United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Redesignates: (1) the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps; and (2) the Secretary of the Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. Makes similar redesignations with respect to the Department Under Secretary, the Department Assistant Secretaries, and the General Counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
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 · 5 January 2011
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. Limits total outlays for any fiscal year to one-fifth of the U.S. economic output, unless two-thirds of each House of Congress provides for a specific increase above this amount. 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 three-fifths 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 · 16 December 2010
National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins in recognition of the National Baseball Hall of Fame during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015. Directs the Secretary to hold a competition to design the obverse of the coins. Requires the design on the reverse side to depict a baseball similar to those used by Major League Baseball. Requires all sales of such coins to include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to help finance its operations. Requires the budgetary effects of this Act to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2010
Designates buildings occupied by the Department of Transportation (DOT) located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, Southeast, and 1201 4th Street, Southeast, in the District of Columbia as the James L. Oberstar United States Department of Transportation Building Complex for the period the buildings are occupied by the DOT.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2010
Securing Human Intelligence and Enforcing Lawful Dissemination Act or the SHIELD Act - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against disclosure of classified information to include: (1) disclosures of classified information that benefit a transnational threat; and (2) any classified information concerning the human intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government or concerning the identity of a classified source or informant of an element of the U.S. intelligence community. Defines "transnational threat" as: (1) any activity, including international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the delivery systems for such weapons, or organized crime, that threatens the national security of the United States; or (2) any individual or group that engages such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. government should: (1) denounce violence and human rights violations committed against vulnerable religious communities in Iraq; (2) assist Iraq in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to secure places of worship and religious congregation and increase the representation of such religious communities in the Iraqi government and security forces, and in the economic, social, and political aspects of its society; (3) assist in funding, training, and deploying police units; (4) urge Iraq to investigate and prosecute allegations of such human rights violations; and (5) continue processing Iraqi refugees for resettlement to the United States taking into account the ongoing targeted violence and the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2010
American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescissions Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances remaining available as of November 15, 2010, of the discretionary appropriations provided by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (P.L. 111-5). Prohibits federal agencies administering ARRA funds from providing funding or reimbursement to any entity awarded such funds for the cost associated with physical signage or other advertisement indicating that a project is funded by the ARRA.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010
Expresses support for: (1) raising awareness and educating the public about Alper's disease; and (2) increased funding for research into its causes, treatment, and cure. Applauds the efforts of advocates and organizations that encourage awareness, promote research, and provide education, support, and hope to those impacted by that disease. Recognizes the commitment of parents, families, researchers, health professionals, and others dedicated to finding an effective treatment and cure.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010
Makes continuing appropriations for FY2011. Appropriates amounts for continuing projects or activities which were conducted in FY2008-FY2010 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in section 101 of division A of P.L. 110-329 (Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009) in specified FY2008 appropriations Acts. Provides that, if the amount provided for a project or activity would be higher than the amount provided in appropriation Acts for FY2010, such project or activity shall be funded at the lower amount. Enacts into law: (1) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2011, as reported in the 111th Congress by the Subcommittee on Defense of the House Committee on Appropriations; (2) the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2011, as reported in the 111th Congress by the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the House Committee on Appropriations; and (3) the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011, as passed in the 111th Congress by the House. Makes appropriations, funds, and authority granted pursuant to this joint resolution available through FY2011, unless otherwise provided for in the applicable appropriations Act. Authorizes continuation of other specified activities (including activities for entitlements and other mandatory payments) through such date. Prohibits the use of funds made available in this joint resolution: (1) to carry out any program under, promulgate any regulation pursuant to, or defend against any lawsuit challenging any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or any amendment made by either Act; or (2) for a congressional earmark.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Directs the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry to submit to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) all information in its possession relating to certain specific communications involving General Motors Corporation (GM) relating to the Task Force's role in negotiating, reviewing, approving, or any other aspect of: (1) the plans for reorganization or restructuring GM in connection with bankruptcy proceedings that commenced during 2009; (2) levels of and reductions in the employee and retiree benefits of current and former GM salaried employees, union employees, and non-union hourly employees and the retiree benefits for former employees of the Delphi Corporation; (3) GM's determination not to alter any preexisting pension obligations during bankruptcy proceedings; (4) GM's determination to expand pension benefits for former unionized Delphi employees that did not have a preexisting pension agreement with GM; and (5) actual payments made by the United States to GM. Requires: (1) the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to submit to GAO all information in its possession related to certain specific communications that occurred between October 3, 2008, and January 20, 2010, related to the role of the Department of the Treasury in negotiating, reviewing, approving, determining, or in any other aspect relating to GM qualifying for federal financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); and (2) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to submit to GAO all information in its possession related to certain communications that occurred in 2009 relating to PBGC's role in negotiating, reviewing, approving, determining, or in any other aspect related to the decision to remove liens on Delphi's overseas assets. Directs GAO to audit such communications, report its findings to Congress within one year, and include among audit considerations: (1) any decision made during GM's bankruptcy proceedings that appears to be quid pro quo and unduly influenced by the receipt of TARP funds or that would be unlikely to be made by a similar for-profit business that is not receiving TARP assistance; (2) any action that any federal official took to persuade or force GM to take any particular action; and (3) whether the PBGC decision to remove liens on Delphi's overseas assets was in the best interest of U.S. taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Corporate Liability and Emergency Accident Notification Act or CLEAN Act - Requires an owner or operator of a pipeline facility to provide immediate telephonic notice to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) and the National Response Center within one hour following the discovery of a release of a hazardous liquid or another substance or gas. Subjects to a civil penalty any person who has obstructed or prevented the Secretary from carrying out an inspection or investigation with respect to a gas or liquid pipeline accident. Increases the maximum civil penalty: (1) from $100,000 to $250,000 for each violation of a federal pipeline safety requirement or order (including one-call notification and related requirements); and (2) from $1 million to $2.5 million for a related series of violations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) maintain on the DOT website a database of all reportable releases involving gas or hazardous liquid pipelines; and (2) allow the public to search the database for incidents by pipeline facility owner or operator.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Bring Jobs Back to America: Strategic Manufacturing & Job Repatriation Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy to increase overall domestic production, create private sector jobs, and identify emerging technologies to strengthen American competitiveness and comparative advantages. Requires the Secretary to: (1) identify U.S. firms maintaining facilities and jobs outside the United States; and (2) establish multiple Repatriation Task Forces to promote repatriation (return of a job or facility from a foreign country location to a U.S. location) in accordance with established targets for job repatriation and manufacturing growth. Establishes the American Economic Security Commission to study and report to Congress on policy relating to American competitiveness and technology-based planning to bolster it. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, to study and report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of a tax incentive to encourage firms to repatriate jobs back to the United States. Amends federal patent law to revise requirements regarding the publication of patent applications. Requires abstracts (short summaries of inventions) included with patent applications (instead of the patent applications themselves, as under current law) to be published 18 months after the earliest filing date of the application. Repeals certain requirements relating to: (1) submission of a redacted copy of an application; and (2) procedures to prevent protest and pre-issuance opposition to the grant of a patent. Requires the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to give priority to the examination of a patent application by an institution of higher education or a patent holding company affiliated with such an institution.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Prohibits: (1) the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law for any abortion or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion; (2) any tax benefits for amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or for a health benefits plan (including premium assistance) that includes coverage of abortion; and (3) the inclusion of abortion in any health care service furnished by a federal health care facility or by any physician or other individual employed by the federal government. Exempts from such prohibitions an abortion if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest with a minor, or if the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the women in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. Makes such prohibitions applicable to federal funding within the budget of the District of Columbia. Prohibits federal agencies or programs and states and local governments that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against any individual or institutional health care entity on the basis that such entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive, and coordinate the investigation of, discrimination complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make certain disclosures to the holder of a social security account number and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if the Secretary determines that there is a substantial likelihood that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in the employment context. Authorizes the FBI Director to disclose information received from the Secretary to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, but restricts the use of such information to carrying out criminal investigations or prosecutions. Requires employers who have been notified of suspected misuse of an employee's social security account number to cease including such account number on statements provided to such employee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
Honors the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and board of control of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, on its 125th anniversary. Commends the school's status as a leading public university that excels in high quality education, research, and quality of life for students.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2010
Stop the Drop Houses Act of 2010 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to subject real property used or intended to be used in alien smuggling to seizure and forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2010
Honors Special Agent William G. Clark of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for his heroic actions, exemplary service, and selfless acts to protect the lives of others.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Responsible COBRA, Unemployment, and Poverty Extension Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through FY2010. Postpones the termination of the program until March 1, 2011. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend through FY2010 requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to extend through FY2010, premium assistance for COBRA benefits (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). Prescribes a special rule for an individual who experiences a qualifying event related to a termination of employment on or after June 1, 2010, and before the enactment of this Act. Applies to all COBRA continuation coverage, including state continuation coverage programs, with respect to such individual rules similar to those in the ARRA: (1) extending the election period for, and the effect on, COBRA continuation coverage; and (2) requiring a notice of such action by the administrator of a group health plan. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through FY2010. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date. Rescinds pro rata the unobligated balance of each amount appropriated or made available under ARRA (except under title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of division A), so that the aggregate amount of such rescissions equals $27 billion to offset the net increase in spending resulting from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Congratulates all the contestants of the 83rd Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. Recognizes the dedication and achievement of competition winner Anamika Veeramani and the other finalists, Adrian Gunawan, Elizabeth Platz, Shantanu Srivatsa, Laura Newcombe, Lanson Tang, Joanna Ye, and Andrew Grose.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to study the watersheds of the Illinois, Chicago, and Calumet Rivers, including their tributaries, that drain directly into Lake Michigan to determine the feasibility and best means of implementing the hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basins to prevent the introduction or establishment of populations of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Area Water System (CAWS) and other aquatic pathways. Requires the study to: (1) include options to address flooding, Chicago wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, waterway safety operations, and barge and recreational vessel traffic alternatives; and (2) contain a detailed analysis of the environmental benefits and costs of each option. Directs: (1) the Secretary to carry out this Act at federal expense; and (2) the President, or the Council on Environmental Quality as a designee of the President, to oversee the study to ensure its thoroughness and timely completion.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Counterterrorism Enhancement and Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2011. Prohibits: (1) the use of Department of Justice (DOJ) funds to prosecute an individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on or after January 22, 2009, in a U.S. criminal court; and (2) the President from transferring or releasing an individual currently detained at Guantanamo to any state without the state's consent and the President's certification that the individual does not pose a security risk. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism. Directs the Secretary of DHS to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism. Expresses the sense of Congress that the House of Representatives and the Senate should fully implement the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States for creating a single, principal point of oversight and review for homeland security by amending House and Senate rules relating to committee jurisdiction. Amends the Rules of the House to direct the Speaker to consider the recommendations of the Commission for consolidating oversight and review of homeland security. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a strategy for gaining effective control of the international borders of the United States within five years. Requires the Secretary, for FY2011-FY2014, to maintain not fewer than 20,000 Border Patrol agents and sufficient support staff. Directs the Secretary, by June 30, 2011, to complete the exit portion of the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology system (US-VISIT) required for aliens arriving in or departing from the United States at an airport or seaport. Provides for mandatory detention of aliens apprehended at or between ports of entry. Authorizes the Secretary to establish permanent United States Secret Service international field offices to enhance cybersecurity and the Secret Service's ability to combat cyber crime and counterfeiting of U.S. currency. Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for FY2011. Requires establishment of an Aviation Security Advisory Committee within TSA. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a timely and fair process for individuals who believe they were delayed or prohibited from boarding a commercial aircraft or denied a right, benefit, or privilege because they were wrongly identified as a threat when screened against any terrorist watchlist or database used by TSA; (2) an Office of Appeals and Redress in DHS; and (3) a Surface Transportation Security Inspection Office. Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to require establishment of a Transit Security Advisory Committee in TSA. Directs the Secretary to increase the number of canine teams certified by TSA for passenger rail and public transportation security activities. Screening Applied Fairly and Equitably to Truckers Act of 2010 or the SAFE Truckers Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary to issue final regulations defining security sensitive materials. Prohibits a commercial motor vehicle operator licensed to operate in Mexico or Canada from operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting a security sensitive material in commerce in the United States until the operator has been subjected to, and not disqualified as a result of, a security background records check by a federal agency. Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY2011. Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish and operate one or more centers of Maritime Security. Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary to check against available terrorist watchlists those suspected of alien smuggling and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at the land, air, and sea borders of the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify, and increase penalties for, alien smuggling offenses. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Protective Service (FPS) for FY2011. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct facility security assessments; and (2) develop minimum standards for training and annual recertification for FPS's contract guards. Grants the Secretary a right of entry to property for which security is provided by FPS. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct security inspections and verifications for such property; (2) require such properties to undergo unannounced security inspections; and (3) issue a list of items that are prohibited from being brought into FPS-protected facilities unless specifically authorized on a case-by-case basis. Requires the FPS Director to publish: (1) a list of qualified vendors and products that would promote common standards of deployment of personnel and technology; (2) standards for training personnel; and (3) best practices for utilizing items on the qualified products list. Extends the Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Program. Directs the Secretary, through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in coordination with the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, to establish a voluntary chemical security training program and exercise program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office for Bombing Prevention with primary responsibility for enhancing the ability, and coordinating the efforts, of the United States to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the United States; and (2) develop and periodically update a national strategy to prevent and prepare for terrorist explosive attacks in the United States. Establishes in DHS a Community Preparedness Division whose Director shall have primary responsibility for assisting the efforts of state, local, and tribal governments in preparing U.S. citizens for acts of terrorism and other emergencies. Establishes in the Division: (1) a Citizen Corps Program; (2) a Community Emergency Response Team Program; and (3) a Fire Corps Program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a Metropolitan Medical Response System Program. Authorizes appropriations for the Directorate of Science and Technology for FY2011. Establishes a Test, Evaluation, and Standards Division. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to prepare a strategic plan for Directorate activities. Directs the Comptroller General to initiate a study to assess the university-based centers for homeland security program. Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) conduct research and development to enhance the protection of the nation's agriculture and food system against terrorist attacks; and (2) produce risk assessments for biological and chemical threats. Directs the Secretary, through the Under Secretary, to establish a Homeland Security Science and Technology Fellows Program. Authorizes appropriations for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office for FY2011. Establishes the Commission on the Protection of Critical Electric and Electronic Infrastructures. Authorizes appropriations for the Securing the Cities Initiative (using next generation technology to detect the transport of nuclear and radiological material in urban areas). Requires the Secretary to delegate to specified Chief Operating Officers of DHS direct authority over their counterparts in component agencies to ensure that such component agencies adhere to the laws, rules, regulations, and departmental policies for which each such Officer is responsible. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an Acquisition Professional Career Program; and (2) a process for the review of proposed investments by DHS. Directs the Secretary to designate a full-time privacy official within each of specified components of DHS to have primary responsibility for implementing DHS privacy policy in each such component. Provides immunity for certain good faith reports of suspected terrorist activity or suspicious behavior and qualified immunity for response. Directs the Secretary, every three years, to issue a biodefense strategy. Provides for civil liability for disclosure of protected security information. Establishes in DHS a Chief Veterinary Officer who shall have primary responsibility for veterinary issues, food defense, and agriculture security.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty to prohibit knowingly and for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain selling or distributing an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce. States that such prohibition does not prohibit the sale or distribution of any visual depiction of hunting, trapping, fishing, or customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices. Defines "animal crush video" as any obscene photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled in a manner that would violate a criminal prohibition on cruelty to animals in the federal or state jurisdiction in which the depiction is created, sold, distributed, or offered for sale or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Small Business Assistance and Relief Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) assistance should be made available to creditworthy small businesses that cannot obtain lending in the current environment; and (2) reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be a top priority for Congress. Provides, with respect to small businesses: (1) an extension of specified tax provisions concerning deductions, credits, and income exclusion; and (2) a limit on the paperwork required to be submitted from a small business to federal agencies. Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to provide for the establishment of a small lender outreach program, a rural lending outreach program, a national lender training program, a capital backstop program, and an independent appellate process within the Small Business Administration (SBA), with an SBA ombudsman. Revises or adds provisions affecting a certified development company (CDC), including concerning: (1) operational requirements; (2) an accredited lenders program; (3) a premier certified lenders program; (4) SBA guarantee of debentures issued by a CDC; (5) economic development through debentures; (6) CDC project funding requirements; (7) private debenture sales and the pooling of debentures; and (8) CDC authority to foreclose and liquidate SBA-guaranteed loans. Expands eligibility for, and increases loan limits under, the SBA's Microloan program. Revises or adds provisions affecting the small business investment company (SBIC) program, including concerning: (1) expedited SBIC licensing for experienced applicants; (2) revised loan leverage limitations for successful SBICs; (3) SBIC authority to invest in veteran-owned small businesses; and (4) increased SBIC program levels. Revises or adds provisions concerning investment in small businesses engaged primarily in manufacturing and in renewable-energy small businesses. Authorizes the SBA to guarantee loans to certain medical professionals for the acquisition of health information technology used in the professionals' practice. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish and carry out a program to provide equity investment financing to support early-stage small businesses in specified targeted industries. Revises requirements and increases loan limits under the SBA's disaster loan program. Requires certain SBA studies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of United States Military History Month. Encourages the President to issue a proclamation to emphasize the importance of such Month.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to exempt advances to the Coast Guard in connection with the explosion on, and sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon from the requirement that amounts in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund shall be available only as provided in annual appropriations. Limits such advances to a maximum of $100 million each, with the total amount for all advances not to exceed $1 billion for any single incident and $500 million for natural resource damage assessments and claims for any single incident, provided that, except in the case of payments of removal costs, an advance may be made only if the amount in the Fund after such advance will not be less than $30 million. Requires the Coast Guard to notify Congress of the amount advanced and the facts and circumstances necessitating the advance within seven days of the advance. Requires the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act submitted by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
America Stands with Israel Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States: (1) supports Israel's right to defend itself; (2) supports Israel's naval blockade of Gaza; and (3) should oppose any investigation by the United Nations (U.N.) into the flotilla incident (involving the May 2010 Israeli interception of ships carrying supplies to Gaza). Requires the Secretary of State to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to cease U.S. participation in and membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Prohibits the Secretary from contributing any funds to the United Nations for an investigation into the flotilla incident. Directs the Secretary to ensure that no U.S. contributions to the United Nations are used for any such investigation, including by withholding from U.S. contributions to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations amounts equal to any amounts so expended.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop and implement: (1) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering the Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD); and (2) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering Biological Threats. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a unit for WMD intelligence and information sharing. Directs the DHS Secretary to: (1) produce biennial Bioterrorism Risk Assessments to identify and assess the evolving terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; and (2) establish enhanced biosecurity measures for persons or laboratories that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents (agents and toxins that are determined by the Secretary to present a material threat to the population). Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to: (1) award grants based on risk to academic and nonprofit organizations and to state, local, and tribal governments that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents to enhance security at laboratories; and (2) assist such entities in improving and promoting individual and community preparedness and collective response to WMD and terrorist attacks involving biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons against the United States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures, with appropriate controls on access, for the sharing of homeland security information with state, local, and tribal government officials; (2) periodically review and recommend updates to criminal laws that relate to the evolving risks of misuse of life sciences by terrorists and others and conduct investigations and enforce criminal violations of customs and export laws; (3) ensure that homeland security information concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and tribal authorities and the public; (4) examine the state of domestic and global biosurveillance and submit to appropriate congressional committees a national strategy for biosurveillance; (5) carry out a program in DHS to detect a biological attack or event; and (6) carry out a program for system assessment and validation of emergency response equipment at DHS (SAVER Program). Establishes in DHS: (1) a National Export Enforcement Coordination Network; (2) an Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks; and (3) a National Bioforensics Analysis Center. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop voluntary guidance for responding to a release of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material for police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management, and public health personnel and make such guidance available to state, local, and tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the public; (2) acquire, use, and disseminate timely integrated plume models (assessments of the location and prediction of the spread of pathogens resulting from an explosion or release of nuclear, radioactive, chemical, or biological substances) to enable rapid response activities following a chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological release; (3) develop and issue guidance for clean-up and restoration of indoor and outdoor areas that have been affected by the release of a biological agent; and (4) complete within 90 days after the enactment of this Act methods to rapidly screen travelers at ports of entry. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) periodically update a National Medical Countermeasure Dispensing Strategy to enhance preparedness and collective response to an attack with any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material; and (2) review the adequacy of domestic vaccination and antimicrobial dispensing policy, guidance, and information provided to the public in light of any known terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) support efforts in other countries to develop mechanisms and capabilities for reporting to United Nations organizations validated data on biological attacks or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; (2) establish and build capacity to effectively implement legislation criminalizing the development or use of biological weapons or acts of bioterrorism; (3) convene and lead an interagency task force on best practices for global biopreparedness; and (4) promote implementation of and compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2010
Recognizes Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga for pitching a near-perfect game. Declares that Galarraga pitched a perfect game and urges Major League Baseball to overturn the mistaken safe call by the umpire.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Protecting Against Indebting our Descendants through Fully Offset Relief (PAID FOR) Temporary Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through July 7, 2010. Postpones the termination of the program until December 11, 2010. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until July 7, 2010: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 11, 2010, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to extend through June 30, 2010, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) benefits. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through June 30, 2010, the 0% update to the conversion factor in the Medicare physican payment computation. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through June 30, 2010. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010 to extend through June 30, 2010, the national flood insurance program. Amends the ARRA to extend through June 30, 2010, the small business loan guarantee program. Makes appropriations for the program as well as for the cost of certain loan guarantee fee reductions and eliminations. Rescinds pro rata the unobligated balance of each amount appropriated or made available under ARRA (except under title X: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of division A), so that the aggregate amount of such rescissions equals $13 billion to offset the net increase in spending resulting from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within 30 days after this Act's enactment, to finalize the proposed rule entitled "Oil Pollution Prevention; Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Rule Requirements--Amendments" to exempt certain milk containers and associated piping and appurtenance from the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure program. Prohibits the Administrator from taking regulatory action against dairy and dairy product producers, processors, handlers, and distributors related to such exemption until the effective date of the finalized rule.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Expresses the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions that U.S. air traffic controllers make to keep the traveling public safe and U.S. airspace running efficiently. Commends them for the calm and professional manner in which they handle air traffic all year long. Acknowledges their heroic actions, dedication, and quick and skilled decisionmaking to help avert many accidents and tragedies. Encourages greater investment in the modernization of the air traffic control system so that they have the resources and technology to better carry out their mission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Commends the millions of fathers who serve as wonderful, caring parents for their children. Calls on fathers across the United States to use Father's Day to: (1) reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives; (2) spend Father's Day with their children; and (3) express their love and support for their children. Urges men to understand the level of responsibility fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement of children's moral, mental, social, academic, emotional, physical, and spiritual development. Encourages active involvement of fathers in the rearing and development of their children, including the devotion of time, energy, and resources.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Congratulates Israel for its accession to membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Commends the 31 nations of the OECD, as well as OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, for recognizing Israel's economic success as well as its commitment to the principles of democratic government and market economy by unanimously electing Israel to OECD membership. Recognizes the importance of the strong role played by the United States in Israel's successful bid for accession to membership in the OECD. Calls on responsible nations to support efforts by Israel to accede to membership or enhance its participation, as the case may be, in international forums.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Recognizes the ultimate sacrifices made by 11 employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2009 as part of their efforts to keep the nation safe.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Orndorf Drive in Brighton, Michigan, as the "Joyce Rogers Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Condemns the selection of the government of Iran to serve on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Urges the President to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence at the United Nations (U.N.) to advocate for the government of Iran's removal from the Commission. Reaffirms the solidarity of the House of Representatives with the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and human rights, including equal rights for women in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Supports the goals of National Dairy Month (June). Recognizes the dairy industry's important role in the economic and nutritional well being of Americans. Commends dairy farmers for their hard work and commitment to the U.S. economy and to the preservation of open space.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Fair Defense Competition Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), in awarding a contract for any major defense acquisition program and conducting the cost or price evaluation of any proposal for that contract, to take into account any final panel report that concludes that an illegal subsidy (inconsistent with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures) has been provided with respect to: (1) any merchandise or major component of such program; or (2) the development of any merchandise or major component thereof. Requires the Secretary, if the illegal subsidy has not been withdrawn, to increase the cost or price of the proposal by the amount of the subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Fairness and Accuracy in Employment Background Checks Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish and enforce procedures to ensure the prompt release of accurate federal criminal background records and information exchanged for employment-related purposes; and (2) report to Congress on the exchange of records or information for employment-related purposes under this Act and on all federal statutes, regulations, and policies providing employment restrictions and disqualifications based on criminal records.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception to save the life of the mother. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Recognizes that trust in God is embedded into the fabric of this country's society and history. Rejects the notion that the laws and Constitution of this country require the exclusion of God from matters of government and public life. Reaffirms "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States. Supports and encourages its display in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
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, transporting for legitimate purposes, 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. Declares that nothing in such prohibitions shall be construed to prohibit the District from regulating the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person. 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 can be readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Includes also the frame or receiver of any such firearm, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a firearm 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; and (2) requirement that licensed firearms dealers keep records of ammunition received into inventory and ammunition sold or transferred. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Permits a licensed firearms dealer to sell or transfer ammunition, excluding restricted pistol bullets, to persons not otherwise prohibited from possessing or receiving ammunition. Declares that, in the case of a sale or transfer of a handgun to a District resident, a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms in Maryland or Virginia shall be treated as a dealer licensed under this Act if: (1) the transferee meets in person with the transferor to accomplish the transfer; and (2) the sale, delivery, and receipt fully comply with the legal conditions of sale in both the District and the jurisdiction in which the transfer occurs. 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 gauge or caliber as such ammunition. (In effect, repeals the handgun ammunition ban.) Repeals the requirement that firearms in the possession of individuals (other than law enforcement personnel) must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked, unless the firearm is kept at an individual's place of business, or while being used for lawful recreational purposes within the District . Continues current criminal penalties for allowing access of a minor (under age 16) to loaded firearms, except in specified circumstances. Repeals increased penalties for violations of the prohibition against allowing access of a minor to loaded firearms if injury or death results to the minor or another person. Requires the U.S. attorney, however, to consider both the extent of the minor's injuries and the effect of the minor's injury or death on both of the minor's parents when deciding whether to file charges. Prohibits any prosecution in such circumstances unless the person who committed the violation behaved in a grossly negligent manner, or unless similarly egregious circumstances exist. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends the District of Columbia Code to: (1) allow private persons or entities owning property in the District to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on their property (other than authorized law enforcement personnel or lessees occupying residential or business premises); (2) prohibit unauthorized carrying of rifles or shotguns in the District; (3) authorize certain individuals to carry firearms in certain places and for certain purposes; (4) prescribe requirements for lawful transportation of firearms; and (5) prohibit the use of toy and antique pistols to commit a violent or dangerous crime. Authorizes the District of Columbia to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms (except to lessees occupying residential or business premises) within any building or structure under its control, or in any area of it, which has implemented security measures to identify and exclude unauthorized or hazardous persons or articles. Amends the Office of Administrative Hearings Establishment Act of 2001 to grant jurisdiction to the Office of Administrative Hearings to hear cases pertaining to denial or revocation of firearm dealer licenses. Repeals the Firearms Registration Amendment Act of 2008 and the Inoperable Pistol Amendment Act of 2008. Restores and revives any provision of law amended or repealed by such Acts as if such Acts had not been enacted into law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Supports the goals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.