United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports efforts to identify, track, and pursue suspected foreign terrorists and their financial supporters by tracking terrorist money flows and uncovering terrorist networks here and abroad in accordance with existing applicable law, but notes that the expression of such support in this resolution should not be construed as providing additional authority for such efforts; and (2) expresses concern that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information may have made efforts to locate terrorists and terrorist networks, and disrupt their plans, more difficult.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2951 New York Highway 43 in Averill Park, New York, as the "Major George Quamo Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19 Front Street in Patterson, New York, as the "D. Mallory Stephens Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring Varian Fry; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 Cooper Street in Babylon, New York, as the "Jacob Fletcher Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Safe Climate Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate: (1) targets for a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year from 2010-2050 ; and (2) regulations requiring reductions to meet such targets, including by setting caps on emissions of sources and sectors with the largest emissions or the best opportunities to reduce them, by issuing and authorizing trading of emission allowances, and by imposing penalties for excess emissions. Requires relevant federal agencies to finalize a rule to carry out the National Academies' recommendations for regulatory action needed to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations or explain their reasons for declining to act. Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan for the distribution of emission allowances (including through auctions) and the use of proceeds (to be deposited in a Climate Reinvestment Fund) for specified goals, including mitigating the effects of energy cost increases and climate change. Requires the EPA to ensure that emissions and allowances are accurately tracked, reported, and verified. Authorizes the emission reduction regulations to include: (1) additional requirements for any source or sector; and (2) performance standards, best management practices, and technology-based requirements. Requires such regulations to set standards for the reduction of greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles at least as quickly as the standards adopted by the California Air Resources Board at its September 2004 hearing. Requires the EPA to revise such standards in 2014 and every five years thereafter to further reduce emissions. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) require, beginning in 2009, an annual increase in the percentage of electric energy generated from renewable sources that is sold at the retail level in the United States and to require such percentage to be at least 20% of the total electricity sold by 2020; and (2) set end-user savings targets for retail electric-energy and natural gas suppliers. Authorizes DOE to: (1) increase the required percentage of end-user savings for years after 2020; and (2) allow suppliers to achieve the targets through a market-based trading system.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2006
Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006 - Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring any premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Prescribes requirements for reporting, payment, and allocation of premium taxes. Subjects nonadmitted insurance solely to the regulatory requirements of the insured's home state. Prohibits a state, beginning two years after enactment of this Act, from collecting any fees relating to licensing of a nonresident insurance broker in the state unless the state has laws or regulations in effect that provide for its participation in the national insurance producer database of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Prohibits a state from establishing eligibility criteria for nonadmitted insurers domiciled in a U.S. jurisdiction except in conformance with the Non-Admitted Insurance Model Act. Prohibits a surplus lines broker from placing nonadmitted insurance with, or procuring nonadmitted insurance from, a nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside the United States that is listed on the Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers maintained by the NAIC International Insurance Division. Prescribes conditions under which a surplus lines broker seeking to procure or place nonadmitted insurance in a state for an exempt commercial purchaser shall not be required to satisfy any state requirement to make a due diligence search to determine whether the full amount or type of insurance sought by such exempt commercial purchaser can be obtained from admitted insurers. Specifies the preemption of state laws regarding a ceding insurer, except those of the ceding insurer's state of domicile. Declares the state of domicile of a reinsurer solely responsible for regulating the reinsurer's financial solvency if such state is NAIC-accredited.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Recognizes the importance of honoring the nation's senior citizens. Encourages children to set aside time to learn from them and to read about their contributions and urges all Americans to honor their service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes that minorities and women still face unique challenges entering into and obtaining upper level positions within the financial services industry; and (2) encourages financial institutions to take specified steps to increase participation of women and minorities in the industry. 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 · 9 June 2006
United States-India Energy Security Cooperation Act of 2006 - Authorizes the President to establish programs in support of greater energy cooperation between the United States and India. Authorizes assistance for cooperation related to research, development, and deployment in selected areas, including: (1) clean coal and emission reduction technologies and carbon sequestration projects; (2) alternative fuel sources, such as ethanol, biomass, coal-based fuels, and hydrogen; and (3) energy efficiency projects.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Condemns the vote by the British National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) on May 29, 2006, to boycott Israeli academics and academic institutions that refuse to declare their opposition to the government and State of Israel. Finds NATFHE's criticism of Israeli policy particularly objectionable given the Israeli government's courageous and far-reaching contributions to peace. Urges the University and College Union (UCU) to nullify and void the NATFHE resolution and issue a statement deploring the campaign to boycott Israeli academia. Commends the British government and leading academics for criticizing the NATFHE resolution. Deplores any comparison between Israel, where all citizens are equal before the law, and the former apartheid regime in South Africa. Urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) diplomatic engagement should continue to be the primary means to resolve the crisis regarding Iran's nuclear program; (2) as part of the diplomatic effort the United States should consider other options, including the restriction of gasoline to Iran; and (3) such restriction should be administered by a multilateral coalition to enforce Iran's nonproliferation commitments, including nonproliferation commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to ensure that the federal government acquires at least 50,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles manufactured in the United States by U.S. entities. Defines a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle as a light duty vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine or heat engine using: (1) a combustible fuel; (2) an on-board, rechargeable storage device; and (3) a device that collects electricity from an off-board source.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish: (1) the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission to plan and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain (the first European to discover and explore Lake Champlain); and (2) the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission to plan and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson (the first European to sail up the Hudson River) and the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton (the first person to use steam navigation on a commercial basis).
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restore Medicare treatment of ownership of oxygen equipment that existed prior to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Repeals: (1) the limitation of Medicare payment to the supplier for such equipment (including portable oxygen equipment) to 36 months of continuous use; and (2) the requirement that the equipment supplier transfer title to the individual at the end of such period, with payments continuing at specified monthly rates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Recognizes and expresses support for efforts of the state of New York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York. Encourages the people of the United States and federal departments and agencies to participate in the development of such Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Internet Gambling Study Commission Act - Establishes the Internet Gambling Study Commission to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs such activities and transactions; (2) report to the President and Congress on study findings and conclusions; and (3) transmit a copy of such report to each state governor or chief executive officer and Native American tribal government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Honors the members of the Armed Forces serving as health care professionals in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizes the research and advancements achieved by military health care professionals in the area of battlefield medical care and the direct applications and benefits such research and advancement will have to civilian medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
General Slocum Memorial Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to study in Bronx County, New York, the shoreline of the area roughly bounded by 149th Street on the west and Oak Point Rail Yard spurs on the east, including North Brother Island, to evaluate the national significance of the area and the suitability and feasibility of designating the area as a unit of the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Energy Freedom Bonds Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Energy Freedom Bonds. Requires the proceeds from such bonds to be used exclusively for research, development, or deployment of technologies utilizing solar heat, solar light, wind, geothermal energy, and biomass. Prohibits the use of such proceeds, however, for any technologies utilizing heat from: (1) the burning of municipal solid waste; or (2) a dry steam geothermal reservoir that has no mobile liquid in its natural state, is a fluid composed of at least 95% water vapor; and has an enthalpy for the total produced fluid greater than or equal to 2.791 megajoules per kilogram (1200 British thermal units per pound).
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for the establishment within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a Directorate of Emergency Management (DEM) (replacing the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response). Requires DEM to be headed by an Under Secretary for Emergency Management and to include Deputy Under Secretaries for: (1) Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation; and (2) Emergency Response and Recovery. Directs the Under Secretary to serve as a Cabinet Officer during an Incident of National Significance. Establishes within DEM: (1) an Office of State, Local, and Tribal Government Coordination and an Office of Public and Community Preparedness; (2) a National Citizen Corps Council; (3) a National Incident Management System and National Response Plan Integration Center; and (4) a National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. Establishes in DHS Offices of Grants and Planning, Training and Exercises, Emergency Communications, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity and Telecommunications. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) regularly update, revise, or replace essential capabilities for state, local, and tribal government emergency preparedness; (2) require any state or urban area that applies for federal homeland security assistance to maintain a catastrophic emergency plan; (3) establish the National Advisory Council on Emergency Management, a System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program, a Homeland Security Education Program in the National Capital Region, a Prepositioned Equipment Program, and a National Asset Inventory Program; (4) develop an integrated national public alert and warning system; and (5) establish within DHS a Gulf Coast Long-Term Recovery Office. Redesignates the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all programs within DEM administering federal assistance maintain proper internal management controls to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and (2) annually certify that such controls are in place. Provides for the establishment within DHS of a Deputy Inspector General for Response and Recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month; and (2) President Bush's Commission on Mental Health's finding that the failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006 - Amends federal money and finance law to instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations that exempt a depository institution from filing a currency transaction report (CTR) if the transaction is with a qualified customer. Defines qualified customer as any person that: (1) is incorporated or organized under federal or state law, including a sole proprietorship, or is registered as and eligible to do business within the United States or a state; (2) has maintained a deposit account with the depository institution for at least 12 months; and (3) has engaged, using such account, in multiple currency transactions subject to federal CTR requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to direct the President, upon receiving written notification by any party involved of a possible merger, acquisition, or takeover which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States (covered transaction), or upon a motion of a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to review the covered transaction to determine whether it threatens to impair U.S. national security and whether such threat can be mitigated. Requires CFIUS, if it determines that the covered transaction is a foreign government-controlled transaction, to conduct its own investigation. Requires the President, in his investigation, to take necessary action to protect national security with respect to the covered transaction. Makes any review final and complete only after its findings and report are approved and signed by both the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to carry out an analysis of the threat to national security of any covered transaction. Makes CFIUS a statutory committee under the Defense Production Act of 1950, with a revised membership. Requires the consideration, as additional factors in determining whether it should be investigated, of whether a covered transaction: (1) has a security-related impact on critical infrastructure; and (2) is a foreign government-controlled transaction. Authorizes CFIUS to: (1) negotiate, impose, and enforce any agreement or condition with any party to a covered transaction in order to mitigate any threat to national security; (2) track withdrawn notifications; and (3) monitor the enforcement of any agreements. Requires reports to Congress by the President and CFIUS concerning investigations of covered transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Servicemembers Credit Protection Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to direct the Secretary of Defense, in case of the deployment of a servicemember away from their usual duty station to duty for which the servicemember is entitled to special pay, to notify each consumer reporting agency (agency): (1) of the deployment of such servicemember within 30 days after the deployment; and (2) within 30 days after the end of such deployment. Requires the Secretary, in providing such notice, to take measures to ensure agency compliance with provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the servicemember. Increases penalties for consumer credit reporting violations involving servicemembers deployed to an overseas combat zone. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require each agency that receives a combat zone duty alert from the Secretary with respect to a servicemember to: (1) include the alert in the file of that consumer and provide such alert along with any credit score, until notified by the Secretary that the consumer no longer qualifies for such alert; and (2) during the period of the alert, exclude the consumer from any list provided to a third party to offer credit or insurance to such consumer as part of a transaction not initiated by the consumer. Requires the combat zone duty alert included in any consumer's file to include a summary of the consumer's rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the duties of creditors and other persons to the consumer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006 - Defines "MANPADS" as: (1) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be man-portable and carried and fired by a single individual; or (2) any other surface-to-air missile system designed to be operated and fired by more than one individual acting as a crew and portable by several individuals. States that it is U.S. policy to assist foreign governments to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. Authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out an accelerated global program to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. States that it should be U.S. policy to hold foreign governments accountable for knowingly transferring MANPADS to state-sponsors of terrorism or terrorist organizations. Directs the President, upon a determination that a foreign government which has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism knowingly transfers MANPADS to a foreign government or a terrorist organization, to: (1) report such information to the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) impose specified foreign assistance and military assistance sanctions on the transferring government. Exempts humanitarian assistance from such prohibition. Authorizes a national security waiver. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should pursue strengthened international diplomatic efforts to: (1) limit the availability and proliferation of MANPADS; and (2) exert diplomatic pressure to influence member country compliance with such efforts. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting MANPADS and conventional weapons threat reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Clean Energy Partnership Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to local governments and school districts covering up to 20% of the costs they incur in implementing clean energy projects funded by project-specific comprehensive clean energy plans to adopt cleaner or more efficient energy technologies in their buildings and vehicle fleets. Requires the Secretary to give preference to local governments and school districts that demonstrate a prior commitment to environmental conservation and will engage in the full range of clean energy projects, including energy conservation measures, the use of alternative and renewable energy sources, and clean energy infrastructure development.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation. Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to list permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained: (1) from a licensed dealer; (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements; (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat and owned it for not less than one year; or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Sets forth additional monetary penalties for related violations. Revises provisions to prohibit federal facilities from purchasing or otherwise acquiring dogs or cats for exhibition purposes except from: (1) the operator of an auction that comports with legal requirements; or (2) a person holding a valid dealer or exhibitor license. Revises provisions to prohibit dealers from selling or otherwise providing a research facility with random source dogs or cats unless specified certification requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act - Establishes in the Department of Defense (DOD) an Office of the Victims' Advocate to facilitate access to services for victims of domestic or family violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the military. Directs the Secretary of Defense to require DOD policies for victim assistance, family advocacy, and equal opportunity programs to provide within each military department a victims' advocates program. Requires the Secretary to establish an interdisciplinary council to coordinate and oversee such programs and related DOD efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts to: (1) support DOD crisis intervention services for victims of such violence; and (2) provide training to DOD on prevention of such violence. Requires the Secretary to convene a national biannual conference to review policies for prevention of and response to such violence. Prohibits any person from restricting a member of the Armed Forces in communicating with the Office or from taking or withholding a personnel action in retaliation for making such a communication. Establishes as privileged, in cases arising under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, confidential communications between a client and a victim service organization or a health care professional. Provides for: (1) employment of a sexual assault nurse examiner, a psychiatrist, and a complimentary clinical team at each DOD military treatment facility; and (2) DOD community level programs and shelter services for active duty members and their families who are victims of such violence shelter . Specifies: (1) the rights of victims of such violence reported to a military law enforcement agency, including regarding notification; and (2) restitution requirements. Directs a military commanding officer who receives a qualifying complaint alleging such violence to investigate the matter, require a judge advocate's report, and report on the investigation's results. Specifies: (1) circumstances under which military law enforcement officers shall arrest a person for committing domestic violence; (2) policies regarding arrest procedures and prosecution of such offenses; and (3) domestic violence incident report requirements. Establishes a Director of Special Investigations in DOD to review investigations of allegations of such violence and refer cases for prosecution. Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to: (1) include as "aggravated assault" and specify penalty limits for an assault involving domestic or family violence; and (2) provide for court-martial punishment of violations of no contact or protective orders. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts for treatment services for members of the Armed Forces who have committed such violence. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care providers receive training in the screening and referral for services of veterans who have suffered military sexual trauma; and (2) conduct pilot programs on such screening and referral and on providing confidential treatment for such trauma. Prohibits the Secretary of the military department concerned from approving a financial award or a promotion for an officer or employee who has been convicted of or disciplined for committing such violence. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies on: (1) the prevalence and nature of such violence, of intimate partner violence, and of child maltreatment, abuse, suicide, and homicide in the Armed Forces; and (2) military procedures after an incident is reported.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 - States as the purpose of this Act the establishment of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative to identify, protect, and enhance sites within the Long Island Sound ecosystem with significant ecological, educational, open space, public access, or recreational value through a bi-state network of sites. Establishes the Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative Region within Connecticut and New York. Establishes the Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee, which shall: (1) identify 20 initial Long Island Sound stewardship sites; (2) recommend an equal distribution of funds between Connecticut and New York for the initial sites (authorizes site owners to apply to have the sites identified as stewardship sites); (3) identify additional recreation areas and natural areas with ecological value as potential stewardship sites; (4) publish a list of sites that further the purposes of this Act; (5) apply an adaptive management framework to the process of updating the list; and (6) report annually on recommended sites and recommended grants for securing and improving sites. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review the Committees recommendations, approve stewardship sites, award grants, and report annually on the Initiative. States that nothing in this Act requires private property owners located within the Region to participate in the Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006 - Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) modify guidelines governing the maximum principal loan obligation; (2) extend the mortgage term; and (3) revise requirements for cash payment by the mortgagor in the eligibility criteria for mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to establish a mortgage insurance premium structure involving a single premium payment collected prior to the insurance of the mortgage that may vary during the mortgage term as long as the basis for determining the variable rate is established before the execution of the mortgage. Permits the Secretary to insure any mortgage covering a one-family unit in a condominium project if the project has a certain blanket mortgage insured by the Secretary. Revises requirements for the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund. Sets limitations upon the Secretary's authority to enter into commitments for loan guarantees. Makes insurance of a Native Hawaiian or Indian reservation mortgage the obligation of the MMI Fund (instead of the General Insurance Fund). Eliminates the limitation placed upon the aggregate number of home equity conversion mortgages insured under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure a home equity conversion mortgage when its primary purpose is to enable an elderly mortgagor to purchase a 1-to 4 family dwelling in which the mortgagor will occupy one of the units. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements to insure temporarily certain mortgages for a single family residence located within a presidentially declared major disaster area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services;" and (2) make physical therapists eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (to assure an adequate supply of physical therapists among other health professionals).
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the income-related increase in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premiums that was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Choice for America's Seniors Act of 2006 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a six-month extension of the 2006 initial enrollment period for Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Amends SSA title XVIII part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) to suspend the Medicare prescription drug late enrollment penalty during 2006. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to allow changes of enrollment in Medicare prescription drug plans and MA plans twice during the year. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit removal of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs from a prescription drug plan formulary, or imposition of a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, during the plan year: (1) except at the beginning; or (2) for an individual enrollee, from the date of enrollment until December 31 of the immediately succeeding plan year. Specifies exceptions to such prohibition. Requires an advance notice before the time of each annual coordinated election period for a plan year of any changes in the formulary or other restrictions or limitations on coverage of a covered part D drug that will take effect for that plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Freedom of Choice Act - Declares that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to: (1) bear a child; (2) terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or (3) terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect her life or her health. Prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) denying or interfering with a woman's right to exercise such choices; or (2) discriminating against the exercise of those rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information. Provides that such prohibition shall apply retroactively. Authorizes an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act to obtain appropriate relief, including relief against a governmental entity, in a civil action.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act - National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2006 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require certain vessels operating in U.S. waters to have invasive species management plans; (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish vessel performance requirements, measurable numeric ballast water discharge standards, and civil and criminal penalties for violations; (3) require federal agencies to restrict the importation of live aquatic organisms of species not in trade that have a high or moderate probability of undesirable impacts; and (4) declare importation of such species to be unlawful and prescribe civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to: (1) upgrade and make permanent the Chicago sanitary and ship canal dispersal barrier in Chicago, Illinois; and (2) construct dispersal barriers as necessary. Renames the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 as the Nonindigenous Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Control Act of 1990. National Invasive Species Council Act - Prohibits federal agencies from authorizing, funding, or carrying out any action that would promote the introduction or spread of invasive species unless the benefits of the action outweigh the harm. Establishes the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) as an independent entity in the executive branch to lead and coordinate efforts to minimize the negative effects caused by invasive species and to reduce the threat of further invasions. Requires NISC to develop a National Invasive Species Management Plan and to establish an Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Reauthorizes and modifies the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide funding for wastewater assistance to certain municipalities and small publicly-owned treatment works; (2) authorize states to provide additional subsidization to benefit certain municipalities or state agencies that already receive assistance from the water pollution control revolving fund or to implement certain alternative techniques; (3) replace each reference to "navigable waters of the United States" with a reference to "waters of the United States"; (4) require the Great Lakes National Program Office to provide grants to reduce the quantity of mercury in the Great Lakes; and (5) require the President include a joint Great Lakes research plan in the annual budget submitted to Congress. Requires: (1) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants for Great Lakes research and monitoring activities; (2) the President to establish a system that detects and predicts changes in the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environment that impact certain U.S. systems; and (3) the National Ocean Research Leadership Council to establish an interagency program office to be known as OceanUS to be responsible for program planning and coordination of such observing system. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Program Office to develop specified science-based indicators of water quality and related environmental factors in the Great Lakes. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide financial assistance for certain restoration or remediation projects; and (2) restore and remediate waterfronts and related areas. Establishes: (1) the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, as established by Executive Order 13340, as a task force within EPA; (2) a Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Executive Committee to hold meetings and make recommendations and reports on Great Lakes restoration goals and progress; and (3) the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration to develop a restoration and protection strategy for use in Great Lakes program implementation and funding decisions, to serve as a forum for addressing regional issues relating to ecosystem restoration and protection of the Great Lakes, and to establish an oversight forum to coordinate and enhance implementation of Great Lakes programs. Provides funding for a variety of Great Lakes programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Staff Sergeant Carlos Farler Citizen Soldier Equality Act of 2006 - Requires that, in the case of a reserve member of the Armed Forces who is retired due to disability incurred as a result of being wounded in action, or whose name is placed on the temporary disability retired list because of a disability incurred for which the member is awarded the Purple Heart, such member shall be credited with the same number of years of service that would be credited to a member of the regular (non-reserve) Armed Forces for such service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches Week. Recognizes the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States. Encourages all Americans to work to keep beaches, which are a critical part of the natural heritage of the United States, safe and clean for the continued enjoyment of the public. Urges individuals to engage in beach cleanup during National Clean Beaches Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) promulgate rules prohibiting persons from advertising with the intent to deceptively create the impression that such persons provide abortion services; and (2) enforce violations of such rules as unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act - Prohibits a person from carrying out a demonstration: (1) at a cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or at Arlington National Cemetery, unless the demonstration has been approved by the cemetery superintendent or director; or (2) within 500 feet of a cemetery at which a funeral or memorial service is to be held, for a period beginning 60 minutes before and ending 60 minutes after the funeral or service, if such demonstration includes any individual making noise or a diversion that disturbs the peace or good order of the funeral or service. Amends the federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Expresses the sense of Congress that each state should enact legislation to restrict demonstrations near any military funeral.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2006 - Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to provide oral testimony by their respective Chairpersons (or a designee), beginning in 2007, and annually for five years, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on their efforts to reduce the complexity in financial reporting to provide more accurate and clear financial information to investors.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Local Clean Energy Initiative Act of 2006 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide local governments that establish a Clean Energy Bond Act with grants of up to 20 % of the costs of implementing clean energy projects funded by the Clean Energy Bond Act. Directs the Secretary, when awarding such grants, to give preference to local governments that will be engaging in the full range of clean energy projects, and to those who can demonstrate a prior commitment to environmental conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Pitcher Street in Utica, New York, as the "Captain George A. Wood Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to provide for the mandatory revocation of passports of individuals who are more than $5,000 in arrears in child support payments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Commends the Africa Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in monitoring the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement in Darfur and its role in diminishing some acts of violence. Condemns: (1) the continued genocide against civilians in Darfur by the government of Sudan and government-sponsored militias; and (2) the continued violations by both parties to the Agreement. Calls on both parties to the Agreement to abide by its terms and engage in good-faith negotiations to end the Darfur conflict. Calls on the government of Sudan to: (1) withdraw all military aircraft from the region; and (2) cease support for the Janjaweed militia and rebels from Chad; and (3) disarm the Janjaweed militias. Calls on: (1) the African Union (AU) to work closely with the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen its capacity to deter violence and instability until a U.N. peacekeeping force is fully deployed in Darfur; and (2) NATO to extend its AU advisor mission. Calls on the U.N. Security Council to approve a trained and adequate Darfur peacekeeping mission. Urges the President to take steps to improve the security situation in Darfur, including by: (1) proposing that NATO implement an interim civilian protection force; and (2) requesting supplemental funding to support AMIS and a NATO mission in Darfur.
![Official portrait of Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000057_200.jpg)