House of Representatives
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Michael Ross
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Next Election Year:
Education:
BA, Political Science, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, 1987
Profession:
Owner, Holly's Health Mart Pharmacy, 1993-2007
Retail Sales, McKesson Drug Wholesale Company, 1991-1999
Insurance Agent, First Arkansas Insurance, 1990-1991
Administrative Assistant, Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1985-1989
Regional Coordinator, Michael Dukakis Presidential Campaign, 1988
Area Manager, Fox Meyer Drug Company
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Overall
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Based on 1 reviews
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(2010) HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (193/165)
Summary:
- Amends "The Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011" to extend the expiration date from December 3, 2010, to March 4, 2011 (Sec. 1).
- Prohibits pay adjustments for all federal non-military employees from January 1, 2011, until December 31, 2012 (Sec. 1).
- Extends the deadline by which eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries may apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay until March 4, 2011 (Sec. 1).
- Extends, until March 4, 2011, various programs relating to transportation and highways (Secs. 2101-2308).
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Ross's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (250/175)
Summary:
- Repeals the policy concerning homosexuality in the armed forces, commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 2):
- That a member of the armed forces who has engaged in a homosexual act be terminated from the armed forces;
- That a member of the armed forces who has stated that he or she is a homosexual or a bisexual be terminated from the armed forces; and
- That a member of the armed forces who has married or attempted to marry a person of the same biological sex be terminated from the armed forces.
- Specifies that the Secretary of Defense has requested a comprehensive review assessing the potential impact of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that the repeal will become effective 60 days after the date on which the last of the following occurs (Sec. 2):
- Receipt by the Secretary of Defense of the results of the comprehensive review; and
- Transmittal of a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to the congressional defense committees stating that the recommendations posed by the review have been considered and that implementation of the repeal will be consistent with standards of military readiness.
- Specifies that existing policy will remain in effect until the aforementioned requirements are met (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that the repeal of this policy does not invalidate any portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, which states that marriage is between one man and one woman and that a spouse is someone of the opposite sex (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that nothing in the legislation should be construed to create grounds for a private lawsuit (Sec. 2).
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Ross's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes
Outcome: Bill Passed (240/172)
Summary:
- Establishes the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program, under which loans shall be offered at zero percent interest to States to support financial assistance provided by qualified financial entities for the installation of energy saving measures that meet one of the following criteria (Sec. 1):
- Are published by the Secretary of Energy as part of a master list of residential energy efficiency measures determined to be cost-effective, readily available from commercial sources, permanently installed in a primary residence, and capable of supporting measurement and verification of energy savings that result from their adoption;
- Are additions to the aforementioned master list that are recommended by the Secretary of Agriculture, calculated to achieve sufficient energy savings that they will achieve "a simple payback" within 10 years or less, and permanently installed in a primary residence; or
- Are stipulated in a whole-house analysis that simulates energy use before and after a retrofit and are demonstrated to improve residential energy efficiency in a manner that can be determined "with confidence" to be cost-effective and to recover their own cost in savings within the term of the proposed loan.
- Defines a "qualifying financing entity" as a State, political subdivision of a State, tribal government, electric utility, natural gas utility, nonprofit organization, energy service company, retailer or any other entity which meets the following qualifications (Sec. 1):
- Offers a financing product whereby applicants make payments over time for the cost of installation;
- Requires all financed installations to be performed by contractors in a way that meets building code requirements;
- Establishes standard underwriting criteria to determine the eligibility of Home Star Loan Program applicants;
- Makes efforts to make loans available in areas that have a poverty rate of 12 percent or more in a proportion that at least equals the proportion that residents of such areas make up of the total population;
- Is not an entity that has an ongoing capital repayment obligation to the Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Troubled Asset Relief Program (Public Law 110-343); and
- Is designated as qualified by the Governor of a state.
- Defines "eligible participant" as a homeowner with a gross annual household income of less than $250,000 who receives financial assistance from a qualified financing entity (Sec. 1).
- Limits participation in the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program to homeowners with a gross annual household income of less than $250,000 who receive financial assistance from a qualified financing entity, are not also qualified consumers under the Rural Energy Savings Program, and have not been more than 6 months delinquent in child support payments (Sec. 1).
- Establishes the Rural Star Energy Savings Program for the purpose of making no-interest loans with terms of no more than 20 years to eligible entities that agree to accept the loan funds in order to make loans to qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing residential energy efficiency measures or farm efficiency measures approved by the Secretary of Agriculture (Sec. 2).
- Defines an "energy efficiency measure" as a fixed structural improvement and investment in a cost-effective, commercial technology to reduce residential energy use (Sec. 2).
- Defines a "farm efficiency measure" as an energy saving application that is a fixed improvement on a building or structure on a farm at a total loan value of $50,000 or less, that is not otherwise an energy efficiency measure and that would achieve enough energy savings to repay the cost of the measure in 10 years or less (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that loans made to consumers under the Rural Star Energy Savings Program by eligible entities shall have terms that include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
- They may bear no more than 3 percent interest;
- They shall finance only energy efficiency or farm efficiency measures for the purpose of decreasing energy usage costs by an amount such that a loan term of no more than 10 years will achieve a "simple payback" of the amount invested;
- They shall be repaid through charges added to the electric bill for the property for which the efficiency measures will be implemented, except that the property owner may voluntarily prepay the loan and certain other qualifying repayment mechanisms may be used; and
- They shall require an energy audit to determine the impact of proposed energy efficiency measures on the energy costs and consumption of the consumer.
- Requires lenders making loans under either of the aforementioned programs to give priority to active duty members of the Armed Forces and veterans (Sec. 3).
- Prohibits the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy from providing funds authorized by this bill to any contractor that employs an employee to work in a consumer's home if that employee has been convicted of or plead guilty to a crime of child molestation, rape, or any other form of sexual assault, or to any contractor that has been convicted of or plead guilty to any fraudulent offense (Secs. 4 and 7).
- Prohibits loans from being provided under this bill to federal employees who meet any of the following criteria (Sec. 5):
- Have a "seriously delinquent" tax debt;
- Received a payment under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 but were ineligible to receive the payment; or
- Have been officially disciplined for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography, including child pornography, on a Federal Government computer or while performing official Federal Government duties.
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Ross's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (308/114)
Summary:
- Appropriates $33.29 billion (including appropriation increases and rescissions) for the Department of Defense for military purposes, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 3):
- $24.59 billion for operation and maintenance;
- $4.95 billion for procurement; and
- $1.79 billion for military personnel.
- Appropriates $13.38 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation and pensions, and specifies that the funds may not be obligated or expended until the expiration of the period for Congressional disapproval of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during "the Vietnam era" and hairy cell leukemia, other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease (Ch. 9, Sec. 902).
- Appropriates $6.18 billion for the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 10):
- $3.17 billion for bilateral economic assistance;
- $1.41 billion for administration of foreign affairs;
- $1.13 billion for international security assistance; and
- $96.5 million for international organizations.
- Appropriates $5.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief (Ch. 6).
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Ross's Vote
Y |
(2010) H Con Res 301 Directing the President to Remove Armed Forces from Pakistan
Outcome: Joint Resolution Failed (38/372)
Summary: |
Ross's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4899 Requiring Timetable for Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Failed (162/260)
Summary:
- Requires the Director of National Intelligence, not later than January 31, 2011, to submit to the President and Congress a new national intelligence estimate on security and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including an assessment of the following (Sec. 309):
- The ability, performance, intent, and commitment of the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work with the U.S. in implementing the strategy announced in December 2009;
- The security forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan, including their ability to maintain security in areas where they are deployed, and the timing of full deployment as envisioned by the December 2009 strategy;
- Whether continuing U.S. military presence in Afghanistan contributes to Afghan and Pakistani support for, or sympathy toward, the Taliban, al Qaeda, or other insurgents;
- The effect of continuing U.S. military presence on the strength of al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and neighboring countries; and
- The effect of the continuing U.S. military presence on the ability of al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations to obtain resources, recruit personnel, and continue operations targeted at the U.S. and its allies.
- Requires the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment, to do all of the following (Sec. 309):
- Issue recommendations on measures to increase oversight of contractors engage in activities related to Afghanistan that have a "record of engaging in waste, fraud, or abuse";
- Report on the status of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of State to implement existing recommendations regarding oversight of such contractors; and
- Report on the extent to which military and security contractors or subcontractors engaged in activities related to Afghanistan have been responsible for the deaths of Afghan civilians.
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Ross's Vote
N |
(2010) H Res 1500 Deeming Supplemental Military Appropriations Passed and Allowing Divided Question
Outcome: Bill Passed (215/210)
Summary:
- Appropriates $33.29 billion (including appropriation increases and rescissions) for the Department of Defense for military purposes, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 3):
- $24.59 billion for operation and maintenance;
- $4.95 billion for procurement; and
- $1.79 billion for military personnel.
- Appropriates $13.38 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation and pensions, and specifies that the funds may not be obligated or expended until the expiration of the period for Congressional disapproval of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during "the Vietnam era" and hairy cell leukemia, other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease (Ch. 9, Sec. 902).
- Appropriates $6.18 billion for the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 10):
- $3.17 billion for bilateral economic assistance;
- $1.41 billion for administration of foreign affairs;
- $1.13 billion for international security assistance; and
- $96.5 million for international organizations.
- Appropriates $5.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief (Ch. 6).
- Appropriates $1.15 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to carry of the settlement agreement dated February 18, 2010 between certain plaintiffs and the Secretary of Agriculture to resolve the claims raised or that could have been raised in the cases consolidated in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, No. 08-511 (D.D.C.) if such settlement agreement is approved by a court order that is or becomes final and nonappealable (Sec. 5001).
- Appropriates $1 billion for grants to states for youth activities, including employment for youth (Sec. 5002).
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Ross's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations
Outcome: Bill Passed (229/186)
Summary:
- Repeals, after military review and certification, a provision of existing law (commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell") that requires individual be removed from the armed forces if one or more of the following findings is made (Sec. 5):
- That the member has engaged in (or attempted to engage in) a homosexual act, unless further findings show that the member has demonstrated that:
- Such conduct is a departure from his/her usual behavior;
- Such conduct is unlikely to recur;
- Such conduct was not accomplished by coercive means or intimidation;
- The member's continued presence is in the interests of the armed forces in "proper discipline, good order, and morale;" and
- The member does not have "a propensity or intent" to engage in homosexual acts;
- That the member has stated that he or she is homosexual or bisexual, unless a further finding shows that the member has demonstrated that he or she does not engage in, attempt to engage in, intend to engage in, or have a "propensity" to engage in homosexual acts; or
- That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex.
- Prohibits the aforementioned repeal from taking place until 60 days after the military certification is complete, and specifies that the certification shall be considered complete when the last of the following events occurs (Sec. 5):
- The Secretary of Defense has received the report detailing the findings of the military review; and
- Written certification is provided to Congress by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that all of the following are true:
- The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations in the report;
- The Department of Defense has prepared necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the repeal; and
- The implementation of policies and regulations associated with the repeal is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.
- Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is characterized by the following (Sec. 1032):
- He or she is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
- He or she is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense.
- Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being used to transfer any individual detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the custody or effective control of the individual's country of origin or other foreign country, unless the Secretary of Defense submits to Congress certification of the following (Sec. 1033):
- The country is not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism or designated foreign terrorist organization;
- The country maintains control over each detention facility in which the individual is to be detained;
- The country is not, as of the date of certification, facing a threat that is likely to substantially affect its ability to exercise control over the individual;
- The country has agreed to take effective steps to ensure that the individual cannot take action to threaten the U.S., its citizens, or its allies in the future;
- The country has take such steps as the Secretary determines are necessary to ensure that the individual cannot engage or reengage in any terrorist activity; and
- The country has agreed to share any information with the U.S. that is related to the individual or any associates of the individual and could affect the security of the U.S., its citizens, or its allies.
- Expands dependent coverage under TRICARE to include individual's under 26 years of age and is not eligible for a qualified employer-sponsored plan (Sec. 702).
- Increases the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services by 1.9 percent, effective January 1, 2011 (Sec. 601).
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to designate the F135 and F136 engine development and procurement programs as major subprograms of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft major defense acquisition program (Sec. 802).
- Authorizes the appropriation of $32.42 billion for the Defense Health Program for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1516).
- Authorizes the appropriation of $3.42 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1509).
- Authorizes the appropriation of $3.46 billion for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1503).
- Authorizes the appropriation of $71.2 million for the operation of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (Sec. 1421).
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Ross's Vote
Y |
(2010) H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification
Outcome: Amendment Adopted (234/194)
Summary:
- Repeals, after military review and certification, a provision of existing law that requires individual be removed from the armed forces if one or more of the following findings is made (Sec. 5):
- That the member has engaged in (or attempted to engage in) a homosexual act, unless further findings show that the member has demonstrated that:
- Such conduct is a departure from his/her usual behavior;
- Such conduct is unlikely to recur;
- Such conduct was not accomplished by coercive means or intimidation;
- The member's continued presence is in the interests of the armed forces in "proper discipline, good order, and morale;" and
- The member does not have "a propensity or intent" to engage in homosexual acts;
- That the member has stated that he or she is homosexual or bisexual, unless a further finding shows that the member has demonstrated that he or she does not engage in, attempt to engage in, intend to engage in, or have a "propensity" to engage in homosexual acts; or
- That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex.
- Prohibits the repeal from taking place until 60 days after the military certification is complete, and specifies that the certification shall be considered complete when the last of the following events occurs (Sec. 5):
- The Secretary of Defense has received the report detailing the findings of the military review; and
- Written certification is provided to Congress by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that all of the following are true:
- The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations in the report;
- The Department of Defense has prepared necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the repeal; and
- The implementation of policies and regulations associated with the repeal is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.
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Ross's Vote
N |
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