United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to the security of Israel. Asserts that: (1) terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, should not be permitted to participate in Palestinian elections until such organizations recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, cease incitement, condemn terrorism, and disarm and dismantle their terrorist infrastructure; and (2) Hamas' or any other terrorist group's inclusion into the Palestinian governing structure will inevitably raise serious U.S. policy considerations, potentially undermining the ability of the United States to provide financial assistance and conduct normal relations with the PA. Calls on the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas before the election to declare openly his intention to dismantle the terrorist organizations. States that progress in the peace process requires sustained Palestinian effort to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2005 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage. Authorizes the Secretary to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance coverage. Restricts purchase of such coverage to eligible state programs. Prescribes criteria for state eligibility. Requires each contract for reinsurance coverage to provide insurance coverage against residential property losses to homes, including condominium and cooperative ownership, and the contents of apartment buildings. Cites covered perils. Prescribes a minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Establishes the Consumer Hurricane, Earthquake, Loss Protection (HELP) Fund to: (1) make payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible losses; and (2) pay for Commission operating costs and reinsurance program administrative expenses. Directs the Comptroller General to study the national flood insurance program and hurricane-related flooding.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2005
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the current nonimmigrant H-1B visa category for fashion models with a new (O-3) visa category. Limits such entrants to not more than 1,000 per fiscal year. Defines such category as a fashion model who is of distinguished merit and ability and who is seeking to enter the United States temporarily to perform fashion modeling services that involve events or productions which have a distinguished reputation or that are performed for an organization or establishment that has a distinguished reputation for, or a record of, utilizing prominent modeling talent.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2005
Hurricane Wilma Taxpayer Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue to provide tax relief for victims of Hurricane Wilma, including by: (1) exempting retirement plan distributions for Hurricane Wilma relief made after October 23, 2005, and before January 1, 2007, from the penalty for premature retirement plan distributions. (2) allowing three-year income averaging, for income tax purposes, of retirement plan distributions for Hurricane Wilma relief; (3) allowing the recontribution of retirement plan distributions intended for home purchases that were canceled due to Hurricane Wilma; (4) allowing tax-free loans from retirement plans for Hurricane Wilma relief; (5) suspending limitations on the tax deduction for the charitable contributions of corporations for Hurricane Wilma relief; (6) increasing the standard mileage rate for the charitable use of a vehicle for Hurricane Wilma relief; (7) excluding from the gross income of charitable volunteers reimbursements for the use of automobiles to provide Hurricane Wilma relief; (8) suspending limitations on the tax deduction for personal casualty losses attributable to Hurricane Wilma; and (9) extending from two to five years the mandatory replacement period for property compulsorily or involuntarily converted due to Hurricane Wilma. Declares that any provision of this Act causing an effect on receipts, budget authority, or outlays is designated as an emergency requirement (pursuant to section 402 of H. Con. Res. 95 [109th Congress]).
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2005
Agriculture Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency assistance to farm or aquacultural producers (other than sugarcane producers) in a disaster county who incurred qualifying crop or quality losses with respect to the 2004, 2005, or 2006 crop due to damaging weather or related condition. Limits: (1) assistance to only one crop year; and (2) 2006 crop losses to only those losses caused by a 2005 hurricane or tropical storm. Directs the Secretary to make emergency financial assistance to: (1) commercial ornamental nursery and fernery producers in a disaster county for eligible inventory losses due to a 2005 hurricane; (2) tropical fruit producers in a disaster county who have suffered a qualifying loss due to a 2005 hurricane; (3) citrus and vegetable producers in a disaster county for losses caused by a 2005 hurricane or tropical storm; (4) certain sugar processors in Florida and Louisiana to compensate first processors and producers for crop and other losses related to 2005 hurricanes, tropical storms, excessive rains, and floods; (5) livestock producers in a disaster county for 2005 or 2006 losses (as elected by a producer); and (6) producers in a disaster county for specified infrastructure losses caused by a 2005 hurricane. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include nursery trees, Christmas trees, pecan trees, timber, and forest products in the tree assistance program. Waives specified cost-sharing requirements related to 2005 hurricane assistance. Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to include nursery or fernery crop producers in the emergency conservation program. Provides assistance for farm producers in a disaster county for repairing structures, barns, storage facilities, poultry houses, beehives, greenhouses, and shade houses due to 2005 hurricane damage. Provides emergency grants for low-income migrant and seasonal farmworker assistance. Provides assistance for: (1) reseeding, rehabilitation, and restoration of oyster reefs in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi; (2) fisheries disaster assistance; and (3) lump sum payments to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for assistance to persons in a disaster county who have experienced significant economic hardship due to the loss of fisheries, oysters, lobsters, stone crabs, or clams, destroyed or damaged processing facilities, or closures due to red tide or other water quality issues. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to timber losses resulting from Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, or Wilma to: (1) increase allowable reforestation expenses; and (2) exempt such losses from capital loss limits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the law enforcement and judicial authorities of Uzbekistan should ensure that Sanjar Umarov is accorded his full rights under the Uzbekistan Constitution to defend himself against charges that may be brought against him; (2) the government of Uzbekistan should observe its various treaty obligations, especially those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which obligate governments to provide for due process in criminal cases; and (3) the government of Uzbekistan should clarify the charges against Sanjar Umarov, his current condition, and his whereabouts.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Recognizes the religious and historical significance of Diwali, an annual festival celebrated by many South Asians that is particularly significant to Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Diwali.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that occurred on November 9, 2005, in Amman, Jordan. Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives to the families and friends of those individuals who were killed in the attacks, and its sympathies to the injured. Expresses the solidarity and support of the people and government of the United States with the people and government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Expresses the readiness of the House to support and assist the Jordanian authorities in their efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for the attacks, and to pursue and dismantle the networks which plan and carry out such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress respecting steps to be taken to address the investigation and prosecution of so-called "honor crimes," to provide refuge and rehabilitation for victimized women and their children, and to encourage public awareness and education of human rights and women's rights.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) pregnant college students should not have to make a choice between keeping their baby and staying in school; (2) the pilot program under this Act will help institutions of higher education to establish offices that will operate independent of federal funding within five years after enactment of this Act; and (3) amounts appropriated to carry out other federal programs should be reduced to offset the costs of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program to provide grants to encourage eligible institutions of higher education to establish and operate pregnant and parenting student services offices for pregnant students, parenting students, prospective parenting students anticipating a birth or adoption, and students who are placing or have placed a child for adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Calls on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Calls on the U.S. government to: (1) fully implement U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of forced labor products made in the Laogai; and (2) review implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Prison Labor in 1992 and the Statement of Cooperation in 1994 with respect to the Laogai. Calls on the government of the PRC to release information about the Laogai, including information about the number of executions at the camps, and the extent of the harvesting and transplantation of organs of executed prisoners. Urges the government of the PRC to allow unrestricted visits by international human rights inspectors to Laogai camps. Urges the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to investigate the Laogai system and to make U.S. policy recommendations to help protect human rights for Chinese citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Honors the historic role of Yitzhak Rabin for his distinguished service to the Israeli people and extends deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and the people of Israel on the tenth anniversary of his death. Reiterates continued support for the close ties and special relationship between the United States and Israel. Expresses admiration for Yitzhak Rabin's legacy and reaffirms the commitment to building a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors. Condemns all acts of terrorism. Reaffirms the sacred principle that democratic leaders and governments must be changed only by the democratically-expressed will of the people.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Republic of Croatia has made significant progress in strengthening its democratic institutions and respect for human rights and the rule of law; (2) Croatia should be commended for its progress in meeting the political, economic, military, and other requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Membership Action Plan, its contribution to the global war on terrorism, and for its constructive participation in the United States-Adriatic Charter; (3) the government of Croatia should be commended for the significant improvement in its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); and (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, Croatia should be invited to be a full NATO member.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Recognizes the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-142). Acknowledges the many and varied contributions of children with disabilities and their parents, teachers, related services providers, and other educators. Reaffirms the support of Congress for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so that all children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2005
Condemns in the strongest terms Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's despicable threats, and demands that he repudiate them. Calls on the U.N. Security Council and all civilized nations to: (1) condemn these statements and to censure Iran for its statements and policies aimed at destroying Israel; and (2) consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry out its threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel and reasserts the U.S. commitment to defend Israel's right to exist as a free and democratic state.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any state or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect for any food in interstate commerce: (1) any requirement that is not identical to specified FFDCA provisions (that would result in materially different requirements), including those related to adulterated foods, unsafe food additives, and new animal drugs; or (2) any notification requirement that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FFDCA provisions. Allows a state to petition for an exemption or to establish a national standard regarding any requirement under FFDCA or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide such an exemption if the requirement: (1) protects an important public interest that would otherwise be unprotected; (2) would not cause any food to be in violation of any federal law; and (3) would not unduly burden interstate commerce. Allows a state to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FFDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this Act if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met. Declares that this Act does not preempt certain state and local laws relating to labeling or a consumer advisory relating to food sanitation imposed on a food establishment or recommended by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Urges: (1) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to observe its 1995 Interim Accord obligations and take steps to halt the proliferation of negative propaganda toward Greece and review textbooks, maps, and teaching aids to ensure their accuracy; and (2) FYROM to work within the U.N. process to reach a mutually acceptable permanent name.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Recognizes the importance of the September 2005 presidential election as a first step toward greater openness and political reforms in Egypt. Expresses concern over the lack of international election monitoring and irregularities during such election. Calls on the government of Egypt, during the 2005 parliamentary elections, to: (1) authorize the judiciary to supervise the election process; (2) authorize the presence of accredited representatives of all competing parties and independent candidates at polling stations and during the vote-counting; and (3) allow local and international election monitors full access and accreditation. Calls on the government of Egypt to: (1) separate the National Democratic Party apparatus from the operations of government, divest all government holdings in Egyptian media, and end the government newspaper monopoly; and (2) repeal the 1981 emergency law and, in the development of any future anti-terrorism legislation, allow constitutional political activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
States that Congress: (1) mourns the horrific loss of life caused by the October 2005 floods and mudslides in Central America and Mexico, and expresses its deep condolences to the the victims' families; (2) commits to provide the necessary resources for the relief and rebuilding of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico; (3) recognizes the growing international relief effort; and (4) encourages the Administration and other international donors to provide immediate and long-term assistance for the reconstruction of affected infrastructure. Expresses the sense of Congress that it should be U.S. policy: (1) to promote economic growth and improved living standards, reduce poverty, and promote democracy and the rule of law in the countries of Central America; (2) in concert with multilateral humanitarian organizations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Inter-American Development Bank to support the reconstruction of affected communities; and (3) to encourage the governments of these countries to improve disaster mitigation techniques and compliance among key societal sectors.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks and to place the statue in the Capitol in a suitable permanent location in National Statuary Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Urges the government of Saudi Arabia to reform its textbooks and education curriculum in a manner that promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence, develops civil society, and encourages functionality in the global economy. Urges the President to: (1) direct the Secretary of State to use diplomacy, international visitor exchanges, professional development, and educational reform programs to focus on educational reform in Saudi Arabia; and (2) consider educational reform progress when determining the level and frequency of U.S.-Saudi relations. Expresses disappointment with the slow pace of education reform. Requests that the Secretary report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting such educational reform.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Recognizes the importance of the September 2005 presidential election as a first step toward greater openness and political reforms in Egypt. Expresses concern over the lack of international election monitoring and irregularities during such election. Calls on the government of Egypt, during the 2005 parliamentary elections, to: (1) authorize the judiciary to supervise the election process; (2) authorize the presence of accredited representatives of all competing parties and independent candidates at polling stations and during the vote-counting; and (3) allow local and international election monitors full access and accreditation. Calls on the government of Egypt to: (1) separate the National Democratic Party apparatus from the operations of government, divest all government holdings in Egyptian media, and end the government newspaper monopoly; and (2) repeal the 1981 emergency law and, in the development of any future anti-terrorism legislation, allow constitutional political activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Condemns the government of Syria for its apparent involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and demands that Syrian President Bashar Assad and the government of Syria cooperate with international and Lebanese efforts to further investigate such assassination and bring those responsible to justice. Supports: (1) the findings of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC); and (2) full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1595. Urges the United States to support international and Lebanese efforts to investigate such assassination and bring its perpetrators to justice, including establishment of an international tribunal, if so requested by the government of Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Community Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to subject to quarterly reconciliation any payments to physicians for drugs or biologicals made according to average sales price payment methodology in order to assure that they do not exceed or fall short of the actual average sales price during any preceding period. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review all such payments in the preceding quarter and compare them to the verified average sales price reported by the manufacturer for such quarter. Removes prompt pay discounts from the calculation of the manufacturer's average sales price. Extends through December 31, 2006, the current demonstration project to identify and assess oncology services that positively affect cancer outcomes. Requires the Secretary to make an additional 2% for drug administration services payment to physicians for overhead and related costs. Directs the Secretary to develop indicators for the evaluation of the quality of oncology services provided in the physician office setting. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of cancer patients who enroll in clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Condemns the July 2004 murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov in Moscow and the murders of other members of the media in the Russian Federation. Urges the government of Russia to: (1) continue its inquiries into Mr. Klebnikov's murder; and (2) take appropriate action to protect the independence and freedom of the Russian media and all visiting members of the media. Commends journalists working and living in Russia for their dedication to transparency and the truth.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2005
Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act of 2005, or TEACH Act of 2005 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to require assisted local educational agencies to report on autism early intervention activities and personnel training. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Education, in making certain IDEA grants or contracts, shall give special consideration to: (1) the increased incidence of autism spectrum disorders among children; and (2) the increased demands placed on educational systems due to the complexity and symptoms of autism. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out an expanded student loan forgiveness program for teachers of autistic children; and (2) establish a Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with a specified Department of Health and Human Services official, to: (1) award grants or contracts to develop an outreach plan for populations and individuals underserved by early screening and diagnosis for neurodevelopmental delays; and (2) report on services provided to individuals with ASD in accordance with IDEA and the Head Start Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2005
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) mourns the tragic loss of life and horrendous suffering caused by the earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in Pakistan and India; (2) expresses the deepest condolences of the American people to the families, communities, and governments of the tens of thousands of individuals who lost their lives, and gratitude and respect for the work of all individuals providing aid, relief and assistance, including U.S. civilian and military personnel; (3) welcomes and commends the prompt international humanitarian response to the earthquake by the governments of many countries, the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations; and (4) supports the actions to assist the victims taken by the President and the federal government to provide all appropriate assistance to the governments and people of the affected region.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Nursery and Tropical Fruit Producer Hurricane Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use necessary Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to make emergency financial assistance available to: (1) commercial ornamental nursery and fernery producers in a disaster county for eligible inventory losses due to Hurricane Dennis, Katrina, or Rita; and (2) tropical fruit producers in a disaster county who have suffered a loss of 35 percent or more relative to expected production, due to any of those hurricanes. Provides for the calculation of losses and payments. Directs the Secretary to use necessary CCC funds to make emergency financial assistance to commercial ornamental nursery and fernery producers in a disaster county to help cover debris removal and associated costs due to any of those hurricanes. Amends the: (1) Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to include a producer of nursery or fernery crops within the term "agricultural producer" for purposes of its emergency conservation program; and (2) Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include nursery growers that produce field- or container-grown trees within the term "eligible orchardist" for purposes of its tree assistance program. Designates amounts provided under this Act as an emergency requirement under the FY2006 Concurrent Budget Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of ALS data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to study and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database that accepts data from state registries, health care professionals, and others as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence to urge the United Nations to establish a commission on slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Commends the people of Hungary as they mark the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Expresses condolences to the people of Hungary for those who lost their lives fighting for Hungarian freedom in 1956, as well as for those subsequently executed by the Soviet and Hungarian communist authorities, including Prime Minister Imre Nagy. Welcomes the changes that have taken place in Hungary since 1989, believing that Hungary's integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), together with similar developments in the neighboring countries, will ensure peace and understanding among the peoples of the Carpathian Basin. Reaffirms the friendship between the governments of Hungary and the United States and between the Hungarian and American people.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate. Expresses support for the new collaborative relationship that has grown between Jews and Roman Catholics. Requests the President to: (1) issue a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate; and (2) exert U.S. leadership toward ensuring that anti-Semitism and all forms of religious and racial bigotry are not tolerated worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Directs the President to appoint five additional U.S. district judges for the middle district of Florida, including one temporary judge, and three additional U.S. district judges for the southern district of Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Condemns: (1) the Aleman-Ortega Pact as detrimental to democracy in the Republic of Nicaragua and to regional stability; and (2) the Pact-controlled National Assembly's anti-democratic actions, including efforts to remove democratically-elected President Enrique Bolanos on dubious legal grounds. Supports the efforts of Nicaraguan democratic civil society to create conditions for free and fair elections. Empresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support democratic political forces in Nicaragua for a full restoration of democracy; and (2) the President of the United States, through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), should provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations in support of President Bolanos' call for the international community to assist in and monitor the 2006 election.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 130 East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda, Florida, as the "U.S. Cleveland Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2005
Honors the life and work of Simon Wiesenthal to memorialize the victims of the Holocaust and bring the perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice. Reaffirms Congress's commitment to fighting anti-Semitism and intolerance. Urges the international community to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of surviving Nazi war criminals and to continue documenting and collecting information on Nazi war crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2005
Urges U.N. member states to: (1) stop supporting resolutions that unfairly castigate Israel; and (2) promote within the United Nations General Assembly more balanced and constructive approaches to resolving Middle East conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the penalty for premature distributions from an individual retirement plan a distribution to an individual residing in an area declared as a federal disaster area due to hurricanes, floods, or other natural disasters occurring in 2004 or thereafter if such distribution is made within six months after the date of the disaster declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8501 Philatelic Drive in Spring Hill, Florida, as the "Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2005
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide financial assistance and direct services under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to individuals or households in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida, who suffered home destruction or severe damage from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2005
Welcome President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan upon his September 2005 visit to the United States. Recognizes: (1) President Chen Shui-bian's visit as a significant step toward broadening U.S-Taiwan friendship and cooperation; and (2) President Chen Shui-bian's commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Congratulates President Chen Shui-bian on his receiving the Human Rights Award from the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Thanks President Chen Shui-bian and the government and people of Taiwan for their contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
HRIFA Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) include document fraud among the grounds of inadmissibility which shall not preclude an otherwise qualifying Haitian alien from permanent resident status adjustment; and (2) provide that determinations with respect to children shall be made using the age of an individual as of the date of enactment of this Act. Permits new status adjustment applications to be filed for a limited time period. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for reopening status adjustment applications based upon the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Life Insurance Fairness for Travelers Act of 2005 - Amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 to make it unlawful for any insurer to: (1) deny any person life insurance, or to otherwise discriminate in the issuance, cancellation, amount of coverage, or conditions of life insurance, based upon the person's intent to engage in future lawful foreign travel; and (2) charge rates for life insurance which are excessive or unfairly discriminatory in relation to the actuarial risk associated with future lawful foreign travel of such person. Provides for administrative enforcement of this Act by either: (1) the chief law enforcement officer of a state, or an official or agency designated by a state; or (2) the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Minority Diabetes Initiative Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers for the purpose of providing treatment for diabetes in minority communities. Conditions grants on the recipient agreeing to provide: (1) services in the languages most appropriate for, and with consideration for the cultural backgrounds of, service recipients; (2) outreach activities; and (3) offsite information on diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to expand treatment services for patients with Alzheimer's disease and training and support services for families and caregivers. Conditions grants on the recipient agreeing to: (1) employ a comprehensive approach to care that integrates the treament of patients with training and support services for families and caregivers; (2) provide services in the languages most appropriate for, and with consideration for the cultural backgrounds of, service recipients; (3) provide outreach activities; and (4) provide information on Alzheimer's. Allocates 10% of grant funds for medically underserved communities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Child Abuse Reform and Enforcement Act of 2005 - CARE Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to reduce by 25 percent certain fiscal year allocations and grant amounts, under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the National Child Protection Act of 1993, respectively, to any state that is not in compliance with requirements of this Act. Directs the Attorney General to use such withheld amounts and authorized funds under this Act for additional grants to states in compliance to computerize, improve, transmit, and index their own data and criminal history files in the national data and criminal history systems for child sexual abuse protection and sentencing reform. Requires a state, to be eligible for funding under this Act, to: (1) study its laws pertaining to intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse of children, and examine issues concerning their differences; (2) examine disparities in charging and sentencing perpetrators of child sexual abuse; (3) examine, and implement, legislative actions necessary to equalize charging and sentencing without regard to familial relationship of perpetrator to child victim; (4) compile, analyze, and report relevant data; and (5) promote regulations requiring its courts and agencies to compile such data.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000435_200.jpg)