United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Tighten Washington's Belt Act of 2010 - Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), within 15 days after the end of a session, to issue a Discretionary Sequestration Report and, if in such report OMB estimates that any sequestration is required, the President to issue an order (effective on issuance) fully implementing without change all such sequestrations. Requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), within 10 days after the end of session, also to issue a Discretionary Sequestration Report. Subjects to permanent cancellation any budgetary resources sequestered from any account, except those in special fund accounts or offsetting collections sequestered in appropriation accounts. Applies the same percentage sequestration to all programs, projects, and activities within a budget account. Requires the Comptroller General, upon request of the congressional budget committees, to report to Congress and the President on the extent to which each such issued presidential order or OMB or CBO report complies with all of the requirements contained in this Act, either certifying that the order fully and accurately complies with such requirements or indicating the respects in which it does not. Requires Discretionary Sequestration Reports for each of FY2011-FY2015 to set forth estimates for: (1) the applicable discretionary spending limits; (2) the new budget authority and the breach, if any; (3) the sequestration percentages necessary to eliminate the breach; and (4) the level of enacted sequesterable budget authority, and resulting estimated outlays to be sequestered for each account. Requires the OMB report to explain: (1) any differences between OMB and CBO estimates for any breach and any required discretionary sequestration percentages; and (2) differences in the amount of sequesterable resources for any budget account to be reduced if such difference is greater than $5 million. Establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2015. Sets forth sequestration enforcement mechanisms. Subjects all discretionary budget authority to such sequestration procedures, except: (1) benefits and compensation provided to active duty military and to veterans defined as discretionary spending; (2) provisions of discretionary spending legislation the President and Congress designate as emergency requirements; and (3) salaries or other expenditures that may not be reduced on account of constitutional requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2010
Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act of 2010 - Requires trial only by a military commission for any foreign national who: (1) engages or has engaged in an offense relating to a terrorist attack against persons or property in the United States or U.S. government property or personnel outside the United States; and (2) is subject to trial for that offense by a military commission under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2010
District of Columbia Referendum on Marriage Act of 2010 - Prohibits the government of the District of Columbia from issuing a marriage license to any couple of the same sex until the people of the District have the opportunity to hold a referendum or initiative on the question of whether the District should issue same-sex marriage licenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2010
Waives, during FY2011, the basic military pay adjustment tied to increases in the Employment Cost Index. Increases, effective January 1, 2011, such basic pay by 1.9%.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2010
Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to safeguard and uphold the Tenth Amendment (which reserves to the states powers not delegated to the United States or prohibited to the states by the Constitution).
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
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
James Monroe Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the election of President James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. Authorizes the issuance of such coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2016. Requires all sales of coins minted under this Act to include specified surcharges and requires such surcharges to be promptly paid to the James Monroe Memorial Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Honors Navy SEALs Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe, and Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas for their heroic actions in the capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed, one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Control America's Purse-strings to Deliver a Better Tomorrow Act or the CAP the DEBT Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report increasing the statutory limit on the public debt if there is any other matter in such measure. Requires a two-thirds recorded vote of Members in the House and a roll call vote of at least two-thirds of the Members of the Senate before legislation increasing the statutory limit on the public debt may be considered as passed or agreed to in either chamber. Permits a successful appeal from the ruling of the Chair in the Senate on such prohibition, but only by an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of its Members. Repeals Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House, and known as the "Gephardt Rule," providing for mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
Stop the Automatic Pay Raise for Members of Congress in Fiscal Year 2011 Act - Declares that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2011 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the General Schedule (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
National Commission on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on American Recovery and Reinvestment. Requires the Commission to: (1) investigate and make findings on the number of jobs saved or created as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; and (2) make recommendations on changes that could be made to such Act to save or create more jobs as well as steps that could be taken to prevent the improper payment of funds allocated under it.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Recognizes the importance of Christmas symbols and traditions. Disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas. Supports the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Medicare SGR Improvement and Reform Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide an increased annual update for the Sustainable Growth Mechanism (SGR) formula for determining rates in the fee schedule for Medicare physician payments. Sets a three-year time limit for the commencement of a health care lawsuit. Prescribes requirements for: (1) unlimited damages for a claimant's actual economic losses in health care lawsuits; (2) court supervision of arrangements for payment of such damages, including limitation of contingent attorney fees; (3) restrictions on punitive damages; and (4) payment of future damages to claimants in health care suits. Terminates funding of the Medicare Improvement Fund as of January 1, 2010. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prescribe requirements for the licensure of biological products as biosimilar or interchangeable. Includes under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act fees relating to the licensure of a biological product. Amends patent law with respect to biosimilar products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt a single set of consensus-based operating rules for each health information transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Directs the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the House of Representatives copies of any document, record, memo, correspondence, or other communication of the Department of Defense (DOD), or any portion of such communication, that refers or relates to the trial or detention of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarek Bin 'Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Directs the Attorney General to transmit to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, copies of any document, record, memo, correspondence, or other communication of the Department of Justice (DOJ), including the Office of the Solicitor General, that relates to: (1) any legal guidance or recommendations made since January 20, 2009, regarding additional legal rights or protections, including under the Constitution, statutes, and treaties, detainees held at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, receive when transferred into the United States from such Naval Station; or (2) pretrial detention, post conviction incarceration, or transportation within the United States, of detainees held at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who are to be transferred into the United States for prosecution and trial in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Requests the Attorney General to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and its affiliates and report to Congress on the results of such investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Military Spouse Pin Act - Requires the design of a spouse-of-a-combat-veteran lapel button to identify and recognize the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving in a combat zone for a period of more than 30 days. Directs the: (1) Secretary of the military department concerned to present the button to such a spouse; and (2) Secretary of Defense (DOD) to make the button available to qualifying spouses of veterans of military conflicts that took place before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act of 2009 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat as a disability for OASDI and SSI disability payment purposes any service-connected total disability, as rated and certified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Applies the same treatment to related child's insurance and widow's and widower's insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Expresses the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the service to our nation of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of California on October 29, 2009. Extends its condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Organized Retail Crime Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the transportation of fraudulently obtained goods valued at $1,000 or more for sale on an online marketplace and the barter or sale of such goods online with knowledge that such goods have been stolen, converted, or taken by fraud. Directs the Attorney General to establish multi-jurisdictional task forces to investigate organized retail theft and to dismantle organized retail theft criminal enterprises in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2009
Commends the soldiers, their families, and the civilian personnel at Fort Gordon for their service and dedication to the United States. Recognizes: (1) the contributions of Fort Gordon to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and (2) Fort Gordon as a pivotal communications training installation for the United States Army Signal Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (which provides veterans with teacher certification stipends in exchange for three years of service in a high-need local educational agency [LEA] or public charter school). Expands program eligibility to cover certain individuals: (1) who, on or after September 11, 2001, serve at least 90 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces before being honorably released from such service; or (2) who, on or after January 8, 2002, are separated or released from active duty after at least four (currently, six) years of continuous active duty immediately preceding such separation or release, and agree to serve in the Armed Forces Reserves for at least three years. Makes any LEA that is receiving school improvement funds eligible to host Troops-to-Teachers program participants. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish an Advisory Board, composed of federal, state, and veteran service organization representatives, to collect, study, and disseminate feedback from the program and report to Congress on how the program is operating and might be improved. Reserves specified funding to carry out the Troops-to-Teachers program through FY2014.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Extended COBRA Continuation Protection Act of 2009 - Extends COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) from 18 months to 24 months for an individual whose COBRA coverage was a consequence of termination (or reduction of hours) of employment occurring on or after April 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2010. Allows an individual to elect to continue and extend such coverage through an election similar to that permitted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Declares that the extended period of continuation under this Act shall not exceed six months. Amends ARRA to extend: (1) until June 30, 2010, the period to determine eligibility for COBRA premium assistance; and (2) the period for which premium assistance is provided to an eligible individual. Makes this Act effective as if included in the enactment of ARRA.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives to the people who marched on Washington, D.C., on September 12, 2009, to show their love of liberty and their grievance with recent government actions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Recognizes the commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21. Congratulates the captain and commissioning crew of the USS New York LPD 21 on the occasion of their vessel entering into the service of the U.S. Navy. Honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Recommits the House of Representatives to the counter-terrorism mission of the USS New York LPD 21 and all the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Recognizes Biblica (an international society that translates and distributes Bibles and biblical resources) as an integral part of U.S. history and commends Biblica for the contributions it has made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Recognizes the energy savings and innovations achieved by the United States Air Force. Honors the leadership of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base for their energy savings. Congratulates Tom Denslow, Danny Dobbs, Ron Miller, and Daniel Thatcher of the Department of the Air Force at that base and Steve Dumont of the Department's Air Combat Command for their efforts to reduce energy use and to make that base a model of efficient energy use.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any meetings held to determine the final content of sweeping health care legislation be held in public view and not behind closed doors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the chair of a committee, within 24 hours after commencing a meeting to consider a measure or matter, to cause its text to be made publicly available in an electronic form. Requires a committee chair to do the same with an amendment to such measure or matter within 24 hours after adopting it. Amends Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to prohibit a committee report on a measure or matter from including recommended amendments after it was ordered reported, except technical and conforming changes authorized by the committee to correct section numbers, cross-references, punctuation, grammar, spelling, or to maintain mathematical consistency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Condemns violations of religious freedom in the Middle East. Calls on the President to consider the status of religious freedom in each country in the Middle East when assessing relations with governments in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Recognizes Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI) as the leading cause of death and disability in the United States for children and young adults from birth until 25 years of age. Endorses the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan and encourages its implementation by federal, state, and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Encourages banks and mortgage servicers to work with families affected by contaminated drywall to allow temporary forbearance without penalty on payments on their home mortgages.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
George C. Marshall National Historic Site Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Dodona Manor and gardens in Leesburg, Virginia, the home of George C. Marshall during the most important period of his career. Requires the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the national significance of the study area and the surrounding area; (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as an affiliated area of the National Park System; and (3) consider other alternatives for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) expand the definition of "law enforcement officers," for purposes of provisions authorizing such officers to carry concealed weapons, to include current and retired law enforcement officers of the Amtrak Police Department, the Federal Reserve System, the executive branch, and the Armed Forces; (2) allow law enforcement officers who are retired or who separated in good standing after at least ten years of service to carry a concealed weapon; and (3) expand the categories of law enforcement officers authorized to possess a fireman in a school zone to include retired law enforcement officers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective January 1, 2013: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service provided from a certification organization designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); or (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession and where the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration meet or exceed the standards established by the Secretary. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish minimum standards for personnel who perform, plan, evaluate, or verify patient dose for medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures; (2) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (3) provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training or experience are determined to be equal to, or in excess of, those of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; and (4) approve and publish a list of accrediting bodies for such certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging. Amends the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services furnished on or after January 1, 2013, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) ensure that promotion of inter-religious dialogue and protection of religious freedom and human rights are key components of the U.S. engagement strategy with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (2) support efforts by the government of Pakistan to protect the religious freedom of all Pakistanis and prioritize the prevention of religiously motivated and sectarian violence; and (3) urge the government of Pakistan to review legislation that restricts the right to practice and propagate religion or that constitutes discrimination on the basis of religion or belief in order to bring Pakistani law into conformity with international human rights standards.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Retirement Savings Access Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals who have received federal or state unemployment compensation for 26 consecutive weeks to take penalty-free distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Underscores the value of respectful speech while affirming that the freedoms of speech and religious exercise are integral to free societies and human dignity. Urges the Secretary of State to make every effort to defeat the passage of resolutions on the "defamation of religions" at the United Nations and other resolutions or international instruments that threaten the free and peaceful exchange of ideas, beliefs, and truth claims. Calls on the United Nations (U.N.) to abandon efforts to adopt the flawed concept of "defamation of religions." Urges U.N. member states to focus on protecting the fundamental freedom of individuals to peacefully express their religious beliefs and to avoid supporting resolutions that threaten freedom of expression.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Declares that all U.S. citizens should remain secure in the possession of private property and that no court, legislature, or executive shall, by predatory law or tyrannical force, obtain the property of any U.S. citizen for the benefit of another private citizen or corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Health Care Consumer Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an issuer of group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan that cancels or does not renew the coverage by reason of nonpayment of premiums to: (1) provide to the administrator of the plan and to each participant receiving coverage, during the 14-day period beginning on the date of such cancellation or non-renewal, written notice of the cancellation or non-renewal, the reason for such cancellation or non-renewal, and the right of reinstatement; and (2) reinstate the coverage as if it had not lapsed if the premiums due and such reasonable administrative fee as the state regulating such coverage may specify are paid to the issuer by not later than 60 days after the date the cancellation or non-renewal would otherwise have become effective. Applies such requirement in the same manner to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market. Requires the notice to be provided to an association or other organization responsible for paying premiums as well as the individuals whose coverage is affected.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2009 - Allows any former member of the Armed Forces who has 20 years of active-duty service as of any date between September 30, 2011, and ending July 31, 2009, including at least 90 days of such service after September 10, 2001, and is honorably discharged to transfer to their dependents any remaining entitlement to educational assistance under the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Defund ACORN Act - Prohibits any federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other form of agreement from being awarded to, any federal funds in any other form from being provided to, or any federal employee or contractor from promoting any organization that: (1) has been indicted for a violation under any federal or state law governing the financing of a campaign for election for public office or any law governing the administration of such an election, including a voter registration law; (2) had its state corporate charter terminated due to its failure to comply with federal or state lobbying disclosure requirements; (3) has filed a fraudulent form with any federal or state regulatory agency; or (4) employs, has under contract, or retains to act on its behalf any individual who has been indicted for a violation under federal or state law relating to an election for federal or state office. Identifies, specifically, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and any affiliate as such an organization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to carry out provisions of this Act relating to contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Urges: (1) the President to issue a report clearly outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities of the special assistants he has appointed (commonly referred to as "czars") and to certify to Congress that such czars will not assert powers other than those granted by statute to a commissioned officer on the President's staff; and (2) Congress to hold hearings on such report and certification within 30 days.
![Official portrait of Rep. Forbes, J. Randy [R-VA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000445_200.jpg)