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![Official portrait of Rep. Long, Billy [R-MO-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000576_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
1,484 records where Rep. Long, Billy [R-MO-7] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Synthetic Cathinones Control Act of 2012 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to add as schedule I controlled substances specified additional hallucinogenic substances (or the salts, isomers, or salts of isomers thereof).
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
General Duty Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to provisions relating to the prevention of accidental releases of hazardous air pollutants, to provide that no entity may be found in violation of such provisions until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) promulgates final regulations establishing criteria defining the terms "extremely hazardous substance," "appropriate hazard assessment techniques," and "design and maintain a safe facility"; and (2) issues guidelines to ensure that enforcement of such provisions is handled by the regional offices of EPA in a uniform and appropriate manner across all regions of the United States. Modifies the definition of "accidental release" to exclude an emission resulting from an intentional act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Making College Affordable Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to Coverdell education savings accounts, to: (1) increase the age limit for beneficiaries of such accounts after which contributions may not be made from age 18 to age 26, (2) increase the maximum contribution limit in any taxable year from $2,000 to $10,000, and (3) allow an annual inflation adjustment to the increased contribution limit for taxable years beginning in a calendar year after 2012.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2012
Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the nutritional information that restaurants and retail food establishments must disclose. Requires the nutrient content disclosure statement on the menu or menu board to include: (1) the number of calories contained in the whole product; (2) the number of servings and number of calories per serving; or (3) the number of calories per the common unit division of the product, such as for a multi-serving item that is typically divided before presentation to the consumer. Permits such information to be provided by a remote-access menu, such as through the internet, for food establishments where the majority of orders are placed by customers who are off-premises at the time the order is placed. Defines “reasonable basis” for a restaurant or similar food establishment’s nutrient content disclosures to mean that the nutrient disclosure is within acceptable allowances for variation in nutrient content, which shall include allowances for variations in serving size, inadvertent human error in formulation of menu items, and variations in ingredients. Sets forth the methods a restaurant or similar food establishment may use to determine nutritional content for disclosure, including ranges, averages, individual labeling of flavors or components, or labeling of one preset standard build. Defines "preset standard build" as the finished version of a menu item most commonly ordered by consumers. Applies the nutritional disclosure requirements to retail food establishments that derive more than 50% of their total revenue from the sale of food.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2012
Declares that no presidential permit shall be required for the pipeline application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada Corporation for the northern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline from the Canadian border to the South Dakota/Nebraska border. Deems the final environmental impact statement issued by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Declares that this Act does not affect the ongoing work of the state of Nebraska with regard to the fully intrastate portion of the Keystone XL pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2012
Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2012 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from finalizing, implementing, enforcing, or otherwise taking any action to give effect to the Information Memorandum dated July 12, 2012 (Transmittal No. TANF-ACF-IM-2012-03), or to any administrative action relating to the same subject matter or that reflects the same or similar policies. Prohibits the Secretary also from authorizing, approving, modifying, or extending any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under the Social Security Act (SSA) that: (1) waives compliance with mandatory work requirements of SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF), or (2) authorizes an expenditure not otherwise allowable under a state TANF program with respect to compliance with such work requirements. Rescinds and nullifies any waiver relating to the subject matter of the Information Memorandum granted before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2012
Employee Verification Act - Amends the the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require federal contractors and subcontractors to participate in the E-Verify Program. Exempts specified federal procurement contracts from E-Verify coverage. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that E-Verify is applied to: (1) all persons hired during the term of the grant, loan, loan guarantee, or cooperative agreement by the recipient of the federal benefit to perform employment duties within the United States; and (2) all employees assigned by the recipient of the federal benefit to perform work within the United States under the project or activity funded by the grant, loan, loan guarantee, or cooperative agreement. Makes E-Verify permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2012
Repeal of Obamacare Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act. Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2012
Amends the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act to require each portable fuel container manufactured for sale in the United States and intended for use by consumers to conform to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International standard specifications for: (1) child resistance of portable fuel containers for consumer use; (2) cautionary labeling of portable gasoline, kerosene, and diesel containers for consumer use; and (3) portable kerosene and diesel containers for consumer use. Considers such standards to be a consumer product safety rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Requires ASTM International to notify CPSC of any proposed revision to applicable standards. Requires the proposed revision to be incorporated in the consumer product safety rule unless CPSC notifies ASTM International that such revision does not carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2012
Prohibits federal funds from being used to promulgate, finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule "Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives" or any successor or substantially similar rule.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2012
Healthcare Tax Relief and Mandate Repeal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the requirement, added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), that individuals maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage for themselves and dependents; and (2) repeal provisions added by PPACA requiring certain employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2012
Mandatory Operational Control Reporting and Performance Measures Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), as part of DHS's annual performance report, to submit annual reports to Congress on: (1) the number of miles of the international land and maritime border between the United States and Canada and the United States and Mexico that are under operational DHS control, cumulatively and by sector; and (2) the estimated number of individuals who unlawfully enter the United States annually, the estimated number of individuals unlawfully present in the United States as of the date of each such report, and the number of individuals unlawfully present in the United States who voluntarily exited the United States in the preceding year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2012
Recognizes Kansas City, Missouri, as the host city and Major League Baseball as the sponsor of the 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Congratulates Major League Baseball for hosting baseball related events that benefit numerous charities, focusing on fan appreciation and youth involvement, and emphasizing the continued appreciation of baseball as America's favorite pastime.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2012
Recognizes the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues to baseball and the nation. Expresses support for: (1) the designation of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; and (2) the Museum's efforts to recognize and preserve the history of the Negro Leagues and the impact of segregation on the nation. Encourages present and future generations to understand the sensitive issues surrounding the Negro Leagues, how they helped shape the nation and Major League Baseball, and how the sacrifices made by Negro League players helped make baseball America's national pastime.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2012
Amends the federal criminal code to exempt the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from disclosure of confidential information violations when the Secretary shares certain information and materials with intellectual property rights owners for purposes of determining whether semiconductor chip products are being imported into the United States in violation of Lanham Act provisions that prohibit infringing trademarks on imported articles or in violation of any of the exclusive rights of the owner of a mask work under the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984. Authorizes the Secretary, upon presentation of such products, to: (1) share with the holder of the registered mark or the owner of the mask work information on the semiconductor chip products and their packaging and labels, including unredacted photographs or digital images of such products, packaging, and labels; and (2) supply unredacted samples of such products to such holder of the registered mark or owner of the mask work at any time, subject to bonding requirements. Requires the Secretary, upon detention of such products, to share such product information and unredacted photographs or images with the registered mark holder or mask work owner. Sets forth exceptions for cases that would compromise ongoing law enforcement investigations or national security.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2012
Validating Entitlement Recipients through Indicated Federal Immigration Status Act of 2012 or the VERIFI Act of 2012 - Prohibits a person from receiving a federal public benefit unless such person is in "satisfactory immigration status" in accordance with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2012
Prohibiting Back-door Amnesty Act - Disapproves and nullifies: (1) the June 17, 2011, memorandum from the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the exercise of prosecutorial discretion consistent with ICE's civil immigration enforcement priorities for the apprehension, detention, and removal of aliens; (2) the June 15, 2012, memorandum from the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the exercise of prosecutorial discretion with respect to individuals who came to the United States as children; and (3) the draft directive developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) containing guidance on when to pursue enforcement actions and factors CBP personnel should consider when exercising discretion. Prohibits the President, the Secretary, or any DHS personnel from promulgating, implementing, administering, or enforcing any executive order, proposed or final rule, other provision of law, guidance, or policy that is the same as, or similar in effect to, any of such documents.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2012
Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2013: (1) the current methodology for payment to subsection (d) hospitals for inpatient hospital services furnished to individuals under the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (MDH) program, and (2) increased payments under the Medicare program for low-volume hospitals (with under 1,600 annual discharges). (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Directs the Comptroller General to study such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2012
Recognizes: (1) the critical importance of the Operational Reserve as a component of the Armed Forces, particularly as a means of preserving combat power during a time of budget austerity; and (2) the dual-status, state-federal National Guard as the foundation of the Operational Reserve and of military manpower. Expresses support for making the Operational Reserve permanent. Repudiates proposals to return the Reserve Components to a diminished or purely strategic role in national security. Affirms the growth of the Operational Reserve as circumstances warrant.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2012
DHS Accountability Act of 2012 - Establishes in the legislative branch an independent advisory panel to: (1) comprehensively assess the management structure and capabilities related to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and (2) make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DHS management. Directs the panel to examine: (1) the efficiency and effectiveness of the management structure and capabilities, including the policies, practices, and procedures, of DHS and its component agencies in carrying out management functions, such as program acquisition, financial management, information technology, human capital issues, performance measurement, and risk management efforts, related to homeland security; (2) the extent to which unnecessary duplication exists in such management structure and capabilities and how any such duplication negatively affects the mission of protecting the United States; (3) the extent to which management of key homeland security missions is centralized under DHS; (4) options to reduce or eliminate harmful waste and duplication of effort in DHS; and (5) measures to evaluate DHS's progress in reducing and eliminating waste and duplication from its management structure and capabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2012
Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012 - Prohibits a person or entity acting under the authority of the United States from using a drone to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or regulatory violations except to the extent authorized in a warrant issued under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Defines a "drone" as any powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, be expendable or recoverable, and carry a lethal or nonlethal payload. Exempts from such prohibition the use of drones to: (1) patrol national borders to prevent or deter illegal entry of any immigrants or illegal substances, (2) prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property or to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or destruction of evidence when drones are used by a law enforcement party under exigent circumstances, or (3) counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization based on credible intelligence determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). Authorizes civil actions by aggrieved parties.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2012
Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to exclude from the definition of "abatement" any renovation, remodeling, or other activity: (1) the primary purpose of which is to repair, restore, or remodel target housing, public buildings constructed before 1978, or commercial buildings; and (2) that incidentally results in a reduction or elimination of lead-based paint hazards. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no later than one year prior to proposing any renovation and remodeling regulation, to study the extent to which persons engaged in such activities: (1) are exposed to lead, and (2) disturb lead and create a lead-based paint hazard. Exempts from any such regulation an emergency renovation that is carried out in response to an event that is an act of God as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), that presents a risk to the public health or safety, or that threatens to cause significant damage to equipment or property if not attended to immediately. Prohibits such a regulation from requiring post-abatement clearance testing. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to permit an owner of a residential dwelling that is target housing, who resides in such dwelling, to authorize a contractor to forego compliance with such a regulation if the owner submits a certification stating that: (1) the renovation or remodeling project is to be carried out at such dwelling, (2) no pregnant woman or child under the age of six resides or will reside in such housing, and (3) the owner acknowledges that such contractor will be exempt from the requirements of such regulation. Prohibits the Administrator from holding a contractor responsible for a misrepresentation made by the owner of such dwelling unless the contractor has actual knowledge of such a misrepresentation. Requires the Administrator to: (1) recognize a qualifying test kit for use under such Act, and (2) suspend enforcement of any regulation relating to renovation and remodeling of target housing and commercial buildings constructed after January 1, 1960, and public buildings constructed between January 1, 1960, and January 1, 1978, until a specified period after the Administrator recognizes such a test kit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2012
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit the use of grant funds under the Urban Area Security Initiative or under the State Homeland Security Grant Program for training conducted in conjunction with a national laboratory or research facility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2012
Second Amendment Sovereignty Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. sovereignty and the constitutionally protected freedoms of American gun owners must be upheld and not be undermined by a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to use U.S. influence, in connection with negotiations for a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, to restrict the rights of U.S. citizens under the Second Amendment to the Constitution, or to otherwise regulate domestic manufacture, assembly, possession, use, transfer, or purchase of firearms, ammunition, or related items.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt from its annual privacy policy notice requirement any financial institution which: (1) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with specified requirements, (2) does not share information with affiliates under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and (3) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information from those disclosed in the most recent disclosure sent to consumers. Relieves a financial institution from being required to provide any disclosure if it is licensed by a state and is either subject, or becomes subject in the future, to existing regulation of consumer confidentiality that prohibits disclosure of nonpublic personal information without knowing and express consent of the consumer in the form of laws, rules, or regulation of professional conduct or ethics promulgated either by the court of highest appellate authority or by the principal legislative body or regulatory entity of any state.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on whether the Nigerian organization People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad (Boko Haram) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization. States that nothing in this Act may be construed to infringe upon Nigeria's sovereignty to combat militant or terrorist groups operating inside its boundaries.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2012
Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, (the Secretaries) to implement authorized wildfire prevention projects in at-risk forests and threatened and endangered species in a manner that focuses on surface, ladder, and canopy fuels reduction activities. Requires projects carried out on threatened and endangered species habitat to: (1) provide enhanced protection from wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, for the endangered species, threatened species, or their habitat; and (2) comply with applicable recovery plan guidelines. Requires projects carried out in at-risk forests to move the federal land from condition class II or III toward condition class I. Permits use in a project of: (1) domestic livestock grazing to reduce surface fuel loads and to recover burned areas; and (2) timber harvesting and thinning to reduce ladder and canopy fuel loads for the prevention of wildfire, including catastrophic wildfires. Directs the Secretaries to review public petitions for, and make determinations with respect to, the designation of federal lands as at-risk forests or as threatened and endangered species habitats. Requires notice in the Federal Register of proposed projects and final designated projects and permits public comment on projects as specified. Instructs the Secretaries to prepare an environmental assessment for projects that include timber harvesting or grazing. Instructs the Secretaries to research what impact any listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 would have on both forage and timber forest fuel loads. Requires endangered species recovery plans and critical habitat determinations to include a wildfire risk assessment analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2012
Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act or PROTECT Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish within the Office of International Trade of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division (including a National Targeting and Analysis Group) to prevent and counter evasion of antidumping or countervailing duty orders with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States. Directs the Group to establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards for: (1) evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise, and (2) issuing Trade Alerts to U.S. ports of entry directing further inspection of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with U.S. trade remedy laws. Requires the Group also to use information available from the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Entry System, the International Trade Data System, and the Treasury Enforcement Communications System to administer such methodologies and standards. Amends the Trade Act of 2002 to repeal the prohibition against use by the Secretary of the Treasury of certain trade data for merchandise entry or commercial enforcement determinations. Requires the DHS Secretary, acting through the CBP Commissioner, to exercise all authorities to collect information needed to determine whether merchandise is entered into the United States through evasion. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit access to proprietary information submitted to the administering authority or the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to a CBP officer or employee who is conducting an investigation regarding negligence or gross negligence with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with customs authorities of foreign countries to prevent evasion of U.S. and foreign trade remedy laws. Directs the CBP Commissioner to employ sufficient personnel who have expertise in and responsibility for preventing and investigating the entry of covered merchandise into the United States through evasion. Requires the weighted average dumping margin or individual countervailing duty rate determined for a new exporter (shipper) or producer of merchandise in a review by the administering authority as to whether antidumping or countervailing duties shall be imposed to be based solely on the bona fide U.S. sales made by the exporter or producer during the period of review. Applies the amendments made by this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2012
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense (DOD), and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) with respect to the Coast Guard, should duly honor those members of the Armed Forces who are killed or wounded in the United States in terrorist attacks that are inspired by the ideology that gives rise to terrorism, as defined by the Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Provides that, for purposes of awarding the Purple Heart, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall treat a member of the Armed Forces who is killed or wounded in a terrorist attack within the United States in the same manner as a member killed or wounded in action due to an act of an enemy of the United States. Makes this Act effective as of January 1, 2009. Directs the Secretaries concerned to: (1) review each death or wounding of a member within the United States between January 1, 2009, and the date of enactment of this Act to determine whether such death or wounding qualifies as a death or wounding resulting from a terrorist attack for purposes of this Act; and (2) upon a positive determination, take appropriate action.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2012
Small Lands Tracts Conveyance Act - Requires the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for a state (respecting certain public lands) or the Regional Forester (respecting certain National Forest System lands) to select an eligible federal lands parcel for conveyance: (1) in response to a request by an owner of non-federal land that shares one or more boundaries with such parcel, or (2) upon the recommendation of the BLM District Office or System unit that exercises administration over such parcel. Bars a conveyed eligible parcel from exceeding 160 acres unless the Director or Regional Forester concerned approves a request for additional acreage. Permits acquisition by a person of only one eligible parcel a year, subject to an exception. Instructs the Director or Regional Forester concerned, as consideration for the sale of an eligible parcel, to require a cash payment in an amount equal to not less than the fair market value of such parcel, including the mineral estate, being conveyed. Requires the Director or the Regional Forester concerned to: (1) pay 50% of the consideration received for the sale of an eligible parcel to the county government in which such parcel is located, and (2) deposit the remaining amount in the general Treasury fund. Requires the purchaser of an eligible federal lands parcel under this Act to cover the costs to be incurred, or to reimburse the Director or Regional Forester concerned for the costs incurred, in carrying out the conveyance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2012
Stop Abortion Funding in Multi-state Exchange Plans Act or SAFE Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in entering into contracts with health insurance issuers, to ensure that no multi-state qualified health plan offered in a health benefit exchange provides coverage of abortion. Excepts from such limitation: (1) a pregnancy that results from rape or incest; or (2) a case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. Prohibits any state law from preempting the coverage limitations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Small Business Tax Simplification Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain small business taxpayers from the requirements of using the accrual method of accounting and of using inventories. Allows such taxpayers to use a cash method of accounting if they meet the gross receipts test and are not engaged in farming as a corporation. Increases the amount of the gross receipts test to $10 million (currently, $5 million) and permits an annual inflation adjustment of that amount.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Government Spending Accountability Act of 2012 or the GSA Act of 2012 - Requires the head of each federal agency to submit to Congress, not less frequently than quarterly, a detailed, itemized report on any conference or meeting for which the agency must pay a fee and that: (1) is attended by 50 or more employees, or (2) has a total cost of $100,000 or more. Exempts any conference or meeting: (1) for which an agency head determines complying with such reporting requirement would not be in the interest of national security, or (2) which an agency head determines is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2012
Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to develop a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas exploration, development, and production under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries of Agriculture (USDA), of Energy, of the Interior, and Defense (DOD), including submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires the percentage of the total amount of such federal lands to be the same as the percentage of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that was drawn down. Directs the Secretary to base the determination of present and future national energy needs upon information from the Energy Information Administration. Prohibits the plan from providing more than 10% of such federal lands for oil and gas exploration, development, and production leasing. Excludes lands managed under either the National Park System or the National Wilderness Preservation System from those designated for increased oil and gas production.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2012
Supports Israel's lawful exercise of self-defense up to and including action to stop Iranian aggression, including a strike against Iran's illegal nuclear program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2012
National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2012 - Deems a domestic mine that will provide strategic and critical minerals to be an "infrastructure project" as described in Presidential Order "Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects," dated March 22, 2012. Sets forth the responsibilities of the lead agency (federal, state, local, tribal, or Alaska Native Corporation) with responsibility for issuing a mineral exploration or mine permit with respect to project coordination, agency consultation, project proponents, contractors, and the status and scope of any environmental impact statement. Prescribes: (1) the Federal Register notice process for mineral exploration and mining projects, and (2) requirements for judicial review of agency actions relating to exploration and mine permits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2012
Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees Act or RAISE Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to declare that neither its prohibition against interference by an employer with employees' right to bargain collectively, nor the terms of a collective bargaining agreement entered into between employees and an employer after enactment of this Act, shall prohibit an employer from paying an employee higher wages, pay, or other compensation than the agreement provides for.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2012
Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2012 or the RAPID Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish procedures to streamline the federal environmental review process established by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for major federal actions that are construction projects undertaken, reviewed, or funded by federal agencies. Authorizes: (1) project sponsors to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) if a lead agency furnishes oversight and independently evaluates, approves, and adopts such document prior to taking action or making any approval based on such document; (2) a lead agency to accept voluntary contributions of funds from a project sponsor for environmental review; and (3) lead agencies to adopt environmental documents that were prepared for other projects in geographical proximity to the project if the projects are similar. Requires: (1) the lead agency to adopt, use, or rely upon secondary and cumulative impact analyses included in documents prepared under NEPA for projects in the same geographic area if such documents are pertinent; and (2) a lead agency to adopt a document that has been prepared for a project under state laws as the EIS or EA for the project if such laws provide environmental protection and opportunities for public involvement that are substantially equivalent to those provided for in NEPA. Requires no more than one EIS and one EA to be prepared for a project. Sets forth provisions concerning the designation of participating agencies in the environmental review process. Precludes any agency that declines to participate in such process from submitting comments on, or taking measures to oppose: (1) the project; (2) any document prepared under NEPA for such project; or (3) any permit, license, or approval related to such project. Requires federal agencies to carry out obligations under other applicable laws concurrently and in conjunction with the review required under NEPA. Sets forth provisions concerning requirements for, and deadlines associated with, initiating and completing environmental review. Requires the lead agency to establish a schedule for completion of environmental review for a project and requires participating agencies to comply with such schedule. Deems a project to be approved in the event that a federal agency fails to approve or disapprove a project within such deadlines. Prohibits a federal agency from being required to evaluate an alternative that was identified but not carried forward for detailed evaluation in, or evaluated and not selected in, any environmental document prepared under NEPA for the same project. Requires cooperating agencies, where a project is being constructed, managed, funded, or undertaken by a sponsor that is not a federal agency, to only be required to evaluate alternatives that the project sponsor could feasibly undertake. Requires the evaluation of each alternative in an EIS or an EA to identify the potential effects of the alternative on employment. Sets forth limitations to claims arising under federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a federal agency for an action subject to NEPA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2012
Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act with respect to mandatory fee disclosures on automated teller machines (ATMs) operated by a person other than a financial institution holding a consumer's account. Repeals the requirement that such a fee disclosure appear in a prominent and conspicuous location on or at the ATM. Limits such requirement to appearance of a fee disclosure on the ATM screen.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2012
Eliminating Duplicative and Inefficient Taxpayer Spending Act - Requires each applicant for a grant from an executive agency to submit in the grant application: (1) a list of each similar federal grant applied for in the prior year, (2) a list of each similar federal grant received in the previous five years, and (3) a statement of whether the applicant has ever been debarred or suspended from receiving grants. Imposes penalties on grant applicants who fail to provide such information. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) issue guidance to agencies for implementing this Act, and (2) establish uniform policies and procedures to ensure that agencies share information about grants within such agencies and with other agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2012
Recognizes Israel's independence as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people and congratulates Israel's people as they celebrate the 64th anniversary of Israel's independence. Commends the bipartisan commitment of all U.S. administrations and congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being. Supports Israel's right to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within a reasonable time. Congratulates the United States and Israel for the strengthening of bilateral relations in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2012
Preserving Rural Resources Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace a requirement that a permit be obtained for any discharge of dredged or fill material into the navigable waters incidental to any activity having as its purpose bringing an area of such waters into a use to which it was not previously subject and where the flow or circulation of such waters may be impaired or the reach of such waters may be reduced with a requirement that a permit be obtained for any such discharge that is not currently exempted from permit requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2012
Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide that: (1) an emergency order issued under such Act should require generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electric energy only during times necessary to meet such emergency and serve the public interest, should, to the extent reasonable, be consistent with any other applicable federal law, including any environmental law or regulation, and should endeavor to minimize any adverse environmental impacts; and (2) any omission or action taken by a party to comply with such an order that results in noncompliance with any federal, state, or local environmental law or regulation shall not be considered a violation of, or subject such party to any civil or criminal liability under, such law or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2012
Amends provisions of the federal criminal code governing interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition to require that whenever transported by any means other than a motor vehicle: (1) a firearm shall be in a locked container or secured by a secure gun storage or safety device, and (2) ammunition shall be in a locked container. Excludes from permitted transport of a firearm or ammunition any transportation: (1) with the intent to commit a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year that involves the use or threatened use of force against another; or (2) with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that such a crime is to be committed in the course of, or arising from, the transportation. Prohibits the arrest or detention of a person for a violation of any state or local law or regulation related to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms unless there is probable cause to believe that the person is doing so in a manner not provided for under federal law. Provides that when a person asserts this as a defense in a criminal proceeding: (1) the prosecution shall bear the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person's conduct did not satisfy federal conditions; and (2) the court shall award the prevailing defendant a reasonable attorney's fee. Authorizes a private right of action (and attorney fees) for deprivation of any right, privilege or immunity secured by federal firearms provisions under color of any state or local law or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2012
Pool Safety and Accessibility for Everyone (Pool SAFE) Act - Prohibits any suit brought for violations of the revised regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 concerning the requirements to provide an accessible means of entry to pools for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities that occurred on or after March 15, 2012, and before the date that is one year after enactment of this Act. Bars the Attorney General (AG) from investigating or initiating a compliance review of an alleged violation occurring during such period. Requires dismissal of any suit brought against a place of public accommodation or commercial facility for such a violation brought on or after March 15, 2012, and before the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the AG to revise accessibility regulations to provide that a place of public accommodation or a commercial facility is in compliance with the requirement to have an accessible means of entry to a pool when such a place or facility uses a portable pool lift on request, even if: (1) installation of a permanent lift is readily achievable, and (2) a single portable pool lift is used for multiple pools.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2012
Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2013, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2012, and FY2014-FY2022. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts for FY2012-FY2022with respect to: (1) federal revenues, (2) new budget authority, (3) budget outlays, (4) deficits (on-budget), (5) debt subject to limit, and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2012-FY2022. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture, (2) Education and the Workforce, (3) Energy and Commerce, (4) Financial Services, (5) Natural Resources, (6) Oversight and Government Reform, and (7) Ways and Means. Requires the House Committee on the Budget to report a reconciliation bill that slows the growth in mandatory spending and achieves deficit reduction. Requires each House Committee to identify savings amounting to 1% of total mandatory spending under its jurisdiction from activities determined to be wasteful, unnecessary, or lower-priority. Establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2013-FY2022. Makes it out of order in the House to consider any legislation that causes discretionary budget authority to exceed such limits. Prohibits House legislation that would require advance appropriations, except for certain FY2013-FY2014 programs, projects, activities, or accounts. Prescribes requirements for legislation reported out of committee and designated as an emergency requirement. Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation to calculate the impact of any proposal to change federal revenues on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), total domestic employment, and other specified economic variables. Allocates $931 billion of new budget authority for FY2013 to the House Committee on Appropriations. Prohibits the chair of the House Committee on the Budget from taking into account the provisions of any piece of legislation which propose to increase revenue or offsetting collections if the net effect of the bill is to increase the level of revenue or offsetting collections beyond the level assumed in this budget resolution. Requires the chair to maintain a Budget Protection Mandatory Account and a Budget Protection Discretionary Account. Requires the Majority Leader to introduce rescission bills quarterly. Prescribes legislative procedures for their floor consideration. Expresses the sense of the House regarding: (1) baseline revenue projections, and (2) long-term budget projections. Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the House of Representatives to allow an amendment to an appropriations bill that amends existing law if it is a germane amendment to an authorizing provision or a line item appropriation of the bill under consideration. Establishes an earmark moratorium for FY2012-FY2013 for legislation providing or authorizing discretionary budget authority, credit or other spending authority, providing a federal tax deduction, credit, or exclusion, or modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule in FY2012-FY2013. Prohibits the House Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order waiving such moratorium. Declares the policy of this resolution on: (1) health care law repeal, (2) bailouts of state and local governments, (3) means-tested welfare programs, (4) reforming the federal budget process, (5) reforming federal regulations, (6) Medicare reform, (7) deficit reduction through cancellation of unobligated balances, and (8) block granting Medicaid to the states.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2012
Accountability in Grants Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from awarding grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance under the national research and development program for the prevention and control of air pollution for any program, project, or activity to occur outside the United States and its territories and possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2012
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should not interpret or construe the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President or any federal department or agency to confiscate personal or private property, to force conscription into the Armed Forces on the American people, to force civilians to engage in labor against their will or without compensation, or to force private businesses to relinquish goods or services without compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2012
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization, and (2) report to Congress on IRGC terrorist activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2012
Small Business Tax Cut Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow domestic businesses a tax deduction for 20% of the lesser of their qualified domestic business income (income effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States) or their taxable income for the taxable year. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50% of the the greater of the W-2 wages (payroll) paid to business non-owners or the sum of the W-2 wages paid to non-owner family members of direct owners (i.e., stockholders), plus any W-2 wages paid to direct owners who have a 10% or less interest in a business.