United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to eliminate the pilot program status of the Chesapeake Bay environmental restoration and protection program. Permits the nonfederal share of project costs of a local cooperation agreement to include in-kind services. Treats funds provided for a project by a federal agency other than the Corps of Engineers as nonfederal funds for purposes of cost sharing requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out projects under the program in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with the goal of carrying out projects in Delaware, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia (currently the Secretary is required to establish at least one project in each of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania). Directs the Secretary to establish a program, to be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to provide small watershed grants for technical and financial assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations in the Chesapeake Bay region. Permits the use of grant funds only for implementation of cooperative tributary basin and other Chesapeake Bay-wide strategies that address storm water management or the establishment, restoration, protection, or enhancement of natural habitat associated with the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the Cheasapeake Bay program. Directs the Secretary to develop at federal expense and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to prioritize projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2008
Timley Due Process for the Disabled Act of 2008 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) establish time frames, within specified limits, to ensure timely disability determinations; and (2) establish a program for the monitoring of disability determinations in reconsideration.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Recognizes that a strong, sustained commitment of resources is needed to learn what causes pancreatic cancer, ways to detect and diagnose it earlier, and test compounds that will extend survival and improve quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Recognizes the essential role played by Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) during World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and many other military and humanitarian operations. Honors the service of the Navy and Coast Guard sailors who served their country aboard the LSTs. Acknowledges the debt modern amphibious operations owe to the LST sailors and ships. Commends the many volunteers of the USS LST Ship Memorial who have preserved the LST 325 as a living memorial in honor and remembrance of the ships and veterans in their service.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on its 35th anniversary, honors the heroic sacrifice of its employees, and gives heartfelt thanks to the men and women of the DEA for their past and continued efforts to defend the American people from illegal drugs and terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Honors the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2008 for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities. Encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to continue their studies. Supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and graduating seniors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2008
Authorizes the National District Attorneys Association to use the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, for a training program to improve the professional skills of state and local prosecutors and to enhance the ability of federal, state, and local prosecutors to work together. Authorizes the National Advocacy Center to provide comprehensive legal education in trial practice, provide substantive legal updates, and support staff training.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 225th Anniversary of the Continental Congress meeting at Nassau Hall in Princeton, New Jersey, should be commemorated.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2012 the grant program for armor vests for law enforcement officers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the People's Republic of China and its government-owned and controlled enterprises should be required to properly disclose material information concerning the selective default status of specified bonds in all prospectuses and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift the numerical limitations for employment based immigrants (and accompanying family members) for nurses and physical therapists until September 30, 2011, subject to a cap. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fee upon each petitioning employer who uses such a visa to provide employment for an alien as a professional nurse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS), acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant each fiscal year to each eligible nursing school that applies and meets specified requirements to increase the number of nursing faculty and students at the school. Establishes in the Treasury's general fund a Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) direct the Secretary to allow an eligible alien (and spouse or child) to reside in a candidate country (defined to include a lower middle income country or one experiencing a natural disaster) during the period the alien is working there as a health care worker; and (2) make inadmissible an alien seeking entry into the United States to perform labor as a health care worker unless the alien attests that he or she does not have an outstanding obligation to the alien's government or country of residence, subject to a waiver. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership program to award grants to eligible entities to carry out comprehensive programs to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Expresses support for the USS Constellation, a 153-year-old American warship berthed in Baltimore, Maryland, as an appropriate site for the nation to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Recognizes that the incredible diversity of different racial and ethnic groups, including Asian American and Pacific Islander, is a source of strength for the United States. Recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is influential and crucial to the society and culture of the United States. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the goals and ideals of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the designation of a National Golf Day. Recognizes the recreational benefits of golf and its importance to the U.S. economy. Commends the allied golf associations for their leadership in promoting the game, their efforts to make it accessible, and their support of charitable activities in the community.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction, training for Iraqi security forces, and fuel for U.S. operations in Iraq should be provided as loans; and (2) the U.S. government should work with the government of Iraq to ensure that the government of Iraq obligates its own budget surplus for reconstruction projects before U.S. reconstruction aid is obligated.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the minimum level of sound that is necessary to be emitted from a motor vehicle, or some other method, to alert blind and other pedestrians of the presence of operating motor vehicles while traveling.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill individuals in certain length-of-service categories who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Makes individuals entitled to assistance under this Act also eligible for supplemental educational assistance for additional active duty service. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program, to be known as the "Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program," under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered and match contributions toward such costs. Requires educational assistance under this Act to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a cultural ambassador of the United States to the world, during which it has provided world-class American modern dance to people across the globe. Recognizes that: (1) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people while using the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people; and (2) the Ailey II company, the Ailey School, and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and Community Programs train future generations of dancers and choreographers while exposing young people to the arts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Putting Our Resources Towards Security (PORTS) Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, between fiscal years 2009 and 2013, to increase the number of full-time Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel for U.S. ports of entry by not fewer than 5,000, 1,200, and 350, respectively, above the number of such personnel for which funds were made available during FY2008. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for each of FY2009-FY2013 to make improvements to existing U.S. ports of entry to improve border security and for other purposes. Directs the Administrator to give priority to ports determined to be in most need of repair in accordance with required infrastructure assessment studies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Families Beyond Bars Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to qualified organizations to carry out child-parent visitation programs that foster and develop familial ties between eligible children and their incarcerated parents. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on child-parent visitation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; (2) outpatient hospital services; and (3) allowable provider taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2008
Designates the federal building located at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, Maryland, as the "Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building."
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act or FLAME Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Fund (the Flame Fund). Requires amounts in the Flame Fund to be made available to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretaries) to pay the costs of catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities that are separate from amounts annually appropriated for the predicted annual workload for such activities. Provides for amounts in the Flame Fund to be made available to the Secretaries only after such Secretaries issue a declaration that a wildland fire suppression activity is eligible for funding through the Fund. Directs such Secretaries to establish an accounting and reporting system for the Flame Fund. Requires such Secretaries to: (1) annually report on the use of the funds from the Flame Fund, together with recommendations that the Secretaries may have to improve administrative control and oversight of the Fund; and (2) submit a report that contains a cohesive wildland fire management strategy, consistent with the recommendations of the Comptroller General reports regarding such issue.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act - Amends the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to make permanent the authorization of appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Recognizes the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and its overall positive effect on the lives of low-income children and families, as well as its effect on helping to improve a child's overall classroom performance. Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for states that have successfully implemented school breakfast programs in order to improve the test scores and grades of their participating students. Encourages states to: (1) strengthen their school breakfast programs by improving student access; (2) promote improvements in the nutritional quality of breakfasts served; and (3) inform students and parents of healthy nutritional and lifestyle choices.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2008
Supports the designation of April 2008 as Public Radio Recognition Month and encourages the celebration of America's public radio stations for their contributions to our nation's communities and enduring civic spirit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2008
Expresses support for the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act - Directs the Attorney General to make annual grants to the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in recovering missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the President to establish a grant program for the revitalization of waterfront brownfield sites. Authorizes such grants to be used for reuse planning, site characterization and assessment, or remediation at waterfront brownfields sites, including the integration of activities related to the design and implementation of water quality improvements, low impact development approaches, green infrastructure, remediation and management of sediments, or flood damage prevention associated with brownfields remediation and reuse. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate waterfront brownfields revitalization. Authorizes funding for brownfields revitalization for FY2008-FY2012. Requires the Administrator to establish and serve as chairperson of a task force on waterfront brownfields revitalization that shall identify: (1) funding and technical assistance resources; (2) barriers to and solutions for revitalization; and (3) methods to coordinate interagency efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress on policy issues associated with the recruitment, retention, research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work. Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on issues facing the social work profession, including: (1) fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, social work workforce trends, knowledge development, and social work safety; and (2) state-level social work licensure and reciprocity agreements for providing services across state lines. Authorizes the Secretary to award various grants to eligible entities to support demonstration programs and other activities related to research, workplace improvements, education, training, and programs of excellence. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with a national social work research entity to serve as a coordinating center and clearinghouse for information on activities under the demonstration program; and (2) develop and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the social work profession. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should designate a National Social Work Awareness month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2008
Recognizes the first-ever World Glaucoma Day. Expresses support for the efforts of the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Eye Institute to fund research on the causes of glaucoma. Congratulates the American Glaucoma Society for its efforts to expand awareness of the prevalence and economic burden of glaucoma and the continued need for federally funded glaucoma research.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Provides that, if the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) determined under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act without regard to this Act for a state for FY2008 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2007, the FY2007 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, before the application of this Act. Provides that, if the FMAP determined without regard to this Act for a state for FY2009 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2008, the FY2008 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, before the application of this Act. Provides that, for each eligible state for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, and for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, the FMAP shall be increased by 2.95 percentage points. Provides for an increase in the cap on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Declares that, only for FMAP computation purposes, any significant disproportionate employer pension or insurance fund contribution shall be disregarded in computing the per capita income of a state, but not in computing the per capita income for the continental United States (and Alaska) and Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to designate centers of excellence for research on various forms of muscular dystrophy as Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers. Requires the Muscular Dystrophy Interagency Coordinating Committee to give special consideration to enhancing the clinical research infrastructure required to test emerging therapies for the various forms of muscular dystrophy. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that any data on patients that is collected as part of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network (MD STARnet) is regularly updated to reflect changes in patient condition over time. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) report to the appropriate congressional committees on MD STARnet and data collection; and (2) provide prospective health outcome data on the health and survival of people with muscular dystrophy. Requires the Director of CDC, in carrying out a program to provide information and education on muscular dystrophy to health professionals and the general public, to: (1) partner with leaders in the muscular dystrophy patient community; and (2) widely disseminate the Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy care considerations. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to: (1) evaluate the available scientific evidence to develop and issue an initial set of care considerations for Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy and provide ongoing review and updates where appropriate; and (2) replicate the same methodology used to develop such care considerations as a model for other muscular dystrophies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Recognizes the 99th anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Honors and praises the NAACP for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act - Establishes the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to: (1) plan and carry out activities to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; (2) provide assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out such activities; and (3) study other federal activities to honor Ronald Reagan, including the issuance of a postal stamp, the issuance of a $1 coin for one year, and the convening of a joint session of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Delays until April 1, 2009, implementation of proposed changes to payment rules under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for case management and targeted case management services. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, before such date, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under Medicaid if such action is more restrictive than the administrative action, policy, or practice that applies to coverage of, or payment for, such services under Medicaid on December 3, 2007. Makes null and void any such action taken by the Secretary between December 4, 2007, and March 31, 2009, that is based in whole or in part on such interim final rule.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Honors the contributions of school counselors to the success of students in our elementary and secondary schools. Encourages the observation of National School Counseling Week (February 4-8, 2008) with ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2008
Medicare Wound Therapy Patient Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the Medicare competitive acquisition program negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories, until the Secretary can validate, using a panel of wound care clinical experts, the clinical comparability of all such products.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for federal criminal investigators.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Congratulates the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences during its 50th GRAMMY celebration for its important work in improving the environment for music and music makers.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_md_2_ruppersberger_c_200.jpg)