United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2006
Congratulates the people of the Republic of Haiti for holding peaceful and democratic elections on February 7, 2006, resulting in the election of President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis. Expresses appreciation to Gerard Latortue for his service to Haiti during a tumultuous period of civil unrest, and recognizes Gerard Latortue's tenure as Interim Prime Minister of Haiti from March 12, 2004, to June 9, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
Condemns Hezbollah's despicable and shameful attacks against Israel, and demands that Hezbollah renounce the attacks. Calls on the U.N. Security Council and all civilized nations to: (1) condemn and reject policies aimed at destroying Israel; and (2) deny Hezbollah, and any nation or organization, the means to carry out its threats against Israel. Reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel and reasserts the U.S. commitment to defend Israel's right to exist as a free and democratic state.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention, and Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to public and private entities for demonstrations projects to: (1) provide colorectal cancer screenings to individuals who are 50 years of age or older or at high risk for such cancer; (2) provide case management and referrals for medical treatment to individuals screened; (3) ensure the provision of cancer care to individuals screened; (4) improve the education, training, and skills of health professionals in the detection and control of colorectal cancer; (5) evaluate the projects through appropriate surveillance or program monitoring activities; (6) develop and disseminate findings derived through such evaluations and the collection of data on outcomes; and (7) promote the benefits of receiving screenings through the projects. Requires applicants to give priority to low-income individuals who lack colorectal cancer coverage under health insurance and health plans. Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to applicants currently receiving grants for preventive health programs for breast or cervical cancers or prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Palafox Place in Pensacola, Florida, as the "Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a budget-neutral two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress concerning the importance of success in moving families from welfare to work, as well as in promoting healthy marriage and other means of improving child well-being.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Congratulates: (1) the Miami Heat for winning the 2006 National Basketball Association (NBA) World Championship; and (2) Dwayne Wade for winning the 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2006
Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the estate and gift tax exclusion amount to $5 million beginning in 2010; (2) lower to 15% the estate tax rate for estates up to $25 million and 30% for estates of $25 million or more; (3) repeal after 2009 the estate tax deduction for estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes paid to states; (4) allow a surviving spouse to claim any unused portion of a deceased spouse's estate or gift tax exclusion amount; and (5) allow a taxpayer election to deduct from gross income the lesser of 60% of qualified timber gain or net capital gain. Provides that the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001(EGTRRA) (i.e., December 31, 2010) shall not apply to the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of EGTRRA not amended by this Act. Repeals provisions of EGTRRA relating to carryover basis of estate property to allow heirs of such property after 2009 to use date-of-death fair market values.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Medicare Lung Cancer Screening Benefit Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of lung cancer screening tests for high-risk individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Medicare Early Detection of Cancer Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend the eligibility period for a "Welcome to Medicare" physical examination from six months to one year; and (2) eliminate the 20% coinsurance for screening mammography and colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Commends efforts by members of faith-based and community organizations in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Encourages all government agencies to consider such organizations in disaster relief and recovery in the future.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment Fairness Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to eliminate the Medicare prescription drug late enrollment penalty for months during calendar year 2006. Amends SSA title XVIII to set additional limitations on the total amount of expenditures from the Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund for periods prior to October 1, 2007, and during the period from October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)) to establish and support demonstration, education, and other programs for cancer survivorship. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) expand and coordinate NIH cancer survivorship research activities; (2) establish a Division of Cancer Survivorship within NCI; and (3) provide for the expansion of cancer survivorship research activities at NCI-designated cancer centers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) expand the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program; (2) study the unique health challenges associated with cancer survivorship; and (3) carry out projects and interventions to improve the long-term health status of cancer survivors. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish programs that demonstrate how to prevent and control cancer and improve access to quality cancer care among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations with disproportionate incidence of, or death from, cancer; (2) promote cancer education, prevention, and early detection of cancer; (3) award grants for cancer control and prevention; and (4) establish the National Commission on Cancer Survivorship. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Directors of CDC and NCI, to make grants to monitor and evaluate the quality of cancer care, develop information concerning the quality of care, and monitor cancer survivorship.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
401Kids Family Savings Act of 2006 - Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to extend through 2015 provisions allowing increased annual contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow tax-free distributions from a Coverdell education savings account for first-time homebuyer expenses; (2) permit rollovers from Coverdell education savings accounts to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); and (3) rename Coverdell education savings accounts as 401Kids Savings Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Restoring Emergency Services to Protect Our Nation From Disasters Act of 2006 or the RESPOND Act of 2006 - Reestablishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a cabinet-level independent establishment in the executive branch to be headed by a Director appointed by the President. Requires FEMA to: (1) include all functions and authorities prescribed by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act; (2) carry out its mission by leading and supporting the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system; and (3) be the lead agency for the National Response Plan. Provides for an Office of the Inspector General within FEMA. Requires the Director to develop a human capital strategy. Establishes within FEMA a disaster workforce reserve cadre to meet surge requirements during emergencies. Requires the Director to: (1) establish a program to assist states and local governments representing areas at substantial risk for a catastrophic incident; (2) maintain and operate a national emergency operations center; (3) develop an efficient, transparent, and flexible logistics system for procurement and delivery of goods and services; and (4) establish and maintain an interoperable communications capability. Amends the Stafford Act to require the President, acting through the Director, to establish at least three national response teams, sufficient regional and other response teams, and a national emergency preparedness goal and system. Requires the Director to: (1) carry out a grant program to improve state and local government emergency response capabilities; (2) establish a comprehensive system to assess the nation's overall emergency preparedness; and (3) establish a National Emergency Preparedness Task Force. Establishes a national incident management system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) undertake measures to deny the Cuban regime the financial resources to engage in activities that threaten U.S. national security and other interests, threaten the environment and natural resources of northern Cuba and Florida, and prolong the dictatorship that oppresses the Cuban people; and (2) deter foreign investments that would enhance the Cuban regime's ability to develop its petroleum resources. Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to exclude from U.S. entry an alien who: (1) is an officer or principal of an entity, or a shareholder who owns a controlling interest in an entity that makes an investment (as defined by this Act) of $1 million or more (or any combination of investments that equals or exceeds $1 million in any 12-month period), that significantly contributes to Cuba's ability to develop petroleum and natural gas resources off its north coast; or (2) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of such person. Exempts on a case-by-case basis entries: (1) for medical reasons or property-related litigation; or (2) where a transition government is in place. Defines "investment" for purposes of this Act. Directs the President to impose two or more specified export, procurement, financial institution, loan, or Export-Import Bank sanctions if the President determines that a person has made an investment of $1 million or more (or any combination of investments that in the aggregate equals or exceeds $1 million in any 12-month period) that contributes to the enhancement of Cuba's ability to develop petroleum resources of the submerged lands of Cuba's northern coast.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers' Compensation Settlement Agreements Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) create an exception to Medicare secondary payer requirements for certain workers' compensation settlement agreements; and (2) provide for the satisfaction of such requirements through use of qualified Medicare set-asides under workers' compensation settlement agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Tax Free Health Savings Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for high deductible health plan premiums, a tax credit for employment taxes related to the payment of such premiums, and a refundable tax credit for the coverage costs under a high deductible health plan: (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for advance payments of tax credit amounts to providers of high deductible health plans; (3) increase the tax deduction for contributions to health savings accounts; (4) allow health savings accounts to incorporate flexible spending arrangements or health reimbursement arrangements, or both; (5) allow payment of high deductible health plan premiums from health savings accounts; and (6) exempt employers from health savings account contribution requirements for certain employees with high levels of medical expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Medicare Teaching Anesthesiology Funding Restoration Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people, and extends warm congratulations to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 58th anniversary of Israel's independence. Commends the bipartisan commitment of all U.S. administrations and Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being. Congratulates the United States and Israel for strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of defense, trade, and homeland security and encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in resolving future mutual challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to the next of kin or personal representative of each passenger or crew member on board United Airlines Flight 93 who is identified by the Attorney General as having aided in the effort to resist the hijackers on board the plane, in recognition of heroic service to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such gold medal. Declares such medals to be national medals. Requires that proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1750 16th Street South in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the "Morris W. Milton Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1400 West Jordan Street in Pensacola, Florida, as the "Earl D. Hutto Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Military Spouses Employment Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces on extended active duty (more than 90 days or for an indefinite period) as members of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit (thus giving employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses).
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches Week. Recognizes the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States. Encourages all Americans to work to keep beaches, which are a critical part of the natural heritage of the United States, safe and clean for the continued enjoyment of the public. Urges individuals to engage in beach cleanup during National Clean Beaches Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Saudi Arabia should live up to its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments and end all aspects of any boycott on Israel; and (2) the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Secretary of State should urge the government of Saudi Arabia to comply with its WTO obligations and end any boycott on Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Urges the President to: (1) declare lung cancer a public health priority and immediately lead a coordinated effort to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer by 50% by 2015; (2) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase funding for lung cancer research; (3) direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a lung cancer screening and disease management program among military personnel and veterans and diagnostic programs for the early detection of lung cancer; (4) appoint a Lung Cancer Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee; and (5) convene a National Lung Cancer Public Health Policy Board to oversee and coordinate all efforts to reduce the lung cancer mortality rate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Small Business Efficiency Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat professional employer organizations (PEOs), certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as employers for employment tax purposes (thus allowing such PEOs to pay wages and collect and remit payroll taxes on behalf of an employer). Sets forth IRS certification requirements for PEOs, including financial review and reporting requirements. Requires a PEO to post a bond, up to $1 million, to guarantee payment of employment taxes. Limits the required bond amount to $50,000 for a newly created PEO during its three-year startup period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2006
Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2006 - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for temporary duty suspensions and reductions through December 31, 2009 for: (1) certain chemicals, chemical mixtures, and dyes; (2) certain non-knit gloves designed for use by auto mechanics; (3) certain microphones for use in automotive interiors; (4) certain footwear; (5) acrylic or modacrylic synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning; (6) acrylic or modacrylic synthetic filament tow; (7) acrylic or modacrylic synthetic staple fibers, carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning; (8) nitrocellulose; (9) potassium sorbate; (10) sorbic acid; (11) certain capers; (12) certain preparations of pepperoni; (13) certain bitumen-coated polyethylene sleeves specifically designed to protect in-ground wood posts; (14) nylon woolpacks used to package wool; (15) hydraulic control units; (16) shield asy-steering gear; (17) certain master cylinder assembles; (18) certain transaxles; (19) converter asy; (20) module and bracket asy-power steering; (21) unit asy-battery hi volt; (22) certain articles of natural cork; (23) DEMBB distilled-iso tank; (24) certain acrylic fiber tow; (25) M-alcohol; (26) certain machines for use in the assembly of motorcycle wheels; (27) certain glass thermo bulbs; (28) acephate; (29) palm fatty acid distillate; (30) certain cosmetic bags; (31) formulations of prosulfuron; (32) certain adsorbent resins; (33) ion-exchange resin powder; (34) certain cases for toys; (35) certain automotive catalytic converter mats; (36) aspirin; (37) certain flame retardant plasticizers; (38) certain camel hair; (39) waste of camel hair; (40) woven fabric of vicuna hair; (41) noils of camel hair; (42) certain bicycle parts; (43) other cycles; (44) low expansion laboratory glass; (45) stoppers, lids, and other closures; (46) certain basketballs; (47) certain leather basketballs; (48) certain rubber basketballs; (49) certain volleyballs; (50) certain inflatable balls; (51) certain decorative plates, sculptures, and plaques, and architectural miniatures; (52) certain music boxes; (53) certain cores used in remanufacture; (54) mixtures of insecticide; (55) mixtures of fungicide; (56) charge control agent 7; (57) erasers; (58) nail clippers and nail files; (59) artificial flowers; (60) electrically operated pencil sharpeners; (61) specified varieties of footwear; and (62) certain refracting and reflecting telescopes. Extends the existing suspension of duty through December 31, 2009, for: (1) certain chemicals and dyes; (2) certain mixtures of sodium salts; (3) certain ion-exchange resins; (4) helium; (5) certain bags for toys; (6) cases for certain children's products; (7) certain 12V lead-acid storage batteries; (8) certain light absorbing photo dyes; (9) certain R-core transformers; (10) Imidacloprid pesticides; (11) certain filament yarns; (12) yarn of combed Kashmir (cashmere) or yarn of camel hair; (13) certain semi-manufacturered forms of gold; (14) certain cathode ray tubes; (15) sodium petroleum sulfonate; and (16) asulam sodium salt. Imposes and/or increases the duty on certain chemicals through December 31, 2009. Decreases the duty on certain chemicals and educational devices through December 31, 2009. Grants duty-free treatment through December 31, 2009, on a certain chemical. Extends the suspension of duty on mixtures of sodium salt and certain chemicals and dyes through December 31, 2009. Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to admit free of duty into the United States three tramway cars and their associated spare parts manufactured in Ostrava, Czech Republic, for the use by the city of Portland, Oregon, and imported pursuant to a contract with the city. Requires the Commissioner to reliquidate (refund the duties) paid on such entries before enactment of this Act. Provides for liquidation and/or reliquidation of certain entries of: (1) candles; (2) roller chain; (3) pasta; and (4) soundspa clock radios. Amends the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000 and the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 to require interest to be paid on the amounts owed by the United States pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of certain entries of antifriction bearings and tomato sauce preparation. Requires the Commissioner to: (1) reliquidate each of such entries; and (2) provide payment of interest owed by the United States. Sets forth the duty on rattan webbing. Revises the article description for certain monochrome glass envelopes. Applies the same stage rate reduction to other type monochrome glass envelopes whose subheading is redesignated by this Act. Provides separate tariff categories for certain tractor body parts. Provides duty-free treatment for: (1) certain flexible magnets and composite goods containing flexible magnets; and (2) fine animal hair of Kashmir (cashmere) goats. Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to excise taxes on alcohol, to include the use of methods or materials to correct wine, or the fruit juice from which it is made, among those practices and procedures constituting the proper cellar treatment of domestic and imported natural wine in bonded and taxpaid wine premises. Amends the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend certain trade benefits to sub-Saharan Africa until 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Stop the Automated Calls Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to revise the do-not-call registry provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to listed telephone numbers. Defines politically-oriented recorded message telephone call.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the National Cancer Institute, to establish special programs of research excellence in the area of pediatric cancers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a grant mechanism for the establishment of Research Fellowships in Pediatric Cancer to support adequate numbers of pediatric focused clinical and translational investigators. Requires the Director to award a grant for the operation of a population-based national childhood cancer database, the Childhood Cancer Research Network. Requires the Secretary to award grants to recognized childhood cancer professional and advocacy organizations to raise public awareness of currently available information, treatment, and research with intent to ensure access to best available therapies for pediatric cancers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2006
Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose the rescission of any dollar amount of discretionary budget authority or the rescission, in whole or in part, of any item of direct spending. Sets forth requirements for the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission. Requires any rescinded budget authority or items of direct spending to be dedicated only to deficit reduction, and not to be used as an offset for other spending increases. Provides for adjustment of: (1) committee allocations resulting from such rescission; and (2) applicable limits, as appropriate, under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of a proposed rescission.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2006
Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2006 -Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims concerning the provision of health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Provides that nothing in this Act limits recovery of the full amount of available economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Allows the introduction of collateral source benefits and the amount paid to secure such benefits as evidence. Prohibits a provider of such benefits from recovering any amount from an award in a health care lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and providers of medical products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2006
Prohibits an entity owned or controlled by a foreign government from: (1) conducting operations relating to the import or export of cargo by vessel, or the arrival or departure of crew or passengers on a cargo vessel, at a U.S. seaport; or (2) entering into a contract to conduct such operations. Subjects a person to certain civil penalties for violating such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the "John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the emergence of a democratic Palestinian governing authority that denounces and combats terrorism, upholds human rights for all people, and has agreed to recognize Israel as an independent Jewish state. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act or any other provision of law to the Palestinian Authority (PA) only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined: (1) that no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization and no member of a foreign terrorist organization serves in a PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality; (2) that the PA has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the government of the United States, the government of Israel, and the international community; and (3) that the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect with respect to the PA.: (1) assistance to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human health needs from such limitation.); (2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations intended for U.N. agencies providing assistance directly to the PA; (3) visa issuance to any PA official or affiliated person (with a case-by-case exemption for U.S. security needs); (4) travel outside of a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building for officials and representatives of the PA and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City; and (5) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA or the PLO. Requires the President to direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA during any such period. Directs the Secretary of State to audit and report respecting duplicative entities and functions of: (1) the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights; (2) the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; (3) the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority; (4) the NGO Network on the Question of Palestine; (5) the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories; and (6) any other entity the Secretary determines results in duplicative efforts or funding or fails to ensure balance in the approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues. Withholds specified U.S. contributions to the United Nations for such entities until the report's recommendations are implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. Prohibits funds to be used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate, attend official meetings, or have official contacts with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization, until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Continuing Care Seniors Housing Act of 2005 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions which allow a tax exemption for the interest imputed to below-market rate interest loans to certain continuing care facilities to: (1) decrease from 65 to 62 the qualifying age for lenders to continuing care facilities; (2) eliminate the $90,000 limitation on loans to such facilities; (3) modify continuing care contract requirements; and (4) revise the definition of continuing care facility to include an independent living unit, plus an assisted living or nursing facility, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many contributions to peace and religious understanding.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Urges the President to issue annually a proclamation calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2005
Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a Gulf Opportunity Zone (GO Zone) in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina to provide tax benefits (e.g., tax-exempt bond financing, low-income housing credits, accelerated depreciation and increased expenses of business assets, extended carrybacks of net operating losses for businesses and timber producers, and tax credits for investment in a GO Zone and for the retention of employees working in a GO Zone) for individual and businesses in those areas; (2) provide federal guarantees for certain bonds issued by the states of Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi; (3) establish opportunity zones in areas affected by Hurricanes Rita (Rita GO Zone) and Wilma (Wilma GO Zone) and extend tax benefits currently available in the Gulf Opportunity Zone to individuals and businesses affected by Hurricanes Rita and Wilma; and (4) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to allow the tax deduction for traveling expenses for certain taxpayers away from home for more than a year due to a major disaster. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should designate a series of bonds or certificates as Gulf Coast Recovery Bonds in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Tax Revision Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2006: (1) the taxpayer election to include combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of computing the earned income tax credit; (2) the increased cover over (payment) to the Treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of distilled spirit excise tax revenues; (3) the authority for certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) undercover investigative operations; and (4) the authority for disclosure of tax return information for combined employment tax reporting, for combating terrorist activities, and for student loan repayment. Allows, through 2006, the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities for taxpayers with income from sources in Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
S Corporation Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax treatment of S corporations, including by: (1) reducing from 10 to 7 years the the period during which S corporation built-in gains are subject to tax; (2) allowing S corporations to issue preferred stock and convertible debt instruments; (3) repealing restrictions on S corporation passive income deemed excessive; (4) allowing S corporations to increase passive investment income from 25% to 60% without incurring additional tax; (5) providing a rule for the adjustment of the basis of S corporation stock for certain charitable contributions; (6) allowing nonresident aliens and individual retirement accounts to hold stock in S corporations; and (7) revising rules for the waiver of inadvertent invalid elections or terminations of S corporation status.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to the security of Israel. Asserts that: (1) terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, should not be permitted to participate in Palestinian elections until such organizations recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, cease incitement, condemn terrorism, and disarm and dismantle their terrorist infrastructure; and (2) Hamas' or any other terrorist group's inclusion into the Palestinian governing structure will inevitably raise serious U.S. policy considerations, potentially undermining the ability of the United States to provide financial assistance and conduct normal relations with the PA. Calls on the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas before the election to declare openly his intention to dismantle the terrorist organizations. States that progress in the peace process requires sustained Palestinian effort to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase from 85% to100% of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount the payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments under the Medicare program for cost reporting periods begining during or after FY2006.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2005 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage. Authorizes the Secretary to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance coverage. Restricts purchase of such coverage to eligible state programs. Prescribes criteria for state eligibility. Requires each contract for reinsurance coverage to provide insurance coverage against residential property losses to homes, including condominium and cooperative ownership, and the contents of apartment buildings. Cites covered perils. Prescribes a minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Establishes the Consumer Hurricane, Earthquake, Loss Protection (HELP) Fund to: (1) make payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible losses; and (2) pay for Commission operating costs and reinsurance program administrative expenses. Directs the Comptroller General to study the national flood insurance program and hurricane-related flooding.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [R-FL-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000303_200.jpg)