United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Encourages Attorney General Eric Holder to appeal the ruling by United States District Judge Barbara Crabb that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the institution of an annual National Day of Prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Day of Prayer is constitutional, a needed tribute to the value of prayer, and a fitting acknowledgment of our nation's religious history.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010 - Amends the Webb-Kenyon Act to: (1) state that it is the policy of Congress that each state or territory shall continue to have the primary authority to regulate alcoholic beverages; (2) prohibit unjustified discrimination against out-of-state producers of alcoholic beverages in favor of in-state producers; and (3) establish higher evidentiary standards for legal actions challenging the authority of states or territories to regulate alcoholic beverages. Amends the Wilson Act to eliminate the requirement that a state or territory regulate the importation of all fermented, distilled, or other intoxicating liquors or liquids to the same extent and in the same manner as such liquors or liquids produced in such state or territory.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Census Clarification and Privacy Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to include on the front of the questionnaire used in the decennial census and on the American Community Survey a statement that constitutionally, the recipient is only required to provide the number of individuals living in his or her residence and that all other questions are optional. Applies penalties for failing or neglecting to answer census or Survey questions only to an individual who: (1) willfully gives a false answer; or (2) refuses or willfully neglects to answer a question regarding the number of persons living in such individual's residence.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Prohibits either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) from taking action on public lands which impede the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the border on such lands.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Recognizes the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel as a place of refuge and national homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms bipartisan support for the alliance and friendship between the governments and peoples of the United States and Israel, for Israel's security and right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state, and for its right to defend itself. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in the face of adversity. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Israel's independence.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require the participation of the President, Vice President, each Member of Congress, each political appointee, and each Congressional employee in state Exchanges established for the purchase of health care coverage under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Informed Taxpayers' Federal Government Annual Reporting Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare for each fiscal year and include in any published instructions for filling out a federal income tax return and on the homepage of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website a three-part report containing: (1) federal revenues, outlays, the budget deficit or surplus, and total gross federal debt for the fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year; (2) the number of income tax filers and nonfilers among U.S. households, the number of filers who have an income tax liability greater than zero for the current taxable year, the amount of the total gross federal debt for the fiscal year per such filer, and the difference between the debt per filer for the fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year; and (3) estimates, for the succeeding fiscal year and each of the next 10 fiscal years, of the federal revenues, outlays, and budget deficits or surpluses, the aggregate of such revenues and outlays and the net of such deficits and surpluses, and the average total amount of the total gross federal debt.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Close the Congressional Health Care Loophole Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to expand the definition of "congressional staff" for purposes of determining coverage under a state health care Exchange to include all full-time and part-time employees of the federal government whose pay is disbursed under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for the fiscal year involved.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2010
Extends best wishes and prayers to the families, friends, and neighbors of the 168 people killed in the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 19, 1995. Extends appreciation to the first responders, rescue workers, medical personnel, and volunteers who assisted the victims of the attack. Congratulates the people of Oklahoma City for their efforts to recover from the attack and pledges support for the goals and mission of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Supports the goals and ideals of National Week of Hope.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010
Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise made available to any federal department or agency from being used to implement or enforce any federal mandate to purchase health insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2010
Reaffirms that Jerusalem is and should continue to be the undivided capital of Israel. Calls upon the President to fully implement the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and immediately begin to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Encourages the President to urge governments of other countries to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and to recognize the status of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should insist on increased access to Japanese markets by U.S. exporters of beef and beef products.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that provides for disposition of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [PPACA]) unless it provides for: (1) at least one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader; and (2) a requirement that the Speaker put the question on disposition of the Senate amendments and that the yeas and nays be considered as ordered thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2010
Requires the total budget resources for expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for harbor maintenance programs to equal the level of receipts plus interest credited to such Fund for that fiscal year. Limits the use of such resources to such programs only. Declares that it shall be out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that would cause total budget resources for the Fund in a fiscal year for harbor maintenance programs to be less than the level of receipts plus interest credited to the Fund for that fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010
FHA Safety and Soundness and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish within the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Risk Management to: (1) manage and mitigate risk to the mortgage insurance funds of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and (2) ensure the performance of HUD-insured mortgages. Abolishes, upon confirmation of such Deputy Assistant Secretary, the position of chief risk officer within HUD filled by appointment by the Federal Housing Commissioner. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of HUD to use credit risk analysis sources outside of HUD to: (1) analyze credit risk models and practices regarding HUD-insured single-family housing mortgages; (2) evaluate underwriting standards for such mortgages; and (3) analyze lender compliance and HUD enforcement of underwriting standards. Authorizes the Secretary to increase annual insurance premiums if necessary to protect the safety and soundness of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund ( MMIF). Directs the Secretary to implement a limited pilot program to provide a flexible risk-based premium structure for mortgage insurance premiums for certain insured mortgages secured by one- to four-family residences and executed by first-time homebuyers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) review annually the rate of early defaults and claims for each mortgage originator or underwriter of mortgages on HUD-insured single family housing; (2) conduct an ongoing review of mortgages on HUD-insured single family housing originated during the preceding 24 months under which the mortgagor has become 60 or more days delinquent in making mortgage payments; and (3) investigate a mortgagee of HUD- insured single family housing who evinces high early default rates. Authorizes the Secretary, if certain grounds exist, to: (1) suspend temporarily a mortgagee with high early default rates; and (2) require a direct endorsement mortgagee, in certain circumstances, to indemnify the Secretary for losses generated by an insurance claim paid by HUD. Directs the Secretary to require each mortgagee to use a unique SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act identifier in all dealings and communications with HUD. Directs the Secretary to require each mortgagee that purchases insured by HUD and originated by other mortgagees to notify the Secretary if the mortgagee terminates or discontinues such purchases or related servicing rights from another mortgagee based on a concern of fraud or misrepresentation in connection with mortgage origination, or based upon the level of mortgage defaults. Requires each quarterly report on the MMIF to include: (1) an assessment of the MMIF financial status; (2) changes to the current or projected safety and soundness of the MMIF since the most recent report; and (3) recommendations to ensure the MMIF remains financially sound. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on: (1) single family mortgage insurance programs of HUD and the MMIF; and (2) the Government National Mortgage Association (GINNIE MAE).
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Military Spouses Employment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces on extended active duty (more than 90 days or for an indefinite period) as members of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit (thus giving employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses).
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Amends federal civil service law to make an individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt ineligible to be appointed, or to continue serving, as a federal employee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Repeals: (1) provisions in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 terminating tax reductions made by such Act after December 31, 2010; and (2) the provision in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 terminating after 2008 reductions in tax rates on dividends and net capital gain. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the tax deductions for state and local sales taxes and for tuition and related expenses; and (2) the increased expensing allowance (i.e., $125,000) for depreciable business assets.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits annual federal outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding one-fifth of economic output of the United States of America, unless two-thirds of each chamber provides for a specific increase of outlays above this amount. Authorizes waiver of this article when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 15, 2009, relating to the endangerment finding and the cause or contribute findings for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Commends the members of the 45th Agri-Business Development Team of the Oklahoma National Guard for their efforts to modernize agriculture and sustainable farming practices in Afghanistan and their dedication and service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Congratulates Silver Dollar City and Herschend Family Entertainment on the 50th anniversary of the opening of Silver Dollar City, "The Home of American Craftmanship."
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and make available for sale not more than 2 million silver national medals, containing one ounce of silver each, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. Declares that all sales of medals under this Act shall include a surcharge of $10 per medal, which shall be paid to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support its operations and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Accurate Accounting of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Act - Requires the receipts and disbursements of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) to be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of: (1) the federal budget submitted by the President; (2) the congressional budget; or (3) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the costs of purchases of mortgages, and mortgage-backed securities issued, by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to be calculated by adjusting a specified discount rate for market risks under the Credit Reform Act of 1990. Subjects to the statutory public debt limit the face amount of obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and outstanding at one time.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act of 2010 - Directs the Inspector General (IG) of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to submit quarterly reports to Congress on the IG's activities with respect to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and their activities and condition while they are in conservatorship status.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010
Cap Spending to Reduce Borrowing Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report increasing the statutory limit on the public debt unless such measure includes limits on the total level of discretionary and direct spending for each of 10 consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year in which the increase would occur. Waives such prohibition for any measure increasing the statutory limit on the public debt if statutory limits are in place on the total level of such spending for each of 10 consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year in which such increase would occur. Repeals Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House (known as the "Gephardt Rule") which provides for mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Recognizes the National Basketball Association's All-Star Game in the Greater Dallas Metroplex, the 2010 All-Stars, and all those associated with the All-Star events.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Real Estate Revitalization Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to foreign investment in United States real property, to: (1) redefine "United States real property interest" to eliminate exclusions relating to interests in holding corporations; (2) treat distributions of real property interests by a real estate investment trusts (REIT) or a regulated investment company (RIC) as ordinary dividends; and (3) repeal the election allowed to foreign corporations to be treated as a domestic corporation for purposes of investment in a United States real property interest.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a state home to provide VA nursing home care to parents who had any children who died while serving in the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the use of a basic pilot program (E-verify program) by employers of workers within the United States should be mandatory and that enforcement policies should hold both employers and employees responsible for violations; (2) sustaining the necessary border infrastructure and manpower to secure U.S. borders to prevent the unauthorized passage of persons or contraband is a critical responsibility of the federal government; and (3) immigration reform should not legalize, grant amnesty for, or confer any other legal status condoning the unlawful U.S. entry or presence of any individual.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to: (1) suspend immediately the compensation packages approved for 2010 for the executive officers of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (2) establish, in lieu of such packages, a compensation system for such officers in accordance with the rates of pay for positions in the Executive Schedule and the Senior Executive Service of the federal government. Expresses the sense of Congress that each executive officer of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should return to the Secretary of the Treasury (clawback) any compensation earned in 2009 that was in excess of the maximum annual rate of basic pay authorized for a position in level I of the Executive Schedule. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer any such amounts returned to the Secretary to a specified account in the Treasury for receiving gifts and proceeds from their sale or redemption, and dedicated to reducing the public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2010
District of Columbia Referendum on Marriage Act of 2010 - Prohibits the government of the District of Columbia from issuing a marriage license to any couple of the same sex until the people of the District have the opportunity to hold a referendum or initiative on the question of whether the District should issue same-sex marriage licenses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Nonprofit Mortgage Licensing Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to permit a state to exempt from certain registration or licensing requirements any charitable organization exempt from federal tax (including their employees and agents acting as loan originators), if the organization: (1) executes loan originations in order to promote or facilitate homeownership for certain low-income, disabled, or other disadvantaged persons or families; (2) offers loans at interest rates lower than the bank prime loan rate, or that are no-interest loans or loans with interest rates significantly below those for loans to purchase generally available single-family housing; and (3) does not otherwise engage in the business of a loan originator or mortgage broker.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Honors Navy SEALs Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe, and Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas for their heroic actions in the capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed, one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Amends the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2010, to permit the District of Columbia to use federal funds to provide opportunity scholarships to students who did not receive such scholarships in the 2009-2010 school year. (Also known as the D.C. Voucher program, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program provides scholarships to low-income students in the District of Columbia to attend private elementary and secondary schools in the city.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the 15-year recovery period classification for qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property, for purposes of the depreciation tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4110 Almeda Road in Houston, Texas, as the "George Thomas 'Mickey' Leland Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the establishment of scientific protocols and a robust oversight mechanism governing an infrastructure of observing, monitoring, measuring, and verification technologies, data collection methods, and peer review standards is necessary to preclude future infringements of public trust by scientific falsification and fraud; and (2) climate change research information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should meet federal standards for scientific research as defined by the National Science and Technology Council and the National Academy of Sciences before being used as the basis for action by the U.S. government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Recognizes the importance of Christmas symbols and traditions. Disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas. Supports the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
Amends Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to repeal procedures for considering legislation that increases the statutory debt limit. Makes it out of order to consider such legislation if there is any other matter in it. Prohibits legislation that increases the statutory limit on the public debt from being considered as passed or agreed to unless so determined by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members.