United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005
Iran Freedom Support Act - States that: (1) U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to weapons of mass destruction with respect to Iran shall remain in effect until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Iran has permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs and has committed to combating such weapons' proliferation; and (2) such certification shall have no effect on other sanctions relating to Iranian support of international terrorism. Amends the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 to: (1) eliminate mandatory sanction provisions respecting Libya; (2) impose mandatory sanctions on a person or entity that aids Iran acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction or destabilizing types and numbers of conventional weapons; (3) revise multilateral regime reporting requirements, including provisions respecting sanctions on individuals aiding Iranian petroleum development; (4) enlarge the scope of sanctionable entities; and (5) eliminate the sunset provision. Authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to eligible foreign and domestic individuals and groups that support democracy in Iran and that are opposed to the Government of Iran. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should appoint a special assistant on Iranian matters; (2) contacts should be expanded with democratic Iranian opposition groups; and (3) the President should designate at least one such eligible group within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Redesignates the: (1) Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps; and (2) Secretary of the Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. Makes similar redesignations with respect to Department Assistant Secretaries and the General Counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to mint and issue: (1) ten dollar gold coins; (2) five dollar gold coins; (3) one dollar silver coins; and (4) half-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has in its possession any craft or any part of a craft that flew in space to: (1) retrieve any gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal that may be used in the production of any coins under this Act from such craft or part; and (2) deposit such metals with the Director of the United States Mint. Requires that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a surcharge of : (1) $75 per coin for the ten dollar coin; (2) $35 per coin for the five dollar coin; (3) $10 per coin for the one dollar coin; and (4) $3 for the half-dollar coin, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2005 - Amends the Hobbs Act to authorize imposition of a fine of up to $100,000, 20 years imprisonment, or both for: (1) obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by robbery or extortion (or attempting or conspiring to do so); and (2) threatening physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to interfere with commerce by threats or violence. Makes provisions regarding any such interference inapplicable to conduct that: (1) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute; (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity. Subjects such conduct to prosecution only by the appropriate State and local authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Informed Choice Act - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics for the purchase of ultrasound equipment. Requires each grantee to: (1) provide free ultrasound examinations to pregnant women; (2) show the visual image of the fetus from the ultrasound examination to each pregnant woman with a general anatomical and physiological description of the fetus; (3) give each pregnant woman the approximate age of the embryo or fetus; (4) provide information on abortion and alternatives to abortion, such as childbirth and adoption, and information concerning public and private agencies that will assist in those alternatives; and (5) obtain medical malpractice insurance. Limits each grant to the lesser of 50 percent of the purchase price of the ultrasound machine involved or $20,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to provide for a two-year extension of the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Tax Reform Action Commission Act of 2005 - Declares that Congress must reform the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 so that the United States has a tax system that is: (1) simple, transparent, and efficient; (2) fair and equitable to all Americans; and (3) neutral between different activities and between current and future consumption. Establishes in the legislative branch a Tax Reform Action Commission (Commission). Requires the Commission to make recommendations for tax reform to meet those objectives to Congress within two years after it is established. Directs the Commission to establish task forces in Federal agencies to assist in the making and compiling of recommendations for tax reform. Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Declares Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," to be null and void. Prohibits the use of funds for the promulgation or enforcement of an executive order that creates an entitlement to services provided in a language other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts benefits paid under this Act from taxation. Provides for benefits for World War II Merchant Mariners under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax deduction for medical expenses without the gross income percentage limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2004
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that due to the allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and abuse within the United Nations oil-for-food program Kofi Annan should resign as Secretary General of the United Nations to help restore confidence that the investigations into those allegations are being fully and independently accomplished.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2004
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should continue to exercise its long-standing statutory authority to support activities of the Boy Scouts of America, particularly the periodic national and world Boy Scout Jamborees.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2004
Requires the conversion from temporary to permanent status of the existing district judgeships for the district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the eastern district of Missouri. Directs the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate: (1) one additional district judge for the district of Nebraska; and (2) one additional district judge for the eastern district of California.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2004
Congratulates Andrew Wojtanik, the champion of the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee. Acknowledges the commitment of the National Geographic Society to improving the geographic literacy of all people in the United States. Recognizes the need to find innovative, effective solutions to improve geography education in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2004
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon any union other than that of a man and a woman.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2004
Requires the Secretary of each military department, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, to establish a program as prescribed in this Act to provide educational assistance to members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned. Makes eligible for such benefits on or after September 11, 2001, members of Reserve components who: (1) served on active duty in support of contingency operations for at least 90 consecutive days; or (2) in the case of an Army or Air National Guard member, performed full time duty for at least 90 consecutive days for the purpose of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds. Creates an exception to the 90-day requirement for members released from duty because of injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. States that members remain entitled to such educational assistance if ordered to active duty while serving in the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve. Terminates educational assistance for disabled members 10 years from the date of entitlement. Requires educational assistance under this Act to be provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2004
Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to make it unlawful, 30 days after the enactment of this Act, for: (1) any registered investment company to issue any periodic payment plan certificate; or (2) such company, or any depositor of or underwriter for such certificate, to sell such certificate. Applies any authority of a State insurance department with respect to insurers or insurance agents to activities of insurers or agents on a U.S. military installation or any Federal land or facility, except to the extent that the authority directly conflicts with any applicable authorized Federal regulation or directive. States that: (1) Congress intends for each State to implement standards to protect members of the Armed Forces, while on a military installation or any Federal land or facility, from dishonest and predatory insurance sales practices; and (2) until a State has implemented such standards, life insurance may not be sold to any member without prior disclosure that subsidized life insurance may be available from the Federal Government and the State may not license or renew the license of any entity that has violated such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2004
Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to provide for a two-year extension of the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2004
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to mint and issue: (1) ten dollar gold coins; (2) five dollar gold coins; (3) one dollar silver coins; and (4) half-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has in its possession any craft or any part of a craft that flew in space to: (1) retrieve any gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal that may be used in the production of any coins under this Act from such craft or part; and (2) deposit such metals with the Director of the United States Mint. Requires that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a surcharge of : (1) $75 per coin for the ten dollar coin; (2) $35 per coin for the five dollar coin; (3) $10 per coin for the one dollar coin; and (4) $3 for the half-dollar coin, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2004
States that the House of Representatives: (1) condemns the Palestinian leadership for failing to carry out its responsibilities under the Roadmap and under other obligations it has assumed, and to bring an end to terrorist attacks directed at Israel; (2) deplores the misuse of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the political purpose of advancing the Palestinian position on matters Palestinian authorities have said should be the subject of negotiations, the ICJ's willingness to acquiesce in efforts that are likely to undermine its reputation and interfere with a resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the attempt to infringe upon Israel's right to self defense; (3) commends the President and the Secretary of State for their leadership in marshaling opposition to the misuse of the ICJ; (4) calls on members of the international community to reflect on the steps taken by the Government of Israel to mitigate the impact of the security barrier on Palestinians, including steps it has taken by order of its High Court of Justice; and (5) cautions members of the international community that they risk a strongly negative impact on their relationship with the people and Government of the United States should they use the ICJ's advisory judgment as an excuse to interfere in the Roadmap process and impede efforts to achieve progress toward a negotiated settlement.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Health Care Choice Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the primary State (as designated by the health insurance issuer) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer both in the primary State and in any secondary State. Exempts health insurance issuers from any State law or regulation that would: (1) regulate the operation of the health insurance issuer in the secondary State, except for certain activities, including paying taxes and registering with the State insurance commissioner; (2) require any individual health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an agent or broker residing in the secondary State; or (3) discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both primary and secondary States. Allows States to require brokers to obtain a license from that State, but not to impose any requirements that discriminate against nonresident brokers. Requires health insurance issuers offering coverage in more than one State to submit to the insurance commissioner of each State a copy of a plan of operation or a feasibility study, written notice of any change in designation of its primary State, and an annual financial statement. Declares that this Act does not affect the authority of Federal or State courts to enjoin the sale of health insurance coverage to any person or group who is not eligible for such insurance or by a health insurance issuer that is in hazardous financial conditions. Sets forth requirements for primary States. Gives sole jurisdiction to primary States to enforce the covered laws in primary and secondary States. Sets forth procedures for resolving disputes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Terrorism Insurance Backstop Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 to define: (1) the term "Program Year 4" as the period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006; and (2) the term "Program Year 5" as the period from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007 (thereby extending the terrorism risk insurance program from 2005 through 2007). Sets a deadline for the Secretary of the Treasury to make a final determination regarding: (1) the availability of group life insurance to both insurers and consumers; and (2) whether certain provisions of the Act shall be applied to providers of group life insurance. Sunsets the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program after December 31, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider, before beginning any abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks after fertilization), to: (1) make a specified statement to the pregnant woman that Congress has determined that there is substantial evidence that the process will cause the unborn child pain, and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt) and an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form; and (3) obtain on the form the woman's signature and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the brochure and form. Makes such provisions inapplicable to a provider in the case of a medical emergency. Requires the provider to certify that a medical emergency exists. Sets penalties for false statements. Establishes penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act, including civil penalties, medical license suspension, or both. Authorizes: (1) specified officials to bring suit in Federal court; and (2) private rights of action by a parent or guardian of a woman who is an unemancipated minor. Requires each State and State medical licensing authority to promulgate procedures for the revocation or suspension of a provider's license upon a court finding that the provider has violated this Act. Subjects a State that fails to implement such procedures to loss of Medicaid funding.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should request Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to deploy Taiwanese Marines to Iraq to join international Coalition forces in the global war on terrorism; and (2) if Taiwan decides to deploy its armed forces to Iraq, the United States should facilitate such deployment by all appropriate means.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2005 through 2009 (from $1,000 to $700 in 2005 through 2008 and $800 in 2009). Makes the $1,000 credit amount permanent. Increases the income threshold amount for calculating reductions in the credit amount to $125,000 ($250,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). Eliminates the reduction in the percentage of earned income for calculating the refundable portion of the credit (15 to 10 percent) for taxable years beginning before 2005. Includes in earned income for purposes of calculating the refundable portion of the credit otherwise tax excludable combat zone compensation of members of the armed forces. Exempts from the general termination date in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010) provisions of that Act disregarding as income any refunds from the child tax credit for purposes of determining eligibility for federally funded assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
United Nations Oil-for-Food Accountability Act of 2004 - Requires the withholding of certain FY 2005 and 2006 U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the President certifies that the UN is cooperating in the investigation of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the increased upper limit amounts for the ten percent income tax rate bracket for individual taxpayers ($14,000 for married taxpayers filing joint tax returns and surviving spouses, $10,000 for heads of household, and $7,000 for unmarried individuals and married individuals filing separately). Allows an inflation adjustment to such amounts for married taxpayers filing joint tax returns, surviving spouses, and heads of household for taxable years beginning after 2003 based on the difference from the Consumer Price Index for 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Declares that the Congress: (1) recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision; (2) encourages all Americans to recognize and celebrate the anniversary; and (3) renews its commitment to continuing and building on the legacy of Brown with a pledge to acknowledge and address the modern day disparities that remain.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2004
Expresses the sense of the Congress honoring the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Encourages all people of the United States to recognize the importance of that decision. Declares that, by celebrating the anniversary, the Nation will be able to refresh and renew the importance of equality in society.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2004
Middle-Class Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the increased alternative minimum tax exemption amounts for individual taxpayers to taxable year 2005 (currently available for 2003 and 2004). Provides for an inflation adjustment to such amounts for taxable year 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 550 Nebraska Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, as the "Newell George Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend: (1) the increased standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns or for surviving spouses (twice the deduction for single taxpayers); and (2) the increase in the taxable income level for qualifying married taxpayers filing joint returns or surviving spouses for the 15-percent tax bracket. Provides that the general terminating date under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010) shall not apply to the extensions provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2004
Recognizes the contributions of the teachers, administration, and staff of military impacted schools and Department of Defense education activity schools worldwide. Commends the teachers in military impacted communities who educate students during times of peace and conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Reverend Oliver L. Brown Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal in commemoration of the Reverend Oliver L. Brown (the lead plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education) in recognition of his and his fellow plaintiffs' enduring contributions to civil rights and American society.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a banned mercury-containing vaccine to be adulterated. Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a vaccine to be a banned mercury-containing vaccine if: (1) one dose of the vaccine contains 1 or more micrograms of mercury in any form; or (2) the vaccine contains any thimerosal and is listed in the current version of the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare that an actual or potential bioterrorist incident or other public health emergency makes the administration of such vaccines advisable for a specified period. Specifies different effective dates of the provisions of this Act for particular vaccines. Requires the Secretary to revise the vaccine information included with thimerosal-containing vaccines to include: (1) a statement that indicates the presence of thimerosal in the vaccine; (2) information on the availability of any thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced alternative vaccine and instructions on how to obtain such an alternative vaccine; and (3) a recommendation against administration of any thimerosal-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman. Expresses the sense of Congress that the CDC should disseminate, with any vaccine-related information, a recommendation against administration of any thimerosal-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004 - Amends Federal aviation law to revise requirements for the program for deputizing eligible pilots as Federal law enforcement officers (Federal flight deck officers) to defend against acts of criminal violence or air piracy. Shifts responsibility for the program from the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Revises eligibility requirements for pilots to be a Federal flight deck officer, adding mental standards and firearms training. Makes a special exception from ordinary requirements for certain active or reserve members of the armed forces or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. Revises certain Federal flight deck officer training requirements and adds requalification training requirements. Revises requirements for the carrying of firearms by Federal flight deck officers outside of the United States, including designation as Federal air marshals, and the authority to use force to defend an aircraft against terrorism by a Federal flight deck officer. Extends to entities and individuals the prohibition (currently limited to air carriers) against prohibiting a pilot employed by an air carrier from becoming or threatening retaliatory action against such a pilot for becoming a Federal flight deck officer. Specifies further prohibited disciplinary actions. Authorizes a Federal flight deck officer or pilot who is adversely affected by a failure by the Secretary to comply with any requirements under this Act to file a petition for judicial review with the appropriate U.S. district court. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit the disclosure of information related to a pilot's participation in the Federal flight deck officer program; (2) provide certain adjudication procedures for pilots who have been determined ineligible to be a Federal flight deck officer or has had other adverse action taken against them; (3) provide certain authorities with respect to Federal flight deck officers, including issuance of credentials, use of force to prevent terrorism or defend life, exposure to security inspections, and access to sensitive security information; (4) require certain reports to Congress on the Federal flight deck officer program; and (5) require the Secretary to promote and publicize the Federal flight deck officer program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2004
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the well-being of deployed U.S. armed forces is of paramount importance; (2) the Department of Defense (DOD) should do its utmost to see that such personnel have the best force protection equipment available; (3) DOD and the military departments should increase the ability of currently unarmored vehicles that are deployed forward under Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to resist improvised explosive devices; and (4) DOD should immediately release to the military departments all funds that have been authorized and appropriated, but not released, for defeating such improvised explosive devices and mitigating their effect on vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2004
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that judicial determinations regarding the meaning of U.S. laws should not be based on foreign judgments, laws, or pronouncements unless such foreign judgments, laws, or pronouncements are incorporated into the legislative history of laws passed by the House and Senate or otherwise inform an understanding of the original meaning of U.S. laws.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Tinnitus Awareness Week. Encourages interested groups and affected persons to promote public awareness of tinnitus, the dangers of loud noise, and the importance of hearing protection for all individuals. Commits to continuing congressional support of innovative hearing health research through the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Bleeding Kansas and the Enduring Struggle for Freedom National Heritage Area in Kansas. Designates the Territorial Kansas Heritage Alliance as the management entity for the Area. Prohibits the Alliance from using Federal funds received under this Act to acquire real property or an interest in real property. Requires the Alliance to prepare and submit a management plan for the Area, which shall contain a comprehensive program for the conservation, interpretation, funding, management, and development of such Area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance for the development and implementation of the management plan. Requires the Alliance to: (1) provide assistance and encouragement to State and local governments, private organizations, and persons to protect and promote the resources and values of the Area; and (2) be an advocate for land management practices consistent with the purposes of such Area.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income for premiums paid under a high deductible health plan by an individual eligible for a deduction for amounts paid into a health savings account, for months when such taxpayer is not covered under any other plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Declares that Congress: (1) supports Israel's construction of a security fence to prevent Palestinian terrorist attacks; and (2) condemns the United Nations General Assembly's decision to request the International Court of Justice to render an opinion on the legality of the fence.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense, Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission should work to mitigate the financial hardship experienced by members of the reserves as a direct result of being called to active duty, including the issuance of guidance and rules that allow for the consideration of appropriate deferral of home loans by financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer seeking an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution of a patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, trade secret, know-how, software or similar technology property to: (1) contribute the entire right, title, and interest in such property to certain tax-exempt universities, teaching hospitals or reseach institutions; and (2) require that any cash or cash equivalents donated with such property be used for patent prosecution or maintenance and for the scientific and commercial development of such patents or other technology property. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the appraisal of such patents or other technology property and for the prevention of taxpayer abuse of charitable deductions for such property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004
Family Budget Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the May 15 deadline for consideration of annual appropriations measures. Requires annual joint (currently, concurrent) budget resolutions signed by the President. Provides for an amendment to change the statutory limit on the public debt. Requires consideration of budget-related legislation before the budget resolution becomes law. Sets forth provisions regarding the establishment of a reserve fund for emergencies. Requires: (1) biennial (currently, annual) budget resolutions; (2) biennial appropriations Acts; and (3) biennial Government strategic and performance plans. Provides spending caps on the growth of entitlements and mandatory budget outlays. Excludes benefits payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA), Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, and benefits payable under part A of title XVIII (relating to part A Medicare hospital insurance benefits) of SSA and part C of such title (relating to the Medicare Advantage program) from required reductions under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act, along with specified Government accounts and activities. Provides other exceptions, limitations, and special rules with respect to sequestration exemptions. Directs the Chairman to maintain the Family Budget Protection Mandatory Account and the Family Budget Protection Discretionary Account. Freezes at current levels spending authority for each unearned entitlement, high-cost discretionary spending program, and authorized and unauthorized discretionary spending programs. Establishes the Commission to Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Provides for accrual funding of the: (1) Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System; and (3) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Retirement Fund; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Retirement System; and (3) the Coast Guard Military Retirement Fund. Changes the name of the Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to Uniformed Services Health Care Fund (thus, providing health care programs for all uniformed service retirees, under certain conditions). (Currently, such programs are for Department of Defense Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.) Decreases the limit on the public debt from $6.4 trillion to $4.393 trillion. Prohibits consideration of extraneous appropriations in omnibus appropriations measures.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ryun, Jim [R-KS-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000566_200.jpg)