Rep. Gephardt, Richard A. [D-MO-3]

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to: (1) require the President each year to submit to Congress a balanced budget unless accompanied by a Presidential declaration of national urgency; (2) restrict Congress from approving expenditures in excess of receipts unless a majority of both Houses by roll call vote approves a Presidential declaration of national urgency; and (3) exempt the Social Security Trust Fund from the calculation for Federal expenditure or receipt.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment in the nature of a substitute to provide $31.6 billion in tax cuts for married couples earning up to $85,000 and single persons earning up to $60,000. The tax cut would be offset by $25 billion in descretionary spending cuts over five years, capping spending on the Crime Trust Fund for FY 1999, extending authority of the FCC to auction licenses for the radio broadcast spectrum, and raising $1 billion over five years by requiring U.S. taxpayers to pay taxes on income from foreign grantor trusts, and imposing a tax on wealthy citizens who renounce their citizenship. The substitute would not raise the pension contribution of federal employees or cut benefits for federal retirees. The substitute specifies that the tax cuts would not take effect until the OMB certified that legislation had been enacted that would balance the budget by FY 2002.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment which requires the President to report to Congress by October 15, 1993 with regard to the goals, objectives, and anticipated duration of U.S. forces deployed in Somalia, and which expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek and receive Congressional authorization for the continued deployment of U.S. forces in Somalia by November 15, 1993.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to the McDade amendment to delay implementation of the McDade amendment for six months in order to provide more time for the Contadora peace negotiations, and to extend by six months, to 9/30/86, the period during which funds authorized by the McDade amendment would be available. At the end of six months a joint resolution would be necessary to release the funds in the McDade amendment.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to require the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into negotiations with countries running excessive unwarranted trade surpluses with the United States and mandate retaliatory action against such countries if negotiations fail. In addition, if negotiations do not achieve an agreement eliminating the barriers within 6 months, the amendment requires dollar-for-dollar retaliation against the unfair trade practices. After one year, if the surplus nation still has not dismantled its unfair barriers, the amendment requires the U.S. Trade Representative to take action to reduce the targeted country's surplus by 10% for each of the next 4 years. The President may waive retaliation if he determines it would cause substantial harm to the U.S. economy, or if a surplus nation is encountering substantial balance-of-payments problems, including problems making debt repayments.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment mandates a 40% reduction--below fiscal year 1992 levels--of U.S. troops serving outside the United States by fiscal year 1995.

United States · United States Congress

In chapter 14 of title I, strike section 1403.

United States · United States Congress

A substitute amendment calling for an additional $9 billion in revenue by imposing an oil import fee, the additional revenue to be used for $5.8 billion in increased domestic spending and $3.2 billion for additional deficit reduction. The amendment would eliminate the provisions of the resolution which cut Medicare.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to ban nuclear explosive tests with a yield exceeding one kiloton, and to ban tests conducted outside designated test areas as long as the Soviet Union observes the same ban.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to make Taiwan, Korea, and Hong Kong ineligible for General System of Preferences benefits.

United States · United States Congress

Amendments en bloc request the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate a comprehensive auto sector agreement with Japan, including the continuation of the current voluntary restraint agreement; and extend for 5 years the authority for the Auto Parts Advisory Committee.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment in the nature of a substitute (printed in the Congressional Record of May 16) to achieve a balanced budget by FY 2000 without implementing any tax cuts. The substitute would cut domestic spending by $207.6 billion less than the resolution, cutting Medicare by $114 billion less than the resolution; Medicaid by $50 billion less; and $12.9 billion less in cuts to farm programs. Domestic discretionary spending would be cut by $60 billion less than the resolution and the substitute would spend $35 billion more in education and training, $11 billion more in health programs, and $6 billion more for community and regional development. The substitute would spend approximately $60 billion less over seven years than recommended in the resolution.

United States · United States Congress

To authorize the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, to be illuminated by pink lights in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2004

Requires the Secretary of Interior to authorize the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, to be illuminated by pink lights in honor of breast cancer awareness month for a certain period of time in October.

PROTECTION Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2004

Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 2004 or PROTECTION Act - Modifies provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 regarding public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat" program, COPS) to authorize the Attorney General to use COPS grants to: (1) increase prosecutor presence and to enhance law enforcement access to new technologies; (2) pay overtime to existing career law enforcement officers for community policing; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for certain educational costs. Includes among permitted additional grant projects: (1) specialized integrity and ethics training; and (2) innovative proactive crime control and prevention programs involving school officials and religiously-affiliated organizations. Authorizes the Attorney General to use up to five percent of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, and other entities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding termination of grants for hiring officers. Allows grants to be used to assist: (1) police departments in employing specified professional, scientific, and technological advancements; (2) State, local, or tribal prosecutors' offices in implementation of community-based prosecution programs that build on local community policing efforts; and (3) in paying overtime to existing career law enforcement officers. Reserves specified funds for local governmental units with a population of less than 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to use no more than 50 percent of grant renewal funds to award grants targeted for police officer retention.

Matt's Health Insurance Plan Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2004

Matt's Health Insurance Plan Act of 2004 - Requires each employer to offer health insurance coverage constituting qualified health care to employees, former employees, and their families. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit equal to 60 percent of the amount paid or incurred by an employer during the taxable year to provide qualified health care (directly or otherwise) to employees, former employees, and their families under a group health plan during the one year period ending January 1, 2005. Prescribes formulae for tax credits for other employers, including the self-employed, who provide qualified health insurance after such date. Allows a tax credit to certain low-wage workers for 25 percent of amounts paid for coverage under any subsidized health plan maintained by any employer of the taxpayer or of the taxpayer's spouse. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for payments to qualified nontaxpayer employers who provide qualified health care under this Act. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to provide for access to Medicare benefits for individuals 55 to 65 years of age. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a refundable tax credit for employee costs of COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) coverage. Amends title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) rename the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) the FamilyCare Program; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of children born to title XXI parents; and (3) allow optional family care coverage of parents of targeted low income children and low-income pregnant women under Medicaid (SSA title XIX). Revises the transitional medical assistance (TMA) program, allowing States to extend eligibility for low-income individuals for up to 12 additional months, and eliminating the sunset for TMA. Increases the SCHIP allotment for each of FY 2002 through 2004. Directs the Secretry to award demonstration grants to up to seven States (or other qualified entities) to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs, including Medicaid. Limits cost-sharing under the FamilyCare program to 2.5 percent for families with income below 150 percent of poverty. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare Practices.

9/11 Commission Recommendations Implementation Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2004

9/11 Commission Recommendations Implementation Act of 2004 - Establishes a National Intelligence Director to manage the National Intelligence Program. Empowers the Secretary of Defense with lead responsibility for directing and executing paramilitary operations, whether clandestine or covert. Establishes a National Counterterrorism Center for strategic analysis concerning transnational terrorist organizations with global reach. Requires the President to direct the head of each appropriate Federal department or agency to identify and prioritize actual or potential terrorist sanctuaries throughout the world. Requires a national strategy to destabilize identified sanctuaries. Authorizes the President to support the Government of: (1) Pakistan in its efforts against extremists; and (2) Afghanistan to extend its authority over such country. Directs the Secretary of State to establish programs to promote greater familiarity with American society and values among the general public and select audiences in Muslim countries. Directs the President to: (1) strengthen counterproliferation efforts against weapons of mass destruction; and (2) track the financing of terrorist organizations and prevent money laundering for their benefit. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) integrate U.S. border screening systems with Federal security sites within the U.S. transportation system and sites containing vital national facilities; (2) complete a biometric entry and exit screening system for persons entering and departing the United States; (3) develop a plan for the allocation of limited transportation security resources; and (4) improve aviation screening. Requires: (1) the sharing of information for purposes of protecting the national security; (2) the establishment of a board to oversee Federal adherence to civil liberties; (3) that all U.S. emergency response agencies adopt the Incident Command System and unified command procedures; (4) the promotion of private sector emergency preparedness; (5) both Houses of Congress to pass separate intelligence appropriations bills; (6) a specialized and integrated national security workforce at the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and (7) regular adequacy assessments of the strategies and planning of the United States Northern Command to defend the United States against military threats.

Social Security COLA Protection Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2004

Social Security COLA Protection Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit increases in the monthly Medicare premium, including the Medicare Advantage prescription drug program premium, to 25 percent of any Social Security cost of living increase.

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells if: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos will never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Boundary Adjustment Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2004

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Boundary Adjustment Act of 2004 - Revises the boundaries of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield to include land and interests therein consisting of six parcels totaling 615 acres and identified as parcels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the map entitled "Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Proposed Boundary" and dated January 27, 2004.

Condemning the crackdown on democracy protestors in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China on the 15th anniversary of that tragic massacre.

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2004

States that the House of Representatives: (1) expresses sympathy to the families of those killed, tortured, and imprisoned as a result of their participation in the democracy protests of June 3-4, 1989, in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China, and to all those persons who have suffered for their efforts to keep that struggle alive, and to all the people of China who lack fundamental human rights; (2) commends all persons who are peacefully advocating for democracy and human rights in China; (3) calls upon those nations participating in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to urge China to fully comply with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights; (4) calls upon the Communist Government of China to honor its pledge of a `high degree of autonomy' made at the time of the Hong Kong reversion in 1997 by permitting immediate elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and by leaving all revisions of Hong Kong law to a legislature elected by universal suffrage; and (5) condemns the human rights abuses by the Communist Government of China, and calls on that Government to reevaluate the official verdict on the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen pro-democracy activities and order formal investigations into the reported killing, torture, and imprisonment of democracy activists, establish a June Fourth Investigation Committee, release all prisoners of conscience, provide just compensation to the families of persons killed in such protests, allow the return of persons exiled for their activities in 1989, release Dr. Yang Jianli, and end the harassment and detention of all Chinese citizens exercising their legitimate freedoms of expression, association, and religion.

Medicare Early Access Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004

Medicare Early Access Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to add a new part E (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals 55 to 65 Years of Age). Provides access to Medicare benefits for individuals 55 to 64 years of age who do not have coverage under a Federal health insurance program or under a group plan. Requires enrollees to pay a premium to receive Medicare coverage. Requires the Secretary to base the premium on the Secretary's estimate of the average, national annual per capita amount of the cost of providing services to the population. Allows early retirees with access to retiree coverage to enroll under this part while keeping their Federal or State COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation coverage. Allows an employer that offers employment-based retiree health coverage to an individual who enrolls under this part to modify such coverage to provide for: (1) employer payment of items and services for which payment may not be made under Medicare; and (2) employer payment of 25 percent of the monthly premium applicable to the individual after enrollment. Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund to hold the premiums collected under this Act and to support the new program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow program enrollees to receive a 75 percent advance, refundable credit to offset premium costs (thus requiring program enrollees in the Medicare buy-in to be responsible for 25 percent of the monthly premiums).

Recognizing the Liberty Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as "America's National World War I Museum", and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004

Recognizes the Liberty Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National World War I Museum. Commends the development of Lessons of Liberty educational outreach programs for teachers and students throughout the Nation.

Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004

Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain small employers (not more than 50 employees) a business tax credit equal to 50 percent of amounts paid by such employers for the health care coverage of their employees under a qualified health pooling arrangement. Limits the period during which the tax credit may be taken to four years from the date the employer begins participating in a qualified health pooling arrangement. Defines "qualified health pooling arrangement" as a national or state arrangement that provides health benefits coverage substantially similar to that of the four largest health benefit plans offered to Federal employees. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor to provide for the offering and oversight of qualified State and national health pooling arrangements and to conduct a study, through the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, of the operation of such arrangements.

FamilyCare Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004

FamilyCare Act of 2004 - Amends title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to rename the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) the FamilyCare Program. Provides for: (1) automatic enrollment in the FamilyCare Program of children born to title XXI parents; and (2) optional family care coverage of parents of targeted low-income children and low-income pregnant women under Medicaid (SSA title XIX). Provides for optional coverage of legal immigrants under Medicaid and SSA title XXI, and of children through age 20 under Medicaid and SSA title XXI. Allows States to elect to provide for a period of presumptive eligibility for medical assistance for a parent of a child with respect to whom such a period is provided under Medicaid. Revises the transitional medical assistance (TMA) program, including making reporting requirements optional, giving States the option to extend eligibility for low-income individuals for up to 12 additional months, and eliminating the sunset for TMA. Establishes limitations with respect to marketing activities to comply with new conflict of interest requirements. Prohibits affiliation with debarred persons. Increases the SCHIP allotment for each of FY 2002 through 2004. Directs the Secretry to award demonstration grants to up to seven States (or other qualified entities) to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs, including Medicaid. Limits cost-sharing under the FamilyCare program to 2.5 percent for families with income below 150 percent of poverty. Increases Federal reimbursement for language services under the Medicaid program and SSA title XXI.