United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Urges the Government of Romania to uphold all existing human rights treaties and decrees to ensure the safety of the minorities who reside in Romania. Requests the President and Secretary of State to discuss the human cultural and self-determination rights of the Hungarians of Transylvania with the Government of Romania and other appropriate governments.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow penalty-free distributions from retirement plans to individuals during any period for which such individuals: (1) are receiving unemployment compensation; and (2) would have been entitled to unemployment compensation, but for termination of the period during which compensation was payable or exhaustion of such individual's rights to compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the budget deficit for the fiscal year in which this Act is ratified to be reduced in the succeeding fiscal years such that the deficit, if any, in the succeeding fiscal years may not exceed the indicated amount of the deficit for the fiscal year (FY) in which this Act is ratified, as follows: (1) for the first FY after ratification, 80 percent; (2) for the second FY, 60 percent; (3) for the third FY, 40 percent; and (4) for the fourth FY, 20 percent. Prohibits, after the fourth FY after ratification, expenditures from exceeding receipts unless such expenditures are authorized by a law approved by three-fifths of each House of the Congress. Prohibits, beginning with the first FY after ratification, the total amount of revenues from exceeding 20 percent of the gross national product for the preceding FY unless authorized by a law approved by three-fifths of each House of the Congress. Requires, beginning with the sixth FY beginning after ratification and continuing until the national debt is extinguished, each fiscal budget to include a debt reduction payment equal to at least four percent of the total receipts. Allows the Congress to waive the provisions of this Act for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Requires reducing any deficit that occurs as a result of such war within five fiscal years after the war following procedures set forth in this Act. Grants the President item veto authority over any appropriation in a bill or joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Nuclear Reactor Licensing Act of 1992 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prescribe guidelines for: (1) issuance by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of nuclear reactor combined construction and operating licenses; and (2) post-construction hearings on such licenses. Provides for judicial review of final Commission orders affecting such licenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Authorizes the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to publicly disclose the name and pertinent account information of any Member or former Member who it finds, pursuant to H. Res. 236, has abused banking privileges between July 1, 1988, to October 3, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 1992 - Requires Federal agencies to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of their authorized functions by procurement from private sources unless: (1) the goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed, respectively, by the agency; (2) or the head of the agency determines and certifies to the Congress that Government production, manufacture, or provision of a good or service is necessary for national defense, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by a Government employee, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to the Congress on: (1) agency activities which are inconsistent with such requirements; and (2) a schedule for transferring such activities to the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
District of Columbia Omnibus Anti-Crime Act of 1992 - Title I: Expanded Penalties for Crimes of Violence - Amends the District of Columbia Code (DC Code) to provide for mandatory life imprisonment (as under current law) without parole for first degree murder. Subjects persons convicted of assault with intent to commit bodily injury to up to ten years' imprisonment. Provides that whoever in the commission of specified acts of assault on a member of a police force or fire department does not employ force likely to cause serious bodily harm or death or does not use a deadly or dangerous weapon shall be fined up to $500, imprisoned for up to 90 days, or both. Title II: Penalties for Activities Relating to Criminal Drug Enterprises and Distributing Drugs in Vicinity of Schools - Amends the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1981 (Uniform Act), to provide for an enhanced penalty (imprisonment, fine, or both, up to twice that authorized) for distribution or manufacturing controlled substances in or near schools, colleges, youth centers, public swimming pools, or video arcades. Sets a mandatory minimum sentence, except with respect to offenses involving five grams or less of marijuana. Provides for an enhanced penalty and a mandatory minimum sentence for distribution of a controlled substance to a pregnant woman. Amends: (1) the Dangerous Weapons Act to provide for an enhanced penalty for crimes involving dangerous weapons committed in or near schools and colleges; (2) the Firearms Control Regulation Act to provide for a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to ten years, or both, for persons over age 21 who illegally sell, transfer, or distribute a firearm, destructive device, or ammunition to anyone under age 18; and (3) the Uniform Act to subject those who attempt or conspire to commit serious drug-related crimes to the same penalties as those who commit the crimes which were the objects of such attempt or conspiracy (currently, punishable by imprisonment, fine, or both, which may not exceed the maximum authorized for the underlying offense). Revises DC Code provisions concerning victim impact statements and the rights of crime victims. Specifies that each victim of a crime of violence shall have the right to: (1) be present at the defendant's trial, sentencing, and parole hearings; (2) submit, prior to the imposition of sentence, a written victim impact statement (as under current law); (3) offer at the time of sentencing an oral or written statement of the victim's opinion of the sentence that should be imposed on the defendant and have such statement entered into the record; and (4) offer, at the defendant's parole hearings, an oral or written statement of the victim's opinion of whether or not the defendant should be granted parole. Sets forth additional provisions, including notification to the victim of the right to submit and offer statements and any changes in the defendant's status. Permits individuals 14 years of age or older (currently, 16) to be tried as adults for certain serious crimes. Title III: Revision of Standards for Bail and Pretrial Detention - Revises DC Code provisions with respect to release prior to trial and pretrial detention. Provides that, upon the appearance before a judicial officer (officer) of a person charged with an offense (other than first-degree murder), the officer shall issue an order that, pending trial, the person be: (1) released on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured bond; (2) released on a condition or combination of specified conditions (condition); (3) temporarily detained to permit revocation of conditional release, deportation, or exclusion; or (4) detained. Requires the officer to order the pretrial release of the person on personal recognizance, or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond in an amount specified by the court, subject to the condition that the person not commit a crime during the period of release, unless the officer determines that such release will not reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required or will endanger the safety of another person or the community (in which case such officer shall order the person's pretrial release, subject to such condition, and subject to the least restrictive further condition that the officer determines will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community). Authorizes the officer to conduct an inquiry into the source of the property to be designated for potential forfeiture or offered as collateral to secure a bond and requires such officer to decline to accept the designation or the use as collateral of property that, because of its source, will not reasonably assure the person's appearance. Bars the officer from imposing a financial condition that results in the pretrial detention of the person. Entitles a person for whom conditions of release are imposed and who, after 24 hours from the time of the release hearing, continues to be detained as a result of inability to meet the conditions of release, upon application, to have the conditions reviewed by the officer who imposed them. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to such review. Authorizes the officer to impose additional or different conditions of release. Requires the officer, in determining whether there are conditions of release that will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community, to take into account available information concerning the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence against the person, the history and characteristics of such person, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by such person's release. Directs the officer, when ordering the pretrial release of the person on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond, to: (1) include a written statement that sets forth all the conditions to which the release is subject in a manner sufficiently clear and specific to serve as a guide for the person's conduct; and (2) advise the person of the penalties for, and consequences of, violating a condition of release, and of provisions of the District of Columbia Theft and White Collar Crimes Act of 1982 (relating to intimidation of witnesses, jurors, and officers of the court, obstruction of criminal investigations, and retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant). Requires the officer, upon a determination that a person charged with an offense (other than first-degree murder) is, and was at the time the offense was committed, on release pending trial for a felony or pending imposition or execution of sentence, appeal of sentence or conviction, or completion of sentence, or on probation or parole, or not a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and may flee or pose a danger to any person or the community, to: (1) order the detention of the person for a period of not more than ten days (excluding weekends and holidays); and (2) direct the attorney for the Government to notify the appropriate court, probation, or parole official, local or State law enforcement official, or official of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Specifies that, if the official fails or declines to take the person into custody during that period, the person shall be treated in accordance with this title, notwithstanding the applicability of other provisions of law governing release pending trial or deportation or exclusion proceedings. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to: (1) burdens of proof and presumptions; (2) the holding of a hearing to determine whether any conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community; (3) the initiation by the attorney for the Government of a pretrial detention hearing by ex parte motion and the holding of such hearing; (4) detention of the person pending completion of the hearing; and (5) review and appeal of a release or detention order. Title IV: Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Increases the number of associate judges of the D.C. Superior Court from 58 to 60, effective October 1, 1992, and to 62, effective October 1, 1993. Authorizes appropriations for the operation of such Court during FY 1993. Revises DC Code provisions to expand the authority of hearing commissioners to make findings and enter final orders or judgments with respect to specified proceedings, including certain landlord-tenant disputes, small claims proceedings, criminal misdemeanors, and uncontested probate and fiduciary proceedings. Increases the maximum amount in controversy permitted for cases under the jurisdiction of the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the D.C. Superior Court. Title V: Dealth Penalty for Murders - Provides for the imposition of the death penalty for murders (where a person intentionally, knowingly, or through recklessness manifesting extreme indifference to human life, or through the intentional infliction of serious bodily injury, caused the death of a person) in the District of Columbia, with respect to offenses committed after the expiration of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, unless during such period the registered electors of the District of Columbia vote to reject such amendment by referendum. Title VI: Repeal of Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 1985 - Repeals the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Victim and Witness Protection Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply Federal prohibitions against tampering with, or retaliating against, a witness, victim, or informant (harassment) to victims of such harassment in the District of Columbia (DC). Authorizes the Superior Court of DC to issue protective orders against such harassment under specified circumstances. Amends the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 to provide for consultation by the attorney for the Government to obtain the views of the victim or family about the disposition of any Federal (as under current law) or DC criminal case brought as a result of a serious crime. States that: (1) nothing in such Act shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the United States (as under current law) or DC; and (2) the guidelines implemented by the Attorney General under such Act shall apply to law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and prosecutors for DC, including the DC Corporation Counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant (but not permanent resident) status for the spouse and minor children of a lawful permanent resident alien. Prohibits such spouse from working in the United States. Terminates such status upon termination of the marriage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Creates the Congressional Office of Inspector General (Office), independent of the executive departments and under the control and direction of the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives. Sets forth the functions of the Office. Makes an Inspector General (Inspector), to be appointed by the Speaker and minority leader, head of the Office for a seven-year term, unless removed by the Speaker and minority leader for cause. Makes the Inspector ineligible for reappointment. Requires the Inspector to appoint: (1) an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing to supervise the auditing of the office procedures and operations of each Member or committee of the House and any other House office whose employees are paid by the Clerk; and (2) an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations to supervise investigations of such office procedures and operations. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Inspector. Requires each Inspector General to report annually to the Speaker and minority leader of the House. Authorizes the Inspector to receive and investigate complaints or information from a House employee concerning the possible existence of a violation of law or the Rules of the House, mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse or authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Prohibits the Inspector, upon receiving the complaint or information, from disclosing the complainant's identity without the employee's consent, unless such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation. Prohibits any employee who has authority to take, directs others to take, or recommends or approves any personnel action, from taking action against an employee as reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to an Inspector, unless the complaint was false and the complainant knew this or willfully disregarded truth or falsity.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Directs the Postmaster of the House of Representatives to take necessary measures (including the termination of any existing contract or agreement) to provide that postal services and operations relating to the House be carried out by employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) consideration of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should be a high priority; (2) LIHEAP funding for FY 1993 should be increased to a level greater than or equal to funding for FY 1992; and (3) the President should accept the LIHEAP funding level for FY 1993 as recommended by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1992
Restrictions on Azerbaijan Act - Requires the United States to continue to deny the following trade and economic benefits to the Republic of Azerbaijan: (1) most-favored-nation status (nondiscriminatory treatment); (2) loans, guarantees, or insurance with respect to U.S. exports to it; (3) beneficiary status under the Generalized System of Preferences; (4) treatment as a country subject to provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to market disruption; (5) treatment as a member of Country Group Y (countries with which the United States has diplomatic or trading relations); (6) any benefit bestowed under the Agreement on Trade Relations Between the United States and the Soviet Union, signed on June 1, 1990; and (7) U.S. assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Requires the United States to impose as a condition to making contributions to any international organizations providing activities in the former Soviet Union that none of the funds be available for such activities, except humanitarian assistance, in Azerbaijan. Authorizes the President to waive such restrictions. Terminates such restrictions if the President determines and reports to the Congress that Azerbaijan: (1) has ceased all blockades and uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; (2) improves the human rights of Armenians, Russians, Jews, and other minorities; and (3) has committed to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Health Care Savings Plan Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Defines an eligible individual as: (1) one who is not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) one who is covered by such a plan which is a qualified catastrophic coverage health plan and is not covered by any other health plan. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from such accounts to the extent that amounts in such accounts exceed $15,000. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical and dental expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1992
Amends Federal law to prohibit a Member of the House of Representatives from sending any franked mass mailing outside the Member's congressional district. Authorizes a Member of Congress to mail franked mail with a simplified form of address for delivery within his or her congressional district only. (Current law permits such mailings throughout the Member's State.) Prohibits the Committee on House Administration from approving any payment for, and a Member from making any expenditure from, any allowance of the House or any other official funds if any portion is for any cost related to a mass mailing by a Member of the House outside his or her congressional district.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) democratically-elected local government and civil administration in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Republic of Azerbaijan should be restored; (2) there should be free access to all prisoners by foreign government representatives and independent human rights organizations; (3) the United Nations (UN) Security Council should take up the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh to consider whether UN peacekeeping forces should be deployed to maintain order in the area; (4) foreign assistance extended to the former Soviet Union should be directed to the republics and, except for emergency and humanitarian assistance, conditioned on the establishment of democratically-elected governments and respect for human rights; (5) foreign assistance should be provided directly to Nagorno-Karabakh through impartial international organizations; (6) the human rights provisions of the September 23, 1991, communique negotiated at Zheleznovodsk under the auspices of the Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan should be fulfilled without delay by the parties; and (7) the U.S. Government should support and encourage the objectives of this resolution by all appropriate means.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Religious Freedom Act of 1991 - Declares that the purposes of this Act include codifying the compelling interest test as set forth in Sherbert v. Verner and Wisconsin v. Yoder. Prohibits the Government from burdening the practice of religion by any person, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the burden is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means. Amends Federal law to allow the awarding of attorney's fees and other fees and expenses in actions under this Act. Applies this Act to all Federal and State law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Biomedical Research in Space Act of 1991 - Mandates establishment of: (1) a working group to coordinate space-based biomedical research; (2) microgravity biomedical research grants; and (3) graduate research fellowships. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a plan for joint biomedical research with the Soviet Union or its constituent republics. Provides for a national electronic data archive for space-based biomedical research data. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates an international telemedicine satellite consultation capability to support emergency medical services in disaster areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Government Securities Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to extend Federal securities rulemaking authority. Amends provisions with respect to: (1) market surveillance; (2) large trader reporting; (3) exempted securities regulation; (4) broker-dealer supervision; (5) sales practices; and (6) market information. Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the regulatory effectiveness of government securities brokers and dealers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Commends: (1) the people of Guam for their patriotism, bravery, loyalty to the United States, and many sacrifices during World War II, particularly during the invasion and occupation of the Guam territory; (2) the members of the Navy Insular Force and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for the efforts and sacrifices they made in defense of the U.S.; (3) the Hawaiians for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and (4) the Hawaii Territorial Guard members, Varsity Victory Volunteers, the civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and other Hawaiian military installations, 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during such attack.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act - Establishes the Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) review executive agency operations and existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Inspector General Reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste; and (3) submit to the President and the Congress a list of those recommendations with estimated savings that the Commission determines are most significant and recommendations for improving the budget process, management, and reducing waste and costs in the Government. Requires the Commission to identify, address, and to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Government that can be realized by executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and ought to be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; (6) specific areas in the Government where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (7) specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to the Government.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000556_200.jpg)