United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Authorizes the Society of the Third Infantry Division to erect a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor of the men of the "Rock of the Marne" of the Third Infantry Division who served in both World Wars, Korea, and maintaining peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the memorial subject to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and, under certain circumstances, the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Subjects the design and plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary, the National Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs that the maintenance and care of the memorial shall be the Secretary's responsibility unless the memorial is on public grounds under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia in which case such duties fall on the District of Columbia. Provides that funds of the United States or the District of Columbia may not be used to erect the memorial. Directs that the authority to establish the memorial is contingent upon its erection beginning within five years with funds sufficient to ensure its completion.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Allowable Cost Reform Act - Requires that a contract with the Department of Defense for an amount more than $25,000 that is flexibly priced or for which certain cost or pricing data is required must: (1) disallow certain costs; and (2) impose a penalty on a contractor who submits a claim for reimbursement of such a cost. Provides that the following costs are disallowed under such a contract: (1) costs of amusement and social activities; (2) costs incurred to influence action on legislation or appropriation matters pending before the Congress; (3) costs of the defense of any fraud proceeding; (4) fines and penalties imposed for noncompliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulatons; (5) costs of memberships in any social or dining club or organization; (6) alcoholic beverages; (7) contributions or donations; (8) advertising; and (9) models, gifts, souvenirs, or other memorabilia. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations concerning the allowability of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to submit to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees a report identifying: (1) the nature of the proposed changes to be made to current cost principles; and (2) the potential effect of such changes on future requests for reimbursement of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to allow resolution of challenged expenses by negotiation and settlement. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments and the Directors of the Defense Agencies to prescribe regulations to limit to five years the duty assignment for certain contracting officials to any particular contractor.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Medicare Vision Reform Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for all services provided by a doctor of optometry. (Current law permits coverage for optometric services only if related to the condition of aphakia). Requires payment for optometric services to be made on the basis of an assignment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Military Command Reorganization Act of 1985 - States that the National Command Authorities consist of the President and the Secretary of Defense. Establishes a military chain of command running from the President to the Secretary of Defense, to the Chief of Staff of the National Command Authorities, to the commanders of the unified and specified combatant commands. Abolishes the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chairman thereof. Reconstitutes such staff as the Joint Military Staff of the National Command Authorities under the Chief of Staff of the National Command Authorities. Creates the position of Chief of Staff of the National Command Authorities (Chief) to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate to serve as the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Sets forth the duties of the Chief, including: (1) preparing strategic and logistic plans; (2) formulating training policies; and (3) reviewing material and personnel requirements of the armed forces. Establishes two Deputy Chiefs of Staff to be selected by the Chief from the officers of the regular components of the armed forces. Directs the Chief to designate one such Deputy to serve as Acting Chief as specified. Establishes a Joint Military Staff under the Chief. Sets forth the composition of such staff which is to include members from all the armed forces. Sets forth the terms of assignment on such Staff. Requires that such Staff be independently organized and operated. Establishes in the Department of Defense a National Military Council to advise the Secretary and President on matters pertaining to national security policy. Sets forth the terms of membership on such Council. Directs the President to designate a Chairman to administer such Council and to represent him at all National Security Council meetings.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to make grants to States to pay for the establishment and operation of international trade development centers or the expansion of existing international trade development centers to enhance the exportation of agricultural products and related products. Requires such grants to provide half the funding for such centers. Requires the Secretary to give preference to States which intend to use as sites for international trade development centers land-grant colleges which: (1) operate agriculture programs; (2) have existing international trade programs; and (3) have a communications system that might be linked on an international basis to conduct conferences on trade negotiations. Provides that such centers may: (1) establish a permanent data base to address the problems faced by potential exporters; (2) be used to house exhibits on agricultural products produced in the United States; and (3) carry out certain other activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Long Term Care Insurance Promotion and Protection Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Federal and State regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, private insurers, organizations representing consumers and the aged, and providers of long-term health care services, to establish model standards for the regulation of long-term health care insurance policies offered by private entities. Requires such standards to be designed to: (1) limit marketing and agent abuse; (2) assure the dissemination of such information to Medicare beneficiaries as is necessary to permit informed choice; (3) promote policies which provide reasonable economic benefits to such beneficiaries; (4) reduce the purchase of unnecessary duplicative coverage; and (5) improve price competition. Provides that such standards shall apply to long-term health care insurance policies in the same manner as they apply to Medicare supplemental policies. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Comprehensive Alzheimer's Assistance, Research, and Education Act of 1985 - Title I : Amendment to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Alzheimer's Education Program to: (1) coordinate education and training programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Veterans Administration, other Federal entities, State and local governments, and private organizations; (2) establish an information clearinghouse; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, patients, and the general public; and (4) provide technical assistance to States and public and private organizations in the collection and dissemination of information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to plan, establish, and operate programs to: (1) coordinate the development and operation of diagnostic, treatment, care management, respite care, legal counseling, and education services provided by public and private organizations within the State; (2) provide respite care to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, and the general public on treatment and related services for patients and their families; (4) coordinate the development and operation of continuing education for health care providers on the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (5) review State policies on the financing and reimbursement of health care costs for such patients; (6) review State nursing home regulations as they apply to such patients; and (7) coordinate with the National Alzheimer's Education Program. Limits Federal grants for such programs to the lesser of one half the cost or $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan for a research program for the study of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public and private entities for ten to 20 Alzheimer's disease research centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Provides for the recovery from Alaska of Federal grants provided under the Public Health Service Act if within 20 years from the date of completion of a medical facility, such facility ceases to be a publicly owned facility operated for the care or treatment of patients under Alaska's mental health program. Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Research, Demonstrations, and Waivers - Directs the Secretary to conduct research, waiver, and demonstration projects under the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act to determine the: (1) coverage of alternative methods of health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (2) coverage of nursing home care; and (3) appropriate reimbursement levels for nursing homes with such patients. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within two years after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Rural Electrification Program must continue to provide financing and technical assistance at reasonable cost; and (2) the people of the United States and Federal and State governmental agencies should commemorate the Rural Electrification Administration on its 50th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should establish a task force of expert farmers to address the long-range concerns of the U.S. agricultural industry.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Defines a "family farmer" for purposes of Federal bankruptcy law as any person (other than a corporation) owning a farm, at least 80 percent of whose debts arise out of such farming operation. Allows a family farmer with a regular annual income and with total secured and unsecured debts of less than $1,000,000 to qualify as a debtor under bankruptcy provisions providing for the adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income (personal bankruptcy provisions). Provides that involuntary bankruptcy cases may not be commenced against family farmers. Extends by 120 days the periods following the order for relief during which only a debtor may file a reorganization plan and after which any party in interest may file a reorganization plan in the case of a debtor who is a farmer. Revises the compensation of a trustee appointed to a personal bankruptcy case where the debtor is a family farmer to a percentage fee not exceeding the sum of up to ten percent of the aggregate payments up to $450,000 under the plan of such debtor plus three percent of the aggregate amount of payments exceeding $450,000, based on the maximum annual compensation and the actual necessary expenses incurred by the trustee. Prohibits a court from converting a reorganization case to a liquidation case, or a personal bankruptcy case to a reorganization or liquidation case, if the debtor is a family farmer. Allows a plan filed in a personal bankruptcy case to modify the rights of holders of claims secured only by a security interest in real property which is a family farmer's principal residence and which such family farmer uses for farming operations. Extends from five to seven years the maximum period over which payments may be made under such a plan in the case of a debtor who is a family farmer. Requires a court, at the timely request of such a debtor, to hold a hearing to determine from the facts and circumstances of the debtor and the case a reasonable time after such a plan is filed within which the debtor shall begin making such payments.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia to conduct an investigation and report to the Congress its findings with respect to the existence and the release of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. Sets forth specified administrative procedures and powers of the Commission. Requires the Commission to terminate 30 days after the filing of its report to the Congress or on January 3, 1987, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal honoring George Gershwin to his sister, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, and a gold medal honoring Ira Gershwin to his widow, Lenore Gershwin. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the English language is the official language of the United States; and (2) no language other than the English language is recognized as the official language of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1985
Joint Chiefs of Staff Reorganization Act of 1985 - Establishes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after the Secretary of Defense in the national military chain of command. Provides that orders to combatant commands shall be issued by the President or the Secretary through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Provides that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. Allows any member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit any opinion in disagreement with the military advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Establishes the position of Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Specifies the duties and responsibilities of such Deputy Chairman. Makes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff a member of the National Security Council.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a stamp commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Blue Angels. Specifies the design and denomination of the stamp. Establishes the dates within which the stamp shall be issued and directs that it be sold for a period set by the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an export expansion program under which Commodity Credit Corporation stocks are tendered at no cost to U.S. exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers. Directs the Secretary in carrying out such program to ensure that: (1) normal U.S. agricultural exports are not displaced; (2) such stocks are not transshipped; and (3) any such stocks, reimported into the United States in manufactured form, do not place domestic users at a competitive disadvantage.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to establish in the Treasury an Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund for use by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for financing: (1) commercial export sales of U.S. agricultural commodities; (2) export sales of U.S. breeding animals; and (3) the establishment of facilities in importing countries to improve the capacity of such countries for handling U.S. agricultural exports. Directs the CCC to use the revolving fund only to extend credit to develop and expand markets and only where there is substantial potential for developing or enhancing regular commercial markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that the revolving fund is used to finance sales to the greatest feasible number of countries consistent with maximizing market opportunities. Sets forth goals for allocating the funds. Authorizes appropriations for the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the use of the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to deem misbranded any imported meat that is not labeled imported. Requires restaurants and other eating establishments that sell a significant amount of imported meat food products to inform their customers of such fact. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue within 30 days a proposed rule defining what constitutes a significant amount of imported meat. Provides for veto of any proposed rule by either congressional agricultural committee within 60 days after issuance. Requires the Secretary to issue a revised rule within 30 days after such a disapproval. Applies U.S. inspection, sanitary species verification, residue, and agricultural chemical and animal drug use standards to all imported carcasses capable of being used as human food and all meat and meat products offered for importation into the United States. Authorizes the President to exempt certain imports from the chemical and drug standards if not to do so would cause serious damage to U.S. agricultural exports. Requires the President to give the Congress ten days notice before any such exemption becomes effective.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Directs the President to take steps to ensure: (1) substantial equivalence between the number, status, and privileges and immunities of Soviet officers or employees in the United States and the number, status, and privileges and immunities of U.S. officers and employees in the Soviet Union; and (2) that comparable restrictions regarding travel, accommodations and facilities are imposed on Soviet officers and employees living in the United States as are imposed on U.S. officers and employees living in the Soviet Union. Requires the President to report to the Congress on actions taken to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1985
Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act - Title I: SSI Work Incentive Provisions - Makes permanent provisions which provide benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Revises the eligibility requirements for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and implement procedures which provide that whenever an individual is formally notified of his or her SSI eligibility, such individual will also be notified of the availability of assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Directs the Secretary, when any individual receives SSI benefits on the basis of a disability, to notify such individual of his or her potential eligibility for the SSI benefits available for those performing substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the operation of the SSI section which provides benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment, with the particular objective of evaluating the work incentive provisions of such section. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress the findings of such study. Title II: Disabled Workers Demonstration Program - Amends the Rehabilitation Act to direct the Secretary of Education to establish grant programs to: (1) assist employers to plan, implement, operate, expand, and evaluate retention and reemployment demonstration programs for disabled workers; (2) assist employers to develop plans for the initiation or substantial expansion of a comprehensive retention and reemployment program for disabled workers; (3) assist employers to implement or substantially expand a comprehensive retention and reemployment program for disabled workers; and (4) assist employers in evaluating the effectiveness of any retention and reemployment program for disabled workers. Requires any employer requesting a grant to apply to the Secretary in such form, and at such times, as the Secretary may request. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1992. Title III: Employment Opportunities Demonstration Program for SSI and Disability Insurance Recipients - Directs to Secretary to establish a grant program to assist the States in establishing and operating demonstration programs to promote, identify, secure, and evaluate employment opportunities for individuals receiving SSI on the basis of blindness or disability, and individuals receiving disability insurance benefits or child's insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires any State requesting a grant to apply to the Secretary in such form, and at such times, as the Secretary may require. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Federal Drug Law Enforcement Agent Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to authorize awards of up to $100,000 to any individual who provides original information which leads to the arrest and conviction of a person who kidnaps or kills a Federal drug law enforcement agent. Provides that the money for such rewards be taken from the forfeiture proceeds within the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Amends the Library Services and Construction Act (the Act) to revise the definitions of "long-range program" and "Indian tribe." Makes specified requirements for maintenance of funding levels for public library systems applicable to Hawaiian native programs. Provides that, for purposes of basic State plan requirements, "limited English-speaking proficiency" shall be determined according to its definition under the Bilingual Education Act. Specifies that certain references under provisions relating to administrative costs are to titles I, II, and III of the Act. Excludes the amount made available for Indian tribes and Hawaiian natives from certain determinations for purposes of reservation of portions of State allotments for major urban resource libraries. Makes inapplicable in the case of Indian tribes and Indians in California, Oklahoma, and Alaska any provisions of title IV (Library Services for Indian Tribes) which require that services be provided on or near Indian reservations, or to only those Indians who live on or near Indian reservations. Amends the General Education Provision Act to authorize appropriations for the Minority Institutions Science Improvement Program for FY 1985 and 1986. Amends the Harry S Truman Memorial Scholarship Act to remove the dollar limitation on stipends paid under such Act. Authorizes the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation to prescribe regulations governing the amount of such stipends.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for outpatient occupational therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amusement Ride Safety Commission Joint Resolution - Establishes a National Commission on Amusement Ride Safety to conduct an investigation of the scope and adequacy of safety measures employed to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injuries from amusement rides. Directs the Commission to review; (1) Federal, State, and local laws; (2) voluntary safety standards; and (3) self-regulation measures. Directs the Commission to determine the uniformity of application and quality of enforcement of such laws, standards, and self-enforcement mechanisms. Directs the Commission to transmit to the President and the Congress a final report, not later than 18 months after enactment of this resolution. Grants the Commission the power to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, and order any person to give testimony by deposition.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Provides that, for taxable years prior to 1985, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the deduction for the use of their automobile in performing services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route by: (1) using the amount received as equipment maintenance allowances from the United States Postal Service; or (2) using the form entitled "Worksheet for Use of Rural Carrier in Reporting Equipment Allowance and Claiming Transportation Expense Deduction." Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1984, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of their deduction for use of their automobile in performing such services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all such miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) by calculating the equipment allowance deduction equal to the operating expenses. Removes the 50 percent of business use limitation contained in the Internal Revenue Code for rural letter carriers who claim the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction for their automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements. Requires such veteran, if receiving another pension administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), to elect which pension he will receive. Provides for the payment of a monthly pension of $100 to surviving spouses of World War I veterans who meet certain marriage requirements. Requires such surviving spouses to choose between pensions if they are currently receiving another pension through the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Satellite Television Viewing Rights Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow any person to receive encrypted satellite cable programming decoded for private viewing upon compliance with prices, terms, and conditions established in the marketplace or by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Prohibits any person from: (1) denying the availability of such programming for private viewing; (2) substantially restricting the availability of such programming for private viewing through pricing or other terms or conditions; (3) discriminating in price between different distributors offering comparable distribution services; or (4) requiring a person to purchase or lease decoding equipment from a specific source in order to receive such programming. Directs the FCC, if petitioned, to establish reasonable prices, terms, and conditions for the private viewing of such programming in a market by any person who: (1) has been denied viewing rights for at least ten days; (2) has been offered such rights on terms or conditions which substantially restrict the availability of programming; (3) resides in the franchised area of a cable television system where the operator is the sole source of such programming; or (4) resides outside of the franchised area of a cable system where the price for viewing rights is higher than the price paid by subscribers within the market. Sets forth factors to be considered by the FCC in establishing prices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits a Federal agency from procuring by contract any services performed by Federal employees in the competitive service positions of guards, elevator operators, messengers, and custodians if such procurement would: (1) cause the involuntary separation of a preference eligible from any such position; or (2) preclude the performance of any such service by a qualified preference eligible. Provides that neither an involuntary reassignment within the same agency nor an involuntary transfer to another agency shall be considered to be an involuntary separation if such reassignment or transfer is to a vacant position which is the same type, at the same or higher pay, within the same commuting area, and for which the preference eligible is qualified. Allows the procurement of such services by contract: (1) when qualified preference eligibles are not available; and (2) for positions held by employees other than preference eligibles. Requires that any such procurement be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal procurement laws, including specified provisions requiring certain procurements of services from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind and for other severely handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to repeal the provisions which reduce certain portions of annuity benefits by the dollar amount of the cost-of-living increase in certain monthly insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that National Guard and reserve members should be recognized for the essential role they play in the national defense. Urges and requests employers and supervisors to abide by Federal law and grant a leave of absence for military training to members of the Guard and reserves and provide such employees equal consideration for job benefits and promotions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Satellite Television Viewing Amendments - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encryption of satellite cable programming for two years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Recognizes the pause for the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the celebration of National Flag Day and urges all Americans to participate by reciting the Pledge in unison at a specified time on that day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Elder Abuse Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office known as the National Center on Elder Abuse to: (1) compile an annual summary of recently conducted research on elder abuse; (2) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on all programs for the prevention and treatment of such abuse; (3) compile training materials for personnel engaged in elder abuse prevention; (4) provide technical assistance for the planning and implementing of programs relating to the problems of elder abuse; and (5) investigate the causes and national incidence of elder abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or enter into contracts with public agencies or nonprofit organizations for demonstration projects designed to prevent and treat elder abuse. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the development and implementation of elder abuse prevention and treatment programs. Requires such States to have in effect a State elder abuse law with mandatory reporting provisions. Sets forth other requirements for eligibility. Prohibits the use of assistance for construction of facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to achieve equitable distribution of assistance among the States. Authorizes appropriations.