United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends rule XVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to apply the ten minutes of debate rules to a motion to recommit with instructions on the adoption of a simple resolution or conference report after the previous question has been ordered.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Homeowners Tax Relief Act - Allows a homeowner to depreciate the investment in his home in the same manner as residential property held for rental purposes is depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code. Imposes a tax deduction limitation of $1,500 annually. Provides that, if the taxpayer elects to depreciate his home, his tax basis will be decreased accordingly. Provides that the taxpayer who owns shares in a cooperative housing corporation will have similar depreciation tax relief as proposed for the individual home owner. Enables the taxpayer to deduct under the Internal Revenue Code up to $1,000 for amounts spent for maintenance of property. Enables a taxpayer to deduct as a capital loss, his economic loss on the sale of his home to the extent it does not exceed $5,000. Raises the non-recognition limitation for the sale of a home by persons 65 and over from $35,000 to $40,000. Provides a taxpayer 65 years of age or older with a $1,000 tax deduction if he has a life interest in a retirement home which represents an investment of at least $5,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Older Americans' Tax Savings Act - Allows a reimbursement under the Internal Revenue Code for property taxes to persons 65 and over. Limits such reimbursement to the lesser of $480, or the property taxes accrued, and to claimant whose household income is lower than $5,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Terminates all price-support programs for tobacco beginning with the 1978 crop. Prohibits the payment of any export subsidy to any person under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480 - Food for Peace) for the export of tobacco to any foreign country after December 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits persons over the age of 65 years from taking office as a Member of Congress or continuing in office as a judge or magistrate in a lower court or as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits. Applies these amendments to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 415(g), adds 38 U.S.C. 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Creates a House select committee which shall conduct an investigation of all records, memorandums, papers, documents, books, and other information of any standing or select committee of the House or officer of the House respecting expenses incurred by or on behalf of any such committee or its members or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone until model year 1982 motor vehicle emission standards which require a 90 percent reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Established the following interim emission standards for such pollutants: (1) for model years 1977 through 1979, 1.5 grams per vehicle mile for hydrocarbons and 15 grams per vehicle mile of carbon monoxide; and (2) for model years 1980 and 1981, 0.9 grams per vehicle mile of hydrocarbons and 9 grams per vehicle mile of carbon monoxide. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 gram per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish such standards as appropriated for future model years. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Imposes limits on the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies on 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emission of sulfur-bearing compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial procedures to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies on proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate United States court of Appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for depreciation on capital expenditures incurred in connecting a sewage line from the taxpayer's residence to a municipal sewage system.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for a percentage of the amounts paid by the taxpayer in acquiring recycled solid waste materials for manufacture by the taxpayer into useful raw materials on salable products. Provides an amortization deduction with respect to the amortizable base of any solid waste recycling facility based on a 60 month period.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Guaranteed Post-Secondary Education for Americans Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a refundable income credit for specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent. Limits the credit to 80 percent of the first $500 for any individual, 60 percent of the next $500, and 40 percent of the next $1,250.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual income tax rates. Allows a credit against the income tax up to $1,000, for ten percent of the increase in the total savings deposits and investments since the end of the previous year. Allows a limited income tax deduction by certain domestic corporations for dividends paid. Limits corporate deductions for dividends received from foreign corporations. Repeals corporate deductions for other dividends received. Allows the taxpayer to take a deduction for specified percentages of the acquisition costs of certain types of property, with a corresponding reduction in basis, in lieu of a depreciation deduction. Doubles the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the deportation of any alien who receives public assistance benefits within three years after entering the United States or becomes a public charge within five years of such entry from causes not affirmatively shown to have arisen after entry.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Adds Rule XLV to the Rules of the House of Representatives, allowing continuous television and radio coverage of House floor proceedings. Makes the Speaker responsible for the implementation of this Rule. Establishes a Broadcast Advisory Board to assist the Speaker. Makes it the general responsibility of the Clerk to make provision for such coverage. Stipulates that this Rule shall not apply with respect to joint sessions of the House and Senate. Provides all television and radio broadcasting stations, networks, services and systems in the United States and its territories with access to all of the live coverage of the proceedings of the House. Restricts use of coverage to legitimate news or research purposes. Stipulates that broadcast shall be presented without commercial sponsorship. Prohibits coverage provided under this Rule from use as partisan political campaign material.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a roll call vote on demand of any committee member on any question before the committee and on every motion to report any bill or resolution of a public character.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House to require that all committee meetings, including meetings for the mark-up of legislation, shall be open to the public, except when the committee determines in open session by roll call vote that the disclosure of the matter to be considered would endanger national security or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct that it shall not be in order to entertain a motion to suspend the rules to consider any measure or matter unless the committee having jurisdiction over the measure or matter, by roll call vote, a majority being actually present, authorizes consideration of the measure or matter under a suspension of the rules, or if a written request has been filed with the Speaker by the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee having jurisdiction over the measure or matter, asking for its consideration under a suspension of the rules.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that an accurate account of words actually spoken on the floor of the House, together with permitted supporting data be printed in the Congressional Record. Limits revisions of verbatim remarks in the Record to the correction of grammatical and typographical errors which do not change the meaning, content, or substance of those remarks. Entitles Members to insert in the Record remarks not actually delivered on the floor. Stipulates that such insertions always be clearly distinguishable from words actually spoken on the floor.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that, insofar as applicable, the House rules which apply to standing committees shall also apply to any select, special, or ad hoc committee, commission, or other entity established by the House.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that records of committee actions be made available for public inspection except for information which would endanger national security or would violate any rule of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to limit all standing committees with more than 20 employees, except the Committee on Appropriations, to no more than six subcommittees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to permit the House, by appropriate resolution, to direct the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to undertake an investigation of alleged misconduct on the part of any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Requires the committee to file a written report on its findings and recommendations whenever it has undertaken an investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Directs that no repayment of advances made under title XII (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) of the Social Security Act to the unemployment account of the State of Michigan which were outstanding on November 15, 1976 shall be required.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1977
Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sunset Act - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services,general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires Executive Department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Motor Vehicle Tax Repeal Act - Repeals the excise tax on trucks, buses, and tractors and parts accessories for such vehicles. Provides for the refund or credit of such taxes paid by the manufacturer, producer, or importer on items sold after January 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated under such Act to $6,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning October 3, 1976, and ending October 9, 1976, as "National Gifted Children Week."
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 1976
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to extend the authority granted by such Act to September 30, 1977. Increases the fine for violations of such Act to $25,000 for the first offense and to $50,000 for a subsequent offense. Increases the fine for prohibited exports to Communist-dominated nations to $50,000. Increases the civil penalty for such violation of such Act to $10,000. Permits suspension of the payment of export licensing penalties for a probationary period. Requires that appropriations to carry out the Export Administration Act of 1969 be specifically authorized by Congress for each fiscal year after October 1, 1977. Eliminates authority for Presidential removal of unilateral export controls and assignment of priority to such controls by the Secretary of Commerce. Revises the authority of the President to impose export controls for national security purposes without regard to the availability of such articles from sources other than the United States in order to require the President to predicate the imposition of controls on articles available from other sources upon a determination that absence of such a control would be detrimental to the national security of the United States. Requires the President to include, in semiannual reports to Congress, the nature of the evidence of such detriment. Specifies that any export license application under such Act shall be deemed approved within 90 days of its receipt unless disapproved or unless the applicant is notified that additional time is required for the decision. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to stipulate that such Act shall not be construed as authority for withholding information from Congress. Sets forth confidentiality standards for information acquired under such Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to account for technical assistance and technical advisory committees in semiannual reports to Congress under such Act. Requires the Secretary to review regulations under such Act in order to report to Congress on simplification of such regulations. Revises the policy for control of exports for national security purposes under such Act to redefine "controlled country" as a country to which exports are restricted for national security or foreign policy purposes, rather than as a Communist country. Repeals the requirement that all United States foreign military, economic, and financial assistance be terminated when the President determines that the recipient country is not effectively cooperating with the United States pursuant to the policy that export of commodities to nations threatening the security of the United States (including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and all countries under its domination) be regulated. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to require persons agreeing to transfer technical data or other information to any controlled country to furnish information with respect to such agreement to the Secretary of Commerce, under regulations promulgated to monitor the effects of such transfers. Directs the Secretary to study technical data exports and their effects upon the national security or foreign policy of the United States, and to submit a report of such study to Congress. Amends the requirements for reports to Congress and to the President under such Act by appropriate departments or agencies to specify information to be included in such reports and to require semiannual rather than quarterly reports. Requires a special report to Congress by the President on multilateral export controls. Revises the policy of the United States with respect to boycotts by foreign countries against nations friendly to the United States to require domestic exporting concerns to refuse to support such boycotts, under the Export Administration Act of 1969. Requires any United States person receiving a request for such support to report such request to the Secretary of Commerce. Prohibits support of such boycott by any United States person and specifies actions which shall be considered indicative of such support, under the Export Administration Act of 1969. Permits any United States person aggrieved by violation of such prohibitions to bring a civil action in a United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, for treble damages, attorney's fees, and costs, under such Act. Amends such Act to exclude petroleum products refined in United States Foreign-Trade Zones from foreign crude oil export controls to prevent excessive drain of scarce materials and to reduce the inflationary impact of abnormal foreign demand, except if the Secretary of Commerce finds that such products are in short supply and issues regulations herein authorized to limit such exports. Amends such Act to permit agricultural commodities purchased by or for a foreign country to remain in the United States free of quantitative limitations on exports relating to domestic supply and inflationary impact, upon approval by the Scretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and under regulations for such export which the Secretary of Commerce is herein authorized to issue. Prohibits the use of funds authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the construction of, operation of, maintenance of, or the supply of fuel for, any nuclear powerplant under an agreement for cooperation between the United States and any other country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Georgi Vins should be released from imprisonment and that the Government of the Soviet Union should allow him and all other religious believers within its borders to worship God freely, as the Soviet Union is committed to do by the provisions of its constitution and by the provisions of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1976
Condemns North Korea for its continued acts of treachery culminating in the axe murders of two American officers and the wounding of five others. Directs the Speaker of the House to make known the regrets of the House to the wives and children and other survivors of Major Bonifas and Lieutenant Barrett.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Condemns the Soviet Union's failure to observe the spirit of existing international conventions to which it is a party, especially the restriction respecting the delivery of parcels.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Eliminates the requirement, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that new drugs be regulated according to their effectiveness. States that such drugs be regulated solely to assure their safety.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Equal Access to Courts Act - Sets forth the findings of Congress that serious inequities exist between the Federal Government and individuals, companies, unions, other organizations, and State and local governments in terms of the ability with which each is able, without economic hardship, to prevail in the courts and administrative proceedings. Requires that court costs and expenses for witnesses be awarded to the prevailing party, other than the United States, in any civil action brought by or against the United States to the extent that such party prevails. Permits such judgment to a nonprevailing party in such an action in the interest of justice. Requires award of reasonable attorney's fees in such action or Federal agency proceeding if judgment is rendered, or settlement, award, compromise, or recommendation is made in favor of any party other than the United States, after the United States or the Federal agency is notified that a party has retained a specified attorney. Requires that specified costs and expenses be awarded to a party, other than the United States, in a Federal agency proceeding when such party is successful in a defense against imposition of a sanction, or issuance of an order affecting the freedom or property of such party. Requires compensation for reasonable attorney's fees and costs of defense against a charge at trial and on any appeals of a defendant in a criminal case if such defendant: (1) pleads and is found not guilty; (2) the charge is dismissed; or (3) a finding of guilty is set aside on appeal. Sets forth the procedures for payment of such compensation. Stipulates that such compensation in civil actions or Federal agency proceedings shall be in addition to the compensation, if any, awarded in any judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1977 to carry out the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the United States and Spain, January 24, 1976, including $15,000,000 for military assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $7,000,000 for security supporting assistance under such Act, $2,000,000 for international military education and training under such Act, and $12,000,000 for guaranties under the Foreign Military Sales Act. Declares such assistance exempt from restrictions upon grants to an economically developed nation capable of sustaining its own defense burden and economic growth, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Stipulates the scope and policy with respect to such Treaty. Directs that the United States contribution toward modernization and maintenance of the aircraft control and warning network in Spain be financed from Department of Defense appropriations. Authorizes the President to apply the proceeds from the lease of aircraft to Spain to the purchase of aircraft for such country, notwithstanding restrictions regarding the application of such proceeds.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1976
Provides for the deportation of any alien who receives welfare benefits within three years after his or her entry into the United States or who within five years of such entry becomes a public charge from causes not affirmatively shown to have arisen after entry.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that whenever an employer's failure to comply with any provision of that Act or any State requirement relating to industrial safety causes or contributes to an accident resulting in bodily injury, no provision of any workers' compensation law or similar statute shall be construed to bar an action at law for contribution, indemnification, or other relief against the employer by a person alleged liable for such injury.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to permit a majority of the House to direct the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate complaints or resolutions involving alleged misconduct if the committee fails to undertake an investigation within 15 legislative days after the receipt of such complaint or referral of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1976
Creates a House select committee which shall conduct an investigation of all records, memorandums, papers, documents, books, and other information of any standing or select committee of the House or officer of the House respecting expenses incurred by or on behalf of any such committee or its members or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1976
Condemns the Soviet Union's failure to observe existing international conventions to which it is a party, especially the restriction respecting the delivery of parcels.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1976
Agenda for Government Reform Act - Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the effects of Federal agency activity upon: (1) the transportation and agriculture industries by January 31, 1978; (2) the mining, heavy manufacturing, and public utilities industries by January 31, 1979; (3) the light manufacturing and construction industries by January 31, 1980; and (4) the communications, finance, insurance, real estate, trade, and service industries by January 31, 1981. Requires that such report include a determination of whether any such agency activity has fulfilled its purposes, whether it is duplicative or conflicts with other agency activity, and whether the benefits of such activity exceed its costs. Directs the President to present in such report his recommendation for reform. States that the Congressional committee to which a proposal made by the President is referred must report to its respective House a bill approving or disapproving, in whole or in part, such proposal. Provides that if such a bill has not been reported by November 15 next following the submission of such report, the President's proposal shall become the pending order of business in both Houses and remain so until acted upon.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1976
Provides that funds shall not be expended from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives for allowances to Members, officers, or standing committees of the House except through the adoption of a resolution by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1976
Sets the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress and the Vice President at the rate in effect on September 30, 1975. Removes the authority of the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries to review salaries of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1976
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning on November 7, 1976, as "National Respiratory Therapy Week".
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1976
National Diabetes Advisory Board Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a National Diabetes Advisory Board to insure the implementation of the long-range plan formulated by the National Commission on Diabetes to combat diabetes. Specifies seven Federal health officers as members of the Board, in addition to seven health professionals and five members of the general public to be appointed by the Secretary. Makes provision for staffing and compensation. Authorizes the Board to enter into contracts or other arrangements, or to take such other action as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Authorizes the Board to engage in and sponsor activities, collect data, and provide technical assistance as it deems necessary and advisable in the performance of its functions. Requires the Board to submit simultaneously to the President and Congress an Annual Diabetes Report describing Board activities in the prior year and progress made in diabetes research, treatment, and education with specific reference to the long-range plan to combat diabetes mellitus and suggesting recommended future expenditures and legislation. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for fiscal year 1976 and such sums as are necessary for each of the four fiscal years thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary to make distinguished scientist awards to individual scientists who have shown continuous and outstanding productivity in diabetes research for the purpose of continuing such research. Limits the amount of each grant to no more than $35,000 per year. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for the purpose of making such grants in fiscal years 1976-1980. Authorizes, under the Public Health Service Act, the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1977-1981 for the purpose of making grants to centers for research and training in diabetes mellitus and related endocrine and metabolic disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1976
Amends Rule X of the House of Representatives to transfer jurisdiction over Federal impact aid programs from the Committee on Education and Labor to the Committee on Ways and Means.
![Official portrait of Rep. Broomfield, William S. [R-MI-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000890_200.jpg)