Norton's 2007 Accomplishments as Chair of Subcommittee on Economic Development (1/30/08)

2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF

THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

CONGRESSWOMAN ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, CHAIR

January 30, 2008

Washington, DC--The Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee moved major bills to passage this year (further discussed below) and held a record 18 hearings in 2007 compared to the 12 held during the prior two years under the preceding Congress. Under Norton's leadership, the subcommittee held seven hearings on emergency management; five on economic development; a hearing on energy conservation; four hearings with impact on local tourism and culture in the nation's capital; and a field hearing on GSA leasing in the NOMA business district of the District of Columbia. Among her most important hearings were five which resulted in legislation; quickening Gulf Coast recovery; energy conservation in the federal sector; Federal Protective Services contracting; the naming of Emancipation Hall in the new Capitol Visitors Center to honor slaves who built the Capitol; and a comprehensive regional development bill. The subcommittee held a NOMA field hearing which resulted in provisions being added to committee resolutions which prohibited "redlining" by federal agencies following competitions for leased space to avoid some areas and favor pricier areas at extra cost to tax payers, and hearings on continuing FEMA mishaps and inadequacies; Smithsonian problems; and the Department of Homeland Security headquarters scheduled for the St. Elizabeths West Campus in the District.

GOALS

Department of Homeland Security Headquarters

• The headquarters has strong support from both the administration and Congress, in light of DHS difficulties in operating from 60 different locations.

Hearings to Determine Necessary Action by Congress and Agencies

• National Flood Plain Remapping: The Practical Impact
• How GSA can take advantage of the downturn in the commercial and building market and save taxpayer funds
• GSA leasing reform
• Using the federal leasing and construction footprint for leadership on greening and energy conservation
• New Orleans/Mississippi hearing on repopulation to examine whether FEMA funds are being used as intended to encourage return of taxpayers to the region

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 - (H.R. 6) signed into law and contains numerous provisions to improve energy efficiency in federal buildings, from simple energy efficient light bulb requirements to incorporating energy efficiency into building design, construction, repair and alteration and requiring leasing of energy efficiency buildings.
• Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma Federal Match Relief Act - (H.R. 1144) waives the non-Federal share of disaster assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profits as well as grants for personal property losses for low income residents provided in connection with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
• Authorized first comprehensive regional economic development act creating three new regional commissions and reauthorizing two existing commissions.
• Kids Disasters Safety Well Being and Health Act of 2007 - (H.R. 3495) establishes a Presidential Commission to assess the needs of children in disasters.
• Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act - (H.R. 3068) prohibits FPS contracts with security guard services owned, controlled or operated directly or under proxy by an individual convicted of a felony.
• To Provide that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) will be known as Emancipation Hall - (H.R. 3315) recognizes slaves that assisted in building the Capitol.