United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2009
Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps program for the awarding of grants to nonprofits to assist them in establishing programs to provide assistance dogs to certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have certain disabilities. Defines the term "assistance dog" to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of such a disability, except that such term does not include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of National Aerospace Day. Recognizes the contributions of the aerospace industry to the history, economy, security, and educational system of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2009
Military Family Leave Act of 2009 - Entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Allows such leave to: (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate. Allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request. Provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave. Prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2009
Urges: (1) the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue a commemorative stamp honoring Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner; (2) basing the stamp on the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) poster from 1964 created by prominent Civil Rights movement photographer Danny Lyon; and (3) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend such issuance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009
Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate increased and mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses involving mixtures or substances which contain cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine).
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2009
Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to support investments in clean water and drinking water infrastructure. Imposes through 2015: (1) an excise tax on the sale of containers of water-based beverages, water disposal products, and pharmaceutical products; and (2) a clean water tax on corporations. Appropriates revenues raised from such taxes to the Trust Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate amounts from the Trust Fund for specified clean and safe drinking water programs. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) expand the types of projects eligible for funding by state revolving loan funds; and (2) set forth additional criteria for states in developing priorities for assistance under such Acts; and (3) provide for technical assistance to community water systems and small water treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to: (1) increase the security of community water systems and water treatment works; (2) hire certified wastewater treatment operators; and (3) control sewer overflow. Requires the Administrator to make grants to: (1) support efforts by water systems to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change; (2) establish a national water infrastructure research, development, and demonstration program and regional university water research centers; and (3) take back and dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in an environmentally sound manner.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2009
Condemns the June 2009 coup d'etat in Honduras, refuses to recognize the Micheletti government installed by such coup d'etat, and calls for the reinstatement of President Zelaya as President of Honduras. Welcomes the mediation of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Equal Employment for All Act - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a current or prospective employer from using a consumer report or an investigative consumer report, or from causing one to be procured, for either employment purposes or for making an adverse action, if the report contains information that bears upon the consumer's creditworthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for employment: (1) which requires a national security or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) clearance; (2) with a state or local government agency which otherwise requires use of a consumer report; or (3) in a supervisory, managerial, professional, or executive position at a financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Enhanced Violent Crime Community Policing Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) allow the use of public safety and community policing grants to hire and train new career law enforcement officers for deployment in communities with high incidences of violent crime; (2) direct the Attorney General to make grants to local governments to hire and train new career law enforcement officers for deployment in high crime areas to enhance community policing in such areas; and (3) authorize the Attorney General to give preference to grant applications for the hiring and training of new career law enforcement officers for deployment in high crime areas. Specifies that grant amounts shall provide for a 5 to 10% increase in the size of a grantee's sworn police force.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Young Adults Financial Literacy Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make competitive grants to, and enter contracts with, eligible institutions to establish centers of excellence to support research, development and planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs in financial literacy education for young adults and families ages 15-24 years old. Defines "eligible institution" as any partnership consisting of an institution of higher education and any of the following: (1) one or more local educational agencies; (2) a nonprofit agency, organization, or association; (3) a community-based organization; or (4) a financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), upon a request by the chairman or ranking minority member of either congressional budget committee, to determine if a proposed measure would result in reductions in budget outlays in budgetary outyears through the use of preventive health and preventive health services. Requires CBO, if the measure would result in such substantial reductions, to include in any CBO projection a description and estimate of such reductions and a description of the basis for such conclusions. Authorizes CBO to prepare a budget projection that includes some or all of the budgetary outyears.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Health Information Technology (IT) Public Utility Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a Federal Consolidated Health Information Technology Board to facilitate the implementation of electronic health record systems among safety-net health care providers, particularly small, rural providers. Sets forth the duties of the Board, which include: (1) ensuring that there is a constant interoperability between VistA (the software program utilized by the Department of Veterans Affair [VA]) and the RPMS (the Resource and Patient Management System of the Indian Health Service); (2) updating VistA and RPMS open source software on a timely basis; (3) establishing a child-specific electronic health record; and (4) developing and integrating quality and performance measurements. Directs the Board to establish the 21st Century Health Information Technology (HIT) Grant Program to award competitive grants to eligible safety-net health care providers to enable such providers to fully implement VistA or RPMS with respect to the patients served by such providers. Directs the Board to give preference to applicants that: (1) are located in geographical areas that have a greater likelihood of serving the same patients and utilizing interoperability to promote coordinated care management; or (2) demonstrate the greatest need for such award. Authorizes the Board to award competitive grants to eligible long-term care providers for demonstration projects to implement VistA or RPMS with respect to the individuals served by such providers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2009
Expresses the profound sympathies of the House of Representatives for the victims of the tragic Metrorail accident on Monday, June 22, 2009, and for their families, friends, and associates.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into chronic care improvement program operator agreements with applicant states to provide for the development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of severe mental illness chronic care improvement demonstration programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Caring for an Aging America Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish a Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program to enter into contracts with qualified physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists, social workers, physician assistants, and psychologists to pay educational loans in exchange for providing full-time clinical practice and service to older adults; and (2) establish the National Advisory Council on the Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that individuals eligible for the nurse loan repayment program include registered nurses who complete specialty training in geriatrics or gerontology and who elect to provide nursing services to older adults in home and long-term care settings. Authorizes the Secretary to award nursing education grants and enter into contracts for programs that focus on specialty training in providing long-term care services for nursing personnel who provide services in home and long-term care settings. Requires the Secretary to establish a Health and Long-Term Care Workforce Advisory Panel to: (1) examine, and provide advice on, workforce issues related to health and long-term care for the aging population; and (2) conduct a research project to identify incentives for recruitment and retention of clinicians and providers who agree to serve vulnerable older adults in geriatric and long-term care settings.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a hazardous waste electronic manifest system that may be used by a hazardous waste generator or transporter, an owner or operator of a hazardous waste treatment, storage, recycling, or disposal facility, or any other person that: (1) is required to use a manifest to comply with any federal or state requirement to track the shipment, transportation, and receipt of hazardous waste or other material shipped from the generation site to an off-site facility for treatment, storage, disposal, or recycling; and (2) elects to use the system to complete and transmit an electronic manifest format; or (3) submits to the system for data processing purposes a paper copy of the manifest (or data from such a paper copy). Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) impose service fees on users to pay for developing, operating, maintaining, and upgrading the system, including any costs incurred in collecting and processing data from any paper manifest submitted to the system after the date on which the system enters operation; (2) deposit the fees into the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund (established by this Act); and (3) enter into information technology contracts with appropriate entities for the provision of system-related services. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Advisory Board; and (2) carry out this Act in each state unless the state program is fully authorized to do so. Requires a designated facility that receives waste, in cases in which the state in which waste is generated or transported to such facility requires that the waste be tracked through a hazardous waste manifest, to: (1) complete the facility portion of the applicable manifest; (2) sign and date the facility certification; and (3) submit to the system a final copy of the manifest.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Food Desert Oasis Act of 2009 - Designates certain U.S. cities as Food Desert Zones. Defines a "qualified food desert business" as a wholesale or retail business that derives at least 25% of its gross receipts from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. Grants certain tax benefits to a qualified food desert business, including an increased tax credit rate for rehabilitation expenditures, empowerment zone status, and tax-exempt bond financing. Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to: (1) increase to 100% the federal share of costs associated with hunger-free communities program activities in a Food Desert Zone in FY2010-FY2015; and (2) extend the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY2015. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit annual reports to Congress on the Food Desert Oasis Pilot Program under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to establish the Robert T. Matsui Center for Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Health Care. Provides for health care workforce diversity activities, including the establishment of: (1) a national working group on workforce diversity; (2) an aggregated database on health professional students; and (3) the Advisory Committee on Health Professions Training for Diversity. Requires health-related programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect data on race, ethnicity, primary language, and sexual orientation. Directs each federal health agency to implement a strategic plan to eliminate disparities on the basis of race, ethnicity, and primary language and improve the health and health care of minority populations. Prohibits discrimination under any health care service or research program or activity receiving federal financial assistance on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status. Requires the establishment of: (1) an Office of Health Disparities within the Office of Civil Rights; (2) civil rights compliance offices in HHS agencies that administer health programs; and (3) an Office of Minority Health within specified agencies. Reestablishes the Indian Health Service within the Public Health Service of HHS to be administered by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Health. Directs the President to execute, administer, and enforce provisions to address environmental justice in minority and low-income populations. Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2009 - Provides for the establishment of health empowerment zones in communities that experience disproportionate disparities in health status and health care. Sets forth programs to reduce health disparities, including by: (1) expanding the Minority HIV/AIDS initiative; (2) establishing the Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission; and (3) revising eligibility requirements for federal assistance programs with respect to individuals lawfully present in the United States. Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary to implement the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Program to achieve a reduction of at least 25% in the mortality rate of lung cancer by 2015. Provides for research and other activities with respect to diabetes in minority populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to increase from 95% to 100% the federal share of costs for federal-aid highway projects and public transportation projects for the state of Michigan for FY2010-FY2011.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Families for Orphans Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Department of State the Office for Orphan Policy Diplomacy and Development which shall support: (1) the preservation and reunification of families; and (2) the provision of permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the President to establish the Policy Coordinating Committee which shall monitor and support international efforts in family preservation, family reunification, and permanent parental care for orphans. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to foreign countries: (1) for family preservation, family reunification, and orphan care efforts; and (2) to meet minimum standards required for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to nongovernmental agencies to promote permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate a study to identify global best practices for preserving and reunifying families and providing permanent parental care for orphans; and (2) carry out a global best practices pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2009
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Prohibits related retaliation. Makes this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; and (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces. Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran. Provides for the construction of this Act regarding: (1) enforcement by employers of rules and policies; (2) sexual harassment; (3) certain shared facilities such as showers or dressing facilities; (4) construction of new or additional facilities; (5) dress and grooming standards; and (6) provision of employee benefits to married vs. unmarried couples. Declares that, in this Act, "married" refers to a legal union between one man and one woman. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from collecting statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or compelling the collection by covered entities of such statistics. Provides for enforcement, including giving the EEOC, the Librarian of Congress, the Attorney General, and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and other specified laws. Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and the states.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2009
Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment Act of 2009 or the TRADE Act of 2009 - Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) review biennially certain free trade agreements (including Uruguay Round Agreements) between the United States and foreign countries to evaluate their economic, environmental, national security, health, safety, and other effects; and (2) report on them to the Congressional Trade Agreement Review Committee (established by this Act), including analyses of specified aspects of each agreement and certain information about agreement parties, such as whether the country has a democratic form of government, respects certain core labor rights and fundamental human rights, protects intellectual property rights, and enforces environmental laws. Declares that implementing bills of new trade agreements shall not be subject to expedited consideration or special procedures limiting amendment, unless such agreements include certain standards with respect to: (1) labor; (2) human rights; (3) environment and public safety; (4) food and product health and safety; (5) provision of services; (6) investment; (7) procurement; (8) intellectual property; (9) agriculture; (10) trade remedies and safeguards; (11) dispute resolution and enforcement; (12) technical assistance; (13) national security; and (14) taxation. Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan for the renegotiation of existing trade agreements to bring them into compliance with such standards. Establishes a Congressional Trade Agreement Review Committee. Expresses the sense of Congress that certain processes for U.S. trade negotiations should be followed when Congress considers legislation providing special procedures for implementing bills of trade agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2009
Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to condition continued approval of a state plan upon state assessment of its policies with respect to barriers to employment and financial support of children. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to states for an employment demonstration project involving a court- or state child support agency supervised-employment program for noncustodial parents who have barriers to employment and a history of nonpayment, so that they can pay their child support obligations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants for transitional jobs programs and for public-private career pathways partnerships. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) funding for responsible fatherhood programs; (2) activities promoting responsible fatherhood; and (3) elimination of a separate TANF work participation rate for two-parent families. Prohibits a state from conditioning receipt of TANF or certain other benefits on: (1) participation in a healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood program; or (2) assignment to the state of certain support rights. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to prohibit a state from collecting any amount owed it by reason of costs it has incurred for the birth of a child for whom support rights have been assigned. Requires a state to make a full distribution of collected child support to the family. Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with respect to: (1) deductions from family income for child support received in order to qualify for food stamps; (2) verification of child support payments; and (3) inclusion of economic opportunities programs in qualifying work programs. Amends SSA title IV part A with respect to: (1) grants to healthy family partnerships for domestic violence intervention and prevention; and (2) grant recipients and their procedures for responding to the risks of domestic violence. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the credit percentage under the earned income tax credit for eligible individuals with no qualifying children; and (2) require information pertaining to the customer's adjusted basis in broker's returns in the case of securities transactions. Amends the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 with respect to the effective date of its leasing provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the economic substance doctrine.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2009
Water System Adaptation Partnerships Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to water systems to assist in planning, designing, constructing, implementing, or maintaining any program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement to: (1) conserve water or increase water use efficiency; (2) carry out water metering to measure water efficiency effectiveness of a water efficiency program; (3) preserve or improve water quality; (4) enhance water management by increasing source water preservation and protection, or natural or engineered green infrastructure, in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater; (5) increase energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater; (6) support the adoption and use of advanced water treatment, water supply management, or water demand management technologies or processes that maintain or increase water supply or improve water quality; (7) complete studies or assessments to project how climate change may impact the future operations and sustainability of the water system; or (8) carry out any other activity or project to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States that increases the resiliency of a water system to the impacts of climate change. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires the Administrator to conduct a competitive process to select and fund applications, giving priority to applications that: (1) are submitted by water systems that are at the greatest and most immediate risk of facing significant climate-related negative impacts; (2) will impact the largest numbers of water users; and (3) will provide the greatest benefit per dollar expended. Limits the federal share to 50% of the cost.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2012 the current authorization of appropriations for the national public awareness campaign for gynecologic cancers (Johanna's law). Authorizes appropriations in subsequent fiscal years at levels necessary to carry out such campaign. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) collaborate with nonprofit gynecologic cancer organizations to determine the best practices for providing gynecologic cancer information and outreach services to varied populations; and (2) make grants to nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects to test outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers regarding gynecologic cancers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2009
Recognizes the Day of the African Child. Salutes the health professionals and community health workers in Africa who are extending health care and hope to families across the continent. Reaffirms the importance of U.S. partnership with African leaders and communities in reducing child, newborn, and maternal deaths.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2009
Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the federal government's responsibility with respect to research, funding, access to treatment, public education and awareness, and support for screening for bleeding disorders. Calls for: (1) the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide Congress with a five-year research plan for people with bleeding disorders; (2) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue to improve outreach, treatment, and prevention for such disorders by facilitating an educational relationship between treatment centers, university health clinics, and undergraduate student populations; and (3) referrals of people with bleeding disorders to federally sponsored hemophilia treatment centers as critical to comprehensive treatment of such disorders. Urges: (1) physicians to screen all women presenting with menorrhagia for von Willebrand's disease; (2) patient advocate organizations and medical specialty societies to continue to collaborate on public education campaigns about bleeding disorders; and (3) physicians to screen all adolescents attending institutions of higher education for von Willebrand's disease.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of a National African-American Bone Marrow Awareness Month. Urges Americans to: (1) participate in programs and activities regarding bone marrow awareness; and (2) register to become blood marrow donors and organize registration drives.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
America's Wildlife Heritage Act - Sets forth requirements concerning the maintenance of viable populations of existing native and desired non-native species within each planning area in the National Forest System's or the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) public lands. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to adopt and implement a strategically targeted monitoring program for determining the status and trends of native and desired non-native species populations on System and BLM lands. Defines: (1) native species to mean species of plants and animals indigenous to a planning area; and (2) desired non-native species to mean those wild species of plants and animals that are not indigenous to a planning area but are valued for their contribution to species diversity or their social, cultural, or economic value. Requires the Secretaries to coordinate the management of planning areas of the System and the BLM with the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Park System, other federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, other state agencies responsible for management of natural resources, tribes, local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in species conservation. Requires the Secretaries to issue regulations implementing this Act within one year of its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2009
Health Equity and Accountability through Research Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to rename the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities as the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities. Revises and expands the duties of the Director of such Institute relating to coordination of research activities conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and review of a strategic plan and budget for minority health disparity research.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act - Establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a voluntary Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program through which the Secretary of Transportation shall: (1) authorize the issuance of an electronic voucher to offset the purchase or lease price for a new fuel efficient automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade-in vehicle to a participating dealer; (2) register dealers for Program participation; (3) make electronic payments to them for eligible transactions they accept between specified dates; and (4) establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program. Prescribes requirements, including combined fuel economy, for $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers to offset the purchase or lease price for a qualifying passenger automobile or truck. Limits the number of vouchers to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle. Requires a dealer to certify about each eligible trade-in vehicle that the dealer: (1) will arrange for transfer to the United States of the vehicle's title; (2) will accept possession of the vehicle on behalf of the United States; (3) has not and will not sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the vehicle for use as an automobile anywhere in the world; and (4) will transfer, on behalf of the United States, the vehicle and its title to an entity that will ensure that the vehicle will be crushed or shredded within the Program period, and has not been, and will not be, sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of for use as an automobile anywhere in the world. Prescribes standards which any regulations issued by the Secretary for the Program must meet. Makes it unlawful for any person to violate this Act or any regulations issued under it, particularly by fraud. Prescribes civil penalties for any such violation. Directs the Secretary to make Program information available on an Internet website and through other means.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Equal Rights for Health Care Act Title 42 - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status against any person in the United States under any health care service or research program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 - Prohibits an automobile manufacturer (manufacturer) in which the federal government has an ownership interest, or which receives loans from the federal government, from depriving an automobile dealer (dealer) of its economic rights. Requires the manufacturer to honor those rights as they existed for Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corporation dealers prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases of each corporation, including dealer rights to recourse under state law. Requires the appropriate manufacturer to restore the franchise agreement between the dealers and Chrysler LLC or General Motors that was in effect prior to the commencement of their respective bankruptcy cases, and to take assignment of such agreements. States that nothing in this Act is intended to make null and void the transfer of substantially all the assets of such corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Expands the urbanized area formula grants program to include public transit projects: (1) in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000, and urbanized areas with a population of between 200,000 and 400,000, if the state or regional authority that provides public transportation for the area operates less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours; and (2) in urbanized areas with graduated populations of between 400,000 and capping out at 1 million or more. Establishes certain grant limits for such projects. Revises grant eligibility requirements for FY2010-FY2015 for such projects in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Expresses appreciation to the people and government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and government of the United States. Congratulates Canada as it celebrates Canada Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Fixed Indexed Annuities and Insurance Products Classification Act of 2009 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to include within the class of securities exempt from its coverage any insurance or endowment policy or annuity contract or optional annuity contract: (1) whose value does not vary according to the performance of a separate account; and (2) which satisfies standard nonforfeiture laws or similar requirements of the applicable state, Territory, or District of Columbia at time of issue or, in the absence of applicable standard nonforfeiture laws or requirements, satisfies the Model Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Life Insurance or Model Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities, or any successor model law, as published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Declares without force or effect Rule 151A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 16, 2009, and entitled "Indexed Annuities and Certain Other Insurance Contracts."
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Prescription Coverage for Now Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security, through certain information requests to the Secretary of the Treasury, to provide for the identification of individuals potentially eligible for low-income subsidies (LIS) and transmit them low-income subsidy applications if they are also part D eligible. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, jointly with the Commissioner, to develop a model, simplified low-income subsidy application and process. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury, upon the Commissioner's request, to disclose tax return information to facilitate identification of individuals likely to be eligible for Medicare prescription drug program low-income subsidies. Entitles low-income subsidy beneficiaries to retroactive reimbursement for previously incurred covered drug costs. Prescribes requirements for enhanced oversight and enforcement relating to such reimbursements. Establishes an asset standard for LIS eligibility for 2011 of $27,500 (or $55,000 in the case of the combined value of the individual's assets or resources and the assets or resources of the individual's spouse), increased in subsequent years by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index. Exempts retirement benefits from resources under the LIS programs. Increases the income eligibility to 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for full benefits and 200% of the FPL for partial benefits under the LIS program. Authorizes indexing of deductible and cost-sharing above the annual out-of-pocket threshold for individuals with incomes below 200% of FPL. Prohibits the treating of LIS premium and cost-sharing subsidies as benefits, or otherwise taking them into account, in determining an individual's eligibility for, or amount of benefits under, any other federal program. Requires individuals eligible for Medicare Savings Programs to be deemed subsidy eligible individuals under LIS. Establishes a special enrollment period for subsidy eligible individuals under LIS.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Supports the goals and purpose of Gold Star Mothers Day (a day observed in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces).
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Muhammad Ali in recognition of his contributions to the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009
WHTI Implementation Monitoring Plan to Assure Continued Travel and Trade Act of 2009 or the IMPACTT Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to jointly report to Congress on the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) regarding the U.S.-Canada international land and maritime border. Specifies that such report include information concerning: (1) effects on travel, trade, and border security; (2) frequent traveler program enrollment; (3) effectiveness of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology; and (4) U.S. Customs and Border Protection staffing levels.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009
Help Student Soldiers Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to waive the application of the requirement that students return title IV funds which were unearned due to their withdrawal from school to students whose withdrawal is necessitated by service in the Armed Forces. Provides loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan, Direct Loan, and Perkins Loan programs to students for that portion of loan assistance which is unearned due to their withdrawal from school for service in the Armed Forces and which is not returned to such programs by their schools.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009
Medicare Lung Cancer Early Detection Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prescribe an increased radiologist service payment for chest radiography (x-ray) services that use Computer Aided Detection technology for the early detection of lung cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009
Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act - Establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a Cash for Clunkers Temporary Vehicle Trade-in Program through which the Secretary of Transportation shall: (1) authorize the issuance of an electronic voucher to offset the purchase or lease price for a new fuel efficient automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade-in vehicle to a participating dealer; (2) certify dealers for Program participation; (3) make payments to them for vouchers they accept between March 30, 2009, and April 1, 2010; (4) provide for the payment of rebates to qualifying persons; and (5) establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program. Prescribes requirements, including combined fuel economy, for $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers to offset the purchase or lease price for a qualifying passenger automobile or truck. Limits the number of vouchers to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle. Requires a dealer to certify that each eligible trade-in vehicle: (1) will be crushed or shredded, or transferred to an entity that will ensure it will be crushed or shredded, within the period of the Program; and (2) has not been, and will not be, sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of for use as an automobile in the United States or in any other country. Makes any person who purchased or leased a new fuel efficient vehicle after March 30, 2009, and before the enactment of this Act eligible for a cash rebate equivalent to the appropriate voucher amount. Prescribes standards which any regulations issued by the Secretary for the Program must meet. Makes it unlawful for any person to violate this Act or any regulations issued under it, particularly by fraud. Prescribes civil penalties for any such violation. Directs the Secretary to make Program information available on an Internet website and through other means.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009
Honors: (1) the historic election of women to the Kuwait parliament and its implications for gender equality in the region; and (2) those who fought for women's suffrage and advocated for the advancement of the status of women in Kuwait.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse. Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee." Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit of eligibility as such a domestic partner, which shall include a certification that the employee and the domestic partner are each other's sole domestic partners and intend to remain so indefinitely; and (2) a statement upon dissolution of such a domestic partnership.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [D-MI-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e76277656569bfc8b279f12634aa6543_200.jpg)