United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Recognizes the exemplary service, devotion to country, and selfless sacrifice of Special Warfare Operators 2nd Class Matthew McCabe and Jonathan Keefe and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Julio Huertas in the capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed, the alleged planner of an ambush in Fallujah, Iraq, that resulted in the killing of four security contractors. Pledges continued support to members of U.S. Armed Forces serving in harm's way.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of the excise tax on beer produced within or imported into the United States for brewers who produce not more than 6 million barrels of beer a year.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Incentives to Increase Use of Renewable Biomass Act of 2009 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a program to provide interest-free loans to eligible institutions (i.e., an institution of higher education, an elementary or secondary school, a hospital, a local government building, or a governmental, community, health, or educational building owned or leased and occupied by an Indian tribe, except any building used for gaming) for capital costs for converting existing equipment, or installing new equipment, to use renewable biomass for energy generation, heating, or cooling systems; and (2) ensure that an institution receiving such a loan will use renewable biomass for no less than 75% of the energy generation, heating, or cooling needs of the facility for which the loan is received. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund for such program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) deposit amounts received as payment on loans provided under such program into such revolving fund; and (2) make available $100 million of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to such revolving fund.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Healthy Forests Restoration Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to expand the purposes of the Act to include providing for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of forest ecosystem components to protect infrastructure in rural communities. Expands federal land areas eligible for hazardous fuel reduction projects. Repeals the total federal land acreage limitation on authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects. Revises requirements regarding the alternative analysis process for authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface. Bars the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior from being required to study, develop, or describe more than the proposed agency action and a no action alternative in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for specified proposed authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2009
Brucella Abortus Removal Act of 2009 - Prohibits either the list of biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety established under the Public Health Service Act or the list of biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health or to animal or plant products established under the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 from including brucella abortus.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
Patient Health and Real Medication Access Cost Savings Act of 2009 or the PHARMACY Bill - Declares that a consumer shall have the right to choose to purchase prescription drugs from any domestic pharmacy that meets all applicable federal and state license and permit requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue regulations that: (1) prohibit a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from providing incentives to, encouraging, or requiring pharmacy benefit plan enrollees to use certain pharmacies or from excluding an eligible pharmacy from a plan's pharmacy network; (2) require a PBM to ensure that pharmacy benefit plan enrollees pay a specified copayment for brand name drugs; (3) require a PBM to reimburse a pharmacy in the network of a pharmacy benefit plan that is federally funded, at specified rates, for brand-name drugs, generic drugs, and additional professional services; (4) require a PBM to be reimbursed by a pharmacy benefit plan sponsor for adjudicating and processing claims; (5) limit the amount that a PBM charges a pharmacy benefit plan sponsor for a drug that is dispensed to enrollees to the amount the PBM paid the pharmacy for such drug; (6) require a manufacturer of prescription drugs to pay all rebates directly to the pharmacy benefit plan sponsor and not to a PBM; and (7) require a pharmacy benefit plan sponsor to provide a list of the wholesale acquisition costs of the top 500 most frequently prescribed drugs to physicians in a plan any insurance-related charge of which is underwritten by a federal, state, or local government. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include pharmacist services as "medical and other health services" under Medicare. Directs the Secretary, by January 1, 2011, to establish a pharmaceutical access program to provide affordable prescription drugs to individuals who receive drug benefits under federal programs (except Medicaid). Requires: (1) a pharmacy that dispenses prescription drugs in the United States to remit to the Secretary 50 cents for each brand name prescription and $1.00 for generic drug prescription dispensed; and (2) the sponsor of a pharmacy benefit plan that is not federally funded to increase the professional dispensing fee paid to pharmacies by the same amounts. Requires the use of funds generated from such fees to provide affordable access to prescription drugs to low-income individuals who have enrolled in the program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
Amends Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to repeal procedures for considering legislation that increases the statutory debt limit. Makes it out of order to consider such legislation if there is any other matter in it. Prohibits legislation that increases the statutory limit on the public debt from being considered as passed or agreed to unless so determined by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2009
Thanks the members of the National Guard for their service in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001, and their continuing role in homeland security and military operations. Supports providing the National Guard with the necessary resources to ensure its readiness. Expresses condolences and gratitude to the families of those members of the National Guard who have lost their lives through their dedication and commitment to the freedom and security of the United States while serving in the National Guard. Honors and supports the compassionate, courageous, and dedicated members of the National Guard who serve a critical role in protecting the United States and its citizens' freedoms and treasured liberties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement to provide federal assistance for the planning, design, and construction of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System for specified counties in Montana and North Dakota. Lists agreement requirements. Limits the federal share of planning, design, and construction of the System to 75% of the total cost. Delineates the components of System facilities for which federal funds may be expended and the System's service area. Limits the obligation of funds for construction. Provides that any cost relating to the System's operation, maintenance, or replacement shall not be a federal responsibility and shall be paid by the System. Directs the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to make available to the System a quantity of power required, up to one and a half megawatt capacity, to meet the System's pumping and incidental operation requirements between May 1 and October 31 of each year from the water intake facilities and through all pumping stations, water treatment facilities, reservoirs, storage tanks, and pipelines up to the point of delivery of water by the water supply system to all storage reservoirs and tanks and each entity that distributes water at retail to individual users. Makes the System eligible to receive power only if it operates on a nonprofit basis and is constructed pursuant to the agreement. Sets forth provisions regarding the purchase of additional power and the Authority's responsibility for power charges, non-federal delivery costs, and non-federal transmission and distribution system delivery and service arrangements. Directs the Authority to develop a water conservation plan containing a description of water conservation objectives and measures and a schedule for carrying out such measures. Requires the plan to be designed to ensure that users of water provided by the System use the best practical technology and management techniques to conserve water.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 to repeal provisions that require all monies received by the United States in FY2010 from sales, bonuses, rentals, and royalties under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to be disposed of as provided by such Act as in effect immediately before enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War. Encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring such sacrifices and contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Congratulates the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series Champions, the New York Yankees, for an outstanding season and a record 27th World Series Championship win.
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 · 28 October 2009
Locomotive Fleet Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 30% of the cost of qualified locomotive property. Defines "qualified locomotive property" as a newly built or remanufactured diesel line-haul, passenger, or switch locomotive (whether or not owned by a railroad) which is acquired after December 31, 2009, and which meets applicable standards under the Clean Air Act for emissions from locomotives, as in effect on December 31, 2009. Terminates such credit after December 31, 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (which provides veterans with teacher certification stipends in exchange for three years of service in a high-need local educational agency [LEA] or public charter school). Expands program eligibility to cover certain individuals: (1) who, on or after September 11, 2001, serve at least 90 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces before being honorably released from such service; or (2) who, on or after January 8, 2002, are separated or released from active duty after at least four (currently, six) years of continuous active duty immediately preceding such separation or release, and agree to serve in the Armed Forces Reserves for at least three years. Makes any LEA that is receiving school improvement funds eligible to host Troops-to-Teachers program participants. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish an Advisory Board, composed of federal, state, and veteran service organization representatives, to collect, study, and disseminate feedback from the program and report to Congress on how the program is operating and might be improved. Reserves specified funding to carry out the Troops-to-Teachers program through FY2014.
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 · 22 October 2009
Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Repeals provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) eliminating the tax on estates and generation-skipping transfers and the step-up in basis provisions for property acquired from a decedent for estates of decedents dying after 2009. Declares that the sunset provision (general terminating date of December 10, 2010) of EGTRRA shall not apply to title V of such Act (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Provisions). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow annual increases in the estate tax exclusion amount until it reaches $5 million in 2019 and inflation adjustments to such amount after 2019; and (2) phase in annual reductions in the estate tax rate between 2009 and 2019 (45% to 35% in 2019 and thereafter) and eliminate the deduction for state estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes over the same period.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Securing Tomorrow by Saving Today Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an exclusion from gross income of interest earned on deposits with certain financial institutions; (2) allow increased contributions, including catch-up contributions, to retirement plans in 2009, 2010, and 2011; and (3) suspend minimum distribution requirements from tax-deferred pension plans and individual retirement accounts between 2008 and 2013.
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 · 13 October 2009
Amtrak Secure Transportation of Firearms Act - Requires Amtrak, at a station that accepts checked baggage for a specific Amtrak route, to allow a passenger holding a ticket for such route to place an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in a bag that has been checked at the station if: (1) before checking the bag or boarding the train, the passenger declares to Amtrak that an unloaded firearm is in his or her checked bag; (2) the firearm is carried in a locked hard-sided container; and (3) only the passenger has the key or combination to such container. Allows an Amtrak passenger to place small arms ammunition for personal use in a checked bag on an Amtrak route if the ammunition is securely packed in specified kinds of boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry such ammunition. Prohibits the application of such requirements in any fiscal year in which Amtrak does not receive federal assistance.
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 · 8 October 2009
BLM Contract Extension Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, within 30 days of a timber purchaser requesting an economy-related contract extension of a qualifying contract for the sale of timber from lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) between the Secretary and the purchaser, to modify the contract to add three years to such contract's expiration date. Defines qualifying contract as a contract, executed on or before December 31, 2008, for the sale of timber from BLM lands: (1) for which there is unharvested volume remaining; (2) for which, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, a timber purchaser makes a written request to the Secretary for an economic related contract extension; and (3) that has not been terminated prior to the request for an extension. Requires the timber purchaser to waive any and all claims its has against the United States involving the qualifying contract that exist on the date such contract is modified. Prohibits anything in this Act from affecting any claim by the United States against any timber purchaser, including those claims that arose under a qualifying contract before the date on which its expiration date was extended.
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 · 8 October 2009
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs; (3) limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years. Shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function. Urges the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range in order to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.
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
Amends the Act commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act to apply the Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)
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 · 1 October 2009
Amends the Act commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act to apply the Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Allows, and regulates the amount of, housing assistance payable to certain post-9/11 veterans (and, in some instances, those veterans' spouses, children, or both) who are pursuing distance learning.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Rural and Small Town Telework Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a tax credit for the cost of installing and maintaining qualified teleworking equipment (i.e., electronic and communications equipment used to eliminate the commute to and from traditional worksites). Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $1,000 for each teleworking employee or $50,000.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2009
Tribal Health Benefits Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for certain medical care or benefits provided to American Indians, including: (1) certain health services or benefits provided or purchased by the Indian Health Service; (2) specified medical care provided by an Indian tribe or tribal organization to a member of an Indian tribe; (3) the value of accident or health plan coverage provided by an Indian tribe or tribal organization for medical care to a member of an Indian tribe; and (4) any other medical care provided by an Indian tribe that supplements, replaces, or substitutes for federal programs and services provided to Indian tribes or Indians.
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
Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 - Ratifies the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the state of Montana. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to promptly execute the compact and comply with applicable environmental statutes. Requires the Secretary, through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to carry out activities necessary to: (1) rehabilitate and improve the water diversion and delivery features of the Crow Irrigation Project in accordance with an agreement to be negotiated with the Tribe; and (2) design and construct such features of the reservation's municipal, rural, and industrial water system. Ratifies tribal water rights, which shall be held in trust for the use and benefit of the Tribe. Grants the Tribe sole authority to allocate, distribute, and lease such rights, subject to specified limitations. Applies specified provisions of the Act of February 8, 1887, relating to using water for irrigation, to the tribal water rights. Directs the Secretary to allocate to the Tribe 300,000 acre-feet per year of water stored in Bighorn Lake, under a water right held by the United States, as measured at the Yellowtail Dam outlet works. Requires the Tribe, as a condition of receiving an allocation, to enter into an agreement with the Secretary to establish the terms and conditions. Declares that the benefits provided satisfy all claims of the Tribe and allottees. Establishes in the Treasury the Crow Settlement Fund. Grants the Tribe the exclusive right to develop and market power generation as a water development project on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. Repeals this Act on January 1, 2016, if the Secretary does not publish by March 31, 2016, a statement of findings that specified conditions have been fulfilled (including court approval and ratification of the compact).
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.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any major health care reform bill that comes to the floor of the House in final form should be available to Members to view in hard copy and available online to the public in a downloadable and searchable format for 30 calendar days prior to the final vote.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from the gross estate the value of property used by a decedent and the decedent's family as a farm for farming purposes and certain qualified conservation easements; and (2) impose a recapture tax if such farmland is sold outside the decedent's family or is no longer used for farming purposes or if a qualified conservation easement is likewise sold or used in violation of the terms of such easement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Streamline America's Future Energy Nuclear Act - Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish and implement an expedited procedure for issuing a Combined Construction and Operating License for a nuclear reactor. Directs the NRC to: (1) reduce by one-half the time necessary for reactor design certification; and (2) outline to Congress an approach that will allow the NRC to develop technology-neutral guidelines for future nuclear plant licensing. Instructs the NRC to request additional funding and personnel resources from Congress to implement this Act without delaying consideration of applications for Combined Construction and Operating Licenses or reactor design certifications not subject to expedited procedures under this Act. Requires each national laboratory with expertise in the nuclear field to dedicate personnel to support expedited licensing and design certification procedures. Directs the NRC and the Department of Energy (DOE) to direct educational funding to programs to enhance or directly support the activities authorized by this Act. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Nuclear Energy Council. Authorizes appropriations for the Nuclear Power 2010 program. Directs DOE and the NRC to reevaluate the Next Generation Nuclear Power Plant schedule for purposes of significant acceleration. Prohibits use of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to arbitrarily prevent uranium mining on federal lands. Prohibits the federal government from collecting additional leasing fees, beyond those currently applicable to mine uranium on federal lands. Requires that any remediation fees collected in association with commercial uranium mining on federal lands be applied only to remediation of sites that incurred damage as a result of commercial nuclear activities. Prohibits the application of such fees to remediation of sites that incurred damage as a result of government or government-sponsored activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold and silver coins in commemoration of the National Future Farmers of America Organization and the 85th anniversary of such Organization. Authorizes the issuance of coins under this Act only for a one year period, beginning on January 1, 2012. Requires all sales of coins minted under this Act to include a surcharge of $25 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. Requires all of the surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be paid to the National Future Farmers of America Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the creation of an endowment to enhance and expand programs that encourage the development of leadership skills, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education and the Future Farmers of America.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Soviet and Nazi invasion of Poland. Commends the people of Poland for their historic struggle against fascism and communism. Calls for strengthening our partnership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), European Union (EU) alliances, and continued friendship with our Polish allies. Honors the historic ties between Poland and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Deplores the violence by Iraqi security forces against the residents of Camp Ashraf. Calls upon the Iraqi government and the President of the United States to ensure the security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from updating a flood plain area or a flood risk zone in a geographic area that meets the following conditions: (1) the area is intended to be protected by a levee that the Army Corps of Engineers determines has a design deficiency; (2) the entity responsible for the repair of such levee has implemented a repair plan that has been developed by the Corps or a professional licensed engineer and approved by the Corps or FEMA, that is based on sufficient and reasonably current design data that accurately reflects the condition of such levee and other flood protection facilities in the area, that will provide protection from the 1% annual chance flood for the area, and that includes an adequate financing mechanism; and (3) each state or local government with jurisdiction over any portion of the geographic area has implemented a surveillance and operations plan to provide for timely alerts and immediate remedial action when significant underseepage or potential failure occurs, has an evacuation plan, and has implemented an outreach and communication plan to advise occupants of potential flood risks, the opportunity to purchase flood insurance, and the consequences of failure to purchase insurance. Exempts a geographic area if the Director: (1) determines that the area is protected by a system that provides protection from the 1% annual chance flood; or (2) has suspended the updating of flood plain areas or flood risk zones in such area in accordance with this Act for seven consecutive years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Palladium Bullion Coin Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a $20 coin that bears, on the obverse and reverse, the designs of the famous 27-millimeter version of the 1907 Augustus Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ultra-high relief gold piece. Authorizes the Secretary to commence minting and issuing such coins for sale, beginning in 2009, in: (1) an appropriate number of $20 bullion investment coins meeting specified requirements; and (2) up to 15,000 ultra-high relief numismatic $20 coins meeting certain other requirements. Requires all coins to be minted at West Point, New York. Prohibits numismatic coins from being made available as so-called "fractional" coins. Requires the Secretary to take specified protective and anti-counterfeiting measures. Instructs the Treasury Inspector General to report to certain congressional committees on the extent of counterfeiting of rare, collectible, or numismatic coins for sale in the United States, regardless of the country where the original of such coin was produced or of the country in which the counterfeiting takes place, or sales overseas if such counterfeit coins are unauthorized copies of coins originally produced by the U.S. Mint.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, and their families. Commends the members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families (and all members of the Armed Forces who have served or are serving in support of U.S. military contingency operations) for their service and sacrifice.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2009
Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to extend through FY2012 (under current law, through FY2010) the requirement that the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce make payments from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a grant program to assist public safety agencies in the the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications equipment that utilizes reallocated public safety spectrum for radio communication. Allows the Assistant Secretary to extend, on a case-by-case basis, the period of performance for any investment approved under the program for a period not to exceed two years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2009
FLTFA Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act to reauthorize the program for the completion of appraisals and satisfaction of other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Makes the Act non-applicable to land eligible for sale under specified public land laws.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009
Honors the 150th anniversary of the peaceful resolution of the Pig War crisis and applauds the close ties and lasting friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 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 Washington and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States. Commends the members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team (Heavy) of the Washington 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 Washington Army and Air National Guard units and members for their exemplary service.