United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006 - Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) modify guidelines governing the maximum principal loan obligation; (2) extend the mortgage term; and (3) revise requirements for cash payment by the mortgagor in the eligibility criteria for mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to establish a mortgage insurance premium structure involving a single premium payment collected prior to the insurance of the mortgage that may vary during the mortgage term as long as the basis for determining the variable rate is established before the execution of the mortgage. Permits the Secretary to insure any mortgage covering a one-family unit in a condominium project if the project has a certain blanket mortgage insured by the Secretary. Revises requirements for the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund. Sets limitations upon the Secretary's authority to enter into commitments for loan guarantees. Makes insurance of a Native Hawaiian or Indian reservation mortgage the obligation of the MMI Fund (instead of the General Insurance Fund). Eliminates the limitation placed upon the aggregate number of home equity conversion mortgages insured under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure a home equity conversion mortgage when its primary purpose is to enable an elderly mortgagor to purchase a 1-to 4 family dwelling in which the mortgagor will occupy one of the units. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements to insure temporarily certain mortgages for a single family residence located within a presidentially declared major disaster area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Congressional Teacher Award Act of 2006 - Establishes the Congressional Teacher Award Task Force to designate a nonprofit organization to operate a Congressional Teacher Award program which will provide an award to one excellent elementary or secondary school teacher in each congressional district each year. Authorizes the program to provide professional development scholarships to award recipients. Sets forth award eligibility requirements, which include letters of recommendation from a principal, a fellow teacher, and a student.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2006 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care; (3) care of a seriously ill family member; or (4) employee's own serious health condition. Makes available as paid leave for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for the above purposes: (1) six weeks of paid leave and any accumulated annual or sick leave for either the birth of a child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave for the care of a family member or the employee's own serious health condition.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Fairness and Accountability in Reorganizations Act of 2006 - Revises federal bankruptcy law to add to the conditions for court confirmation of a corporate reorganization plan that the compensation of an insider who will be employed or retained by the reorganized debtor has been approved by, or is subject to the approval of, the court, as reasonable. Prohibits the payment of a compensation enhancement in order to induce an insider of the debtor to remain with the debtor's business, unless the court finds that any transfers or obligations to or for the insider's benefit are essential to the survival of the business, or to the orderly liquidation and maximization of the value of the debtor's assets. Revises requirements for collective bargaining agreements and retiree health benefits to instruct the court to take into account the ongoing impact on the debtor of the debtor's relationship with all subsidiaries and affiliates, regardless of whether domestic or foreign, or whether any such subsidiary or affiliate is a debtor entity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) recognizes the importance of preserving the constitutional right to vote of citizens displaced by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters or states of emergency; and (2) asserts that every election in Louisiana must be fair, free, transparent, and satisfy the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. Encourages the state of Louisiana and the Department of Justice to establish satellite voting outside the state of Louisiana for the New Orleans elections scheduled for April 22, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives expresses its: (1) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (2) appreciation for the dedication such officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends them for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Honoring Female Congressional Pioneers Act of 2006 - Directs the Postal Service to provide for the issuance and sale of a semipostal in order to afford the public a convenient means to contribute towards the acquisition (for public display) of works of art honoring Jeanette Rankin, Mary Teresa Norton, Patsy Mink, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, and other female pioneers in government service.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting certain sites in Arizona, California, and other states that are significant to the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States; and (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a national historic landmark.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2006 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require (currently, authorizes) the President to furnish assistance for tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment, and elimination. Gives priority to activities described in the Stop TB Strategy (as defined by this Act). Revises related fund use provisions. Authorizes the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide increased resources to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership to improve the capacity of countries with high TB rates and other affected countries to implement the Stop TB Strategy. Authorizes appropriations for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) TB activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Physicians for Underserved Areas Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994, as amended, to make the J-1 visa (medical services in underserved areas) program permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Allows employees of federally-qualified health centers to enroll in an approved health benefits plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Release Act of 2006 - Directs the National Archives to commence establishment of a collection of records to be known as the "Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Collection" at the National Archives. Requires the Archivist of the United States to enter into an agreement with the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia, or another location agreed to by the family of Tupak Shakur, for the establishment of a secondary location for a complete copy of the appropriate part of the Collection, not including physical artifacts. Instructs the National Archives to ensure the security of the records in the Collection that qualify for postponement of public disclosure pursuant to this Act. Directs the National Archives to appoint an independent Citizens Advisory Committee. Sets forth provisions for the review, identification, transmission to the National Archives, and public disclosure of records related to the life and death of Tupac Amaru Shakur, by Government offices. Sets forth provisions for the postponement of public disclosure of related records or particular information in such records.. Sets forth requirements for the review of all related records for public disclosure or postponement of public disclosure by the Archivist. Grants Presidential authority over such disclosure or postponement of executive branch related records or information, or of any information in a related record obtained or developed solely within the executive branch. Requires the Archivist to: (1) provide written notice to the President and Congress of the Archivist's intention to terminate activities under this Act; and (2) upon completing activities required under this Act, to submit to the President and Congress a written certification that the activities of the Archivist are complete.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Expand and Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable tax credit to holders of school construction bonds. Sets forth requirements for issues of school construction bonds, including that: (1) 95% of the proceeds of such bonds must be used to construct new elementary and secondary school facilities and provide equipment for such schools; (2) local education agencies must require private business contributions of not less than 10% of the proceeds of an issue; and (3) bonds must be used for schools which meet specified criteria relating to curriculum, the alleviation of classroom overcrowding, and student-teacher ratios. Provides for a national school construction bond limitation of $400 million in 2007 and 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Paul Revere Freedom to Warn Act - Makes it unlawful to take any adverse personnel action against any covered individual if such individual has acted lawfully to: (1) provide information or assistance in an investigation or proceeding regarding any conduct which the covered individual reasonably believes constitutes evidence of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, a threat to national homeland security, a substantial and specific threat to public health or safety, or fraud, abuse of authority, waste, or mismanagement of public funds, if the information or assistance is provided to, or the investigation is conducted by, specified individuals, including law enforcement authorities, Members of Congress, or supervisors of such individual; (2) file, testify, participate in, or assist in a proceeding or action relating to an alleged violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or (3) refuse to violate or assist in the violation of any law, rule or regulation. Specifies the enforcement actions under which a covered individual who alleges discharge or other discrimination by any person in violation of such requirement may seek relief. Entitles a covered individual prevailing in any such action to all relief appropriate to make such individual whole. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the Department of Justice to submit annual reports on the enforcement of such violations. Requires this Act's provisions to be prominently posted in places of employment to which it applies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of specified offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes, including for murder relating to the smuggling of aliens, murder during a hostage-taking, and certain non-homicide-related offenses (espionage and treason). Repeals procedural provisions relating to the imposition of the death sentence. Prohibits sentencing to death or putting to death any person for any violation of federal law. Commutes death penalty sentences imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Common Sense Budget Act of 2006 - Requires certain reductions in amounts appropriated for FY2007 for specified Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) programs. Makes amounts from such reductions available for: (1) modernization of school facilities; (2) state child health plans; (3) adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities; (4) programs to increase energy efficiency and conservation and increase investment in sustainable and renewable energy alternatives; (5) sustainable development and humanitarian assistance programs to alleviate global poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, disease, and disaster; (6) homeland security safeguard improvements; (7) reduction of the deficit; and (8) medical research.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Commends the people of the Republic of Haiti for holding democratic elections on February 7, 2006. Congratulates President-elect Rene Garcia Preval on his victory. Pledges support and assistance for national reconciliation, democracy, and development for the people of Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Tribal Government Homeland Security Coordination and Integration Act - Establishes the Office of Tribal Government Homeland Security (Office) within the Department of Homeland Security. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to appoint a Director to head the Office. Prescribes the Secretary's and the Director's duties of coordination, infrastructure and equipment readiness, training, and inclusion of Indian tribes in homeland security preparedness. Requires the Secretary to treat Indian tribes as states, as appropriate for the purpose of homeland security. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to Indian tribes primary responsibility for homeland security activities within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary to integrate the roles of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services with regard to homeland security. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to enhance information technology capabilities of tribes and ensure the participation of Indian tribes in the coordination with federal, state, and local governments and the private sector as related to Homeland Security activities. Declares Indian tribes to be eligible to apply for, receive, direct, and supervise any homeland security-related federal grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to Indian tribes for specified homeland security purposes. Requires the Secretary to provide Indian tribes with: (1) technical assistance in developing, implementing, and managing emergency response plans; (2) Department of Homeland Security expertise and programs; (3) the cooperation of the heads of appropriate Federal agencies; and (4) any other activity the Secretary considers appropriate to provide homeland security technical assistance to Indian tribes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2006 - Directs the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico during the 110th Congress, giving voters the option to vote for continued U.S. territorial status or for a path toward a constitutionally viable permanent nonterritorial status. Provides for subsequent procedures, depending on ballot results. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate certain funds for the self-determination process.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq; (2) the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and (3) U.S. Armed Forces should be redeployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq's constitution-making process or September 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Child Support Protection Act of 2006 - Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to repeal a provision that prohibited federal matching funds to a state for expenditures from federal amounts paid to the state for child support and establishment of paternity to carry out an agreement for services of the Federal Parent Locator Service.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring that all gasoline motor vehicle fuel sold or dispensed to consumers in the United States after 2012 contain not less than 10% renewable fuel on an annual average basis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Preparing Excellent Teachers Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to states and local educational agencies to establish and support teacher mentoring programs to attract and train teachers of exceptional ability who are mid-career professionals or recent college graduates. Places limits on the amount, number, and distribution of such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Requests the President and directs the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to provide to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after the date of adoption of this resolution, all documents in their possession relating to any entity (including the Rendon Group and the Lincoln Group) with which the United States has entered into a public relations contract concerning Iraq insofar as such documents relate to such contract, including any document: (1) relating to communications between U.S. government officials and any such entity relating to such contract, including any notes and minutes from meetings, memos, telephone and electronic mail records, logs and calendars, and records of discussions; (2) comprising the proposed or realized public relations work by any such entity for the United States pursuant to such contract, including any strategy proposal, press release, news article and any proposal for a news article, biography or other summary of any individual, leaflets, pamphlets, and memos; and (3) relating to the business relationship arising from such contract between the United States and any such entity, including any request for proposals leading to the contract with such entity and any billing statement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Savings for Working Families Act of 2006 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal. Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Heart Disease Education, Analysis, and Research, and Treatment for Women Act or the HEART for Women Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act to require an application for approval or for investigation of a drug, device, or biological product to include information stratified by gender, race, and ethnicity, including any differences in safety and effectiveness. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) withhold approval of such an application or place a clinical hold on an investigation if such information is not included; and (2) report to the scientific community and make information available to the public on such stratified data upon approval of an application. Requires the Comptroller General to study the drug approval process to ensure compliance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to require that all nonidentifiable patient safety work product reported to a patient safety database be stratified by gender. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary to make hospital quality data relating to the quality of care in inpatient settings available to the public stratified by gender. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to report to Congress concerning the quality of and access to care for women with heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Requires utilization and quality control peer review organizations to offer quality improvement assistance aimed at eliminating gender disparities. Amends title IX (employment security provisions) of SSA to require that data be stratified by gender when collected and used in surveys evaluating whether Medicare providers meet applicable conditions of participation or coverage. Provides for an educational campaign relating to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases in women.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2006 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to furnish assistance to provide contraceptives in developing countries in order to prevent unintended pregnancies, abortions, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. States that a nongovernmental organization shall not be subject to eligibility requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds that are more restrictive than those that apply to a foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Urges the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to: (1) engage positively in the forthcoming peace talks and to prevent a return to armed conflict in Sri Lanka; (2) renegotiate and implement a cease-fire agreement; and (3) focus on rebuilding a peaceful and prosperous future for Sri Lanka.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations prescribed pursuant to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require coal mine operators to expeditiously provide notification of any accident where rescue and recovery work is necessary. Requires the Secretary to revise regulations regarding mine rescue teams to: (1) address training and qualifications for team members, rescue equipment and technology, the structure and organization of teams, and the guidelines about liability and insurance issues; and (2) require that mine operators employ rescue teams to provide a rapid response and have a plan for coordination and communication between the rescue teams and local emergency response personnel. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require: (1) each coal mine to maintain at strategic locations sufficient emergency supplies of air and self-contained breathing equipment, and independent means of communication with the surface, for people awaiting rescue; and (2) each operator to implement a communication and electronic tracking system to assist in rescue and to equip each person that enters a mine with certain communication and tracking devices. Requires the Secretary to revise regulations in order to prohibit belt haulage entries from being used to ventilate active working places in any coal mine. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to establish minimum civil penalties for violations: (1) where the operator displays negligence or reckless disregard of a mandatory health or safety standard; and (2) of rescue notification requirements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office of Science and Technology Transfer within the Mine Safety and Health Administration to conduct research and development to apply advancing sciences and technologies to mines and miner health and safety; (2) review and revise mine health and safety standards with regard to implementing such technologies. Establishes the position of Miner Ombudsman within the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor to be responsible for ensuring the safety of mines through information collection and sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Celebrates the 40th anniversary of Texas Western's 1966 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball championship. Recognizes the groundbreaking impact of the title game victory on diversity in sports and civil rights in America.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Expresses support for the goals and the ideals of World Water Day (March 22). Recognizes the importance of conserving and managing water resources for sustainable development, environmental integrity, the eradication of poverty and hunger, human health, and overall quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Thanks Bono, Bill Gates, and Melinda Gates for their charitable efforts. Congratulates each of them on their selection as Time Magazine's Persons of the Year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Creates the Select Committee on Administration Predetermination to Go to War and Manipulation of Intelligence to investigate all relevant government agency actions and decisions relating to the Administration's: (1) intent to go to war before congressional authorization; (2) manipulation of pre-war intelligence; (3) encouragement and countenancing of torture; and (4) retaliation against critics. Requires the Committee to report to the House of Representatives on: (1) the results of its investigation; and (2) any substantial and credible information which the Committee receives in carrying out its responsibilities that may constitute grounds for possible impeachment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Censures Vice President Richard B. Cheney for: (1) failing to respond to information requests concerning allegations that he and others in the Administration of President George W. Bush misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq, misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for the war, countenanced torture and degrading treatment of persons in Iraq, and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of the Administration; and (2) failing to adequately account for specific misstatements the Vice President made regarding the war.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Censures President George W. Bush for failing to: (1) respond to information requests concerning allegations that he and others in his Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq, misstated and manipulated intelligence regarding the war's justification, countenanced torture and and degrading treatment of persons in Iraq, and permitted inappropriate retaliation against Administration critics; (2) adequately account for specific misstatements he made regarding the war; and (3) comply with Executive Order 12958.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
Teachers for Tomorrow's Careers Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2006 the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; and (2) allow an unlimited deduction for the expenses of certified science, technology, engineering, or math teachers and professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Amends the Clean Air Act to extend to 2025 certain requirements increasing the applicable volume of renewable fuel in gasoline. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the head of each federal agency to ensure that, in areas in which ethanol-blended gasoline is reasonably available at a generally competitive price, the agency purchases such gasoline with at least 10% ethanol, rather than nonethanol-blended gasoline, for its vehicles that use gasoline. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2015 to the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; and (2) direct the Secretary of Agriculture to give priority to production of both cellulosic ethanol, and hydrogen using ethanol technology. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make ethanol and biodiesel refining property eligible for 7-year depreciation. Creates a new flexible fuel hybrid motor vehicle income tax credit. Extends: (1) the alternative technology vehicle credit through calendar 2014; (2) the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit through calendar 2024; (3) the volumetric excise tax credit for alternative fuels and the alternative fuel mixture credit through FY2014; and (6) the biodiesel producer credit and the small ethanol producer credit through calendar 2024.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to establish in the Treasury the Clean Water Trust Fund, to be funded by user fees, to finance certain FWPCA programs and activities, including: (1) water pollution reduction and control; (2) technical assistance for small rural communities; (3) the National Center for Utility Management; (4) grants to states and interstate agencies to assist in the management of pollution control programs; (5) watershed pilot projects; (6) regional water pollution control; (7) alternative water source projects; (8) sewer overflow control; (9) fisheries habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement; and (10) wetlands restoration. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to nonprofit organizations to: (1) provide technical assistance to rural and small municipalities for wastewater infrastructure financing; and (2) establish a National Center for Utility Management to promote improved management of public wastewater utilities. Revises: (1) eligibility requirements for grants for sewage collection systems; and (2) state water pollution revolving fund provisions. Establishes a grant program under FWPCA to address the most serious water pollution problems. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) make grants to states, nonprofit organizations, and other entities for fresh water, estuarine, and marine fisheries habitat protection, preservation, and restoration; and (2) make grants to states for wetlands restoration. Revises funding allocations for state water pollution control projects and activities serving Indian tribes and reservations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
Angels Nurture Growing Entrepreneurs into Long-Term Successes (ANGELS) Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish within the Investment Division of the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Angel Investment, headed by a Director, to provide support for the development of angel investment opportunities for small businesses. Requires the Director to: (1) establish and carry out a program, to be known as the Angel Finance Program, to provide financing to approved angel groups; (2) establish and maintain a searchable database, to be known as the Federal Angel Network, to assist small businesses in identifying angel investors; and (3) establish and carry out a program to make grants for the development of new or existing angel groups and to increase awareness and education about angel investing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a small business investment tax credit of 20 percent of the amount paid or incurred for qualified small business investment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2005
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to accept the donation of a bust depicting Sojourner Truth and display it in a suitable permanent location in the rotunda of the Capitol. Expresses the sense of Congress that the most suitable location for the placement of the bust is one adjacent to the statue known as the Portrait Monument.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2005
Superfund for Hurricane Accountability and Recovery Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate; and (2) the corporate environmental income tax. Increases by 50%, between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008: (1) such financing rate; and (2) the excise tax per ton for certain chemicals. Increases the corporate environmental income tax rate from .12% to .18% during the same period. Establishes a Gulf Hurricanes Cleanup Account in the Hazardous Substance Superfund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to such Account the temporary tax increases imposed by this Act. Provides that amounts in such Account shall be made available for remediation of hazardous substance releases (or threatened releases) caused or exacerbated by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress on Hurricane Katrina and Rita cleanup activities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2005
Minority-Owned Venture Empowerment Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program, to be known as the Pre-8(a) Program, to provide technical assistance to small businesses with respect to the receipt and performance of federal procurement contracts. Prohibits a participating small business from being awarded a contract under the Program which is awarded using procedures other than competitive procedures under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (wherein the SBA provides for the performance of federal procurement contracts by small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned businesses). Limits to $750,000 the maximum net worth of a small business Program participant. Modifies the 8(a) program under the Small Business Act to require small businesses to complete the Pre-8(a) Program before participating in the 8(a) program. Limits to $100 million the aggregate value of contracts an 8(a) participant may enter into. Requires the Administrator, for the 8(a) program, to establish for each industry classification a maximum level of net worth for an economically disadvantaged individual, but prohibits establishing a net worth of less than $750,000. Makes some small businesses eligible for 8(a) participation in a contract using other than competitive procedures (restricted competition), under certain circumstances. Allows a contracting officer, under specified conditions, to utilize restricted competition in the award of federal procurement contracts for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Fuel Choices for American Security Act of 2005 - Instructs Director of the Office of Management and Budget to publish an action plan in the Federal Register that targets oil savings for specified years. Directs the Secretaries of Energy and of Transportation, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator), to promulgate regulations to implement the standards set forth in the Director's action plan. Requires the head of each federal agency to establish an oil usage baseline and develop a specified plan to reduce oil consumption. Directs the Postmaster General to report to Congress on annual fleetwide fuel savings and cost savings associated with eliminating Saturday mail delivery. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a national media campaign to decrease domestic oil consumption. Amends federal transportation law to set forth a national tire efficiency program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish an idling reduction tax credit. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a research and development program for electric drive transportation technology. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a lightweight material research and development program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary to accelerate hybrid technology improvements by using loan guarantees that target automobile manufacturers and suppliers. Amends the IRC to allow: (1) an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit; and (2) a qualified flexible fuel hybrid and plug-in hybrid motor vehicle credit. Terminates the limitation on the number of qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for alternative motor vehicle credit. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring each federal agency to achieve by FY2015 at least a 20% reduction in its fleet petroleum consumption. Amends the IRC to: (1) establish a fuel-efficient tax credit for private fleets; and (2) subject heavy vehicles to the depreciation limitation imposed upon certain luxury automobiles. Prescribes: (1) a production schedule for passenger cars that are either fuel choice enabling motor vehicles, or alternative fuel automobiles; and (2) calculations for flexible fuel vehicle economy. Requires the Secretary to transmit an action plan to Congress to ensure: (1) an increasing supply by non-oil fuels of the total domestic ground transportation fuel demand; and (2) nationwide inclusion of at least 10 % ethanol in the domestic ground transportation fuel supply by December 31, 2015. Amends the IRC to increase the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. Amends federal transportation law to establish the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Trust Fund. Amends the Clean Air Act to prescribe the minimum quantity of renewable fuel derived from cellulosic biomass for specified calendar years. Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to designate Transit-Oriented Development Corridors in certain urbanized areas. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) repeal the geographical limitation on the Sugar Cane Ethanol Program; (2) authorize preprocessing and harvesting demonstration grants for transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol production); (3) direct the Secretary to establish a loan guarantee program for conversion of municipal solid waste into transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol); and (4) instruct the Administrator to fund demonstration projects for producing transportation fuel produced from biomass (in lieu of ethanol).
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005 - Directs the President: (1) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to revise the USAID country plan for Ethiopia to provide support for independent human rights monitoring and related training for government officials, and to provide support for training political parties on organization building, message development, and election monitoring; (2) through the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program of the Department of Justice, to provide training for Ethiopian police, security, and prison personnel in maintaining international standards for arrest and interrogation; (3) through USAID, to support programs to increase the independence and competence of the Ethiopian judicial system, and to provide assistance for development of Ethiopia's Nile and Awash River resources, including assistance to help Ethiopia with technology for the construction of dams, irrigation systems, and hydroelectric power that might prevent future famine; (4) provide financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures; and (5) suspend joint security activities until a certification is made that Ethiopia is observing international human rights standards and enforcing the principle of the rule of law. Declares that the current stalemate in the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea has the potential to lead to conflict and must be addressed. Prohibits assistance to the governments of Ethiopia or Eritrea (with exceptions for assistance for democracy, peacekeeping, child survival and health, education, and agriculture) until the Secretary of State certifies that Ethiopia or Eritrea is taking steps to comply with the Algiers Agreements. Prohibits nonessential U.S. assistance to Ethiopia if the government of Ethiopia obstructs U.S. technical assistance to Ethiopian opposition parties.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase from 85% to100% of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount the payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments under the Medicare program for cost reporting periods begining during or after FY2006.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
10 by 10 Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to make it unlawful after December 31, 2009, for any person to sell, supply, offer for sale or supply, dispense, transport, or introduce into commerce, for use in any motor vehicle, any gasoline with less than 10% renewable fuel by volume.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
States that: (1) the deployment of U.S. forces in Iraq, by direction of Congress, is hereby terminated and the forces involved are to be redeployed at the earliest practicable date; (2) a quick-reaction U.S. force and an over-the-horizon presence of U.S. Marines shall be deployed in the region; and (3) the United States shall pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy.
![Official portrait of Rep. McKinney, Cynthia A. [D-GA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000523_200.jpg)