United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Diabetes Month; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of diabetes, developing better treatments, and working toward an eventual cure for type I and type II diabetes through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection of diabetes and awareness of the symptoms of diabetes and risk factors for type II diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Insists that Burma's military regime begin a political dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic nationalities toward national reconciliation, and the restoration of democracy, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and human rights. Demands the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, Kyaw Zaw Lwin (a Burmese born American citizen), and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Calls on: (1) governments around the world to strengthen economic and arms sanctions against Burma; (2) the U.N. Security Council to impose multilateral sanctions on Burma's military regime; (3) the Administration to implement the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Additional Health Insurance Options for Unemployed Americans Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage for individuals with prior group plan coverage, to eliminate the requirement that such individuals have exhausted benefits under COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) or a similar state program after termination of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Guaranteed Access to Health Insurance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to states that adopt a program that provides reinsurance for health insurance coverage or a high risk pool to mitigate the health care costs of high risk individuals in such states. Limits participation in such reinsurance programs or high risk pools to citizens and nationals of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Spending, Deficit, and Debt Control Act of 2009 - Enhanced Spending Control and Budget Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require joint (currently, concurrent) budget resolutions signed by the President. Repeals the requirement for submission to the House of Representatives of an allocation and sub-allocations, consistent with the discretionary spending levels in the most recently agreed to budget resolution, in the event that no new budget resolution becomes law before April 15 of any year. Prescribes procedures for expedited consideration in each chamber of a presidential veto of a budget resolution. Revises requirements for adjustments for emergencies. Provides for a reserve fund for emergencies. Prescribes requirements for biennial budget resolutions, appropriations Acts, and government strategic and performance plans instead of annual ones if the President and Congress so agree. Spending Enforcement and Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2019. Prescribes certain deficit control enforcement mechanisms for such period. Budget Reform and Long-Term Sustainability Act of 2009 - Amends the CBA to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to: (1) make an annual 75-year projection of total spending, revenue, deficits, and debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), based on current law levels as modified to maintain current policy; (2) issue a Spending Review Report analyzing the solvency of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Fund and the long-range sustainability of the spending levels of Medicare, Medicaid, and other direct spending. Prescribes procedures for introduction and expedited consideration in each chamber of spending review legislation if such report indicates OASDI Trust Fund insolvency or the non-sustainability of Medicare, Medicaid, and other direct spending. Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) each to report on the federal government's financial condition, including the long-term unfunded obligations. . Requires inclusion in a joint budget resolution of specified long-term reconciliation directives in addition to, as under current law, a reconciliation measure. Requires CBO to estimate whether each measure reported from committee (except those under the Committee on Appropriations) causes a net increase in direct spending in excess of $5 billion in any of the four 10-year periods beginning in FY2019-FY2058. Makes it out of order in both chambers, subject to certain waivers or suspensions, to consider any measure that causes such a net increase in deficits Federal Program Sunset Act of 2009 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to review and report to Congress on the efficiency and public need for each federal agency, recommending abolishment or reorganization. Legislative Line-Item Veto Act of 2009 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose to Congress the cancellation (line item veto) of any dollar amount of discretionary budget authority, item of direct spending, or targeted tax benefit. Prescribes procedures for expedited consideration in each chamber of legislation to approve such proposal. Authorizes the President to: (1) withhold discretionary budget authority temporarily from obligation; or (2) suspend temporarily direct spending, a limited tariff, or targeted tax benefit. Declares that all such spending reductions related to this title shall be for deficit reduction. Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports), Rule X (Organization of Committees), and Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House to prescribe procedures for consideration of rescission measures. Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act of 2009 - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs, using specified criteria; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated, and proposing implementing legislation. Prescribes procedures for congressional consideration of reform proposals. Transparency in Budgeting Act of 2009 - Provides for accrual funding of: (1) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System; and (3) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Retirement Fund; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Retirement Fund; and (3) the Coast Guard Military Retirement Fund. Provides for accrual funding of post-retirement health benefits costs for federal employees. Changes the name of the Department of Defense (DOD) Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to Uniformed Services Health Care Fund (thus, providing health care programs for all uniformed service retirees, under certain conditions). Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform. Declares a moratorium on consideration of earmarks until the Joint Select Committee files its report. Revises requirements for limiting the public debt. Repeals Rule XXVIII (the Gephardt Rule, relating to mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution). Amends the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 to require adjustment for market risks in the estimation of net present values for calculation of the estimated long-term cost to the federal government of a direct loan or loan guarantee or modification. Budget Enforcement and Congressional Control Act of 2009 - Amends the CBA to prohibit consideration of extraneous appropriations in omnibus appropriations measures, or of more than a 20% increase in new direct spending in reconciliation legislation. Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) to make it out of order to consider any waiver of spending and deficit limits under this Act or the CBA. Directs the chairs of the congressional budget committees to each maintain a deficit reduction Discretionary Account and a deficit reduction Mandatory Account. Revises Rule X to suspend certain requirements limiting terms of service on the House Budget Committee. Establishes a House select committee to review the effectiveness of such requirements. Provides for expedited judicial consideration and review of a complaint by a Member of Congress or individual who is adversely affected by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2009
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require all House Committees to post record votes on their web sites within 48 hours of such votes. Exempts record votes taken in executive sessions in the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Condemns the government of Venezuela for its state-sponsored support of international terrorist groups. Calls on the Secretary of State to designate Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism. Urges increased counter-terrorism cooperation between the United States and allies in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Real Stimulus Act of 2009 - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from proposing, promulgating, or issuing any regulations with regard to the Internet or IP-enabled services. Makes such prohibition non-applicable to regulations that are determined necessary to: (1) prevent damage to U.S. national security; (2) ensure public safety; or (3) assist or facilitate any actions taken by federal and state law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives to the people who marched on Washington, D.C., on September 12, 2009, to show their love of liberty and their grievance with recent government actions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2009
Considers the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict" (Goldstone Report) to be biased and unworthy of further consideration or legitimacy. Supports the Administration's efforts to combat anti-Israel bias at the United Nations (U.N.). Calls on the President and the Secretary of State to oppose endorsement of, and measures stemming from, the Report. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend its citizens from violent militant groups and their state sponsors.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2009
Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to: (1) take all necessary steps to begin installation of cameras in room H-313 of the Capitol during the next recess lasting 10 calendar days or longer; (2) during the next such recess, begin and complete installation of such cameras; and (3) coordinate with the Chair of the Committee on Rules to provide for live broadcasting of the proceedings of such Committee on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Medicare Nuclear Medicine Payment Group Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for treatment of certain costs for a nuclear medicine group in the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services. Declares that services classified within a nuclear medicine group shall not be treated as comparable with respect to the use of resources, and therefore shall be excluded from the group, if the highest median cost (or, at the Secretary's election, mean cost) of any associated diagnostic radiopharmaceutical included in the payment for the service within the group is more than two times greater than the lowest median cost (or mean cost, if so elected) for a service within the group.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Recognizes Biblica (an international society that translates and distributes Bibles and biblical resources) as an integral part of U.S. history and commends Biblica for the contributions it has made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any meetings held to determine the final content of sweeping health care legislation be held in public view and not behind closed doors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Medicaid and SCHIP Beneficiary Choice Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP, also known as CHIP) of the Social Security Act to require an SCHIP plan to describe how it will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children who have access to coverage under a group health plan. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay to each state with an approved SCHIP plan a certain amount for the payment of premiums for coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan that includes coverage of targeted low-income children and benefits supplemental to such coverage. Revises requirements regarding the purchase of employer-sponsored insurance. Prohibits any minimum benefits requirement or any limitation on beneficiary cost-sharing. Declares that, if the basic coverage of such insurance does not extend to each of certain categories of basic services, the plan shall cover such services as supplemental benefits. Prohibits a plan from requiring a targeted low-income child to enroll in family coverage in order to obtain child health assistance. Requires an annual voluntary enrollment period for switching from one plan to another. Requires the offering of alternative coverage options under SCHIP. Prescribes requirements for federal financial participation for qualified alternative coverage. Declares that the requirements imposed under a state child health plan under this Act shall apply in the same manner to a state plan under title XIX (Medicaid), except that: (1) such requirements shall not apply to individuals whose Medicaid eligibility is based on being aged, blind, or disabled or to individuals in certain categories; and (2) the national per capita expenditures shall be determined based on a specified benchmark coverage but without regard to expenditures for such excluded individuals or for nursing facility services and other long-term care (LTC) services. Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 to repeal the prohibition against the Secretary's approval of any new health opportunity account demonstration programs. Converts the Health Opportunity Account demonstration program into a permanent program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Expanded Health Insurance Options Act of 2009 - Authorizes states to enter into arrangements to form interstate compacts under which health insurance issuers would offer coverage meeting the requirements of this Act under a unified regulatory structure governing the issuance, renewal, rating, mandated benefits, and similar items of coverage. Requires each compact to ensure that individuals who are insured in a participating state are able to access an independent external appeals process to review decisions made by health insurance issuers relating to coverage. Makes a participating state in which an insurance issuer is licensed responsible for the enforcement of applicable laws, regulations, agreements, and orders governing health insurance issuers and coverage. Authorizes a participating state in which a covered individual resides to require a health insurance issuer to pay premiums and taxes, submit to an examination of financial condition, and comply with state laws regarding fraud and abuse and unfair claims practices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Improved Employee Access to Health Insurance Act of 2009 - Prohibits any state from establishing a law that prevents an employer from instituting an auto-enrollment process for coverage of a participant or beneficiary under a group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan, as long as the participant or beneficiary has the option of declining such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Permits an employer that does not offer health benefits coverage to its employees as of this Act's enactment to provide tax-free defined contributions and administrative assistance to such employees who choose to purchase health insurance coverage in the individual market. Bars any state from prohibiting: (1) an employer from taking any such actions; or (2) the sale of health insurance coverage to employees where an employer's involvement is limited to withholding premiums from employee paychecks and sending the premium payments to the health insurance issuer on the employees' behalf. Makes federal rules relating to list billing (the sale of individual health plans to an employer's employees) inapplicable to actions described in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the chair of a committee, within 24 hours after commencing a meeting to consider a measure or matter, to cause its text to be made publicly available in an electronic form. Requires a committee chair to do the same with an amendment to such measure or matter within 24 hours after adopting it. Amends Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to prohibit a committee report on a measure or matter from including recommended amendments after it was ordered reported, except technical and conforming changes authorized by the committee to correct section numbers, cross-references, punctuation, grammar, spelling, or to maintain mathematical consistency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report to both chambers on the practices of the legislative and executive branch regarding earmarks in authorizing, appropriation, tax, and tariff measures. Makes it out of order to consider a bill, joint resolution, or conference report containing a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit until the filing of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Wireless Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the limitation on depreciation for cellular telephones used for personal purposes; and (2) exempt employer-provided wireless devices from taxation as a de minimis fringe benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Recognizes the valuable, historic, and continued contribution of Echo Company of the 100th Battalion of the 442d Infantry of the U.S. Army to the citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States. Commends the efforts and contributions of such soldiers and the sacrifices of their families. Recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of Congress to support the mission of Echo Company. Honors the lives of Echo Company soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2009 - Rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval of major rules of the executive branch before they may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval of a major rule is not enacted by the end of 90 session days or legislative days after such resolution is introduced, the rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without such approval if the President determines such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Sets forth procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate for joint resolutions: (1) approving major rules; and (2) disapproving nonmajor rules.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act - Requires federal public land management officials to exercise their authority under existing law, including regarding land use planning, to provide for the use of, and access to, federal public lands and waters for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting, except as described in this Act. Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law. States that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands, excluding lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, shall be open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such lands for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law. Requires publication of a public notice preceding any such closures or restrictions, unless mandated by other law. Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to recreational fishing, sport hunting, or shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 640 or more acres of federal public lands or waters to fishing or hunting. Establishes the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the Sporting Conservation Council.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Honors Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe III for their work as journalists investigating the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN).
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that no American should be imprisoned or fined for failing to purchase government-mandated health coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Mourns the loss of life caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma that occurred on September 26, 2009, and October 1, 2009, and expresses condolences to the families of the many victims. Urges President Obama to continue to support the Philippines with emergency relief.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
American Health Care Solutions Act of 2009 - Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the federal government to ration health care for the American people. Requires each state to mitigate the cost of high risk individuals in the state through: (1) a state reinsurance program; or (2) a state high risk pool. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual membership associations (IMAs), which are organizations that offer health benefits coverage to members through health insurance issuer contracts. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a small employer a health benefits plan implementation credit; (2) a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; and (3) caregivers a tax credit for family members with long-term care needs. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using data from comparative effectiveness research to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Prohibits employers from being prevented from establishing premium discounts or rebates, or modifying copayments or deductibles, for employees who adhere to or participate in a health promotion or disease prevention (wellness) program that meets certain requirements. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require a CHIP plan to describe how it will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children who have access to coverage under a group health plan. Requires alternative coverage options under CHIP. Applies such provisions to Medicaid. Requires verification of U.S. citizenship or nationality for Medicaid. Revises provisions related to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to permit the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance. Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Establishes a statute of limitations and limits noneconomic and punitive damages. Sets forth provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Rescinds unobligated balances of certain discretionary appropriations made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act providing fiscal assistance to states and setting limits on executive compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Health Care Bill of Rights Act or 10 Prescriptions for a Healthy America Act - Prohibits Congress and the President from enacting health reform legislation that: (1) includes government-run health insurance; (2) reduces benefits for seniors under Medicare; (3) increases the federal deficit; (4) imposes new taxes; (5) allows the federal government to ration care: (6) imposes a mandate on individuals to purchase health care coverage or on employers to provide such coverage; or (7) provides taxpayer-funded health insurance to illegal immigrants. Requires Congress and the President to enact health reform legislation on or before December 31, 2009, that: (1) protects individuals with preexisting conditions; (2) reforms medical liability law and curbs abusive litigation; and (3) reduces the overall cost of health care for all.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
FHA Taxpayer Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the National Housing Act to increase the downpayment requirement for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loan from 3.5% to 5%. Repeals the current inclusion in the principal amount of an FHA mortgage loan of any initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves. Prohibits the inclusion of such charges and fees in the principal amount of an FHA mortgage loan. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and the mortgage insurance programs under which the insurance obligations are obligations of such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
1863 Gettysburg Campaign Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the history and memory of the 1863 invasion of Pennsylvania, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Gettysburg Address of President Abraham Lincoln.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009
Improving Methods to Promote Regular Occurrences of the Verification of Employability Status Act of 2009 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to eliminate the pilot program status of the E-verify (employment authorization) program, thus making the program permanent. Revises confirmation provisions. Adds provisions respecting fraudulent documentation and sanctions. Provides that information posters required to be displayed shall be written only in English.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective January 1, 2013: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service provided from a certification organization designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); or (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession and where the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration meet or exceed the standards established by the Secretary. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish minimum standards for personnel who perform, plan, evaluate, or verify patient dose for medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures; (2) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (3) provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training or experience are determined to be equal to, or in excess of, those of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; and (4) approve and publish a list of accrediting bodies for such certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging. Amends the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services furnished on or after January 1, 2013, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) ensure that promotion of inter-religious dialogue and protection of religious freedom and human rights are key components of the U.S. engagement strategy with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (2) support efforts by the government of Pakistan to protect the religious freedom of all Pakistanis and prioritize the prevention of religiously motivated and sectarian violence; and (3) urge the government of Pakistan to review legislation that restricts the right to practice and propagate religion or that constitutes discrimination on the basis of religion or belief in order to bring Pakistani law into conformity with international human rights standards.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Transparency and Executive Accountability Act - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require individuals subject to financial disclosure filing requirements by virtue of an appointment to a position in the Executive Office of the President to file required reports with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics (curently, with the ethics official of the individual's employing agency).
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Limiting the Intrusive Miles of International Terrorist Sponsors Act of 2009 or LIMITS Act of 2009 - Directs the President to restrict to a specified designated area the travel of officials and representatives of countries that are designated as state sponsors of terrorism who are visiting the U.N. headquarters complex in connection with official business. Authorizes presidential waiver of such restriction upon submission of a report to Congress explaining why it is in the national interest to do so. Excludes from such restriction: (1) direct travel to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport to the designated area in connection with official business at the U.N. headquarters complex; (2) land travel to and from any lodgings or other hotel accommodations in which an official or representative is staying if such lodging or other hotel accommodation is within the designated area; and (3) travel to and from New York University medical center or Bellevue Hospital Center for emergency medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction from gross income for the cost of health insurance coverage for individual taxpayers, their spouses, and dependents; (2) permit holders of health savings accounts (HSAs) and their spouses who are age 55 or older to make additional (catch-up) contributions to a joint HSA; (3) increase the allowable amount of the tax deduction for contributions to HSAs; (4) combine individual and family deductibles under high deductible health insurance plans; (5) allow for increased rollovers from flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) into HSAs; (6) allow the payment of premiums from HSAs for high deductible health plans; and (7) treat as medical care for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses certain exercise equipment and fees for physical fitness programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Offers condolences to the family of Jim Pouillon, who was murdered in Owosso, Michigan. Commits to the American principle that the suppression of thought by any means and by either government or individuals must always yield to the right of free speech and that violence is never an appropriate response to a difference in beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Underscores the value of respectful speech while affirming that the freedoms of speech and religious exercise are integral to free societies and human dignity. Urges the Secretary of State to make every effort to defeat the passage of resolutions on the "defamation of religions" at the United Nations and other resolutions or international instruments that threaten the free and peaceful exchange of ideas, beliefs, and truth claims. Calls on the United Nations (U.N.) to abandon efforts to adopt the flawed concept of "defamation of religions." Urges U.N. member states to focus on protecting the fundamental freedom of individuals to peacefully express their religious beliefs and to avoid supporting resolutions that threaten freedom of expression.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Expresses the gratitude of the House of Representatives to the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the state of Pennsylvania and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States. Commends the members of the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on the completion of their most-recent deployment to Iraq. Recognizes that Team's achievements and all other formerly and presently deployed Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard units and members for their exemplary service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Declares that all U.S. citizens should remain secure in the possession of private property and that no court, legislature, or executive shall, by predatory law or tyrannical force, obtain the property of any U.S. citizen for the benefit of another private citizen or corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 to extend the national oilheat research alliance program until February 6, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
New IDEA (Illegal Deduction Elimination Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for wages and benefits paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretaries of Homeland Security and the Treasury to jointly establish a program to share information that may lead to the identification of unauthorized aliens. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide taxpayer identity information to the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security on employers who paid nondeductible wages to unauthorized aliens and on the aliens to whom such wages were paid. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) make permanent the pilot program for verifying the employment eligibility of alien workers (E-Verify Program); (2) apply such program to current employees in addition to new hires; (3) establish a rebuttable presumption that employers who participate in the pilot program have not violated the prohibition against continued employment of unauthorized aliens; and (4) allow employers to offer a prospective employee a conditional offer of employment pending final verification of identity and employment eligibility under the E-Verify Program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Census Improvement Act - Prohibits any organization that has been indicted for a violation of law relating to an election for federal or state office or that employs or otherwise uses the services of an individual who has been indicted for such a violation from participating in the Planning Partnership Program for the 2010 census of population. Provides that no bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report containing a provision which would have the effect of limiting the application of provisions regarding the confidentiality of census information shall be considered as passed or agreed to by either chamber of Congress except by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members voting. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to submit to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) a copy of each question proposed to be included in the 2010 census and the American Community Survey; (2) GAO to review and report to Congress on such questions; and (3) the Secretary to include his or her views on, and GAO to specifically address, the reasons for each question, the purposes for which the information obtained is likely to be used, alternative means by which the same information could be obtained, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of obtaining the information through a census or survey. Prohibits any person conducting the Survey or 2010 census from seeking answers to any questions relating to a household or any member of such household from any person who is not a member of that household.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Defund ACORN Act - Prohibits any federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other form of agreement from being awarded to, any federal funds in any other form from being provided to, or any federal employee or contractor from promoting any organization that: (1) has been indicted for a violation under any federal or state law governing the financing of a campaign for election for public office or any law governing the administration of such an election, including a voter registration law; (2) had its state corporate charter terminated due to its failure to comply with federal or state lobbying disclosure requirements; (3) has filed a fraudulent form with any federal or state regulatory agency; or (4) employs, has under contract, or retains to act on its behalf any individual who has been indicted for a violation under federal or state law relating to an election for federal or state office. Identifies, specifically, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and any affiliate as such an organization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to carry out provisions of this Act relating to contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Sunset All Czars Act or the SAC Act - Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to pay salaries or expenses of any task force, council, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President, if the head of such entity is a Czar. Defines a "Czar" as an entity head who: (1) is appointed (on other than an interim basis) without the Senate's advice and consent; (2) is excepted from the competitive service by reason of the confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character of the position; (3) performs or delegates functions that would otherwise be performed or delegated by an individual appointed by the President with the Senate's advice and consent; and (4) does not have an existing removal date established at the direction of the President or through an authorization of Congress. Requires that by December 31, 2009, any Czar who is not appointed by a former President or the incumbent President, with the Senate's advise and consent, be removed from his or her position.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Urges: (1) the President to issue a report clearly outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities of the special assistants he has appointed (commonly referred to as "czars") and to certify to Congress that such czars will not assert powers other than those granted by statute to a commissioned officer on the President's staff; and (2) Congress to hold hearings on such report and certification within 30 days.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000373_200.jpg)