United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Suspends most-favored-nation treatment for Romania for six months. Permits the products of Romania to receive most-favored-nation treatment during any 180-day period following the initial six months only if: (1) the President submits to the House of Representatives and the Senate a document containing specified findings and assurances, including a finding that granting most-favored-nation treatment will promote improved freedom to emigrate from Romania and will promote an end to religious and political persecution in Romania; and (2) a joint resolution disapproving such action is not enacted. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Medicare Catastrophic Illness Coverage Act - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove durational limitations on the coverage of inpatient hospital services. Provides coverage of post-hospital extended care services for up to 100 days each year. (Currently such services are provided for up to 100 days during a "spell of illness".) Requires a beneficiary to pay a deductible for each of the first two inpatient hospital admissions in a year. (Currently an inpatient hospital deductible is required for each "spell of illness.") Eliminates the coinsurance requirement for inpatient hospital services and outpatient hospital extended care services. Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to cover the amount by which a part B enrollee's out-of-pocket expenses exceed $2,000 in 1988, adjusting such ceiling thereafter to reflect changes in total Medicare per capita expenses. Excludes from the computation of a beneficiary's out-of-pocket expenses amounts above the full part B payment to physicians and others who do not accept assignment. Includes in the computation of the part B premium an amount equal to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' estimate of a part B enrollee's share of the benefits and administrative costs which result from this Act's catastrophic care coverage and beneficiary expense ceiling. Provides for the transfer to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of part B premium revenues which are attributable to the catastrophic care coverage this Act establishes under part A of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Designates June 14, 1987, as Baltic Freedom Day. Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned know that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Employee Polygraph Protection Act - Prohibits any employer from using any lie detector test or examination in the work place, for both pre-employment testing and testing in the course of employment. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and have printed notices setting forth this prohibition. Requires employers to post these notices. Provides penalties for violations of this Act. Exempts Federal, State, and local employees from the Act's coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to make authority permanent for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (5) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (6) mortgage insurance for land development; (7) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities; (8) mortgage insurance commitment limitations; and (9) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to make authority permanent for urban rehabilitation loan authority. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make authority permanent for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; and (2) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1986 to make national flood insurance authority, including emergency implementation provisions, permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Textile and Apparel Trade Act of 1987 - Limits the 1987 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1986 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1987 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1986 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of low priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1986 imports of low priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one-percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1987. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation, to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether such country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and such violation has not been adequately offset by U.S. action or by the action of such country. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this paragraph, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this paragraph, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 50 percent excise tax on any "greenmail profits" paid to certain corporate stockholders. Defines "greenmail profits" as any gain realized by a four-percent shareholder of any stock in a corporation if: (1) the shareholder held such stock for a period of less than two years; and (2) during the two-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange of such stock there was a public tender offer for such stock. Disallows an income tax deduction for any interest paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred to acquire stock in a corporation pursuant to a hostile offer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Broadcast License Renewal Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare it to be the policy of the United States that, with respect to the grant or renewal of a broadcast license, the licensee has the responsibility to: (1) broadcast material responsive to matters of concern to residents of its service area; and (2) operate in compliance with provisions of such Act and Federal Communications Commission regulations. Directs the Commission to: (1) grant an application for license renewal if the applicant has met such responsibilities in the preceding license term; or (2) deny renewal or grant limited renewal if the applicant failed to meet such responsibilities. Prohibits the Commission, in evaluating a licensee's performance in broadcasting material responsive to matters of public concern, from establishing or applying any requirement with respect to the broadcast of any specific subject or material. Directs the Commission to accept the licensee's judgment if found to be reasonable and made in good faith. Prohibits the Commission, in determining whether to renew a license, from considering whether the public interest, convenience, and necessity might be served by granting a license to a competing applicant. Directs the Commission to conduct an inquiry and prescribe any necessary regulations concerning any additional information that licensees should be required to maintain and make available to the public regarding the licensee's responsibility to broadcast material responsive to matters of public concern. Makes it unlawful for a license applicant and any other person, while a license application is pending, to effectuate an agreement whereby the other person withdraws or withholds an informal objection or a petition to deny in exchange for the payment of any thing of value by, or on behalf of, the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Supports the President in seeking global measures regarding the adverse effects resulting from the release of chlorofluorocarbons through the adoption of a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Urges the President to negotiate: (1) an immediate reduction on the use of chlorofluorocarbons; (2) the expeditious development of safe, effective, and nontoxic nonozone depleting chemicals; and (3) the elimination of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons that may deplete the ozone layer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Establishes a formula for determining the allocation of official mail costs for Members of Congress for any fiscal year beginning with FY 1987. Directs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to determine the allocation of each Member. Requires the Committees to prescribe regulations to carry out this resolution. Requires the Committees to publish a quarterly statement on official mail costs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which increase the current year liability test for estimated tax payments from 80 percent to 90 percent. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such section has not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Uniform Product Safety Act of 1987 - States that this Act governs any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for personal injury or damage caused by a product. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defenses of sovereign immunity asserted by the United States or any State; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; and (5) the right of any court to transfer venue. Allows any State to develop and implement expedited product liability claims procedures. Establishes uniform national standards for product liability actions. Subjects a product manufacturer to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the manufacturer manufactured an unreasonably dangerous product; (2) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the manufacturer; (3) the manufacturer was negligent in designing the product; or (4) the manufacturer failed to provide appropriate warnings or instructions. Treats a product seller as a manufacturer where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to a service of process in any State where the action might be brought; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the product seller; (2) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in assembling, inspecting, or maintaining such product; or (3) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in passing on the manufacturer's warnings or instructions. Establishes defenses in such actions with respect to: (1) manufacturing practices in light of existing technology; and (2) compliance with Government standards and contract specifications; and (3) claimant's intoxication. Holds each defendant found responsible for the harm jointly and severally liable. Makes a product seller or manufacturer liable for punitive damages if such seller or manufacturer: (1) knowingly destroyed or failed to make available evidence whose production is required; or (2) manifested a conscious and flagrant indifference to consumer safety. Lists factors to be considered in setting the amount of punitive damages. Limits punitive damages to treble damages plus costs. Provides that punitive damages may not be awarded where: (1) a drug or medical device complied with certain Government standards; or (2) an aircraft was certified by the Secretary of Transportation under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Establishes a 25-year statute of repose. Requires any damage award to be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid. Establishes a Federal Product Liability Study Panel to study: (1) existing and proposed expedited product liability claims procedures; (2) Federal and State workers' compensation systems; and (3) nonjudicial methods for resolving product liability claims. Requires the Panel to report to specified congressional committees within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to define "industry" for the purpose of filing for import relief as companies or firms comprising a certain sector of the industrial base. Requires that increased imports must be a cause of injury to the domestic industry for import relief purposes. (Current law requires that imports be a "substantial cause" of such injury.) Suspends liquidation of imports covered by an import relief petition. Authorizes the President to apply such import relief to the articles with respect to which liquidation is suspended. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to change the method of determining the exporter's sale price for purposes of assessing antidumping duties. Prohibits the administering authority from deducting indirect selling expenses (as an offset of the exporter's expenses) from foreign market value.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Supports the President in seeking global measures regarding the adverse effects resulting from the release of chloroflurocarbons and other manufactured chemicals that significantly deplete the ozone layer, including negotiating an immediate international reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons and the expeditious elimination of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons and other manufacturing chemicals that may deplete the ozone layer.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to modify the definition of "neglect" to include: (1) failure to provide an optimum therapeutic setting for mental health facility inpatients; (2) failure to discharge and provide support services to inappropriately placed individuals; and (3) failure to inform individuals of and provide access to adequate community mental health support services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Great Lakes Emergency Shoreline Protection Act - Establishes a federally guaranteed loan program for the protection from shoreline erosion of improvements to residential real property contiguous with the Great Lakes. Sets forth conditions for loan eligibility and State subsidies. Sets forth related authorities of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, including authority to establish limitations on interest rates on eligible loans, to make foreclosures, and transfer guarantees. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to: (1) develop minimum standards for shoreline erosion protection; and (2) report to the Congress on damage from subsurface water seepage. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of the Army to submit to the Congress a single report on the effectiveness of the shoreline protection program. Authorizes FY 1987 through 1992 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Public Health Service Act to provide that the period of continuation health coverage terminates upon reemployment and eligibility for health coverage. Requires a 90-day qualifying period to obtain continuation coverage benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an exception from the hospital insurance tax (Medicare) for State and local employees who are paid less than $500 in a calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal the penalty on underpayments of income tax attributable to the overstatement of pension liabilities. Specifies that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provision had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the discrimination in and denial of health insurance coverage for adopted children. Calls upon State legislatures to enact legislation that requires health insurance contracts to cover adopted children on the same basis as other dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
H.U.D. Income Verification Act of 1987 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to require Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program applicants or participants to: (1) disclose their social security or employer identification numbers; and (2) consent to wage information verification. Amends the Social Security Act to provide HUD with access to State employment records. Requires Federal, State, local, or public housing administering agencies to independently verify such information before terminating or reducing any housing benefits. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for misuse of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Designates August 12, 1988, as National Civil Rights Day and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling for the ringing of church bells during a moment of silence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the benefits paid to survivors of public safety officers (law enforcement officers and fire fighters) who died as a result of injury sustained in the line of duty. Directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance to adjust public safety officer death benefits to reflect the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Makes the date of death the determining date with respect to the amount payable to beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit U.S. defense articles from being transferred to, or used on, Cyprus by Turkey. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to the extent that the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) there has been an armed attack on one or more parties to the North Atlantic Treaty or that such an attack is imminent; and (2) the President has approved the transfer of such defense articles. Requires the President to report periodically to the Congress: (1) specifying the number of Turkish armed forces on Cyprus; and (2) describing any U.S. defense articles on Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a home equity conversion mortgage and to make commitments for the insurance of such mortgages prior to the date of their execution or disbursement if such mortgages: (1) may improve the financial situation or otherwise meet the needs of elderly homeowners; (2) can be developed to include safeguards for mortgagors to offset the special risks of such mortgages; and (3) have a potential for acceptance in the private market. Includes among insurance eligibility requirements that the mortgage shall: (1) have been made and held by a mortgagee approved by the Secretary; (2) have been executed by an elderly homeowner; (3) be secured by a one-family residential dwelling occupied by the mortgagor; (4) able to be prepaid without penalty; and (5) have a capped interest rate. Sets forth required mortgage disclosure and mortgagor information service provisions, including the provision of alternate home equity conversion options and related tax and financial information. Prohibits the Secretary from insuring a mortgage pursuant to this Act after September 30, 1991. Sets the total number of insurable mortgages under this Act at 2,000. Permits the Secretary to take any action necessary to provide a mortgagor with funds due pursuant to an insured mortgage or ancillary contract which have not been paid by the party responsible and to obtain reimbursement of such payments from any source. Prohibits the Secretary from insuring a home equity conversion mortgage that does not provide specified safeguards to prevent the displacement of the homeowner. Requires the Secretary to provide the Congress with two specified interim program reports.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze medals commemorating the 100th Congress. Specifies the size of the medals, leaving their quantity and design to the Secretary's determination. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Postmaster General should issue a stamp commemorating the 100th Congress; and (2) the U.S. Postal Service should conduct a public competition for the design of the stamp.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1987 - Declares as nonmailable matter, matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government; (2) for the purchase of products or services and contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the internal exile of Igor Ogurtsov; and (2) urge the Soviet Union to release him before February 9, 1987, accept his application for an exit visa, and allow him to emigrate without forcing him to renounce his views.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Social Security Administration should not take actions which impair the ability of the staff of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to make eligibility determinations in accordance with the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984. Urges the Social Security Administration to place a higher priority on assisting States in both complying with the 1984 reforms and improving the accuracy of SSDI eligibility determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Volunteer Protection Act of 1987 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal civil liability. Requires each State to certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services before the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with FY 1989) that it has enacted or has in effect a State law which provides such immunity. Requires the Secretary to reduce by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to such State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such law is not in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Declares that the Congress: (1) protests continued Soviet violations of international human rights, especially its restrictive emigration regulations; (2) states that such human rights abuses seriously affect negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union; (3) calls upon the Soviet authorities to release all "Prisoners of Conscience" and permit all "refuseniks" and other specified people to emigrate; and (4) dedicates itself to support, as a priority during the 100th Congress, the restoration of internationally recognized human rights to all Soviet citizens, especially restoration of the right to emigrate to Soviet Jews and others who have requested exit visas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Title I: Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake research, investigations, appraisals, surveys, and related activities of the Nation's water resources. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with other government agencies and to perform such activities on a reimbursable basis, as specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Title II: National Ground Water Contamination Research - National Ground Water Contamination Research Act of 1987 - Makes the Secretary of the Interior primarily responsible at the Federal level for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information concerning the state of the Nation's groundwater. Requires the Secretary to report within two years to specified congressional committees and the States on the condition of the Nation's groundwater. Requires that such report be accompanied by an independent evaluation by State individuals charged with responsibility for water pollution control matters. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater quality assessment program within three years of enactment. Requires such program to coordinate government efforts in such area, seek to achieve uniform data collection, and provide information and assistance as required. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater clearinghouse. Requires the Secretary to establish a technical assistance program to serve other Federal and governmental agencies. Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1974 to make conforming changes. Authorizes appropriations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Live Birth Abortion Revision Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a taxpayer's personal exemption deduction for a child who is born alive after an induced abortion or an attempt to perform an abortion and dies as a result of such procedure. Denies the deduction for abortion expenses unless the abortion was performed to save the life of the mother. Denies the personal exemption deduction for the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer if the taxpayer intentionally causes the death of such spouse or dependent. Requires a court determination of an intentional cause of death.
![Official portrait of Rep. Henry, Paul B. [R-MI-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000514_200.jpg)