United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Commends the Africa Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in monitoring the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement in Darfur and its role in diminishing some acts of violence. Condemns: (1) the continued genocide against civilians in Darfur by the government of Sudan and government-sponsored militias; and (2) the continued violations by both parties to the Agreement. Calls on both parties to the Agreement to abide by its terms and engage in good-faith negotiations to end the Darfur conflict. Calls on the government of Sudan to: (1) withdraw all military aircraft from the region; and (2) cease support for the Janjaweed militia and rebels from Chad; and (3) disarm the Janjaweed militias. Calls on: (1) the African Union (AU) to work closely with the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen its capacity to deter violence and instability until a U.N. peacekeeping force is fully deployed in Darfur; and (2) NATO to extend its AU advisor mission. Calls on the U.N. Security Council to approve a trained and adequate Darfur peacekeeping mission. Urges the President to take steps to improve the security situation in Darfur, including by: (1) proposing that NATO implement an interim civilian protection force; and (2) requesting supplemental funding to support AMIS and a NATO mission in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to transmit to the House a copy of a specified workforce globalization final draft report produced by the Technology Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2006
Infant and Toddler Durable Product Safety Act - Instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to: (1) promulgate a consumer product safety standard for durable infant or toddler products; and (2) establish an Infant and Toddler Product Review Panel to advise the CPSC on guidelines and standards for such products. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to declare the limitation on maximum civil penalties inapplicable to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the "Gene Vance Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program Act of 2006 - Authorizes the President, through the Secretary of State and in cooperation with the government of Poland, to establish a United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program.
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
Prescription Drug Abuse Elimination Act of 2006 -Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require Internet pharmacies to meet specified criteria, including: (1) providing individuals who access the pharmacy with certain information; (2) obtaining verification of a valid prescription in some circumstances; and (3) providing contact information of the individual dispensing prescription drugs on the site to each state that licenses or authorizes the person to dispense drugs. Prohibits the sale of a prescription drug, or the ownership or operation of an illegal Internet pharmacy, in violation of the requirements of this Act. Allows district courts to order Internet providers to remove access or links to sites that violate this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate chain-of-custody requirements to track prescription drugs from the manufacturer through each importer, distributor, and retailer. Deems a drug misbranded if such requirements are not met. Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to restrict the importation of a schedule II, III, or IV drug by a U.S. resident without a valid prescription to once during any 30-day period. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to: (1) convene a working group to study and report on pharmaceutical counterfeiting; and (2) study the best methods to ensure that controlled substances are not diverted for unlawful use. Requires the Secretary to conduct research and report on issues related to prescription drug abuse. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to maintain a comprehensive, national database on deaths occurring as a result of substance abuse.
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 · 15 February 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives will work with the engineering community to make sure that its creativity and contribution can be expressed through research, development, standardization, and innovation. Supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week and its aims to: (1) increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers; and (2) promote literacy in math and science.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
States that a precondition for the integration of Belarus into the Western community of nations is its establishment of a genuinely democratic political system. Expresses support for the efforts of the Belarusian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Belarus. Urges the government of Belarus to: (1) guarantee freedom of association and assembly, and (2) meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards and commitments on democratic elections. Urges the Belarusian authorities to ensure: (1) transparency procedures for the 2006 presidential election; (2) election monitor access; (3) multiparty representation on all election commissions; (4) media access by all parties and candidates; (5) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, and independent media organizations from government harassment; and (6) prosecution of election law violators. Encourages the international community to continue efforts to support democracy in Belarus and urges countries such as Lithuania and other Baltic countries and Nordic countries to continue to provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other Belarusian organizations involved in promoting democracy and fair elections. Pledges support to the Belarusian people, their commitment to a democratic system and creation of a free market economy, and their country's assumption of its place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the emergence of a democratic Palestinian governing authority that denounces and combats terrorism, upholds human rights for all people, and has agreed to recognize Israel as an independent Jewish state. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act or any other provision of law to the Palestinian Authority (PA) only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined: (1) that no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization and no member of a foreign terrorist organization serves in a PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality; (2) that the PA has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the government of the United States, the government of Israel, and the international community; and (3) that the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect with respect to the PA.: (1) assistance to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human health needs from such limitation.); (2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations intended for U.N. agencies providing assistance directly to the PA; (3) visa issuance to any PA official or affiliated person (with a case-by-case exemption for U.S. security needs); (4) travel outside of a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building for officials and representatives of the PA and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City; and (5) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA or the PLO. Requires the President to direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA during any such period. Directs the Secretary of State to audit and report respecting duplicative entities and functions of: (1) the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights; (2) the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; (3) the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority; (4) the NGO Network on the Question of Palestine; (5) the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories; and (6) any other entity the Secretary determines results in duplicative efforts or funding or fails to ensure balance in the approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues. Withholds specified U.S. contributions to the United Nations for such entities until the report's recommendations are implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. Prohibits funds to be used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate, attend official meetings, or have official contacts with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization, until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
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
Expresses support for the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
Clean Alternatives for Energy Independence Act of 2005 - Repeals certain tax benefits relating to oil and natural gas enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase: (1) the tax credit for investment in residential and business fuel cell property; (2) the tax credit for investment in fuel cell motor and advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles; (3) the number of hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle tax credit; and (4) the tax credit for investment in commercial and residential alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. Extends through 2012 the tax credit for business fuel cell property. Extends through 2019 the tax credits for: (1) investment in qualified fuel cell motor vehicles; (2) investment in alternative fuel vehicle refueling hydrogen-related property (through 2011 for other fuel-related property).
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 to: (1) the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for support of basic research activities in the physical sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, and engineering; and (2) the Department of Defense (DOD) for support of basic research activities. Makes at least 8% of such amounts available for high-risk, potentially high-payoff research. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 to the NSF, National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DOD, and NASA for the support of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers program. Directs NSF to institute the Graduate Scholar Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics program or GSA-STEM program, to award graduate fellowships in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory board. Establishes a Presidential Innovation Award, which the President shall periodically award to individuals who develop one or more unique scientific or engineering ideas in the national interest. Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure to: (1) identify and prioritize deficiencies in research facilities and instrumentation in academic institutions and national laboratories; and (2) make recommendations for resource allocation. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 to NSF and DOE for construction and maintenance of research facilities at institutions of higher education or national laboratories and other physical resources for performing leading-edge research.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to establish in the Treasury the Clean Water Trust Fund, to be funded by user fees, to finance certain FWPCA programs and activities, including: (1) water pollution reduction and control; (2) technical assistance for small rural communities; (3) the National Center for Utility Management; (4) grants to states and interstate agencies to assist in the management of pollution control programs; (5) watershed pilot projects; (6) regional water pollution control; (7) alternative water source projects; (8) sewer overflow control; (9) fisheries habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement; and (10) wetlands restoration. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to nonprofit organizations to: (1) provide technical assistance to rural and small municipalities for wastewater infrastructure financing; and (2) establish a National Center for Utility Management to promote improved management of public wastewater utilities. Revises: (1) eligibility requirements for grants for sewage collection systems; and (2) state water pollution revolving fund provisions. Establishes a grant program under FWPCA to address the most serious water pollution problems. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) make grants to states, nonprofit organizations, and other entities for fresh water, estuarine, and marine fisheries habitat protection, preservation, and restoration; and (2) make grants to states for wetlands restoration. Revises funding allocations for state water pollution control projects and activities serving Indian tribes and reservations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many contributions to peace and religious understanding.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from issuing any final rule that would change the Department of Transportation's (DOT) interpretation of what constitutes "actual control" of an airline with respect to requirements prohibiting foreign interests from exercising actual control over all airline operations. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the impact of DOT's proposed change of allowing foreign interests to control economic and competitive decisions while requiring U.S. citizens to control decisions concerning commitments to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, transportation security, safety, and organizational documents. (Under current law, only an airline that qualifies as "a citizen of the United States" may provide service between U.S. cities or on international routes obtained by the United States through international agreements. Defines "a citizen of the United States" as an individual who is a citizen of the United States, a partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a citizen of the United States, or a corporation or association in which at least 75% of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are citizens of the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Urges the President to issue annually a proclamation calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2005
Minority-Owned Venture Empowerment Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program, to be known as the Pre-8(a) Program, to provide technical assistance to small businesses with respect to the receipt and performance of federal procurement contracts. Prohibits a participating small business from being awarded a contract under the Program which is awarded using procedures other than competitive procedures under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (wherein the SBA provides for the performance of federal procurement contracts by small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned businesses). Limits to $750,000 the maximum net worth of a small business Program participant. Modifies the 8(a) program under the Small Business Act to require small businesses to complete the Pre-8(a) Program before participating in the 8(a) program. Limits to $100 million the aggregate value of contracts an 8(a) participant may enter into. Requires the Administrator, for the 8(a) program, to establish for each industry classification a maximum level of net worth for an economically disadvantaged individual, but prohibits establishing a net worth of less than $750,000. Makes some small businesses eligible for 8(a) participation in a contract using other than competitive procedures (restricted competition), under certain circumstances. Allows a contracting officer, under specified conditions, to utilize restricted competition in the award of federal procurement contracts for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2005
10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish programs of grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) undergraduate scholarships and academic programs to recruit and educate elementary and secondary school mathematics and science teachers; and (2) master's degree scholarships and part-time graduate programs for inservice mathematics and science teachers. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) increase the number of awards under the Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century program and allow its grantees to operate one- to two-week summer teacher institutes; (2) add to the Teacher Professional Continuum Program a grants component for preparing to teach Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate science and mathematics courses; and (3) with a national panel and the Secretary of Education, disseminate effective materials and support development of new materials for K-12 science and mathematics teaching. Authorizes, or extends the authorization of, appropriations for NSF programs established or revised under this Act, including NSF Instructional Materials Development, as well as for the Department of Energy's Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2005
Establishes the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy to reduce the amount of energy the United States imports from foreign sources by 20% over the next 10 years. Establishes the Energy Independence Acceleration Fund, administered by the ARPA-E Director for the award of competitive grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to institutions of higher education, companies, or consortia, including federally funded research and development centers, to achieve specified goals through targeted acceleration of: (1) energy-related research; (2) development of resultant techniques, processes, and technologies, and related testing and evaluation; and (3) demonstration and commercial application of the most promising technologies and research applications. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures and criteria for recoupment of the federal share of each project supported under this Act. Requires the President's Committee on Science and Technology to evaluate for Congress and the public how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and mission.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Fuel Choices for American Security Act of 2005 - Instructs Director of the Office of Management and Budget to publish an action plan in the Federal Register that targets oil savings for specified years. Directs the Secretaries of Energy and of Transportation, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator), to promulgate regulations to implement the standards set forth in the Director's action plan. Requires the head of each federal agency to establish an oil usage baseline and develop a specified plan to reduce oil consumption. Directs the Postmaster General to report to Congress on annual fleetwide fuel savings and cost savings associated with eliminating Saturday mail delivery. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a national media campaign to decrease domestic oil consumption. Amends federal transportation law to set forth a national tire efficiency program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish an idling reduction tax credit. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a research and development program for electric drive transportation technology. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a lightweight material research and development program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary to accelerate hybrid technology improvements by using loan guarantees that target automobile manufacturers and suppliers. Amends the IRC to allow: (1) an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit; and (2) a qualified flexible fuel hybrid and plug-in hybrid motor vehicle credit. Terminates the limitation on the number of qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for alternative motor vehicle credit. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring each federal agency to achieve by FY2015 at least a 20% reduction in its fleet petroleum consumption. Amends the IRC to: (1) establish a fuel-efficient tax credit for private fleets; and (2) subject heavy vehicles to the depreciation limitation imposed upon certain luxury automobiles. Prescribes: (1) a production schedule for passenger cars that are either fuel choice enabling motor vehicles, or alternative fuel automobiles; and (2) calculations for flexible fuel vehicle economy. Requires the Secretary to transmit an action plan to Congress to ensure: (1) an increasing supply by non-oil fuels of the total domestic ground transportation fuel demand; and (2) nationwide inclusion of at least 10 % ethanol in the domestic ground transportation fuel supply by December 31, 2015. Amends the IRC to increase the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. Amends federal transportation law to establish the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Trust Fund. Amends the Clean Air Act to prescribe the minimum quantity of renewable fuel derived from cellulosic biomass for specified calendar years. Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to designate Transit-Oriented Development Corridors in certain urbanized areas. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) repeal the geographical limitation on the Sugar Cane Ethanol Program; (2) authorize preprocessing and harvesting demonstration grants for transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol production); (3) direct the Secretary to establish a loan guarantee program for conversion of municipal solid waste into transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol); and (4) instruct the Administrator to fund demonstration projects for producing transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol).
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Commends all current and former Armed Forces medical personnel for their service, dedication, and outstanding care of members of the Armed Forces who are injured in combat. Reaffirms the commitment to supporting such personnel by providing the best training and equipment available.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Declares that Congress believes that: (1) the failure of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to protect intellectual property is inconsistent with its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, and denies the benefits of this agreement to the United States; and (2) China's failure to adequately fulfill its obligations to enforce intellectual property rights is unjustifiable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce under the Trade Act of 1974. Urges the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) take action under the Act to combat rampant intellectual property violations in China (including the imposition of bilateral tariffs); and (2) use all additional means available, including filing of a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO), to ensure that China complies with such obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2005
Iraq Contracting Fraud Review Act of 2005 - Directs The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency, to review of each covered contract to determine if the contract has been the subject of fraud or any other contracting impropriety. Defines a covered contract as a contract or subcontract entered into on or after March 1, 2003, by the Department of Defense (DOD), if the contract or subcontract: (1) relates to reconstruction or troop support in Iraq; and (2) involves any contractor, subcontractor, or federal employee that has been indicted or convicted for fraud with respect to another DOD contract relating to such reconstruction or troop support in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2005
Amends the Wetland Loan Act to extend funding for conservation of migratory waterfowl and habitat. Amends the Duck Stamp Act (the Act) to increase the price of federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamps, and to revise procedures for disposing of unsold stamps. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to require a person to affix a stamp sold under such Act to any other license as a condition of engaging in hunting under the authority of the stamp. Expresses the sense of Congress that the funds provided pursuant to this Act should be used for preserving and increasing waterfowl populations in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and to that end, should be used to supplement and not replace current conservation funding, including funding for other federal and state habitat conservation programs. States the sense of Congress that this Act should be implemented in a manner that helps private landowners achieve their long-term land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of wetlands and wildlife habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Clean and Green Solar Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011: (1) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property; and (2) the investment tax credit for certain solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Supports the goals and ideals of Cambodian-American Freedom Day. Honors the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the first Cambodian immigrants to the United States, and recognizes the contributions Cambodian-Americans have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Expresses support for the goal and mission of America Recycles Day. Encourages all federal employees to participate in promoting the social, environmental, and economic benefits of recycling and buying recycled-content products.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2005
Directs: (1) the U.S. Trade Representative to certify to Congress by December 15, 2005, that Japan is no longer prohibiting the importation of U.S. beef; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, if such certification is not made, to impose additional tariffs (which shall continue until the certification is submitted to Congress) on Japan by December 31, 2005; and (3) the Secretary of Agriculture to begin negotiations with Japan to end such beef import prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2005
Honors the memory of, and identifies, 2,249 members of the Armed Forces who died in service to the United States in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as of October 25, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Trade Adjustment Assistance Improvement Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles which are produced, or services which are provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) the situation where the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Requires the Secretary of Labor to certify as eligible to apply for TAA any adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency. Specifies criteria for determination of the existence of increased imports of like or directly competitive articles or services. Increases the amount of payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive training requirements for an individual receiving TAA if he or she has an advanced degree or postgraduate certification in a specialized field and there is a reasonable expectation of employment at equivalent wages in the foreseeable future. Permits as a training program for an adversely affected worker continued enrollment for up to 104 weeks at an institution of higher education to obtain a degree, if there is a reasonable expectation of employment at equivalent wages in the foreseeable future. Modifies the demonstration project for alternative TAA for older workers. Directs the Secretary to implement a system to collect data on all adversely affected workers applying for or receiving TAA. Provides for industry-wide certification of workers, including agricultural commodity producers, for TAA where bilateral or other safeguard provisions are invoked or antidumping or countervailing duties have been imposed. Extends the TAA program through FY2012. Establishes the Office of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Advisor in the Department of Labor. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the credit for health insurance costs of certain TAA recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any state or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect for any food in interstate commerce: (1) any requirement that is not identical to specified FFDCA provisions (that would result in materially different requirements), including those related to adulterated foods, unsafe food additives, and new animal drugs; or (2) any notification requirement that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FFDCA provisions. Allows a state to petition for an exemption or to establish a national standard regarding any requirement under FFDCA or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide such an exemption if the requirement: (1) protects an important public interest that would otherwise be unprotected; (2) would not cause any food to be in violation of any federal law; and (3) would not unduly burden interstate commerce. Allows a state to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FFDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this Act if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met. Declares that this Act does not preempt certain state and local laws relating to labeling or a consumer advisory relating to food sanitation imposed on a food establishment or recommended by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks and to place the statue in the Capitol in a suitable permanent location in National Statuary Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Advocates Dedicated to Older Child Parental Tax Credit (ADOPT) Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a $2,000 tax credit for costs associated with the adoption of a child who has reached nine years of age before the adoption decree becomes final. Allows the credit each year until such child attains the age of 19.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the White House Fellows program and commends the White House Fellows for their continuing lifetime commitment to public service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Disabled Veterans Fairness Act - Eliminates a $3 per round trip deductible charged by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in connection with the veterans beneficiary travel program (a program authorizing a travel allowance or reimbursement for beneficiaries providing transportation for veterans to obtain medical care). Directs the Secretary, in determining the amount of such allowance or reimbursement, to use the mileage reimbursement rates for the use of privately owned vehicles by government employees traveling on official business.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate. Expresses support for the new collaborative relationship that has grown between Jews and Roman Catholics. Requests the President to: (1) issue a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate; and (2) exert U.S. leadership toward ensuring that anti-Semitism and all forms of religious and racial bigotry are not tolerated worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2005
Federal Response to Energy Emergencies Act of 2005 - Declares unlawful: (1) unconscionable pricing of gasoline, oil, natural gas, and petroleum distillates during emergencies; (2) intentional reporting of false price information concerning wholesale prices of such products; and (3) market manipulation regarding the purchase or sale at wholesale of such products. Authorizes the President to declare a federal energy emergency upon finding that the national health, safety, welfare, or economic well-being is at risk because of an actual or imminent shortage of such products due to a disruption of the national distribution system, or significant pricing anomalies in national or regional energy markets for the products. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and State Attorneys General to enforce this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Requires fines and penalties collected under this Act to be deposited in a separate fund in the treasury to be known as the Consumer Relief Trust Fund to provide assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Directs the FTC to facilitate price transparency in wholesale markets for the sale of crude oil and essential petroleum products. Instructs the FTC to transmit a confidential report to Congress on the potential impact on domestic prices of crude oil, residual fuel oil, and refined petroleum products that would result from the disruption for periods of one week, one year, and five years, respectively. Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Energy Information Administration to review and report to Congress on expenditures and activities undertaken by certain size companies to protect the energy supply system from terrorist attacks, international supply disruptions, and natural disasters, and ensure a stable and reasonably priced supply of such products to consumers in the United States. Requires such report to assess the companies' preparations for the forecasted period of more frequent and more intense hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico and other vulnerable coastal areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2005
Medicare Informed Choice Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for an extended period of open enrollment during all of 2006 without late enrollment penalty; (2) give Medicare beneficiaries the opportunity to make a one-time change in prescription drug plan enrollment at any point in 2006; and (3) provide protection from loss of employment-based retiree health coverage upon enrollment for Medicare prescription drug benefit, including a Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug benefit, during 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2005
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes that the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to technological progress and the health of many industries have created new jobs, boosted economic growth, and improved the Nation's health and standard of living; and (2) supports the goals of National Chemistry Week as founded by the American Chemical Society.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2005
Wholesale Motor Fuel Fairness and Competition Restoration Act - Declares that it shall be unlawful for an owner or operator to sell motor fuel from its terminal facility to any person in excess of the price it charges any other person, including a distributor or retailer which it owns or with which it is affiliated. Exempts from such prohibition certain franchises or sales contracts entered into before enactment of this Act. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Instructs the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) issue regulations requiring full disclosure by refiners and distributors of their wholesale motor fuel pricing policies, with a separate listing of each component contributing to prices, including the cost of crude oil, refining, marketing, transportation, equipment, overhead, and profit, along with a description of any rebates, incentives, and market enhancement allowances; and (2) ensure that all information acquired pursuant to such regulations is disseminated to the public.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000563_200.jpg)