United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10240 Roosevelt Road in Westchester, Illinois, as the "John J. Sinde Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Planning Week, and encourages Americans to observe it with appropriate programs and activities. Recognizes the significant impact that sound financial planning can have on securing financial independence and achieving life's goals and dreams.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, as the "Katherine Dunham Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Protecting Children's Health in Schools Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish requirements for providing and receiving reimbursement for school-based health care for children, including children with special needs, and the related administrative and transportation costs covered under Medicaid. Includes health care provided through Medicaid managed care organizations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education, acting jointly, to develop and implement a uniform methodology for claims under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for engaging in the terrorist act of taking hostages. Affirms Israel's right to conduct operations, both inside and outside its own borders and in the territory of countries supporting the hostage takers, in pursuit of the hostages' release. Notes that all governments that have provided continued support to Hamas or Hezbollah share responsibility for the hostage taking and urges these countries to use all efforts to secure the hostages' unconditional release. Urges all parties to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure. Declares continued commitment to aiding Israel and the administration of President George W. Bush in battling terrorism and securing the unconditional release of hostages. Expresses condolences to all innocent victims of recent violence in Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories and their families, including those of the three Israeli hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2006
Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2006 - Requires an industrial bank holding company to register and file certain reports with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) within ninety days after becoming an industrial bank holding company Prohibits such holding company from being controlled by a commercial firm. Grandfathers certain institutions to exempt them from the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois National Heritage Area Act of 2006 - Establishes the Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area in Illinois. Designates the Southern Illinois University Carbondale as the management entity for the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income and excise tax credits for alcohol and biodiesel used as fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Securing America's Future Economy Commission Act, or SAFE Commission Act - Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission to develop legislation designed to address: (1) the unsustainable imbalance between long-term federal spending commitments and projected revenues; (2) increases in net national savings to provide for domestic investment and economic growth; (3) the implications of foreign ownership of debt instruments issued by the federal government; and (4) revision of the budget process to place greater emphasis on long-term fiscal issues. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop one or two methods for estimating the cost of legislation as an alternative to the current Congressional Budget Office (CBO) method; and (2) hold at least one town-hall style public hearing within each federal reserve district. Requires the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to Congress and the President. Authorizes the President to submit to Congress an alternative proposal. Authorizes the Committee on the Budget of either Chamber to publish its own alternative proposal in the Congressional Record. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such legislation. Requires CBO to prepare a long-term cost estimate and have it published in the Congressional Record as expeditiously as possible whenever requested to do so by the Commission, the President, or the chairman of the Committee on the Budget of either Chamber.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that by January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2020 excise tax credits and refunds for liquid fuels and mixtures derived from coal (including peat) through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Washington Street in Morris, Illinois, as the "Joshua A. Terando Princeton Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the "Congressman Owen Lovejoy Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Provides that annuity payments from qualified church plans that otherwise meet specified distribution requirements for money purchase pension plans under the Internal Revenue Code shall not fail to satisfy qualified trust distribution requirements merely because the payments are not made under an annuity contract purchased from an insurance company.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Preserve Historic America Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for rehabilitation of older and historic buildings by: (1) increasing from 20 to 25% the tax credit rate for certified historic structure rehabilitation expenditures; (2) permitting a building at least 50 years old to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit (currently, a building must have been placed in service before 1936); (3) permitting qualified rehabilitated buildings to be used for lodging purposes; (4) limiting to 50% the basis reduction for buildings qualifying for the low-income housing and rehabilitation tax credits; (5) allowing an increased rehabilitation tax credit for certain buildings in difficult development areas or which qualify as small rehabilitation projects; (6) exempting tax credits for rehabilitation of certified historic structures from the calculation of the passive activity credit; and (7) permitting the assignment of rehabilitation tax credits. Allows a new tax credit for 20% of the cost of rehabilitating a qualified historic home. Defines "qualified historic home" as a certified historic structure which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and is or will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
National Labor Relations Board Reform Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to establish certain deadlines for the National Labor Relations Board to render decisions with respect to complaints filed questioning union collective bargaining representation or alleging unfair labor practices by an employer. Authorizes a Board member to continue to serve on the Board after the expiration of such member's term until a successor has been appointed.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Protection of University Governance Act of 2006 - Prohibits a nongovernmental entity that regulates intercollegiate sports from penalizing, or denying any benefit to, an institution of higher education by reason of the name, symbol, emblem, or mascot of the school's intercollegiate sports team. Makes an entity which violates such prohibition subject to injunction and liable to an aggrieved school for damages and legal fees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prohibit the distribution of an unfinished active ingredient to any person other than a registered producer of drugs and devices in order to protect the public health. Requires the Secretary to establish such restrictions on the distribution of dextromethorphan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Condemns the terrorist attacks on Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt and other terrorist attacks directed against Egypt. Expresses condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the attacks and expresses sympathies to those who were injured. Joins with President George W. Bush in expressing the solidarity of the people and government of the United States with the people and government of Egypt. Expresses readiness to support the Egyptian authorities' efforts to bring to justice those persons responsible for such attacks and to pursue and dismantle the responsible networks.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Recognizes and honors the 30th Anniversary of the California victory at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting and recognizes the historical significance of this event to the U.S. wine industry.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Medicare Teaching Anesthesiology Funding Restoration Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Federal Locks and Lock and Dam Facilities Act of 2006 - Declares that: (1) water and navigational resource projects and facilities are national critical infrastructures and the operation and maintenance of locks and lock and dam facilities constitute inherently governmental functions that require performance by federal employees; and (2) the transfer of such functions to a different agency shall not change such determination. Permits the Army Corps of Engineers to continue to contract: (1) for private sector performance of such functions that were performed under contracts with the private sector in effect on March 1, 2006, but permits the Corps to use federal employees to perform such functions in the future; and (2) with the private sector to construct new locks and lock and dam facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 - Expands the: (1) authority of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Bureau) to include membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) (and raises the grade of the Chief from lieutenant general to general); and (2) functions of the Bureau to include facilitating and coordinating, with other federal agencies and the states, the use of Guard personnel and resources for, and in, contingency operations, military operations other than war, natural disasters, and support of civil authorities. Directs the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on Guard programs and activities to address such gaps. Requires annual Department of Defense (DOD) budget justification documents to include separate amounts for Guard training and equipment for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Establishes within the JCS an Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters. Expresses the sense of Congress calling for consideration of eligible reserve officers for promotion to the grades of lieutenant general or vice admiral on the active duty list. Requires the position of Deputy Commander of the U.S. Northern Command to be filled by a qualified Guard officer eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015: (1) the investment tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property; and (2) the tax credit for residential photovoltaic, solar water heating, and fuel cell property expenditures. Modifies the maximum amounts for such residential credits based upon kilowatt of capacity. Allows such credits to be taken against the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
American Dream Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional permanent resident status, an alien who: (1) entered the United States prior to his or her sixteenth birthday, and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act; (2) is a person of good moral character; (3) is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and (4) at the time of application, has been admitted to an institution of higher education, or has earned a high school or equivalent diploma. Sets forth the conditions for conditional permanent resident status. Authorizes an alien who has satisfied the appropriate requirements prior to enactment of this Act to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent resident status. Sets forth requirements respecting: (1) exclusive jurisdiction; (2) confidentiality; (3) fee prohibitions; (4) higher education assistance; and (5) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report respecting the number of aliens adjusted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services;" and (2) make physical therapists eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (to assure an adequate supply of physical therapists among other health professionals).
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to the next of kin or personal representative of each passenger or crew member on board United Airlines Flight 93 who is identified by the Attorney General as having aided in the effort to resist the hijackers on board the plane, in recognition of heroic service to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such gold medal. Declares such medals to be national medals. Requires that proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Military Spouses Employment Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces on extended active duty (more than 90 days or for an indefinite period) as members of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit (thus giving employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses).
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the "Lane Evans Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the Act) to authorize appropriations for the national fishery management program through FY2012. Revises provisions under the Act with respect to: (1) regional fishery management councils; (2) fishery management plan requirements; and (3) environmental review of fishery management plans. Establishes: (1) limited access privilege programs to harvest fish; (2) Western Pacific regional marine education and training programs; (3) a regional economic transition program for fishermen affected by a catastrophic fishery disaster; (4) a shrimp fisheries hurricane assistance program for the Gulf of Mexico; (5) a bycatch reduction engineering program to minimize bycatch mortality; (6) a community-based fishery and coastal habitat restoration program; and (7) a national fishery permitting and registration program Increases both civil and criminal penalties for certain prohibited acts under U.S. fishery law. Sets forth a criminal penalty for a person who uses a weapon in the commission of such acts. National Fishing Fleet Vision, Implementation, and Management Act - Establishes: (1) a National Task Force on Sustainable Fishery Capacity to develop guidance for the development of Sustainable Fishery Vision, Implementation, and Management Plans; (2) a regionally based registry program for recreational fishermen; (3) a cooperative research and management program; (4) a Fisheries Conservation and Management Fund; and (5) a deep sea coral research and technology program. Reauthorizes certain fisheries Acts through FY2010. Requires the Secretary to identify a nation's vessels that have engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing (including relevant international fishery management organizations that have failed to implement effective measures to end such activities), or that have engaged in fishing practices beyond the exclusive economic zone that result in bycatch of a protected living marine resource, and to encourage them to take appropriate corrective actions or to enter into bilateral treaties to end such offending activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Universal Service Reform Act of 2006 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 concerning procedures for the review of universal service requirements to require the Federal-State Joint Board on universal service to complete recommendations for changes to such requirements within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Includes high-speed broadband services within universal service. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assess contributions to universal service support mechanisms from communications service providers, allowing a limit on the contributions of providers whose customers typically make a low volume of monthly calls. Provides: (1) support contribution limits; and (2) support to non-rural carriers providing service in rural, insular, and high-cost areas. Outlines network traffic identification accountability standards, rulemaking, and enforcement requirements. Requires the FCC, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to prescribe regulations that require a provider, upon a bona fide request, to provide communications services necessary for the provision of health care services in a state to any health care provider that serves persons who live in rural areas of that state. Outlines eligibility requirements for communications service providers to receive universal service support, including (with a possible three-year waiver) that the provider meets basic requirements for the deployment and provision of high-speed broadband service. Makes current limitations on universal service support and individual support caps imposed upon carriers inapplicable after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires all residential and business lines served by an eligible telecommunications carrier to be eligible for federal universal service support.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Recognizes the 225th anniversary of the American and French victory at Yorktown, Virginia, during the Revolutionary War. Reminds the American people of the debt the United States owes to its Armed Forces and the important role Yorktown and the Commonwealth of Virginia played in securing their liberty.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act - Prohibits a person from carrying out a demonstration: (1) at a cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or at Arlington National Cemetery, unless the demonstration has been approved by the cemetery superintendent or director; or (2) within 500 feet of a cemetery at which a funeral or memorial service is to be held, for a period beginning 60 minutes before and ending 60 minutes after the funeral or service, if such demonstration includes any individual making noise or a diversion that disturbs the peace or good order of the funeral or service. Amends the federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Expresses the sense of Congress that each state should enact legislation to restrict demonstrations near any military funeral.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Tax Fairness for Small Business Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an accelerated five-year amortization period for goodwill and other business intangibles acquired from certain small businesses (businesses whose average three-year gross receipts do not exceed $5 million) after December 31, 2005. Limits the amount eligible for such amortization to $5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries. Prohibits an increase after December 31, 2005, in: (1) a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and (2) the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. Prohibits: (1) charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and (2) after December 31, 2005, an increase in premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program) for certain members of the Selected Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act of 2006 - Authorizes The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, in recognition of his enduring contributions to the United States and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should enact legislation to assist American farmers adversely affected by natural disasters and unforeseen production costs during the 2005 crop year and that such legislation should give farmers a choice of a supplemental direct payment or yield-loss disaster payments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the "Gene Vance Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Commends Italy, the Torino Olympic Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic Committee for the successful completion of the 2006 Winter Games. Congratulates the United States Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Team, and all international athletes for their outstanding performances. Expresses support to the 2006 United States Paralympic Team in the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Small Business Expensing Permanency Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase and make permanent the taxpayer election to expense (i.e., deduct all costs in current taxable year) depreciable business property, including computer software; (2) increase the investment threshold amount used to calculate reductions in the amount of such expensing allowance; (3) allow an inflation adjustment to the amount of the expensing allowance and the investment threshold amount; and (4) make permanent the taxpayer's right to revoke an election to expense.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the prohibitions against interstate gambling. Modifies the definition of "wire communication facility" to include all communications, including transmissions by satellite or microwave using fixed or mobile connections (e.g., the Internet or other wireless communications). Expands the definition of "bets and wagers" to include all forms of gambling activity. Modifies existing prohibitions against interstate gambling to prohibit anyone engaged in a gambling business from using a communication facility to transmit: (1) bets or wagers; (2) a communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers; or (3) information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers. Imposes a five-year prison term for violations. Prohibits anyone engaged in a gambling business from accepting in connection with the transmission of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers: (1) credit, or the proceeds of credit; (2) electronic funds transfers; (3) checks, drafts, or similar instruments; or (4) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction as prescribed by Treasury regulations. Exempts certain instrastate gambling activities. Requires any common carrier who is notified in writing that a user of one of its communication facilities is violating prohibitions against interstate gambling to discontinue service to such user. Authorizes federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies to obtain injunctive or declaratory relief to restrain persons from violating prohibitions against interstate gambling.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Congratulates Dr. I. King Jordan, President of Gallaudet University, on his retirement and expresses appreciation for his service to Gallaudet University, the deaf and hard of hearing community, and all disabled individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
States that a precondition for the integration of Belarus into the Western community of nations is its establishment of a genuinely democratic political system. Expresses support for the efforts of the Belarusian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Belarus. Urges the government of Belarus to: (1) guarantee freedom of association and assembly, and (2) meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards and commitments on democratic elections. Urges the Belarusian authorities to ensure: (1) transparency procedures for the 2006 presidential election; (2) election monitor access; (3) multiparty representation on all election commissions; (4) media access by all parties and candidates; (5) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, and independent media organizations from government harassment; and (6) prosecution of election law violators. Encourages the international community to continue efforts to support democracy in Belarus and urges countries such as Lithuania and other Baltic countries and Nordic countries to continue to provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other Belarusian organizations involved in promoting democracy and fair elections. Pledges support to the Belarusian people, their commitment to a democratic system and creation of a free market economy, and their country's assumption of its place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Encourages all Americans to increase their charitable giving, with the goal of increasing the annual amount of charitable giving in the United States by 1%.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Code Talkers Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal: (1) to persons, including specified individuals, who served as Sioux or Comanche Code Talkers during World War II; (2) honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I; and (3) to any other Native American member of the armed forces, identified by the Secretary of Defense, who served as a Code Talker in any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved during the 20th Century. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under this Act and to deposit the proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals awarded under this Act.