Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: EXACT: "United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance" in: publisher
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Dying Waiting for Treatment: The Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Gap and the Need for Funding
"Every day in the United States, 78 people die from an opioid overdose - more than one person every 20
minutes. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids in America has quadrupled. This
country is the midst of an epidemic, yet there is a devastating lack of capacity to treat those seeking
help. Several recent studies have revealed that upwards of 80 percent of people in need of treatment are
unable to access services - with many put on waiting lists for weeks or even months before there is
capacity to care for them. More than 30 million people live in counties that do not have a single
provider of medication assisted treatment. The vast majority of these are rural counties, where mental
and behavioral health professionals are also scarce, leaving people in many regions of the U.S. without
options for treatment. [...] With state budgets stretched to the brink, building capacity to meet the surge in demand has proven
challenging. Republicans had the chance to bridge the treatment gap, but failed to do so. Earlier this
year, the White House asked Congress for $920 million over two years to expand access to treatment in
the states, as part of a $1.1 billion request to address the opioid epidemic. That $920 million would
mean all 50 states would receive significant funding to make treatment available and affordable to those
in need - a national response to a national epidemic."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2016-10-10
-
Free Trade Agreement Implementation: Lessons From the Past, United States Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, March 3, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the March 3, 2016 hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance titled, "Free Trade Agreement Implementation: Lessons From the Past." From the statement of Orrin G. Hatch, "Last year, with the passage of our bipartisan legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority, or TPA, Congress provided the administration with the necessary tools to negotiate and conclude trade agreements to further open foreign markets to American goods and services. In doing so, Congress included high-standard negotiating objectives that must be achieved for any agreement to be eligible for expedited TPA procedures in Congress. But setting the appropriate negotiating objectives is only the first step in the process for concluding and implementing trade agreements. Once those high standards are set, the administration must consult closely with Congress and stakeholders throughout the negotiations. And, once an agreement is concluded, Congress must closely scrutinize the agreement to determine whether it meets the high standards of the TPA statute and whether it is eligible for expedited TPA procedures in the House and Senate. That stage -- the stage where Congress closely scrutinizes and evaluates a trade agreement -- is where we are with regard the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, the trade agreement most recently signed by the Obama Administration." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jim Mulhern, Sean Murphy, Glenn Prickett, and Steven Tepp.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2016-03-03
-
Identity Theft: Who's Got Your Number? Hearing Before the United States Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, April 10, 2008
From the opening statement of Max Baucus: "According to the Federal Trade Commission, during 2006, some 50,000 people complained about tax-fraud and employment-related identity theft. That's a significant increase. Four years earlier, in 2002, there were just 18,000 cases. [...] Clearly, the IRS requires a comprehensive identity-theft strategy with goals, timelines, and milestones. That strategy needs to hold IRS personnel accountable for reducing identity theft. I call on you to give me a status report within 90 days. [...] Identity theft is a serious crime. It's growing. America's taxpayers must be able to trust that the IRS is doing all that it can to protect their identities. It's time for the IRS to stop stalling. It's time for the IRS to make and implement an effective plan to detect, deter, and stop identity theft. It's time to end the nightmare for honest American taxpayers who fall victim to identity theft." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Max Baucus, Charles "Chuck" Grassley, Douglas H. Shulman, Nina E. Olson, J. Russell George, and Rebecca Spencer.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2008
-
Oversight of Trade Functions: Customs and Other Trade Agencies: Hearing Before the United States Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, June 24, 2008
From the opening statement of Max Baucus: "We meet today for the second of two hearings on customs reauthorization. We heard testimony earlier this year from the business community. We will hear testimony today from the customs and trade agencies themselves. [...] I have questions about whether CBP has devoted sufficient resources to the northern border. [...] I also have real questions about CBP's responsiveness to this Committee, particularly CBP's Office of International Trade. [...] And I have questions about whether two of the other agencies before us today -- the International Trade Commission and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative -- have the resources that they need to fully enforce our trade laws and trade agreements. I look forward to hearing answers to all of these questions. I look forward to introducing legislation in the coming weeks to reauthorize the agencies before us today." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Max Baucus, Charles "Chuck" Grassley, W. Ralph Basham, Julie L. Myers, Timothy E. Skud, Daniel R. Pearson, and Warren H. Maruyama.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2008
-
NRA and Russia: How a Tax-Exempt Organization Became a Foreign Asset
From the Report: "The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is classified as a social welfare organization exempt from tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(4). [...] On July 15, 2018, Maria Butina was arrested in Washington, D.C., and charged by the federal government with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior registration. Butina is a Russian national who traveled to the United States with Russian government official Alexander Torshin for NRA events beginning in 2014. [Their] actions are alleged to be part of an effort to gain political access within the United States utilizing a 'GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION,' understood to be the NRA. [...] The minority staff investigation confirms and further illuminates many aspects of this effort by Russia, with a specific focus on the role that the NRA, its officers, board members, and donors played in Butina and Torshin's conspiracy. Specifically, the investigation documents the degree to which the NRA and its leadership were aware of, and cooperated with, Butina and Torshin to provide them access to the NRA and other domestic organizations. [...] The findings of this report suggest that NRA officials' use of the organization to advance personal business interests may have exposed the NRA to further involvement by Butina and Torshin. In addition, use of NRA's tax-exempt funds and resources in this manner raise concerns about the use of tax-exempt resources for a non-exempt purpose, private inurement prohibited under IRC section 501(c)(4), and prohibited excess benefit transactions under section 4958. These findings should be considered in the context of other potentially improper conduct by the NRA to benefit its officers or board members."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2019-09
-
Sheltering in Danger: An Investigative Report
From the Key Recommendations: "These eight recommendations are among 18 the report makes to improve nursing home safety during natural disasters."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
-
Dead End, No Turn Around, Danger Ahead: Challenges to the Future of Highway Funding, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, June 18, 2015
This is a compilation of the hearing entitled "Dead End, No Turn Around, Danger Ahead: Challenges to the Future of Highway Funding," held before the Senate Committee on Finance. From the opening statement of committee chairman Orrin Hatch: "Today, we will be discussing the challenges Congress faces as we work to provide funding for the federal Highway Trust Fund. Right now, when it comes to highways, we find ourselves caught in a familiar dilemma, between raising taxes or cutting back on the highway program. As always, a long-term, bipartisan solution to this dilemma will be difficult to achieve and, some days, it almost seems out of reach. However, in the past, this committee has consistently stepped up to the plate to find ways to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. I am confident that we can do so again." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph Kile, Ray LaHood, and Stephen Moore.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2015-06-18
-
Impact of Sequestration on National Security and the Economy: U.S. Senate, Budget Committee, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, July 23, 2013
This testimony compilation is from the July 23, 2013 hearing, "Impact of Sequestration on National Security and the Economy" before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. From the opening statement of Patty Murray: "Especially during this time of global uncertainty, we need to maintain a strong national defense that allows us to meet today's international threats, and be prepared for those of the future. And, we need to be investing in job creation and long-term economic growth-- not causing furloughs that in turn will hurt families and the economy, as well as small businesses and service members alike all across the country. […] Democrats and Republicans spent a lot of time over the last two years talking about how devastating these cuts would be. A number of my Republican colleagues traveled around the country to talk about the ways that sequestration would 'hollow out the military.' […] And Republican Members of this Committee joined Democrats in saying that the cuts from sequestration should be reexamined by Congress. But despite all of our efforts, and despite Democrats' willingness to make some tough decisions to find responsible savings to replace sequestration, we haven't come to an agreement yet. And if sequestration isn't replaced, the effects on our economy and our national security over the long-term will only get worse. Both the House and Senate appropriation allocations require a replacement of sequestration to prevent another round of across the board cuts. So I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are ready to work together to address this and end this arbitrary system that hurts our prosperity." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patty Murray, Mark N. Klett, Robert O. Work, Jennifer-Cari Green, Baker Spring, and Thomas Donnelly.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2013-07-23
-
Chronic Illness: Addressing Patients' Unmet Needs, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, July 15, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the July 15, 2014 hearing on "Chronic Illness" held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. From the opening statement of Ron Wyden: "Today the Finance Committee focuses its attention on what, in my view, is the biggest challenge ahead for Medicare and the future of America's health care system: managing chronic illness. To understand why this is a growing issue, take a look at how Medicare has changed over time. When Medicare started, it was mostly about caring for seniors who needed to go to the hospital. If a senior slipped on the kitchen floor and broke an ankle, for example, they'd head to the hospital, get treatment, and head home. In 1970, nearly 70 percent of Medicare spending was for hospital care. Now, that number is closer to 40 percent. This change shows that Medicare is very different today than it was four decades ago. Rather than broken ankles or pneumonia, Medicare is now dominated by chronic conditions such as a cancer, diabetes and heart disease. More than two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries are now dealing with multiple chronic conditions. Their care accounts for almost all -- 93 percent -- of Medicare spending. It's not just seniors who are affected by chronic disease. Half of all American adults have at least one chronic condition. These diseases account for 70 percent of deaths, limit the activities of tens of millions more Americans, and cost the economy billions each year. The problem is only getting worse as chronic illnesses become more common. In fact some experts have warned that this generation could be the first in modern times to have shorter lifespans than their parents." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Stephanie Dempsey, Mary Margaret Lehmann, William A. Bornstein, Cheryl DeMars, and Chet Burrell.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2014-07-15
-
Breaking the Methamphetamine Supply Chain: Meeting Challenges at the Border: Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, September 18, 2007
From the opening statement of Max Baucus: "It is one year after enactment of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. And there is evidence that we are making progress. The Combat Meth Act imposed limits on the sale of medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Those are the most common chemicals that can be converted into meth. And the Act required that purchasers provide identification and sign a sales log. Starting last year, retail sellers have been required to keep these products behind the counter or in a locked case. And retailers have had to register online. And partly as a result, last year, meth lab seizures declined 42 percent nationwide. The Combat Meth Act is disrupting supply. I am proud to have co-sponsored the law. But we must do more. Meth is still the number one law enforcement problem." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Max Baucus, Charles Grassley, Thomas M. Siebel, Peter D. Wolfgram, Gary W. Kendell, Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Christy A. McCampbell, and Matthew C. Allen.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2007
-
President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2016, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, Feburary 5, 2015
This testimony compilation is from the February 5, 2015 hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on "the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2016". From the opening statement of Orrin G. Hatch: "Today's hearing is on President Obama's budget for Fiscal Year 2016. I want to thank Secretary Lew for appearing before us today. I'm not going to sugar-coat anything with this budget. Instead, I'm going to cut right to the chase. The President's latest budget proposes to hike taxes by $2.1 trillion. Seemingly not content with the $1.7 trillion in new taxes he and his allies in Congress have imposed over the past six years, the President, with this budget, wants to again raise taxes on savings, investment, small business, and more, somehow thinking that it will help the economy. Sadly, this insatiable desire to raise taxes is not intended to bring our budget into balance. Rather, the President's $2.1 trillion tax hike is accompanied by proposals to further expand the government to an even greater share of our economy. The proposed budget never balances. Deficits continue, which means that debt as a share of the economy would remain at levels not seen in our nation's history, outside of a few years surrounding World War II. That outcome would mean continued risk of what the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has labeled a 'fiscal crisis.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jacob Lew.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2015-02-05
-
President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2016, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, Feburary 4, 2015
This is the February 4, 2015 hearing on "President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2016" before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. From the opening statement of Ron Wyden: "Far too many people -- including millions in Oregon and across the country -- feel like they're falling behind as the economy picks up steam. Congress' job is to make sure that doesn't happen. It's important for the Finance Committee to keep that challenge in focus this week as it examines the President's fiscal year 2016 budget proposals. The budget articulates the priorities of today, and it also reflects our priorities for the future. Secretary Burwell will have the opportunity in just a moment to illustrate how the President's budget proposal aims to strengthen our health and human services programs and promote economic mobility." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sylvia Mathews Burwell.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2015-02-04
-
Sheltering in Danger: How Poor Emergency Planning and Response Put Nursing Home Residents at Risk During Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
"Every time a hurricane strikes the United States, hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people face a difficult decision: heed the warnings of local officials and evacuate the area, or ride out the storm by 'sheltering in place.' This decision can be a matter of life or death, especially for people living in low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding and storm surges. For nursing homes and assisted living facilities entrusted to take care of frail residents with complex medical needs, the decision to evacuate or shelter-in-place takes on even greater weight. Administrators of these facilities are not only considering their own safety, but that of residents unable to fend for themselves, and the staff who care for them. Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities chose to shelter-in-place when hurricanes Harvey and Irma struck Texas and Florida, respectively, late in the summer of 2017. While most of these facilities weathered the storms without incident, the exceptions were glaring and tragic. [...] This report examines the decisions that were made before, during and after the 2017 storms, as well as gaps in federal regulations currently on the books. It makes recommendations on how to avoid these types of tragedies in the future."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2018-11
-
Oversight and Investigations Unit, Finance Committee Memorandum: World Vision Financial Transactions
From the Introduction: "In February 2019, the Committee began investigating allegations concerning a diversion of government funds by World Vision (an Evangelical 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) to a terrorist-funding organization, the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA). The investigation was initiated in response to a news article alleging that World Vision, and/or its subsidiaries, had intentionally partnered with an organization that was listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as a sanctioned entity for its ties to terrorist organizations. The report alleged that World Vision contracted with the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA) despite clear and readily discoverable evidence of ISRA's sanctioned status. In a press release, World Vision claimed they were not aware of ISRA's status before partnering with them and appeared to shift the blame for this incident to the United States government. World Vision articulated two main reasons why they believe the federal government bears responsibility in this incident. First, they claim that on two separate occasions, two different government agencies were notified that World Vision was working with ISRA and neither agency raised any concerns. Second, World Vision argues that the online search tool provided by the Treasury department made it difficult to ascertain whether or not ISRA was a sanctioned entity."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2020-12-22
-
Hearing to Consider the Anticipated Nomination of Steven Terner Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury, Before the Committee on Finance, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, January 19, 2017
This is a testimony compilation of the January 19, 2017 "Hearing to Consider the Anticipated Nomination of Steven Terner Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury" held before the Senate Committee on Finance. From the opening statement of Steven Terner Mnuchin: "Since I was first nominated to serve as Treasury Secretary, I have been maligned as taking advantage of others' hardships in order to earn a buck. Nothing could be further from the truth. During the summer of 2008, I saw the devastation that was caused by the housing crisis when I watched people line up to get their life savings out of IndyMac Bank. It was the middle of the financial crisis and despite the global panic, I saw a way to save the bank. I applied for a banking charter and submitted a bid to the FDIC for IndyMac. On December 31, just before midnight, we signed a binding agreement with the FDIC. They later confirmed that our bid was almost $1 billion dollars higher than the next best bid. We were willing to invest $1.6B into the costliest bank failure ever to the FDIC. We did this because we believed in our ability to rebuild and create a successful regional bank. We believed in recovery for the American economy. Let me be clear: my group had nothing to do with the creation of the risky loans in the IndyMac loan portfolios. When we bought the bank, we assumed these bad loans which had been originated by previous management. Some of those individuals had to answer to federal authorities for their bad lending decisions." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Orrin G. Hatch, Ron Wyden, and Steven Terner Mnuchin.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2017-01-19
-
Transportation Infrastructure: Issues and Options: Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, July 10, 2008
From the opening statement of Max Baucus: "And so we are here today to discuss our roads, our bridges, and our airways. We are here to discuss our transportation infrastructure: what it is, how it's funded, and how we can improve it. We are here to see whether we can remove some obstacles, out of the way of the people. [...]. America's infrastructure is crumbling. America's economy is stumbling. In times like these, it would be deeply irresponsible for Congress not to provide a short-term fix to the Highway Trust Fund. This Committee has been trying to shore up the Highway Trust Fund's finances for more than a year. We tried to do so most recently in June, as part of an extension of another vital infrastructure program - the Federal Aviation Administration. [...] When Congress passed the last transportation bill, it provided funding guarantees to states through fiscal year 2009. As we turn our attention to the next reauthorization, we must honor those guarantees. Now is not the time to revisit the carefully-balanced compromises of the last bill." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Max Baucus, Charles Grassley, Peter R. Orszag, and Jayetta Z. Hecker.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2008
-
Tax Relief After a Disaster: How Individuals, Small Businesses, and Communities Recover, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, November 18, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the November 18, 2014 hearing, "Tax Relief After a Disaster: How Individuals, Small Businesses, and Communities Recover," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance's Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. From Robert Casey's opening statement: "This afternoon we convene the Finance Committee Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight to discuss an important topic--how the tax code can help areas recover and rebuild after major disasters. […] Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornados can have a devastating impact on communities. In Pennsylvania, I have seen firsthand the tremendous impact flooding has had on our Commonwealth. In 2011, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused the worst flooding in Pennsylvania in over 40 years. Then, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused further severe flooding damage. In the aftermath of these storms, I visited communities across Pennsylvania and witnessed the devastation. Flooded homes and businesses, severely damaged infrastructure and overwhelmed local governments were common place after these events. The federal government has a number of tools at its disposal to help these communities in need. Today, we are here to discuss one such tool--tax relief. While there are several permanent provisions in the code to assist in these situations, the reality is we take a one-off approach in response to federal disasters. […] The lack of consistency in our response is troubling. The federal government should have a fair and equitable approach. Today's hearing will offer us a much-needed opportunity to examine these policies. I look forward to taking a closer look at various types of relief, the benefits and drawbacks of temporary and permanent relief provisions, and ways we can improve the code. Natural disasters can happen to any community. It's important that the federal government stand ready to help all communities rebuild from natural disasters." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Andy Berke, Robert G. Loughery, Vincent Ignizio, Sean T. Cronin, Steve Ellis, and Troy K. Lewis.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2014-11-18
-
Examining the Stark Law: Current Issues and Opportunities, Hearing Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, July 12, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the July 12, 2016 hearing "Examining the Stark Law: Current Issues and Opportunities" before the Senate Committee on Finance. From the statement of Orrin Hatch: "Today we are here to talk about the Stark law, an important yet extremely complicated, health care fraud law that prohibits physician referrals under certain circumstances. This law is the embodiment of good intentions muddled with complex execution. At its most basic level , the Stark law prohibits doctors from referring Medicare patients to hospitals, labs and other physicians for healthcare services if the referring doctor has any direct or indirect financial relationship with that entity. The sweeping nature of that prohibition makes vast swaths of medicine performed in the current healthcare system potentially illegal. [...] We received feedback on a number of issues related to the Stark law, including: the barriers it places on the implementation of health reform laws; stakeholders frustrations with the difficulty and expense associated with compliance; and the problems created by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' limited authority to create exceptions and to issue advisory opinions." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Troy A. Barsky, Ronald A. Paulus, and Peter Mancino.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2016-07-12
-
Don't Brief the Trump Team: How the GSA and the FBI Secretly Shared Trump Transition Team Records
From the Executive Summary: "This majority staff report tells an important, yet overlooked, story about how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Office (Special Counsel) secretly sought and received access to the private records of Donald J. Trump's presidential transition team, Trump for America, Inc. They did so despite the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the Trump transition team and the General Services Administration (GSA)--the executive agency responsible for providing services to both candidates' transition teams--that those records were the transition team's private property that would not be retained at the conclusion of the transition."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs; United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
2020-10-23?
1
