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United States · Official source
5,283 records where Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2007
Directs the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives to investigate whether Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States, should be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2007
New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act - Incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy conservation, independence, and security. Green Jobs Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to: (1) establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program; (2) collect and analyze labor market data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-related initiatives under this Act; and (3) award National Energy Training Partnerships Grants to community based nonprofit organizations to carry out training programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and develop an energy efficiency and renewable energy industries workforce. International Climate Cooperation Re-engagement Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Department of State an Office of Global Climate Change to be headed by an Ambassador-at-large with the primary responsibility of advancing U.S. goals for reducing global greenhouse emissions and for addressing the challenges posed by global climate change. Requires: (1) the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support policies and programs in developing countries that promote clean and efficient energy technologies; (2) the Secretary of Commerce to direct the United States and Foreign Commercial Service to promote U.S. exports in clean and efficient energy technologies and to direct the International Trade Administration (ITA) to encourage private sector trade and investment in clean and efficient energy technologies; (3) the Director of the Trade and Development Agency to fund projects for using clean and efficient energy technologies; and (4) the President to provide assistance to the Interagency Working Group to support a clean energy technology exports initiative. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a global climate change exchange program. Establishes the International Clean Energy Foundation to promote projects outside the United States for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to work with foreign governments and private entities to address climate change issues. Small Energy Efficient Businesses Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to state development companies for projects that reduce energy consumption by at least 10% and generate renewable resources; (2) authorize small business investment companies to issue Energy Saving debentures; and (3) require the SBA Administrator to establish a Renewable Fuel Capital Investment Program. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) direct the SBA Administrator to make small business loans to purchase energy efficient equipment or fixtures; (2) authorize a small business development center to apply for an additional grant to carry out a small business sustainability initiative project; and (3) direct the SBA Administrator to develop and coordinate a program for small business education on energy efficiency. Establishes: (1) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy (DOE) to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies; and (2) the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund to fund energy technologies research. Marine Renewable Energy Research and Development Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) support programs to expand the use of marine renewable energy production; and (2) award grants to institutions of higher education to establish one or more National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers. Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) support programs to expand the use of geothermal energy production; (2) extend the DOE's GeoPowering the West program throughout the entire United States; and (3) award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish two Centers for Geothermal Technology Transfer. Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a research and development program on thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power; (2) a grant program for solar industry workforce training and internships; (3) a research and development program for direct solar light pipe technology; (4) a solar air conditioning research and development program; and (5) a grant program to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology. Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a technology transfer center for information on research, development, and commercial application of technologies related to biofuels, biogas, and biorefineries: (2) award grants for biofuel production research and development in states with low rates of ethanol and cellulosic biomass ethanol production; and (3) conduct studies on increasing biodiesel production and consumption of ethanol-blending gasoline. Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) carry out fundamental science and engineering research to develop and document new approaches to capture and store carbon dioxide; (2) ensure that fundamental research is appropriately applied to energy technology development activities and the field testing of carbon sequestration activities; (3) promote regional carbon sequestration partnerships to conduct geologic sequestration tests involving carbon dioxide in a variety of geological settings; and (4) conduct at least seven initial large-volume sequestration tests for geological containment of carbon dioxide. Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007 - Directs the President to: (1) establish an interagency committee to ensure cooperation and coordination of federal research activities pertaining to processes of global change; (2) establish an interagency United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change; (3) develop a National Global Change Research and Assessment Plan to implement the Program, including recommendations for global change research; (4) establish a Global Change Research Information Exchange; and (5) establish an interagency climate and other global change data management working group. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to contract for a study of the potential impacts of climate change on patterns of hurricane and typhoon development. Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 - Expands and extends agricultural-based energy programs established by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 through FY2012, including programs for biofuels production, biorefineries, cellulosic biomass feedstocks and production, and forest bioenergy research. Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 - Requires: (1) federal agencies to annually inventory and report their greenhouse gas emissions for the preceding fiscal year and to reduce net emissions to zero by FY2050: (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate annual greenhouse gas emission targets for FY2010-FY2050; (3) federal agencies to develop plans and publicly report progress for meeting emission targets; (4) federal agencies to purchase low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles; and (5) new federal buildings to be designed to reduce fossil-fuel generated power consumption and meet green buildings standards. Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act: (1) repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Permit Processing Improvement Fund; and (2) extend deadlines for consideration of applications for permits for oil and gas drilling on federal lands. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish a cost recovery fee for applications for a permit to drill for oil and gas on federal lands; (2) develop a strategy for oil shale and tar sands leasing and development; and (3) modify best management practices guidelines for oil and gas development on federal lands. Federal Consistency Appeals Decision Refinement Act - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to increase from 160 days to 200 days the amount of time allotted to the Secretary of Commerce to compile a record of decision (ROD) used in an appeal of state consistency with federal coastal zone management programs. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct no less than 550 audits of oil and gas leases on federal lands by FY2009. Establishes a Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee to study impacts on wildlife and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct an analysis of the existing capacity of regional transmission systems in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to states for surveys of federal and state coastal waters. Establishes pilot programs for the development of strategic solar reserves and for biomass activities on federal lands. National Carbon Dioxide Storage Capacity Assessment Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) conduct a national assessment of the geological storage capacity for carbon dioxide; and (2) establish a National Resources Management Council on Climate Change to address the impact of climate change on federal lands, the ocean environment, and the federal water infrastructure. Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to promulgate a national strategy for assisting wildlife populations and their habitats in adapting to the impacts of global warming. Establishes a science advisory board to assist the Secretary and a National Global Warming and Wildlife Science Center within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Establishes a state and tribal wildlife grants program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate a national strategy to support state and federal agency efforts to mitigate the impacts on ocean and coastal ecosystems from global warming. National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2007 - Establishes a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to support national defense, marine commerce, energy production and other activities and to promote greater public awareness and stewardship of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Royalty Relief for American Consumers Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to agree to any lessee request to amend any lease issued for any Central and Western Gulf of Mexico tract during 1998 and 1999 to incorporate specified price thresholds. Reaffirms the authority of the Secretary to vary, based on the price of production from a lease, the suspension of royalties under specified leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. Establishes in the Treasury the Oil Shale Community Impact Assistance Fund. Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Department of Transportation (DOT) a Center for Climate Change and Environment to plan, coordinate, and implement efforts to reduce transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs for: (1) purchasing hybrid locomotives, including hybrid switch locomotives; (2) rehabilitating, preserving, or improving railroad tracks; (3) short sea transportation; and (4) environmental mitigation demonstration projects at public-use airports. Establishes standards and programs for public building energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. Requires the installation of a photovoltaic system in the headquarters building of the Department of Energy. Prohibits the use of a general service incandescent lamp in Coast Guard facilities after 2009. Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to: (1) study the feasibility of constructing a photovoltaic roof for the Rayburn House Office Building; and (2) construct a fuel tank and pumping system for E-85 fuel near the Capitol Grounds Fuel Station. Directs the Architect: (1) to include energy efficiency and other environmental measures in the Capitol Complex Master Plan; and (2) install technologies for the capture and storage or use of carbon dioxide. Establishes the 21st Century Water Commission to address future water supply and demand and the impacts of climate change on water availability and quality. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to study the effects of climate change on FEMA preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs. Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes new energy efficiency standards and testing procedures for residential appliances, electric motors, residential boilers, external power supplies, light bulbs, incandescent reflector lamps, and other lighting fixtures. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish regional standards for space heating and air conditioning products. Sets forth new energy efficiency standards for residential, commercial, and federal buildings. Establishes: (1) an Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings in the General Services Administration (GSA); and (2) an Office of Commercial high-Performance Green Buildings in the Department of Energy. Directs the Secretary to study to use of power management software by DOE and other federal facilities to reduce the use of electricity in computer monitors and personal computers. Directs the EPA Administrator to establish a Recoverable Waste-Energy Inventory Program to survey all major U.S industrial and commercial combustion sources. Establishes in the EPA a Waste Energy Recovery Incentive Grant Program. Establishes Clean Energy Application Centers (previously named Combined Heat and Power Application Centers) for the deployment of clean energy technologies. Sustainable Energy Institutional Infrastructure Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) provide information and technical assistance to institutional entities for developing sustainable infrastructure; (2) create a Sustainable Institutions Revolving Fund to provide loans for the construction or improvement of sustainable energy infrastructure to serve institutional entities; (3) create a training program to educate federal contracting officers to negotiate energy efficiency contracts; (4) establish an Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program to make grants for energy efficiency programs; and (5) provide education and technical assistance to state and local governments on energy efficiency practices. Reauthorizes energy efficiency grant programs through FY2012. Smart Grid Facilitation Act of 2007 - Directs the President to establish a Grid Modernization Commission to implement Smart Grid technologies, coordinate efforts with States and utilities, and develop and implement a National Action Plan on Demand Response. Creates a federal matching grant program to reimburse one-fourth of the costs of implementing Smart Grid technologies where consumers, utilities, States or other participants contribute three-quarters of the costs. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) develop programs to assist deployment of Smart Grid technologies and to perform cooperative demonstration projects with as many as five electric utility systems; and (2) make grants for the installation, replacement, or conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure to store and dispense renewable fuel. Mandates studies on the feasibility of dedicated ethanol pipelines, gasoline with increased ethanol levels, the adequacy of railroad transportation of domestically produced renewable fuel, and the impact of increased use of renewable fuels on the U.S. economy United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act - Instructs the Secretary of Energy, in implementing certain energy cooperation agreements between the United States and Israel, to establish a grant program to support research, development, and commercialization of alternative renewable energy sources. Establishes a program of incentives for advanced plug-in hybrid motor vehicles and components. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to establish a five-year plan to improve data collection for information needed for energy markets and related financial operations. Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend: (1) the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources through 2012; (2) the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy and fuel cell property through 2016; (3) the special rule for treatment of gain from electronic transmission transactions by certain electric utilities through 2009; (4) the tax credit for installing nonhydrogen alternative fuel refueling property through 2010; (5) the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel through 2010; and (6) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building expenditures through 2013. Allows new tax credits for: (1) investment in new clean renewable energy bonds, qualified energy conservation bonds, and residential energy efficiency assistance bonds; and (2) the production of plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, cellulosic alcohol fuel, and electricity from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy sources. Allows a tax exclusion for bicycle commuting reimbursements. Revises certain tax incentives for investment in the New York Liberty Zone. Revises tax credit amounts for certain energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. Allows a five-year recovery period for the depreciation of qualified energy management devices. Denies a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, natural gas, and any related products. Increases to seven years the amortization period for geological and geophysical expenditures for major integrated oil companies. Revises tax rules relating to foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign produced fuel used or sold outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2007
Dog Fighting Prohibition Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to make it unlawful to: (1) knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in, or knowingly attend, a dog fighting venture; and (2) knowingly sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive for purposes of transportation any dog or other animal for the purposes of having the dog, animal, or offspring of the dog or other animal participate in a dog fighting venture. Provides for imprisonment for up to five years for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2007
ADA Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to remove from the definition of "disability" a reference to substantially limiting one or more major life activities. Prohibits, in determining whether an individual has an impairment, considering the impact of any mitigating measures the individual may be using or whether any impairment manifestations are episodic, in remission, or latent. Considers actions taken because of an individual's use of a mitigating measure to be actions taken on the basis of a disability. Defines "record of physical or mental impairment" as having a history of, or having been misclassified as having, a physical or mental impairment. Defines "regarded as having a physical or mental impairment" as being perceived or treated as having a physical or mental impairment whether or not the individual has an impairment. Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of disability (under current law, against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability). Allows, as a defense to a charge of discrimination, that the individual alleging discrimination is not a qualified individual with a disability. Requires that the Act's provisions be broadly construed. Empowers: (1) the Attorney General to promulgate regulations and guidance to provide for consistent and effective standards among enforcing agencies; and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Secretary of Transportation to then issue implementing regulations or policy guidance consistent with the Attorney General's requirements. Entitles duly issued federal regulations and guidance to deference by administrative bodies or officers and courts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the same level of tax withholding for tax deductible payments made between persons who are members of the same foreign controlled group of entities as would be required if such payments were made directly to the foreign parent corporation of such entities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2007
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to require: (1) states to use grants for safe and drug-free schools to collect and report information on the incidence of bullying and harassment; and (2) local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools to use subgrants to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment. Requires such LEAs or schools to: (1) notify parents and students annually of conduct prohibited in their school discipline policies, that now must include bullying and harassment; and (2) establish grievance procedures for students and parents to register complaints regarding such conduct. Includes bullying and harassment within the the Act's definition of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2007
Welcomes the strong relationship formed between the United States and Ukraine since the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991 and especially following the Orange Revolution of 2004. Applauds Ukraine for holding free presidential elections. Urges the leadership and political parties of Ukraine to conduct elections as scheduled on September 30, 2007. Expresses support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to consolidate the democratic gains of the Orange Revolution of 2004. Pledges assistance to the further development of a democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law, a free market economy, and consolidation of Ukraine's security and sovereignty.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2007
Dental Health Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow reimbursement from flexible spending accounts for products used to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent the onset of tooth decay (caries), periodontal diseases, and conditions ailing the teeth, gums, and mouth, or affecting their functioning.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2007
Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) specify restrictions on the sale and display to the general public of Social Security account numbers (SSNs) by governmental entities; (2) prohibit the display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on checks issued for payment by such entities; (3) prohibit governmental entity display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on employee identification cards or tags (IDs); (4) prohibit access to the SSNs of other individuals by prisoners employed by governmental entities; (5) prohibit the selling, purchasing, or displaying of SSNs (with certain exceptions) to the general public, or the acquisition or use of any individual's SSN to locate or identify such individual with the intent to physically injure or harm him or her, or to use the individual's ID for any illegal purpose by any person; (6) provide for uniform standards for truncation of an SSN; and (7) establish new criminal penalties for the misuse of SSNs. Amends SSA title XI to provide for the application of civil monetary penalty to specified offenses involving SSNs or Social Security cards. Establishes: (1) new criminal penalties for employees of the Social Security Administration who knowingly and fraudulently issue Social Security cards or SSNs; and (2) enhanced penalties in cases of terrorism, drug trafficking, crimes of violence, or prior offenses. Amends SSA title XI with respect to regulatory and enforcement authority with respect to misuse of SSNs. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to study and report to the Commissioner and Congress on: (1) the extent of the use of SSNs as a primary means of authenticating identity or for verification in commercial transactions; and (2) the feasibility of a prohibition on such use. Requires the study also to examine possible alternatives to SSNs for such uses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2007
Heroes at Home Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program on training and certification of family caregivers of veterans and members with traumatic brain injury (TBI); and (2) conduct outreach to enhance awareness of veterans and the public about the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and TBI and the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with such symptoms. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) establish a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using telehealth technology to assess cognitive functioning of members who have sustained head trauma in order to improve their diagnosis and treatment; and (2) conduct an ongoing study of all matters relating to the telehealth and telemental health services of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
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 comedian Jerry Lewis in recognition of his outstanding service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe standards for the establishment, certification, operation, and interoperability of independent health record trusts (IHRTs). Establishes a fiduciary duty requiring an IHRT to act for the benefit and interest of participants and of the IHRT as a whole. Sets forth penalties for any knowing or reckless breach of such duty. Sets forth permitted uses for an electronic health record, including: (1) a primary use for purposes of the individual's self-care or care by health care professionals; and (2) a secondary use for purposes of public health research or related activities. Directs that participation in an IHRT, or authorizing access to information from such trust, is voluntary. Prohibits any person from requiring that an individual participate in, or authorize access to information from, an IHRT. Authorizes an IHRT to generate revenue to pay for operations through: (1) charging participants account fees; (2) charging authorized IHRT data users for accessing electronic health records; (3) the sale of information; and (4) any other activity determined appropriate by the FTC. Prohibits an IHRT from charging a fee for the transmittal of information from a health care provider to be included in an independent electronic health record. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Steering Committee to coordinate the implementation of this Act. Requires the National Committee for Vital and Health Statistics to serve as an advisory committee for IHRTs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Graduation Promise Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for differentiated high school improvement systems targeting support to schools with low student achievement and graduation rates after the school fails for two consecutive years to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) pursuant to state academic performance standards. Requires LEAs also to use funds to: (1) improve feeder middle schools; and (2) identify and support struggling students before they reach high school. Requires state grantees to establish comprehensive school performance indicators and minimum annual improvement benchmarks for use, in addition to current AYP measures, in analyzing school performance and determining the improvement category into which a school is placed. Directs LEA subgrantees to convene a local school improvement team for each school placed in an improvement category that will use performance indicators to conduct a school needs assessment and develop a multiyear school improvement plan tailored to the school's need categorization. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to: (1) LEAs, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to develop and implement, or replicate, effective school models for struggling students and dropouts; and (2) states to adjust their policies to allow for educational innovations that improve high school graduation rates while ensuring rigorous education content standards and assessments, if such states implement differentiated high school improvement systems and statewide longitudinal student data systems.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act of 2007 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat as a disability for OASDI and SSI disability payment purposes any service-connected total disability, as rated and certified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Applies the same treatment to related child's insurance and widow's and widower's insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812. Requires a coin design emblematic of the War of 1812, particularly the Battle for Fort McHenry that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner . Authorizes the Secretary to issue the coins only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2012. Requires specified surcharges in sales of the coin, which shall be paid to the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission for: (1) the purpose of supporting bicentennial activities; and (2) preservation and improvement activities relating to the sites and structures relating to the War of 1812.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007
Recognizes: (1) the importance of the federal government's continued support of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA) research; and (2) that federal support of comprehensive centers for rare disease patients enhances the ability for experienced doctors to provide the most complete care for each patient. Commends: (1) Schneider Children's Hospital for providing the first DBA Comprehensive Clinical Care Center and developing the DBA Patient Registry; and (2) the Daniella Maria Arturi Foundation and the Diamon-Blackfan Anemia Foundation for their efforts to facilitate collaboration among the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to achieve a successful multidisciplinary approach aimed at shortening the life cycle of success realized between the laboratory and applied patient care. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government has a responsibility to encourage further efforts to clarify the natural history of DBA, continue efforts to raise awareness and ease access to information about DBA, encourage research efforts that will advance treatment options and seek a cure, encourage NIH to develop a cross-institutional research initiative to study ribosomal protein deficiencies in rare inherited disease, and encourage continued federal support of the DBA Comprehensive Clinical Care Centers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2007
Healthy Schools Act of 2007 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) to require the state to certify that it has implemented procedures to pay for covered items and services furnished by school-based health clinics under Medicaid and SCHIP.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2007
Michelle's Law - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from terminating coverage of a dependent child due to a medically necessary leave of absence from a postsecondary education institution or any other change in enrollment at that institution that commences while such child is suffering from a severe illness or injury and causes such child to lose full-time student status before that earlier of: (1) one year after the first day of the medically necessary leave of absence; or (2) the date on which such coverage would otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan. Requires certification by the child's attending physician. Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2007
Children's Health Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from imposing any preexisting condition exclusion for individuals who have not attained 19 years of age. Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as ordinary income (i.e., income taxed at regular income tax rates) income received by a partner from an investment services partnership interest. Defines "investment services partnership interest" as any interest in a partnership held by a person who provides services to a partnership by: (1) advising the partnership as to the value of specified assets (e.g., real estate, commodities, or options or derivative contracts); (2) advising the partnership about investing in, purchasing, or selling specified assets; (3) managing, acquiring, or disposing of specified assets; or (4) arranging financing with respect to acquiring specified assets.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate, establish, and operate at least six Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care facilities as locations for epilepsy centers of excellence. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals for the designation of such centers. Requires a VHA national coordinator for epilepsy programs to: (1) supervise the operation of the centers; (2) coordinate and support throughout the VA health-care system better access to diagnosis, research, care, and education for epilepsy and traumatic brain injury; and (3) conduct regular evaluations of the centers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007
Recognizes that Japan is one of the most reliable security partners of the United States. Commends the government of Japan for its role in enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Expresses appreciation for Japan's efforts in the global war against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007
Honors the nine firefighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2007
Commends Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball player and for his outstanding service to the community through his charitable work and dedication to the Houston Astros organization.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to renewable energy sources and energy conservation. Extends: (1) the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources through 2012; (2) the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy and fuel cell property through 2016; (3) the special rule for treatment of gain from electronic transmission transactions by certain electric utilities through 2009; (4) the tax credit for installing nonhydrogen alternative fuel refueling property through 2010; (5) the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel through 2010; and (6) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building expenditures through 2013. Allows new tax credits for: (1) investment in new clean renewable energy bonds, qualified energy conservation bonds, and residential energy efficiency assistance bonds; and (2) the production of plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, cellulosic alcohol fuel, and electricity from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy sources. Allows a tax exclusion for bicycle commuting reimbursements. Revises certain tax incentives for investment in the New York Liberty Zone. Revises tax credit amounts for certain energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. Allows a five-year recovery period for the depreciation of qualified energy management devices. Denies a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, natural gas, and any related products. Increases to seven years the amortization period for geological and geophysical expenditures for major integrated oil companies. Revises tax rules relating to foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign produced fuel used or sold outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 with respect to hours-of-service requirements airline flight crews must meet to qualify for leave under such Act. Declares that a flight attendant or flight crewmember will be considered to meet such requirements if he or she has been paid for or has worked 60% of the employer's monthly hour or trip guarantee, or the equivalent annualized over the preceding 12-month period.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to mint and issue $50 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of $50 per $50 coin, and of $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $4 million to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. Requires distribution of: (1) one-half of the next $1 million of the remaining amounts to the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science Literacy Foundation and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center). Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $50 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Small Business SOX Compliance Extension Act - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to modify its regulations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) for annual management assessments of, and reports on, internal financial controls. Requires such regulations to provide that a non-accelerated filer does not have to provide management's report on internal control over financial reporting until it files an annual report for its first fiscal year ending on or after December 15, 2008 (thereby extending the current moratorium on such requirements for small businesses).
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Prostate Cancer Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) 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 and local health departments to carry out preventive health measures related to prostate cancer; and (2) the Director of the National Cancer Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate prostate cancer research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2007
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill certain individuals who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces (including the reserves) on or after September 11, 2001. Requires such individuals to complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or its equivalent) before applying for such assistance. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Requires such educational assistance to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2007
NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to: (1) require federal and state agencies to transmit certain criminal and mental health records to the Attorney General for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); (2) require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide information to the Attorney General relevant for determining whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm; (3) require the Attorney General to maintain the accuracy, confidentiality, and privacy of records in the NICS and to allow the deletion of records that are inaccurate or obsolete; (4) restrict the types of criminal and mental health records that states may transmit to the NICS; and (5) require states to establish procedures to allow persons with disabilities relating to mental health status or commitment to obtain relief from such disabilities for purposes of firearms eligibility. Requires the Attorney General to make grants to states and Indian tribes to: (1) establish or upgrade information and identification technologies for firearms eligibility determinations; and (2) allow state and tribal courts to automate criminal history dispositions and mental health records and electronically transmit such records to the NICS. Prohibits the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from charging user fees for NICS background checks. Requires: (1) the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics to study and evaluate NICS operations and to report annually to Congress and to states on best practices for handling criminal records and mental health information transmitted to the NICS; and (2) the Comptroller General to audit expenditures for criminal records improvement.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Act Commemorating the LITE, or Lifetime Innovations of Thomas Edison - Establishes the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in New Jersey as a unit of the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Congratulates the National Hockey League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Inactive Reservists Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a mortgage assistance program through grants and loans for direct mortgage payments for the primary residential property of designated eligible households. Requires such mortgage assistance to be paid monthly directly to the mortgage servicer during the period that a member of the eligible household is serving on active duty for a period of more than 30 days in the Armed Forces, including extensions in the period of such active duty. Sets forth requirements governing: (1) grant assistance, repayment, and repayment in cases of foreclosure; and (2) application procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Border Tax Equity Act of 2007 - Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to submit to Congress a report certifying whether or not U.S. objectives to revise World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on border tax treatment of goods and services from countries with indirect tax systems have been met in WTO negotiations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a tax on imports of goods and services from any country with an indirect tax system and deposits taxes so collected into a special account; and (2) upon request of a U.S. exporter, grant a rebate to such exporter from such account of indirect taxes paid. Imposes such requirements if the USTR fails to certify to Congress that U.S. objectives have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Foreign Trade Zones Act to permit the transfer of distilled spirits used in a foreign trade zone for the manufacture or production of nonbeverage products (i.e., medicines, medicinal preparations, food products, flavors, flavoring extracts, or perfume, which are unfit for beverage purposes) to an activated foreign trade zone without payment of applicable excise taxes. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) require manufacturers and producers of such nonbeverage products to file an adequate bond and permit; and (2) examine records and compel testimony to enforce the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act - Identifies roadless areas within the National Forest System set forth in specified maps as National Forest Inventoried Roadless Areas, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to manage such Areas to maintain their roadless character. Authorizes the Forest Service to modify such maps for the sole purpose of improving their accuracy or inclusiveness. Requires any substantial modification of those maps to be made through the national forest management planning process and documented in an environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Defend the American Dream Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require employers of H-1B (specialty occupations) nonimmigrants to use one of three specified methods (whichever results in the highest wages) to determine wages for purposes of required wage attestations. Requires such employers who previously employed one or more H-1B nonimmigrants to submit with their labor condition application (LCA) a copy of the W-2 Wage and Tax Statement filed with respect to those nonimmigrants. Extends to 180 days the period during which certain H-1B employers must show nondisplacement of U.S. workers. Requires such employers to actively engage in recruitment efforts. Prohibits such employers from outsourcing or otherwise contracting for the placement of an H-1B nonimmigrant with another employer, regardless of whether the other employer is H-1B dependent employer. Revises H-1B employer requirements with respect to: (1) job advertising on a free Department of Labor website (as required under this Act); (2) information sharing; (3) prohibiting H-1B-exclusive employment advertising; and (4) prohibiting an employer of not less than 50 employees in the United States from having more than 50% H-1B nonimmigrant employees. Eliminates the exemption from H-1B numerical admission limitations for certain aliens with a US master's or higher degree. Revises the H-1B definition of "specialty occupation." Requires the Secretary of Labor to be responsible for investigations of wage complaints and allegations of fraud in the filing of LCAs. Increases monetary penalties for LCA violations. Applies the nondisplacement requirement to all H-1B employers. Provides H-1B alien whistleblower protections.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Deems Greece to be designated as a visa waiver country under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007 - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to reauthorize through FY2013, and revise requirements for uses of, the annual grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
L-1 Nonimmigrant Reform Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise L-1 (intracompany transfers) nonimmigrant visa provisions. Prohibits entry of an L-1 worker unless the employer has filed a labor condition application with the Secretary of Labor which shall attest that: (1) wage and working condition comparability exists; (2) no strike or lockout exists in the occupational classification at the employment site; (3) the employer has notified the bargaining representative or the employees about the prospective L-1 hiring; (4) the L-1 application contains occupational classification and wage and working condition information; and (5) there has not been nor will there be any lay-off of U.S. workers 180 days before or after the L-1 hiring. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish processes for receipt, investigation, and disposition of violation claims; (2) establish a process to permit an L-1 alien who files a complaint to work for another employer; and (3) report annually on the use of L-1 workers. Sets forth employer violation provisions. Makes an employer liable for the return transportation costs of an L-1 worker dismissed from employment prior to the end of the authorized admission. Imposes a fee on an L-1 employer. Establishes in the Treasury the L-1 Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account, which shall be used for data processing, labor enforcement, and training and education of U.S. workers. Establishes an annual 35,000 L-1 visa limit. Eliminates L-1 blanket visa authority. Requires: (1) an L-1 worker to have a bachelor's degree or higher in his or her area of special knowledge; and (2) verification by the Secretary of State. Increases the prior foreign employment requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY2008 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY2006. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY2008 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capita baseline amount for FY2006, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of state home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
America's Better Classrooms Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified public school modernization bonds, defined to include: (1) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land for such facility (qualified school construction bonds); and (2) bonds to finance certain academic programs below the postsecondary level in empowerment zones or enterprise communities (qualified zone academy bonds). Establishes a national limitation on the issuance of such bonds and provides for the allocation of bond amounts among the states according to a specified formula. Terminates the authority for issuance of such bonds after 2009. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to apply certain labor standards to public school construction projects financed by this Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require states to establish employment and training programs relating to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct owners or operators of publicly owned treatment works to: (1) institute an alert system for sewer overflows; (2) notify the public of such overflows in areas where human health is potentially affected not later than 24 hours; (3) immediately notify public health authorities and other affected entities; and (4) provide specified reports to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the state. Makes the alert systems eligible for state water pollution control revolving fund assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Recognizes the historical significance to the nation, and supports the continued celebration, of Juneteenth Independence Day (June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African Americans were free). Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future; and (2) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," throughout the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting them, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary of the Army or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act related to discharges: (1) composed entirely of agricultural return flows; (2) of stormwater runoff from oil, gas, and mining operations; or (3) of dredged or fill materials resulting from normal farming, silviculture, and ranching activities or from activities with respect to which a state has an approved program, or for the purposes of maintenance of currently serviceable structures or drainage ditches, construction or maintenance of farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches, or farm, forest, or temporary roads for moving mining equipment, or construction of temporary sedimentation basins on construction sites.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Declares that the House of Representatives and the American people have lost confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Urges the President to request his resignation and to nominate a new candidate more capable of serving as the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Calls upon the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to condemn the atrocities taking place in Darfur, Sudan, and end military and economic assistance to the government of Sudan until Sudan stops civilian attacks and engages in peace negotiations. Recognizes the close relationship between the PRC and Sudan and urges the PRC to use its political, international, and economic influence to stop the violence in Darfur, Sudan. Recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics, which is to bring together nations and people from all over the world in peace, is incompatible with actions supporting acts of genocide.