United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron disorders that can be confused with ALS, misdiagnosed as ALS, or progress to ALS; and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of such data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to review information and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS and other motor neuron disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for research access to ALS data as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
Striving Readers Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide peer-reviewed grants for literacy initiatives benefiting students in grades 4 through 12 to: (1) local educational agencies (LEAs) eligible for school improvement funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, if appropriations under this Act are less than $200 million; or (2) state educational agencies (SEAs), and through them, to LEAs, if appropriations equal or exceed such amount. Allots funds to SEAs on the basis of their relative proportion of needy children aged 5 to 17 and eighth graders underachieving in reading. Requires SEAs, in addition to providing subgrants, to use grant funds to: (1) provide professional development assistance to LEAs; (2) enhance public higher education for students preparing to teach any of grades 4 through 12; (3) recommend improvements to state licensure and certification standards for reading instruction in such grades; and (4) report to the Secretary of Education on SEA and LEA progress in improving adolescent literacy. Requires LEAs to use grant or subgrant funds on literacy initiatives that include: (1) student need and progress assessments and reports; (2) development of adolescent literacy plans for underperforming students that provide intensive, accelerated, and extended instruction for such students and professional development for teachers; and (3) initiative training for school leaders. Prohibits the use of subgrant funds on schools that do not meet specified need criteria. Authorizes the withholding of grant or subgrants funds from SEAs and LEAs making insufficient progress in improving adolescent literacy. Requires a national evaluation and the dissemination of information regarding the effectiveness of the grant and subgrant programs.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 400,000 $1 coins emblematic of the 100th anniversary of President Wilson's proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins beginning January 1, 2014, except that the Secretary may initiate sales of such coins, without issuance, before such date. Terminates such minting authority after December 31, 2014. Requires coin sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, with distribution of such surcharges to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
United States Commitment to Global Child Survival Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive U.S. government strategy to reduce mortality and improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries. Establishes the Interagency Task Force on Child Survival and Maternal Health in Developing Countries.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a five-year depreciation recovery period for certain farming business machinery or equipment placed in service before January 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the uniformed services whose retired pay in any taxable year is reduced due to an award of disability compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs an extension of the three-year limitation period for filing tax refund claims until one year after the date of a disability determination. Limits the period for which such refund claims may be filed to taxable years beginning less than 15 years before the date of a disability determination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt complex rehabilitation products and assistive technology products from the Medicare competititve acquisition program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Adults Achieving the American Dream Act of 2007 - Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act to reauthorize appropriations through FY2013 for adult education and literacy services, including integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Increases the maximum amounts that can be reserved from such funds for: (1) the National Institute for Literacy; and (2) national leadership activities. Reserves an amount for integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs for immigrants admitted for lawful residence in the United States. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize appropriations for Even Start Family Literacy Programs for FY2008 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to require the establishment of a national research and development center that includes research in adult education. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for employer-provided adult education and literacy programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Teacher Excellence for All Children Act of 2007 - Revises and establishes programs relating to recruitment, preparation, distribution, and retention of public elementary and secondary school teachers and principals. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish: (1) teacher education assistance for college and higher education (TEACH ) grants for undergraduate and graduate students who agree to serve as teachers in high-need schools and fields; and (2) grants to recruit teachers with mathematics, science, or language majors. Extends the authorization of appropriations for HEA teacher quality enhancement grants for states and partnerships. Revises HEA student loan forgiveness requirements to: (1) extend permanently additional amounts for teachers in mathematics, science, or special education provided by the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004; (2) increase other amounts, making reading specialists eligible for such forgiveness; and (3) apply forgiveness in annual increments rather than in a lump sum at end of service. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish grant programs to improve teaching at high-need schools. Requires states to provide assurances of their reasonable progress toward equitable access to teacher quality as a condition of assistance under ESEA. Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act to direct the Statistics Commissioner to publish results of certain schools and staffing surveys. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from gross income up to $15,000 for compensation of teachers and principals in certain high-need schools or teaching certain high-need subjects; and (2) increase to a maximum of $500 and make permanent the above-the-line deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary schoolteachers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) conduct, coordinate, and support research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) conduct and support programs to treat diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused research programs. Directs the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to develop and implement a federal plan to address diabetes mellitus within communities of color. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) conduct and support research and other activities with respect to diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to conduct and support programs to educate the public on diabetes in minority populations; and (3) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations. Directs the Secretary to carry out: (1) education and awareness programs designed to increase participation of minority populations in clinical trials; and (2) mentorship programs for minority researchers who are conducting research on diabetes in minority populations. Provides for studies on the shortage of adult and pediatric endocrinologists specializing in diabetes and on outcomes of minority children with diabetes compared to non-minority children.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of the Ombudsman to act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of VA health care and benefits. Requires the: (1) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Office services are available to all veterans and their families; (2) Secretary to make available to such veterans and family members information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Office; and (3) confidentiality of information provided to the Office by veterans and family members.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Clean Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to define "fill material" to mean any pollutant that replaces portions of waters of the United States with dry land or that changes the bottom elevation of a water body for any purpose and to exclude any pollutant discharged into the water primarily to dispose of waste.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act of 2007 - Sets forth Surface Transportation Board directives calling for effective competition among rail carriers and reliable rail transportation service for rail customers. Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish rates for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system. Prohibits the Board from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, short line purchases by Class II and Class III rail carriers, or consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of rail carriers, or exempt from such certificate requirements any person, transaction, or service with respect to such activity, if the activity involves a transfer of interest in a line of railroad, from a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, and the activity would: (1) restrict the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other rail carriers; (2) restrict competition of rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner that would violate U.S. antitrust laws; or (3) require higher per car interchange rates for Class II or Class III rail carriers to interchange traffic with other rail carriers. Prescribes procedures for Board review of any activity alleged to have resulted in a restriction of competition. Makes mandatory (currently, discretionary) entry by rail carriers into reciprocal switching agreements where the Board finds it is practicable and in the public interest, or where such agreements are necessary to provide competitive rail service. Requires the Board to designate any state or substantial part of a state as an area of inadequate rail competition after making certain findings. Requires the Board to post rail service complaints on its website. Sets forth time limits for the Board to act on complaints filed alleging unlawfulness of a new or revised rail rate, rule, or practice. Establishes the Office of Rail Customer Advocacy. Grants rail customers access to a Board process for determining rail rate reasonableness in railroad market dominance cases. Requires the Board to submit certain rail rate, service, and other disputes to arbitration. Authorizes the Board to investigate rail carrier violations on its own initiative (under current law, the Board is authorized to investigate only on complaint). Requires the Board (currently, discretionary) to initiate an investigation upon receiving a complaint alleging rail carrier violations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Teri Zenner Social Worker Safety Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to provide safety measures to social workers and other professionals working with violent, drug-using, or other at-risk populations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Thomas J. Manton Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states to carry out: (1) prostate cancer prevention programs (including screening and referrals for treatment); and (2) demonstration projects to provide preventive health services with respect to prostate cancer (including blood pressure and cholesterol screenings). Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to individuals who have been screened for prostate cancer under this Act and who need treatment for prostate cancer. Applies provisions related to breast and cervical cancer programs to programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Calls on Turkey to: (1) eliminate all forms of discrimination, particularly those based on race or religion, and grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession; (2) safeguard religious and human rights; (3) continue the advancement of processes and programs to modernize and democratize its own society; (4) respect international law, European Union laws, and the basic tenets of human rights; and (5) prove that it is ready to meet the criteria set forth by the Copenhagen European Council prior to its accession into the European Union.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Financial Services Diversity Initiative - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) active measures should be taken by employers and educational institutions to increase the demographic diversity of the financial services industry; and (2) diversity within the financial services industry is vitally important not only to promoting innovation and creativity in the industry but to developing a more inclusive workforce for a fair and just economy.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2007
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Pilots Equitable Treatment Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), with regard to both single-employer and multiemployer plan guaranteed benefits, to require the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the case of commercial airline pilots required by Federal Aviation Administration regulation to retire before age 65, to compute the actuarial value of monthly benefits in the form of a life annuity commencing at the required retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2007
Foreign Language Education Partnership Program Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to replace the program providing incentive payments to public elementary schools for foreign language instruction with a partnership program in foreign languages that provides matching incentive payments to partnerships composed of state or local educational agencies and institutions of higher education. Requires such partnerships to establish, improve, or expand model programs of foreign language learning from kindergarten through grade 12 that increase the number of high school graduates who attain advanced proficiency in at least one foreign language. Requires each model program to have a dimension allowing the student to gain an understanding of the historic, geographic, cultural, economic, and other contextual factors of countries whose people speak the language studied. Conditions a partnership's continued funding, for an initial four-year period and two additional five-year periods, on its demonstrating its program effectiveness based on nationally recognized standardized foreign language assessments. Directs the Secretary to collect annually and analyze data on such programs and disseminate aggregated program data nationally, as well as information on successful programs and practices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes the Federal Railroad Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation (effectively replacing the Federal Railroad Administration). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop a long-term strategy for improving railroad safety. Redefines "signal employee" to eliminate the requirement that such individual be employed by a railroad carrier. Revises hours of service requirements for a signal employee and a train employee to prohibit, except in an emergency, a railroad carrier from requiring or allowing such employee to remain or go on duty: (1) unless the employee has had at least 10 consecutive hours off duty during the prior 24 hours; (2) for a period in excess of 12 consecutive hours; or (3) unless the employee has had at least one period of at least 24 consecutive hours off duty in the past seven consecutive days. Requires each railroad carrier to submit to the Secretary a fatigue management plan to reduce accidents and injuries caused by fatigue. Sets forth additional whistleblower protections for those who provide notification of a work-related injury or illness, who cooperate with a safety investigation, who furnish rail accident information, who accurately report hours of duty, or who refuse to authorize the use of safety equipment, track, or structures that are in a hazardous condition. Entitles a prevailing employee who alleges discrimination to damages. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such requirements. Revises emergency notification of grade crossing problems provisions to require each railroad carrier to establish a toll-free telephone service for the public to report malfunctions of signals and disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks at grade crossings. Increases penalties for violations of rail safety regulations prescribed or orders issued by the Secretary, including violations related to rail accident reporting and hours of service. Makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly interfere with a rail accident investigation. Sets forth rail safety requirements concerning: (1) positive train control systems; (2) warnings in nonsignaled areas; (3) track management; (4) conductor certification; (5) employee training; (6) treatment of employee injuries; (7) emergency breathing apparatus; and (8) the locomotive cab environment. Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to provide certain assistance to families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident that results in a major loss of life. Requires each rail passenger carrier to submit to the Secretary and the NTSB a plan for addressing the needs of such families.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Education for All Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to state that it is U.S. policy to work with foreign countries and international and civil society organizations to increase the global commitment to achieving universal basic education by assisting: (1) developing countries to provide all children with a quality basic education; and (2) nongovernmental and multilateral organizations working in developing countries to provide all children with a quality basic education. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy to promote universal basic education by 2015. Authorizes the President to provide funds and other assistance to qualifying foreign countries to create the policies, processes, and infrastructure to develop national basic education plans. Authorizes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish an education fellowship program to increase the expertise of USAID personnel in promoting universal basic education. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Provide Education for All in Developing Countries, who shall shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all U.S. government resources and international activities to promote universal basic education.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Urges Congress and the executive branch to: (1) recognize the successful use of advanced imaging technologies in the fight against breast cancer; and (2) provide additional support for the research and development of technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment comparable to mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Recognizes the historical struggle for independence and freedom of the Mexican people and requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing that struggle and calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Southwest Regional Border Authority Act - Establishes the Southwest Regional Border Authority. Requires the Authority to: (1) develop plans and programs for the economic development of the Southwest border region (specified counties in California, New Mexico, and Texas); (2) conduct and sponsor investigations, research, and studies of the resources of the region; (3) sponsor up to 10 authorized demonstration projects; (4) enhance the capacity of and support for local development districts; (5) review, study, and recommend appropriate modifications to federal, state, and local development programs for the region; and (6) encourage private investment in the region. Authorizes the Authority to approve grants for regional infrastructure development and improvement, technology development and deployment, community development and entrepreneurship, and education and workforce development. Provides funding. Requires the Authority to allocate at least 60% of the amounts authorized under this Act for programs and projects to serve the needs of distressed counties and isolated areas of distress within counties along the U.S.-Mexican border. Authorizes the Authority to increase the federal share to up to 90% of a project's total cost (to aid communities that could not otherwise meet matching funds requirements). Requires the Authority to make grants to local development districts for administrative expenses. Directs: (1) the Authority to designate distressed counties, economically strong counties, attainment counties, competitive counties, and isolated areas of distress within the region; and (2) each affected state to submit to the Authority an annual development plan for the appropriate state area within the region.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act - Requires emergency contraception to be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents for the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense. States that prior authorization shall not be required for such contraception.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Universal Service Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 concerning procedures for the review of universal service requirements to require the Federal-State Joint Board on universal service to complete recommendations for changes to such requirements within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Includes high-speed broadband services within universal service. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assess contributions to universal service support mechanisms from communications service providers. Provides support contribution limits. Requires the FCC to revise it's support mechanism for rural, insular, and high cost areas. Requires communications service providers to ensure that all traffic contains or preserves sufficient information to allow traffic identification by other communications service providers that transport or terminate the traffic. Outlines eligibility requirements for communications service providers to receive universal service support. Makes current limitations on universal service support and individual support caps imposed upon carriers inapplicable after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires all residential and business lines served by an eligible telecommunications carrier to be eligible for federal universal service support. Allows states to: (1) adopt regulations not inconsistent with FCC universal service rules; and (2) require communications service providers to contribute regardless of whether the service contains an interstate component.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Recognizes the historical struggle for independence and freedom of the Mexican people and requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing that struggle and calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Promoting Lifelong Active Communities Every Day Act or the PLAY Every Day Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop the Community Play Index to measure the policy, program, or environmental barriers in communities to participating in physical activity. Requires the Index to include: (1) measurements that examine barriers to physical activities across multiple settings; and (2) measurements to assist economically and culturally diverse communities in examining the social determinants of health. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to state health departments for work in partnership with community-based coalitions to plan and implement model communities of play that: (1) increase the physical spaces and places available for physical activity; (2) increase the opportunities for children and families to participate in quality play and the number of children and families participating in quality play; and (3) increase knowledge and awareness about the importance of individuals achieving 60 minutes of recommended physical activity every day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2014, up to 350,000 one-dollar coins designed to be emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America. Requires sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, which shall be paid to the United Negro College Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Supports the United States and the European Union (EU) in their commitment to launching discussions at the April 2007 United States-European Union summit on improving regulatory cooperation. Calls on U.S. and European regulatory agencies to reduce regulatory barriers across the Atlantic. Urges the United States and the EU to conduct a study of existing obstacles to creating a transatlantic market. Encourages the U.S. and EU business and labor communities to work with the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament, as well as European national parliaments, to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen the transatlantic economic partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Prohibits related retaliation. Makes this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; and (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces. States that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran. Provides for the construction of this Act with regard to: (1) enforcement by employers of rules and policies; (2) sexual harassment; (3) certain shared facilities such as showers or dressing facilities; (4) dress and grooming standards; and (5) certain matters relating to marriage. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from collecting statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or compelling the collection by covered entities of such statistics. Provides for enforcement, including giving the EEOC, the Librarian of Congress, the Attorney General, and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and other specified laws. Allows actions and proceedings against state governments and, subject to limitation, the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the rates and maximum allowable amount of the tax credit for employer-provided child care; (2) increase the dollar limit on the child care tax credit; and (3) allow a $2,000 tax credit for child care providers who hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child care, or a related degree and who provide at least 1,200 hours of child care services in a taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the standard mileage rate for the tax deduction for the charitable use of passenger automobiles from 14 cents per mile to the standard mileage rate prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury for business purposes (48.5 cents per mile in 2007).
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Hope Fund Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make a grant to the National Council of La Raza to provide technical and financial assistance to local non-profit organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs serving low- and moderate-income households, particularly through organizations located in neighborhoods with substantial populations of income-disadvantaged households of Hispanic origin. Authorizes the National Council of La Raza, or the Raza Development Fund, to use such funds to: (1) provide technical and financial assistance for site acquisition and development, construction financing, and short- and long-term financing for housing, community facilities, and economic development; (2) leverage capital from private entities, including private financial institutions, insurance companies, and private philanthropic organizations; and (3) provide technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the management, financial, and administrative capabilities of housing development organizations serving low-income households, including Hispanic households.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities; (2) establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas; (3) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas; and (4) report annually to Congress on matters related to VA care for veterans residing in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S. commerce, any sweatshop good. Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver. Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition. Prohibits executive agencies and the Armed Forces from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to preempt a state from regulating labor standards required in the mining, production, or manufacture of merchandise purchased by the state.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Greater Hells Canyon ecosystem; (6) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (7) Blackfeet Wilderness. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as wilderness and components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development, to implement an assistance program to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas by: (1) Indian tribes; (2) state housing finance agencies; (3) state community or economic development agencies; (4) local nonprofit organizations; and (5) community development corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas. Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop business and administrative capabilities; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Honors the sacrifice of the men and women who lost their lives in service of the United States during the Vietnam War. Recognizes the service of all men and women who were members of the Armed Forces during such War. Commemorates the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Community Health Workers Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to promote positive health behaviors for women and children in target populations, especially racial and ethnic minority women and children in medically underserved communities. Permits such funds to be used to support community health workers to: (1) educate and provide outreach regarding enrollment in health insurance; (2) educate, guide, and provide outreach regarding health problems among women and children, especially among racial and ethnic minority women and children; (3) educate, guide, and provide experiential learning opportunities that target behavioral risk factors, including poor nutrition and tobacco use; (4) educate and guide regarding effective strategies to promote positive health behaviors within the family; (5) promote community wellness and awareness; and (6) educate and refer target populations to appropriate health care agencies and community based programs and organizations. Requires the Secretary to give priority to experienced applicants who propose to target geographic areas: (1) with a high percentage of uninsured or underinsured residents who are eligible for health insurance; and (2) with a high percentage of families for whom English is not their primary language. Requires the Secretary to: (1) encourage community health worker programs to collaborate with academic institutions; and (2) establish guidelines for assuring the quality of the training and supervision of community health workers under programs funded under this Act and for assuring the cost-effectiveness of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Patient Protection and Innovative Biologic Medicines Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow any person to submit an application for approval of a biologics license for a biological product that is claimed to be similar to a qualified biological product (reference product) after 12 years have elapsed since the reference product was approved or licensed. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve such a similar biological product: (1) only if the applicant demonstrates that the product conforms to the applicable final product-class specific guidance and the Secretary concludes the product is safe, pure, and potent; (2) only for indications for which the reference product is approved; and (3) to be effective only after at least 14 years have elapsed since the reference product was approved or licensed. Prohibits the Secretary from designating a similar biological product as therapeutically equivalent to the reference product. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a product that is claimed to be similar to or the same as a reference product under any other provision of law. Authorizes any person to request issuance of product-class specific guidance applicable to a qualified biological product and its class. Requires the Secretary to establish a Similar Biological Products Advisory Committee. Sets forth provisions governing the naming of biotechnology-derived therapeutic protein and other biological products. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a biotechnology-derived therapeutic protein to be misbranded if its labeling fails to meet the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Teach for America Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Teach For America, Inc. to implement and expand its program of recruiting, selecting, training, and supporting new teachers. Requires that grant funds be used to provide teachers to local educational agencies that serve a substantial percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide for a study, at least once every three years, comparing the academic achievement of students taught by teachers assisted by this Act with the academic achievement of students taught by other teachers in the same schools and positions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2007
Federal Criminal Immigration Courts Act of 2007 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following permanent judgeships: (1) four additional district judges for the district of Arizona; (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico; (3) two additional district judges for the southern district of Texas; and (4) one additional district judge for the western district of Texas. Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following temporary judgeships: (1) one additional district judge for the district of Arizona; and (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico. Provides that, for each of the judicial districts named in this Act, the first vacancy arising on the district court 10 years or more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary district judgeship created by this Act shall not be filled.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000636_200.jpg)