DTV Transition Assistance Act

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that would better facilitate the DTV transition for rural Americans by making funds for digital upgrades available sooner to low-power television stations and translators. The reason this is imperative is that we don't want to create another ``digital divide'' where rural and low-income areas are not able to reap the benefits of digital TV as quickly as their urban counterparts.

Under the current statute, the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce must make payments for the low-power TV and translator upgrade program during fiscal year 2009--October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009--but may not actually disburse reimbursement payments until after October 1, 2010, which is 20 months past the DTV transition deadline of February 2009.

By having such a long delay for reimbursements, it will inevitably hold up the analog to digital upgrades of low-power TV stations and translators. This would adversely affect viewers since they will not be able to receive the benefits that digital signals offer and hence create this additional ``digital divide'' to these mostly rural and low-income areas where low-power TV and translators typically are situated.

This bill would correct this oversight and change the language to have the Assistant Secretary make payments during the fiscal years 2009 to 2012, and start providing reimbursements for the upgrade program on February 18, 2009, and in doing so will move up the date 20 months to bring the upgrade program more in line with the main deadline of the DTV transition. This will allow LPTV and translators to be reimbursed more quickly for analog to digital equipment upgrades, which can run in the tens of thousands of dollars.

As we all know, in less than 380 days, on February 17, 2009, television broadcasts will transition from analog TV signals to an all- digital system and in doing so begin a new chapter of innovation and viewing experience. The transition will free up scarce broadcast spectrum so that first responders and public safety services have much needed spectrum capacity. It will also provide space for advanced wireless technologies, which will bring us improved broadband and communications services. In addition, the new digital TV signals will provide higher quality video and sound, as well as the opportunity for broadcasters to offer new services such as interactive TV and multicasting, which allows the transmission of several program streams on one broadcast channel.

Consumer awareness of the DTV transition is improving and the Commerce Department announced earlier this month that it had already received requests from more than 2 million households for nearly 4 million converter box coupons--so demand is strong. More and more consumers are realizing the importance and benefits of the DTV transition. We must not unduly prohibit any American from not reaping the tremendous advantages of digital TV and other services that will quickly follow due to the transition. If we don't correct this critical oversight in the current law, we will do just that, once again disadvantaging the areas and people that have the most to gain from this new technology. That is why I sincerely hope that my colleagues join me in supporting the critical legislation.

Mr. President. I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senator Dole, to introduce the Small Business Women's Procurement Improvement Act, a measure that would enhance the Small Business Administration's women's procurement program, which was created back in 2000, to provide contracting opportunities to women-owned small businesses in Maine and across the Nation. As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, one of my top priorities is to champion our nation's women-owned small businesses and to promote their interests. In these uncertain economic times it is our financial strengths that we must rely upon most. Women-owned small businesses are one such strength. In recent years, the percent growth in the number of women-owned firms was nearly twice that of all U.S. firms. Thus, we need to create programs that will continue to grow this vital and crucial resource.

Regrettably, the Small Business Administration, SBA, has failed to implement the women's procurement program that was enacted into law back in 2000. In December, the SBA finally proposed a rule to implement the program. The SBA had the opportunity to hit a home run, but instead published a rule that is highly deficient and unlikely to have any practical effect in helping the Federal Government satisfy its 5 percent women's contracting goal. So far, there has been one law-- enacted back in December 2000--three reports, numerous hearings, and two proposed rules, and, tragically, it appears that we are no closer today then we were 7 years ago to helping our nation's small women- owned businesses stimulate our economy. What an inconceivable missed opportunity for the SBA to help boost our economy by promoting women- owned businesses.

The SBA's proposed rule has two fundamental flaws which hinder it from functioning as Congress originally intended. First, the proposed rule identifies just four industries, out of more than one hundred, in which women-owned small businesses are under-represented and eligible for set-asides. According to the Central Contractor Registration, this gross disparity means a mere 1,238 businesses across the entire Nation--or 2 percent of all women-owned small business contractors-- would be subject to the proposed rule. Regrettably, only two of these contractors are located in my home State of Maine.

Second, for SBA's proposed rule to go into effect, individual Federal agencies must first publicly admit to a history of gender discrimination. I find it difficult, if not impossible, to envision a scenario where a Federal agency would make such an admission. Furthermore, such an unworkable admission isn't required anywhere in the Small Business Act.

To help remedy this appalling circumstance, today we introduce legislation to amend the Small Business Act so that the women-owned small businesses can finally have a procurement program that makes a real difference, not a 2 percent difference. For example, our bill would substantially broaden the range of applicable business industries for women across this Nation and take down the unnecessary barriers it has recently proposed. Women-owned small businesses deserve more than 2 percent of available business industries. These four industries will do little to nothing to help Federal agencies reach its statutory government-wide goal. Sadly enough, one of the industries the SBA has selected does not

allow for any private business participation, let alone women business participation.

Our bill also would preclude the SBA from promulgating a final rule that requires individual agencies to admit to past discrimination as a prerequisite for participation in the set-aside program. We find it difficult to envision a circumstance in which any agency would make such an admission. Furthermore, this requirement is not mandated anywhere in the Small Business Act.

Our bill has gained the support of women-owned small businesses across the Nation including major women's organizations like the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, Women Impacting Public Policy, the National Women Business Owners Corporation, the Women Presidents' Organization, the Women Presidents' Educational Organization, and the Women's Business Development Center.

It has been nearly 14 years since the women's 5 percent government- wide contracting goal was established in 1994, but since its enactment, the women's contracting goal has never been met. Shockingly, at the historical percentage rate of increase, it would take until 2019 for this goal to be met--25 years after enactment of the original statutory requirement.

According to recent figures, women-owned firms in the U.S. generate $1.1 trillion in annual sales and employ 7.2 million people nationwide. I take great pride that my own state of Maine is a forerunner for women-owned businesses with more than 63,000 women-owned firms, creating 75,000 jobs, and spurring more than $9 billion in sales.

The SBA must develop a functioning procurement program that will cultivate women business so that they in turn can help grow our Nation's economy. This is why women businesses need a workable procurement program that does not create impenetrable barriers and provide so few business opportunities. Our bill eliminates these barriers and gives women-owned small business a tool they can use that will help them continue to grow our suffering economy. If ever there were a time to secure new avenues to generate revenue and spur the economy, wouldn't that time be now?

I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this vital legislation, so that we in Congress can make sure that the SBA publishes a meaningful final rule that will assist the Federal Government to satisfy--if not exceed--its government-wide contracting goal, and to help women-owned small businesses to stimulate our Nation's economy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I am introducing the National Crime Gun Identification Act as an important step to reduce gun violence and support law enforcement. The bill requires semiautomatic handguns manufactured, imported or sold by federal firearms licensees to be equipped with microstamping technology. Congressman Xavier Becerra is introducing a companion measure in the House this week.

Nearly 70 percent of homicides in 2006 involved a firearm, and handguns were the weapons of choice for most offenders. Handguns are also the weapons most often used in murders of law enforcement officers. There is an urgent need for effective, high-tech gun-tracing capabilities such as microstamping, which can provide law enforcement with a much-needed investigation resource in solving gun crimes.

Microstamping uses lasers to make precise, microscopic engravings on the firing pin and chamber of a weapon, and this information is transferred onto the cartridge casing when the weapon is fired. The information includes the gun's make, model and serial number, and can yield important evidence to law enforcement officers investigating crimes. California has already enacted such legislation, and the technology has the support of many individuals and organizations, including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Police Department, Seattle Mayor Gregory Nickles, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Additionally, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators passed a resolution supporting the use of microstamping technology.

Microstamping is a significant new technology for ballistics identification. Congress should obviously support emerging technologies that enable law enforcement to make more effective use of evidence at crime scenes. Current ballistic analyses, conducted through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, depend on the transfer of accidental markings from a gun barrel to bullets and cartridge cases, which are then compared to a limited database with evidence from other crime scenes.

The current Ballistic Information Network has already been an invaluable resource for law enforcement. A remarkable number of crimes have been solved by using it, and it makes sense to invest in the next generation of ballistic technology. Microstamping in no way replaces any of the methods currently used by police to conduct ballistics tests, but it would clearly enhance the work currently done by law enforcement agencies.

FBI data indicate that handguns are used in most homicides, accounting for nearly 7,800 murders in 2006. In Massachusetts, violent crime rates are on the rise--growing 11 percent in Boston in 2006. In 2005, Boston police made a total of 754 gun arrests and 797 illegal firearm seizures. Nevertheless, from 1997 to 2005, shooting incidents have jumped a drastic 153 percent. We can help law enforcement solve more handgun crimes and reduce gun trafficking through the use of microstamping technology.

Bullet casings are often the only evidence left behind at crime scenes, particularly in gang crimes such as drive-by shootings. In Boston during 2006, bullet casings were recovered from nearly half of crime scenes involving shootings. In those cases, investigators could obviously have benefited from knowing the make, model and serial number of the guns involved in those crimes. Microstamp information can also be used to identify straw buyers and gun traffickers who supply the illegal flow of weapons to violent teens, gang members and other prohibited purchasers.

Critics of microstamping technology claim that perpetrators engaged in crime will be able to subvert the technology by filing the microstamped information off the weapons. In fact, however, microstamping is virtually tamperproof. The microstamped information is invisible to the naked eye, and most criminals would be unable to detect it. The microstamp is placed on the firing pin and in the chamber of the gun, so even if a perpetrator replaced the firing pin, the information would still be transferred to the casing from the chamber.

Others argue that criminals will plant cartridges at crime scenes to disrupt investigations. Realistically, however, we know that offenders rarely take even the simplest precautions, such as wearing gloves during a burglary, when engaging in criminal behavior.

Opponents also contend that microstamping will result in the creation of a new national database of gun owners. In fact, it will not result in any new database, because it will use information already available to law enforcement officers investigating gun crimes. In addition, microstamped information on bullet casings can be viewed with imaging equipment generally found at Federal, State and local forensics laboratories, making it unnecessary to create and maintain special equipment or facilities.

Finally, critics claim that the cost of adding microstamping technology is prohibitive. In fact, the technology will be available to manufacturers through a free licensing agreement from its inventor. Based on independent estimates, adding the technology to new semiautomatic handguns will cost only 50 cents to a dollar for each firearm produced by large volume manufacturers.

Handgun owners and prospective handgun purchasers will not be burdened by this legislation. There will be no changes in the procedures or requirements for purchasing handguns. Existing handguns and handgun owners will not be affected by this legislation since it applies only to new handguns.

The technology has been thoroughly tested. Independent examiners have fired thousands of rounds from guns with microstamping, and have consistently obtained readable marks on the casings.

Microstamping technology is urgently needed by law enforcement and can make a major difference in solving gun crimes. It is cost effective and will not impinge on the rights of any gun owners. I urge my colleagues to support law enforcement and reduce gun crimes by enacting this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2607) to make a technical correction to section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the legislation under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of S. 2607, the Digital Television Transition Assistance Act. We have little more than 7 months until February 17, 2009, the date of the digital television transition when all full-power television stations in the country will stop broadcasting analog signals and broadcast only digital signals.

The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, of which I am a member, has been working hard to prepare consumers for this event. However, not all television stations will immediately start broadcasting in digital on that day of transition. There are many stations that broadcast at low-power levels or that rely upon translators and boosters to reach viewers, and many of these stations will be transitioning to digital some time after February 17. Many of these stations serve viewers in districts like mine that are largely rural.

When Congress passed the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act in 2005, it recognized that many of these smaller, rural stations lacked the resources necessary to immediately switch to digital. Therefore, the statute established two grant programs designed to aid these stations.

One grant program provides funds so that low power and translator stations may purchase the equipment needed to facilitate continued service for viewers of low-power stations and translators on analog television sets.

The other grant program provides funds for low-power stations to upgrade

their facilities to digital. The provision establishing the grant program for low-power stations to upgrade their facilities to digital included a technical error that S. 2607 will correct. Current law prohibits grant funds from being awarded to stations after October 1, 2010, more than a year after full-power stations are broadcasting only in digital.

S. 2607 changes that date to February 18, 2009, one day after the transition begins. This technical correction will ensure that low-power stations can begin to transition to digital as quickly as possible. S. 2607 would also ensure that the funds Congress set aside for the translator grant programs are used to further the DTV transition.

This program allocated $10 million for qualified low power and translator stations to buy digital-to-analog conversion equipment so they can continue to offer analog signals after February 17.

However, it is estimated that at least $3 million of these funds will be unspent because not all stations are expected to take advantage of the program. Therefore, S. 2607 would permit the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to use the excess moneys to further consumer education efforts concerning DTV transition and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

S. 2607 would permit the NTIA to use extra funds from the $10 million grant program to create a program that addresses the educational and technical assistance needs of vulnerable populations such as senior citizens, residents of rural and remote areas, and minorities.

This is a simple bill that would make commonsense changes designed to speed the transition to digital television in all areas of the country and ensure that consumers are informed about the transition.

I urge Members to join me in supporting S. 2607.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher).

(Mr. BOUCHER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis).

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers if the gentleman from Florida, my good friend, would like to close.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I'd like to reiterate that this bill fixes two technical errors in order to bring great benefits to our constituents through their digital television transition.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, today I am pleased to reintroduce the Global Service Fellowship Program Act. This important bipartisan bill would provide more Americans the opportunity to volunteer overseas and strengthen our existing Federal international education and exchange system. The U.S. Government needs to be taking a greater role in providing opportunities for U.S. citizens to volunteer overseas, and my bill will enhance U.S. efforts to be a global leader in people-to- people engagement.

People-to-people engagement is one of the United States' most effective public diplomacy tools and, today more than ever, we need to be investing in every opportunity to improve the perception of the U.S. overseas.

I often hear from constituents about their experiences volunteering overseas and how those experiences impacted their lives and the lives of those who they were helping. For example, I received an email from Eric Englund, from my hometown of Middleton, who wrote, ``[My wife Jane and I] have been privileged to participate in international volunteering experiences in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 we spent 4 weeks in China teaching English to Chinese primary and secondary English teachers in Xingping, China. * * * In 2007 we spent two weeks in Tanzania with Habitat for Humanity. . . . We return[ed] from both experiences humbled in the understanding of how lucky we have been and hungry to continue to share with others a cultural exchange that is hopefully symbiotic in helping us grow/learn/appreciate while at the same time sharing our knowledge, compassion and abilities with others.'' This email captures the life-changing effects that international volunteering often has on those who choose to commit their time and resources to volunteering across the globe.

Unfortunately, not enough of my constituents are able to volunteer overseas because of financial or time-related barriers. In an effort to reduce these barriers, I initially introduced, along with my colleague Senator Coleman, the Global Service Fellowship bill. Today, I am reintroducing a new and improved version of the bill.

This new bill builds on the original legislation but now ensures fellowships are not taxed, addresses the importance of geographical diversity in the selection process, and increases collaborative opportunities for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State in establishing and administering the program.

Additionally, congressional involvement has been changed from the original bill. The new version calls on participants to engage with Members of Congress prior to their departure and again upon their return by providing Members with a brief report of their experiences and impact abroad. The changes are intended to ensure that fellows are selected based on the merits while preserving for Members of Congress the opportunity, if they so wish, to engage directly with constituents who have volunteered for significant overseas work, whether by a personal exchange, a public event or correspondence that recognizes the value of their volunteer efforts.

Studies have shown that in areas where U.S. citizens have volunteered their time, money, and services, opinions of the U.S. have improved. Greater investment in volunteer opportunities has significant potential to improve the image of the U.S. overseas and while we have important programs already in place--the Peace Corps, programs administered through the Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and

USAID's Volunteers for Prosperity--we can and should be doing more.

My bill would cost $150 million, which is more than offset by a provision that would require the IRS to deposit all of its fee receipts in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. CBO has estimated that this offset will save $559 million over 5 years for net deficit reduction of just over $400 million.

I am pleased that my colleagues, Senators Coleman, Casey, Cochran, Kerry, Voinovich, and Whitehouse have joined me in re-introducing this bill. This program will be a valuable addition to our public diplomacy and our private humanitarian efforts overseas and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. President. I am pleased to join Senator Dodd in introducing legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration. The bill would provide additional resources to help the agency meet its growing responsibilities. We are pleased to be joined by our fellow cochairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus--Senators McCain and Biden.

Since its creation in 1974, the Fire Administration and its Fire Academy have helped prevent fires, protect property, and save lives among firefighters and the public. Today, the Fire Administration is also integrated into our national, all-hazards preparations against natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

Last month marked the fifth anniversary of the Fire Administration's reorganization as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security. As both Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and as a cochair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am pleased that the bill being introduced today does much more than reauthorize the Fire Administration.

For example, the bill designates $5 million annually to support necessary technology upgrades to the National Fire Incident Reporting System. This important system helps State and local governments report and analyze fires, and allows nationwide sharing of data in standard formats. This database--the world's largest collection of fire-incident information--helps all levels of government to probe the nature and causes of injuries, deaths, and property loss resulting from fires.

Another vital component of this bill establishes a rotating position at the DHS National Operations Center to be filled by a State or local fire-service official. In our comprehensive, all-hazards approach to major disasters, it is just as important to have the fire services represented at operations center as it is military liaisons.

The bill has other important provisions, including provision for a 1.3 percent annual increase in the initial $70 million authorization through fiscal year 2012. In addition, the bill expands National Fire Academy training programs to include topics like hazardous-material fires and fire-based emergency medical services. It authorizes expanded research on fires in the urban-wildland interface and in rural areas. It encourages the Fire Administration to adopt national voluntary standards on firefighter health and safety--an important topic, considering that about 100 brave firefighters lose their lives in the line of duty each year, with many more suffering serious injuries.

My home state of Maine is keenly aware of the dangers of fire and the importance of effective fire services. Maine is one of the most rural states in the nation and most of its housing stock is wood framed. Some households rely on woodstoves for primary or supplemental heat.

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, nearly 50 Mainers died in fires every year through the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The average so far for this decade is 18, and 2007 produced only 12 fire-related deaths, still too many but a considerable improvement.

Maine public-safety officials attribute the decline to factors like wider use of smoke detectors and improved building codes--and fire- prevention efforts. As our national resource and clearing house for fire research, education, and training, the U.S. Fire Administration certainly deserves a share of the credit for my state's progress in reducing the pain, devastation, and death wrought by fires.

I have no doubt the Fire Administration's beneficial effects will grow. Its new campaign for preventing smoking-related home fires is a worthy effort. Its growing curriculum of online courses on topics like incident command for nursing-home fires, emergency medical service at multi-casualty incidents, and emergency response to terrorism is a valuable resource for firefighters.

The U.S. Fire Administration is a fine example of the good that can come of federal, state, and local collaboration to counter an ancient threat and to address new ones. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the reauthorization and improvement of this valuable agency.