United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a law increasing the compensation of Members of Congress from taking effect until after an election of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Declares that the President should instruct the Department of State to convey to the Government in exile of the Emirate of Kuwait the view that reconstruction activity in Kuwait should reflect the troop commitment of allied forces in Operation Desert Shield and that the contract percentage should be acknowledged, adjusted, and used by the Kuwaitis in their award process.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to conduct continuing oversight and review of the problems of narcotics, drug, and polydrug abuse and control.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Demands that the Iraqi Government: (1) comply fully with specified United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq's aggression against Kuwait; (2) withdraw from Kuwait; and (3) be responsible for all financial losses resulting from the invasion. Commends the President for his actions in responding to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and threat to the region. Supports U.N. Security Council Resolution 678 regarding the use of "all necessary means" to uphold and implement such other U.N. resolutions, should Iraq fail to withdraw from Kuwait on or before January 15, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1990
Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to facilitate rational, informed, and timely decisions by the Congress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. Requires the budget law to fit on a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in major functional categories. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit baseline budgeting. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Title III: Enforcement Mechanisms - Subtitle A: Super majority Required to Break Budget Law - Requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of any spending bill as soon as practicable after its introduction. Limits such estimates to those bills likely to result in costs of more than $10,000,000. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to limit the President's rescission authority to spending that is above the limits of the budget law. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." Requires fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except social security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. Requires Executive agencies to adjust benefit levels to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Prohibits the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive such prohibition. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. Restricts legislation providing funding to the Committees on Appropriations. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Timetable - Revises the timetable for the congressional budget process. Title VII: Conforming Amendments - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VIII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Title IX: Effective Date - Declares the effective date of this Act to be January 1, 1991, applicable to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1990
Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act of 1990 - Title I: Enterprise for the Americas Facility - Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Enterprise for the Americas Facility to support improvement in the lives of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean through market-oriented reforms and economic growth with actions to promote debt reduction, investment reforms, and community based conservation and sustainable use of the environment. Makes eligible for Facility benefits Latin American or Caribbean countries that: (1) have in effect, received approval for, or are making progress toward, specified International Monetary Fund arrangements and structural or sectoral adjustment loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the International Development Association; (2) have put in place major investment reforms in conjunction with an Inter-American Development Bank loan or are implementing or making progress toward an open investment regime; and (3) have agreed with commercial bank lenders on a financing program for debt or debt service reduction. Title II: Debt Reduction - Authorizes the President to reduce the amount owed to the United States (as a result of concessional loans made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or predecessor foreign economic assistance legislation) by any country eligible for Facility benefits. Declares that this title supersedes specified provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975 concerning repayments of loans outstanding after September 19, 1966, and the settlement of debts owed to the United States. Sets forth requirements with respect to the exchange of obligations, repayment of principal, and interest on new obligations issued by beneficiary countries. Title III: Enterprise for the Americas Environmental Funds - Requires beneficiary countries that enter into Environmental Framework Agreements to establish Enterprise for the Americas Environmental Funds. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into Environmental Framework Agreements concerning the operation and use of Environmental Funds with countries eligible for Facility benefits. Directs administering bodies in each beneficiary country to administer the Environmental Funds and to make grants for environmental activities. Requires grants from the Funds to be used for activities that link the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources with local community development. Subjects grants of more than $100,000 to veto by the U.S. Government or the government of the beneficiary country. Establishes an Environment for the Americas Board to: (1) advise the Secretary on the negotiations of Environmental Framework Agreements; (2) ensure that a suitable administering body is identified for each Environmental Fund; and (3) review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of administering bodies. Declares that the President should encourage other official creditors of beneficiary countries whose debt is reduced under this Act to provide debt reduction to such countries. Requires the President to ensure that Environmental Funds are able to receive donations from private and public entities and private creditors of beneficiary countries. Title IV: Reports - Directs the President to report annually to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should declare November 2, 1990, a national day of prayer for: (1) members of American military forces and American citizens stationed or held hostage in the Middle East, and for their families; and (2) American and Iraqi authorities to bring about a just resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1990
Salutes and congratulates the people of Poland as they commemorate the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1991. Directs the Library of Congress to commemorate the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1990
Revises the definition of "former prisoner of war," for purposes of eligibility for veterans' health benefits, to include veterans who evaded enemy capture while behind enemy lines for not less than 30 days during a period of war.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and Secretary of State should personally intervene with the Soviet President and Foreign Minister to secure permission for Anatoly Genis to emigrate from the Soviet Union without further delay to reunite with his family.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the crisis created by Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait must be addressed and resolved separately from other conflicts in the region; and (2) the President should continue to thwart any effort to link such crisis with the Arab-Israeli conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the people of the province of Punjab, India, should have the right to self determination and should be afforded the opportunity to decide their future through a plebiscite sponsored by the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1990
Requires the President to transmit to the Congress annually a detailed and comprehensive written report on the National Energy and Environmental Strategy of the United States. Requires such report to be sufficiently detailed to assist the Congress in allocating funds to support all energy-related and environment-related policies, plans, and programs of the U.S. Government.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1990
Naval Petroleum Reserve Leasing Act - Authorizes the President to lease Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (California) if it is not necessary for national defense purposes. Sets forth leasing and antitrust guidelines. Mandates the use of competitive leasing procedures, minimum royalty payments, and crude oil set asides for sale to small refiners by Reserve lessees. Authorizes the President to take certain steps to arrange and conduct a leasing action. Authorizes the President to acquire privately owned lands or physical improvements within a Naval Petroleum Reserve if a lease of Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 cannot be arranged. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to store within the Strategic Petroleum Reserve a Defense Petroleum Inventory of petroleum products (in addition to any other acquisition and storage for such Reserve required by law). Directs the Secretary to obligate the United States share of funds available in the Naval Petroleum Reserve Lease Proceeds Special Account (created by this Act) for the acquisition of 10,000,000 barrels of petroleum products for the Defense Petroleum Inventory. Declares that upon request of the Secretary of Defense: (1) petroleum products acquired for or dedicated to the Defense Petroleum Inventory shall be drawn down and distributed by the Secretary of Energy for the Department of Defense for use, sale, or exchange; and (2) the Secretary of Energy shall replace in the Defense Petroleum Inventory those petroleum products drawn down on behalf of the Department of Defense. Requires the Department of Defense to reimburse the Department of Energy for services rendered under this Act. Establishes the Naval Petroleum Reserve Lease Proceeds Special Account in the Treasury to implement this Act. Funds such Special Account with amounts realized from the lease of any United States interest in Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1. Sets forth a payment scheme under which lease proceeds shall be used to make payments to the State of California. Declares that: (1) the authority to lease under this Act extends to specified sections within Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1; and (2) this Act does not affect the withdrawal of lands provided for in certain school land grants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1990
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to implement the Caribbean Regional Development Act of 1990. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to development and economic assistance for the Caribbean. Provides that priority in providing development assistance should be given to supporting indigenous democratic Caribbean institutions that represent and benefit the poor. Requires priority in the allocation of assistance to the Caribbean to be given to: (1) increased food production; (2) rural development; (3) community-based agro-industries; (4) small- and medium-sized farm and manufacturing enterprises; (5) the expansion of tourism; (6) regional integration; (7) the upgrading of technical and managerial skills; (8) support for renewable natural resources; (9) private sector development; (10) democratic development and the administration of justice; and (11) human services and human resources development. Directs the President, in providing assistance to a Caribbean country, to take into account whether the government of such country has failed to protect worker rights and is taking steps to implement laws that demonstrate advancement in providing such rights. Prohibits the Agency for International Development (AID) from providing assistance for the use of any substance in a Caribbean country if such use is prohibited under the country's or U.S. public health laws. Declares that AID should ensure the active participation of women in the development process. States that AID should: (1) take into account the perspectives of the poor in the development process; and (2) monitor socioeconomic conditions in the Caribbean and the effect of U.S. assistance on such conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1990
Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990 - Title I: Aviation Security - Amends Federal law to establish an Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security and Intelligence for the development of transportation security. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to report annually to the Congress on transportation security. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Administrator) to report annually (currently, semiannually) to the Congress on the effectiveness of screening procedures for passengers boarding aircraft. Establishes in the FAA an Assistant Administrator for Civil Aviation Security. Requires the Assistant Administrator to review and develop measures to strengthen air transportation security, including: (1) controls over checked baggage in air transportation; (2) control over individuals with access to aircraft; (3) testing of security systems; (4) use of modern x-ray equipment; and (5) preflight screening of passengers. Directs the Administrator to establish the position of: (1) Federal Security Manager for each U.S. airport that needs one; and (2) Foreign Security Liaison officer for each such airport outside of the United States. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations that subject to employment investigation, including criminal history record checks, all air carrier personnel, and individuals applying for air carrier positions, with unescorted access to domestic and foreign aircraft or to secured areas of domestic airports serving U.S. or foreign air carriers. Directs the Administrator to prescribe standards for the hiring, continued employment, and contracting of air carrier and airport security personnel. Requires foreign air carriers to adopt and use a security program approved by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct an assessment of current and potential threats to the domestic air transportation system, including the security of individual airports. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to accelerate and expand the research, development, and implementation of technologies and procedures to counteract terrorist acts against civil aviation. Requires the Administrator to: (1) complete a review of threats to civil aviation; and (2) establish a scientific advisory panel, as a subcommittee of the Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee, to review and advise on the progress of such program, including the need for long-range research programs to detect and prevent catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft by the next generation of terrorist weapons. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the deployment or purchase of explosive detection equipment unless the Administrator certifies that it can reliably detect explosive material which can cause catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft with 60 or more passenger seats. Requires air carriers, airport operators, travel agents, and employees who receive information of a threat to civil aviation to provide such information to: (1) an official of the FAA; (2) the Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Security and Intelligence; or (3) other appropriate officials. Requires the Administrator to cancel flights in the event that passenger safety from such a threat cannot be ensured. Requires the Administrator to develop guidelines to ensure notification to the public and to the flight and cabin crews of an air carrier flight of any threats to its security. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for airport design and construction to allow for maximum security enhancement. Directs the heads of the agencies of the intelligence community to promulgate policies and procedures to ensure that intelligence reports concerning international terrorism are made available to other members of the intelligence community, the Department of Transportation, and the FAA. Directs the Director of Central Intelligence to designate at least one intelligence officer of the Central Intelligence Agency to serve in a senior staff position in the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Requires the Administrator to study whether additional requirements should be imposed to enhance the security requirements for the transportation of mail and cargo by passenger aircraft. Title II: United States Response to Terrorism Affecting Americans Abroad - Declares that the Department of State (the Department) shall be responsible for negotiating aviation security agreements with foreign countries concerning implementation of U.S. rules and regulations which affect the foreign operations of U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers, and foreign international airports. Directs the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations for bilateral and multilateral agreements: (1) to enhance aviation security; (2) to implement the Foreign Airport Security Act and the foreign airport assessment program; and (3) to achieve improved availability of passenger manifest information. Makes the Coordinator for Counterterrorism responsible for the coordination of international aviation security for the Department. Requires the Administrator to require all U.S. air carriers to provide a passenger manifest of any flight to appropriate representatives of the Department within three hours after the carrier is notified of an aviation disaster outside the United States involving such flight. Authorizes the use of passport fees collected by the Department for the acquisition and production of machine-readable U.S. passports and visas and compatible reading equipment. Declares it to be the policy of the Department to notify promptly the families of victims of aviation disasters abroad, including timely written notice. Directs the Secretary of State to issue guidelines to provide that in the event of a disaster, particularly an aviation tragedy, involving U.S. citizens abroad, the Department will assign a specific individual, and an alternate, as the Department liaison for the family of each such citizen. Requires the Secretary to ensure that a toll-free telephone number is reserved for the use of the families of citizens who have been involved in such disasters. Requires the Secretary to institute a supplemental program of training in disaster management for all consular officers. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to provide in the event of an international aviation disaster involving U.S. citizens that at least: (1) one senior officer from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department shall be dispatched to the disaster site; and (2) one Department employee shall be dispatched to such site to provide assistance and to act as an ombudsman with foreign local authorities for the victims' families. Requires the Secretary to promulgate: (1) criteria for Department staffing of disaster sites abroad; and (2) procedures for the deployment of a crisis team. Declares it to be the policy of the Department to provide arrangements for the preparation and transport to the United States of the remains of citizens who die abroad, as well as for disposition of personal effects. Requires the Secretary to compile an assessment of the Department response to the Pan American Airways Flight 103 disaster over Lockerbie, Scotland, together with guidelines for future response to such disasters, for distribution to Embassy and consular posts abroad. Requires the Secretary to promulgate guidelines with respect to recognition for the families of U.S. citizens who are killed through acts of terrorism abroad. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should take appropriate action to increase limits on carrier liability established by the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Transportation by Air (Warsaw Convention). Directs the President to submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to authorize the United States to provide monetary and tax relief as compensation to U.S. citizens who are victims of terrorism. Exempts the victims of the Lockerbie air disaster from income tax liability for any taxable year including December 21, 1988, and the prior year. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to establish, under the Bureau of Consular Affairs, an electronic bulletin board accessible to the general public. Authorizes appropriations for antiterrorism assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize training services, including short term refresher training, with respect to antiterrorism, to be conducted, under specified circumstances, outside of the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to develop and publish guidelines for thwarting efforts by international terrorists to enlist unwitting assistance of international aviation travelers in terrorist activities. Requires the Secretary of State to publish U.S. rewards for information on international terrorist-related activities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should take measures to utilize and train U.S. employees at U.S. airports and abroad in the detection of explosives and firearms which could threaten international civil aviation. Requires the Secretary of State to propose to the International Civil Aviation Organization the establishment of a security program which includes: (1) training for airport security personnel; (2) grants for security equipment acquisition for certain nations; and (3) expansion of canine teams in the detection of explosive devices in all airports, including passenger screening areas and nonpublic baggage assembly and processing areas.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1990
United States Policy on Iraqi Aggression Resolution - Sets forth objectives with respect to U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf. Declares that the United States and the international community must continue to oppose Iraq's armed aggression against Kuwait. States that the United States and the international community should: (1) continue to condemn Iraq for aggression and specified human rights and terrorist offenses; and (2) hold Iraq and its leaders accountable for such actions. Supports the deployment of U.S. armed forces to the Persian Gulf region and expresses appreciation to such forces. Commends the President for his efforts to promote international consensus and cooperation in response to the Persian Gulf crisis. Declares that the United States should continue to: (1) strengthen the international consensus against Iraq's aggression; (2) obtain additional military forces and increased financial assistance from other nations in support of multinational forces deployed in the Persian Gulf; and (3) obtain international assistance for nations that have suffered financial losses as a result of support for the United Nations trade embargo against Iraq and international humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. States that the United States should continue to: (1) seek international consensus to contain Iraq's conventional, chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and stop the export to Iraq of dual use technology and military components; (2) seek international consensus to address regional problems of arms proliferation and ensure that conventional weapons transfers to the region reflect legitimate security needs of the recipient nation; (3) maintain Israel's economic well-being and military advantage in the Middle East and achieve an Arab-Israeli peace settlement; and (4) promote respect for human rights and support the development of democratic institutions throughout such region. Commends the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council for their response to Iraq's aggression against Kuwait. Affirms support for specified United Nations Security Council resolutions and calls on all nations to comply with such resolutions and strengthen sanctions against Iraq. Declares that the United States and other members of the international community should continue efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution to the Persian Gulf crisis. Supports the President's emphasis on diplomatic efforts, international sanctions, and negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations to achieve U.S. objectives. Sets forth findings with respect to the War Powers Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1990
Antiterrorism Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a Federal cause of action for international terrorism that provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over terrorist acts abroad committed against U.S. nationals. Defines "international terrorism" to include activities that: (1) involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are (or, if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or any State, would be) a violation of Federal or State law; (2) appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence government policy by intimidation or coercion, or affect government conduct by assassination or kidnapping; and (3) occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or transcend national boundaries. Provides for recovery of threefold damages, plus the cost of the suit, including attorney's fees. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations. Provides that actions shall not be maintained under this Act: (1) against the United States, foreign States, and officers and employees thereof acting under color of legal authority; or (2) for injury or loss by reason of an act of war.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in the event of hostilities between the United States and Iraq, it shall be U.S. policy to pursue Saddam Hussein and others determined responsible for acts against foreign civilians and diplomats held against their will in Kuwait and Iraq in violation of international law by seeking their prosecution and punishment as war criminals under the auspices of an international tribunal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Commission on Energy Independence Act - Establishes the Commission on Energy Independence to determine the policies and actions necessary for the United States to become as nearly energy independent by the year 2000 as possible. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress on its determinations by a specified deadline. Terminates the Commission after submission of such report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1990
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to subject the pay of the Vice President, Members of Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and heads of cabinet departments of the executive branch to sequestration. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President forgo pay equal to the percentage reduction in effect under an order relating to the budget account for the Office of the President.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1990
Reduces from less than 140 days to 30 days or less the period of active duty required before a member of a reserve component of the armed forces is entitled to a variable housing allowance. Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to prohibit an eviction or distress of the dependents of any person who, after the execution of a lease, enters military service, for the period of active military service, regardless of the agreed rental amount, except upon a court action. Strikes the current three-month limitation on the staying of proceedings for eviction or distress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt payments for home health services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) from reduction under a sequestration order.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Drug-Free Cities Act of 1990 - Authorizes the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to designate local governments as drug-free. Permits the Director to make grants to eligible local governments for specified activities under this Act. Authorizes the Director to: (1) collect data about the status of drug reduction efforts of State and local governments; (2) disseminate information about local laws, policies, and programs that have proven to be effective in reducing drug use; and (3) formally recognize exemplary accomplishments of local governments in reducing drug use and increasing user accountability. Sets forth application requirements for local governments seeking designations. Requires such application to contain a plan for implementing legal sanctions and procedures applicable to individuals who unlawfully use drugs and for promoting local community efforts to eliminate unlawful drug use. Sets forth authorized uses of grant funds. Limits the amount and time period of such grants. Requires the Director, if an applicant complies with requirements and standards, to designate such applicant as a candidate for designation as drug-free for a period not to exceed three years. Provides for a subsequent designation as drug-free, for an additional three-year period, based on further progress. Provides for extensions of designations under certain conditions. Allocates grant funds based on the population of the local area. Limits the amounts of such funds. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the Congress recognizes that prompt U.S. assistance is necessary to alleviate the emergency in Lithuania caused by the Soviet blockade. Authorizes the President to provide humanitarian assistance to Lithuania. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to: (1) furnish such assistance through voluntary relief agencies; and (2) ensure that Lithuanians receive such assistance as soon as possible. Expresses the sense of the Congress that other nations and voluntary relief agencies should respond to the need of the Lithuanian people by providing or facilitating emergency humanitarian assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitations on taxable years which may be elected by a partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation. Provides that a change of taxable year shall not be treated as a termination of an election to have a taxable year other than the required taxable year unless such change is to a required taxable year. Provides that if such entities terminate such election, then they are not eligible to make another election before five taxable years have passed, without the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth circumstances for making such an election without the consent of the Secretary. Provides that any loss for the short period resulting from a change in election: (1) shall not be allowed as a carryback to any preceding taxable year (and shall not be taken into account by any partner of a partnership, or shareholder of an S corporation); and (2) shall be taken into account by the entity (or partner or shareholder) ratably over the first six taxable years beginning after the short period.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Small Business Tax Incentive Act of 1990 - Title I: Treatment of Costs of Providing Nondiscriminatory Public Accommodations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small businesses for the expense of providing public accommodations access to the disabled. Makes such tax credit a part of the general business credit for eligible small businesses. Reduces the tax deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly. Title II: Other Provisions - Repeals a provision that disallows the income tax deduction of 25 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals after tax year 1989 (thus extending the deduction permanently). Revises provisions regarding the review of the impact of tax regulations on small businesses with respect to procedures in promulgating final regulations. Requires the booklets of instructions for individual income tax returns to include pie-shaped graphs showing the relative sizes of the major outlay and income categories.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Declares that complete normalization of bilateral relations between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must remain contingent upon: (1) the release of political and religious prisoners in Vietnam, the cessation of torture and psychological abuse within incarceration facilities, and the end of detentions without trial; (2) the abolition of political reeducation camps; (3) the establishment of an autonomous judiciary and bar association and codified rights for arrestees to appeal and to obtain independent legal representation; (4) the elimination of all prohibitions against organized opposition activity; (5) the repeal of the constitutional guarantee of permanent rule by the communist party; (6) a formal commitment by such party to permit free and open national elections; and (7) an acceptable resolution of all outstanding cases of U.S. military personnel unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1990
Sanctions Against Iraq Act of 1990 - Title I: Imposition of Trade Embargo - Sets forth congressional declarations concerning Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Requires the President to inform and consult with the Congress regarding the international crisis caused by such invasion, including U.S. actions. Directs the President to impose the following sanctions against Iraq: (1) blocking of all Iraqi property within the possession or control of the United States; (2) prohibiting the importation of Iraqi goods or services; (3) prohibiting the exportation of U.S. goods (including agricultural products) and technology or services, except food and medical supplies, to Iraq; and (4) prohibiting any transportation involving Iraq or Iraqi persons, vessels, or aircraft. Sets forth additional import sanctions. Title II: Additional Sanctions with Respect to Iraq - Sets forth congressional findings with respect to human rights violations by Iraq. Prohibits: (1) the United States from selling any items on the United States Munitions List to Iraq; (2) the issuing of licenses for the export of such items to Iraq; and (3) the issuing of licenses under the Export Administration Act of 1979 for the export to Iraq of chemical or biological agents for the production of chemical or biological weapons. Presumes denial of export license applications for the export of goods or technology: (1) which could enhance the ability of Iraq to support international terrorism; or (2) to an end user in such country that is engaged in missile or chemical or biological weapons proliferation activities. Sets forth a list of specified items for which a license is required to export such items to Iraq. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Secretary of Commerce from issuing a license for the export of nuclear material or technology to Iraq. Requires the United States to oppose financial or technical assistance to Iraq by international financial institutions. Requires the denial of credits or credit guarantees through the Export-Import Bank to Iraq. Authorizes the President to waive the sanctions authorized under this Act in certain circumstances if he certifies to the Congress Iraq's compliance with specified demands. Calls upon the President to seek multilateral cooperation to: (1) deny dangerous technologies to Iraq; and (2) induce such country to respect internationally recognized human rights, especially in the areas in northern Iraq which are inhabited by Kurds.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1990
Provides that the rate of pay of Members of Congress, judicial officers, and Executive Schedule positions shall be that in effect as of November 1, 1989. Repeals provisions of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 which provided for a 25 percent salary increase beginning in 1991 for legislative, judicial, and Executive Schedule positions. States that nothing in this Act shall have the effect of reducing the pay of any individual whose compensation may not, under certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution, be diminished during such individual's continuance in office. Continues the current adjustment method.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1990
Seneca Nation Settlement Act of 1990 - Provides for payments from the United States and New York State to settle lease payment claims of the Seneca Nation of Indians of the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring Reservations, provided the Nation offers new leases to the city of Salamanca, New York, in accordance with a specified agreement. Provides that such new leases shall not be subject to approval by the United States or New York State. Earmarks specified amounts of such payments for economic and community development of the Nation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1990
Financial Crimes Prosecution and Recovery Act of 1990 as Reported By the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives - Title I: Enhanced Criminal Penalties - Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties (including imprisonment) for the concealment of assets from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (acting as conservator or receiver) and the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) acting as conservator or receiver. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit certain felons convicted of dishonesty or breach of trust from controlling or participating in the affairs of a depository institution for a minimum ten-year period. Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties (including imprisonment) for obstructing any examination of a financial institution. Increases to 30 years (currently, 20 years) the maximum prison term for bank fraud and embezzlement. Establishes a ten-year statute of limitations for the prosecution of racketeering offenses involving financial institutions. Extends money laundering prohibitions to include funds from specified bank crimes. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate guidelines for increased penalties for certain bank crime convictions in which the defendant derived more than $1,000,000 in gross receipts from the offense. Provides for restoration of forfeited property and for restitution to bank crime victims. Sets forth maximum criminal fines and minimum imprisonment terms for certain continuing financial crime enterprises (i.e., certain violations committed by at least four persons acting in concert). Title II: Protecting Assets from Wrongful Disposition - Authorizes the Attorney General to obtain a court order enjoining or restraining the alienation of disposition of property obtained as a result of a banking law violation. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to set forth attachment procedures. Amends Federal bankruptcy law to provide that the trustee shall be deemed to have assumed a debtor's commitment to a Federal depository institution regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution (thus precluding the trustee from rejecting such commitment as an executory contract which can be avoided as a discharge in bankruptcy). Exempts a Federal depository institution regulatory agency acting as conservator for an insured depository institution from the requirement of proving reasonable reliance upon a false writing supplied by a debtor who is an institution-affiliated party. Prohibits a discharge in bankruptcy for debts resulting from the debtor's failure to fulfill a commitment to a Federal financial institution regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution. Exempts a Federal depository institution regulatory agency acting as conservator for an insured depository institution from the requirement of a timely nondischargeability request (including notice and hearing) when seeking to recover a debt relating to malfeasance. Declares that for specified cases of deceitful conduct, any institution-affiliated party of an insured depository institution (or credit union) shall be deemed to have been acting in a fiduciary capacity with respect to any debt owed to a Federal banking regulatory agency (thus making such debt nondischargeable in bankruptcy). Makes it a prerequisite of a bankruptcy reorganization plan that the debtor will: (1) maintain any commitment to a Federal banking regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution; and (2) continue to be obligated for any debt to such agency for failure to fulfill such commitment. Makes certain debts owed by an institution-affiliated party to an insured depository institution under Federal receivership nondischargeable under a consumer debt bankruptcy plan. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to empower the FDIC (acting as conservator) to avoid fraudulent conveyances by a debtor institution-affiliated party. Prohibits an insured depository institution which does not meet minimum Federal capitalization requirements from making golden parachute payments, covered benefit payments, or certain payments in anticipation of insolvency to an institution-affiliated party without prior written Federal agency approval. Cites conditions under which insured depository institutions may make golden parachute payments and covered benefits payments with FDIC approval. Amends the Federal criminal code to revise civil and criminal forfeiture guidelines for: (1) property affecting a financial institution; and (2) fraudulent offenses involving the sale of assets held by Federal banking regulatory agencies. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit certain convicted felony debtors whose default to an insured financial institution in receivership will cause substantial loss from acquiring any asset of the institution (except with respect to repayment). Title III: Improved Procedures for Handling Banking-Related Cases - Amends Federal criminal law to authorize wiretaps for bank fraud and related offenses. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to set forth reciprocal assistance guidelines for foreign investigations by Federal banking agencies and investigations on behalf of foreign banking authorities. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) to extend to ten years (currently, five years) the statute of limitations for commencing a civil action for Federal bank law violations. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the National Credit Union Act to grant the FDIC, the RTC, and the NCUA subpoena authority. Title IV: Structural Reforms to Improve the Federal Response to Crimes Affecting Financial Institutions - Establishes within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice a Financial Institutions Fraud Unit, headed by a Special Counsel who shall report directly to the Deputy Attorney General. Terminates such Office five years after enactment of this Act. Empowers the Special Counsel to investigate and prosecute criminal activity involving the financial services industry. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) financial institutions fraud task forces; and (2) a senior interagency group to assist in identifying the most significant financial institution fraud cases, to allocate investigative and prosecutorial resources, and to expedite interagency coordination and prosecution of financial institutions fraud. Amends Federal criminal law to authorize the Secret Service (under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury) to detect and arrest persons who violate banking laws with respect to financial institutions and the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Title V: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Attorney General to report quarterly to the Congress regarding financial institution crimes. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to present annual statistical tables to the Congress on the business imposed on the Federal courts by the savings and loan crisis. Title VI: National Commission on Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement - Establishes the National Commission on Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement to make investigations and recommendations regarding specified aspects of the savings and loan crisis. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the President and the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of such final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Authorizations - Amends the FIRREA to authorize appropriations to the Attorney General and the Federal Court System for bank crime cases.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1990
Declares that the rate of duty on East German products imported into the United States after July 31, 1990, and before a unified Germany is eligible for column one duty treatment under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, shall be equal to 110 percent of the rate that would be imposed if the column one duty rate applied to such products at the time of importation.