United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Urges General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan to repeal: (1) the Blasphemy Law; (2) Martial Ordinance XX; and (3) the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan declaring Ahmadis "not Muslims" under the law. Appeals to General Musharraf to release prisoners jailed under Ordinance XX and the Blasphemy Law. Encourages the General to eliminate the requirement to declare one's religion when applying for a passport or swear to exclusive statements regarding religion, admission to an educational institution, obtaining the national identity card, or employment. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to: (1) raise violations of the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, at every appropriate level with representatives of the Government of Pakistan; and (2) include experts on religious liberty on U.S. delegations to Pakistan and to appropriate regional and international meetings.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 925 Dickinson Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the William V. Cibotti Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1299 North 7th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Herbert Arlene Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 6150 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Rev. Leon Sullivan Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2002
Commends the Republic of Turkey and the State of Israel for the continued strengthening of their political, economic, cultural, and strategic partnership and for their actions in support of the war on terrorism. Calls upon other countries in the Middle East to follow the example set by Turkey and Israel in the interest of promoting regional cooperation and peace. Reaffirms the political, economic, cultural, and strategic partnership between the United States, Turkey, and Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Commends Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson for: (1) immediately making State Children's Health Insurance Program resources available to States to care for unborn children and pregnant mothers; and (2) recognizing pregnant mothers and unborn children as deserving of concern about their health and well-being.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that healthy marriages are highly important to the well-being of children, adults, and society in general, and that government policy should seek to reduce the financial penalties against marriage within the welfare system, and should support couples who choose to marry and assist them in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to form and sustain healthy, loving, and productive marriages.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics to purchase ultrasound equipment to provide free examinations to pregnant women, under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical physician. Conditions eligibility on a clinic agreeing to provide each examined woman a visual image, the age, and a physical description of the fetus and information on abortion and alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Peace With Security Act - Prohibits U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority (or any instrumentality of the Palestinian Authority). Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if it is in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Medical Device Amendments of 2001 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Office of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs the Office of Combination Products and Product Jurisdiction to designate the component of the Food and Drug Administration with primary or exclusive responsibility for the premarket and postmarket regulation of drugs, devices, and biological products. Authorizes the Commissioner to establish a fellowship program to augment the scientific expertise of the agency component responsible for regulating devices. Revises or sets forth requirements concerning: (1) facility inspection by nongovernment inspectors; (2) outside expert review (accredited third parties) of applications for devices subject to premarket notification; (3) designating priority devices for the treatment of serious diseases or conditions; (4) manufacturers and importers reports only for types of devices requiring malfunction reporting; (5) labeling for intended use of devices found substantially equivalent to legally marketed devices; (6) notification of false or misleading proposed labeling: (7) approving supplements to approved applications seeking to add a specification of a subpopulation under an approved condition of use; (8) using the least burdensome scientific evidence required to demonstrate a device's effectiveness; (9) investigational plans examining the safety, effectiveness or substantial equivalence of a device; (10) notification of deficiencies; (11) the guidance development process utilizing nongovernment employees; (12) modular review of applications; (13) registration; and (14) electronic labeling.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2001
Social Security Ownership and Guarantee Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish in the executive branch a Personal Savings Board, headed by an Executive Director, to administer the individual social security account program created by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury a Social Security Personal Savings Fund. Directs the Executive Director to establish in the Savings Fund an individual social security account for each eligible individual who elects to participate. Prescribes social security deposits and supplemental contributions for investments in common stock and social security transition bonds. Provides for distribution of Savings Fund amounts in monthly annuity payments, with optional cash distribution, along with cost-of-living adjustments. Ensures maintenance of adequate balances in the social security trust funds. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make the Savings Fund, and each individual social security account, exempt from income taxation; (2) set a contribution limit on supplemental contributions; (3) tax distributions as social security benefits; and (4) impose an excess tax on excess supplemental contributions. Directs the Social Security Advisory Board to study the manner and extent to which, upon attainment of balances in individual social security accounts sufficient to minimize the administrative costs involved, investment of amounts held in such accounts may be managed in the private sector by approved account managers. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a benefit guarantee certificate to each individual who is determined by the Commissioner of Social Security as of the date of certificate issuance to be entitled to OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national education and information campaign promoting stroke prevention and immediate treatment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse, including conducting and/or making available research concerning best practices for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; (2) make grants to States to establish statewide stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems; and (3) develop a model curriculum for training emergency medical services personnel. Sets forth requirements for the State grant program, including matching funds, standards for care and facilities, central data reporting and analysis, special consideration for geographic areas with high rates of disability from stroke or significant need, and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop and implement education programs for appropriate medical personnel with regard to newly developed diagnostics, technologies, and therapies for stroke prevention and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Afghanistan Freedom and Reconstruction Act of 2001 - States that United States policy should be to support the convening of a traditional Afghan assembly in order to facilitate a transition in Afghanistan to a popularly elected representative government. Authorizes the President to send aid under the Foreign Assistance Act to support transition to a multiethnic democratic government in Afghanistan. Authorizes the Broadcasting Board of Governors to increase Voice of America broadcasts into Afghanistan and to use Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to create "Radio Free Afghanistan" broadcasts in local languages. Authorizes the President to disburse additional humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003, to be distributed equitably and to include assistance for Afghan refugees in Central Asia. Expresses the sense of Congress that development aid should be targeted toward refugees, women, and the urban and rural poor, and that emphasis for all aid should be placed on needs of women and children, particularly girls. Authorizes the President to disburse assistance for a multinational security force in Afghanistan, and to make a donation to the United Nations Drug Control Program to combat trafficking in illicit drugs in Afghanistan, particularly heroin. Directs the President to institute economic sanctions against governments not complying with specific United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the former Taliban government of Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Supports and commends the contribution of crisis pregnancy centers, their staffs and volunteers. Encourages government agencies at all levels to assist such centers and decries any attempts to prevent their use.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Declaration of Official Language Act of 2001 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government, and requires the U.S. Government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the U.S.A. Makes this Act inapplicable to the use of a language other than English for: (1) religious purposes; (2) for training in foreign languages for international communication; (3) terms of art in Government documents; (4) law enforcement; or (5) scientific terminology. Declares that this Act is not intended to affect programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to: (1) enforce the established English language proficiency standard for all applicants for U.S. citizenship; and (2) conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Prohibits any U.S. Government agency or department from requiring any State or local government, or any person or organization, to communicate or provide materials in any language other than English. Repeals the Bilingual Education Act (title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education. Releases States, local governments, and local educational agencies from certain consent decrees that require them to develop, implement, provide, or maintain any form of bilingual education. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal bilingual voting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Student Freedom of Religious Expression Act - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to disallow recovery of attorneys' fees by the prevailing party in any action claiming that a public school or its agent violates the constitutional prohibition against the establishment of religion by permitting, facilitating, or accommodating a student's religious expression.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Expresses: (1) gratitude to the Government and people of the Philippines for their sympathy and support since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; (2) sympathy to the Filipino victims of terrorism and their families; and (3) support for the Philippine Government in its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism. Affirms the U.S. commitment to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Declares that Congress acknowledges the economic and military needs of the Philippines and pledges to continue to assist in addressing those needs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should direct: (1) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct a joint study to assess the present and future need for military and National Guard units to augment security at the 103 active nuclear facilities in the United States; (2) the NRC and National Guard Bureau to work with State law enforcement agencies to establish basic guidelines for the proper training and use of National Guard units deployed at such facilities; and (3) the NRC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration to establish emergency reserves of potassium iodide tablets in communities within the emergency planning zones of each of the 64 U.S. nuclear power sites. Calls for Federal funding of the National Guard units protecting nuclear facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Declares that the House of Representatives commends President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan for his leadership and friendship and welcomes him to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes the grave humanitarian crisis that existed in Afghanistan before the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and that has since been exacerbated; (2) commends the heroic work of organizations led by Afghan women that have persevered during this time of crisis to assist vulnerable Afghan women and their families; (3) urges the Secretary of State to support, and the United Nations to provide funding to, these organizations in order to strengthen their ability to deliver services during this humanitarian crisis and to enhance their role in fostering a more civil society; (4) urges the President to direct the international coalition engaged in combating terrorism in Afghanistan to protect women's rights as it attempts to provide humanitarian relief to the Afghani people; and (5) urges the President to encourage any new government established in Afghanistan to include women as leaders and as full and active participants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Combatting Illegal Gambling Reform and Modernization Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding interstate gambling. Increases the term of imprisonment for violations. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly using a communication facility for the transmission: (1) of bets or wagers, or betting information, in interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or to or from any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation regarding any transmission to or from the United States,; or (2) of a communication in such interstate or foreign commerce which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or for information assisting in the placing of bets. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly accepting credit, an electronic fund transfer, a check, or the proceeds of certain other forms of financial transaction as the Secretary may prescribe in connection with the transmission of such a communication of information assisting the placing of bets. Lists exceptions, including certain: (1) transmissions of information assisting in the placing of bets (such as for use in news reporting); and (2) uses of communication facilities for the transmission of bets (e.g., where a State or Tribe has explicitly authorized such bets). Sets forth remedies for violations. Bars imposition of damages, penalties, or forfeiture against any person or entity for an act done in compliance with notice received from a law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services should cooperate to ensure that the Nation receives safe food, and ensure that all agencies, regardless of agency jurisdiction, are used to maximize food inspection capabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Freedom to be a Patriot Act - Prohibits a department or agency of the United States from transferring any Federal funds: (1) to an individual or entity that prohibits the patriotic display of the U.S. flag; or (2) that the head of such department or agency determines are likely to be subsequently transferred to such an individual or entity.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Praises Joseph Vincent Paterno for his steadfast commitment to academics, service, and citizenship. Congratulates him for his many coaching accomplishments, including his 324th career coaching victory. Thanks him for his contributions to college football, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2001
International Disability and Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct programs (including the provision of grants to nongovernmental organizations for the purpose of carrying out research, prevention, public awareness, and assistance programs) in foreign countries related to individuals with disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide: (1) advice and expertise on prosthetics, orthotics, physical and psychological rehabilitation and treatment, and disability assistance to other Federal agencies with respect to the implementation of programs to provide assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare in foreign countries and landmine research and health-related programs; and (2) technical assistance to private voluntary organizations with respect to the planning, development, operation, and evaluation of such landmine assistance, research, and prevention programs. Directs the Secretary of State to establish and chair an interagency group to coordinate all Federal programs that furnish assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, and conduct landmine research, demining and prevention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2001
Encourages: (1) the U.S. people to celebrate the 300th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, the 250th anniversary of the Liberty Bell, and the 225th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence; and (2) the Nation's leaders to reaffirm their commitment to promoting human rights and religious freedom in the Nation and around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Amends rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from having access to classified information (including access through attendance at any briefing or other event at which classified information is presented) unless such individual meets the same security clearance and confidentiality requirements as Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence employees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make certain rate reductions effective after December 31, 2000 (currently June 31, 2001). Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to make the individual income rate reductions set forth in such act permanent (removes the sunset requirement).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Camp Security National Historic Site Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Camp Security, Springettsbury, York County, Pennsylvania, as a unit of the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Adoption Information Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit grants or contracts for family planning service projects or programs to projects or program that will provide a pamphlet containing a comprehensive list of adoption centers in that State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a memorial within the District of Columbia in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of Terrorism Memorial Commission to raise funds to design, construct, and maintain the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a two year recovery period for depreciation of computers and other technological equipment. Reduces the recovery period from five to two years under the alternative depreciation system for certain property ( tax-exempt use property, etc.). Reduces the useful life for depreciation of computer software from 36 to 24 months. Establishes a seven year useful life for depreciation of certain auction-acquired telecommunications licences.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax exempt status to an organization if: (1) a substantial part of the activities of such organization consists of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation, but only if such organization normally makes lobbying expenditures in excess of an amount equal to 20 percent of such organization's annual gross revenues; (2) the organization participates in, or intervenes in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, but only if such organization normally makes expenditures for such purpose in excess of an amount equal to 5 percent of such organization's annual gross revenues; or (3) the aggregate of the expenditures described above in clause (1) and the expenditures described in clause (2) which such organization normally makes exceeds an amount equal to 20 percent of such organization's annual gross revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused their plane to crash prematurely on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Expresses the sorrow of Congress for the death and injuries suffered by first responders as they tried to save innocent people in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Honors and commends the first responders who participated in evacuating and rescuing the innocent people in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks. Encourages all levels of government to continue to work together to coordinate emergency preparedness effectively by providing the infrastructure, funding, and interagency communication and cooperation necessary to ensure that when another terrorist attack occurs, first responders will be as prepared as possible to respond to the attack effectively.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) condemns any price gouging with respect to motor fuels during the hours and days after the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001; and (2) urges the appropriate Federal and State agencies to investigate any incidents of such price gouging, and prosecute any violations of law discovered as a result of the investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Declares that in the quest to identify, bring to justice, and punish the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia, should be protected. Condemns any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
American Legacy Preservation Act - Provides that, upon the request of an owner of non-Federal land or the head of any Federal agency with jurisdiction over Federal land where a gravesite of a former President of the United States is located, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide technical assistance, financial assistance, or both, to such owner or Federal agency for the maintenance of that gravesite.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute with respect to post-abortion depression and post-abortion psychosis. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to: (1) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, post-abortion conditions; and (2) conduct a national longitudinal study to determine the incidence and prevalence of cases of post-abortion conditions, and the symptoms, severity, and duration of such cases, toward the goal of more fully identifying the characteristics of such cases and developing diagnostic techniques. Requires the Secretary to make grants of up to $100,000 per fiscal year, under specified conditions, to provide for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with post-abortion depression or post-abortion psychosis.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Medicare Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to move up from October 1, 2001, to September 24, 2001, the due date of any required installment of corporate estimated tax otherwise due on September 15. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive any penalty or addition to tax imposed on the failure to make such required installment if the installment is made on or before October 1, 2001.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000373_200.jpg)