United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Veterans' ID Theft Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take specified actions in response to the May 2006 breach of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data security, including: (1) repairing the breach, restoring the security and confidentiality of the sensitive financial personal information involved and the integrity of data security safeguards, and improving data security policies and procedures; and (2) notifying affected persons, each nationwide consumer reporting agency, and any other third parties who will be required to act to protect such persons from fraud or identity theft. Makes the Secretary responsible for providing any notices and file monitoring required under this Act at no cost to the persons affected by the breach. Requires the Secretary to make available to a person affected, upon request, a service that monitors nationwide credit activity from a consumer reporting agency for six months for free.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restore Medicare treatment of ownership of oxygen equipment that existed prior to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Repeals: (1) the limitation of Medicare payment to the supplier for such equipment (including portable oxygen equipment) to 36 months of continuous use; and (2) the requirement that the equipment supplier transfer title to the individual at the end of such period, with payments continuing at specified monthly rates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive, for two-year periods, requirements for awarding breast and cervical cancer grants to states if certain conditions are met, including that granting such a waiver will not reduce the number of women in the state receiving examinations and screening for breast or cervical cancer or the quality of such services. Requires the Secretary to review performance under the waiver and allows the Secretary to extend such waivers. Authorizes appropriations for breast and cervical cancer grants through FY2012.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a House committee or subcommittee, whenever it receives a report on the following subject matters within its jurisdiction, to hold a hearing on the issues raised: (1) a Federal Office of Inspector General report documenting fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement in the government that results in a cost to the government of at least $1 million; or (2) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report documenting waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in federal programs, including high-risk government-operations. Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) to require the House Committee on Government Reform to hold : (1) hearings to question heads of departments or agencies whenever their auditors issue disclaimers or restatements of financial statements; and (2) at least two hearings during each session on the Program Assessment Rating Tool recommendations of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure a complementary relationship between the Administration and Congress to improve government performance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) certify in writing to Congress that any individual whose personal information is compromised due to lax data security at the VA has been appropriately notified in writing of such compromise; and (2) provide free of charge to each such individual credit monitoring services during the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment and a copy of the affected individual's credit report (in addition to any other credit report provided under otherwise applicable law) once annually during the two-year period beginning on the date on which the credit monitoring services terminate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the schedule for the volume of renewable fuels, the volume for cellulosic biomass, and the volume of biodiesel. Amends federal transportation law to require manufacturers of new dual fueled automobiles to ensure that the percentage of the total of such automobiles, manufactured and distributed in commerce for sale in the United States, meets prescribed percentages for specified model years. Directs the Secretary of Energy to require motor fuel retailers in each geographic region the Secretary establishes, when flexible-fuel vehicle market penetrations reach a certain level, to install an E-85 fuel pump or pumps at their retail fuel facilities. Establishes in the Treasury a Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Fund to implement a related grant program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a renewable energy strategic feedstock reserve program to purchase and store agricultural commodities with their producers. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) redefine bioenergy as ethanol derived from cellulosic feedstocks; and (2) reauthorize the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to enable eligible farmers, ranchers, and certain domestic entities controlled by them to create or expand facilities designed to convert agricultural commodities into fuel. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a lender to obtain an unsubordinated interest in a borrower's farming or ranching operation as a prerequisite to a federal loan guarantee. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to declare eligible for credit assistance certain associations of farmers, producers, or harvesters of aquatic products engaged in commercial activities related to renewable energy products. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program related to: (1) ethanol production; (2) extraction of energy from biological sources; (3) biomass gasification; and (4) new vehicle efficiency technologies. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a biofuels production facility grant program. Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact policies that: (1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) encourage systems that compensate American agricultural producers for the beneficial role that they play in reducing greenhouse gases and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel; (2) increase tax credits for refueling property for ethanol and biodiesel; and (3) increase the small ethanol producer credit. Revises requirements for infrastructure bonds for facilities producing motor vehicle fuel from biomass.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Accountability in Government Act of 2006 - Prohibits a federal agency head from continuing in office without reappointment by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, in any case in which the Comptroller General's annual report under the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 states that the agency is not in substantial compliance with federal financial management systems requirements, applicable accounting standards, and the U.S. Government Standard Ledger at the transaction level.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Energy Fairness for America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the tax deduction for oil and gas intangible drilling and development costs; (2) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (3) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) oil and gas royalties in-kind; (2) marginal property production incentives; (3) incentives for natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; (4) royalty suspension for deep water production; (5) the inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (6) the ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources program; (7) Alaska offshore royalty suspension; (8) accelerated depreciation of electric transmission property, natural gas distribution lines, and natural gas gathering lines and expensing of liquid fuel refinery property; (9) the exemption of small oil refiners from limitations on the oil depletion allowance; and (10) two-year amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures. Requires certain large integrated oil companies to revalue their LIFO inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or other petroleum productions using a specified formula. Limits or denies the foreign tax credit and tax deferrals for dual capacity taxpayers (taxpayers receiving economic and tax benefits from certain foreign jurisdictions), foreign oil and gas income, and foreign oil and gas extraction income.
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 · 2 May 2006
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation. Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Recognizes that African American spirituals are a poignant and powerful genre of music that have become one of the most significant segments of American music in existence. Requests that the President issue a proclamation that reflects on the important contribution of African American spirituals to American history and that names the African American spiritual as a national treasure.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act of 2006 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to extend its jurisdiction to certain: (1) "included energy transactions" traded on an electronic trading facility; and (2) energy commodities involved in over-the-counter transactions. Sets forth reporting and recordkeeping requirements for: (1) certain contract participants that enter into or execute "included energy transactions;" and (2) electronic trading facilities for energy commodities. Extends prohibitions against fraudulent transactions to: (1) filling an order by offset against the other person's order; and (2) knowingly and willfully becoming the buyer in respect to another person's selling order, or the seller in respect to another person's buying order, without the other person's prior consent. Empowers the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to impose civil and criminal penalties for price manipulation and other violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Oil Subsidy Elimination Act of 2006 - Requires oil companies with annual gross receipts of $1 billion or more and average daily crude oil production levels of at least 500,000 barrels (defined as large integrated oil companies) to revalue, according to a specified formula, their 2005 LIFO inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or other petroleum products. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny large integrated oil companies: (1) amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures; and (2) foreign tax credits for certain payments made to foreign countries. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) expensing of crude oil refinery property; (2) exemptions from limitations on oil depletion deductions for certain small crude oil refiners; and (3) amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Restore a Rational Tax Rate on Petroleum Production Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any primary product thereof.
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
States that Congress: (1) believes initiating military action without congressional approval in response to Iran's nuclear program does not fall within the President's "Commander-in-Chief" powers under the Constitution; (2) rejects any suggestion that P.L.107-40, the authorization of force resolution approved in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, extends to authorizing military action against Iran over its nuclear program; (3) rejects any suggestion that P.L.107-243, the authorization of force resolution approved by Congress to go to war with Iraq, extends to authorizing military action against Iran over its nuclear program; and (4) believes that seeking congressional authority prior to taking military action against Iran is not discretionary, but is a legal and constitutional requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 - States as the purpose of this Act the establishment of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative to identify, protect, and enhance sites within the Long Island Sound ecosystem with significant ecological, educational, open space, public access, or recreational value through a bi-state network of sites. Establishes the Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative Region within Connecticut and New York. Establishes the Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee, which shall: (1) identify 20 initial Long Island Sound stewardship sites; (2) recommend an equal distribution of funds between Connecticut and New York for the initial sites (authorizes site owners to apply to have the sites identified as stewardship sites); (3) identify additional recreation areas and natural areas with ecological value as potential stewardship sites; (4) publish a list of sites that further the purposes of this Act; (5) apply an adaptive management framework to the process of updating the list; and (6) report annually on recommended sites and recommended grants for securing and improving sites. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review the Committees recommendations, approve stewardship sites, award grants, and report annually on the Initiative. States that nothing in this Act requires private property owners located within the Region to participate in the Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
H-Prize Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies. Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen components or systems; (2) prototypes of hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products that meet or exceed certain performance criteria; and (3) transformational changes in technologies for hydrogen distribution or production that meet or exceed far-reaching criteria, including minimal carbon emissions, and which may include cost criteria designed to facilitate the eventual market success of a winning technology.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each prescription drug plan contract entered into with a plan sponsor to provide for: (1) the availability of direct deposit payments; (2) an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs; and (3) payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies. Requires the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be at least 50% greater than the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. Limits to $10 the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug. Prohibits a prescription drug plan, subject to exception by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from decreasing the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug to an amount less than the dispensing fee paid for it on the date of enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to those with a prescription drug plan sponsor.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Choice for America's Seniors Act of 2006 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a six-month extension of the 2006 initial enrollment period for Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Amends SSA title XVIII part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) to suspend the Medicare prescription drug late enrollment penalty during 2006. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to allow changes of enrollment in Medicare prescription drug plans and MA plans twice during the year. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit removal of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs from a prescription drug plan formulary, or imposition of a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, during the plan year: (1) except at the beginning; or (2) for an individual enrollee, from the date of enrollment until December 31 of the immediately succeeding plan year. Specifies exceptions to such prohibition. Requires an advance notice before the time of each annual coordinated election period for a plan year of any changes in the formulary or other restrictions or limitations on coverage of a covered part D drug that will take effect for that plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Tax Equity for Children and the Working Poor Act of 2006 - Repeals provisions of the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 and the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 relating the the uniform definition of child. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise eligibility rules for dependent children for purposes of the tax exemption for dependents, the child tax credit, and the earned income tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Medicare Drug Formulary Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit removal of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs from a prescription drug plan formulary, or imposition of a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, during the plan year: (1) except at the beginning; or (2) for an individual enrollee, from the date of enrollment until December 31 of the immediately succeeding plan year. Specifies exceptions to such prohibition. Requires an annual notice to enrollees of changes in formulary and other restrictions or limitations on coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Congratulates Geno Auriemma, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball head coach, for his selection to the 2006 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Class.
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 · 29 March 2006
Restoring America's Competitiveness Act of 2006 - Establishes the National Commission on International Economic Policy. Amends the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002 to require the International Trade Commission (ITC), before initiating negotiations for trade agreements regarding tariff and nontariff barriers, to report to Congress on certain effects such agreements may have on U.S. industries. Declares that Congress reaffirms the negotiating objective relating to border taxes set forth in the Trade Act of 2002. Sets forth conditions under which the Secretary of Commerce shall, as of January 1, 2008, treat as a countervailable subsidy the full or partial exemption, remission, or deferral specifically related to exports of indirect taxes paid on a product. Establishes the Congressional Advisory Commission on World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement. Allows, under specified conditions, certain private U.S. persons supportive of the government's position before a dispute settlement panel or Appellate Body of the WTO to participate in consultations and panel proceedings. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to modify the trade dispute functions of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to extend the meaning of countervailable subsidy to include exchange-rate manipulation. Requires the ITC to study how the People's Republic of China (PRC) uses government intervention to promote investment, employment, and exports. Amends the Trade Act of 1930 with respect to U.S. unfair trade laws and creation of an Assistant Attorney General for Trade Law Enforcement. Amend the Trade Act of 1974 to modify: (1) the test for positive adjustments to import competition; and (2) standards for the USTR's recommendation to the President on findings of market disruption by Chinese exports. Requires the USTR to report to Congress on how agreements resulting from negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda of the WTO will implement the provisions of the Agreement on Antidumping, the Agreement of Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the Agreement on Safeguards, as such Agreements were approved by Congress under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Applies the amendments made by this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2006 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require (currently, authorizes) the President to furnish assistance for tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment, and elimination. Gives priority to activities described in the Stop TB Strategy (as defined by this Act). Revises related fund use provisions. Authorizes the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide increased resources to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership to improve the capacity of countries with high TB rates and other affected countries to implement the Stop TB Strategy. Authorizes appropriations for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) TB activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodities Exchange Act to direct both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit a person from buying or selling securities while in possession of related material nonpublic information regarding legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or employee of Congress; or (2) by reason of being a Member or employee of Congress. Directs the SEC and the CFTC to prohibit any Member or employee of Congress, or any other person, from disclosing material nonpublic information regarding legislative action relating to any issuer if that Member, employee, or other person has reason to believe that the information will be used to buy or sell the securities of such issuer based on that information. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require formal disclosure of certain securities transactions to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to subject to its registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2006 - States that Congress reaffirms the inherent authority of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to call, and hereby expressly authorizes the calling of, a constitutional convention through the election of delegates for the purpose of establishing a mechanism for self-determination. Provides that, upon the approval by a constitutional convention in the Commonwealth of a self-determination option, the convention shall submit a self-determination proposal to Congress for approval. Requires submission of the proposal, upon approval by Congress with or without modifications, to the people of the Commonwealth for appoval or rejection in a referendum. Requires enactment of a joint resolution of Congress approving the terms of the proposal, including implementing provisions, if the people of Puerto Rico approve the proposal in the referendum. Provides that, if a self-determination proposal is not approved by Congress or by the people of Puerto Rico in a referendum, the Government of the Commonwealth should call for a new constitutional convention, including an election by the people of Puerto Rico of new delegates to the convention, for the purpose of formulating and submitting to Congress a new self-determination proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to provide for the mandatory revocation of passports of individuals who are more than $5,000 in arrears in child support payments.
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 · 9 March 2006
Requests the President and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide to the House of Representatives all documents in their possession relating to: (1) the Dubai Ports World acquisition of six United States commercial ports leases, including records of internal discussions relating to the December 13, 2005, document by the Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process for such acquisition, including records of internal discussions between the White House and Dubai Ports World and records of internal discussions, during the period of October 1, 2005, to March 2, 2006, between the White House and the Carlyle Group.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Sail Only if Scanned Act of 2006 - Amends federal shipping law to to authorize an ocean shipping container to enter the United States, either directly or via a foreign port, only if the container is scanned with equipment, and secured with a seal, that meets certain standards before it is loaded on the vessel for shipment to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2006 - Directs the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico during the 110th Congress, giving voters the option to vote for continued U.S. territorial status or for a path toward a constitutionally viable permanent nonterritorial status. Provides for subsequent procedures, depending on ballot results. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate certain funds for the self-determination process.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) rename the low-income housing tax credit as the affordable housing credit; (2) revise the applicable percentage rates for the credit; (3) increase the credit for low-income buildings that are part of state-designated projects; (4) allow the credit for buildings eligible for moderate rehabilitation assistance under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937; (5) repeal certain repayment requirements for qualified mortgage revenue bond issues; (6) qualify displaced homemakers, single parents, and certain disaster victims for mortgage revenue bond-financed first-time home loans; (7) repeal rules requiring recapture of income from sales of low-income buildings that are reasonably expected to be operated on a low-income basis; (8) impose recapture reporting requirements on owners of qualified low-income buildings eligible for housing credits; (9) exempt affordable housing tax credit amounts from the alternative minimum tax; and (10) exempt interest on certain exempt private activity bonds, qualified mortgage revenue bonds, qualified veterans' mortgage bonds, and certain exempt facility bonds used for residential rental projects from the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Foreign Investment Security Improvement Act of 2006 - Directs the President (or the President's designee) to investigate, under the Defense Production Act of 1950, the acquisition by Dubai Ports World (DP World), an entity owned or controlled by the Emirate of Dubai, of the Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) Steam Navigation Company, a national of the United Kingdom. Requires such investigation to be completed within 45 days after enactment of this Act. Directs the President to suspend any decision, under provisions of the Defense Production Act of 1950 permitting the President to stop the acquisition because it will impair national security, with respect to such acquisition made before the completion of the investigation, including any decision made before enactment of this Act. Specifies requirements for the investigation. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide information for the investigation, including: (1) relevant information on DP World from the Automated Targeting System maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (2) port assessments at foreign seaports where DP World operates. Requires the President to: (1) report to Congress within 15 days after completion of the investigation; and (2) provide certain Members of Congress a detailed briefing on the contents of the report. Requires the President to take action necessary to prohibit the acquisition if the President does not stop the acquisition under the provisions of the Defense Production Act of 1950 permitting the President to stop the acquisition because it will impair national security if a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted into law within 30 days after Congress receives a report from the President that an acquisition will not be stopped. Requires, if such acquisition has been already been completed, the President to direct the Attorney General to seek divestment or other appropriate relief in US district courts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq; (2) the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and (3) U.S. Armed Forces should be redeployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq's constitution-making process or September 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to: (1) advance from FY2007 to FY2006 the fiscal year for which funds are appropriated for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and (2) repeal the limitation on such funds as a one-time only obligation and expenditure. Bars use of the funds for certain state planning and administration purposes. Accelerates the termination of such appropriation and related allocations and conditions from September 30, 2007, to September 30, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Amends rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order, with certain exceptions, for the House to consider a measure or matter until 72 hours after its text (and any accompanying reports) have been made available to Members and the general public (excluding Saturdays, Sunday and holidays when the House is not in session). Requires such text to be posted continuously, during the 72 hours, on the Internet in an accessible, searchable format. Prohibits the House from considering a general appropriations bill, with certain exceptions, until at least 72 hours (currently, three calendar days) after the printed hearings of the Committee on Appropriations related to it have been available to Members. Requires privileged reports to be made available to the general public before their consideration in the House. Amends rule XXII (House and Senate Relations) to require, before House consideration, the same 72 hour availability to Members and the general public, including Internet accessibility, of the text of conference reports, accompanying joint explanatory statements, and Senate amendments reported by a conference committee in disagreement. Declares that nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted to require or permit the declassification or posting on the Internet of classified information. Requires such classified information to be made available to Members in a timely manner. Expresses the sense of the House that the House Committee on Rules should develop standardized policies and procedures to require that proposed amendments major in size, scope, or cost (except those offered under an open rule) be posted on the Internet for an appropriate number of hours.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Federal Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise certain federal aviation administration personnel management system requirements to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from implementing any proposed change to the FAA personnel management system in cases where the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service do not lead to an agreement between the Administrator and FAA employees unless a bill is enacted into law by Congress that authorizes the change during the 60-day period beginning from the time Congress received the proposed change. (Current law does not require congressional action.) Requires the Administrator and FAA employee bargaining representatives to submit the proposed change to binding arbitration if Congress does not enact a bill into law within the 60-day period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2006 - Amends the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 to extend for three years the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker).
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Makes additional appropriations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for state health insurance counseling programs on Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) and Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plan enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations prescribed pursuant to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require coal mine operators to expeditiously provide notification of any accident where rescue and recovery work is necessary. Requires the Secretary to revise regulations regarding mine rescue teams to: (1) address training and qualifications for team members, rescue equipment and technology, the structure and organization of teams, and the guidelines about liability and insurance issues; and (2) require that mine operators employ rescue teams to provide a rapid response and have a plan for coordination and communication between the rescue teams and local emergency response personnel. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require: (1) each coal mine to maintain at strategic locations sufficient emergency supplies of air and self-contained breathing equipment, and independent means of communication with the surface, for people awaiting rescue; and (2) each operator to implement a communication and electronic tracking system to assist in rescue and to equip each person that enters a mine with certain communication and tracking devices. Requires the Secretary to revise regulations in order to prohibit belt haulage entries from being used to ventilate active working places in any coal mine. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to establish minimum civil penalties for violations: (1) where the operator displays negligence or reckless disregard of a mandatory health or safety standard; and (2) of rescue notification requirements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office of Science and Technology Transfer within the Mine Safety and Health Administration to conduct research and development to apply advancing sciences and technologies to mines and miner health and safety; (2) review and revise mine health and safety standards with regard to implementing such technologies. Establishes the position of Miner Ombudsman within the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor to be responsible for ensuring the safety of mines through information collection and sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Medicare Prescription Drug Emergency Guarantee Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to assure uninterrupted access to medicines under the Medicare prescription drug program. Requires each prescription drug plan sponsor offering a prescription drug plan, and each Medicare Advantage organization offering an Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plan (MA-PD plan), to: (1) provide minimum standard transition coverage; (2) furnish each enrollee with annual notices of any changes in formulary or other restrictions or drug coverage limitations; and (3) require application of intermediate sanctions to protect against fraud and abuse. Amends SSA: (1) title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) to allow changes of enrollment in prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans to be made once each year outside the annual coordinated election period, or twice a year; and (2) title XIX (Medicaid) to prohibit conditioning Medicaid eligibility on enrollment in Medicare part D or any other creditable coverage. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on the extent to which full-benefit dual eligible individuals were enrolled (by assignment or otherwise) in the most appropriate part D prescription drug plans. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse covered third parties during 2006 for 100% of covered part D drugs which a prescription drug plan or MA-PD plan enrollee reasonably expected would have been covered but were not because the enrollee was unable to access on a timely basis prescription drug benefits to which he or she was entitled. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for recovering such reimbursed costs from prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans if they should have incurred them.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006 - Extends from one to two years the lobbying ban for former senior executive personnel, former Members of Congress, and legislative branch officers and employees. Denies floor privileges to any former Members and House officers if he or she is a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal. Requires public disclosure by Members of Congress and senior congressional staff of employment negotiations. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to revise requirements for lobbying disclosures reports. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) exclude gifts from lobbyists from the gift ban exceptions; and (2) prohibit privately funded travel by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee. Establishes the Office of Public Integrity within the Office of Inspector General of the House. Amends the LDA to increase the penalty for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements. Requires certification that congressional travel meets certain conditions, subject to civil fines for false certifications. Establishes mandatory annual ethics training for House employees. Makes it out of order to consider any reconciliation legislation which has the net effect of reducing the surplus or increasing the deficit compared to the most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate for any fiscal year. Limits recorded electronic votes to 20 minutes, except in certain circumstances. Makes requirements for earmarks in funding measures. Makes it out of order to consider a resolution providing for adjournment sine die unless, during at least 20 weeks of the session, a quorum call or recorded vote was taken on at least four of the weekdays (excluding legal public holidays). Makes it out of order, with certain exceptions, for the House to consider a bill or joint resolution until 24 hours, or in the case of legislation containing a district-oriented earmark or limited tax benefit, until three days after copies of such measure are available. Makes a motion to request or agree to a conference on a general appropriation bill in order only if the House expresses its disagreements with the Senate in the form of numbered amendments. Requires all provisions on which the two chambers disagree to be open to discussion at any meeting of a conference committee. Prescribes minimum requirements for political appointees holding public safety positions. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPPA) to require an executive agency, after awarding a contract, to make specified information regarding it available to the public, including over the Internet in a searchable database. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (FPASA) to prohibit awarding of a monopoly federal contract to a single contractor. Specifies conditions under which such contracts may be awarded. Amends the FPASA to require revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require competition for certain multiple award contracts. Provides for suspension and debarment of unethical contractors. Amends the federal criminal code to impose fines and penalties on cheating taxpayers and wartime fraud. Revises requirements and prohibitions regarding contractor conflicts of interest. Requires disclosure of certain government contractor overcharges. Subjects individuals to penalties for improper sole-source contracting procedures. Prescribes disclosure requirements for organizations established to raise funds for creating, maintaining, expanding, or conducting activities at a former or existing presidential archival depository or its facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Amends rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, officers, or employees of the House, before accepting payment of travel expenses, to obtain a written certification from the sponsoring organization or person: (1) stating that no registered lobbyist has been invited to participate in the transportation, lodging, or any associated meetings; and (2) disclaiming specified lobbying activities and connections. Amends rule IV (The Hall of the House) to deny floor privileges to any former Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, former Parliamentarian, former elected officer or former minority employee of the House, and to heads of departments and state governors, unless the individual signs a lobbying disclaimer each time he or she is admitted to such location. Amends rule XVIII (The Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union) to make it out of order to consider any reconciliation legislation which has the net effect of reducing the surplus or increasing the deficit compared to the most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate for any fiscal year. Amends rule XX (Voting and Quorum Calls) to limit recorded electronic votes to 20 minutes, except that the time may be extended with the consent of both the majority and minority floor managers of the legislation involved or both the majority and minority leaders. Amends rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) to prohibit a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from conditioning the inclusion of language to provide funding for a district-oriented earmark, a particular project which will be carried out in a Member's congressional district, or a limited tax benefit in any bill or joint resolution (or accompanying report) or in any conference report on such measure (or accompanying joint statement of managers) on any vote such individual casts. Requires a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to disclose in writing to the chairman and ranking member of the relevant committee certain information about any district-oriented earmark such individual advocates in any measure or accompanying report or managers' joint statement. Requires each committee to make such information available to the general public for any earmark included in any reported measure. Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation to review any revenue measure, reconciliation bill, or joint resolution for limited tax benefits, and identify them and their beneficiaries, including their sponsors. Amends rule XV (Business in Order on Special Days) to make it out of order to consider a resolution providing for adjournment sine die unless, during at least 20 weeks of the session, a quorum call or recorded vote was taken on at least four of the weekdays (excluding legal public holidays). Amends rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) to make it out of order, with certain exceptions, for the House to consider a bill or joint resolution until 24 hours, or in the case of legislation containing a district-oriented earmark or limited tax benefit, until three days after copies of such measure (and any accompanying report) are available (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays when the House is not in session). Makes a motion to request or agree to a conference on a general appropriation bill in order only if the Senate expresses its disagreements with the House in the form of numbered amendments. Requires all provisions on which the two chambers disagree to be open to discussion at any meeting of a conference committee. Amends rule XXV (Limitation on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) to exempt from the restrictions on gifts to Members of Congress or Senators, officers, or employees of the House the market value for a flight taken in connection with official duties (charter flight fair market value) on an airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire. Requires the individual to publish certain flight related information in the Congressional Record within 10 days of such a flight.
![Official portrait of Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000557_200.jpg)