United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the prohibition against churches and other tax-exempt organizations participating in political campaigns or supporting or opposing candidates for public office. Provides that this repeal shall not invalidate or limit any provision of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the uniformed services whose retired pay in any taxable year is reduced due to an award of disability compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs an extension of the three-year limitation period for filing tax refund claims until one year after the date of a disability determination. Limits the period for which such refund claims may be filed to taxable years beginning less than 15 years before the date of a disability determination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Transportation may not grant authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones of the U.S.-Mexico border.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Amends federal provisions concerning the federal employee leave transfer program to exempt an employee who is undergoing medical treatment for a combat-related disability sustained while such individual was a member of the Armed Forces from the requirement that his or her annual and sick leave be exhausted before any transferred leave may be used. Limits the exemption to no more than five years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of the Ombudsman to act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of VA health care and benefits. Requires the: (1) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Office services are available to all veterans and their families; (2) Secretary to make available to such veterans and family members information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Office; and (3) confidentiality of information provided to the Office by veterans and family members.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the National Housing Act with respect to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) housing loan insurance for manufactured homes (or lots for such homes). Exempts such loans from certain financial institution portfolio limits, increasing an allowable claim for loss from 10% to 90% of an institution's total amount of such loans, credit advances, and purchases. Makes any new contract of insurance for such loans, credit advances, or purchases conclusive evidence of an institution's insurance eligibility. (Thus requires each loan to be insured individually instead of as part of a bundle of such loans.) Increases loan limits, requiring annual indexing. Sets forth borrower premium charges, including an up-front premium of up to 2.25% and an annual premium of up to 1%. Revises requirements for the handling and disposal of any real or personal conveyed to or acquired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the pursuit of all claims against mortgagors assigned to the Secretary by mortgagees. Directs the Secretary of HUD to establish underwriting criteria that will ensure the manufactured housing program's financial soundness.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Parent's Right to Know Act of 2007 - Prohibits any funds appropriated for carrying out federal family planning programs from being made available to any family planning project if any service provider in the project knowingly provides contraceptive drugs or devices to a minor, unless: (1) such provider has given actual written notice to a custodial parent or legal guardian at least five business days prior to providing the drugs or prescription devices; (2) the minor has written consent of a parent or legal guardian; (3) the minor is emancipated; or (4) a court has directed that the minor may receive such drugs or prescription devices. Requires providers to certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that judicial interpretations of the U.S. Constitution should not be based on judgments, laws, or pronouncements of foreign institutions unless such judgments, laws, or pronouncements inform an understanding of the original meaning of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2007
Public Prayer Protection Act of 2007 - Denies the Supreme Court and district courts jurisdiction to review any matter related to the alleged establishment of religion involving the expression of public prayer by any federal, state, or local government entity or a government officer or agent acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow bonds guaranteed by any federal home loan bank to be treated as tax-exempt state or local bonds (thus excluding interest on such bonds from gross income).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a national combat veteran reintegration program (to be known as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program) to provide National Guard members and their families with information, services, referral, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. Requires the Program to consist of informational events and activities for such members, their families, and community members through the following phases of the deployment cycle: (1) pre-deployment; (2) deployment; (3) demobilization; and (4) post-deployment-reconstitution. Requires the: (1) National Guard Bureau to establish the Office for Reintegration Programs to administer state National Guard reintegration programs; and (2) Bureau Chief to establish a Center for Excellence in Reintegration.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) federal authorities should use all tools at their disposal to strengthen and enforce immigration laws; (2) the policy of certain cities and other political subdivisions of providing sanctuary to illegal aliens encourages illegal immigration; (3) state and local law enforcement officials should report immigration violations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (4) Congress should reject legislation which would grant amnesty to illegal aliens currently residing in the United States until all existing immigration laws are enforced; and (5) federal immigration laws must be enforced to ensure the integrity of our immigration system and the sovereignty of our nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) restrictions on U.S. visits by high-level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including the President of Taiwan, should be lifted; (2) the United States should allow direct Cabinet level exchanges in order to strengthen a policy dialogue with Taiwan; and (3) it is in the U.S. national interest to strengthen links with the democratically-elected government of Taiwan and demonstrate stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Disabled Veterans Insurance Act of 2007 - Increases from $20,000 to $40,000 the maximum amount of supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance for totally disabled veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Military Pay Improvement Act of 2007 - Waives, during FY2008, the basic military pay adjustment tied to increases in the Employment Cost Index. Increases, effective January 1, 2008, such basic pay by 3.5%.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2014, up to 350,000 one-dollar coins designed to be emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America. Requires sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, which shall be paid to the United Negro College Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Provides for the consideration of a petition for federal recognition as an Indian tribe by the Lumbee Indians of Robeson and adjoining counties of North Carolina. Expresses the sense of the Congress that review of such petition should not unnecessarily delay review of petitions awaiting active consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities; (2) establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas; (3) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas; and (4) report annually to Congress on matters related to VA care for veterans residing in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Recognizes the health benefits of seafood consumption. Encourages eating seafood as part of a balanced diet at least twice a week to help lower the risk of heart disease and obesity. Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Greater Hells Canyon ecosystem; (6) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (7) Blackfeet Wilderness. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as wilderness and components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program to screen veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, medical, and nursing home care for symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI); (2) develop and carry out a program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation; (3) establish a TBI transition office at each VA polytrauma network site to coordinate the provision of health care and services to veterans who suffer from moderate to severe TBI and are in need of health care and services not immediately offered by the VA; and (4) establish and maintain the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans' Health Registry.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from tax interest on federally-guaranteed bonds for the financing of water, wastewater, and essential community facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of civilian federal employees compensation for active service in a combat zone or for periods of hospitalization for wounds, diseases, or injuries incurred while serving in a combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Financial Privacy Notice Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt from its annual privacy policy notice requirement any financial institution which: (1) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with specified requirements; (2) does not share information with affiliates under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; and (3) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information from those disclosed in the most recent disclosure sent to consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider a person born in the United States "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth purposes if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national; (2) a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States; or (3) an alien performing active service in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement (TREE) Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction for 60% of qualified timber gains; (2) exempt deductible timber gains from the excise tax on the undistributed income of real estate investment trusts (REITs); (3) provide for the treatment of timber gains as qualifying REIT income and for mineral royalty income as qualifying income for timber REITs; and (4) provide special rules relating to income limitations and prohibited transactions for timber REITs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
A Home for the Brave Act - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to require the appropriate federal financial supervisory agency, when assessing the record of a financial institution, to take into account capital investments, low interest loans, loan participation, technical assistance, and grants by the institution to support or enable: (1) any veteran to purchase a home for use as the principal residence of the veteran; and (2) any entity that is establishing housing opportunities or assisted living facilities for veterans to carry out such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2007
Repeals 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 retired pay or would be entitled to such pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member. Changes to October 1, 2007 (previously October 1, 2008) the effective date for paid-up coverage provisions under the SBP and the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2007
Commemorates the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the colony Jamestown in 1607, and urges all Americans to honor this seminal event in our nation's history.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2007
Mortgage Cancellation Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts attributable to the discharge of certain residential mortgage obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2007
Recognizes the significant and lifesaving contributions of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to current combat operations. Notes the need for increased funding for development and deployment of UGVs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act - Directs each U.S. corporation or subsidiary that utilizes a call center to initiate telephone calls to, or receive calls from, individuals located in the United States to require each call center employee to disclose the physical location of such employee at the beginning of such call. Requires such corporation or subsidiary to annually certify to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) their compliance with such requirement. Subjects noncomplying corporations or subsidiaries to such civil penalties as the FTC may prescribe. Directs the FTC to prescribe rules for effective monitoring and compliance with such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 1 Freedom Way in Augusta, Georgia, as the "Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
NAFTA Trucking Safety Act of 2007 - Prohibits a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier from being granted authority to operate beyond U.S. municipalities and commercial zones on the U.S.-Mexico border until one or more of the following officials as specified (the Secretaries of Transportation and of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation Inspector General) certify to Congress that they have met conditions pertaining to: (1) the identification of federal motor carrier safety regulations and acceptance of compliance with Mexican safety regulations; (2) safety enforcement tools; (3) effective and regular monitoring and enforcement of immigration and customs regulations regarding international traffic under the North American Free Trade Agreement; (4) penalties for violation of immigration and customs laws or regulations concerning transportation by Mexico-domiciled carriers; (5) driver records databases used in Mexico; (6) compliance with conditions listed in the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 concerning cross-border trucking safety; and (7) English language proficiency requirements applicable to drivers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) prohibitions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures. Declares that an action for civil liability may be brought against a merchant's assignee only if the violation is apparent on the face of a rental-purchase agreement to which it relates, including, but not limited to, a disclosure that can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the agreement. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate implementing regulations. Grants enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission and to state attorneys general. Subjects to criminal penalties any willful and knowing violation of the information disclosure requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Fairness in Firearm Testing Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to make a video recording of the entire process of its examination and testing of an item for the purpose of determining whether the item is a firearm (and if so, the type of firearm) or ammunition. Bars the Bureau from editing or erasing any such recording. Directs the Bureau to make available a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording: (1) at the request of a person who claims an ownership interest in such item; and (2) to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving such item. Provides that an item which the Bureau has determined is a firearm or ammunition shall not be admissible as evidence unless: (1) the Bureau has complied with the requirements of this Act to make its digital video disc available; or (2) such compliance has been waived in writing by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Catastrophe Savings Accounts Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create tax-exempt catastrophe savings accounts (CSAs). Allows tax-free distributions from CSAs to pay expenses resulting from a presidentially declared major disaster. Limits CSA balances to: (1) $2,000 (for individuals with homeowner insurance deductibles of not more than $1,000); and (2) the lesser of $15,000 or twice a homeowner's insurance deductible (for individuals with deductibles of more than $1,000).
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2007
Amends Rule XXII (House and Senate Relations) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider a conference report comprising text that would be within the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, except for a conference report on any measure continuing appropriations or making supplemental appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2007
Clay Moore Kidnaping Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 30 years on illegal aliens who kidnap individuals under age 18.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2007
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, in the case of a regular or reserve member of the Armed Forces with a combat-related disability who is entitled to monthly retired pay, to permit such member to elect an alternative retired pay rate based on $2,917, the average monthly salary for high school graduates in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to veterans with service-connected disabilities, to permit such veterans to elect to receive a monthly compensation of $2,917 (in the case of a service-connected disability rated as total) or a percentage of such amount (depending on the percentage rating of the disability).
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2007
MedPAC Rural Representation Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that the proportion of members of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) who represent the interests of health care providers and Medicare beneficiaries located in rural areas be no less than the proportion of the total number of Medicare beneficiaries who reside in such areas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2007
Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as five-year depreciable property. Makes this Act applicable to property placed in service after April 11, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2007
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 · 27 March 2007
Honors the sacrifices and commitment of the 53,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians that comprise the nation's special operations forces community. Honors the families of such forces. Recognizes that the U.S. military should seek to replicate the success that such forces has created on the island of Basilan in the Philippines on other fronts throughout the Global War on Terror.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2007
Preservation Approval Process Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) suspend mandatory processing of Previous Participation Certificates under the Automated Partners Performance System (APPS); and (2) permit paper filings of such certificates until the December 2006 draft of specified proposed regulations are revised and submitted for review to certain congressional committees. Instructs the Secretary also to suspend immediately all filing requirements under the Previous Participation Certificate process with respect to limited liability corporate investors who own or expect to own an interest in entities which are allowed or are expected to be allowed specified low-income housing tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design in honor of the passengers and crew members, collectively, on board United Airlines Flight 93 in recognition of their heroic service to the Nation. Requires the gold medal, after such award, to be given to the Flight 93 National Memorial located in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, in Pennsylvania, to be displayed as appropriate and made available for research.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2007
Joins the Secretary of Defense in honoring the children of members of the Armed Forces and recognizes that they share in the burden of protecting the nation. Urges Americans to join the military community in observing April as National Month of the Military Child. Recognizes with great appreciation the contributions of private sector organizations in providing resources and assistance to military families and their communities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2007
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000255_200.jpg)