United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1982
Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish the House of Representatives, within ten days of this resolution's adoption, with full and complete information and records in any way relating to the procurement of the C-5B aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation should be proposed and enacted to: (1) establish parity between the compensation of Government Printing Office (GPO) employees and the compensation of other Federal employees performing similar work; (2) fix the wages of GPO employees in accordance with the prevailing wage rate system applicable to executive branch employees; and (3) strengthen the Public Printer's ability to manage without infringing on the oversight responsibilities of the Joint Committee on Printing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1982
Federal Capital Investment Budget Act of 1982 - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 to require the President to include with each Budget submitted on or after January 1, 1983, a special analysis, for the ensuing fiscal year which shall identify and summarize for each function, category, agency, and program of appropriation and expenditure in the Budget the amount of appropriations and expenditures which may be classified as public infrastructure investments. Sets forth other information to be included in such analysis. Requires the President also to include with each Budget, on or after January 1, 1984, a capital investment budget which shall identify by State the amount of appropriations and expenditures classifiable as public infrastructure investments. Declares that any appropriation or expenditure shall be classified as a public infrastructure investment to the extent that it will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of any civilian public facility in the United States. Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to require the Economic Development Administration to prepare an inventory of civilian public facilities in the United States and an assessment of their physical condition. Requires the Secretary to make a report of such inventory and assessment to Congress not later than January 1, 1984, and to update such report annually.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1982
Wilderness Protection Act of 1982 - Withdraws from disposition under all laws pertaining to oil, gas, mineral, and geothermal leasing: (1) wilderness areas; (2) lands recommended for wilderness designation, until Congress determines otherwise or until the lands concerned are recommended for other uses; (3) wilderness study areas, for the period of interim wilderness protection and management required by law; and (4) lands identified for further planning in Executive Communication 1504, 96th Congress, until one year after the final approval and implementation of an initial forest plan covering the further planning area. Exempts from the withdrawal pursuant to this Act: (1) national forest system land released to management for nonwilderness uses; (2) lands designated as congressional wilderness study areas in Colorado and New Mexico and certain lands within the River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho; (3) Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas; and (4) lands designated as a conservation system unit under the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act. Permits activities compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment for the purpose of inventorying energy, mineral, and other resource values in areas withdrawn by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to augment recurring surveys of mineral values of wilderness areas and to acquire information on the areas withdrawn by this Act by conducting nondestructive mineral inventories of such areas. Authorizes the President to recommend to Congress that minerals exploration, development, or extraction be permitted in specified areas withdrawn under this Act, if: (1) there is an urgent national need for the mineral activity; and (2) such need outweighs the public values of the wilderness lands involved and the potentially adverse environmental impacts likely to result. Makes such a recommendation effective only upon enactment of a joint resolution of approval by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1982
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion of the disbursements from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the receipts from the old age, survivors and disability insurance taxes and the hospital insurance taxes on self-employment income, employees, and employers in the totals of the Federal budget. Exempts such disbursements and receipts from any general statutory limitation on Federal budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1982
Designates certain lands within and adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the State of Washington as the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Area. Extends the exterior boundary of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to include all lands and waters within the volcanic area. Provides for Federal acquisition of the lands within the volcanic area. Sets the minimum value of any timber acquired at the fair market value of the timber on July 1, 1982. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands with Burlington Northern, Incorporated, and with the Weyerhaeuser Company pursuant to voluntary mutual agreement. Provides that the instruments of conveyance for such exchanges may include reservations, including reservations with respect to the conveyance of mineral and geothermal rights. Sets forth the requirements for the land exchanges. Requires the Secretary to administer the volcanic area as a separate unit of the national forest system. Requires the Secretary to: (1) permit the full use of the volcanic area for legitimate scientific study and research; (2) provide for recreational use of the volcanic area; and (3) permit hunting and fishing within the volcanic area. Authorizes the Secretary to impose any restrictions on these activities which are necessary to protect the public health and safety, the natural conditions and resources of the volcanic area, scientific research activities, and public use and enjoyment. Provides that roads and other facilities within the volcanic area shall be located in areas which were developed before the 1980 eruption and which are readily apparent on the ground. Requires that roads no longer needed for administrative purposes be destroyed. Withdraws all lands and waters within the volcanic area from disposition under the public land laws, from location, entry, and patent under the Federal mining laws, and from the operation of the Federal mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Prohibits commercial timber harvest and water resource development within the volcanic area. Requires the Secretary to submit a comprehensive management plan for the volcanic area to specified congressional committees within three years after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Mount Saint Helens Scientific Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on: (1) the conduct of scientific studies and research activities concerning the volcanic area; and (2) the administration necessary to protect the natural ecological and geological processes and integrity of the volcanic area. Terminates the Commission ten years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983. Makes the authority under this Act to enter into contracts or to make payments effective only to the extent and in such amounts as provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Makes authorizations of new budget authority under this Act effective only for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1982
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit an Immigration and Naturalization Service official or employee from entering a farm or agricultural operation without a warrant or the owner's consent.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1982
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Ad Hoc Committee on Entitlements to conduct a full investigation of factors contributing to, and methods to restrain, costs of entitlement programs. Requires the committee to report its findings as soon as practicable during the current Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1982
Small Business Regulatory Relief Tax Act of 1982 - Delays until July 1, 1984, the effective date of Treasury regulations determining whether an interest in a corporation is to be treated as stock or indebtedness. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the impact of such regulations on small business.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1982
Volunteering in Government Act of 1982 - Permits any executive agency to recruit, train, and accept the service of a volunteer, and to enter into an agreement with any nonprofit organization for volunteer service, to carry out any appropriate agency activity. Declares that such volunteers shall be considered to be Federal employees only under provisions concerning tort claims and worker's compensation. Directs agencies to provide such volunteers and nonprofit organizations funds to pay necessary expenses for performing any such activity. Prohibits the dismissal of any agency employee or the impairment of any service contract as a result of an agency utilizing volunteer services. Authorizes agencies to give preference to grant applicants who use volunteer services most extensively when applicable. Authorizes each agency to use one percent of the funds appropriated to it for general administrative and operating expenses each fiscal year to carry out this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to report to Congress biennially on the volunteer services and savings resulting from implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should provide sufficient borrowing authority to allow the Export-Import Bank to provide competitive financing for U.S. companies competing in world markets.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1982
Housing and Automobile Industries Recovery Act of 1982 - Title I: Exemption for the Purchase of Certain Bonds by Employee Pension Benefit Plans - Provides a temporary exemption from certain provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code relating to prohibited transactions for the purchase of certain bonds sold to fund residential mortgages and domestic motor vehicle loans. Title II: Interest Reduction Payments - Provides for interest reduction payments by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to assist with the financing of the purchase of certain residences and domestic motor vehicles. Sets forth: (1) requirements and restrictions for eligible loans and mortgages; and (2) guidelines for the allocation of such payments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1982 through 1988 to carry out this title. Prohibits the Secretary from making any commitments to make interest reduction payments under this title after August 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1982
Waste and Abuse Information Collection Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide for the operation of toll-free telephone facilities for the collection of information concerning fraud, waste, or abuse in the expenditure of Federal funds by any direct recipient of such funds. Requires the Director to assure that: (1) complaints are promptly referred to the Inspector General or other appropriate official of the agency responsible for the funds; (2) the identities of complainants who request confidentiality are protected; and (3) complainants are notified of their rights to be protected against recriminations for providing information, their opportunities for incentive awards, and progress in the investigation of their complaints. Requires that each contract, grant and loan application, and cooperative agreement involving a specified amount of Federal funds for non-Federal parties provide that the direct recipient of such funds: (1) will not take any adverse personnel or other action against any employee as a reprisal for providing information concerning waste, fraud, or abuse; (2) if found to have taken such an adverse action, will take appropriate affirmative measures to redress such action or pay damages or both; (3) will post a notice of the employee rights and remedies under this Act, incentive award opportunities, and appropriate methods of informing officials of waste, fraud, or abuse; and (4) will require indirect recipients to comply with this Act. Directs the head of each Federal agency to: (1) provide for prompt investigation of complaints regarding prohibited adverse actions against employees who provide information on waste, fraud, or abuse; and (2) institute proceedings on any complaint which is believed to demonstrate a violation of this Act. Provides for judicial review of agency actions taken pursuant to such proceedings. Exempts grant applications and cooperative agreements under specified acts from this Act. Permits a Federal agency to enter into cooperative agreements with State agencies for assistance in the collection and investigation of information on waste, fraud, and abuse and complaints of prohibited adverse actions against employees. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to pay a cash award to any individual whose disclosure of fraud, waste, or abuse has resulted in cost savings for the agency. Directs the agency head to consider factors such as the importance of information provided and the risk taken by the informant when establishing the amount of such an award. Limits the maximum amount to a specified percentage of the resulting cost savings. Directs the Comptroller General to review awards made and procedures used to verify cost savings.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1982
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to extend by five months (until September 30, 1982) the period within which an individual must have become a full-time student at a postsecondary educational institution in order to receive child's insurance benefits after July 1982 on the basis of student status under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides that such an individual must have graduated from a secondary school by the end of such period in order to qualify for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1982
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States which adopt and implement programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from persons driving while under the influence of alcohol. Limits the receipt of such grants to three fiscal years and sets forth the Federal share payable for each successive year. Requires the Secretary to establish criteria for the grants based on areas of consideration provided under this Act. Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 1983 through 1985. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to implement such traffic safety programs after a period for public comment. Sets the effective date of such regulations, unless they are disapproved by either House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Commerce should establish standards and procedures, including an opportunity for public comment, before any weather station or weather service office of the National Weather Service is closed or its personnel reduced.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1982
Omnibus Congressional Compensation Reform Act of 1982 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate the annual adjustment in compensation for Members of Congress. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make the President's recommendation for congressional salaries of an advisory nature only, unless otherwise provided by law. Provides that the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress shall be the rate payable on the date of enactment of this Act. Repeals the provision of law which authorizes permanent appropriations for compensation for Members. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to require Members to substantiate their living expense deductions. Directs that any increase in compensation, tax benefits, or increase in outside earned income limitations (including honoraria) shall take effect at the beginning of the Congress following the Congress during which such benefits are authorized. Amends rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and rule XII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require a recorded vote on such types of legislation. Makes it out of order in the House or Senate to consider such legislation if it contains items other than those relative to congressional benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special temporary rules for the taxation of life insurance companies for 1982 and 1983. Revises provisions relating to policies reinsured under modified coinsurance contracts. Specifies that prescribed policy and other contract liability requirements shall not include interest payable after enactment of this Act by a reinsured to a reinsurer in connection with a coinsurance contract. Revises the method of computing the tax deductions for: (1) dividends to policyholders; (2) certain nonparticipating contracts; and (3) certain accident, health insurance, and group life insurance plans. Revises the method of determining adjusted life insurance reserves. Revises the method of computing the policyholder's share of investment yield, life insurance company taxable income, and net capital gain for companies filing consolidated returns. Specifies that the above method shall not apply to certain contract computations in effect before 1982. States that the determination for taxable years before 1982 as to whether a contract is a coinsurance contract shall be made solely by reference to the terms of the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should amend its plan submitted under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to insure that food assistance provided under such Act will be used by recipients only to purchase food.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Secretary of the Interior should refrain from issuing mineral leases in wilderness areas and lands under formal consideration for wilderness designation; (2) any Federal official who proposes to issue a mineral lease in such an area should provide prior notice to Congress in order to allow congressional prohibition of such lease; (3) additions to the Wilderness System should proceed expeditiously but without arbitrary deadlines; (4) lands under formal consideration for wilderness designation should be managed to preserve their wilderness character; and (5) Federal land management agencies should consider wilderness values in making land management decisions and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1982
Declares that the United States should propose to the Soviet Union: (1) a long-term, mutual, and verifiable nuclear forces freeze at equal and sharply reduced levels of forces; and (2) practical measures to reduce the danger of an accidental nuclear war and to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by third parties. States that the United States and the Soviet Union should channel their resources away from nuclear armaments and towards fighting poverty, hunger, and disease. Declares that the United States should continue to work for balanced arms reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow first-time home buyers an income tax credit equal to nine percent of the purchase price of a principal residence acquired after February 28, 1982, and before January 1, 1984. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $5,400. Provides a three year carryback of excess credit amounts. Specifies that such credit shall be available with respect to only one residence of the taxpayer. Requires the recapture of credit amounts for the purchase of a principal residence if such residence is sold within 36 months after the date of acquisition, except in the case of the owner's death, a casualty loss, or a divorce settlement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1982
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit entitlement to title II benefits in the case of an individual who is not a U. S. citizen or national if such individual: (1) is not a permanent resident of the United States; or (2) is outside the United States. Prohibits the payment of title II benefits to any dependent or survivor of such an individual on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the benefit involved is payable to such an individual as the dependent or survivor of: (1) a U. S. citizen or national; (2) a permanent resident of the United States; or (3) a U. S. citizen or national residing outside the United States if the relationship required for such individual's entitlement already existed at the time such national or citizen reached age 50. Authorizes the payment of title II benefits to an individual who is not entitled to benefits pursuant to this Act until the total amount of such benefits equals the total amount of any taxes paid on the wages and self-employment income on which the benefits are based.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that neither House of Congress should recess or adjourn for a period of more than three days at a time until congressional action is completed on the first concurrent budget resolution for FY 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Family Housing Production Act of 1982 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Government National Mortgage Association, to enter into five-year contracts to provide periodic assistance payments on behalf of homeowners to mortgagees and other lenders. Directs the Secretary to give priority to assisting persons who have not owned a home within the last three years. Permits payments to be made only to a mortgagor who satisfies requirements for creditworthiness and has a family income not exceeding 140 percent of the area median income and who: (1) is the original owner of a manufactured home the loan for which is incurred under the National Housing Act; or (2) has a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage which is secured by a home built after enactment of this Act, has no prepayment penalty, and requires increased payments beginning with the second year which shall be applied to the principal obligation until it is paid off. Limits the amount of assistance payments to the difference between the amount of the monthly payment for principal, interest, and loan insurance under the first year of the loan and the amount the monthly payment for principal and interest would be if the interest rate on the loan were: (1) ten percent (12 percent for a manufactured home); or (2) four percentage points less than the rate specified in the loan, whichever rate is higher. Requires that the mortgagor pay at least 25 percent of his or her income toward the monthly loan payment. Declares that manufactured homes shall comprise not more than 20 percent of the units assisted under this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate the amount available to carry out this Act on the basis of the population, decline in housing starts, and unemployment rate in each State relative to all States. Directs the Secretary to recapture the lesser of the amount of assistance provided under this Act or an amount equal to 50 percent of the net appreciation of the property whenever the mortgagor sells the property or rents it for a period exceeding one year. Authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Designates the week beginning on May 9, 1982, as Senior Center Week. Requests the President to include the designation of such week as part of the proclamation issued for Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1982
National Diffusion Network Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to promote the spread of exemplary educational programs, products, and practices to interested elementary and secondary schools. Requires the Secretary to provide information, materials, training, technical assistance, and evaluations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and contracts with, public and nonprofit private educational institutions and organizations to carry out such program. Declares that such program shall be deemed to be a continuation of the National Diffusion Network for which provision is made under the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. Directs the Secretary to allocate funds available under such Act to such program. Authorizes additional appropriations, if necessary, to carry out such program in FY 1983 through FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Area Act of 1982 - Designates specified lands within and adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington as the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire all non-Federal lands and interest within the boundaries of the volcanic area. States that lands and interests thus acquired shall become national forest system lands. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Senior Citizens Environmental Employment Act of 1982 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop opportunities for senior citizens to participate in programs designed to assist Federal, State, and local environmental agencies in carrying out pollution control programs. Requires that such programs: (1) be designed in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of the Administration on Aging; and (2) ensure that program participants meet participant eligibility requirements under the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Allows such program to include (but does not limit it to) projects such as: (1) air monitoring and emission testing; (2) pesticides inventory and control; (3) water quality or supply sampling and monitoring; (4) technical libraries and public information; (5) carcinogenic survey and followup; (6) hazardous materials routing survey; (7) rural health screening and migrant workers; and (8) noise abatement and control. Directs the Administrator of the EPA to report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator of EPA to: (1) commence negotiations within 30 days of enactment with the Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of the Administration on Aging to develop rules and regulations for establishment of the Corps; and (2) consult with affected and interested representatives of national aging organizations and State and local environmental agencies. Authorizes the Administrator of the EPA to: (1) enter into agreements with public and private institutions and individuals for an effective system of using senior citizens eligible for participation in environmentally related programs under the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 and CETA; (2) make grants or cooperative agreements to carry out this Act; (3) maintain Corps enrollees within the EPA and with State and local environmental agencies; and (4) train Corps enrolles. Prohibits funding under this Act for any State or local environmental agency for employment of an enrollee which would: (1) displace current agency employees, partially or totally; (2) occur while any other person is in a layoff status from a substantially equivalent job with the agency; or (3) impair existing contracts for services. Authorizes appropriations in FY 1982 through FY 1985 to the Administrator of the EPA to carry out the administrative provisions of this Act. Declares that environmentally related programs described under this Act are fully eligible for funding made available through the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 and CETA.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1982
Agricultural Export Credit Assessment Act - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to authorize financing the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund (the Fund) by voluntary assessments and matching Federal appropriations. Defines an "assessment" as a sum of money deducted by the first purchaser from the proceeds of the sale of a raw agricultural product. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a referendum, if a producer organization requests it, on whether to require assessments on the sale of an agricultural product. Requires the producer organization to establish a trust fund to receive assessments if the referendum approves of the proposed assessment. Authorizes payments from the trust fund of: (1) refunds to producers; and (2) contributions to the Fund. Requires contributions to the Fund by a producer's organization to be matched by Federal funds. Makes financing exports of the producer organization's commodity the first priority for the use of the organization's contributions and matching funds. Limits the length of time a producer organization may hold assessments in a trust fund. Authorizes appropriations to match expected producers contributions to the Fund. Deletes the provision which terminates the Fund on October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1982
Increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected or compensable disability by the amount such spouse would have received under the Social Security Act were she caring for a child under 16 (when such child is actually between 16 and 18 years of age). Directs the Administrator to make monthly payments equivalent to the child's insurance benefit under the Social Security Act before the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to children of such deceased veterans between the ages of 18 and 22 attending institutions of higher learning.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 12 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund on a monthly basis for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after it has been credited to one of the trust funds if it is otherwise proper. Authorizes appropriations to reimburse the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1982
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to authorize the Corporation to buy strategic and critical materials and petroleum products produced abroad in exchange for U.S. farm commodity exports. Requires the purchase program to be conducted so that it: (1) safeguards existing export markets for farm commodities; (2) encourages development of new export markets for U.S. farm commodities; and (3) provides exporters of farm products with firm commitments on items the Corporation will buy in order to facilitate the negotiation of commercial barter contracts. Requires strategic and critical materials purchased by the Corporation by commercial barter to be transferred to the stockpile established by the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act. Requires petroleum products purchased by the Corporation by commercial barter to be transferred to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Directs the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Energy to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Corporation in implementing the barter program. Authorizes the Corporation to promote barter agreements between persons involved in commerce which exchange approved materials produced abroad for U.S. farm commodity exports. Sets forth within the general powers of the Corporation the power to accept petroleum products produced abroad in exchange for farm commodities.