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United States · Official source
2,806 records where Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
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 · 15 October 2009
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report to both chambers on the practices of the legislative and executive branch regarding earmarks in authorizing, appropriation, tax, and tariff measures. Makes it out of order to consider a bill, joint resolution, or conference report containing a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit until the filing of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family and the significant commitment of taxpayers to support adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act - Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. Allows an Amtrak passenger to place small arms ammunition for personal use in a checked bag on an Amtrak route if the ammunition is securely packed in specified kinds of boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry such ammunition. Prohibits the application of such requirements in any fiscal year in which Amtrak does not receive federal assistance.
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
Wireless Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the limitation on depreciation for cellular telephones used for personal purposes; and (2) exempt employer-provided wireless devices from taxation as a de minimis fringe benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2009 - Rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval of major rules of the executive branch before they may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval of a major rule is not enacted by the end of 90 session days or legislative days after such resolution is introduced, the rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without such approval if the President determines such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Sets forth procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate for joint resolutions: (1) approving major rules; and (2) disapproving nonmajor rules.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs; (3) limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years. Shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function. Urges the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range in order to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Amends Rule XVI (Motions and Amendments) of the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to the division of a question under debate. Provides that any division of a question into distinct propositions shall depend on the propositions involved and not upon grammatical structure. Amends Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to prohibit the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that would waive clause 5 (on the divisibility of questions under debate) of Rule XVI.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Honors Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe III for their work as journalists investigating the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN).
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Recognizes the significant contributions of the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program to the U.S. Armed Forces. Honors retired Air Force MWD Ben C020 for his lifetime of service. Supports the adoption and care of these quality animals after such service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Health Care Bill of Rights Act or 10 Prescriptions for a Healthy America Act - Prohibits Congress and the President from enacting health reform legislation that: (1) includes government-run health insurance; (2) reduces benefits for seniors under Medicare; (3) increases the federal deficit; (4) imposes new taxes; (5) allows the federal government to ration care: (6) imposes a mandate on individuals to purchase health care coverage or on employers to provide such coverage; or (7) provides taxpayer-funded health insurance to illegal immigrants. Requires Congress and the President to enact health reform legislation on or before December 31, 2009, that: (1) protects individuals with preexisting conditions; (2) reforms medical liability law and curbs abusive litigation; and (3) reduces the overall cost of health care for all.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
FHA Taxpayer Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the National Housing Act to increase the downpayment requirement for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loan from 3.5% to 5%. Repeals the current inclusion in the principal amount of an FHA mortgage loan of any initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves. Prohibits the inclusion of such charges and fees in the principal amount of an FHA mortgage loan. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and the mortgage insurance programs under which the insurance obligations are obligations of such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Honors Robert Kelly Slater for his outstanding and unprecedented achievements in surfing and for being a role model and an ambassador for the sport.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009
Improving Methods to Promote Regular Occurrences of the Verification of Employability Status Act of 2009 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to eliminate the pilot program status of the E-verify (employment authorization) program, thus making the program permanent. Revises confirmation provisions. Adds provisions respecting fraudulent documentation and sanctions. Provides that information posters required to be displayed shall be written only in English.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans and as a time to renew efforts toward the examination of history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Medicare Premium Fairness Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) premium for 2010. Makes such premium, and the related monthly actuarial rate, the same as those for 2009. Requires transfer from the Treasury general fund to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of an amount estimated to be equivalent to the aggregate reduction in part B premiums resulting from application of this Act. Revises the formula for funding the Medicare Improvement Fund (MIF) to reduce (offset) the amount available to the MIF for FY2014 by the transferred amount plus $567 million. Makes $567 million the amount available to the MIF for FY2015.
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
Offers condolences to the family of Jim Pouillon, who was murdered in Owosso, Michigan. Commits to the American principle that the suppression of thought by any means and by either government or individuals must always yield to the right of free speech and that violence is never an appropriate response to a difference in beliefs.
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
Surface Transportation and Taxation Equity Act or the STATE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the federal excise tax on gasoline and special fuels (but not below two cents per gallon) by corresponding increases in fuel taxes imposed by states after March 17, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
TARP Recipient Ownership Trust Act of 2009 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to delegate to a private entity management authority over troubled assets with respect to any entity assisted under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Prohibits any expenditure of TARP funds until the Secretary transfers all voting, nonvoting, and common equity in any designated TARP recipient to a limited liability company, to be held and managed in trust on behalf of U.S. taxpayers. Requires the trustees to liquidate the trust and its assets by December 24, 2011, unless: (1) the trustees report to Congress that liquidation would not maximize profitability of the company and the return on investment to the taxpayer; and (2) Congress enacts into law a joint resolution approving continuation of the TARP management plan established under this Act.
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
New IDEA (Illegal Deduction Elimination Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for wages and benefits paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretaries of Homeland Security and the Treasury to jointly establish a program to share information that may lead to the identification of unauthorized aliens. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide taxpayer identity information to the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security on employers who paid nondeductible wages to unauthorized aliens and on the aliens to whom such wages were paid. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) make permanent the pilot program for verifying the employment eligibility of alien workers (E-Verify Program); (2) apply such program to current employees in addition to new hires; (3) establish a rebuttable presumption that employers who participate in the pilot program have not violated the prohibition against continued employment of unauthorized aliens; and (4) allow employers to offer a prospective employee a conditional offer of employment pending final verification of identity and employment eligibility under the E-Verify 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.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2009
Expresses support for Constitution Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any major health care reform bill that comes to the floor of the House in final form should be available to Members to view in hard copy and available online to the public in a downloadable and searchable format for 30 calendar days prior to the final vote.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Congressional Hope for Uniform Recognition of Christian Heritage (CHURCH) Act of 2009 - Requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to enter into an agreement with a private entity for the design and fabrication of a historical plaque to be permanently displayed in National Statuary Hall recognizing the seven decades of Christian church services being held in the Capitol from 1800 to 1868. Authorizes the AOC to use National Statuary Hall for a presentation ceremony for the plaque. Requires the AOC upon receiving such plaque to display it permanently in a place of prominence in National Statuary Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Healthy Savings Act of 2009 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) to allow: (1) spouses to make increased catch-up contributions to a single HSA; (2) Medicare Part A beneficiaries to establish and contribute to an HSA; (3) veterans eligible for service-connected disability benefits and individuals eligible for Indian health service assistance to establish an HSA; (4) HSAs to incorporate flexible spending and health reimbursement arrangements; (5) the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance; (6) payment of certain medical expenses incurred before the establishment of an HSA; and (7) payments from an HSA for prescription and over-the-counter drugs that aid in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Allows Medicare beneficiaries participating in a Medicare Advantage medical savings account (MSA) to exclude from gross income payments made to their MSAs. Treats as medical care for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses certain exercise equipment and physical fitness programs and certain nutritional and dietary supplements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Enable Divestment from Sudan and Iran Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the divestment of investments in Iran or the Sudan by permitting the deferral of tax on gain from the sale of securities in any business that is engaged in certain discouraged activities in Iran or the Sudan if the holder of such securities purchases replacement securities from a business not engaged in such discouraged activities. Includes as discouraged activities in Iran: (1) investment of $20 million or more in the energy sector of Iran (i.e., petroleum, natural gas, or nuclear power) or in a person who provides Iran with oil or liquefied natural gas tankers or pipelines; (2) an extension of credit of $20 million or more to a person who invests in the energy sector of Iran; (3) investment that enhances Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources; (4) the sale of goods, services, technology, information, or support to Iran that allows it to maintain or expand its petroleum industry; or (5) providing Iran with refined petroleum resources. Defines "Sudan discouraged activity" as an investment in any business operation described in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (e.g., businesses engaged in power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment). Includes as an Iran or Sudan discouraged activity business transactions with or charitable donations to any Iranian or Sudanese person designated as a terrorist or to any foreign terrorist organization. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish and update every six months a list of business entities engaging in any Sudan or Iran discouraged activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Deplores the violence by Iraqi security forces against the residents of Camp Ashraf. Calls upon the Iraqi government and the President of the United States to ensure the security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Empowering Patients First Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified health insurance costs to residents of a state that implements a high-risk pool, a reinsurance pool, or other risk-adjustment mechanism. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual membership associations (IMAs) to make available health benefits coverage to IMA members and their dependents. Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require a state CHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 90% of targeted low-income children; and (2) prohibit CHIP payments for children with family income above 300% of the applicable poverty line. Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009 - Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Establishes a statute of limitations and limits noneconomic and punitive damages. Permits a group health plan to vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50% of the benefits based on participation (or lack of participation) in a wellness program. Requires a health insurance issuer to provide claims information, on request, to a plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using comparative effectiveness research to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Authorizes a state to establish a Health Plan and Provider Portal website to standardize information on health insurance plans available in the state. Revises the formula for determining rates in the fee schedule for Medicare physician payments. Sets forth provisions regarding students loans and loan repayment for health care professionals. Establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2010-FY2019 for new budget authority in the nondefense category. Rescinds unobligated balances of certain discretionary appropriations made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals other provisions of such Act, including provisions providing fiscal assistance to states and setting limits on executive compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009
Stop White-collar Assistance to Terrorists Act - Amends the federal criminal code to increase the maximum prison terms for: (1) certain fraud, money laundering, and bribery offenses if committed to facilitate an act of domestic or international terrorism; and (2) providing material support or resources to terrorists. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend sentencing guidelines and policy statements for offenses committed to facilitate terrorism to reflect congressional intent that the penalties for such offenses be increased.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2009
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom to Choose Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to revise requirements for the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries under which no Medicare claims shall be made. Requires any such contract to be in writing and signed by the Medicare beneficiary. Allows individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), and makes them eligible for health savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2009
Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to extend through FY2012 (under current law, through FY2010) the requirement that the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce make payments from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a grant program to assist public safety agencies in the the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications equipment that utilizes reallocated public safety spectrum for radio communication. Allows the Assistant Secretary to extend, on a case-by-case basis, the period of performance for any investment approved under the program for a period not to exceed two years.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2009
Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2009 or SAVE Act of 2009 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) accountable financing under the Secure Border Initiative; (7) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (8) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to check against terrorist watchlists those persons suspected of alien smuggling and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the basic employment eligibility confirmation pilot program permanent. Sets forth conditions for the mandatory use of the E-verify system. Requires: (1) employer/employee notification of social security number mismatches and multiple uses, and related information sharing with DHS; and (2) establishment of electronic birth and death registration systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) penalize specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (2) prohibit employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens, with an exception for an employer participating in the basic employment eligibility confirmation program. Increases criminal alien program (CAP) personnel. Authorizes border relief grants for local law enforcement agencies within 25 miles of the southern U.S. border. Establishes within DHS a rewards program to assist in the elimination of commercial operations to produce or sell fraudulent immigration-related documents and to assist in the investigation, prosecution, or disruption of commercial alien smuggling operations. Provides for: (1) increased alien detention facilities; (2) additional immigration court judgeships; and (3) a media campaign to inform the public of changes made by this Act including a multilingual media campaign explaining noncompliance penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2009
Consumer Protection and Regulatory Enhancement Act - Amends the Judicial Code to prescribe the venue for cases involving non-bank financial institutions. Amends federal bankruptcy law to prescribe procedures for the adjustment of the debts of a non-bank financial institution. Establishes the Market Stability and Capital Adequacy Board (Board) to: (1) monitor the interactions of various sectors of the financial system; and (2) identify risks that could endanger the stability and soundness of the system. Establishes in the executive branch the Financial Institutions Regulator (FIR), comprising a Federal Banking Division and a State Banking Division, to exercise all powers, duties, and authorities formerly vested in the Comptroller of the Currency. Transfers to FIR all regulatory functions of: (1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board); (2) the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); and (3) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regarding state non-member banks. Abolishes the OTS and the Office (and position) of Comptroller of the Currency. Moves the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) within the FIR. Establishes within the FIR an Office of Consumer Protection (OCP). Directs the Comptroller General to complete and report to Congress on the audit of the Federal Reserve Board and the federal reserve banks. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to instruct the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to: (1) establish and implement an explicit numerical definition of the term "price stability"; and (2) maintain a monetary policy that effectively promotes long-term price stability. Revises requirements with respect to the emergency powers of the Federal Reserve Board. Government-Sponsored Enterprises Free Market Reform Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to terminate the conservatorship of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), also known as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), if at the end of a specified period the GSE is financially viable. Requires the Director, if a GSE is not financially viable, to appoint the FHFA as receiver for it. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to restrict the mortgage assets of a GSE upon its emergence from conservatorship. Requires the FHFA Director to revise minimum capital levels for the GSEs. Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to repeal temporary increases to conforming loan limits for the GSEs. Establishes new conforming loan limits for the year in which the conservatorships expire. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to subject the GSEs to state and local taxes. Directs the FHFA Director to establish and collect assessments from each GSE to recoup the costs for the federal guarantee. Requires: (1) periodic renewals of GSE charters; and (2) wind down and dissolution in the event of non-renewal. Repeals security credit rating requirements in designated federal laws and federal regulations, including: (1) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (2) the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965. Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to: (1) authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose civil penalties in cease and desist proceedings; and (2) provide for nationwide service of subpoenas. Authorizes appropriations for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to revise conditions under which a civil penalty obtained for violations of securities laws shall become part of a disgorgement fund for the benefit of the victims of such violation. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize the SEC to contract for the collection of delinquent judgments and orders.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2009
Military Voters' Equal Access to Voter Registration Act of 2009 - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require designating direct each Secretary of a military department to designate an office on each Armed Forces installation to ensure that certain individuals are provided the opportunity to register to vote in federal elections, update voter registrations, and request absentee ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Designates as those individuals those who are: (1) members of the Armed Forces and are undergoing a permanent change of duty station, deploying overseas for at least 6 months, returning from an overseas deployment of at least 6 months, or requests assistance related to voter registration; and (2) are dependents of members of the Armed Forces, request assistance, and are at least 18 years old. Considers an office so designated to be a voter registration agency for all purposes of the Act. Requires informing Armed Forces members and their dependents of the assistance available under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009
International Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Department of State an Office on International Child Abductions which shall be headed by the Ambassador at Large for International Child Abductions. States that Ambassador at Large shall be a principal adviser to the President and the Secretary of State regarding matters of international child abduction and refusals of rights of access. Authorizes the Ambassador at Large to represent the United States in such diplomatic matters and international forums. States that the primary responsibilities of the Ambassador at Large shall be to: (1) promote measures to prevent the international abduction of children from the United States; (2) advocate on behalf of abducted children whose habitual residence is the United States; (3) assist left-behind parents in the resolution of abduction or refusal of access cases; and (4) advance mechanisms to prevent and resolve cases of international child abduction. Directs the President to: (1) annually review the status of unresolved cases in each foreign country to determine whether the government has engaged in a pattern of noncooperation, and if so, designate such country as a Country With a Pattern of Noncooperation; (2) notify the appropriate congressional committees of such designation; and (3) take specified presidential or commensurate actions to bring about a cessation of noncooperation. Sets forth consultation, notification, and reporting requirements for the President and the Secretary. Prohibits judicial review of any presidential determination or agency action under this Act. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Financial Institutions Act to require the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President, respectively, in determining whether a country engages in a pattern of gross human right violations for purposes of assistance considerations, to consider whether such country has engaged in a pattern of noncooperation regarding unresolved cases of international child abduction or denial of rights of access, or has failed to undertake serious efforts to locate children abducted to such country. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to consider for tariff preference purposes whether a country has engaged in a pattern of noncooperation regarding unresolved cases of international child abduction or denial of rights of access. Amends the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 to require, for issuance of a passport for a child under 14 years old living outside the United States, that the person executing the passport application provides documentary evidence that such person is a U.S. citizen, has joint custody over the child, and is executing such application outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2009
Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act of 2009 - Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to pay salaries or expenses of any task force, council, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President, if the head of such entity: (1) is appointed (on other than an interim basis) without the Senate's advice and consent; (2) is excepted from the competitive service by reason of the confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character of the position; and (3) performs or delegates functions that would otherwise be performed or delegated by an individual appointed by the President with the Senate's advice and consent.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2009
Improving Health Care for All Americans Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the amount paid by the taxpayer for qualified health insurance coverage, excluding any employer subsidized coverage, and for medical care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual membership associations (IMAs) to make available health benefits coverage to all members of the IMA. Requires an IMA to be operated under the direction of an association which: (1) has been actively in existence for at least five years; (2) has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance; and (3) does not condition membership in the association on any health status-related factor relating to an individual. Prohibits an IMA from offering health benefits coverage to a member of an IMA unless the same coverage is offered to all members of the IMA. Sets forth requirements for health benefits coverage offered through an IMA, including that such coverage must be: (1) provided only through contracts with health insurance issuers with no risk assumed by the IMAs; and (2) underwritten by a health insurance issuer that is licensed and in compliance with state law. Supersedes specified state laws related to health benefits coverage made available through an IMA. Gives funds to states for a high-risk pool, a reinsurance pool, or other risk-adjustment mechanism used for the purpose of subsidizing the purchase of health insurance coverage for the high-risk population.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Reducing Barack Obama's Unsustainable Deficit Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available in division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Repeals subtitles B (Assistance for Vulnerable Individuals) and C (Economic Recovery Payments to Certain Individuals) of title II (the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act) and titles III (Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits), IV (Medicare and Medicaid Health Information Technology; Miscellaneous Medicare Provisions), V (State Fiscal Relief), VI (Broadband Communications), and VII (Limits on Executive Compensation) of division B of ARRA. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to terminate upon enactment of this Act (currently, December 31, 2009) the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to establish the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the program to guarantee troubled assets originated or issued before March 14, 2008, including mortgage-backed securities. Repeals the authorization for a two-year extension of such authority if the Secretary submits a specified certification to Congress. Requires the Secretary, each time a financial institution makes a TARP repayment, to transfer such repayments to the special account established in the Treasury for reducing public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Urges Members of Congress who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, federal government run health insurance option to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Congratulates the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the new official site of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service and the National EMS Memorial, honoring emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of Fragile X Awareness Day; (2) raising awareness and educating the public about fragile X syndrome and associated disorders; and (3) increased funding for research into the causes, treatment, and cure for fragile X syndrome. Applauds efforts to encourage awareness, promote research, and provide education, support, and hope to those impacted by fragile X syndrome. Recognizes the commitment of those dedicated to finding an effective treatment and cure. Urges physicians, health care providers, and specialists, with respect to the syndrome and related disorders, to: (1) learn the clinical signs and symptoms; (2) use diagnostic, developmental screening, and surveillance modalities for detection; (3) test individuals exhibiting signs of developmental delay or an autism spectrum disorder to determine the status of their FMR1 gene; (4) gain a full understanding of the genetic implications and make appropriate referrals to a geneticist or genetic counselor; and (5) provide diagnosed patients with supplemental information. Encourages health insurance entities to provide full coverage for screening technologies, appropriate follow-up referrals, and genetic counseling services. Recommends that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and related member institutes fully implement the research plan on fragile X syndrome and associated disorders developed by the Trans-NIH Fragile X Research Coordinating Group and Scientific Working Groups.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act or the FACE Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth automatic citizenship criteria for a child adopted outside the United States by a U.S. citizen parent. Deems such an adopted child to be a U.S. citizen at birth. Deems to be a U.S. citizen at birth, after the approval of an application filed within the United States or with a U.S. Embassy, a person who: (1) is older than 18 years of age; (2) was born outside the United States and was adopted by a U.S. citizen parent before such person reached 18 years of age; and (3) was adopted under 16 years of age and has lived with the adoptive parents for at least two years, was abused, or is an orphan who was under 16 years of age at the time an immediate relative status petition was filed on his or her behalf. Includes within the definition of nonimmigrant an individual brought to the United States as a child to be adopted by a U.S. citizen. Expresses the sense of Congress that the government of each foreign country from which children are adopted by U.S. citizens should provide the adoptive family with birth history documentation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Families for Orphans Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Department of State the Office for Orphan Policy Diplomacy and Development which shall support: (1) the preservation and reunification of families; and (2) the provision of permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the President to establish the Policy Coordinating Committee which shall monitor and support international efforts in family preservation, family reunification, and permanent parental care for orphans. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to foreign countries: (1) for family preservation, family reunification, and orphan care efforts; and (2) to meet minimum standards required for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to nongovernmental agencies to promote permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate a study to identify global best practices for preserving and reunifying families and providing permanent parental care for orphans; and (2) carry out a global best practices pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Recognizes the Proliferation Strategy Initiative's (PSI) success in enhancing the ability of participating countries to interdict the shipment of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and their means of delivery. Congratulates the Republic of Korea for its decision to participate in the PSI to counter the threat posed by the North Korean regime. Urges: (1) President Obama to further cooperation to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and (2) countries not yet participating in the PSI, especially China, to fully cooperate with PSI countries.