U.S. House of Representatives Archives

Alexander, Corker support bill allowing states to collect sales tax on online purchases

May 6, 2013 By John Huotari 1 Comment

Lamar Alexander

Bob Corker

The U.S. Senate on Monday approved legislation to allow states to collect sales taxes on items sold online or through catalogs, and senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker on Monday said they supported the bill.

Known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, the legislation passed the Senate in a 69-27 vote. A Tennessee Republican, Alexander was a lead co-sponsor of the 11-page bill.

It still has to pass the U.S. House of Representatives, where antitax forces have vowed to kill it, according to the New York Times. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Federal, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: 10th Amendment, Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander, Marketplace Fairness Act, sales taxes, states rights, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate

House committee passes bill to set up Manhattan Project National Park

April 24, 2013 By John Huotari 5 Comments

Chuck Fleischmann

A U.S. House of Representatives committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include sites in Oak Ridge and Hanford, Wash., and Los Alamos, N.M.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II.

The legislation stalled in the last session of Congress, but it has been reintroduced this session. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Federal, Government, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: atomic bombs, Ben Luján, Chuck Fleischmann, Congress, Doc Hastings, Hanford, House Natural Resources Committee, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Park System, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, World War II

State Democratic Party chair to speak at chili supper Thursday

March 27, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Roy Herron, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, will be guest speaker at a Thursday meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Party.

It’s the party’s annual chili supper and potluck, and it starts at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Claxton Elementary School Cafeteria. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Democratic Party, chili supper, Roy Herron, state senator, Tennessee Democratic Party, Tennessee House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate, U.S. House of Representatives

Manhattan Project national park bill also reintroduced in U.S. House

March 15, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. The site has previously been identified for possible inclusion in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

A bill to set up a Manhattan Project national park that would include Oak Ridge has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bipartisan legislation was reintroduced on Friday in the U.S. House by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, a Washington Republican; Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican; and Rep. Ben Luján, a New Mexico Democrat.

The legislation—H.R. 1208—would establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include facilities in Oak Ridge; Hanford, Wash.; and Los Alamos, N.M.

Rep. Fleischmann appointed to House Appropriations Committee

November 30, 2012 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, an East Tennessee Republican, has been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee.

Fleischmann, re-elected to a second term on Nov. 6, is one of six new members appointed to the powerful committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The appointments were approved by the House Republican Steering Committee on Thursday.

Fleischmann’s district includes Oak Ridge. In a press release, he said the committee does critical work to ensure that tax revenues from hardworking Americans are spent wisely.

State asked to investigate DesJarlais’ relationship with patient

October 15, 2012 By John Huotari 2 Comments

The Tennessee Department of Health has been asked to investigate whether U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a doctor, had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient.

The nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington asked for the investigation in a complaint filed Monday. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization said Tennessee law prohibits doctors from engaging in relationships with patients.

DesJarlais, who lives in South Pittsburg near Chattanooga, is a first-term Tennessee Republican whose district includes part of Roane County, including areas north and west of Oak Ridge.

In a letter to supporters on Friday, DesJarlais acknowledged that he was involved with an unnamed woman he had treated for a foot injury while he was legally separated from his wife during divorce proceedings 12 years ago.

“The relationship was completely mutual,” DesJarlais said.

But in its complaint, CREW said that doesn’t matter. Tennessee’s medical policy holds the physician responsible for maintaining “the boundaries of the professional relationship by avoiding and refraining from sexual contact with patients,” CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan wrote.

Candidate forum for Tennessee, U.S. House on Thursday

October 2, 2012 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Eight state and federal legislative candidates have been invited to take part in a Thursday evening forum at Oak Ridge High School.

The candidates could include the three running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 3rd District: Republican Chuck Fleischmann, who is the incumbent; Democrat Mary M. Headrick, a physician; and Independent Matthew Deniston, a U.S. Army veteran. The district includes Oak Ridge.

They could also include the two candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives in the 33rd District: Republican John D. Ragan, the incumbent, and Democrat Jim Hackworth, who is trying to take back his old seat. The district includes much of Anderson County.

Also invited are candidates for the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 32rd District: Republican Kent Calfee, a former Roane County commissioner; Democrat Jack W. McNew; and Independent Allen R. Cole. The district includes Roane County and part of Loudon County.

Y-12 security breach subject of congressional hearing

September 11, 2012 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated to add a link for watching the hearing live.

The July 28 security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex is expected to be one of the topics discussed during a Wednesday morning hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Witnesses scheduled to testify during the hearing of the U.S. House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee include Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel B. Poneman and DOE Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman.

Poneman will be accompanied by Thomas P. D’Agostino, National Nuclear Security Administration administrator, and Glenn S. Podonsky, DOE’s chief health, safety, and security officer.

A webcast could be available on this page: http://energycommerce.house.gov/studio/webcasts. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee should be Webcast A.

Frank, Iwanski, Hope lead in early election returns

August 2, 2012 By John Huotari 3 Comments

Terry Frank

Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has an early voting lead over attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor, according to early results posted Thursday evening on the Anderson County Election Commission website.

Results continue to be tabulated, but Frank has been collecting about 56 or 58 percent of the early, absentee, and election day votes, compared to about 42 to 44 percent for Gooch.

Also taking an early lead was City Council candidate Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., who had about 58 percent of the vote around 8:42 p.m., compared to 42 percent for Trina Baughn.

U.S. House committee approves Manhattan Project park bill

July 11, 2012 By John Huotari 2 Comments

Doc Hastings

A U.S. House committee approved a bill today to set up a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include Oak Ridge.

In the works for years, the park would also include facilities in Hanford, Wash., and Los Alamos, N.M.

The legislation, H.R. 5987, can now be considered by the full House.