United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administration Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Redesignates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency (the Agency), headed by an Administrator to perform the previous functions of the Department of Energy. Provides for the continuation of service of the Secretary of Energy as the interim Administrator. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Administrator to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Energy Programs Resolution Agency any organizational entities that were entities of DOE. Sunsets the Agency three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the most efficient way to accomplish the complete abolishment of DOE and the transfer or termination of its functions. Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities - Establishes an independent Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to privatize and reduce energy laboratories and programs. Prescribes procedural guidelines. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account to fund implementation of such guidelines. Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations - Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (except the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)). Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal Power Marketing Administration operations (except BPA operations) upon completion of the sales. Directs the Secretary to retain a private sector firm through a competitive bidding process to serve as financial advisor with respect to such sales. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former Federal Power Marketing Administration personnel. Mandates that sale proceeds be deposited into the Treasury. Sets forth a sales completion deadline for each Power Marketing Administration concerned. (Sec. 305) Mandates that the pertinent sales agreements require each purchaser providing electric power to customers within any region to insure that the price of electric power does not increase above the baseline price at a rate greater than ten percent annually. (Sec. 306) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable prior to the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. (Sec. 307) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the prohibition against the use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 308) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all DOE functions affecting the BPA. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective option of disposing of the BPA. Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves - Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all former DOE functions affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) sell the reserves held at Weeks Island, Louisiana; and (2) appoint an advisory board to monitor the sale of such reserves and report to the Congress on whether the United States should maintain or dispose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 402) Transfers to the Administrator of the Energy Programs Resolution Agency all functions performed with respect to the naval petroleum reserves, except Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (Elk Hills). Instructs the Administrator to: (1) obtain the highest possible price for the naval petroleum reserves; and (2) develop a joint plan with the Secretary of the Interior for disposal of the naval petroleum reserves within a specified timeframe. Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs - Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency - Establishes the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency (the Agency) in the Department of Defense (DOD), headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs with primary responsibility for defense nuclear programs. (Sec. 504) Transfers to the Under Secretary all supervisory functions previously performed by: (1) DOE over Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; (2) Defense Special Weapons Agency of DOD relating to nuclear weapons systems; and (3) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer other nuclear weapons-related functions to the Under Secretary. (Sec. 505) Places restrictions upon the transfer of funds by the Agency. (Sec. 508) Requires the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to transmit recommendations to the Congress for a civilian entity that should perform the functions previously performed by DOE relating to the naval nuclear propulsion program. Precludes Commission consideration of the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency or any other entity within DOD. Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the Under Secretary to review ongoing and planned remediation activities consistent with this Act. (Sec. 521) Sets forth guidelines for site-specific risk assessment, including a cost-benefit analysis of risk reduction, before the selection of a remedial action at a defense nuclear facility. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Under Secretary to renegotiate the terms of any compliance agreement entered into with the Secretary of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the relevant State in order to have it reflect this Act. Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department - Limits authorizations for enumerated energy research and development programs through FY 2002. (Sec. 601) Directs the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to identify for the Congress all DOE research and development activities carried out at energy laboratories or institutions of higher education that perform a critical research function important to the long-term economic well-being of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate all DOE clean coal technology research and development activities. Authorizes appropriations for DOE fossil energy and energy conservation research and development activities. Terminates such activities 1at the end of FY 2000. Transfers from DOE to DOD specified weapons and defense activities. (Sec. 602) Transfers to the Department of the Treasury all functions performed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Authorizes appropriations for the EIA. Transfers to the Attorney General all functions performed by the Energy Regulatory Administration. Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to terminate the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfer to the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) its authority and assets with respect to a repository for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Requires: (1) the Corps to assume all obligations of the Office affecting the Yucca Mountain site; and (2) reissuance of Nevada State permits for the Corps. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corps preparation and implementation of a Yucca Mountain site characterization plan. (Sec. 702) Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reaffirm that the obligation of the Secretary of Energy to accept high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel beginning by January 31, 1998, is absolute and is not dependent on commencement of operation of a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility. States that such obligation shall be neither voided nor delayed for any reason. Repeals: (1) the site selection limitation placed upon the siting of a monitored retrievable storage facility; and (2) the licensing conditions placed upon such facility. (Sec. 703) Prescribes procedural guidelines for the licensing and expansion of an initial uranium storage facility. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget to make any determination regarding functions transferred under this Act and incidental transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience, the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed; and (2) the Government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, initiate or designate school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Commends 25 specified States for their efforts with respect to prison time served by criminal offenders. Encourages all remaining States to adopt legislation to increase the time served by violent felons. Reemphasizes that individuals who commit violent crime should serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that whenever a district court has jurisdiction in civil rights cases it shall not abstain from exercising or relinquishing its jurisdiction to a State court in an action where no claim of a violation of a State law, right, or privilege is alleged. Authorizes the district court, in such cases that cannot be decided without resolution of a significant but unsettled question of State law, to certify such question to the highest appellate court of that State (and after the State appellate court resolves the question certified to it, the district court shall proceed with resolving the merits). Bars the district court from certifying a question of State law unless such question will significantly affect the merits of the injured party's Federal claim and is so unclear and obviously susceptible to a limiting construction as to render premature a decision on the merits of the constitutional or legal issue in the case. Requires that any claim or action brought to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or territory of the United States, that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Provides that any claim brought under provisions regarding the United States as defendant and regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims that is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Sets guidelines for what constitutes a "final decision" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Public Services Aviation Act of 1997 - Amends Federal aviation safety law to consider a government-owned aircraft to be a public aircraft if it is: (1) operated in the performance of a governmental function by a unit of government on behalf of another unit of government pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement; or (2) transporting (for non-commercial purposes) crewmembers whose presence is associated with the administration or support (or, as currently, performance) of a governmental function such as, but not limited to, public safety, among other functions specified by current law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to identify certain deportable aliens awaiting arraignment in specified local prisons, including all facilities in Ventura and Orange Counties, California.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Voter Eligibility Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to establish a voter eligibility confirmation system to respond to Federal, State, or local election officials' inquiries made to verify a voter registrant's citizenship. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to develop methods to confirm the reliability of the information provided. Amends the Social Security Act to permit States to require voter registrants to provide their social security numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Patient Access to Responsible Care Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a health insurance issuer to: (1) assure that covered items and services are available and accessible to each enrollee; (2) assure the availability and accessibility of emergency services and urgent care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; (3) not require prior authorization for emergency services; and (4) cover emergency and urgent (and related ancillary) services. Requires an issuer offering network coverage to show that enrollees have access to specialized treatment. Regulates network incentive plans. Requires an issuer to: (1) permit each network enrollee to select a personal health professional from participating professionals; (2) cover nonparticipating providers, regulating premiums and cost sharing; (3) avoid undue enrollee burden from care coordination and cost control processes; (4) ensure direct specialist access; (5) provide for continuity of care for those with special needs or a chronic condition; and (6) provide for continued coverage in certain circumstances. Prohibits issuer discrimination on the basis of specified factors against individuals or providers. Prohibits any issuer-professional agreement from restricting the professional from engaging in medical communications with the professional's patient. Sets forth requirements regarding utilization review, an appeals process, and the process by which health professionals and providers become participants. Requires issuers to: (1) disclose certain information to enrollees and prospective enrollees; (2) comply with Federal and State confidentiality laws; (3) meet State solvency-related requirements; and (4) establish a quality improvement program. Requires issuers to comply with this Act regarding group and individual coverage. Declares that the requirements of this Act do not preempt any State law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan and an issuer offering coverage under such a plan to comply with the requirements of this Act. Declares that this Act does not preempt any State: (1) law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals; or (2) cause of action for personal injury or wrongful death damages that provides insurance or administrative services to or for an employee welfare benefit plan maintained to provide health benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that certain provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 relating to transportation of merchandise between U.S. points in other than domestically built or rebuilt and documented vessels and to incineration of hazardous waste at sea (those provisions popularly known as the Jones Act) and related statutes are critically important components of our Nation's economic and military security and should be fully and strongly supported.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Open Competition and Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit discrimination against any bidder on a prime contract for a federally funded project on the basis of a requirement that such person enter into or adhere to a collective bargaining agreement or any similar agreement as a condition of performing work on such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act with respect to the sugar program to: (1) reduce sugarcane loan rates through crop year 2002; (2) revise the sugar beet loan rate; (3) eliminate nonrecourse loans after FY 1997; and (4) eliminate sugar price supports after crop year 2002. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal sugar and crystalline fructose marketing quota and allotment provisions. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985, beginning with the 1996-1997 quota year, to direct the President to use all available authority to ensure that U.S. market raw sugar shall be available at not more than the higher of the world sugar price or the U.S. loan rate.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Imported Meat Labeling Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require country of origin (where an animal is raised before slaughter) labeling of imported meat or U.S.-prepared meat food products containing foreign meat.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall spending levels. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Allows waiver of such prohibition if such bill is required to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year-to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to require a budget law to include a major functional category ("rainy day fund") for natural disasters, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law to require the President to submit: (1) a budget, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences, setting forth on a single page specific budget ceilings in each major functional category; and (2) a detailed budget, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide the appropriate House of Congress (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference) an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill likely to result in costs of over $10 million, before being voted on by the Senate or the House, or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee) to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate, or both, to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress, by two-thirds vote, exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions in spending in the same functional category. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. (Sec. 309) Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals an exemption in the House from pay-as-you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure that budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require CBO reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of social security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law to provide that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts and collections as negative budget authority.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Expanded War Crimes Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply the criminal penalties prescribed for a grave breach of the Geneva Convention, inside or outside the United States, by a U.S. national or member of the armed forces to additional war crimes defined to include conduct: (1) prohibited by Articles 23, 25, 17, or 28 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed October 18, 1907; (2) which constitutes a violation of common Article 3 of the conventions and which deals with non-international armed conflict; or (3) of a person who willfully kills or causes serious injury to civilians in relation to an armed conflict and contrary to the provisions of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices as amended at Geneva on May 3, 1996, when the United States is a party to such Protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 2000; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Requires intermodal transfer (rail-to-heavy-haul-truck) of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste pending direct rail access to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Subjects the Secretary's movement of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by heavy-haul transport route to the exclusive regulatory purview of the Secretary of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Prescribes transportation planning, package certification, technical assistance, interim storage facility, permanent disposal, land withdrawal, and private storage facility requirements to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 31, 2000, and transport it to mainline transportation facilities. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances to Nye County. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person holding title to or generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, and possession, transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Requires the Secretary to determine the level of an annual fee for electricity generated and sold by each civilian nuclear power reactor. Permits the Secretary to make expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund in the event of a shortfall. Delineates budget priorities in the event of such shortfall. Requires the NRC to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay the currently required one-time fee on spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste derived from it, and used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor before April 7, 1983. Provides that payment of the one-time fee relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle A: Authorizations Subtitle B: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Subtitle C: Limitations and Special Authority Title II: International Space Station Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Civilian Space Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) human space flight; (2) science, aeronautics, and technology; (3) mission support; and (4) the Inspector General. (Sec. 105) Limits the total NASA authorization of appropriations for each of FY 1998 and 1999. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the Office of Space Commerce. Subtitle B: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Directs the Administrator of NASA to report to the Congress with respect to NASA restructuring. Subtitle C: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth funds uses, limitations, and special authorities. Title II: International Space Station - Directs the Administrator to make specified commercialization, accounting, and international hardware agreement reports with respect to the International Space Station. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends Federal law to include reentry vehicles and related launch operations within the scope of commercial space launch activities. (Sec. 303) Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Space Commerce. (Sec. 304) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to revise certain reporting provisions. (Sec. 305) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a procurement demonstration program; (2) coordinate a technology procurement initiative; (3) acquire, where appropriate and cost effective, private sector space science and earth remote sensing data and space goods and services; (4) report with respect to the Earth Observing System Data and Information System; and (5) provide for space shuttle privatization. (Sec. 311) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 to make the launch voucher (demonstration) program permanent. (Sec. 316) Prohibits use of funds for the Next Generation Internet. (Sec. 319) Expresses the sense of the Congress that NASA should give high priority to correcting its computer systems with respect to the year 2000 problem.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Base Closure Reuse Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 and the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to make inapplicable to the sale of real property at a closed military installation provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 which are intended to prevent excess profits arising from the receipt of surplus Federal property. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to permit the lessees of real and personal property located at a current or future closed military installation to make capital improvements to such property in order to facilitate its economic development. Sets forth conditions with respect to the cost and removal of such improvements upon lease expiration. Directs such Secretary to permit a lessee to sublet the property for profit during the term of an interim lease (a lease which runs before a final property disposal determination). Allows an interim lessee the first right to acquire the property at the time of its final disposal. Approves the use of a lease with respect to property at a closed military installation that is transferred to the redevelopment authority of such installation. Directs the Secretary of Defense to give to such authority the first right to acquire such property upon lease termination or expiration. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement for the provision by such authority of police, fire, airfield operation, and other community services at the military installation involved.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Job Opportunity and Welfare Reduction Act of 1997 - Directs the Attorney General to conduct a temporary pilot program in States participating in the (welfare reform) program under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act. Requires the Attorney General to notify a State of potential employment opportunities for an adult TANF recipient arising from: (1) removal of an unauthorized alien from a work site by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; or (2) the issuance by the Attorney General to an employer of an unauthorized work letter (Form I-9 Inspection Result Letter, identifying the possible presence of an unauthorized alien). Provides for a bonus under TANF to reward high-performing States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1997 - Requires country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States. Authorizes fines for violations of such provision.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
Declares that the Congress favors public support by the U.S. Government for the accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) prior to China's admission to the WTO.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
United States Armed Forces in Bosnia Protection Act of 1997 - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other Federal department or agency from being obligated or expended for the deployment on the ground of U.S. armed forces in the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina after September 30, 1997. Provides exceptions: (1) for the deployment of troops to aid in troop withdrawal; or (2) if the President transmits to the Congress a request for a deployment extension for an additional 90 days after such deadline and a joint resolution is enacted approving such request. Outlines congressional procedures for the consideration of such request. Prohibits DOD or other Federal funds from being obligated or expended for: (1) the conduct of, or support for, any law enforcement activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an exception for the training of law enforcement personnel or to prevent imminent loss of life; (2) any activity that may jeopardize the primary mission of the United Nations-led Stabilization Fore in preventing armed conflict there; (3) the transfer of refugees within the Republic that has a purpose of acquiring control by one Bosnian entity of territory allocated to another or that may expose U.S. armed forces to substantial risk; or (4) implementation of any decision to change the legal status of any territory within the Republic unless expressly agreed to by all signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Requires a report from the President to the Congress on the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture Programs Title II: Energy and Water Programs Title III: Interior Programs Title IV: Foreign Operations Programs Title V: Transportation Programs Omnibus Corporate Welfare Reduction Act of 1997 - Title I: Agriculture Programs - Repeals the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA), provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 relating to adjusting the repayment schedules on REA loans, and provisions of Federal law regarding: (1) congressional policy concerning making funds available to rural electric and telephone systems; (2) congressional policy with respect to rural telephone system financing; (3) loan programs under the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund; and (4) rural advanced telecommunications. Rescinds related unobligated balances. (Sec. 102) Repeals provisions of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 regarding an agricultural commodity export promotion program. Title II: Energy and Water Programs - Prohibits obligating or spending funds for the Animas-La Plata Project, Colorado and New Mexico, except regarding alternatives that would satisfy the water rights interests of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. (Sec. 202) Declares that the Congress is concerned about the pyroprocessing program and should not proceed with a liquid metal reactor program. Amends provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 relating to advanced nuclear reactors to remove references to liquid metal reactors. Title III: Interior Programs - Prohibits the Department of Energy from conducting any fossil energy research and development, except as required by contracts entered into before enactment of this Act and as necessary to terminate ongoing activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Amends Federal law commonly known as the National Forest Roads and Trails Act to modify requirements regarding the construction of forest development roads. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the full cost of forest road design, construction, and maintenance should be recovered through user fees. (Sec. 303) Prohibits fund obligation for the Clean Coal Technology program. Repeals, subject to exception, related appropriations from an appropriations Act for FY 1986 and rescinds any related unobligated funds. Title IV: Foreign Operations Programs - Abolishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and repeals related provisions. Requires that the Office of Management and Budget perform OPIC functions on certain existing contracts until their expiration. Prohibits contract renewal. Deposits unexpended balances in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. (Sec. 402) Sets forth findings regarding the International Monetary Fund and its Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF). Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should not participate in the latest round of General Agreements to Borrow (commonly referred to as the New Arrangement to Borrow) or provide additional resources to the ESAF. Title V: Transportation Programs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that highway demonstration projects should not be required by Federal law. (Sec. 502) Repeals provisions of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 authorizing the Appalachian development highway system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
State Initiative Fairness Act - Prohibits a U.S. district court or judge thereof from granting any application for an interlocutory or permanent injunction restraining the enforcement, operation, or execution of a State law adopted by referendum upon the ground of unconstitutionality unless such application is heard and determined by a three-judge court. Requires, in any such case, the additional judges to be designated as soon as practicable and the court to expedite the consideration of the application for an injunction. Requires any appeal of a determination on such application to be to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Prohibits the United States from supporting the admission of China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) unless the Congress passes a joint resolution, according to specified procedures, allowing the United States to support such admission. Directs the President to: (1) notify the Congress if China becomes a member of the WTO without the support of the United States; and (2) submit notice of the withdrawal of the United States from the WTO Agreement. Makes a conforming amendment to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army or Naval Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act. Mandates a processing fee for any benefit application of a member possessing such qualified service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
HIV Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to add certain requirements relating to prevention of the transmission of the HIV virus which State Medicaid plans must incorporate in order to receive Federal approval. Includes among such requirements: (1) mandatory confidential reporting of HIV positive results by the health professional or other entity performing HIV tests to the State public health officer; (2) informing of individuals who may have been exposed to HIV by the public health officer of the State (partner notification); (3) mandatory HIV testing of alleged rapists for which victims and their attorneys are notified of the results, with appropriate follow up tests upon the request of the victim; (4) subjection to mandatory HIV testing of prospective patients who are to undergo a medical procedure that would place the health professionals involved at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with the health professionals notified of the results; (5) affording applicants for health insurance who are required by the health insurance issuer to undergo HIV testing as a condition of issuance the opportunity to be informed by the issuer, upon request, of the applicant's HIV status; and (6) affording prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to be informed by the adoption agency, upon request, of the HIV status of the child which they wish to adopt. Expresses the sense of the Congress that with respect to health professionals with HIV disease: (1) the health professionals should notify their patients that they have the disease in medical circumstances that place the patients at risk of being infected with HIV by the health professionals; and (2) the States should encourage the medical profession to develop guidelines to assist the health professionals in so notifying patients. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) States should have in effect laws providing that, in the case of an individual who knows that he or she has HIV disease, it is a felony for the individual to infect another with HIV if the individual engages in the behaviors involved with the intent of so infecting the other individual; and (2) strict confidentiality should be maintained in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Prohibits a State or local government from imposing, assessing, or attempting to collect any tax or fee on the Internet or interactive computer services (ICs) or on their use. Preserves State and local taxing authority with respect to income, license, and sales taxes. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, or State to: (1) undertake an examination of U.S. and international taxation of the Internet and ICs, as well as commerce conducted thereon; and (2) jointly submit to the President appropriate policy recommendations concerning such taxation. Directs the President to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees policy recommendations on the taxation of sales and other transactions effected on the Internet or through ICs. Requires all such recommendations to be consistent with policy statements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to state that the Federal Communications Commission or any equivalent State commission shall have no regulatory authority or jurisdiction with respect to charges paid by subscribers for ICs or information services transmitted through the Internet, except for the requirement that such services be provided at affordable rates to rural health care providers, schools, and libraries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek bilateral and multilateral agreements through various international forums to establish that activity on the Internet and ICs be free from tariff and taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Pharmacy Compounding Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make specified provisions of that Act inapplicable to a drug or device that is compounded by a licensed pharmacist, licensed physician, or other licensed practitioner authorized by State law to prescribe drugs or devices. Declares null and void a proposed rule concerning exceptions to good manufacturing practices for makers of positron emission tomography drug products and a guideline on the manufacture of such products. Prohibits another proposed regulation or guideline on those matters.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any bilateral or international agreement that imposes certain performance, testing, and deployment limits on U.S. missile defense systems would not be in the national security interests of the United States; (2) no additional international agreements are required to deploy such systems; and (3) the Congress will not be receptive to any agreement that serves to reduce the potential of U.S. theater missile defense systems to defend the U.S. armed forces abroad or the armed forces or population of allies of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 1997 - Provides for coverage of acupuncturist services under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
National Language Act of 1997 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. Government. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials. Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62. Permits the Government to provide interpreters for persons over age 62. Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education. Sets forth provisions regarding the recapture of unexpended funds and transitional provisions. Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English. Specifies that this Act shall not preempt the law of any State.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Mandates Information Act of 1997 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (the Act) to require a congressional committee report on any bill or joint resolution that includes any Federal mandate to contain information concerning the impact of such mandate on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. Revises provisions concerning legislation subject to a point of order to: (1) define the point of order for a determination by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO Director) that it is not feasible to determine the economic impact of a Federal mandate; and (2) replace certain references to Federal intergovernmental mandates with references to Federal mandates. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any unfunded mandates that are determined by the CBO Director to exceed the applicable threshold under the Act should be financed through reduced taxes, tax abatements, or direct compensation by the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should make freedom of religion one of the major objectives of U.S. foreign policy with respect to China. Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of State, the United States Information Agency, and the United States Agency for International Development to provide travel expenses for certain Chinese officials participating in international conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities. Requires each agency to certify to appropriate congressional committees that it did not pay such expenses. Makes such officials ineligible to receive visas for admission into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Americorps Program Elimination Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to repeal the National Service Trust Program (Americorps) under which certain persons who perform national or community service receive stipends and educational awards for such service.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Tax-Free Internet Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from any excise tax amounts paid for any Internet access service, access-related service, or online service.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Citizen Legislature and Political Freedom Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to remove the limitations on Federal election campaign contributions after 1998. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the designation of income tax payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund after December 31, 1997; (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund after December 31, 1998; and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 4) Amends FECA to require the following regarding soft money expenditures of political parties: (1) the disclosure of all funds (soft money) transferred by a political committee of a national political party to any political committee of a State or local political party, without regard to whether or not the funds are otherwise treated as contributions or expenditures; and (2) a political committee of a State or local political party required under State or local law, rule, or regulation to submit a report on its disbursements to an entity of the State or local government, to file a copy of the report with the Federal Election Commission (Commission) at the time it submits the report to such an entity. (Sec. 5) Revises reporting requirements to provide for mandatory electronic filing of FECA reports. Repeals requirements regarding the candidate's principal campaign committee notifying the Clerk of the House, the Secretary or Commission, and the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution of $1,000 or more received by any authorized committee of the candidate. Replaces them with requirements providing for each political committee to notify the Secretary or the Commission, and the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution received by the committee within 90 days of an election, within 24 hours (or, if earlier, by midnight of the day on which the contribution is deposited) after the receipt of such contribution and include the involved candidate's name (as appropriate) and the office sought by the candidate, the identification of the contributor, and the date of receipt and the contribution amount, in addition to all other reporting requirements. Directs the Commission to make the information contained in the reports submitted available on the Internet and publicly available at Commission offices as soon as practicable (but in no case later than 24 hours) after the information is received by the Commission. (Sec. 6) Waives the "best efforts" exception with respect to information regarding the identification of any person who makes a contribution or contributions aggregating more than $200 during a calendar year (as currently required to be provided).
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Removes a restriction on electing the alternative incremental credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Union Members Right to Know Act of 1997 - Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to revise requirements for reports by labor organizations to the Secretary of Labor. Requires such reports to include specified information regarding the use of employee dues and fees, including itemization of sums spent on political and other specified activities. Requires labor organizations to provide the employees they represent with complete copies of such annual reports.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
United Nations Erroneous Debt Act of 1997 - Prohibits the payment of U.S. contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to the Congress that the United Nations has: (1) agreed to reimburse or credit to the United States a specified sum which reflects unreimbursed U.S. assistance to U.N. military peacekeeping efforts from 1992 through 1995; or (2) eliminated alleged U.S. arrearages to the United Nations and agreed to reimburse or credit a specified sum to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Sikhs of Khalistan have the right to self-determination in their homeland, Punjab, Khalistan; and (2) an internationally supervised plebiscite should be held in Punjab on the question of independence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the requirement for an X-ray as a condition of coverage of chiropractic services under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
American Land Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from nominating any Federal lands for inclusion on the World Heritage List pursuant to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage unless: (1) the Secretary finds that commercially viable uses of nominated lands (including lands located within ten miles of them) will not be adversely affected by such inclusion, and publishes that finding; (2) the Secretary has reported to the Congress on the lands' natural resources and the impact that the inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such lands; and (3) such nomination is specifically authorized by a law. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the President to submit proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination. Requires the Secretary to object to the inclusion of any property in the United States on the list of World Heritage in Danger (established under the Convention) unless the Secretary: (1) has reported to the Congress on the necessity for such inclusion, including the natural resources associated with the property, and the impact that such inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such property; and (2) is specifically authorized to assent to the inclusion by a joint resolution of the Congress enacted after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees certain information on each World Heritage Site within the United States. (Sec. 4) Prohibits Federal officials from nominating lands in the United States for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Provides that any such designation shall not have, and shall not be given, any force or effect, unless the Biosphere Reserve: (1) is specifically authorized by a law enacted before December 31, 2000; (2) consists solely of federally-owned lands; and (3) is subject to a management plan that specifically ensures that the use of intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property is not limited or restricted as a result of that designation. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees information on each Biosphere Reserve within the United States. (Sec. 5) Prohibits, under any international agreement (with exceptions under certain wetlands agreements and conventions), the nomination, classification, or designation of: (1) federally-owned lands located within the United States for a special or restricted use unless specifically authorized by law; (2) State or local government lands unless specifically authorized by State or local law; or (3) privately owned lands without the owner's consent.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Social Security Preservation Act of 1997 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (trust funds) to ensure that the annual surplus of the trust funds is invested in: (1) marketable interest-bearing obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed by the United States; or (2) certificates of deposit in insured depository institutions. Outlines provisions for determining the annual surplus of the trust funds. Prohibits disinvestment of trust fund amounts from public debt obligations, any refraining from making such investments, or any delay in making normal deposits in such trust funds for public debt limit-related purposes. Authorizes the sale of trust fund public debt obligations for the payment of cash benefits and administrative expenses, with conditions, including notification to each House of Congress and the Comptroller General at least three days in advance of such sale.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Provides that, in any civil action, a biomaterials supplier (one who supplies components or raw materials used to manufacture implants) may raise any defense provided under this Act. Exempts a biomaterials supplier from liability for harm to a claimant caused by an implant, with exceptions in the case of a supplier who: (1) is a registered manufacturer of the implant; (2) is a seller of the implant and who held title to the implant at the time of sale (or is related by common ownership or control to such a seller); or (3) furnishes raw materials or components that fail to meet applicable contractual requirements or specifications. States that a supplier may be considered a manufacturer of an implant, for purposes of such civil actions, only if the supplier has registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Requires claimant payment of attorney's fees if the court finds the claim to be without merit and frivolous.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000409_200.jpg)