United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Expresses support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Ukraine. Urges the Government of Ukraine to: (1) enforce impartially the Law on Elections of People's Deputies of Ukraine, signed by President Leonid Kuchma on October 30, 2001; and (2) meet its commitments on democratic elections, as delineated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with respect to the campaign period and election day; and (3) address issues identified by the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of OSCE in its final report on the 1999 presidential election, such as state interference in the campaign and pressure on the media. Calls upon the Ukrainian Government to allow election monitors from the ODIHR, other participating OSCE states, and foreign and domestic private institutions and organizations full access to all aspects of the parliamentary election process.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Sammy Davis, Jr. Recognition Act - Authorizes the President to present posthumously, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to a surviving family member of Sammy Davis, Jr. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) mandatory coverage of community-based attendant services and supports; and (2) increased Federal financial participation for early coverage States for certain expenditures with respect to community-based attendant services and supports. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible States to carry out certain capacity building activities with respect to community-based attendant services and supports. Requires each State to establish a Consumer Task Force to assist the State in the development, implementation, and evaluation of real choice systems change initiatives. Directs the Secretary to conduct a project to evaluate service coordination and cost-sharing approaches with respect to the provision of community-based services and supports to non-elderly dually eligible individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
United States Security (USA) Act of 2001 - Sets forth "Buy America" provisions permitting, subject to exception, Federal financial assistance under this Act for a project only if steel and manufactured goods used in the project are of U.S. origin. Authorizes appropriations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) design, construct, and equip new facilities and renovate existing facilities for defending against and combating bioterrorism and other public health threats; (2) establish a Scientific Communication Center; and (3) improve security at CDC facilities. Amends the: (1) Atomic Energy Act to provide for sufficient potassium iodide tablet stockpiles; and (2) Public Health Service Act to provide for a contingency bone marrow donor program. Requires national standards for the implementation of quarantines. Authorizes appropriations for sequencing the genomes of biological pathogens. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grants to units of local government and emergency response units to plan, train, and equip emergency responders. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide staffing for adequate fire and emergency response. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher learning to enhance security and emergency preparedness. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs to: (1) address the lack of security on critical highway infrastructure; (2) improve interagency training for and communication among first responders to a terrorist attack; (3) provide real-time information and guidance for the traveling and non-traveling public; and (4) address the lack of adequate security for locks and dams, the lack of cargo information, and the inability to share information in a timely fashion with agencies such as the Coast Guard. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to assess the vulnerability of the 50 busiest U.S. seaports and establish: (1) in the Coast Guard the position of Assistant Commandant for Maritime Security; (2) a sea marshal program; (3) a national port security task force; (4) a maritime security institute; and (5) terrorism response plans for responding to a maritime terrorist attack. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for specified passenger rail and freight rail protection projects. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation with respect to public transit security, including installation of communications, surveillance, detection systems, and personal protective and detection equipment at public transit facilities. Requires a National Academy of Sciences energy pipeline security study. Authorizes appropriations for upgrading and expanding the current infrastructure of the Aviation Safety Reporting System of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out pilot projects with air carriers for real-time transmission to the FAA of cockpit voice and flight data and cabin video data from aircraft. Establishes a pilot program to deploy commercially available fuel cells at public use airports to ensure a reliable energy supply for new and emerging aviation security technologies, airport control towers, airport terminals, and other airport facilities. Requires the following officials to submit risk management assessment reports to Congress: (1) the Secretary of Energy regarding oil refineries, natural gas, and liquid natural gas storage facilities; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding chemical manufacturing facilities; (3) the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding nuclear facilities; (4) the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the domestic electric power grid; (5) the Secretary of Commerce regarding the Nation's fiber optic infrastructure; and (6) the Administrator of the General Services Administration regarding Federal buildings. Directs the Secretary of Energy to coordinate development and implementation of an interagency plan to prepare for and defend against terrorist attacks against high-level nuclear waste transportation facilities and infrastructure, interim storage facilities, intermodal transfer facilities, and central repositories. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and develop a plan to ensure that Federal, State, and local governments can respond adequately to the consequences of a terrorist attack against the transportation or storage of high-level nuclear waste. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the NRC to: (1) establish a system to ensure that transportation of nuclear materials under its jurisdiction meets certain requirements; and (2) commence a rulemaking to consider changes to the design basis threat for NRC-licensed facilities. Authorizes the President, whenever a state of war or national emergency exists, to: (1) deploy either the Armed Forces or the National Guard to defend NRC-licensed facilities from terrorist attack or threat from any foreign power; and (2) restrict air space in the vicinity of such facilities. Requires each Federal agency to take certain steps to enhance cyber security. Authorizes appropriations for State and local governments to do the same. Requires the Attorney General to update a specified study assessing the vulnerability of Federal facilities. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of Central Intelligence to investigate whether existing computer knowledge assessment technologies meeting specified criteria can be used to detect individuals with terrorist training. Directs the Attorney General to create a pilot program for establishing civilian supplemental incident response teams. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Postal Service to enhance its ability to detect and neutralize, or otherwise respond to, any dangerous matter entered into the mails without authorization. Directs the United States Customs Service to expedite the development and deployment of pulsed fast neutron analysis technology and authorizes appropriations for the development of scanners capable of sensing biological and chemical contaminants in microscopic airborne quantities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take specified measures for identifying individuals crossing U.S. Borders; and (2) increase to specified levels the number of U.S. Border Patrol personnel, U.S. marshals, and Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service inspectors at ports of entry by 2003. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to establish a border health inspectors corps to inspect individuals who may be intending to infect others for infectious disease. Requires the Director of Homeland Security to consider a program to improve aerial reconnaissance activities at U.S. borders, to include the use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Directs the President, acting through the Office of Homeland Security, to oversee the appropriate sharing of information among Federal, State, and local agencies involved in intelligence collection and law enforcement. Directs the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to develop within such Office an entity to develop a system-wide information network to integrate existing watch lists of suspected terrorists. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the prompt assignment of specified channels for public safety purposes. Requires the Attorney General to establish regional emerging threat workspaces. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to maintain a secure database on select biological agents that pose a threat to public health by terrorist attack. Directs the President to establish within the Office for Homeland Security a center to develop an interagency clearinghouse for new counterterrorism technologies. States the policy of the United States to work with other nations, especially Russia, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of necessary materials and expertise. Authorizes appropriations for cooperative threat reduction programs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an integrated plan for the use of technology to combat terrorism. Creates within the Executive Office of the President a Director of Homeland Security who shall conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of threat to the United States and develop a five-year homeland security strategy in response.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) include among the eligibility criteria for certain Federal grants State laws authorizing gun confiscation by law enforcement officers in certain domestic violence cases; and (2) authorize grants for State hire of additional personnel for entering information relating to protection orders. Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize grants for training programs to establish integrated domestic violence courts; (2) include among the eligibility criteria of the National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction grant program State certification that its laws relating to the elements of a stalking offense require only that the defendant has on more than one occasion harassed or threatened the victim (thereby excluding any requirement for a specific intent to cause fear); and (3) authorize grants for State hire of additional personnel for entering information relating to stalking and domestic violence data.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Preventing Teen Pregnancy Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award, on a competitive basis, grants to public and private entities to establish or expand teenage pregnancy prevention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that women throughout the world should join together for a week of workshops, forums, and other events to speak up for world peace.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should establish the White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month to make recommendations to the President on the proclamation of National Military Appreciation Month to be celebrated each year; and (2) any such Commission should be composed of specified members. Expresses the sense of Congress that if such Commission is established, the President should also establish the Spirit of America Alliance to assist the Commission: (1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual White House Conference on National Military Appreciation and other similar events; (2) in the promotion of the observance of such Month and other military commemorative events through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; (3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance; (4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and (5) by the performance of any other related duties that are assigned by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Family Life Education Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for family life education, including abstinence and contraception. Expresses the sense of Congress that States should, but need not, provide matching funds. Requires the Secretary to provide for national evaluation of a representative sample of such programs for effectiveness in changing adolescent sexual behavior, including the delay of sexual and high-risk activity, the prevention of pregnancy and disease (including HIV/AIDS), and the increase of contraceptive knowledge.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from making a determination that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is an activity that is either financial in nature or incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Amends the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act of 1999 to authorize the Loan Guarantee Board to waive the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee program requirement that an applicant steel company furnish reasonable assurance that its prospective earning power permits loan repayment, if the Board determines that: (1) the inability of the company to satisfy such requirement is due to reasons of financial hardship beyond company control; (2) the company has demonstrated a good faith effort to be cost efficient in its business practices; and (3) the issuance of such loan guarantee is in the national security interests of the United States. Increases from 85 percent to 95 percent the maximum principal loan amount to be guaranteed if the Board determines that the aggregate amount of steel imported into the United States during the prior year exceeds 30 percent of the aggregate amount of steel produced in the United States during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Afghanistan Freedom and Reconstruction Act of 2001 - States that United States policy should be to support the convening of a traditional Afghan assembly in order to facilitate a transition in Afghanistan to a popularly elected representative government. Authorizes the President to send aid under the Foreign Assistance Act to support transition to a multiethnic democratic government in Afghanistan. Authorizes the Broadcasting Board of Governors to increase Voice of America broadcasts into Afghanistan and to use Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to create "Radio Free Afghanistan" broadcasts in local languages. Authorizes the President to disburse additional humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003, to be distributed equitably and to include assistance for Afghan refugees in Central Asia. Expresses the sense of Congress that development aid should be targeted toward refugees, women, and the urban and rural poor, and that emphasis for all aid should be placed on needs of women and children, particularly girls. Authorizes the President to disburse assistance for a multinational security force in Afghanistan, and to make a donation to the United Nations Drug Control Program to combat trafficking in illicit drugs in Afghanistan, particularly heroin. Directs the President to institute economic sanctions against governments not complying with specific United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the former Taliban government of Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Employment Contract Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal bankruptcy code with respect to priority of claims to revise the third level of priority (allowed unsecured claims) to repeal the limitation of claims to $4,000 of wages, salaries, or commissions earned by an individual or corporation within 90 days before the filing date of debtor's petition in bankruptcy or the debtor's cessation of business (thus allowing any such claim earned before petition filing or business cessation). Revises the fourth level of priority, allowed unsecured claims for contributions to an employee benefit plan, to: (1) repeal the limitation to claims arising from services rendered within 180 days before petition filing or business cessation, thus allowing any claim for services rendered before such date; and (2) reduce the current deduction from such amount to a deduction of only the aggregate amount paid by the estate in bankruptcy on behalf of such employees to any other employee benefit plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
State Budget Relief Act of 2001 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2001 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for FY 2002 if the FY 2002 FMAP would otherwise be less than the FY 2001 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each calendar quarter in FY 2002 to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should use his authority under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to release emergency funds to States immediately to ease the additional financial burden that job loss and depressed consumer confidence have placed on low-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2001
Putting Americans First Act - Sets forth provisions for a temporary unemployment compensation (UC) program. Permits any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor for such program under which States receive Federal payments and State agencies pay: (1) modified regular UC to individuals; and (2) temporary supplemental UC to individuals who have otherwise exhausted their rights to regular (or extended) UC. Requires the modified regular UC to: (1) have an alternative base period; (2) not be denied to individuals who can show good cause for seeking or being available for only part-time employment; and (3) include increased benefits. Requires temporary supplemental UC accounts for eligible individuals who file applications for such UC. Limits such agreements to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending before January 1, 2003. Sets forth health insurance coverage options for recently unemployed individuals and their families. Requires establishment of a temporary program under which 75 percent of the premium for COBRA continuation coverage for Medicaid be provided for an individual who: (1) at any time during the period that begins on September 11, 2001, and ends on December 31, 2002, is separated from employment; and (2) is eligible for, and has elected coverage under, COBRA continuation coverage. (COBRA refers to title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, and concerns employee group health plan coverage under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of1974.) Permits a State to elect to provide temporary Medicaid coverage (under title XIX of the Social Security Act) for individuals who: (1) are separated from employment at any time during the period that from September 11, 2001, through December 31, 2002; (2) are not eligible for COBRA continuation coverage; (3) are uninsured; and (4) do not have assets, resources, and earned or unearned income that exceed limitations set by the State. Permits a State to pay the entire COBRA premium for individuals whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line and who are receiving COBRA premium assistance under this Act. Provides for temporary increases in the Medicaid Federal Medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for FY 2002. Amends the Social Security Act title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to: (1) reauthorize TANF supplemental grants for population increases for FY 2002; and (2) extend and increase TANF contingency fund grants through FY 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2001
Small Business Insurance Data Disclosure Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish requirements for insurers to compile and submit information to the Administrator for each annual reporting period, as required in this Act. Requires such information to include the analysis and comparison of the availability and affordability of insurance coverage and the quality and type of coverage for small businesses, including small businesses located in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and minority- and women-owned small businesses. Directs the Administrator to provide for the waiver of such reporting requirements for each insurer within a State which requires insurers to submit a level of information at least equivalent to that required herein and which provides for adequate enforcement of such requirements. Requires: (1) each insurer to maintain submitted information for at least three years after each reporting period; (2) all submitted information to be made available to the public; (3) the Administrator to designate appropriate lines of insurance and coverage types for small businesses; and (4) the Administrator to survey a representative sample of small business owners regarding their experience in applying for, obtaining, and being refused small business insurance. Provides civil penalties against insurers violating the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Cancer Testing, Education, Screening, and Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to qualifying health centers for programs providing cancer information, education, screening, counseling, and treatment. Targets service populations with significant numbers of low-income minority individuals who are at-risk for cancer, requiring programs to provide outreach and culturally sensitive services (including same language) to such populations. Requires the Secretary to designate the type(s) of cancer covered by a grant.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Attorney Fee Payment System Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase from $4,000 to $5,200 the maximum allowable attorney fee; and (2) cap the amount of attorney assessments at $100. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) to prescribe a fee payment system for attorneys representing individuals filing claims for past-due benefits in the SSI program. Caps attorney fees at 25 percent of such past-due benefits. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to assess such an attorney up to $100.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Afghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001 - Authorizes the President, subject to specified conditions, to provide educational and health care assistance for the women and children living in Afghanistan and as refugees in neighboring countries. Directs the President to report biennially to specified congressional committees on the condition and status of women and children in Afghanistan and the persons in refugee camps while U.S. aid is given to displaced Afghans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
American Small Business Recovery Act of 2001 - Limits the interest rate on disaster loans made during the year after this Act's enactment to any small business concern which suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) make grants to such concerns during that same period; and (2) undertake payments (guaranteed loans) or discharge indebtedness (direct loans) for previous SBA loans made to such concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2001
Help America Vote Act of 2001 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish programs under which the Administrator makes payments to each eligible State or local government to: (1) replace a punch card voting system with a voting system which does not use punch cards; or (2) make technical enhancements to the performance of its punch card voting system. Establishes: (1) an independent Election Assistance Commission to serve as a national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections; and (2) the Election Assistance Commission Standards Board and the Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors to review any of the voluntary standards for engineering and procedural performance, for maintenance and enhancement of the accessibility and privacy of registration facilities, polling places, and voting methods, and for election management practices recommended by the Commission. Establishes the Technical Standards Development Committee to assist the Executive Director of the Commission by recommending standards to ensure the usability, accuracy, security, accessibility, and integrity of voting systems and voting equipment. Directs the Commission to: (1) provide for the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories; (2) make payments to States for voting system improvements, grants to entities for voting equipment and technology research and development, and grants for pilot programs to try out new voting systems and equipment technologies; and (3) develop the Help America Vote College Program to encourage college students to assist State and local governments in election administration. Amends Federal law to create the Help America Vote Foundation as a nonprofit charitable corporation to mobilize secondary school students to participate in the election process in a nonpartisan manner as poll workers or assistants. Outlines minimum standards for State election systems. Sets forth provisions regarding voting rights of military members and overseas citizens. Amends Federal postal service law to replace reduced rates for voter registration purposes with reduced rates for official election mail.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Medicare Cholesterol Screening Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of cholesterol and other blood lipid screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Bruce Vento Stand Down Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that several branches of the Armed Forces and the National Guard have provided and should continue to provide valuable service in the delivery of services to veterans at Stand Down events (events to provide food, shelter, health care, benefit certification and other help to veterans in need of assistance). Commends veterans' organizations for their outstanding contributions to these events and encourages their continued efforts. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outreach and other services as well as property and resources in support of these events. Requires the Secretary to establish a pilot program to conduct (alone or collaboratively) at least one Stand Down event in each State each year.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world during this time of conflict. Commends Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith during the upcoming observance of Ramadan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2001
Public Health Emergency Medicines Act - Amends Federal patent law to grant the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of any health care invention, the right to authorize use of the subject matter of the patent without authorization of the patent holder or any licensees (compulsory licensing) if the Secretary determines that the invention is needed to address a public health emergency. Requires the right holder of the patent to be paid reasonable remunerations for such use. Allows the Secretary to authorize the use of a patent, without authorization of the patent holder or licensees, to export medicines or other health care products that are needed to address global public health emergencies, when the legitimate rights of the patent holder are protected in the export market.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, at the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) round of negotiations at Doha, Qatar, November 9-13, 2001, and at any subsequent round of WTO negotiations, should: (1) preserve the U.S. ability to enforce its trade laws rigorously, including antidumping and countervailing duty laws, and avoid agreements which lessen the effectiveness of domestic and international disciplines on unfair trade, especially dumping and subsidies, in order to ensure that U.S. workers, agricultural producers, and firms can compete fully on fair terms and enjoy the benefits of reciprocal trade concessions; and (2) ensure that U.S. exports are not subject to the abusive use of trade laws, including antidumping and countervailing duty laws, by other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Late Fee Relief Act - Establishes a six-month period during which consumers of financial services shall be extended a two-week grace period to make any obligatory payments. Prohibits a financial services business from: (1) imposing either a late fee or additional financing fee upon a consumer account for failure to make payment by the due date, unless a payment is not received by the end of the two-week grace period; or (2) providing any information adverse to the consumer or the consumer's credit status as a result of such payment failure before the two-week grace period. States that this Act shall be enforced under the Truth in Lending Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the trade and economic development policies of the United States toward Africa should respect and support the rights of African farmers with respect to their agricultural and biological resources, traditional knowledge, and technologies, and the provisions of the African Model Legislation for the Protection of the Rights of Local Communities, Farmers and Breeders, and for the Regulation of Access to Biological Resources.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Home Ownership Opportunities for Public Safety Officers and Teachers Act of 2001 - Amends the National Housing Act to provide for one percent downpayments (and deferral and reduction of up-front payments) for Federal Housing Administration mortgage loans for qualified elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators and non-Federal public safety officers to purchase homes within the jurisdictions of their employing agencies. Provides a 50 percent discount for teachers and public safety officers purchasing certain eligible asset properties for use as their primary residence. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a mortgage assistance pilot program to assist Federal, State, and local public safety officers purchase primary residences in high-crime areas.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Legal Assistance for Victims of Dating Violence Act - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 to extend the legal assistance for victims of violence grant program to include legal assistance to victims of dating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Military Widows Equity Act - Repeals, as of October 1, 2002, certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Provides for the recoupment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) renegotiation by members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) of existing antidumping and safeguard provisions contained in the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (commonly known as the "Antidumping Agreement") is unnecessary and unlikely to result in an agreement that does not weaken the antidumping and safeguard provisions; and (2) the United States Trade Representative should oppose any changes to such provisions contained in the Antidumping Agreement at the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the WTO to be held at Doha, Qatar, from November 9-13, 2001, and at any subsequent negotiations, including any changes that make antidumping relief under these provisions more difficult, uncertain, or costly for domestic industries to achieve and maintain over time.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2001
Late Fee Emergency Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to limit the late fee and annual percentage rate increase imposed upon a consumer credit obligation in the case of any consumer whose principal residence is located in a postal zip code designated by the Postmaster General as a biological, chemical, or radiological attack-related mail disruption area. Requires the Postmaster General to: (1) designate such an area promptly for a 30-day period following any such mail disruption; and (2) disseminate monthly to specified agencies and publish in the Federal Register the postal zip codes designated as mail disruption areas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2001
Municipal Preparation and Strategic Response Act - Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make grants to local governments and emergency response units for use for: (1) developing strategic response plans that provide for a unified, coordinated response to a terrorist attack or other catastrophe; (2) preparing and issuing reports to local governments, State legislatures, and Congress; and (3) conducting public forums or other appropriate activities to educate the public about potential threats and steps they can take to prepare for them, the contents of such plans, how to communicate with authorities in an emergency; and emergency shelters. Requires the Director to designate for each State a FEMA representative to: (1) assist local governments with the development of strategic response plans; (2) act as a liaison between such governments and the Federal Government; and (3) coordinate the sharing of information about Government initiatives and protocol. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Director to make grants to fire departments, and amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, and multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia thereof, to fund counterterrorism training and provide related equipment. Exempts such grants from matching requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001
Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from prescribing or enforcing any regulation that allows a restricted property-carrying unit (any trailer, semi-trailer, container, or other property-carrying unit longer than 53 feet, except for a fire-fighting unit) to operate on the National Highway System (including the Interstate System), unless the operation of such unit is authorized by the State on August 1, 2001, and in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before that date. Prohibits a State from allowing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle combination on the National Highway System (except a vehicle or load that cannot be dismantled or divided easily, and that has been issued a special permit under State law) with more than one property-carrying unit (excluding the truck tractor) whose property-carrying units are more than: (1) the maximum combination trailer, semi-trailer, or other type of length limitation allowed by State law on August 1, 2001; or (2) the length of the property-carrying units of those commercial motor vehicle combinations, by specific configuration, in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including continual seasonal operation) in such State on or before August 1, 2001. Permits a commercial motor vehicle combination authorized in a State to continue to operate on System highways provided it is in compliance with State law, including routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions in force in the State on August 1, 2001. Amends Federal highway law to prohibit a State from allowing the operation of a vehicle or combination (other than a longer combination vehicle) exceeding Interstate weight limits on the Interstate System unless its operation was lawful: (1) on July 1, 1956; (2) in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974; or (3) under a special permit pursuant to State (grandfather) law. Subjects such vehicles and combinations to all routing-specific, commodity-specific, and weight-specific designations in force in such State on August 1, 2001. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the operation of vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or divided (nondivisible loads) on the Federal-aid highway system as they relate to Interstate weight limitations; and (2) waiver of weight limitations for vehicles that operate on the Federal-aid highway system during periods of national emergency. Declares that Interstate weight limitations on vehicles and combinations (other than longer combination vehicles) that operate on the Interstate System shall also apply to such vehicles and combinations that operate on non-Interstate segments of the National Highway System, unless: (1) such segments are subject to lower State weight limits; or (2) a State allows the operation of any vehicle or combination on an existing non-Interstate segment of the National Highway System that could be so operated lawfully on August 1, 2001. Requires establishment of a model schedule of fines for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise and extend the TANF program through FY 2008, with changes made to: (1) work and various other specified requirements and prohibitions; (2) penalties; (3) studies and reports; (4) minimum benefit rules; and (5) child care.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Calls for a joint session of Congress in New York City, New York, during the 107th Congress at such date, time, and location as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may jointly select, for the purpose of conducting such business as the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore may consider appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to take necessary action to ensure that an air carrier that receives compensation under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act for losses incurred as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001: (1) refunds the amount paid by an individual for air transportation canceled between September 11, 2001, and September 11, 2002; and (2) does not assess any fee to a passenger who canceled or rescheduled such air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001
Retiree Health Assistance Act of 2001 - Permits an electing taxpayer whose principal trade or business is the production of steel from raw materials to make an election to be treated as having made a tax payment in an amount equal to the qualified direct cost for the preceding year of post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits provided by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001
True American Heroes Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress a gold medal to the next of kin or other representation of each officer, emergency worker, or employee of a State and local government agency, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the Federal Government, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing and presumed dead).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Temporary Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001 - Provides for a program of temporary supplemental unemployment compensation (TSUC). Sets forth TSUC program requirements for Federal-State agreements, formulas for determining amounts in individual TSUC accounts and weekly benefits, payments to States, and financing. Includes among eligibility requirements an individual's not having rights, with respect to a week, to other compensation (excluding extended compensation). Applies TSUC agreements to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning after the date on which such an agreement is entered into; and (2) ending before January 1, 2003. Makes a modification relating to part-time employment and increased benefits applicable to weeks of unemployment in such TSUC agreement period, regardless of the date on which an individual's claim for benefits is filed. Makes a modification relating to alternative base periods applicable only to initial claims filed after September 11, 2001. Makes TSUC payments applicable only to individuals exhausting their rights to regular compensation after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected. Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans. Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should award and present a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who were killed and to those select public safety officers who have earned special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Small Business Emergency Relief Act of 2001 Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make disaster loans to small business concerns and other eligible entities that were injured as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorists attacks. Makes such loans available for repair, rehabilitation, refinancing, or replacement of damaged or destroyed real or personal property and any economic injury. Includes charitable organizations among those eligible for such loans. Authorizes the Administrator to forgive or undertake obligations under loans already made under the Small Business Act to recipients which have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the sale of disaster loans.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Working Families Tax Rebate Act of 2001-Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a refund (of up to $300) to individuals for payroll taxes paid in 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to establish on U.S. Capitol grounds as part of the Capitol Visitors Center a "Spirit of America Garden" as a living memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
![Official portrait of Rep. Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [D-OH-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000284_200.jpg)