United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia. Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, government security personnel involved in shootings of demonstrators, and Ethiopian civilians involved in killings of Ethiopian policemen. Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with the Oromo Liberation Front to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal. Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with: (1) economic policy assistance; (2) financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures; and (3) resource policy assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Calls for: (1) full federal funding to be authorized and appropriated for all states to continue the battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic; and (2) any reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990 to not impose catastrophic losses in funding for states with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) pursue a global HIV prevention strategy that emphasizes the needs of married and unmarried women and girls and addresses the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; and (2) balance funding for HIV prevention methods. Directs the President to: (1) formulate and submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make available to the public, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate global HIV prevention strategy that addresses the HIV vulnerability of married and unmarried women and girls and seeks to reduce the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; (2) ensure that the United States coordinates its overall HIV/AIDS policy and programs with foreign governments, international organizations, other donor countries, and indigenous organizations; (3) provide clear guidance to U.S. field missions; and (4) implement a monitoring and evaluation system.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Urges: (1) the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the Inter-American Development Bank, and other multilateral financial institutions to cancel Haiti's debts to them under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct U.S. Executive Directors at such institutions to use U.S. influence to accomplish this goal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring Varian Fry; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Honors the town of Nicodemus, Kansas, for its contribution to American history. Commends and encourages the preservation efforts of the National Park Service and the residents of Nicodemus.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Safe Climate Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate: (1) targets for a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year from 2010-2050 ; and (2) regulations requiring reductions to meet such targets, including by setting caps on emissions of sources and sectors with the largest emissions or the best opportunities to reduce them, by issuing and authorizing trading of emission allowances, and by imposing penalties for excess emissions. Requires relevant federal agencies to finalize a rule to carry out the National Academies' recommendations for regulatory action needed to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations or explain their reasons for declining to act. Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan for the distribution of emission allowances (including through auctions) and the use of proceeds (to be deposited in a Climate Reinvestment Fund) for specified goals, including mitigating the effects of energy cost increases and climate change. Requires the EPA to ensure that emissions and allowances are accurately tracked, reported, and verified. Authorizes the emission reduction regulations to include: (1) additional requirements for any source or sector; and (2) performance standards, best management practices, and technology-based requirements. Requires such regulations to set standards for the reduction of greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles at least as quickly as the standards adopted by the California Air Resources Board at its September 2004 hearing. Requires the EPA to revise such standards in 2014 and every five years thereafter to further reduce emissions. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) require, beginning in 2009, an annual increase in the percentage of electric energy generated from renewable sources that is sold at the retail level in the United States and to require such percentage to be at least 20% of the total electricity sold by 2020; and (2) set end-user savings targets for retail electric-energy and natural gas suppliers. Authorizes DOE to: (1) increase the required percentage of end-user savings for years after 2020; and (2) allow suppliers to achieve the targets through a market-based trading system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
African Development Foundation Act of 2006 - Amends the the African Development Foundation Act to redesignate the African Development Foundation as the United States African Development Foundation. Specifies that small enterprises, producer associations, and cooperatives are eligible for Foundation assistance grants, loans, and loan guarantee assistance. Increases the project assistance ceiling and permits such amount to be exceeded in exceptional circumstances upon Board of Directors approval and congressional notification. Requires a small enterprise to have its ownership and management and daily business operations vested in one or more individuals who are indigenous to Africa in order to qualify for Foundation assistance. Authorizes the Foundation to provide eligible recipients with technical assistance. Revises specified salary and hiring provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Recognizes the importance of honoring the nation's senior citizens. Encourages children to set aside time to learn from them and to read about their contributions and urges all Americans to honor their service.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Congratulates Spelman College on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Commends those associated with the College for their outstanding achievements and contributions to African American education, history, and culture.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Men's Health Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Office of Men's Health to coordinate and promote the status of men's health in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
10,000 Trained by 2010 Act - Requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants for basic research on innovative approaches to improve health care information systems, as well as for scientific and engineering activities to improve education in the health care information fields. Requires the award of NSF grants also to institutions of higher education to: (1) establish multidisciplinary Centers for Informatics Research for conducting cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research to generate innovative approaches in health care information; and (2) establish or improve undergraduate and master's degree health care information programs, attract students to such programs, and provide them with experience in government or industry related to their studies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the earned income tax credit phaseout amounts for married taxpayers and make such increases permanent; (2) increase the rate of such credit for families with three or more children; (3) reduce the phaseout of such credit for individuals with no children; (4) make permanent the inclusion of military combat pay in earned income for purposes of computing such credit; and (5) impose an additional income tax on individual taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes over $1 million.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes that minorities and women still face unique challenges entering into and obtaining upper level positions within the financial services industry; and (2) encourages financial institutions to take specified steps to increase participation of women and minorities in the industry. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) active measures should be taken by employers and educational institutions to increase the demographic diversity of the financial services industry; and (2) diversity within the financial services industry is vitally important not only to promoting innovation and creativity in the industry but to developing a more inclusive workforce for a fair and just economy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
Urges Congress and the executive branch to: (1) recognize the successful use of advanced imaging technologies in the fight against breast cancer; and (2) provide additional support for the research and development of technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment comparable to mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Honors the life and accomplishments of Katherine Dunham. Recognizes her immeasurable contributions to the arts and all of humanity. Extends condolences to her family on her death.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Calls on the government of Germany to take action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Urges European countries to support public awareness campaigns to educate the general public, particularly athletes, sports fans, and financial sponsors of the 2006 World Cup, about the potential for trafficking in human beings. Encourages governments, international and nongovernmental organizations, 2006 World Cup sponsors, tour operators, and air transportation providers to join the efforts to end the sexual exploitation of women and girls and prevent trafficking in human beings. Commends the "Final Whistle--Stop Forced Prostitution Campaign" launched by the National Council of German Women's Organizations and calls on sports associations, including FIFA, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the German Football Association to support this campaign. Urges Germany and all countries to ratify or accede to, and to implement, the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month, and recognizes the importance of homeownership in building strong communities and families.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Identity Theft Protection Act of 2006 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to permit a consumer to request a consumer reporting agency to place a security freeze upon his consumer report. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency, if a security freeze is in place, from releasing a consumer report to a third party without prior express authorization from the consumer. Prescribes procedures for removal and temporary suspension of a security freeze. Requires a consumer reporting agency to notify the consumer in writing before removing the security freeze. Identifies specified entities, including governmental agencies, to which these prohibitions and requirements do not apply. Permits a consumer reporting agency to charge a reasonable fee for placing or temporarily suspending a security freeze on a consumer report. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from charging a fee for placing, removing, or temporarily suspending a security freeze if a consumer: (1) has either filed a police report, or made a complaint to a police department concerning identity theft; or (2) has received notice that a breach of data security has occurred with respect to information required by law to be maintained securely and in confidence. Exempts specified entities from this Act, including certain aggregators and other agencies acting only as resellers of credit information which do not maintain a permanent data base of consumer information from which new consumer reports are produced.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the grant program to provide residential substance abuse treatment to pregnant and postpartum women to include: (1) parenting women substance abuse treatment (including treatment for addiction to methamphetamine); and (2) outpatient treatment services. Requires that such treatment programs be accessible to pregnant and parenting women in health disparity populations. Gives priority in awarding grants to any entity that agrees to use the award for programs serving: (1) an area that is a rural area, an area with a shortage of mental health professionals, or an area with a shortage of family-based substance abuse treatment options; or (2) an area that has high rates of addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for the purpose of assisting local jails and detention facilities in providing comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment services to pregnant and parenting adults who are considered nonviolent offenders. Sets forth criteria that must be met if such a grant is used for a family drug treatment program that is an alternative to incarceration.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
African Entrepreneurship Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to make available for private sector development in sub-Saharan African countries professional, technical, and other resources for capacity-building for retail banks and small and medium enterprises, including farmers' cooperatives and businesses, to promote entrepreneurship and economic and export diversification, to expand the formal sector, and to increase trade. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include an African Economic Diversification Fund financing rate in the determination of the tax on petroleum products entered into the United States directly from a beneficiary sub-Saharan country. Terminates the Fund financing rate after December 31, 2011. Establishes in the Treasury the African Economic Diversification Fund. Sets forth permitted expenditures. Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the Office of International Trade the 21st Century African Entrepreneurs Program to provide assistance to qualified small and medium African enterprises. Provides for the establishment of not less than three African Entrepreneurs Program Centers for each of FY2007-FY2012 in qualified sub-Saharan countries. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish the U.S.-Africa Private Sector Advisory Council. States that: (1) the Administrator should provide the Secretary of the Treasury with information pertaining to how African Development Bank programs can be used to improve the 21st Century African Entrepreneurs Program; (2) the Secretary of Agriculture should provide the Secretary of the Treasury with information pertaining to how the establishment of a value-added agricultural loan facility can be used to support development of qualified small and medium African enterprises devoted to the processing of agricultural commodities; and (3) the Secretary of State should undertake activities to strengthen internationally recognized labor rights and standards in qualified sub-Saharan African countries. Authorizes the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide assistance to small and medium enterprises in such countries for: (1) youth entrepreneurship programs; and (2) anti-corruption initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to inpatient hospital service payments to certain hospitals (subsection (d) hospitals) on the basis of prospective rates, to exclude certain cancer hospitals from the meaning of subsection (d) hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Requests the President, and directs the Secretary of State, to provide to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after adoption of this resolution, all documents, including planning documents, electronic mail records, minutes, memoranda, and advisory legal opinions, in the possession of the President or the Secretary, respectively, relating to strategies and plans designed to cause regime change in, or for the use of military force against Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a two-year demonstration project for Medicare payment for comprehensive cancer care symptom management services furnished by an eligible entity in accordance with a described plan. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for establishing a new, or expanding an existing, palliative care and symptom management program for cancer patients. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to improve the quality of graduate and postgraduate training of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, as well as continuing professional education, in palliative care and symptom management for such patients. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a program of grants for research on palliative care, symptom management, communication skills, and other end-of-life topics for such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Calls on the government of Iran to cease repressive activities aimed at the Iranian Baha'i community and holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of its nationals, including the Baha'i community. Requests the President to: (1) call for the government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights covenants; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the government of Iran's human rights practices as a significant factor in U.S.-Iran foreign policy; and (3) initiate a consistent dialogue with other governments and the European Union (EU) in order to persuade the government of Iran to rectify its human rights practices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Science Accountability Act of 2006 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to: (1) establish challenging academic content and student achievement standards in science, beginning in the 2008-2009 school year; and (2) measure the achievement of students in grades three through eight against such standards, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Fostering Our Future Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to require, for grants to the highest state courts for foster care proceedings, that the state in which the courts are located has laws and procedures in effect that will ensure that the courts measure their performance with respect to children under the court's jurisdiction. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to forgive the student loan debt of a borrower who: (1) enters a written agreement with the Secretary to remain employed full-time as a family law, dependency, or domestic relations attorney for at least three years; and (2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks forgiveness. Limits the amount that the Secretary may pay to no more than $6,000 in any year for any borrower or $50,000 in the aggregate for any borrower. Authorizes the Secretary to renew such agreements. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comparative study of state dependency courts and foster care systems. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) court accountability for improved child outcomes; (2) the organization of state dependency courts; (3) building the pool of attorneys qualified to handle cases in dependency courts; and (4) training, caseloads, and compensation of attorneys for children.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Commends efforts by members of faith-based and community organizations in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Encourages all government agencies to consider such organizations in disaster relief and recovery in the future.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Calls for legislation to be enacted by October 1, 2008, to guarantee that every person in the United States is entitled to receive all medically necessary care under a system of care that meets specified requirements, including that: (1) the system provides a single universal standard of excellence in care; (2) such care is affordable to all and there are no financial barriers to needed care; (3) the system provides comprehensive benefits and promotes prevention and early intervention; and (4) the system maximizes consumer choice of health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Preserve Historic America Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for rehabilitation of older and historic buildings by: (1) increasing from 20 to 25% the tax credit rate for certified historic structure rehabilitation expenditures; (2) permitting a building at least 50 years old to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit (currently, a building must have been placed in service before 1936); (3) permitting qualified rehabilitated buildings to be used for lodging purposes; (4) limiting to 50% the basis reduction for buildings qualifying for the low-income housing and rehabilitation tax credits; (5) allowing an increased rehabilitation tax credit for certain buildings in difficult development areas or which qualify as small rehabilitation projects; (6) exempting tax credits for rehabilitation of certified historic structures from the calculation of the passive activity credit; and (7) permitting the assignment of rehabilitation tax credits. Allows a new tax credit for 20% of the cost of rehabilitating a qualified historic home. Defines "qualified historic home" as a certified historic structure which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and is or will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Commends the courage and supports the determination of leaders and members of civil society and faith communities who risk their lives to advance local peace-building efforts and promote peace, human rights, and human dignity in Colombia. Recognizes the service and commitment of U.S. and Colombian churches, faith-based organizations, and non-governmental organizations for their advocacy and humanitarian assistance to promote peace, defend human rights, and improve the lives of the people of Colombia who have been displaced and marginalized. Urges the Secretary of State to recognize and provide support for faith-based organizations and non-governmental organizations in Colombia, and their U.S. partners, for efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, promote peace and conflict resolution, advance human rights, and end the armed conflict in Colombia. Calls upon the Secretary of State to monitor any acts of violence or human rights abuses committed against leaders or members of local peace-building efforts in Colombia by government forces, guerilla groups, or paramilitaries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
District of Columbia Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006 - Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives. Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members. Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the Twenty-Third amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District. Makes conforming amendments to federal law regarding the Armed Forces (appointments to service academies). Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members. Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase. Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Code of 1955. Repeals provisions of: (1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act establishing the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 providing for electing a Senator and Representative for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)) to establish and support demonstration, education, and other programs for cancer survivorship. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) expand and coordinate NIH cancer survivorship research activities; (2) establish a Division of Cancer Survivorship within NCI; and (3) provide for the expansion of cancer survivorship research activities at NCI-designated cancer centers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) expand the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program; (2) study the unique health challenges associated with cancer survivorship; and (3) carry out projects and interventions to improve the long-term health status of cancer survivors. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish programs that demonstrate how to prevent and control cancer and improve access to quality cancer care among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations with disproportionate incidence of, or death from, cancer; (2) promote cancer education, prevention, and early detection of cancer; (3) award grants for cancer control and prevention; and (4) establish the National Commission on Cancer Survivorship. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Directors of CDC and NCI, to make grants to monitor and evaluate the quality of cancer care, develop information concerning the quality of care, and monitor cancer survivorship.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Family Fairness Act of 2006 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to make an employee eligible for coverage under such Act if that employee has been employed for at least 12 months by a covered employer with respect to whom such leave is requested. (Eliminates the requirement, under current law, that the employee have served at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period before the leave request.)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Lawful Intelligence and Surveillance of Terrorists in an Emergency by NSA Act or LISTEN Act - States that specified provisions of federal criminal law concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) shall be the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted. Directs the President to ensure that: (1) all electronic surveillance of persons in the United States is conducted within those exclusive means; and (2) the procedures for applying for an order for electronic surveillance under FISA continue to be adequate for the timely and efficient electronic surveillance of appropriate targets. Requires: (1) the President to report to the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees upon a determination that such procedures are inadequate; and (2) the report to contain findings and recommendations with respect to emergency or routine applications for such orders. Authorizes appropriations to the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for activities of the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review to ensure the timely and efficient processing of applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) correction of erroneous determinations and other changes in fee schedule and national limitation amounts for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) issuance of regulations on gap-filling methodology in determining the Medicare fee schedule for such tests; (3) increased transparency of process for determining fee schedule amounts for new tests; and (4) mandatory advance notice of clinical diagnostic laboratory test amounts being considered for adjustment under inherent reasonableness authority. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a demonstration project to evaluate new approaches to coding and payment under the Medicare program for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; and (2) appoint a standing panel to determine tests to be included in the project and make recommendations derived from project results to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month; and (2) President Bush's Commission on Mental Health's finding that the failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based assistance grants for public housing projects. Extends the sunset date for such assistance to September 30, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Safe Access in Fire Emergencies Act of 2006 - Requires the Consumer Products Safety Commission to establish a consumer product safety standard for window bars that: (1) requires all window bars manufactured or installed in the United States to incorporate releasing systems that meet minimum standards; and (2) addresses such systems for interior and exterior based bars. Provides that the minimum standards shall require that such systems provide for: (1) egress when actuated; and (2) manual activation from inside a residence allowing escape through a protected opening. Requires compliance enforcement under the Consumer Products Safety Act. Directs the Commission to require each manufacturer to include in the packaging a statement explaining window bar installation and releasing system operation. Expresses the sense of the Congress that public housing, low-income housing, manufactured housing units, and homes purchased using any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the National Housing Act should meet a minimal standard that requires window bars to incorporate an emergency releasing system. Requires the Commission to establish and maintain a National Electronic Injury Surveillance System code and system for collection of information and statistics on casualties associated with window bars.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Expresses gratitude to Mrs. Deloris Jordan and the James Jordan Foundation for improving the lives of inner city youth in the United States and initiating a public-private collaborative to establish a women's and children's hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Supports the current Nairobi Women's Hospital, including its operators, staff, and personnel, for its dedication and commitment to the residents of Nairobi. Encourages the development of the new Nairobi Women's Hospital to assist in the social development of Nairobi's health infrastructure and the economic development of the East Africa region.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Library of Congress Employee Transition Assistance Act of 2006 - States that any employee of the Library of Congress who at any time before or after this Act's enactment has satisfactorily completed a probationary period with the Library under a nontemporary appointment acquires a competitive status for appointment to any position in the competitive service for which such employee possesses the required qualifications. Prohibits an employee who acquires a competitive status under this Act from being required to complete a probationary period upon appointment to a position in the competitive service. Treats a displaced Library of Congress employee as an employee of an executive department, government corporation, or independent establishment who is eligible for a special selection priority under the career transition assistance program for surplus and displaced federal employees administered by the Director of the Office Personnel Management (OPM). Defines such employees as certain employees, or former employees, of the Library of Congress who were separated from employment not more than 90 days prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Access to Better Choice in Dialysis Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a five-year pilot project to measure the impact of increasing the payment amount otherwise provided under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, based upon the provision of hemodialysis treatment more frequently than three times per week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Assistant Secretary for Aging to make grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations experienced in administering volunteer programs to provide $1,000 scholarships to older individuals who perform at least 600 hours of volunteer service with such agencies or organizations within a 12-month period. Allows the proration of such scholarships when an individual, due to compelling personal circumstances, cannot perform 600, but performs at least 300, hours of service within such period. Allows a scholarship recipient to designate another individual to use such scholarship.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend the 2006 and 2007 initial enrollment periods for the Medicare prescription drug benefit; (2) suspend the late enrollment penalty through December 31, 2007; and (3) permit Medicare beneficiaries to change enrollment in a prescription drug plan during the first 12 months of enrollment. Prohibits a PDP sponsor, beginning with 2006, from removing a covered part D drug from the plan formulary, or imposing a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, other than at the beginning of each plan year, except as the Secretary may permit to take into account new therapeutic uses and newly covered part D drugs. Requires each PDP sponsor to furnish to each plan enrollee, at the time of each annual coordinated election period, a notice of any changes in the formulary or other part D drug coverage restrictions or limitations that will take effect for the upcoming plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation. Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of Guyana's independence and extends best wishes to Guyana for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Recognizes that African American spirituals are a poignant and powerful genre of music that have become one of the most significant segments of American music in existence. Requests that the President issue a proclamation that reflects on the important contribution of African American spirituals to American history and that names the African American spiritual as a national treasure.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring) that: (1) Joey Cheek is a great American who espouses the principles of democracy and support for human rights; and (2) Joey Cheek represents the best that the United States has to offer in its citizenry through his accomplishments as an athlete and through his principles and respect for human life. Recognizes: (1) the difficulties the displaced and orphaned children of the Darfur region of Sudan encounter and supports the actions of Joey Cheek in bringing their suffering to the attention of the international community; and (2) the need to work with international partners to help bring an end to the ongoing genocide in Darfur and the suffering of children in Chad.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate adjustments in Medicare payments for imaging services made by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
![Official portrait of Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000149_200.jpg)