GITMO Closure Funds Withheld from Spending Measure

After multiple appeals from Congressman Hunter and other lawmakers, the House of Representatives passed legislation this week to direct additional funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan without including funding for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. The Obama Administration requested $80 million to proceed with the closure of the facility and detainee transfers.

Immediately after the Obama Administration submitted its proposal, Hunter sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting that any funding for this purpose be withheld until there is a comprehensive plan in place and Congress performs adequate oversight. The House Appropriations Committee soon after moved to withhold funding for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, instead requiring that a plan be submitted to Congress no later than October of this year.

Hunter also introduced H.R. 633, legislation to prevent any federal funds from being used for transferring detainees to San Diego’s military bases. Both Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are being considered as possible relocation sites, as well as other domestic military and civilian facilities across the country. For this reason, Hunter is also a cosponsor of legislation, H.R. 1012, the Guantanamo Bay Safe Closure Act, that prohibits the transfer of detainees to facilities on U.S. soil.

Hunter Introduces Legislation to Protect San Diego Businesses

Congressman Hunter recently introduced legislation to protect San Diego businesses from predatory lawsuits filed for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, facilities of public accommodation must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

However, in recent years, some community businesses have been targeted by personal-injury attorneys for minor ADA violations. While it is important that businesses comply with the law and maintain appropriate access to existing facilities, business owners oftentimes learn about violations only after a lawsuit has been filed.

There are some personal-injury attorneys who continue to take advantage of local businesses, hoping they will settle out of court for minor violations rather than endure a lengthy and costly legal process. Each ADA violation can be fined at $4,000 payable to the person who files the lawsuit.

H.R. 2397, the ADA Notification and Compliance Act, provides facility owners at least 90 days to evaluate claims and make the necessary corrections. In case more time might be needed, the legislation also creates a 30 day extension period.

Bill of Rights for Credit Cardholders Advances

In the interest of protecting credit cardholders from abusive industry practices, Congressman Hunter voted in favor of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, when it was considered by the House last month. This legislation, which passed by a bipartisan vote of 356-70, prohibits creditors from adjusting annual percentage rates on preexisting balances and requires that companies notify consumers 45 days before any rate increase is applied.

Additionally, H.R. 627 puts restrictions on delinquency fees, charges on overdue interest and electronic payments. The Senate is expected to consider its own version of H.R. 627 in the near future.

For updates on these and other issues, please visit Congressman Hunter’s website to sign up for his E-newsletter and other electronic updates by clicking here.