United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) instruct the U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China and the U.S. Trade Representative to send a letter of support for the workers' rights and protection provisions of China's "Draft Labor Contract Law" to the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC); and (2) publicly repudiate the efforts of some U.S. corporations to weaken or obstruct the workers' rights and protection provisions of such Law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Homeland Security Community Mobilization Act of 2006 - Establishes the Homeland Security Community Mobilization Program, under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make grants to local entities in 10 metropolitan areas (including New Orleans, Louisiana) to carry out pilot projects that provide: (1) emergency response training to prepare low-income adults and youth to provide emergency assistance in metropolitan areas during disasters; (2) job training and financial assistance to families with children in school, awarding priority to families with incomes under the poverty line; (3) community education and school support; (4) juvenile delinquency prevention programs and youth counseling; (5) entrepreneurial business development training for youth; and (6) family health care information and solutions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Honors Arnold "Red" Auerbach as a basketball genius, a leader in the effort to removal racial barriers and allow merit to prevail in professional sports, and one of the greatest coaches and executives of all time.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Recidivism Reduction Act - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind, and Disabled) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to require the reinstatement upon release of an otherwise eligible disabled inmate for SSI benefits which were terminated owing to the inmate's incarceration in a jail, prison, penal institution, or correctional facility for a period of 12 or more consecutive months. Requires the inmate to apply for reinstatement and resumption of such benefits within 36 months after release. Allows application for reinstatement even before release. Permits provisional benefits to such an individual until the application is acted upon. Requires the reinstatement of SSI benefit eligibility for such an individual's spouse if the spouse was previously an SSI-eligible spouse. Amends SSA title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) (OASDI) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to develop a system for prerelease application for resumption of suspended OASDI disability insurance benefits, or other benefits based on disability. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide training and technical assistance to states regarding procedures to suspend, rather than terminate, medical assistance under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) for individuals during the period they are inmates of public institutions. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on state actions to suspend Medicaid benefits. Increases from 90% to 95% the federal matching rate for any state implementing a Medicaid suspension system, under which medical assistance for an incarcerated individual is placed in an inactive instead of a terminated status.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Recognizes and honors the contributions of Edward R. Bradley as an award-winning American journalist. Expresses deepest condolences to his wife, Patricia Blanchet, surviving family members, and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Cost of Living Fairness Act of 2006 - Requires the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to develop and report to Congress and the Comptroller General on a methodology for determining the cost of living in each state which accounts for the costs of housing, goods, and services. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on how federal benefits provided to beneficiaries in each state under certain programs would be distributed if: (1) the cost of living in each state, as determined under the methodology, were a factor in the determination of such benefits; and (2) the methodology were applied so that federal benefits vary only to the extent that such determination would result in an increase of benefits to beneficiaries in a state. Specifies such benefit programs as all those providing vouchers, coupons, cash grants, or cash reimbursements based on the beneficiary's income.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Recognizes the accomplishments of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, on its 20th anniversary, as an advocate and champion for Hispanic higher education. Applauds its member colleges and universities for providing quality educational opportunities for all Hispanic and other students attending their institutions. Urges those providing and supporting Hispanic higher education to continue to recruit, retain, educate, and graduate students who might not otherwise pursue higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Urges the government of Nigeria to conduct a thorough judicial review of the trial of the Ogoni 9 and to provide just compensation to the survivors of the Ogoni 9 if a miscarriage of justice is found. Urges the government of Nigeria, international donors, and international oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to increase assistance to improve the lives of the Ogoni and other affected communities and for pollution abatement and cleanup in the Niger Delta region. Urges the government of Nigeria to ensure that the security forces receive training in international standards on the use of force and firearms. Calls upon the Department of State to seek to ensure that American oil companies operating in the Niger Delta comply, at a minimum, with the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights. Urges the Secretary General of the United Nations to institute a ten-year follow-up mission to Ogoniland.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued education efforts for tolerance and justice. Reaffirms U.S. commitment to the fight against intolerance and prejudice. Urges all members of the international community to honor those individuals of all races, creeds, and colors who perished at the hands of the Nazis. Honors the primacy of the rule of law, the pursuit of justice, and the struggle for universal freedom and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Act to Save America's Forests - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to revise eligibility criteria for members of the land and resource management scientific committee. Revises the committee termination date. Directs the Chief of the Forest Service, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to each prepare a continuous inventory of forest land administered by each agency head and to document whole-system measures that will be taken as a result of the inventory. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for conservation and restoration of native biodiversity in forested areas. Prohibits clearcutting or other even-age logging operations on any stand or watershed on certain federal land, National Forest System land, and National Wildlife Refuge System land. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. Designates special areas which shall be subject to restrictions on road construction and logging in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Requires the Secretaries concerned to appoint a committee of independent scientists to recommend additional special areas. Restricts road construction and logging on federal land in ancient forests, special areas, roadless areas, and watershed protection areas. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. States that this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to federal wilderness areas designated under the Wilderness Act. Adds specified land to the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Monument from the Secretary to the Secretary of the Interior. Establishes the Giant Sequoia National Monument Advisory Board. Adds specified parts of Sequoia National Forest that are not included in the Monument to: (1) Sierra National Forest; and (2) Inyo National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Congratulates: (1) the Detroit Shock on winning the 2006 Women's National Basketball Association Championship; and (2) Detroit Shock guard Deanna Nolan for winning the 2006 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
City Youth Violence Recovery Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to partnerships between a state mental health authority and one or more local public or private entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in urban communities with a high or increasing incidence of such violence by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents. Gives priority to grant applicants that agree to use the grant in communities that lack the resources to address youth violence. Requires grant applicants to agree to use no more than 15% of a grant for violence-prevention education.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act - Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to repeal provisions authorizing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the frequency of submitting toxic chemical release forms. Requires the Administrator to establish the eligibility threshold regarding the use of a form A certification statement under the toxic release inventory program at not greater than 500 pounds for nonpersistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. Prohibits the use of such form with respect to any chemical of special concern identified by the Administrator. Prohibits the Administrator from implementing the proposed rule dated October 4, 2005, to revise requirements under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the House of Representatives all documents in the Director's possession concerning the impact of the war in Iraq on terrorism and terrorist threats, including any actual or pending National Intelligence Estimates concerning Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
National Infrastructure Corps Act of 2006 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a National Infrastructure Corps of up to 40,000 eligible individuals, to be operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, in order to address: (1) the economic infrastructure needs of the Nation through the performance of eligible projects; and (2) high rates of unemployment in urban and rural areas by providing employment opportunities to eligible individuals. Directs the Corporation to: (1) select, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, eligible projects based on proposals submitted by federal, state, and local entities; (2) provide financial assistance; and (3) give priority to disaster relief projects to repair vital infrastructure facilities damaged by natural disasters and emergencies, including projects to address damages resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 to carry out title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (popularly known as the Ryan White Care Act). Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in determining the amounts of formula grants for FY2007, from using a methodology for counting the number of AIDS or HIV cases that is different than the methodology used by the Secretary for FY2006.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
Immigration Relief and Protection Act of 2006 - Makes specified immigration-related acts (including advertisements) of immigration consultants unlawful. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for such violations. Directs the Attorney General to establish specified district task forces to enforce such provisions. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish related outreach programs, including a toll-free hotline. Provides for confidentiality of related information and criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
Establishes in the Treasury the United States Postal Service Memorial Fund to be administered and managed by the U.S. Postal Service. Directs that amounts in such Fund be paid to the families of Joseph Curseen, Jr. and Thomas Morris, Jr. of the U.S. Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2006 - Supports state, city, and university efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan. Directs: (1) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require all companies trading in registered securities that conduct business operations directly or through parent or subsidiary companies in Sudan to disclose the nature of such operations; and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the existence and extent of such companies' Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board investments. Prohibits U.S. government contracts with such companies, with exceptions for companies whose activities are related to: (1) southern Sudan, southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, or Abyei; (2) the implementation of the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement; (3) the provision of military equipment for nongovernmental organizations in the Darfur region of Sudan, the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), or the United Nations; or (4) the provision of humanitarian assistance that is of immediate and substantial benefit to the majority of people of the Darfur region of Sudan or the majority of people of eastern Sudan, including the Red Sea, Kassala, and Gedaref States. Authorizes a national security waiver of such prohibition on a case-by-case basis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Gulf Coast Housing Accessibility Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate additional assistance for project-based housing vouchers for individuals and households located within the disaster areas of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, or Wilma of 2005. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to set forth conditions for providing permanent and semipermanent housing units. Instructs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) enter into a mission assignment with the Secretary for a transfer of FEMA Disaster Relief Funds into the Disaster Voucher Program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) transfer into the Disaster Voucher Program individuals and households receiving transitional housing, rental, or other related assistance. Permits such individuals and families to opt-out of such a transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Thomas J. Manton Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states to carry out: (1) prostate cancer prevention programs (including screening and referrals for treatment); and (2) demonstration projects to provide preventive health services with respect to prostate cancer (including blood pressure and cholesterol screenings). Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to individuals who have been screened for prostate cancer under this Act and who need treatment for prostate cancer. Applies provisions related to breast and cervical cancer programs to programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Requests the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and submit to Congress by December 1, 2006, a plan for a comprehensive and permanent program to: (1) medically monitor all individuals who were exposed to toxins of the 9/11 Ground Zero in New York City; and (2) provide medical treatment for all such individuals who are sick as a result of the toxins.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
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 · 20 September 2006
Remember 9/11 Health Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to deem certain emergency service, rescue and recovery, and law enforcement personnel and transit and cleanup workers who responded to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, residents of and persons employed or attending school, child care, or adult day care in the declared disaster area, and persons employed at the Fresh Kills recovery site on Staten Island between September 11, 2001, and August 31, 2002 (eligible recipients) to be civil employees under provisions relating to: (1) compensation to federal employees for work injuries; and (2) claims relating to damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to federal service, except that such an eligible recipient shall not be responsible for the payment of any health care expenses that result from exposure to the adverse conditions after such attack. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to specified programs, including one established by the New York City Fire Department, to carry out screening and clinical examinations and long-term health monitoring and analysis for eligible recipients. Limits such monitoring to 20 years and 40,000 individuals. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a similar program for those affected by the September 11, 2001, Pentagon attack. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct or support diagnostic or treatment research for adverse health conditions considered to be associated with the terrorist attacks. Requires the Secretary to convene a 9/11 Health Emergency Coordinating Council to examine and formulate recommendations on the adequacy of the: (1) responses by the federal, state, and local governments and the private sector to the attacks; (2) care and compensation for the victims; (3) federal tracking of the monitoring and treatment of individuals suffering health effects from the attacks; and (4) coordination among the Council members to the attacks. Allows the Council, upon request, to issue advisory opinions on the relative obligation of the federal government and any insurance company resulting from the attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Expresses support for the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. Recognizes breast cancer survivors, the efforts of victims, volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer, and the work of national and community organizations in promoting breast cancer awareness, providing information, and offering treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
Justice for the Unprotected Against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed Act of 2006 or the JUSTICE Act of 2006 - Requires the Attorney General to direct the Bureau of Prisons to allow community organizations to distribute sexual barrier protection devices (e.g., condoms) and to engage in sexually transmitted infection (STI) counseling and prevention education in federal correctional facilities. Prohibits a federal correctional facility from taking adverse action against a prisoner who possesses or uses a sexual barrier protection device. Expresses the sense of Congress that states should allow for the legal distribution of sexual barrier protection devices in their correctional facilities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a survey of all educational, testing, and other programs in federal and state correctional facilities for reducing the spread of STIs; and (2) develop and implement a five-year strategy to reduce the prevalence and spread of STIs in such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2006
Expresses support for efforts to promote greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives and resources for homeless and other high-risk youth.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
9/11 Comprehensive Health Benefits Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare-based eligibility and benefits for individuals with a 9/11 disaster-connected health condition. Makes Medicare the secondary payor for 9/11-related coverage. Prohibits a workers' compensation law or plan from discriminating against an individual by virtue of the individual's entitlement to such benefits. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an individual regarding hiring, advancement, compensation, or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment by virtue of the individual's entitlement to such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a consortium to conduct and coordinate screening, monitoring, treatment, and diagnostic research on the 9/11 disaster-connected health conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the original authorization for use of force against Iraq contained in P.L.107-243 is outdated; and (2) Congress should vote on a new use of force resolution that reflects the current situation in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Amends of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new title X, School Construction, Modernization, And Infrastructure Improvement. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to state educational agencies for elementary and secondary school construction, reconstruction, renovation, or modernization for information technology. Sets forth wage requirements for such projects, including Davis-Bacon Act compliance and overtime; but allows exceptions for certain workers who voluntarily donate their services without full compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 39-25 61st Street in Woodside, New York, as the "Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2006
Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing fire fighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, and emergency rescue services. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations exempting a length of service award program from treatment as an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act - Requires the Federal government and any employer under a Federal contract or subcontract exceeding $10,000 to pay each of their respective workers: (1) an hourly wage (or salary equivalent) necessary for such employee to earn, while working 40 hours a week on a full-time basis, not less than the amount of the Federal poverty level for a family of four; and (2) an additional amount, based on the locality in which a worker resides, sufficient to cover the costs to such worker to obtain specified fringe benefits not provided by the worker's employer. Exempts employers that are: (1) small business concerns; or (2) nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, if the ratio of the total compensation of the chief executive officer to that of the full-time equivalent of their lowest-paid employee is not greater than 25 to 1. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enforce this Act. Makes federal contractors that are part of a pattern or practice of violations of such wage requirements subject to federal contract suspension, a five-year ineligibility period, and liability for government costs of obtaining a replacement contractor. Provides for judicial review of the Secretary's determinations, and authorizes the President to suspend the provisions of this Act in times of emergency. Allows an aggrieved worker to bring a civil action against an employer for appropriate relief for a violation of this Act, if the employer has not paid or reinstated the worker as a result of the administrative action.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to support business incubation at institutions of higher education that award associate or baccalaureate degrees. Directs the Secretary to make competitive, matching awards to: (1) a nonprofit entity that manages or provides technical assistance to a degree-granting institution's affiliated incubator (or to the institution that manages in the absence of such an entity), for helping acquire or renovate space for incubators, and for developing curricula, providing services, or providing programming for entrepreneurs housed in an incubator; and (2) a degree-granting institution or a nonprofit local government or community development organization, for feasibility studies to determine the need for or siting of incubators. Requires the Secretary to reserve certain amounts for research regarding best practices for incubator programs, including the development of a benchmarking system based on uniform measures, and for dissemination of information regarding such practices. Authorizes contracts for such purposes with organizations with expertise in business incubation practices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2006 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to Predominantly Black Institutions to: (1) enhance their capacity to serve more low and middle-income Black American students; (2) expand higher education opportunities for students eligible for student assistance under title IV of the Act by encouraging such students to prepare for college and persist in secondary and postsecondary education; and (3) strengthen their financial ability to serve the academic needs of such students. Defines such institutions as accredited institutions: (1) serving at least 1,000 undergraduate students, at least 50% of which are pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; (2) serving an undergraduate population at least 40% of which are Black Americans and at least 50% of which are low-income or first-generation college students; and (3) whose spending per full-time undergraduate student is low in comparison to that of institutions offering similar instruction. Allows grant recipients to use up to 20% of their grant on an endowment fund, provided they raise nonfederal matching funds at least equal to the amount of the grant used for such endowment. Allots funding among institutions on the basis of their share of Pell Grant recipients, graduates, and graduates pursuing a higher degree. Establishes a minimum allotment for each institution of $250,000, which is to be ratably reduced if appropriations are insufficient to pay such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Program for Real Energy Security Act or the PROGRESS Act - Establishes the National Commission on Energy Security and Transition to New Fuels. Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including to make recommendations to Congress and the President for: (1) preserving the national energy security in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster; and (2) reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil over a specified period. Establishes: (1) the New Manhattan Center for High Efficiency Vehicles; and (2) the Advisory Council on Federal Participation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of grants to federal and private sector researchers (including the Center) to research and develop alternative fuels and technologies to improve the productivity of U.S. automotive firms in the manufacture of high efficiency vehicles. Establishes a grant program to provide assistance to retail and wholesale motor fuel dealers or other entities to install, replace, or convert motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for use in the storage and dispensing of biobased fuels. Sets forth requirements calling for: (1) the production and distribution of biobased fuels (ethanol) and deployment of new engine technologies for fuel-flexible, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and biodiesel vehicles; (2) greater use of alternative fuels in dual fueled vehicles operating in the federal fleet; and (3) the increase and expansion of employer-provided mass transit fringe benefits. Transit Rail Accommodation Improvement and Needs Act - Allows for the shared use of rail carrier trackage and rail rights-of-way by mass transportation authorities. Authorizes capital investment grants to improve intercity passenger rail service. Allows a tax credit to holders of qualified high-speed rail infrastructure bonds. Railroad Track Modernization Act of 2006 - Establishes a capital grant program for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of railroad track of class II and class III railroads. Requires the issuance of regulations implementing reliability standards for the safe transportation of energy supplies by rail.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide for an expedited process for the qualification for low-income assistance through a request to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax return and other information sufficient to identify: (1) whether the individual involved is likely eligible for subsidies; and (2) the amount of premium and cost-sharing subsidies for which they would qualify based on such information. Increases the maximum permissible resource level for subsidy eligibility. Waives the late enrollment penalty for subsidy-eligible individuals for the first 24 months of non-enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Expresses support for the people still affected by Hurricane Katrina. Acknowledges deficiencies in the ability of Gulf Coast cities to provide social services and to attract the return of displaced residents. Reaffirms Congress's commitment to assist in rebuilding the Gulf Coast region, improving the quality of life for its residents, and ending poverty in America.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 29-50 Union Street in Flushing, New York, as the "Dr. Leonard Price Stavisky Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Education to make grants in each fiscal year to local educational agencies (LEAs) in each state for the construction, modernization, or repair of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date. Gives priority to LEAs serving a high number or percentage of disadvantaged children and those whose public schools are in relatively poor condition. Requires LEAs to contribute funds toward the costs of the program, but uses a sliding scale that factors in the relative poverty of an LEA's service area. Requires the Secretary to make low-interest loans to LEAs in each fiscal year for the same purposes and with the same priorities given in the distribution of the grants. Establishes the School Construction, Modernization, and Repair Revolving Fund consisting of amounts derived from the low-interest loans and appropriations made to the Fund by this Act. Amends part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize and make appropriations for educational technology.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Bodegas as Catalysts for Healthy Living Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to local organizations that represent small business concerns and local redevelopment agencies to assist: (1) independently owned and operated small businesses, such as bodegas and corner stores, in expanding their inventories to include fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy alternatives (as defined by the Department of Agriculture); and (2) community-based organizations, such as community health centers, in carrying out consumer outreach and education programs to encourage the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy alternatives and to inform communities about health risks and the benefits of healthy living. Requires small businesses and community-based organizations to collaborate in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Limits grant amounts to $100,000. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to cover additional primary and preventive services relating to obesity treatment and prevention, supervised exercise sessions, stress testing, lifestyle modification education, and nutrition education.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic serving institutions, or to any entity formed by a combination of such institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of small business development centers on the physical campus of the institution. Requires an institution of higher education receiving a grant to: (1) develop a curriculum that includes training in various skill sets needed by successful entrepreneurs; and (2) open a small business development center. Limits this pilot program to two fiscal years, and a grant to $1 million per fiscal year for any one institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
AmeriCare Health Care Act of 2006 - Adds a new title XXII to the Social Security Act (SSA) entitled "AmeriCare Health Benefits." Makes all U.S. residents eligible for AmeriCare benefits, including prescription drugs and biologicals. Requires the development of an AmeriCare enrollment mechanism that includes automatic enrollment at birth and the issuance of AmeriCare cards for identification and claims processing purposes. Provides that an individual may elect not to be enrolled for benefits under AmeriCare if the individual has health benefits coverage under a group health plan at least equivalent to AmeriCare coverage. Provides the same benefits under AmeriCare as are provided under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of SSA title XVIII (Medicare). Provides additional AmeriCare coverage to children under age 24, pregnant women, and low-income individuals. Establishes the AmeriCare Trust Fund. Requires the modification of Medicaid (SSA title XIX), SCHIP (SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program), and other federal health programs to avoid their duplication of AmeriCare coverage. Provides for the regulation of AmeriCare supplemental policies. Establishes the general obligations for individuals and employers for the cost of health insurance coverage provided under this Act. Provides for additional premium subsidies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to end the occupation of Iraq. Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2006
New Jersey/New York Clean Ocean Zone Act of 2006 - Designates the New York/New Jersey Bight as the New Jersey/New York Clean Ocean Zone. Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Army, and all states from issuing a permit for ocean dumping, or establishing any new disposal site in the Zone, including under specified provisions of existing law. Terminates all existing disposal site designations, subject to exception. States that the discharge of a pollutant into the Zone from a point source constructed or put into use after enactment of this Act is prohibited under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Prohibits permit issuance for such discharge. Prohibits a state or federal permit issued for the discharge of a pollutant into the Zone from being renewed, reissued, or modified to allow any increase of discharge capacity of any point source or to contain any effluent limitation less stringent than comparable effluent limitations in the permit. Prohibits the permanent extraction of any nonrenewable natural resource from the Zone for commercial or industrial use, except for the primary purpose of maintaining or establishing navigation channels. Prohibits the creation, licensing, leasing, easement granting, or right-of-way granting of certain facilities involving nonrenewable energy, including deepwater ports and pipelines. Prohibits categorically excluding leases, easements, or rights-of-way for renewable energy facilities from specified provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Prohibits underwater research or exploration in the Zone unless it meets certain requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Pool and Spa Safety Act - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish recommended state law standards meeting specified minimum requirements for: (1) enclosure of swimming pools and spas by barriers to prevent unsupervised access by small children; and (2) systems to prevent entrapment of children by pool or spa drains. Requires the CPSC to establish: (1) a grant program to provide assistance to states in hiring and training government employees in implementing and enforcing state pool safety standards, educating the public about pool and spa safety, and administering safety programs; and (2) a national education program to inform the public of methods to prevent drownings and entrapment in pools and spas.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to 25 percent of the wages earned by a certified master teacher in certain schools identified as in need of improvement or in a Head Start program. Defines "certified master teacher" as a teacher who: (1) has at least five years teaching experience in a public elementary or secondary school; (2) is highly qualified as defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (3) has a master's degree; and (4) has advanced certification in the applicable State licensing system. Terminates such exclusion after 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that, in order to more effectively promote the common defense, provide for the general welfare, and establish a more perfect union, the right to a free and adequate education shall be guaranteed to every child who is a U.S. citizen.
![Official portrait of Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000159_200.jpg)