United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Urban Trees Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants, on a matching basis, to the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam in order to provide financial assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs. Defines "arboriculture" as the planting, growing, maintenance, and protection of trees and shrubs. Authorizes appropriations of up to $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out such grant program. Requires that grants under this Act be made in accordance with an urban arboriculture plan for the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees agreed upon in advance by the Secretary and the State forester or other appropriate official. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
National Condominium and Tenants Rights Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of the Act, including to establish minimum national standards governing the sale, ownership, conversion to, and extension of credit for condominiums. States that no condominium housing loan shall be made: (1) to any developer unless the creditor received a written property statement containing specified names, addresses, legal descriptions, costs and assurances; or (2) to any prospective purchaser unless the same written property statement has been submitted to such purchaser 21 days prior to any legally obligating document's execution. Provides similar protection for tenants in cases of condominium conversions. Prohibits discrimination against condominium-unit purchasers in the extension of credit on the basis of age, sex, marital status, religion, race, or national origin. Provides for the designation of an Assistant Secretary for Condominiums in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and enumerates the duties to be performed. Requires each creditor subject to the provisions of this Act to file an annual report with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development showing the extent of compliance with the provisions of this Act. Creates a civil remedy against creditors by persons discriminated against in violation of this Act. States that any developer or creditor who violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $15,000 for each violation. Empowers the Secretary to encourage and make grants to State and local governments to help establish offices to administer and enforce State and local requirements with respect to condominiums. Enumerates the requirements to be met by any plan for the protection of purchasers of condominium units and those displaced by conversion to such units prior to the making of any grants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorization of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to delineate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the application of the Tax Reform Act's elimination of the sick pay exclusion for persons who have not retired on total disability, to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a specified number of additional district judges to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act by removing the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Requires that whoever uses or carries a firearm during the commission of a Federal felony, or whoever is convicted by a State court of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and used or carried a firearm transported in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce during the commission of such crime shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such crime, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than ten years. Requires in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years, or to life imprisonment. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of any term of imprisonment under this Act (1) may not be suspended, (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include probation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Diplomatic Immunities Act - Deems void any suit or judicial or administrative process against a person or the property of a person entitled to immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Makes Presidential determinations of entitlement to immunity binding upon governmental authorities. Requires the President to publish a list of missions and personnel entitled to such immunity. Repeals the criminal penalties for wrongful suit against an immune person. Repeals exceptions to suits against servants in the service of personnel of a foreign mission. Repeals the present criteria for determining eligibility for immunity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 nor more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that a general or blanket amnesty or pardon for persons who committed draft or military absence offenses during our Nation's military involvement in Vietnam would represent a breach of faith with those who served honorably, particularly our honored war dead and their survivors, and should not be issued or granted by the President of these United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Condemns terrorist activities. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives: (1) that terrorists should be punished; (2) that the release of Abu Daoud by France was premature and unjustified; and (3) that such release should be condemned.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Establishes the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to review problems of narcotics abuse including enforcement, international trafficking, organized crime, and the approach of the criminal law system to narcotics law violations. Requires the Committee to report its findings annually to the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Provides for the payment of pensions of $200 per month to World War I veterans. Entitles such veterans who are in need of regular aid and attendance to an additional $100 monthly, or $35 monthly if such veteran is permanently housebound. Increases the amount of such pension by ten percent for each such veteran who served overseas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for amounts paid by the taxpayer to an eligible educational institution for tuition for the attendance of the taxpayer or any eligible dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Expresses the objection of Congress to the sale to Saudi Arabia of defense articles and services as described in the statement submitted by the President on September 1, 1976 (transmittal numbered 7T-39).
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Expresses the objection of Congress to the sale of Saudi Arabia of defense articles and services as described in the statement submitted by the President on September 1, 1976 (transmittal numbered 7-T-15).
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Expresses the objection of Congress to the sale to Saudi Arabia of defense articles and services as described in the statement submitted by the President on September 1, 1976 (transmittal numbered 7-T-21).
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 · 25 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 · 25 August 1976
Directs the House Committee on Armed Services to make a study of the murder by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement. Requires the committee to transmit a report to the House containing a statement of the findings of the committee no later than January 3, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take such steps as may be necessary to place the threat to the peace created by the murder of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement, on the agenda of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Authorizes the expenditure of $111,667 by the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control for inquiries and investigations from March 1, 1976, through February 28, 1977. Allocates $7,500 to be expended for the procurement of consultant services. Requires the chairman of the Committee to furnish the Committee on House Administration information with respect to any study or investigation intended to be financed from such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President shall submit a full report to Congress on fundamental human rights and cultural freedoms in Romania with special emphasis on the national minorities, showing concrete measures taken to ameliorate their situation by the Romanian Government. Directs that should no ameliorative measures occur, it is the sense of the House that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation treatment of the Socialist Republic of Romania shall not be extended.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Designates the following trails for study as potential additions to the national trails system: (1) Bartram Trail, extending through Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee; (2) Daniel Boone Trail, extending through North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky; (3) Desert Trail, extending through Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona; (4) Dominguez-Escalante Trail, extending through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona; (5) Florida Trail; (6) Indian Nations Trail, Oklahoma; (7) Nez Perce Trail, extending through Oregon, Idaho, and Montana; and (8) Pacific Northwest Trail, extending through Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Commends the government and commando units of Israel for the rescue mission at Entebbe Airport. Disapproves efforts being undertaken by certain nations to condemn or censure Israel for such mission. Supports the United States-United Kingdom position at the United Nations condemning all acts of terrorism. Requests the President to engage in the negotiation of agreements with other nations to help prevent acts of terrorism.
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 · 27 July 1976
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1977 of $150,000 under the Indian Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, $1,200,000 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and $632,000 under the Adult Education Act for the continuation of specified grants authorized under those Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 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 · 23 June 1976
Establishes in the House of Representatives a select committee to be known as the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. Provides that the select committee shall conduct a continuing comprehensive study and review of the problems of narcotics abuse and control and shall review any recommendations made by the President, or by any department or agency of the executive branch of the Federal Government, relating to programs or policies affecting narcotics abuse or control. Authorizes the select committee to conduct field investigations or inspections. Requires the select committee to submit an annual report to the House which shall include a summary of the activities of the select committee during the calendar year to which such report applies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1976
Increases the estate tax exemption for taxable estates under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $200,000 of the value of the gross estate. Increases the limitation on the aggregate marital deduction to 50 percent of the adjusted gross value of the estate, plus $100,000. Allows an executor to value farmland, woodland, and scenic open land at its current use value rather than at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1976
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is to low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensatory. Grants the Commission jurisdiction to approve the acquisition of control by a domestic common carrier of any other domestic common carrier or to approve the acquisition by a person which is not a common carrier of control of any domestic common carrier or the acquisition of the whole or any part of the property of a domestic common carrier after determining that the acquisition is in the public interest. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station license, or certificate, for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1976
Amends the Medicare program of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for specified diagnostic tests and physical examinations given for the detection of breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Jobs Creation Act - Allows as a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code an amount equal to ten percent of the increase in the total amount of qualified savings deposits and investments of an individual. Stipulates that such credit shall not exceed $1,000. Increases the maximum tax deduction for retirement savings to $2,000. Excludes from gross income amounts received by an individual as dividends from domestic corporations. Allows a taxpayer to exclude from gross income up to $1,000 of gain from the sale or exchange of securities. Allows the nonrecognition of gain from the sale or exchange of qualified small business property, at the election of the taxpayer, to the extent that the amount realized on such sale or exchange is reinvested in qualified small business property by the taxpayer during the reinvestment period beginning one year before the date of the sale or exchange and ending one year after such date. Allows the executor of an estate which includes an interest in a qualified closely held business which exceeds either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the value of the taxable estate, but is less than $300,000 to elect: (1) to pay the estate tax in up to 20 equal annual installments (presently ten); and (2) to defer the payment of the first installment until five years after the filing of the return. Reduces the corporate normal tax rate to 20 percent. Reduces the corporate surtax rate to 22 percent. Increases the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000. Revises the procedure for the determination of the investment credit to provide graduated rates of 25 percent of the qualified investment to the extent that the qualified investment does not exceed $25,000; 20 percent of the qualified investment to the extent that the qualified investment exceeds $25,000 and does not exceed $50,000; plus 15 percent of the qualified investment to the extent that qualified investment exceeds $50,000. Increases the allowable percentage variation from any class life prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury to 40 percent. Allows a taxpayer to elect to take a tax deduction for a capital recovery allowance on qualified tangible property in lieu of the depreciation allowance. Allows a taxpayer to elect a 12-month amortization period for pollution control facilities. Increases the exemption for specified small issues of industrial revenue bonds which allows the exclusion from gross income of investment received on such bonds to the extent that the bond issue does not exceed $10,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1976
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sale to Egypt of six C-130 aircraft as described in the statement submitted by the President to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on March 25, 1976 (transmittal number 76-47).
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from changing the nature of postal services provided by any post office unless such change is approved in an election by persons regularly using such facility.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Authorizes and requests the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the first week of May of each year as "Clean Air Week," and inviting the Governors and Mayors of State and local governments to issue similar proclamations. Requests the President to consider including in such a proclamation an invitation calling upon the communications media and all organizations and individuals concerned with programs to improve the quality of the atmosphere to participate in "Clean Air Week."
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1976
Names the Veterans' Administration hospital located at 13000 North Thirtieth Street, Tampa, Florida, the "James A. Haley Veterans' Administration Hospital."
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 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 · 19 January 1976
Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives that: the Government of the United States should maintain and protect its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the canal and zone, and should in no way cede, dilute, forfeit, negotiate, or transfer any of these sovereign rights, power, authority, jurisdiction, territory, or property that are indispensably necessary for the protection and security of the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere; there be no relinguishment or surrender of any presently vested United States sovereign right, power, or authority or property, tangible or intangible, except by treaty authorized by the Congress and duly ratified by the United States; and there be no recession to Panama, or other divestiture of any United States- owned property, tangible or intangible, without prior authorization by the Congress (House and Senate), as provided in article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the United States Constitution.
![Official portrait of Rep. Burke, J. Herbert [R-FL-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001091_200.jpg)