United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2005
Condemns in the strongest terms Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's despicable threats, and demands that he repudiate them. Calls on the U.N. Security Council and all civilized nations to: (1) condemn these statements and to censure Iran for its statements and policies aimed at destroying Israel; and (2) consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry out its threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel and reasserts the U.S. commitment to defend Israel's right to exist as a free and democratic state.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any state or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect for any food in interstate commerce: (1) any requirement that is not identical to specified FFDCA provisions (that would result in materially different requirements), including those related to adulterated foods, unsafe food additives, and new animal drugs; or (2) any notification requirement that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FFDCA provisions. Allows a state to petition for an exemption or to establish a national standard regarding any requirement under FFDCA or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide such an exemption if the requirement: (1) protects an important public interest that would otherwise be unprotected; (2) would not cause any food to be in violation of any federal law; and (3) would not unduly burden interstate commerce. Allows a state to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FFDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this Act if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met. Declares that this Act does not preempt certain state and local laws relating to labeling or a consumer advisory relating to food sanitation imposed on a food establishment or recommended by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005 - Prohibits any state or political subdivision from exercising its power of eminent domain for economic development if that state or political subdivision receives federal economic development funds during the fiscal year. Makes a state or political subdivision that violates such prohibition ineligible for any such funds for two fiscal years. Prohibits the federal government from exercising its power of eminent domain for economic development. Establishes a private cause of action for any private property owner who suffers injury as a result of a violation of this Act. Sets the statute of limitation for such an action at seven years. Allows the prevailing plaintiff's attorney to obtain reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) compile a list of the federal laws under which federal economic development funds are distributed; (2) provide to each state and publish on a Department of Justice website the text of this Act, a description of the rights of property owners under this Act, and the compiled list of relevant federal laws; and (3) publish such text and description in the Federal Register. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the appropriate congressional committees identifying states or political subdivisions that have used eminent domain in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Passport for All Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate passport waiver authority for immigrant and nonimmigrant aliens and U.S. citizens (thus requiring a passport for all travel into or from the United States). Authorizes passport waiver for a U.S. citizen in individual cases of unforeseen emergency or humanitarian or national interest. Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require (by January 1, 2008) that all U.S. citizens and aliens carry and produce a passport when traveling into the United States (except as provided by this Act). Directs the Secretary of State to endeavor to persuade all countries to issue machine-readable passports which comply with document identifying standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act - Permits a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and their dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2005
Border Security Improvement Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) make the Secretary of Homeland Security rather than the Attorney General responsible for border barrier improvements; and (2) direct the Secretary to provide for construction of a fence along the entire U.S. southern border.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Condemns the July 2004 murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov in Moscow and the murders of other members of the media in the Russian Federation. Urges the government of Russia to: (1) continue its inquiries into Mr. Klebnikov's murder; and (2) take appropriate action to protect the independence and freedom of the Russian media and all visiting members of the media. Commends journalists working and living in Russia for their dedication to transparency and the truth.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the Secretary of Homeland Security's discretionary authority to order expedited removal, except that if the Secretary determines after consulting with appropriate federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies that the alien will be detained under the authority of such an agency, the Secretary may not remove the alien until such detention terminates. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit residential mortgages for aliens residing unlawfully in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Meth Lab Eradication Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to transfer ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine to schedule V. Excepts pseudoephedrine contained in a product that: (1) is in the form of a liquid, liquid capsule, or liquid-filled gel capsule; (2) does not contain more than 360 milligrams of pseudoephedrine; and (3) is approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Revises the definition of "regulated transaction" to exclude specified transactions involving drugs or products that the Attorney General determines are being diverted for illicit purposes. Repeals a provision requiring the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that the product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion. Places restrictions on the sale of list I pseudoephedrine products and schedule V methamphetamine-related products. Requires a person selling list I products to: (1) place the products where the customers do not have direct access to them; (2) maintain a sales logbook that identifies the products, purchasers, dates, and times of sales; (3) not sell such products to persons under age 18; and (4) post on the premises a clear and conspicuous notice stating that federal law prohibits the over-the-counter purchase of more than one product containing pseudoephedrine in a 24-hour period or of more than 7,500 milligrams of pseudoephedrine within a 30-day period. Sets penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to prohibit (with exceptions) the importation of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Enforcement First Immigration Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and other immigration-related provisions with respect to: (1) enforcement and detention of, and criminal penalties for, illegal aliens; (2) the institutional removal (IRP) and criminal alien assistance (SCAAP) programs; (3) alien smuggling, document fraud, gang violence, and drug trafficking; (4) border security, personnel increases, and border-related assignment of armed forces members; (5) provision of social security numbers; (6) work authorization and enforcement; (7) secure identification standards, including birth certificates; (8) reform of legal immigration, including elimination of the diversity lottery visa category and certain limitations on entrants from Mexico; (9) citizenship reform, including limitations on citizenship by birth; and (10) wages paid to unauthorized aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Outer Continental Shelf Energy Relief Act - Declares that all provisions of existing federal law prohibiting the spending of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf have no force or effect. Revokes all existing withdrawals made by the President under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). States such withdrawals are no longer in effect with respect to natural gas leasing, exploration, development or production. Amends the OCSLA leasing program to instruct the Secretary, in each five-year program, to include lease sales that when viewed as a whole propose to offer for gas leasing at least 75% of the available unleased acreage within each OCS Planning Area. Prescribes guidelines for sharing with certain coastal states bonus bid and royalty revenues received from existing and future federal gas leases on lands located within state seaward boundaries. Authorizes the Secretary to issue leases for development and production only of natural gas and associated condensate (natural gas-only leasing).
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Charitable Giving Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable giving and charitable organizations to: (1) allow individuals who do not itemize a deduction from gross income for a portion of their charitable contributions; (2) allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions; (4) allow non-corporate taxpayers a tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory; (5) revise certain excise taxes related to private foundations; (6) modify the excise tax on unrelated business taxable income of charitable remainder trusts; (7) extend and expand the charitable contribution for scientific property used for research and for computer technology and equipment used for educational purposes; (8) adjust the basis of S corporation stock for certain charitable contributions; (9) revise church tax inquiry provisions; and (10) exclude from gross income certain landowner initiatives programs to conserve endangered habitats or species. Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to any private entity that operates a promising social services program (as defined by this Act): and (2) restore the 10 percent limit on transfers to the Social Services Block Grant Program. Amends the Assets for Independence Act to reauthorize the assets for independence demonstration program through FY2008. Expresses the sense of Congress encouraging corporate contributions to faith-based organizations. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to include maternity group homes within the program for transitional living youth projects for homeless youth.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Helpers Job Opportunity Act - Provides for the creation of an additional category of laborers or mechanics known as helpers under the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires a helper of a laborer or mechanic to be paid the prevailing wage of helpers of laborers or mechanics employed on similar projects in the same subdivision of the state.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Verifying the Outcome of Tomorrow's Elections Act of 2005 - Amends the Help Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the appropriate state or local election official from providing a ballot for an election for federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person, unless the individual presents to the official a current, valid, state-issued photo identification. Imposes similar requirements with respect to individuals voting by mail. Requires each state to conduct regular tests of the equipment used to tabulate votes in voting systems to ensure that a system meets specified error rate standards, and that the equipment works correctly. Prohibits a state from permitting any individual to tabulate votes cast on a voting system, or to certify the tabulation of votes, unless that individual has satisfactorily undergone a criminal history background check using the national criminal history background check system and the state criminal history repositories of all states in which the individual has resided. Requires a state to permit a representative of each political party with a candidate on the ballot used at a precinct during an election to observe the tabulation of the votes cast on the voting system, and the certification of such tabulation. Makes it unlawful for any person to pay any other person for distributing voter registration applications in federal elections, or for collecting completed or partially completed applications, if the amount of the payment is determined on the basis of the number of applications distributed or collected. Requires production of a permanent, individually verifiable paper record of each vote cast. Requires voluntary voting system guidelines to ensure the security of any data transmitted or received electronically by voting systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2005
Financial Safety and Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 regarding interests in nonbanking organizations to provide that any company that controls an industrial loan company, industrial bank, or similar institution shall become a financial holding company. Requires such entity to comply with all federal conditions, requirements, restrictions and limitations applicable to a financial holding company. Grants a five-year divestiture period for nonconforming activities to an entity that: (1) owned or controlled an industrial loan company, industrial bank, or similar institution on January 1, 2005; and (2) was not a bank holding company or a foreign bank on that date.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2005
Small Employer Tax Relief Act of 2005 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to small business, including to: (1) allow the deduction from self-employment income of self-employed health insurance costs; (2) reduce in 2006 the federal unemployment tax rate; (3) increase permanently the expensing allowance for small business assets; (4) repeal the alternative minimum tax on individuals after 2009; (5) allow certain small business employers a tax credit for the training of highly-skilled employees; (6) make permanent the work opportunity and the welfare-to-work tax credits; (7) increase depreciation and expensing allowances for certain business assets; (8) allow a standard tax deduction for home office expenses; (9) revise certain S corporation requirements; and (10) waive certain tax penalties for noncompliant tax deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2005
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise various provisions of that Act relating to the determination of endangered and threatened species, procedures for making such determinations, and the role of states and private property owners in the determination process. Defines "best available scientific data" and requires the use of such standard in making endangered species and other determinations under the Act. Revises provisions for designating endangered or threatened species and the process for reviewing lists of such species. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Interior (or the Secretary of Commerce) to designate a critical habitat for an endangered or threatened species. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and implement recovery plans for endangered or threatened species and to establish recovery teams to assist in the development of such plans, giving priority to species that will most likely benefit from such plans. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into species recovery agreements and species conservation contract agreements with persons, other than federal or state governments, for conservation activities to protect endangered or threatened species; and (2) make grants to promote the voluntary conservation of endangered and threatened species by private property owners. Eliminates the Endangered Species Committee and the process for granting exemptions from endangered or threatened species determinations. Requires the Secretary to make certain information available to the public on the Internet, including lists of threatened or endangered species, final and proposed regulations under the Act, results of five-year reviews conducted under the Act, all draft and final recovery plans, and certain required reports and data. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress annually on expenditures made primarily for the conservation of species. Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2005
States that all federal law prohibitions against spending appropriated funds for oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf shall have no force or effect. Revokes all existing withdrawals by the President under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Declares that such withdrawals are no longer in effect. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a sale of oil and gas leases on all submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico that are depicted in a specified document entitled "Eastern Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale."
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2005
Prohibits funds from being expended for the construction or lease of buildings or space for any branch of the U.S. government or any entity within such branch, unless a contract for such construction or lease was entered into before the date of enactment of this Act. Provides exceptions in any case in which funds are expended for: (1) construction to rebuild the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricane Katrina; and (2) purposes necessary in the interests of national security. Terminates such prohibition on January 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2005
Home School Non-Discrimination Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) with respect to: (1) student aid eligibility of home-schooled students who have satisfied certain secondary education standards; and (2) institutional aid eligibility of the higher education institutions that such students attend. Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide that, if a parent does not consent to an initial evaluation or special education or related services for a child with a disability, the local educational agency shall not be required to convene an individualized education program (IEP) meeting or develop an IEP for such child. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (the Coverdell Education Savings Account) to include home schools if they are treated as a home school or private school under state law. Amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit release of certain information on and educational records of students in nonpublic education, including any student educated at home or in a private school in accordance with state law, without written parental consent. Amends HEA to include students at home schools, whether treated as a home school or a private school under state law, among those prospective secondary school graduates eligible to apply for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program for higher education. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to direct the Secretary of Labor to extend the hours and periods of permissible employment of employees between the ages of 14 and 16 years who are privately educated at a home school, whether the home school is treated as a home school or a private school under state law, beyond those hours and periods applicable to employees of such ages who are educated in traditional public schools. (Thus allows home-school students to be employed during the traditional school day.) Amends specified federal law with respect to policies on recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2005
Cleanup and Reconstruction Enhancement Act (CARE Act) - Suspends Davis-Bacon Act wage rate requirements for federal contracts in areas declared national disasters, for a one-year period after such declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Honors, recognizes, and expresses gratitude for the distinguished service, career, and achievements of the late William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Prohibits the expenditure of federal funds for payment or reimbursement for a drug prescribed for the treatment of erectile or sexual dysfunction, including under any federal health care program (including Medicare, Medicaid, health-related programs administered by the Indian Health Service, the federal employees health benefits program, military health programs, medical care furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and medical services for federal prisoners).
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Russian Federation should provide effective protection of intellectual property rights or it risks losing its eligibility to participate in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Meskwaki Code Talkers Recognition Act - Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of gold medals of appropriate design to each of the named eight Meskwaki Code Talkers who served during World War II. Provides for additional medals to other individuals not named in this Act who also served in such capacity. Allows the medals to be awarded posthumously to a surviving family member of such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
States that the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security should: (1) use every available tool to secure the borders against illegal entry; (2) seek state and local law enforcement assistance in enforcing immigration laws, whether through formal cooperation agreements or through the elimination of sanctuary policies; and (3) warn Mexico that any further actions it takes to encourage illegal immigration to the United States will be viewed as domestic interference in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. States that the President should announce his opposition to granting legal status, or amnesty, to illegal aliens and that he and the Secretary will use every available tool to stop illegal immigration into the United States and to announce efforts to remove illegal aliens from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005
Savings for Seniors Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund a Social Security Surplus Protection Account to hold the Social Security surplus. Denies the availability of the balance in the Account for investment by the Managing Trustee. Establishes in the executive branch of Government a Social Security Investment Commission to study and report to the President and Congress on the most effective vehicles for investment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, other than investment in the form of U.S. obligations resulting in the transfer of Trust Fund assets to the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005
Second Amendment Protection Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not provide financial support to international entities that abridge the constitutionally protected rights of law-abiding U.S. citizens to keep and bear arms. Prohibits U.S. funding to the United Nations for a fiscal year unless the President certifies to Congress that the United Nations has not taken action to restrict or otherwise adversely infringe upon the rights of U.S. individuals to possess a firearm or ammunition, including the imposition of a tax that will interfere with the right to own a firearm or ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the definition of gross receipts applicable to tax-exempt small property and casualty insurance companies to include gross investment income; (2) increase to $1.971 million (from $1.2 million) the limitation on net written premiums for purposes of qualifying non-life insurance companies for alternative tax rates; and (3) adjust such increased limitation amount annually for inflation after 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005
Congratulates Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the government and people of Israel on Israel's election as Vice-President of the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations. Supports continued expansion of Israel's U.N. role. Notes that Israel: (1) remains the object of vilification by many U.N. members; and (2) remains excluded from the U.N. Asian regional grouping. Calls upon U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to work to end Israel's vilification at the United Nations and to use his good offices to support Israel's bid to join the Asian regional grouping.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005
Growing Real Ownership for Workers Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to add a new part B (GROW Accounts Program) under which a GROW Accounts Board shall establish a GROW account for each participating individual. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, during each calendar year, to transfer to the Board for deposit into an interim fund, amounts equal in the aggregate to 100% of the net OASDI Trust Fund surplus for such calendar year. Requires the interim fund to be invested by the Board in marketable Government Securities. Provides for distributions of an account balance at retirement and treatment of part A (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) benefit payments. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt all GROW accounts from federal taxes; (2) make account distributions taxable as Social Security benefits; and (3) exempt assets of GROW accounts from the estate tax.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005
Endangered Species Improvements Act of 2005 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a species recovery agreement with a person, other than a federal or state agency, for habitat protection and restoration services. Directs the Secretary to establish a model form for such agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2005 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2005
Eminent Domain Tax Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income gain from the conversion of property by reason of eminent domain.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005 - Prohibits a state or political subdivision from using economic development as a reason for exercising its power of eminent domain if federal funds would contribute in any way to: (1) the project for which eminent domain is exercised; or (2) the exercise and enforcement of eminent domain over the project. Renders a state or political subdivision that violations this prohibition ineligible for any such federal funds and directs the federal agency involved to withhold those funds. Prohibits the federal government from using economic development as a reason for exercising eminent domain. Defines "economic development" to mean any activity other than making private property available in substantial part for use by the general public or by an entity that makes the property available for use by the general public, or as a public facility, or to remove harmful effects.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Children's Safety Act of 2005 - Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act - Requires: (1) each state, territory, and federally recognized Indian tribe to maintain a sex offender registry; and (2) each sex offender to register in the jurisdictions where the offender resides, is an employee, and is a student. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) maintain a National Sex Offender Registry at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) establish a Sex Offender Management Assistance program; and (3) authorize sex offender apprehension grants. DNA Fingerprinting Act of 2005 - Amends: (1) the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to expand the scope of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples to be included in the Combined DNA Index System; and (2) the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize the Attorney General to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested or detained under U.S. authority. Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2005 - Increases penalties for violent crimes against persons under age 18, including death or life imprisonment if the crime results in the death of a person under that age. Protection Against Sexual Exploitation of Children Act of 2005 - Increases penalties for sexual offenses against children. Foster Child Protection and Child Sexual Predator Sentencing Act of 2005 - Requires background checks and checks of national crime information databases and state child abuse registries before approval of foster or adoptive placements. Establishes: (1) procedures for the civil commitment of sexually dangerous persons; and (2) mandatory minimum penalties for child sex trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2005 or CLEAR Act of 2005 - States that: (1) state and local law enforcement personnel are fully authorized to investigate, apprehend, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in order to assist in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws; and (2) a state that does not have a statute permitting enforcement of federal immigration laws within two years of enactment of this Act shall not receive certain federal incarceration assistance. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens to: (1) establish criminal penalties for aliens unlawfully present in the United States; (2) increase specified criminal penalties for illegal entry and failure to depart violations; and (3) expand the scope of, and increase, civil penalties for improper entry or failure to depart. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Encourages states and localities to provide the Department of Homeland Security with specified information about apprehended illegal aliens. Provides federal reimbursement for related State and local costs. (States that such provision shall not require state or local enforcement officials to provide the Department with information related to a victim of a crime or witness to a criminal offense.) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to states and political subdivisions that enforce immigration laws in the course of their routine law enforcement duties for special equipment and facilities related to arresting, detaining, or transporting illegal aliens. Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct or acquire 20 additional detention facilities for aliens detained pending removal (or a decision on removal); and (2) consider the transfer of military installations under base closure laws for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens apprehended by state or local authorities to provide for: (1) federal custody upon state or local request; and (2) state or local compensation for related incarceration and transportation costs. States with respect to an alien subject to removal that the Attorney General or Secretary shall ensure such alien's detention in an adequate (as defined by this Act) state or local prison, detention center, or other comparable facility prior to his or her removal examination. Directs the Secretary to establish immigration-related training for state and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity to the same extent as corresponding federal immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties under this Act; and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for state or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. States that the Department shall continue to operate the institutional removal program (IRP), which shall be expanded to all states. Authorizes state or local detention of an illegal alien after completion of such alien's prison sentence for: (1) up to 14 days to facilitate federal transfer; or (2) until transfer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permanently authorize appropriations for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP).
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Livestock Identification and Marketing Opportunities Act - Establishes the Livestock Identification Board which shall: (1) establish an electronic livestock identification system (livestock system) that is capable of tracing all U.S. livestock from the time of first movement from its original premise to the time of slaughter in less than 48 hours, and tracking all relevant livestock information (identification number, species, date of birth); (2) maintain a centralized livestock data system; and (3) determine the official livestock system identification technology. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a U.S. premise identification system; and (2) verify that each animal, or group of animals subject to the livestock system, is properly identified upon first entry of the animal into commerce. Authorizes the owner of an animal or group of animals that is not subject to the livestock livestock system to voluntarily subject such animal, or group of animals, to system tracking. Exempts information obtained through the livestock or premise systems from Freedom of Information Act disclosure. States that information obtained through the livestock or premise systems: (1) may not be released; (2) shall not be considered public domain information; and (3) shall be considered privileged and confidential commercial information. Authorizes the Board to release livestock or premise system information for reasons of public health or disease or pest control. Requires the Board to release livestock or premise system information to: (1) a livestock owner upon request; (2) the Secretary, a state, or a tribal agency for animal disease surveillance; (3) the Attorney General for criminal investigation or prosecution; (4) the Secretary of Homeland Security for national security; (5) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for public health protection; and (6) a foreign government if necessary to trace livestock threatened by disease or pest, as determined by the Secretary. Defines "livestock" as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. Prohibits the United States or the states from establishing any official religion or requiring any person to join in prayer or religious activity.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
New IDEA (Illegal Deduction Elimination Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for wages paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Renewable Fuels Act of 2005 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to require U.S. motor vehicle fuel to contain a certain volume of renewable fuel. Defines "renewable fuel" to include cellulosic biomass ethanol, waste derived ethanol, and biodiesel. Establishes a system of: (1) tradeable credits for motor vehicle fuel containing more renewable fuel than required; (2) waivers for states and small refineries; and (3) safe harbor standards to protect manufacturers of renewable fuels from civil liability. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require federal agency heads to ensure that ethanol-blended gasoline and biodiesel-blended diesel fuel are purchased for agency vehicles in areas where such fuel is available at competitive prices. Amends the Clean Air Act to eliminate the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline. Requires the Administrator: (1) to establish standards for toxic air pollutants from the use of reformulated gasoline; and (2) within 30 days of enactment of this Act, to determine the adequacy of any petition from a state governor to exempt gasoline sold in the state from certain requirements for reformulated gasoline. Directs the Administrator (currently, discretionary) to require fuel manufacturers to conduct tests to determine potential public health and environmental effects of fuels and fuel additives prior to registering such fuels. Permits states in the ozone transport region to opt into the reformulated gasoline program. Requires the Administrator, at the request of a state, to enforce state controls on fuel and fuel additives. Sets forth various data collection and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Mortgage Insurance Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums. Reduces the amount of such deduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes exeeding $100,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to require informational returns from any individual who receives payment of more than $600 in mortgage insurance premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Parents' Tax Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for a minimum tax credit for household and dependent care services for dependents under the age of six; (2) increase to $5,000 the amount of the personal tax exemption; (3) eliminate the marriage penalty in all income tax brackets; (4) establish a standard tax deduction for expenses related to business usage of a home; (5) make permanent increases in the child tax credit and adjust the amount of such credit for inflation on an annual basis after 2005; (6) allow employers a tax credit for employees who telecommute; and (7) allow an exclusion from employee gross income for employer-provided computer equipment used to work at home. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to award social security credits to parents who stay at home, instead of working outside the home, to care for children who are either under age six or under age 10 and disabled. Authorizes transfers from the general fund to specified Social Security trust funds to cover the cost of such credits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Congressional Accountability for Judicial Activism Act of 2005 - Authorizes Congress, if two thirds of each House agree, to reverse a judgment of the United States Supreme Court: (1) if that judgment is handed down after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) to the extent that judgment concerns the constitutionality of an Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2005
Expresses disagreement with the majority opinion in Kelo et al. v. City of New London et al. ( Kelo) and its holdings that effectively negate the public use requirement of the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that state and local governments: (1) should only execute the power of eminent domain for the public good; (2) must always justly compensate affected individuals in accordance with the Fifth Amendment; (3) should never use eminent domain to advantage one private party over another; and (4) should not construe Kelo as justification to abuse the power of eminent domain. Reserves to Congress the right to address through legislation any abuses of eminent domain by state and local government in light of Kelo .
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Parent's Right to Know Act of 2005 - 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.
![Official portrait of Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000362_200.jpg)