The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001158_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,295 records where Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Medicare Warning Act of 2009 - Continues through the remainder of the 111th Congress procedures under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 for House of Representatives consideration of the President's legislative proposal to respond to a Medicare funding warning.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the civil penalties for violations of firearms law and the procedures for assessing such penalties. Requires fines to be based upon the nature and severity of the violation, the size of the firearms business involved, and the prior record of the firearm's licensee. Prohibits consideration of the amount of fines or license revocations imposed by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in the retention, promotion, or transfer of such agents. Revises the definition of "willfully" for purposes of firearms violations and standards for criminal violations of firearms recordkeeping requirements. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make preliminary determinations on firearms license applications and notify applicants in writing of a proposed denial; and (2) establish guidelines for ATF inspections, examinations, or investigations of possible firearms violations. Permits an owner of a firearms business whose license is expired, surrendered, or revoked 60 days to liquidate inventory. Allows purchasers of existing firearms businesses the right to cure firearms violations attributable to such businesses. Allows the transfer, possession, and importation of machineguns for industry testing, research and training, national security services, and motion picture or television production. Eliminates the requirement of written permission for the use of a handgun for lawful purposes by a minor (under age 18) where a parent or legal guardian is present at all times during such use. Prohibits the Attorney General from electronically retrieving inactive firearms licensee information by name or personal identification code. Directs the Attorney General to authorize the importation of all frames or receivers of rifles, or barrels for firearms other than handguns, if the importation is for repair or replacement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
American Energy Innovation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, including by: (1) allowing accelerated depreciation of cellulosic biomass ethanol plant property, coal-to-liquid plant property, dedicated ethanol distribution lines, solar and fuel cell property, smart electric meters, and certain clean coal power plants; (2) making permanent tax credits for increasing research activities, nonbusiness energy property, gas produced from biomass, and synthetic fuels produced from coal; (3) allowing new tax credits for pollution abatement equipment, the manufacture of natural gas-powered vehicles, nuclear power manufacturing and construction projects, and carbon dioxide capture from industrial sources; (4) extending the income tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable resources, for energy efficient home expenditures, and for the conversion of motor vehicles to natural gas powered vehicles; (5) extending the excise tax credit for alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles; (6) extending the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; and (7) increasing the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration. Establishes: (1) a pilot project for leasing federal lands for the development of commercial photovoltaic and concentrating solar power energy systems; (2) an Alternative Fuel Vehicle Innovation Prize; (3) the Office of the Federal Oil and Gas Permit Coordinator; and (4) the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund into which Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) receipts derived from leases of tracts available as a result of this Act shall be deposited. Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) exclude from the meaning of "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride; and (2) revise the renewable fuel standard. Repeals: (1) the authorization to withdraw or reissue the "Interagency Cooperation under the Endangered Species Act" rule and the "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Special Rule for Polar Bear"; (2) specified energy efficiency standards for lamps; (3) the prohibition against oil and gas leasing in certain areas of Gulf of Mexico and oil and gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; (4) the limitation on using funds for implementing a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public land; and (5) the Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act of 2005. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish the Alaska Offshore Continental Shelf Coordination Office; and (2) assess the capacity of a storage formation that can retain carbon dioxide. Revises the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Program. Sets forth provisions concerning loans for the construction of coal-to-liquid facilities and technology. Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) conduct a natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration program; and (2) audit coal-fired electric generation facilities. Provides for: (1) oil and gas leasing in the OCS, the Atlantic Planning Area, the Pacific Planning Area, the Alaska Planning Area, the Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, and the Coastal Plain; (2) the leasing of oil shale resources; and (3) the treatment of revenues received through oil shale or tar sand leases. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate certain Coastal Plain lands, including the Sadlerochit Spring area, as Special Areas requiring special management and regulatory protection. Requires the DOE Secretary to implement a Nuclear Power 2010 Program and establish a National Nuclear Energy Council. Authorizes the DOE Secretary to use amounts in the Waste Fund to make grants or contracts with private sector entities for the recycling of spent nuclear fuel. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a research and demonstration program to evaluate the air quality benefits of ultra-clean Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the death penalty for the rape of a child who has not attained the age of 12 years does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Defines marriage in the United States as consisting only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits either the U.S. Constitution or the constitution of any state from being construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Celebrates the U.S. flag. Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Flag Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2009
Encourages the President to designate an appropriate year as The National Year of the Bible.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2009
Priorities in Education Spending Act - Repeals specified provisions of the: (1) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) Early Learning Opportunities Act; (3) Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) Higher Education Amendments of 1998; (5) Education of the Deaf Act of 1986; (6) Higher Education Opportunity Act; (7) Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980; (8) Higher Education Amendments of 1992; (9) Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; (10) Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006; (11) Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004; (12) Head Start Act; (13) Workforce Investment Act; (14) National Environmental Education Act; and (15) America COMPETES Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from obligating any funds to implement a literacy program for prisoners under the National Literacy Act of 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2009
No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2009 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to exclude from creditable wages and self-employment income any wages earned for services by aliens performed in the United States, and self-employment income derived from a trade or business conducted in the United States, while the alien was not authorized to be so employed or to perform a function or service in such a trade or business.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2009
Commends the recreational boating community and the U.S. boating industry for their contributions to the economy, the well-being of U.S. citizens, and responsible environmental stewardship of marine resources. Urges the President to issue a proclamation calling for the observation of National Boating Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2009
Disapproves the totalization agreement between the United States and Mexico, establishing totalization arrangements between the Social Security Systems of the two countries, which was signed by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute on June 29, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2009
Commemorates the 40th anniversary of the first landing of humanity on the Moon.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2009
Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran; (2) U.S. concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government’s actions; and (3) the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship. States that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program; (2) encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran; (3) impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and (4) work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups. Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose two or more current sanctions under such Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.) Directs the President to impose: (1) sanctions established under this Act (in addition to any current sanctions imposed under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996) if a person has, with actual knowledge, sold, leased, or provided to Iran any goods, services, technology, information, or support that would allow Iran to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum resources, including any assistance in refinery construction, modernization, or repair; and (2) sanctions established under this Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, provided Iran with refined petroleum resources or engaged in any activity that could contribute to Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources, including providing shipping, insurance, or financing services for such activity. Establishes additional sanctions prohibiting specified foreign exchange, banking, and property transactions. Includes references to refined petroleum resources in a presidential report to Congress requesting waiver of sanctions for purposes of national interest. Requires that the President immediately investigate a person upon receipt of credible information that such person is engaged in prohibited investment or other activity. Defines "credible information" as public or classified information or reporting supported by other substantiating evidence. Includes among the exceptions to the imposition of sanctions a situation in which the President determines in writing that the person to which the sanctions would otherwise be applied is: (1) a citizen or resident of a country that is a participant in the Proliferation Security Initiative; or (2) a foreign person organized under the laws of such country and is a subsidiary of a U.S. person. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months regarding any person who has: (1) provided Iran with refined petroleum resources; (2) sold, leased, or provided to Iran any goods, services, or technology that would allow Iran to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum resources; or (3) engaged in any activity that could contribute to the enhancement of Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources. States that the term "petroleum resources" includes petroleum, petroleum by-products, oil or liquefied natural gas, oil or liquefied natural gas tankers, and products used to construct or maintain pipelines used to transport oil or compressed or liquefied natural gas. (Under current law the definition of the term "petroleum resources" is limited to petroleum and natural gas resources.) Defines "petroleum by-products" as gasoline, kerosene, distillates, propane or butane gas, diesel fuel, residual fuel oil, and other goods classified in headings 2709 and 2710 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2009
Commends: (1) the University of Georgia women's gymnastics team for winning the 2009 NCAA National Championship; (2) the Gym Dogs for winning more national championships than any other gymnastics program in the nation; and (3) Suzanne Yoculan for a spectacular career as that university's gymnastics coach.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2009
Celebrates the role of mothers in the United States and supports the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2009
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Obama Administration should immediately withdraw the Department of Labor (DOL) notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the Form LM-2 (labor organization financial disclosure report); (2) DOL should rededicate itself to enforce the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 and not weaken disclosures provided for in the Form LM-2 regulation; and (3) all Americans are encouraged to share their thoughts on the financial disclosure of labor organizations through the comment process on this rule which closes on May 21, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a waiver of the penalty for failure to disclose reportable transactions (i.e., transactions which have a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) if such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; (2) revise the amount of the penalty for such failure; and (3) limit the imposition of such penalty to the taxpayer (currently, any person). Reaffirms the authority of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to rescind all or any portion of the penalty for failure to furnish information regarding reportable transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2009
Expresses support for the designation of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2009
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 61st 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. 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 · 27 April 2009
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the National Eye Institute. Expresses support for the designation of the Decade of Vision to maintain a sustained awareness of the public health challenges associated with vision impairment and eye disease and to emphasize the need for federal support for prevention and early detection, access to treatment and rehabilitation, and research. Commends the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research for its efforts to expand awareness of eye disease through its Decade of Vision 2010-2020 Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month. Urges Congress to: (1) work with health care providers and celiac disease advocacy and education organizations to encourage screening and early detection of celiac disease; and (2) increase funding for celiac disease research.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2009
Border Sovereignty and Protection Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require that: (1) at least 350 miles of fencing along the southwest border be two layers of reinforced fencing separated by a Border Patrol access road; (2) such work shall be completed within one year of enactment of this Act; and (3) fencing existing as of April 1, 2009, shall not be considered in meeting the mileage requirement. Gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) full authority, concurrent with that of the Department of Justice, to investigate violations of the Controlled Substances Act or the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Amends the federal criminal code to provide for a fine and/or at least 15 years imprisonment for firearms smuggling in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking. Makes a state or local subdivision ineligible for state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) funding if such state or subdivision: (1) has in effect any law, policy, or procedure prohibiting or restricting communication with the Immigration and Naturalization Service or other government entity regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status; or (2) prohibits state or local law enforcement officials from gathering information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status. Sets forth provisions regarding the expedited removal of: (1) inadmissible arriving aliens; and (2) criminal aliens. Makes the basic pilot employment verification (E-Verify) program permanent. Sets forth the following E-Verify compliance schedule: (1) one year from enactment of this Act for federal agencies, federal contractors, and employers of more than 250 persons; (2) two years from enactment for employers of 100 or more persons; (3) three years from enactment for employers of 30 or more persons; and (4) four years from enactment for all employers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2009
School Choice for Foster Kids Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize states to use funds provided under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence program to provide vouchers to foster children of all ages to cover their elementary and secondary private school tuition and public school transportation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about financial education. Recognizes the importance of managing personal finances, increasing personal savings, and reducing personal debt in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2009
Expresses support for the designation of Boy Scouts of America Day in celebration of such organization's 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009
Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Detention and Removal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009
Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Operation Stonegarden (provides funding to designated localities to enhance cooperation and coordination between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure U.S. borders).
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009
Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the requirements and the formula for payments for services, including an implantable medical device, furnished to individuals in ambulatory surgical centers. Revises requirements for the reporting of data by ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient departments. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on outpatient surgical services. Requires the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to consult with respect to the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights to include at least one ambulatory surgical center representative. States that the conditions for coverage of ambulatory surgical center services specified by the Secretary shall not prohibit ambulatory surgical centers from providing individuals with any notice of rights or other required notice on the date of a procedure if more advanced notice is not feasible under the circumstances, including when a procedure is scheduled and performed on the same day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009
Green Jobs Improvement Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to make nonunion training programs eligible for federal funding under the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program (Green Jobs program). Applies certain worker protections and nondiscrimination requirements to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Grants a federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America (a nonprofit corporation and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia).
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act of 2009 - Directs each state that makes a Medicaid payment from federal funds during the fiscal year for any items or services furnished by an abortion provider to: (1) report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on all such payments; and (2) publish the report on a public Internet website of the state. Requires an annual report to specified congressional committees on such reports, which shall also be published on a public Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single gold medal in honor of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) collectively, in honor of their pioneering military service and exemplary record, which forged revolutionary reform in the U.S. Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution shall make the medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at other locations associated with the WASP.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Iran Diplomatic Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose two or more sanctions under such Act if a person has, with actual knowledge: (1) on or after the date of enactment of such Act made an investment of $40 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $10 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $40 million in any 12-month period) that significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources; (2) on or after the date of enactment of the Iran Diplomatic Enhancement Act of 2009 made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources; or (3) on or after the date of enactment of the Iran Diplomatic Enhancement Act of 2009 provided Iran with refined petroleum resources, engaged in an activity that could contribute to the enhancement of Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources, or provided Iran with goods, services, or technology for refining petroleum. (Current law imposes sanctions upon investments of $40 million or more and does not include refined petroleum resource imports.) Extends existing presidential waiver authority to such activities. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months on such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to grant any financial institution that has received or receives a direct capital investment under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) the right to repay it immediately. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to accept such a payment unconditionally.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009
Supports the observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in order to increase awareness of child maltreatment and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. Recognizes and applauds the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about child maltreatment, including identifying risk factors and developing prevention strategies. Urges families and individuals to report abuse or get help by calling the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009
Fairness in Firearm Testing Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to make a video recording of the entire process of its examination and testing of an item for the purpose of determining whether the item is a firearm (and if so, the type of firearm) or ammunition. Bars ATF from editing or erasing any such recording. Directs ATF to make available a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording: (1) at the request of a person who claims an ownership interest in such item; and (2) to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving such item. Provides that an item which ATF has determined is a firearm or ammunition shall not be admissible as evidence unless: (1) ATF has complied with the requirements of this Act to make its digital video disc available; or (2) such compliance has been waived in writing by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009
Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider a person born in the United States "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth purposes if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national; (2) a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States; or (3) an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009
Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009
Border Fence Trust Fund Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Border Improvement Trust Fund and allow individual taxpayers (other than nonresident aliens) to designate that $5.00 ($10.00 in the case of joint returns) of their income taxes be paid over to such Fund to install additional barriers and roads at the U.S. border.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009
Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act of 2009 or the WATER Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of amounts paid for WaterSense program property certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Limits the lifetime dollar amount of such credit to $1,500. Terminates such credit after 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2009
New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an excise tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures involving compressed or liquefied natural gas; (2) allow an income tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuel motor vehicles powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas; (3) modify the tax credit percentage for alternative fuel vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; (4) allow a new tax credit for the production of vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; and (5) extend through 2027 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures for refueling property relating to compressed or liquefied natural gas and allow an increased credit for such property. Requires 50% of all new vehicles purchased or placed in service by the U.S. government by December 31, 2014, to be capable of operating on compressed or liquefied natural gas. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to manufacturers of light and heavy duty natural gas vehicles for the development of engines that reduce emissions, improve performance and efficiency, and lower cost.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limit on the deductibility of losses from the sale or exchange of capital assets for individual taxpayers to $10,000, adjusted for inflation after 2009 ($5,000 for married individuals filing a separate tax return).
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2009
Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act - Permits a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and the veteran's dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2009
American Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deductions for state and local sales taxes, qualified tuition and related expenses, and mortgage insurance premiums. Modifies the first-time homebuyer tax credit by: (1) allowing all purchasers of a principal residence, not just first-time homebuyers, to claim such credit; (2) eliminating the requirement to repay credit amounts over a 15-year period; and (3) imposing a recapture requirement for taxpayers who dispose of a residence within 36 months after purchase. Extends such credit through December 31, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2009
Taxpayer Empowerment and Advocacy Act of 2009 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to extend through FY2014 the spending limits (spending caps) for the discretionary categories in new budget authority and outlays. Revises requirements for adjustments to discretionary spending limits in sequestration reports by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Repeals such requirements relating to: (1) continuing disability reviews by the Social Security Administration (SSA); (2) allowances for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and for specified international arrearages; (3) an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) compliance initiative; (4) adoption incentive payments for the Department of Health and Human Services; and (5) conservation spending. Requires that, if legislation is enacted that charges federal agencies for the full cost of accrued federal retirement and health benefits, and a measure is enacted making appropriations that provides new budget authority to carry out such legislation, the adjustment shall be equal to the reduction in mandatory budget authority and outlays estimated resulting from such legislation. Extends Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) requirements and enforcement mechanisms through FY2014. Revises formulae for the calculation of a deficit increase or decrease and for elimination of a deficit increase. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to assume an automatic deficit increase of $58.160 billion for FY2010 before making a calculation of deficit increase or decrease. Modifies the formula for eliminating a deficit increase. Repeals the limitation on reductions of certain Medicare programs and the increase (if necessary) to the uniform percentage applicable to all other direct spending programs to a level sufficient to achieve the required reduction in direct spending. Assumes non-exempt direct spending accounts to be at the level in the baseline for FY2011, and for FY2012-FY2015 at the baseline after adjusting for any sequester in FY2010. Repeals the exclusion from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates and OMB reports to Congress on emergency legislation of direct spending legislation to cover agricultural crop disaster assistance. (Thus requires the amount of new budget authority, outlays, and receipts of all fiscal years resulting from direct spending legislation to cover such crop disaster assistance.) Modifies the baseline to exclude certain emergency appropriations and emergency spending legislation. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order to consider in the Senate or House any legislation that contains an emergency designation under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act unless it meets a specified new definition of "emergency" set out in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Makes it out of order to consider in the House a rule or order that waives such application.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2009
Constitutional Amendment - States that the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right. States that neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served. Provides that no treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2009
Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing firefighting and fire prevention services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, and emergency rescue services. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations exempting a length of service award program from treatment as an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) prohibitions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures. Declares that an action for civil liability may be brought against a merchant's assignee only if the violation is apparent on the face of a rental-purchase agreement to which it relates, including, but not limited to, a disclosure that can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the agreement. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate implementing regulations. Grants enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission and to state attorneys general. Subjects to criminal penalties any willful and knowing violation of the information disclosure requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Responsible Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Makes permanent the repeal of the estate tax. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $500,000 the maximum expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; (2) allow first-year expensing of manufacturing and agricultural property; (3) allow a 20% tax deduction for qualified small business income; (4) allow a deduction from self-employment income for health insurance, health savings account contributions, and simplified employee pension plan contributions; and (5) increase the limit on the tax deduction for contributions to a simplified employee pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009 or EARLY Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a national evidence-based education campaign: (1) to increase public awareness regarding the threats posed by breast cancer to young women, including the particular risks faced by certain ethnic and cultural groups; and (2) focusing on awareness of risk factors and achieving early detection through community-centered informational forums, public service advertisements, and media campaigns. Directs the Secretary to award grants to entities to establish national multimedia campaigns that: (1) will encourage young women to be aware of their personal risk factors, strategies for increasing early detection and self awareness, evidence based preventative lifestyle changes, and other appropriate breast cancer early detection and risk reduction strategies; (2) will encourage young women of specific higher-risk populations to talk to their medical practitioners about those risks and methods for appropriate screening and surveillance; and (3) may include advertising through specified media. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) establish an advisory committee to assist in creating and conducting the public education campaign; (2) conduct an education campaign to increase awareness among health care professionals; and (3) conduct prevention research. Directs the Secretary to award grants to organizations and institutions to provide to young women diagnosed with breast cancer substantive assistance and health information from credible sources on: (1) education and counseling regarding fertility preservation; (2) social, emotional, psychosocial, financial, lifestyle, and caregiver support; (3) familial risk factors; and (4) risk reduction strategies to reduce recurrence or metastasis.