United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Prohibits: (1) the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law for any abortion or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion; (2) any tax benefits for amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or for a health benefits plan (including premium assistance) that includes coverage of abortion; and (3) the inclusion of abortion in any health care service furnished by a federal health care facility or by any physician or other individual employed by the federal government. Exempts from such prohibitions an abortion if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest with a minor, or if the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the women in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. Makes such prohibitions applicable to federal funding within the budget of the District of Columbia. Prohibits federal agencies or programs and states and local governments that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against any individual or institutional health care entity on the basis that such entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive, and coordinate the investigation of, discrimination complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Restoration of State Sovereignty Act of 2010 - Provides that no federal authority shall enforce against any state authority, nor shall any state authority have any obligation to obey, any requirement imposed as a condition of receiving federal financial assistance under a federal grant program, nor shall such program operate within a state, unless the legislature of that state has expressly approved that program and, in doing so, waived the state's rights and authorities to act inconsistently with any requirement that might be imposed by the federal government as a condition of receiving that assistance. Authorizes a federal authority to release financial assistance under a federal grant program to a state only after the state's legislature has expressly approved the program or amended the requirements imposed by the federal government as conditions of receiving such assistance, provided such amendments are consistent with the federal law under which the assistance is provided. Excepts any grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Title 38 of the United States Code. Requires a federal authority, upon determining that assistance under a federal grant program may not be released to a state for a fiscal year, to: (1) prepare a statement of the determination and the amount of excess grant funds involved; (2) provide the statement to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and (3) include the statement on the official public website of the federal agency involved. Requires that such amount be rescinded from funds made available for the grant program and used only for reducing the deficit. Requires the Director to report on the total amount of such rescissions made each fiscal year, delineated by appropriation Acts, accounts, and programs, projects, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
Declares that no funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and any amendments made by either such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2010
Condemns the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its: (1) threats to annihilate the United States and Israel; (2) support of international terrorism; and (3) incitement of genocide of the Israeli people. Supports using all means to persuade the government of Iran to stop building and acquiring nuclear weapons. Reaffirms the U.S. bond with Israel and pledges to work with the government of Israel and the people of Israel to ensure that their nation receives critical economic and military assistance, including missile defense capabilities, needed to address the Iranian threat. Supports Israel's right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2010
Extends through FY2011 the deadline for state expenditure of certain emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Administration for Children and Families provided for recovery from Hurricanes Ike and Rita and other 2008 natural disasters under the title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Security Services) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2010
Honors Special Agent William G. Clark of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for his heroic actions, exemplary service, and selfless acts to protect the lives of others.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2010. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Agriculture for the Farm Service Agency's Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account, the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, and the Foreign Agricultural Service's Food for Peace Title II Grants for emergency relief and rehabilitation for Haiti. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Economic Development Administration for disaster relief, recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in states that experienced damage from severe storms and flooding during March through May of 2010; and (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for expenses related to commercial fishery failures. Requires funds previously made available for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exploration to be available to fund continued performance of Constellation contracts. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel, operation and maintenance (including for relief activities in Haiti), procurement, and research, development, test, and evaluation; (2) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (3) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (4) the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Fund; (5) Defense Working Capital Funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; and (7) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the congressional intelligence committees: (1) the charter and procedures for the interagency body established to carry out an interrogation pursuant to a recommendation of the report of the Special Task Force on Interrogation and Transfer Policies submitted under Executive Order 13491 (commonly known as the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group); and (2) a report on lessons learned from such Group. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to DOD for FY2010 to the Corps of Engineers for Investigations. Makes funds available for drought emergency assistance. Authorizes financial assistance under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 for the optimization and conservation of project water supplies to assist drought-plagued areas of the West. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use specified funds to make dredged material available from maintenance dredging of existing federal navigation channels located in the Gulf Coast region to mitigate the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Directs the Secretary to coordinate the placement of dredged material with appropriate federal and Gulf Coast state agencies. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of the Treasury for emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction aid, and other expenses and disaster-response activities related to Haiti following the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) the District of Columbia for the Federal Payment to the Public Defender Service; and (2) the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for: (1) the Coast Guard, including for necessary expenses and other disaster-response activities related to the earthquake in Haiti; (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief; and (3) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for necessary expenses and other disaster response activities related to the Haiti earthquake. Requires the Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue a security directive that requires a commercial foreign air carrier that operates flights in and out of the United States to check the list of individuals that TSA has prohibited from flying not later than 30 minutes after such list is modified and provided to such carrier, except for such carriers that are enrolled in the Secure Flight program or that are Advance Passenger Information System Quick Query compliant. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) the Department of Labor for Departmental Management for mine safety activities and legal services related to the Department's caseload before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for emergency relief, reconstruction aid, and other expenses and disaster-response activities related to Haiti following the earthquake; and (3) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds for: (1) Military Construction, Army and Air Force; (2) Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force; and (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Limits the obligation or expenditure of funds available to the VA until the expiration of the period for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of State for: (1) Diplomatic and Consular Programs; (2) the Office of Inspector General for Oversight of operations and programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq; (3) Embassy Security Construction, and Maintenance for emergency needs in Haiti; (4) Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for emergency security in Haiti; (5) Migration and Refugee Assistance; and (6) International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, including assistance for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Haiti. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds for: (1) International Broadcasting Operations for emergency broadcasting support and other expenses related to Haiti; (2) the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Office of Inspector General for necessary expenses for oversight of operations and programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and oversight of emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid, and other expenses related to Haiti; (3) Global Health and Child Survival for necessary expenses for pandemic preparedness and response; (4) International Disaster Assistance for emergency relief and rehabilitation, and other expenses related to Haiti; (5) the Economic Support Fund, including for assistance for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Jordan and for emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid and other expenses related to the Haiti earthquake; (6) the Department of the Treasury for International Affairs Technical Assistance for emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid, and other expenses related to Haiti following the earthquake; and (7) the Foreign Military Financing Program for assistance for Pakistan and Jordan. Places conditions on the availability of assistance for Afghanistan to support the work of the Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission. Authorizes the Secretary of State to award task orders for a limited term for police training in Afghanistan under current Department of State contracts. Makes funds available for human rights programs in Pakistan. Authorizes the transfer of specified funds for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq for activities related to security for civilian led operations in those countries. Places conditions on the availability of assistance to Haiti. Provides for debt relief for Haiti. Makes funds for Mexico for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement available only after the Secretary of State submits a report to the Appropriations Committees detailing a coordinated, multiyear, interagency strategy to address the causes of drug-related violence and other organized criminal activity in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Makes funds available for emergency relief and reconstruction for El Salvador related to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida. Makes funds available for emergency security and humanitarian assistance for civilians, particularly women and girls, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makes funds available for reconstruction oversight in Afghanistan. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Fund for disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, housing, and economic revitalization in areas affected by severe storms and flooding from March through May of 2010 for which the President declared a major disaster. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Commerce for Economic Development Assistance Programs to carry out planning, technical, and other assistance in states affected by the incidents related to the discharge of oil in connection with the explosion on, and sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. Makes funds available to NOAA for Operations, Research, and Facilities to respond to economic impacts on fishermen and fishery-dependent businesses once the Secretary of Commerce determines that resources provided, including by the responsible parties under the Oil Pollution Act, are insufficient to respond to such impacts following an incident related to a spill of national significance. Makes funds available for scientific investigations and sampling as a result of the incidents related to the discharge of oil and use of oil dispersants that began in 2010 in connection with the Deepwater Horizon. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) HHS for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food safety monitoring and response activities in connection with that oil spill; (2) the Department of the Interior for increased inspections and other activities related to emergency offshore oil spill incidents in the Gulf of Mexico; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ) for litigation expenses resulting from incidents related to the oil discharge in connection with the Deepwater Horizon; and (4) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Science and Technology for a study of potential human and environmental risks and impacts of the release of crude oil and application of dispersants and other mitigation measures. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to authorize advances from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) NOAA to provide fisheries disaster relief related to the Deepwater Horizon oil discharge and to conduct an expanded stock assessment of the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) the Department of Commerce for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the long-term ecosystem service impacts of that discharge. Designates amounts in this Act as emergency requirements. Requires the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the participants of the interagency review of Guantanamo Bay detainees, to fully inform the congressional intelligence committees concerning the basis for the disposition decisions reached by the Guantanamo Review Task Force. Requires the Director to provide those committees: (1) the written threat analyses prepared on each detainee by the Task Force; (2) access to the intelligence information that formed the basis of any such specific assessments or threat analyses; (3) any new threat assessment prepared by the intelligence community of a Guantanamo Bay detainee who remains in detention or is pending release or transfer; and (4) access to the information that formed the basis of such threat assessment. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the immediate disbursement of funds in response to a spill of national significance under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, at the request of a producing state or coastal political subdivision, for certain projects specifically designed to respond to the spill.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Recognizes the historic milestone of the 50th anniversary of the publication of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Honors Nelle Harper Lee for her outstanding achievement in the field of American literature in authoring "To Kill a Mockingbird."
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Marshals Service, to mint and issue $5 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 225 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of the U.S. Marshals Service. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of: (1) $35 per $5 coin; and (2) $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $5 million to the Director of the United States Marshals Service National Museum, for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents of the U.S. Marshals Service. Requires distribution of: (1) $1 million to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; (2) $1 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; (3) $1 million to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; (4) $500,000 to the William "Bill" Degan Scholarship Fund (provides scholarships for spouses and children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty); (5) $500,000 to the Robert D. May Scholarship Fund (provides scholarships for spouses and children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty); (6) $500,000 to the Community Oriented Policing Service; and (7) $500,000 to the United States Marshals Service Association. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $5 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Property Owners Access to Court Act of 2010 - Amends the federal judicial code to provide that, whenever a district court exercises jurisdiction in civil rights cases in which the operative facts concern the uses of real property, it shall not abstain from exercising such jurisdiction, or relinquish it to a state court, if the party seeking redress does not allege a violation of a state law, right, or privilege, and no parallel proceeding is pending in state court, at the time the action is filed in the district court, that arises out of the same operative facts as the district court proceeding. Declares that in an action in which operative facts concern the uses of real property, the district court shall exercise jurisdiction even if the party seeking redress does not pursue judicial remedies provided by a state or territory. Provides for referral of an unsettled question of state law to the state's highest appellate court. Prohibits the district court from certifying a question of state law unless it is necessary to resolve the merits of the injured party's federal claim, and such question is patently unclear. Declares that any claim or action to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution shall be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any law, regulation, custom, or usage of any state or U.S. territory that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Declares that any claim founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States which causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States and the federal judicial code with respect to certain constitutional property rights claims. Provides for the liability of the United States for certain claims, brought under U.S. district court jurisdiction or Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction, where the claim is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution. Requires a federal agency, whenever it takes action limiting the use of private property that may be affected by the amendments made by this Act, to give notice to the owners of that property explaining their rights and the procedures for obtaining any compensation that may be due to them under such amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Expresses support for the designation of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that steps should be taken to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) support research so that the screening and treatment of prostate cancer may be improved and the causes of, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Protecting Human Space Flight Act of 2010 - Requires amounts appropriated for FY2010 (or for prior fiscal years that remain available) to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Constellation Program to be spent only to carry out such program, including through contracts and necessary support activities. Prohibits the termination or descoping of contracts for the Constellation Program. Requires NASA to spend at least 90% of all such funds by September 30, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Water Assistance from International Vessels for Emergency Response Act or WAIVER Act - Waives requirements for coastwise endorsements to a certificate of documentation in order to engage in coastwise trade for foreign vessels engaged in containment, remediation, or associated activities in connection with the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Private Property Rights Protection and Government Accountability Act - Makes any state or political subdivision thereof that carries out a public taking for any private purpose in or affecting interstate commerce ineligible for any federal economic development funds for ten fiscal years. Entitles any owner of private property subject to such a taking to injunctive and declaratory relief.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty to prohibit knowingly and for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain selling or distributing an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce. States that such prohibition does not prohibit the sale or distribution of any visual depiction of hunting, trapping, fishing, or customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices. Defines "animal crush video" as any obscene photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled in a manner that would violate a criminal prohibition on cruelty to animals in the federal or state jurisdiction in which the depiction is created, sold, distributed, or offered for sale or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2010
Debt Buy-Down Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate up to 10% of their adjusted income tax liability for the reduction of the public debt. Establishes in the Treasury the Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this Act for the reduction of the public debt. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require a sequestration of federal spending equivalent to the estimated aggregate amount designated by taxpayers under this Act to reduce the public debt. Prohibits any reduction in social security retirement benefits, veterans benefits, or interest payments on federal debt as a result of any such sequestration.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Declares without force or effect: (1) the moratorium on deepwater drilling issued by the Secretary of the Interior set forth in the Minerals Management Service Notice to Lessees No. 2010-N04, dated May 30, 2010; and (2) any suspension of deepwater drilling operations issued in connection with such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2010
Gulf Coast Jobs Preservation Act - Terminates the moratorium on deepwater drilling set forth in the Minerals Management Service Notice to Lessees No. 2010-N04, dated May 30, 2010, and declares without force or effect any suspension of deepwater drilling operations issued in connection with such moratorium. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) act expeditiously to ensure that deepwater drilling operations are conducted in compliance with federal law; and (2) identify additional measures to ensure the safety of deepwater drilling, based on the most accurate information available about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2010
Expresses the appreciation of Congress to the members of the U.S. Army for 235 years of dedicated service. Honors the valor, commitment, and sacrifice that members of the U.S. Army, their families, and Army civilians have displayed throughout the history of the Army.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
America Stands with Israel Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States: (1) supports Israel's right to defend itself; (2) supports Israel's naval blockade of Gaza; and (3) should oppose any investigation by the United Nations (U.N.) into the flotilla incident (involving the May 2010 Israeli interception of ships carrying supplies to Gaza). Requires the Secretary of State to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to cease U.S. participation in and membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Prohibits the Secretary from contributing any funds to the United Nations for an investigation into the flotilla incident. Directs the Secretary to ensure that no U.S. contributions to the United Nations are used for any such investigation, including by withholding from U.S. contributions to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations amounts equal to any amounts so expended.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission. Recognizes the bravery and heroism of the astronauts of Apollo 13 as well as the men and women in mission control in Houston, Texas. Reaffirms support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and human space flight.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Congratulates the government of South Africa upon its first two successful convictions for human trafficking. Calls on the government of South Africa to: (1) adopt the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill; (2) prioritize anti-trafficking law enforcement during the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup; and (3) adopt measures to protect vulnerable children from sexual and labor exploitation. Urges the government of South Africa to prosecute tourists participating in commercial sexual exploitation of women and children during the 2010 World Cup.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2011, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2010, and FY2012-FY2020. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts for FY2010-FY2020 with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2010-FY2020. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Education and Labor: (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Financial Services; (5) the Judiciary; (6) Natural Resources; (7) Oversight and Government Reform; and (8) Ways and Means. Requires the House Committee on the Budget to report a reconciliation bill that slows the growth in mandatory spending and achieves deficit reduction. Requires each House Committees to identify savings amounting to 1% of total mandatory spending under its jurisdiction from activities determined to be wasteful, unnecessary, or lower-priority. Prohibits House legislation that would require advance appropriations, except for certain FY2012-FY2013 programs, projects, activities, or accounts. States that Rule XXVII (Disclosure by Members and Staff of Employment Negotiations) [ sic ] of the Rules of the House of Representatives shall not apply with respect to adoption by Congress of a budget resolution for FY2011. Prescribes requirements for legislation reported out of committee and designated as an emergency requirement. Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation to calculate the impact of any proposal to change federal revenues on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), total domestic employment, and other specified economic variables. Prohibits the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget from taking into account the provisions of any piece of legislation which propose to increase revenue or offsetting collections if the net effect of the bill is to increase the level of revenue or offsetting collections beyond the level assumed in this concurrent resolution. Makes it out of order in the House to consider direct spending legislation increasing a specified on-budget deficit or decreasing an on-budget surplus for any applicable time period. Requires the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget to maintain a Budget Protection Mandatory Account and a Budget Protection Discretionary Account. Requires the Majority Leader to introduce rescission bills quarterly. Prescribes legislative procedures for their floor consideration. Expresses the sense of the House regarding: (1) baseline revenue projections; and (2) long-term budget projections. Establishes an earmark moratorium for FY2011 for legislation providing or authorizing discretionary budget authority, credit or other spending authority, providing a federal tax deduction, credit, or exclusion, or modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule in FY2011. Prohibits the House Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order waiving such moratorium. Declares it is the policy of this resolution that: (1) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152) should be repealed; and (2) in their place, health care reform that empowers patients should be enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to state that an accused may retain private counsel before a general court-martial or special court-martial and will be reimbursed for such counsel if the accused is acquitted or the charges are dismissed or withdrawn with respect to cases involving the treatment of an insurgent, enemy combatant, detainee, or suspected or known terrorist, including cases in which charges were brought after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) states and state law enforcement personnel in the course of carrying out routine duties have the inherent authority to investigate, identify, arrest, detain, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States for purposes of U.S. immigration law enforcement; (2) state and local governments should be supported and reimbursed by the federal government for taking actions to discourage illegal immigration; (4) state and local governments that knowingly harbor illegal immigrants should be penalized; (5) current laws governing the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws should be enforced; (6) attrition through enforcement should be U.S. policy; and (7) legislation to enhance border security and enforcement of immigration laws should be passed quickly to ease state and local government burdens and increase national security.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Foreign-Held Debt Transparency and Threat Assessment Act - Expresses the sense of Congress about the growing federal debt of the United States, the increasing U.S. dependence on foreign creditors like its largest foreign creditor, the People's Republic of China, whose holdings could give China a tool with which to manipulate U.S. policymaking (including with respect to Taiwan) and pose a direct threat to the national economy and national security. Directs the President to report quarterly to certain congressional committees on the risks posed by foreign holdings of U.S. debt instruments, and make such report public on the Internet. Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to certain congressional committees on such risks. Directs the President to formulate, report to the appropriate congressional committees, and implement a plan of action to reduce an unsustainable level of risk to an acceptable and sustainable level, in a manner that results in a reduction in federal spending, in any case in which the President or the Comptroller General makes specified determinations that a foreign country's holdings of U.S. debt instruments pose an unacceptable risk to long-term national security or economic stability, or that the levels of risk posed by the federal debt are unsustainable.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Save America's Future Economy Act of 2010 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to calculate the uniform percentage by which nonexempt spending accounts are to be sequestered such that total government spending for a budget year, compared to the preceding fiscal year, does not increase at a rate greater than the percentage point change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus the percentage point change in annual population growth. Requires OMB to prepare annually a report to be included in the President's budget for each fiscal year setting forth: (1) the projected level of total federal spending for the current year; (2) the percentage point increase in the CPI over the fiscal year before the current year; (3) the total percentage point increase in population from July 1 of the second preceding fiscal year before the current year and July 1 of the fiscal year before the current year; (4) the sum of such total percentage point increases; and (5) the projected level of total federal spending for the budget year and the amount, if any, by which that spending would exceed the projected level of total federal spending for the current year, as adjusted by the such sum of the total percentage point increases. Prescribes requirements for OMB Preview Reports and OMB Final Sequestration Reports. Requires the President to issue a sequestration order, effective on issuance, if OMB in its Final Sequestration Report estimates that any sequestration is required. Prohibits OMB from including the budgetary effects of an emergency requirement in its estimates. Exempts from any sequestration reduction order: (1) payments for net interest; and (2) federal obligations required to be paid under the U.S. Constitution or legally contractual obligations. Extends indefinitely certain Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) enforcement mechanisms.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
European Bailout Protection Act - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to: (1) prohibit U.S. loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance to any European Union (EU) member state until the ratio of the total outstanding public debt of each member state to its gross domestic product (as of the end of the most recent fiscal year of the member state ending in the preceding calendar year) is not more than 60%; and (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to oppose any IMF loans to member states until all member states are in compliance with such debt ratio.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Recognizes the untimely and tragic loss of the 11 workers from the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas who died on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Extends the deepest condolences of the nation to the families of these men. Recognizes all employees on the Deepwater Horizon for their hard work and sacrifice. Commends the rescue crews for their valiant efforts to rescue these workers and others on the platform. Honors the many volunteers who provided support and comfort for the families of these people during this difficult time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Declares that imposing a value-added tax (VAT) would be a massive tax increase that would cripple families on fixed income and only further push back the U.S. economic recovery and that the House of Representatives opposes a VAT.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) make the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan one of the top U.S. priorities when initiating bilateral free trade agreements with foreign countries; and (2) foster the expansion of trade opportunities with Taiwan by instructing the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to expedite negotiations on a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Recognizes that trust in God is embedded into the fabric of this country's society and history. Rejects the notion that the laws and Constitution of this country require the exclusion of God from matters of government and public life. Reaffirms "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States. Supports and encourages its display in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delay the implementation of the final rules entitled "Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program; Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; Notice of Availability; Final Rule" (published on April 22, 2008) and "Lead; Amendment to the Opt-out and Recordkeeping Provisions in the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program" (signed by the Administrator on April 22, 2010) in each state until accredited certified renovator classes to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with such rules have been held in such state for at least a year. Requires the Administrator to: (1) monitor each state to determine when such classes are offered; and (2) notify each Member of Congress about the location and time of each such class held in their state and the date on which the classes have been held for one year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, transporting for legitimate purposes, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Declares that nothing in such prohibitions shall be construed to prohibit the District from regulating the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 (FCRA) to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Redefines "machine gun" as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Includes also the frame or receiver of any such firearm, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; and (2) requirement that licensed firearms dealers keep records of ammunition received into inventory and ammunition sold or transferred. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Permits a licensed firearms dealer to sell or transfer ammunition, excluding restricted pistol bullets, to persons not otherwise prohibited from possessing or receiving ammunition. Declares that, in the case of a sale or transfer of a handgun to a District resident, a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms in Maryland or Virginia shall be treated as a dealer licensed under this Act if: (1) the transferee meets in person with the transferor to accomplish the transfer; and (2) the sale, delivery, and receipt fully comply with the legal conditions of sale in both the District and the jurisdiction in which the transfer occurs. Amends FCRA to allow an individual to possess ammunition in the District if the individual owns (currently, holds the valid registration certificate for) a firearm of the same gauge or caliber as such ammunition. (In effect, repeals the handgun ammunition ban.) Repeals the requirement that firearms in the possession of individuals (other than law enforcement personnel) must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked, unless the firearm is kept at an individual's place of business, or while being used for lawful recreational purposes within the District . Continues current criminal penalties for allowing access of a minor (under age 16) to loaded firearms, except in specified circumstances. Repeals increased penalties for violations of the prohibition against allowing access of a minor to loaded firearms if injury or death results to the minor or another person. Requires the U.S. attorney, however, to consider both the extent of the minor's injuries and the effect of the minor's injury or death on both of the minor's parents when deciding whether to file charges. Prohibits any prosecution in such circumstances unless the person who committed the violation behaved in a grossly negligent manner, or unless similarly egregious circumstances exist. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends the District of Columbia Code to: (1) allow private persons or entities owning property in the District to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on their property (other than authorized law enforcement personnel or lessees occupying residential or business premises); (2) prohibit unauthorized carrying of rifles or shotguns in the District; (3) authorize certain individuals to carry firearms in certain places and for certain purposes; (4) prescribe requirements for lawful transportation of firearms; and (5) prohibit the use of toy and antique pistols to commit a violent or dangerous crime. Authorizes the District of Columbia to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms (except to lessees occupying residential or business premises) within any building or structure under its control, or in any area of it, which has implemented security measures to identify and exclude unauthorized or hazardous persons or articles. Amends the Office of Administrative Hearings Establishment Act of 2001 to grant jurisdiction to the Office of Administrative Hearings to hear cases pertaining to denial or revocation of firearm dealer licenses. Repeals the Firearms Registration Amendment Act of 2008 and the Inoperable Pistol Amendment Act of 2008. Restores and revives any provision of law amended or repealed by such Acts as if such Acts had not been enacted into law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Democratic Members of the House should join its Republican Members in a total ban on earmarks for one year; (2) discretionary spending should be reduced in the concurrent budget resolution for FY2011 by the total amount that was spent on requests for earmarks in FY2010; (3) if spending in that resolution is not reduced by such amount, an amendment to that resolution to effectuate this change should be made in order; and (4) a complete review and overhaul of the congressional budgetary, spending, and earmark processes should be commenced by creating a bipartisan, bicameral committee to study the issue and report to the House and Senate with its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and (2) the U.S. government should take a leading role in gaining international support for granting Taiwan observer status in the ICAO.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Day of Prayer is constitutional, a needed tribute to the value of prayer, and a fitting acknowledgment of our nation's religious history.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Economic Freedom Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations; (2) reduce the maximum corporate income tax rate to 12.5%; (3) allow a permanent and unlimited expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (4) reduce payroll tax rates for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals in 2010. Makes permanent the repeal of the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Rescinds unobligated balances available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, economic recovery payments, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits) payments, Medicare and Medicaid health information technology, state fiscal relief, broadband technology, and limits on executive compensation. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to repeal the authority for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell all stock and warrants acquired by the Secretary under TARP.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Victims' Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special theft loss tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses and for such losses in connection with assets held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses for up to 10 years; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transmit to the House of Representatives copies of all Department of the Interior documents, maps, records, communications, and other information dating from July 1, 2009, and later referring or relating to the potential designation of national monuments, the Secretary's Treasured Landscape Initiative, and high priority land-rationalization efforts, as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Prohibits either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) from taking action on public lands which impede the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the border on such lands.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Reclaiming Individual Liberty Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requiring individuals to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
States that the House of Representatives considers the Value Added Tax (VAT) a massive tax increase that will cripple families on fixed income and only further push back America's economic recovery.
![Official portrait of Rep. Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001048_200.jpg)