Rep. Simmons, Rob [R-CT-2]

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 108-751 to express the sense of Congress that the new National Intelligence Director (NID) should establish an Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Center and to direct the NID to report to Congress whether or not an OSINT Center will be established and to justify the reasons for or against its establishment.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 109-459 to prevent DoD from revoking expired security clearances from defense contractors until an investigation moratorium and backlog is eliminated; and does not change the security clearance investigation process or prevent the department from revoking security clearances for national security purposes.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered eleven printed in the Congressional Record to increase U.S. Coast Guard acquisition, construction and improvements funding by $18,500,000.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill for entering into, implementation of, or provision of oversight of contracts between the Secretary of the Treasury and private collection agencies. The provisions of the amendment shall not impact the administration of any tax or tariff. Finally, the amendment provides for a $5 million reduction in funds for the Business Systems Modernization account of the IRS.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 108-561 to direct the Director of Central Intelligence to report to Congress on the progress the Intelligence Community is making in utilizing Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to provide full reimbursement for professional liability insurance for counterterrorism employees at the Central Intelligence Agency.

United States · United States Congress

To honor the memory of Arnold "Red" Auerbach.

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006

Honors Arnold "Red" Auerbach as a basketball genius, a leader in the effort to removal racial barriers and allow merit to prevail in professional sports, and one of the greatest coaches and executives of all time.

Automatic IRA Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006

Automatic IRA Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain small employers who do not offer qualified retirement plans or arrangements to their employees to allow eligible employees to participate in a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRAs); (2) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing a payroll deposit IRA arrangement; and (3) treat automatic IRAs as individual retirement accounts (and as Roth IRAs) for income tax purposes. Establishes in the executive branch the TSP II Board to establish policies and procedures relating to payroll deposit IRA arrangements.

Alternative Energy Research and Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006

Alternative Energy Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application (R&D) for: (1) production of motor and other fuels from biomass; (2) technologies to enable practical onboard storage of hydrogen for use as a fuel for light-duty motor vehicles; (3) advanced solar photovoltaic technologies; and (4) advanced wind energy technologies. Instructs the Secretary to continue R&D activities targeting: (1) distributed energy; (2) micro-cogeneration technology; and (3) geothermal energy, hydropower, and ocean energy authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement an R&D program for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric drive transportation; and (2) establish a pilot program to provide competitive grants to state governments, local governments and public entities, and metropolitan transportation authorities for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle demonstration projects. Solar Utilization Now Demonstration Act of 2006, or the SUN Act of 2006 - Instructs the Secretary to establish a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot grants program for new builidng construction or renovation to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency technologies. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the guidelines for a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to contribute funds to the National Science Foundation for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to study its October 2005 recommendation to establish an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). Directs the Secretary to establish R&D programs for commercial application of: (1) coal gasification facilities that convert coal into pipeline quality gaseous fuels (methanation); and (2) materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels. Directs the Secretary, in making awards for integrated biorefinery demonstration projects, to encourage the commercial application of biomass technologies for biodegradable natural plastics from biomass.

EAT Healthy America Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006

Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act or the EAT Healthy America Act - Amends provisions with respect to: (1) specialty crops; (2) the tree assistance program; (3) the conservation reserve program; (4) the wetlands reserve program; (5) the farmland protection program; (6) the grassland reserve program; (7) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (8) the environmental qualities incentives program; (9) air quality improvement; (10) integrated pest management initiative; (11) native plant habitat restoration; (12) agricultural trade; (13) invasive pests and diseases; (14) nutrition; (15) agricultural research; and (16) renewable energy, including crop biomass waste.

Veterans Health Care Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006

Veterans Health Care Act of 2006 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to, among other things: (1) authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in certain cases, to furnish up to 14 days of postnatal care to the newborn child of a woman veteran; (2) revise third-party payer provisions relating to health care furnished through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for spina bifida and associated disabilities in the children of Vietnam veterans; (3) make permanent the homeless veterans' comprehensive services program; (4) include as authorized VA mental health service providers marriage and family therapists and professional mental health counselors; (5) provide a pay level adjustment for the Chief Nursing Officer; (6) authorize VA vs. private contractor cost comparison studies with respect to certain commercial or industrial products; (7) direct the Secretary to expand certain veterans' mental health clinical services and education programs; (8) provide an exception to the confidentiality of VA medical records in the case of possible organ donations; (9) direct the Secretary to expand the National Guard outreach program and telehealth services; (10) allow limited veterans' travel reimbursement in connection with treatment or care for a non-service-connected disability; (11) establish VA blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists; (12) provide priority health care and services for certain veterans affected by Hurricane Katrina; (13) authorize the Secretary to reimburse veterans for certain outstanding emergency treatment expenses for which they remain personally liable; and (14) authorize the Secretary to convey to the city of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, certain property located in the Tower Park area of Fort Thomas.

Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2006

Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 2006 - Requires the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that prohibit eligibility in the governmental retirement system for a Member convicted of certain felony offenses in which: (1) every act or omission of such individual that is needed to satisfy the elements of the offense occurs while the individual is a Member; (2) such act or omission relates to the performance of the individual's official duties as a Member; and (3) the offense is committed after the enactment of this Act. Requires refund of annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

Supporting the goals and ideals of "Lights On Afterschool!", a national celebration of after-school programs.

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006

Supports the goals and ideals of "Lights On Afterschool!," a national celebration of after-school programs.

Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006

Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Margaret Thatcher in recognition of her dedication to the values of free markets and free minds.

Supporting the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006

Expresses support for the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. Recognizes breast cancer survivors, the efforts of victims, volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer, and the work of national and community organizations in promoting breast cancer awareness, providing information, and offering treatment.

Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2006

Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2006 - Extends: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the grassland reserve program; (5) the environmental quality incentives program; (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (7) the agricultural management assistance program; and (8) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative. Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the suburban and community forestry and open space program; (3) an integrated pest management initiative; and (4) a conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Revises: (1) the farmland protection program; (2) funding for the healthy forests reserve program; and (3) the national organic certification and transition cost share program. Makes permanent funding available for: (1) the education grant program for Hispanic-serving institutions; and (2) the fresh fruit and vegetable program. Revises and extends the biorefinery development program. Extends: (1) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (2) the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program; (3) the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; (4) biomass research and development; and (5) carbon cycle research. Extends: (1) the community food project grant program; (2) the farm-to-cafeteria program; (3) WIC farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (5) farmers' market promotion program.

Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2006

Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to provide that the state will establish and maintain laws to require disclosure of information on hospital charges, to make such information available to the public, and to provide individuals with information about estimated out-of-pocket costs for health care services. Directs the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to research and report to Congress on: (1) the types of information on the charges and out-of-pocket costs for health care services that individuals find useful in making decisions about where, when, and from whom to receive care; (2) how such types of information vary by whether they have health benefits coverage, and what kinds; and (3) ways in which such information may be available on a timely basis and in easy-to-understand form to individuals facing such decisions.

Supporting the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan.

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

Commends the efforts of U.S. officials who have helped secure the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Darfur Peace Agreement. Supports the appointment of an adequately staffed Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan to develop and coordinate U.S. policy toward Sudan. Urges the Envoy's mandate to include: (1) deterring further escalation of violence and humanitarian disaster in the Darfur region of Sudan while ensuring civilian protection and implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement; (2) facilitating the development of an international peacekeeping mission to Darfur; (3) coordinating reconstruction in Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas; (4) coordinating the return of refugees and displaced people in Darfur and southern Sudan; (5) consolidating peace in Northern Uganda; (6) coordinating efforts to ensure transformation of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) into a professional armed force; (7) working toward achieving a peaceful and democratic Sudan by ensuring that free and fair elections are held; and (8) coordinating efforts toward achieving accountability for the crimes committed in Darfur.

War on Terror Wounded Heroes' Bill of Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

War on Terror Wounded Heroes' Bill of Rights Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide prompt emergency cash assistance to a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran who, on or after September 11, 2001, was or is severely wounded or injured while serving on active duty in combat operations of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom (each such individual to be known as a War on Terror Wounded Hero) and, due to such injury and subsequent medical treatment, is undergoing significant financial difficulty. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to ensure the provision of sufficient services to meet the needs of all War on Terror Wounded Heroes without regard to residential geographic location with respect to the following medical services: (1) adult day health care; (2) home health care; (3) respite care; (4) home-based primary care; (5) hospice; and (6) such other noninstitutional extended care services as appropriate. Directs the Secretary to operate and maintain a voluntary program in caregiver education, training, and certification for family members of War on Terror Wounded Heroes. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities to furnish care to War on Terror Wounded Heroes, under certain conditions. Requires review by the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee of the emergency cash assistance, medical services, and caregiver support programs established under this Act. Provides a business tax credit for employers hiring War on Terror Wounded Heroes.

Congratulating and thanking Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta for his 40 years of dedicated service to the people of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Congratulates and thanks Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta for his long career of public service to the United States.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Myositis Awareness Day.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of a National Myositis Awareness Day.

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to support business incubation at institutions of higher education that award associate or baccalaureate degrees. Directs the Secretary to make competitive, matching awards to: (1) a nonprofit entity that manages or provides technical assistance to a degree-granting institution's affiliated incubator (or to the institution that manages in the absence of such an entity), for helping acquire or renovate space for incubators, and for developing curricula, providing services, or providing programming for entrepreneurs housed in an incubator; and (2) a degree-granting institution or a nonprofit local government or community development organization, for feasibility studies to determine the need for or siting of incubators. Requires the Secretary to reserve certain amounts for research regarding best practices for incubator programs, including the development of a benchmarking system based on uniform measures, and for dissemination of information regarding such practices. Authorizes contracts for such purposes with organizations with expertise in business incubation practices.

To provide temporary duty reductions for certain cotton fabrics, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to reduce, through December 31, 2008 , the duty on certain cotton shirting fabrics. Limits the quantity of imported cotton woven fabric entered by or on behalf of each manufacturer of men's and boy's shirts. Provides for the issuance of import licenses subject to such limitation. Establishes the Pima Cotton Trust Fund within the Treasury, consisting of transfers from the general fund in amounts attributable to the duty received since January 1, 1994, on woven fabrics of cotten under specified HTSUS headings. Provides for annual distribution of amounts from such Fund to a nationally recognized association of shirting manufacturers for the promotion of U.S.-grown pima cotton, and to yarn spinners of such cotton.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that tips received for certain services shall not be subject to income or employment taxes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the first $10,000 of tips received for cosmetology, hospitality (including lodging and food and beverage services), recreation, taxi, newspaper delivery, and shoe shine services as property transferred by gift, thus exempting such tips from income, employment, and unemployment taxation and from wage withholding.