United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to back-date to September 11, 2001, the period of active duty or performed active service, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations, for which members of Ready Reserve components of the armed forces shall receive credit in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Requires government contributions for health benefits for an individual who first becomes an annuitant by reason of retirement from employment with the United States Postal Service on or after July 1, 1971, or for a survivor of such an individual or of an individual who died on or after that date while employed by the Postal Service, to be paid first from the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund up to the amount contained in the Fund, with any remaining amount paid by the Postal Service (current law requires such contributions to be paid by the Postal Service through September 30, 2016).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) between and among the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. Directs the Secretary to give priority to state and county outreach assistance in locations that: (1) have relatively large concentrations of veterans; or (2) are experiencing growth in veteran populations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to state or county veterans agencies for state and local outreach services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008
Farm Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to appropriate funds for: (1) emergency financial assistance to producers on a farm that incurred qualifying natural disaster-caused quantity or quality losses for the 2008 crop; (2) certain processors in Florida for natural disaster-caused crop and other losses in 2008; (3) certain first processors of sugarcane that operate in a county affected by a natural disaster or obtain sugarcane from a county affected by a natural disaster in Louisiana; and (4) certain sugarcane growers in Texas for natural disaster-caused demurrage, storage, and transportation costs in 2008. Provides specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds for grants to state departments of agriculture for assistance to eligible catfish producers to help offset natural disaster-caused feed costs or economic losses in 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Let Wall Street Pay for Wall Street's Illiquid Assets Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on securities or commodity transactions equal to 0.25% of the value of the instruments involved in such transactions. Makes such tax payable by the trading facility on which such transactions occur.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Hurricane Satellite Modernization Act - Authorizes the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to procure and launch the next-generation Extended Ocean Vector Winds Mission, or XOVWM, constellation of satellites. Requires the Administrator to coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure that the capabilities of the XOVWM constellation of satellites will meet the operational data needs of NOAA. Requires development of a plan and schedule for the procurement and launch of the XOVWM constellation of satellites. Authorizes the Administrator of NOAA to operate the constellation of satellites procured and developed under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2008
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide assistance to individuals and households that are required to evacuate their primary residences for a period of two or more days pursuant to a mandatory evacuation order issued by a state or local government as a result of a major disaster. Authorizes assistance in the form of reimbursement for subsistence expenses incurred during such an evacuation: (1) for up to seven days; and (2) in an amount not to exceed the federal employee per diem allowance established for the locality to which a person is evacuated. Provides that: (1) assistance authorized may be for expenses incurred before the date of the disaster's declaration; and (2) this Act shall apply to a major disaster declared by the President on or after September 1, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2008
Commends and congratulates Barter Theatre (Abingdon, Virginia) on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. Recognizes the Barter Theater: (1) for providing 75 years of high quality artistic programs in southwest Virginia; (2) as a valuable educational resource, reaching 18,000 students each season through its productions on two stages; and (3) as providing educational outreach, exposing young people to playwriting and performances and encouraging artistic expression.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Amends the Hurricane Education Recovery Act, title IV of division B of the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006, with respect to elementary and secondary education hurricane recovery relief. Extends through FY2009 the authority of the Secretary of Education, in providing any grant or other assistance to an entity in a state which in 2005 suffered a major disaster related to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, to waive or modify, in order to ease fiscal burdens, any elementary and secondary education assistance requirement relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) use of federal funds to supplement, not supplant, non-federal funds; or (3) any non-federal share or capital contribution required to match federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Fulfilling U.S. Energy Leadership Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an inventory of oil and natural gas resources beneath the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), other than the Gulf of Mexico. Directs the Secretary to offer for oil and natural gas leasing all areas for which an inventory is conducted. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting an inventory for any areas of the OCS located within 50 miles of a state coastline or between 50 and 100 miles from a coastline if a state objects to an inventory in that area. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into: (1) standby loan agreements with up to six qualifying CTL projects, at least one of which shall be owned by two or more small coal producers; and (2) a profit-sharing agreement with the project at the time the standby loan agreement is executed. Defines "qualifying CTL project" as: (1) a commercial-scale project that converts coal to liquid or gaseous transportation fuels; or (2) not more than one project at a facility that converts petroleum refinery waste products into liquids or gaseous transportation fuels. Establishes in the Treasury the Next Generation Energy and Efficiency Fund for research and development of technologies to decrease America's reliance on traditional fossil fuels and increase energy efficiencies. Allocates royalties from OCS oil and gas leases to the Fund. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) expand the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over matters involving trading manipulations, trading limitations, and recordkeeping; (2) allow the CFTC to regulate certain transactions by foreign boards of trade; (3) provide for additional CFTC employees for enforcement; (4) require detailed reporting by index traders and swap dealers; and (5) disaggregate and make public monthly the number of positions and total value of index fund in energy markets and data on speculative positions relative to bona fide physical hedgers in those markets. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to carry out a Nuclear Power 2010 Program to position the United States to commence construction of new nuclear power plants by not later than 2010 or the first later calendar year practicable. Establishes an interagency working group to promote domestic nuclear capacity and the export of nuclear energy products and services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the credit for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities through 2011. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2014 the energy tax credit for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property. Provides funding for new clean renewable energy bonds to finance electricity production from certain renewable resources and for qualified energy conservation bonds. Allows tax credits for investment in advanced coal electricity and coal gasification projects. Extends through 2018 the temporary increase in coal excise taxes. Sets forth special rules for refunds of coal excise taxes to certain producers or exporters. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to identify and report on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects. Allows accelerated depreciation for certain property used to produce cellulosic biofuel. Extends through 2009 income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel. Allows a tax credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles. Exempts from the heavy truck excise tax idling reduction devices and certain insulation. Revises the program of tax incentives for investment in the New York Liberty Zone. Excludes from gross income reimbursements for bicycle commuting expenses. Increases and extends through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures. Extends through 2008 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Allows a tax credit for the installation of a biomass fuel burning stove in a residence. Extends through 2013 the tax deduction for expenditures for energy efficient commercial buildings. Revises and extends the tax credit for energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. Allows accelerated depreciation for smart electric meters and grid systems. Extends through FY2012 tax-exempt bond financing for qualified green building and sustainable design projects. Delays until 2019 the application of special rules for the worldwide allocation of interest for purposes of computing the limitation on the foreign tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least two years of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $500 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Congratulates Mr. Riki Ellison for his leadership and vision in founding the Youth Impact Program (which provides at-risk young men in the inner cities with football training and mentoring designed to improve their academic performance and character). Recognizes the contributions of the National Football League, the University of Southern California, and Tulane University to the Youth Impact program. Encourages the expansion of the Youth Impact Program to inner cities across the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act - Terminates all federal prohibitions on expenditures of funds to conduct natural gas, oil, oil shale, and energy production leasing and preleasing activities for federal lands. Revokes withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from leasing for natural gas and oil exploration, development, and production. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to repeal the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition on using funds to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands or to conduct an oil shale lease sale pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any lease authorizing exploration for, or development of, natural gas or oil in any OCS area that is located: (1) within 25 miles of the coastline of a state; or (2) more than 25 miles and less than 50 miles from the coastline of a state that has enacted, within one year, a law disapproving of such a lease. Provides for the allocation of sums collected under qualified leases on submerged land made available for leasing under this Act. Establishes the Conservation Reserve, the Environment Restoration Reserve, the Renewable Energy Reserve, and the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Reserve. Establishes the state seaward boundaries under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Clean Air Act to allow the use of woody biomass from federal forest lands for the production of renewable energy. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting federal procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel supplied must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning tax credit extensions and deductions for renewable energy, alternative fuel, and energy conservation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan for exchanging light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for heavy grade petroleum. Establishes and provides for the allocation of the Energy Independence and Security Fund, including providing funding for: (1) researching and developing wind, solar, ocean and wave, and geothermal energy; (2) conducting energy efficiency projects; and (3) fostering the development of domestic energy production.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Gulf Coast Multifamily and Assisted Housing Recovery Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize additional appropriations to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for low-income elderly persons meeting certain criteria relating to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize additional appropriations to the Secretary to provide the same kind of assistance for low-income persons with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for the redevelopment (rebuilding or replacement) of housing authorized under the Housing Act of 1959 which was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and in the Parish of St. Bernard. Requires the Secretary to adjust the rent levels annually on a budget-based basis for eligible projects in a designated disaster area receiving rental assistance under the Housing Act of 1959 and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the number of project-based assistance contracts and units which were terminated in the designated disaster area after September 30, 2005; and (2) the specific developer, project name, location, number of units, and project description for each such project-based assistance contract. Prohibits a project-based assistance payments contract for a covered assisted multifamily housing project from expiring or being terminated because of the damage or destruction of dwelling units in the project by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Deems the expiration date of such a contract to be the later of the date: (1) specified in the contract; or (2) that is not less than three months after the dwelling units in such project, or in a replacement project, are first made habitable. Requires the Secretary to develop and report to specified congressional committees on a written disaster response plan for federally assisted properties that receive assistance pursuant to such Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 (FCRA) to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Redefines "machine gun" as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or is readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) requirement that licensed firearms dealers keep records of ammunition received into inventory and ammunition sold or transferred; and (3) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Amends FCRA to allow an individual to possess ammunition in the District if the individual owns (currently, holds the valid registration certificate for) a firearm of the same guage or caliber as such ammunition. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends federal law to eliminate criminal penalties for carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person. Amends the federal criminal code to make it lawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver a handgun to a District resident if such individual is licensed in Maryland or Virginia to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Recognizes: (1) the important contributions of African-American doctors on the event of the apology of American Medical Association (AMA) to the National Medical Association (NMA) for over a century of racial prejudices and wrongdoings; (2) the efforts of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, former president of the NMA, to break down the racial prejudices at the AMA that led to its full integration; and (3) Shaw University's Leonard Medical School and other historically black colleges and universities for their role in training African-American doctors. Encourages more African-Americans to work in medicine and become doctors, nurses, and researchers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Long-Term Energy Assurance and Security Enhancement Act of 2008 or the LEASE Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to open certain areas in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas leasing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to distribute certain Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues to: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; (2) the Energy Independence and Security Fund (established by this Act); (3) Gulf producing states; and (4) financial assistance to states. Allocates funds among Gulf producing states and coastal political subdivisions. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) protect the environment and the conservation of the natural resources of the OCS; and (2) establish lateral boundaries between coastal states in areas of the OCS that are outside the Gulf of Mexico and under exclusive federal jurisdiction in order to lease areas for oil and natural gas exploration and production. Authorizes the governor of a coastal state to request the Secretary of the Interior to assess OCS oil and gas resources. Terminates federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing in specified areas of the OCS. Establishes the Energy Independence and Security Fund, whose amounts shall be distributed to designated research and development programs, including: (1) assessments of oil and gas resources; (2) wind energy research; (3) solar energy; (4) marine and hydrokinetic renewable electric energy; and (5) the Weatherization Assistance Program. Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008 - Directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to: (1) curb immediately the role of excessive speculation in any contract market within its jurisdiction and control that trades energy futures or swaps; and (2) eliminate unlawful activity causing major market disturbances that prevent the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for energy commodities. Consumer Energy Supply Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) sell light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and acquire an equivalent volume of heavy grade petroleum; and (2) deposit the cash proceeds into the SPR Petroleum Account.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
Fair Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide special tax rules for individuals affected by a federally declared disaster, including: (1) allowance of all personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster in excess of $500; (2) an increase in the standard tax deduction for disaster losses; (3) full expensing of business-related disaster cleanup expenses; (4) extension of the net operating loss carryback period from two to five years for disaster-related losses; and (5) allowance of tax-exempt bond financing of low-interest loans for principal residences damaged in a federally declared disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008
8/29 Investigation Team Act - Establishes a bipartisan 8/29 Investigation Team to examine: (1) the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and (2) each flood control and restoration project that has been carried out since that date in the Gulf Coast. Prohibits any elected federal official from serving as a Team member. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding member qualifications. Urges the Team to: (1) review findings and recommendations of all studies conducted in the aftermath of the levee failures in Louisiana on or after August 29, 2005; (2) review the ongoing U.S. exposure to flood control system failures; and (3) report on necessary legislative or regulatory changes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2008
Recognizes and honors Anne d'Hanoncourt for her contributions as an internationally-esteemed museum leader and art scholar. Expresses condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Anne d'Hanoncourt to her husband Joseph J. Rishel, and her surviving family members and friends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, across the Philadelphia region and around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to the workforce through internship programs that provide foster youth the foundation upon which to build their careers and to be successful members of the work force. Encourages employers of all sectors and federal, state, and local governmental agencies to increase employment of the young men and women who have been discharged from foster care in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Recognizes that a strong, sustained commitment of resources is needed to learn what causes pancreatic cancer, ways to detect and diagnose it earlier, and test compounds that will extend survival and improve quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Medical Device Safety Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that provisions preempting state and local requirements for medical devices intended for human use shall not be construed to modify or otherwise affect any action for damages or the liability of any person under state law. Makes this Act effective as if it were included in the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 and applicable to any civil action pending or filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Honors the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Acknowledges the value of NASA's discoveries and accomplishments. Pledges to maintain America's position as the world leader in aeronautics and space exploration and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008
Recognizes the leadership of John Berthoud, Ph.D, in the formulation of tax policy and his work on public policy issues, such as tax reform and economic growth, and mourns his death.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2008
Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Oil Prices Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should immediately send to Congress a request for emergency appropriations for FY2008 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in an amount that is sufficient to: (1) help restore public confidence in energy commodities markets and federal oversight of those markets; (2) potentially impose limits on excessive speculation that may be increasing the price of oil, gasoline, diesel, and other energy commodities; (3) significantly improve the information technology capabilities of the CFTC to help it effectively regulate the energy futures markets; and (4) fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the CFTC to oversee energy commodity market speculation and to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to provide for additional employees for improved enforcement. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to address the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity physically delivered in the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the Commission regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the Commission determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity. Requires the Commission to disaggregate and make public monthly: (1) the number of positions and total value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in energy markets; and (2) data on speculative positions relative to bona fide physical hedgers in those markets.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2008
Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development set-aside up to 2% of annual appropriations to provide assistance for emergencies and other disasters, and housing needs resulting from any litigation settlement, including a specified allocation to the Operation Safe Home program, administered by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime on or near the premises of public and federally assisted housing. (Currently such funds may be used for emergency assistance for any eligible use under the Operating Fund or the Capital Fund, or for tenant-based assistance).
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2008
Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping requirements. Addresses the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity physically delivered in the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the CFTC regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the CFTC determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2008
Recognizes and honors the contributions of Timothy John Russert, Jr., as an award-winning political analyst. Expresses condolences upon his death to his wife, Maureen Orth, his son Luke, and his surviving family members and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Recognizes Alice Mary Robertson for her spirit of service and dedication to her country, and honors her as a great American in recognition of her contributions to the state of Oklahoma and nationwide in the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an interagency working group to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) factors that affect the pricing of crude oil and refined petroleum products; and (2) the roles, missions, and structures of relevant federal agencies, interagency coordination, and the gaps which need to be filled for the federal government to effectively oversee and regulate crude oil and refined petroleum product markets.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month (June 2008). Recognizes that the month provides the U.S. citizens an opportunity to learn more about being safe and responsible online. Commends national and community organizations for promoting safe Internet use and providing information and training that develops critical thinking and decision making skills needed to use the Internet safely. Calls on parents, educators, Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, community leaders, Internet service providers, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness for the need for online safety.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Trade Agreement Benchmarks and Accountability Act - Subjects bills implementing trade agreements to a point of order in both the Senate and the House of Representatives unless certain conditions are met. Withdraws congressional approval of a bill implementing a trade agreement if a report by the International Trade Commission (ITC) indicates that certain benchmarks and predictions made with respect to an agreement are not being met unless a joint resolution waiving such benchmarks and predictions is enacted by Congress. Describes the benchmarks as analyses of the following effects of the agreement: (1) resulting job creation and job losses; (2) resulting improvement in wages for U.S. workers; (3) implementation and enforcement of the labor and environmental standards by each country that is a party to the agreement; and (4) the extent to which the agreement will result in an increase in access by U.S. businesses to the market of each country that is a party to the agreement, particularly those sectors identified by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as of special importance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of Vietnam Veterans Day. Calls on the American people to remember those men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the nation in Vietnam, recognize the prisoners of war and Armed Forces members who are missing in action, and honor all Vietnam veterans who served the nation faithfully to protect its freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Commends the students, teachers, schools, and volunteers who participate in the Destination ImagiNation program, which promotes students' development of creativity, teamwork, and problem solving skills. Encourages more teachers and schools to participate in the program. Supports the designation of Destination ImagiNation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2008
Declares that Congress reaffirms its support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Recognizes the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and honors Lyndon B. Johnson for his work as a civil rights enforcer.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2008
Declares that Congress: (1) honors Lyndon B. Johnson for passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965; (2) extols his contributions to the United States and his commitment to eliminating poverty in the War on Poverty through the Economic Opportunity Act; and (3) commends him for establishing the Medicare Act of 1965. Recognizes the 100th birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President and designer of the Great Society.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations for use to accelerate the initial operational capability of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. Requires: (1) a process for transitioning NASA experimental earth science and space weather research into operational services; and (2) a plan for the continuation of Landsat thermal infrared data collection or its equivalent. Reauthorizes the Glory Mission. Requires development of a plan for a Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). Sets forth provisions concerning environmental aviation research initiatives. Requires a review of NASA's aviation safety-related research programs. Requires the establishment of an aviation weather research program. Requires the awarding of grants for the establishment of university-based Centers for Research on Aviation Training. Sets forth provisions concerning NASA's lunar exploration activities. Requires the establishment of an exploration technology development program that is not tied to specific flight projects. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) a common docking system standard to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts from disabled space vehicles; and (2) a cross-directorate technology development program. Requires the development of a plan to restart the production of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep space and other science missions. Ensures that the International Space Station (ISS) remains capable for potential U.S. utilization through at least 2020. Requires specified Space Shuttle flights to be flown prior to the retirement of the Space Shuttle. Requires development of a strategy for providing commercial launch services in support of NASA's small and medium-sized science, space operations, and exploration missions. Provides for notifying federal agencies and relevant emergency response institutions of an impending near-Earth object threat. Sets forth requirements for the use of commercial crew transfer and crew rescue services. Requires: (1) a review of NASA's information security controls; (2) a report on intrusions of NASA's network resources; and (3) a review of NASA's laboratories. Requires a survey regarding astronaut health care. Increases the maximum award amount for an innovation prize. Sets forth provisions for specified earth science, aeronautics, international exploration, space science, and space operations activities, missions, initiatives, studies, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Ratepayer Recovery Act of 2007 [ sic ]- Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to cite conditions under which the President is authorized to make disaster assistance contributions for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of private or investor-owned power transmission and distribution facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster. Cites conditions for large in-lieu contributions to a private or investor-owned power facility in any case in which the owner determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility. Restricts the use of such funds to the area affected as a result of the major disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Amends Rule XIV (Order and Priority of Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require on the first legislative day of each month on which there is a record vote on any bill or joint resolution, immediately after that vote, a moment of silence to be observed on behalf of those killed or wounded (as well as their families) in current U.S. engagements in Iraq or Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
Trust in Reliable Understanding of Consumer Costs Act, or the TRUCC Act - Amends federal transportation law to require certain fuel costs disclosures and fuel costs reimbursements by a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder providing or arranging transportation or service using fuel for which it does not bear the cost. Requires such a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to: (1) reimburse persons (truckers) that do bear fuel costs for any such costs they have paid; and (2) give such persons a written list that identifies any freight charge, brokerage fee or commission, fuel surcharge or adjustment, and any other charges. Prohibits any person from causing a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to present false or misleading information on a document or in an oral representation about the actual rate, charge, or allowance to any party to the transaction or transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2008
Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Recognizes the successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale. Expresses continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5351 Laplaco Boulevard in Marrero, Louisiana, as the "Lionel R. Collins, Sr. Post Office Building."
![Official portrait of Rep. Melancon, Charlie [D-LA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/111melanconc-la03_200.jpg)