The Hill Report

This week, Congress passed legislation to promote technological innovation, bolster the strength of our manufacturing industry, and contribute to the global competitiveness of American businesses.

On Wednesday, the House passed the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1868) with my support, authorizing funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the next three years.

Since its inception in 1901, the NIST has worked diligently to achieve its mission of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology, enhancing economic security and improving quality of life. I am pleased that H.R. 1868 makes a number of positive changes to NIST, ensuring that the United States remains globally competitive.

First and most notably, H.R. 1868 would double the federal government’s investment in physical science research as proposed by President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative. This increased investment will yield real-world benefits across a number of diverse sectors:

• Enhanced performance standards for bulletproof vests for our military and law enforcement,
• Chemical and biological protection equipment for first responders,
• Measurement standards vital to leading-edge industries like nanotechnology, and
• Next generation solar cells that will help America increase its energy independence.

Second, this legislation strengthens oversight by requiring NIST’s Director to submit annual programmatic planning documents to Congress, thereby ensuring that NIST’s budget is spent on activities that meet the needs of American industry.

Lastly, H.R. 1868 helps ensure the continued viability of the workhorses of the American economy: small- and medium-sized manufacturers. By reauthorizing the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Congress will be helping domestic manufacturers to improve manufacturing processes, reduce waste and train workers to use new equipment.


Economic News
Today, the Department of Labor released its latest employment report for the month of April, highlighting continued job creation as payroll employment increased by 88,000 new jobs last month. April marks the 44th consecutive month of payroll job gains with nearly 7.9 million new payroll jobs created in that period. In the last twelve months alone, employment has grown by nearly 1.9 million new jobs.

Next Monday, the House will vote to send the fiscal year 2008 Budget Resolution to conference committee to reconcile it with the Senate Budget Resolution. As you know, the Democrats’ FY 2008 Budget calls for the largest tax increase in U.S. history, burdening taxpayers with $392.5 billion in increased taxes over the next five years.

I strongly believe that our nation’s economic growth and job creation is facilitated by the tax cuts Congress passed in 2001 and 2003, and it is critical for our nation’s continued economic vitality that the Democrats’ Budget does not undermine our nation’s progress. I again join my Republican colleagues in calling for House Democrats to include tax relief extensions in their budget priorities.


News from the 32nd District
This week, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it will award $9 million to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for much-needed improvements on the Dallas North Central Light Rail (Red Line).

Last year, DART determined that additional rail cars and parking facilities were needed for the North Central Rail Line. Consequently, DART requested access to federal funding that it was unable to use during the 2004 federal fiscal year. When it became unclear whether DART would be able to access the 2004 funding before it expired, the FTA decided to award DART $9 million from the New Starts transit project discretionary fund.

I thank the Federal Transit Administration for their assistance in funding this project, which will enable DART to purchase eight new center section cars to provide level boarding on the North Central Light Rail extension.

This funding for Red Line light rail car improvements comes in addition to the $700 million Full Funding Agreement established last year between DART and the FTA for the Green Line.

DART is an important part of Dallas’ transportation system, and I am pleased that these federally-funded improvements will facilitate improved transportation routes as well as additional opportunities for economic growth.