United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require inclusion of encrypted machine-readable electronic identification strips on Social Security cards. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) develop the strip in a manner that enables employers to access the Employment Eligibility Database (EED) established by this Act; and (2) transmit to the Secretary of Homeland Security necessary information from an individual's application for a Social Security card or number (as determined by the Secretary) for inclusion in the EED. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain the EED. Requires the EED to include data on the citizenship status and work and residency eligibility of noncitizens authorized to work in the United States. Restricts access to EED information. Prohibits individuals from commencing employment with a U.S. employer absent a Social Security card that meets the requirements of this Act and presentation of such card to the employer. Prohibits employers from hiring individuals absent verification of identity and work authorization. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) assess penalties against employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers or fail to comply with verification procedures; and (2) bring civil actions against those who fail to pay assessments or otherwise violate this Act. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations. Mandates integration of Border Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint databases. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to establish a national identification card.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to provide for a two-year extension of the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Social Security Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to OASDI payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Fair Tax Act of 2005 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2005. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23 percent in 2007, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for State government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate. Grants States the primary authority for the collection of sales tax revenues and the remittance of such revenues to the Treasury. Sets forth administrative provisions relating to: (1) the filing of monthly reports and payments of tax; (2) accounting methods; (3) registration of sellers of goods and services responsible for reporting sales; (4) penalties for noncompliance; and (5) collections, appeals, and taxpayer rights. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate sales tax revenues among: (1) the general revenue; (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund; (3) the disability insurance trust fund; (4) the hospital insurance trust fund; and (5) the Federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. Prohibits the funding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after FY 2009. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury: (1) an Excise Tax Bureau to administer excise taxes not administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); and (2) a Sales Tax Bureau to administer the national sales tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005 - Declares that a person not prohibited under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax deduction for medical expenses without the gross income percentage limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2004
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that due to the allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and abuse within the United Nations oil-for-food program Kofi Annan should resign as Secretary General of the United Nations to help restore confidence that the investigations into those allegations are being fully and independently accomplished.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2004
Permanent Sales Tax Deduction Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the taxpayer election to deduct State and local sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2004
Makes the Big Spring Independent School District in Texas eligible to receive a grant under the Rural and Low-Income School Program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for any fiscal year in which it meets a specified eligibility criterion and would meet another such criterion but for the inclusion of the Federal prison population in the calculation of the school locale codes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2004
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2003 or 2004 crop losses due to weather or related conditions. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. Makes producers ineligible for crop disaster assistance if they did not: (1) get Federal crop insurance for insurable commodities; and (2) file required paperwork and pay related fees for noninsurable commodities. Sets forth: (1) waiver provisions; and (2) payment limitations, including reductions for amounts received under the Florida Disaster Programs. Directs the Secretary to provide payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2003 or 2004 losses in an emergency-designated county, with discretionary set-asides for the American Indian livestock program. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to commercial orchardists and tree farmers who have suffered losses during the December 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004 period. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to emergency conservation program participants. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to limit Commodity Credit Corporation amounts available for the conservation security program for FY 2005 through 2014.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2004
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2003 or 2004 crop losses due to weather or related conditions. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. Makes producers ineligible for crop disaster assistance if they did not: (1) get Federal crop insurance for insurable commodities; and (2) file required paperwork and pay related fees for noninsurable commodities. Sets forth waiver provisions. Reduces payments for amounts received under a specified crop loss program announced in 2004. Directs the Secretary to provide payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2003 or 2004 losses in an emergency-designated county, with discretionary set-asides for the American Indian livestock program. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance under the tree assistance program to tree farmers who have suffered losses during the 2003-2004 winter.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2004
Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) reduce certain special allowance payments to holders of student loans; and (2) provide for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness for certain elementary or secondary school teachers of mathematics, science, or special education.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 South Swenson Street in Stamford, Texas, as the "Gordon Wood Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2004
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon any union other than that of a man and a woman.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2004
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to arrange for the carving of the figure of former President Ronald Reagan on Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Creates in the Department of the Treasury a fund for carrying out this Act. Requires all associated costs, including the cost of carving the figure of such former President on the Memorial and other administrative costs, to be provided or reimbursed by non-Federal sources.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2004
Provides that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Gives the U.S. Supreme Court original jurisdiction to hear and determine a claim arising under this Act. Prohibits any other Federal court or any State court from having jurisdiction to hear or determine such a claim.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2004
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to mint and issue: (1) ten dollar gold coins; (2) five dollar gold coins; (3) one dollar silver coins; and (4) half-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has in its possession any craft or any part of a craft that flew in space to: (1) retrieve any gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal that may be used in the production of any coins under this Act from such craft or part; and (2) deposit such metals with the Director of the United States Mint. Requires that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a surcharge of : (1) $75 per coin for the ten dollar coin; (2) $35 per coin for the five dollar coin; (3) $10 per coin for the one dollar coin; and (4) $3 for the half-dollar coin, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2004
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the actions of terrorists will never cause the date of any Presidential election to be postponed; and (2) no single individual or agency should be given the authority to postpone the date of such an election.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 East Kleberg in Kingsville, Texas, as the "Irma Rangel Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2004
Pine Springs Land Exchange Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Lubbock Christian University by quitclaim deed all right of the United States to specified Federal lands in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, in exchange for the conveyance of certain non-Federal land owned by the University. Requires that: (1) title to the non-Federal land conform with the title approval standards of the Attorney General applicable to Federal land acquisitions and be otherwise acceptable to the Secretary; (2) the Secretary complete the land exchange within 180 days after this Act's enactment; and (3) the costs of implementing the exchange be shared equally by the Secretary and the University. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the correction of minor errors in the map and legal descriptions; (2) valuation of the land to be conveyed; (3) equalization of values; (4) the treatment of cash equalization payments received; (5) revocation and withdrawal of Federal land; and (6) administration of land acquired by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Small Community Options for Regulatory Equity Act of 2004 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require States exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems to exempt any nonprofit small public water system (serving 10,000 or fewer persons) that so requests in accordance with this Act from the requirements of any national primary drinking water regulation for naturally occurring contaminants, including arsenic, radon, radium, uranium, and specified disinfection byproducts. Requires exemption requests to include a finding that the system's compliance with applicable national primary drinking water regulations is not economically feasible. Precludes judicial or administrative review of such findings.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
OSHA and Employer Cooperation Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to revise certain enforcement provisions. Sets periods of 30 workdays for: (1) issuing citations (currently with reasonable promptness or within a reasonable time); and (2) contesting citations (currently fifteen workdays). Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from: (1) assessing certain penalties in connection with the initial issuance of a citation, with the exception of willful violations, if the employer corrects the condition in violation and provides an abatement certification within 72 hours; (2) citing on multiemployer worksites any but the employer whose employees were exposed to a condition in violation; or (3) using other than serious citations as a basis for issuing subsequent, repeat, or willful citations. Requires inspectors, at closing conferences after completing inspections, to provide employers or their representatives with written statements providing specified information.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2004
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) direct the Secretary of Agriculture or the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), at State request, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State to collect approved State commodity assessments from the proceeds of marketing assistance loans; (2) prohibit the Secretary and CCC from terminating such a memorandum of understanding on the grounds that the State has changed the assessment rate; and (3) direct the Secretary and CCC to reinstate, at State request, any such memorandum that was terminated before the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004 - Amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to: (1) require courts to impose sanctions on attorneys, law firms, or parties who file frivolous lawsuits (currently discretionary); (2) disallow the withdrawal or correction of pleadings to avoid Rule 11 sanctions; (3) require courts to award parties prevailing on Rule 11 motions reasonable expenses and attorney's fees, if warranted; (4) authorize courts to impose Rule 11 sanctions that include reimbursement of a party's reasonable litigation costs in connection with frivolous lawsuits; and (5) make the discovery phase of litigation subject to Rule 11 sanctions. Makes Rule 11 applicable to state civil actions where the court determines, upon motion, that the action affects interstate commerce. Requires personal injury claims (defined to exclude class actions) filed in State or Federal court to be filed in the county or Federal district in which: (1) the person bringing the claim resides at the time of filing or resided at the time of the alleged injury; (2) the alleged injury or circumstances giving rise to the injury occurred; or (3) the defendant's principal place of business is located. Directs the trial court to determine which county or Federal district is the most appropriate forum in those situations where the alleged injury occurred in more than one county or district.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Food Promotion Act of 2004 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing of 1946 to replace current mandatory country of origin labeling requirements with voluntary country of origin labeling programs for: (1) meat and meat products; (2) wild fish, wild shellfish, farm-raised fish, farm-raised shellfish, and related products; and (3) perishable agricultural commodities. Sets forth: (1) limitations on use of United States country of origin labels; and (2) civil penalties for program violations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2004
President Ronald Reagan $10 Bill Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the face of $10 Federal reserve notes printed after December 31, 2004, to bear the likeness of President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2004
Expresses the House of Representatives deepest appreciation for the profound public service of President Ronald Reagan and its condolences to his wife, Nancy, and to his surviving children, Patti, Michael, and Ron, and the entire Reagan family. Calls on the people of the United States to reflect on President Reagan's record as President of the United States during this national period of remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2004
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the tax exclusion for extraterritorial income. Reduces corporate tax rates on domestic production activities income and on certain small businesses. Extends until 2008 provisions allowing expensing of small business assets and revises rules for the depreciation of certain leasehold improvements, restaurant property, aircraft, and bonus depreciation property. Revises tax rules for S corporations and rules relating to the foreign source income of U.S. businesses and individuals. Reduces the alternative minimum tax for certain corporations and farmers. Repeals excise tax reductions for certain alcohol fuel mixtures and allows the tax credit for alcohol products used as fuel to reduce excise tax liabilities. Adds tax reporting requirements to regulate the payment of certain fuel excise taxes. Extends certain expiring tax credits and deductions and authorities for the issuance of certain tax-exempt bonds. Permits a taxpayer election to deduct State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes. Sets forth rules relating to the tax treatment of expatriated individuals and corporations. Adds or increases penalties for abusive tax shelter activities. Revises tax rules for the treatment of certain transactions made primarily for the avoidance of U.S. taxation. Revises rules for the tax treatment of certain leases made with tax-exempt entities. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into contracts with private collection agencies for the collection of unpaid taxes. Sets forth rules for the tax deduction for charitable contributions of patents and other similar intellectual properties and for motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft. Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 - Eliminates tobacco quota and price support programs and provides for transitional payments to tobacco quota holders and active producers of quota tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2004
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to repeal the reduction in Medicare payment for certain items of durable medical equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Legal Expense Equity Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize parties in civil diversity litigation to serve written settlement offers on an adverse party at any time not less than 10 days before trial. Authorizes the court, at any time before judgment is entered, to exempt from settlement any claim that presents a novel and important question of law or fact that substantially affects nonparties. Voids all settlement offers made by the parties with respect to such exempted claims. Authorizes an offeror whose proposed settlement was declined by an offeree to file a petition with the court seeking payment by the offeree of costs and fees, including attorney's fees, from the date of the last settlement offer by either party if the ultimate judgment or order is not more favorable to the offeree than the proposed settlement. Requires the court to order payment by the offeree in such circumstances unless requiring payment would be manifestly unjust. Limits attorney's fees ordered under this Act to: (1) the actual attorney's fees incurred by the offeree in connection with the claim; or (2) if no such cost was incurred due to a contingency fee agreement, a reasonable cost that would have been incurred by the offeree absent a contingency fee agreement. States that this Act does not apply to claims seeking equitable remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider, before beginning any abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks after fertilization), to: (1) make a specified statement to the pregnant woman that Congress has determined that there is substantial evidence that the process will cause the unborn child pain, and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt) and an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form; and (3) obtain on the form the woman's signature and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the brochure and form. Makes such provisions inapplicable to a provider in the case of a medical emergency. Requires the provider to certify that a medical emergency exists. Sets penalties for false statements. Establishes penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act, including civil penalties, medical license suspension, or both. Authorizes: (1) specified officials to bring suit in Federal court; and (2) private rights of action by a parent or guardian of a woman who is an unemancipated minor. Requires each State and State medical licensing authority to promulgate procedures for the revocation or suspension of a provider's license upon a court finding that the provider has violated this Act. Subjects a State that fails to implement such procedures to loss of Medicaid funding.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Declares that the House of Representatives honors former President George H.W. Bush on the occasion of his 80th birthday on June 12, 2004. Extends its congratulations and best wishes to him and to his family. Pays tribute to his lifetime of service on behalf of the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Public Servant Retirement Protection Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the current windfall elimination provisions (which reduce Social Security benefits of retirees who paid into the Social Security system for part of their careers and who also receive a government pension from work in the public sector not covered by Social Security) and to replace them with a formula that treats non-Social Security earnings as if they were Social Security earnings for the purpose of calculating lifetime earnings for certain individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2005 through 2009 (from $1,000 to $700 in 2005 through 2008 and $800 in 2009). Makes the $1,000 credit amount permanent. Increases the income threshold amount for calculating reductions in the credit amount to $125,000 ($250,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). Eliminates the reduction in the percentage of earned income for calculating the refundable portion of the credit (15 to 10 percent) for taxable years beginning before 2005. Includes in earned income for purposes of calculating the refundable portion of the credit otherwise tax excludable combat zone compensation of members of the armed forces. Exempts from the general termination date in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010) provisions of that Act disregarding as income any refunds from the child tax credit for purposes of determining eligibility for federally funded assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 410 South Jackson Road in Edinburg, Texas, as the "Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Lufkin, Texas, as the Charles Wilson Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer with annual gross receipts of less than $25 million a business tax credit for 50 percent of the excess of unemployment insurance wages paid in the current year over 102 percent of such wages paid during the preceding calendar year. Limits the annual amount of such credit to $100,000. Terminates the credit after 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
United Nations Oil-for-Food Accountability Act of 2004 - Requires the withholding of certain FY 2005 and 2006 U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the President certifies that the UN is cooperating in the investigation of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4025 Feather Lakes Way in Kingwood, Texas, as the "Congressman Jack Fields Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from approving a project under SSA Section 1115 (which authorizes the Secretary to waive certain statutory requirements for conducting research and demonstration projects under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) and SCHIP) that provides for coverage of nonpregnant childless adults with funds made available under the SCHIP program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in celebration of the recovery of the bald eagle, in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the placement of the bald eagle on the endangered species list under such Act, to mint and issue not more than: (1) 100,000 $5 gold coins; (2) 500,000 $1 silver coins; and (3) 750,000 half dollar coins. Directs that the design of the coins be emblematic of the bald eagle and its history, natural biology, and national symbolism. Requires that sales of the coins include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin, $10 for the $1 coin, and $3 for the half dollar coin, which shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to: (1) establish an interest-bearing endowment called the American Eagle Fund as a permanent source of support for the care, monitoring, maintenance, and recovery of the bald eagle and its habitat in the United States; (2) make annual grants to Federal, State, and private eagle restoration, protection, and enhancement projects; (3) administer the Fund in an annual amount not to exceed the lesser of ten percent of the annual income of the Fund or $250,000; and (4) provide financial support for capital projects and for continuation and expansion of the Foundation's efforts to educate the American people about the bald eagle.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004 - Amends Federal aviation law to revise requirements for the program for deputizing eligible pilots as Federal law enforcement officers (Federal flight deck officers) to defend against acts of criminal violence or air piracy. Shifts responsibility for the program from the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Revises eligibility requirements for pilots to be a Federal flight deck officer, adding mental standards and firearms training. Makes a special exception from ordinary requirements for certain active or reserve members of the armed forces or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. Revises certain Federal flight deck officer training requirements and adds requalification training requirements. Revises requirements for the carrying of firearms by Federal flight deck officers outside of the United States, including designation as Federal air marshals, and the authority to use force to defend an aircraft against terrorism by a Federal flight deck officer. Extends to entities and individuals the prohibition (currently limited to air carriers) against prohibiting a pilot employed by an air carrier from becoming or threatening retaliatory action against such a pilot for becoming a Federal flight deck officer. Specifies further prohibited disciplinary actions. Authorizes a Federal flight deck officer or pilot who is adversely affected by a failure by the Secretary to comply with any requirements under this Act to file a petition for judicial review with the appropriate U.S. district court. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit the disclosure of information related to a pilot's participation in the Federal flight deck officer program; (2) provide certain adjudication procedures for pilots who have been determined ineligible to be a Federal flight deck officer or has had other adverse action taken against them; (3) provide certain authorities with respect to Federal flight deck officers, including issuance of credentials, use of force to prevent terrorism or defend life, exposure to security inspections, and access to sensitive security information; (4) require certain reports to Congress on the Federal flight deck officer program; and (5) require the Secretary to promote and publicize the Federal flight deck officer program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
States that Congress: (1) condemns the Government of the Republic of Sudan for its attacks on innocent civilians in the Darfur region of Sudan and demands their cessation; (2) calls on the international community to condemn such attacks and demand their cessation; and (3) urges the President to direct the United States representative to the United Nations to seek an official investigation into whether Sudan has committed crimes against humanity in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
Federal Contractor Security Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require the following Federal service contractors to participate in a pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation: (1) those contractors required to pay at least minimum wage; and (2) those contractors exempted from the requirements of the Service Contract Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2004
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program to achieve major measurable reductions in losses of life and property from windstorms. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an Interagency Working Group consisting of representatives of the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other Federal agencies as appropriate. Outlines general agency responsibilities. Requires the Program to consist of the following primary mitigation components: (1) improved understanding of windstorms; (2) windstorm impact assessment; and (3) windstorm impact reduction, which shall be implemented through activities such as data collection and analysis and research and development. Requires research activities authorized under this Act to be peer-reviewed and the components to be designed to be complementary to and avoid duplication of other hazard reduction efforts. Requires the Working Group to: (1) develop an implementation plan for achieving Program objectives; and (2) transmit biennial reports on the status of the Program. Requires the Director to establish a National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction to assess: (1) trends and developments in the science and engineering of windstorm impact reduction; (2) the effectiveness of the Program in carrying out specified activities to improve windstorm impact assessment; (3) revising the Program; and (4) implementation and management of the Program. Requires the Advisory Committee to report biennially on such assessment.
![Official portrait of Rep. Neugebauer, Randy [R-TX-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000182_200.jpg)