United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the use of innovative assistance funds for programs to: (1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; (2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and (3) train educators with respect to effective eating disorder prevention and assistance methods. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to broadcast public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders. Requires the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Center for Health Statistics to: (1) study the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement; (2) report on current state and local programs to educate youth on the dangers of eating disorders; and (3) recommend federal, state, and local measures that could be undertaken.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Breast Cancer Patient Protect Action of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan or a health issuer offering group health insurance coverage that provides medical and surgical benefits to ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy are provided for breast cancer treatment. Prohibits such a plan or issuer from: (1) restricting benefits for any hospital length of stay to less than 48 hours in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery or 24 hours in connection with a lymph node dissection; or (2) requiring that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or issuer for prescribing any such length of stay. Requires such a plan or issuer to: (1) provide notice to each participant and beneficiary regarding the coverage required under this Act; and (2) ensure that full coverage is provided for secondary consultations by specialists in the appropriate medical fields to confirm or refute a diagnosis of cancer. Applies such requirements to health insurance issuers offering coverage in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Informed Choice Act - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics for the purchase of ultrasound equipment. Requires each grantee to: (1) provide free ultrasound examinations to pregnant women; (2) show the visual image of the fetus from the ultrasound examination to each pregnant woman with a general anatomical and physiological description of the fetus; (3) give each pregnant woman the approximate age of the embryo or fetus; (4) provide information on abortion and alternatives to abortion, such as childbirth and adoption, and information concerning public and private agencies that will assist in those alternatives; and (5) obtain medical malpractice insurance. Limits each grant to the lesser of 50% of the purchase price of the ultrasound machine involved or $20,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Citizenship Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit automatic citizenship at birth to a child born in the United States who was born: (1) in wedlock in the United States to a parent who is a U.S. citizen or national or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence; (2) out of wedlock in the United States to a mother who is a U.S. citizen or national or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence; or (3) out of wedlock in the United States to a father who is a U.S. citizen or national or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence, but only if a blood relationship between the father and the child is established by clear and convincing evidence, the father had U.S. nationality or was a U.S. permanent resident at the time of the child's birth, the father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the child reaches 18, and, while the child is under 18, the father either acknowledges paternity under oath or paternity is established in court. Defines "born in wedlock" to exclude common law marriages.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Identity Theft Notification Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to notify individuals and appropriate authorities of evidence of a certain misuse of individual Social Security account numbers. Requires the Commissioner to determine, in certain instances of wage reports involving multiple addresses for the same employee name, whether there is evidence that the wages were not paid to the individual to whom the Social Security account number was assigned.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Make College Affordable Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers, their spouses, dependents, and grandchildren a tax deduction from gross income for certain higher education expenses and for interest on certain student loans. Includes as higher education expenses undergraduate tuition and fees and reasonable living expenses while attending an institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
National Science Education Tax Incentive for Teachers Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain full-time elementary and secondary school teachers of math, science, engineering, or technology courses a refundable tax credit for 10% of their undergraduate tuition up to $1,000 in any taxable year. Increases such credit amount to $1,500 for teachers in schools serving children with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Prohibits the use of federal funds for the design, renovation, construction, or rental of any U.N. headquarters in the United States unless the President transmits to Congress a certification that the United Nations has adopted internationally-recognized best practices in contracting and procurement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts from taxation benefits paid under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - Supports state, city, and university efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan. Directs: (1) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require all companies trading in registered securities that conduct business operations directly or through parent or subsidiary companies in Sudan to disclose the nature of such operations; and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the existence and extent of such companies' Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board investments. Prohibits U.S. government contracts with such companies, with exceptions for companies whose activities are related to: (1) southern Sudan, southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, or Abyei; (2) the implementation of the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement; (3) the provision of military equipment for nongovernmental organizations in the Darfur region of Sudan, the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), or the United Nations; or (4) the provision of humanitarian assistance that is of immediate and substantial benefit to the majority of people of the Darfur region of Sudan or the majority of people of eastern Sudan, including the Red Sea, Kassala, and Gedaref States. Authorizes a national security waiver of such prohibition on a case-by-case basis.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law, with respect to both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), to require the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that deny eligibility under CSRS or FERS for a Member convicted of certain offenses that are: (1) committed by the individual while a Member, (2) related to the individual's service as a Member, and (3) after enactment of this Act. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Renames the basic employment eligibility verification pilot program established under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 as the Employment Eligibility Verification System. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for permanent nationwide implementation of the System. Requires entities hiring individuals for employment in the United States to participate in such System. Phases in compliance requirements over a seven-year period according to the number of persons employed by the entity. Establishes sanctions for noncompliance. Provides for voluntary participation by entities not required to participate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) sponsoring or exhibiting a bird in a fighting venture in a state where it would not otherwise be in violation of the law, only if the person knew that any bird in the venture was knowingly bought, sold, delivered, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce for such purpose; or (2) knowingly sponsoring or exhibiting in an animal fighting venture any other animal that was moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Prohibits knowingly: (1) selling, buying, transporting, delivering, or receiving, for purposes of transportation in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal to participate in an animal fighting venture; (2) using interstate mail service for commercial speech promoting an animal fighting venture except as performed outside the limits of the states (with an exception for bird fights in states whose laws allow them); or (3) selling, buying, transporting, or delivering in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument to be attached to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture. Increases the penalties to a fine and up to three years' imprisonment for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
401Kids Family Savings Act of 2007 - Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to extend through 2015 provisions allowing increased annual contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow tax-free distributions from a Coverdell education savings account for first-time homebuyer expenses; (2) permit rollovers from Coverdell education savings accounts to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); and (3) rename Coverdell education savings accounts as 401Kids Savings Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend the Act through FY2013. Revises requirements regarding the merchantable material contracting pilot program. Requires counties participating in county projects to submit a specified notification for each project for which the participating county obligated county funds. Provides for the review of such notifications.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act - Amends the Lacey Act to add specified species of black, bighead, and silver carp to the list of injurious species that are prohibited from being shipped or imported into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2007 - Declares that a person not prohibited under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any state, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
RU-486 Suspension and Review Act of 2007 - Deems the approved application for the drug mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex, commonly known as RU-486, and used for the chemically induced termination of intrauterine pregnancy) to have been withdrawn. Deems the drug misoprostol to be misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) if it bears labeling providing that the drug may be used for the medical termination of intrauterine pregnancy. Directs the Comptroller General to review and report on the process by which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone. Provides for the reinstatement of the approved application for such drug if the report determines the approval to have been in accordance with FFDCA.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to each state to carry out a program for making available throughout that state the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating state to ensure that at least 50% of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a state seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a state 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services to all citizens of that state with phone access, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a criminal penalty for an alien permitted to depart voluntarily from the United States who: (1) fails to do so within the time period specified (currently, subject to civil penalty only); or (2) after such departure, illegally reenters, attempts to reenter, or is present in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Combat-Related Special Compensation Act - Authorizes monthly combat-related special compensation pay to any military retiree who is entitled to retired pay and has a combat-related disability. (Currently, a retiree must meet those requirements and also have completed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service.) Provides a special compensation rule with respect to retirees with less than 20 years of service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Prohibits an individual (or a survivor or beneficiary thereof) from receiving federal annuity or retired pay if such individual is convicted, indicted, or has outstanding charges against him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for specified offenses concerning: (1) bribery, graft, or conflicts of interest related to public officials and witnesses, Members of Congress, government officers or employees, or obtaining appointive public office; (2) embezzlement or theft of public money, property, or records; (3) the solicitation or use of gifts; (4) fraud and false statements or entries; (5) perjury; (6) subornation of perjury; or (7) false declarations before a grand jury or court. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit using a Social Security account number except for specified Social Security and tax purposes. Prohibits the Social Security Administration from divulging the Social Security account number of an individual to any federal, state, or local government agency or instrumentality, or to any other individual. Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit any federal, state, or local government agency or instrumentality from requesting an individual to disclose his Social Security account number on either a mandatory or a voluntary basis. Prohibits any two federal agencies or instrumentalities from implementing the same identifying number with respect to any individual (except as authorized by the Social Security Act). Prohibits any federal agency from: (1) establishing or mandating a uniform standard for identification of an individual that is required to be used by any other federal or state agency, or by a private person, for any purpose other than that of conducting the authorized activities of the standard-establishing or -mandating federal agency; or (2) conditioning receipt of any federal grant, contract, or other federal funding on the adoption, by a state or local government, or by a state agency, of such a uniform standard.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Social Security for Americans Only Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) prohibit the wages earned, and self-employment income derived, by individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals from being credited for coverage under the OASDI program; and (2) authorize the President to enter into (totalization) agreements with other nations to resolve entitlement and participation questions about their respective social security systems, taking into account such limitation on the crediting of wages and self-employment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations Human Rights Council should: (1) be a body that upholds the ideals enumerated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights; (2) allow full participation by Israel in Council operations; and (3) be made up of countries that hold regular democratic elections, permit freedom of expression, and have a credible civil society. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not support the Council, and should withhold financial support for the Council until meaningful human rights reforms are carried out. Directs the Secretary of State to withhold from a U.S. contribution to a regularly assessed biennial U.N. budget an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that the Secretary determines would be allocated by the United Nations to the Council.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the inclusion of any social security or tier I railroad retirement benefits in gross income. Appropriates funds to cover reductions in transfers to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement Trust Funds resulting from the enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress against using tax increases to provide revenue necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, effective January 1, 2007, the 1993 increase in income taxes on Social Security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new construction or major renovations of energy efficient buildings that will result in innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those sponsored by the Department of Energy; and (2) give due consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to serve low and moderate income populations. Defines "energy efficient building" as one that after construction or renovation: (1) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that perform at no less than Energy Star standards; or (2) if Energy Star standards are not applicable, uses Federal Energy Management Program recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition: (1) activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates; and (2) the right, power, or ability of any financial holding company to engage in any activity, or acquire or retain the shares of any company engaged in an activity authorized for financial holding companies on December 6, 2001 ("grandfather clause").
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) government pension offset requirements applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to OASDI payments; and (2) windfall elimination requirements with respect to computation of an individual's primary insurance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States: (1) must move rapidly to increase the productivity with which it uses fossil fuel, and to accelerate the transition to renewable fuels and a sustainable, clean energy economy; and (2) should establish, in collaboration with other international allies, an energy project with the magnitude, creativity, and sense of urgency of the "Man on the Moon" project to develop a comprehensive plan to address the challenges presented by Peak Oil (the peak in the world's oil production believed by some petroleum experts likely to occur in the next decade).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Urges the League of Arab States to: (1) declare the systematic torture, rape, and displacement of Darfurians a genocide; (2) pass a resolution to support and accept U.N. peacekeepers to enforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure access to humanitarian assistance in Darfur; and (3) work with the United Nations, the African Union, and the United States Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, to bring about peace and stability to Darfur, the refugee camps, and along the Chadian border.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2006
Notes with sorrow the one-year anniversary of the November 9, 2005, terrorist attacks in Amman, Jordan, and condemns such attacks in the strongest terms. Expresses ongoing condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed in the attacks and sympathies to those who were injured. Reiterates support for the Jordanian people and its government. Values the strong U.S.-Jordan friendship. Expresses readiness to assist the Jordanian authorities in their efforts to pursue and dismantle the networks that carry out such terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2006
Honors and recognizes the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy on the occasion of its 175th anniversary. Commends and supports the continued service of the Sisters of Mercy for their devotion to assisting communities in need through sponsorship of educational, social, and spiritual programs in the United States and throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Mourns the passing of Doctor Milton Friedman and extends deepest condolences to his family, including widow Rose Friedman, who is herself an accomplished economist and was instrumental in co-authoring some of his major works. Honors Doctor Friedman's lifetime of achievements and recognizes his outstanding contributions to freedom, the study of economics, the United States of America, and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Urges the House of Representatives to raise awareness of teen dating violence by supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Designates Room H-139 of the Capitol as the "Henry J. Hyde Room." Makes this resolution effective on the day after Henry J. Hyde is no longer serving as a Member of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Bangladesh should: (1) drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury; (2) return his confiscated possessions; and (3) cease harassment of Mr. Choudhury, take steps to protect Mr. Choudhury, and hold accountable those responsible for attacks against Mr. Choudhury.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) state and local government agencies should be supported for taking actions to discourage illegal immigration; and (2) Congress should pass comprehensive border security and enforcement legislation to ease the burden on state and local agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
States that the Republic of Turkey should demonstrate that it is meeting Copenhagen European Council criteria for European Union (EU) accession. Calls on Turkey to: (1) adhere to all EU accession criteria and EU laws, extend its customs union to all EU members, and recognize all EU members, including the Republic of Cyprus; and (2) pledge to uphold and safeguard human, religious, and cultural rights. Urges the removal of Turkish occupation forces from the northern one-third of Cyprus in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 353. States that Turkey should recognize the fundamental rights of all Cypriots, including the rights of property ownership, free movement, free settlement, and refugee return. Encourages Turkey to continue to modernize and democratize its own society.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Specifies Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) fund amounts to be used for the Program in each of FY2008-FY2012. Makes the Secretary of Agriculture responsible for specified program administration provisions currently delegated to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Congratulates: (1) the Detroit Shock on winning the 2006 Women's National Basketball Association Championship; and (2) Detroit Shock guard Deanna Nolan for winning the 2006 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Religious Freedom for Providers of Adoption, Foster Care, and Child Welfare Services Act - Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance to a state or local government that discriminates against any entity that provides adoption or foster care services to only those couples who are united in marriage (defined as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife) and to only those individuals whose conduct is in accordance with such entity's religious principles and practices.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Reiterates support for democracy in Nepal. Recognizes that the full participation of the people of Nepal will be required to hold elections for a constituent assembly and draft a new constitution. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Seven-Party Alliance Government should: (1) continue its role in developing a new democracy; (2) hold an election for a constituent assembly; (3) draft a constitution; and (4) implement the will of the people of Nepal. States that the Maoists must: (1) lay down their weapons before joining the interim government; (2) respect human rights; (3) implement what they have agreed to with the Seven Party Alliance; (4) implement steps to show their commitment to competitive politics and a multiparty system; and (5) follow the rule of law and commit to press freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that the government of Turkmenistan should: (1) release from prison and psychiatric institutions all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, including Mukhametkuli Aimuradov, Sapardurdy Khajiev, Annakurba Amanklychev, Kakabai Tedjenov, Cheper Annaniyazova, and Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah; (2) provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with access to all detained persons, including Batyr Berdyev and Boris Shikhmuradov; (3) investigate the death in custody of Ogulsapar Muradova; (4) provide fair retrials of those imprisoned for the alleged 2002 assassination attempt of President Niyazov; (5) provide independent investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment; and deaths in custody; (6) permit the normal functioning of opposition groups, independent nongovernmental groups; (7) cease the use of collective punishment, psychiatric hospitals, and house arrest of relatives and associates of perceived dissidents; (8) allow press and related freedoms; (9) end the diversion of state funds into President Niyazov's personal offshore accounts; (10) make educational reforms; (11) continue to discuss human rights and democratization in Turkmenistan and; and (12) support increased Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) activities in Turkmenistan. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should consider: (1) appropriate responses if the government of Turkmenistan continues to ban peaceful independent political party participation in the upcoming December elections; (2) designating Turkmenistan a "country of particular concern;" (3) withholding Turkmenistan's waiver under the Jackson-Vanik amendment until the right to freedom of movement is ensured; (4) encouraging companies which transport Turkmen gas to account for revenues and make public the identities of all their shareholders and beneficiaries; (5) raising with the European Union (EU), as well as transit and purchasing countries, the importance of not entering into trade agreements with Turkmenistan until the government demonstrates a commitment to implementing basic norms of fiscal transparency; (6) issuing a report on the personal assets and wealth of President Niyazov; and (7) working with other U.N. member states to introduce a resolution denouncing human rights violations in Turkmenistan.
![Official portrait of Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001147_200.jpg)