Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]

An amendment to increase funding for Hispanic-serving institutions by an amount of $16,508,000.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to reduce funding for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, by $10 million and to increase funding for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide, by a similar amount.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to increase funds in the following accounts as specified: Office of the Secretary for Civil Rights, $250,000; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service--Research and Education Activities, $1.5 million.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to provide $250,000 for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, $1 million for tribal extension grants, $750,000 for grants for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and $1.5 million for Hispanic-serving institutions under the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service account.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to prohibit funds appropriated by the Act from being expended to reimburse a State agency for expenses under section 16(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 if the State has implemented certain operational changes.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to increase funding (by offset) for minority education and farming programs under the USDA.

United States · United States Congress

Urging the governments of Europe and the European Union to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions, and urging the President to provide information about Hizballah to the European allies of the United States and to support the Government of Bulgaria in investigating the July 18, 2012, terrorist attack in Burgas.

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2012

Urges European governments and the European Union (EU) to: (1) designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization so that Hizballah cannot use EU territories for fund raising, recruitment, and propaganda; and (2) impose sanctions on Hizballah for providing material support to Bashar al Assad's violent repression against the people of Syria. Supports Bulgaria's investigation into the July 18, 2012, terrorist attack in Burgas, and urges the President to provide related diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement support. Supports Bulgaria as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and urges the United States, NATO, and the EU to work with Bulgaria to safeguard its territory and citizens from terrorism. Urges the President to make available to European allies and the European public information about Hizballah's terrorist activities, efforts to subvert democracy in Lebanon, and material support for Bashar al Assad's campaign of violence in Syria.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 225 Simi Village Drive in Simi Valley, California, as the "Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building".

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2012

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 225 Simi Village Drive in Simi Valley, California, as the "Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building."

Foreclosure Accountability and Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2012

Foreclosure Accountability and Transparency Act - Prohibits commencement of a foreclosure action with respect to a federally related residential mortgage loan secured by a first or subordinate lien unless the person commencing the foreclosure complies with specified requirements pertaining to borrower: (1) notification, (2) assistance obtained from a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counseling agency, and (3) application for loan modification or commencement of an alternative to foreclosure. Makes a violation of this Act a bar to a foreclosure action. Requires the person who commenced a foreclosure action, at the completion of such action, to certify that all federal, state, and local laws and regulations were followed and submit all applicable documentation in connection with such action to: (1) the borrower who was a party to the foreclosure action, (2) the recorder's office in the muncipality where the property securing the loan in connection with the covered residential mortgage is located, and (3) the Secretary of HUD.

Flexible Refinancing for American Families Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2012

Flexible Refinancing for American Families Act of 2012 - Directs the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government-sponsored enterprises or GSEs) each to carry out a one-year program providing for the refinancing of qualified single-family housing mortgages it owns through a refinancing mortgage having a 50-year term (and for the purchase of and securitization of such refinancing mortgages) in accordance with this Act and the policies and procedures that the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency shall establish. Permits the mortgagee, however, upon written 90-day advance notice to the mortgagor, to require payment in full of a 50-year mortgage only 30 years after the beginning of its amortization. Defines a qualified mortgage as one, regardless of whether the mortgagor is current on payments due or in default, that: (1) is an existing first mortgage for purchase of, or refinancing another first mortgage on, a one- to four-family dwelling, including a condominium or a share in a cooperative ownership housing association, that is occupied by the mortgagor as principal residence; (2) is owned or guaranteed by the particular GSE; and (3) was originated on or before enactment of this Act. Specifies the terms and conditions of a refinancing mortgage, including a 50-year term to maturity and a prohibition on borrower fees. Requires waiver or forgiveness of all fees and penalties related to any default or delinquency on the original mortgage. Requires a GSE to pay a fee of up to $1,000 to the servicer of a qualified mortgage refinance. Prohibits any requirement of a property appraisal.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should reject the provisions of H.R. 6083, as ordered reported by the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, that reduce the availability or amount of benefits provided under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) in effect under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should reject the provisions of H.R. 6083, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Agriculture, that reduce the availability or amount of benefits provided under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) in effect under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage the building of housing for moderate income seniors.

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to qualify for such credit low-income housing units that are available to individuals who have attained the age of 62 and whose incomes are 140% or less of the income limitation required for occupants of such housing units.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 211 Hope Street in Mountain View, California, as the "Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office".

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2012

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 211 Hope Street in Mountain View, California, as the "Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office."

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2012

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage for employees to: (1) $8.10 an hour on the first day of the third month after the enactment of this Act; (2) $8.95 an hour after one year; (3) $9.80 an hour after two years; and (4) the amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (based on increases in the Consumer Price Index) after three years, and annually thereafter. Increases the federal minimum wage for tipped employees to $3.00 an hour for one year on the first day of the third month after the enactment of this Act. Provides a formula for subsequent annual adjustments of the wage increase to ensure that it remains equal to 70% of the wage in effect under FLSA for other employees. Directs the Secretary of Labor, 60 days before any increase in the minimum wage, to publish it in the Federal Register and on the Department of Labor's website.

To designate the United States courthouse located at 333 West Broadway Street in San Diego, California, as the "James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse".

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2012

Designates the U.S. courthouse located at 333 West Broadway Street in San Diego, California, as the "James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse."

Consumer Credit Access, Innovation, and Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2012

Consumer Credit Access, Innovation, and Modernization Act - Directs the Comptroller of the Currency to charter qualified nondepository creditors known as National Consumer Credit Corporations (Credit Corporations) to offer financial products or services. Requires a qualified nondepository creditor seeking a federal charter to submit an application which includes in part: (1) a business plan for at least a three-year period with its primary business activities serving underserved consumers and small businesses; (2) a market demand forecast, the intended customer base, competition, economic conditions, financial projections, and business risks; (3) a marketing plan that describes the types of financial products or services such creditor intends to offer; and (4) adequate capital structure. Directs the Comptroller to: (1) ensure that Credit Corporations focus their business operations primarily on providing underserved consumers a variety of affordable and commercially viable financial products or services, including some that facilitate personal savings and enhance the credit record of such consumers; (2) facilitate business partnerships among Credit Corporations, insured depository institutions, other nondepository creditors, third-party service providers and vendors, and nonprofit organizations in order to ensure greater credit access for underserved consumers and small businesses; and (3) examine and supervise the Credit Corporations. Requires Credit Corporations to make available to each consumer to whom a financial product or service is being offered: (1) information on how a consumer may obtain financial counseling services, the benefits of following a regular personal savings program, and how consumers can improve their credit ratings; (2) disclose clearly and conspicuously in the loan agreement the true cost of the loan, including all interest, fees, and loan related charges; and (3) offer an underserved consumer who is unable to repay an extension of credit with a loan repayment term of less than 120 days, an extended repayment plan, at no cost to the consumer, at least once in a 12-month period. Prohibits specified practices. Prescribes: (1) a national consumer credit corporation regulatory fee, (2) a usury limit, and (3) civil penalties. Grants enforcement powers to the Comptroller and state attorneys general.

To provide for supplemental appropriations for obesity programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2012

Makes: (1) emergency supplemental appropriations for obesity programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and (2) offsetting rescissions of prior year unobligated balances of specified accounts.

Help Separated Families Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2012

Help Separated Families Act of 2012 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) require state child protection standards to ensure that the immigration status alone of a parent, legal guardian, or relative shall not disqualify the parent, legal guardian, or relative from being a placement for a child; and (2) require the state procedures for criminal records checks to require the state to accept foreign identification documents as sufficient identification for purposes of initiating a criminal records check or a fingerprint-based check. Expresses the sense of Congress that the child welfare agency of a state, or of any county or other political subdivision of a state, should grant a waiver of any requirement which would prevent the placement of a child with a relative of the child, on the basis of a minor legal infraction, if the relative would otherwise be considered eligible for such a placement. Requires the state plan for foster care and adoption assistance to notify relatives seeking placement of a child that their immigration status will not be questioned, except to the extent necessary in determining eligibility for relevant services or programs. Prohibits a state or local government agency from filing for termination of parental rights in foster care cases based on the removal of the parent from the United States or the parent's involvement in an immigration proceeding, unless: (1) the state (or local agency) has made reasonable efforts to notify of the intention to file such a petition any parent of the child who has been removed from the United States, and any adult relative of the child, including through the diplomatic or consular offices of the country to which the parent was removed, and to reunify the child with any such parent or relative; or (2) the parent is unfit or unwilling to be a parent of the child.

Victory for Veterans Stamp Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2012

Victory for Veterans Stamp Act of 2012 - Directs the Postal Service to issue a special stamp, to be called the Victory for Veterans Stamp, at a cost of 25 cents each. Makes such Stamp invalid for postage. Requires Stamp sale proceeds to be used as follows: (1) one-third for funding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) veterans' vocational rehabilitation programs, (2) one-third to the general fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction, and (3) one-third for the Postal Service for modernization and fiscal administration. Requires such Stamp to be made available to the public within six months after the enactment of this Act.

Expressing support for designation of July as National Sarcoma Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2012

Expresses support for the designation of National Sarcoma Awareness Month.

Prostate Cancer Detection Research and Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2012

Prostate Cancer Detection Research and Education Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish an advisory council on prostate cancer to draft a plan for the development and validation of an accurate test or tests to detect and diagnose prostate cancer. Terminates the advisory council on December 31, 2016. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate and intensify research in accordance with the plan developed under this Act, with particular attention provided to leveraging existing research to develop and validate a test or tests, such as biomarkers or imaging, to detect and accurately diagnose prostate cancer. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of prostate cancer, and (2) award grants to nonprofit private entities to test alternative outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of Americans with respect to prostate cancer.

USPSTF Transparency and Accountability Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2012

USPSTF Transparency and Accountability Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the scope and responsibilities of the United States Preventive Services Task Force to require it to: (1) publish research plans to guide its systematic review of evidence relating to the effectiveness of preventive services; (2) make available reports on such evidence and recommendations for public comment; (3) establish a system for grading preventive care products and services (Grades A, B, C, and D and a Grade I for insufficient information); and (4) convene a preventive services stakeholders board to advise it on developing, updating, publishing, and disseminating evidence-based recommendations on the use of clinical preventive services. Provides for the disclosure and management of conflicts of interest by members of the Task Force and the preventive services stakeholders board. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report that: (1) lists current recommendations of the Task Force; (2) compares Task Force recommendations and recommendations of other federal health agencies, national medical professional societies, and patient and disease advocacy organizations; and (3) analyzes the impact of Task Force recommendations on public and private insurance coverage, access, and outcomes, including the impact of morbidity and mortality. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deny payment for a Medicare preventive service that has not received an A, B, C, or I grade by the Task Force.

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of title IX, the Federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, including high school and college sports and other activities.

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2012

Recognizes the 40th anniversary of title IX (prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including high school and college sports) and its groundbreaking influence for females throughout the United States. Affirms equal gender treatment of males and females. Declares that the House of Representatives strives to work towards a time when females can achieve true equality in athletics, education, and employment.

TIGER Grants for Job Creation Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2012

TIGER Grants for Job Creation Act - Makes supplemental appropriations of $500 million for each of FY2013 and FY2014 for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program for national infrastructure investment projects for states, local governments, and transit agencies.