United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008
Recognizes that respect for human rights is a fundamental value and that the bilateral relationship between the United States and Egypt should be a platform for promoting the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Calls on the Egyptian government to: (1) respect human rights, minority rights, and freedoms of religion and expression; and (2) release Ayman Nour and all political activists. Welcomes Egypt's efforts to secure the border with Gaza and fight smuggling. Urges the President and the Secretary of State to put human rights and religious freedom developments in Egypt very high on the U.S. government's agenda during meetings with Egyptian officials.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States: (1) supports the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed both in the letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars to the Pope and to other Christian leaders, and in the Pope's response to the letter; (2) should encourage those Muslims throughout the world who stand for peace; and (3) appreciates those voices within all faiths who have condemned genocide, terrorism, death, and destruction and who call for global peace between the Abrahamic religions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1025 Nevin Avenue in Richmond, California, as the "Harold D. McCraw, Sr. Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Urges the Lao government to: (1) cease military and security force attacks and actions against Lao and Hmong civilians and dissident Laotian political and minority religious groups; (2) provide international access to closed areas and military zones in Laos where Laotians and Hmong are being killed, persecuted, or have been internally displaced or fled; and (3) release the leaders of the Lao Students Movement for Democracy of October 1999 and other Lao political and religious opposition leaders and prisoners of conscience. Urges His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the Royal Thai government, and commanders of the Thai Army and military to: (1) allow access to, and relief for, the Lao and Hmong political refugees and asylum seekers at Ban Huay Nam Khao and elsewhere in Thailand; (2) allow Lao and Hmong refugees and asylum seekers to have sanctuary in Thailand until they can be assisted by the international community; and (3) refrain from further repatriation of Lao and Hmong refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Congratulates Albania and Croatia on being invited by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to begin accession talks. Supports: (1) the invitations to initiate an Intensified Dialogue between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia; and (2) the enlargement of NATO, and the NATO declaration at the Bucharest Summit that NATO should remain open to European democracies able to assume membership responsibilities. Affirms that any decision about NATO membership will be made through member consensus and that no country outside of NATO has a vote or veto with respect to such decisions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Demands that the 2010 decennial census count every person living in the United States, any U.S. territory or possession, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and all federal civilian and military personnel serving abroad. Urges the Secretary of Commerce to use all reasonable means to achieve that goal.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2008
Illegal Alien Crime Reporting Act of 2008 - Prohibits a state or political subdivision thereof from receiving funds under any program or activity administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless the state: (1) compiles statistics on each person who is arrested, charged with a crime, convicted, or incarcerated after being convicted of a crime by the state or political subdivision, including each person's crime, immigration status, and country of origin; (2) reports such statistics monthly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (3) certifies compliance with these requirements monthly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Requires each federal agency to: (1) compile such statistics for any person it arrests, charges, prosecutes to conviction, or incarcerates after conviction of a crime; and (2) report such statistics monthly to the FBI. Directs the FBI to publish all statistics reported under this Act annually as a separate data collection of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Defines marriage in the United States as consisting only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits either the U.S. Constitution or the constitution of any state from being construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of Vietnam Veterans Day. Calls on the American people to remember those men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the nation in Vietnam, recognize the prisoners of war and Armed Forces members who are missing in action, and honor all Vietnam veterans who served the nation faithfully to protect its freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2008
American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to designate up to 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area. Prescribes procedures governing Coastal Plain lease sales, as well as terms and conditions, including: (1) environmental protection; (2) federal and state distribution of revenues; (3) rights-of-way; and (4) local government impact aid and community service assistance. Sets forth: (1) a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities; and (2) guidelines for expedited judicial review of complaints. Establishes the ANWR Alternative Energy Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the "Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Expresses the commitment of Congress to make it a priority to fight anti-Semitism and to promote tolerance at home and abroad. States that it shall be U.S. policy to consider whether a foreign government actively or passively foments anti-Semitism when evaluating bilateral relationships. Condemns the continuing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities and rhetoric at the United Nations. Calls on: (1) the President to use U.S. influence to prevent the use of the United Nations regular budget to support the planned 2009 Durban Review Conference; and (2) the Secretary General of the United Nations to officially and publicly condemn any anti-Semitic statements made at U.N. meetings.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Commends the Orange County Water District, California, and its employees for their sound financial management and innovative groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and environmental programs, on its 75th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations for the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), and of State and related agencies. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2008
Freedom to Serve Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties for: (1) using force or the threat of force or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate or interfere with anyone providing federal or state military recruiting services or anyone seeking to inquire about or volunteer for military service in the active or reserve Armed Forces or the National Guard of any state; or (2) intentionally damaging or destroying facilities that house or host military recruiting services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Free Way Act of 2008 - Prohibits a state from collecting a toll from an operator of a high occupany vehicle (HOV) that was permitted to use a HOV lane in the state at no cost before December 31, 2007. (Currently, a state is allowed to collect a toll from any operator of a HOV vehicle that uses an HOV lane in the state.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Amends Rule XIV (Order and Priority of Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require on the first legislative day of each month on which there is a record vote on any bill or joint resolution, immediately after that vote, a moment of silence to be observed on behalf of those killed or wounded (as well as their families) in current U.S. engagements in Iraq or Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the People's Republic of China and its government-owned and controlled enterprises should be required to properly disclose material information concerning the selective default status of specified bonds in all prospectuses and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Remove Incentives for Producing Ethanol Act of 2008 or the RIPE Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the renewable fuel standard. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the excise tax credit for alcohol fuel mixtures and the income tax credit for alcohol used as fuel. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty free treatment for ethyl alcohol or a mixture containing ethyl alcohol if it is to be used as fuel. Applies such treatment to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption, on or after the 15th day after this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes the Honorable Yvonne Brathwaite Burke for her public service in many positions, including as the first African-American woman on the House Appropriations Committee; (2) believes that her record demonstrates she is a woman of indomitable compassion, courage, character, and commitment; (3) believes she will be remembered for the changes she made in the lives of minorities, women, and the economically disadvantaged; and (4) congratulates her on her retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Soledad Canyon Mine Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to cancel Bureau of Land Management mineral contracts CA-20139 and CA-22901 and withdraw from further mineral entry the areas subject to them, which are located in Soledad Canyon adjacent to Santa Clarita, California. Requires Transit Mixed Concrete Corporation to receive, as compensation for cancellation of the contracts, their fair market value and its expenditures and covered liabilities in trying to bring the contracts into commercial production. Increases the adjusted basis of the contracts upon cancellation for federal tax purposes. Directs the Secretary, before any disposition of land, mineral or surface estate for any area located in the city of Victorville, California, to: (1) consult with the city and surface owners; and (2) prohibit mining in such area.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008
Recognizes the tenth anniversary of the signing of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) and the fundamental importance of religious freedom within U.S. historical experience and foreign policy. Urges all United Nations member states to respect their obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Calls on the President to appoint a National Security Advisor on International Religious Freedom, promote respect for religious freedom, and address the findings and recommendations of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom regarding asylum-seekers in the United States. Calls on the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that no foreign government official who has been directly involved in particularly severe violations of religious freedom receives a U.S. visa; (2) ensure that religious freedom is a key part of dialogue with all countries where concerns exist; (3) ensure that U.S. foreign aid program funding promotes respect for religious freedom; (4) ensure that religious freedom and other human rights training is required of all foreign service officers; and (5) develop strategies to address new religious freedom concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Caleb Martin-Travis Dodson Wounded Warrior Retention Act - Authorizes a member of the Armed Forces who would normally be retired, placed on the temporary disability retired list, or separated as the result of a combat-related disability to elect to instead be retained on active service in an active status, as long as the member: (1) remains medically able to perform noncombat-related military occupational specialties or duties; and (2) is not disqualified from performing such specialties or duties because of performance, mandatory retirement for age, or other reasons. Subjects members placed in such status to periodic physical examinations, as provided to members placed on the temporary disability retired list. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to permit, on a case-by-case basis, the reenlistment or appointment in such status of a member who, during the period beginning on September 1, 2001, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act, was retired or separated as the result of a combat-related disability. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the number and types of noncombat-related military occupational specialties in the Armed Forces and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employee positions that would be available for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act - Transfers marijuana from schedule I to schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. Provides that no provision of the Controlled Substances Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict, in a state in which marijuana may, under state law, be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use: (1) a physician from prescribing or recommending marijuana for medical use; (2) an individual from obtaining, possessing, transporting, manufacturing, or using marijuana in accordance with such a prescription or recommendation; (3) an individual authorized under state law to do so from obtaining, possessing, transporting, or manufacturing marijuana on an authorized patient's behalf; (4) a pharmacy or other entity authorized to do so from obtaining, possessing, or distributing marijuana to such patients; or (5) an entity established by such a state or local government thereof to do so from producing, possessing, or distributing marijuana for such a prescription or recommendation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Calls on the President not to commit the United States to any status of forces agreement or any other bilateral agreement with the Republic of Iraq that involves the presence of the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq unless under the agreement Iraq agrees to reimburse the United States for all costs related to the presence of the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq after such agreement's effective date, including pay and allowance costs for U.S. Armed Forces members serving in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently disabled: (1) continued payment, through the original agreed-upon service period, of any bonus, incentive, or similar benefit to which the member was entitled during service; (2) separation pay, even though the member has completed less than six years of active service before discharge; (3) transitional health care, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for 180 days after discharge; (4) transitional commissary and exchange benefits, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for two years after discharge; (5) veterans' housing loan, employment and training, and basic educational assistance; (6) federal unemployment compensation; and (7) veteran's preference for federal employment purposes. Makes this Act effective with respect to any such discharge granted after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation. Requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Secure the Capitol Act - Prohibits an office of the legislative branch from entering into a contract for goods or services within the Capitol Complex with any contractor employing individuals unless the contractor: (1) elects to participate in the basic pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to all of its employees and those providing goods or services under the contract; (2) is in compliance with the terms and conditions of such election; and (3) certifies that each of its subcontractors providing goods or services has elected to participate in such program, and is also in such compliance, with respect to all of its employees as well as those providing goods or services under the subcontract.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of: (1) National Health Care Decisions Day; and (2) advance care planning for all adult Americans. Encourages each person over the age of 18 to prepare an advance directive to assist his or her loved ones, health care providers, and others as they honor his or her wishes. Urges members of Congress to execute such documents for themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Blogger Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) exempt uncompensated individual Internet activity from treatment as a contribution to or expenditure of a campaign for federal office; and (2) cover blogs and other Internet and electronic publications under the general media exemption pertaining to expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Commends the Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles, California, for allowing a rehearing of the decision in the In re Rachel L. case, requiring parents to hold a teaching license in order to legally homeschool their children. Calls upon the court to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion that parents have a fundamental and constitutional right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Condemns the Chinese government's: (1) dispersion and detention of peaceful Tibetan protesters; and (2) policy of using the Internet and news media to control society. Expresses: (1) admiration for the spiritual leadership provided by the Dalai Lama; and (2) solidarity with the Tibetan people. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should call upon the Chinese government to: (1) permit peaceful protest; (2) permit free news media coverage; (3) comply with Chinese criminal law and provide details about Tibetans detained or charged with a crime; (4) engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama and his representatives over Tibet's future; and (5) abide by international human rights agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Communist Chinese Olympic Accountability Act - Prohibits any federal government official or employee from attending the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing, People's Republic of China, except for an individual who is a member of the U.S. Olympic Team or who is serving in a medical or security capacity on behalf of the Team.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Condemns the Burmese regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2008
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to revise the termination date for the basic pilot employment eligibility confirmation program from 11 years after its beginning date to not later than December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2008
Veterans Mortgage Stimulus Clarification Act of 2008 - Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide a temporary increase, during the period beginning February 13, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2008, in the maximum veterans' loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Bear Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to make it unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce bear viscera. Defines "bear viscera" as the body fluids or internal organs of a bear, including its gallbladder and excluding its blood or brains. Provides that this Act does not affect the regulation by any state of its bear populations or affect the hunting of bears that is lawful under state laws.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Honors and thanks William F. Buckley, Jr., for all he did to advance a conservative vision for America and a capitalist, democratic vision for the world. Expresses the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives at his death, and condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2008
Congratulates the Department of Defense (DOD), Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the Department of the Navy, and the crews of the USS Lake Erie, the USS Decatur, and the USS Russell for successfully intercepting the disabled National Reconnaissance Office satellite, NROL-21, on February 20, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2008
Commemorates the 12th anniversary of the 1996 shooting down by the Cuban regime of two unarmed civilian aircraft flown by the Brothers to the Rescue. Condemns the shooting down of such aircraft and the murders of Armando Alejandre, Jr., Mario de la Pena, Carlos Costa, and Pablo Morales. Recognizes the efforts of those working to bring international attention to this tragedy.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the "Chi Mui Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
United States-Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to include the Republic of Korea among those countries given preferential consideration with respect to certain: (1) arms export presidential certification and legislative review requirements; and (2) military training reporting requirements.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000409_200.jpg)