United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Commends the National Rifle Association for developing the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to teach firearm safety to children and supports the goals and objectives of such program. Encourages: (1) educators to incorporate gun education programs in elementary school curricula; and (2) civic and community organizations to support funding for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
European Bailout Protection Act - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to: (1) prohibit U.S. loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance to any European Union (EU) member state until the ratio of the total outstanding public debt of each member state to its gross domestic product (as of the end of the most recent fiscal year of the member state ending in the preceding calendar year) is not more than 60%; and (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to oppose any IMF loans to member states until all member states are in compliance with such debt ratio.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception to save the life of the mother. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Declares that imposing a value-added tax (VAT) would be a massive tax increase that would cripple families on fixed income and only further push back the U.S. economic recovery and that the House of Representatives opposes a VAT.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, transporting for legitimate purposes, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Declares that nothing in such prohibitions shall be construed to prohibit the District from regulating the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 (FCRA) to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Redefines "machine gun" as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Includes also the frame or receiver of any such firearm, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; and (2) requirement that licensed firearms dealers keep records of ammunition received into inventory and ammunition sold or transferred. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Permits a licensed firearms dealer to sell or transfer ammunition, excluding restricted pistol bullets, to persons not otherwise prohibited from possessing or receiving ammunition. Declares that, in the case of a sale or transfer of a handgun to a District resident, a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms in Maryland or Virginia shall be treated as a dealer licensed under this Act if: (1) the transferee meets in person with the transferor to accomplish the transfer; and (2) the sale, delivery, and receipt fully comply with the legal conditions of sale in both the District and the jurisdiction in which the transfer occurs. Amends FCRA to allow an individual to possess ammunition in the District if the individual owns (currently, holds the valid registration certificate for) a firearm of the same gauge or caliber as such ammunition. (In effect, repeals the handgun ammunition ban.) Repeals the requirement that firearms in the possession of individuals (other than law enforcement personnel) must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked, unless the firearm is kept at an individual's place of business, or while being used for lawful recreational purposes within the District . Continues current criminal penalties for allowing access of a minor (under age 16) to loaded firearms, except in specified circumstances. Repeals increased penalties for violations of the prohibition against allowing access of a minor to loaded firearms if injury or death results to the minor or another person. Requires the U.S. attorney, however, to consider both the extent of the minor's injuries and the effect of the minor's injury or death on both of the minor's parents when deciding whether to file charges. Prohibits any prosecution in such circumstances unless the person who committed the violation behaved in a grossly negligent manner, or unless similarly egregious circumstances exist. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends the District of Columbia Code to: (1) allow private persons or entities owning property in the District to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on their property (other than authorized law enforcement personnel or lessees occupying residential or business premises); (2) prohibit unauthorized carrying of rifles or shotguns in the District; (3) authorize certain individuals to carry firearms in certain places and for certain purposes; (4) prescribe requirements for lawful transportation of firearms; and (5) prohibit the use of toy and antique pistols to commit a violent or dangerous crime. Authorizes the District of Columbia to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms (except to lessees occupying residential or business premises) within any building or structure under its control, or in any area of it, which has implemented security measures to identify and exclude unauthorized or hazardous persons or articles. Amends the Office of Administrative Hearings Establishment Act of 2001 to grant jurisdiction to the Office of Administrative Hearings to hear cases pertaining to denial or revocation of firearm dealer licenses. Repeals the Firearms Registration Amendment Act of 2008 and the Inoperable Pistol Amendment Act of 2008. Restores and revives any provision of law amended or repealed by such Acts as if such Acts had not been enacted into law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit federal funds from being to used to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion services. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services and plans receiving federal funds must keep federal funds segregated from any funds for abortion services.) Requires any qualified health benefit plan offered through an Exchange that includes coverage for abortions to also offer a qualified health benefit plan through the Exchange that is identical in every respect except that it does not cover abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Democratic Members of the House should join its Republican Members in a total ban on earmarks for one year; (2) discretionary spending should be reduced in the concurrent budget resolution for FY2011 by the total amount that was spent on requests for earmarks in FY2010; (3) if spending in that resolution is not reduced by such amount, an amendment to that resolution to effectuate this change should be made in order; and (4) a complete review and overhaul of the congressional budgetary, spending, and earmark processes should be commenced by creating a bipartisan, bicameral committee to study the issue and report to the House and Senate with its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Broadband for First Responders Act of 2010 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the electromagnetic spectrum allocation for public safety services by 10 megahertz and reduce such allocation for commercial use by the same amount. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) allocate the paired electromagnetic spectrum bands of 758-763 megahertz and 788-793 megahertz (referred to as D Block) for public safety broadband communications and assign such paired bands to public safety; (2) establish rules to permit a public safety broadband licensee to authorize public safety service providers to construct and operate a wireless public safety broadband network in the licensee's spectrum if such authorization would expedite public safety broadband communications; (3) require that any wireless public safety broadband network be fully interoperable, provide for user roaming, be disaster survivable, and have the appropriate level of cyber security; (4) establish regulations to authorize the shared use of the public safety broadband spectrum and network infrastructure by entities that are not defined as public safety services; (5) establish regulations to allow use of the public safety broadband spectrum by emergency response providers; and (6) develop a public safety agency statement of requirements that enables nationwide interoperability and roaming across any communications system using public safety broadband spectrum.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Encourages Attorney General Eric Holder to appeal the ruling by United States District Judge Barbara Crabb that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the institution of an annual National Day of Prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Day of Prayer is constitutional, a needed tribute to the value of prayer, and a fitting acknowledgment of our nation's religious history.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Economic Freedom Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations; (2) reduce the maximum corporate income tax rate to 12.5%; (3) allow a permanent and unlimited expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (4) reduce payroll tax rates for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals in 2010. Makes permanent the repeal of the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Rescinds unobligated balances available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, economic recovery payments, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits) payments, Medicare and Medicaid health information technology, state fiscal relief, broadband technology, and limits on executive compensation. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to repeal the authority for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell all stock and warrants acquired by the Secretary under TARP.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Honors the U.S. troops who gave their lives in the Battle of Normandy (World War II). Recognizes the 66th anniversary of the D-day landings at Normandy, France. Expresses gratitude to the "greatest generation" of U.S. soldiers who fought fearlessly for freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
End the Mandate Act of 2010 - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that require individuals to maintain minimum essential health care coverage and require large employers to offer their full-time employees the opportunity to enroll in minimum essential coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Supports: (1) Israel's right to defend itself against terrorists that wish to infiltrate its borders and attack its citizens; and (2) Israel's plight to protect its borders with the construction of a security fence and checkpoints along the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Egypt. Recognizes: (1) the security fence's success in keeping out terrorists; and (2) Israel's efforts to combat international terrorism. Condemns the actions and rhetoric of Iranian leaders and terrorist organizations to terrorize Israel's people. Reaffirms the U.S.-Israel alliance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Recognizes the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel as a place of refuge and national homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms bipartisan support for the alliance and friendship between the governments and peoples of the United States and Israel, for Israel's security and right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state, and for its right to defend itself. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in the face of adversity. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Israel's independence.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Homeland Protection Act - Amends the federal judicial code to revise the legal standard for granting a writ of habeas corpus to a noncitizen applicant detained by the United States after September 11, 2001, whose status as an unprivileged enemy belligerent or unlawful enemy combatant is being or has been determined. Authorizes a writ of habeas corpus if a court, justice, or judge determines that the applicant has rebutted the presumption that the United States has the authority to detain the applicant by showing that any determination that the United States has such authority would be clearly erroneous. Prohibits a court, justice, or judge from ordering the disclosure of classified information in considering a writ of habeas corpus unless such information is relevant and exculpatory and there is some indication that the disclosure of such information would enable the applicant to alter the quantum of proof in his or her favor significantly. Grants exclusive jurisdiction over any appeal from a disposition of an application for a writ of habeas corpus for an unprivileged enemy belligerent or unlawful enemy combatant to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require the participation of the President, Vice President, each Member of Congress, each political appointee, and each Congressional employee in state Exchanges established for the purchase of health care coverage under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Quadrennial National Security Review Act - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to direct the President, every four years, to: (1) conduct a quadrennial national security review (QNSR) to set forth the long- and short-term security goals of the United States; and (2) report review results to Congress. Establishes the QNSR Advisory Commission to assess such reports and the national security budget. Directs the President to submit a national security strategy report at the same time that each QNSR is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related to: (1) the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for Tennessee and Hawaii; (2) an adjustment to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for qualifying disaster-recovery states; (3) the establishment of a floor on the area wage index for a frontier state for purposes of a geographic adjustment to Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient services; (4) the eligibility for Medicare coverage of certain individuals exposed to environmental health hazards; and (5) the appropriation of funds for debt service on, or direct construction or renovation of, a health care facility that provides research, inpatient, tertiary care, or outpatient clinical service. Amends PPACA to eliminate revisions to the formula for determining the wage index applicable to Section 508 hospitals. ("Section 508" refers to Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index, for reimbursement purposes, to a nearby location with a higher Medicare area wage index, so that the "Section 508 hospital" will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Haiti Assistance Implementation, Transparency, and Inspection Act or HAITI Act - Establishes, in the Executive Office of the President, the Office of the Special Coordinator for Assistance to Haiti which shall: (1) advise the President on U.S. government programs for the relief and development of Haiti; (2) implement a comprehensive strategy for such programs' coordination and oversight; and (3) directly approve such programs. Terminates the Office two years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Special Coordinator to promote partnerships between the U.S. government and private entities (including foundations, universities, corporations, community-based organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations) in or on behalf of Haiti. Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Assistance to Haiti which shall provide for the independent and objective conduct and supervision of audits and investigations relating to U.S. government programs for the relief and development of Haiti. Directs the Special Inspector General to appoint a Special Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and a Special Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. Terminates the Office 180 days after the date on which unexpended amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for U.S. government programs for the relief and development of Haiti are less than $25 million. Directs the President to: (1) ensure that U.S. government programs for the relief and development of Haiti are grounded in an exhaustive U.S. assessment of Haiti's development needs and capacity; and (2) seek to lead efforts to ensure that any pledged international assistance for Haiti is based on defined objectives and includes measures that provide for mutual accountability and oversight.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Commends the efforts of state legislatures, Attorneys General, and citizens to resist the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Commends Lance Mackey on his record-breaking fourth consecutive Iditarod victory during the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Applauds each musher who was courageous enough to compete in the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Expresses appreciation to all volunteers and staff who help make this Alaskan race possible every year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that provides for disposition of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [PPACA]) unless it provides for: (1) at least one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader; and (2) a requirement that the Speaker put the question on disposition of the Senate amendments and that the yeas and nays be considered as ordered thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
American Job Creation and Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a corporation to elect in 2010 and 2011 to increase its alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits by a specified credit adjustment amount for purposes of increasing its U.S. workforce and making investments in business equipment. Allows a similar election for a taxable year which includes December 31, 2009, with certain restrictions. Terminates such additional credit allowance after December 31, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2010
Supports the designation of Ten Commandments Weekend. Celebrates the significant role the Ten Commandments have played in the development of public and private U.S. institutions. Encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the impact that the Ten Commandments have had on the people and national character of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Fort Hood Victims and Families Benefits Protection Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) any member of the Armed Forces who was killed or wounded in the attack at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, and the family members of those victims, should receive the same treatment and benefits as the victims and families of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States; (2) such members and families have made tremendous sacrifices, and the United States should provide them with the maximum level of benefits available, identical to that available to those killed or wounded in an overseas combat zone such as Iraq or Afghanistan; and (3) the Department of Defense (DOD) should honor the Americans killed or injured in such attack with awards that recognize their sacrifices, including the Purple Heart for members and the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom for civilian DOD employees. Treats members and DOD civilian employees killed or wounded in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, as members killed or wounded in a combat zone or civilian employees killed or wounded in a terrorist attack or while serving in a contingency operation, respectively, for purposes of specified laws, regulations, and policies concerning compensation, awards, and other benefits for which such members and employees are eligible.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the National Aeronuatics and Space Administration (NASA) is a national security asset and interest for the United States; (2) elimination of the Constellation program (the human space flight program that was to succeed the Space Shuttle program) will present homeland security implications for cyberspace; critical infrastructure, and the U.S. intelligence community; (3) elimination of the Constellation program will compromise the effectiveness of the International Space Station (ISS); (4) continuation of the Constellation program is crucial to improving national security, climate, and research in science and medicine; and (5) the United States should maintain its funding of the Constellation program and should begin funding commercial space in five years and not sooner.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Military Spouses Employment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces on extended active duty (more than 90 days or for an indefinite period) as members of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit (thus giving employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses).
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Repeals: (1) provisions in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 terminating tax reductions made by such Act after December 31, 2010; and (2) the provision in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 terminating after 2008 reductions in tax rates on dividends and net capital gain. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the tax deductions for state and local sales taxes and for tuition and related expenses; and (2) the increased expensing allowance (i.e., $125,000) for depreciable business assets.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 15, 2009, relating to the endangerment finding and the cause or contribute findings for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Commends the members of the 45th Agri-Business Development Team of the Oklahoma National Guard for their efforts to modernize agriculture and sustainable farming practices in Afghanistan and their dedication and service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Congratulates Silver Dollar City and Herschend Family Entertainment on the 50th anniversary of the opening of Silver Dollar City, "The Home of American Craftmanship."
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
Congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 189th anniversary of the independence of Greece. Supports the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed. Notes the important role that Greece has played in the wider European region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2010
Civil Service Reform and Government Reorganization Commission Act of 2009 - Establishes the Civil Service Reform and Government Reorganization Commission to study and report to the President and Congress on: (1) the federal compensation system; (2) recruiting individuals for the federal workforce; (3) expediting and improving hiring processes; (4) retaining a high-quality federal workforce and providing continuing professional education to maintain the quality of such workforce and ensure the efficient conduct of the government; (5) policies and barriers related to the termination of under-performing workers; (6) the role and oversight of federal contractors and issues related to contractor assumption of federal duties to ensure delineation between functions that are inherently governmental functions and those that are not; (7) the extent to which greater efficiencies can be achieved by the process of attrition; and (8) proposed legislation to implement recommended improvements. Prohibits the Commission's recommendations from including any provisions which would have the effect of creating any new tax or providing for any increase in a tax rate. Sets forth expedited procedures for legislation to implement Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2010
Commends Brittany and Robbie Bergquist (founders of Cell Phones for Soldiers), their family, and the thousands of volunteers who help members of the Armed Forces (members) keep in touch with their families through the use of recycled cell phones. Pledges continued support for members to maintain contact with their families and loved ones while serving in harm's way. Expresses appreciation for Cell Phones for Soldiers and other nonprofit entities that work selflessly to provide an affordable means for members to maintain such contact while serving overseas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Haitian Orphan Placement Effort Act or the HOPE Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand the humanitarian parole policy for certain Haitian orphans announced on January 18, 2010, so as to apply it on a case-by-case basis to children who were legally confirmed as orphans eligible for intercountry adoption by the government of Haiti before January 12, 2010. Authorizes the placement of Haitian children granted humanitarian parole into the United States in an unaccompanied refugee minor program if a suitable family member is not available to provide care.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of RV Centennial Celebration Month to recognize and honor 100 years of enjoyment of recreational vehicles in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Recognizes the National Basketball Association's All-Star Game in the Greater Dallas Metroplex, the 2010 All-Stars, and all those associated with the All-Star events.
![Official portrait of Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001051_200.jpg)