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![Official portrait of Rep. Berkley, Shelley [D-NV-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001231_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
3,424 records where Rep. Berkley, Shelley [D-NV-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act - Provides that nothing shall prohibit the use of federal funds to establish or carry out a program of distributing sterile syringes to reduce the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act - Declares that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2010 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the General Schedule (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Requires government contributions for health benefits for an individual who first becomes an annuitant by reason of retirement from employment with the United States Postal Service on or after July 1, 1971, or for a survivor of such an individual or of an individual who died on or after that date while employed by the Postal Service, to be paid first from the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund up to the amount contained in the Fund, with any remaining amount paid by the Postal Service (current law requires such contributions to be paid by the Postal Service through September 30, 2016).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Revises the exception to the prohibition for a wage rate differential based on any other factor other than sex. Limits such factors to bona fide factors, such as education, training, or experience. States that the bona fide factor defense shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor: (1) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation; (2) is job-related with respect to the position in question; and (3) is consistent with business necessity. Avers that such defense shall not apply where the employee demonstrates that: (1) an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential; and (2) the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice. Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer. Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages. States that any action brought to enforce the prohibition against sex discrimination may be maintained as a class action in which individuals may be joined as party plaintiffs without their written consent. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer has made substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect from employers pay information data regarding the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to continue to collect data on woman workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey; (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity; and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner of the EEOC jointly to develop technical assistance material to assist small businesses to comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Honors the life and accomplishments of Paul Newman for his many contributions to American film, theater, and philanthropy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the full realization of the rights of women is vital to the development and well-being of people of all nations; and (2) the Senate should, therefore, give its advice and consent to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2008
Condemns the barbaric November 26, 2008, terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008
Carson City Vital Community Act of 2008 - Provides for the conveyance of specified Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or interest in such land (the federal land) in Nevada by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior in exchange for specified non-federal land by Carson City Consolidated Municipality, Nevada. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to reserve a perpetual conservation easement to the Silver Saddle Ranch and Carson River Area. Releases the reversionary interest of BLM in certain of the conveyed federal land. Provides for the conveyance of such land by the City. Makes the non-federal land part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Provides for the conveyance of specified non-federal land administered by the City to the BLM. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over certain Forest Service land from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the City to be granted a right-of-way for maintenance of flood management facilities on such land. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct sales of specified BLM land to qualified bidders. Amends the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 to make amounts in the special account available to the City for the development of parks, trails, and natural areas and up to 10% of amounts in the account available for conservation initiatives on federal land in the City administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. Makes the City eligible to nominate for expenditure amounts to acquire lands or interests for parks and natural areas and for conservation initiatives adjacent to and within the floodplain of Carson River. Provides for specified land to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Prohibits the use of such land for class II and class III gaming. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a cooperative agreement ensuring access by the Tribe's members and others in its community across National Forest System land from the City to Lake Tahoe for cultural and religious purposes. Requires the City to notify the Tribe of proposed ground disturbing activities to provide the Tribe with time for inventorying and collecting tribal artifacts. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified land to Clark County, Nevada, for use for: (1) a centralized off road vehicle recreation park; and (2) a designated area and facilities to discourage unauthorized use of off-highway vehicles in environmentally sensitive areas. Provides for the reservation of specified airspace easements above the surface of the land conveyed to the county. Designates the Nellis Dunes as the Nellis Dunes National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over certain land from BLM to the Department of the Air Force for the enlargement and protection of Nellis Air Force Base. Affirms and validates a specified patent and its associated land reconfiguration issued by the BLM for the benefit and recovery of the desert tortoise and other species. Ratifies the process used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the BLM for the reconfiguration of those lands.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Gold Butte National Conservation Area and Wilderness Designation Act - Establishes the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Nevada, which shall consist of certain public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Clark County, Nevada. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan for the long-term protection and management of the Area. Establishes the Gold Butte National Conservation Area Advisory Council to advise the Secretary in the preparation and implementation of the management plan. Designates certain public lands administered by the National Park Service or the BLM in Clark County as wilderness and as either a new component of the National Wilderness Preservation System or an addition to an existing component of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Southern Nevada Higher Education Land Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey three parcels of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to: (1) the Nevada System of Higher Education for the Great Basin College and the College of Southern Nevada; and (2) the System for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Specifies that the Nevada System of Higher Education may use the conveyed federal land for any purpose relating to the establishment, operation, growth, and maintenance of the System and for any uses related to such purposes, including residential and commercial development that would generally be associated with an institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should use diplomatic and economic measures to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem. Declares nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the use force against Iran. Subjects Iran to specified economic sanctions, including import and export prohibitions. Subjects a U.S. person to penalties for violations of certain sanctions committed by a subsidiary established by such person outside of the United States that would be subject to prohibitions if committed inside the United States or by a U.S. person. Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Urges the President to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian banks engaged in the support of terrorist groups. Increases temporarily the fee for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and border crossing identification cards. Authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit investment of assets in, persons that have direct or indirect investments in Iran's energy sector of more than $20 million. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to shield any registered investment company from civil, criminal, or administrative action based upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by companies with such investments in the energy sector of Iran. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to report to the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and appropriate congressional committees on all countries of concern with respect to the transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain export controlled items to Iran. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to designate a country as a Destination of Possible Diversion Concern if appropriate to carry out activities to strengthen that country's export control systems. Requires the United States to initiate such activities on a government-to-government basis. Defines a Destination of Diversion Concern as any country whose government is directly involved in the transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of U.S.-originating controlled items to unverifiable end users or to Iran, or that has failed to strengthen adequately its export control systems. Requires a license to export to a country designated a Destination of Diversion Concern any controlled items that could contribute to Iran's obtaining nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or its support for acts of international terrorism. Requires the Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) any country that may be transshipping, reexporting, or diverting controlled items to a country other than Iran if such other country is seeking to obtain nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, defense technologies, components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or other defense items, or provides support for acts of international terrorism; and (2) the feasibility and advisability of including such countries in the system for designating countries as Destinations of Possible Diversion Concern and Destinations of Diversion Concern.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Act to Save America's Forests - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to revise eligibility criteria for members of the land and resource management scientific committee. Revises the committee termination date. Directs the Chief of the Forest Service, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to each prepare a continuous inventory of forest land administered by each agency head and to document whole-system measures that will be taken as a result of the inventory. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for conservation and restoration of native biodiversity in forested areas. Prohibits clearcutting or other even-age logging operations on any stand or watershed on certain federal land, National Forest System land, and National Wildlife Refuge System land. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. Designates special areas which shall be subject to restrictions on road construction and logging in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Requires the Secretaries concerned to appoint a committee of independent scientists to recommend additional special areas. Restricts road construction and logging on federal land in ancient forests, special areas, roadless areas, and watershed protection areas. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. States that this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to federal wilderness areas designated under the Wilderness Act. Adds specified land to the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Monument from the Secretary to the Secretary of the Interior. Establishes the Giant Sequoia National Monument Advisory Board. Adds specified parts of Sequoia National Forest that are not included in the Monument to: (1) Sierra National Forest; and (2) Inyo National Forest. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct reconnaissance surveys of areas classified as Level III ecoregions of the continental United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine if there are resources that possess national significance and to evaluate their suitability for inclusion as units of the National Park System. Requires the appointment of a committee of scientists to provide the Secretary and Congress with advice and counsel on such surveys.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Urges the Secretary of State to take measures to certify that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) operates in full compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act and that no American taxpayer dollars are being directed to terrorists or to further terrorist propaganda. Calls on UNRWA to improve the transparency of educational materials used in UNRWA-administered schools. Urges UNRWA to implement terrorist name recognition software and other screening procedures to help ensure that UNRWA staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries are neither terrorists nor affiliated with terrorist organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) the increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts. Increases the alternative minimum tax (AMT) refundable credit amount for individuals who have long-term unused minimum tax credits from prior taxable years. Abates any underpayment of tax attributable to the application of special AMT rules for the treatment of incentive stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Commends the National Falls Free Coalition and all other organizations for their efforts to promote awareness about preventing and reducing falls among older people in the United States. Encourages public and private entities to work together to increase education and awareness about the prevention of falls.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal Act of 2008 - Makes any organ donor, or the family of any organ donor, eligible for a Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to establish an application procedure, determine eligibility, and arrange for the presentation of medals. Allows only one medal per family. Requires that such medal be presented to the donor or, in the case of a deceased donor, the family member who signed the consent form authorizing the organ donation. Authorizes the Network to collect funds to offset expenditures relating to the issuance of medals. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medals using certain specifications. Provides that a medal under this Act shall not be treated as valuable consideration for purposes of prohibiting transferring human organs for valuable consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur, Sudan; and (2) supports U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591 imposing an arms embargo on all belligerents in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
After School Partnerships Improve Results in Education Act or ASPIRE - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to partnerships, composed of a state or local educational agency and at least one college or nonprofit, community, tribal, business, labor, or career technical student organization, for the development of national model after-school interdisciplinary education programs for secondary school students. Directs the Secretary to allot grants to states for matching subgrants to other partnerships, composed of such entities, for the development of after-school interdisciplinary education programs for secondary school students. Gives grant and subgrant priority to programs targeting a high percentage of impoverished, struggling, or rural students and their families. Requires each partnership grantee and subgrantee to include in its program: (1) at least one activity involving mathematics and science education, language arts, writing, and reading, or history, geography, or social studies; and (2) at least one activity involving career technical education, business and entrepreneurial education, health and wellness, the environment and conservation, or arts and music education. Allows program activities to take place after school, before school, or at any other time that the school is not in session. Directs the Secretary to carry out national activities, such as providing technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees, and conducting a national evaluation of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Recognizes Johnny Grant (the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, California) as a key contributor to the revitalization of the image of Hollywood. Honors him for his service to the country, accomplishments, and contributions to the entertainment industry and the nation. Recognizes and expresses gratitude to Johnny Grant for the generous donation of his personal and extensive film collection series to the Department of State to be used as part of the Department's ongoing public diplomacy programs worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Establishment Resolution - Establishes in the House of Representatives the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission which shall promote in a nonpartisan manner internationally recognized human rights norms.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2008
Stability and Democracy for Georgia Act of 2008 or the STAND for Georgia Act of 2008 - Authorizes the President, in the wake of Georgia's August 2008 conflict with the Russian Federation, to provide assistance to Georgia for: (1) humanitarian needs; (2) infrastructure reconstruction; (3) economic development; and (4) governance. Authorizes the use of assistance under this Act to extend broadcasting efforts by the Broadcasting Board of Governors to Georgia and to enhance Russian- and Georgian-language Internet and broadcast capacity for the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Health-e Information Technology Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; and (2) an HIT Advisory Committee. Requires the National Coordinator to develop a Health Information Technology Resource Center and to recommend health information technology standards for adoption by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs agencies to utilize, where available, health information technology systems and products that meet adopted standards. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) to test adopted standards to assure the efficient implementation and use of such standards. Amends XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for incentive payments to physicians and inpatient hospitals that meaningfully use a certified health information technology system. Authorizes the National Coordinator to award grants to purchase qualified health information technology and to implement regional or local health information plans. Provides for grants to develop academic curricula integrating qualified health information technology in the clinical education of health professionals. Revises provisions governing the privacy and security of health information, including to: (1) extend requirements to business associates of a covered entity; (2) require notification in the event of a breach of protected health information; (3) limit disclosure of such information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose; and (4) revise penalties for violations. Requires the Secretary to appoint a Chief Privacy Officer of the Office of National Coordinator to assist in carrying out duties related to the privacy and security of health information.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement Act II of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the reduction in the rate of tax on the net timber gain of corporations; and (2) rules for the treatment of timber real estate investment trust (REIT) gains, mineral royalty income, and prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Expresses support for the designation of American Pharmacists Month with the theme "Know Your Medicine/Know Your Pharmacist."
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Recognizes the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Pays tribute to the over 6,000,000 Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust. Recommits the United States to continued vigilance against these kind of atrocities and urges the international community to fight against organized aggression directed at religious, ethnic, and other minority groups.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to recognized independent accreditation organizations which apply quality standards to which suppliers of items and services relating to prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to designate and approve an independent accreditation organization for such purposes only if it is the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc., the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification, or a program that the Secretary determines has accreditation and approval standards essentially equivalent to those of such a Board. Requires application to prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics generally of existing accreditation and licensure requirements for certain prosthetics and custom-fabricated orthotics. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on: (1) the steps taken by the Department of HHS to ensure that such licensure and accreditation requirements are enforced; and (2) the effect of the requirements of this Act on the occurrence of fraud and abuse under the Medicare program with respect to prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics. Modifies the Medicare payment methodology for prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics to account for practitioner qualifications and complexity of care.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Medicare Hospice Protection Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from phasing out or eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment factor in the Medicare hospice wage index before October 1, 2009. Directs the Secretary to recompute and apply the final Medicare hospice wage index for FY2009 as if there had been no reduction in the budget neutrality adjustment factor.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2008
Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force Act of 2008 - Establishes in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force to: (1) establish regional branches in the 10 states with the highest concentration of mortgage fraud; (2) establish coordinating entities, and solicit the voluntary participation of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, to organize initiatives to address mortgage fraud; (3) train such agencies; (4) collect and disseminate mortgage fraud data; and (5) perform other related functions. Authorizes the Task Force, including its regional branches, to perform other functions as well, including: (1) initiating federal mortgage fraud investigations and coordinating state and local investigations; (2) establishing a toll-free hotline; and (3) creating a database of mortgage industry license suspensions and revocations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the "Private First Class Irving Joseph Schwartz Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Enable Divestment from Sudan and Iran Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the divestment of investments in Iran or the Sudan by pemitting the deferral of tax on any gain from the sale of securities in any business that is engaged in certain discouraged activities in Iran or the Sudan if the holder of such securities purchases replacement securities from a business not engaged in such discouraged activities. Includes as discouraged activities in Iran: (1) the sale of munitions to the Iranian government; (2) loans aggregating more than $20 million to the Iranian government; (3) investments of over $20 million in the Iranian energy sector; or (4) conducting business with or making charitable donations to any Iranian person designated as a terrorist. Defines "Sudan discouraged activity" as an investment in any business operation described in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (e.g., businesses engaged in power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish and update every six months a list of business entities engaging in any Sudan or Iran discouraged activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least two years of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $500 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act - Revises requirements with respect to the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control (transaction) involving rail carriers to require public hearings in the affected communities if public hearings on a proposed transaction are held. Requires the Surface Transportation Board, in a proceeding with respect to a transaction that involves at least one Class I railroad (under current law, involving the merger or control of at least two Class I railroads), to consider the safety and environmental effect of the proposed merger on local communities, intercity rail passenger transportation, and commuter rail passenger transportation. Prohibits the Board from approving mergers if their adverse impacts on safety and on affected communities outweigh their transportation benefits. Authorizes the Board to impose conditions to mitigate the effect of mergers on local communities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Oncology Quality Care Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish budget neutral demonstration projects to test and evaluate methods that: (1) improve the quality of care provided to eligible beneficiaries with certain cancer diagnoses; and (2) reduce expenditures that would otherwise be made under the Medicare program on behalf of such individuals for such diagnoses. Authorizes the participation of oncology care groups of physicians, or of physicians and oncology nurse practitioners, in such demonstration projects, subject to certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Declares that Congress commits to pass, and urges the President sign, within 18 months, legislation that guarantees health care for all and that: (1) recognizes the role of women as health care consumers, caregivers, and providers; (2) guarantees inclusion of benefits essential to achieving and maintaining good health; (3) promotes primary and preventive care; (4) provides a choice of public and private plans and direct access to a choice of doctors and health care providers to ensure continuity of coverage and a delivery system that meets the need of women; (5) eliminates disparities on the basis of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health status, or sexual orientation; (6) shares financing responsibility among employers, individuals, and the government while taking into account small business needs; (7) ensures affordable access to health care; (8) enhances quality and patient safety; (9) ensures a sufficient supply of qualified providers through expanded medical and public health education and adequate reimbursement; and (10) promotes administration efficiency and is easy to utilize.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Recognizes: (1) the important contributions of African-American doctors on the event of the apology of American Medical Association (AMA) to the National Medical Association (NMA) for over a century of racial prejudices and wrongdoings; (2) the efforts of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, former president of the NMA, to break down the racial prejudices at the AMA that led to its full integration; and (3) Shaw University's Leonard Medical School and other historically black colleges and universities for their role in training African-American doctors. Encourages more African-Americans to work in medicine and become doctors, nurses, and researchers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month (September 2008).
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
Directs the Secretary of State to provide detailed briefings to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting: (1) any discussions conducted between any executive branch agency and the government of Taiwan during a covered period (as defined by this Act); and (2) any potential transfer of defense articles or defense services to Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing them; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots. Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at VA facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from banning any election administration official, whether state or local, party-affiliated or non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from providing nonpartisan voting information to veterans at any VA facility. Directs the Secretary to provide reasonable access to VA facilities to state and local election officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter registration services to individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for possessing, shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, delivering, or receiving any horse, horse flesh, or carcass with the intent that it be used for human consumption. Reduces the prison term to one year if the offense involves less than five horses or less than 2,000 pounds of horse flesh or carcass and the offender has no prior conviction for this offense.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health the World Trade Center Health Program (WTC program) to provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits to: (1) eligible emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers who responded to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; and (2) residents and other building occupants and area workers who were directly impacted and adversely affected by such attacks. Provides for cost-sharing with workers' compensation and health insurance plans, but not with eligible individuals. Requires the WTC program administrator to: (1) implement a quality assurance program; (2) review the program's health care expenditures to detect fraudulent or duplicate billing and payment for inappropriate services; (3) establish the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee; (4) establish the WTC Responders Steering Committee and the WTC Community Program Steering Committee; (5) institute a program that provides education and outreach on the existence and availability of services under the WTC program; and (6) provide for the uniform collection of data related to WTC-related health conditions. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish similar programs with respect to the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Requires the administrator to conduct or support research on physical and mental health conditions that may be related to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Requires the administrator to extend and expand arrangements with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide for the World Trade Center Health Registry. Authorizes the administrator to make grants to the Department to address mental health needs relating to the terrorist attacks. Amends the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to provide, under certain circumstances, for an extension of time for filing claims under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that Social Security account numbers are not included on Medicare cards.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great world religions. Acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Office of Domestic Product Promotion Act - Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Domestic Product Promotion to: (1) work with U.S. businesses to promote domestic products; (2) provide information and advice to them on benefits and incentives available for producing domestic products, including the award of federal procurement contracts and federal and state tax benefits; (3) establish a comprehensive publicly available database of businesses that use, sell, or would prefer to use or sell, domestic products; (4) develop tools and ideas on how to promote domestic products; and (5) coordinate with state governments to further the Office's performance of its duties.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Acknowledges that the 2001 World Conference Against Racism marked an important recognition of the historic wounds caused by slavery, colonialism, and racial discrimination. Calls on the President to urge other heads of state to condition participation in the 2009 Durban Review Conference process on concrete action by the United Nations and member states to ensure that it and they will reject any effort to inject anti-Semitism, hatred, and discrimination onto the Conference agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Trade Enforcement Act of 2008 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise certain trade provisions to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) review U.S. trade expansion priorities; and (2) report to Congress on priority foreign country practices which if eliminated will have the most potential to increase U.S. exports. Requires the USTR to seek consultation and satisfactory resolution of any identified priority foreign country trade practice (including an agreement for elimination or provision of compensatory trade benefits) with the country of concern. Establishes the Office of the Congressional Trade Enforcer. Requires the USTR to: (1) identify priority foreign countries that maintain technical barriers to trade, or sanitary or phytosanitary measures, that deny market access to U.S. products; and (2) initiate an investigation of such trade barriers to determine what trade action, if any, must be taken to remedy such barriers. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to apply countervailing duty provisions to nonmarket economy countries. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should restore the balance between rights and obligations struck during the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations; (2) the United States should have the ability to enforce rigorously its trade laws (including antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard laws) in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and dispute settlement proceedings; and (2) dispute settlement panels are obligated to follow WTO negotiated agreements and not Appellate Body jurisprudence. Revises requirements for presidential action on a finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding an imported Chinese product that threatens or causes market disruption to a like U.S. product. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish: (1) a government-wide, uniform data system to identify all goods imported into the United States; and (2) a voluntary government-private Import Safety Program to ensure that all goods in the international supply chain do not pose risks to public health or safety, and to facilitate the movement of such goods through the chain. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a list of importers of record and foreign manufacturers, processing facilities, exporters, and suppliers whose imported products have been determined to be inadmissible into the United States or have been the subject of U.S. recalls because of violations of health or safety standards; and (2) sanctions for entities on the list. Establishes the position of Director of Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement to develop an annual strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sets forth: (1) enforcement activities to combat the counterfeiting and piracy of products; and (2) civil fines for the import of pirated or counterfeit products.