The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S3933-S3936 on June 20, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 486. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 782, to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 19, between the matter after line 2 and line 3, insert the following:
SEC. 13. VERIFICATION OF SELF-REPORTED DATA.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) (as amended by section 12(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 220. VERIFICATION OF SELF-REPORTED DATA.
``For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall--
``(1) audit and verify data reported to the Secretary by at least 10 percent of the individuals and entities that receive assistance in the form of grants under this Act during the fiscal year or the immediately preceding fiscal year;
``(2) in conducting the audit and data verification, evaluate the sufficiency of the documentation and methodology of grantees for determining private investment and job creation resulting from the economic development project for which funds are provided under this Act; and
``(3) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and publish in the Federal Register, a report describing the results of the audits and verifications.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended by adding after the item relating to section 219 (as added by section 12(b)) the following:
``Sec. 220. Verification of self-reported data.''.
______
SA 487. Mr. PRYOR submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 782, to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, insert the following:
SEC. 22. ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 30E. ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified equity investments made by a qualified investor during the taxable year.
``(b) Qualified Equity Investment.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified equity investment' means any equity investment in a qualified small business entity if--
``(A) such investment is acquired by the taxpayer at its original issue (directly or through an underwriter) solely in exchange for cash, and
``(B) such investment is designated for purposes of this section by the qualified small business entity.
``(2) Equity investment.--The term `equity investment' means--
``(A) any form of equity, including a general or limited partnership interest, common stock, preferred stock (other than nonqualified preferred stock as defined in section 351(g)(2)), with or without voting rights, without regard to seniority position and whether or not convertible into common stock or any form of subordinate or convertible debt, or both, with warrants or other means of equity conversion, and
``(B) any capital interest in an entity which is a partnership.
``(3) Redemptions.--A rule similar to the rule of section 1202(c)(3) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
``(c) Qualified Small Business Entity.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified small business entity' means any domestic corporation or partnership if such corporation or partnership--
``(A) is a small business (as defined in section 41(b)(3)(D)(iii)),
``(B) has its headquarters in the United States,
``(C) is engaged in a high technology trade or business related to--
``(i) advanced materials, nanotechnology, or precision manufacturing,
``(ii) aerospace, aeronautics, or defense,
``(iii) biotechnology or pharmaceuticals,
``(iv) electronics, semiconductors, software, or computer technology,
``(v) energy, environment, or clean technologies,
``(vi) forest products or agriculture,
``(vii) information technology, communication technology, digital media, or photonics,
``(viii) life sciences or medical sciences,
``(ix) marine technology or aquaculture,
``(x) transportation, or
``(xi) any other high technology trade or business as determined by the Secretary,
``(D) has been in existence for less than 5 years as of the date of the qualified equity investment,
``(E) employs less than 100 full-time equivalent employees as of the date of such investment,
``(F) has more than 50 percent of the employees performing substantially all of their services in the United States as of the date of such investment, and
``(G) has equity investments designated for purposes of this paragraph.
``(2) Designation of equity investments.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(G), an equity investment shall not be treated as designated if such designation would result in the aggregate amount which may be taken into account under this section with respect to equity investments in such corporation or partnership exceeds--
``(A) $10,000,000, taking into account the total amount of all qualified equity investments made by all taxpayers for the taxable year and all preceding taxable years,
``(B) $2,000,000, taking into account the total amount of all qualified equity investments made by all taxpayers for such taxable year, and
``(C) $1,000,000, taking into account the total amount of all qualified equity investments made by the taxpayer for such taxable year.
``(d) Qualified Investor.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified investor' means an accredited investor, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, investor network, or investor fund who review new or proposed businesses for potential investment.
``(2) Investor network.--The term `investor network' means a group of accredited investors organized for the sole purpose of making qualified equity investments.
``(3) Investor fund.--
``(A) In general.--The term `investor fund' means a corporation that for the applicable taxable year is treated as an S corporation or a general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, or limited liability company and which for the applicable taxable year is not taxed as a corporation.
``(B) Allocation of credit.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the credit allowed under subsection (a) shall be allocated to the shareholders or partners of the investor fund in proportion to their ownership interest or as specified in the fund's organizational documents, except that tax-exempt investors shall be allowed to transfer their interest to investors within the fund in exchange for future financial consideration.
``(ii) Single member limited liability company.--If the investor fund is a single member limited liability company that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, the credit allowed under subsection (a) may be claimed by such limited liability company's owner, if such owner is a person subject to the tax under this title.
``(4) Exclusion.--The term `qualified investor' does not include--
``(A) a person controlling at least 50 percent of the qualified small business entity,
``(B) an employee of such entity, or
``(C) any bank, bank and trust company, insurance company, trust company, national bank, savings association or building and loan association for activities that are a part of its normal course of business.
``(e) National Limitation on Amount of Investments Designated.--
``(1) In general.--There is an angel investment tax credit limitation of $500,000,000 for each of calendar years 2011 through 2015.
``(2) Allocation of limitation.--The limitation under paragraph (1) shall be allocated by the Secretary among qualified small business entities selected by the Secretary.
``(3) Carryover of unused limitation.--If the angel investment tax credit limitation for any calendar year exceeds the aggregate amount allocated under paragraph (2) for such year, such limitation for the succeeding calendar year shall be increased by the amount of such excess. No amount may be carried under the preceding sentence to any calendar year after 2020.
``(f) Application With Other Credits.--
``(1) Business credit treated as part of general business credit.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the credit which would be allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined without regard to this subsection) shall be treated as a credit listed in section 38(b) for such taxable year (and not allowed under subsection (a)).
``(2) Personal credit.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of an individual who elects the application of this paragraph, for purposes of this title, the credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined after application of paragraph (1)) shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart A for such taxable year.
``(B) Limitation based on amount of tax.--In the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the credit allowed under subpart A for any taxable year
(determined after application of paragraph (1)) by reason of subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the excess of--
``(i) the sum of the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
``(ii) the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A
(other than this section) and section 27 for the taxable year.
``(C) Carryforward of unused credit.--If the credit allowable under subsection (a) by reason of subparagraph (A) exceeds the limitation imposed by section 26(a)(1) or subparagraph (B), whichever is applicable, for such taxable year, reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A (other than this section) for such taxable year, such excess shall be carried to each of the succeeding 20 taxable years to the extent that such unused credit may not be taken into account under subsection (a) by reason of subparagraph (A) for a prior taxable year because of such limitation.
``(g) Special Rules.--
``(1) Related parties.--For purposes of this section--
``(A) In general.--All related persons shall be treated as 1 person.
``(B) Related persons.--A person shall be treated as related to another person if the relationship between such persons would result in the disallowance of losses under section 267 or 707(b).
``(2) Basis.--For purposes of this subtitle, the basis of any investment with respect to which a credit is allowable under this section shall be reduced by the amount of such credit so allowed. This subsection shall not apply for purposes of sections 1202, 1397B, and 1400B.
``(3) Recapture.--The Secretary shall, by regulations, provide for recapturing the benefit of any credit allowable under subsection (a) with respect to any qualified equity investment which is held by the taxpayer less than 3 years, except that no benefit shall be recaptured in the case of--
``(A) transfer of such investment by reason of the death of the taxpayer,
``(B) transfer between spouses,
``(C) transfer incident to the divorce (as defined in section 1041) of such taxpayer, or
``(D) a transaction to which section 381(a) applies
(relating to certain acquisitions of the assets of one corporation by another corporation).
``(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out this section, including regulations--
``(1) which prevent the abuse of the purposes of this section,
``(2) which impose appropriate reporting requirements, and
``(3) which apply the provisions of this section to newly formed entities.''.
(b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of section 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) in paragraph (35), by striking ``plus'';
(2) in paragraph (36), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, plus''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(37) the portion of the angel investment tax credit to which section 30E(f)(1) applies.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 1016(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (36), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after paragraph (37) the following new paragraph:
``(38) to the extent provided in section 30E(g)(2).''.
(2) Section 24(b)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by striking
``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(3) Section 25(e)(1)(C)(ii) of such Code is amended by inserting ``30E,'' after ``30D,''.
(4) Section 25A(i)(5)(B) of such Code is amended by striking ``and 30D'' and inserting ``, 30D, and 30E''.
(5) Section 25A(i)(5) of such Code is amended by inserting
``30E,'' after ``30D,''.
(6) Section 25B(g)(2) of such Code is amended by striking
``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(7) Section 26(a)(1) of such Code is amended by striking
``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(8) Section 30(c)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking ``and 30D'' and inserting ``, 30D, and 30E''.
(9) Section 30B(g)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking ``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(10) Section 30D(d)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking ``and 25D'' and inserting ``, 25D, and 30E''.
(11) Section 904(i) of such Code is amended by striking
``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(12) Section 1400C(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking ``and 30D'' and inserting ``30D, and 30E''.
(d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``Sec. 30E. Angel investment tax credit.''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to investments made after December 31, 2010, in taxable years ending after such date.
(f) Regulations on Allocation of National Limitation.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate shall prescribe regulations which specify--
(1) how small business entities shall apply for an allocation under section 30E(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section,
(2) the competitive procedure through which such allocations are made,
(3) the criteria for determining an allocation to a small business entity, including--
(A) whether the small business entity is located in a State that is historically underserved by angel investors and venture capital investors,
(B) whether the small business entity has received an angel investment tax credit, or its equivalent, from the State in which the small business entity is located and registered,
(C) whether small business entities in low-, medium-, and high-population density States are receiving allocations, and
(D) whether the small business entity has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grant from a Federal agency,
(4) the actions that such Secretary or delegate shall take to ensure that such allocations are properly made to qualified small business entities, and
(5) the actions that such Secretary or delegate shall take to ensure that angel investment tax credits are allocated and issued to the taxpayer.
(g) Audit and Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress on the number of taxpayers claiming the credit under section 30E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the amount claimed by each taxpayer, and the characteristics of the taxpayers claiming such credit.
(h) Collection of Data.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure that the data needed for the report under subsection (g) is collected and retained for the use of the Comptroller General.
SEC. 23. 100 PERCENT CONTINUOUS LEVY ON PAYMENTS TO MEDICARE
PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (3) of section 6331(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, or to a Medicare provider or supplier under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to levies issued after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 24. 100 PERCENT CONTINUOUS LEVY ON PAYMENTS RELATING TO
PROPERTY.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (3) of section 6331(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 2, is amended by striking ``goods or services'' and inserting
``property, goods, or services''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to levies issued after the date of the enactment of this Act.
______
SA 488. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 679, to reduce the number of executive positions subject to Senate confirmation; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of the bill, add the following:
SEC. ___. POSTAL SERVICE POLICY.
Section 101(b) of title 39, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``a maximum degree of''; and
(2) by striking ``where post offices are not self-sustaining. No small post office shall be closed solely for operating at a deficit, it being'' and inserting ``. It is''.
______
SA 489. Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 782, to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 29, after line 20, insert the following:
TITLE II--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE
SEC. 200. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Trade Extenders Act of 2011''.
Subtitle A--Extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 1893 of the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5; 123 Stat. 422) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 236(a)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(2)(A)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``shall not exceed--'' and all that follows and inserting ``shall not exceed $575,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and $143,750,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016.''.
(2) Section 245(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2317(a)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(3) Section 246(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2318(b)(1)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(4) Section 255(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2345(a)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``for fiscal year 2010'' and all that follows and inserting ``for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and $12,500,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until expended.''.
(5) Section 275(f) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2371d(f)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``December 15 in each of the calendar years 2009 through'' and inserting ``December 15, 2009,''.
(6) Section 276(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2371e(c)(2)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``not more than--'' and all that follows and inserting ``not more than $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and $6,250,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016.''.
(7) Section 277(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2371f(c)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``this subchapter--'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subchapter $150,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and
$37,500,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subchapter shall remain available until expended.''.
(8) Section 278(e) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2372(e)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``December 15 in each of the calendar years 2009 through'' and inserting ``December 15, 2009,''.
(9) Section 279A(h)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2373(h)(2)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``December 15 in each of the calendar years 2009 through'' and inserting ``December 15, 2009,''.
(10) Section 279B(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2373a(a)(1)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``section 279A--'' and all that follows and inserting ``section 279A $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and $10,000,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016.''.
(11) Section 285 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2271 note) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 285. TERMINATION.
``(a) Assistance for Workers.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), trade adjustment assistance, vouchers, allowances, and other payments or benefits may not be provided under chapter 2 after December 31, 2016.
``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a worker shall continue to receive trade adjustment assistance benefits and other benefits under chapter 2 for any week for which the worker meets the eligibility requirements of that chapter if the worker is--
``(A) certified as eligible for trade adjustment assistance benefits under chapter 2 pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 on or before December 31, 2016; and
``(B) otherwise eligible to receive trade adjustment assistance benefits under chapter 2.
``(b) Other Assistance.--
``(1) Assistance for firms.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), technical assistance and grants may not be provided under chapter 3 after December 31, 2016.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any technical assistance or grant approved under chapter 3 pursuant to a petition filed under section 251 on or before December 31, 2016, may be provided--
``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such chapter for such purpose; and
``(ii) to the extent the recipient of the technical assistance or grant is otherwise eligible to receive such technical assistance or grant, as the case may be.
``(2) Farmers.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), technical assistance and financial assistance may not be provided under chapter 6 after December 31, 2016.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any technical or financial assistance approved under chapter 6 pursuant to a petition filed under section 292 on or before December 31, 2016, may be provided--
``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such chapter for such purpose; and
``(ii) to the extent the recipient of the technical or financial assistance is otherwise eligible to receive such technical or financial assistance, as the case may be.
``(3) Assistance for communities.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), technical assistance and grants may not be provided under chapter 4 after December 31, 2016.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any technical assistance or grant approved under chapter 4 pursuant to a petition filed under section 273, or a grant proposal submitted under section 278 or 279A, on or before December 31, 2016, may be provided--
``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such chapter for such purpose; and
``(ii) to the extent the recipient of the technical assistance or grant is otherwise eligible to receive such technical assistance or grant, as the case may be.''.
(12) Section 298(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2401g(a)) (as in effect on February 12, 2011) is amended by striking ``$10,400,000 for the 6-week period beginning January 1, 2011, and ending February 12, 2011,'' and inserting ``$90,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2016, and $22,500,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2016''.
SEC. 202. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by section 201--
(1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) shall apply to--
(A) petitions for certification filed under chapter 2, 3, or 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 on or after such date of enactment; and
(B) petitions for assistance and proposals for grants filed under chapter 4 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 on or after such date of enactment.
Subtitle B--Health Coverage Improvement
SEC. 211. IMPROVEMENT OF THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Section 35(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7527(b) of such Code is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting
``January 1, 2017''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to coverage months beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 212. PAYMENT FOR THE MONTHLY PREMIUMS PAID PRIOR TO
COMMENCEMENT OF THE ADVANCE PAYMENTS OF CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Section 7527(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to coverage months beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 213. TAA RECIPIENTS NOT ENROLLED IN TRAINING PROGRAMS
ELIGIBLE FOR CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Section 35(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to coverage months beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 214. TAA PRE-CERTIFICATION PERIOD RULE FOR PURPOSES OF
DETERMINING WHETHER THERE IS A 63-DAY LAPSE IN
CREDITABLE COVERAGE.
(a) IRC Amendment.--Section 9801(c)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) ERISA Amendment.--Section 701(c)(2)(C) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1181(c)(2)(C)) is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(c) PHSA Amendment.--Section 2701(c)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act (as in effect for plan years beginning before January 1, 2014 (42 U.S.C. 300gg note)) is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to plan years beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 215. CONTINUED QUALIFICATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS AFTER
CERTAIN EVENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 35(g)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 1899E(a) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (relating to continued qualification of family members after certain events), is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 173(f)(8) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(f)(8)) is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting
``January 1, 2017''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to months beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 216. EXTENSION OF COBRA BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN TAA-
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND PBGC RECIPIENTS.
(a) ERISA Amendments.--
(1) PBGC recipients.--Section 602(2)(A)(v) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1162(2)(A)(v)) is amended by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(2) TAA-eligible individuals.--Section 602(2)(A)(vi) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1162(2)(A)(vi)) is amended by striking
``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(b) IRC Amendments.--
(1) PBGC recipients.--Section 4980B(f)(2)(B)(i)(V) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(2) TAA-eligible individuals.--Section 4980B(f)(2)(B)(i)(VI) of such Code is amended by striking
``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(c) PHSA Amendments.--Section 2202(2)(A)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300bb-2(2)(A)(iv)) is amended by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to periods of coverage which would (without regard to the amendments made by this section) end on or after February 13, 2011.
SEC. 217. ADDITION OF COVERAGE THROUGH VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEES'
BENEFICIARY ASSOCIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 35(e)(1)(K) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2012'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to coverage months beginning after February 12, 2011.
SEC. 218. NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 7527(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2017''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to certificates issued after February 12, 2011.
______
SA 490. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 782, to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 29, after line 20, insert the following:
SEC. 22. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Funding Limitation.--No Federal funds may be obligated by the Secretary of Transportation or any other Federal officer for any study, project, or other effort to carry out the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program until at least 6 months after the Congress receives the reports required under subsections (b) and (c).
(b) Government Accountability Office Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains--
(1) cost projections for carrying out President Obama's goal of building a high-speed rail system that gives 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail by 2036;
(2) the amount of government subsidies that would be needed to operate and maintain each high-speed rail line receiving funding in the first 10 years of operation;
(3) a review of the cost-benefit analysis methods used to evaluate grant requests for high-speed rail projects, including the impact of such analyses on the grant award process;
(4) a review of the accuracy and methodology of the cost estimates of the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the California Legislative Analyst's Office;
(5) a review of the accuracy and methodology of ridership estimates for each grant recipient;
(6) an analysis of the reasons for cost increases of 15 percent or greater since the time the application was received for any grant-recipient project;
(7) the principle reasons behind the decisions by the States of Florida, Wisconsin, and Ohio to return Federal funding for high-speed rail projects in those States; and
(8) a review of--
(A) all high-speed rail projects costing more than
$1,000,000,000 that have been constructed, or proposed for construction, in countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and
(B) available data concerning government subsidies for the projects referred to in subparagraph (A), including cost overruns and profitability.
(c) Inspector General Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress regarding Federal grants awarded for high-speed rail projects that includes--
(1) a description of the process by which the Department of Transportation incorporated the volatility of the development, planning, and construction cost estimates into its decision making process when awarding grants and choosing routes and segments;
(2) a description of how the Department of Transportation valued the expected level or potential need for government subsidies to operate and maintain high-speed rail lines receiving funding in the first 10 years of operation;
(3) a review of the cost benefit analysis used by the Department of Transportation when deciding to award the grants and how that analysis influenced the award of Federal funds; and
(4) a review of the impact of the Department of Transportation's decision making process and cost benefit analyses on the high-speed rail grant awards.
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SA 491. Mr. MENENDEZ (for Mr. Conrad) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 141, recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of the GOD'S CHILD project and congratulating the GOD'S CHILD Project on its 20th anniversary; as follows:
On page 3, beginning on line 11, strike ``volunteers,'' and all that follows through line 13 and insert ``volunteers and staff of the GOD'S CHILD project.''.
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SA 492. Mr. MENENDEZ (for Mr. Conrad) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 141, recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of the GOD'S CHILD Project and congratulating the GOD'S CHILD Project on its 20th anniversary; as follows:
In the preamble, on page 2, in the first clause, strike ``, the hometown of Patrick Atkinson''.
In the preamble, on page 3, in the clause immediately preceding the resolved clause, strike ``and Patrick Atkinson have received numerous accolades recognizing their service'' and insert ``has received numerous accolades recognizing its service''.
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SA 493. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 679, to reduce the number of executive positions subject to Senate confirmation; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Strike section 2(w).
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