United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Nursing and Allied Health Education Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from denying provider-operated status for a nursing and allied education program that substantially meets certain requirements pertaining to the cost of approved activities for such programs, in effect as of October 1, 2006, on the basis of an organizational structure, contractual arrangements, or legal structure of the program, or a change in such a structure or arrangement, so long as a hospital, hospitals, or health system continues to substantially control the nursing or allied program. Prohibits denial of payments for the costs of approved educational activities for a nursing or allied health education program. Requires restoration to a hospital of any recoupment or denial effected for a previous cost reporting year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Removing Impediments to Students Education Act or the RISE Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal a provision which makes persons convicted of drug offenses ineligible to receive federal student financial assistance for specified periods.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Calls for recognition of Earl Lloyd for breaking the color barrier and becoming the first African-American to play in the National Basketball Association League 58 years ago.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
States that any formal agreement emerging from the "Declaration of Principles for a Long-term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America" shall not have the effect of force of law unless the agreement is approved by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that any formal agreement emerging from such Declaration must be approved by the Iraqi legislature. Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other U.S. department or agency from being used to enforce or implement any formal agreement emerging from such Declaration unless the agreement is approved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to reimburse certain jurisdictions for the costs of: (1) converting from electronic or other voting systems to paper ballot voting systems for the general elections for federal office to be held in November 2008; and (2) providing emergency paper ballots if the jurisdiction uses a direct recording electronic voting system which happens to fail. Directs the Administrator to reimburse any state, county, or equivalent location for the documented reasonable costs it incurs in conducting manual audits or hand recounts of the results of any of the regularly scheduled elections for federal office in November 2008 (including, at state or local option, manual audits of state and local elections, ballot initiatives, and referenda). Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study, test, and develop products and practices that ensure the accessibility of paper ballot verification and casting for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of 2008 - Directs: (1) the President to appoint a high-level U.S. representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran; and (2) the Secretary of State to establish a Department of State office to support the work of such representative or special envoy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from selling any oil and gas lease for any tract located in the Lease Sale 193 Area of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region before the earlier of: (1) the listing of the polar bear as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and a final decision regarding the determination of its critical habitat; or (2) the date the Secretary publishes a determination that such listing is not warranted.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2008
Iraq Strategic Agreement Review Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and any other necessary representative of the executive branch of the U.S. government to begin consultations with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership on any potential long-term security, economic, or political agreement (agreement) with the government of Iraq. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) full Iraqi sovereignty is in the U.S. national interest; and (2) any agreement that is not in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the Constitution of the United States does not have the force and effect of law. Prohibits obligating or expending funds for the implementation of any agreement with the government of Iraq unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse. Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee." Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit of eligibility as such a domestic partner, which shall include a certification that the employee and the domestic partner are each other's sole domestic partners and intend to remain so indefinitely; and (2) a statement upon dissolution of such a domestic partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Media Ownership Act of 2007 - Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in changing any of its regulations related to broadcast ownership, to publish notice in the Federal Register for least 90 days, followed by at least 60 days for public comment, followed by at least 30 days to reply to comments. Applies those requirements to any any changes related to broadcast and newspaper ownership made after October 1, 2007. Requires the FCC, before voting on any change in broadcast and newspaper ownership rules, to complete a separate rulemaking to promote the broadcast of local programming and content by broadcasters, including radio and television broadcast stations, and newspapers. Requires the FCC, before issuing a final rule, to: (1) conduct a study on the overall impact of television station duopolies and newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership on the quantity and quality of local news, public affairs, local news media jobs, and local cultural programming at the market level; and (2) publish a proposed final rule at least 90 days before a vote, followed by at least 60 days for public comment, followed by at least 30 days to reply to comments. Requires the FCC to establish an independent panel on increasing the representation of women and minorities in broadcast media ownership and to act on the panel's recommendations before voting on any changes to its broadcast and newspaper ownership rules.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
End Racial Profiling Act of 2007 or ERPA - Prohibits law enforcement agents or agencies from engaging in racial profiling. Defines "racial profiling" as the practice of a law enforcement agent or agency relying, to any degree, on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in selecting which individual to subject to routine or spontaneous investigatory activities or in deciding upon the scope and substance of law enforcement activity following the initial investigatory procedure. Allows the United States, or individuals injured by racial profiling, to bring civil actions for declaratory or injunctive relief. Requires federal law enforcement agencies to: (1) maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling; and (2) cease existing practices that permit racial profiling. Requires states, local governments, and Indian tribes applying for federal law enforcement assistance grants to certify that they: (1) maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling; (2) have eliminated any existing practices of racial profiling; and (3) have established an administrative complaint procedure and independent auditor program for addressing complaints of racial profiling. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) carry out a two-year demonstration project to collect data on hit rates for stops and searches by law enforcement agents; (2) make grants to develop and implement best practice devices and systems to eliminate racial profiling; and (3) issue regulations for data collection and make reports on racial profiling.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on capacitor grade homopolymer polypropylene resin in primary form.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Prescribe A Book Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a Pediatric Early Literacy program under which the Secretary of Education awards matching grants to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of three-part models through which: (1) health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children and offer them recommendations and strategies for doing so; (2) health care providers give each visiting child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep; and (3) volunteers reading to children in health care facility waiting areas show parents the techniques and pleasures of reading aloud to children. Requires that the books provided to children under the program be obtained at a discount.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Honors the citizens of the Pacific Northwest for their courage in facing the storm and efforts in helping their neighbors in a time of great need. Honors the National Weather Service, state and local police officers, fire fighters, local rescue personnel, other first responders, and amateur radio operators for their efforts in the face of the severe storm. Extends the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. House of Representatives to those whose lives have been devastated, and who have lost their housing, transportation, communications, water, heat, or electricity. Extends its profound and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who perished.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Database consisting of: (1) an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by covered entities (specified entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs per year); and (2) a registry of GHG emission reductions and increased sequestration, applicable to all entities. Establishes a program for the market-driven reduction of GHGs by covered entities through the use of tradeable emissions allowances. Requires the Administrator to establish a declining cap on allowances to reduce GHG emissions over time. Requires covered entities, beginning in 2012, to submit to the Administrator one allowance for every metric ton of GHGs emitted. Authorizes the President to establish a program to require importers to pay the value of GHGs emitted during the production of goods or services imported into the United States from specified foreign nations. Allows allowances to be sold, exchanged, purchased, retired, borrowed, offset, or otherwise used as authorized by this Act. Imposes civil penalties on covered entities that fail to submit allowances. Requires: (1) the Administrator to establish a program to assist developing counties and covered entities in reducing GHGs; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an outreach initiative on opportunities for agricultural producers to earn revenue. Establishes: (1) the Carbon Market Efficiency Board to analyze information on the GHG emission tradeable allowance market and to carry out cost relief measures if such market poses a significant harm to the US economy; and (2) the Climate Change Credit Corporation (CCCC) to receive, manage, buy, and sell allowances. Directs the Administrator to make allocations of allowances to covered sectors and entities and to the CCCC, providing initial allocations for early action and accelerated participation. Requires the CCCC to establish a program to provide financial support for: (1) technology to assist in compliance with this Act; (2) the restoration of habitat to help fish and wildlife adapt to climate change; and (3) restoration of large-scale aquatic ecosystems. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to require the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) report to Congress on the oceanic and coastal impacts of climate change; and (2) assist certain coastal states in preparing persons to adapt to climate change. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) establish a program on adaptation technologies as part of the Climate Technology Challenge Program; and (2) perform regional infrastructure cost assessments of the impacts of climate change. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) submit a climate change adaptation plan to Congress; and (2) research the impact of climate change on low-income populations worldwide. Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to provide funding for the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account that may be used by states to develop and implement climate change impact mitigation plans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Mail Network Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to bargain with unions representing career Postal Service employees before entering into a contract for mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail if the contract, in a 12 month period, would involve work that would otherwise be performed by those employees and either: (1) involve more than a specified amount of work time; or (2) cost over $5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct a study for a report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2007 or FOARAM Act - Establishes the Interagency Committee on Ocean Acidification to oversee the planning, establishment, and coordination of a plan to improve the understanding of the role of increased ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and to develop adaptation techniques to effectively conserve marine ecosystems as they cope with ocean acidification. Requires a triennial report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives containing a summary of federally funded ocean acidification research and monitoring activities, an analysis of the progress made toward achieving certain goals and priorities, and recommendations for future activities, including policy recommendations. Requires the Committee to develop a strategic research and implementation plan for coordinated federal activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain an ocean acidification program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement such strategic research and implementation plan. Authorizes appropriations to NOAA to carry out this Act. Requires that, of amounts made available to carry out this Act: (1) the Secretary of Commerce make at least 60% available to other departments and agencies; and (2) at least 50% be allocated for competitive grants.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairwoman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
American Anti-Torture Act of 2007 - Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 to prohibit any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) from being subject to any treatment or technique of interrogation not authorized by and listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation. Makes such prohibition inapplicable with respect to any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) pursuant to a U.S. criminal or immigration law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Offers the sincerest congratulations of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in recognition of its 50th Anniversary and its legacy of outstanding service to the governments and citizens of greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, and expresses its appreciation for a job well done.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2007
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program Moratorium Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to effect a one-year moratorium on the Medicare recovery audit contractor program, under which the Secretary contracts with recovery audit contractors to identify underpayments and overpayments, and recoup overpayments, with respect to all services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires: (1) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to evaluate the program for Congress; and (2) the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the use of recovery audit contractors in the Medicare Integrity program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairwoman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a new candidate more capable of serving as the CPSC head.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Universal Prekindergarten Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to a designated state agency for development of universal prekindergaten programs for all children three, four, and five years old in the state. Requires the state to: (1) match federal funds by at least 20%; and (2) submit with its grant application a plan to establish, coordinate, and implement a statewide universal prekindergarten program. Authorizes state agencies to set aside up to 5% of a grant for ongoing professional development activities for teachers and staff of prekindergarten programs that wish to participate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Honors the dedication and hard work of Professor Eric Reeves on behalf of the people of Sudan. Reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to a just and lasting peace in Sudan.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Congratulates: (1) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series; and (2) the teams that played in the postseason. Commends the Colorado Rockies for advancing to the 2007 World Series.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 901 Pleasant Street in Attleboro, Massachusetts, as the "Max Volterra Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Government Contractor Accountability Act of 2007 - Directs federal government contracting officers to require covered contractors to submit for each contract entered: (1) a certification that the contractor received 80% or less of its annual gross revenues from other federal contracts; or (2) a statement disclosing the names and salaries of the contractor's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, three most highly compensated other executive officers or individuals, and directors. Directs contracting officers to require contractors to update such statements annually. Requires such certifications and statements to be made publicly available in searchable form through the Federal Procurement Data System. Defines a "covered contractor" to mean an individual or entity that: (1) received more than $5,000,000 in annual gross revenues from federal contracts for the preceding fiscal year; and (2) is not a publicly traded company required to file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Requires the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2007 - Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to: (1) waive the requirement that Congress annually enact renewal resolutions for the continuation of import restrictions against Burmese products; and (2) continue such sanctions until they are terminated by a joint resolution of Congress or by the President (under current law, until terminated by the President). Prohibits the importation of gemstones or rough unfinished geological material mined or extracted from Burma. Expands the ban on the issuance of visas and admission to the United States to former and present leadership of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) or the Union Solidarity Development Association (Burmese regime) to include Burmese military members (including their families) involved in the repression of protests in Burma in August, September, and October 2007, and Burmese officials who have engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Waives such ban only if the President certifies to Congress that it is in the national interests of the United States. Expands current law provisions providing for the freezing of assets in the United States of Burmese regime members to provide for the blocking of all property and assets in the United States: (1) that are owned by members of the Burmese regime and Burmese military and Burmese officials who have engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights; and (2) of persons and financial institutions associated with such individuals. Sets forth, with specified exceptions, certain prohibited activities related to the blocking of such property. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to certain penalties. Denies tax deductions or tax credits with respect to amounts paid or incurred by the Burmese regime, or a joint production agreement involving the Yadana gas field or pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Home Health Care Access Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services and adjustments to it for case mix changes. Prohibits any adjustment in the PPS for payment in 2008. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for any adjustment in a subsequent year, to evaluate changes in case mix using standards developed consistent with specified processes, taking certain criteria into account. Directs the Secretary to convene a Technical Advisory Group to advise on the development of such standards. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action to implement or otherwise carry out provisions in the final rule published on August 29, 2007, that propose to make a case mix adjustment to the standardized payment amounts under the PPS to account for changes in coding that were not related to an underlying change in patient health status. Directs the Secretary to republish any rates specified in such rule to take into account the application of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Consents to the International Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding entered into between Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and the Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Recognizes that the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to technological progress and the health of many industries that have created new jobs, boosted economic growth, and improved the Nation's health and standard of living. Recognizes the need to increase the number of Americans from under-represented groups participating in science and technology fields like chemistry. Supports the goals of National Chemistry Week, as founded by the American Chemical Society.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
Condemns the September 2007 attacks on African Union (AU) peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, Sudan. Expresses condolences and sympathies to the people and governments of Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and Botswana and to the families and friends of those individuals who were killed, injured, or missing in the attacks. Expresses readiness to support efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for the attacks and to dismantle the networks that carry out such attacks. Expresses support for the people of Darfur, and encourages all parties involved in the conflict to commit to negotiate a final peace agreement at the peace talks scheduled for October 27, 2007, in Tripoli, Libya.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2007
Congratulates Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for receiving the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and commends the Norwegian Nobel Committee for selecting them. Recognizes: (1) Vice President Al Gore's work to increase awareness about the dangers of global warming; and (2) the Panel's work to create an informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming. Recommends that the public takes action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Encourages Congress and the President to enact climate change legislation to substantially reduce U.S. contributions to GHG emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
New Diplomatic Offensive for Iraq Act - Directs the President to implement a regional diplomatic plan in conjunction with the U.N. Security Council to: (1) curtail the ongoing civil war in Iraq; (2) prevent the spread of violence from Iraq into neighboring countries; (3) prevent the establishment of safe havens for al-Qa'ida and other terrorist organizations; (4) prevent regional conflict; (5) prevent genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other crimes against humanity; and (6) promote a national process of reconciliation within Iraq. States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) undertake a sustained diplomatic effort to engage the governments of regional nations on issues that impact the situation in Iraq; (2) continue and expand U.S. direct bilateral talks with nations neighboring Iraq on issues of mutual interest; (3) support the goals specified in the International Compact for Iraq; and (4) encourage the increased engagement of international organizations in working to achieve stability and security in Iraq. Directs the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Iraq Regional Security whose duties shall include: (1) discussions with the government of Iraq and governments of neighboring countries to support Iraq's efforts to achieve peace and stability and to take necessary actions to prevent regional instability, including organizing a related Iraq Support Group; and (2) working with Iraqi officials and other domestic stakeholders to organize a forum for negotiations on national reconciliation. Directs the Secretary of State to organize an international donors conference to solicit additional international commitments of funding and support for reconstruction and economic development in Iraq. Directs the President direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to seek a Security Council resolution that: (1) supports regional and international cooperation in promoting stability and development in Iraq; (2) encourages increased support for efforts to rebuild and expand Iraq's economy and critical infrastructure; and (3) authorizes renewed U.N. assistance to promote security and political reconciliation in Iraq, including a commitment to an increased U.N. role following the beginning of a U.S. Armed Forces' redeployment from Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Calls upon the President to develop within the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a Women and Girls of Darfur Initiative to improve assistance to victims and potential victims of rape and sexual violence in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic. Calls upon the Secretary General of the United Nations, the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Arab League, and other nations to take steps to ensure that a fully funded and fully equipped U.N.-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID) is deployed to Darfur, including an adequate number of female troops and police to properly manage incidents of rape and sexual violence. Calls upon the Security Council to: (1) find the government of Sudan in noncompliance with Security Council Resolution 1325; (2) call on the government of Sudan to provide legal protections to victims of rape and sexual violence and to bring to justice individuals responsible for such crimes; and (3) enforce the arrest warrants for Ahmad Muhammad Harun and Ali Muhammad Al Abd-Al-Raham, and further recognize the systematic rape of women and girls in Darfur as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Supports the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in order to provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. Salutes the more than 2.4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States and the efforts of victims, volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer each day. Recognizes and applauds the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about breast cancer, providing information, and offering treatment to its sufferers. Urges organizations and health practitioners to use this opportunity to promote awareness about breast cancer, to support monthly self-examinations, and to encourage annual mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2007
Commends Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre for establishing a National Football League record for most career touchdown passes. Recognizes Favre for his outstanding community service in Wisconsin and Mississippi and his 16 consecutive years of dedicated service with the Packers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Safety Assurance For Every Consumer Product Act or the SAFE Consumer Product Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require (in current law, authorize) the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prescribe consumer product testing programs. Requires nongovernmental, independent third party testing of children's products. Increases the actions the CPSC may take in ordering recalls of products presenting substantial hazards. Makes recalled product retail sale unlawful. Requires manufacturers to mark products or packaging to enable purchasers to determine the product's source, date, and production cohort. Removes the cap on Consumer Product Safety Act civil penalties. Removes a requirement that criminal penalties may only be imposed after noncompliance notice. Reduces the period after CPSC notification to manufacturers and private labelers before public disclosure of information obtained under the Act. Requires any person who must give public notice of a substantial product hazard to post a notice on the Internet. Declares any children's product containing more than a specified amount of lead to be a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, allowing a temporary exception for electronic devices. Requires certain actions to facilitate recalls of children's products and authorizes the CPSC to extend the requirements to consumer products other than children's products. Requires children's product's warning labels to be included in Internet advertisements. Removes provisions requiring a minimum number of CPSC members to transact business. Modifies rulemaking notice requirements. Declares the sense of Congress that the full complement of five CPSC members is necessary to conduct CPSC business and the President should fill vacancies expeditiously. Prohibits any consumer product safety standard or other CPSC action after enactment of this Act from containing a preemption provision which affects any action under state statutory or common law unless the provision is expressly authorized by statute.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Urges the President to: (1) call upon associates and appointees who have asserted executive privilege to come forward and testify before Congress; and (2) use all legal means at his disposal to compel people to cooperate with a congressional investigation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Olver, John W. [D-MA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000085_200.jpg)