United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005 - Declares that the sunset provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which terminate its application to estates of decedents dying, gifts made, or generation skipping transfers, after December 31, 2010, shall not in fact apply to title V of such Act, which repeals estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. (Thus makes the repeal of such taxes permanent.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the election of three Alternate Representatives along with a Representative, selected by him or her, as well as three Alternate Senators along with a Senator, selected by the latter. Provides that upon the death or inability to discharge the appropriate powers and duties of a person elected as Representative or Senator, the duties and powers of that office shall be discharged by his or her designated successor as Acting Representative or Acting Senator, determined according to a specified ranked order of the Alternates, until a new Representative or Senator is elected.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Recognizes and commends the members of the U.S. Marine Corps and other U.S. Armed Forces who participated in such Battle, especially those who gave their lives there.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should: (1) strongly oppose the anti-secession legislation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as it will alter the status quo in the region, and thus is a grave concern to the United States; (2) reaffirm its policy that the future of Taiwan should be resolved by peaceful means and with the consent of its people; and (3) continue to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and the PRC. Urges the President to direct all appropriate Federal officials to reflect the concern with which the United States views the enactment of the anti-secession legislation to their counterpart officials in the PRC Government.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Expresses: (1) deepest condolences to the family of Zurab Zhvania for their tragic loss, and to the people of the Republic of Georgia for the death of their Prime Minister; and (2) solidarity with the people and Government of the Republic of Georgia at this difficult time. Commends the courage and leadership of Zurab Zhvania that were so critical to the development of a democratic Republic of Georgia. Recognizes that the Republic of Georgia's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions will be the completion of Zurab Zhvania's vision and his most lasting legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Commends the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan for establishing a multi-party democracy and for their dedication to democratic ideals and human rights. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should abandon the "One China Policy" in favor of a "One China, One Taiwan Policy" that recognizes the Republic of China on Taiwan as a sovereign government; (2) the President should begin the process of resuming normal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan; and (3) the Republic of China on Taiwan should be permitted to participate as a full member in international organizations for which statehood is a membership requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits a qualified civil liability action from being brought in any state or federal court against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce (or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers) for damages, punitive damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, abatement, restitution, fines, or penalties, or other relief, resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Requires pending actions to be dismissed. Excludes actions: (1) brought against a person who has been convicted of transferring a firearm knowing that it would be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, by a party directly harmed by such crime; (2) brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; (3) in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm knowingly violated a state or federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm, if the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; (4) for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or (5) for death, physical injuries, or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner, except that if the discharge was caused by a volitional act that constituted a criminal offense, such act shall be considered the sole proximate cause of any resulting death, personal injury, or property damage.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2005 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and Federal civil service law relating to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to cover qualified acupuncturist services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005
Condemns the February 14, 2005, terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and killed and wounded others. Extends condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Lebanon. Recognizes the significant contributions Rafik Hariri made during his lifetime. Reaffirms the right of the people of Lebanon to choose their leaders free from intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation in accordance with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1559. Urges the international community to facilitate any investigation into this terrorist attack.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005
Increases the maximum amounts for any one fiscal year for the Federal share of construction costs, and for any single project, that may be allotted by the Secretary of the Army for the construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005
Citizenship Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit automatic citizenship at birth to a child born in the United States who: (1) was born in wedlock to a parent either of whom is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence; or (2) was born out of wedlock to a mother who is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence. Defines "born in wedlock" to exclude common law marriages.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should immediately disapprove the totalization agreement signed by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute on June 29, 2004, and refrain from transmitting such agreement to the Congress; and (2) the Commissioner of Social Security should withdraw from any further negotiations with Mexico relating to totalization agreements between the United States and Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2005
Congratulates the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) on its 125th anniversary, and recognizes the achievements of all ASME members. Expresses gratitude for ASME's contributions to the health, safety, and economic well-being of U.S. citizenry.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2005
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005 -Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims concerning the provision of health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Provides that nothing in this Act limits recovery of the full amount of available economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Allows the introduction of collateral source benefits and the amount paid to secure such benefits as evidence. Prohibits a provider of such benefits from recovering any amount from an award in a health care lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and providers of medical products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2005
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize specified appropriations through FY 2011 for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4960 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, as the "Ray Charles Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to expand the authority of non-Federal interests to levy harbor fees to permit such fees to finance the cost of construction and operation and maintenance of any infrastructure project for a harbor, including an infrastructure project outside the boundaries of the harbor if the project is for transportation to, from, or through the harbor.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Makes eligible for the Office of the President non-native born persons who have held U.S. citizenship for at least 20 years and who are otherwise eligible to hold such Office.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 - Amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to Court; Sanctions) to: (1) require courts to impose sanctions on attorneys, law firms, or parties who file frivolous lawsuits (currently discretionary); (2) disallow the withdrawal or correction of pleadings to avoid Rule 11 sanctions; (3) require courts to award parties prevailing on Rule 11 motions reasonable expenses and attorney's fees, if warranted; (4) authorize courts to impose Rule 11 sanctions that include reimbursement of a party's reasonable litigation costs in connection with frivolous lawsuits; and (5) make the discovery phase of litigation subject to Rule 11 sanctions. Makes Rule 11 applicable to state civil actions where the court determines, upon motion, that the action affects interstate commerce. Requires personal injury claims (defined to exclude class actions) filed in State or Federal court to be filed in the county or Federal district in which: (1) the person bringing the claim resides at the time of filing or resided at the time of the alleged injury; (2) the alleged injury or circumstances giving rise to the claim occurred; or (3) the defendant's principal place of business is located. Directs the trial court to determine which county or Federal district is the most appropriate forum in those situations where the alleged injury occurred in more than one county or district.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
REAL ID Act of 2005 - Amends Immigration and Nationality Act provisions concerning asylum to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security, in addition to the Attorney General, to grant asylum; (2) require asylum applicants to prove that race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion was or will be (if removed) the central reason for their persecution; and (3) provide that an applicant's testimony may be sufficient to sustain this burden of proof only if the trier of fact determines that it is credible, persuasive, and fact-specific. Gives the trier of fact discretion to require corroborating evidence. Lists factors relevant to credibility determinations in asylum cases. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive laws as necessary to ensure expeditious construction of certain barriers and roads at the U.S. border. Expands grounds of inadmissibility and deportability due to terrorist or terrorist-related activity. Modifies the provision defining "engage in terrorist activity" to eliminate the possibility of discretionary waivers of inadmissibility for material support of organizations or individuals that have engaged in terrorist activity. Expands the definition of "terrorist organization." Prohibits Federal agencies from accepting State issued driver's licenses or identification cards unless such documents are determined by the Secretary to meet minimum security requirements. Sets forth issuance standards for such documents that require: (1) evidence that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States; and (2) issuance of temporary driver's licenses or identification cards to persons temporarily present that are valid only for their period of authorized stay (or for one year where the period of stay is indefinite). Authorizes the Secretary to impose additional requirements. Requires States, as a condition of receiving financial assistance, to participate in the interstate compact regarding the sharing of driver's license data. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in conforming to the document standards of this Act. Repeals overlapping provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
Theodore Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than: (1) 500,000 $1 coins with the image of Theodore Roosevelt as a Rough Rider on one side and an eagle design on the other side; and (2) 500,000 $1 coins with the image of Roosevelt on horseback on one side and a flaming sword of righteousness on the other side. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such minted coins beginning on January 1, 2006, and to initiate coin sales before such date. (2006 will mark the 100th anniversary of Roosevelt's award of the Nobel Peace Prize.) Requires payment of $10 surcharges from the coin sales to the Theodore Roosevelt Association, to be used exclusively for educational programs at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, including a visitor's center.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005
Little Rock Central High School Desegregation 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Requires the design of such coins to be emblematic of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School and its contribution to civil rights in America. Specifies the sale price of such coins and applicable surcharges. Requires surcharges collected from sales to be used equally for: (1) the Jefferson National Parks Association for support of the activities and mission of Little Rock Central High National Historic Site; and (2) site improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005
Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists, pharmacies, wholesalers, and individuals to import qualifying drugs from certain countries into the United States. Sets forth registration requirements for exporters. Requires the Secretary to: (1) educate consumers with regard to the availability of qualifying drugs for import for personal use; (2) inspect the facilities and records of importers and registered exporters to ensure compliance with this Act; and (3) establish a registration fee program to collect an annual fee from registered exporters. Deems a prescription drug to be misbranded unless the packaging of such drug complies with the requirements for counterfeit-resistant technologies. Prohibits: (1) failing to register in accordance with this Act; and (2) importing or offering to import a prescription drug in violation of a suspension order. Declares that selling or importing a patented drug in the United States that was first sold abroad by or under authority of the owner or licensee of the patent is not patent infringement. Prohibits drug manufacturers from discriminating against a person that engages in the importation of a prescription drug, including by charging higher prices or denying supplies of the drug. Allows the Secretary to suspend or terminate the registration of an exporter for failing to maintain substantial compliance with all registration conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2005 - Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Repeals certain provisions discounting such service as qualifying service.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2005
Military Death Benefit Improvement Act of 2005 - Increases from $12,000 to $100,000 the death gratuity payable to the survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die: (1) while on active duty or inactive duty training; or (2) within 120 days after discharge or release from such duty or training, if the death resulted from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during such duty or training.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005
Iran Freedom Support Act - States that: (1) U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to weapons of mass destruction with respect to Iran shall remain in effect until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Iran has permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs and has committed to combating such weapons' proliferation; and (2) such certification shall have no effect on other sanctions relating to Iranian support of international terrorism. Amends the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 to: (1) eliminate mandatory sanction provisions respecting Libya; (2) impose mandatory sanctions on a person or entity that aids Iran acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction or destabilizing types and numbers of conventional weapons; (3) revise multilateral regime reporting requirements, including provisions respecting sanctions on individuals aiding Iranian petroleum development; (4) enlarge the scope of sanctionable entities; and (5) eliminate the sunset provision. Authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to eligible foreign and domestic individuals and groups that support democracy in Iran and that are opposed to the Government of Iran. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should appoint a special assistant on Iranian matters; (2) contacts should be expanded with democratic Iranian opposition groups; and (3) the President should designate at least one such eligible group within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8200 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, California, as the "Staff Sergeant First Class John Marshall Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005
Commends the people and the Governments of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Republic of Yemen for their progress toward political and economic liberalization. Expresses hope that such countries' progress toward democratization will continue and will serve as a model for other Arab countries. Reaffirms the friendship between the people of the United States and the peoples of such countries. Supports enhancing bilateral congressional-parliamentary exchanges with Arab and Muslim countries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
First Responders Funding Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the USA PATRIOT Act to require: (1) that each State be allocated in each fiscal year not less than .5 percent (currently, .75 percent) of the total amount appropriated for domestic preparedness grants; (2) such grants to be awarded based on a quantitative risk assessment for threat, vulnerability, and consequences; and (3) the Office for State and Local Domestic Preparedness Support of the Office of Justice Programs, by March 1 of each year, to submit that assessment to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Parental Consent Act of 2005 - Prohibits Federal funds from being used to establish or implement any universal or mandatory mental health screening program. Prohibits Federal education funds from being used to pay any local educational agency or other instrument of government that uses the refusal of a parent or legal guardian to provide consent to mental health screening as the basis of a charge of child abuse or education neglect until the agency or instrument demonstrates that it is no longer using such refusal as a basis of such charge. Defines universal or mandatory mental health screening as any mental health screening program in which a set of individuals is automatically screened without regard to whether there was a prior indication of a need for mental health treatment, including: (1) any program of State incentive grants to implement recommendations in the July 2003 report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health; and (2) any student mental health screening program that allows mental health screening of individuals under 18 years of age without the express, written, voluntary, informed consent of the parent or legal guardian of the individual involved.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Redesignates the: (1) Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps; and (2) Secretary of the Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. Makes similar redesignations with respect to Department Assistant Secretaries and the General Counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Santa Ana River Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with: (1) the Orange County Water District (the District), to participate in the design, planning, and construction of natural treatment systems and wetlands for the flows of the Santa Ana River, California, and its tributaries into the Prado Basin; (2) local governments, to carry out a program to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines to export the salinity imported from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean; and (3) the Chino Basin Watermaster, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, to participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project. Limits the Federal share of total project costs. Prohibits using funds provided by the Secretary for operation and maintenance of the projects. Directs the Secretary to establish at the District a center to provide: (1) assistance in the development and advancement of membrane technologies; and (2) educational support in the advancement of public understanding and acceptance of membrane produced water supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to mint and issue: (1) ten dollar gold coins; (2) five dollar gold coins; (3) one dollar silver coins; and (4) half-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has in its possession any craft or any part of a craft that flew in space to: (1) retrieve any gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal that may be used in the production of any coins under this Act from such craft or part; and (2) deposit such metals with the Director of the United States Mint. Requires that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a surcharge of : (1) $75 per coin for the ten dollar coin; (2) $35 per coin for the five dollar coin; (3) $10 per coin for the one dollar coin; and (4) $3 for the half-dollar coin, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 30777 Rancho California Road in Temecula, California, as the "Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require inclusion of encrypted machine-readable electronic identification strips on Social Security cards. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) develop the strip in a manner that enables employers to access the Employment Eligibility Database (EED) established by this Act; and (2) transmit to the Secretary of Homeland Security necessary information from an individual's application for a Social Security card or number (as determined by the Secretary) for inclusion in the EED. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain the EED. Requires the EED to include data on the citizenship status and work and residency eligibility of noncitizens authorized to work in the United States. Restricts access to EED information. Prohibits individuals from commencing employment with a U.S. employer absent a Social Security card that meets the requirements of this Act and presentation of such card to the employer. Prohibits employers from hiring individuals absent verification of identity and work authorization. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) assess penalties against employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers or fail to comply with verification procedures; and (2) bring civil actions against those who fail to pay assessments or otherwise violate this Act. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations. Mandates integration of Border Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint databases. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to establish a national identification card.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Southern California Groundwater Remediation Fund, which shall be used by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to provide grants to a local water authority within the natural watershed of the Santa Ana River in California for the Federal share of costs associated with designing and constructing groundwater remediation projects. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any funds appropriated to the Fund in a fiscal year until the Secretary has deposited a matching amount provided by non-Federal interests of at least 35 percent for a project. Makes each authority responsible for providing the required non-Federal amount. Directs the Secretary to credit the appropriate authority with the value of all prior compatible expenditures by non-Federal interests made after January 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
District of Columbia Voting Rights Restoration Act of 2005 - Restores the right of District of Columbia residents to participate as Maryland residents in congressional elections and presidential elections. Repeals provisions of the: (1) District of Columbia Delegate Act that establishes the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 that provides for electing a Senator and Representative for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Tsunamis Temporary Protected Status Act of 2005 - Requires Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Somalia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Maldives, Tanzania, Seychelles, Bangladesh, and Kenya to be treated as if such countries had been designated for purposes of the temporary protected status (TPS) provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Establishes a one-year period of initial TPS designation. Makes aliens who are nationals of such nations eligible for TPS if they: (1) have been continuously physically present since the date of enactment of this Act; (2) are admissible as immigrants or eligible for certain waivers of inadmissibility and are not ineligible for TPS; and (3) register for TPS in the manner established by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Directs the Secretary to give prior consent to travel abroad to an alien granted TPS pursuant to this Act if the alien establishes that emergency and extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the alien require the alien to depart for a brief, temporary trip abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Declares Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," to be null and void. Prohibits the use of funds for the promulgation or enforcement of an executive order that creates an entitlement to services provided in a language other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts benefits paid under this Act from taxation. Provides for benefits for World War II Merchant Mariners under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act - Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding trafficking in counterfeit goods or services to prohibit trafficking in counterfeit marks. Directs the court: (1) upon a determination by a preponderance of the evidence that any article in a defendant's possession bears or is a counterfeit mark, to order the forfeiture and destruction of such article, regardless of whether the defendant is convicted of an offense; and (2) in imposing sentence, to order a person convicted of, or who pleads guilty or nolo contendre to, a violation to forfeit any property derived from proceeds of, or used in the commission of, the violation. Modifies the definition of "counterfeit mark" to include a spurious mark that is applied to, or consists of, a label, patch or medallion. Provides that nothing in this Act shall entitle the United States to bring a criminal cause of action for the repackaging, without deception, of genuine goods or services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Renames the basic employment eligibility verification pilot program established under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 as the Employment Eligibility Verification System. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for permanent nationwide implementation of the System. Requires entities hiring individuals for employment in the United States to participate in such System. Phases in compliance requirements over a seven-year period according to the number of persons employed by the entity. Establishes sanctions for noncompliance. Provides for voluntary participation by entities not required to participate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax deduction for medical expenses without the gross income percentage limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) mourns the horrific loss of life caused by the earthquake and tsunamis that occurred on December 26, 2004, in South and Southeast Asia; (2) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the many earthquake and tsunami victims; (3) applauds the prompt humanitarian response to the tsunami tragedy by governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations; (4) recognizes the generous outpouring of support for relief efforts from private citizens around the world, including in the United States; (5) affirms its commitment to additional generous U.S. support for relief and long-term reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunamis; and (6) urges continued attention by donors and relief agencies to the needs of vulnerable populations in the stricken countries, particularly the thousands of children who have been left parentless and homeless by this disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2004
Supports the establishment and full funding of a staff exchange program between the House of Representatives and the Parliament of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000409_200.jpg)