Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]

An amendment in the nature of a substitute.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to insure that $200,000 of the funds appropriated for General Construction shall be to carry out the provisions of Section 847(b) of P.L.99-662.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to provide that the AIDS information requirements in the Burton amendment shall not apply to a program in a country when the President determines that the inclusion of such information would be inappropriate either because of the low incidents of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in that country or because of the laws or customs of that country.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to provide that the President may waive the provisions of the Torricelli amendment if he determines that it is in the national interest to do so.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to delete the provisions of the Burton amendment which link U.S. foreign aid to a country's position on the U.N. resolution declaring Zionism a form of racism and expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should continue its rejection of the resolution and to urge all other countries to do so.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to make it easier to impose sanctions against nations for foreign policy reasons. The amendment would change current law and suggest rather than require that the President evaluate a number of conditions before imposing sanctions.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to require the President to impose sanctions against foreign and domestic companies which export Missile Technology Control Regime items in violation of U.S. missile technology laws. Such sanctions would include the denial of U.S. government contracts and the denial of U.S. government export licenses for high-technology items. The amendment was modified to specify sanctions to be imposed against developing countries.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to exempt from the bill's cargo preference requirements any cash assistance to nations that meet the poverty criteria established by the International Development Association. Subsequently, the amendment was modified by unanimous consent.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment providing for full funding of certain State Department accounts and programs, including such programs and accounts as Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Conuslar Offices, Diplomatic Security Programs, Contributions to International Oranizations, Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities.

United States · United States Congress

See Smith (NJ) amendment (A002) for description.

United States · United States Congress

See Snowe amendments (A002) for description.

United States · United States Congress

Amendments en bloc: 1) make the amounts authorized in the bill subject to appropriations; 2) reprogram a position to create a new Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs; 3) make changes in the automated visa look-out system in title I; 4) delete certain language regarding retirement and eligibility of Federal employees who transfer to international organizations; 5) relate to housing benefits of the U.S. mission to the United Nations; 6) make technical clarifications relating to the "Foreign Relations of the United States" historical series; 7) require the State Department to report on human rights practices by U.S. businesses in China and Tibet; 8) require the National Endowment for Democracy to make changes in its operation; 9) provide an open-ended authorization for TV Marti; 10) require the State Department to report on expanding the U.S. presence in Soviet Republics; and 11) require a State Department report concerning the fire at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment offered as a substitute for the Roth amendment which reduces the authorizations in the bill for various accounts for the State Department and related agencies by a total of approximately $200 million in FY 1994 and FY 1995--including cuts in the FY 1994 authorizations of $75 million for assessed U.S. contributions to international organizations, $25 million for buildings overseas, $25 million for voluntary U.S. contributions to international organizations, and $20 million for diplomatic and consular programs.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment comprised of several amendments offered en bloc consisting of the following amendments printed in House Report 103-132: Amendment No. 5 (Berman, as modified) making technical changes to various personnel and organizational provisions in the bill; No. 8 (Snowe, as modified) to reform the U.S. funding procedures of U.N. international peacekeeping activities; No. 9 (Snowe, as modified) expressing the sense of Congress that the President should include, as a condition of membership in any major international organization, a requirement that the international organization have effective internal audit and efficiency review procedures; No. 10 (Hall OH) to establish that it is the policy of the U.S. to promote the right to food and the right to medical care as basic human rights; No. 12 (Berman) making minor changes to the provisions of the bill relating to the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to delete section 2 of the bill, as amended by the Goodlatte amendment, relating to "loser pays," and replace those provisions with the text of the McHale amendment. The text of the McHale amendment would be unaffected.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to strike provisions establishing a new Defense Export Loan Guarantee Program, under which DOD would guarantee loans made by private lenders for defense related purchases by NATO member countries and other U.S. allies.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to add a new section to the bill which provides guidelines for ascertaining credit against assessment for expenditures in support of United Nations peacekeeping operations. The amendment also requires the President to report annually as well as quarterly to Congress on the total amount of incremental costs incurred by DOD during the preceding year and the preceding quarter to support or participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to prohibit any FEMA funding to permit the transfer of funding from the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Panorama City, California under the Seismic Hazard Mitigation Program for Hospitals or relocate the hospital to a site more than 3 miles from the current site.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 109-599 to restrict exports of uranium and other types of nuclear reactor fuel (defined as "source material" and "special nuclear material" in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954) to India until the President determines that India has halted the production of fissile material (i.e. plutonium and highly enriched uranium) for use in nuclear weapons.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 9 printed in part B of House Report 109-178 to require a report to Congress on the development and use of data-mining technology by departments and agencies of the Federal government.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 9 printed in part B of House Report 109-178 to require a report to Congress on the development and use of data-mining technology by departments and agencies of the Federal government.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment inserted a new preamble.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 1 printed in part C of House Report 111-143 to (1) make a number of minor, technical and conforming changes, including changes to address concerns of other Committees that have jurisdiction over certain provisions of H.R. 2410 and making changes to certain authorizations; (2) add the relevant text from H.R. 2828, 110th Congress, as passed by the House, relating to compensation of Foreign Service victims of terrorism; (3) add a provision relating to streamlining export controls to better serve the scientific and research community, consistent with the protection of U.S. national security interests; (4) add a provision on monitoring and evaluating certain provision U.S. overseas activities; (5) add a provision to improve the stabilization and reconstruction activities of the Department of State; (6) add a provision on implementation of an international nuclear fuel bank; (7) add a provision relating to the development of a food security strategy; (8) adds certain other sense of congress provisions; and (9) add a new subsection to section 334 providing that nothing in that section shall be construed as affecting existing statutory prohibitions relating to abortion.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 23 printed in Part C of House Report 111-143 to create the Global Clean Energy Exchange Program a program to strengthen research, educational exchange, and international cooperation with the aim of promoting the development and deployment of clean and efficient energy technologies.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 21 printed in Part C of House Report 111-143 to require the Department of State to conduct a cost-benefit analysis in conjunction with all appropriate Federal departments and agencies on how to best use American funds to reduce smuggling and trafficking in persons.

United States · United States Congress

Relating to the death of the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, a Senator from the State of Hawaii.

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2012

Declares that the House of Representatives has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, a Senator from Hawaii. Declares that when the House adjourns on December 19, 2012, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Inouye.

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.

Calling for universal condemnation of the North Korean missile launch of December 12, 2012.

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2012

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the North Korean missile launch of December 12, 2012, represents a flagrant violation of specified U.N. Security Council resolutions; (2) North Korea continues to defy the U.N., its Six-Party partners, and the international community; (3) the member nations should immediately impose sanctions covered by such resolutions and censure North Korea; and (4) all current restrictions against North Korea, including sanctions that ban the importation into the United States of North Korean goods, should remain in effect until North Korea no longer engages in activities that threaten U.S. interests and global peace.

Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2012

Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2012 - Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates CURTS and MCCLUSKY; and (2) Thailand, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates RENTZ and VANDEGRIFT. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates TAYLOR, GARY, CARR, and ELROD to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office of the United States (which is the Taiwan instrumentality designated pursuant to the Taiwan Relations Act). States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards). Terminates transfer authority three years after enactment of this Act.

Global Partnerships Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2012

Global Partnerships Act of 2012 - Sets forth provisions regarding global poverty and related matters, including: (1) reduction of global poverty; (2) acceleration of economic growth; (3) micro enterprise and small and medium enterprise assistance; (4) food security; (5) child survival and maternal health; (6) combating disease; (7) family planning and reproductive health; (8) education; (9) the environment; (10) safe water, sanitation, and housing; (11) gender equality; (12) democratic governance; and (13) humanitarian and disaster assistance. Sets forth provisions regarding advancing peace and mitigating conflict, including: (1) peacekeeping and related missions, (2) strategies and assessments, and (3) organizations and personnel. Sets forth provisions regarding human rights and democracy, including: (1) violence against women and girls, (2) the rule of law, and (3) child protection. Sets forth provisions regarding strategic partnerships, including: (1) the Economic Support Fund, (2) security partnership assistance, (3) drawdown authority, (4) defense article loans and stockpiling, (5) foreign military financing, (6) international military education and training, (7) excess defense article transfers, (8) cooperative project agreements, (9) foreign military sales, (10) arms export controls, (11) defense article leases and retransfers, (12) enforcement and monitoring of arms sales, (13) congressional review of arms sales, and (14) land mines and cluster munitions. Sets forth provisions regarding transnational threats, including: (1) nuclear, missile, and chemical and biological nonproliferation; and (2) counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism authorities. Sets forth provisions regarding the global environment, including: (1) debt-for-nature exchanges, and (2) commercial debt-for-nature exchanges. Sets forth provisions regarding trade and investment, including: (1) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), (2) the United States Trade and Development Agency, and (3) enterprise funds. Sets forth provisions regarding strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and congressional notification. Sets forth provisions regarding policy restrictions and special authorities with respect to: (1) human rights; (2) non-proliferation; (3) narcotics; (4) terrorism, including in the Middle East; (5) trade and commerce; and (6) policy authorities. Sets forth provisions regarding organization, management, and human resources, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Revises specified provisions of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, and the Fulbright-Hays Act.

Expressing vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognizing and strongly supporting its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2012

Expresses unwavering commitment to the security of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and supports its inherent right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism. Reiterates that Hamas must end Gaza-linked terrorist rocket and missile attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. Urges the U.N. Security Council to condemn the recent spike in Gaza-linked terrorist missile attacks against Israel. Encourages the President to continue to work diplomatically with the international community to prevent Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist organizations from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets and missiles against Israel.

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."

Condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2012

Condemns: (1) the commission of hate crimes against all Americans, including Sikh-Americans; and (2) acts of violence, bigotry, and discrimination against Sikh-Americans. Urges: (1) educators, counselors, and others to support educational efforts to prevent the epidemic bullying of Sikh-American children and families; and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) to begin documenting and quantifying hate crimes and other acts of violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans. Expresses support for: (1) outreach efforts by federal and local law enforcement leaders to prevent violence and hate crimes against Sikh-Americans; and (2) the right of the Sikh-American community to live in peace and free from discrimination, hate crimes, bullying, and all forms of violence.

War Crimes Accountability Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2012

War Crimes Accountability Act of 2012 - Directs the President to submit a report to Congress for each of FY2013-FY2017 that identifies each country that is failing to: (1) cooperate with relevant jurisdictions in extraditing or deporting war crimes suspects or Nazi war criminals to the appropriate jurisdiction; (2) enforce arrest warrants issued by an international tribunal against war crimes suspects; (3) accept Nazi war criminals deported from the United States; or (4) effectively prosecute war crimes suspects or Nazi war criminals within such country's jurisdiction, including Nazi war criminals who resided in the United States and were deported from or extradited by the United States or left the United States voluntarily. Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer to sell defense articles under the Arms Export Control Act for $7 million or more to a country so identified. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national security interest.

To promote peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and its environs and other maritime areas adjacent to the East Asian mainland.

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should: (1) reaffirm U.S. support for the peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Yellow Sea; (2) condemn the use of force by China in the South China and East China Seas and by China's North Korean ally in the Yellow Sea; (3) call on all parties to these territorial disputes to refrain from threatening force or using force to assert territorial claims; (4) welcome the diplomatic efforts of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and U.S. allies and partners in Taiwan, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to resolve these outstanding disputes; and (5) support U.S. Armed Forces operations in support of freedom of navigation rights in international waters and air space in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Yellow Sea.

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."

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2012

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) is paramount in improving the lives of women around the world and increasing global stability and prosperity; (2) Congress is committed to advancing the goals of NAP; and (3) the President should designate a person on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) to be responsible for promoting NAP. States that: (1) it is U.S. policy to implement NAP; (2) the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should integrate gender into diplomatic and strategic and planning processes; and (3) federal agencies shall ensure that the tenets of NAP are incorporated into programs for conflict prevention, humanitarian and disaster response, peacekeeping, and democracy promotion. Urges the Secretary, the Administrator, the Secretary of Defense (DOD), and representatives of other federal agencies to: (1) implement NAP and ensure relevant personnel training; and (2) facilitate partner government efforts to improve women's inclusion in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace-building, and decision-making institutions in conflict-affected environments.

To direct the President to submit to Congress a report on actions the executive branch has taken relating to the resolution of the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2012

Directs the President to report to Congress every two years regarding executive branch actions taken to ensure that the interests of all refugees displaced from Arab countries, including Jews, Christians, and other groups, are considered in any final settlement of the Middle East refugee question that is part of any comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.

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."

Expressing support for continued international cooperation to combat HIV/AIDS.

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2012

Supports efforts to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS crisis. Recognizes the importance of country ownership of the HIV/AIDS response, including participation by civil society. Supports the achievements of the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in cooperation with international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. Endorses the call for virtual global elimination of new pediatric HIV infections by 2015. Urges continued U.S. leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Calls upon all nations to implement effective AIDS strategies that are tailored to local conditions and respect the human rights and dignity of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2012

Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2012 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses and claims to increase to $20,000: (1) allowed unsecured claims in the fourth order of priority (wages, salaries, or commissions); and (2) the factor multiplied by the number of employees covered with respect to employee benefit plan contributions in the fifth order of priority. Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals, but only if an employer or plan sponsor who has commenced a case in bankruptcy has committed fraud regarding the plan or has otherwise breached a duty to the participant that has proximately caused the loss of value. Allows as an administrative expense of the estate: (1) severance pay owed to certain employees of the debtor for layoff or termination (which pay shall be deemed earned in full), and (2) damages as a result of violation of law by the debtor. Includes among prerequisites for confirmation of a business reorganization bankruptcy plan (Chapter 11) provision for: (1) recovery of damages payable for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, or other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative; (2) continued payment of retiree benefits maintained or established by the debtor before the petition filing date if no modifications are made before confirmation of the plan; and (3) recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits or for certain financial returns, as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative. Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) payment of insurance benefits to retired employees, including benefit modifications proposed by the trustee; and (3) a trustee's administrative power to dispose of property. Requires the court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs, preserve terms and conditions of employment, and assume or match pension and retiree health benefit obligations in determining whether an offer constitutes the highest or best offer for such property. Requires the bankruptcy court to allow certain claims asserted by an active or retired participant, or by a labor organization representing such participant, for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as a result of the termination of the plan and limitations upon the payment of certain statutory benefits. States that, if employees have not received wages and benefits for services rendered on and after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy, such unpaid obligations shall be deemed necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, property securing an allowed secured claim and shall be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived certain provisions under an agreement with the holder of the allowed secured claim. Allows reduction of a debtor's time frame for filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in the event of: (1) the filing of a motion seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time. Modifies requirements for confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to prohibit approval of: (1) payments or other distributions for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and certain highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor, except as part of those generally applicable to the debtor's employees if the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce; and (2) insider compensation unless approved by the court as reasonable according to specified criteria. Restricts: (1) certain executive compensation enhancements as part of the allowance of administrative expenses; (2) trustee assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor; and (3) trustee assumption of retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor if the debtor has obtained relief to impose reductions in retiree benefits, or health benefits of active employees of the debtor, or has reduced or eliminated health benefits for active or retired employees within 180 days before the date of the commencement of the case. Requires the court, where a debtor has obtained relief by which it reduces the cost of its obligations under a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree plan, fund, or program of retiree benefits, to determine before granting relief the percentage diminution in the value of the obligations when compared to the debtor's obligations under the collective bargaining agreement, or with respect to retiree benefits. Authorizes the trustee in bankruptcy to avoid a transfer made in anticipation of bankruptcy to or for the benefit of an insider, including certain consultants who were formerly insiders and who are retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor. Grants a labor organization creditor status for purposes of filing a proof of claim. Declares that the filing of a petition for relief does not operate as an automatic stay of the commencement or continuation of a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of a petition, including payment or enforcement of an award or settlement under such proceeding.

International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2012

International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2012 - Defines "child marriage" as the marriage of a girl or boy not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law in the country in which the girl or boy is a resident, or where there is no such law, under the age of 18. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) child marriage is a violation of human rights and its prevention and elimination should be a U.S. foreign policy goal; and (2) expanding educational opportunities for girls, economic opportunities for women, and reducing maternal and child mortality are critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and U.S. global health and development objectives, including efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS. Authorizes the President to provide assistance, including through multilateral, nongovernmental, and faith-based organizations, to prevent child marriage in developing countries and to promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women. Directs the President to establish a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage and promote the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries, and should include addressing the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and potential of girls under age 18 in developing countries. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and all relevant agencies should collect and make available data on the incidence of child marriage in countries that receive U.S. foreign or development assistance where the practice of child marriage is prevalent. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that Department of State country reports on human rights practices include a description of the status of child marriage for each country in which child marriage is prevalent.

Child Protection Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2012

Child Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 20 years for transporting, receiving, distributing, selling, or possessing pornographic images of a child under the age of 12. Requires a U.S. district court to issue a protective order prohibiting harassment or intimidation of a minor victim or witness if the court finds evidence that the conduct at issue is reasonably likely to adversely affect the willingness of the minor witness or victim to testify or otherwise participate in a federal criminal case or investigation. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements to ensure that such guidelines provide an additional penalty for sex trafficking of children and other child abuse crimes. Allows the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to issue an administrative subpoena for the investigation of unregistered sex offenders by the U.S. Marshals Service. Amends the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 to: (1) double the amount that the Attorney General may award a non-law enforcement agency entity annually to establish and conduct training courses for National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program task force members and other law enforcement officials, (2) require the Attorney General to designate a senior official at the Department of Justice (DOJ) with experience in investigating or prosecuting child exploitation cases as the National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction to be responsible for coordinating the development of the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, (3) authorize appropriations for carrying out such strategy for FY2014-FY2018, (4) delete a requirement that the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System identify high-priority suspects based on the volume of suspected criminal activity, and (5) require the Attorney General to report within 90 days after enactment of this Act on the status of the establishment of such System.

Expressing support to end commercial whaling in all of its forms and to strengthen measures to conserve whale populations.

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2012

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) strongly opposes commercial whaling; (2) supports the use of all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in any form; (3) seeks to strengthen conservation and management measures to facilitate the conservation of whale species and populations; (4) urges the President and the international community to modernize the International Whaling Commission by expanding the participation of civil society, improving transparency, and supporting efforts to improve its effectiveness; and (5) supports ongoing research efforts to understand, prevent, or mitigate threats to whales and their habitat.

Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2012

Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase: (1) the term of imprisonment for economic espionage (i.e., stealing or obtaining, duplicating or conveying, or buying or possessing trade secrets without authorization, intending or knowing that the offense will benefit any foreign government, foreign instrumentality, or foreign agent) from 15 years to 20 years; and (2) the maximum fine for such offenses committed by individuals (from $500,000 to $5 million) or by organizations (from $10 million to $10 million or 3 times the value of the stolen trade secret to the organization). Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to offenses relating to the transmission of a stolen trade secret outside of the United States or economic espionage in order to reflect the intent of Congress that penalties for such offenses reflect the seriousness of, and potential and actual harm caused by, such offenses and provide adequate deterrence. Directs the Commission to: (1) consider the extent to which such guidelines and statements appropriately account for the simple misappropriation of a trade secret; (2) consider whether additional enhancements are appropriate to account for any transmission of a stolen trade secret outside of the United States and any such transmission that is committed for the benefit of a foreign government, instrumentality, or agent; and (3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant directives, guidelines and statements, and related federal statutes.

Welcoming His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the worldwide spiritual and administrative head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to Washington, DC, and recognizing his commitment to world peace, justice, nonviolence, human rights, religious freedom, and democracy.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2012

Welcomes His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Washington, DC. Commends His Holiness for: (1) promoting individual and world peace and justice; and (2) his perseverance in counseling Ahmadi Muslims to eschew any form of violence, even in the face of severe persecution.

Commending Rotary International and others for their efforts to prevent and eradicate polio.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2012

Commends Rotary International and others for their efforts in vaccinating children around the world against polio and for the tremendous strides made toward eradicating the disease. Encourages the United States and the international community to remain committed to the elimination of polio.

Collectible Coin Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2012

Collectible Coin Protection Act - Amends the Hobby Protection Act to make it a violation of such Act for a person to provide substantial assistance or support to any manufacturer, importer, or seller if that person knows or consciously avoids knowing that such manufacturer, importer, or seller has engaged in any act or practice that violates requirements for plainly identifying imitation political items or imitation coins and other numismatic items. Provides that if such a violation also involves the unauthorized use of registered trademarks belonging to a collectibles certification service, the owner of such trademarks shall also have all rights provided under appropriate provisions of the Trademark Act of 1946.

Honoring Catholic sisters for their contributions to the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2012

Recognizes and commends the nation's Catholic sisters, whose inspiring legacy of service continues to enrich our nation. Honors the contributions of Catholic sisters to this country. Stands in solidarity with Catholic sisters' mission to work toward a more just society for all of God's people.