United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where (1) more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority, and (2) the illiteracy rate of such minority exceeds the national rate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide that committee funds shall not be used for travel unless its official nature is established by resolution approved by majority vote of the committee involved. Requires that the official travel resolution set forth specific items including the purpose of each destination, the names of all persons who propose to take the trip, the anticipated benefit to the taxpayers, and the estimated total expense.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1976
Government Executive Analysis and Reform (GEAR) Commission Act - Establishes the Government Executive Analysis and Reform (GEAR) Commission consisting of 18 members appointed by the President. States that six members are to be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; four each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Chief Justice of the United States. Directs the Commission to study all Executive departments and independent agencies and other authorities of the Federal Government: (1) to determine whether regulatory activities have limited competition within segments of the economy and whether such regulators have contributed to current economic difficulties; and (2) the purposes, structure and jurisdiction, statutory framework, and procedures of such agencies. Directs the Commission to assess the costs and benefits of Federal programs and to make recommendations concerning the restructure of the Government to improve the efficiency of Federal programs. Requires the Commission to submit its recommendations to the President and Congress within 33 months after it first meets. Requires the President to submit to Congress his findings an specific proposals for legislation within 90 days of receipt of the Commission's report. Establishes the Task Force on American Federalism composed of 20 members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Task Force to study the appropriate levels of responsibility among units of local, State and the Federal Government, means for each level to finance such responsibilities, and the extent of intergovernmental assistance required to achieve the proper balance and division of respective Federal, State and local roles and authorities. Directs the Task Force to submit its final report to Congress 15 months after it first meets stating its findings and proposals for constitutional amendments, legislation, or administrative action necessary to carry out its recommendations. Terminates the Task Force and the Commission 90 days after submission of their final reports. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1976
Diplomatic Relations Act - Authorizes the President to regulate the privileges and immunities of foreign diplomatic missions and their personnel in a manner consistent with international agreements. Defines "foreign diplomatic mission and personnel thereof" for purposes of this Act. Requires the President to periodically publish a list of permanent foreign diplomatic missions and the personnel thereof. Declares void any judicial writ or process against a person or the property of any person entitled to immunity from suit or process under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where (1) more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority, and (2) the illiteracy rate of such minority exceeds the national rate.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
States that the House of Representatives disapproves of The Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 passed by the Council of the District of Columbia on June 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
States that the Congress disapproves of The Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 Passed by the Council of the District of Columbia on June 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver of such requirement is granted in accordance with conditions set forth in this Act. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 2, 1979, specified tax provisions for veterans wounded in the Vietnam conflict and spouses of persons missing in action in the Vietnam combat zone. Provides that after such date: (1) persons classified as missing in action in the Vietnam conflict will be considered dead for purposes of computing the terms of surviving spouses; (2) pay earned while hospitalized for wounds received in the Vietnam combat zone will be included in gross income; (3) income tax will be assessed for the taxable years in which veterans die as a result of service in the Vietnam conflict; (4) spouses of persons classified as missing in action may not elect to file joint tax returns; and (5) time requirements concerning filing, paying, claiming, assessing, collecting and commencing actions regarding tax liability will resume running against spouses of persons missing in the Vietnam combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1976
Small Business Growth and Job Creation Act - Title I: Small Business Independence and Continuation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish graduated corporate income tax rates. Changes the holding period for capital assets from six months to one year. Establishes a new alternative tax on capital gains. Increases the estate tax exemption from $60,000 to $180,000. Establishes a new rate schedule for the estate tax. Increases the gift tax exclusion from $3,000 to $9,000, and the gift tax exemption from $30,000 to $90,000. Replaces the present gift tax schedule with a flat rate of 75 percent of whatever the estate tax on such a sum would be. Provides that a distribution of property by a corporation in redemption of stock to pay death taxes shall be treated as a distribution in full payment in exchange for the stock if all of the stock of such corporation which is included in determining the value of the decedent's gross estate is either, (1) more than 20 percent (generally, 35 percent), of the value of the gross estate of such decedent, or (2) more than 40 percent (generally, 50 percent) of the taxable estate of such decedent. Provides that if stock in a corporation is sold by a shareholder owning stock representing more than 30 percent of the fair market value of all outstanding stock of the corporation whose stock is being sold, the gain from such sale shall be recognized only to the extent that the taxpayer's sale price exceeds the cost of replacement property purchased by the taxpayer within two years. Defines "replacement property" as property which is held for the production of income or which is held for investment. Allows the executor of an estate involving an interest in a closely held business to elect to include in the value of the gross estate the decedent's basis in such business rather than the fair market value of such interest. States that the basis of property acquired from a decedent as to which such an election was made shall be the decedent's basis in such property rather than the fair market value of such interest. Allows the marital deduction of the estate tax to exceed 50 percent of the value of the adjusted gross estate when an interest in a specially defined small business is included in the estate. Title II: Small Business Growth Incentives - Allows a taxpayer to choose the cash method of accounting in any case where inventory is an income determining factor and the ending inventory for the taxable year does not exceed $200,000. Provides a deferred tax credit against taxable income for unincorporated businesses. Establishes a graduated investment tax credit. Amends the definition of a small business corporation to allow domestic corporations with up to 20 shareholders (presently, ten) to qualify for subchapter S treatment. Allows a small business to make a subchapter S election at any time during the taxable year. Allows to a business a credit equal to 50 percent of the wages paid during the taxable year to new employees, up to two employees and $20,000 for the taxable year. Allows a similar credit for new disadvantaged employees up to a maximum of $60,000 per taxable year. Allows the practical cost recovery method to be used in computing depreciation. Title III: Small Business Tax Simplification - Allows a corporation to file an application for refund of overpayment of estimated income tax at any time during the taxable year. Provides a special rule for treatment of net operating loss adjustments in the case of new corporations. Increases the minimum credit on accumulated earnings from $150,000 to $500,000. Redefines "section 1244 stock" to mean common stock in a corporation if: (1) such corporation during its preceding taxable year derived more than 50 percent of its aggregate gross receipts from sources other than royalties, rents, dividends, interest, annuities, and sales or exchanges of stock or securities; and (2) the equity capital of such corporation does not exceed $1,000,000. Increases the losses on section 1244 stock which may be treated as ordinary losses (rather than capital losses) from $25,000 to $50,000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Federal Support Payment Act - Authorizes individuals, to whom the proceeds of a child support order are payable, to register such order in any court in any State in which the individual responsible for making such payments resides. Allows courts, in which such an order is registered, to entertain contempt proceedings against an individual who fails to comply with the support order in the same manner as if the court originally issued the order. Requires a court in which any support order is registered or any enforcement proceedings are undertaken to send written notice of such action to the original court.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Defense shall inter an Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War in Arlington National Cemetery and make a permanent display of representative medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam War in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 1976
Provides, under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, that the national emergency procedures thereunder may be applied to strikes or lockouts which will cause losses of agricultural crops.
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Georgi Vins should be released from imprisonment and that the Government of the Soviet Union should allow him and all other religious believers within its borders to worship God freely, as the Soviet Union is committed to do by the provisions of its constitution and by the provisions of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 1976
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to exempt from the sex discrimination prohibition provision of such Act, musical or social programs or activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no person shall be elected or appointed to a term as President, Vice President, Senator, or Representative if such person would attain the age of sixty-five years before taking office for such term, and no person who has attained the age of sixty-five years may be an ambassador, public minister or consul, judge of the Supreme Court, or any other officer of the United States who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Condemns North Korea for its continued acts of treachery culminating in the axe murders of two American officers and the wounding of five others. Directs the Speaker of the House to make known the regrets of the House to the wives and children and other survivors of Major Bonifas and Lieutenant Barrett.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Directs the House Committee on Armed Services to make a study of the murder by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement. Requires the committee to transmit a report to the House containing a statement of the findings of the committee no later than January 3, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take such steps as may be necessary to place the threat to the peace created by the murder of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement, on the agenda of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a medal commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the drafting by Thomas Jefferson in 1777 of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
States that the House of Representatives disapproves of The Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 passed by the Council of the District of Columbia on June 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
States that the House of Representatives disapproves of the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 passed by the Council of the District of Columbia on June 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Regulatory Cost Impact Act - Requires every Federal agency to prepare in conjunction with every regulation it proposes which may have a significant impact on costs to the public a Regulatory Cost/Benefit Assessment setting forth the foreseeable costs and benefits of and alternatives to such regulation. Requires that hearings on such regulations include comments solicited from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies on the final wording of such cost/benefit assessment. Provides special procedures for emergency regulations which must be promulgated immediately to protect the public. Requires each committee of Congress which reports legislation which may have a significant impact on costs to the public to prepare a Regulatory Cost/Benefit Assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Provides, under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, that the national emergency procedures thereunder may be applied to strikes or lockouts which will cause losses of agricultural crops.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in providing therapeutic and rehabilitation activities, to provide for the participation of patients and members in Veterans' Administration health facilities in the assemblage of poppies or other similar projects carried out at such facilities, which are sponsored by a national veterans service organization or its auxiliary. Directs that patients and members be compensated by the sponsoring organization for their participation in such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Comprehensive Right-to-Quality Medical Care Act - Requires that any Federal officer or agency proposing any health care regulation submit such regulation to each House of Congress together with a report containing a full explanation thereof. Allows either House of Congress to keep the proposed regulation from becoming effective by adopting a resolution disapproving the regulation because: (1) it contains provisions contrary to law; (2) it is inconsistent with the intent of Congress; or (3) it goes beyond the mandate of the legislation which it is designed to implement or in the administration of which it is designed to be used. Establishes rules for the consideration of any resolution regarding such proposed regulations. Requires the head of any Federal agency or department, at least 60 days prior to the initial publication of any health cost regulation, to submit notice of intended publication and the text of such regulation to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Amends the Social Security Act to repeal specified Medicare utilization review provisions, specified utilization review provisions and maternal and child health programs, and specified professional standards review provisions. Guarantees the confidentiality of medical records of any patient whose medical or dental care is not paid by the Federal Government, under a Federal program, or by any program receiving Federal financial assistance, unless such patient has authorized such disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Commends the government and commando units of Israel for the rescue mission at Entebbe Airport. Disapproves efforts being undertaken by certain nations to condemn or censure Israel for such mission. Supports the United States-United Kingdom position at the United Nations condemning all acts of terrorism. Requests the President to engage in the negotiation of agreements with other nations to help prevent acts of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to directly regulate sales prices of new natural gas except for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Stipulates that prices for onshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Stipulates that prices paid for natural gas in transactions between a natural gas company and its affiliates shall not exceed prices paid in comparable sales by persons not affiliated with any natural gas company. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make reports regarding the nature and availability of natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the estimated natural gas reserves for individual fields. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Stipulates that the provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall extend to synthetic natural gas. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards. Establishes procedures for the establishment and periodic revision of national ceiling prices for the sale of old natural gas in interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1976
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that any employer who successfully contests a citation or penalty under such Act shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1976
Amends rule XXXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow specified present and former employees and Members of the House to enter the Hall of the House and rooms leading thereto. Provides that such persons shall not be admitted if they have any direct personal or pecuniary interest in any legislative measure coming up for consideration in the House.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that no individual whose social security or railroad retirement benefits are increased should suffer, by reason of such increase, a loss of or reduction in any pension which he or she (or any member of his or her family) is otherwise entitled to receive under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration. Stipulates that the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs should without delay consider and report legislation eliminating the possibility of any loss of or reduction in pensions payable under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration on account of increases in social security or railroad benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1976
Authorizes the State of California to elect not to implement the food stamp program for beneficiaries of supplemental security income but to provide instead for a higher level of State supplementary benefits under Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1976
Limits the persons who may be admitted to the Federal competitive service to those individuals who either are United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. Authorizes the President to prescribe exceptions from such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1976
Amends the Third Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1957 to provide that unexpended funds subject to disbursement by the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States four months after the close of the fiscal year for which such funds are appropriated.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1976
Provides that no payment shall be made from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives unless such payment is approved by a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives. Directs that the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives shall submit proposed payments from the contingent fund to the House of Representatives for approval.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1976
Provides that any statement or other information furnished by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to any Member of the House of Representatives relating to the expenditure of funds from any expense allowance available for use by such Member shall be available for public inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category (as so characterized in the Budget of the United States, Fiscal Year 1977, transmitted to Congress by the President on January 21, 1976), the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in the annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1976
Amends Rule X of the House of Representatives to provide that any Member of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may, at his own discretion, disqualify himself from participating in any investigation of the conduct of any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Provides that when such action is taken the Speaker of the House shall designate a Member of the House from the same political party as the disqualifying member of the committee to act as a Member of the committee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1976
Paperwork Review and Limitation Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require that each public bill or resolution reported by a Congressional committee be accompanied by a Paperwork Impact Statement which assesses the amount and character of the information that such bill or resolution will require of private individuals and businesses and the cost of time required of such individuals or businesses who must provide the information sought by such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1976
Creates a House select committee which shall conduct an investigation of all records, memorandums, papers, documents, books, and other information of any standing or select committee of the House or officer of the House respecting expenses incurred by or on behalf of any such committee or its members or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that whenever an employer's failure to comply with any provision of that Act or any State requirement relating to industrial safety causes or contributes to an accident resulting in bodily injury, no provision of any workers' compensation law or similar statute shall be construed to bar an action at law for contribution, indemnification, or other relief against the employer by a person alleged liable for such injury.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the limitation on the number of Members who may introduce jointly any bill, memorial, or resolution.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ketchum, William M. [R-CA-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000153_200.jpg)