000 to $12,000 the amount of disabled veteran wages eligible for such credit.

“The combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit is our best means of making sure work pays more than welfare. Extending and expanding this credit will encourage businesses to hire despite having to pay more in wage costs.”

Tommy Sommo [R-NY-1]
House Minority Leader

"Mr. Speaker, I move to vote on Mr. Claassen's proposed amendment to the bill."

John Amos Mattox III, D-MA-8
"Mr. Speaker, I object. Republicans are attempting to prevent the American people from prospering due to the lobbyists slipping money into their pockets."