United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Calls on the President to not attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing until China: (1) persuades Sudan to end attacks in Darfur and allow for the full deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur; and (2) takes steps to stop arms sales to Sudan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the maximum annual and aggregate unsubsidized Stafford loan amounts that may be provided to undergraduate and graduate students under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Gives parent borrowers of PLUS FFELs the option to defer loan principal repayment for up to six months after the students for whom such loans are borrowed cease to carry at least one-half the normal full-time academic workload. Authorizes lenders, for loans made from July 2008 through June 2009, to determine that borrowers of PLUS loans under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs who are up to 180 days delinquent on their home mortgages meet a specified extenuating circumstances requirement which makes them eligible for such loans despite having an adverse credit history. Includes parent borrowers in the FFEL lender-of-last-resort program for borrowers otherwise unable to obtain such loans. Allows institutions of higher education (IHEs) to participate in such program, thereby requiring guaranty agencies serving as lenders-of-last-resort to make FFELs to student and parent borrowers of such IHEs regardless of their ability to otherwise obtain such loans. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to advance needed funds to guaranty agencies acting as lenders-of-last-resort in such situations. Gives the Secretary the authority, until July 2009, to purchase FFELs from lenders upon the determination that there is an inadequate availability of loan capital to meet the demand for such loans. Prohibits such loan purchases from resulting in any cost to the federal government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the federal financial institutions should consider using available authorities in a timely manner, if needed, to enhance student and family access to federal student loans in a manner that results in no increased costs to taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
International Megan's Law of 2008 - Requires registered sex offenders to report their departure to or arrival from a foreign place not later than 21 days before such departure or arrival. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for failure to report such travel. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a system of notice to foreign countries about travel outside of the United States by registered sex offenders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make convicted sex offenders inadmissible to the United States. Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include in the annual report of the Secretary of State on the status of severe forms of human trafficking efforts of foreign countries to identify and provide notice of international travel by sex offenders. Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying and providing notice of sex offenders traveling to the United States and other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a cultural ambassador of the United States to the world, during which it has provided world-class American modern dance to people across the globe. Recognizes that: (1) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people while using the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people; and (2) the Ailey II company, the Ailey School, and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and Community Programs train future generations of dancers and choreographers while exposing young people to the arts.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Honors former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on his 90th birthday (July 18, 2008) and extends best wishes to him and his family. Congratulates him for his efforts to promote dialogue to peacefully resolve conflicts between people in Africa and around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2008
Recognizes: (1) National Public Health Week; (2) the efforts of public health professionals, first responders, states, municipalities, and local communities to incorporate measures to adapt health care systems to address impacts of climate change; and (3) the role of adaptation in preventing impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, the improvement of health status and equity through efforts to address climate change, and the need to include health policy in the development of climate responses. Encourages: (1) further research, interdisciplinary partnership, and collaboration to understand and monitor the health impacts of climate change, for preparedness activities, and for improvement of health care infrastructure; and (2) every American to learn about the impact of climate change on health.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel for the past 60 years and commits to strengthening those bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require manufacturers and importers of tobacco products to legibly print a unique serial number on all packages of tobacco products manufactured or imported for sale or distribution. Imposes marking requirements for exports of tobacco products. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to require additional secure methods of identification or marking of tobacco products. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a system of tobacco tax stamps, meter impressions, or other tax-payment indicia for tobacco products. Requires tobacco products sold on Indian reservations to be visibly and prominently labeled as such. Prohibits the export of tobacco products without the posting of a bond with the Secretary. Extends permit, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements to wholesalers of tobacco products. Establishes new criminal offenses relating to the distribution of tobacco products. Increases the civil penalty for tobacco-related infractions from $1,000 to $10,000. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) extend criminal penalties for contraband cigarettes to tobacco products (i.e., cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco) and define "contraband tobacco product" for purposes of such penalties; (2) establish new unlawful acts relating to tobacco products and machines used to manufacture or package tobacco products; and (3) establish whistleblower protections for employees who provide information about violations relating to contraband tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Restoring the Partnership for County Health Care Costs Act of 2008 - Amends titles XVI (Supplementary Security Income) (SSI), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to allow benefits under such titles for persons in custody in a public institution pending disposition of charges.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
States that for purposes of U.S. entry, present and former members of the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be inadmissible based upon: (1) ANC membership or affiliation; or (2) anti-apartheid activities undertaken during the 1948-1990 period of apartheid rule in South Africa. Exempts the ANC from treatment as a terrorist organization for acts or events occurring on or before the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of State to take all necessary steps to ensure that databases used to determine U.S. admissibility conform to the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month (April 2008), including raising public awareness about financial education. Recognizes the importance of managing personal finances, increasing personal savings, and reducing indebtedness in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Expresses the sense of the United States House of Representatives that: (1) the elimination of poverty and hunger, assurance of basic health and education for all, and resolution of environmental crises remain key foreign policy goals for the United States; and (2) a Global Marshall Plan holds potentially transformative power to foreign development assistance that would demonstrate U.S. commitment to peace and prosperity to people who may have doubted the dedication of the United States to those ideals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Condemns the Chinese government's: (1) dispersion and detention of peaceful Tibetan protesters; and (2) policy of using the Internet and news media to control society. Expresses: (1) admiration for the spiritual leadership provided by the Dalai Lama; and (2) solidarity with the Tibetan people. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should call upon the Chinese government to: (1) permit peaceful protest; (2) permit free news media coverage; (3) comply with Chinese criminal law and provide details about Tibetans detained or charged with a crime; (4) engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama and his representatives over Tibet's future; and (5) abide by international human rights agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program for veterans to: (1) increase the rates of basic educational assistance and the time limit for entitlement to and use of such assistance; (2) provide a stipend for individuals using such assistance to pursue a program of education at an institution of higher learning; (3) extend the period for the collection of a fee for the use of such assistance; (4) authorize the use of such assistance for business courses and seminars, courses taken to prepare for licensing or certification tests, and the repayment of federal student loans; (5) allow for withdrawal of the election not to enroll in the program; (6) state that such assistance shall not reduce eligibility for other financial aid; (7) extend the increase in benefits for certain individuals pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training; (8) modify the amount for reimbursement of state and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits; (9) provide educational assistance for veterans discharged under a general discharge; (10) increase the reporting fee payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving assistance; (11) provide additional areas of work-study for veterans; (12) require a five-year pilot program for on-campus work-study positions; (13) increase the number of employees in the Education Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (14) require an action plan for upgrading VA information technology used in the administration of educational benefits; and (15) modify the advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) conduct a survey of and report to Congress on the compliance of fire departments in the United States with national consensus standards for staffing, training, safe operations, personal protective equipment, and fitness; and (2) establish a Task Force to Enhance Firefighter Safety to develop a plan to enhance firefighter safety by increasing compliance with such standards and to consider ways in which the federal government, states, and localities can promote, encourage, or require compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Commends public servants for their outstanding contributions to the nation during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year. Honors government employees who have given their lives in service to their country. Encourages efforts to promote public service careers.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide coordination and assistance for the maintenance of the nationwide toll-free phone number to access poison centers. Changes the name of poison control centers to poison centers. Requires the Secretary to carry out and expand upon a national media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention and the availability of poison center resources in local communities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with a nationally recognized organization for the development and implementation of a nationwide poison prevention and poison center awareness campaign. Expands the poison center grant program to allow the Secretary to award grants for poison centers to comply with the operational requirements needed to sustain certification of the center. Adds as the purposes for which such grants may be used: (1) to establish and evaluate best practices in the United States for poison prevention, poison center outreach, and emergency and preparedness programs; (2) to develop and implement standard patient management guidelines for commonly encountered toxic exposures; (3) to improve national toxic exposure surveillance; (4) to develop, support, and enhance technology and capabilities of professional organizations in the field of poison control to collect national poisoning, toxic occurrence, and related public health data; and (5) to develop initiatives to foster the enhanced public health utilization of national poison data. Eliminates matching requirements for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Recognizes: (1) Gordon "Gordie" Howe on the occasion of his 80th birthday; (2) Howe's vast contribution to the sport of ice hockey and the National Hockey League; and (3) Howe as one of the greatest players in the history of ice hockey and American professional sports.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Expresses support for National Facial Protection Month. Calls for: (1) raising awareness about the importance of using proper dental and facial protection during sporting activities; (2) additional research on the effectiveness of intervention programs to encourage use of helmets, face masks, and mouth guards; and (3) educating athletes about the importance of, and encouraging the use of, protective equipment that meets the standards of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Honors Army Specialist Monica L. Brown, who risked her life to save the lives of fellow wounded soldiers while serving in Afghanistan. Pledges continued support for the men and women of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Families Beyond Bars Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to qualified organizations to carry out child-parent visitation programs that foster and develop familial ties between eligible children and their incarcerated parents. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on child-parent visitation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Birthparent Assistance Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide certain post-legal adoption services, counseling, and a nationally-available hotline for birthparents who have placed a child for adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Recognizes the enduring value of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) as a cornerstone of global efforts to combat racial discrimination and uphold human rights. Commends the United States for meeting its ICERD reporting obligations. Calls upon the U.S. government to support existing laws and programs aimed at redressing past injustices that have contributed to ongoing racial discrimination and present day disparities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation. Recognizes the importance of sanitation on public health, poverty reduction, economic and social development, and the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Condemns the Burmese regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; (2) outpatient hospital services; and (3) allowable provider taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Fresh Produce Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish standards for good manufacturing practices for the minimal processing of produce, including standards related to sanitation and water. Requires the Secretary to provide for unannounced inspections of processing facilities to determine if produce processed in the facilities is in compliance with the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish general standards for good agricultural practices for the production of raw agricultural commodities, including requirements related to manure, animals, water, and environmental conditions. Gives officers and employees duly designated by the Secretary the authority to inspect appropriate facilities to determine compliance with the standards for good agricultural practices. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to establish and maintain an active surveillance system to assess the frequency and sources of human illness in the United States associated with the consumption of fresh produce. Directs the Commissioner and the Secretary of Agriculture to design and implement a national public education program on food safety relating to produce. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research to assist in the implementation of this Act and the requirements of the FFDCA that relate to produce. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for equivalency with foreign countries that intend to export raw agricultural commodities and minimally processed produce to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Provides transitional health care (medical and dental care and other military-related health benefits) for 180 days following separation for members of the Armed Forces separated from active duty who agree to become a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Securing American Families by Educating and Training Youth (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of community violence by educating, mentoring, and counseling youth regarding the principles and application of nonviolence in conflict resolution. Gives grant priority to applicants that agree to use the funds in communities experiencing an increase in violence, but lacking the resources to address violence prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Group Health Plan Prosthetics Parity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and benefits for prosthetic devices and components to provide prosthetics coverage under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than those applicable to substantially all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan. Prohibits the prosthetics benefit from being subject to separate or more restrictive financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations. Applies the requirements of this Act separately with respect to in-network and out-of-network benefits. Requires a group health plan to apply the same prior authorization requirements to the prosthetics benefit as apply for all similar benefits under the plan. Limits the required prosthetics benefit to the most appropriate model that adequately meets the medical requirements of the patient. Includes repair or replacement of prosthetic devices and components within such coverage. Prohibits a group health plan from imposing any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on the prosthetics benefit that is not applied in the aggregate to all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) assist participants and beneficiaries with any questions or problems regarding compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (2) conduct random audits of group health plans to ensure compliance. Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate the effects of this Act, including on the cost of and access to heath insurance coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and received by Congress on February 22, 2008, relating to broadcast media ownership.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Global Security Priorities Resolution - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should continue negotiations with other countries and unilateral initiatives to achieve nuclear arms reductions, and agree to the verifiable reduction of deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons; (2) the Cooperative Threat Reduction (Nunn-Lugar) Program should be extended to requesting third countries; and (3) funds saved through nuclear arms reductions should be used for cooperative threat reduction and to alleviate problems affecting children and families that can contribute to support for international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2008
Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit physical therapy to be furnished under the Medicare program to individuals under the care of a dentist.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Right to Clean Vehicles Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to approve the application of the state of California for a waiver of federal preemption of its motor vehicle emission standards.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Recognizes Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his successes in the sport of golf, for his exemplary conduct as a private citizen, for a life devoted to service to others, and for his service as a role model.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Extends congratulations to the people of Greece as they celebrate the 187th anniversary of Greece's independence. Notes the important role that Greece has played in the wider European region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2012; and (2) increase the readjustment allowance for returning Peace Corps volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
States that the House of Representatives: (1) makes a stronger commitment to reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad through greater financial investment and participation in global initiatives; and (2) recognizes maternal health as a human right.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008 - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to revise requirements for services provided under grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services for centers for runaway and homeless youth and their families. Limits the length of stay in such a center, unless it is located in a state or locality with a child or youth-serving-facility licensure law or regulation that permits a longer length of stay. Increases grant allotments for states and specified U.S. territories. Requires the plan proposed by grant applicants for a runaway and homeless youth center to include an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan. Redefines age limits of homeless youth served under such Act. Revises requirements for transitional living programs to provide a longer length of stay if the program is located in a state or locality that permits one. Requires the Secretary to report periodically to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate estimates of the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless individuals between 13 to 25 years of age. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national homeless youth awareness campaign; and (2) establish priorities for making grants for research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projects. Requires the Secretary to: (1) give priority to public and, as under current law, nonprofit private agencies for sexual abuse programs; (2) establish performance standards for grant recipients; and (3) establish appeals procedures regarding amounts or denials of such grants. Defines "runaway youth" as an individual under age 18 who absents himself or herself from home or place of legal residence without the permission of parents or legal guardians.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate, within 90 days, an interim final standard and, within 18 months, a final occupational safety and health standard regulating combustible dusts, which shall apply to manufacturing, processing, blending, conveying, repackaging, and handling of combustible particulate solids and their dusts (including food, plastics, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, fibers, dyes, coal, metals, and fossil fuels power), but shall not apply to processes already covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standard on grain facilities. Requires such standard to provide no less protection than the recommendations contained in the National Fire Protection Association's Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids-2006 (NFPA 654) and Standard for Combustible Metals-2006 (NFPA 484). Requires such standard to provide requirements for: (1) a combustible dust hazard assessment; (2) a written program which includes plans for hazardous dust inspection, testing, housekeeping, and control, with established frequency and methods; (3) engineering, administrative controls and operating procedures, such as means to controlling fugitive dust emissions and ignition sources, the use of dust collection systems and filters, minimizing horizontal surfaces where dust can accumulate, and sealing of areas inaccessible to housekeeping; (4) managing change of dust producing materials, technology, equipment, staffing, and procedures; (5) housekeeping to control accumulation of combustible dust; (6) building design; (7) explosion protection; (8) employee participation in hazard assessment, development of and compliance with the written program, and other elements of hazard management in this standard; and (9) providing safety and health information and training to employees. Requires the Secretary, through OSHA, to modify the hazard communications standard to: (1) revise the definition of "physical hazard" to include "a combustible dust" as an additional example of a physical hazard; and (2) define "combustible dust" as a combustible particulate solid or finely divided metal that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations regardless of particle size and shape.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Expresses the the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the current U.S. economic slowdown is directly related to the enormous costs of the ongoing occupation of Iraq; and (2) Congress should move to redeploy U.S. Armed Forces and contractor security forces from Iraq as quickly and as safely as practical and refocus its efforts on addressing vital domestic priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Expresses concern about the safety and well-being of innocent civilians in Chad and the refugees from Darfur and the Central African Republic. Condemns Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the National Congress Party for their support of the armed rebellion in Chad. Calls on all parties to seek a negotiated settlement. Calls on the President to: (1) continue U.S. humanitarian assistance to the refugees and internally displaced persons in Chad and the Central African Republic; (2) provide support to strengthen democratic institutions and respect for human rights; and (3) seek punitive measures against the government of Sudan by the U.N. Security Council for its aggression and destructive activities in Chad and the region.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2008
Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally to develop a five-year strategic plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research of U.S. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, including mother-to-child HIV transmission. Extends funding for: (1) the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; (2) the Vaccine Fund; (3) the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative; and (4) malaria vaccine development programs. Authorizes appropriations for tuberculosis vaccine research. Directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a program to facilitate availability of proven microbicides that prevent the transmission of HIV. Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally to develop a plan to combat HIV/AIDS by strengthening health policies and health systems of host countries as part of USAID's Health Systems 2020 project. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to assistance programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Authorizes the President to provide increased resources to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership. Establishes within USAID a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat Malaria Globally. Provides for U.S.-foreign health care partnerships to combat HIV/AIDS. Directs the President to formulate a comprehensive global HIV/AIDS prevention strategy that addresses the vulnerabilities of women and youth to HIV infection. Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to extend funding for activities under such Act. Prohibits foreign taxation of such amounts. States that it shall be U.S. policy to support countries receiving U.S. assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and other health programs in developing and implementing five-year health workforce strategies. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2008
Recovery and Stability of Iraq Act of 2008 - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the position of Iraqi Displacement Coordinator who shall identify programs that address the humanitarian needs of displaced Iraqis and who shall advise and coordinate with the heads of appropriate U.S. departments and agencies, the government of Iraq, countries hosting displaced Iraqis in the region, the United Nations, and other involved nongovernmental and international organizations. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) design a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of displaced Iraqis; and (2) encourage the government of Iraq to develop a long-term plan for the voluntary and safe return of displaced Iraqis to their homes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000149_200.jpg)