Christopher Cox
Chairman, House Policy Committee  
Legislative Accomplishments

107th Congress    106th Congress    105th Congress    104th Congress

107th CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

(Partial List)  

1. Environmental Victories for Orange County. Ten Orange County environmental projects sought by House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox were signed into law on November 12, 2001. Chairman Cox personally requested the measures from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water. From protecting endangered birds to restoring Newport Bay to replenishing safe drinking water, these environmental initiatives will help protect Orange County’s diverse environment and excellent water resources. 

2. Rep. Cox's Cox Internet Tax Bill Unanimously Approved. With expiration of the Internet tax moratorium just days away, the House of Representatives took unanimous action to extend it for two years (until November 1, 2003).

3. Rep. Cox's Patient Protection Legislation Debated on House Floor: On August 2, 2001, House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox, author of heath care lawsuit legislation in four successive Congresses, saw his handiwork considered on the House floor. The debate came as part of the historic enactment of a far-reaching Patient’s Bill of Rights. Chairman Cox’s amendment was the only amendment to the Ganske-Dingell bill, H.R. 2563, which was endorsed by the American Medical Association. 

4. Cleanup of Contaminated Groundwater at El Toro Base. On June 8, 2001, the U.S. Navy agreed to pay $27.5 million to clean up the groundwater contamination caused by the U.S. military during the time it operated the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. This landmark agreement is the result of more than seven years of work by Rep. Cox and local officials to ensure that the Pentagon accepts liability for the toxic pollution it has caused at the base.

5. Death Tax Repeal. After waging the fight to repeal the Death Tax for nearly a decade, House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox's Death Tax repeal legislation was signed into law by President George W. Bush on June 7, 2001.

6. Promote High-Speed Internet Connections. Approved by the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications  and the Internet on April 26, 2001. One Cox-authored amendment bars the Federal Communications Commission from imposing any taxes or fees on high-speed data services. A second Cox-authored amendment prohibits telephone companies from receiving unfair subsidies that are used to stifle competition in the high-speed data service marketplace.

7. Unanimous and Bipartisan Multilateral Export Control Study. For seven months beginning September 2000, Chairman Cox co-chaired a House-Senate-Executive Branch Study Group on Multilateral Export Controls, which in April 2001 released bipartisan recommendations that would update the current export control system compatible with post-Cold War realities, but also more adaptable to advancements in technology.

8. Recognizing the 90th Birthday of President Ronald Reagan. Approved by the House and Senate on Ronald Reagan's birthday--February 6, 2001. Honors the significant legacies of former President Ronald Reagan. This legislation has the distinction of being the very first bill ever signed into law by George W. Bush, Public Law 107-1.
   
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106th CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

(Partial List) 

1. No Predatory Internet Taxes. This Cox-authored bill, the Internet Non-Discrimination Act, was approved by the House on May 10, 2000 by a 352-75 vote. Extends the moratorium on new, multiple, and discriminatory taxes on the Internet and electronic commerce that is currently in place as a result of a 1998 Cox-authored law, the Internet Tax Freedom Act. That moratorium remains in effect until October 2001; this latest Cox initiative seeks to extend it for an additional five years, through October 2006. 

2. A Global Tax-Free Internet. This landmark Cox-authored resolution was approved October 26, 1999 by the House on a 423-1 vote, and on November 19, 1999 by the Senate on a unanimous vote. Extends the principles behind Rep. Cox’s 1998 Internet Tax Freedom Act to the international arena so that the World Wide Web will be a global tariff-free zone. Calls on the President to negotiate with foreign governments for a permanent ban on tariffs on electronically-delivered products, and for a permanent ban on special, multiple, and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. 

3. Repeal of the “Spanish-American War” Tax. This top recommendation of the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, set up by Rep. Cox’s Internet Tax Freedom Act, was approved by the full House on May 25, 2000 in a 420-2 vote, and is expected to be signed into law by President Clinton this month. Eliminates the 3% federal excise tax on telephone calls, which adds $6 billion annually to consumers’ phone bills. The tax, first put in place in 1898 to fund the Spanish-American War, has today become a regressive tax on the on-ramp to the information superhighway. 

4. Protect Orange County from Severe Floods. Funding for flood control efforts on the Santa Ana River—which began in 1989, Rep. Cox’s first year in Congress—was secured for the 12th straight year in 2000. Progress on construction has been so successful that even before completion of the project, on September 30, 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially announced that the threat of flooding of the Santa Ana River in Orange County—once considered the biggest flood threat west of the Mississippi—has been reduced so significantly that mandatory flood insurance will no longer be required for persons living in the flood plain. This is now saving 30,000 Orange County homeowners a total of $12 million annually. 

5. Repeal of the Unfair Social Security “Earnings Test.” This bill—which Rep. Cox first sponsored in 1989, and in every Congress since—was approved by the House on March 1, 2000, and enacted into law on April 7, 2000. Repeals the confiscatory “earnings test,” which reduced Social Security benefits for seniors who continue to work after “retirement age.” Repeal of the unfair “earnings test” will benefit more than 6,000 Orange County seniors by restoring $37 million annually in retirement benefits. 

6. Orange County Coastal Environmental Restoration. This Cox initiative was included in the fiscal 2000 Energy and Water Appropriations bill passed September 27, 1999 by the House, and signed into law on September 29, 1999. Provides $3.4 million to improve environmental management and combat beach erosion along the Orange County coastline, including $1 million for the continuation of environmental restoration efforts for wetlands and estuaries in Upper Newport Bay. 

7. Cleanup of Contaminated Groundwater at El Toro Base. This Cox initiative was included in the fiscal 2000 Defense Department Appropriations bill passed October 13, 1999 by the House, and signed into law on October 25, 1999. Directs the Defense Department to accelerate its cleanup of the groundwater it contaminated beneath the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, and to undertake all necessary environmental remediation measures. 

8. Long-Term Preservation of Upper Newport Bay. This landmark Cox-authored initiative was approved by the House on October 19, 2000, and will be signed into law by President Clinton by the end of the month. Establishes a 20-year, $21 million endowment fund to assist local efforts to dredge and ecologically improve the Upper Newport Bay, a 752-acre marine and shoreline wildlife habitat preserve that is home to a number of endangered and threatened species. 

9. Death Tax Repeal. Rep. Cox introduced the first Death Tax repeal bill in 1993, and worked to gain over 200 sponsors for it by 1998, when it was finally taken up by the Ways and Means Committee. Despite Clinton’s veto, Congressional approval for a second year in a row marked a significant step in Rep. Cox’s multi-year effort to abolish this confiscatory tax on the after-tax life savings of hard-working Americans. Most recent action: the bill was approved by the House on June 9, 2000, and by the Senate on July 14, 2000; vetoed by Bill Clinton on August 31, 2000. 

10. Reduce Death Taxes for Leisure World Residents. Introduced on July 13, 1999, this Cox-authored bill was signed into law on October 20, 1999. The Fairness in Trusts and Estates Planning Act makes it possible for seniors in communities such as Leisure World who live with a co-op form of ownership to use a standard estate planning tool, the living trust, to save death taxes and avoid probate. 

11. Improved AIDS Treatment and Prevention. This Cox-sponsored bill was approved by the House on October 5, 2000. The Ryan White CARE Act Amendments places new emphasis on HIV prevention. The new law also corrects a disparity that had provided Orange County with more limited funding compared to several other areas of the nation. 

12. Anaheim City Jail Criminal Alien Screening Program. This Cox-authored legislation was included in the fiscal 2000 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill passed November 18, 1999 by the House, and signed into law on November 29, 1999. Requires the Immigration and Naturalization Service to continue its successful program at the Anaheim City Jail for identifying and promptly deporting illegal aliens who have been arrested for other crimes. 

13. Restore the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. This Cox-sponsored initiative was enacted on October 20, 1999. Provides $1 million for restoration efforts to preserve the Great Stone Church at San Juan Capistrano, which has been named an American “treasure” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Church, completed in 1806 for Spanish missionaries, was severely damaged by an earthquake that also destroyed the church’s bell-tower. 

14. Outlaw State Discrimination Against California Wine. Approved August 3, 1999 by the House by voice vote, this Cox-authored legislation was presented to President Clinton for his signature on October 11, 2000. Prohibits any state that permits in-state direct shipments of wine or liquor to unfairly restrict direct shipments from out-of-state wine or liquor sellers. Makes it easier for adults in other states to purchase California wine. 

15. Improve Foster Care for Children. This Cox-sponsored initiative was approved by the House on November 18, 1999, and signed into law on December 14, 1999. Clarifies that non-profit and charitable groups that provide assistance to foster care youths are not adversely affected by the federal Independent Living Program. Promotes self-reliance for foster children rather than dependence on public assistance, by providing access to a wider variety of education and employment opportunities.  

16. Continued Community Access to the El Toro Base Property. Approved by the House on July 19, 2000, this Cox-authored law was signed by President Clinton on August 9, 2000. Provides $1.5 million to the County of Orange (for the costs of law enforcement and other caretaker responsibilities) to ensure the continuation of many important community and volunteer services now being conducted at the closed base. 

17. Fair Treatment of Persons With Severe Disabilities. This Cox-sponsored bill was approved by the House on October 11, 2000, and is expected to be signed into law by President Clinton this month. Removes an unfair barrier in U.S. immigration law that prevents persons with severe cognitive disabilities from ever becoming naturalized citizens. Inspired by the case of Vijai Rajan, a resident of Anaheim, California. 

18. No Forced Unionism for Doctors. This Cox-authored legislation was narrowly defeated by the House on June 29, 2000. It would ensure that no doctor will be forced to join a labor union against his or her will. This landmark vote represents the first time “right to work” legislation has ever been debated and voted on the floor of the House of Representatives. 

19. Prevent Y2K Injuries. This Cox-authored bill was approved on May 12, 1999 by the House on a 236-190 vote, and signed into law on July 20, 1999. Ensured that the threat of litigation did not delay or complicate efforts to fix Year 2000 computer problems. Guarded against ‘jackpot’ recoveries unrelated to any actual harm. 

20. Legalizing “Digital” Signatures. Approved by Rep. Cox’s Commerce Committee on August 5, 1999, by the House on November 9, 1999 by a 356-66 vote, and enacted into law on June 30, 2000. Ensures that electronic signatures will be considered just as legally valid as pen-and-ink signatures. Permits electronic signatures to serve the same function as a hand-written signature in verifying the identities of parties to a transaction. 

21. Bar the U.S. Postal Service from Managing Internet Domain Names. Rep. Cox personally defeated an October 1998 proposal by the U.S. Postal Service to take over the management and administration of the “.us” Internet domain. The Postal Service currently plays no role in managing Internet space; nor does such a role logically proceed from its charter to deliver letter mail and packages. Keeping the Postal Service from taking over management of the Internet was a significant victory for the new economy.   

22. Promote Democracy and Free Enterprise in Russia. As Chairman of the Speaker’s Advisory Group on Russia, released a 209-page report on September 20, 2000, reviewing the eight-year history of U.S. policy during the Yeltsin administration and making recommendations for the Putin era. The Advisory Group on Russia included as its members the chairmen of six full committees in the House. 

23. Protect Human Rights in Communist China. This landmark Cox-authored legislation was approved by the House on May 24, 2000, and signed into law on October 10, 2000. Establishes the first-ever mandatory, annual Congressional review of freedom and human rights in the People's Republic of China. Creates an independent commission to examine human rights in the PRC. Requires Congress to review a broad range of human rights, including religious freedom, the plight of political prisoners, and protections against arbitrary arrest and enforced exile. 

24. Unanimous, Bipartisan Report on Theft of Military Technology by the People’s Republic of China. Served during the 105th and 106th Congress as Chairman of the Select Committee on Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China. Top Secret report delivered on January 3, 1999. Unclassified report released to public on May 25, 1999. The intelligence community has repeatedly confirmed the key findings of the Committee’s report, including its conclusions about PRC espionage against the United States, weaknesses in our efforts to counter it, and threats to our national security. In September 1999, the CIA published unclassified portions of a National Intelligence Estimate confirming that China’s future intercontinental missiles and their nuclear warheads will in key respects be based on stolen U.S. technology, as first reported by the Select Committee. 

25. Improving Counterintelligence at U.S. Weapons Labs. Approved June 9, 1999 by a unanimous vote of the House of Representatives. Signed into law on October 5, as Public Law 106-65. Enacts 28 of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China. Strengthens our counterintelligence program so that the United States’ most closely held military secrets will not be lost to our adversaries. 

26. Reorganization of Department of Energy; Creation of the National Nuclear Security Administration. This top recommendation of the Cox Committee has been signed into law by President Clinton. It completely reforms one-third of the Department of Energy, which was formerly charged with handling our nation’s nuclear secrets. In the most significant cabinet department reform in two decades, the new law created the National Nuclear Security Administration, an independent agency within the Department of Energy, to take over full responsibility for the nation’s nuclear weapons security. 

27. Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. As Chairman of the House Policy Committee, Rep. Cox re-wrote this leadership bill to assure its passage in the International Relations Committee and then in the House on February 1, 2000 by a 341-70 vote. Requires the U.S. to maintain military-to-military relations with democratic Taiwan that are at least as comprehensive as the military-to-military relations the U.S. currently maintains with the communist People’s Republic of China. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. 

28. Combat North Korean Nuclear Blackmail. Served as one of nine members of the North Korea Advisory Group, a task force appointed by the Speaker of the House to study the efficacy of the Clinton administration’s initiation of foreign aid to the Communist dictatorship in North Korea. On November 3, 1999, the group issued its report, which concludes that North Korea is even more of a threat to U.S. national security than five years ago, and recommends urgent changes in U.S. policy. 

29. No Taxpayer Bailout of North Korea Nuclear Accidents. Approved by the House on May 18, 2000 on a 334-85 vote, this Cox legislation—co-authored with Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)—overturns the Clinton administration’s plan to put U.S. taxpayers at risk in the event of a nuclear power plant accident in North Korea. Prevents a further increase in unwise U.S. aid to the repressive North Korea regime to construct nuclear power plants capable of producing material for nuclear weapons.

30. International Freedom Day. Approved November 9, 1999 in the House by a 417-0 vote, the Cox-authored initiative honors the memory of those whose efforts to repel Soviet Communist tyranny brought about the tearing down of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. Establishes November 9 of every year as “Freedom Day” in the United States so that we might annually recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who help fight to bring freedom to the people held captive by the Soviet Empire; calls on governments around the world to join in memorializing this historic date. Companion legislation in the Senate authored by Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT). 

OTHER NOTEWORTHY COX-AUTHORED BILLS
NOT YET ENACTED INTO LAW 

1. Right to Choose Your Lawyer Act.  Ensures that individuals are free to decide for themselves whether or not to join as a plaintiff in a lawsuit. Protects the right of a person to know and consult with his or her own lawyer.

2. Full Deductibility of Medical Expenses.  Introduced on July 27, 2000. Permits 100% tax deductibility of the costs of medical insurance and all other medical expenses. Ensures equitable tax treatment of medical expenses, regardless of whether an individual is insured through an employer-provided health plan, buys insurance on his or her own, or pays for all medical bills out-of-pocket. 

3. Preserve Natural Habitats From Environmental Destruction. Rep. Cox introduced the Ecosystem and Indigenous Peoples Protection Act on September 29, 1999, and by the end of the 106th Congress had gained 34 bipartisan sponsors, as well as the endorsements of several environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, Environmental Defense Fund, and Rainforest Action Network. Increases pressure on the World Bank to follow its own environmental and human rights guidelines and conduct more rigorous environmental and human rights assessments. Ensures that U.S. taxpayers do not subsidize World Bank projects that cause environmental damage or forcibly displace indigenous people. 

4. Enforce Child Support Payments. Introduced on February 24, 1999; Congressional hearings held on May 19, 2000. Requires “deadbeat” parents to pay taxes on amounts of unpaid child support; allows custodial parents to deduct amounts of unpaid child support as a “bad debt.” Provides a strong incentive for every parent to pay child support in full and on time. 

5. Health Insurance Choice and Patient Protection Act. Gives individuals covered by managed care plans new health care choices, in addition to litigation options, for obtaining full compensation for medical injuries. Consumers can elect out-of-court options, such as arbitration and dispute resolution procedures, which provide for quicker recovery of damages without deduction of costly attorneys’ fees. 

6. Make the Internet Safer for Children. Encourages the “zoning” of pornographic and other objectionable content on the Internet, such as within a new top-level domain (such as “.xxx” or “.sex”) that is accessible only to adults. Makes it easier for concerned parents to restrict their children’s access to adult material on the Internet, while also avoiding infringing on the First Amendment rights of adults. 

7. Cleaner Air in Southern California. Introduced July 1, 1999. Repeals a provision in federal law that arbitrarily punishes California’s aggressive local clean air efforts. Permits Southern California to act more rapidly and fully to improve local air quality. 

8. Clean Up Toxic Pollution at Illegal Drug Laboratories. Rep. Cox introduced the Orphan Meth Lab Clean-Up Act to ensure drug traffickers, not taxpayers, pay for environmental clean-up of sites where illegal drugs are manufactured. Increases fines for persons convicted of illegally trafficking in methamphetamines. Dedicates fines collected from these criminals to offsetting the costs of cleaning up toxic wastes at abandoned (“orphan”) meth lab sites, which costs California taxpayers $10 million annually. 

9. Reduce Gasoline Prices. Introduced on March 15, 2000. Repeals the 30% gas tax increase enacted in 1993 by the Clinton-Gore administration. Responds to consumer concern that federal and state gas taxes today add nearly 50 cents to the cost of every gallon of gasoline. 

10. Speed Provision of Aid to Earthquake Victims. Introduced on October 5, 1999. Responds to published news reports that disaster relief to the people of Taiwan in the wake of the September 21, 1999 earthquake was hindered or delayed because the People’s Republic of China demanded that international aid agencies first obtain permission from Beijing. Calls on the President to help Taiwan gain full rights in the International Red Cross and other international humanitarian organizations in order to avoid bureaucratic delays, which cost lives, in the provision of disaster relief.  

11. Bring Tax Treatment of Computer Software into the 21st Century. Introduced on April 5, 2000. Permits small businesses to deduct the cost of computer software immediately rather than over an arbitrary period of three years, as provided in current law. Ensures the tax code treats a business’ software purchases just like any other ordinary and necessary business expense, such as the cost of rent or electricity. 

12. Accounting Rules for the Knowledge-Based Economy. Introduced on October 3, 2000. Imposes a one-year moratorium on the elimination of the “pooling” method of accounting for mergers, and commissions a more detailed study of the economic impact of this proposed change. Because the only other method of accounting for mergers—the “purchase” method—significantly discounts the value of “intangible” assets (such as employee knowledge, reputation, copyright and patents), elimination of the pooling option will make it difficult for high-tech start-ups and businesses in other knowledge-based industries to attract investment capital. 

13. Train America’s Workforce for the High-Tech Economy. With Rep. David Wu (D-OR), co-authored the “Tech Smart” pilot program to encourage businesses to provide higher education scholarship assistance to U.S. residents. Complements the existing H-1B visa program, which allows high-tech companies to temporarily employ foreign workers if there is a shortage of trained U.S. workers.  

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105th CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

(Partial List) 

1. Keep the Internet Tax-Free. The Internet Tax Freedom Act, described by the New York Times as "crucial for fostering the continued growth of electronic commerce" and identified by Congressional Quarterly as one of the most significant laws of the 105th Congress, was signed into law on October 21, 1998. The Act prevents state and local governments from imposing special, multiple, or discriminatory taxes on the Internet and electronic commerce. It directs the Clinton Administration to take action internationally to keep foreign taxes and tariffs off the Internet.

2. Require a Legally-Binding Budget. Rep. Cox's Budget Process Reform Act has more than 200 sponsors. It completely overhauls the 1974 Budget Act to require a legally binding budget and provides numerous tools—including supermajority votes, Presidential line item reduction, and a ban on 'blank check' spending—to enforce spending limits in the budget law. It provides for a sustaining mechanism to continue government spending at the previous year's levels if the Congress and the President cannot agree on a budget. Rep. Cox has steadily gained broad bipartisan support for this landmark bill--building up to 111 cosponsors by 1990, to 124 cosponsors by 1992, to 181 cosponsors by 1994, to more than 200 cosponsors today.

3. Ensuring Patient Access to Life-Saving Medical Devices. Approved by the House on July 30, 1998. Signed into law on August 13, as Public Law 105-230. Ensures continued availability of "biomaterials," the raw materials needed to make pacemakers, heart valves, and other implantable medical devices. Halts frivolous lawsuits that have created a severe shortage in the availability of biomaterials, thus jeopardizing patients' access to life-saving medical devices.

4. Agenda. Author, with Majority Leader Dick Armey, of the Majority Agenda for the 105th Congress.

5. Back Bay Environmental Restoration. Approved September 30, 1997, as part of the fiscal 1998 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Signed into law on October 13, as Public Law 105-62. Provides $1.27 million for the continuation of environmental restoration efforts for wetlands and estuaries in Upper Newport Bay. (Follows approval of the Water Resources Development Act, signed into law on October 12, 1996 as Public Law 104-303, to provide for these continued environmental restoration efforts.)  

6. Enforce Child Support Payments. The Child Support Enforcement Act was introduced February 27, 1997. It requires parents who are delinquent in child support payments to include unpaid amounts as gross income when calculating their tax liability and allows custodial parents a bad debt deduction for unpaid child support.

7. INS/Anaheim City Jail Criminal Alien Screening Program. Approved by the House 410-2 on November 4, 1997. Signed into law on December 5: Public Law 105-14. Renews the successful Immigration and Naturalization program at the Anaheim City Jail for identifying and promptly deporting illegal aliens who have been arrested for other crimes. (Rep. Cox authored the initial pilot program, which was signed into law in September 1996.) Expands the pilot program to 100 other city and county jails nationwide, including every jail in Orange County.

8. Ensure the Integrity of the Judicial Selection Process. Adopted on February 18, 1997 by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Eliminates Congress' quasi-official reliance on the liberal American Bar Association for evaluating the political views of judicial nominees.

9. Policy for Freedom. On November 9, 1997, the House completed action on the "Policy for Freedom," a comprehensive package of 11 bills to promote human rights, freedom, and free markets in Communist China and ensure security in East Asia. The bills passed by an average margin of 388-31. The "Policy for Freedom" includes a bill requiring classified and unclassified annual reports to Congress by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding spying in the U.S. by Communist China, including specifically industrial espionage, attempts to influence the media, and attempts to influence U.S. political, military, and economic affairs. The Annual Report legislation became law on November 16, 1997: Public Law 105-118. Other bills passed by the House address Communist China's human rights violations, its violent suppression of religion, its use of slave labor, its international purchases of nuclear technology, its arms sales to Iran, its policy of forced abortion, and its aggression toward Taiwan. Other House-approved bills in the package would end U.S.-taxpayer subsidized loans to the Communist regime, deny normal commercial treatment to Communist Chinese military-owned businesses, dramatically expand Radio Free Asia broadcasts, and call for Taiwan's admission to the World Trade Organization.

10. Stop U.S. Taxpayer Aid to North Korean Military. Approved 418-0 on July 24, 1997, as amendment to fiscal 1998 Agriculture Appropriations bill, and included in the Conference Report on the bill, which was signed into law on November 18: Public Law 105-86. Prevents the diversion of U.S. hunger relief aid by North Korea's Stalinist government for use by Kim Jong-Il's military. Requires that food aid be distributed by private charitable organizations, not by the Communist government of North Korea.

11. Campaign Reform. Authored nine-point House action plan for Campaign Reform agreed upon by reform advocates with widely varying approaches to the issue.
    Protecting Public Health in the Tobacco Settlement. Legislation introduced on October 24, 1997. Bans outrageous attorneys' fees in any national tobacco settlement, such as the $7,700 an hour fee sought by attorneys in Florida. Ensures that the maximum possible amount of money from any tobacco settlement can be used for better purposes, such as preventing children from taking up smoking.

12. Environmental Oversight and Government Efficiency. As Vice Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Rep. Cox helped lead hearings to promote effective implementation of the Clean Air Act and faster government approval for life-saving drugs, medical devices, and therapies.

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104th CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

(Partial List) 

1. Anaheim City Jail/Immigration and Naturalization Service Pilot Project. Approved March 19, 1996, by voice vote as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Signed into law on September 30: Public Law 104-208. Creates a six-month INS demonstration project for identifying and promptly deporting illegal aliens incarcerated in the Anaheim city jail.

2. Increased Deportation of Illegal Immigrants. Approved March 19, 1996, by voice vote as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Signed into law on September 30: Public Law 104-208. Establishes procedures that will allow state and local law enforcement officers to be deputized by the U.S. Attorney General to assist in enforcing federal immigration law.

3. Fast and Efficient Tax Filing Act. Approved April 16, 1996, by House as part of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights II Act. Signed into law on July 30: Public Law 104-168. Allows private express delivery services such as UPS or FedEx to qualify for the Internal Revenue Service's "timely-mailing-as-timely-filing" rule, under which a tax document's postmark date is deemed to be its delivery date. The IRS was slow in implementing the new law, but it certified four delivery services four business days before April 15, 1997.

4. Reduced Costs For Federal Construction Projects. Approved June 26, 1996, by Science Committee. Approved July 23 by voice vote as "Corrections Day" measure. Signed into law on October 11: Public Law 104-289. Amends Metric Act of 1975 to promote more cost-effective metric conversion in federal construction projects by permitting increased flexibility in using metric measurements.

5. U.S. Policy on Communist China. Approved June 27, 1996, by 411-7 vote. House resolution urges formulation of new, more comprehensive U.S. policy toward China in the wake of Administration's decision to renew "Most Favored Nation" trade status for China. Requires four committees of Congress to hold hearings and report appropriate legislation addressing China's human rights abuses, trade violations, military aggression and illegal arms sales.

6. NATO Expansion. Approved July 23, 1996, by 353-65 vote. Affirms that it is in the interest of the United States that the formerly-captive nations of the Soviet Empire be integrated into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Makes Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic immediately eligible for transition aid, and urges support for NATO membership for Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Romania.

7. Aviation Security and Anti-Terrorism Act. Approved August 2, 1996, by 389-22 vote. Enhances efforts at domestic airports to detect explosives, search baggage, and screen passengers. Calls for more aggressive U.S. action against foreign government sponsorship of international terrorism. Strengthens privacy rights by increasing penalties for unlawful information disclosure and violations of the Privacy Act.

8. Demilitarization of Russian Troops in Kaliningrad. Approved September 26, 1996, by voice vote. Calls attention to continued sizeable Russian military presence in Kaliningrad, which poses a threat to the freedom and stability of the entire Baltic region. Reaffirms support for Baltic self-determination and NATO expansion, and urges demilitarization and environmental restoration of Kaliningrad.

9. Newport Bay Environmental Restoration. Approved September 26, 1996, by voice vote as part of S. 640, Water Resources Development Act. Signed into law on October 12: Public Law 104-303. Permits the continuation of ongoing environmental restoration efforts in Upper Newport Bay and several other wetland and estuary sites in Orange County. Allows for continued interim use of the LA-3 site (an offshore site used for disposal of silt and other dredged material from sites in Orange County) to accommodate the EPA's failure to complete the studies needed before the site can be permanently designated.

10. No Baseline Budgeting. Approved January 4, 1995, by 421-6 vote. Abolishes "baseline budgeting," an accounting gimmick used by government big spenders to make the public believe that spending increases are actually spending cuts.
    "Full and Fair" Death Penalty Appeals. Approved February 8, 1995, by 291-140 vote. Approved again on March 14, 1996, as part of comprehensive anti-terrorism bill. Signed into law April 24: Public Law 104-132. Effectively prohibits convicted murderers from extensively re-litigating their cases in federal court when the state courts have reasonably interpreted and applied the law.

11. Medical Lawsuit Reform. Approved 247-171 March 9, 1995. Limits "injured feelings" awards in medical cases to $250,000. Patterned after California's Medical Injury and Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which has reduced health care costs for millions of Californians and ensured access to care.
    Repeal of Joint and Several Liability. Approved 263-164 March 9, 1995. Replaces joint and several liability with a "fair share" rule for determining lawsuit damages. Ensures that someone who is found to be only 5% to blame for an injury will pay 5% of the damages--not 100%.

12. Securities Litigation Reform. Approved 325-99 March 8, 1995. Passed over Presidential veto in December by 68-30 vote in Senate, and by 319-100 vote in House: Public Law 104-67. Curbs frivolous lawsuits filed with the sole intention of extorting settlements from companies whose stocks have fallen in value. Provides significant protections for plaintiffs against abuses by class action lawyers by protecting individuals and firms against harassing lawsuits, while ensuring that people with legitimate claims get to trial faster and receive a more significant recovery. (When San Diego strike suit lawyer Bill Lerach tried to repeal this law in California with Proposition 211, the voters vindicated the Cox reforms by a stunning 74-26% margin.)

13. Mexican Peso Bailout. Approved July 19, 1995, by 245-183 vote. Prevents the President from acting, without authorization from Congress, to spend funds appropriated under the Exchange Stabilization Fund if the purpose is to bolster a foreign currency.

14. Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act. Approved August 4, 1995, by 420-4 vote. Portions signed into law on February 8, 1996, as part of Telecommunications Act: Public Law 104-104. Ensures that on-line service providers who take steps to clean up the Internet are no longer subject to additional liability for being "good samaritans." Bars the Federal Communications Commission from content or economic regulation of the Internet.

15. Boy Scout Land Swap. Approved November 7, 1995, by voice vote on Suspensions Calendar. Signed into law on November 12, 1996: Public Law 104-333. Resolves inadvertent boundary encroachment problem in Southern California by authorizing U.S. Forest Service to trade 60 acres of the Cleveland National Forest for 94 acres owned by Orange County's Boy Scouts.

16. Helium Reserve Privatization. Approved November 17, 1995, by House and Senate as part of the Balanced Budget Act. Vetoed by President Clinton on December 6. Re-offered as stand-alone bill. Approved on April 30, 1996, by 411-10 vote. Signed into law on October 9: Public Law 104-273. Ends production, refining, and marketing of helium at the National Helium Reserve in Amarillo, Texas. Requires the sale of the helium stockpile to pay off the reserve's $1.4 billion debt.

17. Interstate Commerce Commission Elimination. Approved November 14, 1995, by 417-8 vote. Signed into law on December 29: Public Law 104-88. Terminates the federal government's oldest independent regulatory agency, the ICC, which long ago ran out of useful functions to perform--especially after the deregulation of the trucking and railroad industries.

18. Repeal of Federal Mandatory Carpooling. Approved December 12, 1995, by voice vote. Signed by President Clinton on December 23, 1995: Public Law 104-70. Permits employers increased flexibility to meet carpooling goals.

19. Opposed Communist China's Campaign of Intimidation Against Taiwan. Approved March 19, 1996, by 369-14 vote. "Sense of Congress" resolution warns Communist China not to use force against island of Taiwan; recommends defending Taiwan in case of invasion, missile attack, or blockade by Communist China.

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="Times New Roman">Mexican Peso Bailout. Approved July 19, 1995, by 245-183 vote. Prevents the President from acting, without authorization from Congress, to spend funds appropriated under the Exchange Stabilization Fund if the purpose is to bolster a foreign currency.

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="Times New Roman">Mexican Peso Bailout. Approved July 19, 1995, by 245-183 vote. Prevents the President from acting, without authorization from Congress, to spend funds appropriated under the Exchange Stabilization Fund if the purpose is to bolster a foreign currency.

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"Times New Roman">Mexican Peso Bailout. Approved July 19, 1995, by 245-183 vote. Prevents the President from acting, without authorization from Congress, to spend funds appropriated under the Exchange Stabilization Fund if the purpose is to bolster a foreign currency.

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