United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts from taxation benefits paid under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) sponsoring or exhibiting a bird in a fighting venture in a state where it would not otherwise be in violation of the law, only if the person knew that any bird in the venture was knowingly bought, sold, delivered, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce for such purpose; or (2) knowingly sponsoring or exhibiting in an animal fighting venture any other animal that was moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Prohibits knowingly: (1) selling, buying, transporting, delivering, or receiving, for purposes of transportation in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal to participate in an animal fighting venture; (2) using interstate mail service for commercial speech promoting an animal fighting venture except as performed outside the limits of the states (with an exception for bird fights in states whose laws allow them); or (3) selling, buying, transporting, or delivering in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument to be attached to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture. Increases the penalties to a fine and up to three years' imprisonment for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
RU-486 Suspension and Review Act of 2007 - Deems the approved application for the drug mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex, commonly known as RU-486, and used for the chemically induced termination of intrauterine pregnancy) to have been withdrawn. Deems the drug misoprostol to be misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) if it bears labeling providing that the drug may be used for the medical termination of intrauterine pregnancy. Directs the Comptroller General to review and report on the process by which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone. Provides for the reinstatement of the approved application for such drug if the report determines the approval to have been in accordance with FFDCA.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the inclusion of any social security or tier I railroad retirement benefits in gross income. Appropriates funds to cover reductions in transfers to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement Trust Funds resulting from the enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress against using tax increases to provide revenue necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition: (1) activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates; and (2) the right, power, or ability of any financial holding company to engage in any activity, or acquire or retain the shares of any company engaged in an activity authorized for financial holding companies on December 6, 2001 ("grandfather clause").
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Fair Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2007. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23 percent in 2009, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate. Grants states the primary authority for the collection of sales tax revenues and the remittance of such revenues to the Treasury. Sets forth administrative provisions relating to: (1) the filing of monthly reports and payments of tax; (2) accounting methods; (3) registration of sellers of goods and services responsible for reporting sales; (4) penalties for noncompliance; and (5) collections, appeals, and taxpayer rights. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate sales tax revenues among: (1) the general revenue; (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund; (3) the disability insurance trust fund; (4) the hospital insurance trust fund; and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. Prohibits the funding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after FY2011. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury: (1) an Excise Tax Bureau to administer excise taxes not administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and (2) a Sales Tax Bureau to administer the national sales tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Appropriates to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2007 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions, an amount equal to that authorized to be appropriated for such purposes for such fiscal year under the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Division B of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide that it shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that establishes a new program or modifies an existing program by adding a new function unless such legislation also eliminates one or more existing programs of equal or greater total cost. Excludes legislation that establishes a new defense, homeland security, or emergency program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to convey to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC, all, right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified federal land in Pinal county, Arizona, in exchange for Resolution Copper conveying to the United States title to: (1) the Secretary to specified non-federal land in Gila, Yavapai, Maricopa, Pinal, and Coconino counties, Arizona, and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to specified non-federal land in Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Gila counties, Arizona. Directs the Secretary to convey specified land in Pinal county to the town of Superior, Arizona. Instructs Resolution Copper to deliver to the Secretary an executed document reviewed by, and acceptable to, the Secretary which grants a permanent conservation easement to the easement area (the surface estate of the Apache Leap Natural and Cultural Resource Conservation Easement Area) to one or more of the following grantees: (1) a qualified unit of government or Indian tribe; or (2) a land trust or other qualified organization. Requires Resolution Copper the grantee or grantees, in consultation with the town, the Secretary, interested Apache Indian tribes, and other interested parties, to determine whether the area covered by the easement should be managed to establish additional cultural and historic resource protections or measures. Directs: (1) the Secretary, in consultation with Resolution Copper, the town, and other interested parties, to construct in the Global Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest one or more replacement campgrounds for the Oak Flat Campground; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to immediately convey to the Arizona State Parks Board approximately 2,000 acres of land under such Secretary's jurisdiction within the exterior boundary of the proposed Tam O'Shanter Area State Park for the establishment of such Park. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, immediately upon request by the Board, to grant the Board a right-of-way for a State Park access road across any federal lands on the Tam O' Shanter Access Road in order to provide public access to the proposed State Park.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Mourns the passing of Doctor Milton Friedman and extends deepest condolences to his family, including widow Rose Friedman, who is herself an accomplished economist and was instrumental in co-authoring some of his major works. Honors Doctor Friedman's lifetime of achievements and recognizes his outstanding contributions to freedom, the study of economics, the United States of America, and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Free File Reform Act of 2006 - Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to ensure that: (1) all services presented through the Free File program (free electronic filing of tax returns) are made available to all eligible taxpayers, particularly low-income, disadvantaged, and underserved taxpayers; and (2) companies participating in the Free File program protect taxpayer privacy rights and provide free tax return preparation services to state Free File programs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow a Member to designate the amount of the reduction in new budget authority that should be used to reduce the federal budget deficit (or to increase the federal budget surplus) if an amendment offered by the Member to any general appropriation bill (or resolution making continuing appropriations to the end of a fiscal year) to reduce new budget authority (and resulting outlays) is agreed to. Requires the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, whenever such legislation is engrossed in the House, to: (1) reduce the suballocation of new budget authority and outlays to the appropriate subcommittee by the net amount of such reductions; and (2) promptly report those revisions to the House. Prohibits the Committee from reallocating such reductions to other subcommittees. Deems the revised suballocations to be made under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 in the House. Requires the chairman of the Committee on the Budget to make appropriate revisions in allocations to the Committee on Appropriations to reflect the revised suballocations and report them to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2006
Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to expand and intensify NIMH research and related activities with respect to post-abortion depression and psychosis. Requires the Director of NIMH to: (1) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, such post-abortion conditions; and (2) conduct a study to determine the incidence and prevalence of cases of post-abortion conditions and the symptoms, severity, and duration of such cases, toward the goal of more fully identifying the characteristics of such cases and developing diagnostic techniques. Requires the Secretary to make grants to establish, operate, and coordinate effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such post-abortion conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Margaret Thatcher in recognition of her dedication to the values of free markets and free minds.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
Video Game Decency Act of 2006 - Makes it unlawful for any person to distribute any video game whose label contains an age-based content rating if, with the intent of obtaining a less restrictive age-based rating, that person fails to disclose game content to an independent ratings organization, with the result that the video game receives a less-restrictive age-based content rating. Treats any violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. Preempts state or local law or regulation related to video game content rating.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception for certified medical emergencies. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2006
Military Commissions Act of 2006 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to codify and establish procedures governing the use of military commissions (commissions) to try unlawful enemy combatants for violations of triable offenses. Authorizes the: (1) President to establish commissions to try alien unlawful enemy combatants for violations of triable offenses; and (2) commissions to prescribe any punishment, including death when authorized. Makes eligible to serve on a commission any U.S. commissioned officer on active duty. Requires to be detailed to each commission a military judge, trial and military defense counsel, and reporters and interpreters. Requires at least five members in each commission. Prescribes, with respect to each established commission, pre-trial and trial procedures, including charges, rules of evidence, pleas, opportunity to obtain witnesses and other evidence, and defenses. Requires: (1) a two-thirds commission member vote for conviction; (2) a three-fourths member vote for a sentence of life imprisonment or confinement of more than ten years; and (3) a unanimous vote by at least 12 members in a case in which the death penalty is sought. Prescribes post-trial procedures and reviews of commission actions, including appeal by the United States, rehearings, and review by the Court of Military Commission Review, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Outlines offenses triable by commissions. Amends the federal criminal code to add certain actions to be considered violations of the War Crimes Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an inflation adjustment based upon the gross domestic product deflator to the adjusted basis of certain assets (including C corporation common stock and tangible property used in a trade or business) held by a taxpayer for more than three years for purposes of determining gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of such assets. Sets forth rules for applying such inflation adjustment to short sales, regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts, partnerships and other pass-thru entities, and dispositions of assets between related persons.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Commends: (1) the United Kingdom's law enforcement authorities on their action to prevent acts of terror on trans-Atlantic flights; and (2) the United Kingdom's intelligence community for its outstanding work in identifying the citizens seeking to carry out such acts. Condemns those that would use acts of violence against innocent civilians to spread a message of hate and intolerance. Urges U.S. allies in the Global War on Terror to remain steadfast in the execution of this important mission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make modifications that are reasonably required to preserve the site security of Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities. Provides for specified reimbursement for costs incurred for building and site security activities. Requires dam safety and site security costs allocated to irrigation, municipal, and industrial water service for the Central Valley Project, California, to be collected by the Secretary exclusively through inclusion of such costs in operation and maintenance rates, capital water rates, or both, not segregated from other project costs for separate allocation or repayment. Directs the Secretary, during site security-related construction, to consider cost containment measures. Prohibits the obligation of funds exceeding a specified amount for carrying out actual construction to modify an existing dam, the cause of which results from new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in the state-of-the-art criteria deemed necessary for site security or structural safety purposes, prior to 30 calendar days after the Secretary has transmitted a report on such existing dam to Congress. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report annually to Congress on building and site measures undertaken (including a summary of expenditures and information relating to a five-year plan for security measures detailed to show pre- and post-September 11, 2001 costs); (2) provide written notice to project beneficiaries upon identifying a Bureau facility for a site security measure; and (3) include in required reports the Secretary's response when a modification is the result of new data deemed necessary for structural safety purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to waive reporting requirements that could adversely impact site security.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River Act of 2006- Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of Fossil Creek, a tributary to the Verde River in Arizona, as components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a river management plan for the designated segments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Cut the Unnecessary Tab Resolution, or CUT Resolution - Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that would limit any amendment that would otherwise be in order to a rescission bill. Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) to require the House Budget Committee, whenever a rescission bill passes the House, to reduce the applicable committee allocations by the total amount of resulting reductions in budget authority and outlays. Amends Rule XIII to require the Majority Leader to introduce a rescission bill by certain dates in each session. Makes any motion to discharge the committee from consideration of such a bill privileged 10 legislative days after its introduction, if it was not introduced by one of the deadlines. Makes it out of order to offer any amendment to a rescission bill unless it increases the amount of budget authority to be rescinded. Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) to make it out of order to consider any rescission bill, its conference report, or amendment, unless: (1) such bill or conference report is made available to Members and the general public on the Internet for at least 48 hours before its consideration; (2) an amendment to such measure made in order by a rule is available within one hour after the rule is filed; or (3) an amendment under an open rule is made available immediately after being offered in a format searchable and sortable. Requires amendments to rescission bills to be germane.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to repeal the exception of gifts from state and local governments from the limitations on acceptance of such gifts by Members, officers, and employees of the House (thus applying such limitations to such gifts). Considers a reimbursement to such individuals from a state or local government for travel-related expenses in connection with their duties as an officeholder as a reimbursement to the House and not a prohibited gift.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Recognizes the centennial anniversary of the 1906 Iranian constitution. Expresses hope that the people of Iran will once again enjoy a democratic government in the spirit of the 1906 Iranian constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2006
Medicare Physician Payment Reform and Quality Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise physician payment requirements under the Medicare program, including the physician payment update and quality measures for physicians' services. Terminates application of the sustainable growth rate (SGR), replacing it with a single conversion factor, the Medicare economic index (MEI) minus 1%. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the selection of quality performance measures (Q-measures) for assessing physician, non-physician practitioner, and supplier services and determining ratings for them. Requires such Q-measures to be developed in conjunction with physician specialty organizations and consensus-building organizations. Eliminates specified limitations on the balance billing of highest income beneficiaries. Revises requirements for the quality improvement program (QIO), including program administration, data disclosure, use of evaluation and competition, quality improvement funding, and qualifications for QIOs under part B (Peer Review) of SSA title XI. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to permit alternative quality improvement programs under such program. Terminates the availability of funds from the MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund. Directs the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different Medicare funding mechanisms provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Provides for a one-year delay in Medicare adjustments in payments for imaging services. Eliminates the three-year phase-in for implementation of the reduction in Medicare part B premium subsidies for higher income beneficiaries (thus requiring immediate application of the reduction adjustment).
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1501 South Cherrybell Avenue in Tucson, Arizona, as the "Morris K. 'Mo' Udall Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
America's Opportunity Scholarships for Kids Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to local educational agencies, state educational agencies, or nonprofit organizations to provide scholarships or sustained supplemental educational services to low-income students who attend, or their siblings who would attend, a public elementary or secondary school due for restructuring for failing to meet state academic performance standards. Requires such scholarships to enable students to attend: (1) the private elementary or secondary school of their parent's choice; or (2) a public elementary or secondary school of their parent's choice outside the student's home school district, consistent with state law. Requires the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of this program, including an assessment of its impact on student achievement.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2006
Government Efficiency Act of 2006 - Authorizes the establishment of Federal Review Commissions with respect to specific aspects of federal programs and agencies. Requires a Commission to review and make recommendations on how to improve the operations, effectiveness, and efficiency of such federal programs and agencies in order to determine whether a reorganization, consolidation, abolishment, expansion, or transfer of existing federal programs and agencies is necessary to carry out any U.S. policy for promoting more effective management of the executive branch. Permits establishment of a Commission only through the issuance of an executive order or the enactment of a joint resolution that: (1) describes the federal programs and agencies to be reviewed; and (2) grants the Commission powers and authorities specified by, and subjects it to the requirements of, this Act. Describes what a Federal Review Commission shall consider in reviewing federal programs and agencies. Requires a Commission to submit to the President: (1) an assessment of the operations, effectiveness, and efficiency of the federal programs and agencies reviewed; and (2) a legislative proposal, if appropriate, to reorganize, consolidate, abolish, expand, or transfer such federal programs and agencies. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of Federal Review Commission recommendations. Directs the President to submit to Congress a schedule for establishment of Federal Review Commissions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Boutique Fuel Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to add as "extreme and unusual circumstances that prevent the distribution of an adequate supply of fuel or fuel additives to consumers" under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may temporarily waive a control or prohibition on the use of a fuel or fuel additive circumstances that are the result of unexpected problems with equipment necessary for transportation and delivery of fuel or fuel additives. States that EPA shall have no authority, when considering a state implementation plan (SIP) or SIP revision, to approve any fuel included in such plan or revision if the effect of such approval increases the total number of fuels set forth on the published list of approved fuels (currently EPA does not have the authority to approve a fuel if it increases the total number of fuels approved as of September 1, 2004, in all SIPs). Requires notice and opportunity for comment before EPA removes a fuel from the list. Requires EPA to remove a fuel from the list if such fuel has ceased to be included in an SIP or is identical to a federal fuel control or prohibition. Repeals provisions prohibiting EPA from reducing the total number of authorized fuels. Requires EPA to publish a revised list reflecting the reduction in the number of fuels. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to change the deadline for a report by the Administrator and the Secretary of Energy concerning motor vehicle fuels (currently, June 1, 2008) to the earlier of: (1) nine months after the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) June 1, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Calls on the government of Germany to take action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Urges European countries to support public awareness campaigns to educate the general public, particularly athletes, sports fans, and financial sponsors of the 2006 World Cup, about the potential for trafficking in human beings. Encourages governments, international and nongovernmental organizations, 2006 World Cup sponsors, tour operators, and air transportation providers to join the efforts to end the sexual exploitation of women and girls and prevent trafficking in human beings. Commends the "Final Whistle--Stop Forced Prostitution Campaign" launched by the National Council of German Women's Organizations and calls on sports associations, including FIFA, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the German Football Association to support this campaign. Urges Germany and all countries to ratify or accede to, and to implement, the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Peremptory Challenge Act of 2006 - Amends the federal judicial code to require: (1) reassignment to another appropriate judicial officer of any civil or criminal case to be tried in a federal district court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or a bankruptcy court if all parties on one side file a reassignment request within 20 days (with certain exceptions) after initial assignment of a judicial officer; and (2) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit in which the case is to be tried, or another judge designated by the chief judge, to determine any question arising as to which parties should be grouped together as a side for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that: (1) marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman; and (2) neither the U.S. Constitution nor the constitution of any state shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act or VIP Act - Establishes as an independent office in the executive branch the Office of Veterans Identity Protection Claims, headed by a Director, to receive, process, and pay claims for injuries suffered as a result of the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Authorizes judicial review of claim determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Zero Baseline Budget Act of 2006 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to eliminate sequential and cumulative adjustments for inflation from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline projections for discretionary appropriations with respect to: (1) expiring housing contracts and social insurance administrative expenses; (2) offset pay absorption and pay annualization; (3) inflation; and (4) any accounting for changes required by law in the level of agency payments for personnel benefits other than pay. Exempts from the requirement that budgetary resources (other than unobligated balances) be at the level available in the current year any resources designated as an emergency requirement or provided in supplemental appropriations laws. Prohibits adjustments for inflation or or any other factor. Amends the Act to extend indefinitely the formula used to calculate the baseline.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene for a 90-day period after the enactment of this Act (suspension period). Provides for the reimbursement of the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for tax receipts lost during the suspension period. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to: (1) establish an oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain, defined as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 102 Coastal Plain Area; and (2) conduct two lease sales before October 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Reaffirms the national motto, "In God We Trust," on its 50th anniversary. Commends it as fundamental to America's national life and affirms its substance as vital to the nation's future success.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Calls for the establishment of a National Youth Sports Week to promote awareness of the importance of youth sports and the need to restore the focus in youth sports on the child's experience and character development.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Commends the government of Canada for: (1) its renewed and long-term commitment to the Global War on Terror; and (2) working to secure a democratic and peaceful Afghanistan. Commends the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom. Expresses U.S. gratitude and appreciation for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in the Global War on Terror.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Competitive and Open Markets that Protect and Enhance the Treatment of Entrepreneurs Act, or the COMPETE Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the management assessment of internal controls in the annual report of each issuer of registered securities to require certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit a small public company to elect voluntarily not to provide in its annual report an assessment of (or a related public accounting firm attestation concerning) the effectiveness of its internal control structure and financial reporting procedures, if it meets specified size criteria. Includes among such criteria: (1) total market capitalization of less than $700 million; (2) total product revenue of less than $125 million; and (3) fewer than 1500 record beneficial holders. Requires SEC rules to provide for random audits after the first year for which an attestation and report of such a small public company is made by a registered public accounting firm. Directs the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Board) to: (1) alter the standard for review from a remote likelihood standard for noting weaknesses to a 5% de minimus material weakness criterion (based on 5% of net profits); (2) establish specific guidelines for measuring certain terms; and (3) modify independence rules to allow prudent interaction between registered public accounting firms performing such assessments and internal consultants. Directs the SEC and the Board to: (1) jointly study and report to Congress on the principles-based Turnbull Guidance under the securities laws of the United Kingdom; and (2) compare and contrast such principles to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit for the tuition paid by taxpayers to send their dependents to private or religious elementary or secondary schools. Sets the annual credit limit at $4,500 for single individuals and taxpayers filing a joint return, and $2,250 for a married individual filing a separate return.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Medicare Teaching Anesthesiology Funding Restoration Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the leaders of the United States and the Republic of India have expressed commitment to the values of human freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) inviting Dalit organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of U.S. development projects; (3) prioritizing funding for projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities; (4) encouraging international financial institutions to consider caste discrimination when funding development projects; (5) ensuring that U.S. government employees and contractors in India are aware that it is U.S. policy that caste discrimination is unacceptable; (6) ensuring that qualified Dalits are not discouraged from applying for U.S. government and private employment in India; and (7) monitoring the activities and funds of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the United States that are used to support groups that have perpetrated acts of violence against Dalits, Tribals, and religious minorities in India.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the U.N. Security Council should sanction Iran for its Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) noncompliance; and (2) if the Security Council does not sanction Iran, the Secretary of State may withhold U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) until the Security Council takes proper action to return Iran to NPT compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people, and extends warm congratulations to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 58th anniversary of Israel's independence. Commends the bipartisan commitment of all U.S. administrations and Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being. Congratulates the United States and Israel for strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of defense, trade, and homeland security and encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in resolving future mutual challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Truth in Accounting Act of 2006 - Amends federal law to require the Secretary of the Treasury to include in his audited financial statement of the previous year a calculation of the net present value of the overall liabilities and commitments of the U.S. government.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each prescription drug plan contract entered into with a plan sponsor to provide for: (1) the availability of direct deposit payments; (2) an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs; and (3) payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies. Requires the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be at least 50% greater than the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. Limits to $10 the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug. Prohibits a prescription drug plan, subject to exception by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from decreasing the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug to an amount less than the dispensing fee paid for it on the date of enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to those with a prescription drug plan sponsor.
![Official portrait of Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000448_200.jpg)