United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Veterans' Disability Claims Efficiency Act of 2010 - Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in the case of a disability claim with multiple conditions, to assign an interim disability rating for the condition(s) that can be assigned without further development and to continue development of the remaining condition(s). Requires an interim disability rating to remain in effect unless the Secretary later assigns an increased rating for such condition. Prohibits the continuation of such rating if the rating was based on fraud or the condition improves. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for the rapid identification of initial claims for disability compensation that should, in adjudication, receive priority in the order of review. Requires the Secretary to identify whether claims have the potential of being adjudicated quickly, the claims qualify for priority treatment, and a temporary disability rating could be assigned for such claims. Authorizes the Secretary to provide priority based on the effect such priority would have on a claimant.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2010
No Prisoner Access to Social Security Numbers Act of 2010 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to prohibit governmental entities from employing, or entering into or maintaining a contract for the use or employment of, prisoners in any capacity that would allow such prisoners access to the Social Security account numbers of other individuals (or any derivatives of such numbers).
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2010
Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services for the 21st Century or the MOMS for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Office on Women's Health, to: (1) establish the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Promotion of Optimal Maternity Outcomes; and (2) develop and implement a consumer education campaign to promote understanding and acceptance of evidence-based maternity practices and models of care for optimal maternity outcomes among women of childbearing ages and families of such women. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to make publicly available and update an online bibliographic database identifying systematic reviews for care of childbearing women and newborns. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to: (1) designate maternity care health professional shortage areas under the National Health Service Corps program; (2) establish a loan repayment program to alleviate critical shortages of maternal care professionals; and (3) award planning and implementation grants to address workforce disparities for such professionals. Directs the Secretary to support the establishment of two additional Centers for Excellence on Optimal Maternity Outcomes to conduct research to improve maternity outcomes. Requires the Secretary to convene a Maternity Curriculum Commission to discuss and make recommendations for: (1) a shared core maternity care curriculum; (2) strategies to integrate and coordinate education across maternity care disciplines; and (3) pilot demonstrations of interdisciplinary educational models. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services provided by a supervised student midwife or an intern or resident-in-training under a teaching program under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2010
Supports the designation of Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day. Commends Jumpstart's Read for the Record, which is now in its fifth year. (Jumpstart is a national nonprofit early childhood education organization.) Encourages adults to: (1) join children in creating the world's largest shared reading experience; and (2) show their support for early literacy and Jumpstart's early education programming for young children in low-income communities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2010
Recognizes the close relationship between the United States and the Republic of Georgia. Remembers the victims of the August 2008 military conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation. Reaffirms support for a peaceful future for the region and for the unification of Georgia. Supports the implementation of the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership and the continued growth of bilateral relations. Encourages Georgia to expand media freedoms, increase government transparency, promote democratic electoral processes, strengthen the rule of law, and implement judicial reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Innovative Technologies Investment Incentive Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new business-related tax credit for 25% of the equity investment (i.e., stock and capital or profits interest) in a small business concern that is engaged in a high technology or biotechnology trade or business and employs an average of fewer than 500 employees in a taxable year. Establishes a national innovative technology investment credit limitation of $500 million.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
United States Postal Service's CSRS Obligation Modification Act of 2010 - Prescribes the "average pay" and the appropriate percentage thereof to be used in determining annuities for civilian employment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for purposes of provisions relating to future benefits attributable to such employment in order to calculate the amount of any Postal surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System. Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): (1) within six months after enactment of this Act, to determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of such surplus or liability as of the close of the most recently ending fiscal year using the methodology required under this Act; and (2) if the result is a surplus, to transfer the surplus amount to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
PACE Assessment Protection Act of 2010 - Directs the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) to adopt underwriting standards that are consistent with the Guidelines for Pilot PACE Financing Programs issued on May 7, 2010, by the Department of Energy (DOE). Provides that liens or other property obligations that secure property taxes or assessments under a PACE program and that are consistent with such standards shall be considered to comply with the Uniform Instruments of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and shall not constitute a default on an existing mortgage or trigger the exercise of lender's remedies for a property with such a lien. Defines a "PACE program" as a property assessed clean energy program under which a state or political subdivision levies taxes or assessments on real property to finance the installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from requiring repayment of a PACE program tax or assessment in order for a property owner to finance, refinance, or transfer property that meets their underwriting criteria without consideration of the PACE program lien. Requires the underwriting standards to provide that, in the event that a tax or assessment under a PACE program is delinquent, only the unpaid delinquent amount along with applicable penalties, interest, and costs will be subject to foreclosure and not the entire amount. Prohibits the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and all federal agencies and entities chartered under federal law from discriminating against communities implementing or participating in a PACE program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Urges the Secretary of State to conduct an investigation into the role of: (1) the Insan Hak ve Hurriyetleri ve Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH) in providing financial, logistical, and material support to any entity listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Department of State; and (2) any foreign governments, including the Republic of Turkey, which may have aided the organizers of the recent Gaza Flotilla mission to breach Israeli coastal security and assault Israeli naval defense forces.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2010
Firearm Owners Responsibility Act - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person who lawfully possesses or owns a firearm to fail to report the theft or loss of such firearm within 72 hours after discovering its theft or loss.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Supports the designation of National Dance Day (July 31, 2010) as a way of showing commitment to dance education and physical fitness across the United States. Supports the goals of First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to combat childhood obesity. Acknowledges that promoting dance can make an important difference in encouraging physical fitness.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Honors Dr. Robert Campbell for his lifelong devotion to children's health care. Congratulates Dr. Campbell and his colleagues on their extraordinary achievement in pediatric and orthopedic innovation. Recognizes the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib device which has saved the lives of many infants and children. Calls on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue to support and incentivize other medical advances to save children's lives threatened by rare disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Home Energy Conservation Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the issuance of tax-exempt home energy conservation bonds to finance qualified residential energy efficiency assistance grants and loans and extend such grants and loans to low and very-low income taxpayers. Imposes a national home energy conservation bond limitation amount of $2.4 billion and allocates such amount to states in proportion to state population. Defines "qualified residential energy efficiency assistance grants and loans" as any grant or loan to acquire: (1) any property which meets (at a minimum) the requirements of the Energy Star program or the Water Sense program and which is to be installed in a dwelling unit; and (2) any improvement to a dwelling unit made under a plan which is developed by a Residential Energy Services Network, Building Performance Institute, or equivalent energy efficiency expert and is certified by such expert as resulting in at least a 20% reduction in total household energy consumption related to heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Imposes dollar limitations on such grants and loans and excludes certain types of property from such grant and loan program, including equipment used in connection with a swimming pool or hot tub, any television, any device for converting a digital signal to analog, any DVD player, video cassette recorder, audio equipment, cordless phone, or other property where there is a substantial recreational use.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Supports the the goals and ideals of National Save for Retirement Week, including raising public awareness of: (1) tax-preferred retirement vehicles for personal savings and retirement financial security; (2) the availability of a variety of ways to save for retirement favored under the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) saving for retirement and the availability of tax-preferred employer-sponsored retirement savings vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 47 East Fayette Street in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, as the "George C. Marshall Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 47 South 7th Street in Indiana, Pennsylvania, as the "James M. 'Jimmy' Stewart Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration project under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to evaluate the benefits of providing payment for items and services needed for the administration, within the homes of Medicare beneficiaries, of intravenous immune globin (IVIG) for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases. Amends SSA title XVIII to treat as durable medical equipment (DME) any disposable drug delivery systems, including elastomeric infusion pumps, for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Supports the designation of a National ESIGN Day. Recognizes the previous contribution made by Congress to the adoption of modern solutions that keep the United States on the leading technological edge. Reaffirms the commitment of Congress to facilitating interstate and foreign commerce in an increasingly digital world.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Rating and Processing Individuals' Disability Claims Act or the RAPID Claims Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), if a veteran's claim is submitted that is determined to be a fully developed claim, to provide: (1) the claimant with the opportunity to waive any claim development period with respect to such claim; and (2) expeditious treatment to such claim. Provides that: (1) if a person notifies the Secretary of the intention to submit a fully developed claim and does so within a one-year period thereafter, the Secretary shall provide expeditious treatment to the claim; and (2) if the Secretary determines that a claim submitted as fully developed is not fully developed, the Secretary shall notify such person within 30 days of the information and evidence required to fully develop the claim. Requires the Secretary, when denying a benefit, to notify the claimant of any form or application required to appeal such decision.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), to require each Medicare participating hospital to implement a hospital-wide staffing plan for nursing services furnished in the hospital. Requires the plan to require that an appropriate number of registered nurses provide direct patient care in each unit and on each shift of the hospital to ensure staffing levels that: (1) address the unique characteristics of the patients and hospital units; and (2) result in the delivery of safe, quality patient care consistent with specified requirements. Requires each participating hospital to establish a hospital nurse staffing committee which shall implement and oversee such plan. Specifies civil monetary and other penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act. Sets forth whistleblower protections against discrimination and retaliation involving patients or employees of the hospital for their grievances, complaints, or involvement in investigations relating to such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2010
Expresses the appreciation of Congress to the members of the U.S. Army for 235 years of dedicated service. Honors the valor, commitment, and sacrifice that members of the U.S. Army, their families, and Army civilians have displayed throughout the history of the Army.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define a "high volume retail breeder" as a person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit: (1) has an ownership interest in or custody of one or more breeding female dogs; and (2) sells, via any means of conveyance, more than 50 of the offspring of such dogs for use as pets in any one-year period. Considers such a breeder of dogs to be a dealer. Requires dealers to include on licensing applications and annual renewals the total number of dogs exempted from exercise on the premises of the dealer in the preceding year by a licensed veterinarian. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate requirements for the exercise of dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer, including requiring daily access to exercise that: (1) allows the dogs to move sufficiently in a way that is not forced, repetitive, or restrictive; and (2) is in an area that is spacious, cleaned at least once a day, free of infestation by pests or vermin, and designed to prevent the dogs from escaping. Allows an exemption if: (1) a licensed veterinarian determines that a dog should not exercise because of the health, condition, or well-being of the dog; and (2) such determination is reviewed and updated at least once every 30 days by the veterinarian, unless the basis for the determination is a permanent condition. Subjects such a determination to review and approval by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Recognizes the exemplary service of members of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (111th). Honors and thanks all members of the 111th, past and present, for their tremendous contributions to the defense and security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week. Recognizes and reaffirms the nation's commitment to High-performance Buildings by promoting awareness about their benefits and new education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to information. Recognizes the unique role that the Department of Energy (DOE) plays through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Building Technologies Program, which works closely with the building industry and manufacturers to conduct research and development on technologies and practices for building energy efficiency. Recognizes the important role that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays in developing the measurement science needed to develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the new building technologies. Encourages further research and development of high-performance building standards, research, and development.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Expresses the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions that U.S. air traffic controllers make to keep the traveling public safe and U.S. airspace running efficiently. Commends them for the calm and professional manner in which they handle air traffic all year long. Acknowledges their heroic actions, dedication, and quick and skilled decisionmaking to help avert many accidents and tragedies. Encourages greater investment in the modernization of the air traffic control system so that they have the resources and technology to better carry out their mission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to mean recently discharged veterans and disadvantaged veterans. Defines "recently discharged veteran" to mean: (1) any individual who has served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not); (2) any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability; and (3) any member of the National Guard who has served for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not) in active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or duty in state status. Defines "disadvantaged veteran" as any veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Recognizes the historical importance of the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950. Honors the noble service and sacrifice of the U.S. Armed Forces and the armed forces of allied countries that served in Korea since 1950 to the present. Encourages all Americans to participate in commemorative activities to pay solemn tribute to, and to never forget, the veterans of the Korean War. Calls upon the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and commemorating National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to its alliance with the Republic of Korea for the betterment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Recognizes the importance of the continuing study and preservation of the unique American Jewish experience. Recognizes the National Museum of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience and, as such, as the national museum of American Jewish history.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Demands that Hamas: (1) immediately and unconditionally release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit; (2) allow access to the Israeli captives by competent medical personnel and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross; and (3) provide Gilad Shalit the humane treatment all captives are entitled to as a fundamental human right, including communication with his family. Expresses: (1) commitment to the survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state within recognized and secure borders; (2) support in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the creation of a democratic, viable, and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel; (3) sympathy for Gilad Shalit's family; and (4) commitment to seek the release of Gilad Shalit and other missing Israeli soldiers. Recalls Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev, Zecharya Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Ron Arad, Guy Hever, and Majdy Halabi. Condemns: (1) Hamas for the cross border attack and kidnapping of Gilad Shalit; and (2) Iran and Syria for their support for international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Support Working Parents Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the phaseout of the tax credit for dependent care services for taxpayers whose adjusted gross incomes exceed $15,000.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2010 or the STOP Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the sale, lease, importation, or delivery of tobacco production machines to persons lawfully engaged in: (1) the sale, lease, or delivery of such machines; (2) the manufacture or processing of tobacco products, including for personal use; or (3) the application of unique identification markings onto tobacco product packages. Defines "tobacco production machine" as a machine used to manufacture, process, or package tobacco products or to apply unique identification markings to packages of tobacco products. Requires any person leasing, importing, exporting, or delivering a tobacco production machine to keep records relating to any transfers or deliveries of such machines. Requires manufacturers and importers of tobacco products to affix a unique identification marking to each package of tobacco products prior to sale or distribution of such products. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design a system of unique identification markings that does not interfere with state and local tax stamps and markings. Requires wholesalers of tobacco products to obtain permits for selling or exporting tobacco products. Establishes new criminal offenses relating to the distribution of tobacco products. Increases the civil penalty for tobacco-related infractions from $1,000 to $10,000. Establishes in the Treasury the Anti-Contraband Tobacco Trafficking Fund to finance the enforcement provisions of this Act and other laws relating to contraband or illegal tobacco products using the increased civil and criminal fines provided by this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose a civil penalty for the importation of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes by fraudulent means.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010 - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) (as amended by the United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 [HOPE Act], and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008 [HOPE II]) to extend, in each succeeding one-year period through FY2020 (transition period), the duty-free treatment of certain imported knit apparel articles made in one or more Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) beneficiary countries from yarns wholly formed in the United States. Extends, in each applicable one-year period through FY2020, the duty-free treatment of imported apparel articles made in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Prescribes duty-free treatment also, without regard to the source of the fabric, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns from which the article is made, for specified apparel articles or made-up textile articles: (1) wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape, in Haiti from any combination of fabrics, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns; and (2) imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Sets forth a special rule for certain woven articles and certain knit articles entered during FY2010 and succeeding one-year periods. Requires the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify that such apparel articles imported into the United States are not being unlawfully transshipped into the United States. Revises requirements for one particular credit under the earned import allowance certificate program to reduce from three to two the number of square meter equivalents of qualifying woven fabric or qualifying knit fabric that the producer or entity controlling production can demonstrate that it purchased for the manufacture in Haiti of articles like or similar to any article eligible for preferential treatment. Extends the value-added rule for apparel articles and the special rule for certain wire harness automotive components. Directs the Commissioner to seek to send a rapid response team, as well as a support team, to Haiti to: (1) assess the short-term and long-term technical, capacity-building, and training needs of the authorities of the government of Haiti responsible for customs services; and (2) provide immediate assistance, particularly with respect to reestablishing full capacity for commercial port operations at the seaport at Port-au-Prince, facilitating trade between the United States and Haiti under CBERA, preventing unlawful transshipment of goods through Haiti to the United States, and otherwise strengthening cooperation between U.S., Haitian, and Dominican customs authorities. Declares the sense of Congress regarding regional cooperation and transshipment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Grow a Renewable Energy Economy Now--Jumpstart Other Biofuels Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% energy tax credit for investments in qualified cellulosic and algae-based biofuel facilities; (2) extend through 2016 the special depreciation allowance for qualified cellulosic biofuel plant property; (3) include algae-based biofuel within the definition of cellulosic biofuel for purposes of the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit; (4) exclude from the definition of cellulosic biofuel any processed fuel with an acid number greater than 25; (5) extend through 2016 the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit; and (6) allow a direct payment of 30% of the basis of cellulosic and algae-based biofuel facility property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program, headed by a Director, which designates veterans business centers to provide entrepreneurial training and counseling to veterans in areas in which the number of veterans, especially veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, exceed the national median. Requires the Director to establish a program of grants to veterans business centers to: (1) provide federal procurement assistance to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans; and (2) develop outreach programs to create or further develop service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Authorizes the Director to hold biennial veterans entrepreneurial development summits. Decreases from three years to one year the period for completion of training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide a training subsistence allowance for each month that an unemployed veteran is enrolled in a full-time employment and training program that is offered by an eligible training provider and teaches a skill connected to a career in an in-demand industry. Provides for the use of veterans' post-9/11 educational assistance for the pursuit of apprenticeships and on-job training. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish: (1) a program to award grants to states to establish veterans conservation corps to give veterans volunteer and employment opportunities under state conservation projects; and (2) a center of excellence of methods for educational institutions to afford academic credit to veterans for previous military experience and training. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish: (1) information technology military pathways demonstration programs to enable veterans to build upon technical skills learned in the military when entering into the civilian information technology workforce; and (2) nursing, public health and allied health professional, and physician assistant military pathways demonstration programs to enable veterans to build upon military technical skills when entering into civilian positions in those fields. Requires the Secretary of Labor to carry out a veterans energy-related employment program to encourage the employment of veterans in the energy industry. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out the Veterans to Work pilot program to provide veterans with employment in military construction projects. Requires: (1) a report on improvements and enhancements of the Transition Assistance Program to better meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces and veterans; and (2) a study on a program of transition assistance modeled on the Employment Enhancement Program of the Washington National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Congratulates the American Society for Cell Biology on its 50th anniversary of service to the basic biomedical research community. Recognizes the role that the Society and its members play in: (1) developing future generations of life scientists, increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities in science, and mentoring women and early career scientists; and (2) communicating biomedical advances to the public and educating government officials in the development of science-based policies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Condemns the government of Syria for transferring Scud missiles and other advanced weapons and missile systems to the Hizballah terrorist organization. Urges the President to: (1) reevaluate the nomination of Robert Ford as Ambassador to Syria; and (2) tighten and enforce all existing sanctions against Syria. Urges the President and the Secretary of State to work with U.S. allies to increase international pressure on Syria for its support of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day. Recognizes the effect that poor quality buildings have on students' health and performance and the importance of having healthy school buildings for the nation's schoolchildren. Supports energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools. Supports the goals of state and local educational agencies of modernizing, renovating, and repairing their facilities to become healthier and safer places to learn.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Victims' Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special theft loss tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses and for such losses in connection with assets held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses for up to 10 years; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week; and (2) the nurse capacity initiatives for institutions of higher education included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Acknowledges the importance of quality higher education in nursing to meet the needs of one of the nation's fastest growing fields.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate substantiation requirements for the depreciation of cellular telephones and similar telecommunications equipment used by employees for business purposes; (2) exempt tax return preparers who object to the use of magnetic media on religious grounds from the requirement for filing returns electronically; (3) allow interest on refunds not paid within 30 days (currently, 45 days); (4) repeal the requirement that taxpayers submitting an offer in compromise of tax liability make a 20% downpayment of the tax owed upon submission of the offer; (5) allow officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury to refer taxpayers to low-income taxpayer clinics for advice and assistance; (6) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants to develop, expand, or continue volunteer income tax assistance programs; (7) increase annual grant levels for low-income taxpayer clinics; (8) require the Secretary to notify taxpayers of their eligibility for the earned income tax credit; (9) require the Secretary to notify a taxpayer of any unauthorized use of such taxpayer's identity (suspected identity theft) and of any person who is criminally charged for unauthorized use of taxpayer information; (10) allow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use any means of mass communication to publish unclaimed refund amounts; (11) extend the penalty for tendering a bad check to the IRS to any commercially acceptable payment instrument (including electronic payments); and (12) increase the penalty for failure to file correct information returns and for intentional disregard of tax return information requirements. Directs the National Taxpayer Advocate to conduct a study on the feasibility of delivering tax refunds on debit cards, prepaid cards, and other electronic means to assist individuals who do not have access to financial accounts or institutions. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies on: (1) the effectiveness of collection alternatives, especially offers-in-compromise, on long-term tax compliance; (2) the administrative and legislative changes necessary to receive and process information returns before processing income tax returns; and (3) methods to reduce the number of taxpayers making in-person payments at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise conditions of and limitations on payment for home health care services. Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner; (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law; (3) a certified nurse-midwife; or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act - Deems the following individuals as dependents, for purposes of dependent coverage under TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program): (1) a child who has not yet attained age 26 and is not eligible to enroll in any employer-sponsored plan; or (2) a person who is in the legal custody of the covered member, has not attained age 26, is not eligible to enroll in any employer-sponsored plan, resides with the member, is not otherwise a dependent under TRICARE, and is not the child of another covered beneficiary. Requires a premium payment for such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
Supports the ideals of National Lab Day (during the first week of May). Calls upon the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue fostering partnerships such as those involved in National Lab Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 100% exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of qualified small business stock acquired after March 15, 2010, and before January 1, 2012; (2) limit the penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction (a transaction determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) to 75% of the decrease in tax resulting from such transaction; (3) revise the definition of "qualified nonrecourse financing" to include qualified nonrecourse real property or Small Business Investment Company financing as amounts at risk for purposes of determining the deductibility of losses from certain investment activities, including farming, leasing, and energy exploration; (4) increase in 2010 and 2011 the tax deduction for business start-up expenditures; (5) extend through June 30, 2013, the period for issuing Build America Bonds; (6) exempt private activity bonds for sewage and water supply facilities from the state volume caps applicable to such bonds; (7) extend through 2011 the exemption from alternative minimum tax (AMT) treatment of interest on certain tax-exempt bonds; (8) allow elective payments in lieu of low-income housing tax credits for low-income buildings financed by tax-exempt bonds; (9) extend through 2011 the period for issuing recovery zone bonds; and (10) allow an full offset against the AMT for new market tax credit amounts. Sets forth revenue-raising provisions, including: (1) a prohibition of any reduction of tax withholding for payments made by a U.S. subsidiary of a foreign parent corporation to a related subsidiary in any country that has a tax treaty with the United States, except for payments made directly to the foreign parent corporation; (2) recognition of gain from the transfer of securities of a controlled corporation in a reorganization; (3) the repeal of tax treatment as foreign source income of interest and dividends paid by certain resident alien individuals and U.S. corporations; (4) treating rental income from real estate as a trade or business activity for tax reporting purposes; (5) expanding the continuous tax levy on payments to vendors for good and services to include payments for all property, goods, or services and for delinquent employment taxes owed by such vendors; (6) revising requirements for grantor retained annuity trusts to require a minimum 10-year period for payments from such trusts; and (7) increasing tax penalties for failure to file correct information returns and for the intentional disregard of reporting requirements. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to report by December 31, 2010, and then annually to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on penalties relating to tax shelters and reportable transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
American Job Creation and Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a corporation to elect in 2010 and 2011 to increase its alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits by a specified credit adjustment amount for purposes of increasing its U.S. workforce and making investments in business equipment. Allows a similar election for a taxable year which includes December 31, 2009, with certain restrictions. Terminates such additional credit allowance after December 31, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
Expresses: (1) the nation's appreciation for the contributions made by federal employees; and (2) support for the goal of protecting their safety and security. Urges the government to seek ways to improve the safety and security of federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2010
Women and Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs or Women WIN Jobs - Requires the Secretary of Labor, in any fiscal year in which the total authorization of appropriations to carry out this Act exceeds $50 million, to allocate grants to states with approved state plans to provide funding to eligible entities (partnerships) to increase low-income women's participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations in which women make up less than 25% of the current workforce. Authorizes states to use grants for statewide activities, including to: (1) provide technical assistance to eligible entities and to state registered apprenticeship programs and sponsors and joint apprenticeship training councils in meeting their enrollment goal for low-income women in nontraditional occupations; (2) develop policies and protocols that set goals for hiring specific percentages of women into registered apprenticeships and permanent employment openings in publicly assisted projects; and (3) engage in outreach activities and provide training to overcome stereotypes about women in nontraditional occupations as well as gender inequity among employers. Authorizes the allocation of grant funds to eligible entities to support the recruitment, training, placement, and retention of low-income women in nontraditional occupations. Directs the Secretary to convene a national commission to examine and make recommendations for improving the status of women in high-demand, high-wage nontraditional occupations. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to collect data on the status of women's participation in underrepresented sectors of the economy, and examine the status of women in relation to that of men. Directs the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse to collect and distribute best practices.
![Official portrait of Rep. Schwartz, Allyson Y. [D-PA-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001162_200.jpg)