United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 - Provides that, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or separated for disability due to a combat-related injury, the Secretary of Defense shall require the continued payment of any bonuses or special pay to which the member: (1) was entitled to immediately before the retirement or separation; and (2) would continue to be entitled to if not retired or separated. Requires such payment in a lump sum within 30 days after such retirement or separation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for 50% of the cost of placing in service any qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system. Defines "qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system" as a manufacturer-certified brake stroke monitoring system, lane departure warning system, collision warning system, or vehicle stability system identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as significantly enhancing the safety or security of commercial drivers, vehicles, or passengers. Terminates such credit after 2012.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2007
Andrew Larochelle God, Family, and Country Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to permit the acknowledgment of God on flag certificates issued at the request of a Member of the United States House of Representatives or of the United States Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Vision Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand and intensify programs to increase awareness of vision problems. Directs the Secretary to expand and intensify: (1) activities to establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention, control, and rehabilitation of vision problems and related disabilities; (2) research within CDC on the prevention and management of vision loss; and (3) programs targeted to prevent vision loss, treat eye and vision conditions, and rehabilitate people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted in underserved and minority communities. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations to enable the Secretary to introduce core performance measures on eye health by incorporating vision screening and examination standards into state programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for vision rehabilitation professional development.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Honors the life and accomplishments of Luciano Pavarotti and recognizes the significant and positive impact of his astounding musical talent, his achievement in raising the profile of opera with audiences around the world, and his commitment to charitable causes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Recognizes Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh for his contributions to the civil rights movement, his tireless work to prevent nuclear conflict, and his efforts to secure the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Family Friendly Flights Act of 2007 - Requires an air carrier that provides publicly viewable entertainment screens on which violent in-flight programming is displayed to provide a child safe viewing area for child passengers who are under the age of 13 and for at least one adult travel companion per child. Requires: (1) all unaccompanied children under the age of 13 to be seated in the child safe viewing area; and (2) an air carrier, ticket agent, or their employees to offer an adult traveling with a child under the age of 13 the opportunity to request seating in the child safe viewing area.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Securing America's Future Economy Commission Act, or SAFE Commission Act - Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission to develop legislation designed to address: (1) the unsustainable imbalance between long-term federal spending commitments and projected revenues; (2) increases in net national savings to provide for domestic investment and economic growth; (3) the implications of foreign ownership of federally issued debt instruments; and (4) revision of the budget process to place greater emphasis on long-term fiscal issues. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop one or two methods for estimating the cost of legislation as an alternative to the current Congressional Budget Office (CBO) method; and (2) hold at least one town-hall style public hearing within each federal reserve district. Requires the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to Congress and the President. Authorizes the President to submit to Congress an alternative proposal. Authorizes the Committee on the Budget of either chamber to publish its own alternative proposal in the Congressional Record. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such legislation. Requires CBO to prepare a long-term cost estimate and have it published in the Congressional Record as expeditiously as possible whenever requested to do so by the Commission, the President, or the chairman or ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget of either chamber.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
American Flag Display Protection Act - Prohibits an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education from receiving federal funds by grant or contract if the school has a policy or practice preventing students from respectfully displaying or wearing a representation of the U.S. flag in a manner at least equal in quality and scope to their right to respectfully display or wear any other representation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Constitutional War Powers Amendments of 2007 - Rewrites the War Powers Resolution. Includes consultation procedures concerning participation in military operations of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Condemns all attacks upon the memory of veterans and their service to the United States, as exemplified by the incident of vandalism of September 7, 2007, (at the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, Washington, D.C.).
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2007
Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop a joint disability evaluation system under which: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) shall be responsible for determining whether an injured member of the Armed Forces is fit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating, or should be retired or separated because of physical disability; and (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall be responsible for establishing the disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs for the member so retired or separated. Directs the Secretaries to develop a single medical examination for the evaluation of members of the Armed Forces who incur an injury that may require retirement or separation which shall be used by: (1) DOD medical evaluation boards and physical evaluation boards to determine fitness to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating; and (2) VA to establish the member's disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess VA training programs, including an evaluation of DOD training programs for personnel whose responsibilities are related to the disability evaluation system established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2007
Allows a federal agency head to waive the application of civil service retirement system and federal employee retirement system provisions restricting annuities and pay upon reemployment with respect to an annuitant employed on a temporary basis, but prohibits waiving such provisions with respect to an annuitant for more than: (1) 520 hours of service performed during the six months following the individual's annuity commencing date; (2) 1040 hours of service performed during any 12-month period; or (3) 6240 hours of service performed during the individual's lifetime.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2007
SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend SCHIP through FY2008 and the first six months of FY2009; (2) provide additional allotments to states to address SCHIP funding shortfalls for the same period of time; and (3) authorize qualifying states to elect to receive the enhanced portion of the SCHIP matching rate for coverage of certain children under SSA title XIX (Medicaid).
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2007
Accountability in Enforcing Immigration Laws Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to subject all illegal alien entrants to fines. (Under current law, first-time offenses are subject to such fines and/or six months' imprisonment, and subsequent offenses are subject to such fines and/or two years' imprisonment.) Directs United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide for: (1) detention of illegal aliens who are apprehended by state or local law enforcement officers; and (2) reimbursement of state and local detention costs. Requires certain airport security screeners to undergo immigration status checks. Requires owners and operators of high-risk critical infrastructure sites, in order to receive buffer zone protection grants, to conduct terrorist watchlist and immigration status database checks of security employees. Condemns rapes by smugglers along the U.S. land border and urges the government of Mexico to work with United States Customs and Border Protection to take preventive action. Affirms the inherent authority of state and local law enforcement personnel to assist in immigration enforcement while carrying out their routine duties. States that such provision shall not be construed to require such personnel to: (1) report the identity of a victim of, or a witness to, a criminal offense to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); or (2) arrest such victim or witness for an immigration-related violation. Directs DHS to establish an immigration-related training manual for state and local law enforcement personnel. Provides financial assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement assistance. Continues the institutional removal program and expands it to all states. Authorizes permanent appropriations for the state criminal alien assistance program. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center Database.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2007
Public and Teaching Hospital Preservation Act - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 to extend by one year the moratorium on: (1) implementation of a rule relating to the federal-state financial partnership under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; and (2) finalization of a Medicaid rule regarding the treatment of graduate medical education (GME).
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2007
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2007 or the Charlie Norwood CLEAR Act of 2007 - States that: (1) state and local law enforcement personnel, in the course of their routine duties, have the inherent authority to investigate, apprehend, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in order to assist in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws; and (2) effective two years after enactment of this Act, a state that has in effect a statute, policy, or practice prohibiting such law enforcement assistance shall not receive certain federal incarceration assistance. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Directs states and localities to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) with specified information about apprehended aliens who are believed to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws. Provides federal reimbursement for related state and local costs. (States that such provision shall not require state or local enforcement officials to provide DHS with information related to a victim of a crime or witness to a criminal offense.) Directs the Secretary to make grants to states and political subdivisions that enforce immigration laws in the course of their routine law enforcement duties for special equipment and facilities related to arresting, detaining, or transporting illegal aliens. Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct or acquire 20 additional detention facilities for aliens detained pending removal (or a decision on removal); and (2) consider the transfer of military installations under base closure laws for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens apprehended by state or local authorities to provide for: (1) federal custody upon state or local request; and (2) state or local compensation for related incarceration and transportation costs. States with respect to an alien subject to removal that the Attorney General or Secretary shall ensure such alien's detention in an adequate (as defined by this Act) state or local prison, detention center, or other comparable facility prior to his or her removal examination. Directs the Secretary to establish immigration-related training for state and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity to the same extent as corresponding federal immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties under this Act; and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for state or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. Continues the institutional removal program (IRP), which shall be expanded to all states. Authorizes state or local detention of an illegal alien after completion of such alien's prison sentence for: (1) up to 14 days to facilitate federal transfer; or (2) until transfer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 and subsequent fiscal years for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP).
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2007
Honors: (1) the sacrifices and commitment of the men, women, and families of the United States Transportation Command; and (2) the achievements of the Transportation Command during the global war on terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1704 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as the "Dr. Clifford Bell Jones, Sr. Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2007
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement with the Free File Alliance to provide a forms-based software service for all individual taxpayers to electronically prepare and file their federal income tax returns through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, free of charge, for taxable years beginning after 2007. Requires the Free File Alliance to meet certain standards promulgated by the federal government for business responsibility and commerciality of products or services. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a return-free tax system for taxable years beginning after 2007, unless authorized to do so by an Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North William Street in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the "Philip A. Baddour, Sr. Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2007- Limits state or local taxation of the compensation of any employee who performs duties in more than one state or locality to: (1) the state or locality of the employee's residence; and (2) the state or locality in which the employee is physically present performing duties for more than 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception to save the life of the mother. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Federal Dog Protection Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to make it unlawful to knowingly: (1) sponsor or exhibit an animal in, or knowingly attend, a dog fighting venture; (2) sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive for purposes of transportation any dog or other animal for the purpose of having the dog or other animal, or offspring of the dog or other animal, participate in a dog fighting venture; or (3) use the U.S. mail service or any instrumentality of interstate commerce for commercial speech that promotes or furthers such prohibited actions. Makes costs incurred for the care of animals seized and forfeited recoverable from the owner (currently recoverable costs are limited to those incurred by the United States). Allows animal control agencies, humane societies, or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals to commence a civil suit to enjoin any private party who is alleged to be in violation of provisions concerning animal fighting. Provides for enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop an Internet Clearinghouse within the Office of Minority Health; (2) provide for programs of excellence in health professions education for underrepresented minorities; and (3) support demonstration projects designed to improve the health and health care of racial and ethnic minority groups through improved access to health care, patient navigators, primary prevention activities, health promotion and disease prevention activities, and health literacy education and services. Provides for grants to: (1) promote positive health behaviors; (2) implement culturally and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based, and community-driven sustainable strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic health and health care disparities; (3) implement systems of primary care practices to eliminate disparities in the delivery of health care and improve the health care provided to all patients; and (4) address long-standing unmet health needs in the Mississippi Delta. Requires the Secretary to establish the Health Action Zone Initiative demonstration program to support comprehensive state, tribal, or local initiatives to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority groups. Provides for research to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority groups. Requires the Secretary to ensure the collection of data from federally conducted or supported health programs by race, ethnicity, geographic location, socioeconomic position, primary language, and, when practicable, health literacy. Sets forth duties for the Office of Minority Health. Requires the Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Minority Health.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2007
21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow individuals called to military service to terminate or suspend a service contract, after the date of entry into service or the date of the military orders, if: (1) the service contract (such as phone, cable, Internet, or utilities) is executed before the individual is called to service for a period of at least 90 days; or (2) the person enters into the contract while in military service and thereafter receives orders for a change of permanent station to a location outside the United States, or to deploy with a military unit for a period of at least 180 days. Provides penalties against anyone who: (1) holds property or funds of a person in military service who lawfully terminates a contract; or (2) violates the 6% limit on interest rates charged to servicemembers during a period of military service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2007
Declares that the dedicated men and women who served in the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bombardment Group (H), "Hell's Angels," including the nearly 5,000 listed as missing in action, during World War II are heroes and champions of American freedom. Recognizes the final reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association and commends its honorable members, who never once turned away from their assigned target, for their selfless service to our country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2007
Travel Promotion Act of 2007 - Establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit corporation that is not an agency or establishment of the U.S. government. Makes the Corporation subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Requires the Corporation, among other things, to provide useful information to people interested in traveling to the United States, identify and address perceptions in other countries regarding U.S. entry policies, and promote U.S. travel. Establishes in the Treasury the Travel Promotion Fund. Requires the transfer of Treasury funds to the Corporation, requiring nonfederal matching funds. Authorizes the U.S. government, if a fully automated electronic system is implemented to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States, to charge an applicant a system use fee. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to replace references to the United States National Tourism Organization with references to the Corporation. Modifies various requirements applicable to the Tourism Policy Council. Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 to remove provisions establishing the United States Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should not consider legislative proposals to grant "fast track" or any other expedited trade negotiating authority during the 110th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Watermelon Month to recognize watermelon's health benefits and importance to the U.S. agriculture industry.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007
Local Education Authority Returns Now Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make an annual determination of states that have chosen to opt-out of K-12 education grant programs. Requires the Secretary of Education to determine credits due to states as opt-out state education amounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers in states that opt-out a refundable tax credit for a share of the opt-out amount creditable to such states.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007
Expresses gratitude for the service and sacrifices of the members and families of the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard upon their return home from their deployment in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Prohibits units and members of the regular Armed Forces from being deployed for Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom (including participation in the NATO International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan)) unless the period between deployments is equal to or longer than the period of the previous deployment. Expresses the sense of Congress that the optimal minimum period between such deployments should be equal to or longer than twice the period of the previous deployment. Prohibits units and members of the reserves from being deployed for such Operations (including such NATO participation) if the unit or member has been deployed within three preceding years. Expresses the sense of Congress that units and members of the reserves should not be mobilized continuously for more than one year, and that the optimal minimum period between such deployments should be five years. Authorizes the: (1) President to waive such limitations after certifying to Congress that the deployment is necessary to meet an operational emergency posing a threat to vital national security interests; or (2) chief of staff of the military department concerned (including the Coast Guard) to waive such limitations with respect to a member who has voluntarily requested mobilization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Child Pornography Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose a mandatory minimum prison term of two years for possession of child pornography and increase to 15 years the maximum prison term for such crime; (2) increase fines for the intentional failure of Internet service providers to report online child pornography and to impose a new fine for negligent failure to report; (3) make it a crime to knowingly access with intent to view child pornography; (4) prohibit conspiracies to commit human trafficking crimes; (5) expand and make mandatory restitution for certain child sex offenses; (6) include production of child pornography within the definition of "illicit sexual conduct" for purposes of the crime of transporting minors with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and (7) make the prohibition against sex trafficking of children applicable to prosecutions of child pornographers and repeat offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) use of median retail acquisition cost as the basis for Medicaid reimbursement limits on generic drugs; and (2) establishment of an evidence-based prescription drug program. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the costs of community retail pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007
Long-Term Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income of distributions from individual retirement accounts and other employee benefit plans used to pay long-term care insurance premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007
Foreign Seafood Safety Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the importation into the United States of any seafood or seafood product capable of use as human food from any foreign country unless: (1) the country applies for, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services issues, a certification finding that the country maintains seafood safety and inspection programs that use reliable analytical methods and that are at least as protective of human health as U.S. programs; and (2) such certification remains in effect. Directs the Secretary to: (1) periodically review such certifications; (2) revoke such certifications if the country involved is not maintaining seafood safety programs that meet the standards described in this Act; and (3) inspect individual establishments to ensure that the seafood safety programs of the foreign country involved meet such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2007
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct a five-year Federal Real Property Disposal Pilot Program for the expedited disposal of real property that is not meeting federal government needs. Requires agencies to recommend candidate disposition properties to the Director. Prohibits real property from being sold under the program: (1) for less than fair market value; (2) if it will not generate monetary proceeds to the federal government exceeding disposal costs; or (3) in a non-cash transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Military Spouses Memorial Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Military Spouse Legacy Association, Inc., to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor all those who have put their country first as military spouses throughout our Nation's history. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work. Makes the Military Spouse Legacy Association, Inc., solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of such work.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election to federal office to designate an individual for each of a candiate's authorized campaign committees who will be authorized to disburse funds of the committee in the event of the candidate's death.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Fair Mortgage Practices Act of 2007 - Prohibits any person, with certain exceptions, from engaging in the business of loan origination without first obtaining and maintaining a registration or a state license as a loan originator. Imposes on the federal banking agencies the sole responsibility for developing a system of registration for loan originators. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a system for: (1) licensed loan originators; and (2) state-licensed mortgage originators. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth: (1) disclosure requirements for consumer credit plans secured by the consumer's principal dwelling; and (2) consumer counseling requirements governing nontraditional mortgages. Expanding Housing Opportunities Through Education and Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to: (1) establish the Office of Housing Counseling; and (2) direct the HUD Secretary to establish and monitor counseling procedures for home ownership counseling and rental housing counseling provided in connection with any HUD program. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to instruct HUD to makes grants to states, local governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations providing home ownership or rental counseling that is HUD-certified. Directs the HUD Secretary to study and report to Congress on the root causes of default and foreclosure on home loans. Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to revise requirements for HUD consumer education booklets on the nature and costs of real estate settlement services. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) require a creditor to establish, in connection with a subprime mortgage transaction, an escrow or impound account for payment of taxes and hazard insurance; (2) require a disclosure notice for consumers who opt out of escrow services; and (3) limit prepayment penalties for certain introductory adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General for mortgage fraud prevention, investigation, and prosecution efforts. Sets forth property appraisal requirements governing the sale of subprime mortgages. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to revise requirements for the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, and prescribe requirements regarding appraiser independence and approved appraiser education. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on possible improvements in the appraisal process. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to permit a federal financial supervisory agency, in its examination of a regulated financial institution, to take into account certain counseling and transition programs of the institution for subprime borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Recognizes and commends the Marines of Company M ("Mike Company") of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, on the occasion of their 25th annual reunion.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
Military Retiree Dislocation Assistance Act of 2007 - Entitles a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or placed on the temporary disability list to a dislocation allowance when moving from such member's last duty station to such member's residence.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
Genuine American Flag Act - Prohibits the importation for sale of foreign-made flags of the United States of America (regardless of size and whether or not in compliance with the standard proportions prescribed by Executive order).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe standards for the establishment, certification, operation, and interoperability of independent health record trusts (IHRTs). Establishes a fiduciary duty requiring an IHRT to act for the benefit and interest of participants and of the IHRT as a whole. Sets forth penalties for any knowing or reckless breach of such duty. Sets forth permitted uses for an electronic health record, including: (1) a primary use for purposes of the individual's self-care or care by health care professionals; and (2) a secondary use for purposes of public health research or related activities. Directs that participation in an IHRT, or authorizing access to information from such trust, is voluntary. Prohibits any person from requiring that an individual participate in, or authorize access to information from, an IHRT. Authorizes an IHRT to generate revenue to pay for operations through: (1) charging participants account fees; (2) charging authorized IHRT data users for accessing electronic health records; (3) the sale of information; and (4) any other activity determined appropriate by the FTC. Prohibits an IHRT from charging a fee for the transmittal of information from a health care provider to be included in an independent electronic health record. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Steering Committee to coordinate the implementation of this Act. Requires the National Committee for Vital and Health Statistics to serve as an advisory committee for IHRTs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
Supports the designation and goals of "National 9-1-1 Education Month." Requests that the President issue a proclamation designating such a month and calling for appropriate ceremonies, training events, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2007
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 authorized the President to use the Armed Forces as appropriate to defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by the government of Iraq at the time; (2) the government of Iraq which was in power at that time has been removed; (3) the current Iraqi government does not pose a threat to the United States; and (4) after more than four years of efforts by members of the Armed Forces and U.S. civilians, the government of Iraq must now be responsible for Iraq's future course. Directs the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of Armed Forces in Iraq beginning no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act and complete the reduction and transition to a limited presence in Iraq by no later than April 1, 2008 Directs the President, by January 1, 2008, to transmit to the congressional defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees a comprehensive U.S. strategy for Iraq. Requires the President to update such strategy no later than July 1, 2008, and every 90 days thereafter, including a description of the number of Armed Forces deployed to Iraq and the missions for which they are so deployed.
![Official portrait of Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000255_200.jpg)