United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1988
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1988 through 1990 soybean support prices at $5.02 per bushel. (Currently such levels are a minimum of $4.50 per bushel for 1988 through 1990.) Requires (current law authorizes) soybean loan repayment at the lesser of prevailing world prices or the crop loan level. States that if producers of any crop are permitted to repay loans at less than the crop's loan level, cottonseed and sunflower seed prices shall be supported at traditional soybean-based levels.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the required application of uniform inventory cost capitalization rules any plant or animal produced by a taxpayer in a farming business, regardless of the product's preproductive period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1988
Designates a United States Post Office building located at 500 West Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, Missouri, as the Gene Taylor Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the required application of uniform inventory cost capitalization rules any animal produced in a farming business, regardless of the animal's preproductive period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988 - Title I: Child Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it illegal to use a computer to transport information in interstate or foreign commerce concerning the visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (child pornography). Establishes criminal penalties for buying, selling, or transferring the custody of a minor: (1) knowing that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the minor will be used in child pornography; or (2) with the intent to promote child pornography. States that such sale or transfer must involve: (1) the minor or other actor traveling in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) communications in interstate or foreign commerce; or (3) conduct in a territory or possession of the United States. Requires any person who produces a book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct (which is shipped or intended for shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, or contains material shipped in interstate or foreign commerce) to maintain certain records regarding the performers portrayed in such conduct. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations regarding the maintenance and availability of such records. Includes the sexual exploitation of children as a predicate offense to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. Title II: Obscenity - Makes it a Federal criminal offense to receive or possess, with the intent to distribute, obscene matter which has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Makes it a Federal criminal offense to knowingly use a facility or means of commerce to sell or distribute obscene matter in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes a rebuttable presumption, with respect to Federal criminal offenses involving obscene matter, that obscene matter produced in one State (or outside the United States) which is subsequently located in another State (or in the United States) was transported, shipped, or carried in interstate (or foreign) commerce. Establishes criminal and civil forfeiture procedures with respect to Federal offenses involving obscene material and child pornography. Includes communications by means of cable or subscription television within the prohibition against broadcasting obscene language. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the penalty provisions of such Act with respect to obscene telephone communications. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for the possession or sale of obscene matter on Federal property. Adds obscenity offenses to the list of crimes for which the Government may obtain wiretaps.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1988
Guaranteed Student Loan Default Reduction Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise guaranteed student loan program provisions to authorize the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to limit, suspend, or terminate an institution's eligibility for such program unless it enters into and complies with a default reduction agreement (the agreement) containing specified provisions the Secretary deems necessary. Allows the agreement to require the institution to: (1) pay a supplemental insurance premium; (2) delay certification of a student's loan eligibility until he or she has completed at least one month of attendance; (3) obtain specified information from the student; (4) submit monthly reviews and reports to guaranty agencies on students who have left for reasons other than graduation; (5) provide students in-school and exit counseling on loan obligations; (6) provide students notification and certain information during the grace period before repayment; and (7) pay the Government costs of administering such agreement. Sets the applicable maximum default rate at 25 percent, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary to annually publish data on the default rates of eligible institutions, eligible lenders, and guaranty agencies. Requires lenders to seek preclaims assistance from the guarantor within 90 days after any loan becomes delinquent. Requires the guaranty agency to notify the eligible institution of the performance of pre-claims assistance with respect to borrowers who received loans while attending such institution. Requires the institution to verify the accuracy of the information in such notice. Requires the holder of the loan to notify the eligible institution promptly if the student fails to make the first loan payment within 60 days after it is due and to send the institution a copy of the final demand letter sent to the borrower. Requires the lender to notify the eligible institution of any sale or other transfer of loans made to its students to any other holder, and that holder's address. Authorizes the Secretary, in approving or disapproving an accrediting agency for certain purposes, to take into account the extent to which such agency: (1) reviews the academic programs and performance of institutions whose default rates exceed 25 percent; and (2) performs annual inspections and program reviews of such institutions with particular attention to dropout rates and job placement rates as indicators of inadequate counseling and instructional programs and causes of such default rates. Authorizes guaranty agencies to require eligible institutions to submit information on student admissions policies, student withdrawal and dropout rates, and student placement rates. Directs the Secretary to promulgate guidelines for eligible institutions to encourage student loan repayment. Requires such guidelines to: (1) delineate legal requirements relating to disclosure of borrower records to third parties, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and other applicable Federal law; and (2) include a model program, with sample letters and telephone scripts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels. Prohibits imposition of the tax on the sale of these fuels to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale to a second purchaser) for use on a farm for farming purposes or for any other use not as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle or train. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1987
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that during any decennial census: (1) no member of the armed forces, civilian employee of the Department of Defense, or dependent of such member or employee, is excluded based on such member or employee being assigned to a post outside the United States; and (2) any alien not lawfully admitted for permanent residence is not included.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1987
Calls upon the Western European nations that provide assistance to the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua to: (1) affirm their support for the Guatemala accord by withholding all direct assistance to the Sandinistas until they are in full compliance with that accord and democratic institutions are established in Nicaragua; (2) reaffirm their commitment to democratic values by directing their economic assistance to support the democratic governments in Central America and by giving political and financial assistance to non-Marxist groups; and (3) reaffirm their commitment to regional cooperation among democratic institutions by channeling financial assistance to the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and by funding the Central American Development Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates April 28, 1988, as National Day of Remembrance of the 749 American Victims of Operation Tiger. (Operation Tiger was the code name for the rehearsal of the D-Day invasion in World War II.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1987
Amends Federal law relating to Federal-aid highway apportionments to authorize the transfer of 20 percent of apportionments from a State's Interstate System highways to its Federal-aid secondary system highways, if requested by the State highway department and approved by the Governor and Secretary of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1987
Urges Nicaragua to fulfill its commitments under the August 7, 1987, Central American Peace Agreement through: (1) democratization, to include actions such as lifting the state of emergency, reinstating due process and fair trials, ending torture, ensuring freedom of religion, and ensuring the rights of all Nicaraguans, including campesinos, Indians, and Creoles; (2) national reconciliation and cessation of hostilities, including negotiations with the Nicaraguan resistance; and (3) amnesty for political prisoners and armed opposition to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Radioactive Materials Transportation Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to employ an additional 20 safety inspectors above the aggregate number authorized for FY 1988 for certain Federal agencies, in order to promote radioactive materials transportation safety in cooperation with safety inspectors of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State and local governmental officials. Allocates such safety inspectors to the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Highway Administration. Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to subject to a civil penalty any persons who commit violations of such Act (currently such persons must knowingly commit violations). Establishes a minimum civil penalty for violations of such Act or of its regulations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1987
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to study the nature and effects of trading in futures contracts on equity indices, options and options on futures on such indices, and securities, during the period of high volatility beginning the week of October 12, 1987, with particular attention given to October 19, 1987. Lists specific topics to be addressed in the study. Requires that the Commission complete the study and report its findings to the Congress by June 1, 1988. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Nicaragua should undertake specified reforms, such as reinstating due process and fair trials, ending torture, conducting free elections, allowing an uncensored free press, ensuring the right to strike and to publish for unions, ceasing attacks against civilians, and ending the forced relocation of Indians and Creoles; and (2) all countries in Central America should continue to work toward achieving the democratic principles and processes specified in the August 7, 1987, Central American peace accord.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Rural Crisis Recovery Program Act of 1987 - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants for educational, retraining, and counseling assistance to farmers and rural families who have been adversely affected by the current rural economic crisis. Includes the following services among such assistance: (1) clinical outreach counseling and crisis management assistance; (2) financial planning; (3) vocational counseling and job search assistance; (4) literacy skills training; and (5) tuition and educational assistance. Encourages the Agricultural Extension Service to work with State, local, and nonprofit organizations to develop a comprehensive grant plan. Terminates grant authority on December 23, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1987
Establishes reporting requirements for persons who receive contributions for the purpose of supporting or defeating the Senate confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee. Requires a report to the Clerk of the House of Representatives with respect to each incremental total of $5,000 of contributions or expenditures. Requires such report: (1) to be filed not later than five days after the applicable incremental total is attained; and (2) to contain the name, address, description of occupation or business, amount, and other identifying information relating to any contribution or expenditure of $100 or more. Directs the Clerk, in carrying out this Act, to apply the principles and procedures applicable to contributions and expenditures under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1987 - Declares as nonmailable matter, matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government, or which are substantially the same as such products or services; (2) for the purchase of products or services and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1987
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide that, notwithstanding the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and the subsequent sequestration order issued by the President (under such Act), FY 1987 dairy expenditure reductions shall be implemented through a reduction in the price received by milk producers rather than through a reduction in Commodity Credit Corporation payments for dairy product purchases. States that such reductions shall be no greater than needed to equal the reduction in milk support expenditures required by such order.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study, by the end of FY 1988, the suitability of areas adjacent to the Mississippi and Upper Mississippi Rivers for inclusion in a Mississippi River National Park.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
Repeals a specified provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that requires a taxpayer to include a tax identification number for each dependent of age five or older claimed on an income tax return. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provision had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit consideration of bills or resolutions making appropriations under the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee for periods after November 30 of a fiscal year, unless a 60 percent majority of the House votes to waive or suspend this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1987
Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act to include single pregnant women under provisions for the use of funds and the distribution of assistance under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to income taxation of generic commodity certificates (PIK certificates) used to repay Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loans. Taxes the certificates based on the earlier of: (1) the date on which the commodity used as collateral for the loan is sold; or (2) the date nine months after the loan was originally received. Disallows this treatment if the taxpayer chose to consider the CCC loan as income for the taxable year in which it was received. Applies to loans made after 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Provides that when any bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations is agreed to by both Houses of the Congress in the same form, the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall enroll the provisions in such bill or joint resolution as separate bills or joint resolutions (for item veto purposes). Requires the enrollment as part of one separate bill or joint resolution of: (1) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations; (2) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations; (3) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of any other House committee; and (4) all the provisions for which jurisdiction cannot be determined.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Requires a 60 percent majority vote of the Senate and the House of Representatives for passage of a bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations for a fiscal year. Makes this Act applicable to bills or joint resolutions agreed to by the Congress during the two-calendar-year period beginning with the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Urges the leadership of the Government of Chile to take steps to: (1) assure that military rule should end in Chile no later than by 1989, as outlined in the 1980 constitution; (2) ensure that the next democratically-elected leaders of Chile are chosen from civilian candidates; (3) assure voting procedures for the electoral process which are fair and based upon universal and equal suffrage; (4) implement procedures to ensure that the vote will be accurately counted and subject to independent verification; and (5) ensure that prior to any electoral process, freedom of assembly and expression are fully restored and non-violent government opponents are given fair access to every means of communication, including television.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1987
Title I: Medicare Catastrophic Illness Coverage Act - Medicare Catastrophic Illness Coverage Act - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove durational limitations on the coverage of inpatient hospital services. Provides coverage of post-hospital extended care services for up to 100 days each year. (Currently such services are provided for up to 100 days during a "spell of illness".) Requires a beneficiary to pay a deductible for each of the first two inpatient hospital admissions in a year. (Currently an inpatient hospital deductible is required for each "spell of illness.") Eliminates the coinsurance requirement for inpatient hospital services and outpatient hospital extended care services. Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to cover the amount by which a part B enrollee's out-of-pocket expenses exceed $2,000 in 1988, adjusting such ceiling thereafter to reflect changes in total Medicare per capita expenses. Excludes from the computation of a beneficiary's out-of-pocket expenses amounts above the full part B payment to physicians and others who do not accept assignment. Extends, until 1991, the limitation of the part B basic premium to 25 percent of part B costs (excluding costs resulting from this Act's catastrophic coverage). Imposes an additional premium on part B enrollees which represents an amount equal to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' estimate of a part B enrollee's share of the benefits and administrative costs which result from this Act's catastrophic care coverage and beneficiary expense ceiling. Provides for the transfer to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of part B premium revenues which are attributable to the catastrophic care coverage this Act establishes under part A of the Medicare program. Covers nursing care and home health aide services as home health services if such services are needed less than seven days each week or are needed for an initial period of up to 35 consecutive days and for a subsequent period on a physician's certification that exceptional circumstances warrant continued home health services. Imposes an additional premium on part B enrollees to cover the costs of supplemental daily home health services. Provides for the transfer of premium revenues to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to provide Medicaid coverage of prescription drugs for individuals age 65 or older whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the Federal poverty level. Subjects beneficiaries to an annual $50 deductible for such coverage. Provides that for the initial determination of an institutionalized spouse's Medicaid eligibility the institutionalized spouse may transfer his or her resources to the community spouse to the extent the spousal share (computed by dividing the sum of the spouse's resources in half) is less than $12,000 (adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost-of-living), but attributes any resources not solely in the ownership of the community spouse to the institutionalized spouse if such transfer is not made. Considers resources held in the name of the community spouse to be available to the institutionalized spouse to the extent their value exceeds $48,000 (adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost-of-living), or, if greater, the amount a court has ordered to be retained by the community spouse for support. Provides that after the initial eligibility determination: (1) no resources of the community spouse will be considered available to the institutionalized spouse; and (2) the income of the institutionalized spouse will not be considered to include a specified personal needs allowance, community spouse monthly income allowance, family allowance, and incurred expenses for medical or remedial care for the institutionalized spouse that are not covered by a legally liable third party. Sets forth the formulas for determining such allowances. Gives the institutionalized spouse the right to a hearing to establish that the community spouse monthly income allowance is not adequate to support the community spouse without financial duress so that an adequate amount of support will be substituted for the allowance. Prohibits such allowance from being less than court-ordered support payments. Delays the Medicaid eligibility of institutionalized individuals who disposed of their resources at less than fair market value within two-years prior to applying for Medicaid benefits. Sets forth situations in which a delay shall not be applied. Allows the institutionalized spouse to elect to be governed by State rules in effect as of March 1, 1987, regarding treatment of income and transfers of resources for Medicaid eligibility purposes, but permits neither spouse to opt out of this Act's rules regarding the treatment of resources at the initial eligibility determination. Directs the Boards of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to include in their reports to the Congress in April 1988 an analysis, performed by the Secretary of Treasury, of options to strengthen the long-term solvency of such Trust Funds. Title II: Tax Provisions Related to Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat certain long-term care insurance which the Secretary certifies is providing coverage to each covered person who is age 50 or older for at least one year for diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitation, maintenance, or personal care services provided in a setting other than the acute care unit of a hospital as accident or health insurance when taxing issuers of such insurance (hereafter referred to as qualified long-term care insurance). Requires such issuers to be reinsured by the Federal National Long-term Care Reinsurance Corporation if such Corporation is incorporated as of January 1, 1990. Provides that for the purpose of determining whether a tax exclusion applies to employer contributions to, or an employee's receipt of benefits from, qualified long-term care insurance such contributions and benefits shall be considered to be for personal injury or sickness, and medical care. Excludes from taxation: (1) the portion of distributions from individual retirement plans which is used during the year to pay the premiums for qualified long-term care coverage of individuals who are age 59 1/2 or older on the date of distribution; and (2) amounts received, when an individual who has attained age 65 surrenders, cancels, or exchanges a life insurance contract, and used during such year to pay the premiums for qualified long-term care insurance. Title III: Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation - Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation Act - Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the incorporation of the Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation (Corporation), which shall not be an agency or establishment of the U.S. Government. Requires the Corporation to confine its activities to reinsuring insurance companies for extraordinary loss in the issuance or payment of qualified long-term care insurance benefits. Sets forth organizing and administrative provisions with respect to the Corporation. Exempts the Corporation from State regulation and taxation. Directs the Corporation to report annually to the President and the Congress regarding its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1987
Requires the Government of Puerto Rico to conduct a referendum on whether Puerto Rico should be incorporated into the Union as a State. Requires that if the referendum is approved, a Joint Task Force on the Incorporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico into the Union as a State shall be established and shall transmit enabling legislation to the Governor of Puerto Rico and the President within 12 months after its establishment. Requires the Executive Director of the White House Task Force on Puerto Rico to provide administrative support and pay expenses of the Joint Task Force. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the President, within 60 days after receiving the enabling legislation from the Joint Task Force, to transmit it along with any comments to the Congress. Requires the Governor, after passage of an Act providing for the admission of Puerto Rico into the Union, to expeditiously call a referendum on becoming a State. Provides that approval of a majority of the votes cast in the referendum will be necessary for the admission of Puerto Rico as a State.
![Official portrait of Rep. Coleman, E. Thomas [R-MO-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000618_200.jpg)