United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Constitutional Amendment - States that the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right. States that neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served. Declares that no treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2010
National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins in recognition of the National Baseball Hall of Fame during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015. Directs the Secretary to hold a competition to design the obverse of the coins. Requires the design on the reverse side to depict a baseball similar to those used by Major League Baseball. Requires all sales of such coins to include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to help finance its operations. Requires the budgetary effects of this Act to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2010
Designates buildings occupied by the Department of Transportation (DOT) located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, Southeast, and 1201 4th Street, Southeast, in the District of Columbia as the James L. Oberstar United States Department of Transportation Building Complex for the period the buildings are occupied by the DOT.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2010
Thanks the members of the National Guard for their service in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001, and their continuing role in homeland security and military operations. Supports providing the National Guard with the necessary resources to ensure its readiness. Expresses condolences and gratitude to the families of those members of the National Guard who have lost their lives through their dedication and commitment to the freedom and security of the United States while serving in the National Guard. Honors and supports the compassionate, courageous, and dedicated members of the National Guard who serve a critical role in protecting the United States and its citizens' freedoms and treasured liberties.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2010
Condemns the unilateral decision of the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to begin the closure of the Yucca Mountain license application review. Calls on the NRC to resume license application review activities immediately, pending further direction from Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2010
American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescissions Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances remaining available as of November 15, 2010, of the discretionary appropriations provided by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (P.L. 111-5). Prohibits federal agencies administering ARRA funds from providing funding or reimbursement to any entity awarded such funds for the cost associated with physical signage or other advertisement indicating that a project is funded by the ARRA.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010
Clean Water Affordability Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise requirements for capitalization grant agreements with states for establishing water pollution control revolving funds. Requires states to set aside 15% of funds for assistance to municipalities of fewer than 10,000 individuals that meet specified affordability criteria. Authorizes the fund to be used to make loans at terms not to exceed 30 years or the design life of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the loan (currently 20 years). Authorizes a state to provide additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal and negative interest loans, to benefit a municipality that: (1) meets affordability criteria, or (2) does not meet such criteria if the recipient seeks the additional subsidization to benefit ratepayers that will experience a significant hardship from the increase in rates necessary to finance the project or activity for which assistance is sought. Establishes affordability criteria to assist in identifying municipalities that would experience a significant hardship raising the revenue necessary to finance a project or activity eligible for assistance. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update the guidance entitled "Combined Sewer Overflows--Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development," dated February 1997, to ensure that the evaluations by the Administrator of financial capability assessment and schedule development meet specified criteria, including criteria used in: (1) assessing financial capability of a community to make investments necessary to make water quality-related improvements, and (2) implementing water quality-related improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010
Supports the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years. Applauds the nonprofit organizations and agencies that work tirelessly to honor and assist Holocaust survivors in their communities. Urges the Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the Administration on Aging (AoA), to provide Holocaust survivors with needed social services through existing programs. Encourages the AoA to expeditiously develop and implement programs that ensure Holocaust survivors are able to age in place in their communities and avoid institutionalization during their remaining years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010
Congratulates the National Institute of Nursing Research on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Commends the Institute for its ongoing support of nursing research.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010
Increases from $200 million to $500 million the aggregate allowable amount that can be awarded (liability cap) for a single passenger rail accident or incident that was proximately caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of a defendant. (Current law limits to $200 million the aggregate allowable award to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including claims for punitive damages, arising from a single accident or incident.) Increases from $200 million to $500 million per accident or incident the mandatory total minimum insurance or self-insurance liability coverage Amtrak must maintain.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Dr. Balazs "Ernie" Bodai in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the nation, including a tireless commitment to breast cancer research.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Directs the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry to submit to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) all information in its possession relating to certain specific communications involving General Motors Corporation (GM) relating to the Task Force's role in negotiating, reviewing, approving, or any other aspect of: (1) the plans for reorganization or restructuring GM in connection with bankruptcy proceedings that commenced during 2009; (2) levels of and reductions in the employee and retiree benefits of current and former GM salaried employees, union employees, and non-union hourly employees and the retiree benefits for former employees of the Delphi Corporation; (3) GM's determination not to alter any preexisting pension obligations during bankruptcy proceedings; (4) GM's determination to expand pension benefits for former unionized Delphi employees that did not have a preexisting pension agreement with GM; and (5) actual payments made by the United States to GM. Requires: (1) the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to submit to GAO all information in its possession related to certain specific communications that occurred between October 3, 2008, and January 20, 2010, related to the role of the Department of the Treasury in negotiating, reviewing, approving, determining, or in any other aspect relating to GM qualifying for federal financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); and (2) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to submit to GAO all information in its possession related to certain communications that occurred in 2009 relating to PBGC's role in negotiating, reviewing, approving, determining, or in any other aspect related to the decision to remove liens on Delphi's overseas assets. Directs GAO to audit such communications, report its findings to Congress within one year, and include among audit considerations: (1) any decision made during GM's bankruptcy proceedings that appears to be quid pro quo and unduly influenced by the receipt of TARP funds or that would be unlikely to be made by a similar for-profit business that is not receiving TARP assistance; (2) any action that any federal official took to persuade or force GM to take any particular action; and (3) whether the PBGC decision to remove liens on Delphi's overseas assets was in the best interest of U.S. taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Railroad Hours of Service Employees Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 to consider that a railroad employee, subject to hours of service under federal law, meets the hours of service eligibility requirement under FMLA if: (1) the employee has worked for or been paid for at least 60% of the applicable total guarantee, or the equivalent, for the previous 12-month period, by the employer with respect to whom FMLA leave is requested; and (2) the employee has worked for or been paid by that employer for at least 504 hours (not counting personal commute time or time spent on vacation leave or medical or sick leave) during such period. Defines "applicable guarantee" for an employee, as established in the applicable collective bargaining agreement or, if none exists, in the employer's policies as: (1) the minimum number of hours for which an employer has agreed to schedule a nonreserve status employee for any given period; and (2) the number of hours for which an employer has agreed to pay a reserve status employee for any given period.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Prohibits: (1) the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law for any abortion or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion; (2) any tax benefits for amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or for a health benefits plan (including premium assistance) that includes coverage of abortion; and (3) the inclusion of abortion in any health care service furnished by a federal health care facility or by any physician or other individual employed by the federal government. Exempts from such prohibitions an abortion if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest with a minor, or if the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the women in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. Makes such prohibitions applicable to federal funding within the budget of the District of Columbia. Prohibits federal agencies or programs and states and local governments that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against any individual or institutional health care entity on the basis that such entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive, and coordinate the investigation of, discrimination complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2010
Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2010 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to permit an individual debtor to exempt from the property of the estate in bankruptcy a single rifle, shotgun, or pistol of any value or any combination of rifle, shotgun, or pistol in aggregate value not to exceed $1,500. Declares the date of enactment as the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2010
Commercial Real Estate Stabilization Act of 2010 - Establishes an Oversight Board to: (1) advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the Commercial Real Estate Credit Guarantee Program (established by this Act); and (2) report quarterly to Congress on the Program and on the current state of the credit system in the United States with respect to commercial lending, small business, and commercial real estate lending. Directs the Secretary to establish the Commercial Real Estate Credit Guarantee Program, under which the Secretary shall guarantee payments of interest and principal on an approved credit instrument. Requires 50% of the Program to be used for small- and mid-sized institutions. Permits loans for either owner-occupied or nonowner-occupied commercial real estate. States that guarantees issued under this Act constitute general obligations of the United States, for which the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged. Expresses the intent of Congress that the Program be utilized when such utilization proves beneficial, and not be unduly inhibited by concerns related to potential unfavorable regulatory accounting treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2010. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Agriculture for the Farm Service Agency's Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account, the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, and the Foreign Agricultural Service's Food for Peace Title II Grants for emergency relief and rehabilitation for Haiti. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Economic Development Administration for disaster relief, recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in states that experienced damage from severe storms and flooding during March through May of 2010; and (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for expenses related to commercial fishery failures. Requires funds previously made available for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exploration to be available to fund continued performance of Constellation contracts. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel, operation and maintenance (including for relief activities in Haiti), procurement, and research, development, test, and evaluation; (2) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (3) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (4) the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Fund; (5) Defense Working Capital Funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; and (7) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the congressional intelligence committees: (1) the charter and procedures for the interagency body established to carry out an interrogation pursuant to a recommendation of the report of the Special Task Force on Interrogation and Transfer Policies submitted under Executive Order 13491 (commonly known as the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group); and (2) a report on lessons learned from such Group. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to DOD for FY2010 to the Corps of Engineers for Investigations. Makes funds available for drought emergency assistance. Authorizes financial assistance under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 for the optimization and conservation of project water supplies to assist drought-plagued areas of the West. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use specified funds to make dredged material available from maintenance dredging of existing federal navigation channels located in the Gulf Coast region to mitigate the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Directs the Secretary to coordinate the placement of dredged material with appropriate federal and Gulf Coast state agencies. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of the Treasury for emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction aid, and other expenses and disaster-response activities related to Haiti following the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) the District of Columbia for the Federal Payment to the Public Defender Service; and (2) the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for: (1) the Coast Guard, including for necessary expenses and other disaster-response activities related to the earthquake in Haiti; (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief; and (3) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for necessary expenses and other disaster response activities related to the Haiti earthquake. Requires the Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue a security directive that requires a commercial foreign air carrier that operates flights in and out of the United States to check the list of individuals that TSA has prohibited from flying not later than 30 minutes after such list is modified and provided to such carrier, except for such carriers that are enrolled in the Secure Flight program or that are Advance Passenger Information System Quick Query compliant. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) the Department of Labor for Departmental Management for mine safety activities and legal services related to the Department's caseload before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for emergency relief, reconstruction aid, and other expenses and disaster-response activities related to Haiti following the earthquake; and (3) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds for: (1) Military Construction, Army and Air Force; (2) Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force; and (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Limits the obligation or expenditure of funds available to the VA until the expiration of the period for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and hairy cell leukemia and other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of State for: (1) Diplomatic and Consular Programs; (2) the Office of Inspector General for Oversight of operations and programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq; (3) Embassy Security Construction, and Maintenance for emergency needs in Haiti; (4) Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for emergency security in Haiti; (5) Migration and Refugee Assistance; and (6) International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, including assistance for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Haiti. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds for: (1) International Broadcasting Operations for emergency broadcasting support and other expenses related to Haiti; (2) the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Office of Inspector General for necessary expenses for oversight of operations and programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and oversight of emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid, and other expenses related to Haiti; (3) Global Health and Child Survival for necessary expenses for pandemic preparedness and response; (4) International Disaster Assistance for emergency relief and rehabilitation, and other expenses related to Haiti; (5) the Economic Support Fund, including for assistance for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Jordan and for emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid and other expenses related to the Haiti earthquake; (6) the Department of the Treasury for International Affairs Technical Assistance for emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction aid, and other expenses related to Haiti following the earthquake; and (7) the Foreign Military Financing Program for assistance for Pakistan and Jordan. Places conditions on the availability of assistance for Afghanistan to support the work of the Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission. Authorizes the Secretary of State to award task orders for a limited term for police training in Afghanistan under current Department of State contracts. Makes funds available for human rights programs in Pakistan. Authorizes the transfer of specified funds for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq for activities related to security for civilian led operations in those countries. Places conditions on the availability of assistance to Haiti. Provides for debt relief for Haiti. Makes funds for Mexico for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement available only after the Secretary of State submits a report to the Appropriations Committees detailing a coordinated, multiyear, interagency strategy to address the causes of drug-related violence and other organized criminal activity in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Makes funds available for emergency relief and reconstruction for El Salvador related to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida. Makes funds available for emergency security and humanitarian assistance for civilians, particularly women and girls, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makes funds available for reconstruction oversight in Afghanistan. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Fund for disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, housing, and economic revitalization in areas affected by severe storms and flooding from March through May of 2010 for which the President declared a major disaster. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to the Department of Commerce for Economic Development Assistance Programs to carry out planning, technical, and other assistance in states affected by the incidents related to the discharge of oil in connection with the explosion on, and sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. Makes funds available to NOAA for Operations, Research, and Facilities to respond to economic impacts on fishermen and fishery-dependent businesses once the Secretary of Commerce determines that resources provided, including by the responsible parties under the Oil Pollution Act, are insufficient to respond to such impacts following an incident related to a spill of national significance. Makes funds available for scientific investigations and sampling as a result of the incidents related to the discharge of oil and use of oil dispersants that began in 2010 in connection with the Deepwater Horizon. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) HHS for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food safety monitoring and response activities in connection with that oil spill; (2) the Department of the Interior for increased inspections and other activities related to emergency offshore oil spill incidents in the Gulf of Mexico; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ) for litigation expenses resulting from incidents related to the oil discharge in connection with the Deepwater Horizon; and (4) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Science and Technology for a study of potential human and environmental risks and impacts of the release of crude oil and application of dispersants and other mitigation measures. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to authorize advances from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Appropriates supplemental FY2010 funds to: (1) NOAA to provide fisheries disaster relief related to the Deepwater Horizon oil discharge and to conduct an expanded stock assessment of the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) the Department of Commerce for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the long-term ecosystem service impacts of that discharge. Designates amounts in this Act as emergency requirements. Requires the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the participants of the interagency review of Guantanamo Bay detainees, to fully inform the congressional intelligence committees concerning the basis for the disposition decisions reached by the Guantanamo Review Task Force. Requires the Director to provide those committees: (1) the written threat analyses prepared on each detainee by the Task Force; (2) access to the intelligence information that formed the basis of any such specific assessments or threat analyses; (3) any new threat assessment prepared by the intelligence community of a Guantanamo Bay detainee who remains in detention or is pending release or transfer; and (4) access to the information that formed the basis of such threat assessment. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the immediate disbursement of funds in response to a spill of national significance under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, at the request of a producing state or coastal political subdivision, for certain projects specifically designed to respond to the spill.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Recognizes the historic milestone of the 50th anniversary of the publication of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Honors Nelle Harper Lee for her outstanding achievement in the field of American literature in authoring "To Kill a Mockingbird."
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Congratulates all the contestants of the 83rd Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. Recognizes the dedication and achievement of competition winner Anamika Veeramani and the other finalists, Adrian Gunawan, Elizabeth Platz, Shantanu Srivatsa, Laura Newcombe, Lanson Tang, Joanna Ye, and Andrew Grose.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to study the watersheds of the Illinois, Chicago, and Calumet Rivers, including their tributaries, that drain directly into Lake Michigan to determine the feasibility and best means of implementing the hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basins to prevent the introduction or establishment of populations of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Area Water System (CAWS) and other aquatic pathways. Requires the study to: (1) include options to address flooding, Chicago wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, waterway safety operations, and barge and recreational vessel traffic alternatives; and (2) contain a detailed analysis of the environmental benefits and costs of each option. Directs: (1) the Secretary to carry out this Act at federal expense; and (2) the President, or the Council on Environmental Quality as a designee of the President, to oversee the study to ensure its thoroughness and timely completion.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Expresses support for the designation of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that steps should be taken to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) support research so that the screening and treatment of prostate cancer may be improved and the causes of, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Protecting Human Space Flight Act of 2010 - Requires amounts appropriated for FY2010 (or for prior fiscal years that remain available) to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Constellation Program to be spent only to carry out such program, including through contracts and necessary support activities. Prohibits the termination or descoping of contracts for the Constellation Program. Requires NASA to spend at least 90% of all such funds by September 30, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty to prohibit knowingly and for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain selling or distributing an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce. States that such prohibition does not prohibit the sale or distribution of any visual depiction of hunting, trapping, fishing, or customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices. Defines "animal crush video" as any obscene photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled in a manner that would violate a criminal prohibition on cruelty to animals in the federal or state jurisdiction in which the depiction is created, sold, distributed, or offered for sale or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2010
Congratulates the University of Dayton men's basketball team for winning the 2010 National Invitation Tournament Division I men's basketball championship.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Small Business Assistance and Relief Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) assistance should be made available to creditworthy small businesses that cannot obtain lending in the current environment; and (2) reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be a top priority for Congress. Provides, with respect to small businesses: (1) an extension of specified tax provisions concerning deductions, credits, and income exclusion; and (2) a limit on the paperwork required to be submitted from a small business to federal agencies. Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to provide for the establishment of a small lender outreach program, a rural lending outreach program, a national lender training program, a capital backstop program, and an independent appellate process within the Small Business Administration (SBA), with an SBA ombudsman. Revises or adds provisions affecting a certified development company (CDC), including concerning: (1) operational requirements; (2) an accredited lenders program; (3) a premier certified lenders program; (4) SBA guarantee of debentures issued by a CDC; (5) economic development through debentures; (6) CDC project funding requirements; (7) private debenture sales and the pooling of debentures; and (8) CDC authority to foreclose and liquidate SBA-guaranteed loans. Expands eligibility for, and increases loan limits under, the SBA's Microloan program. Revises or adds provisions affecting the small business investment company (SBIC) program, including concerning: (1) expedited SBIC licensing for experienced applicants; (2) revised loan leverage limitations for successful SBICs; (3) SBIC authority to invest in veteran-owned small businesses; and (4) increased SBIC program levels. Revises or adds provisions concerning investment in small businesses engaged primarily in manufacturing and in renewable-energy small businesses. Authorizes the SBA to guarantee loans to certain medical professionals for the acquisition of health information technology used in the professionals' practice. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish and carry out a program to provide equity investment financing to support early-stage small businesses in specified targeted industries. Revises requirements and increases loan limits under the SBA's disaster loan program. Requires certain SBA studies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), to require each Medicare participating hospital to implement a hospital-wide staffing plan for nursing services furnished in the hospital. Requires the plan to require that an appropriate number of registered nurses provide direct patient care in each unit and on each shift of the hospital to ensure staffing levels that: (1) address the unique characteristics of the patients and hospital units; and (2) result in the delivery of safe, quality patient care consistent with specified requirements. Requires each participating hospital to establish a hospital nurse staffing committee which shall implement and oversee such plan. Specifies civil monetary and other penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act. Sets forth whistleblower protections against discrimination and retaliation involving patients or employees of the hospital for their grievances, complaints, or involvement in investigations relating to such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
America Stands with Israel Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States: (1) supports Israel's right to defend itself; (2) supports Israel's naval blockade of Gaza; and (3) should oppose any investigation by the United Nations (U.N.) into the flotilla incident (involving the May 2010 Israeli interception of ships carrying supplies to Gaza). Requires the Secretary of State to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to cease U.S. participation in and membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Prohibits the Secretary from contributing any funds to the United Nations for an investigation into the flotilla incident. Directs the Secretary to ensure that no U.S. contributions to the United Nations are used for any such investigation, including by withholding from U.S. contributions to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations amounts equal to any amounts so expended.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to use otherwise unobligated amounts under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to enable nonprofit counseling intermediaries and nonprofit legal organizations to provide legal assistance to homeowners of owner-occupied homes consisting of from one to four dwelling units whose mortgages are in default or delinquency, in danger of default or delinquency, or subject to or at risk of foreclosure (including any deed in lieu of foreclosure or short sale).
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2010
Green Railcar Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, through 2011, a new business-related tax credit for 25% of the cost of acquiring or rebuilding freight railcars which achieve an increase in capacity or fuel efficiency of at least 8%.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Protecting Against Indebting our Descendants through Fully Offset Relief (PAID FOR) Temporary Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through July 7, 2010. Postpones the termination of the program until December 11, 2010. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until July 7, 2010: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 11, 2010, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to extend through June 30, 2010, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) benefits. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through June 30, 2010, the 0% update to the conversion factor in the Medicare physican payment computation. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through June 30, 2010. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010 to extend through June 30, 2010, the national flood insurance program. Amends the ARRA to extend through June 30, 2010, the small business loan guarantee program. Makes appropriations for the program as well as for the cost of certain loan guarantee fee reductions and eliminations. Rescinds pro rata the unobligated balance of each amount appropriated or made available under ARRA (except under title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of division A), so that the aggregate amount of such rescissions equals $13 billion to offset the net increase in spending resulting from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Building Star Energy Efficiency Act of 2010 - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) the Building Star Energy Efficiency Rebate Program of 2010. Directs the Secretary of Energy to issue rebates to building owners to offset a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing qualifying equipment or materials or undertaking qualifying services to enhance the energy efficiency of existing commercial buildings and multifamily residential buildings. Prescribes rebates for the purchase and installation of qualifying: (1) insulation, windows, and qualified high-efficiency window films and screens; (2) new energy efficient equipment, such as boilers, furnaces, and water heaters; (3) unitary air conditioners and unitary heat pumps; (4) variable speed drives for motors; and (5) interior lighting. Prescribes calculations for reductions in: (1) installed lighting power resulting from installation of qualified interior lighting; and (2) annual energy usage resulting from installation of qualified exterior lighting. Prescribes calculations also for rebates for qualified: (1) replacement chillers; (2) qualifying services to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings; (3) energy-efficient building operation and maintenance training; (4) service on space heating equipment and cooling systems, (5) energy monitoring and management systems with analog controls; and (6) HVAC testing, balancing, and duct sealing. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Building Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program to make grants to states to support financial assistance provided by qualified program delivery entities for making energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to existing buildings that qualify under the Building Star energy retrofit program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the Secretary to make guarantees for energy efficiency projects, including projects to retrofit residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, facilities, and equipment; and (2) authorize the Secretary, in the case of programs that finance such retrofitting, to offer loan guarantees for portfolios of debt obligations, and to purchase or make commitments to purchase portfolios of debt obligations. Prescribes prevailing wage rate requirements for work conducted using rebates or financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define a "high volume retail breeder" as a person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit: (1) has an ownership interest in or custody of one or more breeding female dogs; and (2) sells, via any means of conveyance, more than 50 of the offspring of such dogs for use as pets in any one-year period. Considers such a breeder of dogs to be a dealer. Requires dealers to include on licensing applications and annual renewals the total number of dogs exempted from exercise on the premises of the dealer in the preceding year by a licensed veterinarian. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate requirements for the exercise of dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer, including requiring daily access to exercise that: (1) allows the dogs to move sufficiently in a way that is not forced, repetitive, or restrictive; and (2) is in an area that is spacious, cleaned at least once a day, free of infestation by pests or vermin, and designed to prevent the dogs from escaping. Allows an exemption if: (1) a licensed veterinarian determines that a dog should not exercise because of the health, condition, or well-being of the dog; and (2) such determination is reviewed and updated at least once every 30 days by the veterinarian, unless the basis for the determination is a permanent condition. Subjects such a determination to review and approval by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13301 Smith Road in Cleveland, Ohio, as the "David John Donafee Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Fairness and Accuracy in Employment Background Checks Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish and enforce procedures to ensure the prompt release of accurate federal criminal background records and information exchanged for employment-related purposes; and (2) report to Congress on the exchange of records or information for employment-related purposes under this Act and on all federal statutes, regulations, and policies providing employment restrictions and disqualifications based on criminal records.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 405 West Second Street in Dixon, Illinois, as the "President Ronald W. Reagan Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Declares that imposing a value-added tax (VAT) would be a massive tax increase that would cripple families on fixed income and only further push back the U.S. economic recovery and that the House of Representatives opposes a VAT.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Appalachian Veterans Outreach Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach to veterans who reside in the Appalachian region in order to increase their awareness, access, and use of federal, state, and local programs providing compensation and other benefits available as a result of service in the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of World Hepatitis Day and National Hepatitis Awareness Month. Promotes raising awareness of the risks and consequences of undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections and the urgency for a robust governmental and public health response to protect the health of those who suffer from chronic viral hepatitis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Democratic Members of the House should join its Republican Members in a total ban on earmarks for one year; (2) discretionary spending should be reduced in the concurrent budget resolution for FY2011 by the total amount that was spent on requests for earmarks in FY2010; (3) if spending in that resolution is not reduced by such amount, an amendment to that resolution to effectuate this change should be made in order; and (4) a complete review and overhaul of the congressional budgetary, spending, and earmark processes should be commenced by creating a bipartisan, bicameral committee to study the issue and report to the House and Senate with its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Day of Prayer is constitutional, a needed tribute to the value of prayer, and a fitting acknowledgment of our nation's religious history.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week; and (2) the nurse capacity initiatives for institutions of higher education included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Acknowledges the importance of quality higher education in nursing to meet the needs of one of the nation's fastest growing fields.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise conditions of and limitations on payment for home health care services. Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner; (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law; (3) a certified nurse-midwife; or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.
![Official portrait of Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000553_200.jpg)