I. Decreasing our Dependence on Foreign Energy

Natural Gas is a key part of a comprehensive national energy strategy:
I have long been an advocate of an “all of the above” approach to solving our nation’s dependence on foreign energy that:
(1) increases domestic energy exploration and production;
(2) incentivizes research and development of alternative and renewable energy technologies; and
(3) encourages fuel efficiency and conservation.

In the coming months, as Congress again works to pass comprehensive energy legislation, I believe our vast natural gas reserves will be a key component. For this reason, I have cosponsored H.R. 1835 New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009 (or NAT GAS Act) authored by Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK). This bipartisan bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to:
• allow an excise tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures involving compressed or liquefied natural gas;
• allow and income tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuel motor vehicles powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas;
• modify the tax credit percentage for alternative fuel vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas;
• allow a new tax credit for the production of vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; and
• extend through 2027 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures for refueling property relating to compressed or liquefied natural and allow an increased credit for such property.

The NAT GAS Act also requires 50% of all new vehicles purchased or placed in service by the U.S. government by December 31, 2014, to be capable of operating on compressed or liquefied natural gas. It also authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to manufacturers of light and heavy duty natural gas vehicles for the development of engines that (1) reduce emissions, (2) improve performance, and (3) lower cost.

II. Protecting our Children from Sex Offenders

Ensuring safety of our children is a bipartisan issue:
Last week, I joined as a co-sponsor of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Reauthorization Act of 2009 (authored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)). It would extend through FY 2014 funding under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 for:
• the Sex Offender Management Assistance (SOMA) program;
• federal assistance to state for enforcing sex offender registration requirements;
• pilot programs for monitoring sex offenders;
• grants to combat sexual abuse of children; and
• the Jessica Lunsford address verification grant program.

It also amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2014 funding for sex offender apprehension grants and juvenile sex offender treatment grants.

III. This week’s votes on the floor, hearings, and markups

Each week I get the opportunity to represent you in Congress by: 1) voting on legislation that comes to the House floor; and 2) participating in committee hearings and markups for the Committee on Financial Services. 

Key House Floor Votes

Hate Crimes Bill Passes House:
On Wednesday, April 29th, I opposed H.R. 1913 The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The bill, which passed, troubles me on a number of levels. This bill groups individuals based the victim’s actually or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, and prosecutes criminals based on who their victim is. The slippery slope Congress created meant selecting certain groups for special protection, while excluding senior citizens, members of the military, police officers, pregnant women, and unborn children. I believe all violent crime is serious and should be deterred by vigorously prosecuting criminals no matter who the victim is. I do not believe punishment should differ based on a victim’s membership or identification in one group or another.

A number of legal scholars have also suggested that this legislation violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment. Furthermore, the Supreme Court of the United States has previously ruled that the commerce clause does not extend to “non-economic, violent criminal conduct” and legislation like this is therefore not under the purview of Congress’ constitutional authority. Possible interpretations of this law also seem to criminalize thought and speech – not just action. For instance, many religious leaders have expressed concern that the government could broadly interpret this legislation to prosecute clergymen for a sermon which the suspect may have attended. Under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2, anyone who “aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces, or procures the commissions of a crime” could be subject to prosecution. I believe in equal justice under law and this law violates that principle.
 
Committee on Financial Services

Iran Sanctions Enabling Act:
On Tuesday, April 28th, the full Committee held a markup on H.R. 1327 the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009. The bill (which passed by voice vote in committee) enjoys strong bipartisan support across the spectrum of lawmakers. H.R. 1327 states that it is U.S. policy to support the decision of state and local governments and educational institutions to divest from, and to prohibit the investment of assets they control in, persons that have investments of more than $20 million in Iran’s energy sector. It authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit the investment of assets they control in, such persons, including financial institutions which extend them credit to so invest. H.R. 1327 amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to shield any registered investment company from civil, criminal, or administrative action based upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by such persons. Lastly, it expresses the sense of Congress that a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) may divest plan assets from, or avoid investing plan assets in, a person that has investments of more than $20 million in Iran’s energy sector without breaching his or her fiduciary duties under ERISA, if such determination is based on credible information and in accordance with federal law.

IV. In the 24th District

2009 Purple Heart Award Ceremony
I am planning to host a ceremony in the fall to honor the brave men and women who have earned the Purple Heart award.  If you or someone you know has a Purple Heart award, please contact my district office in Irving at (972) 556-0162 and ask to speak with my Military/Veterans Affairs Liaison, John Hayes, for more details on the upcoming ceremony.

Star of the 24th District
The Star of the 24th is an initiative I created to recognize outstanding citizens, groups and activities of 24th Congressional District of Texas. Each month a special citizen or initiative that serves the 24th with distinction will be showcased online as part of the Star of the 24th. Please feel free to nominate a citizen, group or activity as a member of the Star of the 24th by filling out the form below. To recommend someone for this recognition please visit: http://marchant.house.gov/star24.shtml.

V. Great Quotes in History

“The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for experience, and by parts.”
-Edmund Burke (1729-1797); author Reflections on the Revolution in France

“Emergencies have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.”
-Friedrich Hayek (1899-1992); author The Road to Serfdom

“If a conservative order is indeed to return, we ought to know the tradition which is attached to it, so that we may rebuild society; if it is not to be restored, still we ought to understand conservative ideas so that we may rake from the ashes what scorched fragments of civilizations escape the conflagration of unchecked will and appetite.”
-Russell Kirk (1918-1994); author of The Conservative Mind

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov. You can also become my Facebook friend at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenny-Marchant/6349487899 or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RepKenMarchant.