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"That's why I'm introducing the Air Passenger Bill of Rights of 2011," Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, announced Tuesday on Capitol Hill. "Many airlines have shown that they can't or won't put the needs of their passengers first."

Among the items listed in the bill are a “three-hour” provision that would require airlines to offer passengers the option to exit the plane if it has been stalled on the tarmac for longer than three hours.

The bill comes roughly four years after the major ice storms on Feb. 14, 2007 stranded hundreds of passengers on tarmacs without access to food, water, medical provisions and kept some in close proximity to overflowing toilets.

Hanni stood with Rep. Mike Thompson as the St. Helena Democrat introduced the 2011 version of his airline passengers' bill of rights, which gives travelers the right to get off flights after three hours on the tarmac.

“He really set the gold standard,” Hanni said in a telephone interview, calling Thompson's bill “the toughest legislation” to date.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to recognize Mary Evelyn Arnold, who has been named the City of Sonoma's 2011 Alcaldessa, or Honorary Mayor.

The title ``Alcalde,'' or ``Alcaldessa,'' when referring to a woman, is the Spanish word for ``Mayor.'' During the Spanish colonial period in California, the Alcalde was the primary civil authority. In modern times in the City of Sonoma, it is an honorary title and the contemporary Alcalde or Alcaldessa presides over ceremonial events for the city.

Mr. Speaker, the Patriot Act gave law enforcement some necessary tools to keep up with technological advances being used by those who would do harm to our country. It did not abolish our responsibility to make sure that the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens are protected.

This motion to recommit will guarantee that the powers of the Patriot Act being voted on today are not used to violate the constitutional rights and freedoms of American citizens.

More specifically, this motion does two important things:

Currently, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) establish policy and provide recommendations for improving Medicare and Medicaid.