United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Aviation Jobs Outsourcing Prevention Act - Requires a domestic or a foreign air carrier to file with the Secretary of Transportation any agreement, a request to discuss cooperative arrangements, or a modification or cancellation of an agreement between the domestic or foreign air carrier and another air carrier, a foreign carrier, or another carrier. Requires the Secretary to disapprove or, after periodic review, end approval of, an agreement, a request to discuss cooperative arrangements, or a modification that provides for or permits the sharing or pooling of revenue or profits between participating carriers earned in covered operations, unless the Secretary finds that each participating air carrier's share of the pooled revenue or pooled profits (whichever is greater) contributed by covered operations in any consecutive 12-month period does not exceed 130% of the participating carrier's share of pooled available seat miles (ASMs) in covered operations during the period.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Medicaid Services Restoration Act of 2010 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend medical assistance coverage to therapeutic foster care services. Includes attainment and retention of functional status in rehabilitative services. Allows reasonable and efficient payment methodologies, including fee-for-service payments, case rates, daily rates, or other forms of capitated payment, as means of reimbursement for rehabilitative services. Includes medical or remedial services for attainment and retention of functional status among rehabilitative services. Includes among inpatient psychiatric hospital services for children early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. Allows payment for medical assistance for diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services or optional targeted case management services furnished by qualified providers under non-medical programs, provided a state or local agency administering such plan complies with certain requirements. Allows reasonable and efficient payment methodologies for reimbursement for case management and targeted case management services. Authorizes the state to: (1) require case management services for each beneficiary; and (2) limit the case managers available in order to ensure that the case managers for eligible individuals are capable of ensuring that such individuals receive needed services. Allows staff of non-medical programs, or contractors with non-medical programs, to offer such services, so long as: (1) such individuals are state-qualified providers; and (2) the case management services are distinct from the non-medical program's direct services. Redefines case management services to mean those furnished to assist eligible individuals, who reside in a community setting or are transitioning to a community setting, in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services. Allows a state to provide case management or targeted case management services through multiple case managers to: (1) any qualified individual; (2) specific classes of individuals; or (3) individuals who reside in specified areas selected by the state.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Shareholder Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that any solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any security of an issuer: (1) describe the specific nature and total amount of expenditures proposed for political activities for the forthcoming fiscal year; and (2) provide for a separate shareholder vote to authorize such proposed expenditures. Prohibits an issuer from making an expenditure for political activities in any fiscal year unless: (1) such expenditure is of the nature of those proposed by the issuer according to the requirements of this Act; and (2) authorization for such expenditure has been granted by votes representing a majority of outstanding shares. Deems a violation of this requirement to be a breach of the fiduciary duty of the officers and directors who authorized such expenditure. Subjects officers and directors who authorize the expenditure without prior shareholder authorization to joint and several liability to any shareholder or class of shareholders for the amount of such expenditure. Requires certain institutional investment managers to disclose annually in mandatory reports how they voted (proxies) in certain shareholder votes. Prohibits any person from bringing any civil, criminal, or administrative action against an institutional investment manager, or any of its employees, officers, or directors, based solely upon the investment manager's decision to divest from, or not to invest in, securities of an issuer because of expenditures for political activities made by that issuer. Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to direct the national securities exchanges and national securities associations to prohibit the listing of any equity security of an issuer whose corporate bylaws do not expressly provide for a vote of the issuer's directors on any individual expenditure for political activities in excess of $50,000. Requires an issuer to make public, within 48 hours, the individual votes of the directors regarding any such expenditure. Directs the SEC to: (1) require issuers to disclose expenditures for political activities made during the preceding quarter and the individual votes by board members authorizing such expenditures; and (2) make such reports publicly available through the SEC website. Requires the Comptroller General to make annual studies of: (1) the compliance by public corporations and their management with the requirements of this Act; and (2) the effectiveness of SEC oversight of its reporting and disclosure requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission. Directs the National Endowment for the Humanities: (1) in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, to award grants for activities that are determined to be appropriately related to the Civil War sesquicentennial; and (2) consider for such grants university, museum, or academic programs with national scope that sponsor multidisciplinary projects that represent the totality of the Civil War.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Prostate Research, Imaging, and Men's Education Act of 2010 or the PRIME Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to: (1) carry out a program to expand and intensify research to develop advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment comparable to mammogram technology; and (2) utilize the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and the National Cancer Institute for advanced stages of research in prostate imaging. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to: (1) carry out a grant program to encourage the early stages of research in prostate imaging to develop and implement new ideas, proof of concepts, and pilot studies for high-risk technologic innovation; and (2) establish interdisciplinary private-public partnerships to develop research strategies for expedited innovation in imaging and image-guided treatment. Directs the Secretary: (1) to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to the need for prostate cancer screening and for improved detection technologies; (2) in carrying out the program and the campaign, to recognize and address the racial disparities in the incidences of prostate cancer and mortality rates and any racial barriers in access to care and participation in clinical trials; (3) establish a program to award grants to nonprofit private entities to test alternative outreach and education strategies; and (4) carry out research to develop an improved prostate cancer screening blood test using in-vitro detection.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Expresses appreciation for the efforts of the Blinded Veterans Association in improving rehabilitation services, education, and benefits for blinded veterans. Supports the goals and ideals of Blinded Veterans Day, and calls upon the people of the United States to observe such Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Revises specified administrative requirements for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Revises the term "accident" to expand the authority of the NTSB to investigate: (1) accidents which result in the death of or serious injury to a person, regardless of whether they are accidental or not; and (2) at its discretion, incidents that affect transportation safety, but do not involve the destruction or damage of a vehicle, aircraft, or pipeline. Grants the NTSB authority to negotiate, enter into, and perform contracts, leases, or other transactions with individuals, private entities, departments, agencies, federal, state, or local governments, and governments of foreign countries to carry out NTSB functions, and require them to compensate the NTSB for the costs of facilities, goods, services, or training it provides. Requires the NTSB to establish by regulation criteria to determine whether or not it will hold a public hearing for each accident investigation and safety study it undertakes. Prohibits the NTSB from disclosing to the public a vessel's voice or video recordings or transcripts of oral communications between vessel crewmembers (including communications with the company centers) related to an accident under investigation. Allows public disclosure, in certain circumstances, of parts of a transcript or any written depiction of visual information relevant to an accident. Prohibits a party representative to a NTSB investigation from disclosing investigative information to any person who is not an NTSB employee or a party representative to the investigation. Prescribes a civil penalty for violation of such prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the use of party representatives in NTSB accident investigations. Authorizes accident investigation training of NTSB employees in theory and techniques and on transportation safety methods to advance NTSB safety recommendations. Reauthorizes appropriations to the NTSB for FY2011-FY2014. Revises the authority of the NTSB to investigate transportation accidents to include: (1) accidents in response to an international request and delegation under appropriate international conventions, coordinated through the Department of State and accepted by the NTSB; and (2) accidents involving a commercial space launch vehicle. Authorizes the NTSB, with the consent of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to delegate its authority to investigate major marine casualty accidents to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Prohibits the delegation of such authority unless Coast Guard investigators have met certain training and qualifications requirements. Revises requirements for air carrier and foreign air carrier plans for addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents that incur major loss of life. Requires air carriers to make a reasonable attempt to notify the family of a passenger at least 60 days prior to the planned destruction of any unclaimed property of the passenger. Requires the NTSB and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations that provide the NTSB prompt notification through the Coast Guard of all marine accidents of potential investigative interest to the NTSB.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Active Community Transportation Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out an active transportation investment program to encourage a mode shift to active transportation within selected communities that have development plans that provide safe and convenient opportunities to travel by bicycling and walking. Requires the Secretary to make grants to communities through local or regional governmental organizations, multi-county special districts, or Indian tribes to carry out active transportation (bicycling and walking) infrastructure projects that connect people with public transportation, workplaces, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and make available for sale not more than 2 million silver national medals, containing one ounce of silver each, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. Declares that all sales of medals under this Act shall include a surcharge of $10 per medal, which shall be paid to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support its operations and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Savings Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to lymphedema diagnosis and treatment services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Commemorates the 20th anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's release from 27 years of unjust imprisonment. Recognizes Nelson Mandela's pivotal role in ending apartheid and as a figure of progress and reconciliation in South Africa and in the global community.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Recognizes the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a nation. Recognizes the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue to work to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for our nation's minority veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
Corporate Politics Transparency Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that quarterly and annual reports of an issuer, any proxy solicitation or consent or authorization in respect of any security, and the issuer's registration statement disclose total independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to any candidate for federal, state, or local public office made by the issuer during the preceding six-year period. Requires such disclosures to include: (1) the name and political party affiliation of each candidate in support of whom or in opposition to whom an independent expenditure was made; (2) the amount of each such expenditure; (3) the public office that such candidate was or is seeking; (4) the relevant state, city, or district; and (5) a statement of the issuer's interest in and reason for making such expenditure.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of National African American History Month. Honors and celebrates the important contributions that African-Americans have made throughout history to the U.S. transportation and infrastructure systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
Recognizes the hearing of the Senate Committee on Armed Services on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy (concerning sexual orientation in the military), and the testimony of Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael G. Mullen, as an important first step in bringing about the repeal of such policy and in permitting gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly in the Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the policy, as codified under federal law, should be repealed in 2010 and that repeal legislation should be promptly brought to a vote. Expresses the hope that President Obama will continue his leadership on this issue. Urges the Pentagon working group to deliver a repeal implementation plan to Congress as soon as possible while ensuring that the needs and concerns of members of the Armed Forces (members) are taken into consideration. Pledges that the House will do its part to move the repeal planning and implementation process forward in a timeline that is best for all members. Recommends that the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Subcommittee on Personnel Management of the House Armed Services Committee include members, regardless of their sexual orientation, in the upcoming hearings regarding the policy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2010
Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2010 or the H.E.L.P. Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to V- visa nonimmigrants (spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents who come to the United States to wait for completion of the immigrant visa process) to include Haitian nationals whose petition for a family-sponsored immigrant visa was approved on or before January 12, 2010. Authorizes the Department of State to use secondary evidence to verify eligibility for such status or for immediate relative status. Sunsets the provisions of this Act two years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Consumers Have Options for Molar Protection Act of 2009 or the CHOMP Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a dentist: (1) before performing any dental restoration work, to provide the patient with a fact sheet developed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and obtain the patient's signature acknowledging receipt of that sheet; and (2) to place a copy of the signed acknowledgment in the patient's record. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and periodically review and update, as scientifically warranted, such fact sheet, describing and comparing the risks and efficacy of the various types of dental restorative materials that may be used to repair a patient's oral condition or defect; and (2) make the fact sheet available to all licensed dentists in the United States. Establishes a $5,000 fine for violations, with the number of violations calculated by multiplying $5,000 by the number of restorative materials placed into a patient's mouth in violation of this Act. Requires the Secretary, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to develop text describing the health risks associated with dental restorative material, to be included in its labeling. Considers such material to be misbranded if its labeling fails to include such text.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
International Violence Against Women Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Office for Global Women's Issues, to be headed by the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, to coordinate efforts regarding gender integration and empowerment of women in U.S. foreign policy. Establishes an Office for Women's Global Development (intended to replace the Office of Women in Development) in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to be headed by the Director of Women's Global Development, to coordinate USAID efforts to integrate gender in U.S. foreign assistance programs and policies. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of USAID to develop a comprehensive five-year strategy for programs to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in countries with severe levels of such violence. Directs the Ambassador-at-Large and the Director to seek to coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls internationally into existing foreign assistance programs. Authorizes funds to be awarded to community-based women's nongovernmental organizations and community-based organizations in recipient countries to carry out such efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to provide guidance to the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) incorporate training on prevention and response into the basic training curricula of foreign military and police forces and judicial officials; and (2) ensure that U.S. assistance to units involved in regional or multilateral peacekeeping operations includes such training. Authorizes the Ambassador-at-Large to provide guidance to the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict settings. Authorizes the Secretary to provide guidance on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls to the Secretary of DOD when U.S. military personnel, military contractors, and military observers are to be deployed in humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict settings. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of DOD to: (1) provide training in prevention and response to violence against women and girls internationally to U.S. military forces; (2) establish mechanisms for reporting incidences of violence against civilian women and girls committed by U.S. military forces; and (3) establish related public outreach efforts. Urges the Secretary to make U.S. financial, material, human, and other resources available to assist U.N. efforts to: (1) implement training programs in prevention and response to violence against women and girls for peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel; (2) enhance the deployment of military and civilian women in peacekeeping missions; and (3) improve protection mechanisms at U.N. managed refugee and internally displaced persons camps. Urges the Secretary to identify and take emergency measures to respond to critical outbreaks of violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010
Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to: (1) impress upon the Ugandan government the U.S. belief in the human dignity of all Ugandans regardless of sexual orientation; (2) express U.S. opposition to the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009" introduced in the Ugandan Parliament; and (3) ensure that resources committed to the global HIV/AIDS response are utilized in a manner that is appropriate to the local epidemiology of the disease, including in Uganda.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Recognizes the 10th anniversary of the founding of Sojourn to the Past. Praises that organization for its work in educating the next generation of people in the United States about the civil rights movement and the importance of social justice.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2010 - Excludes from annual income, for purposes of eligibility for pensions for veterans and their surviving spouses and children, reimbursements resulting from: (1) any accident; (2) any theft or loss; (3) any casualty loss; (4) medical expenses resulting from any such accident, theft, or loss; and (5) pain and suffering (including insurance settlement payments and general damages awarded by a court) related to such accident, theft, or loss.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2010 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require consumer reporting agencies to disclose any information in the consumer's file concerning credit scores or other related risk scores or predictors when the consumer requests a free annual disclosure (credit report). Requires all consumer reporting agencies to maintain information in the consumer's file concerning such scores or predictors for at least one year from the date on which such information is placed in the file. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on bankruptcy risk scores used by consumer reporting agencies, including an analysis of: (1) the factors used to determine such scores; (2) how bankruptcy risk scores impact the ability of consumers to receive loans; and (3) actions that consumers can take to improve such scores.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination. Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act. Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them. Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail. Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Expresses: (1) condolences and sympathy for the horrific loss of life and the physical and psychological damage caused by the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti; and (2) solidarity with Haitians, Haitian-Americans, and all those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the tragedy. Commends the assistance efforts of: (1) the people of the United States, including the Haitian-American community; and (2) the men and women of USNS Comfort and the U.S. Navy.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; (2) development of a national AIDS strategy to reduce new HIV infections; (3) the strengthening of stable African-American communities; (4) reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infections within the African-American community; (5) reducing the number of HIV infections in the African-American community resulting from injection drug use; (6) comprehensive HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment and care as early as possible; and (7) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and housing. Encourages state and local governments to recognize such day and to encourage individuals, especially African-Americans, to get tested for HIV.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers (African-American troops who, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers) in the early years of the National Parks, which shall include an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail commemorating the route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio in San Francisco to the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have served.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
FEHBP Prescription Drug Integrity, Transparency, and Cost Savings Act - Prohibits the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from entering a contract or approving a health benefits plan with a carrier that is a party to a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) carrier arrangement to provide or administer prescription drug coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) unless the PBM and the carrier comply with requirements of this Act. Directs OPM to terminate a contract or discontinue a plan that fails to comply. Prohibits: (1) a pharmaceutical drug manufacturer or retail pharmacy from having a controlling interest in the PBM; or (2) the PBM from having a controlling interest in a retail pharmacy. Requires each carrier to certify PBM compliance annually. Prohibits OPM from permitting a carrier that has a controlling interest in a PBM to earn a profit from such interest with respect to an FEHBP contract. Sets forth requirements of PBM arrangements under the FEHBP, including regarding: (1) drug substitution restrictions; (2) PBM reimbursement of carriers; (3) sale by a PBM of utilization and claims data; (4) drug pricing and the basis for reimbursement; (5) provisions of an explanation of benefits to enrollees; (6) nondiscriminatory contracts regarding required participation; (7) OPM access to PBM contract information; (8) civil monetary penalties for making false statements or claims to the government; and (9) reports from drug manufacturers on average manufacturer prices for drugs each quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Congratulates the National Federation of the Blind for 70 years of outstanding service to the blind, especially its fight for an equal education and access to Braille for all blind children in this country. Supports the designation of National Braille Literacy Month. Calls upon the people of this country to recognize the central role that Braille plays in the lives of blind people and to support the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to promote Braille literacy.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
National Youth Sports Program Revitalization Act of 2010 - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2021 for national or regional instructional programs for low-income youth.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Expresses: (1) condolences and sympathy for the loss of life and the physical and psychological damage in Haiti caused by the January 2010 earthquake; and (2) solidarity with Haitians, Haitian Americans, and those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the tragedy. Commends the efforts of the governments of Haiti and the United States, the United Nations and the international community, and the American people. Supports: (1) Administration efforts to provide and coordinate international humanitarian assistance and to provide relief to affected communities; and (2) long-term reconstruction efforts for Haiti. Urges countries and institutions that hold debt against Haiti to suspend debt payments and cancel all remaining debt. Urges the President to make necessary resources available for current and long-term assistance to Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Honors the life and sacrifice of Medgar Evers and recognizes the important role he played in securing civil rights for all people in the United States. Congratulates the United States Navy for honoring Medgar Evers by naming the United States Naval Ship Medgar Evers after him.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2010
Responsible Banking Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 75% tax for the next five years on any bonus for services performed for the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), any financial institution, insurance company, hedge fund, financial adviser, or broker or dealer in securities, and any lending or finance business.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2009
Expresses support for the designation of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Recognizes the importance of preventing childhood obesity and decreasing its prevalence in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act - States that it is U.S. policy that all nonambulatory cattle in interstate and foreign commerce be immediately and humanely euthanized when such cattle become nonambulatory. Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory cattle by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory cattle be humanely euthanized. Requires an entity to: (1) humanely euthanize nonambulatory cattle (while not limiting the Secretary's ability to test nonambulatory cattle for disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy); and (2) not move nonambulatory cattle while such cattle is conscious, and ensure that such cattle remains unconscious until death. Prohibits an inspector at an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory cattle, carcass, or carcass parts through inspection. Requires an inspector or other employee at such establishment to label such material as "inspected and condemned."
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize continued use of 2009 Medicare practice expense relative value units for certain cardiology services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract with an independent entity to study and report to Congress on the practice expense methodology used to determine relative value units under this Act to determine whether the cost finding, indirect cost allocation, scaling, and budget neutrality methodologies used: (1) are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles; (2) distribute the burden of any necessary budget neutrality adjustments proportionally among all physicians' services; and (3) result in allowances that accurately reflect the relative direct and indirect resources involved in the provision of various physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity when extending credit. Defines: (1) "gender identity" as the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth; (2) "person" as a natural person, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association; and (3) "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 - Amends the the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for free, reduced price, and paid meals and snacks served under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at nonresidential child care centers and family or group day care homes. Allows such providers to be reimbursed for the service of three meals and a snack. (Currently, reimbursement is provided for two meals and a snack.) Lowers the percentage of children or school children in an area that must be eligible for free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs to make family or group day care homes in the area eligible for higher CACFP reimbursement rates as tier I homes. Increases the maximum monthly administrative payment per home provided to sponsors of family or group day care homes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to improve the ability of the CACFP to reach low-income families by streamlining program and paperwork requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Act of 2009, or the CIR ASAP Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) (Secretary) to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a National Strategy for Border Security; (2) increase the number of Customs and Border Protection officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel, and enhance related equipment, assets, and technology; (3) develop a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan, including aerial and integrated surveillance demonstration programs; (4) issue a rule for electronic device searches and related agent training; (5) improve coordination efforts to combat human smuggling; (6) establish a Border Communities Liaison Office in every Border Patrol sector at the southern and northern borders; (7) carry out a ports of entry technology demonstration program; and (8) establish a Southern Border Security Task Force. Authorizes appropriations for border security improvements at U.S. ports of entry. Authorizes border relief grants for tribal, state, or local law enforcement and related agencies in proximity to the border or in a designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Provides reimbursement for state and county prosecutors in border states for prosecuting federally initiated and referred drug cases. Suspends the Operation Streamline program pending an evaluation of its viability. Expands resources for Project Gunrunner and for Operation Armas Cruzadas along the U.S.-Mexico border. Establishes the United States-Mexico Border Enforcement Commission. Prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, from assisting in non-emergency federal, state, local, and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws. Directs the Secretaries of DHS, Interior, Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce to develop: (1) a land border protection strategy; and (2) a borderlands environmental monitoring plan. Provides for: (1) enhanced border cooperation with Mexico; and (2) expansion of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs. Sets forth detention conditions. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Immigration Detention Commission. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) immigration enforcement protections; (2) unlawful detentions; (3) protections for vulnerable populations; (4) apprehension procedures for families and family detention; (5) welfare requirements for children separated from detained or removed parents; (6) unaccompanied alien children; and (7) female detainees. Provides a stay of removal and work authorization for detained alien workers who are witnesses or necessary for workplace prosecution claims. Eliminates, with specified exceptions, DHS authority to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to perform immigration law enforcement functions. Establishes in DHS an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ombudsman. Eliminates the one-year asylun filing requirement. Provides for federal court review of DHS orders of removal currently exempt from such review. Establishes an alien employment verification system which requires employers to comply with: (1) document verification requirements; and (2) a phased-in electronic employment verification system. Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant levels. Revises the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) include the spouse and child of a lawful permanent resident; and (2) permit a qualifying widow/widower and the child or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to maintain such status while filing for permanent resident status. Increases: (1) per-country limits for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants; and (2) specified family-unity exceptions to unlawful presence-based inadmissibility. Prohibits the removal from the United States of an individual who: (1) fled his or her homeland while under the age of 12 years old; and (2) was later admitted to the United States as a refugee, parolee, or asylee. Exempts the sons and daughters of certain naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from worldwide or numerical immigrant visa limits. Makes a minor child of an alien fiancee/fiance or of an alien spouse of a U.S. citizen eligible for derivative K-visa status under specified circumstances. Redefines "child" to include a stepchild under 21 years old. Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) require determinations with respect to children to be made using the age and status of an individual on October 21, 1998; and (2) permit an application based upon child status to be filed by a parent or guardian if the child is present in the United States on such filing date. Permits new status adjustment applications to be filed for a limited time period. Reduces the required support level for immigrant sponsorship. Establishes the Prevent Unauthorized Migration Visa (PUM Visa) program which shall provide for: (1) 100,000 PUM conditional permanent resident visas annually, for three years, to persons from countries (transitional visa admission states) which represent at least 5% of the total unauthorized migration population to the United States for the past five years; and (2) a process to adjust to permanent resident status. Exempts specified categories of U.S.-educated aliens from employment-based immigration limits. Permits a nonimmigrant alien whose employer has petitioned for an employment-based green card for such alien to file an application for adjustment of status regardless of whether an immigrant visa is immediately available. (Requires visa availability before such application may be approved.) Return of Talent Act - Establishes the Return of Talent Program to permit an eligible alien (and certain family members) to return to the alien's country of citizenship for up to two years in order to contribute to such country's postconflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities. (During such absence the alien and family members shall be considered to be continuously present and residing in the United States for naturalization purposes.) Establishes a conditional nonimmigrant status for qualifying aliens and their dependents who are illegally present or out of status in the United States and who register and meet the requirements for such status. Authorizes: (1) adjustment from conditional to permanent resident status at the earlier of six years after enactment of this Act or 30 days after specified immigrant visas become available (with exceptions to such time frame for certain students, military personnel, and employed individuals); and (2) naturalization three years after permanent resident status adjustment. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009 or the AgJOBS Act of 2009 - Confers "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2008, has performed specified lengths of, or earned a specified amount from, agricultural employment in the United States; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of specified felonies or misdemeanors. Limits the number of blue cards that may be issued during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. Provides for adjustment of blue card status to permanent resident status based upon completed periods of agricultural employment. Revises H-2A visa (agricultural labor or temporary or seasonal services) provisions. Replaces the existing labor certification requirement with a labor attestation requirement containing: (1) a description of the nature and location of the job; (2) the job's expected beginning and ending dates; (3) the number of jobs; and (4) specified labor assurances respecting job opportunities covered by collective bargaining agreements and non-covered job opportunities. Establishes: (1) the Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets; and (2) the Security and Prosperity Account in the Treasury. Requires each State Workforce Agency (SWA) to establish an Internet-based American Worker Recruit and Match program. Requires employers and foreign labor contractors to provide workers recruited abroad with specified employment-related information. Amends H-1B visa (specialty occupation) employer application requirements to: (1) revise wage determination requirements; (2) require Internet posting and description of employment positions; (3) lengthen U.S. worker displacement protection; (4) apply certain requirements to all H-1B employers rather than only to H-1B dependent employers; (5) prohibit employer advertising that makes a position available only to, or gives priority to, H-1B nonimmigrants; and (6) limit the number of H-1B and L-1 visa (intracompany transfer) employees that an employer of 50 or more workers in the United States may hire. Authorizes the Department of Labor (DOL) to: (1) investigate applications for fraud; and (2) conduct H-1B compliance audits. Prohibits an employer from hiring an L-1 nonimmigrant for more than one year who will: (1) serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge; and (2) be stationed primarily at the worksite of another employer. Specifies L-1: (1) employer petition requirements for employment at a new office; (2) wage rates and working conditions; and (3) employer penalties. Authorizes: (1) DOL to enforce federal labor laws with respect to employers of H-2B nonagricultural temporary workers; and (2) a private right of action against such employers. Specifies employer actions to recruit U.S. workers prior to filing for H-2B admissions. Sets forth H-2B and U.S. worker protections. Amends EB-5 visa (alien investor) provisions to: (1) increase EB-5 eligibility; (2) make the regional center program permanent; (3) establish $2,500 regional center designation and premium processing fees; (4) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications; (5) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Center Account; and (6) increase employment creation-related visas. Revises provisions regarding: (1) immigration service fees; (2) the naturalization age-based English language proficiency exemption; and (3) citizenship application background checks. Establishes the New Americans Initiative grants program to to assist lawful permanent resident aliens to become citizens. Authorizes grants for: (1) public education and community training regarding the provisions of this Act; (2) community-based organizations to assist naturalization applicants (initial entry, adjustment, and citizenship assistance grants); and (3) states to form New American Councils. Provides for the naturalization of certain graduates of U.S. high schools who are under 25 years of age on the date of application for naturalization. Establishes: (1) a tax credit and a deduction for certification expenses for teachers of English language learners; and (2) a tax credit for employer-provided adult English literacy and basic education programs. Makes funds available for oath of allegiance ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports Establishment Act - Establishes the National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports as a charitable, nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Subjects any person who uses the Council's or Foundation's official seal or any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia falsely representing association with, or authorization by, the Council or Foundation for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition without the Foundation's consent to a civil action for remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946. Allows the Foundation, in conjunction with the Council, to authorize contributors and suppliers of goods or services to use such trade name, trademark, seal, symbol, insignia, or emblem in advertising under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Post-9/11 GI Educational Fairness Act of 2009 -Amends the veterans' post-9/11 educational assistance program to remove the requirement that a program of education must be offered by an institution of higher learning in ordered to be approved. States that the purpose of this Act is to allow activities such as apprenticeship or other on-job training, entrepreneurship training, correspondence training, and flight training. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve for such program the pursuit of flight training if: (1) such training is generally accepted as necessary for the attainment of a vocational objective in aviation; (2) the individual possesses a valid private pilot certificate and meets medical requirements necessary for a commercial pilot certificate; and (3) the flight school course meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for expenses related to advertising primarily directed at children to promote the consumption by children of food from any fast food restaurant or of poor nutritional quality. Defines "food of poor nutritional quality" as food that is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury (in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services [HHS] and the Federal Trade Commission [FTC]) to provide calories primarily through fats or added sugars and to have minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the guidelines of the United States Preventive Services Task Force would not prohibit an insurer from providing coverage for mammography services in addition to those recommended by the Task Force and should not be used by insurers to deny coverage for services that are not recommended on a routine basis; and (2) the National Cancer Institute should continue to invest and provide leadership regarding research to develop more effective breast cancer screening tools and strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2009
Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum amounts of loans under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) guaranteed loan program; (2) the section 504 (state and local development company) program; and (3) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through 2010 SBA authority to reduce or eliminate loan fees on section 7(a) and 504 loans. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to apply single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish for prospective borrowers an alternative small business size standard that uses maximum tangible net worth and average net income as an alternative to the use of industry standards. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator should establish a website that: (1) lists SBA lenders and provides loan rate information; and (2) allows prospective borrowers to compare rates on SBA-guaranteed loans. Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower under such program to refinance a previous business debt: (1) that was incurred no less than two years before application for the SBA loan; (2) that is a commercial loan; (3) that is not guaranteed by a federal agency; (4) the proceeds of which were used to acquire a fixed asset for the benefit of the small business; (5) that is collateralized by fixed assets; and (6) for which the borrower has been current on all payments for at least one year. Allows the Administrator to provide financing under such program for a borrower that meets certain job creation or retention goals. Provides an alternate job retention goal for which a borrower may qualify.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2009
Restoring America's Commitment to Consumers Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate (APR) applicable to an extension of credit on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan from exceeding 16%. Includes in an APR any compensation fee (including a membership fee or an annual fee) for: (1) opening or maintaining the account; (2) granting an extension of credit; or (3) making available a line of credit. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to make adjustments to the maximum APR limitation; but creates the presumption that any increase by the Board to the maximum limitation is not in the public interest unless severe economic conditions justify the increase. Prohibits construction of this Act as an endorsement by Congress of a 16% APR. Declares the intention of Congress that: (1) such maximum APR limitation should merely serve as a ceiling on consumer credit cards and few, if any, consumer credit card accounts would ever bear the maximum rate; and (2) consumer credit card issuers should strive to maintain APRs most advantageous to borrowers. Treats as an unfair or deceptive act or practice a credit card account which, as of December 11, 2009, bears an APR that is less than 16%, and subsequently increases it between December 11, 2009, and 60 days after enactment of this Act. Imposes a $15 cap upon certain credit card account fees, including fees (such as late fees, overdraft fees, or over-the-limit transaction fees) for borrower default or breach of any condition upon which credit was extended.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training Practices Act or BEST Practices Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD), no later than October 1, 2013, to only use human-based training methods for training members of the Armed Forces in the treatment of combat trauma injuries and the management of chemical and biological casualties. Prohibits the use of animals in such training.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Put America to Work Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to states, local government units, and Indian tribes to create employment opportunities for unemployed and underemployed residents of distressed communities. Specifies grant uses, including funding of fast-track jobs for: (1) painting and repair of schools, community centers, and libraries; (2) restoration of abandoned and vacant properties; (3) expansion of emergency food programs to reduce hunger; (4) augmentation of staffing in Head Start and other early childhood education programs; and (5) renovation and maintenance of parks, playgrounds, and other public spaces. Requires grant recipients to use remaining grant funds to make grants to public entities, nonprofit organizations, public-private partnerships, or small businesses to create employment opportunities in: (1) construction, rehabilitation, and improvements in energy efficiency of residences or public facilities; (2) the provision of human services; (3) remediation and demolition of vacant and abandoned properties; and (4) programs that provide opportunities for employment, education, and training for disadvantaged youth.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000984_200.jpg)