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![Official portrait of Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001247_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
1,421 records where Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a postage stamp should be issued to commemorate Anne Frank (victim of the Holocaust and author of "The Diary of Anne Frank").
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (the first recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded in World War II, and the only enlisted Marine in that war to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart).
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Mutual Funds Integrity and Fee Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require mutual funds to disclose specified costs in their periodic reports to shareholders. States that a disclosure shall not be considered to be made in an appropriate disclosure document if it is made exclusively in a prospectus or statement of additional information. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to require each investment adviser to a registered investment company to report at least annually to such company's board of directors regarding specified payments, services and research services. Imposes a fiduciary duty upon company boards of directors to: (1) supervise and determine that an investment adviser's direction of the company's brokerage transactions serves the best interests of company shareholders; (2) supervise revenue sharing arrangements to ensure compliance with this Act; and (3) determine that revenue sharing arrangements serve the best interests of company shareholders. Reduces from sixty percent to one-third the number of "interested persons" who may serve as board members of a registered company. Prohibits an "interested person" from serving as chairman of the board of a registered company. Revises accountant selection criteria to: (1) mandate accountant selection by the audit committee of a registered company; (2) confer direct responsibility upon the audit committee for appointment, compensation, and oversight of the independent public accountant employed to prepare or issue the audit report; (3) require such independent public accountant to report directly to the audit committee; and (4) require each audit committee member to be a member of the board of directors, and to otherwise be independent. Directs the SEC to study and report to specified congressional committees on the use of soft dollar arrangements by investment advisers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Congratulates the University of Central Florida Varsity Cheerleading Team on winning the 2003 Division 1-A College Cheerleading National Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Establishes a standard for access to care for veterans seeking care from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until the date on which a visit with a primary care provider is completed, or 30 days from the date on which the veteran is referred for specialty care until that date on which a visit with an appropriate specialty care provider is completed. Directs the Secretary to develop and disseminate an appropriate standard of waiting time between the time a veteran's visit is scheduled and the time the veteran is seen by the provider. Requires periodic review of the performance of Department facilities compared to that standard. Requires the Secretary, when unable to meet the standard for access to care, to furnish health care and services for that veteran in a non-Department facility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Social Security Earnings Limit Repeal Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained age 62 may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2003
Federal No Frills Prisons Act of 2003 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds to provide the following amenities or personal comforts in the Federal prison system: (1) in-cell television viewing; (2) viewing of a motion picture rated R, X, or NC-17; (3) instruction or training equipment for specified fighting arts, bodybuilding, or weightlifting; (4) an in-cell coffee pot, hot plate, or heating element; or (5) an electric or electronic musical instrument.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Postmasters Equity Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to authorize an organization (other than an organization representing supervisors) that represents at least 20 percent of certain postmasters to participate directly in the planning and development of pay policies and schedules, and fringe benefit programs, and other programs relating to supervisory and other managerial employees. Grants the postmasters and postmasters' organizations the same consultation and other rights afforded to supervisors and supervisors' organizations. Provides that if two or more postmasters' organizations exist such organizations shall: (1) be treated as if they constituted a single organization and in accordance with such arrangements as the organizations shall mutually agree to; and (2) in the case of any fact-finding panel convened by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service at the organizations' request, be jointly and severally liable for the cost of such panel, apart from the portion to be borne by the Service. States that for purposes of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council's membership: (1) each of such two or more postmasters' organizations shall be treated as a separate organization; and (2) any determination of the number of individuals represented by each of those respective organizations shall be made in a manner consistent with this Act's purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Reduction in Distribution of Spam Act of 2003 - Prohibits a person from initiating in interstate commerce the transmission of any unsolicited commercial electronic (UCE) mail message unless the message contains: (1) identification as an advertisement or solicitation; (2) notice of an opt-out opportunity, along with a mechanism for doing so; and (3) a valid physical street address of the vendor. Prohibits the transmission of UCE mail: (1) after valid objection; (2) with fraudulent header information; and (3) from illegally harvested email addresses. Provides a right of enforcement action for: (1) providers of Internet access service; (2) States on behalf of any of their residents; and (3) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Amends the Federal Criminal code to provide criminal penalties for: (1) falsifying the identify of an UCE mail sender; (2) failing to place warning labels on UCE mail containing sexually oriented material; (3) bulk email violations and repeat offenses; and (4) illegal harvesting of email addresses. Provides for enforcement of such penalties through actions by Internet service providers, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general. Requires the FTC to issue regulations to implement this Act. Requires the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission to report to Congress: (1) regarding the need to protect the rights of users of email to avoid receiving unwanted commercial email; and (2) a detailed analysis of the effectiveness and enforcement of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act - Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor to prepare and publish a monthly Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI) that indicates changes over time in expenditures for consumption which are typical for individuals aged 62 years or older. Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the use of such new CPI in the computation of cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits under such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Highway Funding Equity Act of 2003 - Revises Federal highway funding minimum guarantee provisions. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, for each of FY 2004 through 2009, to allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that: (1) the percentage for each State of the total apportionments for the fiscal year for the National Highway System (NHS), the high priority projects program, the Interstate maintenance program, the surface transportation program, metropolitan planning, the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program, the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, the recreational trails program, the Appalachian development highway system, and the basic minimum guarantee equals or exceeds 95 percent of the ratio that the estimated tax payments to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) attributable to highway users in the State bears to such payments attributable to highway users in all States (with a specified exception for any State having a population density of less than 50 individuals per square mile); and (2) when HTF allocations (other than from the Mass Transit Account, for such programs, emergency relief, and the discretionary minimum guarantee) for the fiscal year have been identified, the percentage for each State of all of those allocations for the fiscal year equals or exceeds the percentage that is equal to 95 percent of such tax payments ratio. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the programmatic distribution of NHS funds exceeding $2.8 billion; (2) the apportionment of the remainder of funds to the States; and (3) required adjustments where the sum of State percentages exceeds 100.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Emergency Immigration Workload Reduction and Homeland Security Enhancement Act of 2003 - Suspends the following immigration-related authorities: (1) the visa waiver program; (2) adjustment to permanent resident status; (3) renewal of temporary protected status; (4) the diversity immigrant visa program; and (5) certain family-related immigrant visa programs. Authorizes specified waiver authority. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a public listing of every alien subject to a final order of deportation for whom the appropriate country of return has refused or unreasonably delayed such action; and (2) that U.S. visa issuance be discontinued in a country which has 24 or more listed individuals. Sets forth conditions for waiver of such suspension and related provisions. Suspends authorities of the Secretary and the Secretary of State's to issue nonimmigrant visas. Directs the Secretary to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies for certain alien-related detention and removal costs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution, or State or Federal law from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain in recognition of his contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such medal and authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a judicial officer from declaring forfeited a bail bond for violation of specified collateral release conditions other than failing to appear in court. Makes forfeiture of a bail bond for violation of such collateral release conditions unavailable as a sanction. Amends rule 46 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide that if the defendant fails to appear physically before the court (currently, if there is a breach of condition of a bond), the district court shall declare a forfeiture of the bail.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction (increasing percentages with full deductibility as of 2008) for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer, spouse, and dependents and (2) long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows an income-adjusted (limited) credit for eligible individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth specified requirements for qualifying long-term care insurance contracts. Treats an exchange of qualified long-term care insurance contracts as a disposition of property for which no gain or loss is recognized.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Social Security Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Act to increase joint return base and adjusted base amount thresholds for purposes of determining the additional amount of social security or railroad retirement benefits includable in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1905 West Blue Heron Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Judge Edward Rodgers Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Ten Commandments Defense Act of 2003 - Declares the following : (1) that the power to display the Ten Commandments on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the powers reserved to the States respectively (under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution); (2) that the expression of religious faith by individual persons on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the rights secured (under the First Amendment) against laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion made or enforced by the Federal Government; and (3) that the expression of religious faith by individual persons on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the liberties of which no State shall deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Calls for the Government of the United Kingdom to enter into negotiations with the Government of Greece to facilitate the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece before the Olympics in 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2003
Pledge Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the first amendment of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in making any asthma-related grant to a State educational agency or a local educational agency, to give preference to any such agencies in States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication to treat that student's asthma or anaphylaxis. Expresses: (1) the sense of Congress regarding the strategies identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for addressing asthma within a coordinated school health program; and (2) the support of Congress for the goals and ideals of such strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law - Provides that: (1) whoever engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense; and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant (or accused) intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Prohibits imposition of the death penalty for an offense under this Act. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act - Permits the Director of the National Institutes of Health (the "Director" of NIH), acting through the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to expand and coordinate the activities of NIH with respect to research on paralysis. Allows the Director to award grants to public or nonprofit entities to fund Christopher Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia for paralysis research. Permits the Director to solicit public input regarding paralysis research programs. Allows the Director, acting through the Director of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development and the National Center for Rehabilitation Research and in collaboration with other agencies, to expand and coordinate the activities of NIH with respect to research with implications for enhancing daily function for persons with paralysis. Permits the Director to make grants to multicenter networks of clinical sites that will collaborate on rehabilitation intervention protocols. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to study the unique health challenges associated with paralysis and other physical disabilities to improve the quality of life and long-term health status of individuals with such conditions. Allows the Secretary to undertake direct research and to make grants. Provides for the formation of a national paralysis and physical disability quality of life plan and a hospital-based paralysis registry. Permits the Secretary to award grants to: (1) State and local health and disability agencies, including for the purpose of establishing paralysis registries; and (2) nonprofit private health and disability organizations, including for the purpose of disseminating information to the public. Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs centers for paralysis research, education, and clinical activities; and (2) carry out initiatives, through the award of grants, for quality enhancement of research on paralysis.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Charitable Giving Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable giving and charitable organizations to: (1) allow a deduction for a portion of charitable contributions to individuals who do not itemize; (2) allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions; (4) provide a special rule for charitable contributions of food inventory; (5) revise certain excise taxes related to private foundations; (6) modify the excise tax on unrelated business taxable income of charitable remainder trusts; (7) extend and expand the charitable contribution for scientific property used for research and for computer technology and equipment used for educational purposes; (8) adjust the basis of S corporation stock for certain charitable contributions; (9) suspend the tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations; (10) revise church tax inquiry provisions; (11) revise declaratory judgment remedy provisions relating to tax-exempt organizations; (12) exclude from gross income certain landowner initiatives programs to conserve endangered habitats or species; (13) repeal the grassroots expenditure limit for charitable organizations; and (14) set forth a private foundation's permitted holdings, including provisions relating to a corporation that is publicly traded and publicly controlled. Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to any private entity that operates a promising social services program (as defined by this Act). Amends the Assets for Independence Act to authorize appropriations for the assets for independence programs. Expresses the sense of Congress encouraging corporate contributions to faith-based organizations. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to include maternity group homes (as defined by this Act) within the program for transitional living youth projects for homeless youth. Authorizes FY 2003 and 2004 appropriations for such group homes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Calls for the Government of the United Kingdom to enter into negotiations with the Government of Greece to facilitate the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece before the Olympics in 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) the United Nations should immediately act to lift the economic sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolutions 661 and 687; and (2) UN member states should allow and encourage their nationals to trade with Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2003
Vendee Loan Restoration Act - Reinstates the minimum and maximum percentages of purchases during a fiscal year of real property acquired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as the result of a default on a guaranteed loan that may be financed by a loan made by the Secretary. Increases the maximum percentage to 85 (65 under provisions that expired after September 30, 1990).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins, which shall be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in America). Provides for a $35 per coin surcharge for the $5 dollar coins and $10 per coin for the $1 dollar coins. Directs that: (1) half of the surcharges be used to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown (to be paid to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation); and (2) half be used to sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown, to enhance national and international educational programs relating to Jamestown, to improve infrastructure and archeological research activities relating to Jamestown, and conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown (to be distributed by the Secretary in equal shares to the Secretary of the Interior, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation).
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1601-1 Main Street in Jacksonville, Florida, as the Eddie Mae Steward Post Office.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 440 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, Florida, as the Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy Post Office.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Condemns the brutal crackdown of the Cuban Government on its people. Calls on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to recognize the resolution recently passed by the House of Representatives condemning Cuba for its human rights atrocities. Condemns the member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council for renewing Cuba's membership on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2003
Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) the Government of Syria should immediately and unconditionally halt support for terrorism, permanently and openly declare its total renunciation of all forms of terrorism, and close all terrorist offices and facilities in Syria, including the offices of Hamas, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command; (2) the Government of Syria should take other specified steps to withdraw its armed forces from Lebanon, halt development of certain weapons, halt illegal imports and transshipments of Iraqi oil and illegal sales and supplies of weapons and military-related equipment to Iraq; (3) the Government of Lebanon should deploy the Lebanese armed forces to all areas of Lebanon, including South Lebanon, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 (September 17, 1982) (Security Council Resolution 520); (4) the Governments of Lebanon and Syria should enter into serious unconditional bilateral negotiations with the Government of Israel in order to realize a full and permanent peace; (5) the United States should continue to provide humanitarian and educational assistance to the people of Lebanon only through appropriate private, nongovernmental organizations and appropriate international organizations, until such time as the Government of Lebanon asserts sovereignty and control over all of its territory and borders and achieves full political independence; and (6) being in violation of several key United Nations Security Council resolutions and pursuing policies which undermine international peace and security, Syria should not have been permitted to join the United Nations Security Council or serve as the Security Council's President, and should be removed from the Security Council. Declares that it is U.S. policy: (1) Syria will be held responsible for attacks committed by Hizballah and other terrorist groups with offices or other facilities in Syria, or bases in areas of Lebanon occupied by Syria; (2) the United States shall impede Syria's ability to support acts of international terrorism and efforts to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction; (3) the Secretary of State will continue to list Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism until it ends support for terrorism, including its support of Hizballah and other terrorist groups in Lebanon and its hosting of terrorist groups in Damascus, and comes into full compliance with U.S. law relating to terrorism and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (September 28, 2001); (4) efforts against Hizballah will be expanded given the recognition that Hizballah is equally or more capable than al Qaeda; (5) the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity is in the U.S. national security interest; (6) Syria is in violation of Security Council Resolution 520 through its continued occupation of Lebanese territory and its encroachment upon its political independence; (7) Syria's obligation to withdraw from Lebanon is not conditioned upon progress in the Israeli-Syrian or Israeli-Lebanese peace process but derives from Syria's obligation under Security Council Resolution 520; (8) Syria's acquisition of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs threaten the security of the Middle East and U.S. national security interests; (9) Syria is in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 (August 6, 1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions through its continued purchase of oil from Iraq and shipments of weapons and other military equipment to Iraq; (10) Syria will be held accountable for any harm to Coalition armed forces of Operation Iraqi Freedom caused by shipments of military supplies from Syria to Iraq; and (11) the United States will not provide any assistance to Syria and will oppose multilateral assistance for Syria until Syria withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon, halts the development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction and medium and long range surface to surface ballistic missiles, and complies with Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions. Sets forth the following penalties against Syria until the President determines and certifies to Congress that Syria meets the requirements of this Act. Directs the President to prohibit the export to Syria of any item, including the issuance of an export license, on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations. Requires the President, at the same time, to impose two or more of the following sanctions: (1) prohibit the export to Syria of U.S. products (other than food and medicine); (2) prohibit U.S. businesses from investing or operating in Syria; (3) restrict Syrian diplomats in Washington, D.C., and at the United Nations in New York City, to travel only within a 25-mile radius of Washington, D.C., or the United Nations headquarters building, respectively; (4) prohibit aircraft of any air carrier owned or controlled by Syria to take off from, land in, or overfly the United States; (5) reduce U.S. diplomatic contacts with Syria (other than those required to protect U.S. interests or carry out the purposes of this Act); and (6) block transactions in any property in which the Government of Syria has any interest, by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions for one or more six-month periods if the President determines that it is in the vital national security interest of the United States to do so and reports his reasons to Congress. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 if he certifies to Congress that: (1) Syria meets the requirements of this Act; (2) substantial progress has been made both in negotiations aimed at achieving a peace agreement between Israel and Syria and in negotiations aimed at achieving a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and (3) the Government of Syria is strictly respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon through the Lebanese army throughout Lebanon, as required under Security Council Resolution 520. Requires annual reports to the appropriate congressional committees on Syria's progress in complying with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2003
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce, through December 31, 2006, the duty on certain articles of natural cork.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the ten percent penalty on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans, withdrawals made by military reservists or national guardsmen called to active duty for a period in excess of 179 days or for an indefinite period. Permits reimbursement of such withdrawals within two years after the end of the active duty period. Applies the provisions of this Act to individuals ordered or called to active duty after September 11, 2001, and before September 12, 2005, for retirement plan distributions made after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2003 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation. Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation to Dr. Dorothy Height (President of the National Council of Negro Women) of a congressional gold medal in recognition of her many contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Truth in Employment Act of 2003 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices by employers shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who seeks or has sought employment with the employer in furtherance of other employment or agency status.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Remove Tax Barriers for Entrepreneurs Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the 60-month minimum period for capitalization of start-up expenditures and amortization of organizational expenditures, thus allowing the immediate deduction of such expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Pension Preservation and Savings Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Social Security Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Retirement Protection Act of 1994 to revise various pension and retirement provisions, including provisions affecting: (1) pension portability; (2) retirement plan participation and coverage; (3) IRAs; (4) defined benefit plans; (5) retirement plan contribution and distribution rules; (6) retirement plans of tax-exempt organizations and plans for government employees; (7) stock options; and (8) retiree health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Armed Forces Citizenship Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act respecting naturalization through service in the armed forces to: (1) eliminate the three-year service requirement; (2) prohibit the imposition of a naturalization fee; (3) provide for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces; and (4) provide for revocation of citizenship for separation from military service under other than honorable conditions (such ground for revocation shall be in addition to any other provided by law).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2003 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2007 the authorization of appropriations for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program (a matching grant program which helps State, tribal, and local jurisdictions purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act - Repeals, as of the later of October 1, 2003, or the date of enactment of this Act, certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Provides for the recoupment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security, and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Declares the sense of Congress about historic locations specifically set apart for religious purposes (holy sites). Declares that: (1) holy sites around the world, particularly in the Israeli and Palestinian region, should be protected from desecration and any other violation; (2) the freedom of access of members of the various religions to the holy sites sacred to them should not be hindered; (3) to assure the safety of American citizens, the holy sites currently under the sovereignty of the State of Israel should remain under Israeli protection, and that all holy sites in the region remain open to visitors of all faiths; (4) the Department of State should continue to warn and protect Americans overseas at holy sites and regions of historical and religious significance; and (5) we should condemn all violence directed against holy sites.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2003, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Special Operations Warrior Foundation Charter Act - Grants a Federal charter to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Inc. (a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia).
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that a request for the granting of posthumous citizenship to a member of the armed forces who died from an active service-related injury or disease incurred during a period of military hostilities shall be filed on behalf of that person by the Secretary of Defense with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security immediately upon the death of that person. (Current law provides for such filing by the next-of-kin or other representative.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act of 2003 - TEACH Act of 2003 - Authorizes additional appropriations for: (1) training of special education teachers with expertise in autism spectrum disorders (ASD); and (2) improving results for children with ASD, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to carry out a student loan forgiveness program of assuming the obligation to repay up to specified amounts of certain loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for borrowers who are employed as full-time special education teachers of children with ASD for three consecutive complete school years. Provides for additional amounts to be repaid at the end of each of the next two additional consecutive years of such employment, up to a total maximum amount. Amends IDEA to require local educational agencies receiving IDEA assistance to report on autism early intervention activities. Directs the Secretary: (1) acting through the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to establish and provide administrative support for a task force on ASD; (2) with the Secretary of Labor to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of Federal vocational training programs in providing appropriate assistance to individuals with ASD; and (3) to make grants to each State that establishes and operates at least one State autism ombudsman office.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income all compensation received for active service as a member of the United States armed forces, not including pensions and retirement pay. (Terminates the current limited exclusion from gross income of combat pay.)