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United States · Official source
2,073 records where Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Condemns all attacks upon the memory of veterans and their service to the United States, as exemplified by the incident of vandalism of September 7, 2007, (at the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, Washington, D.C.).
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Safe Schools and Health Care Professional Pipeline Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to a qualified youth serving organization to establish and expand emergency preparedness pipelines consisting of: (1) health science curricula in secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and continuing education programs that prepare students for careers as health care professionals; and (2) school-based emergency preparedness chapters. Requires such a chapter to recruit and prepare students for federal, state, community, and school public health emergencies under the administration of such an organization and to provide training that is implemented uniformly, coordinated with and integrated into the school's health science curriculum, and provided through certified health science instructors serving as chapter advisors. Defines a "qualified youth serving organization" as a nonprofit organization that prepares youth exclusively for career entry and advancement opportunities in the health professions, offers a national recognition and competitive events program, and operates at least 2,500 chapters in at least 40 states. Requires the Secretary to make a grant each year to such an organization to conduct a national leadership conference that includes representatives of health science programs, emergency preparedness chapters, and the Medical Reserve Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Recognizes the wine and winegrape industry of Texas for its economic impact of $1 billion on the economy of Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2007
SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend SCHIP through FY2008 and the first six months of FY2009; (2) provide additional allotments to states to address SCHIP funding shortfalls for the same period of time; and (3) authorize qualifying states to elect to receive the enhanced portion of the SCHIP matching rate for coverage of certain children under SSA title XIX (Medicaid).
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2007
Recognizes the service of General David H. Petraeus, and other members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing, in defense of the United States, as well as the personal sacrifices made by General Petraeus and his family, and other members of the Armed Forces and their families. Commits to judging the merits of the sworn testimony of General Petraeus without prejudice or personal bias. Condemns the personal attacks on the integrity and professionalism of General Petraeus made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org. Honors all members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel serving in harm's way, and their families. Pledges to move forward on all policy debate regarding the war in Iraq with the respect and commitment to intellectual integrity that the sacrifices of these members and civilian personnel deserve.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2007
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2007 or the Charlie Norwood CLEAR Act of 2007 - States that: (1) state and local law enforcement personnel, in the course of their routine duties, have the inherent authority to investigate, apprehend, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in order to assist in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws; and (2) effective two years after enactment of this Act, a state that has in effect a statute, policy, or practice prohibiting such law enforcement assistance shall not receive certain federal incarceration assistance. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Directs states and localities to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) with specified information about apprehended aliens who are believed to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws. Provides federal reimbursement for related state and local costs. (States that such provision shall not require state or local enforcement officials to provide DHS with information related to a victim of a crime or witness to a criminal offense.) Directs the Secretary to make grants to states and political subdivisions that enforce immigration laws in the course of their routine law enforcement duties for special equipment and facilities related to arresting, detaining, or transporting illegal aliens. Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct or acquire 20 additional detention facilities for aliens detained pending removal (or a decision on removal); and (2) consider the transfer of military installations under base closure laws for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens apprehended by state or local authorities to provide for: (1) federal custody upon state or local request; and (2) state or local compensation for related incarceration and transportation costs. States with respect to an alien subject to removal that the Attorney General or Secretary shall ensure such alien's detention in an adequate (as defined by this Act) state or local prison, detention center, or other comparable facility prior to his or her removal examination. Directs the Secretary to establish immigration-related training for state and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity to the same extent as corresponding federal immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties under this Act; and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for state or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. Continues the institutional removal program (IRP), which shall be expanded to all states. Authorizes state or local detention of an illegal alien after completion of such alien's prison sentence for: (1) up to 14 days to facilitate federal transfer; or (2) until transfer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 and subsequent fiscal years for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP).
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2007
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement with the Free File Alliance to provide a forms-based software service for all individual taxpayers to electronically prepare and file their federal income tax returns through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, free of charge, for taxable years beginning after 2007. Requires the Free File Alliance to meet certain standards promulgated by the federal government for business responsibility and commerciality of products or services. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a return-free tax system for taxable years beginning after 2007, unless authorized to do so by an Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2007
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to request the Senate to return H.R. 3161 (making FY2008 appropriations for agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies programs) and modify the engrossment of the bill to prohibit fund use: (1) to employ an alien who is not authorized to be employed in the United States; and (2) for rental housing assistance to an alien not authorized to receive such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
United Nations Economic and Social Council Accountability Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to withhold from the U.S. contribution to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that would be allocated to support the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) until the Secretary certifies to Congress that the United Nations and ECOSOC have withdrawn consultative status for all terrorist-affiliated organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Designates the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center as Emancipation Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2007
Declares that the dedicated men and women who served in the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bombardment Group (H), "Hell's Angels," including the nearly 5,000 listed as missing in action, during World War II are heroes and champions of American freedom. Recognizes the final reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association and commends its honorable members, who never once turned away from their assigned target, for their selfless service to our country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2007
Travel Promotion Act of 2007 - Establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit corporation that is not an agency or establishment of the U.S. government. Makes the Corporation subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Requires the Corporation, among other things, to provide useful information to people interested in traveling to the United States, identify and address perceptions in other countries regarding U.S. entry policies, and promote U.S. travel. Establishes in the Treasury the Travel Promotion Fund. Requires the transfer of Treasury funds to the Corporation, requiring nonfederal matching funds. Authorizes the U.S. government, if a fully automated electronic system is implemented to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States, to charge an applicant a system use fee. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to replace references to the United States National Tourism Organization with references to the Corporation. Modifies various requirements applicable to the Tourism Policy Council. Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 to remove provisions establishing the United States Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
Extends condolences to the family of Marvin Harold Zindler (investigative journalist in Houston, Texas) and his Channel 13 KTRK family. Mourns his passing and honors him for his service to the people of Houston, American citizens, and the international community, particularly politically underrepresented, economically powerless, and physically ill and disabled people, through his entrepreneurial journalism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2007
Calls for establishment of a National Dysphagia Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to redefine "electronic surveillance" as: (1) the installation or use of an electronic, mechanical, or other surveillance device for acquiring information by intentionally directing surveillance at a particular person believed to be in the United States when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and a warrant would be required for law enforcement purposes; or (2) the intentional acquisition of the contents of any communication when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and a warrant would be required for law enforcement purposes, if both the sender and all intended recipients are believed to be in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Counter-Terrorism and National Security Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose criminal penalties for providing material support to terrorists with the intent to facilitate, reward, or encourage terrorist activities; (2) include attempts and conspiracies in the prohibition against obtaining military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization and increase criminal penalties for such crime; (3) prohibit the kidnapping of a U.S. national overseas; (4) deny all federal benefits to anyone convicted of a federal crime of terrorism; (5) include federal crimes of terrorism in the prohibition against soliciting criminal activity; (6) provide enhanced penalties for terrorists offenses that result in the death of a person: (7) allow for the death penalty for terror-related crimes involving weapons of mass destruction (e.g., atomic and biological weapons); (8) increase criminal penalties for the murder of a U.S. national overseas and for providing financial support to terrorists; and (9) extend the authorization for wiretapping to all federal crimes of terrorism. Amends federal transportation law to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for taking actions that seriously threaten the safety of an aircraft or individuals on such aircraft. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow multi-district search warrants in terrorism investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007
No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the taxpayer election to expense the cost of certain refinery property not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for the financing of domestic use oil refinery facilities; (2) extend through 2018 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities; and (3) allow tax credits for the production of electricity from nuclear energy, natural gas production, and carbon dioxide tertiary injectant processes. Requires the President to designate at least 10 sites for oil or natural gas refineries on federal lands and make such sites available to the private sector for construction of refineries. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from denying an application for nuclear waste disposal on the grounds of present or future insufficient capacity. Terminates all existing federal laws prohibiting expenditures to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities in the Outer Continental Shelf. American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Repeals the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Sets forth requirements for the sale of oil and natural gas leases in the Coastal Plain, environmental protection, transportation easements, and royalty payments to Alaska. Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to assist Alaska jurisdictions that are directly impacted by oil and gas exploration and production in the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007
Revises corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE standards) provisions for non-passenger and passenger automobiles to: (1) provide for increased average fuel economy standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles; (2) permit separate average fuel economy standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles based on vehicle attributes related to fuel economy; and (3) establish a corporate average fuel economy credit transferring program within a manufacturer's fleet. Provides for the establishment of a public education campaign to provide information to U.S. drivers about immediate measures that may be taken to conserve transportation fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007
Honors the life of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Military Spouses Memorial Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Military Spouse Legacy Association, Inc., to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor all those who have put their country first as military spouses throughout our Nation's history. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work. Makes the Military Spouse Legacy Association, Inc., solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of such work.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax credit for social security taxes paid for employee cash tips to employers of cosmetologists. Requires employers of cosmetologists to report income and tips of their cosmetologist employees and to provide income and tip information to self-employed cosmetologists to whom they pay more than $600 in the taxable year. Imposes similar reporting requirements upon individuals who rent chairs to cosmetologists. Requires such employers to provide their cosmetologist employees and self-employed cosmetologists with information on the tax and tip reporting obligations of employees and self-employed individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Recognizes and commends the Marines of Company M ("Mike Company") of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, on the occasion of their 25th annual reunion.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2007
Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive Act of 2007 or GROWTH Act of 2007 - Targets assistance for women in developing countries with respect to: (1) microenterprises; (2) small and medium enterprises; (3) private property rights and land tenure security; (4) employment access; (5) trade benefits; (6) exchanges with U.S. entrepreneurs; (7) Millennium Challenge Account assistance; and (8) indigenous women's organizations. Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Fund to enhance economic opportunities for very poor, poor, and low-income women in developing countries with a focus on: (1) increasing women-owned enterprise development; (2) increasing property rights for women; (3) increasing women's access to financial services; (4) increasing women in leadership in implementing organizations, such as indigenous nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations, and regulated financial intermediaries; (5) improving women's employment benefits and conditions; and (6) increasing women's ability to benefit from global trade.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812. Requires a coin design emblematic of the War of 1812, particularly the Battle for Fort McHenry that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner . Authorizes the Secretary to issue the coins only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2012. Requires specified surcharges in sales of the coin, which shall be paid to the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission for: (1) the purpose of supporting bicentennial activities; and (2) preservation and improvement activities relating to the sites and structures relating to the War of 1812.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2007
National Environment and Energy Development Act - Declares without force or effect all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands from leasing for natural gas exploration and production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from: (1) granting a natural gas lease for any OCS located within 25 miles of a state coastline; or (2) issuing any lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area located within 50 miles of a state coastline unless the state has enacted a law approving such lease. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area located more than 50 miles and less than 100 miles from the coastline of a state if the state has enacted a law disapproving such lease issuance. Sets forth an allocation schedule (including designated reserve accounts) for revenues derived from bonus bids and royalties under qualified gas leases on submerged lands located within the seaward boundaries of a state. Modifies requirements for deeming state seaward boundaries. Authorizes the Secretary to issue leases for development and production of natural gas and associated condensate. Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act result in a healthy and growing American industrial, manufacturing, transportation, and service sector employing America's workforce to assist in the development of affordable energy from the OCS.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2007
CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish federal manufactured home construction and safety standards. Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to require such standards to require each manufactured home delivered for sale to be supplied with a weather radio: (1) capable of broadcasting emergency information relating to local weather conditions; (2) equipped with a tone alarm and Specific Alert Message Encoding, or SAME technology; and (3) compliant with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Standard 2009-A Performance Specification for Public Alert Receivers (or its current revision). Shields from liability the operator, owner, or employee of a mobile home community, or the mobile home manufacturer, with respect to any reminder, assistance, or instructions the community operator provides concerning the functionality of a manufactured home's weather radio or smoke detector.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2007
Commends Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball player and for his outstanding service to the community through his charitable work and dedication to the Houston Astros organization.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Public Servant Retirement Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the current windfall elimination provision (WEP) (that reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security) for individuals first performing non-covered service beginning one year after enactment of this Act. Establishes a new formula for the treatment of non-covered earnings in determining Social Security benefits. Applies such formula to individuals subject to the current WEP if the benefit under the new formula would be higher.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Expresses the House of Representatives' belief respecting specified immigration-related steps that the Administration should take that will reduce illegal immigration and improve U.S. border security.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to mint and issue $50 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of $50 per $50 coin, and of $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $4 million to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. Requires distribution of: (1) one-half of the next $1 million of the remaining amounts to the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science Literacy Foundation and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center). Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $50 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
Congratulates the San Antonio Spurs and Coach Gregg Popovich for winning the 2007 National Basketball Association Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 - Repeals the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (i.e., December 31, 2010), thus making the tax reductions enacted by that Act permanent. Repeals the termination date for provisions of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 reducing income tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the tax deduction for state and local sales taxes; (2) the tax deduction for tuition and related expenses; (3) the increased expensing allowance for small business assets and related provisions; and (4) the tax credit for increasing research activities. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Committee on Ways and Means should report legislation on or before December 31, 2008, to simplify the federal income tax system.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in Uvalde, Texas, as the "Dolph S. Briscoe, Jr. Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act or the IMPACT Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand an existing grant program for training for health profession students to include the treatment of individuals who are overweight, obese, or have eating disorders. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the training of primary care physicians and other health professions on how to identify, treat, and prevent obesity or eating disorders and aid individuals who are overweight or obese or who suffer from eating disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting though the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants for the planning and implementation of programs that promote healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. Allows the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, to provide for the collection and analysis of data for determining the fitness levels and energy expenditures of children and data collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to review the research to determine if the information might be important for the health disparities report. Permits states to use preventive health and health services block grants for activities and community education programs designed to address and prevent obesity and eating disorders. Requires the Secretary to report to the relevant congressional committees on: (1) the causes and health implications of being overweight, obese, or having an eating disorder; and (2) the effectiveness of campaigns to change children's behaviors and reduce obesity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Military Spouses Employment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces on extended active duty (more than 90 days or for an indefinite period) as members of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit (thus giving employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses). Repeals certain restrictions on disposals to foreign nations of naval vessels in excess of 3,000 tons or less than 20 years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to a point of order against consideration of legislation reported by a committee (or a related amendment) which does not list congressional earmarks or limited tax or tariff benefits (and the name of the requesting Member), or a statement that the proposition contains none. Declares that, as disposition of such a point of order, the Chair shall put the question of consideration with respect to the measure, and it shall be debatable for 10 minutes by the Member initiating the point of order and for 10 minutes by an opponent. Declares further, however, that the question shall otherwise be decided without intervening motion except one that the House adjourn.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a loan program that provides loans to eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs. Requires that such program be an allopathic or osteopathic residency program in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics or gynecology, or general surgery. Requires the Administrator to give preference to hospitals in a rural area or an urban area that is not a large urban area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
High-Need Physician Workforce Incentives Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants to critical shortage health facilities for scholarships to individuals agreeing to serve as a physician at such facility after completing residency in the fields of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, or obstetrics-gynecology. Excludes such scholarship funds from an individual's gross income. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to: (1) establish a loan repayment program for individuals agreeing to serve as physicians in specified fields in areas that are not health professional shortage areas, but that have a critical shortage of physicians in such field; (2) make grants to states to provide care management fees to physicians in medically underserved communities to support the provision of targeted, accessible, continuous, coordinated, and patient-centered care through a qualified medical home; and (3) make grants to board-certified entities to establish or expand geriatric fellowship programs to train physicians practicing in rural areas or in specified fields in geriatric medicine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income compensation received by a physician from a local government for medical care performed: (1) in a medically underserved community; and (2) under a contract with the local government for a period of not less than four years.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Extends the current quality reporting system. Amends the Medicare Improvement and Extension Act of 2006 to extend and increase transitional bonus incentive payments. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a new physician quality incentive system; and (2) create standards for health information technology (HIT) payment incentives. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of HIT and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved. Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion. Requires 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 funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Directs the Secretary to arrange for a study of price inputs and relative values for physicians' services recommended by the AMA/Speciality Society Relative Value Unit Scale Update Committee process. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities. Amends SSA title XVIII to accelerate the deadline for nationwide implementation of the recovery audit contractor element of the Medicare Integrity Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
State and Local Flexibility Improvement Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to give states and local educational agencies (LEAs) greater flexibility in transferring federal funds among specified ESEA programs (relating to teachers, technology, safe and drug-free schools, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and innovative programs) and from such programs to their allotments under title I. Replaces the current State and Local Flexibility Demonstration under title VI of the ESEA with a program allowing states to enter five-year performance agreements with the Secretary of Education, and states to enter into performance agreements with LEAs, to: (1) waive statutory and regulatory requirements; (2) consolidate ESEA funds provided for improving student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps, for use in furthering any state educational purpose; and (3) use an alternative method of allocating school improvement funds under part A of title I to more effectively target LEAs and schools serving high proportions of needy students. Holds states, LEAs, and schools to the requirement that they make adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward challenging state academic performance standards; but allows states to use additional models and systems for measuring AYP, such as longitudinal growth models. Requires states to give performance agreement priority to LEAs that have failed to make AYP for the two preceding academic years and serve a high percentage of needy students. Allows the Secretary to terminate an agreement with a state that fails to meet its terms for three consecutive school years. Lowers the minimum percentage of needy children a school must serve before its LEA may implement a schoolwide program consolidating school improvement funds for use in upgrading the school's entire educational program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of home infusion therapy and home infusion drugs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement the Medicare home infusion therapy benefit in a manner that ensures that: (1) Medicare beneficiaries have timely and appropriate access to infusion therapy in their homes; and (2) there is rapid and seamless coordination between drug coverage under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) and home infusion therapy services coverage under Medicare part B (Supplemental Security Income).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Border Law Enforcement Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to sheriff's offices and local and tribal police departments in jurisdictions within 25 miles of the U.S. southern border for: (1) law enforcement operations; (2) detention (including construction and operation of detention facilities) and transfer of illegal aliens to federal authorities; (3) enforcement of substance trafficking laws and other state and federal criminal laws; and (4) hiring, equipping, training, and overtime. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize state or local law enforcement agencies to exercise federal immigration law enforcement authority.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Social Security Number Non-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the sale, purchase, and display to the general public of an individual's Social Security account number without the individual's voluntary and written consent, with certain law enforcement, national security, public health, and other exceptions. Makes it unlawful, also, to obtain or use any individual's Social Security number for the purpose of: (1) locating or identifying the individual with the intent to physically injure or harm him or her; or (2) using the individual's identity for any illegal purpose. Makes it unlawful for any person to communicate to any agency or instrumentality of the United States or of any state or local government the Social Security account number of an individual, other than his or her own, without the individual's written permission, unless the number was requested by the agency or instrumentality. Prohibits displays of Social Security account numbers on cards or tags required for access to goods, services, or benefits, and displays on employee identification cards or tags. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Social Security Card Fortification Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prescribe requirements for an updated social security card, including security features to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the card for fraudulent purposes and use. Allows the Commissioner of Social Security to charge a reasonable fee to the recipient as a condition for issuance of a card. Authorizes the Commissioner, through a Memorandum of Understanding and a reimbursement of costs, to delegate to the Secretary of Homeland Security the process of meeting the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Establishes the Commission on Wounded Women Warriors to: (1) study the needs of women in the Armed Forces who are transitioning from the Department of Defense (DOD) health care system to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system; and (2) report recommendations and conclusions to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2007
Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs. Imposes specified sanctions aimed at Syria's energy sector. Sets forth diplomatic measures intended to isolate the government of Syria. Directs the President to provide assistance to support a democratic transition in Syria. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp (a stamp that meets first-class postage requirements even if postage rates increase) to honor the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.