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United States · Official source
6,804 records where Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
States that Congress: (1) believes initiating military action without congressional approval in response to Iran's nuclear program does not fall within the President's "Commander-in-Chief" powers under the Constitution; (2) rejects any suggestion that P.L.107-40, the authorization of force resolution approved in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, extends to authorizing military action against Iran over its nuclear program; (3) rejects any suggestion that P.L.107-243, the authorization of force resolution approved by Congress to go to war with Iraq, extends to authorizing military action against Iran over its nuclear program; and (4) believes that seeking congressional authority prior to taking military action against Iran is not discretionary, but is a legal and constitutional requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2006
Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize additional appropriations for FY2007 to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for: (1) maintenance, repair, and security; and (2) capital projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2006
Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require prompt payment of clean claims to pharmacies by prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PD Plans). Defines prompt payment as within 14 calendar days from submission for claims submitted electronically, and within 30 calendar days for claims submitted otherwise. Requires payment of interest, also, if a payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days. Makes it unlawful for a PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan to display on the prescription drug card the name, brand, or trademark (co-branding) of any pharmacy. Requires each PDP sponsor to charge not less than the minimum dispensing fee, $14, adjusted annually for inflation, for generic covered Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs. Revises requirements for a covered medication therapy management service, allowing it to be furnished by a health care provider, other than a pharmacist, with advanced training in medication management. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to specify: (1) the population of part D eligible individuals appropriate for services under a medication therapy management program, based on certain characteristics; and (2) a minimum defined package of medication therapy management services that shall be provided to each enrollee. Revises requirements for pharmacy fees. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a two-year demonstration program to examine the impact of medication therapy management furnished by a pharmacist in a community-based or ambulatory-based setting on quality of care, spending, and patient health; and (2) a Best Practices Commission to develop a best practices model for medication therapy management.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services;" and (2) make physical therapists eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (to assure an adequate supply of physical therapists among other health professionals).
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Medicare Rural Health Provider Payment Extension Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to extend through calendar 2009 the Medicare rural hospital hold harmless provision under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. Amends SSA title XVIII to extend through calendar 2010: (1) the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (2) Medicare increased payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; and (3) the floor on Medicare work adjustment. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend through July 1, 2011, Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to extend through calendar 2011 the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each prescription drug plan contract entered into with a plan sponsor to provide for: (1) the availability of direct deposit payments; (2) an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs; and (3) payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies. Requires the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be at least 50% greater than the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. Limits to $10 the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug. Prohibits a prescription drug plan, subject to exception by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from decreasing the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug to an amount less than the dispensing fee paid for it on the date of enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to those with a prescription drug plan sponsor.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act - National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2006 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require certain vessels operating in U.S. waters to have invasive species management plans; (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish vessel performance requirements, measurable numeric ballast water discharge standards, and civil and criminal penalties for violations; (3) require federal agencies to restrict the importation of live aquatic organisms of species not in trade that have a high or moderate probability of undesirable impacts; and (4) declare importation of such species to be unlawful and prescribe civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to: (1) upgrade and make permanent the Chicago sanitary and ship canal dispersal barrier in Chicago, Illinois; and (2) construct dispersal barriers as necessary. Renames the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 as the Nonindigenous Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Control Act of 1990. National Invasive Species Council Act - Prohibits federal agencies from authorizing, funding, or carrying out any action that would promote the introduction or spread of invasive species unless the benefits of the action outweigh the harm. Establishes the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) as an independent entity in the executive branch to lead and coordinate efforts to minimize the negative effects caused by invasive species and to reduce the threat of further invasions. Requires NISC to develop a National Invasive Species Management Plan and to establish an Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Reauthorizes and modifies the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide funding for wastewater assistance to certain municipalities and small publicly-owned treatment works; (2) authorize states to provide additional subsidization to benefit certain municipalities or state agencies that already receive assistance from the water pollution control revolving fund or to implement certain alternative techniques; (3) replace each reference to "navigable waters of the United States" with a reference to "waters of the United States"; (4) require the Great Lakes National Program Office to provide grants to reduce the quantity of mercury in the Great Lakes; and (5) require the President include a joint Great Lakes research plan in the annual budget submitted to Congress. Requires: (1) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants for Great Lakes research and monitoring activities; (2) the President to establish a system that detects and predicts changes in the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environment that impact certain U.S. systems; and (3) the National Ocean Research Leadership Council to establish an interagency program office to be known as OceanUS to be responsible for program planning and coordination of such observing system. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Program Office to develop specified science-based indicators of water quality and related environmental factors in the Great Lakes. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide financial assistance for certain restoration or remediation projects; and (2) restore and remediate waterfronts and related areas. Establishes: (1) the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, as established by Executive Order 13340, as a task force within EPA; (2) a Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Executive Committee to hold meetings and make recommendations and reports on Great Lakes restoration goals and progress; and (3) the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration to develop a restoration and protection strategy for use in Great Lakes program implementation and funding decisions, to serve as a forum for addressing regional issues relating to ecosystem restoration and protection of the Great Lakes, and to establish an oversight forum to coordinate and enhance implementation of Great Lakes programs. Provides funding for a variety of Great Lakes programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Medicare Drug Formulary Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit removal of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs from a prescription drug plan formulary, or imposition of a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, during the plan year: (1) except at the beginning; or (2) for an individual enrollee, from the date of enrollment until December 31 of the immediately succeeding plan year. Specifies exceptions to such prohibition. Requires an annual notice to enrollees of changes in formulary and other restrictions or limitations on coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Henry J. Hyde Scholarships for Haiti Act of 2006 - Directs the President, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, to provide undergraduate scholarships, in the form of student loans followed by loan forgiveness, to needy Haitian students who, upon completion of their studies in the United States, promptly return to Haiti for a period at least one year longer than the duration of such scholarships. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2009. Reserves a specified minimum amount of certain authorized development assistance appropriations under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for literacy and basic education programs in Haiti. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Director of the Peace Corps, should make available again to the Government of Haiti qualified Peace Corps volunteers who would serve under hardship conditions to: (1) assist the people of Haiti to improve literacy rates and meet other basic needs so that they can become economically self-sufficient; and (2) promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and of Haiti. Urges the President to: (1) design a program to match scholarship contributions from private and public sectors in either country; (2) seek to engage domestic and international businesses in Haiti to maximize the opportunities of returning scholarship recipients for the development of Haiti; and (3) provide the scholarships through existing scholarship programs, such as the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Railroad Retirement Technical Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to repeal a provision requiring the Railroad Retirement Board to enter into an arrangement with a nongovernmental financial institution to serve as disbursing agent for annuity and death benefits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to serve as the disbursing agent for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for FY2007-FY2009, including an emergency fund for necessary NTSB expenses for accident investigations. Requires, in addition to current related requirements, the NTSB to establish staffed bureaus, divisions, or offices to investigate and report on accidents involving marine transportation. Decreases the amount made available out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY2006 for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs. Requires an annual report to Congress to include a description of NTSB Academy activities and operations. Grants the NTSB the authority to investigate major marine casualties occurring under U.S. waters (currently, on US navigable waters or territorial seas). Eliminates the requirement that the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) be reimbursed by the NTSB for the costs associated with the Inspector General in preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in the NTSB. Rescinds a specified amount of unobligated balances of funds made available to compensate air carriers for losses incurred as the result of the federal ground stop order and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to the environmental review of a project to improve runway safety areas on Runway 8/26 at Juneau International Airport, to only select as the preferred alternative the least expensive runway safety area alternative.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Recognizes the Golden (50th) Anniversary Year of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Interstate Highway System).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Honors and congratulates the Minnesota National Guard on its 150th anniversary for its dedication and service to the state of Minnesota and the nation. Recognizes that the role of the National Guard has been and still is extremely important to the nation's security and freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Elder Justice) to establish: (1) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office of Elder Justice (OEJ); (2) within the Office of the Secretary the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations to the Secretary and the Attorney General for the coordination of activities of HHS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant federal, state, local, and private agencies and entities, relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and other crimes against elders; and (3) the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Prescribes requirements for uniform collection, maintenance, and dissemination of national data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including an Elder Justice Resource Center in OEJ. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) five Centers of Excellence nationwide specializing in research, clinical practice, and training relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (3) six diverse communities to examine various types of elder shelters and test various models for establishing safe havens; (4) nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations to establish or continue volunteer programs focusing on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, or providing related services; and (5) various multidisciplinary elder justice activities. Provides for: (1) reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in federally-funded long-term care facilities; (2) revising the quality of long-term care; and (3) increasing consumer information about long-term care, including an HHS long-term care consumer clearinghouse. Amends: (1) the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to the long-term care ombudsman program; (2) part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to establish an adult protective services grant program; (3) SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to assure safety of residents when nursing facilities close; and (4) part E (Miscellaneous) to apply skilled nursing facility preventive abuse requirements to long-term care facilities and providers. Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Elder Justice. Authorizes the Attorney General to award: (1) victim advocacy grants; and (2) grants for specified support to local and state prosecutors handling elder justice-related cases. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Expresses support for National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2006 - States that Congress reaffirms the inherent authority of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to call, and hereby expressly authorizes the calling of, a constitutional convention through the election of delegates for the purpose of establishing a mechanism for self-determination. Provides that, upon the approval by a constitutional convention in the Commonwealth of a self-determination option, the convention shall submit a self-determination proposal to Congress for approval. Requires submission of the proposal, upon approval by Congress with or without modifications, to the people of the Commonwealth for appoval or rejection in a referendum. Requires enactment of a joint resolution of Congress approving the terms of the proposal, including implementing provisions, if the people of Puerto Rico approve the proposal in the referendum. Provides that, if a self-determination proposal is not approved by Congress or by the people of Puerto Rico in a referendum, the Government of the Commonwealth should call for a new constitutional convention, including an election by the people of Puerto Rico of new delegates to the convention, for the purpose of formulating and submitting to Congress a new self-determination proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries. Prohibits an increase after December 31, 2005, in: (1) a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and (2) the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. Prohibits: (1) charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and (2) after December 31, 2005, an increase in premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program) for certain members of the Selected Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Commends the Africa Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in monitoring the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement in Darfur and its role in diminishing some acts of violence. Condemns: (1) the continued genocide against civilians in Darfur by the government of Sudan and government-sponsored militias; and (2) the continued violations by both parties to the Agreement. Calls on both parties to the Agreement to abide by its terms and engage in good-faith negotiations to end the Darfur conflict. Calls on the government of Sudan to: (1) withdraw all military aircraft from the region; and (2) cease support for the Janjaweed militia and rebels from Chad; and (3) disarm the Janjaweed militias. Calls on: (1) the African Union (AU) to work closely with the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen its capacity to deter violence and instability until a U.N. peacekeeping force is fully deployed in Darfur; and (2) NATO to extend its AU advisor mission. Calls on the U.N. Security Council to approve a trained and adequate Darfur peacekeeping mission. Urges the President to take steps to improve the security situation in Darfur, including by: (1) proposing that NATO implement an interim civilian protection force; and (2) requesting supplemental funding to support AMIS and a NATO mission in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Honors the life and achievements of Charles Edward Taylor. Recognizes the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft. Supports the goals and ideals of Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act of 2006 - Authorizes The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, in recognition of his enduring contributions to the United States and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of specified offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes, including for murder relating to the smuggling of aliens, murder during a hostage-taking, and certain non-homicide-related offenses (espionage and treason). Repeals procedural provisions relating to the imposition of the death sentence. Prohibits sentencing to death or putting to death any person for any violation of federal law. Commutes death penalty sentences imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Sail Only if Scanned Act of 2006 - Amends federal shipping law to to authorize an ocean shipping container to enter the United States, either directly or via a foreign port, only if the container is scanned with equipment, and secured with a seal, that meets certain standards before it is loaded on the vessel for shipment to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) rename the low-income housing tax credit as the affordable housing credit; (2) revise the applicable percentage rates for the credit; (3) increase the credit for low-income buildings that are part of state-designated projects; (4) allow the credit for buildings eligible for moderate rehabilitation assistance under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937; (5) repeal certain repayment requirements for qualified mortgage revenue bond issues; (6) qualify displaced homemakers, single parents, and certain disaster victims for mortgage revenue bond-financed first-time home loans; (7) repeal rules requiring recapture of income from sales of low-income buildings that are reasonably expected to be operated on a low-income basis; (8) impose recapture reporting requirements on owners of qualified low-income buildings eligible for housing credits; (9) exempt affordable housing tax credit amounts from the alternative minimum tax; and (10) exempt interest on certain exempt private activity bonds, qualified mortgage revenue bonds, qualified veterans' mortgage bonds, and certain exempt facility bonds used for residential rental projects from the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should enact legislation to assist American farmers adversely affected by natural disasters and unforeseen production costs during the 2005 crop year and that such legislation should give farmers a choice of a supplemental direct payment or yield-loss disaster payments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the "John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Commends Italy, the Torino Olympic Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic Committee for the successful completion of the 2006 Winter Games. Congratulates the United States Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Team, and all international athletes for their outstanding performances. Expresses support to the 2006 United States Paralympic Team in the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq; (2) the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and (3) U.S. Armed Forces should be redeployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq's constitution-making process or September 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Methamphetamine Eradication Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to: (1) require fire departments seeking grants under such Act to provide its firefighters methamphetamine awareness training; and (2) allocate funds to rural fire departments for equipment needed for methamphetamine response. Requires public entities seeking Department of Justice grants to provide their law enforcement officers methamphetamine awareness training. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) reauthorize the public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat") grant program for FY2007-FY2009; (2) allocate funds to rural police departments and drug task forces to purchase equipment needed for methamphetamine response; and (3) impose a substance abuse testing requirement for federal and state prisoners in residential substance abuse treatment programs. Allocates funds under such Act to assist in prosecuting methamphetamine offenses in rural areas. Reauthorizes the Byrne Formula Grant Program for FY2007-FY2009. Requires that not less than 50% of funding under such program be available only for grants by the Attorney General to police departments and drug task forces in rural areas to purchase basic equipment to address situations involving methamphetamines. Requires that not less than 50% of amounts available to the Drug Enforcement Administration in a fiscal year to combat methamphetamines be available only for rural areas. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to regulate retail sales and packaging of list I pseudoephedrine products. Imposes a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years for the manufacture of methamphetamine on premises in which an individual under the age of 18 years resides. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for treatment of methamphetamine abuse, giving priority to rural areas; and (2) direct the Secretary to award grants for methamphetamine research, training, and technical assistance. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the health effects on children from the unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine; and (2) award grants to address the mental health problems of children from homes where methamphetamines are manufactured. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to award grants to educate students about methamphetamine abuse and its prevention and treatment, giving priority to schools in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations and grants for methamphetamine laboratory cleanup in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Federal Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise certain federal aviation administration personnel management system requirements to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from implementing any proposed change to the FAA personnel management system in cases where the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service do not lead to an agreement between the Administrator and FAA employees unless a bill is enacted into law by Congress that authorizes the change during the 60-day period beginning from the time Congress received the proposed change. (Current law does not require congressional action.) Requires the Administrator and FAA employee bargaining representatives to submit the proposed change to binding arbitration if Congress does not enact a bill into law within the 60-day period.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Requests the President and directs the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to provide to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after the date of adoption of this resolution, all documents in their possession relating to any entity (including the Rendon Group and the Lincoln Group) with which the United States has entered into a public relations contract concerning Iraq insofar as such documents relate to such contract, including any document: (1) relating to communications between U.S. government officials and any such entity relating to such contract, including any notes and minutes from meetings, memos, telephone and electronic mail records, logs and calendars, and records of discussions; (2) comprising the proposed or realized public relations work by any such entity for the United States pursuant to such contract, including any strategy proposal, press release, news article and any proposal for a news article, biography or other summary of any individual, leaflets, pamphlets, and memos; and (3) relating to the business relationship arising from such contract between the United States and any such entity, including any request for proposals leading to the contract with such entity and any billing statement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Savings for Working Families Act of 2006 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal. Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Heart Disease Education, Analysis, and Research, and Treatment for Women Act or the HEART for Women Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act to require an application for approval or for investigation of a drug, device, or biological product to include information stratified by gender, race, and ethnicity, including any differences in safety and effectiveness. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) withhold approval of such an application or place a clinical hold on an investigation if such information is not included; and (2) report to the scientific community and make information available to the public on such stratified data upon approval of an application. Requires the Comptroller General to study the drug approval process to ensure compliance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to require that all nonidentifiable patient safety work product reported to a patient safety database be stratified by gender. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary to make hospital quality data relating to the quality of care in inpatient settings available to the public stratified by gender. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to report to Congress concerning the quality of and access to care for women with heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Requires utilization and quality control peer review organizations to offer quality improvement assistance aimed at eliminating gender disparities. Amends title IX (employment security provisions) of SSA to require that data be stratified by gender when collected and used in surveys evaluating whether Medicare providers meet applicable conditions of participation or coverage. Provides for an educational campaign relating to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases in women.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Disapproves of the Arab League's decision to hold its 2006 summit in Khartoum, Sudan. Calls on the Arab League, the government of Sudan, the Sudanese rebels, and the world community to do all they can to end the acts of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2006 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to furnish assistance to provide contraceptives in developing countries in order to prevent unintended pregnancies, abortions, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. States that a nongovernmental organization shall not be subject to eligibility requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds that are more restrictive than those that apply to a foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Honors the life and accomplishments of Mrs. Coretta Scott King and her contributions as a leader in the struggle for civil rights.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2005
National Levee Safety Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to: (1) inspect each levee in the United States constructed or maintained by the Secretary or identified by a state governor, excluding levees the failure of which would not pose a significant threat to human life or property; (2) notify the governor of the state in which a levee is located of inspection results, hazardous conditions found, and necessary remedial measures; (3) submit, annually, a priority list of flood damage reduction studies and projects; and (4) periodically publish an inventory of U.S. levees, including inspection results. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Levee Safety to support federal levee safety programs through coordination and information exchange among federal agencies concerning the implementation of levee safety guidelines. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the National Levee Safety Review Board to monitor levee safety and state implementation of this Act and to advise the Secretary on national levee safety policy; (2) establish a national levee safety program, including federal levee safety guidelines; (3) provide assistance for and periodically review state levee safety programs; (4) carry out a program of technical and archival research regarding levee construction, rehabilitation, inspection, safety, security, and management; and (5) establish a program to train state safety agency staff and inspectors.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Creates the Select Committee on Administration Predetermination to Go to War and Manipulation of Intelligence to investigate all relevant government agency actions and decisions relating to the Administration's: (1) intent to go to war before congressional authorization; (2) manipulation of pre-war intelligence; (3) encouragement and countenancing of torture; and (4) retaliation against critics. Requires the Committee to report to the House of Representatives on: (1) the results of its investigation; and (2) any substantial and credible information which the Committee receives in carrying out its responsibilities that may constitute grounds for possible impeachment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
K-16 Critical Foreign Language Pipeline Act - Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to create a Critical Foreign Language Program. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide grants to five institutions of higher education to establish such program to collaborate with elementary schools and secondary schools for language learning pipelines to train students from kindergarten through college to be proficient in those foreign languages that the Secretary identifies as being the most critical in the interests of U.S. national security.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Student Achievement and Successful Schools Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) full funding should be provided to schools to allow them to satisfy federal mandates required under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA), which amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (2) states and school districts should have the necessary flexibility in implementing NCLBA to ensure that all students are successful and achieve all of the goals of the law. Amends ESEA to revise requirements relating to: (1) adequate yearly progress (AYP); (2) student achievement measured through longitudinal growth; (3) supplemental educational services; and (4) extended deadlines and uniform state standards for evaluating teachers as highly qualified. Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) allocate federal funds to pay for administrative costs of demonstrating AYP and for paraprofessional training; and (2) make performance bonus grants to eligible states for non-administrative functions by schools that have closed achievement gaps to a certain degree between specified subgroups. Authorizes state and local educational agencies and schools to defer implementation of certain ESEA requirements in any fiscal year when the amount appropriated under ESEA and the Individuals with Disabilities Act does not equal or exceed a specified authorized amount. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on certain topics concerning how costs of NCLBA mandates may affect adequate funding for ESEA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Achieving Our IDEA Act of 2005 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize and make appropriations for: (1) each of FY2007-FY2012 in specified amounts; and (2) each subsequent fiscal year, in amounts necessary to fully fund 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for IDEA part B programs of assistance for education of all children with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Code Talkers Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal: (1) to persons, including specified individuals, who served as Sioux or Comanche Code Talkers during World War II; (2) honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I; and (3) to any other Native American member of the armed forces, identified by the Secretary of Defense, who served as a Code Talker in any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved during the 20th Century. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under this Act and to deposit the proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals awarded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
National Hepatitis B Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for hepatitis B prevention, control, and medical management. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) support the integration of testing, counseling, immunization, and medical referral activities into existing clinical and public health programs at state, local, and tribal levels; and (2) provide hepatitis B coordinators to health departments in order to ensure the success of such integration. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to implement programs to increase awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of hepatitis B. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to: (1) support the establishment of a national hepatitis B surveillance program; and (2) report on population-based seroprevalence studies and hepatitis B's economic and clinical impact and its impact on quality of life. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Directors of CDC, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to conduct research on hepatitis B. Requires the Secretary to give priority in carrying out this Act to individuals with limited access to health education, testing, and health care services and groups that may be disproportionately affected by hepatitis B.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act, to repeal the definition of "oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities."
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from issuing any final rule that would change the Department of Transportation's (DOT) interpretation of what constitutes "actual control" of an airline with respect to requirements prohibiting foreign interests from exercising actual control over all airline operations. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the impact of DOT's proposed change of allowing foreign interests to control economic and competitive decisions while requiring U.S. citizens to control decisions concerning commitments to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, transportation security, safety, and organizational documents. (Under current law, only an airline that qualifies as "a citizen of the United States" may provide service between U.S. cities or on international routes obtained by the United States through international agreements. Defines "a citizen of the United States" as an individual who is a citizen of the United States, a partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a citizen of the United States, or a corporation or association in which at least 75% of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are citizens of the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Urges the President to issue annually a proclamation calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2005
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to accept the donation of a bust depicting Sojourner Truth and display it in a suitable permanent location in the rotunda of the Capitol. Expresses the sense of Congress that the most suitable location for the placement of the bust is one adjacent to the statue known as the Portrait Monument.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2005
Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act of 2005 - Commends and thanks the Coast Guard (CG) for its outstanding efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina. Expresses the sense of Congress that the CG should play a major role in any future national emergency or disaster caused by a natural event in a U.S. coastal or offshore area. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) to temporarily extend the duration of merchant mariners' licenses or documents or vessel certificates of registry issued to an individual until not later than February 28, 2006, if such individual is a resident of: (1) Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana; or (2) any other state, and the individual's records are located in a CG facility in New Orleans that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, or were damaged or lost as a result of it. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the duration or the validity of a certificate of inspection or a certificate of compliance issued for up to three months for a vessel inspected by a CG Marine Safety Office located in Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana. Authorizes CG members assigned to duty in support of units in the Eighth CG District area to mitigate the consequences of, or assist in the recovery from, Hurricane Katrina during the period from August 28, 2005, to January 1, 2006, and who would lose accumulated leave in excess of 60 days as a result of such assignment, to retain an accumulated total of up to 90 days of leave.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2005
Superfund for Hurricane Accountability and Recovery Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate; and (2) the corporate environmental income tax. Increases by 50%, between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008: (1) such financing rate; and (2) the excise tax per ton for certain chemicals. Increases the corporate environmental income tax rate from .12% to .18% during the same period. Establishes a Gulf Hurricanes Cleanup Account in the Hazardous Substance Superfund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to such Account the temporary tax increases imposed by this Act. Provides that amounts in such Account shall be made available for remediation of hazardous substance releases (or threatened releases) caused or exacerbated by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress on Hurricane Katrina and Rita cleanup activities.