United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Condemns the inclusion of inflammatory and inaccurate content in Iranian textbooks that is aimed at indoctrinating and radicalizing students with anti-Israeli, anti-Semitic, and anti-Western sentiment and at restricting the rights of women. Calls on the government of Iran to reform its textbooks and educational system to promote peace, tolerance, equality, and the development of civil society. Urges the President, regarding the conduct of Iran, to consider the harmful and disturbing content propagated by the Iranian education system.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Expresses support for the designation of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that steps should be taken to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) support research so that the screening and treatment of prostate cancer may be improved and the causes of, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Celebrates the 130th anniversary of U.S.-Romanian diplomatic relations. Congratulates the Romanian people on their achievements as a great nation. Reaffirms the deep bonds of trust and values between the United States and Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division of the U.S. Army, known as the Liberators, during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Good Samaritan Protection for Construction, Architectural, and Engineering Volunteers Act - Grants construction companies and architectural and engineering firms and their employees immunity from liability for negligence, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct, when providing emergency assistance on a voluntary basis in response to a declared emergency or disaster, in good faith, and without expectation of compensation.
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 · 16 June 2010
Expresses support for the observance of Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month to enhance thyroid cancer awareness and encourage early detection. Recognizes the work of national and community thyroid cancer organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Children of Fallen Warriors AMT Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat annuity payments to a surviving child of an eligible participant under the military's Survivor Benefit Plan as the earned income of such child, for purposes of exempting such payments from the alternative minimum tax (AMT).
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 · 14 June 2010
Expresses the appreciation of Congress to the members of the U.S. Army for 235 years of dedicated service. Honors the valor, commitment, and sacrifice that members of the U.S. Army, their families, and Army civilians have displayed throughout the history of the Army.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2010
Recognizes the 60th anniversary of Associated Builders and Contractors. Encourages Associated Builders and Contractors to continue its 60-year commitment to representing the merit shop construction industry.
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
Expresses support for the designation of Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Encourages participation in voluntary activities to support blood cancer research and education.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exempt from the applicability of No-Load Mode energy efficiency standards an external power supply manufactured before July 1, 2017, that: (1) is an AC-to-AC external power supply; (2) has a nameplate output of 20 watts or more; (3) is certified by the Secretary of Energy (DOE) as being designed to be connected to a security or life safety alarm or surveillance system component; and (4) is permanently marked with a distinguishing mark established within the External Power Supply International Efficiency Marking Protocol for Single Voltage External AC-DC and AC-AC Power Supplies. Defines a "security or life safety alarm or surveillance system" as equipment designed and marketed to, on a continuous basis: (1) monitor, detect, record, or provide notification of intrusion or access to real property or physical assets or notification of threats to life safety; (2) deter or control access to real property or physical assets or to prevent the unauthorized removal of physical assets; or (3) monitor, detect, record, or provide notification of fire, gas, smoke, flooding, or other physical threats to real property, physical assets, or life safety. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require, with appropriate safeguard for the protection of confidential business information, the submission of unit shipment data on an annual basis; and (2) restrict the eligibility of external power supplies for the exemption provided on a finding that a substantial number of external power supplies are being marketed to or installed in applications other than security or life safety alarm or surveillance systems.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week. Recognizes and reaffirms the nation's commitment to High-performance Buildings by promoting awareness about their benefits and new education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to information. Recognizes the unique role that the Department of Energy (DOE) plays through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Building Technologies Program, which works closely with the building industry and manufacturers to conduct research and development on technologies and practices for building energy efficiency. Recognizes the important role that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays in developing the measurement science needed to develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the new building technologies. Encourages further research and development of high-performance building standards, research, and development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Congratulates the government of South Africa upon its first two successful convictions for human trafficking. Calls on the government of South Africa to: (1) adopt the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill; (2) prioritize anti-trafficking law enforcement during the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup; and (3) adopt measures to protect vulnerable children from sexual and labor exploitation. Urges the government of South Africa to prosecute tourists participating in commercial sexual exploitation of women and children during the 2010 World Cup.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors and its efforts to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy. Commends the achievements of the thousands of citizen diplomats who have worked for generations to share the best of the United States with foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars. Supports the designation of Citizen Diplomacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2011, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2010, and FY2012-FY2020. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts for FY2010-FY2020 with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2010-FY2020. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Education and Labor: (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Financial Services; (5) the Judiciary; (6) Natural Resources; (7) Oversight and Government Reform; and (8) Ways and Means. Requires the House Committee on the Budget to report a reconciliation bill that slows the growth in mandatory spending and achieves deficit reduction. Requires each House Committees to identify savings amounting to 1% of total mandatory spending under its jurisdiction from activities determined to be wasteful, unnecessary, or lower-priority. Prohibits House legislation that would require advance appropriations, except for certain FY2012-FY2013 programs, projects, activities, or accounts. States that Rule XXVII (Disclosure by Members and Staff of Employment Negotiations) [ sic ] of the Rules of the House of Representatives shall not apply with respect to adoption by Congress of a budget resolution for FY2011. Prescribes requirements for legislation reported out of committee and designated as an emergency requirement. Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation to calculate the impact of any proposal to change federal revenues on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), total domestic employment, and other specified economic variables. Prohibits the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget from taking into account the provisions of any piece of legislation which propose to increase revenue or offsetting collections if the net effect of the bill is to increase the level of revenue or offsetting collections beyond the level assumed in this concurrent resolution. Makes it out of order in the House to consider direct spending legislation increasing a specified on-budget deficit or decreasing an on-budget surplus for any applicable time period. Requires the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget to maintain a Budget Protection Mandatory Account and a Budget Protection Discretionary Account. Requires the Majority Leader to introduce rescission bills quarterly. Prescribes legislative procedures for their floor consideration. Expresses the sense of the House regarding: (1) baseline revenue projections; and (2) long-term budget projections. Establishes an earmark moratorium for FY2011 for legislation providing or authorizing discretionary budget authority, credit or other spending authority, providing a federal tax deduction, credit, or exclusion, or modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule in FY2011. Prohibits the House Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order waiving such moratorium. Declares it is the policy of this resolution that: (1) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152) should be repealed; and (2) in their place, health care reform that empowers patients should be enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Textile Enforcement and Security Act of 2010 - Requires the seizure and forfeiture of an imported textile or apparel article for which a trade preference has been claimed in cases where the importer: (1) has either misdescribed or not verified the article's country of origin; or (2) provides false information as to his or her address or does not meet certain documentation or informational requirements upon entry of an article. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) or the Secretary of the Treasury to use amounts from fines, penalties, and forfeitures of articles due to violations of the U.S. customs laws to pay for expenses related to the investigation and enforcement of such violations. Authorizes also the use of such amounts to pay for a reward of the lesser of at least 20% of that amount or $20,000 to any person who furnishes information that leads to an arrest, conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of articles due to violations enforced by the Secretary. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure specified staffing of the Textile Operations Branch of the Textile and Apparel Policy and Programs (TAPP) division of the Office of International Trade within CBP and of the Textile/Apparel Policy Branch of TAPP. Requires the Commissioner to allocate, to the 15 largest U.S. ports of entry for textile or apparel articles, a certain number of Import Specialists trained in preventing textile or apparel importer fraud. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require certain documentation or information from an importer upon the entry of textile or apparel articles to include an affidavit with specified information that may be electronically filed with CBP. Prescribes additional bonding requirements for the importation of textile or apparel articles. Specifies producers, manufacturers, suppliers, sellers, importers, exporters subject to certain prohibitions against fraud, gross negligence, or negligence in the documentation of imported merchandise. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (who is now merely authorized) to publish in the Federal Register: (1) the names of persons located outside of the U.S. customs territories against whom the CBP has issued a penalty claim for violating U.S. customs laws; and (2) a list of high risk countries involved in the transshipment of textile or apparel products. Requires the President, acting through the CBP Commissioner and in coordination with the head of the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the Department of Commerce, to establish an electronic verification system for tracking textile or apparel articles imported or exported under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), or any other free trade agreement to which the United States is a party to ensure compliance with such agreements. Requires the President to establish a nonresident importer declaration program for the import of textile or apparel articles. Directs the Attorney General to establish within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Office of Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to state that an accused may retain private counsel before a general court-martial or special court-martial and will be reimbursed for such counsel if the accused is acquitted or the charges are dismissed or withdrawn with respect to cases involving the treatment of an insurgent, enemy combatant, detainee, or suspected or known terrorist, including cases in which charges were brought after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to mean recently discharged veterans and disadvantaged veterans. Defines "recently discharged veteran" to mean: (1) any individual who has served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not); (2) any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability; and (3) any member of the National Guard who has served for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not) in active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or duty in state status. Defines "disadvantaged veteran" as any veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) states and state law enforcement personnel in the course of carrying out routine duties have the inherent authority to investigate, identify, arrest, detain, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States for purposes of U.S. immigration law enforcement; (2) state and local governments should be supported and reimbursed by the federal government for taking actions to discourage illegal immigration; (4) state and local governments that knowingly harbor illegal immigrants should be penalized; (5) current laws governing the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws should be enforced; (6) attrition through enforcement should be U.S. policy; and (7) legislation to enhance border security and enforcement of immigration laws should be passed quickly to ease state and local government burdens and increase national security.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Local Education Authority Returns Now Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make an annual determination of states that have chosen to opt-out of K-12 education grant programs. Requires the Secretary of Education to determine credits due to states as opt-out state education amounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers in states that opt-out a refundable tax credit for a share of the opt-out amount creditable to such states.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Condemns the illegal removal from the Mojave National Preserve of the Mojave Cross memorial and urges the National Park Service and federal law enforcement agencies to continue working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to recover the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Recognizes the centennial of the founding and organization of the University of Georgia Graduate School. Expresses sincere appreciation to the students and administrators who contribute to its growth and success.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Commends the National Rifle Association for developing the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to teach firearm safety to children and supports the goals and objectives of such program. Encourages: (1) educators to incorporate gun education programs in elementary school curricula; and (2) civic and community organizations to support funding for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Expresses condolences to the North Carolina court system, Chatham County, and the town of Pittsboro for the tragic loss of the Chatham County Courthouse. Commends the heroic actions of the Chatham County firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to combat the Courthouse fire, minimize the damage to the Courthouse and the historic materials contained therein, and protect the public. Recognizes the community significance of the Courthouse as both the most significant historic landmark and the cornerstone of justice and the rule of law in Chatham County. recognizes the impact that more than a century of landmark court decisions has made on the judicial system of the Town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, and North Carolina. Recognizes the impact that more than a century of landmark court decisions has made on the judicial system of the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, and North Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Honors the memory of Dr. James E. Shepard for his role in founding North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Celebrates the school's 100th anniversary and recognizes its accomplishments over the past century. Encourages North Carolina's citizens to participate in activities marking this historic occasion.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Declares that imposing a value-added tax (VAT) would be a massive tax increase that would cripple families on fixed income and only further push back the U.S. economic recovery and that the House of Representatives opposes a VAT.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2010
Terrorist Expatriation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include among those voluntary acts for which a U.S. national (by birth or naturalization) will be subject to loss of U.S. nationality: (1) providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the Secretary of State; (2) engaging in, or purposefully and materially supporting, hostilities against the United States; or (3) engaging in, or purposefully and materially supporting, hostilities against any country or armed force that is directly engaged along with, or that is providing direct operational support to, the United States in hostilities engaged in by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Student Visa Security Improvement Act - Amends the the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) require DHS employees to conduct in-person interviews and conduct on-site reviews of applications and supporting documentation with respect to student and exchange program visa applicants prior to final visa adjudication, with emphasis on determining whether an applicant is inadmissible for terrorist-related activities; (2) require an institution or exchange visitor program participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to ensure that each covered student or exchange visitor is an active program participant, is observed, and is reported to DHS if he or she transfers institutions or academic majors; (3) provide Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access to appropriate employees of a SEVIS program sponsor under specified circumstances; and (4) require a SEVIS upgrade to add data fields that include verification that students are meeting minimum academic standards.
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
Revoking Citizenship for Terrorists Act of 2010 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the loss of U.S. nationality, whether by birth or naturalization, by being an unprivileged enemy belligerent.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Secure the Border Act of 2010 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) construct two layers of reinforced fencing along the entire international land border between the United States and Mexico; (2) provide for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors along the entire length of the international border between the United States and Mexico and the United States and Canada; and (3) complete such work within two years. Increases the FY2011 budget of the Tunnel Task Force (a joint Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE], Customs and Border Patrol [CBP], and Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] force tasked to pinpoint smuggling tunnels) by 100% above the FY2007 budget. Directs the Secretary to implement a program to fully integrate and utilize aerial surveillance technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to enhance the security of the international borders between the United States and Mexico and the United States and Canada.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Nuclear Power 2021 Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary of Energy to implement, through cooperative agreements with private sector partners, a program to: (1) develop a standard design for each of two small modular reactors, at least one of which has a rated capacity of not more than 50 electrical megawatts; (2) obtain a design certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for each of the designs by January 1, 2018; and (3) demonstrate the licensing of small modular reactors by developing applications for a combined license for each of the designs so certified, and obtaining a combined license from the NRC for each of the certified designs by January 1, 2021. Requires the Secretary to select proposals for such cooperative agreements through the use of competitive procedures and an impartial review of their scientific and technical merit.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct research to lower the cost of nuclear reactor systems; and (2) develop and publish on the Department of Energy (DOE) website a schedule outlining a five-year strategy to lower such cost effectively. Includes among research subjects: (1) modular and small-scale reactors; (2) balance-of-plant issues; (3) cost-efficient manufacturing and construction; (4) licensing issues; and (5) enhanced proliferation controls.
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 · 22 April 2010
Urges that a certificate of loss of nationality should be issued finding that Anwar al-Awlaki voluntarily relinquished his status as a U.S. citizen by: (1) voluntarily participating in and collaborating with armed forces seeking to carry out hostilities against the United States; (2) inciting peaceful Muslims to join al Qaeda in jihad against the United States by engaging in acts of violence against the people of the United States; (3) teaching members and supporters of al Qaeda and related organizations that they have a duty to engage in acts of terrorism against the people of the United States; and (4) participating in al Qaeda's call for the violent overthrow of the U.S. government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Democratic Members of the House should join its Republican Members in a total ban on earmarks for one year; (2) discretionary spending should be reduced in the concurrent budget resolution for FY2011 by the total amount that was spent on requests for earmarks in FY2010; (3) if spending in that resolution is not reduced by such amount, an amendment to that resolution to effectuate this change should be made in order; and (4) a complete review and overhaul of the congressional budgetary, spending, and earmark processes should be commenced by creating a bipartisan, bicameral committee to study the issue and report to the House and Senate with its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and (2) the U.S. government should take a leading role in gaining international support for granting Taiwan observer status in the ICAO.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
UNRWA Humanitarian Accountability Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to withhold U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) or to any successor or related entity unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that: (1) no UNRWA official, employee, representative, or affiliate is a member of a foreign terrorist organization, has propagated anti-American, anti-Israel, or anti-Semitic rhetoric, or has used UNRWA resources to propagate political materials regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; (2) no UNRWA facility is used by a foreign terrorist organization; (3) no UNRWA school uses educational materials that propagates anti-American, anti-Israel, or anti-Semitic rhetoric; (4) UNRWA is subject to auditing oversight; and (5) UNRWA holds no accounts or other affiliations with financial institutions deemed by the United States to be complicit in money laundering and terror financing. Limits, upon certification compliance, U.S. contributions to UNRWA.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Higher Education Affordability and Equity Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the dollar limitation on the tax deduction for interest on education loans and expand eligibility for such deduction by increasing the threshold for the phaseout of such deduction; (2) increase to $5,000 the maximum allowable contribution to a Coverdell education savings account; and (3) include qualified higher education expenses (i.e., books, supplies, room, board, and special needs services) as amounts excludable from gross income as a qualified scholarship. Exempts from the general terminating date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (i.e., December 31, 2010) provisions of that Act modifying education individual retirement accounts and expanding the tax deduction for student loan interest.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Expresses condolences to the North Carolina court system, Chatham County, and the town of Pittsboro for the tragic loss of the Chatham County Courthouse. Commends the heroic actions of the Chatham County firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to combat the Courthouse fire, minimize the damage to the Courthouse and the historic materials contained therein, and protect the public. Recognizes the community significance of the Courthouse as both the most significant historic landmark and the cornerstone of justice and the rule of law in Chatham County.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Economic Freedom Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations; (2) reduce the maximum corporate income tax rate to 12.5%; (3) allow a permanent and unlimited expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (4) reduce payroll tax rates for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals in 2010. Makes permanent the repeal of the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Rescinds unobligated balances available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, economic recovery payments, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits) payments, Medicare and Medicaid health information technology, state fiscal relief, broadband technology, and limits on executive compensation. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to repeal the authority for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell all stock and warrants acquired by the Secretary under TARP.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Victims' Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special theft loss tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses and for such losses in connection with assets held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses for up to 10 years; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the definition of "health care provider" for purposes of health information technology provisions to include a behavioral or mental health professional, a substance abuse professional, a psychiatric hospital, a behavioral and mental health clinic, and a substance abuse treatment facility. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, to award grants to eligible entities to: (1) facilitate the purchase of health information technology; (2) enhance the use of such technology, including covering costs associated with upgrading such technology in order to meet the criteria required to become a certified electronic health record (EHR) technology; (3) train personnel in the use of such technology; (4) improve the secure electronic exchange of health information among behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, and other health care providers; (5) improve such technology for adaptation to community-based behavioral health settings; (6) assist with the implementation of telemedicine, including facilitation of distance clinical consultations in rural and underserved areas; and (7) collaborate and integrate with health information technology regional extension centers. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include qualified clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric hospitals, mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities within the health professionals, hospitals, and Medicaid providers eligible for incentive payments for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of Mental Health Month; and (2) the finding of the President's Commission on Mental Health that the nation's failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy. Recognizes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy. Applauds the coalescing of national and community organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental health and in providing critical information and support to the people and families affected by mental illness. Encourages all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those living with mental illness.