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Comprehensive Immigration Reform Symposium:

San Francisco’s Role in Shaping National Immigration Policy

Testimony

  MELANIE NATHAN

TO: Immigrant Rights Commission (IRC,) City and C0unty of San francisco. 2010.

 

My Name is Melanie Nathan; I thank the Commissioners, esteemed panelists and Symposium Organizers for this opportunity.  I am a Personal Advocate and Conflict Resolution specialist. I serve as VP on the Board of FHOM and was recently appointed by Supervisor Steve Kinsey to the Marin Human Rights Commission.  I hold two law degrees and practiced Law in SA before immigrated to the US in 1985.

 In March of this year I was faced with a Sophie’s choice – I could stay in the US with my 12 year old daughter, in a shared custody arrangement;   or leave her behind to go into exile with my spouse and our 4 year old. Our 4 year nightmare involved navigating the complex immigration system to keep our family together. Had we not been of the same sex, we would have had no problems at all.

 After receiving help from Senator Feinstein, I lead the effort to obtain the introduction by Senator Feinstein of Private Bill #867 for Shirley Tan and when my advocacy became public scores of binational couples began contacting me for help;   and not a day goes by without a new request.  I testified before the California State Assembly Judicial Committee for AJR 15 and provided written testimony to Senator Leahy for UAFA at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing June 3^rd 2009.

 The IRC in making its recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors, to improve, enhance and preserve the quality of life and civic participation of ALL immigrants in the City and County of San Francisco,” must specifically include the plight of same sex couples in bi-national relationships at the fore of any immigration reform discussion for this city in particular.

 The current Immigration and Naturalization Law fails so many immigrants and families, yet same-sex relationships stand on prejudicial ground when compared to heterosexual counterparts. Without specific language such as that proposed by The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024,) (UAFA) which seeks to include permanent partners in the Immigration and Naturalization Act, same sex binational couples will remain victim to the Defense of Marriage Act, the law that compels discrimination against LGBT couples with regard to any federal benefits, including the right to sponsor a spouse and no right to a K1 – fiancé visas for same sex couples.

 We are advised that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will introduce comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) in January 2010. Congressman Gutierrez (D, IL)[i] will introduce CIR for the house in the next weeks, around thanksgiving.  While Senator Schumer is likely to include the UAFA- Uniting American Families Act in such legislation, it is not a slam dunk and Gutierrez’s office, despite his support for UAFA, has been quiet on his version of CIR. It is critical that LGBT couples are included in both the House and Senate versions of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

 This equality based legislation is critical to the tens of thousands of gay and lesbian couples who are either living in exile, or illegally – in fear, in detention or separated from their loved ones. California makes up a large percentage of binational couples and many are from the bay area. I believe it would be remiss for San Francisco, the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors of this LGBTQ iconic city to fail its locals by not placing UAFA’s inclusion as a critical element to any advocacy relating to new, amending or modifying immigration legislation.

 The city of San Francisco has its work cut out for it when it comes to Immigration reform, and it must stand up for all its residents; while certain religious communities strongly support immigration reform, it is apparent they will oppose the inclusion of UAFA and may well shoot themselves in the toe rather than support fully inclusive reform that excludes no one.

 From the LGBT perspective I believe this is going to be tough and I respectfully submit to the City and County of San Francisco that they consider the following list of ideas which I have cryptically penned for this testimony.  I am only reading a few of them and will provide my testimony in writing to the commission.

1. Form an urgent advisory Committee or instruct a point person to:

a. Work with our Congressional representatives and Senators through the development of CIR to include promotion of UAFA as well as to ensure SF City residents in its development through the legislative process;

b. Work for a plan B to help our LGBT binationals should our interests not be met in the long term;

c. Work with legislators to promote and establish a moratorium for couples who through inequality are either heading for exile, in detention or subject to deportation pending such legislation.

2. Encourage supportive resolutions from organizations etc;

3. Engage religious communities in discussions pertaining to immigration equality;

3. Consider LGBT inclusion in CIR an ‘equality issue’ not only an immigration issue and perhaps involve other commissions to this end;

4. Provide leadership to other Counties and Cities in our State, especially Bay Area regarding the inclusion of UAFA and requests for them to engage representatives;

5. Reach out to binational couples who are living in isolation and provide legal resources to those in exile or hiding;

6. Work toward change in the detention policies of ICE and support decent detention facilities that are not prisons;

7. Encourage our residents to reach out to Congress on their own – The Representatives avow that there is nothing stronger than personal stories.  Walking into the halls of Congress is empowering and people are not asked for documents. Even undocumented people can walk those halls.

 My respectful and urgent request is that the Mayor Newsom make a call  – to Rep. Gutierrez’s office and To Sen. Schumer to inform then how important it is for our City that Comprehensive Immigration Reform includes UAFA. 

Congressman Gutierrez has stated: “Family unity is a cornerstone of our immigration system”. We need to ensure he receive a message from San Francisco, this week, that our LGBT families matter equally and that there is no real CIR until we are all included. 

---

[i] Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-4)
2266 Rayburn House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-1304
Phone: (202) 225-8203
Fax: (202) 225-7810

http://www.change.org/ideas/2008/view_action/urge_rep_gutierrez_to_include_lgbt_families_in_his_comprehensive_immigration_bill

In his press statement, he has also stated that “We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it. It is time we had a workable plan making its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants to this country and that honors the American Dream.”

We need Rep Gutierrez to stick to his words and keep our families together.  It is wrong that LGBT binational couples are forced to choose between love and country!  It is wrong to forced our LGBT citizens to live in exile just so that they can be with their partners. Rep Gutierrez needs to stand up for ALL families and make sure that LGBT families are included in his immigration reform bill.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDVGwRbtcbo

I had the great pleasure this past month working with Out4 Immigration in developing their Grassroots Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) Campaign, manifesting in a comprehensive and invaluable Action Kit.  The Kit introduces the campaign to Out4Immigration’s abundant membership throughout the USA and in Exile, abroad and now I am bringing it to you:

“Thank you for participating in our Out4Immigration Congressional Visits, a coast-to-coast effort where we will meet with our Members of Congress during the August Congressional Recess (August 3 – September 4) to keep pushing for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and for its inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This kit will give you the basic information you need before, during and after your meetings.”

WE NEED YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION

NOTE TO GET ON MELANIE’S BINATIONAL LIST – YOUR NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS WILL REMAIN STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL AND YOU WILL BE ASSIGED A NUMBER TO PROTECT PRIVACY /After filling in form contact Melanie via email for mailing information.

Private Courts has developed a protocol and method to further the cause of equality and equity under the US Immigration laws for gay and lesbian permanent partners and spouses.    The strategy to accomplish this mission has many different components, some of which form the mission statement of other LGBT organizations.   The Form Project seeks to gather data from as many binational couples as possible to prepare for anonymous presentation in a uniform and categorized sequence.  We believe this is an extremely productive way to showcase the magnitude of the inequity.  Many websites and groups have collected stories and data, and they too will be working with us to provide and categorize the stories into data format. The intention will be to bind it and use this for congressional briefings, testimony for UAFA and any other productive cause to further the interests of binational couples.  This has never been done as right now there are indeed many stories but they are scattered amongst the groups and therefore unavailable for statistic use and organized presentation.

The project has received a great response, and cooperation from organizations.   In addition,  the program has been developed to ensure confidentiality and anonymity for those who fear exposure and would  understandbly prefer to remain in hiding; now these people have an opportunity to participate for change without any risk.  This is critical to effect the change that is needed.  To date the exposure has been limited, tand data has not been used effectively.  Now that UAFA is receiving publicity and acknowledgment by the Senate Judiciary Committee, time is of the essence and it is critical that we accomplish our goal sooner than later. This is the first project that provides a structure for anonymity that will carry the weight of verification on a numbers basis.

We are so grateful for participation – we will assign you a number once the data is received and your name/s will never appear unless you specificall say that you want it to.

Thank you for your participation.  We are also rasing money  to see the project through to fruition, through the YYFL Foundation and information on participation will be released soon.

Thanks and may we contnue to unite in solidarity until our last exile has the freedom to come home, with love in tow! .

TO HELP PASSAGE OF UAFA got to the website of www.immigrationequality.org

THE OPPOSITION AT SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING; SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS:

WHAT YOU CAN DO Contact your representatives – especially if you see that they are members of  the committee.

1. Mention you are aware of the Hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 3^rd.  Tell them how important it is to you. Ask ALL  friends in your community to do the same.
2. Look at the list of Judiciary Committee members – if any of these members are your representatives you need to get your local media interested in the hearing and you need to contact you’re the named member by calling the office and saying you support UAFA.
3. Organize a support UAFA event / protest for the June 3^rd date and invite media.
4. Show up in DC with signs supporting it – Be polite and well behaved
5. Send a letter to your rep and if you are a binational couple or in exile please write the members of the committee and tell your story, referring to your interest in the hearing.

I have received many requests for more information about what the Judiciary Committee hearing entails and so I have extrapolated as much as I can to provide answers to all the questions I have received in a generic format:

Watch live cast on June 3rd.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3876

WHAT DO SENATE COMMITTEES DO?

Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, the Senate divides its tasks among 20 committees, 68 subcommittees, and 4 joint committees.  Although the Senate committee system is similar to that of the House of Representatives, it has its own guidelines, within which each committee adopts its own rules.  This creates considerable variation among the panels.

Standing committees generally have legislative jurisdiction.  Subcommittees handle specific areas of the committee’s work.  Select and joint committees generally handle oversight or housekeeping responsibilities.

The chair of each committee and a majority of its members represent the majority party.  The chair primarily controls a committee’s business.  Each party assigns its own members to committees, and each committee distributes its members among its subcommittees.  The Senate places limits on the number and types of panels any one senator may serve on and chair.

Committees receive varying levels of operating funds and employ varying numbers of aides.  Each hires its own staff.  The majority party controls most committee staff and resources, but a portion is shared with the minority.

Several thousand bills and resolutions are referred to committees during each 2-year Congress.  Committees select a small percentage for consideration, and those not addressed often receive no further action.  The bills that committees report help to set the Senate’s agenda.

When a committee or subcommittee favors a measure, it usually takes four actions.  First it asks relevant executive agencies for written comments on the measure.  Second, it holds hearings to gather information and views from non-committee experts.  At committee hearings, these witnesses summarize submitted statements and then respond to questions from the senators.  Third, a committee meets to perfect the measure through amendments, and non-committee members sometimes attempt to influence the language.  Fourth, when language is agreed upon, the committee sends the measure back to the full Senate, usually along with a written report describing its purposes and provisions.

A committee’s influence extends to its enactment of bills into law.  A committee that considers a measure will manage the full Senate’s deliberation on it.  Also, its members will be appointed to any conference committee created to reconcile its version of a bill with the version  passed by the House of Representatives.

Other types of committees deal with the confirmation or rejection of presidential nominees.  Committee hearings that focus on the implementation and investigation of programs are known as oversight hearings, whereas committee investigations examine allegations of wrongdoing.

Source:  The Committee System in the U.S. Congress, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. August 29, 1994, revised by the Senate Historical Office, September 2002.

PURPOSE OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
The scope of the Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction includes terrorism, human rights, immigration law, intellectual property rights, antitrust law, and Internet privacy. The Committee is also tasked with considering the President’s nominees for federal judgeships, including Supreme Court justices. One of the most important functions of the Committee is to provide oversight of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation

What kinds of hearings are held by the Judiciary Committee? The Judiciary Committee holds hearings to conduct oversight, consider legislative proposals, consider judicial and executive nominations, and to consider pending business.

Rules of Procedure United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

155 Cong. Rec. S2550 (daily ed. Feb. 26, 2009)

 I. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

1. Meetings of the Committee may be called by the Chairman as he may deem necessary on three days’ notice of the date, time, place and subject matter of the meeting, or in the alternative with the consent of the Ranking Minority Member, or pursuant to the provision of the Standing Rules of the Senate, as amended.

2. Unless a different date and time are set by the Chairman pursuant to (1) of this section, Committee meetings shall be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays the Senate is in session, which shall be the regular meeting day for the transaction of business.

3. At the request of any member, or by action of the Chairman, a bill, matter, or nomination on the agenda of the Committee may be held over until the next meeting of the Committee or for one week, whichever occurs later.

II. HEARINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

1. The Committee shall provide a public announcement of the date, time, place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the Committee or any Subcommittee at least seven calendar days prior to the commencement of that hearing, unless the Chairman with the consent of the Ranking Minority Member determines that good cause exists to begin such hearing at an earlier date. Witnesses shall provide a written statement of their testimony and curriculum vitae to the Committee at least 24 hours preceding the hearings in as many copies as the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee prescribes.

2. In the event 14 calendar days’ notice of a hearing has been made, witnesses appearing before the Committee, including any witness representing a Government agency, must file with the Committee at least 48 hours preceding appearance written statements of their testimony and curriculum vitae in as many copies as the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee prescribes.

3. In the event a witness fails timely to file the written statement in accordance with this rule, the Chairman may permit the witness to testify, or deny the witness the privilege of testifying before the Committee, or permit the witness to testify in response to questions from Senators without the benefit of giving an opening statement.

III. QUORUMS

1. Six Members of the Committee, actually present, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of discussing business. Eight Members of the Committee, including at least two Members of the minority, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business. No bill, matter, or nomination shall be ordered reported from the Committee, however, unless a majority of the Committee is actually present at the time such action is taken and a majority of those present support the action taken.

2. For the purpose of taking down sworn testimony, a quorum of the Committee and each Subcommittee thereof, now or hereafter appointed, shall consist of one Senator.

IV. BRINGING A MATTER TO A VOTE

The Chairman shall entertain a non-debatable motion to bring a matter before the Committee to a vote. If there is objection to bring the matter to a vote without further debate, a roll call vote of the Committee shall be taken, and debate shall be terminated if the motion to bring the matter to a vote without further debate passes with ten votes in the affirmative, one of which must be cast by the minority.

V. AMENDMENTS

1. Provided at least seven calendars days’ notice of the agenda is given, and the text of the proposed bill or resolution has been made available at least seven calendar days in advance, it shall not be in order for the Committee to consider any amendment in the first degree proposed to any measure under consideration by the Committee unless such amendment has been delivered to the office of the Committee and circulated via e-mail to each of the offices by at least 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled start of the meeting.

2. It shall be in order, without prior notice, for a Member to offer a motion to strike a single section of any bill, resolution, or amendment under consideration.

3. The time limit imposed on the filing of amendments shall apply to no more than three bill identified by the Chairman and included on the Committee’s legislative agenda.

4. This section of the rule may be waived by agreement of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.

VI. PROXY VOTING

When a recorded vote is taken in the Committee on any bill, resolution, amendment, or any other question, a quorum being present, Members who are unable to attend the meeting may submit votes by proxy, in writing or by telephone, or through personal instructions. A proxy must be specific with respect to the matters it addresses.

VII. SUBCOMMITTEES

1. Any Member of the Committee may sit with any Subcommittee during its hearings or any other meeting, but shall not have the authority to vote on any matter before the Subcommittee unless a Member of such Subcommittee.

2. Subcommittees shall be considered de novo whenever there is a change in the Subcommittee chairmanship and seniority on the particular Subcommittee shall not necessarily apply.

3. Except for matters retained at the full Committee, matters shall be referred to the appropriate Subcommittee or Subcommittees by the Chairman, except as agreed by a majority vote of the Committee or by the agreement of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.

4. Provided all members of the Subcommittee consent, a bill or other matter may be polled out of the Subcommittee. In order to be polled out of a Subcommittee, a majority of the members of the Subcommittee who vote must vote in favor of reporting the bill or matter to the Committee.

VIII. ATTENDANCE RULES

1. Official attendance at all Committee business meetings of the Committee shall be kept by the Committee Clerk. Official attendance at all Subcommittee business meetings shall be kept by the Subcommittee Clerk.

2. Official attendance at all hearings shall be kept, provided that Senators are notified by the Committee Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, in the case of Committee hearings, and by the Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, in the case of Subcommittee Hearings, 48 hours in advance of the hearing that attendance will be taken; otherwise, no attendance will be taken. Attendance at all hearings is encouraged

 

MEMBERS

Patrick J. Leahy Chairman, D-Vermont
Herb Kohl -D-Wisconsin	Jeff Sessions Ranking Member, R-Alabama
Dianne Feinstein D-California	Orrin G. Hatch =R-Utah
Russell D. Feingold -D-Wisconsin	Charles E. Grassley
Charles E. Schumer -D-New York	Jon Kyl -R-Arizona
Richard J. Durbin -D-Illinois	Lindsey Graham –R-South Carolina
Benjamin L. Cardin– D-Maryland	John Cornyn  R-Texas
Sheldon Whitehouse D-Rhode Island	Tom Coburn R-Oklahoma
Ron Wyden D-Oregon
Amy Klobuchar D-Minnesota
Edward E. Kaufman D-Delaware

Majority	Minority
Erica Chabot Judiciary Press Secretary Chairman Patrick Leahy 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-7703	Chris Gindlesperger Judiciary Communications Director Minority Staff 152 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-5225
Lynn Becker Communications Director Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2240	Mark Eddington Press Secretary Senator Orrin Hatch 104 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5251
Gil Duran Communications Director Senator Dianne Feinstein 331 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-9629	Beth Levine Press Secretary Senator Chuck Grassley 135 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6197
Zach Lowe Press Secretary Senator Russ Feingold 506 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-8657	Ryan Patmintra Press Secretary Senator Jon Kyl 730 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4521
Brian Fallon Communications Director Senator Charles Schumer 313 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-7433	Stephen Boyd Communications Director Senator Jeff Sessions 335 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4124
Joe Shoemaker Press Secretary Senator Richard Durbin 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-7028	Wes Hickman Press Secretary Senator Lindsey Graham 290 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5972
Sue Walitsky Communications Director Senator Ben Cardin 509 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4524	Kevin McLaughlin Press Secretary Senator John Cornyn 517 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2934
Alex Swartsel Communications Director Senator Sheldon Whitehouse 502 Hart Senate Office Building 202-228-6293	John Hart Communications Director Senator Tom Coburn 172 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5754
Jennifer Hoelzer Communications Director Senator Ron Wyden 223 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-3789
Linden Zakula Communications Director Senator Amy Klobuchar 302 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2159
Alexander Mackler Press Secretary Senator Ted Kaufman 383 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5042
Kate Kelly Press Secretary Senator Arlen Specter 711 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4254

Some additional information:

New GOP chief counsel on Senate Judiciary Committee linked gay marriage to pedophilia.

Last week, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) named William Smith as the chief counsel for the GOP on the Senate Judiciary Committee. David Ingram of Legal Times reports today that Smith recently compared support for same-sex marriage to support for pedophilia. In a blog post that has now been taken down, Smith responded to former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt’s speech to the Log Cabin Republicans by writing that he wondered “if next week Schmidt will take his close minded stump speech to a NAMBLA meeting. For those unfamiliar with NAMBLA, the acronym is for North American Man Boy Love Association.” Smith also compared same-sex marriage to bestiality. Neither he nor Sessions responded to Legal Times.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/05/gop_staffs_up_on_senate_judici.html

“GOP Staffs Up on Senate Judiciary Committee

By Carrie Johnson
Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican who ascended to ranking member of the Judiciary Committee after the recent defection of Arlen Specter (Pa.) to the Democrats, this afternoon announced members of his senior staff.

Already the GOP is gearing up for a frenzy of activity on a committee that will contend this year with a Supreme Court nomination, the unwinding of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the renewal of several provisions of the USA Patriot Act.

Brian A. Benczkowski, chief of staff to former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, will serve as Republican staff director of the committee. Benczkowski is a veteran of Capitol Hill, having advised former House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and serving as a Justice Department congressional liaison during the Bush administration.

Matt Miner, a former federal prosecutor in Alabama who has worked for both Specter and Sessions, will serve as deputy staff director.

William Smith, an Alabama native with close ties to Sessions, will be staff counsel. He had worked as chief counsel for the subcommittee on administrative oversight and the courts before moving on to become an executive director at Americans for Limited Government.

And Joe Matal, who has advised Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) on terrorism issues, will be general counsel.

“I look forward to working with the team during this critical Supreme Court nomination process, as well as on the myriad of legal, law enforcement, and national security issues that come through the Judiciary Committee on a daily basis,” Sessions said in a prepared statement. ”

By Paul Volpe  |  May 13, 2009; 4:49 PM ET

Links:

Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] – 2/12/2009
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] – 3/12/2009
*Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] – 2/12/2009
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] – 2/12/2009
*†Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] – 2/12/2009
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] – 2/23/2009
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] – 2/12/2009
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] – 6/10/2009
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] – 2/12/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] – 2/12/2009
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] – 2/12/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] – 3/3/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 2/26/2009
*Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] – 2/23/2009
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] – 2/12/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] – 3/3/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] – 2/12/2009
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] – 2/12/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] – 2/12/2009
*†Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] – 2/12/2009
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] – 2/13/2009
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] – 2/12/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] – 5/21/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] – 2/12/2009
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] – 2/12/2009
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 2/12/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] – 2/12/2009
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 2/12/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] – 2/12/2009
*†Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] – 2/12/2009
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] – 2/23/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] – 2/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] – 2/12/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] – 2/12/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 2/12/2009
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] – 4/30/2009
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] – 6/19/2009
*†Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] – 2/12/2009
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] – 2/12/2009
*Rep Johnson, Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. [GA-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] – 6/4/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] – 2/12/2009
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] – 2/26/2009
*Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 2/12/2009
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] – 2/12/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 2/12/2009
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] – 2/12/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] – 2/12/2009
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] – 2/12/2009
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] – 2/12/2009
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] – 4/2/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 2/12/2009
Rep McMahon, Michael E. [NY-13] – 5/14/2009
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] – 3/19/2009
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] – 6/4/2009
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] – 6/10/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 4/2/2009
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] – 2/12/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] – 2/12/2009
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] – 2/12/2009
Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] – 2/12/2009
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] – 2/12/2009
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] – 6/4/2009
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] – 2/12/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 3/12/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 2/12/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] – 2/12/2009
Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] – 2/12/2009
Rep Quigley, Mike [IL-5] – 6/15/2009
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] – 6/12/2009
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 2/12/2009
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] – 2/12/2009
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 5/7/2009
*†Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] – 2/12/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] – 2/12/2009
*Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] – 2/12/2009
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] – 6/10/2009
*Rep Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [VA-3] – 3/19/2009
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] – 2/12/2009
*Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 2/12/2009
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] – 3/19/2009
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] – 6/23/2009
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] – 4/23/2009
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] – 2/12/2009
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] – 2/12/2009
Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] – 2/12/2009
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] – 2/12/2009
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] – 2/12/2009
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] – 2/12/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] – 5/21/2009
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] – 5/21/2009
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] – 2/12/2009
*Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] – 2/12/2009
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 6/15/2009
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] – 2/12/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] – 2/12/2009
*†Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] – 2/12/2009
*Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] – 2/12/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] – 2/12/2009
Rep Wu, David [OR-1] – 2/12/2009

• S424 Sponsors (20 as of 6/26/09):

Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] – 2/12/2009
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] – 2/12/2009
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] – 2/12/2009
Sen Burris, Roland [IL] – 6/25/2009
Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] – 6/2/2009
*Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 2/12/2009
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] – 2/12/2009
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] – 6/3/2009
*Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] – 2/12/2009
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] – 3/23/2009
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] – 2/12/2009
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] – 2/12/2009
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] – 2/12/2009
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] – 2/12/2009
Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR] – 3/24/2009
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] – 2/12/2009
*Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 2/12/2009
*Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] – 2/12/2009
*Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] – 2/12/2009
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] – 2/27/2009