WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that will help ease the worry of subcontractors and suppliers who complete federal projects, as well as protect taxpayers, in the event of non-payment.

U.S. Representative Richard Hanna (R-NY) introduced the legislation so small business owners won't have to worry about whether or not they will be paid for their services on federal projects, and taxpayers won't be left with the tab.

H.R. 3534, the Security in Bonding Act of 2011, will protect small businesses and taxpayers by strengthening the bonding process and removing opportunities for fraud and abuse. The federal government allows contractors to provide bonds from individuals who secure their obligations under the bond with a pledge of assets.

The Security in Bonding Act of 2011 closes a loophole that allowed unscrupulous businesses to offer inadequate assets to back a bond. The lack of oversight on non-corporate sureties has resulted in a number of documented cases where assets pledged to back the bond have been illusory or insufficient. An individual stock or residence, which can have tremendous fluctuations in value, are simply unacceptable assets to back a multi-million dollar government project. Unacceptable assets nearly cost one Colorado woman her construction company, and her employees their jobs.

Among the highlights of the bill:

- Requires non-corporate sureties to pledge specific and secure assets as required from others providing collateral to the federal government.

- Requires those assets be held by a government entity to ensure payments can be made in the event they are needed.

- Allows the government to ensure payment of subcontractors and suppliers.

Hanna said he's pleased the House passed this measure unanimously to close the loophole and protect honest small businesses.

"The Security in Bonding Act will protect the construction industry from bad practices that hurt their bottom line and hinder their ability to grow and create jobs," Congressman Hanna said. "I spent more than 30 years in the industry and saw first-hand the damage that can occur when inadequate bonding was secured for a project. It hurts everyone, particularly the small business suppliers and subcontractors that provide goods and services - yet risk not being paid for their work.

"This common-sense fix will strengthen the integrity of the bonding process. The construction industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors since the beginning of the economic downturn. This legislation provides more certainty and security for small businesses that deserve to get paid for their work. These companies should focus on how to expand and create jobs – rather than worry about whether or not they will get paid. The Security in Bonding Act allows more small businesses to focus on hiring and it protects the taxpayers who want to see their dollars spent wisely."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) led an effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor our nation's teachers and their dedication to their profession and their students. Today marks the 59th anniversary of National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Today is the highlight of Teacher Appreciation Week, which is traditionally observed the first full week of May. Rep. Hanna joined Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC) to introduce House Resolution 645 to support the goals and ideals of National Teacher Day. There are over 15,000 teachers in the 24th Congressional District of New York.

"Education is one of our nation's great equalizers and it is thanks to men and women who dedicate their lives to being teachers," Rep. Hanna said. "Teachers help students cultivate the knowledge and principles to be successful in life. Everyone can thank a teacher for their selfless dedication to their profession and for their compassion to inspire and mold young students into successful adults."

"Teachers are the nation's heroes – they motivate and inspire young minds and enable students to achieve extraordinary things," said Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, which represents more than three million educators and supports the Hanna-Kissell resolution.

Other sponsors of the resolution are David Loebsack (D-IA), Sam Graves (R-MO) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO).

On Sept. 27th, 1967, Riccione's platoon came under heavy fire and was pinned down. He went out from cover to aid a wounded sol­di­er and firing back at the en­emy at the same time. He was killed in the evacuation effort. U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna initiated the legislation in the House to recognize Riccione in is hometown.

Click here to listen to the Finger Lakes News Radio report, which includes reaction from the Riccione family.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) today met with top-level Air Force officials who underscored the importance of the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome for national cyber security operations.

Rep. Hanna, who requested the meeting, met this morning in his Washington office with Dr. Steven H. Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering and Joe Sciabica, Executive Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Rome is the epicenter of the Air Force's cyber operations, Walker and Sciabica said, adding that a long-term plan is being built with Rome remaining a vital component of such operations. They also told Rep. Hanna that a project request is currently pending to construct a security fence to enhance ground security at Rome Lab. Such a fence would allow for the secure expansion of additional projects to be completed in Rome.

The officials also anticipate that the CyberVision 2025 – a plan on how to identify and achieve its vision for the future of the Air Force's cyber operations – is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The plan will be a blueprint for cyber operations and the work done in Rome will play a central role, Walker and Sciabica said.

Within the Department of Defense's proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget plan, Rome Lab's budget was projected to be cut by $30 million and vital programs were proposed to be eliminated. Hanna, who has been outspoken in his support to provide fair funding for Rome Lab and its critical research in cyber defense, pressed the officials for their long-term vision for Rome.

"The Air Force assured me today that Rome Lab will continue to have a bright future and its role within the Air Force's cyber security operation will expand – becoming more critical than ever," Rep. Hanna said. "We know that 20 new employees will be hired and a new director will be in place by this summer.

"Today's meeting underscored what we always knew: The Air Force cannot continue to be a leader in cyber research excellence without Rome Lab," Rep. Hanna said. "It is critical. It is necessary. And, we are leading the way nationwide in cyber research, which is more important than ever."

The Air Force officials did say that they're concerned with the impact that "sequestration" – $500 billion in defense spending cuts – could have on Air Force installations and programs. Rep. Hanna supports a bill that would modify cuts to America's military in an effort to avoid dramatic cuts to the military in 2013.

H.R. 3662, the Down Payment To Protect National Security Act is an effort to pay for the first year of potential sequestration cuts without doing serious harm to the military. It is sponsored by Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) was recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for his support of small business issues during the first session of the 112th Congress.

Hanna received a perfect score for the votes he cast. Among others, he supported a Balanced Budget Amendment and the Regulatory Accountability Act. NFIB released scored votes that took place between Jan. 3, 2011 through Dec. 20, 2011.

This is the second perfect score Hanna received this Congress for supporting business issues. He was honored by the U.S. Chamber with its Spirit of Enterprise Award and also received a perfect score on the Chamber's key issues.

"As a longtime businessman in upstate New York, I fully support taking practical steps to ease the burden on our small businesses so they can do what they do best – compete and create jobs in our community," Rep. Hanna said. "Small businesses are what our local economy is based on and they keep our neighbors working. It's easy to support policies that let small businesses thrive."

"NFIB is pleased to see that Congressman Hanna has taken a strong stand to protect small business," said Mike Durant, NFIB State Director for New York. "NFIB steadfastly advocates for the rights of our members to own, operate, and grow their business, and our interim report on the initial key votes of the 112th Congress shows that Congressman Hanna is working on behalf of small business."

For more information, visit NFIB's website to see the scorecard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) today was tapped to be part of the House-Senate Conference Committee to determine highway funding, House Speaker John Boehner announced early this evening.

Hanna, who is Vice Chairman of Highways and Transit Subcommittee on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, owned and operated a successful construction business in upstate New York for more than 30 years.

Hanna's real world experience is invaluable and part of the reason he was recommended to be a conferee, Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica said. Chairman Mica introduced Hanna as "one of our star new members of the committee" before Hanna spoke this afternoon on the House Floor about the long-term transportation proposal.

"I'm pleased to be selected to work on this committee and represent New York," Hanna said. "The House of Representatives has developed some of the strongest transportation policy reforms in decades. I look forward to working with the Senate to ensure good ideas from both sides are included in a final bill that will modernize Upstate roads and bridges and put folks back to work."

The Senate last month, passed a two-year, $109 billion transportation bill. The House has worked to pass a five-year bill to provide greater certainty to states and contractors, and recently approved an extension in order to facilitate a conference with the Senate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) this afternoon pushed to make cutting taxes on small businesses a priority in the House of Representatives.

Hanna supported H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut of 2012, a bill that provides targeted tax relief to small businesses in the 2012 tax year.
Specifically, H.R. 9 will allow eligible small businesses, irrespective of how they are organized, to take a deduction equal to 20 percent of their active business income for one year to free up capital, make new investments, and create jobs.

Hanna spoke Wednesday evening on the House Floor about the need for tax relief for our nation's small businesses. He outlined other initiatives that he said would be beneficial to assist small business owners in growing jobs and improving the economy.

"Small businesses in America pay some of the highest tax rates in the world," Hanna said. "And the associated regulations are also a barrier to growth. The average tax compliance cost per employee for small businesses is three times the cost for an average large firm.  We need to make taxes lower, fairer and more predicable for small businesses. This bill is a good start."

"One of the best ways to get people back to work is through small businesses," Hanna said. "Over the past several years, small businesses have generated 65 percent of the new jobs in America.  This legislation allows small businesses to free up funds to retain and hire new employees."

As of 2009 in New York, there are 437,046 small businesses with between 1 and 500 employees employing almost 4 million people.  Almost 60,000 of these businesses are women-owned.  Between 2005 and 2008, small business created a net total of 258,145 new jobs in New York, but from 2008 to 2009 136,608 small business jobs were lost.

About H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut of 2012

Eligible small businesses must have had fewer than 500 employees in 2010 or 2011 in order to qualify for this deduction so as not to disincentive companies from expanding.  Tax relief is specifically capped at 50 percent of the W-2 wages paid by the small businesses. Therefore, the ability of any firm to benefit from this tax relief is directly tied to the amount of wages it pays to its employees.

H.R. 9 provides this tax cut to all eligible small businesses, regardless of industry sector, so as to avoid picking winners and losers through the tax
code.  Importantly, an estimated 22 million businesses would be able to take advantage of this tax reduction.

A third-party analysis shows the bill would yield $112 billion more in GDP, create 194,000 jobs, and lead to a 2.24 percent increase in business
capital.  Once fully implemented, over time the 20 percent small business tax cut will create more than an average of 100,000 jobs per year.

H.R. 9 passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 235 - 173 - 1.

HERKIMER, N.Y. — The Congressional High School Art Exhibit reception and awards ceremony took place at Herkimer County Community College's Cogar Gallery on Friday night.

Over 50 students from Herkimer County area high schools have submitted artwork to the exhibit. The artwork media featured in the show range from painting, photography, pastels, pencil, and ink drawings.

Click here to read about the winners in the Herkimer Telegram.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-24) today received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's prestigious "Spirit of Enterprise Award," which is given annually to members of Congress based on rankings of key votes.

Hanna scored the highest in New York state – 100 percent – on key votes outlined in the Chamber's yearly publication, "How They Voted." The Chamber scored 16 House votes in 2011, including the repeal of the 1099 reporting requirements, the 3 percent withholding requirement from contractors and the president's health care law. Also scored were votes for a surface transportation extension and the export job agreements with South Korea and Columbia.

"I am honored to receive this award from the Chamber and I'm proud to be pro-business and to stand for limited government and free enterprise," Rep. Hanna said. "Supporting small businesses, working to help rebuild upstate New York's economy and therefore putting people back to work has been a hallmark of my time in office."

It has also been a hallmark of Rep. Hanna's life – as a business owner in upstate New York for 30 years, Hanna employed more than 450 people.

"While many in Congress were busy playing politics, Representative Hanna was working to protect and advance the interests of America's job creators," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. "America's beacon of light shines brighter today because of Representative Hanna and his efforts."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 3298, the Homes for Heroes Act. The bill establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs and requires an annual report on veterans' homelessness.

Rep. Hanna supports this measure as a first step toward combating homelessness among our veterans.

"Veteran homelessness has reached a crisis point and it is morally inexcusable," Rep. Hanna said. "We have an obligation to take care of these brave men and women who sacrificed so much on our behalf."

On any given night in the United States, 649,917 persons experience homelessness. According to a report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there were nearly 76,000 homeless veterans on a single night in January of 2010, while roughly 145,000 veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year.

Veterans are overrepresented among the homeless population. While they account for roughly 9.5 percent of the total population of persons over the age of 18 in the United States, veterans comprised 13 percent of sheltered homeless adults in 2010 and 16 percent of homeless adults at a given point in time.

Terésa Fava-Schram, project director for the Central New York Veteran's Outreach Center in Utica, applauded the measure.

"We're happy Congressman Hanna is supporting this very important measure to help combat veteran homelessness," Fava-Schram said. "Two important agencies – the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs – will finally be joined together to address this growing need."

The Central New York Veteran's Outreach Center was selected as one of five communities in the country for the Veteran Homelessness Prevention Demonstration (VHPD) Project, a collaborative initiative by the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Labor (DOL) to explore innovative early interventions to help prevent veteran homelessness. Additional information can be found at http://cnyvoc.org.

• One of the bill's key provisions establishes the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD to coordinate services to homeless veterans and serve as a liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, as well as state and local officials, and nonprofit service organizations.

• Additionally, Homes for Heroes requires HUD to submit a comprehensive annual report to Congress on the housing needs of homeless veterans and the steps HUD has taken under the programs provided for in the bill. This section codifies this Administration's report entitled: 'Veterans Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress'.

Inter-agency coordination will improve our ability to reduce homelessness among veterans and reduce inefficiencies in the current system that wastes money - dollars that could be better spent on the front lines of this crisis.

H.R. 3298 passed by a vote of 414 - 5.