United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving the product of human cloning; or (4) importing such a product. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Federal Government should advocate for and join an international effort to prohibit human cloning; and (2) the President should commission a study by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission or a successor group of the arguments for and against the use of cloning to produce human embryos solely for research.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); (2) such countries would make an outstanding contribution toward furthering NATO goals should they become members; (3) extension of full NATO membership to the Baltic states would contribute to stability, freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe as a whole; and (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, such countries should be invited to become full NATO members.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require coverage of colorectal cancer screening according to certain guidelines by a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, and a health insurance issuer in the individual market. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services to ensure coordination in the implementation and enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Citizen Legislature and Political Freedom Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971(FECA) to terminate limitations on Federal election campaign contributions after 2002. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate after December 31, 2001, the designation of income tax payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Terminates the Fund itself and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account after December 31, 2002, and transfers any amounts remaining in the Fund to the general fund of the Treasury. Amends FECA, in the case of a political committee of a national political party, to require reports of all funds transferred to any political committee of a State or local political party, without regard to whether or not the funds are otherwise treated as contributions or expenditures under such Act (soft money). Requires any political committee of a State or local political party to file with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) a copy of any report on disbursements it is required under a State or local law, rule, or regulation to submit to the State or local government. Revises current deadlines for notification of contributions by a campaign committee. Declares that the "best efforts" exception to noncompliance with FECA shall not apply with respect to information regarding the identification of any contributor of more than $200 in the aggregate during a calendar year (thus requiring strict observance of reporting deadlines for all such contributions). Provides that, except with the separate, prior, written, voluntary authorization of each individual involved, it shall be unlawful for described labor organizations to collect from or to assess its members or nonmembers any dues, initiation fee, or other payment if any part of it will be used for political activity in which the labor organization is engaged. Changes the name of the FEC to the Federal Campaign Regulation Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Downed Animal Protection Act - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any nonambulatory livestock unless such livestock has been humanely euthanized. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make revisions concerning the treatment of tip income for specified services, including treating a limited amount of tips as property transferred by gift.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Cuban Internal Opposition Assistance Act of 2001 - Instructs the President to: (1) use specified funds to implement assistance for victims of the most extreme political repression and to assist independent nongovernmental opposition organizations inside Cuba; (2) ensure that such funds reach their destination; and (3) authorize issuance of licenses to independent nongovernmental organizations to send monetary remittances to independent nongovernmental opposition organizations to implement specified activities under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Makes it unlawful to: (1) import, export, or transport in interstate commerce conventional steel jawed leghold traps and articles of fur derived from animals trapped in such traps; or (2) sell or acquire such a trap transported in violation of such provision. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward persons (other than Government employees performing official duties) for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected containers or merchandise and any accompanying documents, to make arrests without warrants with probable cause, and to execute warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise title I as Improving the Academic Performance of the Disadvantaged (currently Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). Revises title I part A with respect to: (1) yearly testing and assessments of student performance; (2) Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards; (3) identification of schools for improvement and corrective actions; (4) supplemental education services, or public (or private) school choice options under certain conditions, if a school fails repeatedly; (5) reporting to parents and the public on school performance and teacher quality; (6) State reservation of funds for school improvement; (7) formulas relating to Basic, Concentration, Targeted, and Education Finance Incentive Grants; and (8) eligibility requirements for schoolwide programs. Revises and reauthorizes title I provisions for: (1) the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program; (2) Education of Migratory Children; (3) Neglected or Delinquent Youth; and (4) Federal evaluations and demonstrations. Establishes title I programs for: (1) Reading First and Early Reading First initiatives; and (2) Comprehensive School Reform. Rural Education Initiative Act - Revises, reauthorizes, and transfers to title I part G Rural Education Flexibility and Assistance, ESEA provisions for a Rural Education Initiative, with State formula grants for: (1) flexibility for small rural schools; and (2) assistance for low-income and rural schools. Revises ESEA title II as Preparing, Training, and Recruiting Quality Teachers to: (1) replace the current Eisenhower Professional Development and Class-Size Reduction programs; and (2) establish a teacher quality training and recruiting fund as a State formula grant program, with subgrants to LEAs, to support various similar and additional activities to improve elementary and secondary school teaching. Establishes a Mathematics and Science Partnerships subgrants program involving SEAs, higher education mathematics or science departments, and LEAs. Includes among authorized national teacher activities, administered by the Secretary, support for: (1) the Troops-to-Teachers program recruiting military retirees into teaching; and (2) innovative preretirement teacher certification programs for members of the Armed Forces. Eliminates an authorization for the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Math and Science Education. Sets forth title II part B, Teacher Liability Protection, to provisions to exempt teachers, administrators, and school board members from certain liability for actions taken in official capacity to maintain school discipline. Revises ESEA title III as Education of Limited English Proficient Children; Indian and Alaska Native Education (consolidating current title VII and title IX parts A and C). (Current title III Technology for Education programs are eliminated, but some similar activities are consolidated under the new title V part B.) English Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement Act - Sets forth a title III part A, Education of Limited English Proficient Children. Replaces the Bilingual Education Act programs, Foreign Language Assistance Program, and Emergency Immigrant Education Program with this program of formula grants to States for education of limited English proficient (LEP) children. Requires students who have been in U.S. schools for at least three years to be tested for reading in English. Sets forth certain language program exceptions for programs that serve Native American and Native Pacific Island children and children in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to rename the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs as the Office of Educational Services for Limited English Proficient Children. Reauthorizes and revises ESEA provisions for Indian and Alaska Native Education (currently under ESEA title IX parts A and C, but eliminates current title IX part B provisions for education of Native Hawaiians), under the new title III part B. Alaska Native Educational Equity Support and Assistance Act - Revises the Alaska Native Educational Equity Support and Assistance Act (currently under ESEA title IX part C). Amends the Education Amendments of 1978 to revise provisions for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs. Revises ESEA title IV as Promoting Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs. (Transfers parts of the current title IV to title V.) Revises and reauthorizes: (1) part A Innovative Programs (currently under title VI Innovative Education Program Strategies); (2) part B Public Charter Schools (currently under title X part C); and (3) part D Magnet Schools Assistance (currently under title V part A). Allows Innovative Program funds to be used for public (or private) school choice, under certain conditions, for disadvantaged students in failing schools. Establishes a part C Educational Opportunity Fund for competitive awards to eligible entities for school choice research and demonstration projects concerning the effectiveness of school choice programs in improving the academic performance of low-income students. Revises ESEA title V as Safe Schools for the 21st Century. (Eliminates current title V parts B and C provisions for Women's Educational Equity and for Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems.) Safe Schools for the 21st Century Act of 2001- Revises and reauthorizes title V part A, Supporting Drug and Violence Prevention and Education for Students and Communities (currently under title IV, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities). Revises: (1) school safety programs; (2) national activities; and (3) gun-free school requirements (currently under title IX part F of ESEA, also known as the Gun-Free Schools Act). Requires drug and violence prevention programs to be consistent with certain principles of effectiveness. Requires States to establish policies providing public school choice (and private school choice if a safe public school cannot accommodate them) to students who attend persistently dangerous schools or who are victims of violent crimes in school or on school grounds. Allows States to carry out programs through grants and contracts with charitable, religious, and other private organizations, in addition to LEAs. Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001 - Sets forth title V part B, Enhancing Education Through Technology which revises and reauthorizes some programs currently under title III Education for Technology and title X part I 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Consolidates such program activities for telecommunications and technology access into a formula grant program for State and local technology for success programs, and authorizes certain national technology initiatives. Sets forth title V part C Character Education programs (revises and expands a pilot project currently under title X part A). Revises and reauthorizes the Impact Aid Program as ESEA title VI (currently title VIII). Revises ESEA title VII as Flexibility and Accountability. Sets forth part A, State Accountability for Improving Academic Achievement. Authorizes various education performance awards for States and schools. Penalizes States that fail to achieve progress in certain educational assessments by reducing administrative funds under ESEA formula grant programs. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) awards to States for costs of developing certain additional required assessments and standards, administration of assessments and other accountability activities; and (2) bonus payments for development of such assessments ahead of deadline. Academic Achievement for All Act (Straight A's Act) - Sets forth ESEA title VII part B, Performance Agreements. Allows States a certain type of flexibility in consolidating and using specified formula program funds for State education priorities and programs, in exchange for being held accountable for meeting, in a five-year period, certain performance goals which they propose. State and Local Transferability Act - Sets forth ESEA title VII part C, Transferability of Funds. Authorizes State and LEA transfers of funds: (1) among specified ESEA formula grant programs; and (2) from such programs to their allocations for ESEA title I but does not allow transfer of title I funds to other programs. Revises as ESEA title VIII General Provisions (current title IX), including flexibility in the use of administrative and other funds, coordination of programs, consolidated plans and applications, waivers, uniform provisions, and evaluations. Sets forth the sense of the Congress regarding: (1) paperwork reduction; and (2) memorials. Prohibits: (1) use of Federal funds or sanctions for mandatory national certification of teachers and paraprofessionals; and (2) use of ESEA funds for federally-sponsored national testing, unless specifically authorized by law. Redesignates as ESEA title VIII parts H, I, J, and K, current ESEA title XIII provisions for: (1) Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers; (2) National Diffusion Network; (3) Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia; and (4) Technology-Based Technical Assistance. Amends the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 with respect to State assessments. McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to revise and reauthorize provisions for education for homeless children and youth. Repeals provisions under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act for: (1) the National Education Goals Panel and the National Education Standards and Improvement Council; and (2) an International Education Program. Repeals the Troops-to-Teachers Program Act of 1999. Repeals the following ESEA provisions: (1) part B of title IX, education of Native Hawaiians; (2) title X, Programs of National Significance, including the Fund for the Improvement of Education and programs for gifted and talented children, arts in education, inexpensive book distribution, civic education, Ellender fellowships, urban and rural education assistance, and the national writing project; (3) title XI, Coordinated Services; and (4) title XII, School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement, a program of grants for school construction and renovation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2001
Condemns the repressive and totalitarian actions of the Cuban Government against the Cuban people. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) have an action-oriented policy of directly assisting the Cuban people and independent organizations to strengthen the forces of change and to improve human rights within Cuba; and (2) make all efforts necessary at the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva in 2001 to obtain passage of a resolution condemning the Government of Cuba for its human rights abuses and to secure the appointment of a Special Rapporteur for Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Marriage Tax Elimination Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide that the basic standard deduction on a joint return shall be equal to 200 percent of the dollar amount of an individual who is not married. Provides a schedule for making, by 2005, the maximum taxable income in the lowest married bracket equal to double the maximum taxable income in the lowest single filer bracket. Increases the earned income credit phaseout amount on a joint return by $2,000. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitation based on tax liability and the definition of such liability to provide that the aggregate amount of credits allowed as nonrefundable personal credits shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability for the taxable year reduced by the foreign tax credit; and (2) the tax imposed by the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Conduit Contribution Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to increase civil money and criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations of the prohibition against making or accepting contributions in the name of another. Sets both civil and criminal fines at not less than 300 percent of the amount involved in the violation and not more than the greater of $50,000 or 1,000 percent of such amount. Mandates a criminal fine or two years' imprisonment, or both. Limits criminal penalties to violations involving an amount aggregating $1,000 or more during a calendar year. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Federal Election Commission to refer to the Attorney General any instance of probable cause that a violation of such prohibition has occurred. Revises the current ban on contributions by foreign nationals to encompass all disbursements by foreign nationals, including any disbursement to a political committee of a political party and any disbursement for an independent expenditure.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) with respect to pensions. (All the following are amendments to the Code, except where the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, is mentioned.) Increases: (1) annual dollar Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contribution limits; and (2) benefit and contribution limits, with indexes for inflation. Revises requirements relating to: (1) plan loans for subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors; and (2) specified top-heavy rules. Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. Repeals specified coordination requirements for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Revises certain deduction limits for stock bonus and profit sharing trusts and for defined contribution plans. Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as after-tax contributions. Allows individuals age 50 or older to make additional contributions to an applicable employer plan (section 401(k) or similar plan). Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. Revises: (1) minimum distribution rules; (2) requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce; and (3) provisions for safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans. Permits, under certain conditions, rollovers: (1) from and to various types of plans; (2) of IRAs into workplace retirement plans; and (3) of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans under the Code and ERISA. Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Allows trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code. Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Repeals, for plan years beginning in 2004 and following years, the current liability full funding limit under the Code and ERISA. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules, and applies them to all defined benefit plans. Allows an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent they exceed the full-funding limitation. Establishes an excise tax for the failure of a defined benefit plan or an individual account plan (except governmental, church, and other specified plans) subject to minimum funding standards to meet specified notice requirements, under the Code and ERISA, for plan amendments which significantly reduce benefit accruals. Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect the investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Establishes an excise tax for certain prohibited allocations of stock in an S corporation ESOP. Revises Code and ERISA requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. Allows applicable dividends of ESOPs to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities. Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer for an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide simplified annual filing requirements for retirement plans with assets below a specified amount, if they cover: (1) one participant (an owner and spouse); or (2) fewer than 25 employees. Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, or any successor program. Repeals a multiple use test. Allows certain alternative ways of satisfying nondiscrimination, coverage, and line of business rules. Exempts plans maintained by any governmental entity from certain nondiscrimination rules. Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations relating to the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Revises ERISA provisions relating to: (1) annual report dissemination; (2) the National Summit on Retirement Savings; (3) missing participants; (4) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) reduction of premiums for new plans of small employers and of additional premiums for new and small plans; (5) PBGC authority to pay interest on premium overpayment refunds; (6) substantial owner benefits in terminated plans; (7) civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility; and (8) benefit suspension notices. Prescribes time requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Death Tax Elimination Act - Repeals the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers, effective January 1, 2011. Provides for annual reductions of the tax until such date. Increases the unified estate and gift tax credit to $1.3 million. Repeals the estate and gift tax provisions applicable to family-owned businesses. Amends provisions concerning the special rules for allocation of the generation-skipping tax (GST) exemption to provide, as a general rule, that: (1) if any individual makes an indirect skip during such individual's lifetime, any unused portion of such individual's GST exemption shall be allocated to the property transferred to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio for such property zero; and (2) if the amount of the indirect skip exceeds such unused portion, the entire unused portion shall be allocated to the property transferred. Declares that, if a trust is severed in a qualified severance, the trusts resulting from such severance shall be treated as separate trusts thereafter. Revises valuation rules for gifts for which a gift tax return was filed or deemed allocation made. Provides that, if an allocation of the GST exemption to any transfers of property is deemed to have been made at the close of an estate tax inclusion period, the value of the property shall be its value at such time. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted to make an allocation of GST exemption or an election not to apply specified allocation requirements to certain lifetime direct skips, indirect skips, or transfers to a particular trust. Increases the permissible number of partners or shareholders in a closely held business for purposes of eligibility for an extension of estate tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001
Budget Responsibility and Efficiency Act of 2001 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Conforms provisions of the Rules of the House of Representatives, provisions governing the President's budget, and requirements for certain strategic and performance plans and reports to the biennial framework. Provides a point of order against any measure that contains a specific authorization of appropriations unless such authorization is for each fiscal year in a biennium. Requires the President's budget submission for FY 2004 to identify budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY 2004-2005 biennium. Directs congressional committees, during the 108th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule. Sets forth additional transition requirements. Makes this Act applicable to budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium beginning with FY 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Medicare Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant Direct Reimbursement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of surgical first assisting services furnished by certified registered nurse first assistants.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Authorizes the President to disapprove any item of appropriation in any bill. Requires any item of appropriation contained in a bill approved by the President which is not disapproved to become law. Permits the Congress to reconsider any item so disapproved.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Conservation and Reinvestment Act - Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the CRAF certain Outer Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed impact assistance and coastal conservation amounts, and interest earned on CRAF investments. Allocates CRAF funds among coastal States for impact assistance and coastal conservation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Federal aid to a certain wildlife restoration fund. Provides for CRAF funding of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994, Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements, and a specified program for payments in lieu of taxes and refuge revenue sharing. Expresses the intent of Congress that amounts made available under this Act are to supplement, and not to detract from, annual appropriations for the National Park Service. Prohibits the expenditure of funds under this Act if such an expenditure diminishes benefit obligations of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, or the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Hope for Children Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the expenses allowable towards the adoption credit. Renames such credit as the "Tom Bliley adoption credit."
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should work with the Government of Mexico to advance bilateral cooperation and should seek to: (1) encourage economic growth and development; (2) strengthen cooperation between military and law enforcement entities to address common threats to security; (3) provide assistance in support of President Vicente Fox's plan to reform Mexico's judicial system and combat corruption and to strengthen democratic institutions; (4) develop a common strategy to address immigration and to fight the illicit drug trade; (5) encourage bilateral and multilateral environmental protection activities; (6) obtain the support of the Mexican Government to assist the Government of Colombia in achieving a peaceful political resolution to the conflict in Colombia; and (7) review the current illicit drug certification process and consider other evaluation mechanisms.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2001
Medicare Osteoporosis Measurement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define a qualified individual, for purposes of coverage of bone mass measurement, as any individual (currently, estrogen-deficient women) at clinical risk of osteoporosis.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2001
Project Exile Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act of 2001 - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to provide firearms sentencing incentive grants to eligible States that: (1) demonstrate that they have implemented laws requiring that any person who uses or carries a firearm in any violent crime or serious drug trafficking crime be sentenced to not less than five years in prison (without the possibility of parole) in addition to the punishment provided for such crime, or requiring that any person who possesses a firearm, having at least one prior conviction for a violent crime, be sentenced to five years' imprisonment (without the possibility of parole); or (2) can demonstrate that they have in effect an equivalent Federal prosecution agreement; and (3) demonstrate that they have or will implement a public awareness and community support program that seeks to build support for, and warns potential violators of, such firearms sentencing laws; and (4) provide assurances that they will coordinate with Federal prosecutors and Federal law enforcement agencies and will allocate resources to reduce crime in high-crime areas. Sets forth allowable uses for such grants, including to: (1) support law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, probation officers, correctional officers, the juvenile justice system, the improvement of criminal history records, or case management programs involving the sharing of information about serious offenders; (2) carry out such a public awareness and community support program; and (3) build or expand correctional facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2001
Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act of 2001 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order against consideration of any: (1) budget resolution that sets forth a surplus for any fiscal year that is less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for such year; or (2) legislation that would cause any surplus to be less than the Fund surplus for the covered fiscal year. Makes the point of order described in (2) above inapplicable to social security or Medicare reform legislation. Requires any Federal budget submitted by the President that recommends an on-budget surplus for any fiscal year that is less than the surplus of the Fund for such year to include a proposal for social security or Medicare reform legislation. Makes this Act inapplicable upon the enactment of social security and Medicare reform legislation. Defines "social security reform legislation" and "Medicare reform legislation" as a bill or joint resolution to save social security or Medicare, respectively, that specifies that it constitutes reform legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2001
Congratulates Ariel Sharon on his election as Israeli Prime Minister. Urges: (1) Palestinian Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat to use his influence and resources to see that violence in the Middle East is brought to an end; and (2) countries that neighbor Israel and the international community to respect the freely expressed will of the Israeli people and to be prepared to engage in constructive relations with the new Israeli Government. Restates the U.S. commitment to a secure peace for Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 2305 Minton Road in West Melbourne, Florida, as the Ronald W. Reagan Post Office of West Melbourne, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from permitting oil and gas development activities in specified parts of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, and the South Atlantic Planning Area, unless: (1) certain environmental studies and assessments have been completed; and (2) the Secretary has certified to the Congress that specified environmental information has been obtained which adequately enables the Secretary to implement Federal stewardship of the environment with a minimal level of uncertainty. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any: (1) oil or gas development activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in a specified part of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area; or (2) preleasing activity or lease sale in such Planning Areas for a specified period. Directs the Secretary to establish the Joint Federal-State Outer Continental Shelf Task Force to request additional studies and surveys as needed to minimize the uncertainty about the effects of preleasing, leasing, and exploration activities. Subjects the first exploration plan submitted after the date of enactment of this Act to the requirements of detailed environmental impact statements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Family Values Tax Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the: (1) overall limitation on itemized deductions; (2) phaseout of personal exemptions; and (3) adjusted gross income limitation on the child tax credit; and (4) alternative minimum tax on individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Russian-American Trust and Cooperation Act of 2001 - Directs the President, until he certifies to Congress that the Government of the Russian Federation has ceased all operations at, removed all personnel from, and permanently closed the intelligence facility at Lourdes, Cuba, to: (1) neither reschedule nor forgive any outstanding bilateral debt owed by the Government of the Russian Federation to the United States; and (2) instruct the U.S. representative to the Paris Club of official creditors to use the U.S. vote to oppose rescheduling or forgiveness of any outstanding bilateral debt owed by such government. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act if it is in the national interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Community Protection Act of 2001- Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is, or was, employed as a law enforcement officer, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that: (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Notch Baby Act of 2001- Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act with respect to the benefit computation formula for individuals affected by the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977 who reached age 65 during the ten year period after 1981 and before 1992. Sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 60 percent to ten percent keyed to the year an individual became eligible for such benefits between 1979 and 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 85 percent (second tier) taxation of Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits. Appropriates, from the general fund, to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equal to the reduction in revenue lost because of the repeal. Requires an annual report concerning the funds transferred from the general fund to the Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Capital Gains Tax Reduction Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the maximum capital gains tax rates for both individuals and corporations. Provides for the indexing of assets for determining gain or loss.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2000
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (2) Department of Defense (DOD); (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency (NSA); (5) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); (6) National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA); (7) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; and (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that the amounts authorized to be appropriated and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2001, for such activities are those specified in the Classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. (Sec. 103) Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize the employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 2001 when the DCI determines that such action is necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions, subject to specified limitations. Requires notification of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees when such authority is exercised. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for the Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 2001. Authorizes full-time personnel for elements within such Account as of September 30, 2001. Provides for the reimbursement of any U.S. officer or employee, or member of the armed forces, who is detailed to such staff. Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for the National Drug Intelligence Center. Requires a transfer of funds from the DCI to the Attorney General to operate the Center. (Sec. 105) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that, with respect to DOD, the authority to object to a transfer of funds or personnel within the National Foreign Intelligence Program may be delegated by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary), but only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. (Currently, the Secretary or the head of the military department involved may object to such a transfer.) Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Title III: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Intelligence Community - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees to be increased by such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. (Sec. 302) Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (Sec. 303) Expresses the sense of Congress that the DCI should continue to direct that elements of the intelligence community should competitively award contracts in a manner that maximizes the procurement of products properly designated as having been made in the United States. (Sec. 304) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish the National Security Agency Voluntary Separation Pay Act to authorize the DCI to establish a program under which NSA employees who are at least 50 years old and have completed 20 years of service or who have completed 25 years of service shall be eligible for early retirement, separation pay for voluntary separation, or both. Provides: (1) separation pay limits and certain reemployment restrictions; and (2) certain reporting requirements concerning the use of such authority. (Sec. 305) Empowers the DCI to authorize travel on any common carrier when such travel: (1) is consistent with intelligence community mission requirements; or (2) is required for covert purposes, operational needs, or other exceptional circumstances necessary for the successful performance of such a mission. (Sec. 306) Requires the DCI to update a report required under a prior intelligence authorization Act concerning the authority of DOD to engage in commercial activities in connection with intelligence collection activities. (Sec. 307) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the DCI to establish and maintain in the intelligence community an analytic capability with responsibilities for intelligence in support of U.S. activities relating to post-1990 unaccounted for U.S. personnel (military missing persons and U.S. nationals killed while engaged in activities on behalf of the United States). (Sec. 308) Prohibits any Federal law that implements a treaty or other international agreement from being construed as making unlawful an otherwise lawful and authorized intelligence activity of the U.S. Government or its employees, or other person acting on their behalf, unless such law specifically addresses such activity. (Sec. 309) Requires the DCI to certify to the intelligence committees whether or not each element of the State Department that handles, retains, or stores classified material (element) is in full compliance with all applicable directives relating to such materials. Requires a report to the intelligence committees when noncompliance is determined. Prohibits an element from retaining or storing classified information until full compliance is achieved. Authorizes the DCI to waive the applicability of this section in the national security interest, requiring a report to the intelligence committees upon the exercise of such waiver. (Sec. 310) Designates a portion of Woodrow Wilson Plaza in Washington, D.C., as Daniel Patrick Moynihan Place, in recognition of such Senator's promotion of architecture and urban planning in the Nation's capital. Subtitle B: Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) - Reorganizes the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) established under the Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992 to: (1) state as a Program purpose the establishment and maintenance of a diplomatic telecommunications system and network capable of providing multiple levels of service at diplomatic facilities abroad; (2) establish the position of Chief Executive Officer of the DTS-PO, with specified duties; (3) establish Deputy Executive Officer positions; and (4) authorize the OMB Director to prescribe pay rates for DTS-PO employees. (Sec. 323) Establishes the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Oversight Board to perform specified DTS-PO oversight activities. (Sec. 324) Requires the OMB Director to report to specified congressional committees on DTS-PO program elements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006. Title IV: Central Intelligence Agency - Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to require receipts for utility services and meals and for the rental of property and equipment to CIA employees and detailees to be deposited into the Central Services Working Capital Fund. (Sec. 403) Amends the above Act to require a report from the Inspector General (IG) to the intelligence committees when: (1) an investigation, inspection, or audit focuses on a current or former CIA official who holds or held a position subject to appointment by the President, or holds or held the CIA executive director or certain deputy director positions; (2) a matter requires a report from the IG to the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning possible criminal conduct of a current or former CIA official; (3) the IG receives notice from the DOJ declining or approving prosecution of possible criminal conduct of any such official; or (4) the IG, after exhausting all possible alternatives, is unable to obtain significant documentary information in the course of an investigation, inspection, or audit. ( (Sec. 404) Authorizes the DCI to detail CIA employees to the NRO. (Sec. 405) Provides a three-year availability for obligation of CIA funds transferred after FY 2000 to another Federal department or agency for the acquisition of land. Requires an annual report from the DCI to the intelligence committees on such fund transfers. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the DCI to designate and reimburse CIA employees for one-half of the costs of professional liability insurance. Requires a report from the DCI to the intelligence committees on each designation. Title V: Department of Defense Intelligence Activities - Directs NRO to negotiate, write, execute, and manage vehicle acquisition or launch contracts that affect or bind NRO and to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 502) Requires the Secretary to respond within 30 days to a request from the DCI to exercise the Secretary's authority under prior law to carry out a program of special personnel management at NIMA and NSA for the recruitment of experts in science and engineering. (Sec. 503) Requires the DCI, in coordination with the Secretary, to study and report to the defense and intelligence committees on the utility and feasibility of various options for improving the management and organization of measurement and signature intelligence. Title VI: Counterintelligence Matters - Counterintelligence Reform Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to direct the Attorney General (AG), upon request from the FBI Director, the Secretary of Defense or State, or the DCI, to review an application for a court order approving the electronic surveillance of a foreign power or foreign agent suspected of espionage. Prohibits any requesting official from delegating such authority, except due to disability. Requires the AG to notify a requesting official of his determination, including any modifications needed before approving the application. Authorizes the issuing judge to consider past activities of the target (as well as facts and circumstances relating to current and future activities of such target) in determining whether or not probable cause exists for issuance of the order. (Sec. 603) Provides the same requirements, prohibitions, and authorities as above for requests from such officials for a court order for a physical search of a target under the Act. (Sec. 604) Requires information acquired under the Act to be included in required semiannual reports from the AG to the intelligence committees concerning all electronic surveillance conducted by the United States. Requires the AG to report to such committees on the authorities and procedures utilized by the DOJ for determining whether or not to disclose for law enforcement purposes information acquired under the Act. (Sec. 605) Requires the FBI Director to submit to the head of the Federal agency or department concerned a written assessment of the potential impact of the actions of that agency or department on an FBI counterintelligence investigation. Requires the agency or department head to use such assessment to determine whether their actions should be continued. Requires the Director and appropriate agency or department head to continue to consult in a timely manner with respect to such investigations. Requires the FBI to notify appropriate officials within the executive branch of the commencement of a full field espionage investigation of a Federal employee. Prohibits such official, after such notification, from taking any action with respect to such employee that would likely alert the employee to the FBI investigation. (Sec. 606) Authorizes appropriations to DOJ for FY 2001 through 2003 for certain activities of the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review for providing increased protection of national security at DOJ. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any such funds for FY 2002 and 2003 until the AG reports to the intelligence committees on the manner in which such funds will be used. Requires the AG to report to such committees concerning: (1) corrective actions concerning electronic surveillance; and (2) actions to be taken to promote quick and efficient responses to national security issues, as well as the appropriate dissemination of intelligence information within DOJ and the formulation of policy on national security issues. (Sec. 607) Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act to direct the Assistant AG for the Criminal Division of DOJ and the appropriate U.S. Attorney to brief senior agency officials with respect to any case involving classified information that originated in the agency of that senior official. Title VII: Declassification of Information - Public Interest Declassification Act of 2000 - Establishes within the executive branch the Public Interest Declassification Board to: (1) advise the President and other appropriate executive officials on the systematic, thorough, coordinated, and comprehensive identification, collection, review for declassification, and release to Congress, interested agencies, and the public of records and materials that are of archival value, including those of extraordinary public interest; (2) promote the fullest possible public access to a documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities; (3) provide recommendations to the President for the identification, collection, and review for declassification of such information that does not undermine the U.S. national security interest; and (4) advise the President and other appropriate officials on policies deriving from the issuance of executive orders regarding the classification and declassification of national security information. (Sec. 704) Requires the head of any agency with authority to classify information to provide annually to the Board or one of the intelligence committees a summary briefing and report on their declassification of national security information. Requires the Board to then recommend to such agency ways in which their declassification program could be improved. Requires the Board to recommend to the President proposed initiatives to identify, collect, and review for declassification classified records and materials of extraordinary public interest. Requires the OMB Director to publish annually a description of the President's declassification program and priorities, and the funds requested to implement such program. (Sec. 705) States that nothing in this Act shall limit the authority of the: (1) head of an agency to classify information or to continue the classification of information previously classified, or to grant or deny access to a special access program; or (2) DCI to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure. (Sec. 706) Requires the head of each agency with authority to classify information and the head of each Federal Presidential library to designate an employee to act as liaison to the Board for purposes of this title. Requires such agency or library head to notify the Board when he or she determines it necessary to deny or restrict Board access to information contained in a record or material held by such agency or library. Allows an agency head, at the conclusion of a declassification review, to determine either that the public interest in a disclosure outweighs its need for protection, or that the interest of the agency to protect the information outweighs the public's need for access. Requires the Board to report annually to specified congressional committees on Board activities under this title. Outlines procedures for agency notification to the Board that access to records or materials has been denied. (Sec. 707) States that this Act does not create any right or benefit subject to judicial review. (Sec. 708) Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Disclosure of Information on Japanese Imperial Governmen t- Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act of 2000 - Directs the President to require the Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group, established under prior law, to remain in existence for three years. Requires the Group to: (1) locate, identify, inventory, recommend for declassification, and make available to the public all classified Japanese Imperial Government records of the United States relating to the experimentation and persecution by the Japanese Government or its allies of persons because of race, religion, national origin, or political opinion; (2) expedite the release of such records to the public; and (3) report to Congress. Redesignates such Group as the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Requires the Group to release such records in their entirety, with certain confidentiality or national security exceptions. Provides a rebuttable presumption that the public interest will be served by the disclosure of such records. (Sec. 804) Provides for the expedited processing of Freedom of Information Act requests for such records for parties claiming to have been so persecuted.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2000
Waives points of order against consideration of the conference report on S. 2796 (water and related resources conservation and development and river and harbor project authorization).
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2000
Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of S. 2796 (water resources conservation and development and river and harbor project construction).
![Official portrait of Rep. Goss, Porter J. [R-FL-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000336_200.jpg)